Photos by Samantha Jane Beatty
Styling by Kate Stukenberg
Grooming by Tonya Riner for Page Parkes Agency
Models Madison Johnston for Wallflower Management and Jake Atterberry for Page Parkes Agency
Photo assistance by John Lewis
Styling assistance by Molly Jodeit
Men’s styling consulting by Cody Sever
and Whitney Wiggins for M Penner
Shot on location at Hotel Alessandra in Downtown
'The Swan' at Sophie (photo by Shawn Chippendale)
Local entrepreneur, globetrotter, and “tastemaker’” Ashley Muncie channels her experience living in Paris into this stylish new cocktail bar, lounge and terrace. Her aim with the two-story space is to capture the essence of the French Riviera with chic design touches at every turn including dark red lacquer walls and soft pink accents.
Ashley Muncie (photo by Alex Montoya)
Designed by EAMStudio, the intimate 20-seat cocktail bar hidden behind a velvet curtain puts on the ritz with floral and animal prints and velvet club chairs, oversized glass chandeliers, and paintings by French artist Phlippine de Richemont. Upstairs, anticipate a playful terrace with live music and a plant-filled outdoor patio withmultiple seating vignettes for up to 80 guests.
Although the concept is heavy on scene and fancy cocktails, the French-inspired food menu by chef de cuisine Anthony Anderson, an Uchi alum, has something for everyone. Caviar graces fettuccine with lemon butter as well as the Thon Cru – marinated yellowfin tuna and saffron potato. There’s a Sophie burger with gruyere and a wide selection of cheese and wild game charcuterie. Even more Frenchified is the weekend brunch. Grab those cameras: The Swan, which appears to be floating as all beautiful swans do, is an artistic pistachio cake with pistachio sable and raspberry confit.
But cocktails take the cake. In feminine style, Scent of a Rose is crafted with Kettle One Rose and grapefruit vodka, rose syrup, lemon, elderflower, and sparkling rosé. Other options include domestic and French wines, house-curated shots, an upstairs seasonal spritz menu, and signature “experiential” cocktails offered downstairs.
“Sophie is a destination to gather with friends for a long afternoon of cocktails and bites on the terrace, a post-dinner nightcap, and everything in between,” said Ashley Muncie in a press release.
Santé!
Cocktails at Sophie
Fettucine at Sophie (photo by Shawn Chippendale)
Thousands of pets became homeless in the aftermath of Beryl, and not only did shelters and facilities sustain significant damage, but foster families were without power and resources as well.
Reps from The Babinski Foundation drove through the night to deliver 10,000 pounds of dog and cat food, 2,000 pounds of kitty litter, and other supplies and bedding on Wednesday, July 17. Houston PetSet coordinated distribution to local organizations in need, including Interfaith Ministries, Meals on Wheels, Jacinto City Dog Pound Rescue, Wolly Kitten Club, and several local street feeders. Additionally, the foundation took more than 50 rescue dogs and puppies back with them to their shelter in Pequot Lakes, Minn.
"The shelters in Houston have been significantly impacted by Hurricane Beryl, due to increased demand and restricted resources,” said Donna Sutton, The Babinski Foundation's executive director, in a statement. “We are thrilled to team up with Houston PetSet to bring much needed relief to the everyday heroes who are taking care of the abandoned and stray animals who need it most."
“This is what collaboration looks like, and we need to continue to build relationships in order to help our city and county solve Houston’s homeless animal crisis," added PetSet's Tena Lundquist Faust.
