The Savoring History Luncheon
11:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Milford House, 1101 Milford Street
This spring marks the first Savoring History Luncheon — a gathering that celebrates Houston’s legacy restaurants and the people whose work has shaped the city’s dining culture. The event will bring together preservationists, restaurateurs, business leaders and community partners for a shared conversation about why these establishments matter and how they strengthen Houston’s identity.
Milford House will be the site of the 2026 Savoring History Luncheon / photo courtesy of Italian Cultural & Community Center of Houston
Guests will enjoy casual networking and tastings before settling in for a program exploring the role of longtime restaurants in community life and economic vitality. A panel discussion, Why Legacy Restaurants Matter, will look at the stories behind these enduring establishments and the impact they continue to have on neighborhoods across the city.
The luncheon will also include legacy restaurant recognition, honoring selected establishments for their cultural significance, and the presentation of Preservation Houston’s Legacy Restaurant of the Year — awarded to the restaurant that best reflects the spirit and aims of the Savoring History program. This distinction highlights the business that most clearly shows how a restaurant can shape community, carry history and contribute to the character of Houston’s neighborhoods.
Hosted in 2o26 at Milford House, the historic home of the Italian Cultural & Community Center of Houston, the event will underscore the connection between place, memory and the shared experience of a good meal. Tickets will go on sale February 1 for $40 per person.
Become a sponsor
As a Savoring History sponsor, you support the recognition of longtime restaurants that have shaped Houston’s neighborhoods and dining culture. Sponsors play an important role in celebrating these establishments as living history — places where community gathers, traditions endure and the city’s story continues to unfold.
Sponsorship connects your organization with a broad audience of preservation advocates, restaurateurs, business leaders and community partners who care deeply about Houston’s cultural identity. It also demonstrates a shared commitment to honoring the restaurants that give character to our neighborhoods and help sustain local economies.