Dinner Is Served

Inside the chef-curated menus for CultureMap Houston's Tasting Table dinners

You won't want to miss these one-night-only dinners.

Photo courtesy of Leo's River Oaks

CultureMap’s newest culinary adventure is almost here, and Houston food lovers will want to clear their calendars (and buy tickets).

It's CultureMap Tasting Table, a new series of one-night-only dining experiences held at top restaurants across the city. The debut edition spotlights two buzzworthy venues: B.B. Italia Bistro & Bar on June 23 and Leo’s River Oaks on June 24.

Each evening promises an immersive, chef-driven experience, complete with curated menus, premium wines, and a festive atmosphere. Here's what's on the menu at these exclusive foodie celebrations:

June 23: B.B. Italia Bistro & Bar
Presented by Land Rover Southwest Houston

B.B. Italia Bistro & Bar wine Premium wine pours will accompany each dish at B.B. Italia Bistro & Bar. Photo courtesy of B.B. Italia Bistro & Bar

The Tasting Table series kicks off at one of Ben Berg’s most beloved restaurants, B.B. Italia Bistro & Bar.

Guests will begin the evening with a lively cocktail hour sponsored by Weber Ranch Vodka, the only vodka crafted exclusively from 100% Blue Weber Agave, hand-harvested in Jalisco, Mexico, and distilled in Texas. It is also the only verified additive-free, gluten-free, carb-free vodka, and with fewer calories per serving than other leading vodka and tequila brands, offers unmatched quality and smoothness.

Along with passed prosecco, the passed appetizers will include filet mignon skewers, margherita pizza bites, and mini meatballs. Homemade focaccia with whipped butter for the table is a prelude to your choice of:

Primi

Burrata citrus salad
Mr. G's Caesar salad

Secondi

Chicken parmigiana
Grandma's ravioli
Shrimp scampi

Dolce for the table, from CultureMap Tastemaker Awards 2025 nominee Ruchit Harneja for Berg Hospitality

Sicilian cannoli
B.B. Italia cheesecake
Tiramisu

Selected red and wines will be served throughout the meal.

June 24: Leo’s River Oaks
Presented by Land Rover Houston Central

Tuck into a five-course tasting menu at Leo's River Oaks. Photo courtesy of Leo's River Oaks

The celebration continues the next night at Leo’s River Oaks, recently crowned Houston’s Best New Restaurant at the 2025 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards. This hot newcomer promises a luxurious and unforgettable night of food, drink, and entertainment in the heart of River Oaks.

The evening kicks off with passed hors d'oeuvres, cocktails from Weber Ranch Vodka, and a toast of Taittinger La Francaise Champagne, alongside chef-crafted bites like:

Poached chilled shrimp with invisible cocktail sauce
Tenderloin carpaccio with crostini and horseradish aioli
Pressed watermelon tartare with feta, aged balsamic, and herbs

From there, guests will be seated for a five-course tasting menu, each dish paired with a complementary wine selection. Highlights include:

First Course

Leo’s house salad
Wine: Girlan Pinot Grigio

Second Course

Pea and asparagus risotto
Wine: J. de Villebois Silex Sancerre

Intermezzo

Seasonal sorbet

Main Course

6 oz. beef tenderloin with caramelized brown butter heirloom carrots
Wine: Scattered Peaks Cabernet Sauvignon

Dessert

Strawberry mascarpone cheesecake
Wine: Chateau Ste. Michelle Sweet Riesling

Guests will enjoy live music throughout the night and leave with a special gift courtesy of Culinary Khancepts.

Tickets and details
CultureMap Tasting Table tickets are on sale now, with $99 “First Dibs” pricing available for a limited time. Seating is limited, and with experiences like these, they won’t last long.

Whether you're craving comforting Italian classics or an award-winning, wine-paired, fine dining experience, CultureMap Tasting Table serves up the perfect excuse to indulge.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of Houston’s next great dining tradition.

tasting table bb italia menu leo's river oaks promoted

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H-E-B names 3 innovative Houston food companies among 'Texas Best'

H-E-B Quest for Texas Best Hive Food Co.

Photo courtesy of H-E-B

Hive Food Co. is known for its infused honey.

After months of pouring over video submissions, H-E-B is entering the final leg of its annual grocery games. The San Antonio-based supermarket chain has narrowed down the finalists for its annual Quest for Texas Best competition, including three from Houston.

Ten innovative Texas entrepreneurs were chosen from a record-breaking 978 entries representing more than 500 companies spread across the Lone Star State.

Now in its 13th year, the contest asks Texas small businesses to put their best foot forward for the chance to win a combined $100,000 in cash prizes and the opportunity to be stocked on H-E-B shelves. Since the competition's beginning, the grocer has discovered more than 1,000 unique products, many of which have become literal household names.

“Quest for Texas Best is more than a competition; it is a launchpad for Texas entrepreneurs,” said James Harris, senior director of diversity & inclusion and supplier diversity for H‑E‑B, in a release. “H‑E‑B began as a small business, and we know firsthand how powerful the right opportunity can be.”

This year, the San Antonio and Houston regions were at the head of the pack with three finalist nods each. But the entrepreneurs hailed from all over the state — from border town Roma to Fort Worth suburb Haltom City. The top 10 hopefuls include:

Boerne — Coley’s Foods Inc., a frozen cookie dough company
Floresville — Dean & Peeler Meats, a beef producer known for its smoked Gouda sausage and Angus tallow
San Antonio — WFN Foods, maker of heat-and-serve taco fillings like beef barbacoa, pork carnitas, and carne guisada
Roma — In Your Smokin' Face, a spice company specializing in bold chile piquín and carne asada blends
Haltom City — Sol Dias, a gourmet paleta and Mexican ice cream company
Glenn Heights — Uncle Marc’s, a manufacturer of barbecue seasonings, rubs, and sauces
Houston — Doggie Express, a small-batch maker of decorated treats for canine celebrations
Houston — Big Bayou Cocktail Sauce, a saucy supplier branching out to Bloody Mary and margarita mixes
Houston — Hive Food Co., beekeepers known for gourmet infused honey
Bastrop — La Fregona, creators of a chile sauce for elotes and esquites

The final contenders will pitch their products on October 8 at H-E-B's headquarters in San Antonio, where judges will determine the top four winning products and award $50,000 to the Grand Prize winner and the "Texas Best" title — an honor that guarantees placement on H-E-B store shelves.

The first-place winner will receive $25,000, the second-place winner will receive $15,000, and the third-place winner will receive $10,000.

Since 2014, H-E-B has handed out nearly $2.75 million in prize money to Texas entrepreneurs. But Quest for Texas Best isn’t just about capital: the winners receive marketing, mentoring, and supplemental support to grow their brands. Fifty-five Texas small businesses that took part in the contest have achieved $1 million in sales and earned a commemorative H-E-B Million Dollar Club belt buckle.

supermarkets h-e-b gourmet foods packaged goods grocery stores