NEW ARRIVALS TO or longtime residents of Houston who are curious about the city’s history are invited to take a deep dive Sat., Jan. 21 at Brazos Bookstore with Houston journalists Lydia Schrandt and Biju Sukumaran, authors of the guidebook Oldest Houston. The event begins at 6:30pm.
Published by Reedy Press, Oldest Houston is one in its Oldest series of travel books, in which local authors dig into their respective city’s historic neighborhoods, buildings and businesses, including its restaurants and bars (both crucial to Houston), to create a unique type of historically and personally informed guidebook.
Included in Oldest Houston are stories about H-Town’s oldest park, music hall, brewery and BBQ joint, as well as an 80-year-old Tex-Mex restaurant, the nation’s oldest running recording studio where Willie Nelson and Beyoncé tracked their hits, and a house built in 1847 located in the shadows of Downtown’s skyscrapers.
Schrandt and Sukumaran currently live and work in Houston, and are each uniquely qualified for the job of documenting the city’s history while acknowledging its cultural diversity. Originally from Albuquerque, N.M., Houston-based Schrandt is a writer and award-winning photographer whose travel writing and photography has appeared in Time Out Beijing, USA TODAY, San Francisco Chronicle and many other publications.
Sukumaran has traveled widely, penning travel articles for National Geographic Traveler, Esquire and Lonely Planet. Since returning to his native Houston, Sukumaran has dedicated himself to “uncovering the back streets and fusion eats that make his hometown famous.” His next book, Secret Texas, is due out in 2024.
The pair also share the Instagram account That’s So Houston, where they explore “secret spots and best eats in Houston and beyond.”
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THIS WEEKEND, THERE’S no shortage of ways in H-Town to ring in the Lunar New Year. From lion dancers to dumplings, here’s a handful of Asian spots around town that are drumming up tasty fun in honor of the Year of the Rabbit!
Kin Dee
Kin Dee's khantok platter
The charming Heights-area Thai restaurant will be hosting an enchanting lion dance performance produced by Lee’s Golden Dragon Lion & Dragon Dance Association Saturday, Jan. 21, at 7:30pm. The performers will roam about Kin Dee dazzling guests with spectacular costumes, music, and creative expression creating a multi-sensory celebratory dining experience.
Le Colonial
Le Colonial in River Oaks District
Join the Lunar New Year tradition of gifting pocket-sized red envelopes filled with cash at this elegant Vietnamese restaurant. Dinner guests will receive the envelope offerings to pass along to lion dance performers on Jan. 22 beginning at 6pm. It’s a festive way to enjoy the fragrant curries, shaking beef and vibrant spring rolls.
Mala Sichuan
Mala Sichuan
Like it hot? Visit one of the Mala outposts around town known for tongue-numbing Sichuan specialties. Pick up the traditional red envelope stuffed with one-dollar bills — and some with $100 for the lucky ducks. Catch the action over the weekend afternoons between 2-4pm.
Money Cat
Money Cat Nigiri set (photo by Sabrina Miskelly)
“New Japanese” cuisine is the theme at this Upper Kirby newcomer where the team has been putting on a culinary show since its grand opening. They are at it again this Sunday, Jan. 22, at 6:30pm with Lunar New Year lion dances performed by Celestial Dragon. Don’t pass up the dark chocolate bonsai tree dessert atop grilled pineapple mousse.
Phat Eatery
Phat's red envelopes
The beloved Malaysian restaurant in Katy Asian Town will offer a five-course feast served family-style starring Prosperity Toss, a traditional Malaysian salad symbolizing abundance. Together, tablemates use chopsticks to vigorously loft the dish’s many colorful components into the air; the higher the toss, the more their good fortune increases for the year. An interactive lion dance performance by local group Lee Dragon precedes each meal. Dinner seatings: Jan. 22 and Jan. 27; lunch seatings are Jan. 28 and Jan. 29.
Tobiuo Sushi & Bar
Tobuio (photo by Ashley Castro)
Owner Sherman Yeung’s Japanese restaurant in Cinco Ranch specializing in elevated sushi and craft cocktails is ushering in the Lunar New Year with lion dances performed by Celestial Dragon Jan. 21, at 6:30pm.
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