Festive Foodie Fun

’Tis the season! Holiday happy hours and family-friendly activities abound. Here are some of the best bets for the days leading up to Dec. 25.

12.12

Danton’s


During the restaurant’s final days as Danton’s — it’s moving to the former Mockingbird Bistro space in 2019, and will be called Eugene’s — raise a glass of Almond Joy, made with vanilla vodka, coconut rum, frangelico and half and half. It’s served in a martini glass with a candy-coated topping of coconut flakes and chocolate sauce.

Fig & Olive 

On Dec. 13 and 20, sip “Chestnut Cup” cocktails — rum, chestnut syrup, walnut liqueur, Aquafaba foam and seasonal spices — to the sounds of DJ-spun holiday remixes at the Fa La La La Fig happy hour, 4-7pm.

Four Seasons Hotel

Decorate ornaments, cupcakes and gingerbread houses during afternoon tea, 12-4pm, on Dec. 15 and 22 at the beautifully adorned Four Seasons. The kiddos will stay busy while the adults sip and snack on traditional tea offerings — plus a glass of prosecco.

La Fisheria

Seeing a show Downtown this season? Begin or end the evening at La Fisheria, with the Snow-Top cocktail served in a glass rimmed with cinnamon and brown sugar; or the White Christmas Margarita made with coconut milk and topped with cranberry garnish.

The newly revamped Uptown restaurant has two chances to catch Santa himself next weekend: Join him for a family-style brunch (orange brioche French toast? yes, please!) and photo ops from 11am-3pm on Dec. 22 and 23. Plus: mimosas for mom and dad, and a gingerbread house to decorate for the kiddo! Merry merry.

Poitin

There’s extra reason to celebrate the season if you live in the 77007 zip code: Enjoy 50 percent off bottles of wine on Mondays, with valid ID.

Yauatcha

The Galleria is festive as it is — but Yauatcha is spicing things up further, with delicious new seasonal desserts: the Mandarin spice bar — mandarin and white-chocolate mousses, marmalade and spice cake — and the pecan tart with dulce de leche. They’re perhaps best enjoyed as the finale to the restaurant’s new dim sum brunch, 11am-4pm on weekends.

AT TOP: Decorating gingerbread houses at Quattro in the Four Seasons

Dispatches
Wellness Pro LeBrina Jackson on Gratitude at the Holidays: It’s a ‘Reset Button for my Mind’

LeBrina Jackson

AS WE GET into the holiday season, we’re reminded of what we have, what we want and what might be lacking. As Sheryl Crow says in her song, Soak up the Sun, “It’s not having what you want, it’s wanting what you've got.” We caught up with LeBrina Jackson, owner of Escape Spa in Cypress, Texas, and learned how she tackles the holiday season with hope, love and most importantly, gratitude.

Keep ReadingShow less

Gold high-low tulle mini dress, $698, by Chloe Dao, with diamond-and-pearl necklace, diamond earrings, diamond-flower bracelet, and diamond rings, all vintage Buccellati, and Macri cuff bracelets, from $32,000, by Buccellati, all at Tenenbaum Jewelers.

IN THE WARM glow of the holidays, festive frocks, elegant resort looks and baubles from Houston’s finest jewelers take on a regal new light.

Keep ReadingShow less
Style

WHEN ENVISIONING The Marigold Club, afternoon tea was destined to be a cornerstone — a sophisticated nod to the lavish charm of Mayfair London infused with French culinary flair and a dash of Houston’s bold spirit.

Keep ReadingShow less
Food