travel

Posh on the Peninsula

In the dry forests of northwestern Costa Rica, on a cliff above turquoise seas, a former private mansion becomes a luxurious getaway resort.

At first, it’s not clear exactly where the watery sounds — crashing, falling, churning — are coming from. After all, here on the terrace of Villa Manzu on Peninsula Papagayo in northwestern Costa Rica’s dry forests — not the rainforests the rest of the Latin American country is famous for — it could be coming from anywhere.

Keep Reading Show less
Food+Travel
food culture

Hope Blooms in Sunnyside

An urban-farm project a decade in the making is on the grow in south Houston. And, if its founder has her way, bringing fresh produce to one of the city’s worst food deserts — and to H-Town’s top chefs — is just the beginning.

Shannon O'Hara
IMG_0032

Editors Note: We first wrote about Hope Farms extensively in this beautiful photo essay and article in our September 2017 issue, just before Hurricane Harvey laid the then brand-new nonprofit agricultural project low. The farm, an initiative of philanthropist Gracie Cavnar’s Recipe for Success, bounced right back, though, and CityBook went on to proudly sponsor several of the nonprofit’s marketing endeavors — and even, in January 2019, made a coverboy out of one of the organization’s (hunky) former-military farmhands. We're not surprised at all to learn that, even through the current crisis, Hope Farms continues growing its organic fair, delivering food shares. The weekly package — containing about a dozen varieties of veggies, fruits and herbs — is delivered to customers on Tuesdays. "With this small gesture, we continue to celebrate the power of a shared meal to build memories,” says Cavnar, "and empower parents to feed our children healthy food."

Keep Reading Show less
Food+Travel
food

Friends in Low Places

At Lowbrow and Better Luck Tomorrow, top toques trade haute cuisine for pub grub with panache.

Kirsten Gilliam and Jenn Duncan
IMG_9205

In the old magic trick, when a crisp, white tablecloth is swiftly pulled out from under an elegantly appointed table setting, the tableware — long-stem wine glasses, crystal Champagne flutes and all the plates and flatware — remains motionless in a captivating illusion. A slight of hand, undoubtedly met with “oohs” and “aahs.” In real life, however, removing the fancy tablecloth is no easy task. Just ask any restaurateur.

Keep Reading Show less
Food+Travel