Holiday 2016: On Location
Welcome back for round two! Here's your intimate behind-the-scenes look at the sophomore issue of the most exciting new magazine in Houston.
Nov. 21, 2016
These CityBook partners are among the best eateries in the most deliciously diverse city.
Infused with the charm of a bustling Parisian café, Berg Hospitality’s newest concept is in Autry Park on Buffalo Bayou. Anticipate modern French cuisine — brunch, lunch and dinner — served in a very pretty space with picturesque views of the park. 811 Buffalo Park Dr.
Venture in for the deep-fried A5 Wagyu katsu sando, or similarly stacked deli sandwich in the adjoining butcher shop, at this boutique steakhouse. A rooftop terrace makes B&B a premiere Sunday brunch destination. 1814 Washington Ave.
Find classic Italian-American food with modern twists in a lively setting, in the heart of Sugar Land’s Town Square. 16250 City Walk
The old-fashioned-yet-upscale bar setting, complete with green-checkered tablecloths and tufted leather banquettes, serves starters like blue-crab beignets, chili and New England clam chowder. 1809 Washington Ave.
Bringing to mind Chinese restaurants in Ben Berg’s native New York, from the menu to the decor, Benny Chows is a delight. With Chinese-born exec chef Shirong Mei at the helm, it serves dishes both familiar — dim sum, Peking Duck — and uniquely Texan, a la the Smoked Brisket Egg Roll starring Truth BBQ. 1818 Washington Ave.
Wine with lunch and bubbles with brunch is the norm at this sceney River Oaks spot. Situated in the center of a busy shopping strip, it’s reminiscent of a Parisian sidewalk café. 1962 W. Gray St.
At this speakeasy lounge reminiscent of a 1950s Cuban club, guests can enjoy cocktails designed by Alba Huerta, chef-driven small plates, as well as nightly live “bossa nova style” music and tunes by local DJs on weekend nights. 1800 Post Oak Blvd.
Jonathan’s the Rub has two locations in the Memorial area and is open for brunch, lunch, dinner and special occasions, touting steaks, meatballs, gumbo and hearty American cuisine. The eatery is also known for its catering services, private events and putting on amazing wine dinners at the Memorial Green location. Multiple locations
An all-day café from Ben Berg, NoPo offers a menu of classics like a piled-high club sandwich, pizzas and more. In the front, find unique local provisions, premade meals and freshly baked pastries to-go. New happy-hour specials and cocktail list! 1244 N. Post Oak Rd.
Chef Danny Trace’s handmade pastas come with the option of tableside truffle service, and baguettes and pastries are made in house by pastry chef David Berg. A supremely sexy cocktail lounge serves as a festive gathering area with a happy hour to boot. 1515 Texas Ave.
Under new ownership, the upscale spot on the Westheimer Curve is an elegant space touting a richly classic menu — lobster tortellini, stuffed lambchops — that now includes killer pizzas and dessert staples like cannoli. One of the best bread baskets in town. Brunch is lovely. 415 Westheimer Rd.
A steakhouse standout delivers in its rich side dishes — the Hasselback potatoes are excellent — and desserts. Crowds of pretty people pour in early and stay late, so reservations are recommended. In River Oaks District
Polished and glamorous, Tavola on Post Oak aims to be the next see-and-be scene in a neighborhood known for them. Chef Luca Di Benedetto’s wild-boar ragu is a must-try. 1800 Post Oak Blvd.
A fine-dining stalwart for decades, The Annie Café & Bar has ample private-event spaces and impeccably executed white-tablecloth service. 1800 Post Oak Blvd.
The restaurant inside storied Montrose hotel La Colombe d’Or boasts eclectic but sophisticated European dishes with Southern touches. Be sure to check out the cocktail lounge, Bar No. 3. 3410 Montrose Blvd.
An Italian-American spot from Berg Hospitality looks like a trattoria you might stumble upon in rural Italy, with enchanting and spacious indoor and garden seating. 911 W. 11th St.
At hidden-gem Turner’s, the food is as decadent as the environment (which is kicked up a notch further with live vocalists accompanying the pianist on weekends). 1800 Post Oak Blvd.
TO KICK OFF the fall arts season, Andrew Durham Gallery is hosting a unique cross-cultural collaboration between 22 Houston and Texas artists, and 28 members of the sewing co-op and non-profit, Honduras Threads. Founded in 2001, Honduras Threads seeks to provide women in Honduran rural communities with the means to lift themselves out of poverty and support their families.
The sprawling exhibit, titled Side by Side, is an inspiring example of artists coming together to benefit the lives of people they’ve never met, using the most basic tools at their disposal: pen, ink and paper. Black-and-white drawings by such Houston luminaries as David Aylsworth, Rachel Gardner, Joseph Havel and Sharon Kopriva have been reinterpreted by members of the Honduras Threads collective in color with embroidery and textiles to create a total of 88 one-of-a-kind pillowcases. This exhibition opens Sept. 7, and proceeds from the sales of the drawings and pillowcases will go to the members of the Honduras Threads.
“We are simply doing this because it just seemed like a great thing to do,” says gallery director and participating artist Bob Russell. “The artists are so excited. They have all donated 100% of the sales of their drawings for this cause.”
Honduras Threads was founded in 2001 by Dallas couple M’lou and Bill Bancroft, who served together in Bolivia in the Peace Corps. While on a mission trip to Santa Cruz Arriba, the couple learned that many women in the village worked as live-in domestics for wealthy families in Tegucigalpa, a two-hour bus ride away. For some, poverty and the threat of violence drove them to leave their children behind and attempt the perilous migration to the United States. Honduras Threads provides an opportunity for these women, who learn to embroider at an early age, to earn a living closer to home by designing and sewing pillows, table runners, placemats, and other textiles in a variety of decor styles. Since its inception, the organization has returned $700,000 to the participating women, enabling them to afford food, school supplies, and medications for their children and families.
While the drawings are definitely cool, the pillowcases are even cooler, and there are four for each drawing. The 22 framed drawings will be auctioned off on 32Auctions online Sept. 3-21; the pillowcases will go on sale on the same site on Sept. 7.
IT’S A MILESTONE year for Houston PetSet, a local nonprofit organization working to end Houston’s homeless animal crisis. The much-needed organization will celebrate 20 years of advocating for the animals of Houston with its biggest Fierce & Fabulous Soirée yet!
On Sept. 6 at 6:30pm, the fete returns to the glamorous Post Oak Hotel for a philanthropic night featuring a live concert from Texas Country superstar Pat Green, who will also auction off a private concert for one lucky bidder. Houston PetSet co-presidents (and beautiful twins!) Tama Lundquist and Tena Lundquist Faust will co-chair, as they have since the first gala in 2010, and Deborah Duncan will return as the entertaining emcee to guide guests through an evening of retrospection and celebration. Guests should anticipate a delightful dinner followed by the concert and then a VIP set with Pat Green at the end.
Beyond the posh annual fundraising gala, the rest of the year means lots of hard work for the Houston PetSet staff, many of whom are volunteers. The organization is involved in collecting pet supply donations, organizing adoption events, filing cruelty prevention reports, research and community outreach, micro chipping events, and transporting animals — even out-of-state. In July, after Hurricane Beryl wreaked havoc on the community, including animal shelters and foster-family homes, PetSet coordinated a delivery of food and supplies, and also sent dozens of homeless dogs to a group in Minnesota. Additionally, with the help of partner organizations, PetSet offers free community vaccine events and spay and neuter services.
For its 20th birthday, Houston PetSet will be honoring 20 Houstonians who have left an indelible mark on the lives of animals and their people in Houston. These “20 for 20” have made the work of Houston PetSet possible through their commitment and generosity.
“We can’t think of a better way to celebrate 20 years than honoring 20 others who have been on this mission with Houston PetSet,” says Lundquist.
“Houston’s stray animal crisis is finally getting the attention that is needed to solve the problem. We know that this year is not just an important year for HPS, it is also a pivotal year for the animals,” adds Faust.
Tickets, tables and sponsorship opportunities are available at FierceFabulous2024.
PetSet Houston team on Great Day Houston
Pat Green