TIME TO PAINT the town! This season, a trio of art fairs hits Houston, beginning with the Houston Art Fair (formerly the Houston Fine Art Fair), where nearly 50 local and international galleries exhibit Sept. 29-Oct. 2 at Silver Street Studios. On the same weekend, the Texas Contemporary event is held Downtown at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Opening-night festivities include a collaborative performance with the Houston Ballet’s Oliver Halkowich and multi-media artist Chris Doyle. And a week later, the semi-annual Bayou City Art Festival returns to the streets of Downtown with hundreds of outdoor booths.
Octopus at Októ
Hamsa and next-door Badolina Bakery bowed in 2021. And in 2024, Sof was nominated for a James Beard Award in the competitive category of Outstanding Hospitality — and there is undoubtedly more to come. Sof Hospitality has announced that its hotly anticipated new concept, Októ, will open this Saturday, Aug. 31, in Montrose Collective.
'Frena' bread service
Tiger shrimp
Chef Yotam Dolev
The name means "eight" in Greek, a nod not only to the culture and cuisine of the new restaurant, but also its address: 888 Westheimer. A sneak-peek of the opening menu reveals tastes of Greece and other Mediterranean countries; the sea bass carpaccio has meyer lemon and myzithra cheese, and an entree of the same fish comes with artichoke-and-pea risotto. The squid-ink linguine is served with crab and a buttery sambal sauce. And if you've eaten at any Sof concept, you know the bread service is not to be skipped. (Two words: pistachio butter.)
"Októ really emphasizes the boutique nature of our brand and the intimate feel of the Mediterranean dining scene," said Ben Eli in a statement. "It is the product of the dream team we have at Sof Hospitality — with extensive collaboration on everything from the design of the space to the finishes on our cocktails."
To that point, Hamsa chef Yotam Dolev will hop over to helm Októ; he and Doris Met chef Hai Avnaim worked closely together over the past several months to craft the menu and perfect new dishes. And Sof Hospitality designer Lindsay Madrigal of LM Designs outdid herself on the Októ interiors, which are textured and moody and rich. Sliding glass doors reveal an expansive, plant-filled patio, but otherwise, the space is dimly lit with hues of deep green and a centerpiece bar with DJ booth. At the bar, expect craft cocktails to be shaken and poured well after dinner: Októ has plans to cater to a late-night and industry crowd.
Itai and Lin Ben Eli
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Photo courtesy Louisiana Food & Wine Fest
Sept. 19-22: Louisiana Food & Wine Festival
Photo courtesy Louisiana Food & Wine Fest
The Louisiana Food + Wine Festival, hosted by Visit Lake Charles, will celebrate the best of Louisiana and the South — from its culinary superstars and beverage experts to southwest Louisiana’s Cajun and Creole heritage and culture, seafood, artisans, and live musicians. Anticipate four days of culinary fun, including Louisiana’s Celebrity Chefs Wine Dinner with advanced sommelier David Reuss of Jackson Family Wines, Louisiana Inspired Master Classes like the Perfect Wine and Oyster Pairings, The Grand Tasting with a Rouses Markets cooking demo stage, and finally, Sunday Jazz Brunch.
Sept. 19-21: Sonoma County Wine Celebration
Photo by Michael Woolsey
California wine country is always a cool escape, and attending a charitable auction and meticulously orchestrated weekend makes you feel renewed. There’s no pre-planning necessary, just reserve your ticket and arrive to sip and savor the best of gorgeous Sonoma Count. Since the auction’s inception by the Sonoma County Vintners, more than $43 million has been raised, making a direct impact on education and literacy, health and human services, the environment and the arts.
Thursday, join the welcome reception hosted by Vinters Resort, followed by Dine Around Showdown Dinners hosted by renowned chefs and winemakers. Friday, choose from Insider Winery Tours, and Saturday night, don your cowboy boots for Wine Country Nights: Boots, Bottles and Bites with live music, food and specially selected wines. The weekend culminates Sunday at historic Chateau St. Jean for the live auction, a high action all-day party.
Sept. 28-29: Chefs for Farmers
Photo courtesy Chefs for Farmers
If you can’t escape H-Town, hold out for this two-day event at Autry Park, which brings together local and regional chefs, farmers and food artisans. In its third year, Dallas-born Chefs for Farmers will feature unlimited food, wine, craft cocktails, beer and more and will donate a portion of ticket sales to charity partners Houston Food Bank and Urban Harvest. Early-bird tickets are available for general admission and VIP tickets for earlier admission here. Bring your appetite and pray for cooler weather!
Oct. 5: Southern Smoke Festival
Chris Shepherd and Ashley Christensen at Southern Smoke (photo by Ken Goodman)
Houston’s biggest food and drink festival, hosted by James Beard Award-winning chef Chris Shepherd, returns for its eighth year. Presented by his nonprofit Southern Smoke Foundation, the festival continues its devotion to raising money for hospitality workers.
This year, the one-day event will take over Discovery Green downtown. As always, the event is rich with James Beard Award winners, top Texas and national chefs, and some of America’s most talented pitmasters — with a total of 73 chefs! Headliners include Aaron Franklin (Franklin BBQ, Austin), Emmanuel Chavez of Houston’s Tatemo, Street to Kitchen’s Chef G, Aaron Bludorn, and Ashley Christensen (Raleigh, NC). New this year is The Yeti Culinary Stage with cooking demos, Food & Wine’s Best New Chefs cooking demo, and The Central Market Wine Bar located in Discovery Green’s air-conditioned Lake House. Tickets are priced at $225 for general admission, and $500 for VIP with all the perks.
Oct. 17-20: Food Network's NYC Wine and Food Festival
NYC Wine & Food Festival chefs Geoffrey Zakarian and Rachel Ray
Presented by Capital One, this is probably the biggest foodie event of the year. With more than 400 chefs, mixologists and wine and spirits producers, this year’s lineup promises to be the most robust yet, all to support its charitable partner, God’s Love We Deliver. Expect culinary luminaries such as Food Network chef Alex Guarnaschelli, Geoffrey Zakarian, Rachel Ray, Marcus Samuelsson, Tyler Florence, Daniel Boulud, Jet Tila, and Bobby Flay. Events — more than 80 this year — include Master classes, Bobby’s Triple Threat Dance Party, Sunday Brunch hosted by the cast of The Kitchen, Intimate Dinners with high-end wines at more than 30 restaurants, the Grand Tasting, Sunday Funday in Brooklyn, and more.
Nov. 1-3: Austin Food & Wine Festival
Live-fire cooking at Austin Food & Wine Festival
The biggest little food and wine fest in Texas is back! At Auditorium Shores, find non-stop foodie fetes, seminars, wine and spirits tastings, chef demos and fresh fare from Texas and national guest chefs and food from 50-plus restaurants. Seek out the Fire Pit with bites hot off the flames and the chance to interact with pit masters and chefs like Levi Goode cooking over live fire. The Made in Texas VIP event moves to the Long Center Terrace with live music and a slew of notable chefs including Tyson Cole (Hai Hospitality) and Houston chefs Rebecca Masson, and Jūn’s Evelyn Garcia and Henry Lu. There’s plenty of garage parking at Auditorium Shores, but a ride share is suggested. Check the website regularly for updates on talent and ticket details. For lodging, consider the nearby Four Seasons Hotel Austin overlooking Lady Bird Lake or the Fairmont Austin.
Nov. 7-10: Seaside's Seeing Red Wine Festival
Seeing Red
This boutique wine and food festival for connoisseurs and novices alike is the perfect excuse to visit 30A in Florida, and even though it’s November, the weather is superb. Relish four days of beachy freshness including alfresco tastings with live music and local cuisines, plus a vintner’s dinner, Sunday Celebration of Bubbles, and more. Customize your experience by purchasing curated packages or individual tickets and reservations. For lodging, consider boutique hotel The Court near the events, or explore favorites Rosemary Beach with chic architecture and restaurants, or luxurious Alys Beach.