Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings:
Tuesday, April 8
Riel X Josephine’s Crawfish Dinner at Josephine’s
Josephine’s chef Lucas McKinney, is teaming up with chef Ryan Lachaine of Riel for a one-night-only, five-course crawfish feast on Tuesday, April 8. Expect bold flavors in dishes like Crawfish Gazpacho, Grilled Oysters with Crawfish XO, and Gulf Fish with Crawfish Oscar. Two seatings are available at 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. at Josephine’s, 318 Gray. Tickets are $150 per person via Resy.
National Empanada Day with H Town Restaurant Group
H Town Restaurant Group is celebrating National Empanada Day with specials across its award-winning restaurants, available at lunch and dinner. At Caracol, enjoy Empanadas de Camarón, crispy corn empanadas stuffed with shrimp and drizzled with creamy cilantro sauce. Hugo’s offers Empanadas de Colita de Res, featuring braised oxtail with cilantro aioli, and Empanadas de Plátano, a sweet-and-savory plantain turnover filled with refritos and queso fresco. At URBE, the Empanadas de Pecho de Res bring together brisket, mushrooms, Chihuahua cheese and chipotle with tomatillo salsa, while Xochi’s Empanadas de Camarón showcase yellow corn masa stuffed with shrimp, tomatillo sauce, crema and queso fresco.
Saturday, April 12
Yoga Balance HTX at Mutiny Wine Room
Mutiny Wine Room, 1124 Usener, and Yoga Balance HTX invite guests to join a revitalizing one-hour Vinyasa yoga session, taking place on Mutiny’s West Patio at 11:30 a.m. After the yoga session, attendees will be treated to an assortment of bites and sparkling mimosas from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Spots are $45 per person.
Tacos & Tequila Festival at Sam Houston Race Park
The Tacos & Tequila Festival takes over Sam Houston Race Park, 7575 North Sam Houston Parkway West, with endless fun from 4 to 10 p.m. Jam to live performances from iconic throwback artists like T.I., Lil Jon, Paul Wall, and Mike Jones while enjoying chef-inspired tacos and ice-cold margaritas. This 21+ event is a fiesta, with tickets starting at $69.
Love Street Music & Arts Festival at Karbach Brewing
Karbach, 2032 Karbach, is bringing back the Love Street Music & Arts Festival, turning its biergarten into a celebration of music, Love Street brews and local art. This year’s lineup features Wilderado, Moon Taxi, Alex Lambert and Houston’s own Lucid Illusions, with the party kicking off at 3 p.m. For the first time, the fest will also showcase local art vendors and a live installation by Houston artist David Maldonado. GA and VIP tickets ($30-$150) are available now.
Saturday–Sunday
Houston Latin Fest at Crown Festival Park
Houston Latin Fest will take place at Crown Festival Park, 5000 West Loop North, from 1 to 10 p.m., offering a full day packed with live music, delicious Latin cuisine, vibrant dance performances and cultural vendors Pre-Sale Weekend Passes are $20 with Day Passes for $12 (kids 12 and under get in for free).
Sunday, April 13
Masters Party at EZ’s Liquor Lounge
EZ’s Liquor Lounge, 3302 White Oak, is hosting an all-day Masters Party, with festivities including a golf simulator and nine-hole putt putt course, “Longest Drive” competition, merch and Masters-themed food and drink specials–think “Food of Augusta”, like pimento cheese sandwiches, clubs and John Daily’s cocktails.
All month long
Guest Chef Taco Collab: Aaron Bludorn at Little Rey
Little Rey, 2345 Mid Lane, continues its monthly guest chef taco collab series, with a special taco created by a rotating local chef featured and 100 percent of its proceeds going to Southern Smoke Foundation to benefit food and beverage workers in need. This month, chef Aaron Bludorn of Bludorn, Bar Bludorn and Navy Blue has created a pastrami birria taco, a nod to Bar Bludorn’s Reuben.
Crawfish Ramen at Ramen Tatsu-ya
Ramen Tatsu-ya, 1722 California, is bringing back the Crawmen, running now through May 28. The Cajun-inspired ramen delivers a spicy, buttery kick with a base of crawfish tonkotsu broth, loaded with crawfish tails, andouille sausage and a Southern succotash of corn and bell peppers.
New and ongoing specials
Passover Catering
Hamsa, 5555 Morningside, is now accepting preorders for its Passover specials, available for ordering through Wednesday, April 9,for pickup on Saturday, April 12. The holiday menu features favorites like salatim ($8-$13), hummus ($15), Israeli and green salads ($14 each), and a hearty lamb shank with roasted vegetables ($60). Plus, Hamsa’s sister bakery, Badolina, is offering festive desserts, including a whole orange cake ($28) and Basque cheesecake ($48). To order, call 281-612-3515 or email melissa@sofgroup.us.
Houston Catering Concepts is now accepting orders for its extensive 2025 Passover catering menu, rocking everything from Chopped Liver, Gefilte Fish and Matzo Balls to Brisket and Poached Salmon. Orders can be placed at houstoncatering.com by April 8 at 5 p.m. for pickup on Friday, April 11 from 4 to 6 p.m. or Saturday, April 12 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 5422 Bellaire.
Crawfish season
With crawfish season back and crackin’, check out our 2025 Crawfish Boil Guide to find out where to get your hands dirty with the best mudbugs in town, from buttery Asian-Cajun boils to bold and spicy Louisiana-style feasts.
Yucatán Tasting Menu at Caracol
Caracol, 2200 Post Oak, continues its regional tasting menu series by heading to Yucatán now through May 3, offering a four-course dinner celebrating the region’s bold Mayan, Spanish and Caribbean flavors. Dishes like Cochinita Pibil Panucho, achiote-rubbed Tikin Xi, and a chocolate pyramid dessert are paired with optional Mexican wines and cocktails. The menu is $75 per person ($36 for beverage pairings) plus tax and gratuity; reservations are available at caracol.net or 713-622-9996.
