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

say hey to Hypsi

Houston chef's hip new Italian restaurant now open in Heights hotel

Photo by Julie Soefer

Hypsi serves pasta and other Itaian-inspired dishes.

A new Italian restaurant is now open in the Heights. Located within the newly opened Hotel Daphne, Hypsi marks chef Terrence Gallivan’s return to professional cooking in Houston.

Known for his time as the co-execuive chef of The Pass and Provisions and owner of ElRo Pizza and Crudo, Gallivan brings strong culinary credentials to Hypsi. Although he isn’t known explicitly for Italian fare, he has significant experience making pizza, pasts, and other Italian-inspired dishes. After closing ElRo last year, the chef says that working for Bunkhouse Hotels, the Austin-based company that operates the Daphne, had a lot of appeal.

“My wife and I always made it a point to stop at their places whenever we’re in Austin. They know how to make cool stuff,” Gallivan says.

Hypsi’s menu includes updated takes on Italian fare begins with starters such as lamb meatballs, black truffle arancini, and Caesar salad. A selection of house-made pastas include squid ink radiatori with rock shrimp, butternut squash tortellini, and lumache with vodka sauce that gets a little heat from nduja. Entree choices include a roast chicken, pork Milanese, and roasted snapper with salsa verde.

The restaurant is also open for breakfast during the week and brunch on the weekends with items such as a panatone waffle, frittata, and breakfast sandwich. Lunch will follow in January.

“We took inspiration from tradition without being traditional,” Gallivan says. Later, he adds, “For me, it’s about balance. You try to please everybody. I want my mom to enjoy herself as much as a 25-year-old foodie. It’s important to hit as many marks as you can.”

One of the restaurant’s signatures will be the mozzarella cart that rolls through its dining room. Gallivan says he’s sourcing a mix of both American and imported Italian cheeses that will rotate every week or two. The cheese is served with a range of pickled fruit and vegetables, olive oil, aged balsamic vinegar, focaccia, and more. Of course, seeing a cart immediately grabs diners’ attention, making them want whatever is on offer.

“That’s the beauty of carts,” Gallivan says. “It’s a fun thing to do. I think sometimes we get a little too serious in restaurants. It’s supposed to be fun. People are here to enjoy themselves.”

All that eating and drinking takes place in a dining room that’s inspired by Prohibition-era speakeasies, according to press materials. Details include blueberry lava stone on the bar, vintage velvet chairs, and custom Carimate dining chairs by Vico Magistretti. An outdoor patio features brick pavers, mosaic tables, and sculptures.

Photo by Julie Soefer

Hypsi serves pasta and other Itaian-inspired dishes.

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