Alto started driving in Houston in late 2020, and it has quickly become a favorite way to get around. The experience is unparalleled. Think luxury SUVs with leather captain chairs, thoughtful amenities like complimentary water and umbrellas, and even curated playlists to choose from in the Alto app. Those who have ridden know that Alto is more than a ride from point A to B, but a journey to be enjoyed — because the recap of every dish on the ride home should be just as good as the dinner.
Community is at the heart of Alto. Rather than hiring independent contractors, Alto has hired W-2 employee drivers who are trained and supported by a local Houston team. The service also offers a Membership that unlocks Alto benefits as well as unique offers from Houston partners. Those who join Alto’s exclusive Membership gain full access to the Alto fleet during the busiest "Members Only" hours, savings on every ride, and Alto’s prescheduling feature for booking rides in advance (Pro tip: Lock in your ride when you lock in your dinner reservation!). Join a community of adventurous, in-the-know Houstonians, at only $12.95 a month.
Alto shared the top pick-up and drop-offs that make up their Members most recommended spots — and also happen to be celebrating Houston Restaurant Week! — so you can plan the perfect night out.
Trattoria Sofia A top drop-off among Alto Members, we recommend Trattoria Sofia for authentic Italian with the perfect atmosphere.
The Annie Cafe Another frequent destination, The Annie Cafe and Bar serves classics, totally reimagined.
MAD Houston A spot as innovative as your Alto. Book a ride to MAD for a night of tapas with a twist that are sure to be a new adventure.
Ouzo Bay The Alto team’s go-to modern Mediterranean spot for a perfect night out.
B&B Butchers and Restaurant This upscale steakhouse and traditional butcher shop is a classic Alto favorite.
FLORA A must try this month — FLORA is a culinary journey through the small towns of Mexico with a Texas touch.
From Your Site Articles
Meta4 members (photo by Alinda Mac)
Established in 2007 by Shannon Buggs and Sixto Wagan, and later adopted in 2012 by Writers in the Schools, the Meta4 Houston Youth Writing Fellowship nurtures poets aged 13-19, helping them develop their writerly skills and a fearless style of “performance poetry” designed to wow audiences in large venues. (The 1970s-era poetry collective The Last Poets, Gil Scott-Heron, and Nikki Giovanni set the precedent for this style of poetry, which is both highly musical and intensely political in its delivery and content.)
Each year, the fellowship welcomes a new team of poets from across Houston to represent as Meta4 Houston and travel across the country to compete against other talented teams in poetry “slams.” Last year, Meta4 won the national championship in the prestigious Brave New Voices International Youth Poetry Slam Festival. It was the first-time first-place win for the team and, amazingly, on July 20, 2024, Meta4 won first place at the Brave New Voices slam for the second consecutive year.
This year’s Meta4 poets — Bela Kalra, Amaya Newsome, Cristina Perez-Ruiz, Mya Skelton, and returning fellows Samiyah Green and Adriana Winkelmayer — spent months preparing for the competition, guided by Houston Poet Laureate Emeritus, Emmanuel “Outspoken” Bean, and co-coach and Meta4 alumni, Alinda "Adam" Mac. Onstage at the historic Howard Theater in Washington, D.C., the members of Meta4 delivered poems addressing such hot-button topics as Texas climate change, gun violence, and fast fashion.
In a statement, WITS executive director Giuseppe Taurino expressed his joy at Meta4’s victory: “These powerful young artists have been hard at work honing their craft for months and are deserving of this great win. Their dedication to exploring, investigating, and genuinely interacting with the world around them is inspiring.”
On Sept. 28, at the WITS house located near the Menil Collection, leaders in the arts, current Meta4 members and alumni, and program supporters will gather to celebrate the second first-place Brave New Voices win, as the MetaForward campaign prepares the program for the 2025 team.
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Photographed on location at Hotel Zaza, Museum District