At Posh, French-Kissed La Colombe d’Or Bash, ‘CityBook’ Marks Five Years as Houston’s Magazine

Jhane Hoang

Gracie Cavnar, Addy Purdy, Pia Tolomei and Lisa Holthouse

ON A BREEZY fall evening, Houston CityBook Executive Publisher Lisa Holthouse and Editor in Chief/CEO Jeff Gremillion welcomed some 250 guests to the beautifully remodeled Montrose icon, La Colombe d'Or hotel, for a fabulously French-inspired cocktail party celebrating the magazine's fifth anniversary in print.

The evening, presented by major sponsors Deutsch Fine Jewelry and Bentley Houston, and coordinated by Sullivan Group with Bright Star Productions, was yet another most memorable CityBook event — with unique flourishes and special moments aplenty, from the second partygoers walked up the stairs of the historic building. Acrobatic dancers twirled and twisted and flipped on the porch, where Mercury Orchestra played beautiful classical music by French composers. A roving photo booth greeted guests once they'd stepped inside.

The charming space, thoughtfully remodeled while retaining much of its original magic, was the perfect place for passed hors d'oeuvres and bubbles and fabulous cocktails like French 75's with gin from local distillery Gentle Ben — which also poured its vodka and samples of its new bourbon, debuting just in time for the holidays. Guests mixed and mingled in various corners of the clubby bar and all the rooms, as trays of delectable nibbles including fried oysters, salmon carpaccio and dates stuffed with goat cheese and almonds circulated, all compliments of the kitchen at the hotel's Tonight & Tomorrow restaurant.

Some folks stayed inside, listening to the charismatic and oh-so-handsome Luke Whitney croon on the guitar at the centerpiece antique grand piano. Others took advantage of the mild weather and congregated by the al fresco bar in the sculpture garden out back. Door prizes offered up by Deutsch — gold and diamond bracelet, anyone — and Off the Wall gallery, which gave away a gorgeous marble sculpture, had revelers lining up to toss their name in the hat. House of Creed, which just opened a luxury fragrance boutique in the Galleria, and the Alto rideshare service, a party sponsor, also donated prizes.

Everyone raised a glass when Holthouse and Gremillion gave remarks. They thanked advertisers, readers and the community for embracing the brand.

Departing guests were given multiple favors, including swag bags sponsored by CityBook partner The Allen and cookies created by Dessert Gallery, which fashioned the treats in the shape of fleur de lis emblazoned "Cinq" (French for five) in pale blue, to match the party invitations.