Summer Soirees and Posh Pop-Ups Not to Be Missed

Summer Soirees and Posh Pop-Ups Not to Be Missed

Cool cocktails at a past Taste America event

WHETHER IT’S A top-chef taste-off, a cult-followed smashburger cookout, or a cool meal from Norway, there are deliciously fun happenings in H-Town this summer. Mark your calendars — and come hungry!


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 America culinary 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.

Food
Leadership in Action: ‘Setting Clear Goals’ Among Secrets of Success for Attorney Jess Bailey

How did you get to where you are today? A few key principles integrated into my life: setting clear goals, maintaining a growth mindset, building strong habits, and surrounding myself with the right people. Goals provided direction, while a growth mindset helped me turn challenges into opportunities for learning. Consistent habits, like disciplined work and effective communication, kept me moving forward. Being surrounded by motivated, supportive individuals has elevated my standards and kept me accountable. They’ve provided advice, encouragement, and sometimes that extra push I needed to stay on track. With these elements, I’ve been able to create a framework that helps me succeed and ensures I continue to grow and evolve.

Keep Reading Show less
People + Places

Beth Muecke, Justin Garcia

HANDSOME HOUSTON ARTIST Justin Garcia held a homecoming of sorts at Downtown’s Z on 23. He’s been on a world tour with Orphaned Starfish Foundation, the nonprofit that helps orphans, survivors of trafficking, and refugees break their cycles of abuse and poverty. Garcia is traveling to all 80 of the foundation’s programs around the world, creating unique art pieces that aim to capture each program's unique feel with color, shape and words.

Keep Reading Show less
Art + Entertainment

Diana Madero, Thea Pheasey, Alejandra Peterman, Hillary Jebbitt

EIGHT CHEFS, THIRTY years — and one big dinner! Urban Harvest rang in its fourth decade of community gardens, farmers markets and food access at their annual farm-to-table dinner cooked up by some of the most notable chefs in town.

Keep Reading Show less
Parties