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    a feast of events

    10 tastiest Houston food and drink events on the menu for 2018

    Marcy de Luna
    Jan 25, 2018 | 9:37 am

    From an outdoor feast at a sustainable farm, to CultureMap’s annual celebration of culinary talent, we’ve rounded up 10 can’t-miss food events to hit up now through May. This is your chance to kick off the new year, and mix and mingle at some standout parties, while noshing on amazing food, and enjoying crafty libations.

    This menu of hot happenings features some of the biggest names in the Houston — and Texas — dining scene, so we recommend grabbing your tickets now.

    Truffle Masters
    January 29

    They had us at black truffles, the star of dishes made by more than 20 top chefs at Truffle Masters, this year held at The Astorian. Then, they added a charitable component, with event proceeds benefiting Casa de Esperanza de Los Ninos, and we’re all in. The lengthy roster of culinary talent includes Luis Roger (BCN Taste and Tradition), Philippe Verpiand (Étoile Cuisine et Bar), Jose Hernandez (Lucienne), Danny Trace (Potente), and Ryan Lachaine (Riel). (VIP reception from 6 pm-7 pm, and general admission from 7 pm-10 pm; tickets: $175 per person for general admission and $275 per person for VIP).
    2500 Summer St.

    Cooking Up a Cure
    February 1

    Texas Children's Hospital organizes Cooking Up a Cure, which raises funds for the hospital’s food allergy program. The epicurean soiree, held at The Astorian, promises food prepared by top cooking talents including Tommy Elbashary (B&B Butchers), Martin Sayer (Nobie’s), Jim Mills (State Fare), Richard Kaplan (Weights and Measures), and Lance Gillum (Uchi). (7-10 pm; tickets: $250 per person, tables range from $1,000-$15,000)
    2500 Summer St.

    Texas Monthly Whiskey Affair
    February 8

    Whiskey makers from near and far come together at Silver Street Studios to serve straight pours and cocktails from their portfolios at the Texas Monthly Whiskey Affair. Expect spirit seminars led by Texas Monthly editor-in-chief Tim Taliaferro and wine and spirits contributor Jessica Dupuy, music by jazz musician Doc Watkins, and bites and cocktails served up by food and beverage superstars from Mike Raymond (Reserve 101), to Shion Aikawa and Kevin Kobayashi (Ramen Tatsu-Ya), to William Wright (Helen Greek Food and Wine). A portion of the proceeds goes to Feeding Texas and the Houston Food Bank. (6-10 pm; tickets: $95 per person).
    2000 Edwards St.

    Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Best Bites
    February 18

    Go big at Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s (HLSR) mega food and wine event, Rodeo Uncorked! Best Bites. Here, you can load up on fare from more than 100 high profile local restaurants, and take your pick of more than 400 wines available to sample. (6 pm for table buyers and 6:30 for general admission; tickets: $165 per person, tables range from $2,000-$2,500)
    1 NRG Park

    Chef Fest
    March 4

    Enjoy an outdoor feast at a sustainable 12-acre farm, Harvest Green Village located in Richmond, Texas, at Chef Fest. Dig into dishes, made with local produce and proteins, by Houston-area chefs: Monica Pope (Sparrow Bar + Cookshop), Jill Bartolome (Aqui), Ara Malekian (Harlem Road Texas BBQ), Becca Reyenga and Jason Kerr (Little Kitchen HTX), Stephanie Hoban (Ripe Cuisine), Chris Zettlemoyer (Renegade Kitchen) and Rebecca Masson (Fluff Bake Bar).

    The event also includes regional chefs, from Matt McCallister (Dallas’ FT33) to Andrew Wiseheart (Austin’s Contigo), to Ryan Trahan (Lafayette’s Dark Roux). Tickets also include beverages from local purveyors, live music, a Kids’ Can Cook tent, and farm tours. (12-4 pm; tickets: $75-$90 per person).
    8939 Harlem Rd., Richmond

    CultureMap Tastemaker Awards
    ​April 4

    An annual celebration of talent in Houston's restaurant and bar community, the CultureMap Tastemaker Awards shine the spotlight on the people making the city's restaurant scene special by honoring their innovation, energy, and creativity. In March and April, we'll feature all the nominees in a special editorial series.

    Then, join us on April 4 at Silver Street Studios for a swanky tasting event and awards ceremony, where attendees can mix and mingle with the city's top culinary talent and fellow foodies as we celebrate the nominees and unveil the winners. (6-9 pm; tickets: $45 per person through Feb 15 and $55 per person thereafter)
    2000 Edwards St.

    Big Brothers Big Sisters Big Taste
    April 8

    Satisfy your taste buds at the Big Taste of Houston. Get delicious bites and drinks from more than 20 restaurants (past participants include Kitchen 713, Mala Sichuan, The Pit Room, Uchi), while bidding on silent auction items. Held at Audi Central Houston, the event is chaired by Stacy and John Andell, Divya and Chris Brown, Leigh McBurnett and Matt Harris to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters. (4:30-7 pm; tickets: $125 per person for general admission and $195 per person for VIP)
    2120 Southwest Fwy.

    Tacos Over Texas
    April 8

    El Tiempo Cantina and The Original Ninfa’s on Navigation team up to present the inaugural Tacos Over Texas event, benefiting the Ninfa Laurenzo Scholarship Fund. Phyllis Mandola (Tony Mandola's Gulf Coast Kitchen) and Jonathan Horowitz (Legacy Restaurants) chair the event, with Barbara and George Bush designated as honorary chairs.

    Score libations, enjoy live music, and an abundance of tacos by chefs Domenic Laurenzo (El Tiempo) and Alex Padilla (The Original Ninfa’s), who are joined by Michael Cordua and David Cordua (Churrascos; Americas); Johnny Carrabba (Carrabba’s); Bud Royer (Round Top Cafe); Charles Bishop (Presidio); Lee Ellis (Cherry Pie Hospitality); and more. Tacos Over Texas takes place in the outdoor area between El Tiempo and The Original Ninfa’s, located in Houston’s East End. (1- 4 pm; tickets: $40 per person for general admission and $200 per person for VIP)

    Houston BBQ Festival
    April 15

    More than 20 barbecue joints — including four of Texas Monthly's top 10 in the state: Tomball's Tejas Chocolates & Barbecue, Spring's CorkScrew BBQ, Taylor's Louie Mueller Barbecue, and Brenham's Truth BBQ (coming soon to Washington Ave) — as well as local favorites like Blood Bros. BBQ, The Brisket House, Feges BBQ, Killen's Barbecue and Gatlin’s BBQ gather together to offer up tasty ‘cue at Houston BBQ Festival, which moves to a new venue in 2018: Humble Civic Center Arena. (1-4 pm; tickets: $50-$60 per person for general admission and $100-$120 per person for VIP)
    8233 Will Clayton Pkwy., Humble

    Raising the Barre: A Dinner in Four Acts
    April 29

    At the Houston Ballet's Raising the Barre: A Dinner in Four Acts, expect a stylish crowd and a special four-course menu created especially for the occasion by four local chefs alongside four Houston Ballet dancers serving as sous-chefs. Last year’s roster of top chefs included Lance Gillum (Uchi), Nicole Routhier (Le Colonial), Robert Del Grande (Cafe Annie), and pastry chef Rebecca Masson (Fluff Bake Bar). Chairing this year's event are Elizabeth and Charlie Leykum, and Elisa and Cris Pye — with Kristy Bradshaw and Lindsey Brown as 2018 honorees. (location and time TBD; tickets: $350 per person. Tables range from $3,500-$10,000)

    At the Houston Ballet's Raising the Barre: A Dinner in Four Acts, expect a special four-course menu.

    News, Joel, Raising the Barre, March 2015
      
    Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
    At the Houston Ballet's Raising the Barre: A Dinner in Four Acts, expect a special four-course menu.
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    Where to eat lunch now

    7 new luxe Houston lunch deals that make the midday meal memorable

    Brianna Griff
    Apr 25, 2025 | 4:00 pm
    hamsa lunch houston
    Kristen Gilliam
    At Hamsa, diners can select two salatim to begin their prix fixe lunch.

    A luxury lunch doesn’t always require a splurge — at least not a major one. These Houston restaurants’ prix fixe menus and bento boxes allow diners to sample curated, high-caliber cuisine for a fraction of the cost of a full dinner. Whether someone is entertaining a client, catching up with a colleague, or simply treating yourself to something special midweek, these prix fixe offerings deliver flavor, efficiency, and just the right amount of indulgence.

    Barbacana
    The downtown endeavor by chef-owner Christian Hernandez serves a prix fixe lunch that leans upscale at $50, but also delivers a quick introduction to his mashup of Houston’s diverse cuisine scene. Begin with a jicama or cauliflower salad, followed by a choice of a fried grouper sandwich, a veggie sandwich, or a mushroom donburi with confit egg yolk. Pair it with a creative side of Greek potato pave, crispy sunchokes, or brassica pickle chips. The price includes a glass of wine, beer, or a non-alcoholic beverage. Lunch is served Tuesday through Friday from 11 am-3 pm.

    Doko
    One of the newest establishment on this list, Doko is Duckstache Hospitality’s intimate Japanese concept in the Autry Park mixed-use development. A midday visit invites diners to explore the creations of chefs Patrick Pham and Daniel Lee through three sushi sets. Set A ($19) has a makimono roll of your choice and three pieces of nigiri—akami (lean tuna), masu (trout), and hamachi (yellowtail). Set B ($25) expands the nigiri selection with madai (sea bream) and kanpachi (amberjack), while Set C ($32) adds the popular chicken fat rice with jidori chicken and a fried egg. With just 50 seats, reservations are recommended. Lunch is served daily starting at 11 am.

    Hamsa
    This Rice Village restaurant’s $25 prix fixe lunch menu highlights the bold, colorful flavors of the Eastern Mediterranean. Start with two salatim, such as baba ganoush, shaved tomato and feta, or classic hummus. For the main, choose from entrees like a falafel sandwich with tahini, or a chicken thigh skewer served with a parsley-red onion salad and a side. It’s $10 more to upgrade that chicken thigh to ribeye. End on a sweet note with one of three desserts: basboosa malabi (a cake-pudding hybrid), petite beurre shortbread layers, or dark chocolate halvah. Add a glass of wine for $10. Lunch is served Tuesday through Friday, 11:30 am-2:30 pm.

    Kata Robata
    Chef Hori-san recently updated the lunch offerings at this Houston institution, including changes to the restaurant's popular bento boxes. Featured main options are shrimp tempura ($19), miso-marinated Alaskan black cod ($25), or Texas wagyu ($23). Each box comes with miso soup and a choice of chicken teriyaki or crispy karaage. Round out the meal with optional add-ons such as sashimi ($6), kakuni pork belly ($5), or a snow crab California roll ($4). Lunch is served Monday through Friday from 11:30 am-3 pm.

    Perseid
    Hotel Saint Augustine is already racking up the accolades, with that excitement extending to Perseid, the first all-day concept from Bludorn partners Aaron Bludorn and Cherif Mbodji. The French-inspired menu reflects the hotel’s proximity to the Menil Collection, with a Gulf Coast influence woven through every dish.

    “From the outset, we wanted to create a neighborhood restaurant in a hotel, rather than a hotel restaurant, and that means making it accessible to neighbors and businesspeople in equal measure,” Bludorn tells CultureMap. “You can come for a lunch meeting with a colleague and be finished in an hour, or you can come for a leisurely birthday party and stay all afternoon.”

    The $35 prix fixe menu starts with an appetizer: Caesar salad with boquerones, carrot soup with falafel, or a smoked salmon dip served alongside homemade potato chips. For the entrée, choose from potato gnocchi with asparagus, steelhead trout with Romano beans, or chicken paillard with fingerling potatoes. Desserts are either a trio of sorbets or a chocolate entremet with salted caramel. Lunch is served Monday through Friday, from 11:30 am-2 pm.

    Tavola
    This Uptown spot from the company behind Michelin-starred Le Jardinier offers a $28 executive lunch that’s both polished and efficient. Start with the baby spinach salad with walnuts and shaved pear, the house Caesar, or the soup of the day. For the main course, choose from one of four entrées: spaghetti cacio e pepe, a spicy cavatelli in arrabbiata sauce, crispy chicken parmigiana, or — for a lighter option — the avocado cucumber salad with either salmon or chicken. Cap it off with tiramisu or creamy vanilla gelato for an additional $8. Lunch is served Monday through Friday, from 11:30 am-2 pm

    Tony's
    Fans of Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion will get a chuckle when they order lunch at this fine dining institution in Greenway Plaza. Chef Kate McLean’s Romy and Michele’s Business Woman’s Special ($35) is a playful nod to the cult film with two Tony’s cheeseburgers with double 44 Farms patties, fries, and Diet Cokes. It’s available for dine-in or to go.

    For more variety, try the Greenway Express prix fixe ($35), which includes soup or salad, a main dish (chicken sandwich with French onion dip, short rib cappelletti, or roast hen salad), and a scoop of the day’s gelato. Pair it all with one of Tony’s lunch spritzes, such as the Front Porch Swinger ($15), a mix of Amaro Montenegro, St. George’s NOLA, and lime. Lunch is served from Tuesday through Friday, from 11 am-3 pm.

    hamsa lunch houston
      

    Photo by Kristen Gilliam

    At Hamsa, diners can select two salatim to begin their prix fixe lunch.

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