Tootsies was, for once, more about baseball fans than fashionistas, as a fab crowd of Astro lovers gathered at the shopping mecca to hobnob with some of their favorite players. Beloved pitcher Lance McCullers Jr., MVP second baseman José Altuve, and three-time Golden Glove winner Dallas Keuchel hosted the event to raise money for a variety of causes close to their hearts, including The Sunshine Kids and McCuller’s own foundation, which promotes pet rescue and adoptions. Other ’Stros in attendance included Carlos Correa, George Springer and Justin Verlander, along with Hall of Famer Craig Biggio. In the end, the sluggers and their supporters — like Judge Ed Emmett, Terri and John Havens and Vivian Wise — raised $360, 000. Now that’s a homerun!
Thrive & Inspire: Creating ’Something Bigger Than Ourselves’ Drives Gooch and Pappas of RYDE
WHAT INSPIRES YOU as you grow RYDE? The RYDE community and our team inspire us every day. The goal from the start was to create something that is bigger than ourselves — our community is just that. We want to push the limits of what a fitness experience can be. Our new Heights studio is a testament to that commitment, offering a high-energy indoor cycling experience in a stunning space. RYDE Heights opens in April, exactly eight years after our first location opened on West Gray in River Oaks.
What’s special about your team? The RYDE team is the core spirit of who we are and what we do. Our instructors, studio team and management are constantly raising the bar, and are passionate about building authentic relationships with clients inside and outside the studio. We have the best team in the city — and it is a privilege to work with such a talented and hardworking group of people.
RYDE has taught more than 20,000 spin classes since opening in 2015. To what do you attribute the success of your brand? Every aspect of RYDE is crafted with purpose, and our core principles remain steadfast as we grow. First is quality and consistency: Our team strives to earn and retain our clients’ trust and loyalty every day.
Second, we put people first: We invest in our team through comprehensive training programs and dedicated management support to ensure that our most valuable assets are always put first.
Third, we embrace uniqueness: We invest in our product and talent to ensure it is the best in the industry, while constantly innovating. Our athletic edge appeals to men and women equally, and we’ve paid close attention to this balance from the start.
Fourth, we cherish the details: Every physical and digital detail has been carefully considered and refined by our team, and is an integral part of the RYDE identity.
And the final core principle is giving back: The RYDE team and community are deeply committed to making a difference, and are proud to have donated over $160,000 for local and national philanthropic causes.
WHILE FALL WEATHER might still be a couple of weeks away (boooo), Houston restaurants are rolling out new patio-friendly brunch menus just in time for al fresco season! From spritz carts to toast topped with caviar, these new brunches have it all for fall.
Tavola
Pancakes with Homemade Ricotta at Tavola
Every Sunday, be transported to the Italian coast with Tavola’s Brunch a Capri. This ultra-chic Post Oak hotspot has updated its patio with floral accents and the iconic colorful umbrellas that populate Capri’s coast as the backdrop for its boozy Sunday brunch — complete with a spritz cart and DJ. The food is equally as beautiful: The pancakes are topped with edible flowers, and gooey Nutella crepes are served with a mound of fresh strawberries. For an extra Italian twist, try the Buongiorno Negroni — it’s a carajillo meets a negroni and it’s delicious. Buon appetito!
Mandito's Tex-Mex
Brunch Spread at Mandito's (photo by Claire McNeal)
After partying at Armandos on a Thursday, the weekend calls for a more casual brunch at its sister restaurant Mandito's. The Bellaire outpost offers brunch on Saturday and Sunday on its colorful, family-friendly patio. The menu serves up classic Tex-Mex brunch dishes like Migas, Chilaquiles, Huevos a la Mexicana and breakfast tacos. Bloody Mary’s are served with vodka or tequila. And, speaking of tequila, the menu has five unique takes on the classic margarita. The cucumber-mint version has fresh cucumber and lemon juice, housemade mint syrup and a hibiscus-salt rim — healthy enough for brunch!
Best Regards
The patio vibe at Best Regards
Speaking of healthy, Best Regards has collaborated with Thrive Juices — the expanding juice bar that donates healthy meals to underserved zip codes in the Houston area — to create a fresh and unique brunch menu. Offerings include the Thrive Juice Acai Bowl topped with granola and coconut flakes, and the blueberry-lemon-oat-milk pancake stack. For the decadent eater, don’t miss the Summer Toast: It’s topped with garlic Greek yogurt, cucumber, grapefruit, orange and habanero — and a heaping scoop of caviar!
WHEN IT OPENED a few months ago, The Woodlands outpost of acclaimed Katy restaurant Phat Eatery was billed as Alex Au-Yeung's dream restaurant. Unfortunately, Au-Yeung never got to see it come to fruition, as he passed away earlier this year. But the James Beared-nominated chef-owner certainly left his mark — and in honor of what would be his 53rd birthday, operating partners Kevin Lee and Marvin He have organized two pop-up tribute dinners.
On Sept. 24, at the original location in Katy, enjoy cocktails beginning at 5:30pm, followed by a seated five-course menu with plates prepared by Au-Yeung's chef pals, including Pearl & Vine's Ryan Halstead and Blood Bros BBQ's Quy Hoang. Hoang will be smoking a beef-rib version of Phat's beef rendang, which was his favorite of Au-Yeung's dishes. “We wanted to participate in this event because not only was Alex a longtime friend, but he was also someone that was constantly involved with the industry and community," says Hoang. "We've done several events with Alex, and it was an honor when we got the call to be involved with this event. It was a no-brainer for us.”
The next day, Sept. 25, The Woodlands location hosts a similar event, also beginning with cocktails at 5:30pm. This evening's menu touts dishes by Luis Lopez of Killen's Steakhouse and Jassi Bindra of Amrina.
Both evenings include a special lion-dance performance by Lee's Golden Dragon, and a portion of proceeds from the $80 ticket sales will benefit the Southern Smoke Foundation.
But in addition to celebrating Au-Yeung's legacy, the two-night event is also a chance for the Phat team to come together and raise a glass to all they've accomplished since his passing. “Managing two locations comes with its challenges, but what makes it all worthwhile is the opportunity to build something meaningful and lasting,” says managing partner Lee. “Seeing our team grow, witnessing the impact we have on our community and knowing that we’re creating spaces where people can come together and make memories — these are the things that drive us. The support and dedication of our staff and the loyalty of our patrons make every obstacle seem manageable. Their enthusiasm and commitment inspire Marvin and me to keep pushing forward.”
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