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154 DIVINE DINING AT BADER RANCH The Round Top area is blossoming into a culinary destination, with noteworthy chefs producing pop-up dinners in both fields and barns. MONICA POPE POP-UP DINNERS AT MCLAREN'S H ouston chef Monica Pope (Beaver's and the now-shuttered Sparrow Bar + Cookshop): is serving up a series of lunch and dinners at McLaren's Antiques & Interiors — the one with the big red phone booths and double-decker bus. Daily lunch is noon to 3 pm (quiche, salad, ploughman's lunch, chicken- salad wrap, or avocado toast) in the FEASTS IN THE FIELD AT RANCHO PILLOW M agical wonderland Rancho Pillow's proprietress Sheila Youngblood serves up a dose of mystery this go-round. Her famous Feasts in the Field dinners are Monday and Tuesday, September 25 and 26. The guest chefs? A surprise. On Wednesday – Friday, September 27 – 29, wood-fired pizza from the amazing outdoor oven, swimming, and a bar are on tap. Rancho Pillow, 11222 Schuster Road. For details and to reserve, ranchopillow.com. THE COMPOUND POP-UP DINNERS H ouston's Armando and Cinda Palacios of Armandos and Lee Ellis of Cherry Pie Hospitality pop up at Mark Massey's The Compound. Tuesday, September 26, 6:30 pm, Lee Ellis' State Fare serves fried chicken and barbecue in the carriage-house courtyard at The Compound (price TBA). On Wednesday, September 27, 6:30 pm, Armandos hosts a seated dinner at The Compound, with paired wine ($95). Special guests from Designer Dream Spree will be present (see page 156). A margarita-fueled Armandos taco party is Thursday, September 28, 6:30 pm ($45). The Armandos big red taco truck will dish out the hits. The Compound, 2550 Texas 237, reserve at roundtopcompound.com. Anne Lee Phillips P art of the joy of the Round Top Antiques Fair lies in the thrill of the hunt — not only for antiques, but also for fabulous new spots that pop up out of nowhere in fields off Texas 237, seemingly overnight. If you're a day-tripper like me, it helps to have advance knowledge of new spots to add to the agenda. My secret lies in my unofficial Instagram scouts: early shoppers and vendors. Several friends posted about the fabulous coffee and food at Bader Ranch this spring. Photographer Jenny Antill Clifton and I stopped in for lunch and met the young owner, Katy Bader. Bader had been shopping Round Top for years. When a 40-acre lot a quarter mile from Round Top proper on Highway 237 became available for sale, she knew it was her chance. She tapped Sabine Geldhof as her flagship vendor and constructed a 7,500-square- foot barn, and Bader Ranch was born. Geldhof, from Belgium, has been in the antiques business for 30 years, and for the fall shows is bringing in antique lighting, architectural pieces, furniture, and garden decor. In addition to Gelfhof's inventory, Bader Ranch sells hand-poured candles by Lubella, 100 percent Belgian linens, chic hats from Le Zoute, and clothing from Stash Style. On one side of the barn lie the antiques and home goods; on the other is the wonderful Two Birds cafe. Two Birds is open daily during the show, serving breakfast with gourmet coffee, freshly prepared lunch. But it's the delicious three-course dinner that has guests clamoring for tables. Be sure to call in advance for reservations. Bader Ranch, open September 15 through October 8 for fall shows. Bader Ranch, 470 Texas 237. For dinner reservations, starting September 10, text or call 830.426.6453; for wine-tasting details, text or call 713.376.8911; shoproundtop.com. Anne Lee Phillips GRASS FED Feast in the Field at Rancho Pillow JOSH MOORE air-conditioned bus, dubbed McLaren's London Bus Café. Afternoon tea with cucumber sandwiches, scones, lemon curd and sparkling wine, is Thursday – Sunday, September 21 – 24, and Tuesday – Sunday, September 26 – October 1 from 3:30 to 5:30 pm. Pope also hosts two al fresco pop-up dinners at McLaren's Thursday, September 21, and Monday, September 25, 5:30 pm, $55. McLaren's Antiques & Interiors, 1745 Texas 237. Reserve at sparrowhouston.com. Bader Ranch KRISTIN LIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY