Summer oysters at Little's Oyster Bar (photo by Garrett Smith)
WITH THIS WEEK'S heat index, and a flip of the calendar, summer has officially arrived in every sense here in H-Town. But not to worry! There are plenty of cool things to eat, drink and do all over town this summer. Here's where to chill!
Phat Eatery
Sizzling beef with black pepper (photo by Chuck Cook)
After chef-proprietor Alex Au-Yeung lost his battle with cancer in March of this year, the new outpost of his acclaimed Phat Eatery — which originated in Katy and garnered him a James Beard nod in 2022 — in The Woodlands is even more worth the trek. It opened this week and is a celebration of Au-Yeung's legacy, from the mouthwatering menu (roti canai is simply the only way to start a meal) to the beautiful, expansive space that is three times the size of the Katy location. It was said to be his "dream restaurant," so on his behalf, Directors of Operations Kevin Lee and Marvin He proudly bring their friend’s dream to life within Grogan’s Mill Village Center.
El Bolillo Bakery
Another Houston favorite has opened a new location. El Bolillo Bakery is now open on Fountain View, in the now-colorful building previously home to Firehouse Saloon. The murals featuring butterfly motifs were painted by a 10-year employee of El Bolillo, Mariel Rascon. Take in the vibrant visuals while placing an order for the award-winning tres leches — representative of the bakery's traditional Mexican roots — and an impressive array of 100-plus breads and pan dulce showcasing global flavors and creativity. This is the fifth El Bolillo Bakery in the Houston area.
Holman Draft Hall
Holman Draft Hall (photo by Emily Vitek)
The Midtown food hall will close on July 1 — but will be right back, they say! It'll reopen in August as Solarium, which will offer "an expanded multi-faceted experience including full drink and dining service," per a release. This weekend, Holman Draft Hall hosts a "BRB" happy-hour event all weekend long, with special pricing on beer, wine and frozens, and a brunch menu featuring "Brunchuterie" boards.
Sound & Color
Dawn Burrell (photo by Jenn Duncan)
Chef Dawn Burrell debuts a new dining series celebrating culinary and mixed-media arts, inspired by her vast travels. The first one is this Saturday, June 29, and is presented in collaboration with chef Dominick Lee of forthcoming Augustine's. New Orleans-reared Lee has worked in Houston kitchens including Kiran's and Poitín, and most recently opened an exciting bar-restaurant in New York before making his way back to Houston. For her part, Burrell has also just returned to H-Town, after a five-month stint in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where she opened Marcus Samuelsson's namesake restaurant, Marcus Addis. Tickets are available here.
Little's Oyster Bar
Little's Oyster Bar (photo by Garrett Smith)
One of Houston's hottest reservations has a refreshing new menu to tout. Try the Soupe de Poisson with grilled scallops, wild-alligator andouille and garlic toast, or perhaps the chicken-fried soft-shell crabs with hot honey. Keep things lighter with selections like summer squash with olive-salsa-verde — and don't turn down a drink! The Peach Pit with Maker's Mark and peach cream soda hits the spot.
The Pit Room
Sundae selections at The Pit Room (photo by Alex Montoya)
The new Memorial City barbecue joint has a can't-miss feature: a dessert bar with ice cream (not just chocolate and vanilla here — there's red-velvet-white-chocolate, snickerdoodle and more!), toppings, and options for cookie sandwiches and sundaes. Yes, please.
State Fare
All three locations of this comfort-food-chic standby will serve a 'Merica-Style Freedom Board during the four-day July 4th weekend, with elote-style corn ribs, deviled eggs, and State Fare's famous dill pickle dip with barbecue chips. And try a flight of frozen cocktails, available all summer long.
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Bambuco, the lobby bar
Local fruit, juices and more at Casa Mayor breakfast 
Maroma Spa by Guerlain 
Maroma Spa by Guerlain 
Maroma from above