Go global and give back this holiday season at the second annual YUMMY! Wonderland at our downtown location on Saturday, December 3 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Celebrate the season with an international holiday festival and brunch highlighting art, music, traditions and customs from around the globe. There will be activities to entertain everyone in your family with crafts, holiday wine pairing, cultural performances and live music. This year, you can take also decorate cookies and ornaments with Mrs. Claus and her elves. Bring the family to enjoy a day full of food, crafts, live musical performances and shopping while snapping photos with Santa.
The event is free of admission and open to the public, with option to purchase food. Registration is highly recommended as tickets are limited. Reserve your tickets at yummywonderland2016.eventbrite.com.
YUMMY! Food
An international selection of à la carte entrées, brunch plates and desserts will be available for purchase in the market providing a culinary journey of delicious global dishes that are served during the holiday. Attendees can also enjoy sampling throughout the market for further exploration of international flavors.
– Grilled Asparagus
– Tempeh Stuffed Acorn Squash
– Grilled Redfish with Lemon
– Potato and Leek Tarts
YUMMY! Entertainment
Enjoy live holiday music and dance throughout the day by local performers representing the customs and cultures of the United States, Mexico, Latin America and Russia.
– FLY Dance Company
– Operativo Houston
– Ridna Shkola Ukrainian school of Houston
– Russian Cultural Center
YUMMY! Crafts
Let your creative side out to play! Families can create memories with hands-on crafts including cookie and ornament decorating stations with Mrs. Claus and her elves. You can also share your holiday wish list with Santa in French or English. And, since the holidays are the perfect time for merriment and “cheer-fullness,” adults can enjoy holiday wine pairing with chocolate, cheese and other holiday treats. You can also join the Houston Fire Department’s Operation Stocking Stuffer and celebrate the spirit of the season with a new, unwrapped toy to donate.
YUMMY! Shopping
Find gifts with heart from The Community Cloth, a local organization selling artisanal hand-crafted products locally made by women who come from Afghanistan, Bhutan, Congo, Iran, Iraq, Myanmar (Burma) and Sudan. In addition, the Houston Institute for Culture East End Studio Gallery will showcase handmade crafts from Mexico and hand painted dolls to decorate the Christmas tree with among many other retail vendors displaying artifacts from across the globe.
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!
On Saturday, February 13th, all of Cupid’s single and hitched friends can enjoy Cupid’s Cuddle Fest Karaoke at MKT BAR. From 7-10PM, DJ Tempty will spin soulful love tunes, followed by cuddly karaoke emceed by the Rosewood Thievz.
At midnight, all the single ladies (and men) are invited to sing their hearts out in the first annual “#CuddleMe Singles Sing-off” to be crowned “#CuddleFest Karaoke King and Queen.” The Royal couple will close the night with a romantic duet.
Dinner Specials Available Thursday, February 10th through Sunday, February 14th
Crab Bisque $8 (suggested wine pairing – Vilarnau Cava $7.50) Halibut in parchment with potatoes, squash, asparagus and black olive, cherry tomato relish $19 (suggested wine pairing – Fiction Pinot Gris $11) Dry Rubbed Beef Tenderloin with mushroom bread pudding and port reduction $24 (suggested wine pairing – Salento Primitivo $8.50)
MKT BAR Dessert Specials $7
Brittany Lemon Crepe with maple Scotch pastry cream – A zesty lemon crepe filled with a light maple Scotch custard (suggested wine pairing – Meadery Apricots & Honey $6.50) Flourless Raspberry Chocolate Cake with chocolate mousse and a chocolate mirror glaze – $7
NEW! MKT BAR Dessert and Wine Pairing Flight for Two $18
Share a Valentine’s Tasting for 2 which features 4 mini desserts, each paired with wine.
Lemon curd filled in a sweet crust with mirror glaze and rose petals, paired with Arione Moscato Flourless raspberry chocolate cake topped with rich chocolate cream, paired with Rottlan Torra Priorat Almond macaron with fresh raspberry buttercream, paired with L’Conti Blanquette de Limoux Brut A mini éclair filled with creamy vanilla bean custard baked with a decorative red crumble, paired with Lone Birch Riesling
The kid’s meal special is available for kids under 12 years old and includes a heart-shaped pizza, drink and cookie kit. Standard MKT BAR menu for kids is also available.
Choose one of the scrumptious dishes from the brunch specials from 10AM-3PM and toast to another year in love with our delicious cocktails, $8 each:
Pomegranate Mimosas Gingerberry Sake Bloody Mary Basil Rita
PHOENICIA SPECIALTY FOODS VALENTINE’S DAY OFFERINGS Available all month
Phoenicia Specialty Foods is your one stop shop for gifts for every type of person in your life: The Foodie, The Kiddos, The Wine & Beer Lover, The Coffee & Tea Addict, The Health Nut and The Sweet Tooth. See Phoenicia’s Valentine’s Gift Guide (PDF) for complete details.
Grocery
Gift Baskets and Greeting Cards
Artisan Chocolates and Confections
Imported Beer, Wine, Champagne and Bar Accessories
Gourmet Gadgets, Le Creuset Cookware & Home Goods
Grocery Grab-and-Go Prepared Dinners For Two
Grilled Salmon with asparagus and garlic whipped potatoes
Coq Au Vin on butter noodles with pear onions, mushrooms and pancetta
Spaghetti Puttanesca
Valentine’s Themed Desserts at the Bakery
Mini Valentine Cupcakes with mousses in various flavors: passion fruit, raspberry, lemon, white chocolate and mint
6-inch Cakes in assorted flavors: raspberry and chocolate charlotte, passion fruit and white chocolate mousse and a cardamom-laced mascarpone cream with strawberries
Fancy Heart Cookies
Chocolate Dipped Strawberries
Valentine Éclairs in assorted flavors: vanilla chocolate, strawberry, lemon, cardamom coffee bean
Strawberry Baba Rums with a spiced Phoenicia tea blend
On December 31st, MKT BAR is ringing in 2016 with a New Year’s Eve Soul Celebration with the live funky sounds of Jordan “Chili Sauce” Donald saxophone and vocoder extraordinaire and DJ Tempty. Delicious MKT BAR bites will be on hand throughout the night, and at midnight, guests can expect Hill Country Chicken & Waffles and artisan pizza paired with a champagne toast. VIP tables will be available and include champagne bottle service, and New Year’s Eve party favors. Ages 18 and up.
COST:
Pre-sale tickets are available for purchase onlineuntil December 31st at 6PM.
VIP Table Pricing (purchased online, in advance only, priced per table, doesn’t include general admission)
• 2-3 seat table (1 bottle of bubbles and New Year’s Eve party favors): $100
• 2-4 seat table (1 bottle of bubbles and New Year’s Eve party favors): $100
• 5-8 seat table (2 bottles of bubbles and New Year’s Eve party favors): $200
• 9-12 seat table (3 bottles of bubbles and New Year’s Eve party favors): $300
Please note: VIP Table guests must also purchase general admission tickets separately.
Tickets for entry are not included in the VIP Table price.
General Admission per person
$45 in advance; $55 at the door
New Year’s Day Brunch
Our popular Hill Country Chicken & Waffles is half off all day from 10AM-8PM.
Celebrate global customs and cuisines under one festive roof at Phoenicia Specialty Foods, Saturday, December 12th, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at YUMMY! Wonderland. Bring the family to Phoenicia’s downtown location and enjoy a day full of food, crafts, live musical performances and shopping. Join the Houston Fire Department’s Operation Stocking Stuffer and celebrate the spirit of the season with a new, unwrapped toy to donate.
Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for children (ages 4-12). Buffet-style brunch, house coffee and juice are included with the ticket price. Seating is first come, first served and brunch will be served from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
YUMMY! Food
The YUMMY! Wonderland buffet brunch features a delicious mix of global dishes served during the holidays, including:
Pomegranate Glazed Salmon
Moroccan Bastilla
Aleppo Roasted Potatoes
Falafel Spiced Hash Browns
Waffles with Cranberry Syrup
Assorted Quiche
Savory Pies
French Pastries & much more
YUMMY! Entertainment
Enjoy live holiday music and dance throughout the day by local performers representing the customs and cultures of the United States, Mexico, Latin America and Russia.
Talento Bilingüe de Houston
The Russian Cultural Center
Theatre Under the Stars’ Humphreys School of Musical Theater students
Awty International School’s International Choir
KINETIC, a fresh, new conductorless orchestra comprised of 16 string players led by Natalie Lin
FLY Dance Company
Houston Rockets games & giveaways, plus a possible appearance by mascot Clutch.
Pancho Claus, The Tex Mex Santa
YUMMY! Crafts
Let your creative side out to play! Families can create memories at hands-on crafting centers including:
Aurora Picture Show flip book craft
Young Makers activity station for making embossed holiday cards, hosted by Houston Makerspace
Cookie Decorating
YUMMY! Shopping
Find gifts with heart from The Community Cloth, a local organization selling artisanal hand-crafted products locally made by women who come from Afghanistab, Bhutan, Congo, Iran, Iraq, Myannar (Burma) and Sudan.
YUMMY! Holiday Wishes
What’s on your holiday wish list? Let Santa Claus know during the celebration. Santa speaks French and English and photo opportunities are available.
YUMMY! Wonderland Performance Schedule
9-11AM – Photo Booth with Santa
11-11:15AM – FLY Dance Company
11:15-11:25AM – The Russian Cultural Center presents Andrey
11:30-11:45AM – Theatre Under the Stars’ Humphreys School of Musical Theatre
11:45AM-12PM – YUMMY! Prize Wheel Fun
12-12:15PM – Talento Bilingüe de Houston presents Ambassadors International Ballet Folklorico
12:15-12:30PM – Rosewood Thievz
12:30-1PM – Awty International School Children’s Choir
1-1:15PM – Theatre Under the Stars’ Humphreys School of Musical Theatre
1:15-1:30PM – YUMMY! Prize Wheel Fun
1:30-1:45PM – Talento Bilingüe de Houston presents Pancho Claus
1:45-3PM – KINETIC The Conductorless Ensemble
Get ready for an evening of ghostly goodies and festive fun at MKT BAR on Saturday, October 31st from 7PM – 1AM. Nosh on spook-tacular snacks with party potions available at special prices. Partygoers are encouraged to dress up in their best costume for a chance to win prizes and be ready to dance the night away.
Get Your Ghoul On! Potions(available for purchase)
Vampire Blood – Port wine, cranberry & orange juice atop a scoop of Forest Berry gelato topped off with a splash of Topo Chico
Witches Brew Red Wine Sangria – Our spooky spin-off a traditional red wine sangria
Saint Arnold Pumpkinator
Other Treats(available for purchase)
Apple Taffy Gelato
Trick or Treat Candy Bar Crunch Gelato
Live Music
Wonky Power Records presents performances by George West, DJ Klandestino, and Mario Rodriguez 7-10pm
DJ Tempty 10pm-1am
Live Video Projections by Pablo Gimenez-Zapiola
Art Featured by Santos Guerrero aka TKNY
Costume Contest & Prizes
Tickets are available for purchase online.
$12 VIP admission includes light bites & festive fun.
General admission -free ticket- is to enjoy the festive fun.
Halloween-themed drink specials and desserts will be available for purchase.
Witness a collection of live music photography and portraits. “Shooting Stars” is a powerful exhibition from the past seven years, documenting national and international acts as well as the rise of Houston’s vibrant and emerging music scene.
Trish Badger is a Houston-based photographer whose career is built upon an extensive range of portrait, music, commercial and event photography. She has been capturing live music in venues large and small for the past seven years. Her keen eye behind the lens and passion for music have given her the opportunity to document some of the world’s most prestigious musicians, while at the same time being an outspoken champion for Houston’s music scene.
All artwork will be available for purchase. Exhibition organized by Jonathan Bietler.
OPENING RECEPTION: Meet the artist on Thursday, September 24, 2015, 7:30-10:30PM
EXHIBITION: September 24 – November 29, 2015
COST: Free admission. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.
