Cocktails at Jonathan’s the Rub
Hot Car Sales Pro: Tony McClelland
Tony McClelland (photo by Al Torres Photography)
With his personal touch and attention to detail, Tony McClelland of Central Houston Cadillac has been named “Best Domestic Car Sales Professional in Houston” by Outsmart and has many faithful customers. The dealership, currently located in Midtown, is in the process of building a new landmark facility near NRG Stadium that’s set to open in August. The new location boasts the latest technological advancements and will be one of the largest Cadillac facilities in the country!
Hot Fine Art Gallery: Off the Wall Gallery
'Fly Away' by Amy Shekhter at Off the Wall Gallery
With two Galleria locations, Off The Wall Gallery boasts a world-class art collection, a passionate and knowledgeable staff, a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere, various events and programs, and a strong commitment to quality art and education. The Gallery, run by Mimi Sperber-Wasserberg, showcases original paintings, sculptures and fine prints from global artists. It offers visitors a unique art experience, including exhibitions, art-filled cultural travel, art brokerage, shipping, installation and bespoke framing.
Hot Lawyer: Lauren Varnado
Lauren Varnado (photo by Laurie Perez)
Lauren Varnado, managing partner of Michelman & Robinson’s Houston office, is an experienced trial lawyer, representing oil, gas and petrochemical clients in high-stakes, “bet the company” lawsuits. Beyond the courtroom, Lauren advises private and public companies about climate change litigation, investments and contractual rights and obligations in renewable energy, and much more. M&R prides itself on the collaborative and long-standing relationships it has with clients.
Hot Realtor: Sarah Callaway Sulma
Sarah Callaway Sulma
Previously an assistant for top producer Cathy Cagle, fourth generation Houstonian Sarah Callaway Sulma of Greenwood King Properties honed her skills and became experienced in all aspects of real estate, from relocation to assisting buyers and sellers in all areas of Houston and at all price points. Sulma and Cagle are now partners, Sulma has become a top producer in her own right — with an impressive base of both buyers and sellers in the Houston community.
Hot Mother-Daughter Duo: Clare and Leigh Leppert
Clare and Leigh Leppert
Compass realtor Clare Leppert, who formerly partnered with her mom, says her experience in the luxury market for the last 20+ years is enhanced by her daughter Leigh Leppert’s fresh take on marketing and insight on the ever-evolving Houston neighborhoods. Working together, they recognize that real estate is much more than “the house.” Exceeding client expectations, marketing, negotiating, hand-holding and successfully maneuvering in changing markets is what they do best. A combination of grit and grace.
Hot Caterer: CULINAIRE
CULINAIRE
If you know, you know. CULINAIRE, founded by classically trained chef Barbara McKnight, has been an insider go-to for 20 years. This Houston institution has been upping the luxury catering game with its considered custom menus paired with flawless service and event execution. Team CULINAIRE touts a staff of courteous and seasoned professionals. Sample poolside menu: smoked chicken tostadas, Greek-salad-style shrimp cocktail, a sushi station and coconut-passionfruit panna cottas for dessert. Yes, please.
Hot Restaurant: Jonathan's the Rub
Jonathan’s the Rub
Jonathan’s the Rub has two locations in the Memorial area and is open for brunch, lunch, dinner and special occasions, touting steaks, meatballs, gumbo and hearty American cuisine. Jonathan’s is also known for its catering services, private events and putting on amazing wine dinners at the Memorial Green location. “The restaurants are the heart and soul of our family,” says chef-owner Jonathan Levine. “Everything we have goes into making sure that our food and service represent our family values and hospitality.”
Hot Realtor: Mike Mahlstedt
Mike Mahlstedt
Mike Mahlstedt of Compass consistently ranks as one of the Top 3 real estate agents in Houston with over $950,000,000 in career sales. Mahlstedt focuses on traditional inner-Loop and close-in neighborhoods. His success continues to grow thanks to hard work, attention to detail and repeat referral business. “I am a good businessman and confident negotiator,” he says. “My job is to ensure that my clients have the latest knowledge and understand the entire transaction process.”
Hot Women's Boutique: Frock Shop
A look from Frock Shop
When owner Selina Stanford opened Frock Shop her goal was to create a space where women feel seen and loved. “We do this by meeting our customers exactly where they are in life and being in gratitude that we get to style them for all of life’s moments,” she says. Frock Shop is filled with sought-after brands like LoveShackFancy. Summery looks include colorful coverups, fun-print mini-dresses and cute tops by Houston-based Hunter Bell.
Hot Men's Clothier: Adam Ross Bespoke and Custom Clothiers
Adam Ross
He’s the Suit Boss, and his Adam Ross Bespoke & Custom Clothiers has a rep for making meticulously well-fitted suits — he takes 40+ measurements and sources high-quality Italian and English fabrics — and for being a cool dude with a boy’s-clubby setup. Clients include rapper Paul Wall, actor Michael Rappaport and tons of sports pros. See that ivory suit with the subtle paisley pattern Jonanthan Owens wore when he married Simone? That was Ross.
Hot Med Spa: Montrose Med Spa
Montrose Med Spa owner Maricela Olivo
New Montrose Med Spa offers body sculpting and skin treatments that invigorate and energize and are specifically designed to restore balance and strength and renew youth. The Spa provides a complete medical gym experience — from the varied treatments with Emsculpt Neo to a personalized health and wellness and skin evaluation for each individual. It also provides a noninvasive, pain-free and needle-free facelift through EMFace, in addition to offering monthly beauty memberships.
Hot Restaurant: Brasserie 19
Does one go to Brasserie 19 to be seen among the swells who crowd in routinely — inside the urbane, light-washed dining room and the front patio — or for the excellent French food purveyed by B19 chef-owner Charles Clark, who grew to acclaim over years at late, great Ibiza? Well, as one might say when asked to choose between caviar served with onion dip and potato chips and mussels steamed with white wine and fennel? Why not both?
Hot Outdoor Furnishings: Patio 1 Houston
For 44 years, Patio 1 Houston has helped Houstonians create their dream backyards. In a world of parity, they deliver clients’ choices from 150 fabric colors — in an unprecedented five days. Being entrusted by top world brands, they commit to fulfilling excellence that gives absolute value to their customers. Patio 1, which offers high fashion and high-quality brands that bring the newest trends into the outdoor furniture market, has always emphasized superior details, materials, workmanship, durability, comfort and styling.
Hot Restaurant: Local Foods
From the days of his eponymous Rice Village spot to today’s Local Foods concept, Benjy Levit has been a staple of Houston’s restaurant scene. As buzz surrounds his newer speakeasy-style wine bar Lees Den and the unfussy French spot Eau Tour, Local Foods remains a five-location powerhouse. Breezy, counter-service-style Local Foods is passionate about creating fresh, hyper-seasonal dishes, made from scratch daily, with the best local ingredients Texas has to offer.
Baraban's '4836'
But many people are unaware of Baraban’s separate artistic body of work — an ongoing series featuring windows in decrepit, abandoned buildings that Baraban has encountered while traveling across Texas. These photos, including three belonging to the permanent photography collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, are on display in his humorously titled exhibit Window Dressings, opening this Saturday, June 3, at Nicole Longnecker Gallery.
Some of what Baraban captures, with very little digital manipulation after the initial shot, is quite funny. One photo features the blacked-out horizontal windows of the wooden door to an auto body shop painted in a rich cobalt blue, with three inner tubes for tires leaning against it, each looking a little worse for wear, the signage above it all announcing (albeit with one letter missing) “LUBRICATIO.”
'3554'
'3559'
Other windows are creepier and evoke more ominous scenarios. In “3559” (each photo in Window Dressingsis titled numerically), a white wire hanger dangles in between a pair of intricately patterned white lace curtains behind the glass of a gold-framed window set inside a purple brick wall. Despite this being a sunlit shot, the space behind those curtains is jet black, leaving whatever has happened or will happen inside to the imagination of the viewer.
In his artist statement for Window Dressings, Baraban says, “I can only wonder who the last person was to look out a particular window, and what they might have seen and thought before they left for good.” Each one of Baraban’s windows is imbued with the eye of an artist on holiday from the advertising world and will inspire the viewer to look for the poetry within the detritus they encounter.
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