GuideBook

chef Giancarlo Ferrara. 6100 Westheimer Rd., 713.532.2201

BACKSTREET CAFÉ american

Housed in a two-story 1930s home, Hugo Ortega’s Backstreet Café became a River Oaks staple 30 years ago. Expect an imaginative take on seasonal fare along with hefty vegetarian selections. 1103 S. Shepherd Dr., 713.521.2239

AMALFI italian

Charming Amalfi touts coastal Italian dishes like homemade fettuccine in creamy black-truffle sauce by Salerno native

BCN spanish

Named after Barcelona’s airport code, BCN offers authentic Spanish cuisine in a white-tablecloth setting. The specialty gin and tonics are a must-have, as is the

Spanish Iberico ham. 4210 Roseland St., 832.834.3411

BLUDORN american

Aaron Bludorn and his wife Victoria Bludorn (née Pappas, of that Pappas family) deliver a Gulftinged New American menu and low-key fine-dining to Montrose. 807 Taft St., 713.999.0146

BRASSERIE 19 french

Wine with lunch and bubbles with brunch is the norm at this sceney River Oaks spot. Situated in the center of a busy shopping strip, Brasserie 19 is reminiscent of a Parisian sidewalk café. 1962 W. Gray St., 713.524.1919

BRENNER’S ON THE BAYOU steakhouse

Enjoy dinner with a view at this steakhouse nestled on the lush banks of Buffalo Bayou. Steaks, sides and decadent desserts are all good bets, as are craft cocktails from the restaurant’s hip Blue Bar. One Birdsall St., 713.868.4444

CARACOL mexican/seafood

Hugo Ortega’s seafoodsavvy concept boasts Mexican coastal cuisine in a swanky, mod space on Post Oak. 2200 Post Oak Blvd., 713.622.9996

COMMON BOND bakery

Don’t miss the buttery croissants as big as your face at the original Montrose location of the beloved bakery and cafe. 1706 Westheimer Rd., 713.529.3535

DORIS METROPOLITAN steakhouse

This glam steakhouse is inspired by Middle Eastern flavors. Hot tip: The breadbasket alone may be worth the trip. 2815 S. Shepherd Dr.

EL TIEMPO tex-mex

El Tiempo delivers Tex-Mex in a big way with platters like the ancho-glazed grilled quail with cheese enchiladas and spicy shrimp chalupas. 322 Westheimer Rd, 713.807.8101 multiple locations visit restaurant website for details

EUGENE’S gulf coast

The menu and the gold-gilding-happy space itself call to mind the best old family-run haunts of New Orleans. Expect really great combos of butter, garlic, acid and fresh Gulf goodness. 1985 Welch St., 713.807.8883

HS GREEN american

Fast-food meets cleaneats at this order-atthe-counter restaurant near the Galleria. Wash down a customized wrap or salad with a cold-pressed juice. 5092 Richmond Ave., 713.904.3547

HUGO’S mexican

Chef Hugo Ortega’s namesake restaurant is a Houston staple, serving up authentic Mexican cuisine with margaritas to match. Guests love the festive weekend brunch buffet where indulging in seconds is a must. 1600 Westheimer Rd., 713.524.7744

KATA ROBATA japanese

Discreetly situated in a retail center, this top-notch sushi bar serves up fresh, innovative Japanese dishes daily under the direction of executive chef Manabu Horiuchi. 3600 Kirby Dr., 713.526.8858

LE COLONIAL french/ vietnamese

French-Vietnamese cuisine is presented in a posh space in River Oaks District. Dishes like the crispy whole duck — which serves up to four people and must be ordered in advance — are authentic and full-flavored. 4444 Westheimer Rd., 713.629.4444

MAD spanish

Everything at this BCN sister concept — from the mirror-lined hall to the bathroom to the little foie gras spheres that look like ice cream cones — is photo-worthy. Reservations recommended. 4444 Westheimer Rd., 281.888.2770

MALA SICHUAN chinese

This longtime Chinatown favorite is equally popular inside the Loop. Mala’s menu packs a punch with dishes like the dry-pot chicken and three-pepper duck. 1201 Westheimer Rd., 832.767.0911 multiple locations visit restaurant website for details

MARCH mediterranean

An exclusive and pricey tasting-menu-only affair, March lives up to the hype. Choose six or nine courses of highly refined, Mediterranean-inspired dishes by chef-owner Felipe Riccio. 1624 Westheimer Rd., marchrestaurant.com

NEW! MONEYCAT japanese

This exciting “New Japanese” restaurant from

Citybook Dining Districts

1 Memorial, Galleria Area, River Oaks, Upper Kirby and Montrose

2 Garden Oaks, the Heights, Washington Corridor

3 Midtown, Downtown, EaDo, Third Ward, Fifth Ward

4 Bellaire, West University, Museum District, Med Center chef Sherman Yeung of sushi star Tobiuo in Katy is in Kirby Grove. Be sure to try the Tomato Garden dish, with “soil” made of squid ink. 2925 Richmond Ave., moneycathtx.com

NOBU sushi

At socialite-savvy Nobu, hyperinformed waiters float around, delivering bite-sized delicacies on geometric white plates to tables. Unique takes on sushi include ones with pickled cucumbers, Shiso leaf and Japanese mackerel. In the Galleria, 832.987.2599

OSTIA mediterranean

Ostia is an indoor-outdoor oasis for farm-to-table Italian and Mediterranean eats. The terracotta-andstucco patio feels worlds away from Houston, and is a nice place to post up and enjoy a cocktail. 2050 Dunlavy St., ostiahou.com

OUISIE’S TABLE southern

This River Oaks institution serving Southern standards — shrimp and cheese grits, New Orleans red snapper, chicken and waffles at brunch! — is charming. 3939 San Felipe St., 713.528.2264

UPDATE! RAGIN’ CAJUN cajun

There’s no better spot to get the fixins for a backyard boil than the original Ragin’ Cajun on Richmond. New location open in Spring Branch! 4302 Richmond Ave., 713.623.6321

RIEL american

Riel offers an American menu inspired by local color and chef Ryan Lachaine’s Ukrainian heritage; the Montreal smoked meat is splashed with French’s mustard. 1927 Fairview St., 832.831.9109

TASTE OF TEXAS steakhouse

This famous classic steakhouse — thick bacon wraps around your filet — touts cozy, rustic environs that live up to the name. There’s actually a Texas history museum inside! 10505 Katy Fwy., 713.932.6901

TONIGHT & TOMORROW european

In the storied La Colombe d’Or, expect eclectic but sophisticated European dishes with Southern touches. 3410 Montrose Blvd., 713.517.1001

TONY’S italian

A cherished part of the Houston dining scene, Tony Vallone’s namesake restaurant is an exquisite treat from start to finish. 3755 Richmond Ave., 713.622.67788

UPDATE! UCHI japanese

It’s hard to beat Uchi for fresh, interesting sushi and sashimi — and the Brussels sprouts are can’t-miss. Check out the new nextdoor omakase concept, Oheya. 904 Westheimer Rd., 713.522.4808

COLTIVARE italian

With its “no-reservation” policy, the restaurant’s onsite garden — where many of the herbs and produce for the Italian dishes are grown — doubles as a charming waiting area. 3320 White Oak Dr., 713.637.4095

LORO fusion

In a former church, Loro melds the flavors of Southeast Asian and Texas-barbecue cuisines, courtesy of Austin-based Tyson Cole (of Uchi fame) and pitmaster Aaron Franklin. Expect an elevated-country-dancehall vibe courtesy of architectdesigner Michael Hsu. 1001 W. 11th St., loroeats. com

MAX’S WINE DIVE southern

Here, keeping it classy means pairing fried chicken with a glass of Champagne. Max’s is hardly a dive, with a serious wine list and hearty Southern plates. 4720 Washington Ave., 713.880.8737; maxswinedive.com

BB’S CAFE southern

Get your Cajun-food fix at BB’s: From Maw Maw’s gumbo to a platter of fried catfish, find New Orleansstyle cooking with a Texas twist. 2701 White Oak Dr., 713.868.8000 multiple locations visit restaurant website for details

B&B BUTCHERS steakhouse

Venture in for the deep-fried A5 Wagyu katsu sando, or similarly stacked deli sandwich in the adjoining butcher shop, at this boutique steakhouse. A rooftop terrace makes B&B a premiere Sunday brunch destination. 1814 Washington Ave.

NOPO CAFE american

An all-day café from Ben Berg, NoPo offers a menu of classics like a piled-high club sandwich, pizzas and more. In the front, find unique local provisions, premade meals and freshly baked pastries to-go. New happyhour specials and cocktail list! 1244 N. Post Oak Rd., nopocafe.com

POSTINO italian

Rosé — and everything else — all day! This patio spot in Heights Mercantile is always packed, especially during the bottle-andboard special, available after 8pm on Mondays and Tuesdays. Now open in Uptown Park! 642 Yale St.,

346.223.1111 multiple locations visit restaurant website for details

RAINBOW LODGE steakhouse

True to its name, Rainbow Lodge provides steakhouse and wild game fare in a rustic lodge setting. Outdoor seating on the newly expanded wine deck is coveted. 2011 Ella Blvd., 713.861.8666

TRATTORIA SOFIA italian

A new ItalianAmerican spot from Berg Hospitality looks like a trattoria you might stumble upon in rural Italy, with enchanting and spacious indoor and outdoor garden seating. 911 W. 11th St., trattoriasofia.com full of Southern-Creole flavors. Seating spans two levels and guests love Sunday brunch in the courtyard. The turtle soup with sherry is famous, as are the pralines. 3300 Smith St., 713.522.9711

INDIANOLA american

On the Gulf-centric menu, find not only superb seafood, but lots of plates with influence from Mexico and ones utilizing local beef and pork. Now serving brunch! 1201 St. Emanuel St., 832.582.7202

NEW! LUCY PEARL’S bakery

Decadent cakes, picture-perfect cake pops and down-home pies await at this craft bakery inside the POST Houston complex. Go for happy hour Mon.-Weds., 4-6pm, for 20 percent off. 401 Franklin St., lucypearls.com

NINFA’S ON NAVIGATION tex-mex

The origin of Tex-Mex, Ninfa’s is always packed no matter when you dine. Guests love the fajitas and loaded quesadillas. For something different, try the grilled octopus. 2704 Navigation Blvd., 713.228.1175

UPDATE! STREET TO KITCHEN thai

THE BREAKFAST KLUB southern

Enjoy a feast of homestyle classics — wings and waffles, catfish and grits — at this no-frills Midtown diner. The line starts forming bright and early, but being part of the “klub” is worth the wait. 3711 Travis St., 713.528.8561

BRENNAN’S OF HOUSTON southern

Count on this decadesold Houston staple for an exquisite dining experience

Chef-owner Benchawan Painter won a James Beard for Best Chef Texas thanks to her concept spotlighting elevated Thai street food. 6501 Harrisburg Blvd., 713.428.1975

THE PALM steakhouse Houston’s 43-year-old location of The Palm steakhouse has relocated from the Galleria to Downtown’s mixed-use GreenStreet development. 1201 Fannin St., thepalm.com

TOUT SUITE bakery/coffee

Stop by this all-day-bakery for a macaron or cupcake, or post up for a while at a community table and enjoy bites like avocado toast and fresh-squeezed juice. 2001 Commerce St., 713.227.8688

NEW! GRATIFY american

Grant Cooper’s Gratify is a see-and-be scene, with a creatively curated and highly shareable menu. The most memorable and delicious dish might be the charred octopus with sweet potato. 5212 Morningside Dr., gratifyhouston.com

NEW! KRITI KITCHEN greek

Offering counter-service breakfast, lunch and dinner, along with grab-and-go items and heat-and-eat meals, Greek-inspired Kriti Kitchen is now open in West U. Chef-owner Mary Cuclis is a Pondicheri alum who wants to make deciding what’s for dinner as easy as possible for busy families. 4010 Bissonnet St., kritikitchen.com

LE JARDINIER fine dining

BADOLINA bakery

From the owners of Doris Metropolitan, this unique bakery offers the classics and standbys, plus unique and artful desserts. Tip: Get there early, as items often sell-out before noon! Try the sitdown restaurant Hamsa next door. 5555 Morningside Dr., badolina bakery.com

CARRABBA’S italian

One of two locations which are still familyowned by Houston’s famed Carrabba family, the original Carrabba’s on Kirby serves made-from-scratch Italian fare — from pizzas fresh out of the wood-fired oven to housemade cheeses and pastas. 3115 Kirby Dr., 713.522.3131

COPPA OSTERIA italian

All of the Neapolitan-style pizzas and handmade pastas are popular at this Rice Village winner. The walk-up pizza window is a hit in the largely pedestrian-friendly area. 5210 Morningside Dr., 713.522.3535

The fine-dining French resto inside the MFAH’s new Kinder Building is, itself, a work of art — both in its decor and its food presentation. 5500 Main St.

LOCAL FOODS american

This fast-casual diner has a guilt-free menu of sandwiches, salads, soups and sides, all made fresh using locally sourced ingredients. The Rice Village location has an attached wine bar. 2424 Dunstan Rd., 713.521.7800 multiple locations visit restaurant website for details

TINY BOXWOOD’S american

Expect a line at this popular garden-set getaway, where the chocolate-chip cookies have earned as much of a reputation as the restaurant itself. Snag some, along with housemade ice cream, at the next-door Milk & Cookies. 3636 Rice Blvd., tinyboxwoods.com multiple locations visit restaurant website for details 

Italian born, Amalfi Coast native, will transport you to his homeland with his inspired menu of fresh seafood, vivid citrus, and the finest Italian olive oil in addition to fresh pastas, assorted meats, family-made cheeses, and an extensive, thoughtful Italian wine list.

Book

CATERING & EVENTS

Bring

Summer Black Truffle Season

Enjoy continued from page 18

Hopps attended several Commerce Street exhibitions and happenings. “He would cross the room to talk to me,” says Topchy, who later painted Hopps, along with other contributors to the vibrancy of Houston’s art scene, including Wayne Gilbert and the late Forrest Prince, for The Iconic Portrait Strand .

Topchy began the portraits 15 years ago, painting on wooden panels with materials and techniques used in religious icons of the Ukrainian Eastern Orthodox Church (Topchy’s father was Ukranian). While Topchy describes his portraits as “iconic,” they should not be confused with icons displayed in the Menil’s Medieval and Byzantine art galleries. “An icon is from a vision and an archetype that is adhered to faithfully,” explains Topchy, who thinks of his artworks as a way to honor his friends and community. “It’s not a form of self-expression. It’s not even a portrait.”

Each portrait starts with a sitting, during which Topchy draws the subject. He also makes use of a camera lucida, a device that harkens back to optical projection devices used by the Old Masters. (“It’s a valuable shortcut for getting measurements and creating a composition,” says Topchy. “Especially if you want to spend time chatting and having tea with the sitter and don’t want their neck to get tired.”) Once complete, each portrait radiates with an otherworldly glow.

“The portraits tell me what they want to be,” says Topchy. “They’re not done to flatter. Each has its own life and makes demands and if you’re sensitive and open to that, you respond.”  it shows that the mission and culture of ORION are rewarding for our staff. Keeping our senior staff intact allows us to ensure that our people will always be the most skilled and passionate about patient care and customer service. with Vice President Sumi Patel, every member of our executive team began their career at ORION in other roles and earned promotion to their current position. I am very proud of this continuity of leadership because

We have fulfilled our mission when our clients tell their family and friends that, “ORION cares.” We want them to know that our team cares about every person that comes into one of our ambulances. Whether it’s a pickup for dialysis treatment or a return home from the hospital, we realize that every call we take represents a life that has been entrusted to us. That is a very sobering thought, but it is what drives us to be the best ambulance service in Houston.

What do you hope your patients tell others?

What is the most rewarding aspect of your work? Without a doubt, the most rewarding aspect is seeing ORION’s team complete every transport safely, professionally, and compassionately. Our organization exists to serve our community, and there is no higher priority than providing the best possible care to each patient. Another reason that I thoroughly enjoy coming to work each day is seeing the teamwork within every department and watching our staff grow in their own skills and career paths while at ORION.

Next, we are the only ambulance service in the region with an entirely “homegrown” leadership team. Starting

How are you an innovator in this field? As mentioned above, the foremost way that ORION is innovating in the industry is by focusing wholly on our clients, both the patients we transport and the hospitals and medical facilities with which we contract. We returned the focus of private EMS to where it should always be: on the people who trust us to transport them or their loved ones safely and competently every day.

Having been an entrepreneur in Houston for more than two decades, I have always looked to industries that should be committed to helping people but are not fully addressing the needs of these communities. When ORION EMS was founded in 2007, the private medical transport industry in our city was in disarray. The market was bloated with companies willing to cut any corner to make a profit. I saw people’s loved ones being negatively affected, and I decided to take action. I formed ORION because our city needed an ambulance company that was dedicated to providing the highest-quality patient care during every moment of transport for EVERY client.

Why did you choose to become a healthcare professional in Houston?

For more than 15 years, ORION EMS has continued to redefine the private ambulance industry in Houston by setting, and then exceeding, the benchmarks for success in staff training, patient care, and customer service. As one of the region’s largest private ambulance services, ORION’s highly-trained EMTs and Paramedics are capable of completing any type of medical transport while fulfilling ORION’s mission of providing quality, compassionate care and service to every patient.