It’s summer time, and we’re daydreaming of sipping cocktails by a cool body of water. Unfortunately, life happens, and we can’t actually leave town at our leisure. For the feeling of a get-away with the convenience of staying in Houston, a hotel pool offers a brief escape. This is where Hotel Derek and Revolve Kitchen + Bar come in: They have a (wet) summer attraction for Houstonians looking to splash and sip.
Tonight, Friday, June 26, Hotel Derek will open their SPLASH pool and movie wall to the public for their second installment of “Float and Flick” with a screening of Weekend at Bernie’s. On the last Friday of each summer month, the hotel invites Houstonians to enjoy an evening of swimming and movie-watching by their pool. It will continue through July and August.
The cost is $25, which includes admission for two, complimentary gourmet popcorn, two complimentary Revolve Kitchen + Bar signature drinks, complimentary self-parking and access to SPLASH with towel service.
If you’re hungry, pool guests are welcome to order off of Revolve Kitchen + Bar’s new summer menu by executive chef Shannen Tune. As recent guests of the hotel and restaurant, we toured the hotel and pool and sampled the new summer menu.
For a light and local start — either by the pool or indoors in the restaurant — order the grilled peach salad ($13, photo above) with grilled Texas peaches, wild arugula, local strawberries, goat cheese and charred peach vinaigrette.
The lamb meatball small plate ($13, photo below) is also a notable starter with big flavors. Meatballs sit atop polenta mixed with black olives, feta, smoked tomato and pine nut gremolata.
For the main meal, choose a plate of braised short rib tacos ($12). The moist short rib sits atop house-made tortillas, which chef Tune has learned to make from his kitchen team.
And finish with a fried peach dessert ($9, photo above) made by dipping a Saturn peach (also know as a “donut peach” because of its flattish, round shape) in batter then frying it. It arrives topped with salted caramel ice cream, peach chutney and cinnamon sugar dust.
Tonight, the floating begins at 5 pm and the flick will start around 8 pm once the sun goes down. Space is limited. Call 713-297-4327 to reserve your spot.
Hotel Derek | Revolve Kitchen + Bar, 2525 West Loop S., 713-961-3000, hotelderek.com