where to party on derby day

11 Houston restaurants and bars run for the roses with Kentucky Derby parties

Houston’s restaurants and bars are celebrating the 50th running of the Kentucky Derby in style. Held this Saturday, May 4, the events include a wine festival, costume contests, and the chance to take a picture with a horse.

Time to break out the seersucker and find the biggest, fanciest hat available. Here are the best derby happenings in Houston.

Backstreet Cafe
Pre-party for the race with a Derby-themed brunch at the River Oaks staple. Look for drink specials featuring Maker’s Mark and a special board that includes deviled eggs, pimento cheese, cucumber sandwiches, hot chicken biscuit sandwich, and fried green tomatoes with crab remoulade. A prize will be awarded for best hat.

Brasserie 19
At the restaurant’s annual hat party, the see-and-be-seen crowd will don their finest Derby wear in hopes of winning a champagne brunch for six. Call 713-524-1919 for reservations.

Brenner’s on the Bayou
Held from 2:30-5:30 pm, the restaurant’s annual Wine Fest features 18 wineries pouring more than 40 wines. The roster includes: Revana Family Vineyards, Copper Cane Wine & Provisions, Wagner Family Wines, Santa Margherita NA, Vineyard Brands. In between sips, attendees will find bites from eight Landry’s restaurants, including Grotto, King Ranch Texas Kitchen, and Willie G’s. Three people will prizes in the Derby Big Hat Contest. Tickets are priced at $150 for general admission or $250 for VIP that allows entry at 1:30 pm.

Daily Gather
For its celebration, the CityCentre restaurant will be serving Derby-themed cocktails alongside light bites and prizes for best outfit and best hat. Held from 4-7 pm, the restaurant will show the race on a big screen. Tickets cost $65.

Federal Grill
All five locations of the whiskey-fueled comfort food restaurant will celebrate with Woodford Reserve mint julep specials, live music, and a contest with prizes for the best dressed man, woman, couple, and best hat.

Heights Bier Garten
Beginning at 11:30 am, the popular patio bar will host an all-day bash with drink specials, themed photo booths, games, and live music. A best dressed contest takes place at 6:30 pm.

Julep
The award-winning, Southern-inspired cocktail bar goes all out for Derby Day. Held from 1-6 pm, its annual party features live music, multiple bars, and decorations that include 5,000 fresh cut flowers. Guest chef Michelle Wallace will serve bites throughout the day. $25.

Loch Bar
Customers who show up in Derby attire will receive a complimentary cocktail. All of the restaurant’s TVs will show the race.

Permission Whiskey
Owner Peter Nolan honors his Kentucky roots with one of Houston’s biggest Derby bashes. Held from 1 pm until 2 am, the party features live bluegrass, a DJ inside, and a jazz vocalist at James, the bar’s member’s only speakeasy. In addition, look for multiple ice sculptures, photo with an actual horse, and a cigar roller. Plus, the best dressed man and woman will win a fantastic prize.

Pier 6 Seafood & Oyster House
Down in San Leon, the restaurant will have a rose wall for photos, a DJ, drink specials, and a wine basket prize for the best dressed. Attendees who pick the winning horse will also be entered into a raffle for a Pier 6 gift card. 4 pm.

Rockhouse Southern Kitchen
Billed as Houston’s largest Derby party, restaurateur Rob Wright celebrates the day with DJs, cocktails, and more. Attendees are encouraged to wear their finest Derby attire. 3 pm.

Photo by Shannon O'Hara

Daily Gather's Derby party features light bites and cocktails.

cocktails kentucky derby news-you-can-eat

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.

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say hey to Hypsi

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