Cyclone Anaya’s is one of the Houston spots sipping and celebrating this Cinco de Mayo. Credit: Rebekah Flores

Monday, May 4

Charitable Chef Collab at Pizaro’s Montrose

Pizaro’s Pizza Napoletana, 1000 West Gray, is hosting a one-night-only benefit dinner supporting the John Arena Foundation, a nonprofit focused on therapeutic pizza-making programs for Parkinson’s patients. The ticketed event ($105+) brings together Houston chefs for a multi-course tasting menu with drink pairings — including Nicole Bean of Pizaro’s with “The Cornbelt” cracker-thin pizza, Patti Delgado of The Original Ninfa’s with tres leches, Garrett Rice of Bayou Butchers with oak-smoked dry-aged tenderloin and more. All proceeds benefit the John Arena Foundation’s mission to expand therapeutic cooking programs for Parkinson’s patients. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. followed by seating at 7.

Tuesday, May 5

Cinco de Mayo

Check out our citywide Cinco de Mayo guide for margarita specials, taco deals, tequila tastings and mariachi-filled fiestas happening this Cinco de Mayo.

Mahjong & Margs at Loro Kirby

Loro, 5333 Kirby, is hosting Mahjong & Margs, with open play for beginners and experienced players with guidance on hand from the Mocha Mahj team. Guests get light bites plus a choice of a spicy watermelon margarita or mandarin margarita, with prizes awarded throughout the night. Participants are encouraged to bring their NMJL card and space is limited. Tickets are $65 per person. 

Wednesday, May 6

Moms & Somms: A Pre-Mother’s Day Wine Tasting at Little’s Oyster Bar

Little’s Oyster Bar, 3001 South Shepherd, is hosting a Pre-Mother’s Day Wine Tasting on from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The walk-around tasting is $95 per person plus tax and gratuity and highlights early-summer wines with a focus on bottles from women-led wineries. Guests will also enjoy light bites and passed hors d’oeuvres.

Wednesday–Thursday

Vacation by the Glass: Spain at Heights & Co.

Heights & Co., 1343 Yale, hosts its Vacation by the Glass series with a visit to Spain. The experience is $35 per guest plus tax and includes a welcome cocktail, a four-course wine tasting and a themed movie screening on the big screen, with chef’s tastings available for an additional fee. Score tickets via Resy.

Friday–Sunday

Panda Fest at The Water Works at Buffalo Bayou Park

Asian food and culture festival Panda Fest, makes its Houston debut at The Water Works at Buffalo Bayou Park, 105 Sabine Street. The event features more than 80 food vendors, 20 artisan vendors and nonstop entertainment including lion dances and K-pop performances, plus large-scale installations like a 15-foot inflatable panda. Tickets start at $14.

Saturday, May 9

AAPI Fest at Alief Amity Park

Hit the inaugural AAPI Fest at Alief Amity Park from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., presented by OCA Greater Houston in partnership with Tokyo X, AAPI Restaurant Weeks, Harris County and the City of Houston. The free festival brings together more than 100 vendors representing over 50 cultures along with live performances, food, art and cultural programming throughout the day. Highlights include performances by Gun Boi Kaz, Kaminari Taiko and multiple dance and cultural troupes, with the event taking place during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

All month long

Houston Astros Cake at Kenny & Ziggy’s New York Delicatessen

Kenny & Ziggy’s, 1743 Post Oak, is offering its Houston Astros Cake by the slice or whole cake with proceeds benefiting Just Amazing Youth Sports. Slices are $10.95 and whole cakes are $55, with a portion of proceeds supporting free sports programs for kids with special needs. The cake features orange and navy layers with vanilla buttercream and whole cakes require 24-hour notice.

Taco Fest at Pico’s

Pico’s, 3601 Kirby, is throwing a Taco Fest featuring rotating taco plates with three tacos starting at $8. Options range from ribeye, tinga de pollo and carnitas to chile relleno, tacos Ensenada and 72-hour crispy pork belly, plus seafood and vegan selections.

New and ongoing specials

A Culinary Journey Through Chiapas  at Caracol

Caracol, 2200 Post Oak, continues its tasting menu series with A Culinary Journey Through Chiapas tasting menu, running Monday through Saturday for dinner now through May 7. Highlights include Gulf shrimp ceviche with coconut and chile, slow-roasted pork cochito and more. The experience is priced at $75 per person plus tax and gratuity with an optional beverage pairing for $36 per person.

Spring Menu at Le Jardinier

Le Jardinier, 5500 Main, has launched a new spring menu highlighting seasonal dishes like burrata with strawberry and rhubarb, French white asparagus, pea ricotta ravioli and salmon with asparagus and saffron hollandaise. The menu also features “Flavors of French Tradition” selections including slow-cooked cod with leek fondue, thyme, champagne cream sauce and caviar, finished with a tangerine vegan dream for dessert.

Crawfish Ramen at Ramen Tatsu-Ya

Ramen Tatsu-Ya brings back its limited-time favorite, The Crawmen, a crawfish boil-inspired ramen bowl with tonkotsu broth, Crawmen tare, garlic, andouille, crawfish succotash, green onion and lemon – available through the end of May.

Brooke Viggiano is a contributing writer who is always looking to share Houston's coolest and tastiest happenings with the Houston Press readers.