Spring Flings

The MFA’s Rienzi house museum hosted its annual spring cocktail soiree, which this year adopted a colorful Mexican fiesta theme. A mariachi band and trays of margaritas greeted the 300-plus guests, who mingled poolside and dined on a Swift + Co. spread of squash blossom quesadillas and roasted corn — all while raising more than $150,000 for the institution. ... And at the Evening in the Park event, benefiting the Hermann Park Conservancy, Mayor Sylvester Turner greeted guests and toasted the 25th anniversary of the park’s Japanese Garden — an occasion which inspired the event’s east-meets-west menu, courtesy of A Fare Extraordinaire.



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Fall Philanthropy Report: Urban Harvest Farmers Market Helps ‘Transform Food Accessibility’

What year was your organization launched? Urban Harvest’s Saturday Farmers Market started in 2004 with just seven vendors, providing an outlet for local farms, community and backyard gardeners to sell fresh produce harvested directly from their soils. Now in its 20th year, the market has grown to be one of the largest markets in Texas, supporting over 100 local farmers, ranchers, and food artisans all from within 180 miles of Houston. The market draws 3,000 customers every Saturday morning and includes many original vendors like Animal Farm, Atkinson Farms, and Wood Duck Farm.

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LeBrina Jackson

AS WE GET into the holiday season, we’re reminded of what we have, what we want and what might be lacking. As Sheryl Crow says in her song, Soak up the Sun, “It’s not having what you want, it’s wanting what you've got.” We caught up with LeBrina Jackson, owner of Escape Spa in Cypress, Texas, and learned how she tackles the holiday season with hope, love and most importantly, gratitude.

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Paella Valenciana at Mi Luna

THOUGH IT'S BEEN in Houston less than a decade, Sof Hospitality has made major inroads with foodies and critics alike. Its concepts include Doris Metropolitan, Hamsa and Badolina Bakery, all of which deliver the rich flavors of Israeli cuisine in complex, photogenic and delicious dishes. Its newest, Októ, opened earlier this year, one of several energetic restaurants to bow in the Montrose Collective, just in time for the holidays.

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Food