Savor a Glass of Wine and a Small Plate at Sambuca

Friends, family, and fun are the cornerstones of life according to the people behind Sambuca, which is why all three are welcome at their downtown Houston eatery. Tucked away on Texas Street, this upscale restaurant offers live music and gourmet American fare every night of the week.

Whether you're looking for a simple glass of wine or a full meal, you'll be able to find it at Sambuca. Patrons praise the hickory-smoked prime pork chop, served with charred tomato sauce, prosciutto, and mac and cheese on the side. You can also opt for something from the sea, such as shrimp and crab scampi, or dig into a meat-free dish such as the Mediterranean veggie lasagna. Pizzas and small plates are available here too, if you just want something light to enjoy while you sip.

Choose from Over 50 Available Craft Brews at Flying Saucer Draught Emporium

With a name like Flying Saucer Draught Emporium, you can be sure you've found a unique place to enjoy a couple brews. Flying Saucer is part beer bar, part restaurant with lengthy beer and food menus. The draft list here consists of more than 50 brews from Houston and beyond with a focus on select craft beers. Try one of the craft brews on draft, or, if you can't find what you're looking for, check out the lengthy bottle menu. Bottled brews include 3 Nations American Wit, Brooklyn Lager, Chimay Doree, and Stone IPA.

The food menu at Flying Saucer complements all the brews available at the bar with perfect pairings of elevated bar fare, including an array of sandwiches, salads, and classic appetizers. This excellent bar and restaurant is just over two miles from Siena at Memorial Heights, so check out this place soon.

Shop Local, Handcrafted Items at Pop Shop America Houston

Do you ever wish you could shop local artists’ products all in one place? If you have, you need to check out Pop Shop America in Houston this summer. Pop Shop America is an arts and a crafts festival that allows locals to shop products made by different artists year round. More than 25,000 people attend Pop Shop America’s festivals and events each year. Pop Shop America is located just over a mile from Siena at Memorial Heights but hold events all across the city.

Those interested in being vendors and spreading the word about their handcrafted products can do so at most Pop Shop America events. Many of the markets and events are based on themes, and almost all of them include live music, access to food and drinks, and face-time with local artisans. A list of upcoming events can be found on the Pop Shop America website. If you can’t make it out to an event, you can shop some of the products online.

Don’t Miss the Roast Beef Sandwich at Revival Market

With the state of Texas so rich in agriculture, there's really no need to go beyond its borders for fresh food. So the chefs at Revival Market don't. They source everything from veggies to charcuterie meats from farms and purveyors right in Texas, and not just any supplier will do. Revival Market's team is discerning when it comes to each purveyor's practices, opting for sustainably, ethically raised food over cheap stuff.

That must be what makes the roast beef sandwich such a hit. Its challah bun is loaded up with grass-fed roast beef, cheddar cheese, arugula, pickled onions, and brown butter aioli. The sammy serves as one of the most popular lunch entrees, along with other sandwiches, quiche, and corned beef hash. After lunch, peruse the shelves in this market for specialty items like sweets from Fluff Bake Bar. You can also step up to the butcher's counter and procure some fresh meats or have your own game processed here.

The Houston Museum of Natural Science Is Home to a One-of-a-Kind Collection Near You

Inside the Houston Museum of Natural Science, there is a butterfly center, artifacts from Ancient Egypt, dinosaur bones, and much more. The fascinating museum is a popular trip for people from near and far, and residents of Siena at Memorial Heights are lucky enough to live just a few miles from the renowned museum.

There are a variety of permanent exhibits throughout the museum, including an exhibition of dinosaurs, a showcase of natural gems and minerals, and a popular exhibit of mollusks. The rotating exhibits are also fascinating. Currently, these focus on everything from jeweled treasures to studies in Amazonian culture. Tickets range in price depending on the exhibition you choose to see, but access to the permanent collection is just $25 for adults. Check out this cool museum near you this summer.

Beer Market Co.: More Than 365 Brews and 30 Flat-Screens

Judging solely by the numbers, Beer Market Co. has other bars in Houston beat by a long shot. Its collection of beers contains more than 365 brews from all across the globe, and there are 30 flat-screen TVs scattered throughout its dining room and patio areas. Together, the numbers add up to a fun game day with friends.

It'll probably take you some time to pore over the beer list, but don't forget to check out the food menu too. Each dish was carefully designed to pair well with suds. Just try the brew pretzels; the warm pretzels come with a gooey cheese dip infused with Hans Pils beer and roasted garlic. If you want a lighter meal, opt for the Veggie Workout Burger. Its patty showcases a blend of garbanzo and black beans, and it's topped with mixed greens, tomato, and onion. The entire creation comes on a multigrain bun and even includes a side salad.

Fitzgerald’s: Enjoy a “Live and Loud” Concert

Fitzgerald’s in the Heights neighborhood of Houston is a live music venue offering “live and loud” performances since 1977. Located just over a mile from Siena at Memorial Heights, live music is just a five-minute trip away at the place that many locals refer to as “The Fitz."

There are live performances at Fitzgerald’s most nights of the week. The venue has two fully equipped stages in addition to fully stocked bars, so multiple acts can perform at Fitzgerald’s on the same night. Some of the most notable musical acts of prior decades have performed on Fitzgerald’s stage, including Stevie Ray Vaughan, ZZ Top, Etta James, Sonic Youth, and James Brown. Tickets to shows can be bought on the Fitzgerald’s website, where there is also a full schedule of upcoming performances. Fitzgerald’s also hosts open mic nights for local, upcoming artists.

Fitzgerald’s
2706 White Oak Drive
Houston, TX 77007
www.fitzlive.com/
www.yelp.com/biz/fitzgeralds-houston-2

Learn More About the Art of Photography at FotoFest International

Just a mile from Siena and Memorial Heights, FotoFest International is an effort and platform for museum-quality photography exhibitions to be showcased. FotoFest began in 1983 to promote this type of artwork and has since worked to provide exhibitions on artists from all over the world for the local community to see.

Each year, FotoFest brings a varying program of art exhibitions exploring different concepts to the Houston community. Programs occur at different galleries throughout the city and touch on different social issues through the use of art. As part of the 2016 Biennial, Changing Circumstances: Looking at the Future of the Planet included mixed media and educational programs that explore humanity’s relationship with the changing planet. FotoFest also provides professional development seminars in photography for artists and the local community. Those interested can learn more information and read about who will be participating in the seminars on FotoFest’s website.

FotoFest International
2000 Edwards Street, Building C, #2
Houston, TX 77007
(713) 223-5522
https://www.facebook.com/fotofest/

Rumor Has It Day Spa: Sip a Mimosa and Be Doted On

Whether you prefer to relax with a mug of hot tea or a chilled mimosa in hand, Rumor Has It Day Spa can accommodate. The Houston spa doles out complimentary drinks to its guests as soon as they arrive including tea, mimosas, and glasses of wine. Patrons seem to appreciate that Rumor Has It's staff go out of their way to really pamper them, which is why they keep coming back time and time again.

Of course, the large slate of spa services doesn't hurt, either. Rumor Has It offers both standard and lavish mani-pedis, of course, but you can also head to the day spa for a luxurious massage or a decadent facial. Add aromatherapy to your massage to leave even more relaxed. You can also rely on Rumor Has It for beautifying services such as waxing and eyelash extensions.

Rumor Has It Day Spa
1911 Taylor Street
Houston, TX 77007
(713) 426-6245
www.rhidayspa.com
www.yelp.com/biz/rumor-has-it-day-spa-houston

Start with Some Savory Monkey Bread at Urban Eats

Almost every component of your savory Monkey Bread—a dish of garlicky, pull-apart rolls dusted with smoked sea salt and rosemary—is crafted right in Urban Eats' kitchen. Whatever Urban Eats' team doesn't make itself probably comes from another business nearby. The eatery teams up with local vendors like Kraftsmen Bakery, Cloud 10 Creamery, and Angela's Oven to bring even more fresh food into the dining room.

Most customers believe you should definitely start your meal with the Monkey Bread. Then move on to a set of the signature sliders, like the Cowboy Sliders. They feature Salisbury steak patties topped with cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, onion strings, and a house-made bourbon barbecue sauce with a bit of a kick. You can also dig into a New American entree like the garlic-stuffed pork pot roast, the sundried tomato and prosciutto meatloaf, or the grilled ahi tuna steak. Save room for some house-made chocolate Nutter Butter cookies or a salted caramel apple tarte.

Urban Eats
3414 Washington Avenue
Houston, TX 77007
(832) 834-4417
www.feasturbaneats.com
www.yelp.com/biz/urban-eats-houston-2

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