This is the time of year to wind down for a bit while Houston heats up. In conjunction with our June-July Chill Out! issue, we’re happy to host two summery events where you can cool off and enjoy yourself.

Monday, June 13: We’re rolling out dinner No. 5 of our Toque 5 supper club at THE BARBED ROSE (113 E. Sealy, Alvin). The theme: Summer Smoke Out, with $10 from each ticket sold benefitting Bay Area Builders Association Support Our Troops, providing custom homes to wounded and disabled veterans and the widows of the fallen so they can become productive members within their communities. For more information on BABASOT visit: http://www.babasupport.org/.

Each dinner in this five-part series is kept small and intimate, so call today to reserve your spots before they fill up. Cocktails begin at 6:30, and dinner is at 7 pm. The $135 per ticket covers gratuity, tax, wine, five courses and the charitable donation. For more information and to save your spot, click here.

The menu:

Greg Lowry ~ Voice at Hotel Icon

Hors d’oeuvres Served in a Bento Box: Smoked Wild Boar Ribs with Spicy Peach Jam, “Deviled Egg” with Osetra Caviar and Pickle Aioli and Smoked Gulf Oyster Michelada

John Sheely ~ Mockingbird Bistro Wine Bar

Wedge Salad with Green Goddess Dressing and Smoked Soft Shell Crab

Hugo Ortega ~ Hugo’s

Costillas de Cerdo al Carbon – Achiote-Marinated Pork Ribs, Grilled over Mesquite, Served with Pickled Onions and Black Rice

Jason Chaney ~ The Barbed Rose

Smoked Texas Wagyu Tri Tip with Local Tomato Jam and Wilted Greens

Juan Carlos Gonzalez ~ Bistro Alex

Texas Smoked Peach Parfait with Southern Comfort & Sweet Tea Ice Cream, Cinnamon-Spiced Almond Biscotti, and White Chocolate & Gorgonzola Dolce Fondue

And coming up on Saturday, June 25: Join us at BISTRO PROVENCE (13616 Memorial Drive) at 11 am for something bubbly. All that sparkles is not gold – or in this case, Champagne. The exclusivity of the name leads many people to forget that France produces some superb sparkling wines, which only because of geography cannot claim the Champagne name. In a mid-day tasting, Bistro Provence owners Jean Philippe and Genevieve Guy pop the corks on six of France’s finest sparkling wines from such areas as Bandol, Alsace, Loire and Burgundy. The tasting will be followed by a summer lunch prepared by executive chef Jeremy Griffin, each course reflecting a June afternoon in Provence. You must be 21 or older to attend, so no little ones are able to come to this class. Seats are $75 per person, all inclusive, and can be purchased here.