Eat + Explore

Sip, sample, and savor your way through 40+ restaurants at new Sugar Land food fest

Imagine a food and beverage event that transports you to the hidden neighborhoods and winding streetscapes that only locals know about, where intoxicating aromas abound and once-in-a-lifetime experiences await.

At the inaugural Bazaar Food and Wine, happening at Sugar Land Town Square from 5-8 pm on Saturday, May 18, 2024, you can sample the cuisines, sights, and sounds of Latin America, India and Pakistan, Asia, North Africa and the Middle East, Europe, and — of course — Texas.

The first event of its kind in the greater Houston area, Bazaar is an ode to the city’s melting pot of flavors. It will shine a light on Houston’s multitude of cultures and wholly unique culinary traditions through food, drink, dance, music, fashion, and decor, all in one special night.

"I am very excited to be a part of Houston's newest food festival, from the looks of the lineup it seems like it's going to be a great event filled with so much talent," says Victoria Elizondo, owner and chef at Cochinita & Co. "Houston is such a cultural city filled with food from all parts of the world, and it seems like Bazaar will be a representation of it. Plus any excuse to hang out with my industry people is always welcomed."

But this is no ordinary foodie fest. Each "neighborhood" will host its own special entertainment, including performances by Dance Houston, music by Houston-native country artist Sheila Marshall, Ballet Folklorico performances, bachata dancers, classical Indian dance performances, African drummers, and Lee's Golden Dragon performing a lion and dragon dance to cap off the night.

"I’m looking forward to showcasing the diverse food that makes Houston’s food scene so great with Viet-Cajun cuisine," says Cory Nguyen, chef at Crawfish & Noodles.

“Bazaar Food and Wine will truly be a celebration of how fantastically diverse our city is," says Jess DeSham Timmons, founder and chef at Camellia Monday Hospitality. "I’m looking forward to showcasing our local farmers and makers with an offering that is quintessentially Texan. It doesn’t get more so than live fire and big beef! As chefs, it’s important that we are good stewards of the community we are surrounded by. I’m partnering with Red Field Ranch in Washington, Texas, to source the beef, and Pitts and Spitts in Houston and J&R Manufacturing in Mesquite are kindly providing some serious firepower. Being able to support the businesses that are part of what makes our industry great is one of the reasons I’m so in love with what I do.”

In partnership with the James Beard Foundation, Bazaar will feature an all-star lineup of Houston’s most prominent chefs, listed below by "neighborhood":

Latin

Victoria Elizondo, Cochinita & Co
Luis Robledo, Mayahuel & Tout Chocolat
Victoria Marini, The Original Marini's Empanada House
Martin Weaver, Mi Tierra
Cristina Benitez, Cafe Piquet
David Guerrero, Andes Café
Belen Baily, Sweets by Belen

Indian and Pakistani

Mayank Istwal, Musaafer
Dipak Aryal, Mahesh's Kitchen
Sunil Srivastava, Verandah
Kaiser Lashkari, Himalaya
Sharan Gahunia, Raja Sweets

Asian

Benchawan Painter, Street to Kitchen
Paul Qui, East Side King
Tom Cunanan, Hermies and Soy Pinoy
Cori Xiong, Mala Sichuan Bistro
Cory Nguyen, Crawfish & Noodles
Jennifer Hoffman, Big Macarons

African and Middle Eastern

Yotam Dolev, Hamsa
Haig Tcholakian, Phoenicia Specialty Foods
Khalieb Rufael & Yems Thomas, Spice Boyz Supper Club
Adeel Khan, Haraz Coffee House
Dawn Burrell

European

Pedro Garcia, El Meson
Shawn Gawle, Camaraderie
Mikael Palmer, Savior
Otto Sanchez, Magnol Bakery
Bruno Amato, BB Italia
Andrea de Gortari, The Bake Happening

Texan

Jess DeSham Timmons, Camellia Monday Hospitality
Kirthan and Kripa Shenoy, Auden
Kennis Williams, Williams Smokehouse
Joseph Quellar, JQ Tex Mex
Joe Cervante, Pier 6
Kathleen Morgan, Honeychild’s Sweet Cream
Alisher Yallaev, Prime131

"This event is providing an opportunity for people to experience the unique cultural diversity that our city offers all in one place,” says Cristina Benitez, owner of multi-generational restaurant Cafe Piquet Cuban Cuisine. "From incredible cuisines to unique music and entertainment from various regions, this is going to be an immersive celebration that a person simply couldn’t get without planning single excursions to each of these restaurants. The Bazaar is the place to be on May 18.”

General admission tickets are $150 and include unlimited food and drink from nearly 40 restaurants plus live entertainment performances.

VIP tickets are a mere $50 more ($200 each) and include early admission at 4 pm to get a head start on that unlimited food and drink. VIPs also get access to exclusive Bazaar Food and Wine merch. Head here to purchase tickets.

Bazaar Food and Wine is presented by presenting sponsor Momentum BMW and produced by Rebees Management Company. A portion of the event's proceeds will benefit the James Beard Foundation.

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Experience exotic street food without ever leaving Texas.

festivals chefs promoted

Where to Eat Now

13 Houston eateries celebrating summer with peach-based bites and sips

Photo by Michael Hoffman

Brasserie 19's Chamomile panna cotta is layered with Texas peach and bourbon jam, almond florentine, and orange mint.

Peak peach season is in full bloom, with Houston restaurants placing the stone fruit front and center with dishes and drinks. From savory salads to decadent desserts, here’s where you can celebrate peach season across the city.

Barbacana
At his downtown restaurant, pastry chef Priscilla Treviño puts an elevated spin on peaches and cream with a plate of semifreddo, peach sauce anglaise, and a delicate peach tuile.

Baso
The CultureMap Tastemaker Awards’ Restaurant of the Year brings a Basque-inspired twist to peach season. Its endive salad balances the vegetable’s slight bitterness with the sweetness of fresh peaches.

Brasserie 19
For a decadent treat, the River Oaks staple is elevating its classic Chamomile panna cotta by layering it with Texas peach and bourbon jam, almond florentine, and orange mint.

Good God, Nadine's
The recently-opened cocktail bar near Washington Avenue uses peaches from Lightsey Farms in Mexia for its Peach Whiskey Smash. The cocktail is made with Jameson whiskey, muddled peaches, mint, lemon juice, simple syrup, and walnut bitters.

Guard and Grace
The modern steakhouse in downtown is peach-focused this summer. Highlights include oak-grilled king crab with a watercress and peach salad, yellowtail sashimi with peach, Benton’s ham carpaccio with Palisade peach salsa, and oak-grilled pork tenderloin with grilled peaches and tomatillo farro risotto. Sip on a smoked peach bourbon cocktail or a jalapeno peach mojito to complete the experience.

Honeychild's Sweet Creams peach ice cream Honeychild's Sweet Creams will be serving a range of peach-based flavors this summer.Courtesy of Honeychild's Sweet Creams

Honeychild's Sweet Creams
The Heights’ M-K-T creamery is serving a refreshing peach bay leaf sorbet, with more seasonal offerings coming soon, such as peach cobbler ice cream, white peach shortbread, peach ring ice cream with house-made chamoy, peach jam, caramelized peaches, and candied peaches.

House of Pies
Houston’s pie destination packs fresh, yellow California peaches into a pie crust, crowned with dollops of whipped cream. The pie will be available until mid-July, while supplies of peaches last.

Jane and the Lion Bakehouse
Already a favorite, the newly opened Heights bakery and cafe is taking full advantage of peach season, packing fresh fruits from local growers into numerous baked goods. Peach-forward bites include: spiced peaches and cream hand pies, peach bread pudding, and peach-strawberry gluten-free muffins.

On the savory side, diners will find a Texas peach and pecan sourdough with bacon and peaches, basil focaccia, and the ricotta getaway toast with basil pesto and peach on sourdough. For a summer entrée, select the Panzanella Peach, which combines tomatoes, radicchio, peaches, and sourdough.

Latuli
Chef Brian Caswell’s newest addition to the Houston dining scene is already making waves, serving peach-focused plates, including a roasted grouper with peach and a peach cobbler for dessert.

Leaf and Grain
A fan-favorite seasonal salad, the Peach Panzanella features roasted chicken thighs, croutons, Danish feta, and a honey-white balsamic vinaigrette.

The Marigold Club
Goodnight Hospitality’s French-inspired restaurant offers a refined ode to the classic peach Melba. The treat is composed of vanilla gelato, peach-whipped ganache, peach compote, and a raspberry sauce, then finished with a delicate rosemary tuile.

Pizaro's Pizza
Starting July 1, patrons can pair one of the restaurant's pizza with a peach caprese salad. The dish features a bed of spring mix greens, drizzled with extra-virgin olive oil and balsamic glaze, topped with fresh-cut peaches, imported Italian stracciatella, and pistachios.

Relish
At both locations of the popular comfort food restaurant, diners can dig into a seasonal burrata featuring pickled peaches paired with heirloom tomatoes, tart gooseberries, peppery arugula, prosciutto, and croutons in saba. Follow the salad with the hearty grilled pork chop, accompanied by pickled peaches, brandy cream, parsnip puree, and bacon-braised collard greens.

$\u200bBrasserie 19's Chamomile panna cotta$

Photo by Michael Hoffman

Brasserie 19's Chamomile panna cotta is layered with Texas peach and bourbon jam, almond florentine, and orange mint.

where-to-eat news-you-can-eat peaches