MARCH 2010

Page 1 4:44 PM 2/17/10 March 10_cover.qxd:Layout 1

002houston | march 2010 | volume 12 | issue 135

hip.current.cool guide

wwww.002mag.com

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

9:43 AM

Page 2

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

9:43 AM

Page 3

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

3:00 PM

Page 4

volume 12 | issue 135 letter from the editor Photography by Sofia van der Dys Hair by Elia Graves at Ceron Salon Keratin Complex by Copolla by Rebecca Minier at Studio 21

F

ashion and travel – two of my favorite things! Both make me immensely happy. There’s nothing like a new pair of shoes or dress or the discovery of a new destination.

The nice thing is that both are easily attainable. It can be something as simple as a new accessory from a place like Charming Charlie, who coincidentally we catch up with in this month’s Retail Wrap on page 32. Or a couple hours drive to our state’s own Hill Country for a weekend escape, similar to associate editor Pixie Ibañez’s trip to Messina Hof’s winery on page 41.

CARLA VALENCIA de MARTINÉZ

But that’s not all. You don’t have to even leave Houston. Check out our fashion drama in As the World Turns, our take on spring fashion where the backdrops are local destinations like the Hotel Icon, Granduca and Omni. All are beautiful properties just waiting to be explored.

Speaking of travel, hordes of visitors will take in Houston this month for the 13th annual Bayou City Arts Festival at Memorial Park. Turn to page 75 to see what’s new this year. There’s also the first annual Live It BIG Fest on Washington where you’re encouraged to have fun for a worthy cause; read up on page 76. And don’t forget to honor how blessed we are to live in a city that is so green! Saturday, April 3, is the 2nd annual Four the Park Fun Run. Register now at www.memorialparkconservancy.com. This is one of the most fun runs in town – come join us! Celebrate the park right in the heart of city, and stay and enjoy the day afterward with music, restaurant treats, drinks and friends.

And I am off on my own travel adventure to a weeklong yoga retreat in Sayulita. It’s a rustic destination. All I know as of now, 2 days before I leave, is a list of things to take to make the accommodations more comfortable: a flashlight and batteries as there is no electricity and the trails are dark at night; plenty of light clothes because we will sweat and the clothes will not dry easily and my favorite organic insect repellent…more on this trip later…

Safe travels and happy fashions fellow 002 readers!

PUBLISHER alejandro martinéz ext 16 a.martinez@002mag.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF | CREATIVE DIRECTOR carla valencia de martinéz ext 13 c.valencia@002mag.com CONTRIBUTING EDITOR victoria bartlett ART DIRECTOR alex rosa ext 17 arosa@002mag.com LIFESTYLE EDITOR beatrice valencia ext 11 bvalencia@002mag.com ASSOCIATE EDITOR pixie ibañez ext 10 pixie@002mag.com be hip.current.cool ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER @ 002MAG.COM william king ext 18 w.king@002mag.com ADVERTISING EXECUTIVES carlos valencia ext 12 cevalencia@002mag.com jarrod klawinsky ext 15 jklawinsky@002mag.com ACCOUNT PAYABLES isabel terraso ext 14 isabel@002mag.com PHOTOGRAPHERS kim coffman, kennon evett, jill hunter, jaime lagdameo, gabriella nissen, daniel ortiz, jack potts, anthony rathbun, cody bess, sofia van der dys CONTRIBUTING WRITERS sarah gajkowski-hill, michael garfield, sarah gish, travis jones, nadia michel, tim moloney, sandra ramani, jenni rebecca stephenson, lance scott walker, scott ward CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS terri huber, reuben watkins, bob scarzafava, patchara carlson, dieter moya, janice menke, sean blake, shannon o’hara, fulton davenport, peter beste, hunter jones, brad sechler, michelle watson, SUPERFLY

Shot by Gabriella Nissen Assisted by Raymond Aldrete Styles by Carla Valencia de Martinez + Beatrice Valencia Hair + Makeup by Darcie Teasley for Page.713 Model Ashlee Disney for Page.713 Clothes at Neiman Marcus | Jewelry by de Petra at Tootsies

Days of Our Lives and The Young & The Restless are copyrights of Sony Pictures International.

Guiding Light, As the World Turns and Another World are copyrights of Proctor & Gamble Productions.

The Bold & The Beautiful is a copyright of Bell-Philip Television Productions, Inc. 002houston Magazine is published monthly by NODO Magazine, L.L.C., 1310 NANCE ST. STUDIO C, HOUSTON, TEXAS 77002. Copyright © 2010 by NODO Magazine L.L.C. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited.

002houston Magazine does not knowingly accept false or misleading advertising or editorial, nor do the publishers assume responsibility should such advertising or editorial appear.

For subscription information, call 713.223.5333x14 or send a check or money order for $35.00 to 002houston Magazine, 1310 NANCE ST. STUDIO C, HOUSTON, TEXAS 77002.

Carla Valencia de Martinéz

Editor at Large | Fashion Director

002HOUSTON MAGAZINE 1310 NANCE ST. STUDIO C | HOUSTON, TX 77002 713.223.5333 | FAX 713.223.4884 | LETTERS@002MAG.COM FACEBOOK: 002HOUSTON | WWW.002MAG.COM

4. march 10 | www.002mag.com

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

9:44 AM

Page 5

march 10 | www.002mag.com .5

002houston March 10:002houston

2/18/10

11:44 AM

Page 6

table of contents

56

march 2010

58 tools + toys + gadgets 59 wise guy

60 IT’S COOL TO GET THROUGH SECURITY QUICKLY

4 letter from the editor 6 table of contents 8 houston map 10 downtown map 12 uptown map + party pics 14 on our radar 16 calendar 18 museum district 20 art houses + museums + exhibits 22 nonprofit: center for AIDS 23 gish at the movies

60 62 restaurant listings

64 DINEWRITE: CHELSEA GRILL 66 CHEF’S SPECIAL: ERIC ALDIS

24 64

24 FOR ART’S SAKE: DAVID BROWN 26 27 28 30

phone shots spacetaker born cool grow hip people of Houston

68 70 74 75 76

new restaurants scene recording: macc grace bayou city arts festival live it big festtival

77 CLUB REVIEW: ABSOLVE WINE LOUNGE

36

78 nightlife

32 retail wrap: charming charlie 33 on our radar 34 costumes for cocktails

66

36 DESTINATION 44 things I like love 80 sipcodes 81 scene | cd review

46 46 SUPERFLY

77

54 where to live 55 architecture+design: luggage + j.crew

56 002 PROFILE: PATRICK HENRY

6. march 10 | www.002mag.com

82 crossword puzzle + before we go

4 letter from the editor 6 table of contents 8 houston map 10 downtown map 12 uptown map + party pics 14 on our radar 16 calendar 18 museum district 20 art houses + museums + exhibits 22 nonprofit: center for AIDS 23 gish at the movies 24 for art’s sake: david brown 26 phone shots 27 spacetaker 28 born cool grow hip 30 people of Houston 31 wise guy 32 retail wrap: charming charlie 33 on our radar 34 costumes for cocktails 36 destination 44 things I love 46 superfly 54 it’s cool to get through security quickly 56 where to live 57 architecture+design: 58 002 profile: patrick henry 60 tools + toys +gadgets 62 restaurant listings 64 dinewrite: chelsea grill 66 chef special: eric aldis 68 new restaurants 70 scene 74 live it big 75 bayou city arts festival 76 recording: macc grace 77 club review: absolve wine lounge78 nightlife 80 sipcodes 81 scene | cd review 82 crossword puzzle + before we go 4 letter from the editor 6 table of contents 8 houston map 10 downtown map 12 uptown map + party pics 14 on our radar 16 calendar 18 museum district 20 art houses + museums + exhibits 22 nonprofit: center for AIDS 23 gish at the movies 24 for art’s sake: david brown 26 phone shots 27 spacetaker 28 born cool grow hip 30 people of Houston 31 wise guy 32 retail wrap: charming charlie 33 on our radar 34 costumes for cocktails 36 destination 44 things I love 46 superfly

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

9:45 AM

Page 7

march 10 | www.002mag.com .7

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

2:57 PM

Page 8

houston map

What's hip.current.cool? Get on our list, e-mail us at events@002mag.com to make sure you're invited.

8. march 10 | www.002mag.com

Downtown......................................1 Holocaust Museum.........................2 Galleria..........................................3 Uptown Park..................................4 River Oaks Park.............................5 Rice Village....................................6 Highland Village............................7 Memorial City................................8 Town & Country Village..................9 CityCentre...................................10 Sam Houston Race Park..............11 Katy Mills...................................12 Sugar Land.................................13 Zoo ............................................14 Museum District..........................15 George Bush Intl. Airport............16 Hobby Airport.............................17 Space Center Houston.................18 Kemah........................................19 Miller Outdoor Theatre................20 Contemporary Arts Museum........21 Houston Museum of Fine Arts......22 Children’s Museum......................23 Houston Museum of Natural Science..24 Houston Arboretum.....................25 Houston Theater District..............26 The Woodlands............................27

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

9:48 AM

Page 9

march 10 | www.002mag.com .9

002houston March 10:002houston

10. march 10 | www.002mag.com

2/17/10

9:51 AM

Page 10

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

9:51 AM

Page 11

march 10 | www.002mag.com .11

uptown+ galleria map

2/17/10

9:53 AM

Page 12

EVENT A WINTER WHITE WAXING PARTY WHY FOURTH HOUSTON LOCATION CELEBRATION WHERE VILLAGE @ BUNKER HILL WHEN JANUARY 15 More than 100 guests bravely battled the elements to attend the celebration of European Wax Center’s fourth Houston location. The Winter White Waxing Party attracted a dynamic mix of Houston’s scenesters, professionals and neighbors. Guests arrived decked in their chic whites in hopes of winning “white best-dressed” for a cool grand package for him and her. The always-relevant DJ Senega set the mood with his magic touch. A grand white tent decorated with white glowing candles and flowers provided not only shelter but also the perfect cozy atmosphere. Congratulations!

Eva Solberg, Patricia Nichols

Judd & Kristina Miller

Andrea Lightfoot, Amanda Gonzales, Karissa Moritz

Shawn Bishop, Ron Guthrie

Craig Hanka

Mimi Dinh, Yuki Rogers

check out more pictures @ 002mag.com

Rhonda Newton, Hanh Nguyen, Mark To, Kamran Mansoury, Michael Yafi 12. march 10 | www.002mag.com

Photography by Brad Sechler for www.lastnightpics.com

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

9:54 AM

Page 13

Photography by Brad Sechler for www.lastnightpics.com

002houston March 10:002houston

march 10 | www.002mag.com .13

002+magazine

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

3:02 PM

Page 14

on our

radar SAVE We’ve been hearing the buzz about this coupon site called GROUPON.COM. And where before maybe coupon clipping seemed like a drag, in today’s economy any little bit helps! The site offers deals on everything from restaurants at half-price to 2-for-1 massages, as well as activities like rock climbing or boat tours. It’s done per city so when you sign up you’d select Houston and get a daily groupon. They use collective buying (a minimum number of people must buy each deal for it to be available) to negotiate prices that aren’t available elsewhere. www.groupon.com.

ART BIKE 2010 is a month-long installation (March 22-April 25) at Discovery Green of approximately 20 bikes transformed by local artists to raise awareness of multiple sclerosis. Created to raise awareness for the National MS Society: Lone Star, Art Bike features Houston’s top ranking artistic and creative minds transforming used bikes into a living exhibit with the hope of providing a visual representation for the Society’s theme of “Keep Moving.” Every hour in the United States, someone is newly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system. There is no cure, and MS affects more than 400,000 people in the U.S. and 2.5 million worldwide. www.nationalmssociety.org

SHOP

DELICACY We’re crazy about YUKON RIVER SALMON! Houston is one of the first cities to taste the prized fish caught at the mouth of the Yukon River while they are still vibrant and full of nourishing oils resulting in their super-high Omega-3 content – the highest of any seafood. Delicious and buttery, Yukon River Salmon is only available in limited markets, such as at Central Market in Houston, due to strict quotas that the State of Alaska sets for the fish, which is harvested by the Yupik Eskimos.

GROOVE DIANE VON FURSTENBERG IS SET TO RELEASE PROUD TO BE WOMAN – A COMPILATION CD WITH SONGS FROM MARY J. BLIGE, JOSS STONE, SANTOGOLD, EVEN ANNIE LENNOX – ALL IN CELEBRATION OF FEMININITY. THE ALBUM’S PROCEEDS WILL BENEFIT VITAL VOICES, AN ORGANIZATION WHOSE SOLE PURPOSE IS TO EMPOWER WOMEN. AVAILABLE MARCH 8 IN CELEBRATION OF INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY AT DVF BOUTIQUES WORLDWIDE AND WILL BE AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD AT WWW.DVF.COM.

14. march 10 | www.002mag.com

March 27 and 28 CITYCENTRE will host its first Spring Market inviting visitors to check out a variety of shopping and dining experiences. There will be local artisans as well as regional and national vendors displaying jewelry, handbags, skincare, textiles, toys and gifts as well as clothing. Some included are Andy Brehm limited edition fine art photographs (www.andybrehm.com); GamiWorks chiyogami gifts, jewelry & accessories (www.gamiworks.com); J. Hilburn Men’s Clothier custom dress shirts & accessories (www.jhilburn.com); Joias Design award-winning art jewelry by M. Breternitz (www.joiasdesign.com) and Yeshey Doema handbags, jewelry, footwear & more (www.yesheydoema.com). Saturday from 10am-6pm and Sunday noon5pm. 800 West Sam Houston Parkway North – entrances between I-10 & Memorial Drive.

DON’T MISS 002HOUSTON AND NEIMAN MARCUS’ FASHION RULES! ON THURSDAY, MARCH 4 6PM, IN FINE APPAREL. ART AND FASHION MERGE IN A FASHION SHOW AND LIVE EXHIBIT. ENJOY MUSIC AND BITES WHILE CHECKING OUT THE LATEST COLLECTIONS AND TAKING IN SOME OF THE CITY’S TALENTED ARTISTS. FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.002MAG.COM. TO RSVP EMAIL RSVPHOUSTON@NEIMANMARCUS.COM

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

9:54 AM

Page 15

march 10 | www.002mag.com .15

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

3:04 PM

Page 16

calendar march SUNDAY

MONDAY

1

check out our full calendar @ 002mag.com Alley Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps 7:30pm | Hobby Uptown Dance Centre: Spring Dance Fusion 3pm | BIH: Cirque Dreams- Illumination 2 & 8pm HOB Great Big Sea 7pm Jones HS: Mozart’s Requiem 2:30pm Main Street A Number & Machinal 3pm Minute Maid College Classic Rice vs. TCU 6pm Reliant RODEO Jonas Brothers/ Demi Lovato 3:45pm Wortham HB: La Bayadere (The Temple Dancer) 2pm | Texas Medical Center Orchestra: Celebration of Vision 5pm

7

Reliant RODEO Tim McGraw 6:45pm

15

Alley Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps 2:30 & 7:30pm Hobby TUTS: South Pacific 2 & 7:30pm Jones HS: Hannu Lintu conducts Sibelius 2 2:30pm Reliant RODEO Selena Gomez/ Justin Bieber 3:45pm Stages Speech and Debate 3pm Toyota Aeros vs. Milwaukee Admirals 4:05pm Warehouse The AP Tour w/ Never Shout Never 7pm Wortham HB: American at Heart 2pm

22

28

29

16. march 10 | www.002mag.com

Main Street Junie B. Jones & a Little Monkey Business 11:30am Reliant RODEO: Lady Antebellum 6:45pm Toyota Rockets vs. Denver Nuggets 7:30pm

Hobby BIH: Cirque DreamsIllumination 8pm HOB Manchester Orchestra w/ The Features, Chris Staple & O’Brother 6pm Reliant Stadium RODEO HOUSTON Alan Jackson 6:45pm Warehouse Dropkick Monkeys 7:30pm

Hobby BIH: Cirque DreamsIllumination 8pm Reliant RODEO Dierks Bentley 6:45pm Toyota Rockets vs. Sacramento Kings 7:30pm Wortham Da Camera: A Little Day Music 12pm

Alley Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps 7:30pm Hobby TUTS: South Pacific 8pm HOB 90.1 KPFT’s Lonestar Jukebox Presents Troubadour Tuesdays 5pm Reliant RODEO Darius Rucker 6:45pm

10

2

16

Alley Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps 7:30pm | Inprint: Tracy Kidder 7:30pm Jones Bayou City Performing Arts: We Can’t Stop the Beat 7:30pm MOT Arlo Guthrie- The Guthrie Family Rides Again 8pm

HATS OFF TO MOTHERS LUNCHEON, 11:302pm at River Oaks Country Club. Contact Jennifer Barnes at jbarnes@ucphouston.org for more info.

30

CENTRAL MARKET COOKING SCHOOL March 6, Get Healthy: Whole Grains and Vegetables with Robin Asbell March 11, Chef Dad Tom Fleming March 19, Dive In: Seafood Amore with Lars Leicht March 22, 6 Weeks to a Healthier You with The Biggest Loser’s Cheryl Forberg March 26, South American Feast

3

with Emily Swantner March 30, Armenian Easter Feast with Patti Ramsey March 31, Texas Gulf Coast to High Dessert with Jeffrey Balfour THERE’S PLENTY MORE WHERE THAT COMES FROM! VISIT WWW.CENTRALMARKET.COM FOR THE FULL SCHEDULE OF CLASSES OFFERED.

THURSDAY Hobby Night Court Twenty 7:30pm | BIH: Cirque DreamsIllumination 8pm | HOB Dark Star Orchestra 7pm | Main Street A Number & Machinal 7:30pm | Reliant RODEO Kenny Chesney 6:45pm | Warehouse Portugal, The Man 8pm

4

MEN OF MENIL, 7pm at the Menil’s Richmond Hall. Men-only evening. For more 21ST ANNUAL AIDS WALK HOUSTON, information, contact Elsian Cozens at Sponsored by Marathon Oil Corp. www. AIDSWalkHouston.org 713.525.9451 or elsian@menil.org Alley Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps 7:30pm

Hobby TUTS: South Pacific 8pm Reliant RODEO Rascal Flatts 6:45pm Warehouse Local Licks: Local Musicians Playing Local Licks 8pm

ARTEMIS- AN ALL BEETHOVEN CONCERT, 8pm at Stude Concert Hall, Rice University campus. www.houstonfriendsofchambermusic.org Alley Alfred Hitchcock’s The HAPPY 39 Steps 7:30pm ST. PATRICK’S DAY! Hobby TUTS: South Pacific 8pm HOB Tally Hall in the Bronze Peacock w/ Alley Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps 7:30pm Jukebox The Ghost 7pm | Hobby TUTS: South Pacific 8pm Maldita Vecindad 7pm Main Street Junie B. Jones & a Little Main Street Junie B. Jones & a Little Monkey Business 11:30am Monkey Business 11:30am Reliant RODEO Gary Allan 6:45pm Reliant RODEO Keith Urban 6:45pm Toyota Rockets vs. Memphis Grizzlies Warehouse Rogue Wave 8pm 7:30pm

23

Warehouse The James Reese Band 8pm

WEDNESDAY

TUESDAY

9

8

Alley Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps 2:30 & 7:30pm Hobby TUTS: South Pacific 2 & 7:30pm Main Street A Number & Machinal 3pm Reliant RODEO Go Tejano Day- Pesado/El Trono de Mexico 3:45pm Wortham HB: American at Heart 2pm

Alley Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps 2:30 & 7:30pm Hobby I’m Ready Productions: Je’Caryous Johnson’s Cheaper to Keep Her 2 & 7:30pm Main Street Driftwood 3pm Stages Speech and Debate 3pm Toyota Rockets vs. Washington Wizards 7:30pm

Hobby Inprint: John Banville & Abraham Verghese 7:30pm Toyota Rockets vs. Toronto Raptors 7:30pm

March 4, 3rd Annual Fashion Show at the Alden, www.starlightgala.org

14

21

PERFORMING ARTS + CONCERTS + SPORTS + FESTIVALS + GENERAL INTEREST

Alley Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps 7:30pm Hobby TUTS: South Pacific 8pm HOB George Thorogood & The Destroyers w/ Moreland & Arbuckle 7pm | Sleepstar in the Bronze Peacock Room 7:30pm Main Street A Number & Machinal 7:30pm Reliant RODEO Brad Paisley 6:45pm Verizon David Gray 8pm Warehouse AftonLive Showcase 6:15pm Wortham HB: American at Heart 7:30pm

11

17

18

24

25

Alley Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps 7:30pm MOT Houston Metropolitan Dance Company: Swing, Jive and Pop! Into Dance 11am Stages Speech and Debate 7:30pm

March 26-28, 13TH ANNUAL BAYOU CITY ART FESTIVAL at Memorial Park, 10am-6pm. www.bayoucityartfestival.com.

31

Main Street Driftwood 7:30pm Stages Speech and Debate 7:30pm Toyota Aeros vs. Chicago Wolves 7:05pm

Alley Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps 7:30pm Hobby TUTS: South Pacific 8pm Jones HS: Hannu Lintu conducts Sibelius 2 8pm | Main Street Junie B. Jones & a Little Monkey Business 11:30am Reliant RODEO Black Eyed Peas 6:45pm Toyota Muse 7pm

Alley Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps 7:30pm Hobby I’m Ready Productions: Je’Caryous Johnson’s Cheaper to Keep Her 8pm MOT A.D. Players: Laura Ingalls WilderVoice of the Prairie 11am Stages Speech and Debate 7:30pm Toyota Rockets vs. Los Angeles Clippers 7:30pm

March 20, 6th Annual Spacetaker Gala: Apocalypto, 7-11pm at Winter Street Studios. An evening of Mad Maxinspired revelry, this year’s gala will honor founder David A. Brown and his eight years of dedicated service to Spacetaker. Purchase your tickets online at www.spacetaker.org/apocalypto.

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

3:04 PM

Page 17

NOT SURE WHAT TO DO? TRY ONE-STOP SHOPPING AT

WWW.HOUSTONTHEATERDISTRICT.ORG FRIDAY

5

SATURDAY

Alley Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps 8pm Hobby BIH: Cirque Dreams- Illumination 8pm HOB Tyrone Wells in the Bronze Peacock Room 7:30pm | Kevin Smith 7:30pm Jones HS: Mozart’s Requiem 8pm Main Street A Number & Machinal 8pm Minute Maid College Classic Rice vs. Texas 7pm Reliant RODEO Black Heritage DayMary J. Blige 6:45pm Toyota Aeros vs. San Antonio Rampage 7:35pm Warehouse The Standard 9pm Wortham HB: La Bayadere (The Temple Dancer) 7:30pm

Alley Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps 8pm Hobby TUTS: South Pacific 8pm Main Street A Number & Machinal 8pm Reliant RODEO Toby Keith 6:45pm Toyota Aeros vs. Peoria Rivermen 7:35pm Warehouse Xiu Xiu 8pm

Alley Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps 2:30 & 8pm Hobby TUTS: South Pacific 2 & 8pm HOB Citizen Cope 7:30pm Jones Indo American Assoc.: Shreya Ghoshal 8pm Main Street A Number & Machinal 8pm Reliant RODEO Blake Shelton 6:45pm Toyota Rockets vs. New Jersey Nets 7:30pm Verizon Go Tejano Committee presents 19th Annual Mariachi Invitational 6:30pm Wortham HB: American at Heart 7:30pm

12

19

13

Alley Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps 8pm Hobby TUTS: South Pacific 8pm Jones HS: The Beach Boys 7:30pm Reliant RODEO Eli Young Band 6:45pm Toyota Rockets vs. Boston Celtics 7:30pm Wortham HB: American at Heart 7:30pm

Alley Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps 8pm Hobby I’m Ready Productions: Je’Caryous Johnson’s Cheaper to Keep Her 8pm | Da Camera: Steven Isserlis- The Romantic Cello 8pm HOB El Chapo de Sinaloa con Valentina 7pm Jones SPA: Gilberto Gil 8pm MOT Harlem Gospel Choir 8pm Stages Speech and Debate 8pm Toyota Aeros vs. Lake Erie Monsters 7:35pm Warehouse Alkaline Trio 7pm

26

PLAN AHEA D: April 12-18 , Spa Spring Week Event.

A list partic of ipatin g spa be po s will sted on ww w.s by mid paweek.co m -Marc h.

Alley Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps 2:30 & 8pm Hobby BIH: Cirque Dreams- Illumination 2 & 8pm Jones HS: Mozart’s Requiem 8pm Main Street Junie B. Jones & a Little Monkey Business 1 & 4pm | A Number & Machinal 8pm Minute Maid College Classic Rice vs. Texas Tech 7pm Reliant RODEO Jason Aldean 3:45pm Toyota John Mayer 8pm Warehouse Needtobreathe 8pm Wortham HB: La Bayadere (The Temple Dancer) 2 & 7:30pm

6

SPRING BEGINS! Alley Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps 2:30 & 8pm Hobby Ars Lyrica: Springtime in Paris 7:30pm | TUTS: South Pacific 2 & 8pm HOB Black Rebel Motorcycle Club w/ Band of Skulls 7pm Jones HS: Hannu Lintu conducts Sibelius 2 8pm Main Street Junie B. Jones & a Little Monkey Business 1 & 4pm Reliant RODEO Brooks & Dunn- The Last Rodeo Tour 3:45pm Stages Speech and Debate 8pm Toyota Aeros vs. Milwaukee Admirals 7:35pm Wortham HB: American at Heart 7:30pm | Da Camera: Brandon Lee Quintet 8pm

20

Alley Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps 2:30 & 8pm Hobby I’m Ready Productions: Je’Caryous Johnson’s Cheaper to Keep Her 2 & 8pm Jones SPA: Marvin Hamlisch & Joel Grey in Concert 8pm MOT Noche Caliente featuring Salsa Great Johnny Pacheco 8pm Reliant Mike Epps & Friends 8pm Stages Speech and Debate 8pm Toyota Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers 7:30pm Wortham Mercury Baroque: L’Estro Armonico The Genius of Harmony 8pm

27

TO PURCHASE TICKETS, PLEASE CONTACT

ALLEY THEATRE: alleytheatre.org CWMP: woodlandscenter.org HOBBY CENTER: 713.315.2525 thehobbycenter.org HOUSE OF BLUES: hob.com JONES HALL: 713.227.3974 joneshall.org MAIN STREET THEATRE: 713.524.6706 mainstreettheatre.com MERIDIAN: meridian.com MILLER OUTDOOR THEATRE (MOT): milleroutdoortheatre.com

MINUTE MAID PARK: astros.mlb.com RELIANT PARK: reliantpark.com STAGES REPERTORY THEATRE: 713.527.0123 stagestheatre.com TOYOTA CENTER: 1.866.4HOU toyotacentertix.com VERIZON THEATRE: verizonwirelesstheatre.com WAREHOUSE LIVE: warehouselive.com WORTHAM CENTER: 713.237.1439 worthamcenter.org

march 10 | www.002mag.com .17

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

3:05 PM

Page 18

museum district chapel designed by award-winning architect Francois de Menil.

1. THE MENIL COLLECTION www.menil.org

Leaps into the Void: Documents of Nouveau Réalist Performance, opening March 19, draws from the Menil’s strong holdings of work and material from the archives and collection that document through film, photographs and works of art the movement’s ephemeral and performance-based projects, perhaps most famously epitomized by Yves Klein’s “Leap into the Void.” Organized by Michelle White, Assistant Curator, the show highlights the temporality of a lesser-known avant-garde movement. Actively engaged with other conceptual and performancebased ways of making art as they were emerging in the United States at that time, such as like Fluxus, Assemblage and Pop Art, Nouveau Réalisme was a brief but influential moment in the history of modern art.

2. HOUSTON CENTER FOR PHOTOGRAPHY www.hcponline.org

Houston Center for Photography is a professionally managed, permanent institution that exhibits but does not collect works of art. Founded in 1981 as a visual artists’ organization, Houston Center for Photography is a model nonprofit organization with a budget of approximately $500,000. It is the only visual artists’ organization in the South and Southwest with a paid professional staff, offering year-round programs and services devoted exclusively to photography and related media.

3. THE ROTHKO CHAPEL www.rothkochapel.org

An intimate sanctuary available to people of every belief, this modern meditative environment was inspired by the paintings of American abstract expressionist Mark Rothko. The Chapel serves as both art museum and public forum and hosts a range of educational programs, inter-religious dialogues and symposia on critical issues.

4. BYZANTINE FRESCO CHAPEL MUSEUM www.menil.org/visit/byzantine.php

The only intact examples of 13th-century Byzantine wall painting of this size and importance in the Western Hemisphere, these masterworks were stolen by thieves from a chapel in the Turkish occupied town of Lysi, cut into pieces and smuggled off the island of Cyprus.

Rescued and restored by the Menil Foundation, the dome and apse now reside on a longterm loan from the Church of Cyprus in an intimate

18. march 10 | www.002mag.com

5. HOUSTON CENTER FOR CONTEMPORARY CRAFT www.crafthouston.org

Iron: Forged, Tempered, Quenched, on view thru May 16, celebrates the rich history of American blacksmithing by bridging historical and contemporary works and illustrating the wide variety of blacksmithing techniques and processes currently practiced in the U.S. The exhibition is one of the most significant exhibitions of blacksmith objects in decades. This wonderful exhibit educates audiences about the processes used to create historical and contemporary ironwork.

6. LAWNDALE ART CENTER www.lawndaleartcenter.org

Lawndale Art Center is a nonprofit alternative space for the exhibition of contemporary works in all media, unique in its focus on Houston area artists. Founded in 1979, Lawndale has owned its present location on Main Street in Houston‘s Museum District since 1993.

With four galleries in its locally significant Art Deco building, Lawndale includes close to 500 artists annually in changing exhibitions. Over twenty exhibitions, informal talks and special events are offered yearly including annual events such as Dia de los Muertos/Day of the Dead, the 20th Century Modern Market and The Big Show.

7. BUFFALO SOLDIERS NATIONAL MUSEUM www.buffalosoldiermuseum.com

The Buffalo Soldiers National Museum pays tribute to African-American military history from the Revolutionary War to modern times. During the 1860s, soldiers of the 10th U.S. Calvary were nicknamed “Buffalo Soldiers” for their fierce fighting ability and bravery.

8. HOLOCAUST MUSEUM HOUSTON www.hmh.org

The Book of Memory, thru April 25, is an exhibit that showcases samples of work by artist Bela Gold. For several years, Gold’s work has been a reflection of the complexity of contemporary culture. Her work is defined by a contrast between beauty and cultural references; in her case, the Holocaust. She puts this conflict on display in all her pieces, which offer evidence of our own ambivalence toward the beauty of artistic expression and the social impact it creates.

9. CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF HOUSTON www.cmhouston.org

Step inside the new design exhibit, Building Brainstorm. A kid-friendly studio environment inspired by the philosophy and aesthetic of mid-century design-

ers Charles and Ray Eames. Filled with architectural plans, photographs, models and authentic building elements, the show features interactive workbenches and job sites that equip diminutive designers to brainstorm creative solutions for architectural and engineering challenges.

10 . THE HEALTH MUSEUM www.thehealthmuseum.org

Backyard Monsters, on display thru May 9, is a 6,000sf exhibit, a tour through what you’ve been stepping on in your own backyard. It’s where you are the size of the bug and the bugs are enormous! The giant animatronic insects move and make the chirping, clicking noises bugs make. The 8-foot tall robotic insects include a tarantula, ants, a wasp, caterpillar and a big, beautiful monarch butterfly. Visitors will also experience insect specimens and education stations.

11. HOUSTON MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE www.hmns.org

With a touch of hocus-pocus and a dash of abracadabra, the Houston Museum of Natural Science pulls a spectacular new exhibition out of its hat – Magic: The Science of Wonder. The extraordinary show examines how science and magic are intertwined, tapping into our universal desire to know “How does that work?”Magic is the perfect subject to inspire people of all ages – especially kids – to learn about the science behind the magic, and the world around them.

12. HOUSTON ZOO www.houstonzoo.org

Pongos Helping Pongos; Paintings by Orangutans, for Orangutans, Art Show and Auction, March 27, 6– 8pm. This event will take place at G Gallery in the Heights, 301 East 11th Street. This very special evening will feature over 40 individual paintings done by Zoo orangutans, elephants, siamangs, babirusa and clouded leopards. Each framed painting will be accompanied by conservation information and an animal artist biography. All paintings, photographic portraits of the

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

3:06 PM

featured artists, and wildlife photography will be sold by silent auction. All proceeds benefit the conservation of orangutans in their natural habitats.

13. RICE UNIVERSITY ART GALLERY www.ricegallery.org

El Anatsui: New Installation, on view thru March 14.

A native of Ghana and resident of Nigeria since 1975, El Anatsui has experimented throughout the years with a variety of media including wood, ceramics and paint. Although Anatsui was a respected artist and teacher in Africa for more than thirty years, he was little known internationally until ten years ago when he began creating dazzling suspended sculptures made from liquor bottle tops and metal foil collars from the bottle necks. Seen throughout the exhibition are Anatsui’s reliance on indigenous materials and his awareness of what they can reveal.

Page 19

Donald Odita, on view thru May 2, features a site-specific environment created from a new body of paintings that echo the unique architectural features of the Museum’s lower gallery space, The Zilkha Gallery. The result is a familiar, yet fantastical immersive landscape.

16. THE JUNG CENTER OF HOUSTON www.junghouston.org

Extremities: Exploring the Mmargins of the Human Body, on view thru March 13, is an international juried exhibition of work for and about the arms, hands, legs,and feet – as inspiration, as subject, as site. The work will encompass jewelry, objects, metal, and many other materials in a range of conceptual approaches.

17. CZECH CENTER MUSEUM www.czechcenter.org

The Czech Center Museum Houston works to preserve, record and celebrate the language, scholarship and arts of Bohemia, Moravia, Silesia and Slovakia.

18. JOHN C. FREEMAN WEATHER MUSEUM www.wxresearch.org

The John C. Freeman Weather Museum is helping keep the community in the know in regards to the different aspects of weather, as well as science, history and safety. Visitors can make their own weather forecast at the WRC Weather Studio, view satellite and radar images of hurricanes, and learn how tornadoes form in the Tornado Chamber and much more!

14. THE MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS, HOUSTON www.mfah.org

Beginning March 7, 30 contemporary metal works will be on view at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, in Liquid Lines: Exploring the Language of Contemporary Metal.

Organized by Cindi Strauss, MFAH curator of modern and contemporary decorative arts and design, the exhibition explores the varied ways that contemporary artists have manipulated metal to highlight the fluid properties of the material. Works on view range from furniture and vases to avant-garde jewelry and sculptural installations, all from the museum’s permanent collection.

15. CONTEMPORARY ARTS MUSEUM HOUSTON www.camh.org

KEY TO SYMBOLS



PARKING RESTAURANT SHOPPING SNACKS FREE ADMISSION

Widely recognized for his pulsating hues and meticulously painted wall and canvas works, Odili Donald Odita creates paintings that often function as narratives. Although devoid of any discernable figurative marks, the works tell of the nomadic journey of our ever-shifting global society: shapes and intersecting lines become metaphors for time and place while color evokes mood and impulse. Perspectives 169: Odili march 10 | www.002mag.com .19

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

3:10 PM

Page 20

art houses+museums+exhibits

1.

1. gremillion & co. fine art| 2. colton & farb gallery 3. anya tish gallery| 4. moody gallery | 5. goldesberry gallery

MUSEUMS 1940 AIR TERMINAL MUSEUM www.1940airterminal.org 8325 Travelair Rd. 713.454.1940

ART CAR MUSEUM www.artcarmuseum.com 140 Heights Blvd. 713.861.5526

BLAFFER GALLERY www.class.uh.edu/blaffer UH Main Campus, Ent. 16, 713.743.9530 GALVESTON ARTS CENTER www.galveston.com 2127 Strand St. 409.763.2403

HERITAGE SOCIETY www.heritagesociety.org 1100 Bagby 713.655.1912 HOUSTON FIRE MUSEUM www.houstonfiremuseum.org 2403 Milam 713.524.2526 MUSEUM OF PRINTING HISTORY www.printingmuseum.org 1324 W. Clay St. 713.522.4652 MUSEUM OF SOUTHERN HISTORY www.hbu.edu 7502 Fondren Rd. 281.649.3997

ORANGE SHOW www.orangeshow.org 2401 Munger 713.926.6368

PROJECT ROW HOUSES www.projectrowhouses.org 2521 Holman 713.526.7662 UNIVERSITY MUSEUM www.tsu.edu/museum 3100 Cleburne Ave. 713.313.7145

ART HOUSES 18 HANDS GALLERY www.18handsgallery.com 249 West 19th St. 713.869.3099 Opening March 5, Vince Piteika AEROSOL WARFARE GALLERY & BOUTIQUE 832.748.8369 2110 Jefferson St. #113, 713.503.5714

ANYA TISH GALLERY www.anyatishgallery.com 4411 Montrose Blvd. 713.524.2299 Opening March 15 Begoña Egurbide: Precipice

ARCHWAY GALLERY www.archwaygallery.com 2305 Dunlavy 713.522.2409 Thru April 1, Debra Bay and Sue Burke Harrington

ART LEAGUE HOUSTON www.artleaguehouston.org 1953 Montrose Blvd. 713.523.9530

20. march 10 | www.002mag.com

BERING & JAMES GALLERY www.beringandjames.com 805 Rhode Place #500, 713.524.0101 Opening March 18, FotoFestShelly Calton: Traces of Her.

2.

3.

BETZ GALLERY www.betzgallery.com 1208 W. Gray 713.576.6954 BOOKER-LOWE GALLERY www.bookerlowegallery.com 4623 Feagan St. 713.880.1541 Thru March 18, Prints Charming CANAL ST. GALLERY www.canalstreetgallery.com 2219 Canal St. 713.223.2219 Thru March 31, Honey Harrison: Watercolors COLTON & FARB GALLERY www.barbaradavisgallery.com 4411 Montrose 713.520.9200 Thru April 24, FotoFest: Frank Rodick

ELDER STREET GALLERY www.elderstreetartist.com 1101 Elder St. 281.250.4889

COMMUNITY ARTISTS’ COLLECTIVE www.thecollective.org 1413 Holman 713.523.1616

FOTOFEST www.fotofest.org 1113 Vine St. 713.223.5522 Thru April 25, FotoFest 2010, Contemporary U.S Photography

CAROLINE COLLECTIVE www.carolinecollective.cc 4820 Caroline St. 713.825.4613

GALLERY 1724 1724 Bissonnet St. 713.523.2547

COMMUNE ON NORTH www.communeonnorth.com 2437 North Blvd. 713.526.3875

CTRL GALLERY www.ctrlgallery.com 3907 Main St. 713.523.2875

DAKOTA GALLERY www.dakotaframing.com/dfp/dakotagallery.asp 2324 Shearn St. 713.523.7440 DARKE GALLERY www.darkegallery.com 5321 Feagan 713.542.3802 Thru April 30, FotoFest: David A. Brown DEBORAH COLTON GALLERY www.deborahcoltongallery.com 2445 North Blvd. 713.869.5151

DESANTOS GALLERY www.desantosgallery.com 1724 Richmond 713.520.1200 DIVERSEWORKS www.diverseworks.org 1117 E. Freeway 713.223.8346 Thru April 17, Allison Hunter: Zoosphere DOMY BOOKS www.domystore.com 1709 Westheimer 713.523.3669

G GALLERY www.ggalleryhouston.com 301East 11th St. 713.822.4842

GALLERY SONJA ROESCH www.gallerysonjaroesch.com 2309 Caroline 713.659.5424 Opening March 13, John Clement Sculptures GITE GALLERY www.thegitegallery.com 2024 East Alabama St. 713.523.3311

GOLDESBERRY GALLERY www.goldesberrygallery.com 2625 Colquitt 713.528.0405 Thru March 20, FotoFest: Royce Ann Sline GREEN HOUSE GALLERY www.greenhouseartgallery.com 716 W. Alabama St. 713.535.6462

GREMILLION & CO. FINE ART www.gremillion.com 2501 Sunset Blvd. 713.522.2701 Thru March 20, Jerrold Burchman: Naturae Natum HCC-CENTRAL GALLERY www.centralfinearts.info 3517 Austin 713.718.6600

HOUSTON LANDMARK GALLERY www.houstonlandmarkgallery.com 1200 McKinney 713.927.8800 HOUSTON STUDIOS 707 Walnut St., 713.223.0951 HOLLYWOOD FRAME GALLERY www.hollywoodframegallery.com 2427 Bissonnet 713.942.8885

HOOKS-EPSTEIN www.hooksepsteingalleries.com 2631 Colquitt St. 713.522.0718 INMAN GALLERY www.inmangallery.com 3901 Main St. 713.526.7800 KINZELMAN ART CONSULTING www.kinzelmanart.com 3909 Main St. 713.533.9923

KOELSCH GALLERY www.koelschgallery.com 703 Yale 713.626.0175

LAURA RATHE FINE ART www.laurarathe.com 2707 Colquitt 713.527.7700

LAURA U COLLECTION www.lauraucollection.com 1840 Westheimer 713.522.0855

LAZZARA ART GALLERY www.gallerialazzara.com 5400 Mitchelldale St. 713.681.0681

M2 GALLERY www.gallerymsquared.com 339 W. 19th St. 713.861.6070

McCLAIN GALLERY www.mcclaingallery.com 2242 Richmond Ave. 713.520.9988

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

McMURTREY GALLERY www.mcmurtreygallery.com 3508 Lake St. 713.523.8238

3:12 PM

Page 21

4.

MEREDITH LONG GALLERY www.meredithlonggallery.com 2323 San Felipe 713.523.6671 MIDTOWN ART CENTER www.midtownartcenter.com 3414 La Branch 713.521.8803

MOODY GALLERY www.moodygallery.com 2815 Colquitt 713.526.9911 Thru March 27, Charles Mary Kubricht MOTHER DOG STUDIOS motherdogstudios.com 720 Walnut 713.229.9760

NAUHAUS GALLERY www.texascollaborative.com 223 E. 11th St. 713.261.1409 NOLAN-RANKIN GALLERIES www.nolan-rankingalleries.com 6 Chelsea Blvd. 713.528.0664

O’KANE GALLERY www.uhd.edu One Main St.@UHD 713.221.8042 Thru March, Drawing Lessons PARKERSON GALLERY www.artnet.com/gallery/837/parkerson-gallery.html 3510 Lake St. 713.524.4945 PEEL GALLERY www.peelgallery.org 4411 Montrose Blvd. 713.520.8122

POST GALLERY www.postgallery.com 2121 Sage, Ste. 390, 713.622.4241

POISSANT GALLERY www.poissantgallery.com 5102 Center St. 713.868.9337 REDBUD GALLERY www.redbudgallery.com 303 E. 11th St. 713.862.2532 RETRO GALLERY www.retrogallery.com 1839 W. Alabama 713.522.7074

THE ARTFUL CORNER www.theartfulcorner.com 3423 White Oak Dr. 713.426.4278 THOM ANDRIOLA www.newgallery.net 2627 Colquitt 713.520.7053 THORNWOOD GALLERY www.thornwoodgallery.com 2643 Colquitt St. 713.528.4278 Thru March 17, Only in Texas VAUGHAN CHRISTOPHER GALLERY www.vaughanchristopher.com 1217 S. Shepherd 713.533.0816

WADE WILSON ART www.wadewilsonart.com 4411 Montrose #200, 713.521.2977 WATERCOLOR ART SOCIETY www.watercolorhouston.org 1601 West Alabama 713.942.9966 WINTER STREET STUDIOS www.winterstreetstudios.net 2101 Winter St. 713.862.0082

XNIHILO GALLERY www.xnil.org 2115 Taft St. 713.622.1846

ZARPOSH INDIA GALLERY www.zarposhindia.com 5910 Southwest Fwy. (inside rug gallery). 713.668.2948

be hip.current.cool @ 002MAG.COM

RUDOLPH PROJECTS I ARTSCAN GALLERY www.rudolphprojects.com 1836 Richmond Ave. 713.807.1836 SICARDI GALLERY www.sicardi.com 2246 Richmond Ave. 713.529.1313

5.

SPACE125 GALLERY www.haatx.com 3201 Allen Parkway 713.527.9330 STUDIO SEVEN 1107 East Freeway 713.224.5555

TALENTO BILINGUE www.tbhcenter.com 333 S. Jensen Dr. 713.222.1213

march 10 | www.002mag.com .21

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

3:12 PM

nonprofit

by Nadia Michel

Page 22

AIDS WALK HOUSTON, MARCH 14 8AM CHECK-IN KICK-OFF PARTY, MARCH 3, 5-7PM

THE CENTER FOR AIDS HOUSTON IS A FOURTEEN-YEAR-OLD NONPROFIT WITH VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES, INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS AND, IN THE WORDS OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR PAUL SIMMONS, RN, ACRN, “MORE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK.” AN ORGANIZATION THAT PROMOTES EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY FOR BETTER TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR THOSE LIVING WITH HIV, ITS MONTROSE OFFICE IS PREPARED TO ANSWER EMAILS, PHONE CALLS AND HAS COUNSELED NEARLY 1500 WALK-INS IN THE PAST YEAR. WHILE THEY DON’T PROVIDE HEALTH CARE, THEY DO REFER PEOPLE TO DOCTORS WHO TREAT HIV AND THE AIDS VIRUS IN HOUSTON. THEY ALSO EDUCATE PEOPLE LIVING WITH THE DISEASE ON QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUES AND WAYS TO PREVENT SPREADING THE VIRUS. THE EDUCATION IS IMPORTANT IN A TIME WHERE PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE ABOUT AIDS IS STILL HINDERED BY THE STIGMATISM OF THE DISEASE. FOR EXAMPLE, THE SLEW OF PILLS AN HIV PATIENT NEEDED DAILY A DECADE AGO CAN BE REPLACED WITH DRAMATICALLY LESS MEDICATION TODAY. ONE PILL A DAY FOR A 28-DAY TREATMENT PROGRAM IS EFFECTIVE IF A PERSON BELIEVES HE OR SHE HAS BEEN EXPOSED TO HIV. IT’S EVEN POSSIBLE THAT THE VIRUS CAN BE PREVENTED AND STOPPED IN ITS TRACKS IF IT IS TREATED WITHIN 72 HOURS OF HAVING BEEN EXPOSED. THIS $1200 TO $2000 MONTH-LONG DRUG THERAPY OF ONE PILL PER DAY SOUNDS PRETTY AMAZING COMPARED TO WHAT IT COSTS TO TREAT A LIFETIME HIV-INFECTED INDIVIDUAL – ROUGHLY $620,000. THAT REALLY IS MORE “BANG FOR YOUR BUCK” IF YOU CONSIDER THE FINANCIAL AND PERSONAL MISERY THE INCURABLE DISEASE CAN INFLICT ON INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES AND THE U.S. GOVERNMENT. With the help of The University of Texas Health Science Center and the generous donations of Houstonians, CFA will open up the nation’s second ever PEP clinic (non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis). This initiative is unique to only San Francisco and Houston and will allow access to the HIV prevention drug treatment for those who believe they may have been exposed to the virus within the time limit of three days. While many patients will pay for the 28-day course with private insurance or Medicaid, the CFA is working to secure funding to assist those who do not have insurance. How do they do it on a nonprofit budget of only $500,000 a year? “No paperwork for people to fill out, no fees, no lines to stand in,” explains Simmons. “We work on a modest budget, are fiscally prudent and good stewards of the donations we receive.”

While research edges ever closer to finding a cure, CFA is winning many small battles in the war on HIV. When a patient is guided to one of the HIVspecialists’ practices or is educated via publications or counseling on how to handle their disease, the

22. march 10 | www.002mag.com

sense of accomplishment in the office is palpable. In much the same way, a celebratory attitude reigns at the annual Walk for AIDS, a Houston-wide fundraising event which boasts walking teams from various AIDS organizations. This year’s team cocaptain for CFA, Nick Espinosa, says, “I am so honored to be the co-captain of this year’s AIDS walk team for the CFA. The Board of Directors and staff of the Center continue to do great work and they have such a strong vision for the future of the organization, I am happy to be a part of it.” The thousands of walkers who stream down Allen Parkway to Shepherd and back have donors sponsor them for the 5K walk. AIDS Foundation Houston organizes the event, but the majority of the funds raised by CFA will go directly back to the Center for AIDS. Helping the CFA reach their $60,000 goal for the walk is a great New Year’s resolution. For more information or to participate in the AIDS Walk, call the Center for AIDS and sign yourself up for a very deserving cause. www.centerforaids.org

002houston March 10:002houston

gish at the movies

By Sarah Gish

2/17/10

3:13 PM

Page 23

ART FILMS ARE GOOD FOR THE SOUL… TAKE A FRIEND TO ONE!

COMMUNITY AND JEWISH FILMS So many movies, so little time! March is just blooming with film screenings and activity, so get your calendar out and start marking these dates. A Prophet opens 3.12 at the River Oaks Theatre (www.landmarktheatres.com). Be sure to catch all the happenings at MOVIES! The Store, owned by RO marketing man Rob Arcos. His store is hosting screenings at Domy Books (www.domystore.com) on Wednesdays and I can’t wait to rent Believe: The Eddie Izzard Story from him (LOVE Eddie Izzard!)! The Angelika Film Center (www.angelikafilmcenter.com) has Fish Tank & District 13: Ultimatum (3.5); Green Zone (3.12); Mother (3.19) and Art of the Steal (3.26).

HoustonPBS’s “Community Cinema” (www.communitycinema.org) program at Rice Cinema features Dirt! The Movie about the importance of, well, dirt and how soil quality impacts our communities. The University of Houston-Clear Lake Film and Speaker Series (www.uhcl.edu/movies) is presenting two films this month: Up in the Air (3.6, 7pm & 3.7, 3pm) and Salt of the Earth (3.11 & 3.13, 7pm). The 6th Annual Jewish Film Festival has been organized with The Museum of Fine Arts, (www.mfah.org) and the Festival’s new sponsor this year, the Holocaust Museum (www.holocaustmuseum.org). The Festival opens 3.6 and runs through 3.21; the opening night film is The First Basket, which documents the three decades in American basketball history when the “Hebrew Hoopsters” dominated the court.

AURORA PICTURE SHOW and SPECIAL SCREENINGS There are two screenings of Gaia, a film made for only $28,000 about the impact of a death (and life) on Native American Indian communities in southern Arizona. MKP Houston is hosting 1:30pm & 5:30pm screenings on 3.6 with a q-and-a with the filmmakers; log onto www.mkphouston.org for details and to RSVP. It’s time for one of my fave Aurora Picture

Show (www.aurorapictureshow.org) events: The Menil Community Arts Festival, which is a day full of frolicking, films and fun on 3.13, 11am-4pm on the Menil Campus. And on 3.30, 7pm, they’re screening Co-Existing and Co-llaborating at Molly Gochman’s Studio, 2442 Bartlett Street. High culture on the big screen continues this month at the Rave Motion Pictures Yorktown 15 (www.ravemotionpictures.com) with Carmen (3.18& 3.21) and “Stravinsky and the Ballets Russes” (3.25 & 3.28). And if you want to know more about the state of print media, join Reel Films (www.reelfilms.org) for the Houston premiere of Stop the Presses on 3.27, 8pm. Hint: It ain’t pretty (present magazine excluded, of course!).

JOAN JETT and MFAH I haven’t thought about girl rockster Joan Jett in ages, but she and bassist Micki Steele were part of one of the first girl rock bands in the 1970s – the Runaways – and both left to form betterknown bands, The Blackhearts and The Bangles. Their story inspired the autobiography Neon Angel: the Cherie Currie Story, which in turn inspired the film The Runaways, opening 3.19. It’s the musicfueled story about the ground-breaking, all-girl, teenage rock band of the 1970s, starring Kristen Stewart (as Joan Jett) and Dakota Fanning (as bandmate Cherie Currie). In addition to co-sponsoring the Jewish Film Fest, the Museum of Fine Arts is showing seven Alain Resnais films over seven nights between 3.6-28. Filmmaker Resnais was associated with the French New Wave and Left Bank Group; his most admired films are noteworthy for preoccupations with history, time and recollection.

SWAMP (www.swamp.org) continues their series “2010: A Filmmaking Odyssey” with two workshops this month:“Scratchatopia! Workshop & Screening” (3.13, free and open to the public) and “New Model for Independent Filmmaking” with Kelley “Angry Filmmaker” Baker (3/20). Isn’t it time you started making films?! march 10 | www.002mag.com .23

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

3:14 PM

Page 24

for art’s sake

Interview by Nadia Michel Main portrait by Kennon Evett

THE CURIOUS CASE OF PHOTOGRAPHER DAVID A. BROWN

WHEN I WALKED INTO CATALINA COFFEE TO MEET DAVID A. BROWN ON A MONDAY IN JANUARY, I COULDN’T RECONCILE THE FACT THAT THE GUY STARING RIGHT AT ME WAS THE SAME BESPECTACLED MAN I’D SEEN IN PICTURES. WITH A GRUFF BEARD AND A STUDDED BLACK HOODIE, DAVID LOOKED MORE LIKE AN OUT-OF-PLACE SNOWBOARDER THAN THE FORMER DIRECTOR OF A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION. PERHAPS THE FACT THAT HE RECENTLY RELINQUISHED THE LATTER TITLE HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE YOUTHFUL TRANSFORMATION. AFTER HE REVEALED TO ME HE WAS HAVING NEW GLASSES MADE BECAUSE HIS VISION HAD SUDDENLY IMPROVED, I BEGAN TO WONDER IF THIS WAS A CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON. 24. march 10 | www.002mag.com

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

3:23 PM

Page 25

AS FOUNDER OF SPACETAKER, DAB (AS HE LIKES TO BE CALLED) HELPED ARTISTS GROW THEIR BUSINESS AND CREATED THE GO-TO WEBSITE FOR HOUSTON’S ART COMMUNITY. LAST DECEMBER, HE CEREMONIOUSLY HANDED OVER HIS MANAGING DIRECTOR JOB, NAMING JENNI REBECCA STEPHENSON AS HIS SUCCESSOR. “IT’S AKIN TO SENDING YOUR KID TO COLLEGE AFTER YOU’VE DONE EVERYTHING YOU CAN,” HE SAYS OF LEAVING THE PROJECT HE SPEARHEADED FOR EIGHT YEARS. NOW, IT’S ALL ABOUT HIS WIFE, KIDS AND DABFOTO CREATIVE, A CONSULTING AND PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESS. Dab is hitting the ground running. Sore from completing 13 miles in the Houston Half Marathon a day earlier, Dab told me about his upcoming show, “Trying to find my Way.” WHAT’S THE SHOW ABOUT? We are confronted with so much information every day, how do we make decisions? How do we navigate? It turns out much of our decision-making is governed by thousands of years of evolution.

It’s pretty much all biological. Even intuition is biological. I spoke with neuroscientists while researching this project. On March 20, David Eagleman will be lecturing at the show about perception.

(Eagleman is a neuroscientist at Baylor College of Medicine and author of the New York Times bestseller Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives.)

DESCRIBE THE PHOTOGRAPHY.

CHINA???

It was the only vendor I found who would make single prints. Even my usual, local printer, Bob at Que Imaging, agreed this was the way to go, despite the fact that it cost him some business! I even got a panel together before I made the decision. They all agreed the effect was beyond gimmicky.

HOW DID YOU ACHIEVE THE LAYERS OF LIGHT IN YOUR IMAGES?

MY IMAGES LOOK COMPLETELY FAKE. THEY LOOK LIKE SOME PHOTOSHOP MONKEY WENT TO TOWN. BUT THEY ARE SINGLE EXPOSURE AND UNTOUCHED. THEY ARE DECONSTRUCTED STILL-LIFES.

I compressed three to ten layers of light, using glass, windows and reflections. I carefully lined them up, like this tree that looks like it’s on top of a dresser. The camera I used is a Sigma DP1, which has an image-sensor that kind of mimics film and produces great colors. It looks kind of like a Coolpix but the Darth Vader version. Ouch! (As he gets up from his chair so we can go check out the prints at his Winter Street studio.)

attempt: 12212009 08:50:33

MAYBE YOU NEED TO STRETCH, BENJ – I MEAN DAB? Oh, I did. It’s just the lactic acid, you know?

attempt: 07202008 10:58:32

My images look completely fake. They look like some Photoshop monkey went to town. But they are single exposure and untouched. They are deconstructed stilllifes. I came across lenticular printing. I got the idea from a Spider-man greeting card my son had. You know when Spider-man looks like he’s swinging on a string when you move the card? It’s like 3-D. I had the images printed in China.

FAVORITE RESTAURANT: Divino FAVORITE BOOK: The Tao Te Ching

by Lao Tzu FAVORITE THING TO DO ON A SUNDAY: family breakfast at my dad’s house and an adventure with the kids WEEKDAY UNIFORM: jeans, tee-shirt and work boots ADVICE TO AN ARTIST: diversify your income and work hard at your practice HOBBIES: running, spending time at the Menil Collection, reading PERSON YOU WOULD LIKE TO MEET (dead or alive): Lao Tzu or Chuang Tzu

TRYING TO FIND MY WAY

attempt: 09072009 18:15:30

Opens March 13 Darke Gallery | 5321 Feagan @ Detering Houston, TX 77007 | 713.542.3802 www.darkegallery.com

march 10 | www.002mag.com .25

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

3:25 PM

Page 26

phone shot submit your shot at phoneshot@002mag.com

Fiery sunset over Kirby. I ran out of Whole Foods to catch it. The colors dimmed about a minute later.

Maria Evans |Email submission

WHAT WOULD WE DO WITHOUT OUR PHONES AND THEIR LITTLE BUILT-IN CAMERAS? WE'RE CONSTANTLY SNAPPING SHOTS OF OUR FOOD, PARTIES, ETC., AND SHARING THEM IN THE OFFICE, ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER. HERE’S WHAT MADE THE CUT THIS MONTH.

View of the ceiling (lounge in Midtown) Melissa Savcic | Email submission

Early morning flight...

Michelle Watson | LastNightPics.com Managing Director University of Houston library Andre Navarro | Email submission 26. march 10 | www.002mag.com

HCC main campus and High Fashion Home. Nonedited photo.

Colt | The Digital Machine Shop

002houston March 10:002houston

spacetaker artscene

By Jenni Rebecca Stephenson

2/17/10

3:26 PM

Page 27

THREE MONTHS INTO THE NEW YEAR AND WE’RE READY FOR ANOTHER VACATION. SPRING BREAKS ARE UPON US AND NOT A MOMENT TOO SOON. WHETHER THE FAMILY IS PILING INTO THE CAR FOR A ROAD TRIP TO WALLY WORLD OR FLYING THE FRIENDLY SKIES TO AN ADVENTURE ABROAD, THE KEY TO A SUCCESSFUL VACATION IS A CHANGE OF PACE. YET, AS YOU’RE SETTING THE MONTH’S ITINERARY, CONSIDER ESCAPING TO ONE OF THE MANY ART EVENTS IN OUR OWN FAIR CITY. YOU DON’T HAVE TO TRAVEL FAR FOR SOME OF THE BEST SOUVENIRS.

Unhinged Productions presents The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told March 5-28 (Fri-Sat @ 8pm; Sun-Mon @ 7:30pm) – Unhinged Productions presents Paul Rudnick’s Broadway smash The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told, the hilarious retelling of The Old Testament by the original couple – Adam and Steve. Frenetic Theatre, 5102 Navigation Blvd. – tickets $20. Call 832.250.7786 or visit. www.comeunhinged.com for more info.

The 38th Annual Buffalo Bayou Regatta March 13 (Race @ 9am; Festivities @ 11am) Buffalo Bayou Partnership invites you to Texas’ largest canoe and kayak race with over 350 canoes and kayaks competing for first place. Participate in the 15-mile stretch, whether you are entering competitively or paddling for pleasure. Finish line festivities include live zydeco music and an awards ceremony. Sesquicentennial Park – Free. For more information, visit www.buffalobayou.org or call 713.752.0314.

Springtime in Paris with Ars Lyrica Houston March 20 @ 7:30pm – Springtime in Paris is an intimate and earthy program of French Baroque chamber works.

The evening marks the Ars Lyrica debuts of international early music stars, violinist Marc Destrubé and mezzosoprano Jennifer Lane. Other featured performers include oboist Kathryn Montoya, gambist Barrett Sills, theorbist Michael Leopold and harpsichordist Matthew Dirst. Hobby Center – Tickets starting at $31.25.

For more information and tickets, visit www.arslyricahouston.org.

The Change We Play: Preservation Hall Jazz Band March 20 @ 5pm – Shannon Brinkman and Eve Abrams’ seven-year study in the home of New Orleans Jazz (Preservation Hall) intertwines the kinesthetic

magic of live performance with the offstage words, voices and images of some of New Orleans’ most esteemed culture bearers. Presents for Fotofest at Elder Street Gallery (1101 Elder Street).

For more information, visit www.elderstreetartist.com or call 281.250.4889.

Abraham Inc. featuring David Krakauer, Fred Wesley & Socalled March 25, 7:30pm Abraham Inc. is an unprecedented collaboration between three cultural visionaries – champion of klezmer music and world-class chamber clarinetist David Krakauer; funk legend Fred Wesley and hip-hop renegade and beat architect Socalled. Heralding a time when boundaries are eroding, Abraham Inc. is a headon musical collision, signifying new possibilities for cross-cultural engagement. Add a three-piece horn section led by Wesley, a hip-hop rapper and members of Krakauer’s Klezmer Madness! band and the result is an all-out klezmer-funk dance party! Miller Outdoor Theatre – Free.

Opera in the Heights presents Giacomo Puccini’s La Boheme March 26-27, April 1-10 @ 7:30pm Who doesn’t love opera’s most famous lovers, Mimi and Rodolfo? Join Opera in the Heights for what is arguably the most popular operatic of all time. At the end, Puccini doesn’t leave a dry eye in the house.

Lambert Hall (1703 Heights Blvd.) – $10-45.

For tickets and more information, visit www.operaintheheights.org.

WE INVITE YOU! Spacetaker’s 6th Annual Gala: Apocalypto March 20 @ 7pm Hit the road with Spacetaker for a spectacular evening of Mad Max-inspired revelry! Over 800 guests will join the festivities at Winter Street’s own Thunderdome for a decadent display of food, drink, music, dance, theatre and art. Performances include live ice sculpting by Reverend Butter, DJ Drew, Psophonia Dance Company, Scatter!

Improv, Divisi Strings’ Collide and the rowdy Americana band, Robert Ellis and the Boys. Winter Street Studios – Tickets starting at $60. www.spacetaker.org/apocalypto march 10 | www.002mag.com .27

002houston March 10:002houston

born cool. grow hip.

By Pixie Ibañez Photographed by Jack Potts

2/18/10

9:41 AM

Page 28

ARE WE THERE YET? Special thanks to Western Airways, Inc. @ Sugar Land Regional Airport. 281.565.9700 www.flywesternairways.com

T

RAVELING WITH YOUR YOUNG KIDDOS CAN BE CHALLENGING AT TIMES. PACKING SMART AND USING THE RIGHT TRAVEL GEAR CAN DEFINITELY MAKE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A “RELAXING TRIP” AND AN “ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN TRIP.” MAKE SURE TO BRING ALONG PLENTY OF THINGS TO KEEP THEM ENTERTAINED DURING FLIGHT (KEEP THEM HANDY) AND ALSO AT THEIR FINAL DESTINATION. DON’T FORGET TO PACK THOSE THINGS THAT YOUR CHILD CAN’T BE WITHOUT…FORGETTING BLANKY OR BOBO COULD MEAN DISASTER!

WWW.TARGET.COM Little Tikes, My Real Digital Video Recorder WWW.CANDLEWICK.COM Finnikin of the Rock, Where’s Waldo? The Ultimate Travel Collection, and Judy Moody’s More Fun Stuff to Do. WWW.TRENDYKID.COM Trixie the Trunki - Luggage for little People WWW.JJCOLECOLLECTIONS.COM

Diaper Bag System 180 and Travel Pod Set WWW.POTTERYBARNKIDS.COM

Star Wars Backpack and Pink Mackenzie Rolling Duffle WWW.DISCOVERYSTORE.COM

Digital Photo and Video Camera (pink/purple) WWW.CRAYOLA.COM Stow and Go Studio, Glow Station and Dry-Erase Travel Pack 28. march 10 | www.002mag.com

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

9:56 AM

Page 29

march 10 | www.002mag.com .29

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

3:32 PM

Page 30

1

2

LEIGH WILLIAMS

ATHENA ELLIOTT

age 40 sign Scorpio origin Houston occupation Lifestyle Manager

age 45 sign Aries origin San Diego occupation Celebrity Manicurist www.Minx Houston.com www.MediNail Tech.com

people of houston Photography by Anthony Rathbun

3 NANCY MORATAYA age 16 sign Aries origin born in the US, parents from Central America occupation Student at Lee High School and HCC (part-time job at Smoothie King)

30. march 10 | www.002mag.com

1. LEIGH WILLIAMS •WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE TREND? Jeans. If I could wear them to galas, I would.

•IF YOU COULD MEET A CELEBRITY, WHO WOULD IT BE? Jimmy Kimmel. Funny, cute, makes his own pizzas and is currently available.

•IF YOU WON THE LOTTERY, WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU WOULD BUY? An antebellum home just off The Square in Oxford, Mississippi. I love that little town.

•WHERE DO YOU PLAN TO GO ON YOUR NEXT VACATION? Southern California. May not sound sexy, but it’s my favorite place to play.

2. ATHENA ELLIOT •WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE MUSICIAN? Joss Stone.

•WHAT WAS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT? Winning “Nail Tech of the Year.”

•WHERE IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO HANG OUT? Berryhills w/ DivoJ. •HOW DO YOU STAY IN SHAPE? This “shape” is easy to maintain. Just eat too much sugar!

•HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE? Holographic.

3. NANCY MORATAYA •WHAT IS ONE THING YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT? I can’t live without my mom. I know she won’t always be here, but she’s the one I run to when I feel lost and incomplete. She raised me to be who I am today.

•WHERE IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO HANG OUT? Houston’s SPCA. I just love being around all the animals.

•IF YOU COULD ONLY WEAR ONE COSMETIC PRODUCT, WHAT WOULD IT BE? EYE SHADOW!!!! I’m crazy about eye shadow and how it can change your entire look!!!

•WHERE DO YOU PLAN TO GO ON YOUR NEXT VACATION? I’m so going to Paris! I would die to see: the Eiffel Tower, Champs-Élysées, the Notre-Dame de Paris, Panthéon, Parc Monceau and the lovely sites of Chateau de Versailles.

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

10:00 AM

Page 31

2

march 10 | www.002mag.com .31

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

3:33 PM

Page 32

retail wrap Photography by Jill Hunter

HOW DID YOU GET INTO THIS BUSINESS? Charming Charlie evolved out of the opportunity to marry commercial real estate and retail together and it evolved from there.

WHAT SETS YOU APART FROM OTHER BOUTIQUES? In a nutshell, it’s the entire Charming Charlie experience. We combine a very aesthetically pleasing environment with a very affordable price point. Productwise, we focus on women’s accessories. Our emphasis is on fashion jewelry, but we also offer a wide selection of handbags, eye wear, scarves, etc., so a woman can find everything she needs to complete an outfit. One of the qualities our customers love most about us is our broad selection, another is how we merchandise. Thousands of pairs of earrings, necklaces, etc., can be difficult to sift through and overwhelming, but we lay out all of our merchandise in color families – so if a woman needs to match accessories to a red dress – she can quickly hone in on the section she needs. This organizational scheme is essentially the customer’s road map as she navigates the store, and is unique to Charming Charlie. The bottom line for us is to make every woman feel special and offer her lots of fun.

WHY JEWELRY AND ACCESSORIES? They are fun! Jewelry and accessories are a true, affordable feel-good for women, even in a down market. And we are the only retailer that is focused on this niche.

HOW DO YOU DO IT? We can’t give out our tricks of the trade, but I will say that we have a dedicated buying staff that is devoted to knowing the trends and working with our vendors to find the most unique items. It’s also key for us to then communicate those trends back to our customers in the store through our product and through our email program and website. Staying current or ahead of the curve also means keeping up with how our customers communicate and interact with each other, so we are very active with social media.

32. march 10 | www.002mag.com

years in operation opened october 2004 5999 Savoy, Houston, TX 77036 | 713.579.1936 | www.charmingcharlie.com

} {

DESIGN TRENDS? Nautical typically sets off the new year. So look for crisp navy and yellow. And if horizontal stripes, a staple of the nautical trend, are not suited for you, you can always invest in a fun striped bag or pair of earrings. We are looking at candyinspired colors – bright fuchsia, turquoise, lime, etc. We are also looking at garden party themes – flowers, butterflies, etc. Moving into summer we are going to see more global and ethnic-inspired trends.

HOW DO YOU STAY CURRENT? We carry thousands of items in every color under the sun.

CHARLIE CHANARATSOPON | CHARMING CHARLIE

5 RULES OF STYLE

1. Never be afraid to experiment. Accessories are a great way to transform your look or try new styles with a relatively small investment.

2. Knowing how to edit your ensemble and create harmony between your accessories and your wardrobe is key to a successful look.

3. Don’t be afraid of using color. Accessories are a great way of adding color to your wardrobe.

4. You can never go wrong with staples such as studs, hoops, a sparkly bracelet, a faux pearl strand, etc.

5. Balance body proportion and personal style when selecting jewelry and accessories.

for more retail wraps go to 002mag.com

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

10:01 AM

Page 33

} march 10 | www.002mag.com .33

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

3:33 PM

Page 34

costumes for cocktails

HIGH FASHION HOME - 3100 Travis St. 713.528.3838 NEIMAN MARCUS - 2600 Post Oak Blvd. 713.621.7100

Styling by Beatrice Valencia Photography by Sofia van der Dys Illustration by Cynthia Bogart

V.I.P. ) nger e s s a P tant r o p Im (Very

WE’VE PROBABLY PREACHED THIS BEFORE, BUT THERE’S NO REASON ANYONE SHOULD LOOK LIKE THEY JUST ROLLED OUT OF BED TO CATCH A FLIGHT. EASY, COTTON PIECES GIVE YOU THE SAME FEEL WITHOUT THAT LOOK.

I’m not a fan of wearing makeup on planes but if I must, might as well be sure it’s beneficial.

Providing active ingredients up to 20 times more effectively than most topicals, this tinted treatment fluid provides results you can see in 7 days! Don’t believe me? It sold out on its debut in one day at Bergdorf! Le métier de Beaute Peau Vierge Anti-Aging Complexe @ Neiman Marcus

34. march 10 | www.002mag.com

Cute details on the back but completely basic plus a built-in bra, equals practical but fashion savvy.

Ella Moss Tank @ High Fashion Home Comfortable pants in a flattering cut help you look put together not slouchy. Splendid cotton pants@ High Fashion Home Add a splash of color and keeps you warm in freezing terminals. Tolani scarf @ High Fashion Home Throw this oversized cardigan on for that blanket feel without extra bulk in your carryall. Elizabeth & James blousy cardigan @ Neiman Marcus Chic as it is durable, canvas carryall fits all your essentials . Goyard Carryall @ Barneys. Call 212.826.8900 for more info.

No need to over-accessorize if you have to go through security. Brass bird necklace @ High Fashion Home These sandals are cute and easy to take off for security checks. Nouer III or IV @ mattbernson.com

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

10:08 AM

Page 35

march 10 | www.002mag.com .35

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

3:35 PM

Page 36

Here we go again, forced to take it upon ourselves to visit destinations both near and far all in the effort to share our adventures with you, our fellow 002 readers! We tried to cover destinations both near and far.

From Alex Cousteau’s trip to the middle of the ocean

TRAVEL I S S U E

where he dove with humpback whales and hammerhead sharks; to my relaxing retreat to the Ritz Carlton in West Palm Beach; or Art Director Alexandre Rosa’s artistic Santa Fe journey; or Sandra Ramani’s musical education in Prague and close to home, Pixie Ibañez tastes local wines and hits the Hill Country to the

Bon voyage!

Messina Hof Winery. Whatever your destination of choice, safe travels and...

ST. MAARTEN Sandra Ramani

MAKE THE SCENE OCATED JUST UNDER 200 MILES FROM PUERTO RICO, THE ISLAND OF ST. MAARTEN HAS A BIT OF A SPLIT PERSONALITY. The northern half of the destination is French (they call it “St. Martin”), and it’s where you’d want to go for quiet and low-key relaxation. Here you’ll find Orient-Express’ La Samanna resort, for example, with its gorgeous, secluded beach and holistic-minded spa. When it comes to cutting loose, however, it’s all about St. Maarten, the island’s Dutch side. Casinos, nightlife, shops, restaurants – they’re all here, and much more. Think Amsterdam (and all that’s legal there) and add sand, skin and – in increasing numbers – celebrities.

L

WHERE TO GO During the day, stroll along Front Street and Great Bay Beach boardwalk, home to shops like St. Maarten Guavaberry Emporium, makers of the island’s famous sweet liquor, and That Yoda Guy, an art store/gallery run by the special-effects artists who designed the original Yoda figure.

Along the way, lunch at Oualichi, overlooking the water, or stay for happy hour at Taloula Mango’s.

Once the sun goes down, most scene-makers head to the Maho strip for the casinos, clubs and restaurants, like stylish sushi hub Bamboo Bernies. At the lively Soprano’s Piano Bar, a late-night crowd – including

36. march 10 | www.002mag.com

court house

st. maarten

island regulars like Joey Fatone and Lance Bass of ’NSync and Robert Iler of “The Sopranos” – belts out tunes by everyone from Journey to Jay-Z, while bottle service and booty-shaking can be found at clubs like Bliss and Tantra. Celeb DJs like Rev Run of RUN-DMC have spun at the latter.

WHERE TO STAY Though it’s a bit of a hike from party central, the Westin Dawn Beach Resort & Spa is one of the top games in town, with spacious, comfortable rooms, killer beds, an extensive beach and even a mini onsite casino.

USEFUL SITE www.vacationsmaarten.com

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

3:36 PM

Page 37

PALM BEACH Carla Valencia de Martinez

my omelet

IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT THE BEACH

USEFUL SITE

www.ritzcarlton.com courtyard pool

eau spa garden

ometimes you just need to disconnect...for me there’s nothing like the beach.

Anywhere I can sleep with the doors open listening to the waves break throughout the evening without suffocating in humid sheets is heaven.

S

Although I can’t help you get around the senseless new luggage fee, I can suggest a perfect destination to disconnect. A quick two-hour flight can have you in Palm Beach, Florida. Tack on about 30minutes for baggage and the drive to property – specifically The Ritz Carlton.

THE RITZ CARLTON PALM BEACH is, well, very Palm Beach. Understated luxury with a warm welcome.

Built in the 90’s the property has slowly undergone over $130 million in renovations and additions to become the resort it is today.

There is an ease to the property that overtakes you as soon as you step from reception and into the lobby area – which is really more like a grand Palm Beach estate living room and is so well done that the word “lobby” shouldn’t even be used in the same sentence.

The décor soothes and with each passing day feels more and more like someone’s home as guests converge in this area throughout the day. In the evenings, the bar right off this area becomes Stir, a fitting bar to see and be seen.

Palm Beach is great for a quick getaway and there really is no need to leave the property. The pools are perfection with a variety of nooks and crannies to carve out your spot should you choose to languish poolside

garden at night

with a cooling cocktail and your latest Kindle download. Known for their attention to detail, the Ritz staff never falters, sporadically walking by with frozen grapes or refreshing fruit smoothies. The beach is small, but somehow it’s really all you need and is lovely for early morning walks.

The Eau Spa by Cornelia, all 41,000 square feet, is an element all its own…completed in March of 2009, the spa celebrates its first birthday this month. This über sophisticated spa quite literally puts the concept of wellness in a tailspin. They say people who laugh and are generally happy live longer, and this spa does just that. It mingles interior and exteriors perfectly, creating peace and harmony while somehow managing to eliminate all the “am I doing this right” questions spas can sometimes cause. The rituals at the spa begin and end each visit ceremoniously, bringing purpose to creating “me time.”

It’s playful in its décor and application of spa-y elements. The Jacuzzi features various-sized rubber duckies, and if that doesn’t make you smile even a little on the inside then you probably need way more in your life than a spa. Whimsical champagne glass chandeliers beckon a bubbly demeanor while a life-size chess board invites you to play outside. The outdoor garden is another journey where water elements soothe with the sense of sound, while lavender wafts through the air innately relaxing you. There is no music as the sounds of wind chimes and water running are musical on their own. At the end of the space a massaging pebble rock wall over which cascading warm water runs down onto

lobby lounge

a bench is the perfect spot to end your experience right after you’ve relaxed in one of the cocoon swinging chairs suspended over a shallow fountain of water.

There’re also cooking classes with Executive Chef Ryan worth checking out. I perfected the yogurt parfait and am working on the perfect Ritz flip of the over easy eggs with no browning. The food is fantastic as can only be expected of a Ritz Carlton property. A dinner in a beachside cabana overlooking the ocean is a must, as well.

I should also mention that the kids and teen programs and area are not just an afterthought at this property.

They have their own world that feels like an underground cove. Upon entry it starts out as a ship with rooms off the sides, one is a rock wall for kids and leads into a hall which is a stage where kids put on their own shows while others can watch. That room leads into another space with a carved out nook lined with cushions of all colors and sizes where kids can chillax and read or watch TV on the plasma screen.

There’s a designated area for Wii and Rockstar jams.

And last but not least, there’s a glamour room where girls can get all dolled up with a closet full of clothes and shoes to play dress up and have their hair and makeup done in the “salon” followed by instant glamour shots.

The GM shared a story with me about a particular guest from New York who had booked a night to disconnect, but the blizzard of 2010 caused her to cancel.

I have no doubt she took a snow check.

march 10 | www.002mag.com .37

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

3:38 PM

Page 38

THE REVILLAGIGEDO ARCHIPELAGO Alejandro Martinez Terri Huber, Reuben Watkins, Bob Scarzafava, Patchara Carlson, Dieter Moya, Janice Menke

don’t go blue First task at hand was finding out what someone would need to take for this kind of trip.

1. A refresher in scuba diving is prime, plus get familiar with your scuba diving computer as you will depend on it for this trip.

2. Your own mask, fins and wetsuit.

3. DAN (divers alert network) insurance.

So I headed to Sea Sports Scuba on Westheimer, where they have a swimming pool in the back of the store where you can get in and try all of your new equipment firsthand, familiarizing yourself. I bought some of the equipment and rented the rest.

The trip began aboard the Nautilus Explorer, a firstclass, live-aboard dive boat with capacity for 24 divers plus the crew. The voyage took us to the Revillagigedo archipelago – a one-day ocean crossing from Cabo San Lucas – to a small cluster of protected natural reserve islands.

Boarding the Nautilus Explorer I was assigned to cabin C, where I met my roomy from Sweden, “Harry,” Harry has been on this trip three times already and is going on his fourth followed by his fifth as soon as our voyage ends. I can’t understand how he could do the same trip back to back. But we’ll get back to Harry later on.

We started with a meet-and-greet of the crew and the other guests. Everyone went around the group introducing themselves and I quickly realized I am the least experienced diver aboard. Most are in the business or somehow related to diving. Others, like Harry, are just true aficionados. So when it came to me, I told everyone I’ve been diving for two years to make myself sound good, knowing full well that I’ve only done it at the resort level.

USEFUL INFO

After the briefing I approached Pedro, one of the dive masters, and told him my diving skills. He took me over to my diving station and gave me a walk-thru of my equipment, computer and what to expect on the first - NAUTILUS EXPLORER PO Box 97182 | Richmond, B.C., Canada V6X 8H3 01.604.657.7614 Toll-free 1.888.434.8322 info@nautilusexplorer.com |www.nautilusexplorer.com

38. march 10 | www.002mag.com

W

HEN A FRIEND OF MINE, DIETER, RECENTLY TOLD ME HE WAS GOING ON A SCUBA DIVING TRIP WITH ANOTHER OF OUR BUDDIES, RICARDO, HE SUGGESTED I SHOULD TAG ALONG. I WASN’T SURE I COULD HANDLE SCUBA DIVING FOUR TIMES A DAY FOR EIGHT DAYS IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE WITHOUT STEPPING FOOT ON LAND…

BUT ALEX COUSTEAU TOOK OVER AND BEFORE I KNEW IT, I SIGNED UP FOR IT!

dive. After fifteen minutes at sea someone spotted whales and then a group of about a hundred dolphins swam along the bow of the ship. It was amazing looking at all those dolphins swim alongside the boat! Only a few minutes into the trip and I’d already spotted whales and dolphins.

The first night following dinner we received our first dive briefing. Basically, the dive masters go over the conditions of the dive and what to expect at the location: depth, currents, animals and location.

There are always three dive masters in each trip and their knowledge of the dive spots is remarkable.

Our typical day consists of: - 7:15am pre-breakfast (coffee, cereal and fruit) - 7:45am dive #1 - 9:30am breakfast (eggs, pancakes, French toast, etc.)

- 10:30am dive #2 - 12:45pm lunch - 2:00pm dive #3 - 3:15pm snack (sushi, cold meats, etc.)

- 4:30pm dive #4 - 7:00pm cocktail hour - 7:15pm dive briefing if we were diving at a new location the next day - 7:30pm dinner - 11:45pm last call on alcohol (we need to be sober for the 7:30am dive) It needs to be mentioned that before and after each dive, the crew comes around handing out water or tea as well as fruit or some kind of pastry. This is no shabby diving excursion!

little harder to dive but well worth it. Here I encountered dolphins, giant mantas, white tip and black tip sharks.

Roca Partida (split rock): A piece of rock in the middle of the ocean and the only thing you see is the tip of this underwater volcano that functions as a cleaning station for the sea life who frequent it. Here I had my first dive with dolphins; they get so close that you can reach out and touch them.

They swam around me for a good two minutes before swimming away. I encountered the most diverse sea life of them all, with all types of sharks, silkies, silver tips, white tips, Galapagos and hammerheads.

Did I mention the Humpback whales? They’re a little more shy and although we spotted them on different occasions around the boat, the only way to catch a glimpse of them is by jumping into the water with mask and fins! There was no way to get in full gear.

They move so fast and are gone in a matter of minutes, but a guest on the boat, Bob, our whale whisperer (well, that’s what I called him) would jump in every single time and swim a few miles to see this fantastic animal.

Looking back, I can say that I looked forward to each dive never knowing what kind of sea life was waiting down there. On one dive a giant manta was swimming and a whale shark came out of nowhere and crossed its path. That was amazing to see, as it was a split second and only a few of us were lucky enough to witness it. Although new at this, I am hooked on the liveaboard scuba trip! Getting more and more comfortable and confident in my abilities with each dive.

We dove in three different locations: The Canyons: The name says it all! It’s a huge canyon. I encountered giant mantas, whale shark, dolphins, morays and hammerhead sharks – and not just one or two, hundreds of them at about 110 feet. The giant manta rays are all over this spot; at one point we interacted with four mantas.

- SEA SPORTS SCUBA 7543 Westheimer | Houston, TX 77063 713.977.0028 | ken.b@seasportsscuba.com www.seasportsscuba.com

The Boiler: A huge underwater formation that looks like a giant boiler and the top is barely under water. The underwater current made the boiler a

me and

Back to my roommate, Harry…I now understand why he keeps coming back to the Nautilus Explorer. Every trip is an adventure and is never the same as the previous one.

Signing off, Alejandro Martinez, aka Alex Cousteau

the nau

the chef

INSIDER TIP: Once off the boat and back on land, you will experience the movement of the boat for at least two days…And always remember do not go blue!

moray e

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

3:39 PM

Page 39

nautilus explorer diving deck

the divers

the giant manta and me

the nautilus explorer humpback whales hammerheads sharks the chef, enrique

moray eel

dieter | me

boat crew: hermรกn |divemaster: pedro, peter and jesse

the scuba divers march 10 | www.002mag.com .39

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

3:42 PM

Page 40

SANTA FE. NM Alexandre Rosa

POSADA TIME HEN I TOLD PEOPLE I WAS GOING TO SANTA FE FOR A SHORT TRIP, ALMOST ALL THE COMMENTS WERE UNANIMOUSLY, “WOW, IT’S BEAUTIFUL OUT THERE!” SO YOU CAN IMAGINE THE BUILD-UP…

W

la posada room's veranda

My arrival exceeded all expectations.

A one-hour drive from Albuquerque International Airport and I’m in the heart of downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico. The beautiful adobe-style architecture Santa Fe is so well known for embraced me. The air is light, crisp and pristine. Beautiful yellow foliage lines all the trees setting the tone.

Nestled two blocks from the historic Plaza & Canyon Road is La Posada de Santa Fe Resort & Spa™, my home away from home for the next 3 days. This charming and magical resort is a harmonious mix of traditional and contemporary along with luxury and rustic. It is infused with impeccable landscaping, outside fireplaces and patios plus art – loads of art everywhere. I just couldn’t believe this oasis was right in the middle of the city. La Posada and its 157 guest rooms have gone through an extensive renovation recently. The original building dates back to 1700 but most of its character and historic value have been kept. My newly refurbished room was a perfect refuge of comfort and coziness. The décor with traditional adobe walls, a fireplace, huge windows, rustic/modern furniture, wi-fi, 37” LCD Panel TV… just give me one of those plushy robes and I will never want to leave.

ber of galleries and museum, ranging from historic sites, contemporary, ba-roque to you name it. Obviously I can’t forget to mention Georgia O’Keeffe, whose heritage can be felt everywhere – after all, it is O’Keeffe country.

Santa Fe celebrates its 400th anniversary in 2010, and the festivities will be going on throughout the year – do you need a better excuse to make a trip of it?

landscape, art everywhere!

cozy lounge

The luxurious Spa offers many unique signature treatments. I was feeling adventurous that day and I have a weakness for chocolate so I chose the Chocolate Chile Wrap. As the name suggests, I was wrapped in chocolate and chile lotion for 50 minutes. Nourished with antioxidants and drenched in rich moisturizers, it’s not as aromatic as one would think, but it leaves this hint of chocolate on your skin. (The weather in Sante Fe can be drier than we Houstonians are used to, so bring some lip balm.) Many other treatments are available like the Spirit of Santa Fe or Pueblo Salt Glow – your rejuvenated body will thank you for it!

I participated in a cooking class/demo with the renowned Chef Mary Nearn at über-elegant Fuego Restaurant. Some of my favorites were the rich, roasted butternut squash soup with cider reduction and toasted pumpkin seeds and the incredibly moist and flavorful porcini-dusted salmon with asparagus and beurre rouge. Lending its name from the original family that owned the building, Staab House Bar is located on the first floor of La Posada. The intimate Victorian-meets-boho lounge offers the perfect ambience to enjoy a signature tequila cocktail while listening to the music and mingling with the locals.

Orchestrating the numerous art pieces displayed around the resort is Sara Eyestone, the resort’s own passionate curator/artist. Her enthusiasm is contagious as she tours guests to the works of local and national artists such as Susan Contreras, Kathleen Frank and John Farnsworth. Within walking distance I found a vast num-

40. march 10 | www.002mag.com

buffalo burger at restaurant martin

USEFUL SITES LA POSADA DE SANTA FE RESORT AND SPA, A ROCKRESORT, 330 E. Palace Ave. www.laposada.rockresorts.com 505.986.0000 SANDIA SHUTTLE Toll Free- 888.775.5696 www.santafenm.gov

THE RAINBOW MAN 107 E. Palace Road 505.982.8706 www.therainbowman.com Native American Tribe photographs, sculptures and artifacts; this store is a time portal.

NEW MEXICO HISTORY MUSEUM 113 Lincoln Avenue 505.476.5200 www.nmhistorymuseum.org

RESTAURANT MARTÍN 526 galisteo street, 505.820.0919 www.restaurantmartinsantafe.com This award-winning restaurant offers the best Buffalo Burger I’ve eaten!

GEORGIA O’KEEFFE MUSEUM 217 Johnson Street, Santa Fe 87501, www.okeeffemuseum.org Get to know a little bit more about this American Art Icon.

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

3:42 PM

Page 41

his trip really begins Friday evening when my husband Pedro and I pick up the convertible 2010 Audi A5 at Audi West Houston.

This cool gunmetal grey baby with a black soft-top complete with all the accoutrements – L.E.D lights, automatically retractable roof, satellite radio, heated seats (essential feature, especially when facing freezing temperatures), and the new MMI® navigation plus system – is fundamental for a trip just like this! The soft-top is engineered so well that you can not tell the difference between it and a regular hardtop.

Both are equally whisper-quiet. So we buckle in, crank up the good old iPod and set the navigator system to “alternate route” hoping for a picturesque scenic route. Located only 90 minutes from Houston, Messina Hof Winery & Resort is the perfect weekend destination.

T

MAKING WINE SING

In a community steeped in tradition, Messina Hof Winery & Resort (named after the founders’ ancestral homelands) holds its own with a 200-year history of award-winning wines. Although the winery itself was officially established when they released their first vintage in 1983, the rich wine heritage of Winemaker Paul Bonarrigo dates back six generations to Messina, Sicily. Merrill Bonarrigo’s family originates from Hof, Germany. Together they have pioneered the Texas wine industry in creating premium wines of distinction and a landmark wine country destination.

MESSINA HOF WINERY + RESORT

messina hof winery

Pixie Ibañez

dinner @ the vintage house

the new audi a5 convertible at messina hof winery

Upon arrival we literally feel our stress fade away – the winery is so charming and quaint as if we’d been magically transported to the rolling hills of the French country, to a 19th- century chateau. Ah! So close, but yet so far…got to love it!

We had arranged accommodations at The Villa, their B&B that houses ten romantically unique rooms, each decorated with European antiques and 18th-century stained glass, and individually themed, giving guests a one-of-a-kind experience. The Villa has been recognized as one of the most romantic Bed & Breakfasts in Texas and it’s easy to see why. It is so relaxing, we actually find it tempting to not leave our room to explore our surrounding – all 100 acres to be exact.

Hunger eventually sets in giving us the perfect excuse to get out of chillax mode and ready for a VERY important dinner date.

You see, days prior to our arrival we received a personal invitation from Paul and Merrill Bonarrigo for dinner. Paul arrived wearing his trademark red beret and Merrill her beautiful smile. The Vintage House is exactly what we expected. Antique chandeliers emit a soft orange glow creating the perfect ambience, while ceiling-high walls are covered with shelving structures cradling hundreds of barrels containing future vintages. The décor is elegant without being stuffy, rustic accents provide the perfect country feel, and the service is first-class.

pixie ibañez, paul and merrill bonarrigo, pedro ibañez

The menu features their exclusive Vineyard Cuisine.

Chef Ken Richards uses only the finest and freshest ingredients available…all naturally prepared; they even grow some of their own produce. Each and every dish incorporates one of their award-winning wines, and all of their meats are marinated in Messina Hof wines.

both bravely confess to Mr. and Ms. Bonarrigo that the wines had completely exceeded our expectations. For years we’ve been “conditioned” to think that quality wines must be imports; we often find ourselves choosing wine based on country of origin instead of personal taste. After our insightful tour we realized that times are changing and that wine production is no longer geographically limited. Award-winning wines are At dinner Paul and Merrill treat us to some of their being produced every year in our homeland and most favorite wines: a Pinot Noir – fruity and elegant; a importantly in Texas.

Chardonnay – crisp, aromatic, woody and rich; a Muscat Canelli – pleasantly fragrant and fruity; and, We must admit, spending time with Paul and Merrill my favorite, a Cabernet Franc Private Reserve which was a true highlight of the trip. After some candid conwas double barrel aged in European oak and then in versations and plenty of giggles, it was clear to us that American oak. It was rich and bursting with blackber- the magic this winery possesses is a reflection of their ry, vanilla and allspice flavors. love for one another, for life and for all that surrounds them. They are truly inspiring!

My husband and I love red wines, and even though we don’t have a sommelier’s title under our belt, we are USEFUL SITES pretty good at distinguishing good quality wine. We

www.audiwest.com www.messinahof.com

march 10 | www.002mag.com .41

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

3:43 PM

Page 42

PRAGUE Sandra Ramani

A MUSICAL LIFE

B

ACK IN THE MID-1990S, I WAS WALKING NEAR PRAGUE’S CHARLES BRIDGE WHEN I CAME UPON A GROUP OF FIVE ELDERLY STREET MUSICIANS PERFORMING JAZZ. NOT JUST ANY TYPE OF JAZZ, MIND YOU, BUT AUTHENTIC DIXIELAND – THE KIND YOU’D HEAR DOWN IN NEW ORLEANS (OR MAYBE IN A WOODY ALLEN MOVIE), BUT RARELY ANYWHERE ELSE. WHEN I EXPRESSED SURPRISE AT HEARING SOMETHING SO AUTHENTICALLY AMERICAN ALL THE WAY IN PRAGUE, MY GUIDE JUST SMILED. “During

municipal house hall

Communism, people would secretly play jazz and rock-and-roll – things that symbolized the West,” he explained. “It helped us feel connected to the outside world.”

As further proof, later that night he took my friends and me to a music venue that seemed like a holdover from those Eastern Bloc days. Set down a winding staircase, the tiny underground cave was packed tight with patrons sipping beers, puffing on cigarettes and listening reverently to a traditional jazz combo. The whole scene was so 1950’s beatnik, I almost expected to see hipsters in black turtlenecks snapping their fingers.

Over a decade later, the Czech Republic has become a bustling tourist favorite with plenty of Western influences (see: Subway sandwich shops) and a thriving, open economy (it’s part of the European Union). Happily, music is still a big part of Prague’s cultural scene. The city hosts numerous festivals and concert series throughout the year, celebrating genres both classic and contemporary. Many of these performances take place at unique locations like castles and ornate historic halls, which offer backdrops as dramatic as the musical programs themselves.

WHERE TO GO: In late-1989, Czechoslovakia’s non-violent Velvet Revolution led to the overthrow of decades of authoritarian rule and the establishment of the first non-Communist government in over 50 years, with playwright Václav Havel as the new democratic President. Soon after, President Havel invited the Rolling Stones to perform at Prague Castle to a crowd of over 100,000 – a powerful event for the new republic. The stunning castle, set on a hilltop overlooking the city, is still a popular spot for classical performances, as is Municipal House’s Smetana Hall, a 1911 Art Nouveau gem decorated with works from noted early-20th century Czech artists.

Opera and Prague have had a long love affair; after all, this is where Mozart conducted “The Marriage of Figaro” in 1786 and premiered “Don Giovanni” the following year. (Side note: Parts of the movie “Amadeus” were filmed in Prague, as well.) Aficionados can still enjoy passionate pieces at the Prague National Theater (also home to the ballet), the Theater of the Estates (where Mozart often worked) and the Prague State Opera. (www.czechopera.cz) Along with all the traditional performances, Prague is also famous for its more offbeat offerings. Marionette and puppet shows are popular, as is Black Light Theater, a unique combination of acting, acrobatics and puppetry performed under ultraviolet light. There are nine black light theaters currently in operation in town; the biggest is WOW (www.wow-show.com).

42. march 10 | www.002mag.com

castle night

And that underground cellar I went to way back when? It’s called Downstairs at U Maleho Glena and still hosts top-notch jazz and blues every night. (www.malyglen.cz)

WHEN TO GO: Prague hosts several major music festivals every year. Ones to watch include: The Prague Winter Music Festival (www.praguewinter.com) is held over five days every January. Now in its 38th year, the festival’s program of mainly opera, ballet and classical events takes place at key locations around town, including the famous Dvorak Hall at the Rudolfinum.

Typically held in May/June, the renowned Prague Spring Festival, which began in 1946, features an international roster of classical stars. The 2010 lineup includes conductor/composer Andre Previn, who will lead the Czech Philharmonic, as well as classical Indian sitar virtuoso Anoushka Shankar. (www.festival.cz) Over its 30-plus-year history, the International Jazz Festival Prague (www.jazzfestivalpraha.cz) has hosted such legends as Ray Charles, B. B. King and Jean-Luc Ponty. Strings of Autumn, running from October into November, spotlights the relationship between classical and jazz (www.strunypodzimu.cz), while Prague Autumn, taking place in September/October, welcomes performers from such diverse genres as flamenco and gypsy orchestras (www.pragueautumn.cz). Meanwhile, the timeless operas of Giuseppe Verdi are celebrated every August during the Verdi Festival (www.opera.cz).

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

3:43 PM

Page 43

WHERE TO STAY: Located in the Mala Strana neighborhood not far from the Charles Bridge, the stylish Aria Hotel’s 52 rooms and suites are each named after a musical legend, from composers like Dvorak and Beethoven to Elvis, Billie Holiday and Tito Puente. Each luxe chamber boasts a free, Internet-equipped flatscreen TV loaded with info on the particular artist, plus CD and DVD players and iPods loaded with 520 songs. There’s also an on-staff Music Concierge (musician/historian Dr. Ivana Stehlikova) who can help with concert planning and tickets, plus an extensive library of music and movies which guests can enjoy in the tricked-out screening room. (www.ariahotel.net)

aria hotel - view from the vrtbovska garden

aria hotel - music library

dvorak hall

aria hotel - dessert

for more destinations go to 002mag.com

march 10 | www.002mag.com .43

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

3:46 PM

things i like love

By Carla Valencia de Martinez Photography by Sofia van der Dys

I always forget a razor when I travel! Especially when I hit the beach – no bueno. Love these 6-bladed razors with built-in shaving cream in the handle. Diva for ladies and Titan for guys. www.shavemate.com

I am the loser you sit next to on the flight who instantly passes out and proceeds to head jerk the whole flight. No more will I wake up in a panic resulting in a restless flight. Love this super-soft neck pillow and eyemask; as a bonus they add earplugs in the package. www.softhugwear.com

44. march 10 | www.002mag.com

Page 44

I love it when a hotel takes the experience to another level. It’s that kind of attention to detail that sets the great ones apart. The Berkeley in Knightsbridge, London, presents guests leaving for the airport with a Pratesi travel pillow case to go over those generic on-flight pillows. It’s hard to beat that. www.the-berkeley.co.uk

Flying dries out my skin, so any kind of mist makes me happy. Kinerase’s Hydrating Antioxidant Mist smells fresh and instantly reenergizes. I love an easy fix. Sephora

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

3:47 PM

Page 45

It’s hard to find good toiletry bag options. But I really like this Tocca old school option for a short trip. www.tocca.com For a longer trip, Caboodles® has some grown-up options in their new collection. The Femme Fatale is full of storage options and fits inside a suitcase. Available at Target.

I’ve always loved rings that hide something.

Rock ‘n’ roll meets sweet with the Love Rocks lip gloss ring. Victoria’s Secret.

Shot on Guinevere in creme on citron by www.RonaldDesigns.com wallpaper

Common sense: If you live a healthy life, chances are you’ll live longer and age more gracefully.

But, come on, Dr. Oz! I can’t give up my fries!

Thanks to T-fal’s ActiFry, I don’t have to! The patented technology has a stirring paddle that gently distributes a small amount of oil over potatoes while hot forced air creates crispy fries. One tablespoon of oil plus 2lbs of potatoes contain 3% of fat. www.t-falusa.com

march 10 | www.002mag.com .45

002houston March 10:002houston

W

2/17/10

3:54 PM

Page 46

E HAVE FUN WITH SPRINGS

FASHION PICKS AS MODELS SOAR TO DRAMATIC HEIGHTS VISITING SOME OF HOUSTON’S VERY OWN DESTINATION OFFERINGS. TAKE OFF ON FLIGHTS OF FANCY AND JOIN US AS WE GET READY FOR WARMER, SUNNY WEATHER!

Photography by Gabriella Nissen Photo Assistant Raymond Aldrete Styled by Carla Valencia de Martinez + Beatrice Valencia Makeup + Hair by Darcie Teasley for Page.713 Model and Talent Agency Models Ashlee Disney + Katja Hilgendorff for Page.713 Model and Talent Agency Clothes at Neiman Marcus Swimsuits by Zingara Jewelry by Tiffany’s and De Petra available at Tootsies

46. march 10 | www.002mag.com

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

3:57 PM

Page 47

Shot Outside the Hotel Icon march 10 | www.002mag.com .47

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

3:58 PM

Page 48

Like Sand through the Hourglass‌ Ashlee: bracelet by Milly www.neimanmarcus.com earrings and ring de Petra at Tootsies | Shot at Hotel Icon

48. march 10 | www.002mag.com

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

3:58 PM

Page 49

So are the Days of our Lives…

Ashlee and Katja all jewelry Tiffany’s | Shot at Hotel Icon march 10 | www.002mag.com .49

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

3:59 PM

Page 50

The Young and The Restless Katja and Ashlee, all jewelry de Petra Shot at Hotel Granduca

50. march 10 | www.002mag.com

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

4:00 PM

Page 51

Katja, earrings Tiffany’s everything else de Petra.

Giant Manta with Alejandro Martinez diving shot by Terri Huber on location Soccooro Islands march 10 | www.002mag.com .51

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

4:01 PM

Page 52

The Bold and The Beautiful

Katja, necklace de Petra, rings Tiffany’s Mokara Spa , Omni Hotel 52. march 10 | www.002mag.com

002houston March 10:002houston

2/18/10

2:48 PM

Page 53

The End ‌ march 10 | www.002mag.com .53

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

5:32 PM

Page 54

where to live VENUE

THE ROYALTON

HOUSTON MUSEUM TERRACE

MUSEUM DISTRICT 5353 FANNIN, HOUSTON, TX 77004

AT RIVER OAKS 3333 ALLEN PARKWAY, HOUSTON, TX 77019

1818, 1824, 1826, 1828 PROSPECT ST. HOUSTON, TX 77004

DEVELOPERS

+ BUILDERS PLACE YOUR P R O P E RT I E S HERE – EMAIL

US AT LETTERS

@002MAG.

COM LOCATION

AMBIENCE

AMENITIES

UNITS/ROOMS

WITHIN REACH

Live like royalty at The Royalton at River Oaks. Luxury, fullservice high-rise with a powerful location, romantic views and unequaled access to the city’s urban pulse points.

Your own private museum within the Museum District!

Gorgeous architecture throughout each floor becomes even more impressive!

Homes feature sleek, chic, contemporary interiors with fabulous finishes; choose from two selections of high-end granites and stones. Custom stained oak hardwood floors, 10-12’ ceilings, designer kitchens and baths, private balconies and 24/7 concierge service. Impressive amenity spaces include a resortstyle heated pool, private cabanas, grilling areas, fitness center with spin room and several lounge areas for entertaining or relaxing designed to complement the urban lifestyle.

Coming soon – on-site Bark Park for your pooch!

Exquisite world-class luxury condominium in the heart of Houston. Breathtaking views of Downtown, Galleria and Medical Center. Grand amenities including 24hr concierge, valet service, limo service, wine cellar, service runners, wine cellar, club room, 3000sf gym, infinity edge pool & jacuzzi, ballroom, crown room, catering kitchen, guest suites and much more! Live like Royalty at The Royalton at River Oaks.

Call to schedule a viewing.

4 Blocks from Hermann Park, large rooftop terrace with builtin surround sound and outdoor kitchen option. Spacious tile foyer, Bosch and Jennaire stainless steel appliances with oversized granite island. Dining area includes built-in buffet and wine chiller, sunken living area with mahogany wood columns and accent wall in living area. Built-in book shelves and entertainment center in living area, master bath has 13 ½foot ceilings with luxurious tile accents.

224 homes in two towers connected by a skybridge, one and two bedrooms, 763-1857sf

Spacious floorplans ranging from 1-3 bedrooms.

4 units available / 3 bed, 3.5 bath, 2 car garage

Houston’s only apartment living on the METRORail, just minutes from The Texas Medical Center and Downtown. Perfectly located in the city’s cultural center, residents can walk to all major museums, Hermann Park and the Houston Zoo and enjoy access to a rich array of dining, nightlife, arts and entertainment.

Within minutes to Downtown, Galleria and Medical Center.

The Royalton at River Oaks is centrally located to fine dining, shopping, etc.

Located in the Museum District, it’s minutes from Downtown, 11 minutes from the Galleria and surrounded by the beautiful Hermann Park.

$260,000 - $1.4M

$449,000 to $459,000

Experience life on the rail at Houston’s newest luxury rental community. Venue Museum District presents cutting-edge architecture in vogue with Houston’s Museum District, emphasizing floor-to-ceiling windows and an abundance of views.

PRICE CONTACT

54. march 10 | www.002mag.com

Lease rates from $1405 - $3970

www.venuemuseumdistrict.com 713.523.6161

Cotton Properties 3333 Allen Parkway Stefanie Cotton, Broker Michael Callihan, Realtor 713.862.VIEW | www.royaltonhouston.com

Vinod Ramani 5023 Washington Avenue, Houston, TX 77007 vramani@urbanliving.com 713.868.7226 | www.UrbanLiving.com www.HoustonMuseumTerrace.com

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

5:32 PM

Page 55

architecture + design

LUGGAGE + J.CREW Not synonymous until now. Their luxurious handcrafted luggage collaborations with Italian leather house Dell’Ga, the renowned leather house dating back to the 1800’s, are sure to become family pieces. Naturally tanned Italian vachetta calf leather in special J.Crew colors will make finding your pieces in baggage claim a cinch…that’s if you’re willing to part with them.

march 10 | www.002mag.com .55

002houston March 10:002houston

2/18/10

11:03 AM

Page 56

002 profile Photography by Jill Hunter

PATRICK WARNER HENRY

PATRICK HENRY CREATIVE PROMOTIONS, INC. TITLE: PRESIDENT & CEO

PATRICK HENRY IS PRESIDENT & CEO OF PATRICK HENRY CREATIVE PROMOTIONS, INC., A FULL-SERVICE FOOD AND BEVERAGE AGENCY BASED IN HOUSTON THAT BEGAN IN 1987. THE COMPANY SPECIALIZES IN EXTENSIVE BEVERAGE TRAINING, DRINK DEVELOPMENT, MENU DESIGN AND CREATING REVENUE-GENERATING PROMOTIONAL PROGRAMMING FOR NATIONAL HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS. PATRICK IS COCHAIRMAN AND FOUNDER OF THE MILLENNIUM ADVISORY BOARD, A DISTINGUISHED PANEL OF FOOD AND BEVERAGE EXECUTIVES THAT MEETS ANNUALLY TO DISCUSS THE FUTURE OF THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY. PATRICK ALSO SITS ON THE BOARD OF THE CALIFORNIA CULINARY ACADEMY AND THE AMTRAK CUSTOMER ADVISORY BOARD.

DO YOU VOLUNTEER? Host monthly luncheons for retired guests from Greatwood Retirement Center at our office. Host annual holiday party for the disabled residents of the Richmond State School – usually held at Wild West Nightclub in Houston. Provide residents with lunch, gifts, visit from “Santa” and dance with them. Donate graphic design from company for various charity fundraisers; donate to the 100 Club; American Red Cross and Alzheimer’s Association.

WHAT AWARDS HAVE YOU WON? One of the Best Companies To Work For in Texas – 5 consecutive years. ADDY, International Davey, Summit Creative, MARCOM Awards for designs our company has done for our clients. Named Everyday Hero by the Houston Chapter of the American Red Cross. Public Service Award from the Houston Police Department for Involvement in “Houston Men gainst Domestic Violence Campaign.”

DO YOU RECYCLE? Yes, our entire company does.

ARE YOU NAMED FOR ANYONE? IS ANYONE NAMED AFTER YOU? Believe it or not, I was not named after the famous Patrick Henry, but after a neighbor.

DO YOU SPEAK ANY OTHER LANGUAGES FLUENTLY? No, I’m still trying to learn English.

DO YOU HAVE A GARDEN? FLOWER OR VEGETABLE? No; I live in a high-rise.

WHAT MAGAZINE—OTHER THAN 002 NATURALLY—WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE FEATURED ON THE COVER OF? Sports Illustrated.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SAYING OR LIFE MOTTO? “Simply Do the Right Thing.”

ARE YOU MORE LIKELY TO EAT PIZZA FOR BREAKFAST OR CEREAL FOR DINNER? Cereal for dinner.

SLIPPERS OR BARE FEET AROUND THE HOUSE? I like to run so I am always in tennis shoes.

56. march 10 | www.002mag.com

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO BRAG ABOUT YOURSELF? I prefer to brag about my employees.

HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU SPEND ON THE COMPUTER EACH DAY? 7 to 8 hours.

2/18/10

11:07 AM

Page 57

PATRICK WARNER HENRY

002houston March 10:002houston

WHO DO YOU CARRY PHOTOS OF IN YOUR WALLET? The only photo I have is my driver’s license photo.

WHERE DID YOU GROW UP? My dad was with the railroad so we were transferred many times. Amarillo; Emporia, Kansas; Chicago (my favorite) and Galveston.

HOW DID YOU CELEBRATE YOUR LAST BIRTHDAY? A dear friend of mine and I went to Chicago and visited my two favorite restaurants.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE MEAL? A great steak at Pappas Steakhouse.

WHAT’S ON YOUR KEY RING? A lot of keys.

WHAT HOLIDAY WOULD YOU DECLARE? I think 9/11 should be a memorial holiday.

WHAT’S YOUR PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY? If you are caring to people you will be successful in life.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR HOME? I live at the Royalton High Rise and I love the staff.

IF WE COULD INTRODUCE YOU TO ANYONE, WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHY? (You never know who we know!) Charles Woodson, CB-Green Bay Packers.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE THINGS TO DO IN HOUSTON? Run at Memorial Park; spend time on my train cars near the Amtrak Station and eating out with friends.

march 10 | www.002mag.com .57

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

5:34 PM

Page 58

ZYXEL MOBILE WIRELESS ROUTER “I need to get online!” is a phrase uttered by mobile people everywhere. The rugged, pocket-sized ZyXEL Mobile Wireless Router is just the device for you and your friends.

The router can connect up to five devices to the Web simultaneously through both 3G and 4G wireless connections as well as WiFi. It has a rechargeable battery back-up that will keep you up and running for over two hours. My favorite feature is that it monitors your bandwidth use and can alert you before you start racking up overage fees.

ZyXEL MWR222 Mobile Wireless Router | $299 | www.us.zyxel.com

tools+toys+ gadgets

By Michael Garfield

SOS ONLINE BACKUP Backing up: you know you should do it. It’s the simplest method of recovering all of your valuable documents, music, photos and more. Should your desktop or laptop bite the big one, an automatic solution makes it simple to duplicate data to your computer. SOS Online Backup is a great solution and potential lifesaver. You can back up from an unlimited number of computers, and it offers file versioning, a useful service for physically mailing large files. I had no worries using this service for my data as SOS encrypts on your PC and once more when it arrives at its storage destination. Recovering files is hassle-free plus I like the ability to share files with others by sending them a link they can use to download. www.sosonlinebackup.com | $49.95/year

SMARTPHONE SECURITY Rule Number 1 with a PC is to run an antivirus software. But viruses are now popping up on mobile devices. Leave it to hackers to infiltrate your cell phone.

Several companies now make mobile security software and the best I found is from Kaspersky Lab. Its Mobile Security program provides antispam and antivirus protection to Symbian and Windows Mobile users (not yet for iPhone, though). The most unique feature is that it uses GPS to locate lost or stolen phones, allowing users to remotely delete data from the SIM and includes parental controls.

Kaspersky Mobile Security | $29.95 per year www.kaspersky.com

STORAGE 3.0 I feel the need. The need for speed and a whole lot of data storage. Both of these can now be had with a new type of technology. One of the first external hard drives to support the new super high-speed USB 3.0 standard, the Dane-Elec So Ready can move your movies, photos and videos ten times faster than your old USB 2.0 connection. It is small enough to carry around with your laptop but this 500GB, 3.5-inch brushed metal drive is also perfect for full home network backups. And don’t forget to back up!

Dane-Elec So Ready SuperSpeedHDD | $149 | www.danedigital.com

MICHAEL GARFIELD is known as "The High-Tech Texan®." His radio program airs on The 9-5-0 weekdays from 9am-11am and Saturdays 11am-2pm. Visit his website at www.hightechtexan.com. Follow him on Facebook and on Twitter @hightechtexan.

58. march 10 | www.002mag.com

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

5:34 PM

Page 59

wise guy

A GUY’S GOTTA EAT

By Tim Moloney Illustrations by Jade Emmanuel

HELLO, FELLOW WISE GUYS, PLUS NEW AND REGULAR READERS OF THIS COLUMN. I AM WRITING THIS PIECE THE DAY AFTER THE SUPER BOWL AND THE LAST THING I WANT TO THINK ABOUT IS FOOD AFTER STUFFING MYSELF ON HAMBURGERS, QUESO, RIBS AND GINGER BEER. BUT, IN THE DAYS TO COME, THINGS WILL GET BACK TO NORMAL, AND I (AND YOU) WILL NEED A GOOD PLACE TO TAKE A CLIENT, LOVED ONE OR FRIEND TO LUNCH. THAT’S WHY I’M HERE WITH THE ANSWERS. As far as Houston’s premier lunch spots are concerned, there are a few big guns in our local food arsenal. Two of the most powerful are Tony’s and RDG/Bar Annie.

Don’t be put off by their stellar reputations or what you read in the gossip columns…both have an incredible lunch deal that’s guaranteed to impress your guest while not deflating your wallet (which should be, of course, a wallet by local designer Alexandra Knight, she of the exotic skins and endless customization: alexandraknightonline.com).

So, Tony’s. If you haven’t been in the past few or 10 years, you wouldn’t recognize the place. Well, first of all they moved to Greenway Plaza, and second of all they’ve lightened up the joint, filled it with Rauschenbergs and other art, and expanded the menu considerably beyond Continental fare.

Lunchtime brings the “Tony’s Greenway Express” for only $17. Hell, you’d pay that at Houston’s.

The Greenway Express is three courses of Tony’s signature excellence and service – including the hungry-man-pleasing Chicken Involtini – stuffed with spinach, sundried tomatoes and fontina cheese. Delicioso! Plus, the people-watching is great. You can see grizzled oilmen cutting deals, while plucked and pulled ladies who lunch push their salads around their plates.

Cut over to Post Oak and you’ll find the newish home of RDG/Bar Annie, formerly Café Annie when they were farther up the boulevard. The

Schiller/Del Grande Group has outdone itself on this modern, light-filled yet clubby space. Bar Annie is the place to be for lunch, and ask to sit in Adrian’s station. Their “Lunch Hour” special is just $19. You can get the famous RDG burger or my recommendation, the Bar Annie Taco Salad (miles away from that of Taco Cabana), plus soup or salad and dessert. On any given day, you will see business and social titans dining on the fine fare created by Robert Del Grande. Hands down, RDG/Bar Annie is the winner in the lunch wars. It’s so damn fun, you never want to leave, which is fine, because you can move your lunch downstairs at 2pm to BLVD Lounge. Your clients will love you!

KICK IT UP You can’t be all business. That’s why you need to head over to The Tipping Point on Main Street (thetippingpointstore.com). Inside downtown’s historic Humble Oil building, this sneaker lifestyle shop sells limited edition and exclusive designs from some of the sneaker business’ biggest names. You’ll find shoes that your more mainstream friends (read, non-Wise Guy) won’t discover until next year from Converse, Reebok, Adidas, Puma, Asics/Onitsuka Tiger, Nike and Vans. Besides a selection of clothing, books and music, various fashion, art and lifestyle events are held in partnership with local nonprofit organizations throughout the year. Find your classic 95 Nike Air Max here! My one complaint: limited large sizes.

LEAN OUT WITH LAYN “Since this is the travel issue, I thought I’d give you Wise Guys some tips for working out in your hotel room using ordinary items: Inverted bicycle: Start out by lying face up in bed or on the floor, legs lifted straight up at a perpendicular angle to your torso. Begin “pedaling” your legs, bicycle style with wide circles, for two to four minutes.

Squat-reaches: Plant your feet on the floor, shoulder distance apart. Squat down as low as you can go without falling over, touching the floor or your ankles if possible.

Rise all the way up onto the front balls of your feet, heels raised off the floor, then return to the squat position. Repeat ten times, times three sets.

ONE-LEG SQUATS: STAND AT THE SIDE OF YOUR BED, FACING AWAY FROM THE BED. LIFT YOUR LEFT LEG FROM THE FLOOR AND EXTEND IT STRAIGHT BACK ONTO THE BED SUCH THAT YOU ARE PUTTING MOST OF YOUR WEIGHT ON YOUR RIGHT LEG. SLOWLY LOWER YOUR WHOLE BODY ON THE RIGHT LEG, MAINTAINING AN UPRIGHT TORSO. AFTER REACHING THE LOWEST LEVEL, RISE UP AGAIN. REPEAT TEN TIMES ON BOTH LEGS, TIMES THREE SETS.

march 10 | www.002mag.com .59

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

5:35 PM

Page 60

to get through security QUICKLY

Photography by Jaime Lagdameo Shot on location at IAH

IT’S COOL TO GET THROUGH SECURITY QUICKLY AS SHOWN TO OUR 002 JET-SETTING TRAVELER

BY GENE BRAULT, ICMS COORDINATOR AT GEORGE BUSH INTERCONTINENTAL AIRPORT. WE’VE ALL EXPERIENCED THAT SUPER SLOW CLUELESS TRAVELER AND GRANTED WE KNOW THERE WILL ALWAYS BE THOSE WHO HAVEN’T TRAVELED SINCE, WELL, EVERYTHING CHANGED BACK IN 2001 – BUT WE CAN AT LEAST ENSURE YOU, DEAR 002 READER, WILL KNOW WHAT TO DO.

First of all, visit www.tsa.gov. It’s got all the information on what you can and cannot carry on.

In one bin, place all your clothing items. (No, don’t bare it all, please.)

Remove shoes, belt, jacket, etc.

In another separate bin (in other words, NOT the same one with your clothes) place your laptop –

You are allowed ONE zip lock bag with no more than 3.4 ounces of liquids. This includes eye drops, lip gloss, hand creams, mascara, etc.

SILENCE IS GOLDEN.

DON’T BRING ON BOTTLES OF WATER.

60. march 10 | www.002mag.com

Walk through security towards the guard. Keep your airline-boarding pass and government-issued photo ID available until exiting the security checkpoint. And DON’T make any smart remarks! You’ll hold up the line if you say something stupid or threatening even if you are joking.

REMOVING it from its protective case, if there is one. You can place your quart-size zip lock bag with your liquids on top of the laptop.

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

5:35 PM

Page 61

for more it’s cool to, go to 002mag.com

HAVE A NICE TRIP!!! march 10 | www.002mag.com .61

002houston March 10:002houston

restaurant listings

2/17/10

10:21 AM

Page 62

Courses inside the Art Institute of Houston 1900 Yorktown. 713.353.3644 DANTON'S GULF COAST SEAFOOD www.dantonsseafood.com 4611 Montrose. 713.807.8883 Eddie V’s Prime Seafood 12848 Queensbury Ln. 832.200.2380 www.eddiev.com

american

*17 inside Hotel Alden 1117 Prairie. 832.200.8888 www.aldenhotels.com

FOUNDATION ROOM | HOB 1204 Caroline. 832.667.7800 www.houseofblues.com

foundation room *17

Artista In the Hobby Center 800 Bagby. 713.278.4782 www.cordua.com Americas www.cordua.com •1800 Post Oak Blvd. 713.961.1492 •21 Waterway Ave. 281.367.1492 Barnaby’s www.barnabyscafe.com •5750 Woodway. 713.266.0046 •1701 S. Shepherd. 713.520.5131 •414 West Gray. 713.522.8898 •604 Fairview. 713.522.0106 •602 Fairview. 713.522.4229

Daily Review Café www.dailyreviewcafe.com 3412 West Lamar. 713.520.9217 Glasswall www.glasswalltherestaurant.com 933 Studemont. 713.868.7930

Haven www.havenhouston.com 2502 Algerian Way. 713.581.6101 HEARSAY GASTRO LOUNGE www.hearsayhouston.com 218 Travis St. 713.225.8079

Beaver’s www.beavershouston.com 2310 Decatur St. 713.864.2328

Benjy’s www.benjys.com •2424 Dunstan. 713.522.7602 •5922 Washington Ave. 713.868.1131

Mariposa Neiman Marcus www.neimanmarcus.com 2600 Post Oak Blvd. 713.621.7100 ext. 2166

Block 7 Wine Company 720 Shepherd Dr. 713.572.2565 www.block7wineco.com

McCormick and Schmick’s www.mccormickandschmicks.com •1151 Uptown Park. 713.840.7900 •1201 Fannin St. 713.658.8100

Bowl www.eatatbowl.com 607 Richmond. 832.582.7218

Branch Water Tavern www.branchwatertavern.com 510 Shepherd Dr. 713.863.7777

Canopy www.canopyhouston.com 3939 Montrose Blvd. 713.528.6848

Cava Bistro www.cavabistrohouston.com 300 Main St. 713.229.9504

62. march 10 | www.002mag.com

RDG | Bar Annie www.rdgbarannie.com 1800 Post Oak Blvd. 713.840.1111 Ruggles Green www.rugglesgreen.com 2311 West Alabama. 713.533.0777

Noe www.noerestaurant.com Four Riverway. 713.871.8177

Open City www.ochouston.com 2416 Brazos. 713.522.0118

Polo’s Signature www.polosignature.com 3800 Southwest Frwy. 713.626.8100 Post Oak Grill www.postoakgrill.com 1415 S. Post Oak. 713.993.9966 Quattro www.fourseasons.com 1300 Lamar. 713.276.4700

Pagoda [vietnamese] www.pagodabistro.com 4705 Inker St. 832.673.0400 RA SUSHI www.rasushi.com •3908 Westheimer. 713.621.5800 •12860 Queensbury Ln. #234 713.331.2792

Textile www.textilerestaurant.com 611 W. 22nd Street. 832.209.7177 Shade www.shadeheights.com 250 W. 19th St. 713.863.7500

THE CHELSEA GRILL www.chelseagrill.com 4621 Montrose Blvd. 713.942.9857 The Grove www.thegrovehouston.com 1611 Lamar. 713.337.7321

Voice Hotel Icon www.hotelicon.com 220 Main. 832.667.4470

YARD HOUSE www.yardhouse.com 800 W. Sam Houston Pkwy., CityCentre 713.461.9273

yard house

asian Auntie Chang’s Dumpling House www.auntiechangs.com 2621 S. Shepherd. 713.524.8410 Kam’s [chinese] 4500 Montrose Blvd. #C. 713.529.5057

Kubo’s www.kubos-sushi.com 2414 University Blvd. #200. 713.528.7878 LES GIVRAL’S KAHVE [vietnamese] 801 Congress St. 713.547.0444 www.lesgivrals.com

Straits www.straitsrestaurants.com 800 West Sam Houston Parkway N. 713.365.9922 Sushi Raku www.sushi-raku.com 3201 Louisiana. 713.526.8885

UPTOWN SUSHI www.uptown-sushi.com Uptown Park. 713.871.1200

Beaver’s www.beavershouston.com 2310 Decatur St. 713.864.2328 Goode Company TX Barbecue www.goodecompany.com 5109 Kirby. 713.522.2530 Luling Bar-B-Q Bar 138 West Gray. 713.520.6400

Pizzitola’s Bar-B-Cue www.pizzitolas.com 1703 Shepherd. 713.227.2283

breakfast

uptown sushi Zake www.zakesushilounge.com 2946 S. Shepherd. 713.526.6888

11th St. Café 748 E. 11th St. 713.862.0089 Avalon Drug Co. & Diner •2417 Westheimer. 713.527.8900 •12810 Southwest Frwy. 281.240.0213

Zushi www.zushihouston.com 5900 Memorial Dr., #102.

713.861.5588

CAFÉ ROSÉ www.bistroalex.com/cafe-rose 800 W. Sam Houston Pkwy., CityCentre 713.827.3545

bakery+ coffee+others

Crave Cupcakes www.cravecupcake.com 1151 Uptown Park Blvd. 713.622.7283

Antidote Coffee 729 Studewood. 713.861.7400 www.antidotecoffee.com

Empire Café www.empirecafe.net 1732 Westheimer. 713.528.5282

Café Brasil 2604 Dunlavy. 713.528.1993

Fountain View Café 1842 Fountain View. 713.785.9060

Coco’s Crepes www.cocoscrepes.com 218 Gray St. 713.521.0700 Don Diego Coffee www.dondiegocoffee.com 208 Travis. 713.228.3560 The Coffee Groundz www.coffeegroundz.net 2503 Bagby. 713.874.0082

Tiny Boxwood’s www.tinyboxwoods.com 3614 W. Alabama St. 713.622.4224 Diedrich Coffee www.diedrich.com 4005 Montrose. 713.526.1319

les givral’s kahve

Kraftsmen Baking www.kraftsmenbaking.com 4100 Montrose, #C. 713.524.7272

bar-b-que ra sushi

The Lake House www.thelakehousehouston.com 1600 McKinney. 713.337.7320 The Rockwood Room www.therockwoodroom.com 5709 Woodway Dr. 832.251.3663

Inversion Coffee House 1953 Montrose, #A. 713.523.4866 www.inversioncoffee.com

Taft Street Coffeewww.taftstreetcoffee.org 2115 Taft. 713.522.3533

Tart Café www.tartcafe.com 4411 Montrose. 713.526.8278

hearsay

BISTRO ALEX www.bistroalex.com 800 W. Sam Houston Pkwy., CityCentre 713.827.3545

Boom Boom Room 2518 Yale St. 713.868.3740 www.theboomboomroomhouston.com

Ray’s Franks & More 1302 Nance St. 713.224.6441

More Than Cakes www.morethancakes.com 1100 West Dallas. 713.652.5132 Rustika Café 3237 Southwest Frwy. 713.665.6226 Sugar Baby's Cupcakes www.ilovesugarbabys.com 3310 S. Shepherd. 713.527.8427 The Breakfast Klub www.thebreakfastklub.com 3711 Travis. 713.528.8561 The Buffalo Grille www.thebuffalogrille.com •3116 Bissonnet. 713.661.3663 •1301 S. Voss. 713.784.3663

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

10:23 AM

Page 63

LES GIVRAL’S KAHVE 801 Congress St. #101, Houston, TX 77002 | 713.547.0444 | www.lesgivrals.com Coming Soon... 4601 Washington Ave. | Houston, TX 77007 Best “Lunch Spot” 2006 Best “Vietnamese” 2005, 2006, Best “Sandwich” 2004, 2005 - AOL City Guide, City Search, Houston Press.

Best “Cheap Eats” 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, Best “Take Out” 2008, Best “Downtown Restaurant” 2007 A favorite among 002houston staffers, LES GIVRAL’S KAHVE is set to open at 4601 Washington Avenue. The yummy French Vietnamese restaurant known for its sandwiches, noodle dishes and pho is opening up a new beautiful space. Expect a full bar, large patio and new additional items fusing current items with monthly changing options. Plus they’ll be open late!

THE FRUIT PALETTE www.thefruitpalette.com 2413 Rice Blvd. 713.523.7848

cajun+creole+ southern Houston’s This Is It Soulfood 207 W. Gray. 713.659.1608 www.thisisithouston.com Mardi Gras Grill www.mardigrasgrill.net 1200 Durham. 713.864.5600 Treebeards •315 Travis. 713.228.2622 •1117 Texas. 713.229.8248 •1100 Louisiana. 713.752.2601 •700 Rusk. 713.224.6677 Zydeco Louisiana Diner 1119 Pease. 713.759.2001

european+french Brasserie Max and Julie [french] 4315 Montrose. 713.524.0070 www.maxandjulie.net Charivari Specialty [european] 2521 Bagby. 713.271.7231 www.charivarirest.com

Feast [european] www.feasthouston.com 219 Westheimer. 713.529.7788

indian

Kiran’s www.kiranshouston.com 4100 Westheimer. 713.960.8472 Narin’s Bombay Brasserie 3005 W. Loop South. 713.622.2005 www.narinsbombaybrasserie.com Shiva Indian Restaurant 2415 Times Blvd. 713.523.4753 www.shivarestaurant.com

italian

ARCODORO www.arcodoro.com 5000 Westheimer. 713.621.6888

ARTURO’S www.arturosuptown.com Uptown Park. 713.621.1180 MIA BELLA www.miabellatrattoria.com •2006 Lexington St. 713.237.0505 •320 Main. 713.237.0505 •110 Vintage Park. 281.251.8930 •1201 San Jacinto – Houston Pavilions 832.319.6673 Mingalone www.mingalone.com 540 Texas. 713.223.0088

Ristorante Cavour Hotel Granduca www.granducahouston.com 1080 Uptown Park. 713.418.1000 SPAGHETTI WAREHOUSE 901 Commerce @ Travis.

713.229.9715 www.meatballs.com A Warehouse Full of Food, Friends, Families and Fun! Great Kids Menu! Large and Small Groups Welcomed. Open 7 Days A Week.

Deliveries and Catering Available.

Valentino + Vin Bar Hotel Derek www.valentinorestaurantgroup.com 2525 West Loop South. 713.850.9200

latin ANDALUCIA [spanish} Houston Pavilions 1201 San Jacinto St. 713.651.1081 Café Piquet [cuban] 6053 Bissonnet. 713.664.1031 Cielo Mexican Bistro www.cielomexicanbistro.com 300 Main St. 713.229.9500 Cyclone Anaya’s [mex] 309 Gray St. 713.520.6969 www.cycloneanaya.com

El Tiempo Cantina [mex] •3130 Richmond. 713.807.1600 •5602 Washington. 713.681.3645 •1308 Montrose. 713.807.8996 www.eltiempocantina.com

Maria Selma [mex] www.mariaselma.com 1617 Richmond. 713.528.4920

FREEB!RDS WORLD BURRITO www.freebirds.com •3745 Greenbriar. 713.524.0621 •528 W. Bay Area Blvd. 281.557.2300 •6940 FM 1960 West. 281.444.3336 •9774 Katy Fwy. #700. 832.358.0300 •1923 Taylor, # F. 713.862.0080 •1640 Lake Woodlands. 281.419.8011 •11302 Broadway. 281.741.3337 CATERING 888.392.2287

Picazo Restaurant Bar & Grill 1421 Preston. 713.236.1300 www.picazodowntown.com

El Rey [cuban-mex] •233 Main. 713.225.1895 •910 Shepherd. 713.802.9145

Rioja www.riojarestaurant.com 11920 Westheimer. 281.531.5569

Tacos a Go-Go www.tacosagogo.com 3704 Main. 713.807.8226 Yelapa Playa Mexicana 2303 Richmond Ave. 281.501.0391

freebirds

Guadalajara del Centro 1201 San Jacinto. 713.650.0101 www.guadalajarahacienda.com

mediterranean +greek Cafe Lili [lebanese] www.cafelili.com 5757 Westheimer. 713.952.6969

NIKO NIKO’S www.nikonikos.com 2520 Montrose. 713.528.1308

Star Pizza www.starpizza.net •77 Harvard. 713.869.1241 •2111 Norfolk. 713.523.0800

steak+chops Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse www.flemingssteakhouse.com •2405 W. Alabama. 713.520.5999 •788 W. Sam Houston Pkwy. North.

713.827.1120 Laurenzo’s Grille www.laurenzosgrille.com 4412 Washington. 713.880.5111

Morton’s www.mortons.com •5000 Westheimer. 713.629.1946 •1001 McKinney. 713.659.3700

MO’S www.mosrestaurants.com 1801 Post Oak Blvd. 713.877.0720

Habaneros Mex-Grill 3017 Milam. 713.523.1010 Irma’s [mex] •22 N. Chenevert. 713.222.0767 •1314 Texas. 713.247.9651 The Lemon Tree [peru] www.thelemontreeonline.com 12591 Whittington. 281.556.0690

Tila’s [mex] www.tilas.com 1111 S. Shepherd. 713.522.7654

TINTOS www.tintosrestaurant.com 2015 West Gray. 713.522.1330

mo’s niko niko’s Saffron Moroccan Cuisine 2006 Lexington. 713.522.3562 www.saffronhouston.com

pizza

Candelari’s www.candelaris.com 6002 Washington. 832.200.1474 Bombay Pizza Co. www.bombaypizzaco.com 914 Main St. 713.654.4444

El Meson [cuban] 2425 University. 713.522.9306 El Patio [mex] •6444 Westheimer. 713.780.0410 •2416 Brazos. 713.523.8181

Ninfa's The Original www.ninfas.com 2704 Navigation Blvd. 713.228.1175

Pink’s Pizza www.pinkspizza.com •710 West Gray. 713.521.7465 •1403 Heights Blvd. 713.864.7465

tinto’s Lucio’s [new american latin] 905 Taft. 713.523.9958

Dolce Vita Pizzeria y Enoteca 500 Westheimer. 713.520.8222 www.dolcevitahouston.com

Frank’s Pizza www.frankspizza.com 417 Travis. 713.225.5656

Pappas Bros. Steakhouse www.pappasbros.com 5839 Westheimer Rd. 713.780.7352 Spencer’s Steaks & Chops 1600 Lamar. 713.577.8325 www.spencersforsteaksandchops.com

Strip House www.theglaziergroup.com 1200 McKinney. 713.659.6000 Shula's Steakhouse Hyatt Regency www.donshulas.com 1200 Louisiana St. 713.375.4777

for more restaurant listings go to 002mag.com

march 10 | www.002mag.com .63

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

4:14 PM

Page 64

SIMPLY DELICIOUS

dine write

By Beatrice Valencia Photography by Kim Coffman

2

4621 Montrose Blvd.

In the Chelsea Market Houston, TX 77006| 713.942.9857 www.chelseagrill.com

HOURS:

Monday - Friday – 11am-9pm Saturday – 9am-9pm (brunch 9am-noon) Sunday – 9am-5pm (brunch 9am-5pm)

sample menu selections

salads

• Grilled Shrimp and Spinach Salad Served with Shaved Fennel and Manchego Cheese, Black Olives, Orange Segments, Pink Peppercorn Vinaigrette.

• Grilled Chicken and Spinach Salad with Sugared Spice Pecans, Apples, Goat Cheese Pin Wheels with an Apple Cider Vinaigrette.

sandwich/burgers

• Mahi Mahi Fish Sandwich with Cabbage Slaw and a Chipotle Aioli.

• Mozzarella Arugula Sandwich with warm Buffalo Mozzarella, Grilled Tomato with Fresh Basil Pesto.

entreé

• Grilled Snapper Filet with White Wine Cream Sauce topped with Avocados. Served with Grilled Vegetables.

• Chelsea Fried Chicken Breast with Roasted Garlic Black Pepper Gravy served with Green Beans and Mashed Potatoes.

• Hickory Smoked Baby Back Ribs BBQ Pork Ribs Smoked for 4-5 Hours and served with Shoe String Potato Mixture and Red Onion Rings.

64. march 10 | www.002mag.com

1

T

3

UCKED INTO THE CHELSEA MARKET, THIS “CASUAL UPSCALE” GRILL WILL HAVE YOU RECONSIDERING YOUR IDEA OF COUNTER SERVICE. COUNTER SERVICE AND CONSISTENCY ARE NOT USUALLY ASSOCIATED. THE CHELSEA GRILL DEFIES THAT NOTION.

The décor is modern with black and deep red accents and golden lighting. This alone differentiates this grill from others that offer the same ordering system. No kitschy, bright whimsy around. Just clean, modern, simple décor so the only detail you focus on is the star, the food.

Having hurdled over the starter with flying colors, I imagined I was safe ordering just about anything. American dishes sit alongside Italian and Tex-Mex, so ordering is just deciding what you’re in the mood for. We ordered the Grilled Buffalo Burger and the 3 Cheese Lasagna with Meat.

With ingredients like shiitake mushrooms, chipotle aioli and balsamic onions to name a few, deciding what to order will take longer than a hot second. I stared at the menu a good 10 minutes after ordering the Hummus and Grilled Pita to start.

While waiting on our order we had the chance to taste the Sweet Potato Won Tons. They were as delicious as aesthetically pleasing. Filled with ricotta cheese, pecans, sage, honey and served with a balsamic reduction and chili oil, I wasn’t sure what flavor to expect. A sweet but savory and spicy, crunchy combo is what I got. If you’re looking to taste something unique, this has it all.

With so many delicious choices, I figured if we get the Hummus first, I could taste it and let my taste buds be my guide. Sure enough, the Hummus and Grilled Pita was on spot. I’ve never had the pita grilled before and this one small detail makes a huge difference – oh, the aroma of it! I could “taste” the toasted goodness before I dipped into a generous amount of hummus. The hummus is simple, not doctored or over garlicky. (I wasn’t feeling the after effects hours later. A delightful first to be honest.)

The moment I set eyes on the grilled buffalo burger, I thought “whoa!” The burger is served open so you see the balsamic red onions and grilled green tomatoes a op the buffalo patty and the fat-free green chile mayo slathered on the top bun. It’s impressive. The buffalo meat is tender and juicy; the flavor of the onions and slight crunch of the tomato is brightened up with the chile mayo.

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

4:14 PM

Page 65

4

5 1. Hummus and Grilled Pita | 2. The Chelsea Grill Interior 3. Grilled Buffalo Burger | 4. Blue Cheese Ranch Burger 5. Sweet Potato Won Tons A mountain of crispy sweet potato/shoe string potato mixture is served on the side. They’re hard to resist.

The 3 Cheese Lasagna with Meat left me giddy with delight. You would think you can’t mess up this classic but it’s been done. Usually, I find places try to doctor the marinara and that alone annoys me. There’s no need to mess with a good thing. Just take fresh ingredients and make it classic. This grill does just that! Ricotta, parmesan and mozzarella are sandwiched between layers of pasta and ground meat smothered in a roasted tomato marinara. The flavors are classic. It’s simple and that makes it delicious. I boxed up my leftovers and it even tastes awesome after reheating.

My meal left me excited to have found another go-to place for dining in or taking out. The ingredients are fresh. And just like the simple décor, the food is simple but the quality at The Chelsea Grill is unparalleled compared to other counter service counterparts.

march 10 | www.002mag.com .65

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

4:15 PM

Page 66

CHEF ERIC ALDIS

the chef’s special

restaurants mo’s….. a place for steaks | cuisine contemporary steak house 1801 Post Oak Boulevard | 713.877.0720 | www.mosrestaurants.com

Photography by Cody Bess

FAVORITES MUFFIN

BLUEBERRY SONG KEEN

, ROBERT EARL

WRITING UTENSIL SHARPIE

DESTINATION TEXAS

SHOE

MY TONY LAMA BLACK LIZARD COWBOY BOOTS

EXECUTIVE CHEF ERIC ALDIS AT MO’S….A PLACE FOR STEAKS IS A HOUSTON NATIVE, KATY TO BE EXACT. ALDIS, WITH OWNER JOHNNY V’S BLESSING, IS THE MAN BEHIND THE DELICIOUS FOOD BUT ALSO CAN BE SEEN GRACING THE FLOOR ON A BUSY NIGHT. ALDIS HASN’T JUST CREATED A MENU WITH STEAKS AS THE NAME SAYS – RATHER THERE’S A VARIETY OF OPTIONS FROM SUSHI, SEAFOOD AND STEAKS TO SOME PRETTY SIMPLE YET FANTASTICALLY TEXAS EXECUTED DESSERTS. LIKE THE GIANT CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE WITH BLUE BELL ICE CREAM. IF YOU HAVEN’T STOPPED BY THIS HOT SPOT, DROP IN AND SAY HI TO ERIC. FAVORITE LATE NIGHT SPOT FOR A BITE? Sinh Sinh.

WHAT’S YOUR PET PEEVE? Shortcuts.

BEST BREAKFAST? Waffle House (The True Open Kitchen).

FAVORITE AFFORDABLE WINE? Rubicon Cask Cabernet Sauvignon.

BEST BRUNCH? Quattro in the Four Seasons.

FAVORITE PLACE FOR DESSERT? The Chocolate Bar. My son loves it!

WHAT INGREDIENT CAN YOU NOT LIVE WITHOUT IN THE KITCHEN AND WHY? Cheese, so many different possibilities.

WHO ARE YOUR FAVORITE CHEF, RESTAURANT? Certified Master Chef Ken, Arnone.

WHAT UTENSIL CAN YOU NOT LIVE WITHOUT? Micro plane.

66. march 10 | www.002mag.com

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

11:47 AM

Page 67

march 10 | www.002mag.com .67

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

4:16 PM

Page 68

new restaurants

NEW RESTAURANT?

EMAIL US AT

LETTERS@

Photography by Sean Blake

Photography by Shannon O’Hara

002MAG.COM

BYRD’S MARKET + CAFE

BISTRO ALEX @ HOTEL SORELLA

YELAPA PLAYA MEXICANA

420 MAIN ST. | 713.225.0100 www.byrdsmarket.com

800 WEST SAM HOUSTON PKWY. | 713.827.3545 www.bistroalex.com

2303 RICHMOND AVE. | 281.501.0391 www.yelapatime.com

CUISINE GOURMET AMERICAN + SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

CUISINE TEXAS-CREOLE FARE

CUISINE PACIFIC COAST-INSPIRED MEXICAN FARE

CHEF MARLIES WASTERVAL

CHEF JUAN CARLOS GONZALEZ

CHEF L.J. WILEY

BREAKFAST – IT’S THE MOST IMPORTANT MEAL OF THE DAY AND THE MOST UNDERRATED. With Byrd’s Market & Café (a chef-driven, casual dining experience) debuting on Main, this misnomer will change. Serving breakfast from 7- 11am weekdays and extended on the weekends, you too are sure to bring this long forgotten meal back into your schedule.

We had the Breakfast Burrito #1, sausage, egg, cheese and sweet potato fries are all wrapped in a flour tortilla with green salsa and sour cream. Owner Rusty explained to us that this is like a typical California breakfast; any surfer would have to get some protein and carbs in for energy before their morning surf. The menu is a blend of comfort food with a Southern California twist. The twist is the fresh, organic and healthier ingredients that are the norm in California restaurants. The sausage in the burrito is made in-house and has a pleasant spice kick to it. Combined with the sweet potato fry, a delicious and hearty union is achieved. We also had another favorite, the All in One Biscuit Sandwich. A fried egg is sandwiched with arugula and tomato on an artisan cheddar bacon biscuit. It’s awesome and somehow you don’t feel bad eating it because all the ingredients are fresh. No grease anywhere! The only juice is from the exploding egg yolk. Stop in soon for everything from burritos, to chilaquiles, to granola, to a stack o’ pancakes, mimosas and more! Breakfast – it’s the BEST meal of the day.

68. march 10 | www.002mag.com

Brennan’s strikes again! With a sample du jour style menu that seems to be catered to sharing your meal with your company, there is no such thing as an unsatisfied customer. IN KEEPING WITH BRENNAN’S TEXAS-CREOLE FUSION, we started with the smoked pheasant gumbo and from the small plates section, the BBQ shrimp shortcake. I’m not a huge fan of gumbo but Bistro Alex might have turned me. Usually gumbo is too gritty and seafood flavor for my taste. Here Chef Gonzalez has eliminated that with delicious strips of smoked pheasant in a perfectly seasoned rendition of a classic dish. I think I might be the only one who thought shrimp and BBQ didn’t mix. Until I tasted a piece of the buttermilk and rosemary biscuit. With a bite of shrimp in a Shiner Bock beer cream and New Orleans-style BBQ sauce, boy, did my belief change. Both the shrimp and biscuits are smothered in the BBQ sauce but surprisingly this doesn’t make either too soft. It’s deceptively delightful. For dinner we split the large plates (they aren’t kidding with that description) crispy whole red snapper. A sauté of saffron fennel, melted leeks, deck oven roasted grape tomatoes (my fav!), charred corn and local citrus are served along with a whole (head, tail, etc.) crispy (i.e., fried) red snapper with a chimichurri sauce. After we de-boned the fish, the meat was moist and tender. Each bite with the sauce, veggies and burst of grape tomatoes was perfection. A side of macaroni au gratin is a must. Fiori pasta with Veldhuizen cheese and bacon brioche crumbs is totally worth the calories when you are splitting fish.

Good food, great service and a visit from Chef Gonzalez himself (he visits with most tables it looked like) made for a memorable experience.

I’ve been dying to get myself to a beach, preferably a Mexican one, ASAP! The flight is pretty quick which is all I can handle.

Now, if only I could find time and money… Sitting in the dining room of Yelapa transports me to the Mexican Rivera instantly.

With the fireplace lit, Manu Chau playing and the “equipales” furniture, it wasn’t hard to achieve. You’ll understand what I mean when you visit. We started out with Pancho ritas (Don Julio Silver, Cointreau, lime and salt) and they bring a nice spicy nut mixture to snack on while you peruse the menu.

SEVERAL CEBICHES START OFF THE MENU THAT YOU CAN ORDER PERUVIAN STYLE (COOKED IN LIME JUICE) OR TEXAS STYLE (COOKED AND THEN PUT IN LIME JUICE). I was in a cocktail mood and ordered their Campechana. A bowl full of chips for dipping is served with a cocktail glass loaded with avocado chunks, rock shrimp and crab claws. This cocktail is superb! The sauce is spicy and all the components are fresh. Between the Pancho rita and this, I was in heaven. We also split (three come in one order) the Baja style battered fish tacos with coleslaw and chili mayo. Already floored by the Campechana this only added to the delight of finding my new “happy” place that is within driving distance, no ticket or passport required!

be hip. current. cool @ 002mag.com

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

10:28 AM

Page 69

march 10 | www.002mag.com .69

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

4:17 PM

Page 70

Compiled by Pixie Ibañez

EVENT: ONE GREEN STREET GRAND OPENING WHY: RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY WHERE: 5160 BUFFALO SPEEDWAY WHEN: JANUARY 23

Events / Photo Credit One Green Street – Michelle Watson for www.lastnightpics.com Fashiontini – Hunter Jones for www.lastnightpics.com Rockin’ Rodeo@HOB – Brad Sechler + Hunter Jones for www.lastnightpics.com Ruggles Grill – Daniel Ortiz Timeless Africa – Fulton Davenport

check out all the parties in houston @ 002mag.com 70. march 10 | www.002mag.com

Storeowner Sherry Eichberger had visualized the grand opening of One Green Street, an organic destination boutique, hundreds of times but never expected it to be as magical as it was. Family and friends streamed into the store eager to discover and explore some of the many wonderful treasures hidden within. Guests sipped on Green Light Martinis, a custom-designed signature cocktail and munched on organic bites from Byrd’s Market. Best wishes!

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

4:19 PM

Page 71

EVENT: FASHIONTINI WHY: NEIMAN MARCUS & ZINGARA FASHION SHOW WHERE: HOTEL SORELLA @ CITYCENTRE WHEN: JANUARY 21

Fashionistas flocked to Hotel Sorella for featuring a runway show to view the latest Neiman Marcus and Zingara looks. Gorgeous models strutted down the Sorella runway providing all attendees a VIP look. The party was just getting started; after show, guests gathered at the Monnalisa for the after party. Guests sipped on signature Hudson Ferus martinis. Once the models retreated, the boys found other things to focus on, only this time the object of desire had four rubber wheels and some very sleek lines…the Audi West Houston cars were amazing!

Proceeds benefited the Amschwand Sarcoma Cancer Foundation’s Catwalk for a Cure.

EVENT: ROCKIN’ RODEO @ HOUSE OF BLUES WHY: JUST FOR FUN WHERE: FOUNDATION ROOM, HOUSE OF BLUES WHEN: JANUARY 29

This party was definitely rockin’! Partygoers were decked out in their sexiest western garments – lots of Daisy Dukes, short skirts, chic boots, bandannas, big buckles and an assortment of cowboy hats. The mechanical bull was without a doubt the night’s main attraction. Partygoers definitely grabbed the bull by its horns, providing onlookers with plenty of giggles and priceless entertainment. Local radio station 93Q Country kept the crowd two-stepping all night long. Giddyap! march 10 | www.002mag.com .71

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

4:20 PM

Page 72

More than 300 guests arrived at the Houston Zoo to celebrate Gainer, Donnelly & Desroches’ 2010 “Timeless Africa” calendar launch party.

Tribal beats from DJs Dayta and Squincy Jones and Koumanke’le African drummers set the mood as guests mingled around the fiery red reflection pool feasting on exotic bites from Cordua Catering. One of the night’s highlights was the costume-clad Carver Dance “critters” that interacted with the crowd throughout the evening (the monkey and giraffes were so cool!). The night culminated with an extraordinary African dance performed by the Carver Aldine Dance Company.

EVENT: TIMELESS AFRICA WHY: 2010 GD&D CALENDAR LAUNCH WHERE: HOUSTON ZOO WHEN: JANUARY 19

CHECK OUT ALL THE PARTIES IN HOUSTON @ 002MAG.COM

EVENT: RUGGLES GRILL WHAT: GRAND RE-OPENING WHERE: 903 WESTHEIMER @ MONTROSE WHEN: JANUARY 27 Cars lined up as locals tried desperately to make it into the Grand Re-Opening of Ruggles Grill. After Hurricane Ike devastated this popular eatery, their faithful clientele wondered if that was the end. After two years of mending and repairs they are back better than ever! More than 1,000 guests celebrated the awaited return sipping on plenty of champagne, vodka, beer, eating amazing food that kept coming and coming, enjoying some cool live music, and even a flamenco dancer. Welcome back!

72. march 10 | www.002mag.com

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

2:44 PM

Page 73

OM

march 10 | www.002mag.com .73

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

4:22 PM

Page 74

recording

MACC GRACE

By Lance Scott Walker Photography by Peter Beste

THE RAPPER FORMERLY KNOWN AS DAT BOY GRACE GREW UP AS A MEMBER OF THE LATE DJ SCREW’S SEMINAL SCREWED UP CLICK, BREAKING OUT WITH FROM CRUMBS TO BRICKS IN 1999 AND CONTINUING TO APPEAR ON SCREW’S MIXTAPES UNTIL AN UNFORTUNATE PRISON SENTENCE PUT HIM ON LOCK FOR THE BETTER PART OF THE LAST DECADE. NOW HE’S OUT, HE’S GOT A NEW NAME AND IS BUDDING UP FOR THE SECOND PART OF HIS CAREER. AND HE’S HUNGRY! How are the new recording sessions going?

Man, I done rapped on every track we got.

Instrumentals and everything. I’m waitin’ on some more.

You actually used it all up.

Yeah! Pretty much. I was doing 4, 5 songs a day. I got songs stacked up and now I’m just trying to get on the other end of it. Marketing, promoting, pressing it up and mixing and mastering, that type of shit.

Is it all lyrics that you wrote while you were locked

74. march 10 | www.002mag.com

up or is it stuff you’re writing right now?

What’s it going to be called?

It’s like a mixture of both. A lot of times it depends on where the track takes me. If I hear a track and I’m like ‘damn, I got something that’s dope for it,’ then I just go straight to my pad and get it. But if I hear something that be jammin’ and I feel it, I’ll just write something new right there on the spot.

Maccnificent.

How come you changed your name?

Yeah, lemme get a number 2. Uh… let me get a Coke. No! Lemme get a Hi-C Orange. My bad, Lance.

Who’s producing the tracks?

No worries. At the Wendy’s?

Oh you got… Lil Randy produced some, Z-Ro did a bunch of tracks for me. Will Lean from Botany did some, then there’s a couple of other cats. I’ve been really just reaching out to everybody, just touching everybody. People been getting’ at me, they found out I’m home and I guess it’s they way of like… payin’ homage or whatever, just slipping me tracks. So that’s just the way it’s been going right now. Callin’ in favors, hollering at people.

But you feel like you have an album coming together, picking out what you’ll use?

Yeah, that’s exactly what I’m doing. When I do music, I’ll do at least 30 or 40 songs, at least. And then I’ll go back with my producers, engineers, my brother [Los, also of Screwed Up Click] and come up with 12, 15 of the best ones.

Yeah, yeah. Anyway, you know, I had got a little bit older, so I didn’t wanna be called a ‘boy’ no more.

Let’s see… I got two pennies… but other than that, I just feel like I’m on some mackin’ type shit…Appreciate it… if you know anything about mackin’, I just got a way with my mouth, and I was kickin’ it with these little pimp dudes on that last little stint I did in Alabama, these dudes from St. Louis and Chicago. They used to always be choppin’ it up with me. They was like ‘you know, you need get with this pimpin’,’ and I was like ‘I don’t do no pimpin’.’ And they was like ‘well, we gonna call you Macc Grace from here on out.’ And that shit just kinda stuck with me. Can I get some ketchup?

www.myspace.com/graceofthesuc

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

4:23 PM

Page 75

I

FIRST RODEO!

By Carla Valencia de Martinez

THE BAYOU CITY ARTS FESTIVAL is on its 12 annual run at Memorial Park coming up March 26 – 28. The award-winning festival has come to be one of the city’s highly anticipated events. Imagine a great big art gallery encompassing local as well as internationally renowned artists in one outdoor venue. This is it! All the art represented is juried and handpicked featuring the works of 300 artists representing 17 medias. Check out multicultural music and dance on the Houston Arts Alliance stage, indulge in international food and wine, take part in interactive art at the Capital One Bank Creative Zone, and more. This year’s featured artist is Vic Lee’s whimsical oil painting Waiting to Fly. New this year is the first Adult Creative Zone where adults get to let loose and be kids for 2 and a half hours on Saturday ,March 27. Sponsored by Texas Monthly, Capital One Bank, Silver Eagle Distributors, Pinot and Picasso to name a few. From 7 – 9:30pm at the Memorial Park VIP Tent, a $50 ticket (available at www.bayoucityartsfestival.com) will get you food, drinks and rumor has it there will be a cake walk! Fifty “Art Walkers” will be chosen at random to win original art donated by Bayou City artists (value: $150 – $1,500). Host Committee Chairs Paul Pettie, Gabriel Cohen and Jonathan Cohen have plenty of tricks up their sleeves to make sure this first is a memorable addition to the already thriving festival.

FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE: www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=317349810929&index=1

march 10 | www.002mag.com .75

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

4:24 PM

Page 76

LIVE IT BIG FESTIVAL LIVE IT BIG ON SATURDAY, APRIL 10! This festival was created in 2009 when Cathy Clark was inspired by the unexpected loss of her young, healthy best friend. “To me, the Live It BIG Festival is important because it is a day for me to remember my friend, her life and all of the things that made her so important to me.

But, it also is a time for me to rededicate myself to living life today and to remember to not get wrapped up in the little annoyances of life that just really don’t matter. We only have one life and it can go in an instant.” The festival is a fundraiser for the Live It BIG nonprofit corporation which donates money to new and small charities, enabling them to focus on their mission without the distraction of the constant need to fundraise. A $10 ticket (which you can purchase online at www.liveitBIG.org) will have you enjoying the great outdoors, fantastic bargains at restaurants and bars, and fun from 2-8pm. Tickets jump to $20 the day of the festival. Not to worry, the Washington Wave will be working hard during the festival to transport attendees from one bar to another, and to prevent inebriated walking or driving.

76. march 10 | www.002mag.com

Don’t miss the scavenger hunt, live music at different spots and taste a new Texas brew. You can also support the Live It BIG cause by paying a dollar to any event ticket seller to decorate a square on the Live It BIG flags scattered throughout the fest to honor those you’ve lost, or those who’ve survived. Live It BIG helps those who are surviving by selecting Friday Harbour as their initial benefiting charity, an organization working to provide housing to cancer patients and their families.

Many events throughout the year help Live It BIG achieve the goal of supporting charities like Friday Harbour. Coming up next, Kevin Floyd will lead Camp Beer the afternoon of March 28, where $50 promises unheard of brews from foreign lands, outside of Texas.

Beer, cocktails and good times are just the surface. Scratch deeper to discover an organization dedicating its efforts to reminding the world that life is only lived once and people should live for today. Hence, the moniker: “Live Life Now, Live It BIG.”

FIND OUT MORE about Live It BIG, the festival, Cocktail Camp and Camp Beer by checking out www.liveitbig.org, becoming a fan on Facebook or following any of three Twitter accounts: @liveitbigfest, @cocktailcamphou and @campbeer.

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

4:24 PM

Page 77

club+lounge review

By Travis Jones Photography by Daniel Ortiz

I

ABSOLVE WINE LOUNGE | THE WONDERS OF WINE COUNTRY IN THE CONCRETE JUNGLE 920 studemont st., houston, tx 77007 | 281.501.1788 | www.absolvewinelounge.com

BEGGED THEM NOT TO DO IT. I PLEADED, CAJOLED, WHEEDLED AND WHINED, BUT THEY STILL DID IT. ABSOLVE WINE LOUNGE PUT A SIGN UP. GIANT, STENCILED, NEON-ILLUMINATED LETTERS. YOU CAN SEE IT FROM SPACE. IN ONE FELL SWOOP, THEY WENT FROM HOUSTON’S NARNIA (MINUS THE TALKING GOAT PEOPLE AND ENGLISH ACCENTS) TO HOUSTON’S NEXT HOT SPOT.

Perfectly hidden in plain sight at 920 Studemont St., Absolve Wine Lounge isn’t much from the outside.

Step through the doors though and patrons are transported to a surreal mindscape of quaintly-sized proportions. For a layout consisting of four corners and a bar, very few places are able to pull off as many character-filled facets. In one corner, tucked behind a veil of artistic white tree branches, visitors can get lost in a plush lounge while the other corner is a cozy, Victorian era sun room; high-backed chairs, plush stools and antiqued tables invite visitors to indulge. For a “wine place,” Absolve even pulls off a public house feel with bench and booth-lined walls and a traditional, darkly stained oak bar. The walls – a rich, royal blue – are adorned with enough funky art to please a range of tastes.

The only thing missing is a corpulent oil tycoon in a silk bathrobe enjoying a Cuban and a glass of port, talking about bears and bulls and other things I pretend to understand while on dates. However, said oil tycoon probably wouldn’t be jamming to the cocktail of tunes played overhead at Absolve. Not deafening by any means, but just loud enough to spur conversation about what you were doing when you first heard Boys II Men’s “On Bended Knee” or that one Sister Hazel song. (What I claim to have been doing is pretty far from the truth usually.) Soul food music from Generation X. Absolve has enough of a wine selection to appease professional palettes and those just beginning their wine journey. From richly tannined, Old World reds and powerful ports, to boutique whites and the bubbly, Absolve can take patrons all over the world or right around the corner to Texas vineyards in Houston’s own backyard. Pretty much every wine bar caters to the same crowd of ageless, worldly and educated people, but the successful places embrace an attitude of fun and helpfulness. Absolve cans the you’reon-your-own attitude that many trendy vino lairs cling to and provides visitors an army of well-trained staff that are eager to get as engaged as you like in the selection process. If wine doesn’t do it for visitors, the bar is well stocked with over 20 beers and fresh fruit sangria is always on the menu.

The dress code is pretty laissez-faire, but it’s not exactly Dave & Buster’s. Guests should dress like they mean it.

A seven-day happy hour is usually just a marketing term that places use to pack people in before telling them that the specials include a buck off their $9 cocktails. To quote Homey D. Clown, “Absolve don’t play dat.” ABSOLVE OFFERS SMASHING PRICES ON THEIR MOST POPULAR WINE SELECTIONS AND $2 BEERS EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK FROM 4-7, and all night on Wednesdays. Keep in mind though, while you can celebrate to the wee hours on the weekends, Absolve currently shuts things down at midnight Sunday-Thursday, so get there as early as you do often. Absolve also cuts food prices in half, which is more than a little treat. Fresh salads. Artisan pizzas. Shrimp and spinach stuffed mushrooms. With all of this, plus cheese plates featuring hand-crafted selections from all over the world, visitors can make an entire evening of the experience.

Returning from your adventure at Absolve Wine Lounge is a harsh step back into reality. Studemont’s traffic whizzes by filled with honks, shouts and gestures; the skyline in the distance an ever-present reminder that tomorrow is just another work day. Tonight though, your Houston experience was different, simply because you noticed a sign in a strip center. Tonight, Houston was wine country.

march 10 | www.002mag.com .77

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

10:47 AM

Page 78

BARS + CLUBS + LOUNGES + WINE BARS 002 night life

downtown

LUCKY STRIKE LANES & LOUNGE 1201 San Jacinto. 713.343.3300 www.bowlluckystrike.com MOLLY’S PUB 509 Main. 713.222.1033 www.mollyspubs.com

511CLUB 511 Main. 713.221.8833 www.whatsnexthouston.com A+ BAR inside Alden Hotel 1117 Prairie. 832.200.8800 www.aldenhotels.com

C&F DRIVE INN 6714 N. Main. 713.861.0704 CHAR BAR 305 Travis. 713.222.8177 www.charbarhouston.com

THE COTTON EXCHANGE 202 Travis. 832.507.5906 www.cottonexchangelounge.com DEAN’S CREDIT CLOTHING 316 Main. 713.227.3326 www.myspace.com/ deanscreditclothing

DIVE LOUNGE inside the Aquarium 410 Bagby St. 713.223.3474 EIGHTEEN TWENTY 1820 Franklin. 713.224.5535 www.myspace.com/1820bar ETTA’S LOUNGE 5120 Scott. 713.528.2611

FLYING SAUCER 705 Main St. 713.228.7468 www.beerknurd.com

HOUSE OF BLUES 1204 Caroline. 1.888.40.BLUES www.hob.com/houston JET LOUNGE 1515 Pease. 713.659.2000 www.thejetloungehouston.com LA CARAFE 813 Congress. 713.229.9399 LIVE SPORTS CAFÉ 407 Main. 713.228.5483 www.livesportscafe.com

LONE STAR SALOON 1900 Travis. 713.757.1616

78. march 10 | www.002mag.com

PETE’S DUELING PIANO BAR 1201 Fannin. (Houston Pavilions) 713.337.7383 www.petesduelingpianobar.com RED CAT JAZZ CAFÉ 924 Congress. 713.226.7870 www.redcatjazzcafe.com

RESERVE 101 1201 Caroline. 713.655.7101 www.reserve101.com

SAMBUCA JAZZ CAFÉ 909 Texas Ave. 713.224.5299 www.sambucarestaurant.com SHADOW BAR 213 Milam. 713.221.5483 www.theshadowbar.com

SHAY MCELROY’S 909 Texas Suite A . 713.223.2444 www.mcelroyspub.com STATE BAR & LOUNGE 909 #2-A Texas. 713.229.8888 www.thestatebar.com THE BREWERY TAP 717 Franklin. 713.237.1537 THE B.U.S. 1800 Texas. 713.222.2287

TOC BAR 711 Franklin. 713.224.4862 www.tocbar.net

VENUE 719 Main. 713.236.8150 www.venuehouston.com

BELVEDERE 1131 Uptown Park. 713.552.9271 www.belvedereinfo.com BLVD 610 LOUNGE 3005 West Loop. 832.875.3997 www.blvd610.com

THE BLACK SWAN (Omni Hotel) 4 Riverway. 713.871.8181 CLUB 26 TEN 2610 Sage. 713.974.4000 www.myspace.com/club26ten

PLANETA BAR-RIO 6400 Richmond. 832.251.9600 PAPARRUCHOS 3055 Sage. 713.212.3178 www.paparruchos.com

RA SUSHI 3908 Westheimer. 713.621.5800 12860 Queensbury. 713.331.2791 www.rasushi.com

REMINGTON BAR St. Regis Hotel 1919 Briar Oaks Ln. 713.403.2631 www.theremingtonrestaurant.com RICHMOND ARMS

5920 Richmond. 713.784.7722

www.richmondarmsonline.com

ROXY 5851 W. Alabama. 713.850.ROXY www.myspace.com/roxyhouston

THE TASTING ROOM 1101-18 Uptown Park. 713.993.9800 2409 W. Alabama. 713.526.2242 www.tastingroomwines.com WILD WEST 6101 Richmond. 713.266.3455 www.wildwesthouston.com

heights + washington

BLANCO’S 3406 W. Alabama. 713.439.0072 www.houstonredneck.com

BIG STAR 1005 W. 19th. 281.501.9560 www.bigstarbar.com

BLUE LABEL LOUNGE 4500 Washington. 713.861.9910 www.bluelabellounge.com BOOM BOOM ROOM 2518 Yale. 713.868.3740 www.myspace.com/ boomboomroomhouston

CORKSCREW 1919 Washington. 713.864.9463 COSMOS CAFÉ 69 Heights. 713.802.2144 www.cosmoshouston.com

DAN ELECTRO’S GUITAR BAR 1031 E. 24th St. 713.862.8707 www.danelectrosguitarbar.com

DARKHORSE TAVERN 2207 Washington. 713.426.2442 www.dhtavern.com DUBLINER LOUNGE 4219 Washington. 713.861.2300

EI8TH 5102 Washington. 713.880.3500 KOBAIN 33 Waugh. 713.862.9911 www.kobain.net

MANOR ON WASHINGTON 4819 Washington. 713.426.0123 www.manoronwashington.com NOX 4701 Nett. 281.701.4248 www.noxhouston.com

ONION CREEK 3106 White Oak. 713.880.0706 www.onioncreekcafe.com

PANDORA 1815 Washington. 832.296.6220 PEARL BAR 4216 Washington. 713.863.5337 www.thepearlbarhouston.com

galleria+uptown BAR 12•21 MORTON’S 5000 Westheimer. 713.629.1946 www.mortons.com

BEER ISLAND 2631 White Oak. 713.862.4670

ABSOLVE WINE LOUNGE 920 Studemont St., #150 281.501.1788 www.absolvewinelounge.com

PORCH SWING PUB 69 Heights. 713.880.8700

REBEL’S HONKY TONK 5002 Washington. 713.807.7040

www.rebelshonkytonk.com

REIGN 4105 Washington. 713.869.0404 SAWYER PARK SPORTS BAR 2412 Washington. 713.863.9350 www.sawyerparkhouston.com THE DIRT 222 Yale. 713.426.4222 www.dirtbar.com

THE DRINKERY 4115 Washington. 713.426.3617

THE DRAKE 1902 Washington. 713.861.9600 www.thedrakebar.com

THE LOT 4212 Washington. 713.868.5688 www.thelothouston.com

THE SOCIAL 3730 Washington. 713.426.5585 www.thesocialinfo.com

midtown

13 CELSIUS 3000 Caroline. 713.529.8466 www.13celsius.com

3RD BAR 2600 Travis. 713.526.8282

BOND LOUNGE 2700 Milam. 713.529.2663 www.bond2700.com

COACHES 2204 Louisiana. 713.751.1970 www.coachesjv.com CHRISTIAN’S TAILGATE 2000 Bagby. 713.527.0261 www.christianstailgate.com DECO 510 Gray. 713.659.4900 www.decohouston.com

EL PATIO 2416 Brazos. 713.523.8181 www.elpatio.com EPIC 3030 Travis. 713.522.2531

FIX LOUNGE 2707 Milam. 832.281.2101

FRONT PORCH PUB 217 Gray. 713.571.9571 www.frontporchpub.com

HOWL AT THE MOON 612 Hadley. 713.658.9700 www.howlatthemoon.com

IBIZA LOUNGE NEXT DOOR 2450 Louisiana. 713.520.7300 www.ibizaloungenextdoor.com KOMODO’S 2004 Baldwin. 713.655.1501

LEON’S LOUNGE 1006 McGowen. 713.659.3052 THE MAPLE LEAF 514 Elgin. 713.520.6464 www.themapleleafpub.com

THE MINK/THE BACKROOM 3718 Main. 713.522.9985 www.minkonmain.com

OPEN CITY 2416-A Brazos. 832.483.8357 www.ochouston.com

RICH’S 2401 San Jacinto. 713.759.9606 SAINT DANE’S BAR + GRILL 502 Elgin. 713.807.7040

STATUS 2404 San Jacinto. 713.659.5400 www.myspace.com/statushouston SWIVEL 2621 Milam. 713.222.2057 www.swivelhouston.com

THE WET SPOT 160 W. Gray. 713.523.7768 TIPSY CLOVER 2416 Brazos. 713.524.8782

UNION BAR 2708 Bagby. 281.974.1916 www.myspace.com/unionlounge WHISKEY CREEK 2905 Travis. 713.526.4225 www.whiskeycreekhouston.com

XO BAR & LOUNGE 2611 San Jacinto. 713.651.9900 www.myspace.com/xohouston

002mag.com your guide to the best of houston

002houston March 10:002houston

montrose + shepherd

ABSINTHE 609 Richmond. 713.528.7575 www.absinthelounge.com

AGORA 1717 Westheimer. 713.526.7212 www.agorahouston.com

ANVIL+REFUGE 1424 Westheimer. 713.523.1622 www.anvilhouston.com AVANTGARDEN 411 Westheimer. 832.519.1429 www.avantgardenhouston.com BOHEME WINE & CAFÉ BAR 307 Fairview. 713.269.0859 www.barboheme.com

BOONDOCKS 1417 Westheimer. 713.522.8500 www.myspace.com/boondocksbar BYZANTIO 403 W. Gray. 713.520.6896 www.byzantiohouston.com

CATBIRDS 1336 Westheimer. 713.523.8000 www.catbirds.com CEZANNE JAZZ CLUB 4100 Montrose. 713.522.9021 www.blacklaboradorpub.com

2/17/10

10:47 AM

METEOR 2306 Genesee. 713.521.0123 www.meteorhouston.com THE NEXT DOOR 2020 Waugh. 713.520.1712

www.myspace.com/thenextdoorgallery

NUMBERS 300 Westheimer. 713.526.6551 www.numbersnightclub.com

PRAVADA 2815 S. Shepherd. 713.533.1200 www.pravadahouston.com PRIVE 910 Westheimer. 713.526.6551 www.privelounge.com

POISON GIRL 1641-B Westheimer. 713.527.9929 SOUTH BEACH 810 Pacific. 713.529.7623 www.southbeachthenightclub.com SCOTT GERTNER’S SKYBAR 3400 Montrose. 713.520.9688

www.msypace.com/scottgertnersskybar

THE STAG’S HEAD 2128 Portsmouth. 713.533.1199 www.stagsheadpub.com

GUAVA LAMP 570 Waugh. 713.524.3359

THE DAVENPORT 2115 Richmond. 713.520.1140

VINTAGE 2108 Kipling. 713.522.4200

THE FLAT 1702 Commonwealth. 713.521.3528 GRIFF’S 3416 Roseland. 713.528.9912

THE HARP 1625 Richmond. 713.528.7827 LOLA’S 2327 Grant. 713.528.8342

LZ PUB 2239 Richmond. 713.522.7118 MCELROY’S PUB 3607 Sandman. 713.524.2444 www.mcelroyspub.com

THE DERRICK TAVERN 1127 Eldridge. 281.759.4922 www.thederricktavern.com

FIREHOUSE SALOON 5930 Southwest Frwy. 713.977.1962 www.firehousesaloon.com HUSH 15625 Katy Frwy. 713.330.4874 www.hushonline.com

VINE WINE ROOM 12420 Memorial Dr. 713.463.8463 www.vinewineroom.com VINO 100 11693 Westheimer. 281.759.4100 www.vino100houston.com

www.myspace.com/poisongirlbar.com

THE TAVERN 1340 W. Gray. 713.522.5159 www.thetavernongray.com VELVET MELVIN 3303 Richmond. 713.522.6798

www.guavalamphouston.com

Page 79

www.myspace.com/thevelvetmelvinpub

museum district

MONARCH LOUNGE Hotel ZaZa 5701 Main 713.526.1991 www.monarchrestauranthouston.com ZIMM’S MARTINI & WINE 4321 Montrose. 713.521.2002 www.zimmsbar.com

outer loop

300 HOUSTON BOWLING 925 Bunker Hill 713.461.1207 www.300houston.com

DENIM BAR 16090 City Walk. 281.275.5925 www.theburningpear.com

YARD HOUSE 800 W. Sam Houston Pkwy., CityCentre. 713.461.9273 www.yardhouse.com

rice village

ARMADILLO PALACE 5015 Kirby. 713.526.9700 www.thearmadillopalace.com

BAKER STREET PUB 5510 Morningside. 713.942.9900 www.bakerstreetpub.com BAM BOU 2540 University. 713.521.7222 www.bambouhouston.com

BRIAN O’NEILL’S 5555 Morningside. 713.522.2603 www.brianoneills.com BRONX BAR 5555 Morningside. 713.520.9690 ERNIE’S ON BANKS 1010 Banks. 713.526.4566 www.erniesonbanks.com

KAY’S LOUNGE 2324 Bissonnet. 713.528.9858

LITTLE WOODROW’S 5611 Morningside. 713.521.2337 www.littlewoodrows.com

THE GINGER MAN 5607 Morningside. 713.526.2770 www.gingermanpub.com

THE LOUNGE AT BENJY’S 2424 Dunstan. 713.522.7602 www.benjys.com

VOLCANO www.2349 Bissonnet. 713.526.5282

river oaks + kirby

BLANCO’S 3406 W. Alabama. 713.439.0072 COVA 5600 Kirby. 713.838.0700 5555 Washington. 713.868.3366 www.covawines.com DOWNING STREET 2549 Kirby. 713.523.2291 www.downingstreetpub.com

KENNEALLY’S IRISH PUB 2111 S. Shepherd. 713.630.0486 www.irishpubkenneallys.com LIZZARD’S PUB 2715 Sackett. 713.529.4610 MERCER LOUNGE 3302 Mercer. 713.627.1132 www.mercerhouston.com

MEZZANINE LOUNGE 2200 Southwest Frwy. 713.528.MEZZ www.mezzaninelounge.com MUGSY’S 3200 Kirby. 713.526.5595

RED ROOM 2736 Virginia. 713.259.9952 THE BIG EASY 5731 Kirby. 713.523.9999 www.thebigeasyblues.com

UNDER THE VOLCANO 2349 Bissonnet. 713.526.5282 www.cabomixmex.com

warehouse district

EIGHTEEN TWENTY 1820 Franklin. 713.224.5535

LUCKY’S PUB 801 St. Emanuel. 713.522.2010 www.luckyspub.com

THE GREEN ROOM 813 St. Emanuel. 713.225.5483 THE MERIDIAN 1503 Chartres. 713.225.1717 www.meridianhouston.com

WAREHOUSE LIVE 813 St. Emanuel. 713.225.5483 www.warehouselive.com

downtown galleria+uptown

midtown montrose + shepherd museum district

outer loop rice village river oaks

+

kirby

warehouse THE GALLANT KNIGHT 2511 Bissonnet. 713.942.9940 www.thegallantknight.com

THE RED ROOM 2736 Virginia St. 713.520.5666 www.redroomhouston.com

THE WINE BUCKET 2311 W. Alabama. 713.942.9463 www.thewinebucket.com

district downtown galleria+uptown

midtown montrose + shepherd march 10 | www.002mag.com .79

002houston March 10:002houston

sip codes

By Beatrice Valencia

2/17/10

4:25 PM

Page 80

Restaurateurs, club/bar owners, pubbers, etc., if there is a special event or something you would like the public to know about, email me at bvalencia@002mag.com and I will help spread the word for you. See you out!

OK, I once again forgot to write an introduction. Is it because I stayed up after the Super Bowl watching reality (bad) television on VH1? Or is it the impending wedding I’m supposed to be planning looming in the back of my mind? I’m not going to lie, it’s everything. And I’m not a planner either. I don’t plan where I go to eat so I can write about it. I go eat and then, if the experience is good, I write about it! I have anxiety. I’m a leg shaker now. I’m usually the calm, collected type. Gone! Ever since I’ve had this task of planning. When it comes to trying to coordinate ceremony and reception venues, the date is the tricky part. I’m hoping by the time you have this in your hands, reading this rant of an intro, I have a date. And I can return to just eating and writing about it in peace.

ZOËS- 4000 Washington 713.861.9637 www.zoeskitchen.com I knew it wouldn’t be long before I converted someone over to Zoës’ “dark side” that they call the “gruben.” I call it the “dark side” because once you taste it, you’ll be addicted. I took my fiancé for lunch one day and he tried it; next thing you know, we’re back two days later for dinner per his suggestion. This delicious take on the Reuben sandwich is grilled turkey, swiss cheese, their famous slaw and spicy mustard served on rye for a mouth-watering concoction. Who am I kidding? It’s better than a Reuben! The cheese melts with the turkey and the lightly toasted bread warms the slaw which goes nicely with the spicy mustard. It’s no wonder it’s a Zoës’ favorite.

RA SUSHI- Highland Village-3908 Westheimer Road 713.621.5800 www.rasushi.com This sushi spot pleasantly surprises me with each visit. They’re very innovative with their sushi combination and creations. Each dish is paired with its own sauce. On this visit we were all about the new items on the menu. We started with the Kaisen Ceviche. Japanese-style cooked shrimp, scallops and squid chilled and mixed with fresh tomato, avocado salsa served in a spring roll shell.

Fresh and full of citrus, this dish is simple but tasty. We also had to try the “RA chips and salsa.” The name alone intrigued me. Spicy tuna tartare is mixed with cucumber, avocado and fresh salsa and serves as the “salsa” in the middle of the bowl. Wonton chips surround the “salsa” for dipping. I love this concept! We got a hefty serving and of course, I had to eat it all!

Feeling only a little bit room left, we delve into the Crispy Onion Albacore and Seared Tuna in the RA

80. march 10 | www.002mag.com

Tapas. These small plates of thinly sliced sashimi are a true testament to just how fresh your product must be to pull this off. Both served with micro greens, the seared albacore comes with a garlic ponzu sauce and is topped with crispy onions and wontons, while the seared tuna has a creamy soy dressing, topped with sesame seeds and Japanese rice cracker bits. The quality is consistent as well, we went back a week later to have the same meal and it was flawless.

W GRILL- 4825 Washington Avenue 713.861.9933 www.wgrilltogo.com This inconspicuous little drive-through spot is like a diamond in the rough.

Since their revamp, they’ve focused on the food. Lately, I can’t get enough of their granola cup. For all you raisin-phobes, their granola is sans raisins. You can add fruit if you’d like. I usually get strawberries. (Mom would be so proud.) The key is the yogurt. I have no idea what kind of yogurt they use or the flavor but it’s awesome. Next time you’re looking for breakfast, drive thru and pick one up. They serve coffee as well so it really is a one-stop-shop.

BOHEME- 307 Fairview @ Taft 713.529.1099 www.barboheme.com Tucked away on Fairview and Taft next door to Dean’s, this quaint bar is at the intersection that’s become quite the friendly pedestrian area for the neighborhood. Dim lighting, mismatched vintage furniture, bottle chandeliers and art make for aesthetically pleasing pieces to look at while having a drink or snack. I’ve been a few times now and I still can’t manage to digest all the visual stimulation. With a plethora of beverages to choose from as well, it might be a while before I can wrap my head around those and share them with you. I’m get-

ting back into sangria, keeping my fingers crossed for warm weather and sunny days so I can enjoy them on their patio. Fruitless, their sangria is just for drinking.

No fruit bits to snack on in this one. Personally, I don’t like my fruit to be sangria soaked. Just a couple blocks from home, hanging out here is long overdue. Still, I’m excited for a “new” place that has a lot of character it almost feels like you’re in Europe. Oh, one can dream…

HONORABLE MENTION: SHANDY’S CAFE- 5814 Memorial Drive 713.426.2675 This spot deserves an honorable mention because every time I visit the food and service is fantastic. I’m not talking “smiling hostess at the door waiting to greet you and brighten your day” fantastic. But I don’t need that, personally. That can be painful at lunch.

They’re quick and attentive which is what I need at lunch. They’re consistent in quality, and it shows when the majority of customers are regulars. I even see the same faces again and again.

The food is simple not fancy, but the quality is delicious.

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

4:25 PM

Page 81

cd reviews By Lance Scott Walker

TEXAS TORNADOS Esta Bueno (Bismeaux) Doug Sahm has been dead for 10 years. Freddie Fender has been dead for 3. And yet their band has a new album! Yes, though the prodigal sons of San Antonio and Corpus Christi are gone, the son of Sahm has taken the reins. Shawn, who appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone with his old man in 1968, might not sound as grizzled as did his father, but it does sound as if he has that characteristic “big mouth” singing style. There’s that, and then of course Augie Meyers and Flaco Jiménez are on board. And Freddie Fender actually does appear on this record, in some of the last recordings he made before his passing. And then it’s on Ray (Asleep at the Wheel) Benson’s label. So all the parts are in place, right? I mean best you can do with what’s available, anyway. The title applies, I suppose – you either love or don’t care about the Texas Tornados, and if it’s the former, you can’t find much fault with their catalogue. This is more of the same; only it makes you really miss Doug and Freddie.

BEACH HOUSE Teen Dream (Sub Pop) For some bands, there is a trajectory, a sort of upward flight creatively; one that you can see from years out. Beach House debuted brilliantly in 2006, followed it up brilliantly two years later and left no doubt whatsoever that they would deliver a third record that would categorically outweigh the other two. And they have. They’re also proving to be a lot bigger than the dream pop label that has been associated with them from the outset of their career. Teen Dream is all full of that same warmth and atmosphere as Beach House and Devotion, but Chris Coady’s production takes it to the next level by not taking it to the next level. That is to say that Coady fills the space by leaving it alone. The songs stand well enough on their own, and Victoria Legrand’s voice smokes and simmers so much behind the keyboard that it benefits from the sparse feel so much that it’s almost a theme.

ALL LEATHER When I Grow Up I Wanna F*** Like A Girl (Dim Mak) When you grow up, make records better than F*** Justin Pearson.

march 10 | www.002mag.com .81

002houston March 10:002houston

2/18/10

11:28 AM

Page 82

BEFORE WE GO

OO2CROSS WORD H A U T E C O U T U R E ACROSS 1. ___ Hari, infamous female spy 5. Chills and fever 9. Build 14. Goddess of the rainbow 15. Goad 16. Pago Pago‘s place 17. Where to find Jimmy Choo’s shoes?

18. Cash drawer 19. Block used under a wheel 20. Modern consumer of haute couture 23. Stocking’s end 24. Unruly crowds 25. Come into view 27. Tomorrow in Tijuana 30. Craze 32. Tokyo‘s former name 33. Catch wind of 35. Fathers 39. Manhattan home to haute couture 43. Capital of Jordan 44. Express approval 45. Half a dance 46. Like a coarse wool sweater 48. Suppose, to many a Southerner

82. march 10 | www.002mag.com

51. Bouncer at a bar 54. Give a ring 55. Attorney’s org.

56. Svelte displayer of haute couture 62. Spokes 64. Top of the line 65. Fly without the instructor 66. Thai or Chinese 67. Destitute 68. Airport postings: Abbr.

69. Daring bikini style 70. Pub orders 71. Camping equipment

DOWN 1. Perturb 2. Neighborhood 3. Neckwear 4. Breathing problem 5. German highway 6. Flashes the pearly whites 7. Fruit that tastes better than it looks 8. Sushi fish 9. Like some fantasy literature 10. Syllable heard in cheerleader camp 11. Overdo it on stage

12. Après-ski beverage 13. Census __ 21. Charged atom 22. Trench coat color 26. Socks complement 27. Prefix with star and bucks 28. He raised Cain 29. Average 30. Passionate way to be in love 31. Diva’s delivery 34. Impress permanently 36. Perry, Dees or Moranis 37. Reverberate 38. Ollie’s comedic partner 40. Minute ___ Park

41. Coming in 42. Most graffiti artists 47. French vineyard 49. “A Nightmare on ___ Street” 50. Where many a hanger hangs?

51. Jeweler’s weight 52. Embarrass 53. Shortwave medium 54. Paddler’s boat 57. California winemaking valley 58. Material for winter wear 59. Spoil, with “on” 60. Distinctive flair 61. Bewildered 63. 007 creator Fleming

FEBRUARY ANSWERS

HAVE YOU REGISTERED FOUR THE PARK FUN RUN AND KIDS RUN BENEFITING MEMORIAL PARK CONSERVANCY? YOU KNOW, THAT BIG GREEN PARK IN THE HEART OF THE CITY? DO IT NOW! 002HOUSTON MAGAZINE IS A PROUD SPONSOR OF THE 2ND ANNUAL RACE COMING UP ON

COME RUN WITH US AND SUPPORT YOUR PARK! www.memorialparkconservancy.com www.northpostoaklofts.com www.lukeslocker.com

APRIL 3, 2010.

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

10:32 AM

Page 83

002houston March 10:002houston

2/17/10

10:33 AM

Page 84