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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Tickets for a Heights Beer Festival Are On Sale Now 

Mario says, “One of the inner loop’s best craft beer festivals returns. The event offers a chance to taste national award-winning beers, talk with brewery staff and mingle with like-minded beer enthusiasts.” 

Tickets are now available on Eventbrite for Bloomfest, the annual spring artisanal beer festival hosted by New Magnolia Brewing Co. at 1616 Bevis in the Heights on Saturday, May 10 from 1 to 6 p.m. (As of press time, all ticket levels, including VIP, were still available.) Over 20 breweries will be in attendance, each pouring two to three different beers. The $45 general admission ticket includes a 300 ml glass (a little over 10 ounces) with access to all beers and unlimited pours. For $100, guests can splurge on the VIP admission, which includes early entry and access to the Ultimate Bottle Share from 12:30 to 2 p.m. VIP benefits include tasting rare brews and a reserved seat in the taproom along with the special glass, unlimited pours and an event t-shirt. Satellite of Pizza will be onsite serving fresh-baked wood fired pizzas.

Celebrate Mom’s Day Early Over Cocktails & Make a Keepsake For Home

Phaedra says, “Technically, this is being billed as a pre-Mother’s Day event, but you can use it as an excuse to hang out with any supportive woman in your life, whether it be your mom, your “second mom”, grandma, wife or best friend. Every time she sees the candle, she’s going to remember the love and time you shared on this day.” 

Spend the late afternoon on Saturday, May 10 at the Lyric Bar at Lyric Market, located in downtown Houston at 401 Smith, sipping cocktails and making candles with a special woman in your life. The Candles & Cocktails Candle-Making Class starts at 4 p.m., and attendees will customize their own candles, including selecting the style and fragrance (or, no fragrance at all if that’s your preference). The candle-making is courtesy of local business Twilight Candle Co. Each ticket includes one candle and one cocktail (you can certainly order another on your own if you want) and costs $45. Go online to buy tickets. Parking validation is available for the Lyric Market garage. 

Gyro Republic Opens Spring Location With Deals & Giveaways

Phaedra says, “Visit for the grand opening of a fast-casual restaurant? Why not? Best-case scenario is winning an amazing prize. Worst-case scenario is getting to try this restaurant for half-off. It sounds like it’s going to be a fun day, but if you show up and it’s too crazy-crowded, you’ve always got the option to bail.”  

Mediterranean restaurant chain Gyro Republic is opening its sixth Greater Houston-area location in Spring at 16702 Stuebner Airline. The grand opening celebration is on Saturday, May 10 and starts at 11 a.m. The first 100 guests will get a free bowl or sandwich, and the remainder will get half-off their purchases until the restaurant closes at midnight. Along with each purchase comes a raffle ticket, which patrons can use to enter for a chance to win big prizes such as a PlayStation 5, Apple MacBook Air and an Apple iPad Air. There are several smaller prizes, too, such as Amazon gift cards ranging in value from $10 to $50 and Gyro Republic gift cards. 

There’s also a social media contest where diners can post to Instagram or Facebook with hashtags #GOGyroRepublic or #LoveGryoRepublic. Two winners will be drawn from the posts and receive Gyro Republic meals for a year. RSVP to the grand opening online.

Register Now to Cook With Your Kid at an Esteemed Montrose Italian Restaurant

Phaedra says, “Sorrento Ristorante is a rare Montrose business in that it opened more than 20 years ago, and it’s still operating. Part of that is thanks to being bought last year by a couple who were loyal fans. Cooking with kids is a great way to make enduring memories — and besides, they’re going to look so cute in their little aprons!” 

On Tuesday, May 27 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sorrento Ristorante at 415 Westheimer in Montrose is hosting its first-ever Parent and Child Cooking Class. It’s sure to be a memorable occasion for the kids, as each will learn from chef Alex Meza and take home their own Sorrento Ristorante apron and rolling pin. During class, the parent-child teams will learn to make artisan pizza and fill and decorate their own custom cannoli. Spaces are limited, so it’s recommended that you go online and reserve sooner rather than later. The cost is $100 for each parent and child duo; add $55 for each additional child. Kids must be aged four or older to participate. For questions or additional information, call (713) 527-0609. 

Menu At Uptown Park French Restaurant Blooms With New Dishes 

Mario says, “Take a culinary trip to France in spirit. The chef and co-owner of Étoile holds the esteemed title of Maîtres Cuisiniers de France, the stated goal of which is to preserve, advance and perpetuate the tradition of great French cuisine.” 

Étoile Cuisine et Bar, 1101-11 Uptown Park Boulevard: The gourmet French restaurant from Master Chef of France Philippe Verpiand and his wife, Monica Bui, has debuted new menu items for spring and early summer. This includes classic French appetizers such as vol-au-vent — puff pastries filled with chicken, lobster medallions and vegetables in a morel sauce — and salade de printemps, a crisp and refreshing mix of baby gem lettuce, strawberries and pecans drizzled with Waldorf dressing and a crostini topped with Fourme d’Ambert (a mild, semi-hard French blue cheese.) 

New entrées include porc Ibérique, an Iberico pork skirt steak served with mashed potatoes, spring vegetables and Bordelaise sauce, Loup du Chili, seared Chilean seabass with truffled gnocchi, English peas, asparagus, English pea mousseline and truffled cream and rotating fresh fish selections for La Pêche Du Jour, a preparation in which the fish is seared and served with carrot-orange mousseline and green beans spiced with a lemongrass emulsion. Cap off your meal with Verpiand’s Tutti Strawberry, a limited-time dessert offered during peak strawberry season with fresh chopped fraises bathed in a chilled fruit reduction sauce which is then topped with strawberry ice cream over a cream-filled, crispy pastry roll.

Phaedra Cook and Mario-Sebastian Berry