Food/Drink

Art Valet: Events far and near for the weekend

MITCH COHEN Art Columnist

Two events this weekend are on my radar to share with you, one might be considered out of town while the other is near downtown.

To readers in far west Houston, artists from all over Houston and even Austin, will converge in Fulshear, for the Cross Creek Art Market & Home Tour, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday at the Cross Creek Welcome Center, 6450 Cross Creek Bend Lane.

The artists and artisans from the First Saturday Arts Market and Market at Sawyer Yards will bring paintings, ceramics, woodwork, jewelry, fiber arts, some cottage foods such as cookies, jams, jellies and packaged Indian food to go.

The day also includes music with one of our favorites, Charlie Perez, a percussionist. We’re never certain who Perez will bring with him to lead on vocals, at least before press time, but he’s never disappointed. At the April 2022 event for example, David De La Garza, keyboardist and backup singer in La Mafia, a Houston based five-time Grammy Awardwinning musical group performed, unbeknownst to patrons and artists.

“The art market is more than a fun day out,” said Rob Bamford, Senior Vice President, General Manager of Cross Creek Ranch. “It’s a great opportunity to be inspired by the local artists and the unique décor of our builder’s gorgeous model homes. We look forward to seeing everyone who comes out.”

Food trucks, and an onsite cafe will take care of the hungries and children’s art activities, giant art photo opportunities, face painters, balloon artists, caricature artists and more make the event family friendly. https://www.crosscreektexas.com/artmarket.

On to Sunday when Art Square Studios will host open studios October 23, 12 to 4 p.m. The Museum-area studios are located at 5301 Almeda Rd., 77004 with parking behind the building off Oakdale.

In June this past summer I introduced you to this amazing studio space that also features living quarters in some of the spaces and the cherry on top, the building is also home to Art Supply on Almeda, an independently owned store offering a full line of art materials.

I visited the open studios at Art Square after writing about it and got the “grand tour” plus introductions to all the artists by my guide and studio artist Sunny McKinnon. The building and studios are really nice, I loved the living quarter combos especially. Artists always have a way of living just a little bit more on the creative side. A bonus for some is an elevator available for second floor access.

The participating artists include Ann Bell, Tay Butler, Heather den Uijl, Stephanie Fox, Gma Jackson Howze/ GLH Galleries, Justin Earl Grant, Alan Hurwitz, Riaz Kahn, Ruhee Maknojia, Sunny McKinnon, Silvio Ortega, Donna E. Perkins, Lucy Wells Riggs, Helene Robinson, Earl Staley and Bob Warren.

For more information, visit facebook.com/ArtSquareStudiosonAlmeda/ or

Photo by Stephanie Cheney

Ti any “Angel” Nesbit, a ceramic artist, returns to Cross Creek Art Market & Home Tour this Saturday.

Photo by Stephanie Cheney

Shopping The Hanging Pendant jewelers at Cross Creek Art Market & Home Tour.

https://instagram.com/ artsquarestudiosonalmeda.

Cohen is an artist and founder of the First Saturday Arts Market and The Market at Sawyer Yards. Find him at ArtValet.com for additional highlights and artist’s stories.

ART Studio SALE

ART Studio SALE Saturday 10/22, 12-5 pm 2023 Arlington Street, 77008

SATURDAY 10/22

12-5pm 2023 Arlington Street, 77008

Review: Neighbors fl ock to Gatlin’s Fins and Feathers

By Dan Greer

I’ve been a fan of Gatlin’s BBQ since they began in their tiny place on 19th Street. They’ve been a barbeque staple in our area for over a decade and have been honored far and wide for the mouthwatering meat and sides they serve up.

Happily, the success of that little BBQ joint has allowed them to move on to new and exciting things, including the much-anticipated Gatlin’s Fins and Feathers. It was a big move to an area in Independence Heights that is occupied by some of the city’s most hallowed eating establishments… places I’ve been loving since childhood. In fact, the building that Gatlin’s Fins and Feathers chose, was once the home of the revered Mexicatessen (join me in a moment of silence please).

I purposely chose to give Fins and Feathers a few months before dining here.

We made reservations for an early dinner and were seated promptly by the hostess. The place is small and bustling, but having a conversation was not a problem. 70’s music was playing, but not at an obnoxiously loud level. The Astros marathon playoff game was on, and was still going hours after we left.

Our server was not only pleasant and attentive but also knowledgeable of everything we asked about.

We were disappointed to hear they were out of several items we wanted. But this was quickly forgotten when we tasted the biscuits. Thick and slightly dense, yet fl uffy and absolutely delicious. They didn’t need anything on them, but the bacon jam didn’t hurt. If sausage gravy were to be poured over these babies…oh my.

I had the Everything Gumbo which was excellent. I got the “cup” which turned out to be a normal bowl, not the childrensmenu-sized portion you see so often nowadays. Dark roux done just right and loaded with shrimp, crab, sausage, chicken, okra. You name it, it’s probably in there. Just like the stuff my Cajun ancestors would catch and throw in the pot.

I had a hankering for fried catfi sh and theirs did not disappoint. The cornmeal breading was great and the portion was ample. The white meat was thick and piping hot. The slow-cooked red beans and rice were super-tasty, not just an afterthought side item.

I thought the grilled jerk chicken had more of a smoky, salty barbeque taste than traditional jerk seasoning, but was nonetheless very good and complemented by cilantro and lime white rice.

Southern cooking is a broad term. Every “southern food” establishment I’ve visited is unique. The spices, batter, cooking styles and methods are what makes each place special. You and I have a standard by which all of them are evaluated. My benchmark for southern comfort food belongs to my beloved, late grandmother from deep east Texas. Her recipes were rarely written down and were prepared so often they became second nature. My Mamaw, mom and aunts were often up before the sun, making food for dozens of hungry people. What amazing cooks these women were!

The lovingly prepared biscuits, catfi sh, gumbo and most of the dishes here at Gatlin’s Fins and Feathers can probably be traced back in this family for generations. I don’t know where the Gatlin family hails from, but I could just imagine our grandmothers being cut from the same cloth. Thank you, Gatlin family, for having the neighborhood over for supper.

Photos by Dan Greer

The Everything Gumbo (left) and Not My Momma’s biscuits were the highlights of a visit to Gatlin’s Fins and Feathers last week.

Gatlin’s Fins and Feathers

Address: 302 W. Crosstimbers St. Dining options: Dine-in, takeout Hours: Tuesday – Saturday – 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Sunday - 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Entrée prices: $17 - $26 (also several MKT priced items) Kid-Friendly: Yes Alcohol: Yes Healthy Options: Yes Star of the show: Not My Momma’s Biscuits Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Nibbles and Sips: Daddy’s Chicken Shack opens in Heights

By Landan Kuhlmann

landan@theleadernews.com

Residents of the Heights and surrounding areas have a new option to satisfy their fried chicken cravings.

Last Thursday, Oct. 13, Daddy’s Chicken Shack opened its second restaurant, and fi rst Houston-area location, in the Height at 1223 W. 11th St. The restaurant will also host a grand opening open house on Oct. 26 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., according to a news release from the restaurant.

The California-based restaurant was founded by Pace Webb, a native Houstonian who grew up not far from the Heights location, and her husband Chris Georgalas in 2018 in Pasadena, California. Its 2,400-square-foot space will seat up to 50 diners inside, according to the release.

Daddy’s Chicken Shack brines its chicken overnight in buttermilk and aromatics and then double batters before frying. Its menu will feature sandwiches such as the AllAmerican – Napa coleslaw and bacon, pickles and remoulade sauce; and the Nashville Daddy - seasoned with Nashville spices and topped with a creamy coleslaw, house-made pickles and remoulade sauce.

“We look forward to serving Heights residents and beyond by delivering accessible, chef-driven fried chicken sandwiches, while honoring our commitment to sustainability and creating a warm, welcoming environment for all,” Webb said.

Garden Oaks brewery hosting Canine Candyland event

A Garden Oaks brewery is gearing up to host a holidaythemed event for pooches. On Nov. 6, Walking Stick Brewery (956 Judiway St.) will host a Canine Candyland event by The Pup Stop from noon-4 p.m.

There will be a doggie arts and crafts area where pets can make a paw-print image or a peanut-butter lick painting, food trucks, beer specials, raffl es, vendors, and silent auctions, among other festivities.

All proceeds from the event will benefi t This is Houston animal rescue.

Local restaurants o ering playo specials

A couple of local restaurants are offering special menus and prices during the Astros’ playoff run.

Kin Dee (1533 N. Shepherd Suite 160) will offer half-off Thai beers Singha and Chang when seated at the bar during Astros games. Meanwhile Underbelly Hospitality’s Wild Oats (2520 Airline Dr. Suite C-315) is offering $3 Lonestar beers during every Astros playoff game.