Spring 2021

STAYCATION This Country French style home feels like a fivestar resort. Open entertaining areas, wine room, chef’s kitchen, and more. Designed by Robert Dame, this home is situated on gorgeous .5+ acre corner lot.

5 bedrooms | 6.5+.5 baths 5401 DOLIVER | TANGLEWOOD PRICE UPON REQUEST

WALTER BERING #1 TOP PRODUCER 713.851.9753 walter.bering@sir.com

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STUNNING New home under construction designed by Robert Dame. Situated on a 1+ acre lot on Inwood Drive near Lazy Lane. Shown on appointment basis. Estimated completion date mid-May 2021.

5-6 bedrooms | 7.5+ baths 12,095 bldg sq. ft.

43,700 lot sq. ft.

3001 INWOOD DRIVE | RIVER OAKS PRICE UPON REQUEST

WALTER BERING #1 TOP PRODUCER 713.851.9753 walter.bering@sir.com

walterbering.com FOLLOW ME

@walterberingsothebys

3747 WESTHEIMER RD, HOUSTON, TX | 713.627.7787 FOR STORE DETAILS, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR CONCIERGE. DEUTSCHHOUSTON.COM 3747 WESTHEIMER RD, HOUSTON, TX | 713.627.7787 FOR STORE DETAILS, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR CONCIERGE.

3747 WESTHEIMER RD, HOUSTON, TX | 713.627.7787 DEUTSCHHOUSTON.COM DEUTSCHHOUSTON.COM

FOR THE COLORFUL FOR THE COLORFUL FOR THE COLORFUL

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2031 West Alabama, Houston, T X 7 7098 | 713 .636 . 2 34 0 dennisbrackeen.com | moxie-interiors.com

Contents

48 12 PUBLISHER’S LETTER 14 EDITOR’S LETTER 16 CITYBOOK AT LARGE

Feeder 21 NEWS Go inside the revamped La Colombe d’Or, and glimpse the season’s haute hippie trend.

Plus: Houston vs. everyone?!

30 DESIGN Fall’s coziest trend lightens up for spring.

32 NEWSTONIAN A Dubai transplant fights for gender equality.

34 BOOKS Judith Little examines the lesser-known early life of Coco Chanel.

36 CULTURE Actress and storyteller ShaWanna Renee Rivon prepares a new play for the Alley.

45 MUSIC After a full year of Covid shutdowns and slowdowns, what is the state of live music in Houston now?

8 | houstoncitybook.com

Features 48 LET THE MUSIC PLAY CityBook’s fifth annual photo portfolio highlights seven standouts.

56 SPRING FORWARD A spectacle of color. In a season of life, yes life.

Fashion returns with a flourish.

Book Reports 68 DINING Tasting-menu-only Degust takes a risk in Spring Branch.

72 TRAVEL With its new hike-and-bike program, Sedona’s Enchantment Resort is fit for a fab socially distanced, outdoor adventure.

74 WELLNESS A beauty-industry vet opens a customskincare shop in Rice Military.

78 GUIDEBOOK 84 SECOND GUESS

On The Cover Jhane Hoang photographed model Betrice Hiller in a Valentino gown and Stella McCartney boots from Neiman Marcus, on location at RootLab in EaDo. Styling by Leslie Rivas. Grooming by Bianca Linette.

Equipment repair & installation Advanced diagnostics Weekly maintenance Renovations & Pool School Fully licensed & insured

JEFF GREMILLION Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor

Evan W. Black

Creative Director

Patrick Magee

Style Editor-at-Large Senior Stylist FR c o n s E E p o ol s clean ultation & ide — for — regular filter ly $ ne when w custom 80 this a ers d ment ioned is

Podcast Producer Senior Writer

Todd Ramos Luke Brawner Daniel Renfrow

Writers

Chris Becker, Leah Cast, Holly Crawford, Brant Croucher, Ray Dennison, Lawrence Elizabeth Knox, Amanda Llanes, Zachary McKenzie, Ed Nawotka, Mellanie Perez, Mai Pham and Natalia Gonzalez Blanco Serrano

Photographers & Illustrators

Kat Ambrose, Dionne Christiansen, Greta Connolly, Fulton Davenport, Jenn Duncan, Kelli Durham, Kirsten Gilliam, Carla Gomez, Jhane Hoang, Shannon O’Hara, Daniel Ortiz, Phoebe Rourke, Ashkan Roayaee, Debora Smail, Julie Soefer, Al Torres and Steven Visneau

Nicholas Bagwell, owner 832.992.3631

Kate Stukenberg

radiantpoolstx.com

Stylists & Groomers

Bianca Linette, Edward Sanchez and Tanesha Seafous

LISA HOLTHOUSE Executive Publisher Sales Director

You love a good story.

Find your next podcast at milieumedia.com and join a neighborhood of storytellers.

Peter Remington

Associate Publishers

Lisa Appleby and Jennifer Kahlden

Operations Director

Eric Holden

Technology Director

Christopher J. Nodd

Advisors & Partners

M. Sonny Garza and David Paul Rabalais

Accountant

Christopher Doyle

945 McKinney Street, Suite 119, Houston, Texas 77002 832.514.3001 Phone | 832.514.3002 Fax FOR SALES INFORMATION sales@houstoncitybook.com TO CONTACT AN EDITOR evan@houstoncitybook.com

President and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Gremillion Vice President Lisa Holthouse Chief Operations Officer Eric Holden Chief Technology Officer Christopher J. Nodd Advisors M. Sonny Garza and David Paul Rabalais Style Editor-at-Large Kate Stukenberg

Publisher’s Letter

A

LISA HOLTHOUSE Executive Publisher

along, but it had taken me a few minutes to recognize their songs.

Spring is here, my friends.

And the promise of springtime rebirth has never been more meaningful than at this very moment. We have an opportunity for a renewed existence, a new way to get back into our old habits and ways of living, only better. And it feels so good.

When I saw the vibrant pop of color on the cover of this issue, I couldn’t peel my eyes away from the image. It screams vitality, blossoming, springtime, happiness, vivaciousness and eternal hope. Sure, we have loved the comfort and acceptance of leisurewear this past year. But I can’t wait to don an elegant, springy and flowy silk gown for an outing sometime soon.

I also love that CityBook is highlighting some of Houston’s emerging musicians who kept the faith by making music and performing all through Covid’s tough times. It’s an exemplary indicator of a strong city. And it reminds me of a quote that I keep saved on my phone by author Roy T. Bennett: “Attitude is a choice. Happiness is a choice.

Optimism is a choice. Kindness is a choice. Giving is a choice.

Respect is a choice. Whatever choice you make, makes you.

Choose wisely.”

Despite one full year of hardships, so many have remained positive, optimistic and altruistic. It is with these attributes that we should leap into spring as we kick Covid, politics and crazy winter weather to the curb. We are reborn! Let’s celebrate — mask-free, if you choose!

Have a wonderfully renewed spring!

photo by steven visneau; shot at omni houston

12 | houstoncitybook.com

bout this time last year, I had recently returned from an overseas trip to the Promised Land of Israel — the last time, by the way, I boarded a commercial airline to this day.

Within days of the return, I have such vivid memories of frantically running around town trying to stock my bathrooms with rolls of toilet paper and my pantry with food staples that would last through an apocalypse. Life as we knew it had changed. It gives me goose bumps when I ponder that spring of 2020, one long year ago.

It was a surreal time in our lives. Frightening, unnerving and sometimes dark. Time stood still. Every new day seemed like the day before, and the day before, and so on, and so on. Spring turned to summer, summer to fall, then fall to winter — with the hopes of the dawning of a new day when January 2021 rolled around, only to find that the universe was not quite ready to return to the way it once was.

We had a little more turmoil in store for us.

But early this morning as I practiced my morning yoga outside in my back yard, I was acutely aware of my surroundings. And as I gazed out into the copper and umber colors of the dead plants the recent freeze left behind, I saw tiny bright green leaves beginning to decorate the tips of the blistered tree branches. I actually had to blink my eyes to gain perfect focus, making sure it wasn’t a mirage. Once I confirmed the green leaf blossoms were real, I immediately started hearing the happy birds singing their symphony. They were there all

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Editor’s Letter

P

14 | houstoncitybook.com

that was finally starting to hold its own.

But, then again, when I cut it all back, I now know it’ll eventually grow back stronger, more substantial, enhanced and not degraded by its ordeal.

Or it won’t; some of it will die.

(That bottle brush doesn’t look well, to be honest.) And that’s OK, too, because the other plants will have more room to spread out and flourish.

I’m trying to see life like this, and to look for opportunities to cut the dead and frozen parts out, so what’s underneath can emerge better and healthier. I’m hoping to cut out mask-wearing soon. I’d also like to get rid of divisive politics, or at least learn to take the disagreements in stride. (I should probably just get off Twitter.) I want to untangle from the general fear and oppressive uncertainty of the last 12 months or so, and the sadness over missing friends and loved ones.

I feel it’s all coming soon now. This spring will be special because of it. And Houston, always a picture of resilience, will be a wonderful place to experience it.

Let’s trim away the dead branches that don’t do anybody any good and put them all on the curb. Let’s start growing again.

JEFF GREMILLION Editor-in-Chief

photo by steven visneau; jacket by zegna, shirt by eton, pocket square by eleveny, jeans by ag, all at m penner; shot at omni houston

lants thrive on mutilation.

This is something a friend of mine with a green thumb once said. It was his colorful way of explaining that cutting off the old or dying growth of a tree or a shrub is not — contrary to my childlike understanding of botany — hurtful to them.

They like it! It helps them grow fuller and more vital.

Been thinking about that a lot lately, as I survey my humble gardens in the wake of the snowpocalypse — or was is the icemageddon — a few weeks ago. (Wasn’t that something, by the way? Who knew it would only take several days of sub-freezing weather with no power or water or patience to turn us all into extras from the Battle of Winterfell? My kingdom for a toilet flush and 20 minutes of WiFi!) It seems a shame to cut away so much of my plants, which I’ve watched grow over the years, waiting for them to fill in my beds and look established and nice. Jasmine that finally filled in the spots I wanted it to on the fence, palms that finally expanded into the corner cranny of the backyard, bottle brush that looked meek and lonely in a sparse section of the landscaping for a long while,

4721 Westheimer Road Houston, TX 77027

713.871.1074

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CityBook At Large Updates

from HoustonCityBook.com & beyond

ICYMI

Insta-Worthy Moments

Here are a handful of hits from our social-media feed. Follow @houstoncitybook for more!

REAL ESTATE

Gerald Hines’ $34.5 Mil Manse Hits Market

CityBook Digital covered the listing of the late Gerald Hines’ River Oaks estate within hours of it hitting the market. The 4.5-acre Robert A.M. Stern-designed Tuscan-villa-inspired property, at 2920 Lazy Lane, has five bedrooms and 11 bathrooms, plus a 3,000-squarefoot atrium with an enclosed pool and tennis court.

March 3 Moxie, a film based on Houston author Jennifer Mathieu’s book of the same name, dropped on Netflix, starring Amy Poehler.

March 13 Film critics pleaded for the public’s help for the celebrated River Oaks Theatre as it faces closure over a lease dispute.

PARTY PEOPLE

FOOD

Symphony Ball Ushers in Hopeful New Era for the Arts

Houston Restaurants Raise Funds for Winter Storm Victims

The Houston Symphony hosted about 115 guests for a grand in-person black-tie bash at the Post Oak Hotel. Themed the “Royal Phoenix Ball,” with an uplifting message about rising from the ashes, the Covid-safe ball raised more than $800,000.

16 | houstoncitybook.com

As reported in CityBook Digital, several local restaurants came up with initiatives to fundraise for victims of the February freeze.

For example, celeb chef Matthew Peters headlined a charity dinner at Bludorn, with proceeds going to Southern Smoke.

March 13 Ashkan Roayaee created a unique multimedia series that helped raise money for local artists and Houston Ballet dancers.

Jeremy Fain

Helping Houston Find Their Home 713.677.4337 jfain@greenwoodking.com

GREENWOOD KING

PROPERTIES a place to f ind your home

435 Westmoreland Montrose

5106 Crawford Museum District

914 Main Downtown

2001 Holcombe Med Center

4011 Floyd Rice Military

1717 Edwards Sawyer Heights

CityBook At Large Updates

from HoustonCityBook.com & beyond

ICYMI

Insta-Worthy Moments

Here are a handful of hits from our social-media feed. Follow @houstoncitybook for more!

PARTY PEOPLE

CULTURE

Virtual Ballet Ball Features Dancers Gone Disco!

Reflecting on 50 Years of This Houston Icon

A “home edition” Ballet Ball treated guests to lavish home deliveries of food, wine and other favors as ballet leaders and dancers presented a disco-themed program online. The unique virtual event raised nearly $850,000.

In an essay for CityBook Digital, Executive Publisher Lisa Holthouse reflected on the significance of the Rothko Chapel, calling it “one of the most sacred spaces on the globe,” over the landmark’s 50thanniversary celebration weekend.

February 5 An exhibit at UH’s Blaffer Art Gallery showcased a diverse group of 15 local artists, including Michael Ray Charles.

March 3 Uptown’s iconic skyscraper, The Williams Tower, unveiled a new look for its lobby and café, courtesy of Ziegler Cooper Architects.

davis and musaafer photos by julie soefer

MILESTONE

Gallerist Barbara Davis Toasts to 40 Years

As she prepares to celebrate the 40th anniversary of her namesake gallery, Barbara Davis offered reflections on her trailblazing career to CityBook Digital. “I wanted to become an international gallery,” said Davis, who was the first in town to show such artists as Jonathan Borofsky and Julie Mehretu. “My goal was to bring artists that had never been shown here.”

18 | houstoncitybook.com

January 29 Two Galleria-area restaurants touted new happy-hour specials, including this raspberry-lychee martini at Musaafer.

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Spring 2021 STYLE, CULTURE, BUSINESS & MORE

High Design AFTER YEARS OF construction, La Colombe d’Or in Montrose reopens its boutique hotel and unveils its new 32-story, Lauren Rottet-designed luxury high-rise, The Residences at La Colombe d’Or, where the hotel’s back ballroom once stood. The tower, a partnership with Hines, also includes mod new hotel guest rooms, like this corner suite. For more photos from the project, visit houstoncitybook.com/lacolombedor. –photo by tarick foteh

FEEDER News

THE DISPATCH

FILM

Houston Ballet converted its parking lot into a drive-in theater late last year, and continues to bring beloved dance flicks and special showings to socially distanced viewers throughout the spring. On March 26-27, selections from the San Francisco Dance Film Festival — like Antarctica: The First Dance, below — will be screened. 7:30pm, $15 per vehicle, houstonballet.org

Music

Note Worthy GIVING BACK

Scoop up delicious heart-shapred cookies from Moeller’s and raise funds for the Houston Food Bank! Compass Real Estate has partnered with the famous Bellaire bakery for the initiative that aims to raise $50,000 in the wake of the winter storm. moellersbakery. com, compass.com

ART

Now open at Rienzi, the MFAH’s house museum for European decorative arts: Perpetual Bloom, depicting the ways in which botanicals were displayed and recreated using porcelain, silver and engravings throughout the 18th century. mfah.org

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A

nyone familiar with Houston’s livemusic scene over the last few decades has likely heard of Bubba McNeely.

He’s been in the biz for nearly his whole life, having gotten his start in gospel music at the age of 12.

McNeely’s star rose during Houston’s heyday in the ’80s, and he gigged around L.A. and Vegas before returning to H-Town nearly 20 years ago. “The thing that makes me different is I do ’70s and ’80s R&B, jazz and disco, which no one else does,” says the lively crooner, noting he still inflects everything with a tinge of gospel. “You know, ‘play that funky music white boy,’ ‘turn the beat around,’ all that stuff.”

His fan base is strong — and widespread, thanks to his range of gigs. McNeely plays monthly at Napoli’s Wine Cafe on Washington, Hearsay in Galveston, Cat Scratch Kitchen in Kemah and Casa Do Brasil near the Galleria, and twice a month at Saks Fifth Avenue’s 51fifteen gospel brunch. “The gigs are coming back,” McNeely says, reflecting on the past year. “It was a devastating three or four months when things first shut down.” His livestream shows were popular; folks would tip virtually via Venmo or PayPal, offering much-needed encouragement and motivation during a trying time.

“Music is my life, honey. I’ve done it since I was 12, and I’m so grateful to be where I am.” –ewb

Style

Fab Collab A new collab between Gucci and Detroit VS Everybody benefits 11 nonprofits, including the sustainable design house Magpies & Peacocks here in Houston. Score the exclusive tee for $390 at the Gucci boutique and online. gucci.com –ewb

FEEDER News

THE DISPATCH

Art

By a Thread

Bumin Kim’s ‘Into the Sunset’

A two-person show at Anya Tish Gallery highlights the work of Dallas-based Korean textile painter Bumin Kim and Venezuelanborn Houston artist Luisa Duarte. Threading Through the Territories runs April 3-May 15, and features pieces that invite meditation on boundaries. anyatishgallery.com –ewb

JEWELRY

Diamonds Direct has specialized in direct-to-consumer gemstones, diamonds and jewelry since 1995, and now, Houstonians can shop in person at its new boutique — boasting an inventory equivalent to that of 30 traditional jewelry stores combined — across 610 from the Galleria. Plus: An online silent auction benefits No Kid Hungry, now through May 31. diamonds direct.com

Style

1

HAUTE HIPPIE

COMEDY

Dave Chappelle hits the House of Blues for three shows, March 2325. houseof blues.com

4

The ’20s are the new ’70s — and that’s just groovy! So bring on the boho, bold belts and flowy chiffon, and channel the chic side of the disco era this spring.

–amanda llanes 1. Spring look by Etro 2. Leather waist belt by Alaia, $1,350 3. Dellena raffia espadrille wedge sandals, $595, by Jimmy Choo 4. D-Bubble bucket bag, $3,500, by Dior

BEAUTY

National brand and celeb fave OVME (pronounced “of me”) is now open on Kirby.

The sleek, contemporary studio has 10 treatment rooms, including ones dedicated to laser procedures and hydration therapy.

OVME also offers Botox, derma fillers, photo facials and Vivace, a.k.a. radiofrequency microneedling. ovme.com

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2

3

7150 Old Katy Road • Houston, TX 77024 • 832-485-2100 • www.hickorychair.com/houston

FEEDER News

THE DISPATCH

SHOPPING

The Nutcracker Market returns with an in-person event in April! The spring market will be held at NRG April 16-18, with social distancing and mask requirements in place. Dozens of vendors will shill accessories, food and more, spread out across several aisles. nutcracker market.com

MUSIC

Lauren Daigle and Johnnyswim are slated to take the Toyota Center stage at 7:30pm on April 8. toyotacenter.com

CULTURE

Now through April 11, stream the Alley Theatre’s production of Medea, one of the first plays ever written, depicting infidelity, revenge — and murder. alleytheatre.org

MUSIC

On Easter weekend, the Houston Symphony celebrates the sounds of Bach, including the Concerto for Oboe and Violin with Jonathan Fischer and Yoonshin Song, and cantatas performed by Yulia Van Doren and Elizabeth DeShong.

Limited in-person tickets available, or view online. houston symphony.com

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Art

Beat of Her Own Drum

A

lex Howard, 25, was enjoying the most fruitful months of her young career as a music photographer when Covid struck. She’d just graduated from photo school in Berlin, was on her way to shoot SXSW 2020, and boom — she rerouted to her parents’ house in Houston, and has been here ever since. But she’s making the most of the downtime, having taught herself to play the drums, even capturing her drum teacher, Isaias Gil, in a dynamic new photo series. As the light at the end of the tunnel nears, Howard remains confident the music industry will come back stronger than ever. “Being in the same space, something magical happens between all these people who love something shared,” she says. “For the band to hear their own lyrics sung back to them, you can’t replace that via Zoom.” –ray dennison

There’s never been a better time to build, buy, or sell.

Kim Whaley Top Producing Agent 713.922.6110 kim.whaley@compass.com

Ask us about our exclusive Services, Compass Concierge and Bridge Loans.

Shelly Porter Top Producing Agent 713.446.2473 shelly.porter@compass.com

Kim Whaley and Shelly Porter are real estate agents affiliated with Compass. Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by federal, state and local laws. Equal housing opportunity.

FEEDER News

THE DISPATCH

COMEDY

Scary Movie star Shawn Wayans performs at Improv Houston five times over the course of April 9-10. improvhouston.com

FILM

Target Hunger hosts a Drive-In to Drive Out Hunger fundraising event at Moonstruck Drive-In Cinema at East River on April 9. Tickets to a showing of the family-friendly fave Big — accompanied by popcorn, candy, dinner and beer, naturally — will benefit the cause. targethunger.org

JEWELRY

Houstonians have visited the Shaftel family for custom baubles and highquality gemstones for decades, most recently at their showroom on the ground floor of a Richmond Ave. office building.

Now, Shaftel Diamonds has a luxury Tanglewood storefront that’s just as radiant as its jewels. And just in time for Easter, Mother’s Day and graduation, Shaftel has a bevy of beautiful spring baubles, like this diamond flower ring. shaftel diamonds.com

28 | houstoncitybook.com

ON WITH THE SHOW! AFTER MORE THAN a year without in-person shows, the Houston Grand Opera makes its return to live performances in May. My Favorite Things: Songs from The Sound of Music is a socially distanced outdoor show that will be held at UH’s TDECU Stadium on May 8. The singalong and fundraiser will feature members of the principal cast of the full production of The Sound of Music, which was originally scheduled for the company’s 2020-21 season but was cancelled due to the pandemic.

The stunning Trinidadian soprano Jeanine De Bique stars as Maria. A former UNESCO youth ambassador, De Bique credits the West Indian culture in which she grew up for her appreciation of music. She also joins the HGO Orchestra later this spring for the virtual concert Jeanine De Bique: In Concert, highlighting works by Handel and Mozart. –daniel renfrow, photo by marco borggreve

Style

(Still)) Ready to Rodeo This time of year has Houstonians pining for the Rodeo. While we all daydream of the carnival food, competitions and concerts to come in 2022, we can still dress the part. Still-new Texas-born brand City Boots has stylish springtime kicks, like these two-tone suede Amarillo boots ($950). cityboots.com –ewb

The Best You is What We Do

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FEEDER Design

1

5

2

‘Core’ Elements Fall’s cozy cottagecore obsession has gotten a springtime facelift.

Escape to an English-garden-inspired oasis, complete with airy floral motifs and subtly chic woven elements.

– evan w. black

3

4

1. Crochet tassel garland, $35, at Crate and Barrel 2. Loloi rug, from $99, at High Fashion Home 3. Floral prints, $20, at Zara 4. Handwoven periwinkle blanket, $1,600, at Tribute Goods 5. Wallpaper, by Rebel Walls

30 | houstoncitybook.com

A view with a room.

elliman.com © 2021 DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY.

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FEEDER Newstonian

WINNING WAY

A Dubai export tackles gender equality. By Ray Dennison

T

he interview has to be conducted over the phone, and Rana Nawas answers on yet another day without electricity. It’s February, and Texas is crippled by the polar vortex. Still, Nawas is calm and collected, answering questions while fielding requests from her four- and six-year-old children. Having the interview by voice is quite appropriate, given that Nawas is a podcast star. Her show, When Women Win, launched in 2017; today it broadcasts in 181 countries and receives as many as 18,000 downloads per episode.

Nawas moved to Houston from Dubai at the start of 2020. Her husband took an executive job in manufacturing, and the family moved to the Energy Corridor just as the city shut down. The kids moved to remote learning before they even settled into their new schools, and the parents have had limited opportunities to explore the city and form a social network.

It’s a challenge, but Nawas once moved an entire fleet of jets out of North Africa during

32 | houstoncitybook.com

the Arab Spring uprising while working at GE Capital Aviation Services, so she’s not phased. Instead of moping, she’s focusing on finding career opportunities here in executive leadership, and is also full steam ahead with her podcast, which highlights successful females and advises how to break through glass ceilings in the workplace.

“There are major systemic barriers,” she says. “Women have a lot of role models in the middle, but very few at the top. That’s the problem I wanted to solve. To show more women at the top. To inspire listeners and to impart practical tips and tools. I want to normalize women winning.”

Nawas first decided to start the podcast after reading Harvard University professor Iris Bohnet’s book What Works: Gender Equality by Design. “People have been talking about this since I started my career at McKinsey in London back in 2000,” Nawas says. “Not much has changed, and we’re still having the same conversation.

We’ve even had regressions. Covid has been a massive regression for women.”

She calls Bohnet’s book “a lightning bolt,” explaining how the problem of unconscious bias — whether based on gender, race, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status — has been given the wrong solution.

“Diversity training isn’t going to change primal wiring. We need to implement practices and processes that circumvent our actual minds.”

When Women Win is approaching its 100th episode. In addition to Harvard professor Bohnet, who started it all, guests have included Wild author Cheryl Strayed, Netflix CMO Bozoma Saint John, and the chair and managing director of the International Monetary Fund, Kristalina Georgieva. “The common thread that kept coming up is two things: One is being open to new paths. Everyone I spoke with was on a trajectory, something happened, and they changed. … The other common thread is they’re brave. Being open and having courage. I really think it’s that basic.”

Things are finally thawing out, and Nawas can’t believe, between Covid and the freeze, what her new town has already thrown her way. Still, she loves the openness of Houston. Not only does she mean the literal space, but also the freedom of speech and press, and availability of opportunity.

As her son and daughter banter in the background, she closes with one last lesson.

“We raise boys to be brave, and girls to be perfect. That’s wrong. Bravery is a muscle we need to exercise as often as we can. It grows with practice. … There really aren’t short cuts.” 

SUMMER TIME IS

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FEEDER Books

Bunch of Softies The Soft Wear’s Sanchez, Edwards and Price

Refashioning History In a new book, Judith Little tells a lesser-known tale of Coco Chanel’s youth.

By Ed Nawotka

B

y day, Judith Little is a white-shoe lawyer in the oil and gas industry. But by night, for the past several years, she has channeled the life of the creator of the little black dress: Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel, whose rise to prominence after Vogue published a photo of her simply chic design in 1926 is well known. What is lesser known is the story of her early life, one that starts in a convent orphanage where Gabrielle (not yet Coco) and her sisters were abandoned by their father, an itinerant peddler, after their mother died.

The girls’ lives from 1897 to 1921 is what inspired the historical fiction of Little’s new novel, The Chanel Sisters (Graydon House). Narrated by her younger sister Antoinette, the book offers a glimpse into the formative years of the fashion icon. In the convent, Coco learned to sew; was introduced to fashion by her aunt Adrienne; tried to become a singer; and navigated affairs that led to the establishment of her first store in Paris. There, she made and sold hats, and after moving to the French Riviera during WWI, she tailored the hospital uniforms of the women volunteering to take care of wounded soldiers.

“Coco was a late bloomer, and never set out to be in fashion,” says Little. “She started making hats because she didn’t like the fashion of the time. And when World War I happened, her style

34 | houstoncitybook.com

of clothing allowed freedom of movement. All this happened at a time when expectations of women, their role in society and what they should wear, were changing.”

For her part, Antoinette’s life had drama of its own, including — in Little’s treatment at least — a marriage to a Canadian military pilot and a tumultuous love affair with an Argentinian.

Little got her start as a fiction writer by taking a group workshop at Inprint Houston 15 years ago, and she and her classmates have continued to meet weekly ever since. “My goal is to deliver six presentable pages each week.” The pace of production enabled her, despite her obligations as a lawyer and a mom, to publish Wickwythe Hall, a novel set at an English country house during WWII, in 2017. She’s now working on a yet-to be named novel about Coco’s best friend, an artistic muse named Misia Sert. “She was nicknamed the Queen of Paris, and was even more famous than Chanel at the time.”

Little says that writing historical fiction offers an escape, as well as reassurance. “I find comfort in reading about the trials and tribulations of people from the past,” she says. “It reminds me of ... the very large challenges people face and how they got through them. This has been especially helpful during the pandemic, to be reminded that we are not going through something unique, and that we will endure.” 

With a growing list of Houston’s best in retail, dining, and entertainment, whatever your schedule and whatever your style, M-K-T provides the convenience of being a one-stop destination located in the heart of the Houston Heights.

Visit themkt.com for a list of open and upcoming retailers, restaurants, and events.

600 N.S H E P H E R D D R I V E , H O U S T O N | T H E M K T.C O M | @M K T H E I G H T S

FEEDER Culture

Hollywood Confidential

A playwright mines Tinsel Town’s social-justice shortcomings for laughs — and a hopeful message.

By Brant Croucher, Photo by Phoebe Rourke

A

ctor and playwright ShaWanna Renee Rivon, whose funny new play, Old Black & White Hollywood, will be read as part of the Alley Theatre’s all-digital “Alley All New” initiative in April and May, has always been fascinated by the past.

“I loved history growing up,” she says, “and I would love for my family to tell old stories about older relatives, and those voices have always guided me. I would get visions in my head. I could see me doing the story or playing it out, of what it would look like. Unfortunately for a lot of Blacks, we can only go back so far in knowing who we are, and so I would just make up these stories in my head from little bits and pieces I would put together.”

Rivon was a student actress at Houston’s Eisenhower High School, where she performed in plays. Upon graduation, she left for Atlanta in search of opportunity and found it, training at the award-winning Alliance Theater. Later on, she jumped coasts, and did a 10-year stint in Los Angeles, before returning to Houston to earn a BFA in playwriting from UH. The script for Black & White — set in Tinsel Town in 1954, when Jim Crow laws were still enforced — landed in the hands of Liz Frankel, director of new work at the Alley, thanks to a UH classmate.

The play centers on a female comedy duo, a black actress named Doris Jean and a white actress named Eva Rose. When the women are invited to audition for the same movie role, it becomes apparent that, while they have shared dreams and ambitions, they are facing different challenges and obstacles — a dynamic that still feels relevant today.

Rivon is inspired by the stories of those who have come before her, including Dorothy Dandridge, the first Black American to be nominated for an Academy Award. It’s easy to draw parallels between the aspirations and shared experiences of Dandridge and Rivon and Doris, the play’s protagonist. “I wanted to see an authentic story of a woman who attempted to break a glass ceiling but couldn’t quite,” says the playwright.

“I wanted her to come so close, and in her coming so close, I wanted people to see the reasons why [she] would never be able to.”

Comedy deftly balances the weight of Rivon’s subject matter. “It’s about laughing together,” she says. “The jokes and the sketches, I wrote them in the time of 1954, but they’re really in the time of the present. As you’re laughing, you’re thinking, ‘yeah, that’s a problem.’”

Rivon hopes her Black & White audience is able to take away a shared sense of empathy, and maybe a better understanding of race in America — at a time when it’s so thoroughly needed. “I am hoping that a lightbulb will go off. I am hoping that we are able to laugh at how ridiculous racism is.” 

THRIVE + INSPIRE A SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION

PART II

Honoring Houstonians and Houston businesses that persevered and pivoted in challenging times — and are ready to win this spring and beyond!

FEATURING KATHY ANDERSON, JACLYN & DONNIE BOUTWELL, JONATHAN FRELS & THE AESTHETIC CENTER FOR PLASTIC SURGERY

PART II

JACLYN & DONNIE BOUTWELL

Owners, Media Systems What have been your biggest challenges since the Covid pandemic began? We miss the handshakes and face time with our staff and customers. We’re more disconnected than we have ever been as a society. We’re a very up-close-and-in-person business. It has gotten better than it was a year ago in this regard but still disappointing.

to succeed. Our customers are friends.

Long term, meaningful relationships keep us encouraged and hopeful. When you’re helping people, they don’t care about your politics, and you don’t care about theirs. It’s a very human connection that we have to the community. Meeting a need brings people together.

Has anything changed about the way you do business or the services you provide?

We offer several technology services from Networks and WiFi, to Home Entertainment systems, to security and surveillance. This last year, we’ve done more network and WiFi upgrades than anything. Another expanding category is remote management hardware that makes it possible to have a service call without a site visit. People also want the convenience of touch-less voice controls in the home, but many don’t like the invasion of privacy they feel from big tech. We’ve been offering Josh.ai that is a completely secure and private voice assistant. Privacy has become even more important to our homeowners in this last year.

What did you learn about yourself or your business that might inspire others? When my uncle, Steve Driskell, retired a few years ago, Jaclyn and I would say to each other as we were driving in each morning, “We can do this!” It was a declaration to encourage each other to stay the course. The pandemic has caused us to make some adjustments to our business, but our model hasn’t changed, and it doesn’t need to. “We believe that technology in your home should be easy to use, beautifully designed, and unbelievably reliable.” Our mission statement is timeless and relevant no matter what is happening in the world. It’s not a business plan, it’s a belief about how things should be. I would encourage other business owners to reach back to the motivation that got them here in the first place. Those beliefs are still the reason to be passionate about your life’s work. Don’t let a shifting world change who you are and what you set out to do.

What’s the secret to staying hopeful and forward-looking in tough times? Relationships are the key for us. Our team is a family. We support each other and help each other

THE AESTHETIC CENTER FOR PLASTIC SURGERY What has been your biggest challenge since the Covid pandemic began? As a leading medical practice, we faced many challenges but not all of which were expected. Of course we faced the moratorium on elective surgery as well as shortages in protective equipment. But we also faced a crisis of public opinion. We knew we had implemented the best safety policies but did not know how to let the public know that it was safe to resume plastic surgery again.

How did you adjust and overcome this obstacle? We have a duty to ensure everything we do is performed as safely as possible. This was truly visible in all our facilities and in all that we did. Once patients started experiencing this, they began informing the rest of the public. The news spread throughout social media and word of mouth. By midsummer, we not only were fully operational, but thriving. We were proud of what we accomplished and felt we led the way for other surgical centers.

What did you learn about yourself, your business or your community that might inspire others? We learned we could adapt, though it was challenging. And we had a lot of help from the Texas Society of Plastic Surgeons. Much research had to be done along with many late-night meetings to write and refine safety procedures. A lot of deliberation went into creating the protocols our patients see every day as well as the ones they do not see.

We were also reminded of the resiliency of our community as

we watched people and businesses work together and support each other. Moments of crisis tend to bring out the best in people, but Houston seems to have a way of pulling together like no other city. We have so much gratitude towards the people of Houston.

What’s new in your life or at your business that you’re excited about? When the pandemic hit, we were preparing for the worst and, like so many other businesses, wondering how we would survive. It is extraordinary to see where we are today. We are very excited about the new phenomenon of the “working recovery.” The working recovery is really just the ability to work from home during your recovery period. The second most common reason people do not go forward with plastic surgery is the inability to get time off from work for recovery. This is less of a problem when you do not need to go to the office every day. Many of our patients tell us they were able to take a day or two off from work and then resume light or even normal work days from their home office. This has proven to be a huge benefit to our patients and one that we hope continues.

713-352-3869 | www.mybeautifulbody.com Locations 12727 Kimberley Ln, #300, Houston, TX 77024 4400 Post Oak Parkway, #300, Houston, TX 77027 4800 W Panther Creek Dr, #200A, Houston, TX 77381

PART II

PART II

KATHY ANDERSON

Owner and Principal Designer, Eklektik Interiors What’s the secret to staying hopeful and forward-looking in tough times? Remembering that this too shall pass. I live each day to the fullest and focus on being grateful for what I have. For me, this keeps me moving forward. Also, I am blessed to work in an industry that focuses on the importance of home. The feeling of comfort created in our homes carries over into every aspect of our lives. Every day I get to work with amazing clients to design and create more functional, peaceful and inspiring spaces for them and their loved ones. I love what I get to do.

What did you learn about yourself, your business or your community that might inspire others? I’ve learned to slow down a little bit and to look at life completely differently. In a lot of ways, this has been a real blessing for me. I appreciate things so much more. The little things, that we might typically take for granted. I appreciate my sub-contractors, vendors, clients and most importantly, my staff. We all work together as a team to adapt to our changing world and to find solutions together. I have come to value each for their part in my life. I don’t think I will take anything for granted anymore. I sincerely hope not.

Each day is a gift. We should treat it as such.

What’s new in your life or at your business that you’re excited about? I have been doing design for quite some time now, and

I do still love it. However, I am constantly learning and exploring new avenues within design. I just don’t want to stay with the “status quo.” I want to take the time and opportunity to discover new things, projects, places, and continue to enrich the lives of those around me and to push myself to “rediscover” me. I want to continue to work with the best of the best. They push me each day to be better, in whatever direction that may be in the future.

What have been your biggest challenges since the Covid pandemic began? With Covid came a lot of delays in shipping and a rise in costs on supplies. The supply chain and shipping has really been a challenge in many industries, as it takes longer to receive everything needed to complete our projects. Of course, it has also been hard to adjust to not getting to meet in person as much, but I have learned how to accept how I look on a Zoom camera!

How did you adjust and overcome obstacles? How did you reset? With all the changes in social norms and distancing, we really focused on being aware and making sure we were keeping people safe and comfortable. Wearing a mask, learning to live with fogged glasses, holding virtual appointments, and meeting in smaller groups made it possible to continue to do our job in a safe and effective way.

PART II

CHRISTUS FOUNDATION FOR HEALTHCARE Jonathan Frels, Board Member

Tell us a little about your organization. In 1866, the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word came to Galveston with a mission to heal “the sick and infirm of all kinds.” In 1887, they expanded their reach with St. Joseph’s Infirmary, Houston’s first general hospital. While the focus has shifted from hospital care to primary healthcare and related services, CHRISTUS Foundation for HealthCare continues the original mission by serving the needs of underserved and uninsured communities of all faiths, ages, and cultures in the Greater Houston and Galveston areas. Our seven programs include stationary clinics, mobile clinics, and school clinics, in addition to our Galveston homeless outreach.

What have been your biggest challenges since the COVID pandemic began? In addition to the challenge of adapting our programs to keep our staff and patients safe, we have seen an influx of patients suffering physical and mental health challenges related to the pandemic. A number of the lowincome families we serve are experiencing trauma and stress due to both job loss and the loss of family and friends from the virus. About 50-60% of the people we help aren’t working at their usual jobs due to the pandemic. In addition to helping clients with their medical needs, we’ve focused on connecting them with counseling and mental health support. The sharp increase in those seeking healthcare and mental-health support during the pandemic has made our work even more critical.

How did you adjust and overcome obstacles? At our two stationary clinics, CHRISTUS St. Mary’s Clinic in Houston’s East End and CHRISTUS Point of Light Clinic in Dickinson, we are working with patients on managing conditions such as diabetes.

Access to healthy foods has proven difficult to many, as has the ability to afford prescriptions. Our prescription assistance program and education on how to access food through area food banks are essential tools for promoting health during the pandemic. While the indoor facilities at CHRISTUS Our Daily Bread may be closed to homeless clients, we are still supplying medical care, two to-go meals a day, hygiene and clothing supplies, and temporary outdoor restrooms and hand-washing stations in the parking lot. Our CHRISTUS Healthy Living Mobile Clinics continue to administer care to hard-to-reach segments of the city, providing adult and children vaccinations to keep this at-risk community protected.

What’s the secret to staying forward-looking in tough times?

The focus on our mission. As Sister Rosanne Popp, M.D., Medical Director at CHRISTUS St. Mary’s Clinic, says, “We are here for people who fall through the cracks of the cracks.” For over 150 years, we have served those who otherwise would not have received care, including through other health crises such as the Yellow Fever Epidemics in Galveston and the 1912 Smallpox epidemic in Houston. Every member of our community deserves access to healthcare, and we will continue to be there for them for another 150 years.

FEEDER Music

photo by greta connolly

Play On Texas country artist Hayden Haddock performs at The Rustic Downtown

Live Music NOW One year since Covid hit, venues regroup, reopen and prepare for the new normal. Here’s where things stand. By Daniel Renfrow

O

pening a new music venue is never easy, but add a pandemic into the mix, and it’s damn near impossible. It’s no small feat then that Shan Pasha, frontman of local punk outfit Ruiners, managed to open the doors and bay windows — an architectural godsend during a pandemic — of his new music venue and bar, Red Dwarf, in the Midtown space formerly home to Mongoose Vs. Cobra, in August of last year.

“Stressful is a huge understatement,” he says. “We had to essentially change our business model from being a bar and music venue to operating like a restaurant to adapt.”

The original plan for the venue, which was conceived preCovid, was for it to host three to four billed-out live shows a

week, but when the pandemic hit, Pasha had to get creative. For example, instead of having bands play on stage — singing and talking and breathing into the crowd — Pasha invited them to come spin vinyl records.

Although that business model has mostly worked out for Pasha, like many bar and venue owners in the city, he’s excited about starting to do live shows again — with socially distanced tables, limited capacity and mask requirements. “Although capacity limits have been lifted,” says Pasha, “we’ll still be operating well within the coded protocols.”

Indeed, as certain measures are lifted by Gov. Abbott, more venues will be more fully opened in the coming weeks. But lots of local spots have been hosting concerts safely for months.

Live music staples like The Rustic (both the Downtown

45 | houstoncitybook.com

FEEDER Music

and Post Oak locations), Dosey Doe and McGonigel’s Mucky Duck have remained busy throughout the pandemic. Others, like Heights Theater, House of Blues and Bayou Music Center (formerly Revention, and before that, Bayou Music Center again — try to keep up), are starting to expand offerings, and their bookings, which are on the sparse side at the moment, will increase as vaccinations push Houston toward herd immunity.

There are also several restaurants who have been getting Houstonians their live-music fix throughout the last year, a lot of them al fresco. For example, the rooftop patio at Liberty Kitchen Treehouse hosts live music on Saturday nights, and Giorgio’s at the Hotel Granduca moved its intimate concerts to the poolside patio. Beer gardens like Truck Yard and tons of breweries are hopping with weekend and evening concerts, too. And romantic spots like Turner’s, Ben Berg’s speakeasy-style restaurant on Post Oak, offer fun date nights accompanied by live tunes.

As ever, one of the best places to soak in some live music is White Oak Music Hall, which unveiled an ingenious grid for their outdoor shows, seating people in compartmentalized areas, earlier in the pandemic. The venue is starting to increase bookings while continuing to adhere to safely protocols.

“When we did our grid system, there was a great response from a lot of people because they hadn’t gone out for six months,” says Luis Rivera, White Oak’s general manager, of the venue’s smart idea, which debuted in the fall. “And the bands were really happy with the setup too, because they felt like they were playing in a space where they were safe and the patrons were also safe.”

White Oak is doing indoor shows now as well, and management continues to enforce reduced-capacity shows, temperature checks, socially distanced tables and mask-wearing until they feel it’s safe for them to more fully return to business as usual — or at least some semblance of that.

“We’ll see where the world is as time goes by,” says Ruiz, echoing a popular sentiment in the nightlife industry.

“But we don’t want to be in a rush to change course immediately. We’re going to do it safe and do the status quo still. We don’t want to change our message so quickly that people don’t have time to adjust to it.” 

46 | houstoncitybook.com

LISTEN UP!

Houstonians are ready to get out for some auditory R&R. Here are local spots safely offering live music on the reg. –dr Heights Theater

White Oak Music Hall

Mandatory face masks (unless eating or drinking); mandatory social distancing

Mandatory face masks (unless eating or drinking); capacity limits; mandatory social distancing

Axelrad

McGonigel’s Muck Duck

Samantha Fish (March 28), Bonnie Bishop (April 2), John Mark McMillan (April 24), Raul Malo (April 27)

No shows on the cal, but Houston Ensemble performs often for the bar’s Jazz Night Mandatory face masks while inside and ordering; limited capacity

Red Dwarf

Shakin’ All Over (March 25)

Lil TJay (April 3), Purity Ring (April 12), Read Southall Band (April 17)

John Fullbright (March 26), Opie Hendrix (March 27), Ancient Cat Society (April 2), Jason Eady (April 9), Lilly Hiatt (April 23) Mandatory face masks (unless eating or drinking); limited capacity

Main Street Crossing

Mandatory face masks (unless eating or drinking); socially distanced tables; limited capacity

Doug Stone (March 26), Walt Wikins (March 30), Larry Gatlin (April 11), Ray Wylie Hubbard (April 16-17), Mark Chesnutt (April 26-27)

House of Blues

Mandatory face masks when not seated; socially distanced seating

Dave Chappelle (March 23-25), Milky Chance (April 7) Mandatory face masks (unless eating or drinking); mandatory social distancing; staggered arrival times

Bayou Music Center

Die Antwoord (May 29)

Mandatory face masks (unless eating or drinking); mandatory social distancing; staggered arrival times

The Rustic

The Heights Funk Collective (Downtown, March 26), South Austin Moonlighters (Post Oak, March 26), Allan Hendrickson (Downtown, March 27), Nathan Quick (Post Oak, March 31); plus Jam & Toast livemusic brunch on weekends Mandatory face masks (unless eating or drinking); limited capacity; staggered arrival times for guests

Dosey Doe

Wade Bowen (March 24), Prophets & Outlaws (March 25), Lee DeWyze (March 28), Bri Bagwell Band (April 2), William Clark Green (April 7-8), Bellamy Brothers (April 15), Reverend Horton Heat (April 24) Face masks encouraged

Night on the Town Above: Warehouse Live in EaDo, Main Street Crossing in Tomball, and House of Blues Downtown

TED COWART paintings on canvas and paper

Prickly Pear with Yellow Blooms

mixed media on paper, 22” by 30” from a series of abstract paintings on paper and canvas.

For more information, visit CowartFineArt.com.

Nate Drop Although queer hip-hop artist Jonathan Harris, 30, known by his stage persona Nate Drop, released two killer singles, “Cornbread” and “My Love,” at the tail end of 2020, the best is yet to come. Known for his smooth and reflective lyrics, Harris plans late this spring to release a new seven-track album that he recorded during the pandemic with John Allen Stephens, the prolific producer behind Third Coast Recording Co. “It talks about my journey to find more of myself, which is a journey of self-love,” says Harris of the album, aptly titled Maps. “It talks about a lot of experiences I’ve had with love, about my mental health and about my experience growing up as a millennial Black male.”

Clothing his own; watch, $27,400,

by Cartier at Deutsch Houston.

Let The Music Play.

It’s been a tough year to be a musician. But these resilient rising stars studied, composed, recorded and live-streamed their way through it, honing their gifts and sharing them with a city in isolation, ready to be rapt. Now, amid the search for something like normal, they are eager, at long last, to take the stage.

Photos by Ashkan Roayaee, styling by Todd Ramos, hair and makeup by Edward Sanchez for Edward Sanchez Cosmetics, shot on location at the Silos at Sawyer Yards.

Ellen Story Tennessee native Ellen Story, 28, has spent almost her entire life making music. Story got her start in her family’s gospelbluegrass band before leaving to study classical violin at a conservatory, eventually snagging a spot at Berklee to study the groovy and loose folk style of the fiddle. After a relationship brought her to Houston, Story put down roots.

“There are some incredibly talented and good people here to work with,” says the busy fiddler, who’s continued to offer private lessons via FaceTime and plays in a bevy of projects, including swing outfit Western Bling (her main project), bluegrass band NewVintage, and oldie-country group the Broken Spokes. She also has material for several albums that she’s ready to record. “I’ll let everyone know when it’s ready.”

Clothing and jewelry her own.

Cory McGee Bass Cory McGee, 24, joined Houston Grand Opera’s HGO Studio this season after winning second place in the company’s 32nd annual Concert of Arias competition. The Virginia native, who recently completed his master’s at Rice’s Shepherd School of Music, has remained busy this year, despite setbacks caused by the pandemic. “The silver lining of it is that I have study work and a stable income right now,” says McGee, who’s performed virtually on the company’s new digital platform.

McGee, who started out playing the viola before “getting hooked on opera,” will spend his summer as an apprentice artist at Santa Fe Opera, and will star as Billy in HGO’s The Snowy Day, which will finally have its world premiere later this year.

Clothing his own; watch, $9,100, by Cartier at Deutsch Houston.

Andy Mac Andy Mac, 34, fled to Houston from Brooklyn back in 2017 after he and his wife “saw the writing on the wall” and decided they needed a bit more breathing room. Here, the guitarist and vocalist found his pocket in doing live shows, which you could argue he does more frequently than almost any other Houston-based artist. “I wanted to establish an omnipresence in the city, so I started playing as much as I could,” says Mac, who plays a mix of covers and his own music during performances, which some months are nearly nightly — even throughout the pandemic at places like Truck Yard and The Rustic. “I want to be ubiquitous, so I say yes to almost every gig.” He has plans to release a full-length album of original songs later this year.

Clothing his own; watch, $5,600,

by Cartier at Deutsch Houston.

Marley Moon When Madison Campbell, 23, moved back to her native Houston from Boston a few years back — after Berklee “ate her soul” — the one-time voice major took a brief mental health break from writing music. But after some extended R&R, she’s releasing her debut EP, titled Do You Feel Free, on April 2.

The six-track project, recorded as her stage persona Marley Moon last year with Grammywinning Houston producer Steve Christensen, is chock full of love songs that speak to the type of heartache only a young person can feel. “Love songs are my favorite to write,” muses the bassist and vocalist, who’s inspired by the retro sounds of artists like The Beach Boys, Elvis and Patsy Cline. “Writing love songs is the easiest way for me to digest my feelings.”

Dress, $320, by Aidan at Neiman Marcus; earrings, $2,375, and bracelet, $1,375, both by Rudolf Friedmann, bracelet, $4,000, by Hulchi Belluni, and ring, $42,250, by Rahaminov, all at Deutsch Houston; shoes, her own.

Tia Gold R&B singer and songwriter Tia Gold, 28, may call Houston home, but she’s equally at home at Jay-Z’s leviathan record label Roc Nation, which manages top artists like Rihanna, J. Cole and fellow Houstonian Megan Thee Stallion. Signed as a songwriter after Jay-Z was sent one of her demos, Gold flew back and forth to L.A. frequently pre-Covid. And while she may not be as well traveled this year, it’s serving her well: She’s released two singles, “SOS” and “Answer,” from a cheerful forthcoming 10-track project. “I was listening to a lot of brighter and uplifting music during the pandemic,” says Gold of her inspiration for the album. “If I was looking for that, I realized other people were probably looking for the same thing.”

Dress, $450, by Jay Godfrey at Neiman Marcus.

Amanda Solis Tejano artist and Selena impersonator Amanda Solis, 28, has had a wild ride for the past five years. It all started when a friend signed her up to sing the Selena song “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom” for a karaoke competition at a gay bar. Clips of her performance hit the internet, and she was catapulted into a new career as a soughtafter Selena impersonator who’s been booked all over Texas and across the nation. “I would have never imagined it would evolve into what it is now,” she says.

“I feel so privileged and am so grateful for the opportunities I’ve had.” Her recently released six-song debut EP, titled Quinceañera Queen, produced

by Houston label Street Science Entertainment, is in a style dubbed “Cumbia-Americano,” a delicious bilingual mashup of Tejano rhythms with contemporary flourishes.

Clothing and accessories her own; necklace, $15,000, by Norman Silverman, and earrings, $13,025, all at Deutsch Houston.

On her: Pants, by Victoria Beckham, and top, by Mara Hoffman, both at Saks Fifth Avenue; fanny pack,

by Prada. On him: Jeans, $495, by Ralph Lauren at Neiman Marcus, and bracelets, $495-$575, by David Yurman at Neiman Marcus.

Opposite page, on her: Shirt, by Gucci; jacket, $1,390, by Akris, and pants,

by Simon Miller, both at Saks Fifth Avenue; shoes, $1,270, by Bottega Veneta at Neiman Marcus. On him: Suit, by Gucci; shoes, $690,

by Alexander McQueen, at Saks Fifth Avenue; bracelet, $490, by David Yurman at Neiman Marcus.

SPRING

FORWARD A spectacle of color. In a season of life, yes life.

Fashion returns with a flourish.

Photos by Jhane Hoang, Styling

by Leslie Rivas, Shot on location at RootLab in EaDo

Jacket, $4,580, by Alexander McQueen at Saks Fifth Avenue; earrings, $71,400, ring, $32,500, and diamond necklace, $49,500, all at Valobra Master Jewelers.

Opposite page: Dress and jewelry, all by Chanel.

Jacket, $1,095, by Escada, and bodysuit, $295, by ALC, both at Saks Fifth Avenue; boots, $1,950, by Alexander McQueen at Neiman Marcus.

Opposite page: Shirt, $375,

by Kenzo, coat, $2,845,

by Dolce & Gabbana, and shorts, $98, by Peter Millar, all at Neiman Marcus; shoes, $890, by Alexander McQueen at Saks Fifth Avenue.

Skirt, $1,650, and sweater, $1,175, by Versace at Saks Fifth Avenue; shoes, $495,

by Chloe at Neiman Marcus.

Opposite page, on her: Dress, by Michael Kors; earrings, $3,750, and rings, $5,500 and $17,500, all at Valobra Master Jewelers.

On him: Shirt, $595, by Balenciaga, and pants, $495, by Ralph Lauren, both at Saks Fifth Avenue.

Models Betrice Hiller and Jake Busse for Wallflower Management.

Hair and Makeup by Bianca Linette Fashion assistance

by Tanesha Seafous

PROMOTION

HOUSE RULES

TIPS AND ADVICE ON HOUSTON REAL ESTATE FROM THE CITY’S TOP REALTORS

What will be the next hot neighborhood in Houston?

JULIA WANG NextGen Real Estate

Everybody is talking about the Near Northside.

Northside For its proximity to Downtown, you can take your pick of reasonably priced lots and build whatever you like there. I am getting ready to list a brandnew development of townhomes starting at $375K, which would be perfect for young professionals who want to cut their commutes and avail themselves of all the inner-Loop amenities. (Check out the epic plans for Hardy Yards.)

And call me biased, but my own neighborhood of Briargrove seems like it’s on the cusp of something special. If you know me, you know that the Wang family moves house more often than most people visit the dentist! But in Briargrove I feel like we have finally found a place where we can put down the packing tape — not to mention some roots! This area is all about growth. It’s somewhere you can watch your kids learn and grow in the security of a close-knit community.

And it’s somewhere you can invest wisely: The many older homes on larger lots are ripe for total renovations or teardowns. Here you can build the home — and the life — you want, and we’re well on our way to doing that ourselves.

Mike Mahlstedt Compass Real Estate

Lazybrook is a hidden gem situated between TC Jester and 610.

This deed-restricted and established neighborhood has an active civic group working to beautify the area and its adjacent green spaces.

Named for its proximity to White Oak Bayou, this pocket has oldgrowth oaks, shaded streets, and easy access to 610, I-10, 290, and the TC Jester corridor.

Lazybrook neighbors can enjoy walking to the Hike & Bike along White Oak, as well as the numerous neighborhood spots that are continuing to pop up. Kojak’s Deli and Rainbow Lodge are classics, while Hughie’s, Preslee’s and King’s Bierhaus are more recent additions. Hop on a bike to Eureka Heights brewing and numerous hot spots in adjacent Shady Acres.

The neighborhood has experienced a resurgence over recent years and, while it’s still undervalued in my opinion, I do think it will boom as buyers seek more green space on the mix of 6,500-10,000+ square foot lots. With a mix of one- to two-story renovated and expanded ranches, some recent construction, and original fixer-uppers waiting for the right buyer, there is a lot of opportunity for upside and a more suburban lifestyle still in the Loop.

Jeremy Fain

Greenwood King Properties

With the general inventory being so low, coupled with the extremely low interest rates, there are multiple neighborhoods around town that are ridiculously active. One area that’s going to become more active and will begin to appear on more radars of Houstonians is the Washington Corridor towards Houston Avenue, also known as Sawyer Heights.

There has been a great deal of development over the past year in this pocket, both commercial and residential, that I think is going to attract the first-time buyer demographic. Prices are still affordable for being within the Loop, but I have a feeling they may start to creep up once the rest of the metro area catches on.

I have had, and currently have, a few listings in the area, and the prices now vs. about 10 years ago have increased in the neighborhood of 25 percent. I’m not saying that is always going to be the case, but I think it’s a good indicator of where the area is going. I have a feeling that the restaurants and lounges up and down Houston Avenue are going to start doing quite well within the next couple of years!

HOUSTON’S P R E M I E R WEDDING & CORPORATE EVENT CENTER LEXISFLORIST.COM

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We’ve Made Some Changes for Spring EXPANDED FOODIE MARKET • NEW WINE SHOP • NEW MENU I TEMS TM

Nosh new, fresh chef-prepared dishes highlighting locally sourced proteins, vegetables and grains.

Choose a bottle from our seasonallyevolving collection of red, white, and sparkling wines in our upstairs bottle shop and sip it with friends on our new patio.

And, while you’re here, take a minute to shop for foodie staples — discover items from around the block and around the world.

See you soon.

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Eat. Drink. Travel. Live.

Passion Project

photo by christa elyce

Gather the brunch bunch: There are plenty of hot spots to hit with boozy — and beautiful! — new drinks made for Sunday Funday. Mastrantos in the Heights has mimosas by the carafe, and this pictureperfect passionfruit mojito. page 70

Dining

Mussel Through Chef Silva’s mussels in ‘escabeche,’ with an edible shell and trout roe

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Fearless Food

In Spring Branch, a bold new restaurant debuts with Japanese-inflected Mexican-Spanish cuisine — tasting-menu only. By Mai Pham, Photos by Kat Ambrose

For better or worse, tasting-menu restaurants have always been a risky proposition in Houston. There’s the promise of critical acclaim, as in the case of Oxheart, which catapulted Justin Yu into the national limelight, earning him one of Houston’s few James Beard Awards. Ditto for Jonny Rhodes of Indigo, whose 13-seat restaurant, in its first year of opening, earned tons of national recognition, namely a place on Time magazine’s list of the world’s greatest places in 2019.

And yet, they tend to be short-lived. Oxheart shuttered, replaced by the more casual Theodore Rex. Come July, Indigo, too, will close after a two-year run. And who can forget Seth Siegel-Gardner and Terrence Gallivan’s The Pass & Provisions, which is now Bludorn?

Degust, which opened in January in Spring Branch, is a 20-seat tasting-menu-only spot helmed by chef Brandon Silva. To say that the owners — in this case The Kirby Group, which owns Heights Biergarten and a growing portfolio of establishments

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— are taking a risk to open such a restaurant during a pandemic is an understatement. But book one of the three nightly seatings, Thursdays through Saturdays, and you can’t help but be thankful for their fearlessness.

The restaurant represents the realization of Silva’s lifelong dream. “Every chef that aspires to be something wants to own a restaurant,” he says during his introductory speech, which he gives at the beginning of each seating. Houston native Silva’s 15-plus-year career was spent locally in kitchens like Uchi, Pesce and Holley’s before he became the culinary director of the Kirby Group five years ago. In his spare time, he traveled the world to gain experience, visiting Copenhagen to stagière at places like Noma, Relae, Amass and Bror; or traveling to Lima, Peru to amplify his understanding of Peruvian cuisine under chef Virgilio Martinez at Central.

Degust’s current menu, available in vegetarian or meat-andseafood format, is offered in six courses. The menu, priced

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Dining

LATEST DISH! HOUSTON’S BEST FOOD NEWS, IN SMALL BITES ...

Course Correct A “quesadilla” with fermented Texas peach, honey and persimmon mustard and, below, charred radish sashimi from Degust’s farm.

at $75 with an optional beverage pairing for $45, is mostly Mexican and Spanish, with Japanese touches and techniques he acquired from his travels.

His live-scallop course is the perfect example of what Degust is all about. Its preparation involves taking a live scallop and slicing it like sashimi. It’s flame-seared in the style of Japanese aburi, and then topped with salmon roe that is marinated in Silva’s salsa Jalisco, which comes from his Mexican grandmother’s recipe.

The main meat course is made from Wagyu Texas short rib from Strube Ranch braised guisada-style and paired with crispyskinned pork belly served over mole negro, with an heirloomcorn tortilla made from masa that is nixtamalized in-house with a stone mill grinder imported from Oaxaca.

The restaurant itself is casual — no white tablecloths. Natural woods and earthy terra cotta Mexican tiles recall a Mexican hacienda. It’s arranged in a chef’s-counter style, with high seats overlooking a central exhibition-esque kitchen where patrons can watch the chefs at work. Due to the pandemic, sanitizing UV filtration has been installed in the HVAC system; HEPA filters run in each room; and plexiglass dividers separate patrons from each other, as well as from the chefs, with six-feet social distancing built into the seating arrangement.

Degust is a unique and memorable restaurant. Let’s hope it sticks around a while. 

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Ben Berg announced his plans for two new restaurants in the Heights, in partnership with regional real estate development firm Ancorian. A romantic Italian spot, Trattoria Sofia, named after Berg’s daughter, will open in the West 11th Street space formerly home to Presidio in May. Expect “whimsical” décor and a fab outdoor area. The team will also bring an all-new, yet-to-beannounced concept to a mixed-use development a mile west on 11th, called The Docks at Timbergrove. berghospitality.com Gather the brunch bunch! Explore Venezuelan, Spanish, Italian and Mexican flavors at the new tapas-style brunch at Mastrantos (927 Studewood St., 346.227.8458) in the Heights. There’s a hearty cheese board with grilled arepa and naan, aji-amarillo jam, baked chickpeas, and more. Keep things light with the shrimp aguachile, made with watermelon rinds — and wash everything down with a carafe of blackberry mimosas for the group!

Meanwhile, A’Bouzy’s (2300 Westheimer Rd., 713.722.6899) new Prosecco-fueled, picnic-style weekend brunch is another fun option for groups of 8 to 12. Reservations start at $40 per person, and include croissant service, fresh fruit, a family-style charcuterie spread

and bubbly galore! In other brunch news: Sunday Funday go-to Down House closed in February after nearly 10 years.

The hotly anticipated Ion building opens soon, set in the former flagship Sears building. The nearly 300,000-square-foot art-deco masterpiece is being revitalized as a startup and tech incubator — which will also have three restaurants. Late August is a new concept from chefs Chris Williams and Dawn Burrell, who recently announced their new joint hospitality venture.

Late August will be in line with the group’s mission to “honor the past while feeding the future,” homaging the bygone department-store era. (The restaurant’s name is a tribute to when Sears would release its catalog!)

Third Ward food truck Stuff’d Wings will open its first brickand-mortar at the Ion, and Common Bond will open one of its “on-the-go” bakeries, too. 4201 Main St., ionhouston.com

Israeli steakhouse Doris Metropolitan (2815 S. Shepherd Dr., 713.485.0466) is beloved for, of all things, its bread basket — and with the announcement of its new spinoff bakery opening soon in Rice Village, carb-loaders can stock up on all the breads and babkas to enjoy at home!

Badolina will open next-door to Hamsa (5555 Morningside Dr.), the other forthcoming restaurant from the team behind Doris Met. In Town & Country Village, KP’s Kitchen from Benjy’s alum Kerry Pauly has opened. It’s BYOB ($5 corkage fee) and offers light fare like a seared ahi tuna salad, along with mains such as a hot chicken sandwich and chili-citrus-glazed baby-back ribs. Also in Town & Country, Postino will open yet another patio-savvy location soon, in the space formerly home to Pronto Cucinino.

Just down Memorial, a new Thai spot, Zaab Der (14642 Memorial Dr.), is quickly garnering a fan base.

Burrell and Williams of Late August, coming soon to the Ion

Travel

Suite Views A private casita with pool at Enchantment and, at right, the resort arranges guided biking excursions.

On the Rocks In Red Rock Country, cultivating wellness in the great outdoors is the way of life.

At Enchantment Resort, it’s gospel.

By Mellanie Perez

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Burrowed between Phoenix and Flagstaff, at the mouth of Oak Creek Canyon, the iconic red-rock formations of the Sedona valley rise against a bright blue sky, timidly at first, and then in all their pine-forested, majestic glory. At 4,500 feet in elevation and around 160 miles from the Phoenix airport, Enchantment Resort, Sedona’s luxury go-to for mountain biking, hiking and outdoor adventure, provides a premier socially distanced getaway.

Sedona, surrounded by 1.8 million acres of open land, is known for its more than 400 miles of trails — and its spiritual side. In fact, all of Sedona is said to be a vortex, a swirling center of energy conducive to healing, meditation and self-exploration. Enchantment, with stunning views of Boynton Canyon, capitalizes on this energy, infusing it into experiences both exhilarating and mindful.

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In the fall, the resort debuted its Trail House, its new adventure and activity center. Here, find a shop for mountain biking and electric bike rentals, and 28 expert guides who can plan a private guided hike or tour, and also provide custom fittings and gear selection for a comfortable day on the trails. Due to Covid-19, all guided hikes are private — just your party and the guide.

The most popular sites are Cathedral Rock and Boynton Canyon, which are also arguably the strongest vortices in Sedona. There are Sunrise and Sunset excursions to Sedona’s Table Top Mountain, Chimney Rock Trail, Lizard Head Trail or Doe Mesa. “Even though the sun has already set, the sky is illuminated for quite some time. It’s like a watercolor painting,” says Trail House guide Carina Leveriza. After-dark hikes under the stars are available, too. “You’re hiking in the dark, with headlights, and you stop and get a look at the Milky Way and the constellations.”

Apres adventure, kick back in one of Enchantment’s 218 recently refreshed casitas and suites, enjoying private decks and cozy fireplaces overlooking the red rocks. The Mii Amo spa is currently on pause, but therapists are available for treatments for those who book a Spa Suite. On the culinary side, its restaurants, Che Ah Chi, and Tii Gavo, feature indigenous ingredients and dishes inspired

by Native American influence. The seasonal menus are crafted by a culinary team recently featured at The James Beard House.

With all this and more, it’s no surprise Sedona and Enchantment Resort is a place to feel alive. 

Wellness

Skin It to Win It Stevie McCord at her Rice Military skincare boutique

Original Formula

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A 20-year beauty-industry vet opens a new Covid-conscious, custom-skincare shop in Rice Military. By Mellanie Perez, Photos by Jhane Hoang

Way before giants like SkinCeuticals and BareMinerals started custom-mixing serums and foundations, and the phrase “personalized skincare regimen” gained traction, Stevie McCord, founder of the new Urban Alchemy Lab in Rice Military — formerly Heights Skincare on Heights Boulevard — was already custom-blending serums for her clientele in the Heights. “It’s been interesting to see it become so popular nowadays,” McCord says. “I’ve done them long before a lot of different companies out there started making them.”

McCord is a licensed esthetician and CIDESCO diploma recipient with 23 years of experience. She has worked in education with brands like Biokosmetik of Texas and has consulted and worked for local spa standouts like the St. Regis and Adara Medical Spa, before stepping out on her own five years ago. She’s an herbalist, an aromatherapist and an ayurveda practitioner who’s loyally sought-after for her holistic approach to beauty — from facials and peels to lymphatic massages and her famous ayurvedic Shirodhara healing technique, which involves pouring warm oil into the client’s forehead, followed by a scalp, body and head massage. “Skincare is my jam, but I incorporate a more holistic approach,” she says. “I do a lot of lymphatic drainage, talk to my clients about their lifestyle, their diet, and might also refer them to an acupuncturist and nutritionist. At the end of the day, it all starts in your gut.”

What has set McCord apart is not only that she loves to create custom beauty potions and foundations for her

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clients, but that she’s one of the few estheticians in Houston that also uses her own skincare line, Lunar Rituals. Once the pandemic put a halt to her Heights Skincare biz, instead of twiddling her thumbs, McCord rebranded her practice — and products — to Urban Alchemy Lab, and moved to a new spot on Westcott in Rice Military. She opened her doors in October.

“I really wanted to create a space where people could come in — since they couldn’t get facials — and have an experience,” says McCord, who knows that many Houstonians are still wary of up-close-and-personal treatments. “We make custom-made serums, body lotions, shower gels, bath soaks, bath scrubs, yoni steams, and foundation infused with skincare. No one in Texas does this.”

She particularly enjoys chatting with clients about the benefits of mineral-based makeup, and blending the perfect shade of foundation. Alchemist Mixing Bar appointments range from $25 to $65 depending on the products used and services selected, and last about 30 minutes. Customers can book a timeslot for themselves online, or book a little party for up to 10 people by emailing info@urbanalchemylab.com.

“A lot of organic skincare lines smell good and feel good, but don’t really offer a lot of results. I like to blend botanically based ingredients with science,” she says. “I still use peptides, retinols and ingredients of that nature, but I also have many products that are botanical with certified organic ingredients. I just blend it all together.” 

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GuideBook

Here’s where to dine, what to order, and who to know now in the most deliciously diverse city in America. raw bar. Pick from the substantial wine list that includes more than 250 Champagnes or sparklings.

Excellent take-out and delivery specials! 2300 Westheimer Rd., 713.722.6899

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DINING DISTRICT 1 MEMORIAL, GALLERIA AREA, RIVER OAKS, UPPER KIRBY, MONTROSE

A’BOUZY american This sceney restaurant and patio combines a menu of shareable plates with prime meats and a

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ADAIR KITCHEN american This Tanglewood neighborhood gem is popular for its cold-pressed juices, big breakfasts and giant salads. Healthful home-style meals are casual and quick, but regulars are known to settle in with a bottle of wine at dinnertime and stay awhile. 5161 San Felipe St., 713.623.6100 AMALFI italian Charming Amalfi touts coastal Italian dishes like homemade fettuccine in creamy

black-truffle sauce by Salerno native chef Giancarlo Ferrara. 6100 Westheimer Rd., 713.532.2201

seasonal fare along with hefty vegetarian selections. 1103 S. Shepherd Dr., 713.521.2239

AVONDALE FOOD & WINE

BCN TASTE & TRADITION 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

french

L’Olivier on Westheimer is now Avondale Food & Wine. Expect still-amazing shareable plates that chef Olivier Ciesielski rotates seasonally. There’s a private dining room filled with 100 bottles of wine, selected by consultant Nate Rose, available for retail purchase.

240 Westheimer Rd., 713.360.6313 BACKSTREET CAFÉ american Housed in a two-story 1930s home, Hugo Ortega’s Backstreet Café became a River Oaks staple 30 years ago. Expect a menu boasting an imaginative take on

NEW! BLUDORN american Aaron Bludorn — who’s worked in several Michelin-starred restaurants and appeared on Netflix’s The Final Table — and his wife Victoria Bludorn (née Pappas, of that Pappas family) deliver a Gulftinged New American menu and low-key fine-dining to Montrose.

BRASIL american/coffee Part coffee shop, part wine bar, part bistro and part art gallery, Brasil is a buzzy brunch destination, and the shaded back patio stays packed with drinkers and diners well into the night.

2604 Dunlavy St., 712.528.1993

DA MARCO italian High-end Da Marco puts a luxurious spin on Tuscan cuisine with dishes like spaghetti-andsea-urchin and sweet-corn ravioli with lobster. The elegant space is one often considered for special occasions. 1520 Westheimer Rd.

BRENNER’S ON THE BAYOU

DESSERT GALLERY bakery This Upper Kirby café is clean and bright, with colorful treats that range from bite-size brownies to decadent custom cakes for big parties. Sit and enjoy with a cappuccino. 3600 Kirby Dr., 713.522.9999

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, and the restaurant’s hip Blue Bar offers a less formal — yet still sophisticated — vibe with craft cocktails. One Birdsall St., 713.868.4444 CARACOL mexican/seafood Hugo Ortega’s seafood-savvy concept boasts Mexican coastal cuisine in a swanky, mod space on Post Oak. Order the banana-leafwrapped sea bass or coal-roasted peppered tuna, and spring for the signature El Coco dessert and use a wooden mallet to crack open its chocolate shell. 2200 Post Oak Blvd., 713.622.9996

bakery

Enjoy gourmet coffee and buttery croissants as big as your face at this Montrose bakery and cafe.

Take advantage of the free Wi-Fi and post up with a lavender latte on the dog-friendly patio.

There’s a drive-through location now open in the Heights, and another coming soon to Garden Oaks! 1706 Westheimer Rd., 713.529.3535 multiple locations visit restaurant website for details

Executive Chef & Owner

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

UPDATE! DISH SOCIETY american

Fast-casual diner Dish Society is known for its relationships with local purveyors. From fresh juices to the customizable farmer’s plate, diners love the revolving menu of clean eats. Now open in Bellaire! 5740 San Felipe St., 832.538.1060 multiple locations visit restaurant website for details DORIS METROPOLITAN steakhouse

UPDATE! COMMON BOND

GIANCARLO FERRARA

This glam steakhouse in the old Triniti space is inspired by Middle Eastern flavors. Hot tip: The breadbasket alone may be worth the trip, with rolls flavored with caramelized onions and presented with crushed-tomato spreads and herb butters. 2815 S. Shepherd Dr.

P RIVATE D INING Book your next special event or private occasion at Amalfi!

CATERING & EVENTS Bring the magic of the Amalfi Coast with our worldclass full catering service!

R OMOLO B IANCO Book Romolo Bianco for Your Special Event or Private Party.

WORLD-CLASS MUSICIAN FROM NAPLES, ITALY

Pianist, Guitarist & Singer

EL TIEMPO tex-mex El Tiempo — now open in Kingwood and The Woodlands — delivers Tex-Mex in a big way with platters like

specializing in his heartfelt ballads from his native Napoli.

Performing Nightly, Exclusively at Amalfi.

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6100 WESTHEIMER RD., HOUSTON, TEXAS 77057

/AmalfiHouston

713.532.2201

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GuideBook

the ancho-glazed grilled quail with cheese enchiladas and spicy shrimp chalupas. Pair with a peach margarita and be sure to save room for tres leches cake and sopapillas. 322 Westheimer Rd, 713.807.8101 multiple locations visit restaurant website for details ELOISE NICHOLS southern Regulars post up at this Highland Village restaurant where hearty plates like the maple-brined grilled pork chop are offered alongside craft cocktails and wine.

Breakfast is served on weekday mornings and happy hour — “Afternoon Bites” include a yummy cheese board — is offered daily. 2400 Mid Lane, Ste. 100, 713.554.0136 FLEMING'S steakhouse Situated at the corner of West Alabama and Kirby, this River Oaks steakhouse is beloved for its happening happy hour and impeccable service. 2405 W. Alabama St., 713.520.5959 FLOWER CHILD vegetarian Wash down a scratch-made vegan wrap — the Thai Dye has spicy tofu and daikon radish — with flavored lemonade or organic wine or beer at this healthy resto. New location just opened in the Heights! In Uptown Park, 713.730.4261 GEORGIA JAMES steakhouse Chris Shepherd puts a distinct spin, as only he can, on this steakhouse named after his parents. Cast-iron-seared or wood-fire-grilled steaks from 44 Farms are presented with sides like Steen’s-vinaigrette-dressed Brussels sprouts. 1100 Westheimer Rd., 832.241.5088 GROTTO RISTORANTE italian Find sophisticated takes on Italian classics like Veal San Pietro. A festive Sunday brunch brings French toast with Grand Marnier batter and frozen peach Bellinis. 4715 Westheimer Rd., 713.622.3663 multiple locations visit restaurant website for details HOPDODDY american This wildly obsessed-over burger bar features a menu of piled-high patties with toppings like seared poblanos, apple-smoked bacon and truffle aioli alongside fries and queso. 4444 Westheimer Rd.

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713.227.2337; hopdoddy.com mulitple locations visit restaurant website for details HS GREEN american Fast-food meets clean-eats at this order-at-the-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 — even thirds! — 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. Try a heaping bowl of spicy soy ramen — or Chef Hori’s inventive new caviar service. 3600 Kirby Dr., 713.526.8858 KILLEN'S southern Ronnie Killen’s first inner-Loop endeavor is now open in the former Hickory Hollow space.

At Killen’s, expect much of the same mouthwatering comfortfood fare experienced at his fried-chicken pop-ups throughout the last year, plus fried green tomatoes with buttermilk sauce, and an ever-comforting chickenand-dumplings dish. 101 Heights Blvd., 713.637.4664 LA GRIGLIA italian From caprese salad to wild mushroom lasagna, the menu at La Griglia is simple, but elegant.

When Houston weather permits, enjoy the patio, complete with fire pits and scenic River Oaks views.

2002 W. Gray St., 713.526.4700 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. Weekend brunch brings Vietnamese steak and eggs and “exotic” mimosas! 4444 Westheimer Rd., 713.629.4444

MAD spanish Everything at this BCN sister concept — from the mirror-lined hall to the bathroom and the cartoon-like, cheese-stuffed shiny red MAD Tomato — is photoworthy. Reservations weeks in advance highly recommended.

4444 Westheimer Rd., 281.888.2770 UPDATE! MALA SICHUAN chinese

This longtime Chinatown favorite is equally popular inside the Loop, where its corner location in a Montrose shopping strip is reminiscent of a trendy New York resto. Mala’s menu packs a punch with dishes like the dry-pot chicken and three-pepper duck.

Now open in Sugar Land! 1201 Westheimer Rd., 832.767.0911 MASTRO'S steakhouse At more-is-more Mastro’s, Vegas comes to Houston, with everything but showgirls and roulette wheels. Try something out of the steakhouse box, like the Wagyu hamburger helper. 1650 W. Loop S., 713.993.2500 MERUS GRILL american Uptown Park’s newly enhanced dining scene includes industrialglam Merus Grill, from the folks at J. Alexander’s. The menu touts beautifully prepared, classic American dishes — fresh seafood, burgers, piled-high salads. 1180 Uptown Park Blvd., 346.299.5775 NARIN’S BOMBAY BRASSERIE south asian

Indulge in saag paneer and chicken tikka masala (and oh so much more) at this traditional Indian restaurant run by fatherand-son team Narin and Sanjay Sehgal. Visit during weekend brunch and see what’s cooking on the tandoor in the main dining room. 3005 W. Loop S., 713.622.2005 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 NORTH ITALIA italian Stop in to this hip Uptown Italian restaurant for happy hour on

weekday evenings and all day on Sundays to enjoy the $20 special: a choice of a pizza, bruschetta, or meat-and-cheese board, with a bottle of wine. In BLVD Place, 281.605.4030 ONE FIFTH gulf cuisine In its fourth phase, One Fifth explores the fresh flavors of the Gulf coast, with a menu of raw, cured, fried and roasted seafood. 1658 Westheimer Rd., 713.955.1024 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. With a beautiful patio and private rooms, it’s a popular locale for showers, receptions and more, too. 3939 San Felipe St., 713.528.2264 OUZO BAY mediterranean This Greek spot in River Oaks District, known for its eyecatching seafood displays and simply delicious whole-fish presentation, is next door to the whiskey-centric Loch Bar. 4444 Westheimer Rd., 832.430.6610 PAPPAS BROS. STEAKHOUSE steakhouse

Given its expansive wine list and in-house dry-aging process, diners can expect nothing short of perfection when dining at familyowned Pappas Bros. Steakhouse.

Visit the newest location in the heart of Downtown. 5839 Westheimer Rd., 713.780.7352 PEPPER TWINS chinese Don’t take the “pepper” in foodie fave Pepper Twins lightly.

The dishes at this Szechuanstyle restaurant, now open in CityCentre, incorporate serious spices like the fresh nine-leaf peppercorn, helping customers to feel the burn. Try the mung bean smoothie! 315 Fairview St., 832.649.7175 multiple locations visit restaurant website for details RAGIN’ CAJUN cajun Crawfish season is here! There’s no better spot to get the fixins for a backyard boil than the original Ragin’ Cajun on Richmond.

Don’t miss Jambalaya Tuesday, when a bowl is served with bread and a drink for just $10. 4302 Richmond Ave., 713.623.6321

GuideBook

RELISH american Quick counter service is offered for lunch and brunch at this café run by a husband and wife team, while evenings are reserved for a full-service dining experience. 2810 Westheimer Rd., 713.599.1960 RISTORANTE CAVOUR italian When a European vacation is not in the immediate future, visit the romantic Ristorante Cavour inside Hotel Granduca.

The elegant menu, executed

by Maurizio Ferrarese, boasts Italian plates and a wine list for days. 1080 Uptown Park Blvd., 713.418.1104 UPDATE! 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. Check out the sandwiches at lunchtime, when Riel operates as Louie’s. 1927 Fairview St., 832.831.9109 UPDATE! STATE OF GRACE

Texas, Louisiana and Mexico.

Book the private wine room for a special occasion and pick your own playlist! 111 N. Post Oak Ln., 713.680.2626 UPDATE! UB PRESERV american Underbelly lives on at Chris Shepherd’s cozy concept on the Westheimer curve. Chef Nick Wong’s dim sum-style Sunday brunch was called out by Food & Wine as the most interesting brunch in America. Check out the new late-night menu on Thursdays! 1609 Westheimer Rd., 346.406.5923 UPDATE! UCHI japanese It’s hard to beat Uchi for fresh, interesting sushi and sashimi — and the Brussels sprouts are can’t-miss. The sake social hour seating, which offers heavily discounted plates and wine from 5 to 6:30pm, is one of the most sought-after in the city.

Prepare to wait in line. Equally delicious: An eight-course dinner to-go, with wine, for less than $100. 904 Westheimer Rd., 713.522.4808

southern

Grab a seat at the oyster bar during happy hour for $1 oysters at chef Ford Fry’s River Oaks restaurant. Dining out with the fam? Try the festive Sunday supper for $29/person.

The new weekend brunch touts mouthwatering cinnamon rolls and batch cocktails — even to-go! 3258 Westheimer Rd., 832.942.5080

VIBRANT american It's easy to be happy and healthy at this adorable neighborhood café. Enjoy breakfast — dishes like the coconut-chia pudding, which is both creamy and crunchy, are served all day — and lunch in an indoor-outdoor space that feels much more Santa Fe than Houston. 1931 Fairview St., 832.409.6423

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, 713.322.7448

UPDATE! WHITE ELM bakery/mediterranean The Memorial area’s new White Elm Café Bakery is a nearly 3,500-square-foot space with a patio that offers walk-up coffee and pastries in the morning and lunch and dinner daily. Expect fresh bread, and Greek specialties nodding to chef-owner “Bread Man” Tasos Katsaounis’ upbringing. The cheesebuger with bone-marrow butter is one of the best in the city! 14079 Memorial Dr., 281.496.2920

TONY’S italian A cherished part of the Houston dining scene, Tony Vallone’s namesake restaurant is an exquisite treat from start to finish. Opt for the three-, fiveor seven-course tasting menu for a true culinary experience, featuring the foie gras flambé — a feast for the senses! 3755 Richmond Ave., 713.622.67788 UPDATE! TRIBUTE southern At this restaurant in the Houstonian hotel, savor unique fare that blends the flavors of

WILLIE G'S seafood The new Willie G’s, steps from Tilman Fertitta’s new Post Oak Hotel, is glam and modern.

Enjoy the rotating selection of fresh fish, and the Mexicanstreet-corn-topped seared scallops. 1640 W. Loop S., 713.840.7190

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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

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

POSTINO italian Rosé — and everything else — all day! This patio spot in Heights Mercantile, with a second location in Montrose, is always packed, especially during the bottle-andboard special, available after 8pm on Mondays and Tuesdays. Coming soon to CityCentre! 642 Yale St., 346.223.1111 multiple locations visit restaurant website for details

UPDATE! BRENNAN’S OF HOUSTON southern Count on this decades-old Houston staple for an exquisite dining experience 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.

Inquire about cocktail kits and DIY bananas foster, to go! 3300 Smith St., 713.522.9711

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DINING DISTRICT 2 GARDEN OAKS, THE HEIGHTS, WASHINGTON CORRIDOR

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 Orleans-style cooking with a Texas twist. 2701 White Oak Dr., 713.868.8000 multiple locations visit restaurant website for details B&B BUTCHERS & RESTAURANT 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., 713.862.18144 B.B. LEMON american Ben Berg has combined the best of his two favorite cities, Houston and New York, at his latest concept located across from his flagship B&B Butchers. Expect flavorful plates like blue-crab beignets, craft cocktails and retro-inspired desserts. Now also open in Montrose! 1809 Washington Ave., 713.554.1809 COLTIVARE italian With its strict “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 FIELD & TIDES american This Heights restaurant in an old 1940s gas station may seem unassuming, but the food is incredible. Try the braised octopus with chorizo and chimichurri, or the colorful soba noodle salad. 705 E. 11th St., 713.861.6143 MAX'S WINE DIVE southern Here, keeping it classy means

UPDATE! 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 REVIVAL MARKET american Part grocery store, part coffee shop, part sidewalk café, Revival Market is your one-stop shop for a midday treat. Try the hot chicken honey butter biscuit and stock up on meat and charcuterie for the week. 550 Heights Blvd., 713.880.8463 SUPERICA tex-mex Atlanta-based Ford Fry has opened an outpost of his famed Superica in his hometown. Expect Tex-Mex classics, along with more Mex-Mex items like ceviche and pozole.

Next-door at La Lucha, there’s a more laidback vibe, with outdoor games and a more Gulf-focused menu. 1801 N. Shepherd Dr., 713.955.3215

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DINING DISTRICT 3 MIDTOWN, DOWNTOWN, EADO, THIRD WARD, FIFTH WARD

THE BREAKFAST KLUB southern Enjoy a feast of home-style classics — wings and waffles,

UPDATE! INDIANOLA american This retro-chic diner reopened after Covid with a new focus on Gulf cuisine. On the simple menu, find not only superb seafood, but lots of plates with influence from Mexico and ones utilizing local beef and pork. 1201 St. Emanuel St., 832.582.7202 NEW! THE NASH american Now open for happy hour and dinner Downtown, The Nash occupies the ground floor of the historic Star building. The globally inspired menu is full of shareable, seasonal items, plus plenty of hearty steaks and chops.

Guests can expect to be enticed by pies like the Pizza Bianco with truffled honey! 1111 Rusk St., 713.222.6274 NINFA’S ON NAVIGATION

concept. The East End restaurant spotlights self-proclaimed “unapologetically, authentically Thai” food, elevating items that are traditional street foods in Painter’s native Thailand to chefdriven dishes made with local and organic ingredients. 6501 Harrisburg Blvd., 713.428.1975 THEODORE REX american Justin Yu’s modern American bistro is housed in the same location as his late, lauded resto Oxheart. He presents farm-fresh a options like the uncomplicated tomato toast or Gulf snapper in broth and a short but sweet wine list. 1302 Nance St., unit A, 832.830.8592, trexhouston.com TOUT SUITE bakery/coffee Stop by this all-day-bakery for a macaron or cupcake, or post up for a while at one of the community tables and enjoy brunch bites like avocado toast and fresh-squeezed juice. There are also CBD-infused pastries, chocolates and more! 2001 Commerce St., 713.227.8688 WEIGHTS + MEASURES

bakery/american

Glass walls at this industrialchic bakery and restaurant allow guests to witness the pastrymaking magic up close. Partake in the lively Sunday brunch with plates like cake donuts and fried chicken (which comes with a side of spinach, making this a very healthy choice). 2808 Caroline St., 713.654.1970

tex-mex

The origin of Tex-Mex as we know it, Ninfa’s is always packed no matter when you dine. Guests love the sizzling fajitas and loaded quesadillas. In the mood for something different? Try the grilled octopus from the woodburning oven. 2704 Navigation Blvd., 713.228.1175 POTENTE italian Top-tier chef Danny Trace and Astros-owner-turned-restaurateur Jim Crane hit a haute homerun at this elegant eatery by the ballpark. Opt for tableside truffle service on handmade spaghetti al tartufo, and save room for intricate desserts. 1515 Texas Ave., 713.237.1515 STREET TO KITCHEN thai Chef-owner Benchawan Painter finally has a permanent home for her Street to Kitchen pop-up

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DINING DISTRICT 4 BELLAIRE, WEST UNIVERSITY, MUSEUM DISTRICT, MED CENTER

COPPA OSTERIA italian All of the Neapolitan-style pizzas and handmade pastas are popular at this Rice Village winner. While the restaurant and wrap-around patio are bustling with activity, it is the walk-up pizza window that

is truly a hit in the largely pedestrianfriendly area. 5210 Morningside Dr., 713.522.3535 NEW! GINGER KALE american This fast-casual, health-conscious café is a fab addition to Hermann Park. Watch the train roll by and be entertained by the ducks and geese on the lake, all while enjoying plates like beet-and-goat-cheese toast, or a crisp salad. 6104 Hermann Park Dr., 713.429.5238 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 cocktail and wine list at the Upper Kirby, Downtown and new Heights and Tanglewood locations make it a hip hangout. Plus: Find essentials like eggs, milk, bread and produce — plus grab-and-go gourmet items — at the new Local Foods Market in Rice Village. 2424 Dunstan Rd., 713.521.7800 multiple locations visit restaurant website for details LUCILLE’S southern Named after their great-grandmother, brothers Ben and Chris Williams bring the comforts of down home Southern cooking to the table at Lucille’s. Go for the crab cake beignets or oxtails and grits, and adding on the piping-hot pan of corn bread is a must. 5512 La Branch St., 713.568.2505, lucilleshouston.com TINY BOXWOOD’S american Expect a line at this very popular garden-set getaway, where the chocolatechip 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 booth. 3636 Rice Blvd., 713.664.0141; tinyboxwoods.com multiple locations visit restaurant website for details

OUTSIDE THE LOOP HIMALAYA south asian Hidden in a retail plaza in Little India, this ultra-casual cafe is BYOB and serves up spicy Indo-Pak classics like chicken tikka masala and lamb biryani. If you’ve beenthere-eaten-that, try the smoked-brisket masala or top-secret fried chicken. 6652 Southwest Fwy., 713.532.2837 TRIS american Find modern American fare at this prized Woodlands bistro under the direction of Chef Austin Simmons. Tris’ new menu, which debuts Sept. 7, will include casual lunch fare, high-end dinner options, and craft cocktails. The interactive, tastingmenu-touting Cureight remains. 24 Waterway Ave., Ste. 125, 281.203.5641 

Second Guess

Fired Up Kat Ambrose’s dramatic photos of the unique dishes at Spring Branch’s new Japanese and Mexican-Spanish tasting-menu-only Degust restaurant left the editors dazzled — and hungry. Unfortunately, there was limited room for images in the dining review. They couldn’t squeeze in this one, of the making of smoked fermented tomato consommé. The chefs use a siphon, more commonly used for brewing coffee, in which the broth is heated until it travels to the top of the contraption, where it’s infused with herbs grown on the premises, before it travels back down and gets served. Would you have dished out this photo instead?

Luxury Real Estate Reimagined.

River Oaks ∙ $7.9M+

River Oaks ∙ $6.1M+

Close In Memorial ∙ $5.9M+

River Oaks ∙ $4.9M+

Close In Memorial ∙ $1.9M+

Ayrshire ∙ $1.5M+

mikem@compass.com mikemrealestate.com

Mike Mahlstedt is a Real Estate Agent affiliated with Compass. Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by federal, state and local laws. Equal housing opportunity.