For the first time, the cancer-fighting Alcides E. Rosaura Diniz Foundation hosted a gala at the Astorian. Ana Paola Diniz, who lost her father Alcides to Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2006, praised MD Anderson, the night’s beneficiary, for its dedication. … Meanwhile, Catholic Charities’ “happy”-themed 75th annual Spirit of Charity event did indeed bring smiles to many faces. The evening, held at the Marriott Marquis, raised $1 million. … This year’s Lyndon Baines Johnson Moral Courage Award dinner honored President George W. Bush for his lifelong commitment to service and country. The total till doubled the previous record, coming in at $4.2 million. … In addition to celebrating the induction of five new members of the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame, the Lone Star Flight Museum’s Flights of Fancy event garnered $700K for the museum. … And the 30th annual Goodwill Gala was the organization’s most successful ever, with more than 400 black-tie-clad guests — including Simone Biles and her family, guests of board member Leisa Holland Nelson — partying for a cause at the River Oaks Country Club.
WHETHER YOU SEEK come-as-you-are casual or over-the-top, Houston has any style of ambiance or flavor of cuisine to celebrate Mom. There’s still time to make ressies for Sunday, May 12 — but hurry!
The Annie Café & Bar
The Annie (photo by Kirsten Gilliam)
Sunday from 10am-3pm, bring the whole family for the ultimate brunch including a balloon artist for the kids and complimentary mimosas for moms! Buttermilk pancakes, huevos rancheros and crab Benedict headline the varied menu.
Benny Chow's
Crystal shrimp dumplings
Berg Hospitality’s upbeat Cantonese newcomer on Wash Ave. is serving brunch May 12 from 11am-3pm. Features include fun photo opportunities, and each mom will receive a complimentary mimosa or bellini. Top bites on the vast menu include crystal shrimp dumplings served with chili sauce; tender baby bok choy with king oyster and shitake mushrooms; Peking duck noodles; and walnut prawns.
Brennan's of Houston
Brennan's crab cakes
Jazz, fine Creole fare, and a coveted terrace. What more could Mom want for Sunday brunch? Perhaps a complimentary mimosa! Start with citrus-roasted duck crepe and move on to Gulf flounder Creole. Don’t miss Robin’s lemon meringue pie with limoncello and blueberry coulis for dessert.
Four Seasons Hotel Houston
Toro Toro
Houston’s top hotel is celebrating Mother’s Day the whole month of May! On May 11, brunch at Bayou & Bottle where there will also be a Plants & Petals workshop and Burdlife jewelry pop-up. On May 12, indulge her in Mother's Day brunch at upscale Toro Toro. Pamper Mom at The Spa and Nail Bar with a relaxing Precious Petals body scrub and massage, manicure, or pedicure with healing sunflower and grapeseed oils; or have her choose a new fragrance or candle at the Krigler perfume boutique.
Flora Mexican Kitchen
Chilaquiles (photo by Kirsten Gilliam)
Share the flavors of Mexico with Texas touches in this gorgeous glass “treehouse” overlooking Buffalo Bayou’s Lost Lake. Brunch favorites include huevos rancheros, brunch quinoa bowl, omelets and more. Mother's Day Brunch runs May 11 and 12 at all Big Vibe Group concepts. Treat mom to brunch, lunch or dinner all weekend!
Eunice
Shrimp and grits at Eunice
This airy and chic Greenway Plaza favorite is offering an elevated Cajun-Creole brunch fit for a queen. Come hungry for dishes including shrimp and grits with green onion-sausage gravy, softshell crab Benedict, Drew's smoked chicken and sausage gumbo, and cinnamon buns. Brunch is served from 11am to 3pm on Sunday.
Le Colonial
Le Colonial
The restaurant’s authentic French-Vietnamese cuisine, charming palm-lined dining rooms, and patio create a stylish setting for celebrations. The full menu of shareables and savory bites includes Goi Ga (Vietnamese chicken and cabbage salad with Texas pink grapefruit and sweet chili garlic vinaigrette); Ca Hoi Nuong (roasted salmon with shiitakes, bok choy, and coconut lobster broth), and Bo Luc Lac (Shaking Beef starring caramelized filet mignon with sweet onions, watercress and lime pepper vinaigrette).
Le Jardinier at MFAH
Atlantic cod at Le Jardinier (photo by Julie Soefer)
Take Mom and the family to this modern, French-inspired restaurant for artful fare with a side of fine art from 11am-2pm. The Bastion Collection will have a special, three-course menu with savory highlights like Poached White Asparagus with passionfruit reduction, Wagyu beef bavette with broccolini, and a gorgeous lemon tart with tarragon ice cream, and more for dessert. Kids menu available.
La Griglia
Ricotta pancakes with blueberry compote
Haven’t checked out the new La Griglia yet? Now’s your time: The highly anticipated brunch menu has arrived, and the pretty patio is calling your name. Lemon ricotta pancakes with blueberry compote; crabmeat and caviar fritatta; and libations including the Espresso Martini and Harry’s Bellini Poggio Costa Prosecco with white peach nectar are waiting. An array of antipasti, insalate, primi and secondi courses are also on the new Sunday brunch menu served from 11am-3pm.
Liberty Kitchen & Oysterette
On Sunday, May 12, both locations are celebrating all moms with a chef-driven brunch starting at 9:30am. The menu includes Lemon Elderflower Waffles featuring lemon curd, Chantilly cream, and maple syrup, and popular mainstays like itsCoastal Benedict with poached Maine lobster or Chesapeake crab, chicken sausage and kale frittata, and more.
Little Hen
Everything’s coming up roses at this floral-flocked breakfast, brunch and afternoon tea destination in the River Oaks District center. Rose petal pancakes, a caviar omelet with smoked salmon, or avocado eggs Benedict will surely melt her heart.
Navy Blue
Navy Blue carrot cake (photo by Caroline Fontenot)
Indulge in brunch at chef Aaron Bludorn’s seafood concept in the Rice Village. Start with tuna crudo. For mains, choose whole branzino with cucumber and skordalia (Greek garlic dip), crab Benedict with tomato jam, or steak and eggs with chimichurri. Cinnamon rolls are great to share with the table and the carrot cake is phenomenal.
NoPo Café, Market & Bar
NoPo avocado toast (photo by Kirsten Gilliam)
All Berg Hospitality concepts including this handy café on Post Oak will offer a complimentary bellini or mimosa to Mom’s on Mother’s Day. Drop in for brunch from 10-4PM and enjoy classics like stacked avocado toast, crème brulee French toast and more. If dining at home, pre-order cookies or pretty “I love Mom” iced cakes.
Postino
Postino brunch
Let mom sleep in on Mother’s Day and take her to one of Postino’s locations for brunch. The menu features oodles of wines by the glass and a special Lavender Spritz. Breakfast bites tempt – think donut bites, a focaccia stack, and the Morning Remix: fancy scrambled eggs with crème fraiche, Parmigiana Reggiano, crispy fingerling potatoes and a side of bacon.
The Post Oak Hotel
This five-star hotel in Uptown will celebrate Mother’s Day with an over-the-top Springtime in Paris brunch. Take a tour through the “butcher shop” for carved lamb and filet mignon or the Poissonerie for fish dishes like roasted salmon. Move on to the Sushi Bar; The Brasserie for caviar and oysters; several other lavish food stations, plus desserts. Beverage options include a Bubble Bar with sparkling libations. May 12 from 10-4PM in the Post Oak Ballroom.
Tony's
Tony's brunch (photo by Becca Wright)
Treat Mom to a special Mother’s Day brunch featuring a three-course prix fixe menu. Caviar and spritz add-ons are on offer. Visit OpenTable for reservations and click here to see the full menu. Available Sunday, May 12, from 11-3pm.
At ‘Raising the Barre’ Fundraiser, Ballet Dancers Partner with Chefs to Serve Up Gourmet Grub
HOUSTON BALLET'S ANNUAL Raising the Barre event — a tasting dinner in which dancers serve as both muses and sous chefs for some of Houston’s most notable chefs — took place this year at Caracol and raised more than $110,000 for the company.
Some 200 ballet fans, wearing bright springtime attire to match the room’s colorful florals in hues of peach and coral, dined on a menu that began with chef Chris Williams and soloist Eric Best’s lamb stew. “The stew featured sweet potato puree, coconut collard green pesto and was garnished with roasted peanuts,” noted a Ballet rep. For the next course, chef Aaron Bludorn and Corps de Ballet dancer Zoe Lucich served herbed ravioli with carrot-ginger puree and fresh gremolata, all inspired by Lucich’s love of vivid color and her Californian roots.
Chef Hugo Ortega partnered with principal dancer Skylar Campbell to offer an entrée of Pacific halibut with ginger broth and puya peppers. “Chef Hugo and Skylar both love the Pacific Coast, more specifically a quaint seaside town in Mexico called Puerto Nuevo, thus inspiring Pacific halibut for the entrée,” said the company rep.
The dessert, as imagined by Fluff Bake Bar’s Rebecca Masson and demi soloist Kellen Hornbuckle, was maple bacon crème brûlée. Wines were paired with each course by chef and oenophile Chris Shepherd, a longtime Ballet supporter.
The event was co-chaired by Heidi and Marcus Smith and Roslyn and Derrick Mitchell. Guests included Kristy Bradshaw, Lindsey Brown, Jesse H. Jones II, Terry Wayne Jones, Patti Murphy, Beth Muecke and Ileana and Michael Treviño.
Kristy Bradshaw and Lindsey Brown
Ada Agbor and Zoe Cadore
Derrick and Roslyn Mitchell and Heidi and Marcus Smith
Michel Coret and Tatiana Sorkin
Heidi and Marcus Smith
Laura and Brannon Robertson
Lenni and Bill Burke
Michael and Ileana Treviño
Mignon and Stephen Gill
Susan Binney, Susan Lehmann, Ann Bean and Amy LeBlanc
Terry Wayne Jones and Jay Jones
Victoria Gutierrez and Nick Pierce
Wayne and Tammy Nguyen