Alto started driving in Houston in late 2020, and it has quickly become a favorite way to get around. The experience is unparalleled. Think luxury SUVs with leather captain chairs, thoughtful amenities like complimentary water and umbrellas, and even curated playlists to choose from in the Alto app. Those who have ridden know that Alto is more than a ride from point A to B, but a journey to be enjoyed — because the recap of every dish on the ride home should be just as good as the dinner.
Community is at the heart of Alto. Rather than hiring independent contractors, Alto has hired W-2 employee drivers who are trained and supported by a local Houston team. The service also offers a Membership that unlocks Alto benefits as well as unique offers from Houston partners. Those who join Alto’s exclusive Membership gain full access to the Alto fleet during the busiest "Members Only" hours, savings on every ride, and Alto’s prescheduling feature for booking rides in advance (Pro tip: Lock in your ride when you lock in your dinner reservation!). Join a community of adventurous, in-the-know Houstonians, at only $12.95 a month.
Alto shared the top pick-up and drop-offs that make up their Members most recommended spots — and also happen to be celebrating Houston Restaurant Week! — so you can plan the perfect night out.
Trattoria Sofia A top drop-off among Alto Members, we recommend Trattoria Sofia for authentic Italian with the perfect atmosphere.
The Annie Cafe Another frequent destination, The Annie Cafe and Bar serves classics, totally reimagined.
MAD Houston A spot as innovative as your Alto. Book a ride to MAD for a night of tapas with a twist that are sure to be a new adventure.
Ouzo Bay The Alto team’s go-to modern Mediterranean spot for a perfect night out.
B&B Butchers and Restaurant This upscale steakhouse and traditional butcher shop is a classic Alto favorite.
FLORA A must try this month — FLORA is a culinary journey through the small towns of Mexico with a Texas touch.
'Is that how you treat your house guest'
“I have an affinity for memory, and exploring what that looks like,” says Marie, 37, who was born and raised in Houston, and returned to art-making after first doggedly pursuing a career path in journalism. (Interestingly, sound — not writing — is alluded to symbolically in many of Marie’s collages as a method for archiving history.)
In her third year of college, Marie took a life drawing class. Her talent was apparent, and at the urging of her instructor, she changed her major to art, only to switch back to journalism in order to graduate in a timelier fashion. After several years of teaching art, marriage, the birth of two children, and a divorce, Marie found herself at “an emotional low,” and was compelled to pick up the pencil and begin drawing again. “It was more of a distraction,” says Marie, who is wary of describing her return to art-making as therapeutic. But something stuck, and in 2019, after Marie’s mother died of cancer, she began looking for a space to exhibit her work.
“After my mom passed, I longed to deepen my relationship with and connection to my father,” says Marie. “It may be because I didn’t do that as much with my mom.”
'Beyonce had one of the best albums of all time'
'Can you help me find my dad'
The theme of communication, and how data is exchanged across time, extends from Marie’s Nigerian-born father, who appears in many of her works, including “And the beat goes on,” which was acquired by the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston for its permanent collection.
Meanwhile, a tiny portrait of Marie’s mother, a white woman, can be seen in the For the record collage, “Is this how you treat your house guest?” — a lush, gaudy assemblage of fat pillows, oriental and animal print rugs and carpets, and a child’s teddy bear. Two people share this strange, sensuous space: a young man in loose clothing, laid back and looking very chill; and a woman in high-heeled boots and a leather bustier sitting bolt upright on a golden divan, her face obscured like a figure from Max Ernst’s collage novel, La femme 100 têtes. “Is she ashamed or is she proud?” says Marie, who describes the work as an exploration of the expectations of womanhood, and the battle between what is socially acceptable, and what is expected.
For Marie, the demands of being a mom have helped her become “very intentional” with her time, although she is not immune to the relative quiet of an early morning, or the melancholy vibe of a rainy day when it comes to making her time-intensive art. “I’m very temperamental when it comes to working,” says Marie. “When I’m inspired I have to jump on that, and honor that energy that pulls me into that moment.”
Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiian cocktail
Owner Chris Cusack — whose favorite childhood movie is… you guessed it, Beetlejuice — is decking out the Washington Ave. location accordingly. There are giant, black-and-white backdrops — including a creepy-crawly pic of striped sandworms — for selfies, plus a miniature model set of the town Wind River.
Sip from the special cocktail menu at the Montrose and Washington Ave. locations from Sept. 6-13. The “Beetle Juice” with THC spirit or gin and muddled blackberries is a smash, while the lime-green, frozen “Magician’s Assistant” is a funky spin on a highball.
Be the ghost with the most and take part in a costumed fun run on Sunday, Sept. 15 at 7pm. All run levels are invited to don their best Beetlejuice-inspired looks and enjoy a free 3-mile route that starts at the Washington Ave. location. There’s a costume contest immediately following!
Additional costume contests are taking place at the Washington Ave. location on Friday, Sept. 6 and Friday, Sept. 13, at 11pm. Plus, don’t miss free flash tats Sept. 13 from 9pm-1am! So, go ahead, make your millennium.
Magicians Assistant