Counting down H-Town’s hottest movers, shakers and makers now!
Actor Johann Fitch, No. 79
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FEEDER / LIVING
Houston’s East End is on the grow.
28 FEEDER / STYLE
Round Top’s downhome yet design-forward vibe is in vogue any season of the year.
32 PARTY PEOPLE
47 FEATURE / THE COOL 100 CityBook presents its second annual ultimate countdown of the hippest, hottest and most intriguing Houstonians.
68 BOOK REPORTS / DINING
A first taste of Memorial’s new Bar Bludorn. Plus: Houston’s best French restos, s’il vous plaît!
80 BOOK REPORTS / TRAVEL
Just in time for the Paris Olympics, these sexy boutique hotels are going for gold.
On the Cover Actor and UH student Johann Fitch, photographed by Jhane Hoang
Editor-in-Chief Jeff Gremillion, Executive Publisher Lisa Holthouse, Managing Editor Evan W. Black, Creative Director Patrick Magee, Sales Director Peter Remington, Associate Publisher Jennifer Kahlden, Accountant Christopher Doyle
GUIDEBOOK President and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Gremillion
President Lisa Holthouse
Operations Officer Eric Holden
Technology Officer Christopher J. Nodd
M. Sonny Garza and David Paul Rabalais Style Editor-at-Large Kate Stukenberg
945 McKinney Street, Suite 119, Houston, Texas 77002 832.514.3001 Phone | 832.514.3002 Fax
JEFF GREMILLION Editor-in-Chief
Our annual “Cool 100” feature is a lot of work to put together, easily the most time- and talent-intensive project we do all year.
Managing Editor Evan W. Black and Creative Director Patrick Magee make it look easy, but there’s months of reporting, portrait-shoot production, photo research, complex graphic design, hard thinking and spry writing involved, to sort out a list that’s as smart as it is surprising, sexy and fun.
It was, in fact, the pursuit of surprising, sexy and fun that led us to our coverguy, Johann Fitch, the handsome 23-year-old aspiring TV and movie actor who made a splash playing a stripper in the zany Netflix hit Obliterated last fall. I took one for the team and interviewed the lifelong Houstonian myself. Oh the sacrifices I make for this magazine!
It's almost hard to believe that Fitch — earnest and polite, sweet even — is the same guy who appears in the buff in the over-the-top, intentionally raunchy, unabashedly crude cop comedy. Not speaking in euphemisms here, by the way. I do mean totally nude. As in not a stitch of clothing on, nothing left to the imagination, full Monty. Starkers.
“You see a lot of me in episode two” is how he puts it, just a faint hint of
shyness in his chuckle. (And frankly, there’s rather a lot to see. Viewers have been known to gasp.)
It’s little bit of a disconnect, only because a conversation with the young man, also an accomplished soccer player, is all “no sir” and “thank you so much, sir,” in the style of a good kid who was raised well. But, of course, Fitch, graduating from UH this June, is far from the whippedcream-wielding Champagne Room show-off he plays in the series. He’s a dedicated economics student and committed performing artist who’s dreamed of working in Hollywood since he was a little boy; he says he fretted far less over the nudity than getting the acting right.
He takes opportunities as they come and gives it his all — literally holding nothing back — and then embraces the next challenge. And now that he’s done with school, he’ll soon relocate to L.A. to pursue acting full time.
We’re rooting for him, and we’re thrilled to cite him as one of Houston’s coolest 100 people of the moment in our second annual feature. We think you’ll find the entire thoughtfully concocted list full of equally compelling dreamers and risk-takers. That’s the CityBook way, after all. And that, if I may, is the naked truth.
Brian Boyter is a Houston native with an interesting background in real estate. After an impressive 16-year tenure managing commercial transactions in a Fortune 500 Real Estate Investment Trust, he recently made the shift to high-end residential brokerage. The experience left him uniquely suited to thrive in the sometimesemotional world of buying or selling a home.
"I've always been drawn to enhancing and redeveloping residences, so transitioning to residential brokerage was a natural progression for me," Brian explains. "The skills I developed on the commercial side have given me a unique edge in helping
residential clients navigate complex transactions."
Now, with a focus high-end residential, Brian brings an unparalleled expertise and advocacy to his clients. His approach is highly analytical and client-driven, ensuring that every negotiation is handled with precision and care. His commitment extends beyond transactions, being an active member of the Historic Heights community and advocate for the preservation of historic properties. “I’ve spent the better part of two decades buying offices, land, and industrial properties across the country. I’m very much looking forward to resetting and focusing on the needs in my own community.”
Michelle Reyna Wymes, a distinguished name in the Houston real estate market, is the owner of the successful boutique brokerage, Reyna Group. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Michelle has deeprooted connections to the community she serves with dedication and pride.
At 40 years old, Michelle has carved out a significant niche in the competitive world of Houston real estate. Reyna Group, under her leadership, boasts a team of 25 highly skilled agents who collectively cover the extensive Houston area, Galveston, the Hill Country, and Mexico. Reyna Group is renowned for its client-centric approach, ensuring that every transaction is handled with the utmost care and professionalism.
"Our goal at Reyna Group is to provide unparalleled service to our clients," Michelle asserts. "We believe in building lasting relationships based on trust, the utmost level of care during each transaction, and stellar results.
With her unwavering commitment to excellence and a forward-thinking approach, Michelle is poised to continue leading the Reyna Group to new heights. Her story is a testament to what passion, hard work, and a client-first mindset can achieve in the dynamic world of real estate.
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ON VIEW ALL summer at the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft is the first solo exhibition by San Diego-based Mexican artist Georgina Treviño. La Fuente del Deseo (The Fountain of Desire) captures the metalsmith’s unique fusion of jewelry and sculptural traditions. She has created everything from baubles for celebrities — those door-knocker earrings in Beyonce’s Renaissance film are hers — to more abstract creations, like this Centurita de Gallina vessel. –evan w. black
Born and raised in India and now living in London, Raqib Shaw beautifully blends Eastern and Western influences to create mesmerizing art with gold, jewels, glitter and paint. While shimmering on the surface, each painting depicts conflict and sadness, evoking Kashmir’s turbulent history. Raqib Shaw: Ballads of East and West is on view at the MFAH June 9-Sept. 2.
The Houston Symphony’s Summer Nights at Miller concert series returns to Miller Outdoor Theater July 12-20.
The 20th Woodlands Wine & Food Week, June 5-9, will have all of the popular annual festivities, from the Wine Around the World cocktail hour and Ladies of the Vine luncheon to the Grand Tasting and Chef Showcase.
The Alley Theatre’s sensational Summer Chills series returns with Dial M for Murder, May 31June 23.
AS THE FASHION industry continues to reckon with body positivity and inclusivity, one Colombian designer has seemingly found a niche: one-size-fits-all swimwear with built-in bodysuits that give support and shape to every body. Maygel Coronel opened a pop-up shop in River Oaks District this spring, where shoppers can try on and buy her bold, solid-colored, bodycon swimsuits, maxi dresses and more. It’s the Latina designer’s first brick-and-mortar store in the U.S. –ewb
DOPAMINE DECOR is the name given to an aesthetic that stimultes the brain through color, texture, patterns and layers — and generally just makes you happy. The possibilities are endless! –ewb
At Houston Methodist, we’re improving surgical accuracy by providing surgeons with augmented reality models of their patient’s anatomy. With this imaging technology, we’re speeding patient healing and recovery. That’s the difference between practicing medicine and leading it.
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Baybrook Mall is becoming a surprising magnet for national retailers. The latest to open a storefront there is Melissa, the playful and modern jellyshoe brand from Brazil. The vibrant boutique is fun, with bubble lighting and pops of color.
The University of Houston presents its annual Immanuel and Helen Olshan Texas Music Festival in June, with performances throughout the month at Jones Hall, Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, and on the UH campus. Catch faculty artists, music students, and special visitors in concert. The Ima Hogg Competition is always a fun show, in which rising-star musicians compete for a cash prize!
A trio of new retail tenants has joined the CityCentre roster. Coastal-cowgirlcool apparel brand American Threads opens later this summer, as does lifestyle brand Southern Tide, which will debut next-door. And ear-piercing studio Rowan will also join the shopping center, with a staff of nurses and collection of hypoallergenic jewelry.
Inn
The Heights’ M-K-T development recently welcomed two home-grown luxury brands to its roster: Eight One offers curated, trend-setting apparel and accessories, including exclusive New Era gear. And Memorial’s Frock Shop boutique also popped up at M-K-T, bringing its frilly, feminine styles inside the Loop for the first time. –ewb
Real Estate
HOUSTON-LOVING DRAKE is officially an area resident. It was recently confirmed that the hip-hop mogul purchased the Washington, Texas ranch property previously home to the Inn at Dos Brisas, listed at $15 mil. Drake inherits an organic farm, horse stables and more. –ewb
Swimsuits from Eight One
THE DISPATCH ART
Archway Gallery, the artist-owned collective in Montrose, displays beautiful new works by printmakers in June. Featured artists include Blaine Davis, Donna Perkins, John Slaby, Liz Conces Spencer, Robert L. Straight, Cookie Wells and Shirl Riccetti, a detail of whose ‘Gypsy Dancers’ print is below.
SUMMER FUN
The virtual-reality craze is far from
WITH JENNIFER ANISTON as a vocal supporter, boutique fitness brand Pvolve has catapaulted into the mainstream, with plans to open five studios in Houston — River Oaks, Memorial, Sugar Land, West U and the Galleria — in the next year. Pvolve’s main product is a low-impact exercise class that teaches “functional movement,” a.k.a. ways in which your body moves every day; the brand also educates clients on the best workouts for each phase of their menstrual cycle. Meanwhile, national chain EoS Fitness is also making moves in H-Town, with five locations in the region and more on the way.
Sips Hemp , which recently acquired 8th Brewery, has a beverages newly available refreshing, seltzers Beach Break in flavors like watermelon and the lower ranch waters and palomas. –ewb Do!
With act Feist, McLachlan the stage Financial on July
Houston-based home-organizing company and Hammer opened a on West featuring curated collectibles and a selection the team’s favorite organizing
Beloved by edgychic celebrities including Rihanna and Hailey Baldwin, jeweler Maria Tash has opened a boutique in the Galleria. Find studs, hoops and chains for piercings anywhere on the body — and we mean anywhere.
Ensemble Theatre presents Jack and the Beanstalk: Hip Hop at Miller Outdoor Theater, June 18-19.
Newstonian
rowing up in Chicago, Houston author Vaishnavi Patel heard epic stories from her maternal grandmother, who traveled from India each summer to visit the family. She often retold the fantastic, labyrinthian plotlines of the ancient Hindu poem Mahabharata — a tale of war and familial bonds — from memory over lunch.
The East End’s El Segundo Swim Club, a sprawling oasis with a splashy pool and a full-service bar, is open for the season. Step through the club’s stacked-stone entrance and be transported from a concrete jungle into an urban retreat where the drinks are always flowing. Day passes start at $25. –ewb
Mesmerized, Patel (who also appears in the “Cool 100,” page 47) and her younger sister asked to hear these stories again and again, and each time, their grandmother told them a little differently. But she always began with Ganga, goddess of India’s Ganges river.
Years later, when studying the poem, Patel
was surprised to discover Ganga is treated like a supporting character. So her new book, Goddess of the River, reimagines its complex story from the perspective of a woman.
“In a lot of these epics, most of the women don’t have voices, or are very secondary to the men,” says Patel, whose first novel Kaikey stars the eponymous queen from another Hindu myth, Ramayana. “Giving voice to those women and having them be much more active agents in shaping the world around them is important.”
Patel, 28, and her husband moved here from New York in August 2023. By day a clerk in the federal district court of Texas, Patel will release her next book, Ten Incarnations of Rebellion, next year. –chris becker
Imagine every resident being able to get most everything via a 15-minute-or-less walk, in a neighborhood convenient to major employment areas of Houston. That’s the vision for the fast-emerging East End district’s new multiuse development called The Plant/Second Ward, created by Concept Neighborhood, a Houston real estate investment, development and management company. Concept Neighborhood is focused on creating walkable communities combining accessible housing with innovative retail and creative maker space.
“Our goal is to create an international, inspired neighborhood that resonates with the flavor of Houston — one of the most diverse cities in the western world,” says Concept’s managing principal Jeff Kaplan. “Houston lacks an authentic walkable corridor that celebrates the diversity within one neighborhood.” The Plant — named for the nearby Coffee Plant/Second Ward station on the MetroRail’s Green line — is being brought to life in a master plan architected by Gensler, and is the first real estate redevelopment of its kind in Houston to connect the light rails to the bayou trails
of our heavily car-dependent city.
“It’s a multiyear project,” says Kaplan, noting that it will eventually include more than 1,000 multifamily units and will also prioritize locally owned and operated retail tenants, such as the trendy Eden Plant Co. (which doubles as a coffee shop). Current restaurants include Neighbors Pizza, paleta shop Popston, The Re-Up Juice Bar, and newly relocated Street to Kitchen by James Beard awarded Chef “G” Painter and her husband Graham Painter. “We think the result will be a neighborhood with supercharged vibrancy and that feeling you get when you’re in a city that’s cool, creative and authentically weird.”
It’s one of many transformative projects currently underway in the East End, a newfound hub for the cool, creative and weird. Just across the bayou, East River is a striking property from Midway that was recently honored as the winner of the Houston Business Journal Mixed-Use Landmark Award for
its urban revitalization. Current tenants include event venue Le Tesserae by The Astorian, the Houston Maritime Center + Museum (opening soon!), and several restaurants.
But perhaps its main draw is East River 9, a ninehole public golf course with a driving range, putting green and pickleball courts — and a full-service restaurant that boasts a mean burger and frequent live music. “East River … will redefine Houston’s urban landscape,” says David Hightower, Midway’s VP of investment and development, citing “focus on pedestrian-friendly design, innovative mixed-use spaces, and cultural amenities” as the project’s cornerstones.
Nearby, Agrigole Hospitality — which can take at least partial credit for turning Houstonians’ attention eastward several years ago, opening several restaurants on St. Emmanuel St. in EaDo — recently debuted a sister location of its Heights-area staple Eight Row Flint.
Downhome meets design-forward in Round Top — any time of year. By
Evan W. BlackAntique seekers and interior-design aficionados have long been fans of Round Top, the small town halfway between Houston and Austin. And for good reason: The semiannual Antiques Shows are treasure troves, increasingly beloved by local celebrities and even Hollywood ones (rumor has it Gwen Stefani had a serious haul last year).
But it’s becoming clear that the quaint community — a unique mix of old-time western and coastalshabby-chic, with a high-end shellac finish — is worth a visit year-round.
Places to stay nearly outnumber the count of official residents (89, fyi). There’s the Frenchie — a glam getaway for the girls, with a boutique-hotel-style main building and a trio of poolside chalets, all infused with a signature scent.
Hotel Lulu , owned by Houston’s Cinda and Armando Palacios, is a favorite — not only for its crisp Italian linens and Tuscan poolside scene, but also for its lobby bar, Il Cuculo.
And the Cotton Pearl Motel has a main house and
courts, fire pits and a private pool.
The town itself, walkable from all of the above arrangements, is just a handful of cafes and shops, ranging from curated and perfectly posed to a tad chaotic — yet infinitely charming — in presentation. (It appears that shopkeepers are either busily hosting the weeks-long Antique Shows, or equally busily “preparing for Show” at any given moment.)
In addition to the classics — Royer’s , and intimate wine bar Prost , which lives in a stone cottage lined with string lights and facing an empty field — there are a number of trendy new restaurants popping up. Merritt Meat Company, previously Round Top Smokehouse, is newly owned and operated by Truth BBQ proprietor Leonard Botello. And Boon is a casual-chic café with an artful gift shop proffering Houston-kissed items like Maidas accessories and
cheesecakes made by Tony Vallone’s daughter; its upstairs bar and lounge just opened, and is already a see-and-be scene — not unlike the nearby Ellis Motel , which is, in fact, a lively bar and not a motel. Nightlife abounds in Round Top, again perhaps disproportionately.
A few minutes from town is a hidden gem, not just within the Round Top vicinity, but the entire region.
The Round Top Festival Institute is a concert venue, music school and conference center established by pianist James Dick more than 50 years ago. It hosts promising instrumentalists from around the globe each summer, and its current building — stunning and medieval-recalling — was designed by Dick and built out over many decades.
The Festival Institute is one of many surprisingly poignant moments to be enjoyed in Round Top — whether it’s Show time or not.
An appropriately dramatic event, this year’s Alley Ball transformed the Post Oak Hotel into an old-Hollywood-themed tribute to Alfred Hitchcock. Bold red curtains framed large screens playing black and white clips of classic Hitchcock films, and the centerpieces made of dark red roses had crows hidden in them! This was the backdrop for a spellbinding night that raised $1.22 mil for the theater. … The University of St. Thomas welcomed more than 900 black-tie-clad revelers to its annual Scholarship Gala, held in the ballroom of the Hilton Americas hotel Downtown. The event simultaneously toasted the 75th birthday of Cardinal DiNardo, the metropolitan archbishop of GalvestonHouston. … The Make-A-Wish Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana chapter hosted the first-ever Wish Ball at The Post Oak Hotel, raising a whopping $1.7 million. The glam black-tie gala celebrated the chapter’s 40th anniversary, and also honored Montgomery County residents Kay and Tommy Austin. … Bayou Bend’s marathon fundraising weekend started off with a luncheon and
photo by Al Torres Photography
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fashion show chaired by Janet Gurwitch and Meredith Flores Barker, and also included a family-friendly day, followed by a glam evening Garden Party. In all, the weekend brought in nearly a million dollars for the Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens’ general operating budget. At Galveston’s historic Bryan Museum, founded by wildcatter J.P. Bryan and his wife Mary Jon, hundreds of guests gathered to pay tribute to the history of coastal ranching in Texas. In all, the night raised more than $900,000 for the Bryan Museum, which opens its Coastal Cowboys exhibit in November. The Opera Ball tilted marvelously mod and disco-deluxe this
Tony and Frances Buzbee at ‘Wish’
Laura Anne Day at ‘Alley’
Khori Dastoor and BenJoaquin Gouverneur at ‘Opera’
Jackson Alston Berger and Kelley Sullivan Georgiades at ‘Bryan’
Roger and Fatima Camp and Cassie and Wesley Sinor at ‘Bryan’
Ann and Jonathan Ayre at ‘Symphony’
Alejandro and Alisa Magallon, Ana Maria Martinez and Gaby Attal at ‘Opera’
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year, with sophisticated Spanish hints, thanks no doubt to ball chairs Isabel and Ignacio “Nacho” Torras of MAD and BCN Taste & Tradition. Entertainment for the evening — which raised a whopping $1.3 million to support the opera company’s community outreach initiatives — included a rendition of “So Long, Farewell” by the young singers who appeared as the von Trapp children in HGO’s production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music. … Dinner on the stage is always a special privilege for arts patrons — and the annual Houston Symphony Wine Dinner and Collector’s Auction, served on the stage of the Jesse H. Jones Hall for the Performing Arts, was arguably even more spectacular than usual. Symphony supporters were treated to a multi-course meal by chef Aaron Bludorn, paired with wines chosen by John and Lindy Rydman and Lisa Rydman Lindsey of Spec’s Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods. … For its 45th annual gala, Communities In Schools (CIS) of Houston threw a fun and funky Alice in Wonderland-themed bash at the Post Oak Hotel. CIS places at least one full-time student-support specialist — who offers counseling, academic support and health and human services — on the campus of more than 160 schools across Houston.
Julie Stephenson and Joel Glover at ‘Alley’
Eric and Lisa Lindsey at ‘Symphony’
Johnny and Sydney Sullivan at ‘Bryan’
Kurt Krolikowski, Aparna Dave, Alex Lazar, Travis Torrence, Heath LaPray and Tia Shorty at ‘Alley’
Margaret Alkek Williams and Patrick Summers at ‘Opera’
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Around 125 guests toasted the 25th anniversary of Rienzi, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston’s house of European decorative arts, at the floral and frilly Rienzi Spring Party cocktail event and dinner. … The 16th annual Hats in the Park luncheon, which raised nearly half a million bucks for the Hermann Park Conservancy, drew a who’s-who of lovely ladies — some 480 in all — each trying good-naturedly to outdo the other with haute headgear.
Rich and Nancy Kinder and Thomas Woltz at ‘Memorial’
Kristy Bradshaw and Lindsey Brown at ‘Barre’
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Hundreds of tree-loving Houstonians savored and celebrated the good life at the La Dolce Vita-themed, 30th-annual Root Ball benefiting Trees for Houston The Hats, Hearts & Horseshoes bash benefiting Bo’s Place featured a Kentucky Derby watch party, silent auction, bourbon pull and mint Juleps, naturally. … At Tootsies, 20 influential physicians and medical professionals took to the catwalk in a style show benefiting The Arts of Healing organization. … Houston Ballet’s annual Raising the Barre event — a tasting dinner in which dancers serve as both muses and sous chefs for some of Houston’s most notable chefs — took place this year at Caracol and raised more than $110,000 for the company. … Nature lovers and park supporters gathered at the Clay Family Eastern Glades in Memorial Park to toast the landmark’s centennial and ongoing transformation. A sold-out
crowd gathered at Minute Maid Park’s Union Station for a fun lunch benefiting Girls Inc., hosted by Kat Pressly, wife to Astros pitcher Ryan Pressly, and her mom, Sue Rogers. … HSPVA celebrated five years at its Downtown campus with a 1920s-jazzclub-inspired luncheon for 300 supporters. An impressive crowd of 650 ladies who lunch turned up at the Post Oak Hotel to raise funds and awareness for the American Cancer Society. The “Tickled Pink” affair was a resounding success, breaking attendance and fundraising records for the event while generating support for survivors and caregivers. The Hope Uncorked event had vino-lovers popping bottles at Benny Chows in the name of CanCare! The sold-out wine dinner and auction took over the entire Washington Avenue restaurant and raised an impressive $90,000 for the organization. ... Recipe for Success Foundation’s Fashion in the Fields brunch was an al fresco, floral-savvy soiree held at its Hope Farms facility. A seasonal fashion show featured lots of local talent! … During our streak of beautiful, breezy spring weather, the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center hosted its annual fete for 400. The “Enchanted Forest” evening included dinner and dancing under the stars, but kicked off at dusk with fine wine and views of the Arboretum’s spring wildflowers.
Christiana Reckling and Randa McConn at ‘Rienzi’ Duke & C.C. Ensell at ‘HSPVA’ Megan & Joe Keefe at ‘Arboretum’ Camille Connelly, Julie Chen and Alexandra Ochoa at ‘Hats’ Phoebe and Bobby Tudor at ‘Memorial’
s we produce our second annual “Cool 100” list, we’re reminded of our thoughts as we debuted this feature last year. We acknowledged that deciding who and what is cool is not only a moving target but also entirely subjective. And that attempting to “rank” the coolest people in Houston is a fool’s errand, one that will leave us immediately open to criticism. “You think she is cooler than him? You included this person?! You left off that one!?”
Well, of course that’s right. But, then again, these aren’t the Nobel Prizes. As we’ve said before, this is a lark, a fun way to fill some magazine pages. But, then again, it’s not not important. It’s our way of commenting on Houstonians drawing our attention right now.
We’re interested in highbrow, and low. We like fun and sexy, and cerebral and poised. We like people who have made it to the top, and those striving to get there. We like the rich and famous, and those doing their thing quietly their own way, outside the limelight. We have a bias, we admit, for young, beautiful and artistic. We’re not necessarily honoring the legends of Houston or the most generous philanthropists, and we’re not ranking the saints. (That’s another list.) However, we are impressed by maturity and accomplishment in all fields. And kindness is always cool.
Also, as before, to be on the CityBook list, you must live and work primarily in Houston.
Those named to the 2024 Cool 100 stood apart for their aesthetic and impact, their attitude and intrigue. We love what they’ve been doing lately, and we’re genuinely curious about what they’ll do next.
jeffrey louis For the first time, breakdancing is an Olympic sport, featuring 16 “B-Boys” and 16 “B-Girls” in solo battles — performing combinations of specific moves and improvising to the DJ’s tracks. The one to watch? B-Boy Jeffro, the Hatian native and FitBreak gym owner who’s honed his craft in H-Town.
michelle alozie Mornings are spent training with the Houston Dash. Afternoons are spent in the cancer research lab at Texas Children’s. Summers are spent … in Paris? The former Yale footballer and Dash forward represents her native Nigeria at the Olympics this summer.
A former elementary-school math teacher, Abdiel Urcullu is now an Emmy winner: The owner of Houston’s Wigs & Grace boutique, offering pre-styles and custom wigs, won a 2024 Creative Arts Emmy for his hairstyling work on HBO’s dragqueen makeover show We’re Here.
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She kicked off her Hot Girl Summer tour in May and became the first female rapper to headline Madison Square Garden. Her hometown show sold out instantly, but the Houston Hottie, who releases her third studio album later this year, added a second June date.
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Will the most decorated American gymnast in history — and vocal mental-health advocate — extend her reign in Paris? It’s looking likely. Her dominance at May’s U.S. Classic included a floor
exercise to Taylor Swift’s “… Ready for It?” At CityBook, the answer is most definitely.
The Mexico City-born chef grew up in Houston, helping run his family’s Tex-Mex restaurants before opening his acclaimed Tatemó in Spring Branch in 2022. He has already garnered wins and nominations for all the major foodie awards, including Food & Wine’s best new chef, and is the only Houstonian repped in this year’s James Beard category for Best Chef Texas.
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The observational comedian became a breakout star on Netflix’s Houston-filmed scripted series Mo, with stories centered on his Palestinian heritage. Amer recently resumed work on the second season of his hilarious — and sensitive and poignant — comedy.
Her novels
NYT best-seller Kaikeyi and the brand-new Goddess of the River bring a feminist perspective to ancient Hindu myths. The author, who is also a clerk in the federal district court of Texas, counts her storytelling Indian grandma as both her inspiration and her biggest fan.
9 CJ
The Texans quarterback has endeared himself to his new city in more ways than one: After a fantastic rookie season that reignited the city’s NFL spark, Stroud pitched in to help Houstonians clean up after May’s destructive tornadic storms.
catternia The indiepop singer-songwriter known as Catterina brings some Brooklyn coolness to Houston. She just wrapped her Heart of Texas tour, and earlier this year stole the spotlight in a group show called Americana: Women’s Voices at New York’s Lincoln Center.
leonard botello The pitmaster behind Truth BBQ who’s been name-checked by all the top foodie pubs — most recently Garden & Gun and NYT — Botello lives part-time in Round Top, where his main mission is to carry on the legacy of the late Godfather of Cool, Lee Ellis.
12 BUN B Also known as Bernard James Freeman, the UGK rapperentrepreneur brought Drake and Nelly on stage with him at his sold-out Rodeo show, and his cultfollowed Trill Burgers brand is still smoking hot, having recently added smashburger tacos to the menu.
13 GIN BRAVERMAN
The Gin Design Group honcho has the Midas touch when bringing top chefs’ vision to life. The design guru dazzles guests with her eye-catching restaurants including hotspots Nonno’s, The Lymbar and, most recently, Late August, Jūn and James Beard-winning Street to Kitchen.
14 SETH SMITH When his friends were signing with college teams, the Fulshear High grad made history by becoming the youngest Major League Rugby player ever, joining the Houston SaberCats last year. He made his first start in May.
15 AARON BLUDORN We’d be hardpressed to leave out the proprietor of three of Houston’s coolest restos in the making of the Cool 100. Bludorn has one more on the way: Perseid, inside the Bunkhouse Group’s Hotel Saint Augustine, opens in Montrose this fall.
16 BENJI COOKSEY He owns ComedySportz, Houston’s longestrunning comedy show and improv troupe. Lately, the affable Cooksey has taken his talents to a new arena: hospitals. He runs Houston Methodist’s Arts & Empathy program, guiding physicians and staff to have better bedside manner.
17 KELLEN SAMPSON
The UH basketball team’s assistant coach celebrates 10 years with the Cougs in 2024. Having led the team to a No. 1 seed in this year’s March Madness tourney, he’s been deemed “ready to be a head coach” by the team’s current head coach — his father, Kelvin.
18 CASEY BARBLES
The Feel Good Group founder knows how to throw a party everyone digs. From upscale boutique farmers markets to familyfriendly fests, she coordinates myriad vibrant events across Houston. Her latest to bloom is Autry Park’s Fresh Finds farmers market.
19 TRAE THA TRUTH
The rapper and hometown hero came through again this spring, offering poststorm assistance in the form of baby formula, tree-cutting supplies — and a surprise new single called “Rock Out,” featuring A$AP Ferg.
brian ellison Not only is MFA grad Ellison a stellar artist, he’s the founder of The Black Man Project, which advocates for the mental health of Black men. He partnered with the MFAH to provide morning meditations and group therapy sessions in conjunction with the Kehinde Wiley exhibit.
monica gomez Cuban native
Gomez arrived in the U.S. at age 19 with nothing but a dream. Now she’s a first soloist at the Houston Ballet — she danced the iconic role of Juliet last year — and the entrepreneur behind successful dancewear brand Habanza.
22 LYNDSEY ZORICH The influencer behind The Avenue boutique hosted a charitable fashion show benefiting Recipe for Success this spring, and continues to roll out new mini collections — think a dress and matching separates — of her brand Mason’s Daughter.
23 ANDREW GEISEL The cofounder of Australian café chain Citizens selected Houston over Austin for its first Texas outpost — and for his own home. The jazz aficionado and turntable enthusiast also designs and outfits the diners himself!
24 HUNTER BELL The winner of NBC’s Fashion Star and designer of feminine frocks relocated from New York to Houston nearly 10 years ago. Her biz has only grown since then; her eponymous line, available at boutiques like Frock Shop and Tootsies, recently expanded to include swimwear.
25 NINA MAGON The design powerhouse behind glam spaces worldwide, Magon boasts product collaborations with Cosentino, Studio M Lighting, Balmain and others. Closer to home, crystal-
bedecked Cocody on West Gray is her newest masterpiece.
26 DONALD JOHNSON As onethird of Houston’s Khruangbin, arguably one of the city’s coolest musical exports, Johnson’s trancelike drumming is the engine that keeps the trio flying. The band’s new album A La Sala dropped in April, and a summer tour is underway.
27 JENNIFER MATHIEU The author of several young-adult novels, including the smash-hit Moxie which became a movie, Mathieu makes her adult debut in July. The Faculty Lounge is set in a Texas high school, and celebrates dedicated teachers navigating today’s controversial school issues.
28 BRETT ISHIDA The JapaneseAmerican beauty, a lifelong dancer and former teacher to those with special needs, was commissioned to choreograph a new piece for the Houston Ballet next season. And her must-see Ishida Dance troupe performs in June at Asia Society.
29 JASON MOK New sports bar PKL Social off Washington offers
pickleball for players of all skill levels. But operating partner Mok is a former Rice tennis player and plays the trendy hybrid of ping-pong and tennis professionally.
30 ADRIAN DUEÑAS When the Ecuador-born CEO of chic Euro décor store BeDesign opened shop in Montrose years ago, he took a chance on Houston. His wager that H-Town is wealthy and sophisticated enough to embrace brands like Paola Lenti and B&B Italia — paid off. In fact, BeDesign just completed a major expansion.
31 ISRAEL RODRIGUEZ The self-taught artist created a vibrant, abstracted portrait of Jeremy Peña for the cover of last year’s Cool 100 issue. Since then? He’s been doing live paintings at A-list events, and has his first solo show in June at Sanman Studios.
32 SHAWANNA RENEE RIVON
Award-winning playwright and comedic cultural curator Rivon creates shows for all the big theaters in Houston. Commissioned by the Alley, Rivon’s newest play is about Houston’s “wild man of the tenor sax,” jazz master Arnett Cobb.
trevino and bregman photos by steven visneau
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33 SERGIO TREVINO Trevino
may be the busiest man in Houston music. He’s the frontman for longbeloved Houston group Buxton and the very hip bluegrass mashup Ancient Cat Society and the electro-folk project Guess Genes … and indie rockers Vodi.
34 REGINALD ADAMS The Houston artist behind the “Absolute Equality” mural celebrating Juneteenth in Galveston has inspired and commissioned artists in 14 other cities to create similar murals telling the Black freedom story.
35 RAVEN JUSTINE TROUPE The beautiful young actress has had roles in big shows this year, including in the Alley’s much talked-about worldpremiere production of an unfinished Thornton Wilder play, The Emporium, as well as ShaWanna Renee Rivon’s Emancipation.
36 DAWN OHMER Now in her fifth year with Anya Tish Gallery, Ohmer’s rep as one of Houston’s most creative gallery directors is on the grow. In July, Ohmer presents an exhibition by ColombianHoustonian Tatiana Escallón,
followed by an August pop-up of art by past Anya Tish interns.
37 & 38 ALEX AND REAGAN BREGMAN The hits keep coming for the Astros star and his modelentrepreneur wife. The pair relaunched their salsa brand as Wild Sol, and Reagan’s new jewelry line, With Love, is chic and stylish. (Their kid is pretty cute, too!)
39 JASON JOHNSON The CEO of MetroNational, which owns developments including Memorial City, has secured more than a dozen LEED certifications for new builds and renovations, and landed first-to-market tenants like Mango and Uniqlo. Also cool? He’s a youth baseball coach and Kids Meals volunteer.
40 FRED VANVLEET The Rockets’ season had a rough start, but the team finished right at .500 this year. Point guard VanVleet, whose three-year, $130 million deal was the largest ever for an undrafted player, is a big reason why.
41 AVERY BELYEU In February, at age 38, Belyeu became the
first openly transgender CEO of a LGBTQ+ center in the United States when she took the helm at The Montrose Center. She’s familiar with the cause, having previously worked with The Trevor Project and Suicide Prevention Resource Center.
42 JENN ROSSI She runs The Cause Urban Winery — each varietal benefits a different org — and hopes to open a tasting room later this year. Her new Ritenuto Red Blend won silver at Rodeo Uncorked!; proceeds go to the Symphony.
43 LEBRINA JACKSON An entrepreneur since childhood — she sold homemade popsicles to her Fifth Ward neighbors — she now owns couples-fave Escape spa in Cypress. Her personal life is cool, too, with a happy marriage to NFL pro William Jackson, as she still pursues a lifelong passion for equestrian sports and raising horses.
44 ANDRE JOHNSON The former wide receiver will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August, the first Texans player to earn the distinction.
steve radom Radom Capital honcho Steve is the force behind transformative projects like Montrose Collective, M-K-T and Heights Mercantile. Up next? Redos of the Westheimer tract that includes the 1930s-era Tower Theater, and the Heights’ Swift Building.
46 LINSAY RADCLIFFE With handwoven hats by Latin American artisans, her Freya brand has become a go-to for fashion-forward gals about town (and beyond). Shop her still-new boho-chic boutique, housed in a West U bungalow.
47 SHELBI NICOLE Her bold murals with splashes and dollops of color can be spotted inside and outside buildings all over Houston. But lately, the blonde bombshell has been painting other surfaces — like Coach handbags and Tina Zulu kimonos.
48 TRAVIS SHIRLEY It’s hard not to be impressed by globetrotting majorconcert production designer Shirley, as he continues to make the coolest names in global music even cooler. Last year he was coming off the glow of Bad Bunny’s record-shattering tour. More recently: Dan and Shay, plus major Latin acts like Baby Miko, Carol G and Enrique Iglesias.
49 CEDRIC ZAVATTIERO An arboriculture technician, Zavattiero cuts down diseased trees at Memorial Park. But the life of those trees doesn’t end there: He creates sculptures and wood carvings from the stumps and uses them to decorate the park.
50 POOJA JESRANI A flight director at the Johnson Space Center, the Montrose resident and young mom is only the fifteenth female (out of more than 100!) to hold the title. Her job is to ensure the safety
of the crew and vehicle and achieve “mission success.”
51 JASTIN MARTIN The Def Jam
Records trap-soul-R&B artist released her first full length album recently, and is touring this summer with Omarion.
52 MIKE MAHLSTEDT The handsome dad of two adorable towheads, Mahlstedt just hit $1 billion in career sales! Philanthropic and community-engaged, the Compass agent is as gregarious and kind as he is successful.
53 AUSTIN WAITER Chef-partner Waiter of Goodnight Hospitality (March, Rosie Cannonball) will this summer bring the refined tastes of London to Montrose with Marigold, an upscale British dining club. Waiter and wife Shannon recently welcomed their first bundle of joy!
jack freeman Frequent collaborator with artists like Lil Keke, Freeman bills himself as “your favorite rapper’s favorite singer.” He just dropped his full-length album Nina, produced by hitmaker Bryan-Michael Cox.
greg gatlin and michelle wallace It’s not uncommon for Houston chefs, especially accomplished ones like James Beardnominated Gatlin and current Top Chef contender Wallace, to be friendly and collaborative. But these two pitmaster pros share more than a career path: Wallace helped run Gatlin’s BBQ and Fins and Feather for years before launching her B’Tween Sandwich Co. popup — a dream Gatlin himself encouraged.
57 LILY BARFIELD It’s been said that if it exists in the world, there’s an influencer for it. Enter Lily Barfield, the antiques influencer behind the Lily’s Vintage Finds Instagram page — and a newly minted bed-and-breakfast owner, having purchased a neoclassical Montrose mansion that will soon be The Marlene.
58 KARA BRANCH The founder of the nonprofit Black Girls Do Engineer, the chemical engineer and author hosts S.T.E.M. workshops and summer camps to inspire girls as young as six to access and pursue careers in fields like coding and aerospace.
After opening Friends for Life, which was, at the time, Houston’s only no-kill shelter, Shuttlesworth teamed up with the city for a first-of-its-kind partnership: Fix Houston neuters cats in underserved neighborhoods and provides services to pets of the unhoused. She travels all over the U.S. helping other cities set up similar programs.
60 AMANDA SOLIS Discovered at a karaoke competition years ago, the
sought-after Selena impersonator is currently touring with a set list that also includes songs she’s written and will appear on her debut album Space Vacquera later this year.
61 TERI PUGH Her aesthetic is simultaneously timeless and pointedly up-to-date, as evidenced through impeccably designed rooms over the course of nearly 30 years. Her latest project is the sleek and chic Elite Dermatology office on Shepherd.
62 LIVIA EBERLIN The Baylor College of Medicine physician and researcher won a prestigious chemistry award in December for her development of the MasSpec Pen — a handheld tool that can detect the presence of cancer cells during surgery.
63 NISHITA PAREKH Sheltering with family during Harvey was the inspiration for Mumbai-born Parekh’s debut novel The Night of the Storm, a classic “locked-room mystery” with a South Asian spin. It’s already a best-seller.
64 KATIE STONE Determined to carry on her mom’s legacy — Cleverley Stone founded Houston
Restaurant Weeks in 2003 and passed away in 2020 — the younger Stone has launched sister event Eat Drink HTX, and also has a new show, Foodies & Friends, on Fox 26.
65 KRIS LARSON Previously at the helm of L.A.’s Hollywood Partnership, Larson was named the President of Central Houston, Inc., Downtown’s economic-development group, tasked with helping the district recover and thrive postpandemic. He’s a champion of pedestrian spaces and affordable housing — cool and cool.
66 MORIAH ALISE YouTuber Alise’s “Dear Glory” channel demystifies the business of making and collecting art, and as the founder of Alise Art Group, she provides artists with the knowledge and resources to take their work to the next level.
67 TYLER KAY The UH grad has traveled all over, splashing color on walls across the globe — from a series of six public-art installations on Skopelos Island, Greece, to a collaboration with the Starbucks Art Program at the coffeeshop on Uvalde Road here in Houston.
68 ERICA LUTTMAN
Her modest upbringing has informed her outlook and disposition, which happen to align with the name of her business: Lovelykind Beauty. With a hair and makeup studio in the Heights, the mom — who is also a competitive Brazilian jiu-jitsu athlete — recently added a rentable photo studio and expanded her menu to include services like microneedling and dermaplaning.
69 ZINAT AHMED She’s polished and glamorous, and the first female executive at Cotton Holdings. The VP of marketing and branding, at just 30 years old, organized one of Rodeo’s biggest parties ever this year, a huge Cookoff bash with caviar and martinis. Cheers!
70 ADAM ROSS
The Suit Boss, handsome tailor to movie stars and sports pros, continues to build his rep for making fabulous threads for the coolest dudes — in a fun, boy’sclub space with a bar and games. And now Ross is expanding the operation to Dallas.
The founder of Sky High for Kids, which funds pediatric cancer research, hosts a half-dozen mega fundraising events annually — and
that’s just in Houston. Her org has expanded to New Orleans, Tulsa and four other cities.
72 EMRE OZSUT
He looks like an international man of mystery; Turkish-born Ozsut and fiancé Jordan Khalil make a dashing pair hitting up the performing arts performances and fundraising galas they love to support. But there’s not much mystery to it: Ozmut is the hardworking director of sales at The Lancaster Hotel, happily celebrating a decade as a grateful, civically engaged Houstonian this year.
The Houston-born tenor just made his HGO mainstage debut as Rolf in the sold-out smash The Sound of Music. Only 21, Kral is an old soul, inspired by the golden age of musical theater. Catch him in The Wizard of Oz at West Houston’s Queensbury Theatre in July.
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A single mom and former nurse with a hearttugging back story, Wells blew the doors off America’s Got Talent in 2018 with her powerful voice. Ever since, she’s been chewing up stages in Houston and beyond. She slayed as Ursula in TUTS’ Little Mermaid, and just weeks ago in Newsies.
75 TIM
During Covid, the Boston-reared Reading found himself without a job and began gigging as a private chef. His biz picked up steam, and after a stint as exec chef at Underbelly Hospitality’s GJ Tavern, he’ll man the kitchen at the forthcoming Leo’s in River Oaks.
76 THY MITCHELL Her globally inspired resto Traveler’s Table, which she runs with her husband, is a hit. And in 2023, she launched Foreign Fare, a clothing brand designed for travelers that’s as functional as it is stylish. Her next course will be Traveler’s Cart, opening soon and serving street food from around the world.
77 KATHRYN LOTT From one cool org to another! Lott recently made the jump from executive director of the Southern Smoke Foundation to the president of Discovery Green, where she’s expanding programming.
78 CASEY MCNEILL Chocolate and alcohol — sold! The creator of Case Chocolates, which has a tasting room in EaDo, fills chocolate truffles with Maker’s Mark, Bailey’s and more. He also pairs the treats with top-shelf liquor and cocktails.
johann fitch After actor Fitch’s daring turn in the smash Netflix special-forces sendup Obliterated in the fall — he played a stripper and went full-frontal and can we say, just wow — he’ll appear as a lovelorn suitor in streaming romcom Say a Little Prayer later this summer. Then the newly minted UH grad, 23, is off to Hollywood to pursue his acting dream full-time.
valen the valentine The Filipina R&B singersongwriter born on Valentine’s Day may be newer to the Houston music scene, but the sultry lyricist is making moves by hosting industry events like a Memorial Day weekend showcase at AvantGarden.
81 KATIE CREEGAN RIOS The UH grad and former Alley and HGO stage manager is the new executive director of Houston Cinema Art Society, which puts on a film fest in November, and welcomes back the popular Border|No Borders competition.
82 JORDAN STROUSE Attorney, fitness buff and South Africa native Strouse recently expanded his OneSweat brand by acquiring five Reach Stretch & Recovery studios and opening a sixth across the street from OneSweat’s flagship studio in the Heights.
83 CHRISTINA GREENE Turquoise and gold never goes out of style here — especially if you ask longtime jewelry designer Greene, whose brand new eponymous boutique on Voss has baubles for even the littlest Texans.
84 ANITA BATEMAN As the MFAH’s associate curator of
modern and contemporary art, Bateman has facilitated collaboration among the city’s museums, galleries and non-profits, as in the community-empowered weekend Black Art Houston.
85 MELISSA TELLO There may not be a prettier place to work out in Houston than Tello’s The Studio Be, in Montrose and the Heights. In addition to reformer and mat pilates, yoga, aerial and TRX classes, find workshops, trainings and certifications for your inner yogi and beyond.
86 AMIR TAGHI Hailing from Houston’s first family of textiles, the young fashion designer’s eponymous women’s line, made in New York, most recently touts a glamorously eclectic fall collection of architectural dresses and separates — some with crystals, others with patchwork.
87 DEMOLA Viral TikTokking violinist Ademola Daniel Babafemi
serenades partygoers at some of the city’s most glam galas, but will skew a little more hip-hop in his August show at 713 Music Hall.
88 ITAI BEN ELI The Sof Hospitality honcho already has foodie faves Doris Metropolitan, Hamsa and Badolina. This year he adds Októ, opening late summer in Montrose Collective on Westheimer. Expect a curated, seasonally changing Mediterranean menu — and an emphasis on a lively nighttime bar scene. Cool!
tay powers A graduate of HSPVA and NYU’s Clive Davis Institute, DJ Powers spins Afrobeats and Amapiano tracks at late-night events and festivals all over. She’s just back from Afro Rosé fest in D.C.
jaison oliver The Yale grad, educator and community organizer finds unique ways to, in his words, “make things better.” He hosts Wikipedia Edit-a-thons to create, update and improve articles about Black artists.
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He somehow managed to open Montrose’s Ostia restaurant in the peak of Covid madness in 2020. Ever since, chef McShane — a Kingwood native who made his bones at big restaurants in New York and Nashville before coming home — has seen his star quietly but steadily rise. Folks love the breezy vibe of his patio-savvy space, and of McShane’s effortlessly cool Mediterranean-inspired menu.
Taking the helm of Houston’s quirkiest cultural org in 2020, the Orange Show’s executive director and champion of contemporary art is moving forward with its exciting expansion. The seven-acre campus will have plenty of parking — for visitors and for Art Cars.
93 JENTRY KELLEY A go-to makeup artist, Kelley runs a successful eponymous cosmetics line, and just launched an investing podcast with her handsome hubby, Shawn Lynch. Next project? A little sister for young son Liam! Kelley is due in August.
94 RHET LANGLEY Former Air Force anesthesiologist Langley recently brought a dose of cool to the Heights, opening Thrive Performance & Regenerative Medicine integrative wellness clinic on 18th Street. There’s hormone balancing, anti-aging services, stem-cell therapy, pain management and more.
The co-owners of Avant Art Gallery bought the biz from former
artist-gallerist Christopher Martin, and made it their own. Between attending some of the social scene’s most exclusive events and uncovering the art scene’s next big stars, these two keep busy.
97 ALLISON BROCKMAN Her Fan Dress business began at her dining-room table, where she’d hand-make outfits for her daughters using Astros jerseys and some flowy material for an attached skirt. Fast forward a few months, and Brockman is at the World Series watching Altuve’s daughters spinning around in Fan Dresses!
98 ALEXANDRA KILLION Beautiful blonde interior designer Killion recently opened a showroom in Spring Branch, where shoppers can browse her brand-new AK Collective furniture line as well as a bevy of antique and vintage scores.
yue bao The Shanghai native has an astounding four degrees in music, including two in orchestral conducting. Now an assistant conductor with the Houston Symphony, the globetrotting musician values collaboration with her instrumentalists.
ashley gooch A serial entrepreneur, Gooch helped usher in the city’s boutique fitness obsession with her Ryde spin studios. And now she’s helping fellow parents with her new magnetic-babygear line — think bibs and, soon, onesies — called Babynetic.
HOT
SPA The Montrose Med Spa was intentionally designed for clients to realize their aesthetic aspirations in a secure and comforting environment. The owners pride themselves on staying abreast of the latest trends so that clients receive the most cuttingedge and effective treatments. Services provided include medical weight loss, EMsculpt Neo, Emface, HydraFacial, fillers, neurotoxins and micro needling.
HOT REALTOR After an impressive 16-year tenure managing commercial transactions in a Fortune 500 Real Estate Investment Trust, Houston native Brian Boyter recently made the shift to high-end residential brokerage and joined the Reyna Group. His unique background gives him an edge in helping residential clients navigate complex transactions.
HOT
With its crisp white interior and gorgeous table-hopping crowd, Brasserie 19 may be the most see-and-be-seen restaurant in town. The high-octane ambiance is fueled by one of the city’s best wine lists an unconventional approach to pricing that has every table topped with a bottle. Chef-owner Charles Clark’s French food is fabulous, too.
National, the award-winning Tiger Woods-designed golf course and master-planned development near
Magnolia, delivers an exceptional family experience where everlasting memories are made, and life happens at the pace of your choosing. Bluejack is a generational retreat that provides club culture and community. It just opened a big, beautiful new spa.
SPA Tranquil and intimate, Sanctuary Spa is a wellness center offering clients holistic and aromatic spa services. Owner Sabrina Colgin focuses on providing a true therapeutic experience. Whether you need relief from pain, release of tension, stress reduction, or simply to relax and feel your best, Sanctuary Spa is committed to your well-being.
HOT JEWELER At Valobra Master Jewelers, creating jewelry is a 115-year-old family tradition, beginning in 1905 in Italy. Today, Franco Valobra continues the legacy by creating exquisite one-of-a-kind pieces for his clients and community while providing superior customer service. Situated in River Oaks, Valobra also has locations in New Orleans and Lugano, Switzerland.
Wymes owns boutique brokerage Reyna Group, renowned for its client-centric approach, ensuring that every transaction is handled with the utmost care and professionalism. Well known and respected, her firm boasts a team of 25 highly skilled
agents who cover the extensive Houston area, Galveston, the Hill Country and Mexico.
HOT EVENTS RENTALS Helping create awesome events for their clients is what drives Tents & Events rentals. Their team is well experienced and can tackle any size project for 50 or 50,000 people. They boast an extensive selection of top-quality tents and essentials. You can find the perfect tents for your wedding, corporate event, or social gathering.
HOT BOUTIQUE Creating a space where women feel seen and loved is the number-one goal at Frock Shop boutique. “We do this by meeting our customers exactly where they are in life and being in gratitude that we get to style them for all of life’s moments,” says owner Selina Stanford. Brands include Hunter Bell and LoveShackFancy.
HOT PERSONALITY AND PHILANTHROPIST She does it all! Theresa Roemer is a philanthropist, motivational speaker, fitness expert and host of the Unhinged podcast. She’s also founder of Houston Style Icons, a platform that honors Houstonian style, and Fashion Woodlands, an annual fashion show she’s meticulously curated. On her YouTube channel, she shares valuable content and insights with her audience.
HOT RESTAURANT French fave Artisans has just reopened
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in beautiful new digs on Westheimer. Guests can expect chef Jacques Fox’s same dedication to both traditional and innovative French cuisine as was displayed at the Louisiana Street spot for 12 years. The lunch-only foie grastopped burger is a special treat.
HOT SPA Tucked into a cute Montrose bungalow on Alabama, Alira Med Spa is favorite of the in-the-know. Owner Escarle Silva has consistently ramped up services and technology, now offering a wide variety of medical spa services such as injectables and laser treatments. Classic services on offer include massages, facials and an array unique services for men.
HOT BOUTIQUE Owned by Jennifer Cunningham and John Maguire, River Oaks’ Cotton Club Collection offers a great selection of classic yet unique, on-trend clothing. Cotton Club also carries upscale home décor, gifts, shoes and both fine and designer jewelry. Expect both classic and trendy pieces, many with a European flair.
HOT REALTOR A former Naval officer with more than 10 years of military service, Morad Fiki brings honor and integrity to the real estate game. Getting the very best deal in this tough market and continuing negotiations until his clients are thoroughly satisfied with the outcome are two absolutes that are the foundation of his business.
HOT SALON Entrepreneur and educator Janelle Alexia has been styling hair for decades with one
goal in mind: to make people feel good about themselves. Looking for your forever stylist? You may have just found her at Janelle Alexia Salon. Expect expertise and specialization with hair extensions, color, balayage, men’s cuts, keratin treatments, make-up application and updo’s.
HOT LEATHER BRAND The hot new name for high-quality Italian designs — highlighting men’s and women’s luxury leather apparel, footwear and accessories — is VAL. Founded in 2022 by Argentina-born, Houstonbased entrepreneur Valeria Croatto, VAL plans to expand to a brickand-mortar store in the River Oaks District later this year.
HOT LUXURY APARTMENTS You can live like royalty at Allure Hermann Park, Houston’s hot 29-story highrise with first-class amenities such as complimentary valet and 24/7 concierge services. Its location may be the best part — situated between the Museum District, Medical Center, Downtown, Upper Kirby, River Oaks and Midtown.
HOT DÉCOR
At Be-Design, an exclusive contemporary furniture store with a boutique approach, the mission is to help clients find the color, texture, form and design that will transform their spaces. They represent exclusive European brands such as Fendi and Flexform, with furniture, rugs, lighting, custom closet and kitchen systems, accessories and wallpaper collections.
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The Aesthetic Center for Plastic Surgery
— ACPS — specializes in all aspects of surgical and non-surgical procedures for both women and men. Their highly trained, boardcertified plastic surgeons are skilled in the most advanced techniques available today and are devoted to helping patients achieve their aesthetic goals and improve their self-confidence.
Montrose
neighborhood restaurant Ostia channels the easygoing personality of chef-owner Travis McShane. It touts farm-to-table dining that’s at once highly polished and charmingly rustic. We’re talking Mediterranean-tinged with Califreshness and Texas boldness, as in roasted chicken with salsa verde, bucatini carbonara, handcrafted pizzas, and what’s probably the city’s best Caesar salad.
HOT STAYCATION The city’s best pretheater destination, and Condé Nast readers’ favorite Houston hotel, the nearly 100-year-old Lancaster Hotel makes an ideal spot for a refined, posh staycation this summer. You can experience the charm of the exclusive Afternoon Tea service or, just steps away, immerse in the vibrant theatre scene. Relaxing and culturally enriching!
HOT MEN’S
They call
Adam Ross the Suit Boss for a reason. His Adam Ross Bespoke & Custom Clothiers makes wellfitted suits — he takes more than 40 measurements — and he has a blast doing it. His shop touts a boy’s-clubby vibe, and only the best Italian and English fabrics.
Ostia Theresa Roemer
Cotton Club
Discover the Perfect Staycation Destination
Indulge in luxury with an unforgettable staycation at our exquisite hotel. Experience the charm of our exclusive Afternoon Tea, where every detail is crafted to perfection. Just steps away, immerse yourself in the vibrant theatre scene, making your getaway both relaxing and culturally enriching. Book now for the perfect blend of elegance and entertainment!
Eat. Drink. Travel. Live.
The Med Center’s hidden-gem Blossom Hotel is now home to a cutting-edge Japanese restaurant helmed by Michelin-starred chef Hideki Hiwatash (left) and Ho Chee Boon. At Molihua, find dim-sum delights, artful dessert, and plenty of sashimi and nigiri. For more on this and other food news, see page 68.
Serving premier pub grub in a low-key-luxe tavern, Bar Bludorn brings some star-chef power outside the Loop. By Robin Barr Sussman, Photos by Lauren
HolubAA welcome addition to the outer Loop, restaurateur Aaron Bludorn’s new Hedwig Village tavern is packed nightly with coworkers, couples and families, all eager to dine on his fancy-yet-unfussy take on pub food.
With Bar Bludorn, the unstoppable chef — who has successfully opened three restaurants in Houston in the last three years, and has his sights set on a fourth, at the Bunkhouse Group’s forthcoming Saint Augustine Hotel in Montrose — put the cooking in the hands of the beautiful and capable Alexandra Peña, who is easy to spot in the shiny open kitchen.
A visit to Bar Bludorn ushers in punchy flavors of mostly classics with some twists — like carrot-ginger soup with fresh and candied ginger, and a Wagyu short rib Rueben sandwich on housemade bread we would gladly eat daily. The surprise of green-pea hummus sings with fresh garlic (order extra pita bread — it’s that good!).
Expect a wide range of entrees, including a lovely Ora King salmon filet with yogurt-dill sauce; tender steak frites draped in au poivre vert; and roasted duck with mango and yam. Fried chicken gussied up with peanut-butter gravy, mashed potatoes and collard greens is a popular option, and of course there’s a towering tavern burger, served with a single slice of tomato as thick and juicy and indispensible as the patty itself.
But one of the best dishes is homemade tortellini: so
Vibrant’s original location in Montrose was a little quiet during peakpandemic, but it’s back in action, along with a new sister spot in Memorial Park. The all-day café serves organic coffee, wine, pastries and a limited, rotating menu of sandwiches and bowls — all free from gluten, dairy, refined sugars, peanuts, GMOs and gums — within the new Running Complex. Take a bev to go and explore the trail system!
At Molihua inside the Med Center’s Blossom Hotel, Michelin-starred chef Hideki Hiwatashi and Ho Chee Boon offer traditional Japanese cuisine, elaborate dim sum, and artful desserts with a modern twist. Dine on tartares and crudos, sharable plates like crispy truffle puffs, and plenty of sashimi, maki and nigiri.
As Relish readies to open its Town and Country Village location, the OG on Westheimer boasts
a sensational spring menu: The spaghetti alla puttanesca — with olives, tomatoes, capers, lemon, basil and parmesan — is tailormade to be enjoyed on a patio with a cold glass of white wine. For something meatier, try the seared salmon with white beans and leeks.
Celebrated Magnol French Baking, which debuted on Post Oak in 2019, announced it will open a second outpost on 11th Street in the Heights. Chef-owner Otto Sanchez has tapped his friend and fellow Robuchon alum Nicolas Berrias as executive pastry chef.
The pocket of Montrose that has been long known for fun and funky bars is now home to Jethro’s Cocktail Lounge, located on Tuam and serving a curated menu of “elevated but approachable” cocktails (there are 10), and a food menu that’s comprised of just a cheeseburger, a plantbased version, and fries.
perfectly al dente with a unique artichoke stuffing and garnish of bright tomato confit and lemon zest. Addictive.
As for dessert, the Lime in the Coconut is a textural dream. It’s like a deconstructed key-lime pie but better, and topped with crunchy clusters of coconut flakes.
The handsome, softly lit and intimate restaurant has a timeless clubby look, while still being everyday-comfy. It’s located in the nondescript, red-brick rectangular building previously home to Jonathan’s the Rub. Walls between the adjacent tenants were all knocked down, and Bar Bludorn is one giant open-concept space, flanked on either end by a bustling kitchen and a classic, tavern-style bar. One long wall is lined with half-circle-shaped booths that give a prime view of the whole room.
Planning to pop in without a reservation? The bar area typically fills up daily by 5:30pm, so advanced planning is recommended to snag a coveted dining-room table. Cheers!
Better Beignet
Savory cheese-filled beignets and, below, spaghetti carbonara
A new mini-golf club-bar-eatery from Australia-based company Funlab has bowed near Greenway Plaza. Pick up a club and take a swing at one of Holey Moley’s three nine-hole golf courses, which all have punny names and whimsical designs like the “Parber Shop.” Take a break at the 100-seat bar and restaurant named The Caddy Shack, with a comfort-food-packed menu with items like a chopped-brisket sandwich, grilled elote corn ribs with cojita cheese, and pizza and nachos.
Once upon a time, on a charming vintage corner of West University Place, chef Tony Luhrman cranked out tacos and other Mexican specialties in his tiny restaurant El Topo The newcomer earned recognition from Texas Monthly and elsewhere, but couldn’t pull out of the post-COVID slump. Enter Maximo in the same space, a new Mexican concept owned by Benjy Levit, Luhrman, and Dylan Murray of Local Foods. It’s an intimate oasis, with a desert-meets-ocean vibe. Meanwhile, Levit and partners have also just opened a brand-new, 3,300-squarefoot Local Foods on Post Oak, complete with new menu items, more wines by the bottle, seafood-savvy weekend brunch, and more.
As hip pizza places like Nonno’s garner national acclaim and celebbacked ones like Pizzana open on prime corners, here’s yet another one to try: Magdalena’s, a new neighborhood Italian resto in West U with homemade pasta and hand-tossed pizza, all scratch-made using the recipes of the restaurant’s namesake, chef-owner Nicolas Nikic’s mom.
Overlooking a garden surrounded by the infinity pool, Sol 7 is the lively restaurant-bar on the seventh floor of the Thompson Houston Hotel. It embraces the outdoors with floorto-ceiling windows, which are open during mild days. The raw bar sports half-shell oysters and smoked salmon with crispy potato and horseradish crème fraiche, but save room for mains like grilled Ora king salmon and steaks, as well as burgers, salads and fun small plates. The hotel, located along Allen Parkway, also recently welcomed Maven Coffee Company, and will debut four other restaurants soon.
The movie theater in CityCentre is now a Star Cinema Grill The locally operated chain took over the space previously occupied by Studio Movie Grill, overhauling the interior to include privacy pods, heated seats, and more.
Maximo’s quaint patio in West U
I am an accomplished philanthropist, esteemed motivational speaker, renowned fitness expert, and host of an engaging podcast UNHINGED. Through my diversified endeavors, I have established several successful ventures, including TR Beauty and The Vault, a private community catering to like-minded people. Additionally, I am the founder of Houston Style Icons, a platform dedicated to honoring and acknowledging Houstonian style, and Fashion Woodlands, an annual fashion show that I have meticulously curated. Furthermore, I actively engage with my audience through my YouTube channel, providing valuable content and insights.
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As the Paris Games bow, Houston is bubbling over with steak frites, escargot in garlic butter, and coq au vin. By Robin Barr Sussman
FFrench cuisine has been credited with providing the cooking foundation for the entire culinary world. Thankfully, Houston is home to many master chefs of France, some with multiple (and new!) local concepts, who are spreading the love of cuisine française across our city. Here’s your perfect 10.
ANNABELLE BRASSERIE When a fancy French fête is calling, Berg Hospitality’s feminine, all-day Autry Park gem is photo-ready, with flowers dangling from the ceilings, generous French doors streaming with sunlight, and cushy banquettes. Indulge with the raclette baguette prepared tableside and a Frenchie
martini. Coq au Sutton is a lovely entrée with celeryroot-truffle purée — and we can never pass up the lobster salad with caviar and lemon aioli.
ARTISANS In its posh new Galleria-area home — which shockingly previously housed a James Coney Island — find a sultry hideaway with intimate dining areas, a showcase kitchen, and grand chef’s counter. Chef-restaurateur Jacques Fox and team play up French culinary classics with twists like the “trio of tastes,” with pan-seared scallops, blue-crab-stuffed wonton, and lobster cappuccino. A snug section of the bar can be reserved for a tête-a-tete or small gathering.
Brasserie 19, where the champagne is chilled and the kisses are French. 1962 West Gray Houston, TX
BISTRO 555 From veteran Houston restaurateurs including Christophe Paul of Café Rabelais, and David and Sylvain Denis, this cozy Memorial go-to was originally Bistro Provence. It looks and tastes straight from the French countryside with dishes like frisée salad with lardons and French vinaigrette, and beef tenderloin with cognac green peppercorn sauce and garlic green beans. The succinct all-French wine list complements the menu beautifully down to the Sauternes to finish.
BRASSERIE DU PARC It may be on the ground floor of a Downtown highrise, but this breezy brasserie has a gorgeous view of Discovery Green and a glass “greenhouse” for dining. From deeply flavored lobster bisque to the pork-belly omelet and an indulgent croque monsieur, chef Jose Hernandez orchestrates menus for a business- and tourist-heavy crowd. Just add a glass of Sancerre and dessert for a fine repast. Divinely crackly mille-feuille apple tart with vanilla ice cream, anyone?
BRASSERIE 19 Although its founder is not French, this lively see-and-be-seen River Oaks mainstay certainly looks like a French brasserie with yards of white marble and bistro chairs. Its menu spotlights many French classics along with American fare. Top marks go to the Burgundy escargots, cassoulet beans with duck confit, and plump mussels in white wine, fennel and orange zest — with toasty baguettes, mercí ! Salade Niçoise with seared tuna is a lunchtime fave.
COCODY RESTAURANT AND BAR Swoonworthy décor glistening with hundreds of crystal lights complements the fine French cuisine at this newcomer. Sink into a curvaceous rosy banquette for creations by French Master Chefs David Denis and Lionel Debon. Start the show with signature Lollies skewers of stacked delicacies like salmon, cream cheese and sesame — or the clever whole-tomato and burrata plate. Segue to veal osso buco mushroom fricassee with risotto, or splurge on the Discovery multicourse tasting menu.
EAU TOUR With an impressive seafood-focused French menu, approachable prices and modern décor, what’s not to love about Benjy Levit’s Rice Village bistro? Sample chef Kent Damas’ zesty braised leeks in vinaigrette and you’ll be charmed from the get-go. Other dishes that make our mouth water include supple crab rolls and seasonal fish dishes from the Josper oven. A galley-style bar, festooned with gold stools and colored lights, and a second-story patio all add to the fun.
ÉTOILE CUISINE ET BAR Since opening more than a decade ago in Uptown Park, Master Chef of France Philippe Verpiand’s authentic French haunt continues to shine. Regulars pile in for well executed cuisine like tarte fine au Saint Jacques (seared scallops) — or an impromptu bite at the bar of mushroom ravioli, moules a la crème with a French wine from the excellent list. All breads are house-made daily, and desserts are a must! Private wine room available.
LE JARDINIER When the setting requires cuisine equally as exquisite, the MFAH’s tres chic destination overlooking the Cullen Sculpture Garden is it. Grounded in French technique, the multiple menus offer modern twists with sophisticated plating. Roasted lamb with green pea coulis , Parisian gnocchi, and Dover Sole for Two are highlights. Expect seasonal plates inspired by current exhibits, too.
PS-21 Craving an intimate, softly lit cocoon complete with table linens for a French respite? Master Chef of France Philippe Schmit’s latest venture is the antidote for frenzied days, sans loud music. At this cozy Upper Kirby spot, start with the foie gras terrine and a French 75 garnished with a lemon macaron, and segue to steak frites ribeye with peppercorn, bordelaise or bearnaise sauce. The Grand Marnier soufflé with Clementine salad and crème anglaise is truly a grand finale.
In the City of Light, sexy boutique hotels go for gold. By Jeff
PParis in springtime is already a thing, of course, but the city is getting more attention than usual these days, as its turn hosting the Olympics approaches. One hotelier is quite ready: The Addresses Hotels group is touting the opening of a new design hotel in the 2nd arrondissement a couple months ago, as a restaurant in its sister hotel celebrates its young chef having just earned a Michelin star.
The newbie — Hotel Hana, on the Rue du Quatre Septembre in what’s sometimes called “Little Tokyo” — is, with just 26 rooms, the boutiquest of boutique hotels. And while the surrounding neighborhood boasts Paris’ oldest Japanese restaurant and no shortage of yakitori, and while the property’s décor is warmly spare per the crisp elegance associated with Land of the Rising Sun, the Hana vibe ultimately is pure Parisian.
It’s hard to avoid the Parisian feels with views in the guestrooms like this! Think blocks-long Haussmannstyle sweeps of ivory-colored stone buildings, with
wrought iron details and dormer windows on top. Those in corner rooms will feel absorbed on two sides, with five sets of French double windows to open wide.
Hana (which Vogue predicted will be the hit of the next Fashion Week) was prettied up by in-demand designers Oliver Leone and Laura Gonzalez, who broke with their typical boldly vivid work to post a cozy minimalism. There are grasscloth-wallpapered rooms and rich wood tones everywhere, with sweet notes of terracotta, mustard and rust. The lobby doubles as a quaint cocktail bar, ringed with pale plum banquettes. A similarly arranged little restaurant with an open kitchen, bleeding in from the opposite side of the check-in desk, offers a spin on traditional steak au poivre, infused with Japanese sansho pepper. The cheesecake is flavored with sake and sesame.
The hotel’s location is hard to beat. Boisterous brasseries and fab patisseries — one barely bigger than a closet, drawing crowds every time they pull a batch
of salted double-chocolate-chip cookies from the oven — abound. The Louvre is close, the Opera House closer. And all of Paris is easily in reach, with a Métro station on the block; one must consider a trek to the artsy hilltop neighborhood of Montmartre, where the creperie near Sacré-Cœur Basilica produces a Comté cheese crepe, folded in half twice, and handed over looking a bit like an ice cream cone.
Meanwhile, at Monsieur George in the 8th, another one of Addresses’ hotels — they have six in Paris, plus two in the South of France — handsome chef Thomas Danigo, 32, is basking in the glow of his first Michelin star. And glow is the right word for Galanga restaurant, secreted away in back of a classic Haussmannian building just off the Champs-Élysées.
As Hana is bright and fresh, George and Galanga are dark and sexy. At night the antique mirrors in the restaurant reflect the twinkle lights strewn through the climbing ivy in the courtyard outside. It’s tasting-menu only, with exquisite wine pairings; the “burnt leek” course has become famous, the leaves folded tightly and offered with shaved pecorino and lots of soft, savory sabayon.
Bienvenue à Paris. Let the games begin.
These stylish boutique hotels in London’s East End tout twists on the ’20s. By Jeff Gremillion
IIn an old city, a visitor finds himself torn between the present — what’s the hottest show, the trendiest chef — and the history of the place. In two Central London hotels, you get both: The Beaumont and The Bloomsbury are 1920s buildings with updates that make them au courant
The structure in the upscale Mayfair district that now houses The Beaumont was, for 90 years, a carpark for the Selfrige’s department store down the street. Although it only opened as a hotel 12 years ago, it’s just gone through a renovation. Gliding past the uniformed doorman into the lobby, over gleaming checkerboard floors and a half-dozen regal oil paintings of stately ladies, you get a vibe of understated Gatsby-era glam, American-edged Art Deco mixed with bold British accents.
It follows in the Colony restaurant, ringed in red leather banquettes, lit by lamps with red shades, with the likes of Count Basie providing background tunes. How could you not have a Manhattan? The menu leans to steak, but buttery Dover sole deboned tableside works well, too. Off the lobby is similarly wood-paneled and crimson-hued Le Magritte bar. Here, the décor’s American fascination leans Old Hollywood, with black-and-whites of the Rat Pack and a young Shirley MacLaine. The Prohibition-era “Attempting the Impossible” cocktail has gin, vodka, tea and lemon; Cuban cigars are on offer.
Guest rooms are quiet, comfy and refined, with unfussy neutral color schemes, lots of dark wood touches, and beautiful books and splashy fashion mags as knickknacks. (Plot twist: You can also book the barebones room inside the large-scale sculpture out front that looks a bit like a cartoon robot.)
All the must-hit touristy things — Buckingham Palace, et al — are close. Closer still, just behind the hotel, is charming North Audley Street. There’s a food hall in an old church building. And spiffy locals queue for the fish, chips and mushy peas at the Mayfair Chippy, set in the ground floor of an elaborate brownstone.
Elsewhere in the East End, near the British Museum, there’s a former YWCA behind an old theater — the Bloomsbury. The women’s club where Queen Elizabeth is said to have taken swimming lessons as a girl became a hotel in the 1990s and was recently renovated.
Vintage-y-cool “Studio Suite” guest rooms are carefully quirky and bit daring, with walls of gunmetal blue, red headboards and a hanging lampshade rimmed in long fringe. Bonus spaces throughout the property include a chapel, a fireside sitting room off the check-in, and, in the basement, a dim and cozy jazz club, but the most special is the soaring Coral Room bar.
The former grand lobby of the building has been lacquered to high heaven in peachy-pink. The drinks
menu looks like an old children’s book, highlighting sips such as the “Finnegan” with Irish whiskey, Guinness, Cadello and licorice. It’s not unusual to see a frisky couple canoodling for hours in the corner, as international business travelers, on-trend locals and assorted half-casual sophisticates come and go.
A dinner of “Sunday roast” on the adjoining Dalloway Terrace is lovely, its name inspired by Virginia Woolf’s high-society party hostess in yet another literary nod. In warm weather, the terrace is alfresco; when it’s cooler, it’s enclosed and festooned artfully with flowering vines making a canopy overhead.
The bustling, fun neighborhoods of Covent Garden, Chinatown and Soho are an easy walk, as is tons of classic East End theater. Stroll to Cabaret or Phantom , or maybe live a little and do Magic Mike Live instead (there will be lap dances). A bit more afield, but worth it, is afternoon tea at The Bloomsbury’s sister hotel, the stylishly traditional Kensington, carved from what once were a collection of sunny, neighboring 19th-century townhomes in South Kensington. The ritual here is enchanting, with all the little sandwiches and scones with clotted cream presented with a glass of bubbles and a vibrant, almost whimsical air.
And why not have Champagne, enjoying an old city with so much new to toast.
ANNABELLE BRASSERIE
french
Infused with the charm of a bustling French café, Berg Hospitality’s newest concept is in Autry Park on Buffalo Bayou. Anticipate modern French cuisine — brunch, lunch and dinner — served in a very pretty space with picturesque views of the park. 811 Buffalo Park Dr.
B&B BUTCHERS steakhouse
Venture in for the deepfried 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.
BB ITALIA italian
Find classic Italian-American food with modern twists in a lively setting, in the heart of Sugar Land’s Town Square. 16250 City Walk
BB LEMON american
The old-fashioned-yetupscale bar setting, complete with greencheckered tablecloths and tufted leather banquettes, serves starters like blue-crab beignets, chili and New England clam chowder. 1809 Washington Ave.
BENNY CHOWS chinese
With Chinese-born exec chef Shirong Mei at the helm, Ben Berg’s Benny Chows serves dishes both familiar — dim sum, Peking Duck — and uniquely Texan, a la the Smoked Brisket Egg Roll starring Truth BBQ. 1818 Washington Ave.
BRASSERIE 19 french
Wine with lunch, bubbles with brunch! It’s the norm at this sceney River Oaks spot. Situated in a busy shopping strip, it’s reminiscent of a Parisian sidewalk café. 1962 W. Gray St.
EAU TOUR french
Helmed by executive chef Kent Domas, Benjy Levit’s
These CityBook partners are among the best eateries in the most deliciously diverse city.
quaint bistro in Rice Village is French-inspired and seafoodheavy — c’est magnifique! Pro tip: The happy hour runs 4-6pm Tues.-Sat., and is one of the best deals in town. 5117 Kelvin Dr.
JONATHAN’S THE RUB
american
Jonathan’s the Rub has two locations in the Memorial area, and just opened its third in EaDo, all touting steaks, meatballs, gumbo and hearty American cuisine. The eatery also boasts catering services, and puts on amazing wine dinners at the Memorial Green location.
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. A huge new outpost just opened on Post Oak!
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 happy-hour specials and cocktail list! 1244 N. Post Oak Rd.
OSTIA mediterranean
Ostia is an indoor-outdoor oasis for farm-to-table Italian and Mediterranean eats. The terracotta-and-stucco patio feels worlds away from Houston — a perfect place to post up with a cocktail. 2050 Dunlavy St.
POTENTE italian
Chef Danny Trace’s handmade pastas come with the option of tableside truffle service, and baguettes and pastries are made in house by pastry chef David Berg. A supremely sexy cocktail lounge serves as a festive gathering area with a happy hour to boot. 1515 Texas Ave.
SORRENTO italian
Under new ownership, the upscale spot on the Westheimer Curve is an
elegant space touting a richly classic menu — lobster tortellini, stuffed lambchops that now includes killer pizzas and dessert staples like cannoli. One of the best bread baskets in town. Brunch is lovely. 415 Westheimer Rd.
STEAK 48 steakhouse
A steakhouse standout delivers in its rich side dishes — the Hasselback potatoes are excellent — and desserts. Crowds of pretty people pour in early and stay late, so reservations are recommended. In River Oaks District
TAVOLA italian
Polished and glamorous, Tavola on Post Oak aims to be the next see-and-be scene in a neighborhood known for them. Chef Luca Di Benedetto’s wild-boar ragu is a must-try. 1800 Post Oak Blvd.
THE ANNIE fine dining
A fine-dining stalwart for decades, The Annie Café & Bar has ample privateevent spaces and impeccably executed white-tablecloth service. 1800 Post Oak Blvd.
TONIGHT & TOMORROW
european
The restaurant inside storied Montrose hotel La Colombe d’Or boasts eclectic but sophisticated European dishes with Southern touches. Be sure to check out the cocktail lounge, Bar No. 3. 3410 Montrose Blvd.
TRATTORIA SOFIA italian
An Italian-American spot from Berg Hospitality looks like a trattoria you might stumble upon in rural Italy, with enchanting and spacious indoor and garden seating. 911 W. 11th St.
TURNER’S fine dining
At hidden-gem Turner’s, the food is as decadent as the environment, which touts live music nightly. Check out the Emilia’s Havana speakeasy inside! 1800 Post Oak Blvd.
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