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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Of course wine and beverages are included.

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Zaranda restaurant Tracy Vaught Hugo Ortega Sophia Ortega

Photo by Nick de la Torre

Zaranda owners Tracy Vaught, Hugo Ortega, and Sophia Ortega are this week's guests.

On this week’s episode of “What’s Eric Eating,” James Beard Award-winning chef Hugo Ortega, his wife and business partner Tracy Vaught, and their daughter Sophia Ortega join CultureMap editor Eric Sandler to discuss H-Town Restaurant Group. The company operates a number of local concepts, including interior Mexican restaurant Hugo’s, Backstreet Cafe, Mexican street food eatery Urbe, and Zaranda, the company’s newly opened restaurant in downtown that’s inspired by California.

After a brief discussion of the early days of Hugo’s, the trio dives into the process of opening Zaranda. Vaught explains how she became aware of the space in the Norton Rose Fulbright Tower and why it’s proximity to Discovery Green made it particularly appealing. Chef Ortega shares how a three-week road trip throughout Mexico provided some of the inspiration for both Zaranda and Caracol, his Galleria-area seafood restaurant.

From there, chef Ortega describes how the zaranda — a wire metal basket used to cook seafood over an open flame — anchors much of the menu. He also recommends some dishes diners should try when they visit Zaranda.

Sandler asks Sophia Ortega what it’s like working with her parents. “I get that comment a lot. It is very different. A lot of people can’t imagine working with family,” she says.

“For me, I’m an only child. We’re a very close family unit. The restaurants have been a huge part of my growing up. For us, it comes very naturally to work together. It’s all we know. I’ve only ever worked for my restaurants. A lot of the employees have seen me grow up. I think we all have our own lane, but at the same time we overlap. We’re always open to hearing different opinions. That’s when the best decisions are made. I love it.”

“Sophia is very intuitive. The way she communicates is very thoughtful and sensitive. I think that’s so valuable for our staff. Everybody loves her,” Vaught adds.

Listen to the full episode for an update on Backstreet Cafe. Its original building was torn down last year to make way for an all-new structure that’s on track to open next year — hopefully in time for its legendary Mother’s Day brunch. Sandler also asks about the restaurant group’s conspicuous omission from the Michelin Guide.

In this week’s other episode, Sandler and co-host Mary Clarkson, the proprietor of newly-open wine shop Montrose Grocer, discuss the news out of the week. They begin with a discussion about the Houston Chronicle’s list of the city’s top 100 restaurants, including a discussion of Aga’s as the No.1 selection, some of the new entries on the list, and restaurants that dropped off the list entirely, such as Himalaya, Kata Robata, and Killen’s Barbecue. They also talk about Bari Ristorante opening a new location in The Woodlands and restaurateur Brian Doke’s plans to open Lazy Lane restaurant in Garden Oaks.

In the restaurant of the week segment, Clarkson and Sandler share thoughts on their recent meal at Maison Chinoise. Located next to Brasserie 19 in the River Oaks Shopping center, the new Chinese restaurant is the latest project from Dallas-based Lombardi Family Concepts, known locally for Toulouse Cafe and Bar, its French restaurant in River Oaks District, and Lombardi Cucina Italiana in Uptown Park.

Listen to the episode to hear which dishes they liked best, as well as the one that missed the mark. They also discuss its decor and how it will fit with the other luxurious restaurants in the shopping center.

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Subscribe to "What's Eric Eating" on Apple podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Hear it Sunday at 9 am on ESPN 97.5.

Zaranda owners Tracy Vaught, Hugo Ortega, and Sophia Ortega.

Photo by Nick de la Torre

Zaranda owners Tracy Vaught, Hugo Ortega, and Sophia Ortega are this week's guests.

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