ART-LOVING INTERIOR designer Garrett Hunter and architect Michael Landrum have opened Tienda X (1420 W. Alabama St.) in the Museum District. The yogastudio- turned-design-shop focuses on 20th-century modernist pieces, artisanmade furniture, and rarified antiques. Works from Pierre Jeanneret and Afra Scarpa are displayed alongside artifacts dating as far back as the Ming Dynasty. Hunter and Landrum recently launched their own in-house collection of furniture and lighting which currently includes a line of statement-making floor lamps and steel custom commissions.
These CityBook partners are among the best eateries in the most deliciously diverse city.
Annabelle Brasserie
Infused with the charm of a bustling Parisian café, Berg Hospitality’s newest concept is in Autry Park on Buffalo Bayou. Anticipate modern French cuisine — brunch, lunch and dinner — served in a very pretty space with picturesque views of the park. 811 Buffalo Park Dr.
B&B Butchers
Venture in for the deep-fried A5 Wagyu katsu sando, or similarly stacked deli sandwich in the adjoining butcher shop, at this boutique steakhouse. A rooftop terrace makes B&B a premiere Sunday brunch destination. 1814 Washington Ave.
B.B. Italia
Find classic Italian-American food with modern twists in a lively setting, in the heart of Sugar Land’s Town Square. 16250 City Walk
BB Lemon
The old-fashioned-yet-upscale bar setting, complete with green-checkered tablecloths and tufted leather banquettes, serves starters like blue-crab beignets, chili and New England clam chowder. 1809 Washington Ave.
Benny Chows
Bringing to mind Chinese restaurants in Ben Berg’s native New York, from the menu to the decor, Benny Chows is a delight. With Chinese-born exec chef Shirong Mei at the helm, it serves dishes both familiar — dim sum, Peking Duck — and uniquely Texan, a la the Smoked Brisket Egg Roll starring Truth BBQ. 1818 Washington Ave.
Brasserie 19
Wine with lunch and bubbles with brunch is the norm at this sceney River Oaks spot. Situated in the center of a busy shopping strip, it’s reminiscent of a Parisian sidewalk café. 1962 W. Gray St.
Emilia's Havana
At this speakeasy lounge reminiscent of a 1950s Cuban club, guests can enjoy cocktails designed by Alba Huerta, chef-driven small plates, as well as nightly live “bossa nova style” music and tunes by local DJs on weekend nights. 1800 Post Oak Blvd.
Jonathan's The Rub
Jonathan’s the Rub has two locations in the Memorial area and is open for brunch, lunch, dinner and special occasions, touting steaks, meatballs, gumbo and hearty American cuisine. The eatery is also known for its catering services, private events and putting on amazing wine dinners at the Memorial Green location. Multiple locations
NoPo Cafe
An all-day café from Ben Berg, NoPo offers a menu of classics like a piled-high club sandwich, pizzas and more. In the front, find unique local provisions, premade meals and freshly baked pastries to-go. New happy-hour specials and cocktail list! 1244 N. Post Oak Rd.
Potente
Chef Danny Trace’s handmade pastas come with the option of tableside truffle service, and baguettes and pastries are made in house by pastry chef David Berg. A supremely sexy cocktail lounge serves as a festive gathering area with a happy hour to boot. 1515 Texas Ave.
Sorrento Ristorante
Under new ownership, the upscale spot on the Westheimer Curve is an elegant space touting a richly classic menu — lobster tortellini, stuffed lambchops — that now includes killer pizzas and dessert staples like cannoli. One of the best bread baskets in town. Brunch is lovely. 415 Westheimer Rd.
Steak 48
A steakhouse standout delivers in its rich side dishes — the Hasselback potatoes are excellent — and desserts. Crowds of pretty people pour in early and stay late, so reservations are recommended. In River Oaks District
Tavola
Polished and glamorous, Tavola on Post Oak aims to be the next see-and-be scene in a neighborhood known for them. Chef Luca Di Benedetto’s wild-boar ragu is a must-try. 1800 Post Oak Blvd.
The Annie Café & Bar
A fine-dining stalwart for decades, The Annie Café & Bar has ample private-event spaces and impeccably executed white-tablecloth service. 1800 Post Oak Blvd.
Tonight & Tomorrow
The restaurant inside storied Montrose hotel La Colombe d’Or boasts eclectic but sophisticated European dishes with Southern touches. Be sure to check out the cocktail lounge, Bar No. 3. 3410 Montrose Blvd.
Trattoria Sofia
An Italian-American spot from Berg Hospitality looks like a trattoria you might stumble upon in rural Italy, with enchanting and spacious indoor and garden seating. 911 W. 11th St.
Turner's
At hidden-gem Turner’s, the food is as decadent as the environment (which is kicked up a notch further with live vocalists accompanying the pianist on weekends). 1800 Post Oak Blvd.
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Always the Most Audacious Affair of the Year, CityBook’s ‘Sexy Party’ Hits EaDo
Jhane Hoang
Sep. 24, 2024
HOUSTON CITYBOOK’S INFAMOUS “Sexy Party,” presented by Indigo Auto Group in celebration of the magazine’s annual “Sexy Issue,” drew a fun crowd to EaDo’s Chapman & Kirby bar and event space.
Per the custom, the highlight of the party was a semi-scandalous fashion show featuring swimwear, underwear and lingerie, produced by Todd Ramos with hair and makeup by Edward Sanchez and his team. Male and female models from the Page Parkes agency, a longtime CityBook partner, strutted the hip bar in sometimes revealing looks by clothiers including Top Drawer Lingerie, Leather by Val, Manready Mercantile and Manbuns.
Chapman & Kirby servers handed out delicious bites including miniature beef Wellingtons. And bartenders mixed up special cocktails for the occasion such as mango margaritas, smoked Old Fashioneds and espresso martinis, thanks in part to generous spirits sponsors Cazadores tequila, Angels Envy bourbon and Grey Goose vodka. Wine and sparkling wine also flowed.
Magazine editor Jeff Gremillion welcomed about 200 guests, including Valen Custer and her Brazilian fiancé Vitor Villar, the real-life model couple who appeared in the 2024 Sexy Issue’s racy fashion shoot. “People always marvel at how attractive the crowd is at the Sexy Party,” Gremillion brags. “I guess we stack the deck a bit, when we make sure our hottest models turn up!”
As presenting sponsor of the Sexy Issue and co-host of the bodacious bash, Indigo displayed fabulous cars out front for guests to consider renting. Lamborghini or Rolls Royce, anyone?
CityBook’s Sexy Issue, with its provocative fashion imagery, has been a staple of summer in Houston since the magazine launched in 2016.
Lindsay Yates and Brian Ching
Jason Clayden and Aaron Matthews
Thy Mitchell
Valen Custer and Vitor Villar
Jazmin Porter
Addison Freeman and Amanda Pascali
A Page Parkes model during the fashion show
David Croatto, Valeria Croatto, Lukkaew Arasrisuwan, Krystal Hatchett
Rosendo Mendoza, Joshua Schirmer, Nicholas Guidry
Tyler Treadwell, Joshua T. Dada and Shawn Harris
A Page Parkes model during the fashion show
Tom Hedge, Lety Turullols and Andrea Oliver
Magen Pastor and Rene Garza
Anisa Hoxha
A Page Parkes model during the fashion show
Maricela Olivo, Dieter Lehman and Ashley Escobar
Richard Hester and Mary Patton
Jeff Jacobitz and Chris Casey
A Page Parkes model during the fashion show
Greta Connolly and Steven Rodriguez
Karen Parker, Michael Gilg
Mitchell Greco, Todd Ramos, Brandon Weinbrenner
A Page Parkes model during the fashion show
Demitri Benson and Nicholas Glenn
A Page Parkes model during the fashion show
Lisa Gochman and Chris Beverly
Van Morris and Patrick Curphey
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WITH A GOAL of ensuring access to quality healthcare for underserved families in Houston’s East End, El Centro de Corazón has been making a difference for 30 years. Its annual Making a Difference luncheon, this year chaired by Vicky Dominguez with honorary chairs Leisa Holland Nelson Bowman and Leila Perrin, raised more than $150,000.
Emceed by Cyndy Garza Roberts, the River Oaks Country Club affair honored Michele Leal Farrah for her commitment to El Centro and similar causes all over Houston. The organization’s CEO, Marcie Mir, thanked supporters and shared why El Centro must still expand its services to reach more Houston residents. Notably, 74 percent of El Centro’s 12,000-plus patients live at or below federal poverty level ($31K annually for a family of four) and more than half are uninsured.
Then Stephanie Ramos gave the keynote address; the ABC News correspondent and Army Reserve Major spoke about channeling inner strength to make a bigger impact.
Andrea Godea, Larry Savala, Amalia Savala
Sippi Khurana and Donae Chramosta
Blanca Lopez, Julie Garza, Hoda Sana
Shelley Ludwick and Elvia Taylor
Elizabeth Ramos, Marcie Mir and Michele Leal
Esmeralda De la Cruz, Lorena Gomez, Vicky Dominguez
Neena Arora, Diana Grair, Kavon Young
Maria Smith, Diana Ospina
Mari Trevino Glass and Cinthya Reade
Evelyn Leightman, George Connelly, Helen Perry
George and Michele Farah
Lisa Wilmore, George Connelly
German Ibañez, Melanie Rodriguez
Linda Flores Olson, Vicki Luna, Graciana Garces, Jorge Gonzalez
Jan Mendenhall, Xochitl Ljuboja, Miriam Zatarain
Jolene Trevino and Vicki Luna
John Cisneros, Marco Perez
Lisa Wilmore, Ed Emmett and Leisa Holland Nelson Bowman
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