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. 

This is a busy week for Houston food and drink events! There are so many interesting options that we’re bumping our standard five weekly picks for things to do in Houston to eight. There’s something for every budget this week, too, from a $10 to $12 pita special to a $300 restaurant collaboration dinner. 

For your convenience, this list is organized by event date.

Submit your upcoming special or event for consideration in a future “5 (or maybe 8) Things” by emailing us.

A Downtown Wine Dinner Worth Splurging On 

Mario says: “$200 is a chunk of change for a lot of folks right now, but if you can swing it, it’s a fare worth its salt. Barbacana’s wines are incredible and, as I reported earlier this year, it is one of my favorite new restaurants in Houston.”

Chef-owner Christian Hernandez is hosting the Pax Wine Dinner Experience at his downtown restaurant, Barbacana, on Wednesday, March 26. Beginning at 6 p.m., guests will be guided through a six-course tasting menu with wine pairings introduced by none other than Pax Wines co-owner Pax Mahle. For the past 25 years, Mahle has garnered critical acclaim as an influential winemaker and one of the premier producers of California Syrah, grown in cool climate, organically and/or sustainably farmed vineyards in Sonoma County and Mendocino.

Each of the six menu items is paired with a different wine, with courses including grilled white asparagus with Platinum Osetra caviar and maitake mushrooms with Pax’s 2023 Sonoma-Hillsides Syrah (which received a stellar 98-point review from wine critic and Vinous founder Antonio Galloni) and dry-aged lamb saddle with preserved lemon and purple carrot barbecue paired with a 2022 Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah blend. The full menu can be viewed online. Tickets are available on OpenTable and cost $200 per person, plus tax and gratuity. 

Giddy Up For A Classy Montrose Hoedown 

Mario says: “Saddle up for a hog-killin’ time and a taste of vintage Montrose, cowpokes!”

Fiora’s Bottle Shop at the Montrose Collective is hosting its annual Cowboys & Caviar party on Thursday, March 27 from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Guests can expect a night of Altima Caviar bumps, Madame Zero Champagne, small bites, DJ performances, a Hawley Trucker Hat Bar and more. The ace-high soirée benefits the Outsmart Foundation and Out at the Rodeo, an inclusive event and organization with a goal of providing a place of connection and representation for the Houston LGBTQ community at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo. Tickets are available on Eventbrite for $150 per person.

Taste the Wines of Loire at Sonoma Wine Bar

Phaedra says, “Sonoma Wine Bar is a Houston original. This woman-owned business has been operating for 18 years, making it one of the first dedicated places for wine in Houston. Although the original Upper Kirby location has closed, it’s important to remember that there are two others in the Heights and Katy. I’ve also got a soft spot for the wines of Loire, and for the very reasonable price, you not only get to taste five wines but also have some cheese alongside.” 

Both locations of Sonoma Wine Bar — 1227 West 34th Street in the Stomping Grounds center and 9920 Gaston in Katy — host weekly Flight Nights. On Thursday, March 27 from 5 to 8 p.m., the focus is on the wines of Loire Valley in France. According to owner Farrah Cauley, the region is known for “its elegant whites, vibrant rosés, and structured reds”. The cost of a flight is $45 and it includes five wines that range in style from a crisp Sauvignon Blanc to an expressive Cabernet Franc as well as cheese pairings. Go online to RSVP. 

Grab a Deal for National Pita Day

Phaedra says, “Craft Pita is one of Houston’s best places for Mediterranean fare, so this one-day discount is a great excuse to pop in for an easy and affordable meal.” 

Local eatery Craft Pita, with two locations at 1920 Fountain View and 5172 Buffalo Speedway, is offering 25% off all pita sandwiches for National Pita Day. That’s on Saturday, March 29, and the discount is good on both dine-in and online orders. There are several choices, including chicken shawarma, classic gyro (a combination of lamb and beef), falafel and chicken salad. Prices normally range from $12.25 to $15.25, so the discount drops this to a range from $9.19 to $11.44 plus tax (and gratuity for dine-in). 

Watch a Classic Mozart Production — at a Brewery

Phaedra says, “While I love the glamor of traditional theatre productions, watching a live show with a beer in hand and a plate of barbecue in front of me sounds like a good ol’ time. Plus, it’s a good way to showcase local breweries, which continue to need support in the post-craft-beer-hype era.” 

Opera company HOPERA has a mission to bring theater back to its roots as tavern entertainment. Its next production is “The Producer”, an adaptation of Wolfgang Mozart’s comedy “Der Schauspieldirektor”. HOPERA is performing it on Saturday, March 29 at Equal Parts Brewing at 3118 Harrisburg and on Monday, March 31 at Eureka Heights Brewery at 941 West 18th Street. The performances start at 7 p.m. and tickets are $15. You can also add on a full dinner by The Hungry Hub HTX with entrée choices of barbecue brisket for $30, barbecue chicken for $27 or vegetarian barbecue for $25. For an additional $5, you can also add a beer. 

In honor of the occasion, Eureka Heights is also debuting a limited-edition beer called Cosmic Opera, a 5.3% ABV pilsner made with cosmic hops. Visit the HOPERA website for tickets. 

Take a Moment for Self-Care at a Wellness Market Day in Montrose

On Sunday, March 30, Cosmic Juice, a family-owned health food café located at 2515 Morse (along with a yoga studio, training facility and other health-oriented businesses), is hosting a Wellness Market from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. It’s the first of an event series that will take place on the last Sunday of each month through October. The Wellness Market features a number of wellness vendors, live music and food and drink, including Cosmic Juice’s fresh juice and açaí bowls, and a donation-based sound journey and yoga experience from noon to 2 p.m. Update, 3/25/25, 10:18 a.m.: The sound journey and yoga experience is fully reserved, but you’ll still be able to visit all the Wellness Market vendors. 

Two Montrose Restaurants Hook Up For a One-Night Omakase

Phaedra says, “Hidden Omakase has consistently brought Houston memorable dinner experiences, and I think teaming up with the more-casual 93’ Til is going to bring out some interesting creativity from both restaurants.” 

On Sunday, March 30, Hidden Omakase, a MICHELIN-recommended restaurant known for its high-end omakase dinners at 5353 West Alabama, is hosting casual restaurant and record bar 93’ Til on a one-night-only Fire & Ice Omakase experience. There are two seatings: 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The menu will showcase “the harmony of contrasts, showcasing the interplay of cooked and raw, heat and chill, and intensity and delicacy”. Tickets are $300 per person, and only 18 seats are available. Visit the Resy website to reserve. 

Brunch with Masa Appeal

Mario says: “Celebrate three years of award-winning Mexican cuisine with an exclusive brunch menu!”

Tatemó, chef-owner Emmanuel Chavez’s MICHELIN-starred maiz-driven Mexican tasting menu restaurant, is bringing back its popular brunch service on Sunday, March 30 from 10 a.m. until sellout. The 18-seat restaurant will be open for walk-ins only with counter-service and to-go ordering available. All proceeds benefit the PX Project, a local non-profit organization which turns the kitchen into an immersive classroom for young adults to explore their identities, learn employability skills and focus on their social and emotional health. The menu includes masa pancakes, duck chilaquiles, quesadillas de chicharrón, brisket sopes, conchas and more with homemade tortillas available by the dozen. The event is sure to sell out quickly, so I recommend arriving early!

Phaedra Cook and Mario-Sebastian Berry