LOCAL Houston | The City Guide April 2017 | Page 12

ON OUR RADAR HAVING A BALL On April 23, co-owners Johnny Mandola and Bubba Butera of Damian’s Cucina Italiana invite you to roll up your sleeves and join them in a culinary showdown – The Meatball Brawl – featuring an Italian classic, the meatball. In honor of his late father (Frankie Mandola), this annual event will benefit two of his favorite char- ities: The 100 Club and the Italian-American Sports Foundation. The Meatball Brawl will bring Houston’s most talented and diverse restaurants together to compete and showcase their original cre- ations for hundreds of guests, plus a panel of media and celebrity judges. For more information, visit www.meatballbrawl.eventbrite.com or call 713.524.2800. I’LL DRINK TO THAT Much to Texas beer enthusiasts’ delight, Michigan-based Bell’s Brewery rolled out distribution in the Lone Star State beginning in early March and has partnered with Silver Eagle Distributors to tap into the Houston market. An over-30-year-old and 100 percent family-owned brewery, Bell’s – ranked 7th largest craft brewery in the nation according to the Brewers Association – will enter the Texas market with a lineup of year-round and season- al brews, as well as debut a beer crafted specifically for the occasion: Am I Right or Amarillo, an American IPA. Find it near you with this handy beer finder: www.bellsbeer.com/beer-finder 12 L O C AL | april 17