Two restaurant newbies celebrated summer openings, beginning with Bosscat Kitchen & Libation’s bars inside The James and The Ivy apartment buildings in River Oaks. Residents and guests can enjoy signature cocktails from Bosscat’s bar director Matt Sharp, plus an exclusive menu of light bites. More foodie fun awaited at Poitín, Sawyer Yards’ newest arrival. The restaurant’s grand-opening bash benefited the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art, and was full of funky touches like undercover comedians from The Secret Group and a drag show by Blackberri and friends. There was no shortage of beverages or bites — the pork belly apps were nicely washed down with colorful cocktails and beer from neighboring Holler Brewery and Green Flash Brewing Co.
Fall Philanthropy Report: Urban Harvest Farmers Market Helps ‘Transform Food Accessibility’
What year was your organization launched? Urban Harvest’s Saturday Farmers Market started in 2004 with just seven vendors, providing an outlet for local farms, community and backyard gardeners to sell fresh produce harvested directly from their soils. Now in its 20th year, the market has grown to be one of the largest markets in Texas, supporting over 100 local farmers, ranchers, and food artisans all from within 180 miles of Houston. The market draws 3,000 customers every Saturday morning and includes many original vendors like Animal Farm, Atkinson Farms, and Wood Duck Farm.
The Urban Harvest’s Farmers Market Program supports real, fresh food and the hardworking people who grow it. The market is more than just a place to shop, it’s a gathering place where friends and families meet up each at Urban Harvest, kids grow up knowing where their food comes from, and new friendships are forged.
What is your mission? The mission of Urban Harvest is to be a catalyst in transforming food accessibility in Greater Houston. Urban Harvest aims to achieve this by fostering strong partnerships with local farmers and gardeners, operating vibrant Farmers Markets, initiating mobile markets, and providing comprehensive garden education.
What is your vision? Their vision is not just to improve, but to transform the way communities engage with and access fresh, locally sourced food. Through these efforts, Urban Harvest aspires to set a national example, showcasing how innovative community collaboration can lead to sustainable change in food systems across the country.
How have you impacted the community?
In 2023 -
• Urban Harvest Farmers Market brought together over 100 local farmers, ranchers, gardeners and food artisans to sell their products directly to Houstonians
• Urban Harvest Farmers Market hosted over 45,000 shoppers
• Urban Harvest matched $25,000 in Double Up Food Bucks, allowing those who use SNAP/EBT to get $1 in fresh fruits and veggies for each $1 spent, up to $40 daily
• Approximately 45% of Urban Harvest vendors identified as social minorities and Urban Harvest continue to strive to grow the Farmers Market diversity. In addition, 50% of shoppers identify as a BIPOC.
Tell us about your big event. Urban Harvest invites Houstonians to break bread during their 30th Anniversary Sunday Supper hosted at St. John’s School on Sunday, November 3rd, 2024. The evening will be a celebration of local food, culinary excellence and the communities Urban Harvest serves. Thirteen of Houston’s most esteemed chefs will lend their unique talents during a multi-course, family-style meal created in partnership with local ranchers and farmers. Proceeds from this unforgettable farm-to-table experience will benefit the programs of Urban Harvest: Farmers Markets, Community Gardens, Youth Education, Food Access, and Gardening Classes.
What are you most proud of? Every year the small but mighty organization serves over 45,000 farmers market patrons and over 100 small food business; nearly 5,000 students and teachers in socially vulnerable Areas; 3,823 community gardeners preserving over 34 acres of greenspace; over 2,000 Mobile Market customers, 78% of which are in underserved neighborhoods; and educates over 900 individuals who participate in year-round organic gardening classes.
WITH HOLIDAY PARTIES and festive dinners galore this time of year, it’s officially Champagne season! Artisans is celebrating with a special bubbly dinner paired with sips from famous Champagne house Moet Chandon Winery on Thursday, November 14.
Chef Erik Cruz has worked with the winery to produce a decadent tasting menu to be paired with flutes of Moet & Chandon and Veuve. To start: there’s caviar — because what’s a champagne dinner without caviar? — and ceviche. The three main courses feature smoked tiger prawn, slow braised sweetbread and roasted lamb. All topped off with delectable chocolate mousse.
Chef Cruz has worked at storied Houston eateries Brennans of Houston and Hugo’s Café. Under Artisans owner and executive chef Jacques Fox, Cruz honed his French techniques while incorporating his Mexican roots.
Artisans relocated from Midtown to Westheimer in 2023. They are located at 5745 Westheimer Houston, TX 77057. Tickets are $199 and available here.
HOLIDAY CHEER IS coming to Bandista, the Four Seasons hotel’s swanky speakeasy, in the form of a fun collab with Nashville bar Four Walls.
The 20-seat Bandista will be decked out in holiday décor on Dec. 4 and 5 as unique concoctions are mixed by the bartenders from Four Walls — which was recently named to the prestigious Esquire's Best Bars in America list — benefitting Camp H-Town.
Don’t let the ingredient list scare you — you’ll find chickpeas, red bell pepper and chives on the menu. These are serious boozy cocktails. The cleverly named Misplaced Memories features gin, Crème de Cacao, pistachio, lime and egg white. On the spicy side is the gin-based Queen’s Gambit with red bell pepper, rosemary, ginger, coconut, jalapeño and garlic. And where do those chickpeas come in? The Hollywood Babylon, mixed with tequila, horchata, saffron, honey, lime, grapefruit, pineapple and chickpeas.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with Bandista for our first Houston pop-up,” says Mickey Stevenson, Lead Bartender at Four Walls. “It is an honor to partner with a team that shares our commitment to craftsmanship and creativity, and we can’t wait to share highlights from our new menu with their guests.”
Four Walls is located inside The Joseph hotel in Nashville and is inspired by the music city and owner’s Italian-American heritage — think a chic western vibe.
The event’s beneficiary, Camp H-Town, offers an urban camp experience at the Four Seasons for children and siblings touched by cancer.
Reservations at Bandista are available from 5pm-midnight and cocktails are priced at $30 each.