Sonia Garcia

Trending Food Reporter at Houston Chronicle

Trending food reporter @HoustonChron RGV➡️ATX➡️HTX

Articles

Where to find the best brunch in Houston

1 week ago | houstonchronicle.com | Sonia Garcia |Bao Ong

For many Houstonians, brunch is a weekend ritual. Luckily, there are endless options for every type of diner: the fluffy omelets served on porcelain plates, steaming dumplings for a dim sum gathering and the all-you-can-drink mimosa specials to fuel a boozy all-day affair with friends. Houston institutions such as Breakfast Klub and Brennan's have been feeding generations of H-Town residents and tourists alike.
New Second Ward coffee shop names drinks after Latina activists

1 week ago | houstonchronicle.com | Sonia Garcia

Andrea Arana was drawn to opening a coffee shop because it's an industry where people of color are behind the farming and harvesting of the beans, but often are not running the businesses that sell the coffee to patrons. Las Perras Cafe is her love letter to Latino culture, with a mural of a Xoloitzcuintli dog, photos that represent Latin beauty and struggle, and coffee drinks named after Latina activists.
These 10 Houston restaurants closed in March

2 weeks ago | houstonchronicle.com | Sonia Garcia

As the third month of the year wrapped up, so did business for at least 10 Houston restaurants. Victims of this tough time for restaurants included longtime staples like Chinese American Restaurant and newer restaurants we thought would stick around longer, like Auden. A restaurant can close for many reasons, but it's often due to slow business these days.
Matcha Girl founder speaks out after being the center of internet scrutiny

2 weeks ago | houstonchronicle.com | Sonia Garcia

A Houston matcha pop-up became a viral sensation overnight this spring, but things quickly turned for the worse when negative reviews rolled in on social media, claiming a botched product and criticism of owner Lauren Galindo's preparation of matcha. The pop-up held March 15 and 16 first came under fire for the quality of the matcha lattes sold, sparking social mediacomments about cultural appropriation.
These 13 Texas restaurants and chefs are finalists for James Beard Awards

3 weeks ago | houstonchronicle.com | Sonia Garcia

The James Beard Foundation released the finalists for its prestigious awards with over a dozen Texas restaurants and chefs recognized across Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin and even Marfa. The James Beard Awards, sometimes called the Oscars of food, is among the highest honors for restaurants. Houston had four finalists this year. Dallas came out on top for the most finalists in the state. The James Beard Foundation will announce the winners at an awards ceremony on June 16 in Chicago.
See the full list

3 weeks ago | houstonchronicle.com | Bao Ong |Sonia Garcia

Four Houston restaurants and chefs were among finalists for the prestigious James Beard Awards, which were announced Wednesday afternoon.
New restaurant to bring cowboy influence and family fun to the Heights this fall

3 weeks ago | houstonchronicle.com | Sonia Garcia

A restaurant inspired by cowboy tradition with wood-fired food will open in the Heights area this fall. Long Weekend will debut at 2042 E. T.C. Jester from husband-and-wife duo Paige and Andrew Alvis. The restaurant was inspired by Andrew's weekends at his family's ranch growing up with cattle branding, campfire cooking, horseback riding, country music and storytelling. Long Weekend will have a whopping 8,000 square feet of indoor space, including a cozy breakfast cafe and the main dining room.
Coffee shop rave? Nightlife fun meets day time sober in new Houston trend

3 weeks ago | houstonchronicle.com | Sonia Garcia

Coffee shops are getting rambunctious on weekends with a new trend seeping into Houston that's bringing coffee and house music together. Inspired by similar events around the world, local coffee shops have seen an explosion of interest in daytime events that have nightlife-like fun in a sober capacity. It's a dance party with coffee. Article continues below this adMatcha Mia, an all-pink matcha and coffee shop on the west side, was one of the first to adopt a "coffee and house" event in February.
Amrina team to open new Indian-inspired restaurant in Houston

4 weeks ago | houstonchronicle.com | Sonia Garcia

After recently bringing two quick-service Indian concepts to Houston, Kahani Social Group - Amrina, Pok Pok Po and Bol - is finally opening a new sit-down restaurant in Houston. Kitchen Rumors is slated to debut in late spring in the former Xin Chao space, 2310 Decatur. The menu will apply global flavors to traditional Indian cuisine, reimagining classics. Each dish, such as bison short rib nihari, pan-seared branzino, and panna cotta shahi tukda, will have its own back story.
More than 100 restaurants participating in Black Restaurant Week

4 weeks ago | houstonchronicle.com | Sonia Garcia

Black Restaurant Week, a campaign that uplifts Black-owned restaurants, returns to Houston Friday, March 28, and runs through Sunday, April 13. This is the 10th year of Black Restaurant Week, which has become a national movement since launching in Houston. It has had a million-dollar impact on Black-owned businesses in the culinary industry across 17 regions.