Cool cocktails at a past Taste America event
June 25: Burger Bodega Pop-Up
Bludorn chef-owner Aaron Bludorn and Burger Bodega’s Abbas Dhanani are teaming up this Saturday (noon-3PM) in the backyard at Bludorn. Anticipate hot-off-the-grill smash burgers – a double patty with grilled onions, pickles and bodega sauce on a Martin’s potato bun – as well as sweet treats, ice cream and cool drinks at the bar.
June 29: James Beard Foundation’s Taste America
Photo by Marc Florito of Gamma Nine Photography
The kickoff of the James Beard Foundation’s Taste Americaculinary series starring many Houston chefs takes place next week. The June 29 soiree at Silver Street Studios is the first of 20 events in this year’s series celebrating the chefs and local independent restaurants across America. Taste Houston will highlight the richness of Houston’s food culture, while spotlighting national chefs who are aligned with the Foundation’s mission.
Here’s a tease of the tasting menu from just a few of our Houston chefs: Top Chef finalist Evelyn Garcia and her biz partner Henry Lu will prepare ceviche with lemongrass leche de tigre, chili oil and sesame crisp, while Michelle Wallace of Gatlin’s is serving hickory-smoked catfish with deconstructed dirty rice. And Dawn Burrell of the forthcoming Late August will present cured salmon with tamarind “Tiger fry,” cucumber and crunchy salmon skin.
Expect an immersive experience with interactive stations, an installation from Houston’s innovative media lab Input Output, and music from DJ Seek. A portion of proceeds from each event will go directly to the participating chefs’ restaurants, with the remaining proceeds benefiting the James Beard Foundation’s national programming, including the Open for Good campaign. Purchase tickets (starting at $175) here before it’s too late!
June 26: Ferragamo Wine Dinner
Salvatore Ferragamo
Ferragamo is headed to Houston! The Italian design house is collaborating with Doris Metropolitan for an exclusive night with the Ferragamo family winery, IL BORRO, for the Ferragamo Wine Dinner ($325). The dashing Salvatore Ferragamo, grandson of the company’s founder, will be mingling with guests and signing bottles of IL BORRO. For reservations call 713.485.0466.
June 26-July 3: Lysverket Norwegian Dinners
Photo by Daniel Müller Freunde von Freunden
Catch this! Golfstrømmen’s Executive Chef Christopher Haatfut will be flying in from Norway and bringing his acclaimed seafood concept Lysverket along with him for a one-week gastronomic takeover. The pop-up will include nightly dinners at Golfstrømmen alongside brunch offerings that will bookend the week of evening festivities. The dining sessions ($75-$175, 24 seats available) feature special collaborations, including a vegetable-centric dinner with Urban Harvest on June 28. See the menu breakdown and reservation info here.
June 29-Sept. 1: Earth Wine & Fire Dinners
The heat is on at Fleming’s with the new Earth, Wine & Fire three-course wine dinner experience. Guests can choose between two three-course menus: a plant-forward Earth Menu and a signature steak Fire Menu. Each menu is paired with three wines from the Wagner Family portfolio featuring Caymus Vineyards.
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Keener and Fall of Near Northside's forthcoming Bad Astronaut Brewing Company
Founders Chris Fall and Craig "Rocky" Keener cut their teeth at Karbach many moons ago, and now, as industry vets, are excited to open their own brewery not far from Saint Arnold, Texas' original craft-beer purveyor. The pair will start with four bevs: an American IPA, hazy IPA, Munich Helles and a German pilsner. These will be available for purchase in liquor stores around town, and Bad Astronaut will pour a larger selection inside its taproom, which will tout arcade games, board games and pool tables.
Having signed a 10-year lease on the former hardware-production factory, it's safe to say these friends have big plans for their out-of-this-world venture, which is slated to open late August or early September. “We are excited to bring Bad Astronaut Brewing Company to the Hardy Yards neighborhood,” said Keener in a statement. “Our goal is to deliver the highest quality beers and a fun destination for the community.”
Even as new breweries bow, others are making plans to close after a tough few years: The Houston Chronicle reports that City Acre Brewing has shuttered, and others like B52 in Conroe are for sale. Local Group Brewing, which is also in Hardy Yards, was recently bought out and reportedly will soon announce a new name and direction.
Inside what will soon be Bad Astronaut Brewing
The newly transformed exterior of what will be Bad Astronaut Brewing
Keener and Fall
