Mayor Sylvester Turner and Lynn Wyatt at the 2022 Opera Ball
Two of the most widely read stories of the year, based on overall page views, are stories about over-the-top social events, while two are about fascinating people breaking through in their careers and accomplishing great things. One covers a little bit of both.
Here are the fab five for 2022:
Fashion Makes a Splash in The Woodlands
A runway model with Theresa Roemer and fashion designer Cesar Galindo
The suburbs got sexy for the holiday-time Fashion Woodlands function. A runway was staged over the pool at a posh mansion, and models strutted their stuff. A Make-A-Wish kid made the scene, too, with her dream to walk the catwalk as a fashionista coming true.
R&B Star Has Hot and Juicy Houston Heritage
Coline Creuzot grew up in Houston's Third Ward.
Our thoughtful Q&A with rising-star R&B singer Coline Creuzot, granddaughter of the founder of famous Houston fried chicken chain Frenchy’s, seems to have struck all the right notes. “Music is everything,” the Third Ward native told us. “It’s healing.”
Opera Ball, a Top Bash Perennially, Still Dazzles
Jennifer Fink
For decades, the Houston Grand Opera ball has been the grande dame of the spring gala season. The year 2022 was no exception, and readers wanted all the deets! The spectacular function, which raised $1.25 mil, boasted a Moroccan theme, complete with belly dancers and a camel.
Beauty Queen Gets Royal Treatment
Beth Muecke and Nicole Lassiter
Remember your best birthday party ever? Well, this one was better! Former Miss Texas USA Nicole “Niki” Lassiter greeted a milestone birthday by regressing to childhood. Her enchanting bash had a fairy-princess theme, with a dozen Disney characters on hand and tiaras for days.
YouTuber Makes It (Very) Big
Nathan Graham
His YouTube series is called “Unspeakable,” but our story about Nathan Graham, 24, who was number five on Forbes’ list of the richest online content creators, wasn’t unreadable. With kid-friendly shows about crazy pranks and challenges, Graham has more than 30 million subscribers.
Bloody Mary at Hull & Oak
Brennan's of Houston
Brennan's Jose’s Hoppin’ John (photo by Kimberly Park)
Sunday jazz brunch is a Houston tradition, and the weather promises to be cooperating for a courtyard seat. Don’t miss chef José’s Hoppin’ John as a good luck lagniappe. Reservations by phone, 713.522.9711.
Cyclone Anaya's
Mimosa refills for just a penny?! Sign us up. Find that and classic Mexican brunch dishes at all six locations of Cyclone Anaya's on Jan. 1, 10am-12pm.
Eloise Nichols
The all-day café is celebrating with a weekend brunch featuring $5 mimosas starting at 10am, and signature brunch items like Salmon Hoppin’ John with sautéed rice and poached eggs and the Biscuit Benedict with pulled pork, poached eggs, hollandaise, pickled green tomatoes and hash. Yum!
Eunice
Omelets with blue crab, artichokes and creamy spinach; Gulf shrimp étouffée; and hearth-roasted oysters are just a few tempting brunch dishes at this gorgeous Cajun-Creole brasserie.
EZ's Liquor Lounge
Hit the Heights for this fried chicken special served with black eyed peas and collard greens ($15). Pair it with the bar’s extensive cocktail options or specially priced bottles of Champagne.
Hugo's
The popular New Year’s Day “Return to Life” brunch buffet will be served 10am to 2pm ($42 per adult, $15 per child). Bring your appetite for the colorful spread.
Hull & Oak
The southern-inspired restaurant located in the new Laura Hotel offers a cure-your-hangover brunch from 11am to 2pm. Enjoy black-eyed peas, two brunch dishes, and bottomless John Dalys, signature mimosas or Bloody Marys ($75 per person). Standouts include peaches-and-cream waffles, brisket hash, market salad and chicken-fried steak and eggs.
Hungry's Cafe
Hungry's brunch (photo by Julie Soefer)
Indulge in croissant French toast and a three-egg omelet, or start off your health kick with a vegan dish like tofu migas or a nutritious bowl. Mimosa carafes and frozen bellinis await, as well as New Year’s party favors.
Local Table
Crab Cakes Eggs Benedict at Local Table (Photo by Becca Wright)
All locations will be open for brunch serving favorite dishes like crab cake egg benedict, cast-iron-baked goat cheese, chicken and waffles, kid’s French toast and more. Order two or more La Marca prosecco carafes and receive New Year’s party swag.
Max's Wine Dive
On New Year’s Day, hit Max's Wine Dive for hangover brunch with rib-sticking specialty dishes from 11am to 4pm.
The Original Ninfa's
Ring in the new year with traditional Mexican hangover soup, available at both locations. The soulful red-chile-pork posole ($18) is on offer from 10am to 2pm, so don’t sleep in.
Ostia
Ostia (photo by Jenn Duncan)
Chef Travis McShane whips up a family-style brunch designed for three or more guests that is well worth the $42-per-person tariff. It comes stacked with seasonal pizzas, roasted chicken with salsa verde, pastas, and other brunchy delights. Reserve a table in the pretty greenhouse!
Postino
All five Houston locations — Cinco Ranch, Uptown Park, Heights, Montrose, Town & Country — will be open for brunch on New Year’s Day. Dig in!
Savoir
Pumpkin pancakes at Savoir
Brunch is on from 10:30am to 2pm, with specials including seasonal pumpkin pancakes, peanut-butter-and-jelly cronut holes, and honey butter chicken biscuit. Holiday libations including eggnog, a peppermint-chocolate martini, and coffee cocktails beckon for those who dare. Cheers!
State Fare
As a part of its "12 Days of Brunch" promotion, all State Fare locations will offer a New Year’s Day Brunch Board special served from 10am to 4pm, along with other a la carte brunch dishes.
The Warwick
The Warwick's cocktail tree and Brunch Board (photo by Brandon Holmes)
The Board Room Brunch platter ($100) feeds four or five guests — think butter-pecan waffles, candied bacon, sausage, four eggs cooked your way, green chili hash, fruit, muffins and croissants. Pair it with a martini tree: a tower of six or 12 Casamigos Reposado lemon drops in a variety of flavors.
Weights & Measures
Follow the call of the disco ball and spend the first day of 2023 at disco brunch starting at 10am. Expect bloody Marys, scrumptious house made pastries, classic brunch faves and disco jams (disco inferno dress is encouraged!).
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