spring festival season

Raise a glass to these 8 can't-miss Houston food and wine events

Houston spring event season is rapidly drawing to a close. Before the summer swelter sets in, consider these options that support a charity, include a little road trip, give wine lovers the opportunity to stop and drink the rosés, or become immersed in a week of chef-driven food and wine. No matter what, Houston has people covered with events worth signing up for.

Celebrity Chefs Against Cancer
Wednesday, April 23
This annual event at the Four Seasons Hotel Houston draws 21 chefs from across the Houston area to raise money for Camp H-Town, a charitable organization dedicated to providing children with cancer an “urban camping trip” at the post downtown hotel. Participating restaurants include Balboa Surf Club, Bludorn, Brennan’s of Houston, Guard & Grace, Kriti Kitchen, Nobie’s, and Xochi. Tickets also include wine, beer, and cocktails. A silent auction offers trips, sports tickets, rare bottles of wine, and more. 6-9 pm. Tickets here.

Taste of the Nation for No Kid Hungry
Thursday, April 24
One of the country’s premier traveling culinary events for a cause returns to Houston’s Silver Street Studios, bringing together more than 40 of the city’s best chefs and restaurants to support No Kid Hungry, a national campaign to end childhood hunger in America by the non-profit organization Share Our Strength. Along with delicious bites, guests can expect sips from celebrated winemakers, brewers, and bartenders, along with live music, raffles, interactive games, and cooking demos. This year’s co-chairs include Evelyn Garcia of Jūn, Leonardo Botello IV of Truth BBQ, Alba Huerta of Julep, Rebecca Masson of Fluff Bake Bar, and Ryan Pera of Coltivare — all of whom will be serving bites and sips. They’ll be joined by Uchi, The Original Ninfa’s, Perseid, Musaafer, Little Rey, ChópnBlock, BCN, Eunice, The Blind Goat, Phat Eatery, and many more. 6-9 pm. Tickets here.

Pink and White Party at Guard & Grace
Friday, April 25
Guard & Grace Houston is bringing back its Pink and White Party. This vibrant celebration invites Houstonians to sip, savor, and celebrate under a rosy-hued decorated outdoor tent, complete with a live string player to set the mood. Attendees will enjoy tastings of pink, white, and orange wines from 15-plus vendors with sommeliers guiding them through the flavors and pairings. Indulge in an array of curated light bites featuring a raw bar, artisanal charcuterie, signature small plates, and decadent desserts — including chef Troy Guard’s famous warm triple chocolate chip cookies. 4-7 pm.

Kemah Boardwalk Spring Wine Fest
Saturday, April 26
At this annual fest in Kemah, take in ocean breezes, water views, and premium wines from Sonoma County and Napa Valley, California. Attendees can expect live music on the plaza and 24 wineries pouring 72 wines to sample. Also included with ticketed wristbands are small bites from Landry’s Seafood, Saltgrass Steak House, Aquarium restaurant, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., and the charcuterie tent. Participating wineries include Duckhorn Vineyards, Dry Creek Vineyard, Rodney Strong, Markham Vineyards, Pedroncelli Winery, Stags Leap Winery, Cakebread Cellars, and many more. 2-5 pm. Tickets and details here.

Brenner’s on the Bayou Wine Fest
Saturday, May 3
This year’s annual event on the picturesque grounds of Brenner’s on the Bayou is back with the theme “Derby Down the Bayou.” Along with award-winning wines from more than 10 wineries, food will be provided from these Landy’s restaurants: Brenner’s on the Bayou, Cadillac Bar, King Ranch Texas Kitchen, Willie G’s, Grotto, and a special dessert station from chef Eunice Grassa. Participating wineries include Jordan Winery, Jackson Family Wines, DAOU, Far Niente Wine Estates, Delamotte Champagne, Albert Bichot, and more. The breezy outdoor walk-around tasting includes live music and a Derby hat contest for prizes. Stick around and watch the Kentucky Derby at the Blue Bar at 6 pm. 2:30-5:30 pm. Tickets here.

Women of Wine Charities Sangria Throwdown!
Thursday, May 15
Sangria, the Spanish punch traditionally made with red wine, chopped fruit, and brandy, is a fun way to drink wine. That’s why the Women of Wine Charities have chosen it as the star drink in a creative competition between mixologists for Best Sangria benefitting the Houston Area Women’s Center. At the Throwdown, a panel of media judges will vote for the Judges’ Choice Awards, and guests will vote for the People’s Choice Award. This year’s competitors include Doris Metropolitan, Stella’s Wine Bar, El Meson, Nobie’s, The Library, Reata Cellars, Candelari’s, Guard and Grace, Pacha Nikkei, Lucille’s, Riel, MAD, and 13 Celsius. 6:30-9 pm at Mercedes-Benz Houston Greenway. Tickets include paella and sangria.

Respect the Rosé Under the Sea Prom Bash at Brennan’s
Saturday, May 17
For 2025, the Southern Smoke Foundation’s favorite theme party celebrates ‘80s prom nostalgia with a collaborative dinner at Brennan’s by notable chefs. Cooking with SSF co-founder Chris Shepherd will be Ryan Prewitt of Peche (New Orleans); Stephen Stryjewski of Link Restaurant Group (New Orleans), and Andy Ticer and Michael Hudman of Hog & Hominy (Memphis). A selection of rosés and other wines from Paradigm, Miner Family Wines, and Donelan Wines will be served. 6:30 pm. Tickets can be purchased here.

Wine & Food Week in The Woodlands
Wednesday, May 28-Saturday, May 31
Celebrating 21 years as one of the region’s top culinary events, Wine & Food Week returns with the theme “Crushing It!” Fan favorite events include Wine Around the World Wednesday; Sips, Suds & Savor, Friday night date night; and the all-new Crushing it with Cocktails, a spirited cocktail competition. The week culminates with the Wine Rendezvous Grand Tasting & Chef Showcase at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Ballroom, where acclaimed chefs compete for the coveted Chef of Chefs Award and a $5,000 cash prize. A portion of the ticket proceeds benefit charitable organizations such as The Woodlands Arts Council, New Danville, and the Montgomery County Food Bank. Visit the website for the full schedule including participants for each event and ticket options.

Courtesy of Brenner's on the Bayou

Brenner's on the Bayou's wine fest takes place on Derby Day.

news-you-can-eat festivals wine

we gotta go

Beard Award-winning Houston chef's new restaurant now open in Montrose

Photo by Kirsten Gilliam

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Houston may be home to an ever-increasing number of James Beard Award-winning chefs, but a new restaurant from a JBA winner is still a special moment in the city’s culinary landscape.

Which means the city’s dining enthusiasts are undeniably excited to welcome House of Louie, the new project Justin Yu, winner of Best Chef: Southwest in 2016 for Oxheart, his groundbreaking, vegetable-focused tasting menu restaurant. He placed it with Theodore Rex, a modern American restaurant that holds a Bib Gourmand designation in the Michelin Guide. Part of Thorough Fare, the company he co-owns with Anvil founder Bobby Heugel, House of Louie is the group’s first new restaurant since Squable opened in 2019 and first opening since Heights cocktail bar Donna’s debuted last year.

As Yu explained on a July episode of CultureMap’s “What’s Eric Eating” podcast, the decision to open House of Louie came about from the opportunity to buy the property at 1931 Fairview that had been home to the original location of healthy-eating concept Vibrant.

“The real estate came at the right time. The space is beautiful. We’re so lucky to be part of this neighborhood,” Yu explained.

As for the name, Yu is honoring a Chinese restaurant his aunts operated in Southern California for more than 30 years. The original House of Louie hosted many family celebrations, and it’s also the first restaurant he worked in as a dishwasher.

“It was one of those places where there was a little more to it than what you expected. That’s the restaurant I want to have here,” Yu said. Later, he added, “It’s how I fell in love with restaurants.”

Inspired primarily by French and Italian cuisine, meals at House of Louie begin with cold dishes such as the house salad with lettuce, cheese, charcuterie, and quail eggs; marinated plums; yellowtail crudo; or “Nervetti,” thinly-sliced beef tendon with onions that’s finished with sherry and vinegar.

“I think beef tendon is really accepted in Houston, especially because we have a strong pho culture. Tendon can be a little out there, but it has a beautiful melting texture,” Yu said.

From there, diners may choose from a selection of shareable small plates such as mushroom and peppers with spicy ratatouille, squash with king salmon, or one of three pastas, all of which are made in house. The pici pasta is a thin, handmade pasta that gets some crunch from crispy chicken skin.

Entrees lean classic, with items like red snapper with beurre blanc, grilled duck that gets a boost of umami from colatura (an Italian take on fish sauce), and a Texas wagyu couotte that’s served with a sauce of madeira and onions. The French dip from Yuston’s, Yu’s homage to celebrated American grill Houston’s, is also available.

“The type of place we want to be is — if you feel like you’re a little underdressed, it’s okay to come in and get amazing service and great food. And also spend hours ahead of time picking out your outfit and coming out for a date night or a friend’s night or a night out with the guys,” Yu said.

“It’s a place that’s going to have a sandwich and makes its own fries. We’re also going to have really aggressive dishes that swing for the fences and push the limits of creativity, even though its slightly rustic.”

Yu worked with Garnish Design (Milton’s, Tiny Champions), ObjektFab, and Ford Design Finishes to transform Vibrant into House of Louie. Overall, the room has a modern feel — almost like your cool uncle’s living room. The design speaks to the kind of atmosphere Yu is aiming to achieve.

“More than anything, I want people to connect with the restaurant. If we accidentally get a Michelin Star because we do all the things the right way, and cook excellent food, and take care of all the little details . . . I wouldn’t be mad. That’s our goal in the first place,” he said.

Joining the project are general manager Tyler Jay Wang (most recently of Donna’s) and executive chef Kirk Thompson, who worked for various Underbelly Hospitality concepts and served as the executive chef at Leo’s River Oaks when it won Best New Restaurant in the 2025 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards. Diners may also recognize bartenders Lainey Collum (most recently of Monkey’s Tail) and Máté Hartai (Lee’s, Refuge).

House of Louie is currently open for dinner daily beginning at 4:30 pm. Friday lunch and weekend brunch service will begin in the coming weeks.

Photo by Kirsten Gilliam

House of Louie is now open in Montrose.