Don’t Miss One Night Only Dinners at Houston Restaurants

Chef Christian Hernandez at Barbacana Curates Four-Course Tasting Menu on Thursday, September 10th at 7 p.m. Inspired by Original Works in Celebration of the Affordable Art Fair’s Houston Debut; One-night-only dinner unites Barbacana’s kitchen with artists Joan Steinman and Holly Wong; guests get first access to purchase the artwork on view.

To celebrate the launch of Affordable Art Fair Houston, enjoy a special tasting event brought to you by Chef Christian Hernandez of Barbacana. On Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 7 pm, chef-owner Christian Hernandez and pastry chef Priscilla Treviño will present A Taste of Art at Barbacana, a four-course tasting menu inspired by original artworks on show at Affordable Art Fair Houston from October 15-18, 2026. The event is limited to 40 guests.

Chef Hernandez and Chef Treviño built each course around the colors, themes, and point of view of a single painting, translating what hangs on the wall into what lands on the plate. Throughout the evening, guests will have the opportunity to engage with both the artists and the chefs, gaining insight into their creative process.

“Every dish we create here starts with a story,” said Christian Hernandez, chef-owner of Barbacana. “It’s usually about Houston, sometimes about a farmer or a fisherman we trust, but this time it started with a painting. Sitting with Joan and Holly’s work before we ever touched a plate forced us to create these dishes differently. It challenged us to chase a color or a feeling instead of just the perfect ingredient.”

Cost is $100 per person; optional beverage pairing available for an additional charge. Reservations are expected to sell out; guests are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance via this link.

Caracol Hosts Guest Chef Dinner with Kaelin Ulrich of Seasons of My Heart Cooking School in Oaxaca: Saturday, September 12 at 6:30 pm Reception | 7 pm  Seated Dinner; Cost of the dinner is $150 per person plus tax and gratuity; Purchase tickets at www.Caracol.net

Join Chef Hugo Ortega on Saturday, September 12 at Caracol for a special evening celebrating the vibrant flavors and culinary traditions of Oaxaca with Guest Chef Kaelin Ulrich of Seasons of My Heart Cooking School in Oaxaca.

Born and raised in Oaxaca, Ulrich grew up between his mother Susana Trilling’s cooking school and his father’s tomato farm, developing an early appreciation for growing, sourcing, and cooking with exceptional ingredients. Today, he serves as Partner and Director of Seasons of My Heart Cooking School, carrying forward his mother’s 30-year legacy of sharing the culinary traditions of Oaxaca.

Ulrich is also no stranger to Caracol. Before returning home to Oaxaca, he served as sous chef at both Caracol and Hugo’s, making this dinner a special homecoming. His culinary journey has also included opening La Calenda in Yountville, California, for renowned Chef Thomas Keller and serving as chef consultant at Michelin-starred Oxomoco in Brooklyn.

For one night, Chef Ulrich returns to the Caracol kitchen to join Chef Hugo for a seafood-forward menu inspired by the coastal cuisine of Oaxaca and the ingredients and traditions of his home state.

Caracol is located at 2200 Post Oak Blvd., telephone 713-622-9996. The restaurant is open Monday to Thursday, 11:30 am to 9 pm, Friday from 11:30 am to 10:30 pm, Saturday from 11 am to 10:30 pm, and Sunday from 10 am to 3 pm.  

GUARD AND GRACE HOSTS LEGENDARY CHEFS FOR ONE-NIGHT MEXICAN CHEF SUMMIT

Chef Troy Guard Unites Award-Winning Chefs Rick Bayless, Hugo Ortega and Richard Sandoval for an Exclusive Collaboration Celebrating Mexican Cuisine on Tuesday, September 29, 2026; Tickets are $150 per person, plus tax and gratuity

Four of the most influential chefs in modern Mexican cuisine will come together for one night only at Guard and Grace Houston.

On Tuesday, September 29, Chef Troy Guard will host the inaugural Mexican Chef Summit, welcoming James Beard Award-winning chef and Top Chef Master Rick Bayless, fellow James Beard Award winner and Houston culinary icon Hugo Ortega and internationally acclaimed chef and restaurateur Richard Sandoval for an intimate, five-course dining experience benefiting the Frontera Farmer Foundation. Limited to just 200 guests, the event will begin with a cocktail reception and passed canapés at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m.

“The opportunity to cook alongside chefs I admire and respect is incredibly special,” said Troy Guard, Owner and Executive Chef of TAG Restaurant Group. “Each of us brings a unique perspective to Mexican cuisine, and together we’re creating an experience that guests simply won’t find anywhere else. We’re also proud to support Rick Bayless’ IMPACT Culinary Training and its work to equip young adults from Chicago’s West Side with the skills, mentorship, and hands-on experience needed to build meaningful careers in the hospitality industry.”

Together, the chefs will create a collaborative five-course menu that highlights their individual culinary styles while celebrating the richness and evolution of modern Mexican cuisine. Guests will experience each chef’s distinctive culinary perspective through a series of canapés and signature dishes, with a seasonal menu inspired by each chef’s style.

Tickets are $150 per person, plus tax and gratuity, with an optional cocktail pairing available for $45. Reservations are available exclusively through OpenTable Experiences.

TICKETS: https://www.opentable.com/r/guard-and-grace-houston