News & Events

“Abstract in Youth ” by Quentin Pace


Posted in Events, MKT BAR

Witness the symbolism of flowers, the influence of the African Diaspora and the use of minimalist elements. “Abstract in Youth” is a powerful exhibition that explores the complexities of self-awareness, vanity and the transient nature of youth through portraits, primarily featuring the artist’s family and friends.

Pace studied Fine Arts at the University of Houston-Downtown. He currently lives in Houston and works at the University of Houston-Downtown Library.

All artwork will be available for purchase. Exhibition organized by Charisse Weston.

OPENING RECEPTION: Meet the artist on Wednesday, July 29, 2015, 6-9PM
EXHIBITION: July 26 – August 19, 2015
COST: Free admission. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.

Join the event.

MKT Stand-up Showcase


Posted in Events, MKT BAR, News

MKT Stand-up Showcase
First Sundays through Summer
June 7 | July 5 | August 2
7 – 8:30PM
FREE

What’s the best way to put Houston comedy on the map? Give comedians the tools they need to make it big. Throw in a few seasoned professionals and you’ve got a night of laughs in the bag.

Hosted by award-winning comic Barry Laminack, this free, monthly showcase features a rotating cast of local comedians bringing their best work to the stage to be recorded in front of a live audience (you!). It’s your chance support our city’s growing comedy scene—all while enjoying specials on our unique selection of craft beers and artisan pizzas.

$3 pints | $16 pitchers | $5 off pizza

August 2
Hosted by Barry Laminack
Featuring
– Dale Cheesman
– Dusti Rhodes
– Bob Biggerstaff
– Kristin Lindner
– Jaffer Khan
– Chase Durousseau

The MKT Stand-up Showcase series culminates with The BETA Bracket, BETA Theater’s audience-judged stand-up comedy competition which kicks off in the fall. To make event-goers laugh, 10 hometown comics will go toe-to-toe in 5, 10 and eventually 20-minute sets for a chance to advance and ultimately claim $100, $500 or $2,000 in winnings.

MKT BAR’s comedy events are brought to you by BETA Theater, whose mission is to incubate world-class talent right here in Houston. Learn more at betatheater.com.

“Armature” by Jennifer McClish


Posted in Downtown Market, Events, MKT BAR, News

The exhibition “Armature” features new paintings by MFA University of Houston student Jennifer McClish. Her glossy, vibrant paintings explore the psychological battles between the individual and society through the use of abstraction, layering and texture.

“Armature” is a powerful exhibition that explores love, spirituality and mortality.

McClish graduated from the Memphis College of Art in 2012 with a focus in Drawing and a minor in Art History. Currently, she is pursuing a MFA in Painting and Drawing at the University of Houston. Her work focuses on narrative and the psychological, exploring the internal battles of the individual and the anxieties that put us in conflict with ourselves and our surroundings. Nineteeth century Symbolist art and literature also influence her work.

OPENING RECEPTION: Meet the artist on Wednesday, June 3, 2015, 6-9PM
EXHIBITION: May 30 – July 24, 2015
COST: Free admission. Food, drinks and all artwork will be available for purchase.

Join the event.

Exhibition organized by Charisse Weston.

Father’s Day Weekend


Posted in Downtown Market, Events, MKT BAR, News

June 19-21, 2015

Join us for YUMMY! Father’s Day Weekend Brunch and dinner specials, guaranteed to make Dad happy. Father’s Day Weekend Brunch specials include Fajita Pizza with grilled flank steak, peppers, onions, cheese and pico de gallo, along with Pulled Pork Waffles. Dad can also choose from classic à la carte brunch favorites such as Hill Country Fried Chicken & Waffles, Piperade with Eggs and our Sake Bloody Mary, beer flights and an impressive selection of draught beer. Dinner highlights include Watermelon and Feta Salad, BBQ Pork Ribs with MKT Potato Salad and California Dream Cake. Little ones can also enjoy YUMMY! items from our kids menu including popular Bayou City Sliders, Fish & Potato Chips and more. On Sunday, June 21, Dad can also enjoy live music with the Jordan Chase Trio performing from noon to 3PM.

MKT BAR Father’s Day Weekend Brunch Specials
Available Saturday-Sunday, June 20-21
(Regular Weekend Brunch menu will also be available.)

Fajita Pizza $12
with grilled flank steak, peppers, onions, cheese and pico de gallo

Pulled Pork Waffle $13

MKT BAR Father’s Day Dinner Specials
Available Friday-Sunday, June 19-21
(Regular MKT BAR menu will also be available.)

Appetizer
Watermelon and Feta Salad $7

Entrées
BBQ Pork Ribs with MKT Potato Salad $14

Fajita Pizza $12
with grilled flank steak, peppers, onions, cheese and pico de gallo

Dessert
California Dream Cake $8
Nine layers of moist chocolate cake filled with chocolate truffle cream, cream cheese mousse, Heath Bar crunch and chocolate cookie crumble

Phoenicia In-store Gift Items – Available All Month at Both Locations
A unique selection of Phoenicia-exclusive items:
– Hand-crafted cigars
– Gourmet spice assortments
– Select global gourmet coffees
– Premium nuts and snacks
– World’s best beer for the world’s best dad
– Phoenicia and MKT BAR gift cards in-store and online

Phoenicia Bakery Specials – Available June 15-21 at Both Locations
– Blueberry Tortes
– Cherry Clafoutis
– Black and White Cookies

MKT BAR’s Saturday Morning Kid’s Variety Show


Posted in Downtown Market, Events, MKT BAR, News

Music, magic and more with AndyRoo and David Rangel
June 11, July 13 and August 8

Looking for family-friendly fun this summer? Don’t sweat it. Bring the kids (and the kids at heart) to our first-ever Saturday Morning Kid’s Variety Show series. Events will be geared toward children ages 4 and up, and will take place every second Saturday of the summer: June 13, July 11 and August 8 from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Features will include live music, magic and more from local children’s musician AndyRoo—who takes listeners on an adventure through the AndyRooniverse—and Houston-based magician David Rangel.

The event series, sponsored by Sessions Music with a portion of proceeding benefiting ArtBridge Houston, will also showcase special guest performances that aren’t just for kids—they’re by kids. Other activities will include crafts, coloring, drawing, creative writing and YUMMY! cookie decorating.

Attendees who RSVP will receive a free goody bag filled with YUMMY! treats, and door prizes will be provided courtesy of Children’s Museum Houston. Refreshments such as breakfast bites, coffee, tea, juices and soft drinks will be available for purchase.

Admission is free with advance registration at AndyRoo.Eventbrite.com, and free customer parking is available in the One Park Place garage on a first-come, first-served basis.

The series is generously sponsored by Sessions Music, a revolutionary, new concept dedicated to helping people of all ages and skill levels achieve their modern and classical music dreams. Through an emphasis on individualized curriculum, performance opportunities, and state-of-the-art technology, Sessions Music provides a novel and superior approach to music education at three conveniently located music studios in the Houston area.

Meet Ahmet Avci


Posted in News

Ahmet came to the U.S. from Turkey in 2001, hoping to earn a Master’s degree in business and math.They were his favorite subjects and he admits with a grin, “I like math.” With math on his mind, he moved to Florida and lived with a host family for eight months. Ahmet became an integral part of their family and often babysat their nine-year-old son. The boy helped Ahmet navigate his newly-adopted country, learn English and become a fan of baseball. Today, he always roots for the Astros!

With several brothers living in Houston and loving it, Ahmet decided to move. He attended a Christian school with ESL classes, where his primary book was a Bible. The words were very difficult for him to understand and he begged for something simpler to read, like a newspaper. The school’s strategy worked because he is not only fluent in his second language, but seems to have an affinity for languages. Whenever someone from another country comes to Phoenicia’s hot grille line, he eagerly quizzes them on words and phrases related to customer service in their country and can now say “Hello, may I help you?” in many languages. He is often heard greeting a customer in Japanese or naming different toppings in Spanish. He has even learned sign language. Ahmet works very hard to make people feel comfortable at Phoenicia. He wants them to feel as he does, like it’s a second home.

Ahmet has a passion for food, has worked at several pizza restaurants and is quite the expert with pizza dough, kneading, pressing and tossing like an Italian master. He also worked at a Turkish restaurant, where the owner taught him to make exciting entrées, breads, appetizers and desserts. Ahmet then took a chance and opened a restaurant in The Woodlands with his brother. It was a fun two-and-a-half-year adventure, but a desire for change led him to Phoenicia.

When Ahmet first came to Houston, his family took him to Phoenicia’s Westheimer location, where he was thrilled to find so many products from home. As a restaurant owner, he became a wholesale customer and found Phoenicia to be a very friendly company. Luis, Phoenicia’s driver extraordinaire, was one of his first friends in Houston and he often placed orders with Esin, a manager at the Westheimer store, whom he held in high esteem. He believed with so many wonderful people, Phoenicia must be a great place to work. One day, as Ahmet was lamenting his desire for a change, Luis suggested he come to work for Phoenicia. Ahmet loved the idea and went to the store where he finally met Esin. With his warm personality shining brightly in his interview, Ahmet was hired for the hot grille Downtown.

He enjoys educating customers about foods they may not have tried and keeps up with regular customers and what is happening in their world. Everyone is a “cousin brother” to Ahmet. With a positive disposition and eternal smile, he landed the nickname, “Smiley.” When asked how to make an “Ahmet Special” hot grille sandwich, there is no hesitation. “Chicken shawarma with hummus, muhammara, tomato, turnip, cabbage and tzatiki. That’s how it is best!” He also admits the Chicken Pesto from the cold deli is very good, too.

Ahmet manages to bring a bit of Phoenicia home to his four-year-old niece, who loves Ulker Gazoz drinks and eagerly checks his bag daily for the yummy treat. Hoping to someday find a special lady to share his passion for food, family and Phoenicia, Ahmet will happily raise the next generation of Phoenicia shoppers. Come Downtown to meet him and discover all the things that make Ahmet smile.

Mother’s Day Weekend


Posted in Downtown Market, Events, MKT BAR, News

Treat Mama to YUMMY! dinner and Weekend Brunch specials guaranteed to make her happy. Dinner highlights include Carrot Ginger Soup and Roasted Salmon, while Pizza with Gold Potato, Roasted Garlic, Brie and Bacon joins MKT Crab Cakes as brunch specials. Mama can also choose classic à la carte brunch favorites such as Hill Country Fried Chicken & Waffles, Piperade with Eggs, party-pretty pomegranate mimosas, summer-loving white sangria and more. Little ones can gobble up YUMMY! items from our MKT BAR kids menu including popular Bayou City Sliders, Fish and Chips and more. On Sunday, May 10, Mama will enjoy live music with the Idol Gossip jazz band performing from noon to 3PM.

MKT BAR Mother’s Day Dinner Specials
Available Friday-Sunday, May 8-10
(Regular MKT BAR menu will also be available.)

Appetizer
Carrot Ginger Soup with Champagne $6

Entrée
Roasted Salmon in Parchment $18
With gold potatoes, fennel, tomatoes and green olives

Dessert
Fraisier Cake $7
Vanilla butter cream, fresh strawberries, almond paste and layers of almond cake served with strawberry coulis

MKT BAR Mother’s Day Weekend Brunch Specials
Available Saturday-Sunday, May 9-10
(Regular Weekend Brunch menu will also be available.)

Yum for Mum Pizza $12
With gold potatoes, roasted garlic, brie, bacon and fresh parsley

MKT Crab Cakes $14
On an English muffin with asparagus and hollandaise sauce

Phoenicia In-store Gift Items – Available All Month at Both Locations

Chef-created artisan chocolates

Gourmet spice assortments

Handcrafted housewares including Turkish coffee pots and Polish stoneware

Le Creuset cookware

Cookbooks from around the world

Phoenicia and MKT BAR gift cards in any amount

Champagne

Boutique wines | Bring home the flavors of Italian wine this Mother’s Day with these featured wines:

San Marzano Primitivo: A fresh, fruit-forward red drink with the amazing flavors of Italian cuisine like pizza, pastas and robust soups or simply enjoy by itself.
Kreos Rosé: Dry, styled, berry-filled rosé that is made to be paired with lighter dishes including roasted chicken or salad.
San Pietro Chardonnay: The minerality, crispness and great acidity make this an amazing accompaniment to grilled or roasted fish

Bakery Specials – Available May 3-10 at Both Locations

Raspberry Linzer Torte

Nuns (available in different flavors)

Lemon Mandolines

Fresh Fruit Financier

French Macarons available in different flavors including Passion Fruit, Lemon, Caramel, Coffee, Earl Grey Tea, Raspberry, Chocolate or Vanilla

“Houston Forever” by Mike Unger


Posted in Events, MKT BAR, News

This exhibition features a series of images from around Houston that capture the confluence of new/old and sharp/bright/dull that exemplifies Houston. Unger’s work explores the juxtaposition of color, age, texture, geometry, time and space across a variety of scales. “Houston Forever” is an exhibition of the integration of Houston’s gritty landscape, time and light.

Additional photography can be viewed here

All artwork will be available for purchase. Exhibition organized by Charisse Weston.

EXHIBITION: April 8 – May 28, 2015
OPENING RECEPTION: Meet the artist, Wednesday, April 8, 7-9PM.
COST: Free admission. Food, drinks and all artwork will be available for purchase.

Join the event

Easter Specials


Posted in Events, MKT BAR, News

Easter Specials

Beginning Friday, April 3, 2015, Phoenicia Specialty Foods & MKT BAR will offer YUMMY! Easter food specials and holiday-themed treats all weekend long.

Highlights from the menu include Braised Leg of Lamb, Smoked Salmon Pizza and Challah French Toast for MKT Weekend Brunch, along with classic a’la carte brunch favorites such as Hill Country Fried Chicken & Waffles, Piperade with Eggs and more.Toast the occasion with a refreshing Pomegranate Mimosa, Sake Bloody Mary or a bottle of bubbly, complete with live music on Sunday.

Then get hopping on your Easter shopping at Phoenicia Specialty Foods. With YUMMY! Phoenicia-exclusive, limited-edition imported Italian dark chocolate Easter eggs, house-made Challah bread with baked eggs and braided sweet breads, Artisan chocolates and more, Phoenicia is a one-stop Easter shop-til-you-drop spot.

MKT Brunch makes every bunny feel like a V.I.Peep, available Saturday-Sunday, April 4-5 10AM-3PM. Enjoy live music from the talented Boodah and His Painted Jazz Band during brunch from noon-3PM.

Also, savor these Easter specials from Friday, April 3 – Sunday, April 5:

Green Bean and Chickpea Salad $8
with goat cheese

Braised Leg of Lamb $18
with holiday couscous and grilled kale

Smoked Salmon Pizza $12
with asparagus, capers, lemon zest and dill havarti

Challah French Toast $9 
with caramel pecan sauce

Chiffon Easter Basket Dessert $7
Crispy vanilla bean meringue filled with a diplomat cream topped with spring mixed berries

Make any dish eggsceptionally YUMMY! by pairing it with a signature coffee or gelato, hoppy craft beers, mimosas, white sangria or other refreshing cocktail of your choice, such as our:

Basil Rita
fresh basil steeped in simple syrup & lime juice, finished with sparkling wine, seltzer & chopped basil, with a salted rim

Raspberry MKT Mojito
raspberry simple syrup & mint, shaken with apple juice & our house rosé

Sangria Blanca
seasonal berries, fruit & citrus marinated overnight w/ our sommelier’s white wine blend | Carafe offered

Pomegranate Mimosa
light & effervescent pomegranate juice with Prosecco sparkling wine | Carafe offered