On Main Street, United Nations Unveils First-Ever ‘Ecosystem Restoration’ Mural Designed to Grow More Trees
Jan. 16, 2023
LAST WEEK, THE City of Houston, Bulleit Frontier Whiskey, and Street Art for Mankind unveiled a massive painting covering one side of a Downtown Houston building — the inaugural United Nations Ecosystem Restoration mural. The Houston Ecosystem Restoration Mural is the first of a five-part series in the United States.
The dramatic 16-story piece installed on the 1616 Main St. building was created by globally renowned Argentinian artist Martín Ron. It depicts a local resident’s hand holding a sapling, meant as an invitation to plant and grow more trees. Created to amplify Tree Equity globally, it also aims to inspire change at the community level. It’s all a part of the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration plan.
The mural will remain present in Downtown Houston for years to come. Bulleit Frontier Whiskey also hosted a tree planting ceremony where 85 new trees were planted at the White Oak Bayou Greenway, which was devastated by Hurricane Harvey in 2017. The new trees will contribute to mitigating future flood risks, providing shade for hiking and biking trails, and increasing access to greenspaces for the neighborhood.
Artist Martín Ron
With partners American Forests, Street Art for Mankind and in support of the United Nations Environment Programme, Bulleit is serving the communities it operates in by bringing trees to areas that need them most. To date, the whiskey company has planted more than one million trees.
Trees are essential to the well-being of communities, as they help fulfill basic needs — breathing fresh air, drinking clean water, and finding relief from the heat, among other benefits. Achieving Tree Equity requires planting and growing trees in communities where they are needed most, enabling people to experience the full benefits trees provide, no matter where they live.
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Pappas Family Announces Funky and Fun Little's Oyster Bar, Opening on Shepherd this Spring
Jan. 11, 2023
Baked Gulf oysters
IF YOU’VE BEEN wondering why cute Little Pappas Seafood House on Shepherd still remains unoccupied since shuttering pre-pandemic, wonder no more: The venerable Pappas Restaurants team have been planning a brand-new seafood restaurant in the same location named Little’s Oyster Bar.
Slated to open this spring, Little’s will be a chef-driven seafood spot with an emphasis on oysters and raw seafood. California native Jason Ryczek will helm the kitchen, bringing years of experience cooking in some of California’s most renowned seafood kitchens. H-Town is lucky to have this talent join the culinary landscape.
“I’m focusing on seasonality and simplicity,” said chef Ryczek. “I’ll use the best ingredients and let them shine. I want this restaurant to show our guests what seafood can be.” Caviar will also be a staple on the Little’s menu. Chef Jason has worked with California Caviar Company for years and participates in Caviar Camp every October. This year, he hand-selected sturgeon roe specifically for Little’s.
“Since I’m personally involved in making the caviar, we get great value,” said Ryczek. “We’ll offer three styles of caviar — our house caviar, Kaluga and Osetra –giving our guests more options in taste and value. Also specials on our house caviar and a dozen oysters — our house specialties should be celebrated every day.”
Gulf fish — snapper, grouper, tile — will be sourced using Pappas’ own boats, and the menu will also feature Ora King salmon, Spanish octopus, and fish from sustainable farms around the country. The one Gulf oyster on the menu will be Barrier Beauties, which are farmed in the Boliver Peninsula near Galveston. “As we lean on ingredients outside the Gulf, we’re looking for sustainability and proper sourcing so we can leave the ocean a better place,” said Jason.
Maine lobster
Jumbo lump crab
Chef Jason Ryczek
California native Ryczek has cooked for One Sunset, STK, BOA Steakhouse, and Artisan House in Los Angeles, and headed up numerous consulting projects before landing in San Francisco and making a home in the city’s seafood scene, specifically finding his niche in caviar. After spending years working with sustainable seafood at the famous Waterbar, Ryczek moved on to become executive chef at the powerhouse seafood restaurant Farallon, which frequently graced the San Francisco Chronicle’s Top 100 list during its 23 years of business.
Robert Smith, Pappas Restaurants Fine Spirits and Expanding Concepts Wine director, is building a wine list hinging on quality, a wine’s expression of place, and its ability to pair well with the menu. Splurge options will be sprinkled in as well. Expect a lot of European whites and Champagne to drive the list.
“There are so many interesting wine regions throughout Europe that make delicious, diverse whites — bright, vibrant, mineral-laden wines that pair beautifully with seafood,” said Smith. Red wine enthusiasts will find light to medium reds such as pinot noir and Burgundy along with other wines from Spain, Portugal, and France. Cocktail enthusiasts can expect 10-15 classic and creative drinks to choose.
The space, which seats more than 80 indoors and 50-plus on the patio, was designed by the Pappas in-house design team to be fun and fancy with a little touch of funk. It showcases fresh design elements, especially lighting and artwork. True to Pappas’ vertical integration philosophy, all banquettes, tables, millwork, entry canopy and the back bar were crafted in-house. The vintage signage will be repainted but will remain as a nod to the history of the location and the 1987 opening of Little Pappas Seafood House.
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