Izakaya: A New Restaurant Serving Unique, Japanese-Inspired Pub Food

A new bar and restaurant in the growing Midtown foodie scene, Izakaya offers Japanese/pub food fusion fare that's both unique and tasty. Opened in July less than two miles from Siena at Memorial Heights, this place is noted for the fact that it doesn't offer the typical sushi, hand rolls, and teriyaki that you'd find at the typical Japanese restaurant.

Instead, its food is what you might expect to find on the menu of any gastropub, but with an Asian twist. Mochi and bacon skewers, street corn with togarashi bonito flakes, and Japanese curry dip, and poached egg with fries and bonito flakes are the kinds of small plates you can find here. The bar is stocked with beer, wine, cocktails and, of course, sake to pair perfectly with these avant-garde dishes. Izakaya recently added desserts like the Elvis in Tokyo, an almond flavored cake topped with vanilla ice cream, peanut butter and jelly – a perfect finisher for a night out.

Izakaya
318 Gray St.
Houston, TX 77002
www.yelp.com/biz/izakaya-houston

Vinoteca Poscol: A Beloved Wine Bar at a New Location

Vinoteca Poscol is a popular wine bar and Italian restaurant that's been open since 2009, but it now has a new home about a mile and a half from Siena at Memorial Heights. Start off your meal with small plates like tomato, bufala, and arugula finger sandwiches or the braised calamari. Guests rave about the high-quality bread served here, and Vinoteca Poscol’s flatbread pizzas and sandwiches are popular because of it.

Specials like the squid-ink pasta with Spanish octopus, baby shrimp, baby tomatoes, and garlic beautifully round out the menu. Whether you just want to nibble or indulge in a full meal, Vinoteca Poscol has the perfect pairing of wine from its extensive wine collection. A romantic spot for a date night or an intimate gathering of friends, Vinoteca Poscol is sure to be a hit in its new prime location.

Vinoteca Poscol
608 Westheimer Road
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 529-2797
www.yelp.com/biz/vinoteca-poscol-houston-3

Town in City Brewing: An Up-and-Coming Local Hotspot!

Town in City Brewing is a new microbrewery that created waves during the "White Linen Night in the Heights” event just a few short weeks ago. It offers a smattering of house-made brews, which have gotten rave reviews from local beer drinkers as well as critics. Favorite brews include the Chipped Tooth IPA, which has a two-malt base and a hoppy flavor, and the City Amber, which features American hops in an otherwise English-style beer.

The dog-friendly beer garden is the perfect place to kick back and enjoy the unique ales. The owners have plans to add food trucks to this area to create a one-stop hangout for drinks, snacks, and fun. There’s also an air-conditioned tap room in case the summer heat gets to be a bit too much. The staff is helpful and proved they can handle a crowd during their busy opening night. Town in City Brewing is about 10 minutes from Siena at Memorial Heights.

Town in City Brewing
1125 W. Cavalcade
Houston, TX 77009
(832) 409-1650
townincitybrewing.com
www.yelp.com/biz/town-in-city-brewing-company-houston

Grafitti’s at Union St.: Buzzworthy Burgers!

A diner that specializes in the total burger experience, Grafitti's at Union St. has garnered a lot of buzz lately. At least that's according to local diners and Eater Houston, which placed it on its August list of hot local restaurants. Make the short drive from Siena at Memorial Heights to see if you agree!

What sets Grafitti's at Union St. apart is its commitment to excellence with its ingredients. Everything from the meats to the condiments to the buns is made from scratch on the premises. Some of the burger creations here are practically otherworldly, like the Imperial, topped with sweet brisket, mac and cheese, onion strings, roasted poblano, fried pickles, and bacon jam. There are platters of chicken fried steak, pork chops, wings, and baked mac and cheese that round out the menu with Texas flair. The decor is super fun, with paintings on the walls depicting everything from cityscapes to the moon landing to vintage soda ads. There’s also a lounge area, well-stocked with beer, wine, vintage cocktails, whiskey and scotch – perfect for a late-night drink!

Graffiti's on Union St.
2003 Union St
Houston, TX 77007
(713) 869-7000
www.grafittisburger.com
www.yelp.com/biz/grafittis-at-union-st-houston-2

The Houston International Jazz Festival Returns For Its 25th Year With Live Music And Special Events This Weekend!

Jazz fans, listen up! The 25th Annual Houston International Jazz Festival is back for a three-day live music extravaganza from July 31 through Aug. 2.

The festival celebrates jazz with live music and good vibes all weekend long. Jazz takes the spotlight, but a number of other musical genres that call on jazz for inspiration will also be featured during the three-day celebration. You can look forward to blues, soul, hip hop, and folk performances, too. Festival guests are encouraged to bring picnic blankets and folding chairs. Vendors selling food and drink will also be on hand.

Beyond the live music at the festival grounds, there are four main events of the festival — the kickoff party on Friday night, a pre-concert dinner on Saturday, the main concert at the Bayou Music Center on Saturday night, and the mayor’s scholarship jazz brunch on Sunday.

Tickets are required for entry to the festival and are available online. Tickets vary in price depending on the event you choose to go to.

The fun will places only two miles from Siena at Memorial Heights.

25th Houston International Jazz Festival
July 31-Aug. 2
www.houstoninternationaljazzfestival.com

Bayou City Bonanza: A Giant Party for a Great Cause!

Featuring arts, crafts, music, food, and comedy, Bayou City Bonanza offers 14 hours of fun that will also does some good in the community. Located about 20 minutes away from Siena at Memorial Heights, Bayou City Bonanza will have food including barbecue, pancakes, and donuts from Fantastic Donuts and Croissants, games like an all-day water balloon fight, arts and crafts such as live body painting and glass blowing, and musical performances in a variety of genres.

A portion of the proceeds will go to bringing home a service puppy for a three-year old girl, Honor Monroe Tinsley, who was born with spina bifida. Pre-sale tickets are $15 for adults and include complimentary Lone Star Beer, snacks, and other giveaways. Kids 12 and under are free. Come during the day with the whole family, or gather up some friends to party late night – the event ends at 2 a.m.!

Bayou City Bonanza
Saturday, July 25, noon to 2 a.m.
Eastdown Warehouse
850 McKee St.
Houston, TX, 77002
www.masterpiecemotives.com/events/bayoucitybonanza

Ula’s Mexican Restaurant and Cantina: Voted One of the Best Taco Spots in Houston!

At first glance, Ula’s Mexican Restaurant and Cantina might just appear to be a new place to eat near Siena at Memorial Heights, and it is. But look a little closer and you’ll learn that the team behind Ula’s brings four decades of restaurant experience, and perhaps the most significant is that of Ula himself.

Ulises Gonzalez, known as Ula, grew up in his family’s kitchen in Mexico, helping his mother cook authentic meals for the family. The menu at Ula’s is a nod to that background, and after you taste the cuisine, you’ll understand why the restaurant has earned so much acclaim in the short time it’s been open. (The first location in Missouri City, TX opened its doors in 2014, while the Washington Avenue location opened in April of this year.) texmexicanfood.com
www.yelp.com/biz/ulas-mexican-restaurant-and-cantina-houston

Free Tasting at Bradleys Fine Diner Thursday July 9th 6-8pm

We wanted to invite you to a free tasting dinner at Bradley’s Fine diner this Thursday from 6-8pm. This is an exclusive event held for Siena residents. Bradleys is also extending happy hour drink prices for the duration of the event. The restaurant is located just a few blocks away at 191 Heights BLVD. Check out www.ogdenhospitality.com

The first 20 residents who RSVP to Eviesweeten@yahoo.com will receive a free wrist band to ride the wave shuttle bus from Siena to the restaurant and back or to another location of their choice that the wave offers. The wrist band will be good for unlimited rides that evening. You can learn more about the wave at www.thehoustonwave.com Additional space will be available on the bus for those that would like to catch a ride for a nominal fee.

Please be sure to RSVP as the restaurant does require to give a head count to the chef! Remember the first 20 RSVPs will receive free transportation on the Wave! Hope to see you there!

Celebrate Independence Day at Freedom Over Texas!

For nearly three decades, Houston has played host to Freedom Over Texas, a festival celebrating Independence Day. This year, the freshly renovated Eleanor Tinsley Park sets the stage for this annual bash just about two miles away from Siena at Memorial Heights. Make your way to the park around 4 p.m. to partake in the activities and soak up the atmosphere at Freedom Over Texas.

Renowned singer-songwriter Josh Turner co-headlines the main stage with Houston native Clint Black at 2015's festivities. Enjoy the concert with friends and a beer from the Bud Light Lime-A-Rita Beach Bash, or round up your kids and take them to the All-American Kids Zone. It showcases youngster-friendly entertainment on a separate stage. Spend some time exploring all of the other booths at Freedom Over Texas before the fireworks begin, because you won't want to miss a second of colors colliding in the sky.

Freedom Over Texas
Eleanor Tinsley Park
4 to 10 p.m. July 4
150 Sabina Street
Houston, TX 77007
www.houstontx.gov/july4/index2.html

Lincoln Bar and Kitchen: An Ideal Spot for Late Nights and Game Time

Combining relaxed outdoor seating with amped-up game time pep, Lincoln Bar and Kitchen is a patio and sports bar that recently opened about a mile from Siena at Memorial Heights. The new owners have outfitted the space with an updated kitchen, where chefs are whipping up a limited selection of dishes with plans to offer a more comprehensive menu in coming months. If the food in the first-wave is any indication of what’s to come, you’d better get ready!

The Buffalo pork spareribs and crispy whole wheat chicharonnes are a step-up from the usual bar fare. Rounding out the menu are burgers and sandwiches like the Gettysburger, with bacon, egg, and American cheese, as well as flatbread pizzas, like the the roasted habanero with spinach and artichoke dip. You'll find ample seating outside as well as a covered bar.

Lincoln Bar and Kitchen
5110 Washington Ave.
Houston, TX 77007
www.lincolnbarhouston.com
www.yelp.com/biz/lincoln-bar-and-kitchen-houston

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