Photography by Daniel Ortiz
Styling by Todd Ramos
Models Brock Knighten and Samara Zuckerbod for Page Parkes Agency
Hair and makeup by Edward Sanchez for Arched Beauty
Special thanks to Chapman & Kirby
Both locations of The Pit Room are open today, July 9.
WITH POWER OUTAGES over many portions of the city, Houstonians need alternative places to cool off more than ever before. Below is an updated list of open restaurants where you can eat well and stay a while. Pack up and seek out one of these respites!
Known for crowd pleasing American fare, the Post Oak classic sports lots of elbow room and seating options.
Enjoy a spacious modern newcomer in River Oaks District serving Japanese fare and sushi.
Come for the classics in a laid-back setting near River Oaks.
Steak, seafood and a butcher shop beckon.
All three newly remodeled locations are open with an all-day menu, WiFi and plenty of space.
Come hungry to this Tex-Mex joint in Montrose serving queso with chopped brisket, tacos, fajitas and salt-rimmed margs.
Mexican seafood in a sleek setting are hallmarks at this Post Oak Blvd. mainstay.
The Heights outpost of this casual fave is open today, while the Cypress, Memorial and River Oaks locations remain closed. Sister restaurant Daily Gather in CityCentre is open too!
Find authentic French fare with modern touches in Uptown Park.
Just looking at the white marble bar and breezy space at this pretty Cajun-Creole favorite in Greenway Plaza will cool you off.
Take the whole family for a little baseball fun while feasting on pub grub.
Bright Thai dishes star at this Heights area haunt.
The biggest bar in Texas? Sounds good right about now. Grab a few icy cold beers and hit the bar or patio with food trucks. Fido welcome!
The sceney staple is open in its new location — with plenty of wine.
Talk about wide open air-conditioned spaces. Grab a bite at the MFAH's beautiful Le Jardinier pre- or post-museum browsing.
Ford Fry's still-new taco joint is open now, and tomorrow, July 10, from 8-11am, will give free breakfast tacos to first responders at their Uno Mas takeout window!
Barrel up to the fancy bar or grab a booth for upscale seafood including oysters, lobster rolls and more.
The new Katy location is open and serving Tex-Mex options galore.
Another Landry's seafood-and-steak resto, this one is open in Town & Country, Uptown Park and Downtown.
Pick up a club for a little practice and indulge in fun cocktails while on the mini golf course — global foods on tap as well!
Cue up for smoked meats and more at the Montrose and Memorial locations.
The Downtown food hall is open, with tons of room to spread out — and a showing of tonight's COPA match.
Need a steak meal for the whole fam? Hit the Conroe, Fulshear, Katy, Humble, Baytown, Kemah, Galveston or Pasadena locations of this Landry's restaurant.
The bar, restaurant and lounge on Emancipation is open until 2am today, and is inviting anyone without power to come hang out and enjoy the AC and charge their devices (no purchase necessary). First responders also receive a happy-hour item for free.
All things tacos are waiting at the Washington Ave location, which is giving each customer a free bean-and-cheese or chicken fundita taco and a fountain drink while supplies last.
All-day brunch is on the menu at this Downtown restaurant, open late.
Counter-service Mexican street food — including eye-opening pastries — are featured at this Uptown Park spot.
Grab the full menu of Italian specialties at this roomy restaurant with a lounge and covered patio.
Also, Houston Food Bank is open today and doing deliveries to their partner agencies who are open and operational. They need volunteers to sort and pack food for distribution, and cash donations. Sign up to volunteer!
Chris Shepherd, left, is hosting a dinner at Four Seasons next month and, on right, wine from Robert Mondavi Wines that will be served at a dinner in Napa for Southern Smoke Foundation
MANY RESTAURANTS, COFFEE shops, and bars across H-Town are still closed due to power outages from Beryl. Others, who have since opened, are struggling with staff displacements as well as wasted food, property damage and loss of consistent revenue.
Enter the Southern Smoke Foundation, a nonprofit that provides emergency relief for food and beverage workers nationwide in crisis. No surprise, the Foundation is receiving many applications from workers in need of assistance right now. These requests for help will only continue to climb in the coming weeks.
On average, food and beverage workers lose $1,175 in income during a natural disaster. After the Derecho storm in May, Southern Smoke granted 363 food and beverage workers a total of $321,000. Patrons can make donations here any time of the year, but another way to contribute is to attend the annual Southern Smoke Festival in October.
If you find yourself in the Napa Valley, Calif., this July, the Foundation will conduct an industry roundtable event July 24 at Robert Mondavi Winery and a Farmstead Live Fire x Southern Smoke Foundation benefit party July 26. The latter event takes place at beautiful Long Meadow Ranch in St. Helena and will include food, wine, cocktails and live music.
Getting hungry and thirsty? The Four Seasons Houston has collaborated with Southern Smoke co-founder Chris Shepherd for a Celebrity Chef Pop-up Series, which benefits the Southern Smoke Foundation. Mark your calendars for a quarterly dinner featuring Shepherd’s choice of award-winning chefs from around the country from his personal network. Reservations are required for the two seatings (5pm and 8pm).
“I’m thrilled to partner with Four Seasons in creating this ongoing pop-up series, featuring some of my friends and favorite chefs from around the country,” says Chris Shepherd. “Bringing these exciting culinary experiences to H-Town is a great way to have some fun and share great connections over amazing food and wine.”
The first dinner is August 4 and stars Shepherd himself as he presents Sunday Supper at Mr. C’s, a tribute to his favorite childhood restaurant in Omaha. The setting will have holiday lights, checkered tablecloths, and Rat Pack-era live music. Chefs for the fall and winter dinners will be announced soon. Reservations are required, as the two seatings (11pm and 8pm) are limited.
