Ten Houstonians were honored for their selfless and generous ways of life at an event held at the Royal Sonesta. Mayor Sylvester Turner offered opening remarks before recipients of the Houston Humanitarian Awards — including NFL mom and philanthropist Karen Johnson, pastor Fernando Ruata, music-industry honcho James Prince, and several Hurricane Harvey heroes — received a standing ovation. The evening was put on by a local nonprofit called Houston Random Act of Kindness Day, which was founded by Treveia Dennis in order to spread love throughout her community.
THE CITY'S DINING scene has never been bigger or better. Step inside the trendiest and tastiest H-Town restaurants now!
Hot 'Hood: Diverse District
Kakigori, or Japanese shaved ice, at Katami (photo by Casey Glitner)
Now known as Harlow District, the multiacre former site of Nino’s and Vincent’s is home to a growing number of fabulous restaurants, including the relocated La Griglia and Kata Robata chef Manabu Horiuchi’s chic new Katami. Also find the ultimate patio hangout in Verde Garden, and, rumor has it, a cozy coffeeshop and bookstore in the coming months.
Hot 'Hood: Post Up!
The S.S. Poet cocktail at Rumi’s
It’s long been one of the most prominent corridors in the city, but Post Oak Boulevard is experiencing a serious culinary renaissance. In addition to classics like The Annie and Hugo Ortega’s Caracol, now find Tavola from the Bastion Collection and Ben Berg; Persian pleasure Rumi’s Kitchen; and a pair of Dallas hot spots from Western Addition restaurant group: The stately Italian spot Il Bracco, and fun Balboa Surf Club.
Hot 'Hood: All In On Allen
Espresso martinis at Clarkwood
Splashy, flower-flocked Annabelle Brasserie from Berg Hospitality is the newest addition to Allen Parkway. For cocktails, cool-kid Clarkwood remains the place, and it’s all about live fire and big beef at Andiron. For more steaks, luxe seafood, comfort sides and a rooftop patio, there’s Georgia James. Coming soon to The Allen Pavilion is Mexican steakhouse Toca Madera and Meduza Mediterrania next to the new Thompson hotel.
Hot 'Hood: Restaurant Row
Cocody on West Gray
You’d think River Oaks Shopping Center on West Gray had enough eateries with Brasserie 19, Perry’s Steakhouse, and glitzy Italian newcomer Zanti. That’s until upscale Albi debuted with belly dancers, diverse Eastern Mediterranean dishes and cocktails like the Turkish coffee martini. Newest is Cocody, a lavish French-inspired restaurant starring cuisine from chefs David Denis of longtime Le Mistral, and Lionel Debon. Adventurous flavors and presentations include table smoked East coast seared scallops. Forthcoming Leo’s with chef Tim Reading promises surf-and-turf and more!
Hot 'Hood: Spring Forward
The Audacity cocktail at Hando
Spring Branch boasts more star-chef power every year! In 2023, Christine Ha Blind Goat, plus the drive-through sandwich spot Stuffed Belly, both on Long Point, near the new Hando. Underbelly Burger and Wild Oats also bowed in the Branch, on Witte. Meanwhile, across the freeway, the Pit Room is readying its first outside-the-Loop locale.
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Two Nights Only! Famed New York Bar Pops-Up Downtown, with Proceeds Benefiting Kids with Cancer
Mar. 12, 2024
EMPLOYEES ONLY — OFTEN referred to simply as EO by regulars — opened in Manhattan’s West Village in late 2004 and remains one of the Big Apple’s most popular bars. Come March 26-27, the Four Seasons Hotel Houston’s intimate speakeasy-style bar Bandista will host the award-winning Employees Only team for a takeover.
"We are excited to welcome our friends from Employees Only to H-Town,” said Tom Segesta, the hotel’s general manager, in a press release. “Their talented team will bring our guests a taste of the Empire State’s finest cocktails.” The Employees Only team slated to come to Houston includes bartender Dimitrios Vasilakis, bar manager Frank Maldonado and general manager Jonathan Yutzy.
At $25-$35 bucks, drinks shaken, stirred and served by bartenders of Employees Only, a perennial favorite on the elite World’s 50 Best Bars rankings, are for the true cocktail connoisseur. The reservations only pop-up at softly-lit hideaway Bandista will offer 90-minute seatings available between 5PM-midnight.
Anticipate five inventive cocktails on the menu, including the spicy-sweet Besos Calientes (El Tesoro Blanco tequila shaken with house-made grapefruit cordial, fresh lime juice and dashes of habanero bitters) and creamy Last Leaf (Patrón Anejo tequila with clarified coconut milk, pumpkin, caramel and spiced pear).
Part of the proceeds will be donated to Camp H-Town, a sleep-away camp hosted by the Four Seasons Hotel Houston in partnership with the University of Texas MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital for children diagnosed with cancer.
If you haven’t had the chance to visit Employees Only in New York, here’s a little background. The bar is discreetly located in a picturesque neighborhood with tree-lined cobblestone streets, and inside, a psychic is often found greeting (and offering readings) to customers. The bar was part of a small group of establishments in New York that helped revive speakeasy-style bars serving craft cocktails. EO also has bars in Los Angeles and Singapore.
The Bandista team plans to hold its own pop-up at Manhattan’s Employees Only in early 2025, according to a spokesperson.
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