Sporty Snack Stars

Here's a taste of all the delicious snacks on tap for The Tailgate

Dig into fries from The Waffle Bus.

The Waffle Bus/Facebook

Attention, sports fans: The Tailgate is almost here. CultureMap Houston's signature sporty event is happening Wednesday, October 25, at Silver Street Studios, and you'll want to be there.

Why? Because even if you aren't a football fanatic, hockey hound, soccer supporter, or basketball and baseball buff, you're probably a big fan of fantastic local food and drinks.

Here's what's on the menu:

2023 Tastemaker Awards Best New Restaurant winner Aiko will be serving maguro crudo, which is smoked bluefin tuna with crispy garlic and pickled cucumbers.
Tastemaker Awards 2020 Best Pizza winner Pizaro’s Pizza Napoletana is bringing fried Alfredo bites.

As a new twist this year, readers will get to vote for their favorite local sports bar in our Ultimate Sports Bar Showdown.

Think of this as sort of like the Sweet 16, where local champs face off in an online tournament. The winner will be revealed at the party, but here's what each eatery is bringing to help sway votes their way:

pulled oxtail sliders with house-made habanero pickles and Rock Sauce from RockHouse Southern Kitchen
grilled Phoenix wings and Dancing Beef skewers from The Phoenix on Westheimer
fried pork ribs tossed in Dragon or barbecue sauce from Quad HTX
Smash Burger sliders and chicken flautas from FM Kitchen
Billionaire Burger sliders with Sriracha pimento cheese and beer mustard from Twin Peaks
bacon-wrapped quail, Thai chili margaritas, and berry lemonade from Patterson Park

Also expect:

seasoned waffle fries topped with fried chicken bites from The Waffle Bus
Little Knuckle sandwich and elote street dogs from Good Vibes Coastal Kitchen
chicken tinga tostadas from Home Run Dugout
brown rice, kale, chicken, and avocado bowls from Leaf & Grain
chili-cheese Mazemen noodles from Ramen Tatsu-Ya
duck leg confit corn dogs and Irish coffee from Wild Concepts
mini basil beef burgers, mini satay chicken wraps, mini beef drunken hot dogs, and chips and chili dips from M Express Thai Kitchen
pork and chicken souvlaki, potato and cheese croquettes, and spanakopita from Echoes Cafe
bespoke boozy ice cream scoops and cocktails from Patra Lee's Kitchen Handcrafted Heritage Ice Cream

To wet your whistle, there will be signature cocktails by Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey and 1800 Tequila — just wait until you taste the QB Crusher and Peach Fizz.

Aside from the concessions, expect game-day activities and fun yard games, plus a spotlight on sports-related nonprofits like Dynamo and Dash Charities and Houston Texans Foundation.

VIP tickets include early admission, a dedicated VIP bar, and a meet and greet with former Houston Texans player Johnathan Joseph. Through October 13, order from this link and receive $10 off VIP tickets. We’ll see you on October 25.

sports cocktails drinks promoted

green machine

James Beard-winning chef opens 26-seat new restaurant in the Heights

The Green Room restaurant seafood platter

Courtesy of The Green Room

Meals may begin with raw and cold seafood dishes.

An intimate new restaurant with a James Beard Award-winning chef is coming to the Heights. The Green Room will open for dinner on Thursday, March 5.

Located within the same building as Heights & Co. (1343 Yale St.), the Green Room is a 26-seat, fine dining restaurant with a European-inspired menu. Part of Doke Concepts (Heights & Co., Lazy Lane), the restaurant is led by chef-partner Daniel Davidson and chef de cuisine Tom Cunanan, who won Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic in the 2019 James Beard Awards for Bad Saint, a pioneering Filipino restaurant in Washington, D.C. Sous chef Skyler Bancroft comes to the Green Room from Bludorn Hospitality.

“We’ve always believed Houston deserves experiences that feel exciting but never intimidating,” co-owner Brian Doke said in a statement. “With The Green Room, we set out to create something ambitious yet approachable, where the food is elevated, the wine over delivers and hospitality feels personal from the moment you walk in.”

The menu includes the chefs’ takes on staples of contemporary fine dining, such as scallop crudo, sliced hamachi, crispy duck, and roast chicken with salsa verde. Other dishes include salmon en croute, smoked bucatini with shrimp, and an heirloom tomato tarte tatin.

In addition to its a la carte menu, the Green Room will offer a five-course Chef’s Dinner Party Menu that will include dishes not on the regular menu and a glass of wine or a cocktail. Both menus are expected to change monthly.

The wine list will include both grower champagne and certified organic producers, most of which will be priced at $100 per less or bottle. A separate Cellar Series will feature premium by-the-glass options. They’ll be joined by a range of classic cocktails.

“It’s no secret that Houstonians are looking for new experiences when dining out,” the restaurant’s partners added. “We’re trying to meet them where they are, where the experience feels curated without being pretentious and elevated without losing warmth.”

In November, Doke and Davidson opened Lazy Lane in Garden Oaks. The neighborhood restaurant serves steak, pizza, pasta, and more.

Courtesy of The Green Room

Meals may begin with raw and cold seafood dishes.

chefs news-you-can-eat openings the-heights