We’ve been named one of Houstonia’s Best Neighborhood bars in Downtown Houston!
Touted as “Best Bar for Drinking Before Grocery Shopping,” we invite you pop-in and unwind before (or after) hitting the aisles. You can always count on finding a refreshing beer or wine special and appetizers to make your shopping more exciting during our weekday Happy Hour, every Monday through Friday from 2-7PM.
“Come as you are to this no-frills joint located inside the beloved Phoenicia Specialty Foods market. Though it otherwise has all the atmosphere of your local Starbucks, the bar feels buzzy when a DJ or live band hits the stage, which is often, and gets packed when there’s a concert or a basketball game at nearby Toyota Center. As a bonus, pretty much every wine on offer pairs well with the store’s flaky baklava. Just saying.”
GO TEXAN is more than just boots and barbecue. It’s a state of mind. From February 23-27, Phoenicia Specialty Foods and MKT BAR are celebrating the finest foods in Texas like the Hogtied Hamburger, complete with smoked gouda and ranch dressing or the MKT Frito Pie that’s got a nice little kick to it. Cool down some of that Texas spice with a Michelada or take a spin on the Buffalo Bayou Beer flight. And because everything’s sweeter in Texas, save room for our Mile High Key Lime Pie.
MKT BAR is country music headquarters during GO TEXAN week, showcasing the best in local music from many of Houston’s most talented musicians. It’s live music and grub with a country kick from February 23-27.
Between our great grub and toe-tapping country music, there’s simply no other place to GO TEXAN this February.
MKT BAR GO TEXAN MUSIC & GRUB NIGHTS OFFERINGS Available Tuesday, February 23 – Saturday, February 27 at MKT BAR. The regular MKT BAR dinner menu will also be available.
– MKT Frito Pie with Haig’s Chili – ground chuck steak with onions, roasted peppers, fava beans and chickpeas $8
– ½ BBQ Rotisserie Chicken with MKT potato salad and spicy fried okra $12.99
– Hogtied Hamburger – ground chuck with smoked gouda, ranch dressing, tomato and bacon on challah bun with za’atar fries $12.99
– Brined and Grilled Pork Chop with MKT potato salad and spicy fried okra $16.99
Thursday, February 25
Vinyl Ranch – Classic Country DJs, 5-8PM
Max Flinn Band – Honky Tonk Outlaw Classic Country, 8-11PM
Friday, February, 26
Vinyl Ranch – Classic Country DJs, 6-9PM
Skrla Steel Trio – Country & Western Swing, 9PM-12AM
PHOENICIA SPECIALTY FOODS GO TEXAN WEEK IN-STORE SPECIALS Available during the month of February
You can always take the taste of Texas home with you, too. Stroll on over to the butcher shop and pick up our Peppercorn Rubbed Pork Tenderloin, Phoenicia Bratwurst and Garlic & Herb Sausage on a stick and Cayenne Cheddar Burgers. Two-step your way into the market for a variety of local items like pickles, barbecue rubs and sweet Texas treats.
Bakery
– Bourbon Pecan Bread Pudding
– Rodeo-themed cookies
Butcher Shop Offerings
– Peppercorn Rubbed Pork Tenderloin
– Phoenicia Bratwurst and Garlic & Herb Sausage on a stick
– Cayenne Cheddar Burgers
Grocery
– Rodeo Beer: Karbach Rodeo Clown Double IPA, Southern Star Pine Belt Pale Ale
– Local Honeys: Honeycraft Honey, Stroop Farms Wildflower Honey
– Coffee and Wine: Phoenicia Coffee House Texas Doodle Coffee Beans,Chisholm Trail Texas Wines,
– Pickles: Yee Haw Hot Damn Dills/No Frills Dills, Bravado Spice Chili & Garlic, Smither Family Relish, Talk of Texas Okra Pickles
– Rubs/Sausages/BBQ Tools: Van Ruehling Rubs, Salt Lick Dry Rubs, Bob Tallman’s Steakhouse and All Around Rubs, Chappell Hill Sausages, Pinces de Barbecue Tongs and Spatula
– Sweet Texas Treats by Sinfull Bakery, Lady Lavender Confections, Wackym’s Cookies, Big Lil’ Fudge, Sweets by Belen Alfajores
– Cookbooks with a Texas Twist: Houston’s Top 100 Food Trucks, Houston Small Plates & Sips, The Ultimate Food Lover’s Guide to Houston
Reality is a mental labyrinth / ignorance, its linear beast. When ignorance fuels destruction / history, strategically repeats. Awareness of awareness / elevates the dreamer from its sleep. Dare to dream awake / encourage memory beyond illusionary feats. If knowledge is power / grant wisdom to reign supreme. Unearth your history / from this labyrinth we dream. Ye are stars / reality sets free. Love is the path / imagination has its doors / transformation, your key.
Santos Guerrero’s compositions blend inter-dimensional time/space narratives to create surrealist landscapes, often centered around anti-form line compositions. He employs a vast range of techniques from oil-based, acrylic, industrial and aerosol paints to avant-garde forms involving various forms of medium-applications, all with a keen eye for the emotive power of color.
The opening reception on February 19th from 8PM-midnight features a music line-up including Wonky Powers recording artist George West and deejay FREDster with special guest, multi-platinum music producer The ARE, whose credits include work for LL Cool J, Nicki Minaj and Houston’s own K-OTIX, whose latest album features cover art by Guerrero.
In honor of the artist’s hometown of Monterrey, Mexico a Santos-inspired ceviche and michelada will be available for purchase at the opening reception.
Opening Reception: Friday, February 19, 2016, 8PM-midnight Exhibition On View: February 19 – April 17, 2016
Opening Reception Music Line-up
8:30-9:30PM – The ARE
9:45-10:45PM – George West
11PM-Midnight FREDster
All artwork will be available for purchase and the artist will be in attendance at the opening reception.
A member of the Phoenicia team for 21 years, Ruth has seen a lot of changes in the store during that time. She started at Arpi’s Deli and has worked in many of the departments at Phoenicia. She eventually made her way to manager of the hot grill, where she is happiest. While Ruth has worked with so many great people, her favorite will always be Richard Willis. She loved working with Richard and was sad when he moved to the Phoenicia Downtown location. Ruth feels a family bond with her teammates and considers them her “work family.” Also feeling a bond with customers, Ruth has been their acquaintance for many years, often seeing kids grow up and bringing in their own children!
Ruth grew up in Mexico and remained there after her brothers had moved to Houston. She dreamed of coming to Houston and was so excited when she finally had a chance to move here, right away she began working as a cashier in a Mexican Café but she longed for more. She knew someone who was working at Phoenicia and they were very happy, they talked about their job in the most positive ways and it made her really want a job here but she wasn’t confident in her cooking or her language skills and was afraid it was going to be a challenge. When she finally applied, her desire to work was evident and she was hired, it was her dream come true! Ruth was excited in her new position and went to school to study and learn so she could be a stronger member of the Phoenicia Team.
Though different cultures and languages can sometimes be difficult, Ruth really tries to connect with customers. She is sympathetic to language boundaries and will often use her version of sign language to direct or satisfy a customer’s needs. In her wildest dreams she never thought she would learn so many customs! One thing she notes is that every country and nationality can agree on one thing…delicious food! She laughs as she says that everyone loves Shawarma! Shawarma was the first food she tried at Arpi’s. It is the healthiest sandwich. She smiles sheepishly as she said that on her second day she saw falafel and thought “What is that?!?” she nibbled a bite and fell in love with them! Her love of food is contagious and she wants everyone to share her passion. If she notices that people seem hesitant to try a shawarma she will describe it in ways they may relate to, in fact she often describes it like a burrito! And even though Ruth has worked here for so many years she NEVER gets tired of eating Shawarma!
Ruth dreams have been realized with a city and a job that she loves and she feels it just gets better and better. Ruth loves creating foods and is especially proud of the soup she makes for the hot grille menu, and she positively beams when she says, “I am proud of the job and I am happiest when Mr. Bob is happy!”
Ruth’s eyes sparkle and her smile is huge as she talks about Phoenicia. “Something holds you here”, she comments earnestly. The Tcholakian Family, the customers, her co-workers and Mr. Bob… they make you feel special.
Come experience the food and atmosphere that dreams are made of here, at Phoenicia!
