Houston’s food and beverage scene always has a lot going on — but how to choose what to spend your time and money on? Houston Food Finder editor Phaedra Cook and associate editor Mario-Sebastian Berry are sharing their personal picks below to help you decide. 

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Get Lucky In Garden Oaks/Oak Forest

Mario says: “This event has all the “Elements” of a fun weekend diversion. There’s affordable crawfish, brunch specials and several local vendors and artisans to support while having a good time.”

On Saturday, March 15, Cottonwood is hosting the Lucky You Pop-UP Market featuring local vendors and artisans along with boiled crawfish for $8.99 per pound and a full brunch menu from chef and managing partner Zach McClendon of ElementsHTX. The pet- and family-friendly event is free to attend and takes place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Unwind with $7 mimosa carafes and draft pitcher specials on the bar’s spacious outdoor patio while supporting local entrepreneurs.

Houston’s “Top Chef” Stars and Craft Pita Restaurant Owners Co-Host Peruvian Dinner

Phaedra says, “No one collaborates like Houston chefs — it’s just the kind of community it is — and these types of dinners are always fun. Also, in my opinion, Peruvian cuisine doesn’t get as much local love and attention as it deserves. It’s one of my favorites.” 

“Top Chef” stars, James Beard Award Semifinalists and Houston chefs Henry Lu (on the current “Top Chef” season, which starts this Thursday, March 13) and Evelyn Garcia (runner-up on season 19) are co-hosting a Peruvian dinner at their restaurant, Jūn, at 420 East 20th Street, along with Craft Pita owners chef Rafael Nasr and Claudia Nasr. The one-night-only event is on Monday, March 17. Seatings are available from 5 to 9:30 p.m. 

While Craft Pita is a Mediterranean restaurant, Claudia is from Lima, Peru. Also, Lu’s experience includes cooking at Peruvian restaurant Llama Inn in Brooklyn. Garcia’s friendship goes way back with the Craft Pita owners, as she was chef at now-closed Decatur when the Nasrs hosted their first pop-up there.

The Peruvian dinner will have four courses and cost $110 per person. A second option for $165 per person includes wine pairings. Dishes include beloved favorites such as ceviche with charred sweet potato, leche de tigre, jalea (fried mixed seafood) and corn and lomo saltado — beef tenderloin with garlic rice, fries and rocoto crème. See the full menu and make reservations online. 

Make That Two Special “Top Chef” Dinners

Phaedra says, “Since local ‘Top Chef’ competitor Tristen Epps does not quite have his Houston restaurant open yet, this is a great opportunity to get to know his cuisine and fulfill your inner Tom Colicchio”. 

There’s another Houston chef competing on this season of “Top Chef”, and an upcoming special dinner features his work. Guard & Grace at 500 Dallas in downtown Houston is hosting Tristen Epps on Saturday, March 22. As noted in a previous article, Epps is currently a private chef via his business Epps & Flows Culinary, but he’s working on opening a new Afro-Caribbean restaurant, Buboy. 

The menu for the six-course dinner at Guard & Grace will “explore the influence of French cuisine on cultures [of colonized countries] around the world”. Dishes will include Texas Wagyu steak frites, foie gras pâté and Ricotta Dumplings with local greens and truffle.

This is a very limited dinner, as there are only two seatings — one at 6 p.m. and the other at 8:30 p.m. — for a dozen diners each. For that reason, if you want to go, you’d best get tickets now. As of press time, there were still some available online for both time slots. 

In the Meantime, a “MasterChef” Restaurant is Hosting Great Monday Night Specials

Phaedra says, “I love chef Christina Ha’s cuisine — and I love what a down-to-earth person she seems to be, too, regardless of her fame. We see a lot of specials come through our email, but with this one, you need no better reason to not cook on a Monday!”  

Houston’s TV star chefs are busy enticing diners this week! MasterChef season 4 winner Chrstine Ha is now offering tempting seafood specials every Monday night at her restaurant The Blind Goat, located at 8145 Long Point in Spring Branch. Chesapeake Bay Oysters are only $1.25 each, and the Whole Hanoi Grilled Turmeric Fish is $30. As far as what’s to drink alongside, there’s an easy answer for that, too. Select sparkling wine will be $6 a glass. Prices do not include tax and gratuity. 

A Montrose Tradition Returns 

Mario says: “When Griff’s Irish Pub burned down in January of 2023, it left a shamrock-shaped hole in the hearts of many Montrose regulars. These two events mark a promising return to form as the bar inches toward completion.”

The team behind Griff’s Irish Pub is holding two big events through the holiday weekend beginning with a Crawfish and Shrimp Boil on Saturday, March 15 followed by a Parking Lot Party & St. Paddy’s Day Festival on Monday, March 17. Both events are free to attend and take place from noon to 10 p.m. The former features live music from the Zydeco Bulls and Spin City on the big stage and a huge tent to escape the heat while enjoying cold draft beer, boiled crawfish and shrimp, and food trucks onsite. Meanwhile, Monday’s free parking lot party continues the fun with a day packed with live music, food trucks, pints of Guinness, green beer specials and full bars.

Phaedra Cook

Phaedra Cook has written about Houston’s restaurant and bar scene since 2010. She was a regular contributor to My Table magazine (now closed) and was the lead restaurant critic for the Houston Press for two years, eventually being promoted to food editor. Cook founded Houston Food Finder in November 2016 and has been its editor and publisher ever since.