Nick and Kasey Carnrite, Joselyn and Jeff Carnrite (Photo by Jacob Power)
Hosted by the organization’s young professionals group, this year’s “party with a purpose” drew more than 300, including the late First Lady’s son Neil and his wife Maria, to the venue — which Art Attack had transformed into “a whimsical wonderland with blooming red rose arrangements, fairy lights and glimmering red sequin linens,” said a rep for gala organizers. “The VIP reception featured black trees with hanging poppies, ruby red centerpieces, and a five-foot ruby slipper.”
The dinner buffet was inspired by Kansas, with barbeque pork presented on gouda grits, pork belly bites, and roasted corn in shot glasses. For dessert, cheesecake lollipops, rainbow sugar cookies, and munchkin-sized macaroons.
Houston’s Drywater Band entertained at the colorful ball and dance party, as did the likes of Dorothy, the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion, and the Scarecrow — actors in costume from J&D Entertainment.
Auction items included an autographed Jose Altuve bat donated by Houston Astros Foundation, and a diamond and ruby necklace specially designed for the event and donated by Tego Jewelers. Joselyn and Jeff Carnrite and Kasey and Nick Carnrite chaired the event, with Matt Rogers as emcee and the Deloitte law firm as honoree. “Literacy has the power to transform lives,” said Amy Chronis, Houston managing partner for the firm, “and we are proud to work with the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy foundation to help make a meaningful impact in our community.”
The haul for the evening topped $320,000.
Scott and Kelli John with Wizard of Oz Characters (Photo by Jacob Power)
Ben Cotting, Sarah Cotting, Morgan Relyea Colt, Walker Colt (Photo by Daniel Ortiz)
Joe and Ashley Edens (Photo by Jacob Power)
Caroline Edmundson, Anthony Tego (Photo by Jacob Power)
Kate and Joseph Cavanaugh (Photo by Daniel Ortiz)
Lindsey Buchanan, Allison Wells (Photo by Daniel Ortiz)
Carson Brown, Eric Brueggeman (Photo by Jacob Power)
Scott McAlpine, Meghan McAlpine, Nicole Aderholt, Jacob Gibbons (Photo by Daniel Ortiz)
Melissa McDaniel and Patrick Mikkelson (Photo by Daniel Ortiz)
Morgan Relyea Colt, Grace Gosnell, Victoria Villarreal (Photo by Daniel Ortiz)
Devin and Lindsey Sauer, Beverly and Steven Westbrook (Photo by Daniel Ortiz)
Dylan Siebenaler, Sarah Zschappel (Photo by Jacob Power)
Emre Ozsut, Jordan Khalil (Photo by Daniel Ortiz)
Grace Gosnell, Caitlin Rance, Victoria Villareal, Allie Jarreau (Photo by Daniel Ortiz)
Tajarin Alle Vongole at Louie's (photo by Lindsey Cooper Trevino and Sergio Trevino)
Certainly, EaDo denizens will miss the meticulously crafted pastries, excellent coffee, and masterful sandwiches, but the talented duo decided to reboot. Spurred by the success of the Emilianis’ Red Sauce Sunday series launched at the charming café, the conversion to a dinner restaurant made good business sense, the partners said.
“Louie and I grew up with Italian American cooking, and we launched Red Sauce Sundays at Café Louie to honor that tradition. Little did we know it would resonate so much, and we had to take a good look in the mirror when Sundays started to regularly outperform Saturday nights,” stated Angelo in a press release.
H-Town loves Italian food, and these siblings bring enough culinary cred to know what clicks. Angelo cut his culinary teeth at hot spots like Uchi, Thomas Keller’s Ad Hoc, and San Francisco’s legendary, James Beard Award-winning bakery, Tartine. He also ran a pop-up Angie’s Pizza in Houston, which was a runaway hit during the early pandemic days.
Louie, who runs the pastry program, began her career at Houston’s Tiny’s Milk & Cookies. She eventually joined her brother in California, where she worked at such esteemed bakeries as Tartine in San Francisco and award-winning Lodge Bread Company in Los Angeles.
Photo by Becca Wright
Aperol Spritz
Unique tiramisu at Louie’s Italian American
Vinegar chicken
After tinkering with the new menu since December, the kitchen is now serving a full roster of Italian-inspired dishes, drinks, and desserts. Appetizers are many including dry age meatballs and burrata with housemade milk bread. Also expect fresh salads including a pretty radicchio number with oranges, shaved winter root veggies and yuzu citronette.
Handmade pastas like the little rigatonis are offered with your choice of sauce: vodka sauce or slowly cooked sausage ragu. Spinach ravioli are as light as a cloud and the tangle of tajarin with white wine clam sauce or roasted mushrooms with Marsala bursts with flavor. For something heartier, try the ossobuco tortelloni with bone marrow and English peas. Mains include sausage and peppers, chicken agro-dolce (vinegar sweet and sour sauce), and specials. Don’t miss creative sides like seared cauliflower with roasted grapes and lemon.
A tall, gorgeous Aperol spritz, as well as a frozen negroni and “Louie’s martini” (gin, chinola, salted passionfruit), headline the cocktail menu. Although her beautiful breakfast pastries have departed for now, Louie is crafting not only house breads but impressive classic desserts with a little something extra. Leave room for the tiramisu, gelato or dreamy cheesecake!
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