Casa Ramirez FOLKART Gallery

🔪 Spotlight on Houston chefs, taking home prestigious James Beard Foundation Awards today in Chicago! These are considered the Oscars of the restaurant world.

Congratulations to Chefs Evelyn Garcia and Henry Lu of Jūn Restaurant on 20th Street in the Heights, named “Best Chefs: Texas,” and Adrian Torres of Maximo ( Viva Maximo Houston) in West University, who took home the national “Emerging Chef” honor. Torres delivered part of his speech in Spanish and paid tribute to his Northside Houston roots.

We’re also proud of Nick Wong and Agnes & Sherman on 19th Street, and Tracy Lee Vaught and Hugo Ortega of Hugo's, finalists in the “Best New Restaurant” and “Best Restaurateurs” categories respectively.

🔗 Read more here: https://www.houstoniamag.com/eat-and-drink/2026/06/james-beard-adrian-torres-maximo-emerging-chef-2026

🪅 It’s time for the annual Sin Muros (Without Walls) Latinx Theater Festival at Stages Theater, and we were deeply honored on opening night Thursday for Casa Ramirez to receive the El Estreño Puente Prize for "exceptional contributions…in the Houston area Latinx arts community.'

Theater, dance, readings, and community workshops continue tonight through Sunday at Stages Theater, 800 Rosine 77019— with an arts market all day Saturday — and we would urge you to take a look at the Stages page for more details and the link to purchase a $10 all-festival pass.

The offerings have always been especially rich and interesting because they are typically fresh work that is in development and delving into unique cultures and perspectives..

Photos: Casa Ramirez’s owner Chrissie Dickerson Ramirez with artist Joseph Blanchard and the El Estreño Puente Prize, and with Cesar Jaquez and Tené Carter.

🔗 Details: https://stageshouston.com/event/2026-sin-muros-festival-pass/

🫧We miss our friends at Shop Heights 19th Street and still intend to support the lively events they sponsor to make shopping the small businesses in the stretch along the 200-300 blocks a unique experience.
As summer approaches, here’s a fun one to put on your calendar. Purchasing the special glass will entitle you to sample pours from breweries, and there will be bubbles floating through the air and treats from wonderpopshtx. 🫧