8th Annual Katy Wine Festival @ The Tuscany Villa Friday, 7-11 p.m. 3330 FM 1463, Katy
Cinco Ranch Rotary hosts this year's Katy Wine Festival, which features Italian wines from the Tuscany, Piedmont, Campania, Sicily, Veneto, Puglia and Umbria regions. Purchase an advanced general admission ticket for $60 and receive valet parking, unlimited wine and appetizer tastings, a souvenir wine glass and water and soda service. Texas wineries, including The Cellar Door, Braman Winery and Pheasant Ridge Winery, will be in attendance as well. Sample appetizers from Red Oak Grill, Fairy Cakes, Marini's Emapanada House and many more restaurants throughout the evening. Because the wine festival is a charity event, there will be a live auction and 50/50 raffle. Bottles of wine ($15-50) will be available for purchase at the conclusion of the festival.
Houston Food Truck Fest @ Stereo Live Saturday, 12-4 p.m. 6400 Richmond
Spend the Saturday afternoon at Stereo Live during the Houston Food Truck Fest from 12 p.m. until 4 p.m. VIP tickets cost $48, general admission tickets cost $20 and a family 4-pack costs $50. Note: children 12 and under get in for free! VIP admission includes unlimited soda and water, access to the VIP-only restrooms (they might be cleaner?), bars and VIP covered seating - you'll also get to enter the festival an hour early. General admission tickets give you entry into the festival only. No matter which ticket you purchase, you'll still have to buy food at additional cost. Chi'lantro Korean BBQ, Coreanos, Happy Endings, Soul Cat Cuisine, The Waffle Bus and Zeapod Cakery are just a few of the food trucks that will be at the festival.
1983 Grocery Get-Down @ MKT Bar Saturday, 8 p.m.-2 a.m. 1001 Austin Street
Yes, there is a waiting list for tickets, but that doesn't mean there's zero hope for getting into the event. Phoenicia Specialty Foods turns 30 this year, so in honor if its birthday, MKT Bar is hosting a 1983 Grocery Get Down. Dress in your favorite '80s get-up (best '80s outfit gets two free passes to Free Press Summer Fest 2014) and enjoy food from the '80s - Swedish meatballs, cheese straws, pizza casserole and bacon-wrapped stuffed jalapenos. MKT Bar will be serving up special cocktails, boutique wine and craft beers throughout the night. DJ Portal Walker and The Spicolis will be playing '80s music into the wee hours of the night. The celebration is free, but you need a ticket to get inside.
10th Annual Risotto Festival @ The Houston Design Center Sunday, 2-6 p.m. 7026 Old Katy Rd
Many of Houston's best chefs will be preparing their best risotto dishes during the 10th Annual Risotto Festival at The Houston Design Center on Sunday, including Jamie Zelko of Zelko Bistro, John Watt of Prego, Carmelo Mauro of Carmelo's and Jonathan LeBlanc of The Tasting Room. General admission tickets cost $65 in advance and $75 at the door; VIP tickets cost $100 in advance and $125 at the door (if still available); children under 12 get in for free. Each ticket gives guests the chance to sample antipasti during the judging period before the risotto service begins at 3 p.m. VIP tickets include access to the VIP lounge, where special desserts, wines, beers and coffees will be served.
#SecondSunday Throwdown @ Paulie's Sunday, 7 p.m. 1834 Westheimer
Barista throwdowns are phenomenal experiences, and it's time for another one at Paulie's on Westheimer. Meet baristas from all around the city and watch them battle it out latte art style. If you thought those pretty hearts and rosettas were amazing, wait until you see the designs each barista can whip up. Baristas can sign up before the event or once they arrive, starting at 7 p.m. -- usually there are 15-20 baristas from a variety of coffee shops, including Blacksmith, Greenway and Paulie's. The throwdown begins at 8 p.m., but before and after the battle, enjoy $3 Bombshell Blondes, $4 Camerata picks by the glass and those scrumptious cookies from Paulie's ... can it get any better than that? End the weekend with a latte art throwdown, booze deals and some of the best cookies in the city.
