Fuego’s Saloon: A New Spot With 25 Beers on Tap!

Since opening in June, Fuego’s Saloon has established itself as a go-to spot on on the Washington Avenue-area bar scene for a few reasons. First, there are 25 beers on tap, so lovers of suds have been flocking here to sip craft brews. Second, word has gotten out about Fuego’s firecracker shrimp, said to be fresh, plump, and seasoned just right.

Fuego's also has some kitschy touches like shuffleboard if you’re in the mood to challenge your friends. And you’ll never have to miss the big game here because there are more than 20 wide-screen televisions scattered throughout the place. You can even bring your furry friend — the outdoor patio is dog-friendly! Last but not least, Fuego’s is a destination for happy hour, and it’s easy to see why. It runs from 4-7 p.m. every day, and you can get discounts on cocktails, beer, wings, and fries! Perhaps best of all, Fuego’s is only about two miles from Siena at Memorial Heights. So, what are you waiting for?

Fuego’s Saloon
817 Durham Drive
Houston, TX 77007
fuegossaloon.com
www.yelp.com/biz/fuegos-saloon-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

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

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

Gumbo Jeaux’s: A New BYOB in Houston That’s a Little Bit Cajun, a Little Bit Cowboy

The tagline of Gumbo Jeaux’s, a BYOB restaurant that opened last month, is “a little bit Cajun, a little bit cowboy.” Once you take a look at the menu, you’ll see that this description is apt. Catfish opelousas and gumbo stand alongside hearty burgers with red beans and rice, and it’s all made fresh from scratch every day.

Make no mistake — Gumbo Jeaux’s is no-frills dining. You place your order at the counter, then settle in at a table with the wine or beer that you hopefully remembered to bring. The dining room is nicely appointed, with sunny yellow walls, trendy light fixtures, and flat screen televisions scattered throughout. As for the food, Yelpers who’ve tried it have overwhelmingly awarded it five stars, praising the quality of the dishes, the creativity, and the service. Since it’s just over two miles from your place at Siena at Memorial Heights it would be easy for you to check it to see if you agree!

Gumbo Jeaux’s
2155 Durham Drive
Houston, TX 77007
(832) 203-7270
www.yelp.com/biz/gumbo-jeauxs-houston

Chug (or Sip) Local Brews at the Houston Beer Fest This Weekend!

Once known best for its barbecue and Tex-Mex fare, Texas has been having a real moment lately thanks to the independent breweries popping up all over the state. On June 13 and 14, the Houston Beer Fest will celebrate in-state (and some out-of-state) suds at Hermann Square Park, just about three miles from Siena at Memorial Heights.

Saint Arnold, Texas Beer Refinery, and Karbach are just a few of the Texan breweries slated to appear this year, along with other breweries from around the country. Sampling hours are from noon to 4 p.m., and that's when you can grab small sips from a few different vendors. After that, the tents will pour full-sized pints. Wine and spirits will also be served. While you sip, drink in the tunes from live bands or play a round of air hockey at Love Street, a section of the fest dedicated to the peace and love of the 1960s.

Houston Beer Fest
Hermann Square Park
12 to 8 p.m. June 13 and 14
900 Smith Street
Houston, TX 77002
www.houstonbeerfestival.com

Caribbean-American Heritage Month Festival: Celebrate the Islands’ Colorful Culture on Saturday

Alexander Hamilton. W.E.B. Dubois. Colin Powell. All three have something in common—other than shaping the fate of the United States—they all have roots in the Caribbean. Along with a handful of other U.S. icons, the trio proves that Caribbean-Americans have had a major impact on the course of American history. Caribbean-American Heritage Month celebrates their accomplishments, and in Houston, that includes the Caribbean-American Heritage Month Festival.

Held this Saturday at Jones Plaza, about two miles from Siena at Memorial Heights, the annual festival once again brings Caribbean flair to the city via live music and dance, poetry, and even storytelling and dramatic readings. Traditional Caribbean cuisine augments the performances, from jerk chicken to pelau (a dish of peas and rice) to roti. Even tropical drinks are served, such as Mauby, crafted from the bitter bark of a tree and ample amounts of sugar.

The Caribbean-American Heritage Month Festival
Jones Plaza
2 to 10 p.m. June 6
600 Louisiana Street
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 836-0273
caribbeanfestival.caribbeanheritagetx.org/index.html

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