AUGUST 2015 by LOCAL HOUSTON

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:18 PM Page 1

AUGUST 2015

L O C A L HOUSTON

THE FOOD ISSUE

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:18 PM Page 2

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:18 PM Page 3

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:18 PM Page 4

L O C A L

| august 15

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:18 PM Page 5

23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28.

29. 30. 31. 32. 33.

BBVA COMPASS STADIUM CITYCENTRE DAVID ADICKES SCULPTURES DISCOVERY GREEN DOWNTOWN GALLERIA GEORGE BUSH INTERCONTINENTAL AIRPORT GLENWOOD CEMETERY HERMANN PARK HIGHLAND VILLAGE HOBBY AIRPORT HOUSTON ARBORETUM & NATURE CENTER HOUSTON MOTOR PARK HOUSTON ZOO KATY MILLS KEMAH LEE AND JOE JAMAIL SKATEPARK MEMORIAL CITY MEMORIAL PARK MILLER OUTDOOR THEATRE MINUTE MAID PARK MUSEUM DISTRICT

LOCAL CITY MAP

Photography by Downtownhouston.org

01. 02. 03. 04. 05. 06. 07. 08. 09. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22.

CHILDREN’S MUSEUM, CONTEMPORARY ARTS MUSEUM, HOLOCAUST MUSEUM, MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS HOUSTON, MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE, THE HEALTH MUSEUM

NRG PARK: STADIUM, CENTER, ARENA & ASTRODOME RICE VILLAGE SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK SPACE CENTER HOUSTON SUGAR LAND THEATER DISTRICT ALLEY THEATRE, BAYOU PLACE, HOBBY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, JONES HALL FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, WORTHAM CENTER

THE MENIL COLLECTION THE WOODLANDS TOYOTA CENTER UPTOWN PARK UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON

05. DOWNTOWN TUNNELS ALTHOUGH IT MAY NOT SEEM LIKE IT IN A CITY WITH MORE THAN 2 MILLION PEOPLE, OUR DOWNTOWN IS SWARMING WITH PEOPLE. KEEPING US SAFE FROM HOUSTON’S HEAT AND RAIN, A SYSTEM OF TUNNELS 20 FEET BELOW HOUSTON’S DOWNTOWN STREETS AND MORE THAN 6 MILES LONG IS FILLED WITH HUNDREDS OF SHOPS, FAST FOOD SPOTS AND SERVICE RETAILERS FOR PEOPLE TO ENJOY. STARTING OUT AS A TUNNEL BETWEEN TWO DOWNTOWN MOVIE THEATRES, TODAY IT CONNECTS 95 CITY BLOCKS WITH DIRECT ACCESS FROM WELLS FARGO PLAZA AND MCKINNEY GARAGE ON MAIN AS WELL AS STREET-LEVEL STAIRS, ESCALATORS AND ELEVATORS LOCATED INSIDE OFFICE BUILDINGS. DUE TO THE LARGE OFFICE POPULATION IN DOWNTOWN, THE TUNNELS ARE ONLY OPEN MONDAY–FRIDAY FROM APPROXIMATELY 6AM TO 6:30PM.

www.downtownhouston.org/district/downtown-tunnels/

Illustration by Sebastian Gomez de la Torre august 15 | L O C A L 5

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:18 PM Page 6

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

BEHIND THE BEE’S

here are few things as comforting as food and as soothing as drink. Think about the sayings: comfort food, chicken soup for the soul, drink oneself to sleep. I could go on. Alice had quite the trip eating and drinking in Wonderland, and Willy Wonka did as well at the Chocolate Factory. Like Water for Chocolate weaves a sensual tale on the powers of food and drink, and Julie & Julia made us want to cook our way through a cookbook.

Photography by Gabriella Nissen

For our cover shoot I joined SHELLEY RICE, local beekeeper, on the roof of The Grove at Discovery Green. Shelley opened the hive and pulled out one honeycomb after another, each covered with busy bees. While the girls, the workers, were taking care of business, the drones were hanging out. We spotted this adorable girl dusted with golden yellow and hauling loads of pollen. The queen was nowhere to be seen and according to Shelley, she moves around when the hive is disturbed. Just as we were commenting on how peaceful and happy the hive was a rogue bee dive-bombed my face and planted her stinger right on my nose. Luckily it was a minor sting. After sampling the delicious cheese plate prepared by The Grove’s pastry chef Natasha Douglas and featuring their rooftop honeycomb, all was forgiven.

My point is that these two subjects – food+drink – have quite the hold on our daily lives. Drama aside, without the two we could quite literally die. Current trends have us respecting the two through our acquisition of these items, preparation of them and even promotion of them through social media. Not a day goes by that someone’s food shot is not on one of my feeds. We are frankly obsessed with food+drink. And I’m OK with this. I love the two things. This issue coincides with Houston’s Restaurant Weeks, a wonderful opportunity to check out a bevy of the city’s best restaurants offering special menus at special prices and all to benefit the Houston Food Bank. Visit www.houstonrestaurantweeks.com for a list of participating restaurants. In this issue you’ll learn about a local farm (technically an hour and a half away) and the family who is sticking to their guns, local bees, the most gorgeous gin and tonic program, upcoming restaurants we’re excited about and so much more. Bon appétit!

And just for fun we’ve hidden a few pollitos (chickens in Spanish) throughout this issue. Find them all and tell us on what pages at letters@localhoustonmagazine.com.

L O C A L

| august 15

Carla Valencia de Martinéz Editor-in-Chief

PHOTOGRAPHY BY GABRIELLA NISSEN

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:18 PM Page 7

august 15 | L O C A L 7

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:18 PM Page 8

AUGUST 2015 FEATURES

04 city map 06 letter from the editor | behind the cover 08 features + who’s who 10 on our radar 14 calendar 16 FOOD all in one 18 dine write | fall/winter restaurant preview 20 open 22 chef’s special | tallent ricca 24 perfect pairs 26 a farm sticking to its guns 28 the bee’s knees 30 homegrown goods 32 brew around town! 34 club | lounge review: johnny’s gold brick 36 good eats 38 local promotions 41 gin + tonic, by way of spain 42 ARTS a washington art story 44 must-see exhibits 46 museum district 48 gish at the movies 50 fresh arts 52 recording | fiddle witch and the demons of doom 54 COMMUNITY houston food bank 56 local icon | tom horan 58 where to live now | memorial 60 sports | athletes + food 62 scene 64 STYLE + LEISURE kishu 66 things we love 68 fat finds 70 destination | napa and sonoma 72 tools and gadgets 74 localgram

WHO’S WHO

PUBLISHER + FOUNDER alejandro martinéz | ext 2 | alex@localhoustonmagazine.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF carla valencia de martinéz | ext 3 | carla@localhoustonmagazine.com CONTRIBUTING EDITOR victoria bartlett ASSOCIATE EDITOR | SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR ida sameri | ext 8 | ida@localhoustonmagazine.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR gabriella nissen | gabriella@localhoustonmagazine.com GRAPHIC DESIGNER german arellano | ext 4 | german@localhoustonmagazine.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS jerry arguelles, mike cook, christina dilaura, marzi fatemizadeh, michael garfield, sarah gish, ariel jones, jayme lamm, kelly landrieu, beth levine-mccann, jill patir, mai pham, sandra ramani, lance scott walker CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS jenny antill, fulton davenport, kennon evett, rocky luten, sarah miller, gabriella nissen, daniel ortiz, mai pham, leah wilson photography, james ransom, anthony rathbun, feliz sanchez, sofía van der dys, deborah wallace CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATORS german arellano, sebastian gomez de la torre ADVERTISING + ACCOUNTS dalila jara | dalila@localhoustonmagazine.com | ext 5 | mobile 281.966.5105 grace salinas | grace@localhoustonmagazine.com | ext 7 | mobile 832.359.3122 carlos valencia | carlos@localhoustonmagazine.com | mobile 713.855.1584 william king | william@localhoustonmagazine.com | mobile 832.788.3738 INTERN michael smith ACCOUNTS luca tommasi | accounting@localhoustonmagazine.com WEB DESIGNER mdg | creative agency | www.mpiredesigngroup.com rocco, the office "gato"

LOCAL Houston Magazine is published monthly by NODO Magazine, L.L.C., 1824 Spring Street, Studio 002, Houston, TX 77007. Copyright © 2015 by Insync Design, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited. LOCAL Houston Magazine does not knowingly accept false or misleading advertising or editorial, nor do the publishers assume responsibility should such advertising or editorial appear.

VOLUME 17 ISSUE 200

L O C A L

| august 15

LOCAL HOUSTON MAGAZINE 1824 SPRING ST. STUDIO 002 | HOUSTON, TX 77007 713.223.5333 | FAX 713.223.4884 | LETTERS@LOCALHOUSTONMAGAZINE.COM WWW.LOCALHOUSTONMAGAZINE.COM FACEBOOK: LOCALHOUSTON INSTAGRAM: LOCAL_HOUSTON TWITTER.COM/LOCAL_HOUSTON

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:18 PM Page 9

august 15 | L O C A L 9

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:18 PM Page 10

ON OUR RADAR

200 ISSUES

but Longevity Isn’t One…

There have been highs and lows, ins and outs, name changes, office relocations, three founders to one but one thing’s remained consistent. The “radness” of our city which keeps giving us things to write about. Cheers to our 200th issue and to you for picking us up month Photography by Gabriella Nissen

L O C A L

| august 15

after month.

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:18 PM Page 11

Christian Louboutin will join the luxury lineup at The Galleria in fall 2016, along with Tod’s and La Perla which opened last month. Houston’s red-soled fans are going to have a long year to wait! us.christianlouboutin.com

Buffalo Bayou Distilleries is Houston’s new craft distillery located in the Historic East End, just 2 miles from Downtown. It is in the final permitting stages, and it will open in several months, producing a variety of spirits, such as vodka, gin, rum, whiskey and bourbon. www.buffalobayoudistilleries.com

The Nightingale Room, known for its smaller, more intimate nightclub and live music venue, is gearing up for a slew of great local and emerging artist performances every Thursday night. August shows include: Moji & Inzi (8/6); Gio Chamba + DJ Act Badd (8/13); Night Drive + Telephantom (8/20) – all free shows. You don’t want to miss out! www.nightingaleroom.com

Continuing its annual tradition of a free day of theater, dance and music in advance of the fall performing arts season, Theater District Houston is hosting its 22nd annual open house August 30. Houstonians are invited to preview its world-class performing arts community through free performances, behind the scenes experiences, meet-and-greets with performers and so much more. www.downtownhouston.org/district/theater

Grace Lutheran Church in Montrose recently started a new ministry called Graceful Gifts, seeking to provide access to healthy organic foods for moderate and low income Houstonians. In future, Graceful Gifts’ mission is envisioned to expand to include housing, healthcare and education. For more information, visit www.beinggrace.org.

august 15 | L O C A L 11

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:18 PM Page 12

Habitat Construction recently opened their new offices in The Galleria area, offering a one-stop shop for design-build projects. If you have plans in the near future for a commercial or residential project, visit Habitat Construction at 4743 Merwin St., Houston, TX 77027. www.builtbyhabitat.com

ON OUR RADAR

OliverMcMillan, the real estate development firm known for creating artistic, enduring, city-street-oriented destinations, revealed the latest chic boutiques and restaurants joining the highly anticipated River Oaks District: Stella McCartney, Van Cleef & Arpels, Vince, Vilebrequin, Alice + Olivia, Planet Blue, St. Nicola, Davidoff of Geneva and Steak 44.www.riveroaksdistrict.com

Uchi launched a special vegetarian menu (available every third Tuesday of the month) celebrating vegetables with an array of vegetarian options, from small nigiri pieces (a vegetable piece with rice) to innovative specials sure to entice your taste buds. www.uchirestaurants.com The iconic Post Oak Boulevard is transforming into one of the more premier boulevards in the country. This project will include a 136-foot wide boulevard, two bus lanes and seven rows of custom-grown live oak trees that will create a dappled canopy for pedestrians. This will improve mobility, access and public space in Uptown to create a public realm. www.postoakcentral.com

Republic Smokehouse and Saloon Pitmaster Cedric Williams recently added new seasonal items to their menu including: fried cheese curds, buffalo fried shrimp, Republic brisket chili, blackened Gulf redfish and baby back ribs to name a few. Williams was inspired by the upcoming football season, tailgating and viewing parties. Stop by to check out all 11 new items plus new libations. www.republicsaloon.com

L O C A L

| august 15

Lee Ehmke, who has left his imprint on zoos internationally as the president of WAZA (World Association of Zoos and Aquariums), has been hired as the President and CEO of the Houston Zoo. Already one of Houstonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most visited and cherished cultural attractions, the zoo continues to be a leading zoological center for conservation, education and cultural experiences with Ehmke at the helm. www.houstonzoo.org

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:18 PM Page 13

august 15 | L O C A L 13

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:18 PM Page 14

CALENDAR

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

S AT U R D AY

Alley Theatre The Foreigner 2:30 & 8pm House of Blues Social Distortion 7pm Miller Outdoor Theatre The Merchant of Venice 8:30pm Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival 1pm Jones Hall Back to the Future 7:30pm Bayou Music Center 25th Houston Int’l Jazz Festival 7pm

NATIONAL ICE CREAM SANDWICH DAY

Alley Theatre The Foreigner 2:30 & 7pm House of Blues Sonreal 8pm Miller Outdoor Theatre Macbeth 8:30pm

BBVA Compass Stadium Houston Dynamo vs. San Jose Earthquakes 8pm Bayou Music Center Curtis Braly & Ty Herndon 7pm Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion 5 Seconds of Summer 7:30pm House of Blues Raekwon & Ghostface Killah 7pm Hobby Wendy Williams 8pm

RELAXATION DAY

NRG Houston Texans vs. San Francisco 49ers 7–10pm Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Grease Sing-A-Long 8pm House of Blues Bob Schneider 8pm Miller Outdoor Theatre Classic Albums Live 8:30pm Toyota Center Kevin Hart 7 & 10pm

S U N D AY

Alley Theatre The Foreigner 2:30 & 7:30pm NRG Your Wedding Experience Houston 11am–4:30pm Miller Outdoor Theatre The Merchant of Venice 8:30pm

M O N D AY

Bayou Music Center Debby Ryan + The Never Ending 7pm | Fifth Harmony’s Reflection 7pm

House of Blues Good Old War 7pm Miller Outdoor Theatre Macbeth 8:30pm Discovery Green Houston Discovery Green Core Focused Yoga 6:30pm Bayou Music Center R5 7pm

Jones Hall Dr. Cesar Lozano 7pm Miller Outdoor Theatre The Merchant of Venice 8:30pm Discovery Green Houston Circus Arts 5:30pm

NATIONAL WATERMELON DAY

Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Tedeschi Trucks Band “Wheels of Soul Tour” 6:30pm

NATIONAL TELL A JOKE DAY

NRG Houston Chronicle Mega Job Fair 10am–3pm Discovery Green Core Focused Yoga 6:30pm

NRG Houston Quinceanera Expo 12–5pm House of Blues Eric Johnson 7:30pm Miller Outdoor Theatre Incredible India 8:30pm Toyota Center Kevin Hart 7pm

Bayou Music Center Jill Scott 8pm Miller Outdoor Theatre Wedding Belles 8:30pm

Bayou Music Center Weird Al Yankovic 7:30pm Discovery Green Core Focused Yoga 6:30pm

Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Incubus & Deftones 6:15pm Hobby Lawyer Mania 7:30pm

26 KISS AND MAKE UP DAY

Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion YES 7:30pm BBVA Compass Stadium Houston Dynamo vs. LA Galaxy 8pm House of Blues Randy Rogers & Wade Bowen 8pm

BBVA Compass Stadium Houston Dynamo vs. Vancouver Whitecaps 8pm Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Australian Pink Floyd 8pm Hobby Storm Front 7:30pm House of Blues ZZ Ward 7pm Miller Outdoor Theatre Handel’s Music 8:30pm

BBVA Compass Stadium Houston Dash vs. Boston Breakers 7:30pm

| august 15

SON & DAUGHTER DAY

YOUR WEDDING EXPERIENCE August 9th, 11am – 4:30pm NRG

BE AN ANGEL DAY

L O C A L

W E D N E S D AY

NRG Houston Texans vs. Denver Broncos 7–10pm BBVA Compass Stadium Houston Dash vs. Seattle Reign FC 7:30pm Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Def Leppard 7pm Hobby Lawyer Mania 7:30pm Toyota Center Julion Alvarez 7pm

T U E S D AY

WOMEN’S EQUALITY DAY

House of Blues PJ Morton 7pm

FOR THESE EVENTS AND MORE, CHECK OUT OUR CALENDAR ONLINE AT LOCALHOUSTONMAGAZINE.COM

AUGUST

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:18 PM Page 15

WWW.HOUSTONTHEATERDISTRICT.ORG T H U R S D AY

F R I D AY

6 Discovery Green Houston Circus Arts 5:30pm Toyota Center Outcry Tour 7pm

House of Blues Cocktails and Covers featuring Ozz– a tribute to Ozzy Osbourne 8pm Miller Outdoor Theatre The Merchant of Venice 8:30pm Discovery Green Houston Explor-Oceans Camp Toyota Center Marco Antonio Solis 7pm

Bayou Music Center American Idol Live 7:30pm Discovery Green Argentine Tango Lesson 6:30pm Miller Outdoor Theatre Wedding Belles 8:30pm

Bayou Music Center Damien Rice 9pm House of Blues Faux Fighters– a Tribute to Foo Fighters 7pm Miller Outdoor Theatre Daniel Ho 8:30pm Toyota Center Sam Smith 8pm

Looking for ® Crate and Barrel & Restoration ® Hardware , Style Furniture?

SENIOR CITIZEN’S DAY

House of Blues Slightly Stoopid 6:30pm Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion J. Cole & Big Sean 6:30pm House of Blues Jim Norton 8pm

28 JUST BECAUSE DAY

Miller Outdoor Theatre Larry Gatlin 8:30pm Toyota Center Chayanne 7pm

ALLEY THEATRE alleytheatre.org BAYOU MUSIC CENTER bayoumusiccenter.com BBVA COMPASS STADIUM houstondynamo.com CYNTHIA WOODS MITCHELL PAVILION woodlandscenter.org DISCOVERY GREEN discoverygreen.com HOBBY thehobbycenter.org HOUSE OF BLUES hob.com

Hobby Storm Front 7:30pm House of Blues Ottmar Liebert & Luna Negra 7pm Miller Outdoor Theatre Chubby Checker & The Wildcats 8:30pm

JONES HALL houstonfirsttheaters.com MAIN STREET THEATER mainstreettheater.com MILLER OUTDOOR THEATRE milleroutdoortheatre.com NRG reliantpark.com DOWNTOWN AQUARIUM aquariumrestaurants.com TOYOTA CENTER toyotacentertix.com WORTHAM CENTER houstonfirsttheaters.com

august 15 | L O C A L 15

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:18 PM Page 16

ALL IN ONE We are loving the restaurant with deli/market trend happening locally. From B & B

BUTCHER’S traditional butcher shop (pictured) with delicatessen, featuring sourced products from Texas and beyond, on Washington Avenue to family-owned D’AMICO’S in the heart of Rice Village and in Katy’s La Centerra, what could be easier than eating at a favorite neighborhood haunt and picking up a few essential staples? D’Amico’s Italian deli and food market specializes in imported items. Nestled in The Heights is REVIVAL MARKET which recently started serving dinner but still stocks its grocery shelves with housemade condiments, sauces and pickles that the Market is known for, as well as a curated selection of artisanal food products and locally sourced staples like bread, milk and eggs in addition to its butcher and charcuterie cases. A selection of market vegetables available for sale each day are stored in the kitchen and written on a chalkboard for verbal request. The Galleria area’s seafood hotspot PESKA has the most gorgeous selection of fresh catches like red snapper, strped bass, branzino or a myriad of oysters in addition to Ciprian pasta, huge jars of caperberries and other delicious imports. And URBAN EATS has its Urban Market with daily baked goods, infused oils and jams, charcuterie and even grab & go options.

Photography by Feliz Sanchez

L O C A L

| august 15

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:18 PM Page 17

B & B BUTCHER’S

august 15 | L O C A L 17

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:18 PM Page 18

DINE WRITE

HOUSTON

fall/winter restaurant preview

SPRING AND SUMMER 2015 SAW SOME REALLY COOL AND FUN NEW RESTAURANTS OPEN, AMONG THEM PESKA SEAFOOD CULTURE, B & B BUTCHERS AND RESTAURANT, MEIN RESTAURANT AND MOST RECENTLY, RANDY RUCKER’S HIGHLY ANTICIPATED BRAMBLE RESTAURANT. SO, WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE RESTAURANT WORLD THIS FALL AND WINTER? Let’s start with the openings that are going down even as this issue goes to print. We’ve got HELEN GREEK FOOD & WINE in Rice Village, the Greek taverna by beverage guru Evan Turner, whose wine list will be made entirely of Greek wine in the sub-$100 range, and whose chef, William Wright, promises traditional Greek cuisine made with local ingredients – think moussaka made with crawfish or gyro made with marinated pork shoulder. Right up on its heels is IZAKAYA, the Midtown Japanese tapas and drinking concept by The Azuma Group (Kata Robata, Soma Sushi and Azuma). We can already tell by the wall-sized murals that this place is going to be wild and wonderful. Menu creation will be overseen by Kata Robata’s Manabu Horiuchi, with Philippe Gaston as Executive Chef. Expect small Japanese plates that you can share with friends, lots of great beer and fantastic cocktails, to include Japanese whiskey highballs, just like they drink in Japan.

Piada

Speaking of Japanese, we’re going to have two new sushi concepts soon. MF SUSHI, the temple to blow-your-mind omakase by Chris Kinjo, is expected to open in the Museum District anytime now. KA SUSHI, by the owners of Fat Bao, will also open in The Heights, right next to Fat Cat Creamery. The donut craze will meet the fried chicken craze with the opening of LEE’S FRIED CHICKEN AND DONUTS in The Heights. The casual spot will have a drive-thru and feature the same delectable three-day fried chicken recipe that’s only available once a week at Liberty Kitchen, along with eight daily gourmet donuts. To add to the excitement, we’ve got an insider tip: There will be bacon jam! Other casual spots to look forward to include EADO’S, located, of course, in East Downtown, for Tex-Mex meets barbecue fare such as street tacos and a queso with barbecue influence. PIADA ITALIAN STREET FOOD is set to open in October in the Park Place Memorial development, featuring hand-rolled, housemade piada wraps, pasta bowls and chopped salads. CORKSCREW BBQ, the popular food truck in Spring, will get a permanent location in Old Town Spring, complete with a sprawling outdoor area where they plan to have live music on Friday and Saturday nights.

L O C A L

| august 15

Bernie’s Burger

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:18 PM Page 19

SOUTHERN GOODS, by Charles Bishop of Liberty Station, is set to debut soon on 19th and Shepherd. Highlights will definitely be the patio: a covered patio with flat screen TVs and an outdoor patio positioned underneath a huge oak tree. In the kitchen, Lyle Bento and Patrick Feges will be cooking up Southern food with a twist – shrimp and grits with Vietnamese style shrimp, barbacoa tacos and whole grilled fish with all the taco fixin’s are dishes currently in development. For burger fans in the ’burbs, BERNIE’S BURGER BUS has already broken ground on a new location at the La Centerra Shopping Center at Cinco Ranch. Meanwhile, a third LOCAL FOODS is opening late winter in Tanglewood. The new Local Foods will feature a wood-burning oven for tasty vegetable-centric small plates and pizzas and an expanded bar featuring Texas beers and near retailpriced wines. Mid- to late fall will bring a sexy new Asian concept to Houston in the form of

TARAKAAN. Modeled after Paris’ famous Buddha Bar, Tarakaan will be exotic and

MF Sushi

lush. Design features include two hand-carved Buddhas in an upscale French colonial decor with multi-level seating vignettes. The menu will be broadly Asian in theme with cocktails to match. Celebrity Atlanta restaurateur and Houston native Ford Fry will open his ninth restaurant, STATE OF GRACE, in the River Oaks Shopping Center across from Lamar High School. He’s tapped Bobby Matos as the head chef for the project, which will feature Gulf Coast seafood and southern food inspired by Fry’s childhood memories growing up in Houston. Beer lovers can look forward to POUR SOCIETY, set to open in the Gateway Memorial complex across from KUU. Domestic crafts, cocktails showcasing boutique spirits, along with classic American dishes with a southern spin will be overseen by chefs Matthew Lovelace and Greg Lowry. Over on Voss, Shepard Ross (Glass Wall, Brooklyn Athletic Club) is opening THE DEL, a neighborhood concept that will have a sports viewing recreational area called the “Rec’ Deck” with large, flat screen TVs, foosball, ping pong and a beanbag toss. Food-wise, expect signature dishes from Glass Wall and Brooklyn Athletic Club as well as dry-aged steaks, fresh Gulf seafood, salads and sandwiches.

Corkscrew bbq

By Mai Pham Photography provided by The Restaurants

And last but not least, the three restaurants by the Treadsack group – HUNKY DORY (British restaurant and pub helmed by chef Richard Knight), FOREIGN CORRESPONDENTS (Thai cuisine helmed by PJ Stoops) and BERNADINE’S (Coastal Louisiana cuisine helmed by Graham Laborde) – should finally open sometime this fall. Seriously, we can’t wait.

august 15 | L O C A L 19

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:18 PM Page 20

Photography by Fulton Davenport

OPEN B&B BUTCHERS & RESTAURANT

Cuisine: Steakhouse and Butcher Shop Executive Chef/Owner: Benjamin Berg 1814 Washington Ave. | 713.862.1814 | www.bbbutchers.com Mon–Wed 11am–11pm, Thu–Sat 11am–midnight, Sun 11am–10pm B&B Butchers & Restaurant is exactly as the name suggests: a butcher shop selling retail meats, as well as a restaurant and steakhouse. The brainchild of former Smith & Wollensky general manager Benjamin Berg, B&B is one of the only privately owned, nonchain steakhouses in central Houston. Their specialty is Texas-raised wagyu beef and inhouse, dry-aged prime steak, sourced from Idaho or Colorado. Step into the front door and the first thing that you see is the bar area – which was packed on the night I was there. We were led to these moon-shaped booths – what Berg calls the “Scarface” booths – lined against the left wall which has windows overlooking the open kitchen. Servers sport white butcher’s coats, and theatrically wheel all of the courses into the dining room on long, white linen-covered carts. Highlights on the menu include the carpetbagger appetizer, a stacked appetizer made of steak, house-cured pork belly, a fried oyster and blue cheese, finished with a spicy red sauce – a good way to start. For the entrée, you’ve got to go with steak. Will it be wagyu or one of the dry-aged cuts? I chose a dry-aged ribeye, which arrived nicely seared on the outside – so flavorful – while my companion chose a prime rib, served with

B&B

Yorkshire pudding and au jus. Desserts were large and decadent; the wine list filled with well-chosen selections from around the world. But possibly the best thing about B&B? The upstairs patio. Weather permitting, plan to end the evening there, with a glass of wine or drink of choice, as you enjoy a twinkling view of the downtown Houston skyline.

Photography by Mai Pham

By Mai Pham|@Femme_Foodie

MEIN

Cuisine: Chinese small plates and noodles Executive Chef/Owner: Mike Tran 9630 Clarewood Dr., Ste. A-13 | 713.923.7488 | www.eatmein.com Tue–Sun 11am–3pm, 5–10:30pm. Closed Monday. Mein, the hip, new Chinatown restaurant by the people who brought you Aka Sushi and Tiger Den, is my latest obsession. I’ve been no less than five times since it opened approximately three weeks ago, not only because I love the food, but because the ambiance is so unlike other Chinatown haunts. Designed by chef/owner Mike Tran, the attractively lit space is dominated by large format, hand-painted wall murals of Chinese stars from the 1930s. There’s a bar for solo diners, a banquette for parties of two, booths and tables for four that can be pushed together for larger parties, and one long community/family table. The motto is “Everyday Food,” so don’t expect Chinese fine dining here. The idea is humble food that you could eat every day, reasonably priced so it won’t break the bank. Start with a choice of appetizers – everything in the $5 to $6 range – like the sichuan garlic pork, superior soy prawns, house-made char siu or the interesting plate of pork cold cuts with preserved black egg and pickles. For the main course, you have to get a noodle dish. The house wonton noodle, a lo-mein dish where the noodles and broth are served separately, is without a doubt the best you

L O C A L

| august 15

can find in Houston right now. The noodles, made in-house, are thin with a wonderful elasticity and bite. The special sauce topping, a combo of dried scallops and crispy pork fat with minced pork, is full of gratifyingly delicious umami flavor. Other highlights include the duck curry noodle, the char kway teo and for dessert, the Hong Kong French toast. (Don’t ask; just get it and thank me later.)

Photography provided by Cureight + Hubbell & Hudson

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:18 PM Page 21

CUREIGHT

Cuisine: Progressive American Tasting Menu Executive Chef: Austin Simmons 24 Waterway Ave. #125, The Woodlands | 281.203.5641 www.hubbellandhudson.com/cureight Thur, Fri and Sat only. First Seating: 5:30pm; Last Seating: 9:30pm Tucked inside Hubbell & Hudson Bistro in The Woodlands, an intimate fine dining experience awaits in the form of Cureight, Executive Chef Austin Simmons’ eight-course tasting menu restaurant. Designed to seat no more than 24 guests, the Cureight space is a private domain reserved for a select few. In the secluded space guests feel like they’re having a chef’s table experience. Glass window partitions give everyone a glimpse of the chef’s kitchen counter, where you can see him preparing and plating each dish. In between courses, guests are invited to enter the kitchen to chat or take pictures. Offered in eight courses, with an optional wine pairing, Simmons describes the menu as “Progressive American.” Special care is taken with the plating so that each dish is unique, visually striking and delicious as well. Your culinary journey will start with an amuse bouche, followed by a light dish, such as bay scallops made with brown butter, tomato hearts, apple and dashi. Wows often erupt throughout the meal, which is exactly what happened when we received the oysters and pearl course with caviar and black truffle, an homage to Thomas Keller’s famous oysters and pearl dish. Another favorite was Simmons’ beautiful pasta swathed in uni cream, tinged with egg dashi and topped with king crab and crispy bits of prosciutto. Desserts are exceptional as well, the creation of pastry chef Nguyet Nguyen, whose pineapple sorbet with Vietnamese mint and fleur de sel was only topped by her almond tonka bean cake with peaches, coconut sorbet. Simmons plans to change the menu by one or two dishes each week so that return guests can look forward to a new experience each time they come. I can already see another date night at Cureight in my very near future.

august 15 | L O C A L 21

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:18 PM Page 22

CHEF’S SPECIAL

TALLENT RICCA RICCA CO. Favorite late night spot for a bite? Mai’s for the vegetarian Pho with beef broth or Red Pier for the wings. Best breakfast? The lox bagel sandwich on an everything bagel with chive cream cheese from Hot Bagel Shop. Best brunch? Caracol. What ingredient can you not live without in the kitchen and why? SALT! With sweets, salt is imperative. What utensil can you not live without? A good spatula (heat-proof). What’s your pet peeve? Loud bars and bad attitudes. Favorite place for dessert? Uchi. Who are your favorite chef, restaurant and dish? Richard Knight, Kipper Club, Kimchi hot stone bowl with extra veggies and pickled mushrooms at H mart food court. Is there a food you won’t eat? I hate raw bananas. THE worst. They ruin smoothies. What is your comfort food? Thai. I make the same Thai seared beef salad when I’m stressed. What would people be surprised to find in your home refrigerator? So many kinds of tahini. It’s magic. Who/what inspires you? Yvon Chouinard. Favorite sandwich: The BBQ pork banh mi with pate from Les Givral’s Favorite ice cream mix-in/topping: Any type of candied nut Favorite truck food: Hot dogs from Good Dog Favorite picnic spot: The Menil

What food item or type of cuisine do you think needs a makeover? In this town, delis. I love a good deli sandwich from a mom-and-pop, European-style deli. For full interview, visit www.localhoustonmagazine.com.

Photography by Sofía van der Dys

While studying International Business at Franklin University Switzerland, Tallent fell in love with the quality and seasonality of European food. After graduation she returned stateside and started working in marketing and business development before taking the leap into the food world. She apprenticed at Ritual Chocolate in Denver, Colorado, one of the best bean-to-bar chocolate makers in America.

After returning to Houston she started her own small frozen foods company, RICCA. The eponymous name also means “rich” in Italian, the perfect word to describe RICCA’s sweet treats. She’s owned and operated RICCA, a gelato sandwich company, for the past two years.

RICCA CO. | info@RICCAco.com | 713.805.4365 | www.riccaco.com

L O C A L

| august 15

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:18 PM Page 23

august 15 | L O C A L 23

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:18 PM Page 24

PERFECT PAIRS NO MATTER WHAT THE WEATHER IS OUTSIDE, THE INSIDE OF UPTOWN SUSHI IS ALWAYS STRIKING. This lends well with the see and be seen vibe, which is pretty common in this area of town, and at Uptown. The bar area serves as the waiting room within the vast open space, and you really don’t mind (wait times can be lengthy on weekends) mingling with all the other hip, beautiful people who are also out to have a good time. It certainly helps that the drinks are AWESOME but more on that later. It’s our opinion that Uptown has some of the

nicest staff and management in town, which is pretty amazing considering the crowds they handle. A real beauty of our job is getting to spend time with people who really care and have ample passion for what they do. Uptown is staffed right, with lots of these good people. But maybe you are an introvert who loves sushi and could care less about a wonderful staff, well, that’s certainly your choice but let it be known that either way Uptown has awesome food. Which leads us right into this beauty. THE CRAB TOWER (weekend special for now but soon to be on the menu full time) not only looks awesome, it’s a real taster too.

From the bottom up: a cilantro vinaigrette, cucumber, pico de gallo, avocado, jumbo lump crab, wonton crisps and red onions are finally topped off with micro cilantro. Go ahead, knock it down and stir it around; the tower shines when it’s mixed up and the vinaigrette blends in. The texture of most of the ingredients results in a smooth, buttery feel in your mouth that goes so well with the spice of the pico and the vinaigrette. The onion and wonton crisps add a nice crunch to the mix. Now, get excited – that’s a CUCUMBER MARTINI and it is awesome. Cucumber Effen vodka makes the martini which incorporates lemon juice, sprigs of mint and sliced cucumber. The rim of the glass is dipped in Tajin, the Mexican seasoning of chilies, lime juice and sea salt. Yeah, that’s a nice kick! When paired with the crab tower, you get a wonderful blend of flavors that play really well together, including the Tajin. Truly a pairing for the beautiful people.

By Mike Cook Photography by Kennon Evett

CUCUMBER MARTINI + CRAB TOWER Uptown Sushi | 1131 Uptown Park Blvd. #14, Houston, TX 77056 | 713.871.1200 | www.uptown-sushi.com Mon–Wed:11am–11pm, Thu–Fri: 11am–12am, Sat: 12pm–12am, Sun: 5–10pm

L O C A L

| august 15

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:18 PM Page 25

august 15 | L O C A L 25

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:18 PM Page 26

A FARM STICKING TO ITS GUNS THIS IS NOT A STORY ABOUT HOW PEOPLE CHOOSE TO EAT. THE REALITY IS THAT SOME PEOPLE ARE GOING TO EAT MEAT – THE POINT IS HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO KNOW THAT THE MEAT YOU ARE EATING IS COMING FROM ETHICALLY TREATED ANIMALS. YONDER WAY FARM IN FAYETTEVILLE, TX, IS HOME TO THE KRAMER FAMILY – JASON (AKA FARMER JASON), LYNSEY (BEHIND THE SCENES, MOTHER, WIFE, ESSENTIAL OIL AND NATURAL BEAUTY GURU) AND THEIR FOUR CHICKS: KAYLYN, 11; LANEY RAE, 8 (WHO SHADOWS HER FATHER AND IS A MINI-FARMER IN HER OWN RIGHT); RUTHIE, 6, AND EXIE JO, 4 – AND THEY ARE FARMING THE WAY GOD INTENDED US TO. WITH INTEGRITY, HONESTY AND RESPECT TO THE LAND AND HIS ANIMALS. THE SENSE OF PEACE I FELT THERE WAS UNDENIABLE WHICH IS ALMOST A CONTRADICTION SINCE MANY OF THEIR ANIMALS ARE INDEED RAISED FOR PRODUCTS OR SLAUGHTER.

After six years farming in Brenham on his family’s land, in 2012 Jason and Lynsey started looking for a new home for their already growing business. “Because of our business, we needed to have a farm store. We’ve always got an employee that’s here so they need to have a place to live. We had to have a big working barn because so much of what we do is life in a barn. You gotta have places to raise chicks and for the sheep to go when it’s raining, just a safe place. And this was an amazing old late-1800’s barn – and that is what really drew me here.” The Kramer family relies on repeat customers to support its business plan. And there is a lot of confusion plus a lack of regulation in terms of where meat, eggs, milk, etc., come from. The biggest obstacles the farm faces are: CONVENIENCE – “I think it’s not real easy or convenient for people to do this,” shares Lynsey. “I think home delivery would help us out.” Which is something they are working on. Right now Jason loads up orders and does deliveries every other week. Wednesdays, it’s 6 or 7 in Houston, as well as Thursdays with over 20 stops including other towns. CUSTOMER EDUCATION – “A lot of what you are buying in the store is misleading, when the government allows big agriculture to be able to use small farm terms. It’s been completely adulterated because you can now have grass-fed beef raised in a feed lot. Well, that was never the intention of the farms coming along with the term grass-fed beef. Same thing with free-range chickens. They can still be raised in a house as long as they have access to outside which is a dirt floor with no food or water. Why would a chicken go out there?” As we walk all over the farm there are dogs, chickens, pigs, turkeys, even a few lone ducks, all flowing in and out of their “designated” pens. AND THEN THERE’S COST – “We can lay it out and show how sustainable farming looks versus how conventional farming looks and people will inevitably go ‘gosh, I’m appalled; no animal should live that way and I don’t want to support a system like that.” But then you lay up a picture of $7 per dozen eggs versus $1 per dozen eggs and it’s really not so bad that those animals are living that way anymore. That’s the reality of it.”

“BUT THEN YOU LAY UP A PICTURE OF $7 PER DOZEN EGGS VERSUS $1 PER DOZEN EGGS AND IT’S REALLY NOT SO BAD THAT THOSE ANIMALS ARE LIVING THAT WAY ANYMORE.

LASTLY, THE LACK OF REGULATION – Dishonest people buy honey, for just one example, at places like Sam’s and package it into Mason jars to sell at farmer’s markets as if it was local honey. Your biggest protection is going to be to know your farmer and go visit that farm.

Yonder Way is open to the public by appointment only. Remember this is a family that lives on the farm, and although their Instagram is wildly popular (a combined following of close to 74k) they aren’t Instagram ready 24/7. www.YonderWayFarm.com

By Carla Valencia de Martinéz Photography by Gabriella Nissen 26

L O C A L

| august 15

”

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:18 PM Page 27

august 15 | L O C A L 27

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:18 PM Page 28

THE BEE’S KNEES

L O C A L

| august 15

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:18 PM Page 29

By Jill Patir + Carla Valencia de Martinéz Photography by Gabriella Nissen

Shelley Rice

ention the decline in bee populations in the Houston area to most people, you’ll probably be met with shrugged shoulders and a “who cares” attitude. However, if you were to dig deeper, you’d realize that this decline, known as Colony Collapse Disorder, has the potential to drastically affect our daily lives. The number of bees in our area has been on a downward spiral since 2006, with significant drops around 2012–2013. Bees use their natural instincts to help farmers around the world pollinate and fertilize countless crops. The effect it has on you? These crops result in full shelves of fresh produce in our grocery stores. Without help from bee colonies, the availability and quality of our produce is in a position to be limited. As we started working on this piece, the name Shelley Rice kept coming up so we tracked her down at The Grove while she was checking in on the Discovery Green hive honey comb. Inspired by the novel The Secret Life of Bees, Rice took Donald Burger’s beekeeping class in 2008. “It was really the only thing available. I followed his instructions, ordered my bees and started reading Beekeeping for Dummies.” Her bee pick-up date was April 1, so Rice loaded up her kids and drove them all to Navasota to BeeWeaver Apiaries (who have been providing bees for over 125 years to beekeepers) and picked up 4 packages of bees. “They were these wire boxes with 3,000–4,000 bees in each one. And it started like that. I started at the Last Organic Outpost with just two hives and two in our backyard in Bellaire.” Rice credits Jennifer Scott, the driving force behind Zelko Honey, as the

bee whisperer. (Jamie Zelko started the HEIGHTS HONEYBEE PROJECT with her wife Dalia and Jennifer.) “Jennifer is who I learned from.” People started asking Rice questions and she quickly realized her purpose. Today she is one of the most preeminent beekeepers in the city and, at 55, is a year into a five-year master beekeeper program at Texas A&M. Rice is also one of the top fresh honey suppliers to many of Houston’s restaurants including Chef Ernie at The Grove who is currently the city’s only establishment with their own bee colony that serves local honey and provides pollinators for downtown and surroounding areas. “I was Randy Evans’ beekeeper for three and a half years. What I do for Discovery Green, when they have films, or anything bee-related, I am their go-to girl. I pull together whomever they need. I’ve done a couple of programs for them. I do bee swarm removals and I’ve taken bees out of the trees for them. It’s a great relationship. But I’m also the beekeeper at the Lat Organic Outpose; I’ve been there off and on for six years. Down the street I supply to Weights & Measures and also Urban Eats.” A few ways to help preserve the bee population include choosing plants that bees like and avoiding use of pesticides and herbicides in your garden. Shop at farmer’s markets for produce and honey to help support local farmers and beekeepers – and as a bonus, you’ll get organic or near-organic produce. And finally, although it’s tempting to, if you do have unwanted bees, don’t kill them. Many local beekeepers will be happy to take them off your hands and keep them alive and safe.

Further information available at these websites. www.houstonbeekeepers.org | www.lastorganicoutpost.com www.thebeewrangler.com

august 15 | L O C A L 29

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:18 PM Page 30

HOMEGROWN

GOODS

IMAGINE TASTING YOUR WAY THROUGH YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY, MEETING LOCAL ARTISANS AND GROWERS, HEARING THEIR STORIES AND THEN HELPING BRING THEIR PRODUCTS TO MARKET TO SHARE WITH OTHERS. THIS IS WHAT KELLY LANDRIEU, SW LOCAL FORAGER AT WHOLE FOODS MARKET, OVERSEES. SHE HAS LOCAL FORAGERS ACROSS THE NATION HELPING SOURCE FROM MORE THAN 6,500 LOCAL VENDORS. FROM COUNTRY FARMS TO URBAN BAKERIES, THESE ON-THE-GO TEAM MEMBERS SEEK OUT THE BEST LOCAL PRODUCTS TO BRING INTO THE STORES.

1. WHOLE NOTE

– Whole Note Baking Company makes gluten-free baking mixes that really sing! In their gluten-free baking mixes, the gluten is replaced with a carefully selected and researched blend of whole grains that add a nutritious and delicious kick.www.waldengoodfoods.com

2. ENFUSIA – Enfusia has been a great partner to Whole Foods Market for many years. We recently partnered with Debra Meyers of Enfusia to launch a line of high-end bulk soaps. For each bar sold, Enfusia donates 10 cents to Houston area nonprofits that fight human trafficking. The Pink and Purple Rose soap, made with Brazilian clay and rose absolute oil, is a team member favorite! www.enfusia.com

3. MANREADY MERCANTILE – Manready Mercantile’s line of toiletries brings a touch of luxury for Houston area men. The line has something for every man from the discreetly named “Throne Spray” to mustache wax. Check out their All-in-One Lotion, made in small batches and scented with essential oils. www.manready.com

L O C A L

| august 15

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:18 PM Page 31

4. SLOW DOUGH – Plain and simple: Nothing goes with a Whole Foods Market made-in-store sausage like a Slow Dough pretzel bun. With lightly salted, perfectly golden brown crust, this bun is more than just a vehicle for the sandwich filling of your choice. www.slowdoughbreadco.com 5. MALK – Alternative milks are the rage this year, and Malk brings a fantastic line of nut milks to the party. Each flavor has just five ingredients or less and is high-pressure processed to do away with the need for preservatives. www.malkorganics.com

7. TAVOLA PASTA – Sarah Zapien of Tavola uses organic semolina flour and locally grown vegetables to flavor her artisanal pastas. Starting in August, you can find the traditional pastas in the pasta section and the seasonally flavored pastas in the bulk section of select Houston Whole Foods Market stores. www.tavolapasta.com

8. KICKIN’ KOMBUCHA – Houston-based Kickin’ Kombucha uses seasonal flavors to make kombucha fun for everyone. Kickin’s commitment to environmental sustainability and local sourcing of ingredients makes them a great partner for both Whole Foods Market and the local community. www.kickinkombucha.com 9. SWEETCUP ARTISAN GELATO

6. TEJAS CHOCOLATE – Tejas Chocolate is Texas’ first bean-to-bar chocolate maker. They fire roast responsibly sourced cocoa beans to craft small batch bars in Spring, TX. A great standout is their Dark Matter bar, which features black lava sea salt and black pepper. www.tejaschocolate.com

– In the heart of Montrose, Jasmine Chida of SweetCup creates small batch, artisan gelato inspired by Houston’s diverse cultural map. With flavors such as Texas Kufi and Vanilla Bean Tres Leches, SweetCup is on the cutting edge of compelling and innovative flavors. Starting in August, SweetCup can be found in the frozen aisle of select Houston Whole Foods Market stores. www.sweetcupgelato.com By Kelly Landrieu

august 15 | L O C A L 31

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:18 PM Page 32

By Beth Levine-McCann Photography by Gabriella Nissen

BREW AROUND TOWN!

OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, HOUSTON’S CRAFT BEER AND BREWERY SCENE HAS BEEN EMERGING AS A BEER LOVER’S PARADISE. ONE SURE WAY TO BEAT AUGUST’S HEAT IS TO KICK BACK WITH AN ICE COLD BEER (OR THREE). HERE’S OUR ROUND-UP OF SOME LOCAL BREWERIES TO VISIT NOW AND SOME UP-AND-COMERS ON THE BEER HORIZON.

JUST A BEER AWAY 1. 8TH WONDER BREWERY The guys at 8th Wonder have been making quite a name for themselves and their taproom, located in the heart of EaDo. You can even enjoy a Yoga class inside the brewery, courtesy of Yoga & Hops, before sampling some of Houston’s finest. New brew to check out? “Pharmhouse Agave Saison.” (We haven’t tried it yet, but word on the street is a big yes!) 2202 Dallas Street, Houston, TX 77003 | www.8thwonderbrew.com

4. 11 BELOW BREWING These new kids on the block are brewing round the clock, working on getting themselves known and aiming to please. Their brews might not be at your local pub yet, so give their brewery a try. Personal brew of choice? The “7-Iron” Session Ale. 6820 Bourgeois Road, Houston, TX 77066 | www.11belowbrewing.com

3. KARBACH BREWING CO. If you’ve been drinking beer at all over the past few years (like we have), then you have probably had one of these tasty cans in hand. With renovations to their brewery including a full-service restaurant on site, be sure to stop in and grab dinner along with your beer. Personal brew of choice? Well, it’s a tie between my old faithful “Weekend Warrior Pale Ale” and the seasonal “The Barn Burner.” 2032 Karbach, Houston, TX 77092 | www.karbachbrewing.com

2. SAINT ARNOLD BREWING COMPANY No round-up would be complete without them, so don’t forget to visit (or re-visit) the brewery that paved the way for many on this list and holds the title of the oldest craft brewery in Texas. Personal choice? “Elissa IPA.” (It’s our go-to beer to enjoy with a burger.) 2000 Lyons Avenue, Houston, TX 77020 | www.saintarnold.com

5. BUFFALO BAYOU BREWING CO. With their emphasis on utilizing local resources, this brewery is making quite a home for itself in the Heights. Personal brew of choice? I’m going with my husband on this: He LOVES “More Cowbell.” Clearly it’s not just a Blue Oyster Cult reference as my husband literally swears by this stuff. 5310 Nolda Street, Houston, TX 77007 | www.buffbrew.com

4 2

L O C A L

| august 15

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:18 PM Page 33

WORTH THE DRIVE 6. THE LONE PINT BREWERY Using only raw, whole cone hops and giving the spent feed to local dairy farmers, Lone Pint has been enjoying the sweet smell of success with their “Yellow Rose.” Personal brew of choice? A tie again between the aforementioned “Yellow Rose” and “667 Neighbor of the Beast,” the latter being one of our personal favorites even just to order in public. 507 Commerce Street, Magnolia, TX 77355 | www.lonepint.com

7. NO LABEL BREWING CO. Making sure Katy is not left out, No Label has been working hard brewing up some tasty beers for your drinking pleasure. “Pale Horse Ale” is my personal choice; it’s in our fridge as I write this, but not for long! 5351 1st Street, Katy, TX 77493 | www.nolabelbrew.com

8. B-52 BREWING CO. So, yes, I admit it: I love my beer, but, alas, I am also lazy and it’s hard to get me to drive out to Conroe. That said, the folks at B-52 are making sure the drive is worth it with their passion for brewing and their events calendar. Personal brew of choice? “Rye Saison.” 12470 Milroy Lane, Conroe, TX 77304 | www.b52brewing.com

ON THE HORIZON Galactic Coast Brewing – www.galacticcoastbrewing.com City Acre Brewing Company – www.cityacrebrewing.com Brash Brewing Company – @brashbrewingco Town in City Brewing Company – www.townincitybrewing.com

august 15 | L O C A L 33

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:18 PM Page 34

CLUB/LOUNGE REVIEW

| JOHNNY’S GOLD BRICK | ONE OF THE MORE INTERESTING CHANGES IN OUR BAR SCENE HAS BEEN THE “BUYING OUT” OF OLDER, STILL OPEN BARS AND REPLACING THEM WITH NEW TRENDY BARS. This has been happening across the city for a few years now, and there are a lot of good reasons to take this route when opening your version of the American dream. While some of these changes are not exactly welcome, others are welcomed with open arms. Take for example the recent transformation of the former Boom Boom Room on Yale Street with the new and improved Johnny’s Gold Brick. Arms wide open! The refreshed space, which before kept it pretty tame, is now ready to party if the crowds are any indication. And we don’t mean crowds with lines – this ain’t that kind of place; we mean groups of people who are here to have a great time. The refreshed space includes lots of local reclaimed wood, Houston-centric art and seating on some retro cream (booths) and orange (lounge chairs) situated around a good number of

tables all lit by some solid 70’s era lighting. Yeahhhh, Johnny’s has it going on. We’ll mention the outside seating by assuming that you, as we have seen, will help keep it filled with people when the weather allows! Along with the cozy interior, Johnny’s offers a comfortable and welcoming drink program. Ten expertly crafted cocktails for $8 each, you say? Well, this is something to enjoy! We won’t hit on all ten, but the Tom Collins, Cuba Libre, Old Fashioned and the Boilermaker (beer and a shot – try the old fashioned shot!) are all on point. There is also quite a selection of spirits and liquors, like an entire wall full. And of course, beer and wine are not forgotten as Johnny’s is a proper bar. Six taps pouring fine Texas beers (one can never drink enough Lone Pint Yellow Rose IPA) and bottles/cans are full of well-regarded and rare selections of beer from all over. Everyone in here seems to easily find something they like, and they look like they are having fun doing it. So come on, join everyone at Johnny’s – we can think of no reason why you shouldn’t. By Mike Cook | Photography by Daniel Ortiz

2518 Yale St., Houston, TX 77008 | 713.864.2424 www.treadsack.com/johnnys | Facebook:johnnysgb Mon–Fri 4pm–2am | Sat–Sun 12pm–2am

L O C A L

| august 15

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:18 PM Page 35

august 15 | L O C A L 35

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:18 PM Page 36

GOOD EATS waiter, Hugo, was hilarious and so patient (we were a little loud and indecisive). We spent 3 hours eating our way into a bliss. I got the chicken parm (I like the classic stuff) and I’m still drooling. Hugo made sure they tossed the pasta in the meatball sauce…he caught onto my obsession. The soups are heaven, and make sure to save room for crème brûlée!!! This place is a great Houston institution. –Payal P., Yelp

VELVET TACO

AHI POKE TACO WRAPPED IN LETTUCE

$ New American | 4819 Washington Ave. 832.834.5908 | www.velvettaco.com/houston Happy to see Velvet Taco open in Houston. With El Rey on one corner and Velvet Taco on the other, you’ll never have to go anywhere else for tacos… All of the tacos I ordered were really good. My favorite was #17 tuna poke taco. It was sushi tuna with seaweed, crushed macadamia nuts and sesame oil in a lettuce wrap. The tater tots with fried egg on top was awesome, too. Plenty of parking and seating both indoor and in covered outdoor area. Overall Velvet Taco offers good food and fast, friendly service. You can also phone in to-go orders. –John L. Yelp BISKIT JUNKIE $$ Southern, Breakfast, Brunch | 2925 W. T. C. Jester Blvd. 713.688.1754 | www.biskitjunkie.com I had the Chattanooga with ham, egg, hollandaise and pico. It was great! The runny egg mixed well with the other flavors and pico added nice spice to the dish. My mom got the Classic Chik which is fried chicken and two housemade pickles. The batter was unique with some sort of cinnamon spice, and the pickles were good too. We also tried an order of the fried green tomatoes which were amazing! My mom had only eaten half her biskit so we ordered a side of their homemade jam and that was also very good. I can see the possibilities are endless with the biskit concept and look forward to trying them all. I think the price point for what you get is reasonable as its dishes are very filling. –Marya M., Yelp BOCA GASTRO BAR & BITES $$ Spanish, Tapas | 7951 Katy Fwy. | 713.263.1700 This place was great and we will be back. We went when they had only a soft opening menu but the food was fantastic. My personal favorite was the Rabo Encendido (braised oxtail) which was done to perfection but all the food we tried was spectacular. The Croquetas de Manchego were a very tasty, good portion size and fried crispy on the outside but soft on the inside. Next we ordered the Empanada which was delicious! We also ate the Albondigas (meatballs), Ceviche Peruano and Papa Bravas which were all presented and done with great care. We also tried and loved the Esparragos al Horno which was cooked to perfection and presented very well. –John H.Yelp

L O C A L

| august 15

BOMBAY PIZZA CO. $$ Pizza, Indian, Vegetarian | 706 Main | 713.654.4444 www.bombaypizzaco.com The fusion of pizza with Indian spices is such an interesting combination. And to make things even better, they have happy hour 3–7 M– F where you get $3 off any pizza and $3 beers. I created my own small pizza where you can add 4 toppings and went with tandoori chicken, NY strip steak, fresh tomatoes and fresh basil with Bombay pizza sauce. To stick with the theme, I got a Kingfisher beer which is an Indian lager. Not IPA; we’re talking beer from India. The pizza wasn’t large by any means but enough to fill you up and all under $10. –Vlad V. Yelp

CARMELO’S RISTORANTE $$$ Italian | 14795 Memorial | 281.531.0696 www.carmelosrestaurant.com Prepare yourself for a food coma!!! They give you the most amazing meatballs with the bread...I will go back just for the meatballs! We had a birthday dinner there; they gave a great private dining room. Our

CHAMA GAÚCHA BRAZILIAN STEAKHOUSE $$ Brazillian, Steakhouse, Buffet | 5865 Westheimer Rd. 832.844.5174 | www.chamagaucha.com It’s no secret that this place is good. It’s Fogo quality at a fraction of the cost, who else wouldn’t want that? The restaurant has a nice look inside and out. It’s a nice place to impress a client or date. They have valet, and their salad bar is pretty extensive. Be sure to ask for their special because it doesn’t always come around in the normal meat rotation. Be sure to come extra hungry! –Erick P., Yelp DOSHI HOUSE CAFÉ $Coffee& Tea,Vegetarian, Vegan | 3419 Dowling St. | 713.528.0060 www.doshihouse.com Omg! This is a little gem that’s easy to miss. (We drove by it without realizing.) We had the Mumbai and Artisan Grill Panini. We also tried the tofu empanada with spices. We tried the “moon” and “sunset” tonics. We also tried the pink panther smoothie. The spices were excellent. The smoothie tasted so fresh and healthy, it actually made me smile. The menu isn’t large. They offer interesting teas. I can’t wait to go back and try the soups. –Melinda C., Yelp FLUFF BAKE BAR $$ Bakeries, Desserts | 314 Gray St. | 713.522.1900 www.fluffbakebar.com I absolutely adored Fluff Bake Bar at Revival, so it was inevitable that I visit their new storefront. …The lovely smell of freshly baked treats greeted me. Chalkboard signs on the wall advertise assorted coffee and beverage options... I wanted to try something new, so I went with the Brown Butter Cake and the seasonal Strawberry Lemonade Cupcake to share. My taste buds were extremely pleased! The Brown Butter Cake was subtly sweet and full of flavor. I would definitely try this again. The Strawberry Lemonade Cupcake made my mouth pucker and provided the wonderful taste of fresh strawberries. This bakery is a pretty far trip from my house, but I will definitely be visiting again. –Marleigh T., Yelp GUMBO JEAUX’S $$ Cajun/Creole | 2155 Durham Dr. Ste. 105 | 832.203.7270 I’ve been back twice now and both times I was very happy. On my first visit, we got the Pasta la Shell, Gumbo, and the Shrimp and Crab Cake Sandwich. The Pasta la Shell was a hearty portion for a little over $10; the Gumbo was delicious, packed full of chicken, sausage and shrimp; the Crab Cake Sandwich was small, but very flavorful. I ended up going back again with my girlfriend, and we had the Catfish Opelousas and the Shrimp Poboy. The Catfish Opelousas is such a great value. It is two

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:18 PM Page 37

big pieces of blackened fish on top of a bed of dirty rice and then topped with fried shrimp. –David N., Yelp HUGHIE’S $ Vietnamese, Asian Fusion | 1802 W. 18th St. | 713.869.1830 www.hughiesgrille.com One of my boyfriend’s favorite places to eat; it’s an American bar with Vietnamese food. For Friday night the place is packed. Sit anywhere you like. My boyfriend got the banh mi with grilled pork: toasted baguette with pickled vegetables, sliced cucumber, sliced jalapeños, cilantro and Vietnamese mayo. Good size portion for cheap price! I just wanted to try out the different craft beers. They have bottles, cans, bombers, wines and drafts. They have a lot of Texas beers. –Jae S., Yelp JUST DINNER $$$ New American | 1915 Dunlavy St. | 713.807.0077 www.justdinnerhouston.com Just Dinner is housed in an old, completely unassuming, charming bungalow on Dunlavy and Welch. With no more than roughly 20 [fashion magazine-lined] tables in the place, it’s incredibly intimate and romantic. And delicious! And with a BYOB $10 corking fee, I was totally game! …The bf ordered the pork belly appetizer, and based on his reaction, I’m pretty sure that was life-changing. I was also pretty sure that promptly after dinner he’d be leaving me to run off with a pork belly appetizer. …So grab your spouse, your significant other, your best friend or your favorite bowl of polenta, and make a reservation for the most charming, romantic, unassuming, delicious spot in town! –Kim O., Yelp

KUU $$$ Japanese, Sushi | 947 Gessner Rd. | 713.461.1688 www.kuurestaurant.com KUU is an amazing sushi restaurant. From the romantic and modern ambiance, to the knowledgeable servers, and the amazing food, KUU has definitely become a new favorite… Aside from what I experienced, literally everything on their menu is quality, having a lot of their menu’s ingredients imported from Japan or selected for the best, making their menu to die for with A5 Kobe from Japan as well as special sashimi items imported from Japan as well. –Kristina T., Yelp

$ KEY BASED ON YELP

$ = Price Range Under $10 $$ = Price Range $11–30 $$$ = Price Range $31–60 $$$$ = Price Range Above $61

FOR OUR COMPLETE RESTAURANT LISTING, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE.

LA GRANGE HOUSTON $$ Mexican, Bars, Patios | 2517 Ralph St. | 832.962.4745 www.lagrangehouston.com By far one of the coolest new spaces in Houston. This is a patio drinker’s dream come true – so many options! I love the different levels to this place. It is like layers upon layers of awesomeness. …I have only had one of the drinks (well, three of one kind to be exact): the Watermelon Fresca. Talk about the most perfect summer drink, and topped with perfectly scooped fresh watermelon balls. The queso there is also on point! You can get it topped with crispy pork or other delicious offerings. –Kristina O., Yelp LAWLESS SPIRITS & KITCHEN $$ American | 909 Texas Ave. | 281.832.8600 www.lawlessspirits.com The old State Bar cleans up real nice! This new iteration on the original downtown stronghold still maintains its vintage feel without toeing the line of kitsch. The Sazeracs we ordered were smooth, moderate sips: With bartenders that pull a straw test behind the bar, each cocktail was assured to be well-balanced and quality-controlled. Even better: Their happy hour prices are very generous and definitely encourage drinking sessionally. We were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the flatbread pizzas too. –Kate H., Yelp

LUNA PIZZERIA $ Pizza, Salad, Sandwiches | 3435 Kirby Dr. | 832.767.6338 www.lunapizzeria.com Really loved this pizza AND salad. I got the arugula/prosciutto pizza and my friend got the spicy andouille pizza (it is VERY spicy in my opinion!), and we shared the arugula salad. The salad is pretty big, so sharing a salad and a pizza is definitely doable in my opinion. This place is filled with board games and toys, which would make for a really cute first date. Ordering at the bar makes the ordering/paying process smooth and easy, especially for a big party that wants to go out/sit together. Good amount of parking available in the lot as well. –Jessica E., Yelp M & M Grill $ Mediterranean, Mexican, Burgers | 6921 Almeda Rd. 713.747.8226 | www.mmgrill.webs.com “Mexican & Mediterranean” = One of the best burgers in town. Mango Habanero Burger is where it’s at. Spicy but doesn’t decimate the flavor. Add some curly fries. Big portions and friendly staff. They have plenty of other Mediterranean food that my friends tell me is good. I put this above Lankford Grocery burger-wise. –Caleb S., Yelp MALA SICHUAN BISTRO $$ Szechuan | 1201 Westheimer | 832.767.0911 All right, all right, this place is delicious. Authentic, fiery Sichuan cooking. If you know what that is, you’re going to like Mala’s new, much cleaner and fancier outpost in Montrose. I’m so delighted it’s there. … Dive immediately into the real menu; good starting points are red oil dumplings, dan dan noodles, ma po tofu with meat (or without, but you won’t get the full oily, greasy, flaming Bolognese experience without the meat). The spice level is high, but not out of control. Plus, Sichuan spiciness is a little different than, say, Mexican spiciness. It’s cliché, but think ‘more numbing’ and ‘less burning.’ –Raffi M. Yelp

august 15 | L O C A L 37

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:18 PM Page 38

LOCALPROMOTIONS

"One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well." -Virginia Woolf

ARCODORO RISTORANTE ITALIANO HANDMADE ITALIAN. SARDINIAN TOUCHES. For nearly two decades, owner Efisio Farris has earned the love and respect of well-traveled food and wine aficionados. Farris, a native of the Mediterranean island of Sardinia, has created a menu and ambiance that showcases the abundant tastes and exceptional beauty of his homeland. A cuisine celebrating the rustic flavors and indigenous ingredients of the land and sea â&#x20AC;&#x201C; from wild game to fish, herbs, fresh vegetables, handmade pastas and cured meats, Sardinian cheeses, honey and aromatic sauces. Menu highlights include carpaccios, risottos, pizza from the wood-burning oven, baked whole fish, house-made pastas and award-wining steaks. Enjoy the signature Grapparita or cocktails in the Bar Doro or al fresco on the patios. Watch a whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s who of local and visiting notables in the sophisticated dining room or book a table in one of the three private dining rooms. www.arcodoro.com

Risotto simmered with Asparagus tips & Porchetta

Sauteed Diver Sea Scallops with raspberries finished with bitter honey

CENTRE AT POST OAK | 5000 WESTHEIMER RD. #120 | HOUSTON, TX 77056 | 713.621.6888 38

L O C A L

| august 15

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:18 PM Page 39

LOCALPROMOTIONS

DISTRICT 7 PIZZERIA MIDTOWN JUST MAY BE HOME TO THE CITY’S BEST PIZZA This recently opened neighborhood gem offers an exceptional array of pizzas using only the finest ingredients. Choose from bison buffalo, back yard, four wonders or other specialty pizzas, or make your own – these pizzas do not disappoint! But it’s not just about pizzas; their meatballs, pastas, paninis and gourmet salads (think kale, Caesar and more) are prepared to perfection. 8th Wonder beer is served on tap. Order for pick-up, delivery (within a three-mile radius) or stay. MENTION LOCAL MAGAZINE DURING THE MONTH OF AUGUST and receive a free zesty appetizer with your order of an entrée!

www.facebook.com/district7pizzeria

MIDTOWN | 2117 CHENEVERT @ GRAY STREET | HOUSTON, TX 77003 | 713.652.0777 august 15 | L O C A L 39

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:18 PM Page 40

LOCALPROMOTIONS

Chef Arturo Boada

ARTURO BOADA CUISINE A UNIQUE BOUTIQUE RESTAURANT This vibrant gem is located off Voss Road at Del Monte Dr. The neighborhood eatery serves up an eclectic blend of Italian, Spanish and Latin cuisine not to be missed. Try unique tapas like the camarones henesy en hamaca, mussels tomatillo, ceviche and many more. The wood-burning oven puts out authentic thin crust pizzas, with favorites such as the carnitas pizza. We offer a flavorful selection of fresh seafood and steaks. Our homemade desserts are a must, from wood oven baked apple pastry to Arturo’s famous crème brûlée. The hand-picked wine list offers a variety of boutique and exclusive wineries. We are very happy to accommodate any of your special requests. www.Boadacuisine.com

6510 DEL MONTE DR. | HOUSTON, TX 77057 | 713.782.3011 | OPEN LUNCH TUE–FRI | DINNER TUE–SUN

L O C A L

| august 15

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:18 PM Page 41

GIN + TONIC BY WAY OF SPAIN Walk into any bar or restaurant in Barcelona, and the drink of choice – the one that is definitively Spanish and ordered as often as sangria or a glass of wine – is the gin and tonic. Everywhere you go, no matter who makes it, the drink is crafted to perfection. It’s something I hadn’t experienced in Houston (most gin and tonics here are made with well gin and a syrupy tonic water from a tank) until I visited BCN Taste & Tradition, the Spanish fine dining restaurant helmed by Barcelona-born chef LUIS ROGER. So I sat down with JERRY ARGUELLES, the manager who developed their gin and tonic menu, to find out what made theirs so special. “When I came on board, the owner, Ignacio Torras, handed me this book that was all about gin and tonics,” says Arguelles. “He said, ‘I want you to make the best gin and tonic possible,’ and that’s what we’ve tried to do.” “We were looking to use the best ingredients, the best everything possible – the best gins, the best mixers. Each gin and tonic has the criteria of a visual, an aromatic and a taste,” Arguelles explains. “Of course, what’s important, you gotta have the right balance. We eat and drink with our eyes, so gotta do something fun visually, as well.” There are seven gin and tonics on the regular menu, and one seasonal off-menu special – each one beautifully presented in a balloon glass, and each one with its own personality, look, smell and taste. Arguelles combined specific gins with specific tonic waters to craft the best tasting drink. The house BCN Gin and Tonic, the most classical version of the drink, uses Hendrick’s gin, juniper berries and cucumber, and is finished off with a pour of Indian Fever Tree Tonic – great to try if you want something mild with a hint of cucumber. The extremely popular Elderflower Gin and Tonic is more floral on the nose, combining Tanqueray 10 with Fever Tree Elderflower Tonic, grapefruit and mint. There’s a Kumquat Gin and Tonic that’s very citrus-y, made of Brooklyn gin that has kumquats floating in it, and it’s finished off with a fragrant, woodsy-smelling sprig of thyme.

Whichever one you choose, they are all nothing short of perfection. Trust me, I’ve tried them all. In fact, the best way to try the entire menu is to come with friends and order every single gin and tonic on the menu. I’ve done this twice already, and each time I leave with the same thought: “Best gin and tonic in Houston.” By Mai Pham Photography by Sarah Miller | Recipe courtesy of Jerry Arguelles

LAVENDER GIN & TONIC – 2oz The Botanist Gin tinted lavender with Malva flowers – ½ oz lavender syrup – 6oz Fever Tree Elderflower tonic water – 1 lemon slice – 1 rosemary slice – 3 juniper berries – 3 viola flowers for garnish

Build in glass. Preferably a stemmed round glass to appreciate the aromatics better.

GIN WITH MALVA FLOWERS – 1 liter bottle of The Botanist Gin (or your favorite brand) – ¼ cup of dried Malva flowers Place Malva flowers in bottom of an infusion jar. Add gin and cover bottle. Let infuse for 24 hours, out of direct sunlight. Strain into fresh bottle.

LAVENDER SYRUP – 4 cups water – 4 cups sugar – 1/3 cup dried lavender Bring water, sugar and lavender to boil, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Once mixture starts boiling, remove from heat and let cool at room temperature. Strain out the lavender.

august 15 | L O C A L 41

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:18 PM Page 42

A WASHINGTON ART STORY Expecting to hit the international film festivals in 2016, the ART NOW HOUSTON documentary will showcase a substantial selection of creative professionals, from painters and composers to architects and media companies. Recognized for its cultural district in Houston, the WASHINGTON AVENUE ARTS DISTRICT is home to several converted warehouse studio buildings, which house over 250 studios of artists and creative entrepreneurs as well as a vast amount of exhibition and event space. Houston-based filmmaker MICHAEL RAAK and his team at Flashback Films hope to display that Houstonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strength and appeal is not only energy and technology but also what is showcased to be the highest focus of working artists in Texas, as well as showing the history of the Washington Avenue Art District.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9A4_WP8TvU

By Ida Sameri

L O C A L

| august 15

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:18 PM Page 43

ART NOW HOUSTON

august 15 | L O C A L 43

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:18 PM Page 44

THIS MONTH’S

MUST-SEE EXHIBITS

1. I AM A CAMERA, thru August 29, FotoFest International | Silver Street Studios |

1. Sepuya_Self-Portrait

2000 Edwards Street | www.fotofest.org Caitlyn Jenner’s stand on accepting one another is in perfect timing with this exhibit featuring nine international artists exhibiting work focused on communities, specifically lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, queer (LGBTQ) and questioning communities. Curated by FotoFest Executive Director Steven Evans, I Am A Camera is about representation, sexual orientation, gender identity expression and society. The members of the communities pictured self-identify across a broad spectrum of sexuality, gender roles, race, class, culture and politics. Included in the show are: Zackary Drucker and Rhys Ernst (USA), Sunil Gupta (India/UK), Lindsay Morris (USA), Frédéric Nauczyciel (France), Irina Popova (Russia), Anna Charlotte Schmid (Germany), Paul Mpagi Sepuya (USA) and Charan Singh (India).

2. WHISKEY RIVER, thru August 15 | Barbara Davis Gallery | www.barbaradavisgallery.com Donald Lipski’s Whiskey River features the artist’s Scotch-filled glass creations made over the last year. Lipski worked with teams of expert glass artisans at the Museum of Glass in Tacoma, WA; Wheaton Arts in Millville, NJ, and Red Hook, Brooklyn Studio. The new work plays with the plasticity of glass which is the complete opposite of the fragile medium. The resulting pieces are oddly soft and warm through the amber colors of the artist’s spirit of choice and the rubber-like quality achieved by the custom blown glass works.

3. RUSSIAN CULTURAL CENTER, www.ourtx.org

The Russian Cultural Center held a contest for a mural to be installed on the side of their building located on Bissonnet to encourage foot traffic. Their hope was to get a grant to pay for this work to be installed. Although they did not get the grant, they did receive various submissions and of them the work of local-based Maksim Koloskov best represented the points important to the cultural center: ballet, space, Mukhina’s sculpture Worker and Kolkhoz Woman, musical instruments, nesting dolls and khokhloma paintings. In order for Koloskov’s work to be installed, there’s the small matter of raising $2,800. To donate, please call 713.395.3301 or email russianculturalcenter@gmail.com.

4. PASSAGES, thru September 5 | Galeria Regina | www.galeriaregina.com Venezuelan artist Carolina Otero’s mixed media collages depict her fascination for paper. Thru her meticulous combination of printed subjects, painting and drawing, Otero weaves intricate collages resulting in other-worldly locations. Vivid depictions of what can only been seen in one’s imagination, but these are depictions of the artist’s inner landscapes shaped by her travels in the US, Norway, France and Venezuela. “Art and life are intimately intertwined, for they nourish each other,” shares Otero.

5. BLUE INK RUNS IN HER VEINS, opens August 1| Archway Gallery | www.archwaygallery.com In this solo exhibit an architect’s daughter, Cecilia Villanueva, interprets ancient cities. “The ink of my father’s blueprints got into my veins and my palette. Architecture is my life – I draw, I build and I paint.” Villanueva is the daughter of prolific Mexican architect Luis Villanueva and was raised in an architectural world of drawings, buildings and structures. Today she translates this into beautiful, moody paintings rendered in oils and mixed media of stucco and various fibers. Inspired by ancient cities the likes of Jericho and Lepenski Vir, Villanueva becomes an artistic archeologist peeling away layers into the souls of the cities.

L O C A L

| august 15

2. Whiskey River

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:18 PM Page 45

3. Nauczyciel_Daryll-Illuminati

4. Sailing away

5. Petreni Settlement Plan

august 15 | L O C A L 45

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:18 PM Page 46

MUSEUM DISTRICT

HIGHLIGHTS

1. The compelling exhibition SOUL SURVIVORS will be the focus of Holocaust Museum Houston’s newest show highlighting several Houston-area survivors of the Holocaust. The exhibit is comprised of seven composite art drawings by Lois Gibson, forensic artist for the Houston Police Department and other area law enforcement agencies. Gibson worked with five survivors to sketch images of family members, who perished in the Holocaust, strictly from the survivor’s memory. On display in the Central Gallery through September 13, 2015, this exhibition provides an emotional expression of those lost in the Holocaust through the technique of forensic art. 2. AFFECTING PRESENCE brings together a diverse selection of objects from the Menil’s holdings to explore the convergence of American anthropologist Robert Plant Armstrong’s object-empowering philosophy with the viewer’s individual pursuit of the delicious. The exhibition highlights abstraction as an artistic means used across time, place and culture to make present the ineffable forces that shape human experiences. Within the relational contexts generated by the gallery space, it surveys the affecting potential of the unrecognizable and exercises the viewer’s desire or reticence to engage with these disparate approaches to abstraction. The works on view range from antique sculptures to paintings and works on paper from the recent past that exemplify the reduction of form or the absence of representation.

Holocaust Museum Houston 5401 Caroline St. Houston, TX 77004

www.hmh.org

The Menil Collection 1533 Sul Ross St. Houston, TX 77006 www.menil.org

3. With the addition of over 150 new pieces, the FABERGE EXHIBITION showcases 500 jeweled treasures from the worldrenowned McFerrin Collection. The exhibition presents a historical overview of the works of the House of Fabergé, as well as the remarkable Russian history relating to the objects on display. • Missing “Shark Week” already? Make sure you stop by SHARK! and get to know sharks in a new interactive, informative, live touch tank experience. See what it’s like to get up-close and personal with sharks, track great white sharks swimming in the Gulf of Mexico in real time and see what’s happening with sharks all over the world through amazing conservation efforts led by top marine biologists.

4. See the spectacular treasures collected by one of Europe’s longest-reigning dynasties. The major exhibition, HABSBURG SPLENDOR: MASTERPIECES FROM VIENNA’S IMPERIAL COLLECTIONS, showcases masterworks and rare objects from the collection of the Habsburg Dynasty – the emperors of the Holy Roman Empire and other powerful rulers who commissioned extraordinary artworks now in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna. • Make sure to stop by the SHADOW MONSTERS exhibit to see what it really feels like to be a monster. An interactive installation by New York-based British artist Philip Worthington invites Museum visitors to take part in a fully immersive art experience. Participants create their own shadow plays as their silhouettes are recast in fantastic forms. Essentially a digital version of a traditional shadow-puppet theater, Shadow Monsters turns a childhood game of imagination into a reality.

L O C A L

| august 15

The Houston Museum of Natural Science 5555 Hermann Park Dr. Houston, TX 77030

www.hmns.org

The Museum of Fine Arts Houston 1001 Bissonnet Houston, TX 77005

www.mfah.org

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:18 PM Page 47

1. 1.HOUSTON PHOTOGRAPHY HOUSTONCENTER CENTER FOR FOR PHOTOGRAPHY 2.2.THE THEROTHKO ROTHKOCHAPEL CHAPEL 3.3.THE THEMENIL MENILCOLLECTION COLLECTION 4.4.DIVERSEWORKS DIVERSEWORKS 5.5.BUFFALO MUSEUM BUFFALOSOLDIERS SOLDIERS NATIONAL NATIONAL MUSEUM 6.6.HOUSTON CONTEMPORARYCRAFT CRAFT HOUSTONCENTER CENTER FOR CONTEMPORARY 7.7.LAWNDALE LAWNDALEART ARTCENTER CENTER CZECHCENTER CENTERMUSEUM MUSEUM 8.8.CZECH HOUSTONMUSEUM MUSEUMOF OFAFRICAN AFRICAN AMERICAN 9.9.HOUSTON AMERICANCULTURE CULTURE ASIASOCIETY SOCIETYTEXAS TEXAS CENTER CENTER 10.10.ASIA HOLOCAUSTMUSEUM MUSEUM HOUSTON 11.11.HOLOCAUST HOUSTON THEJUNG JUNGCENTER CENTER OF HOUSTON HOUSTON 12.12.THE CONTEMPORARY ARTS ARTS MUSEUM 13.13.CONTEMPORARY MUSEUMHOUSTON HOUSTON THEMUSEUM MUSEUM OF OF FINE FINE ARTS, 14.14.THE ARTS, HOUSTON HOUSTON CHILDREN’SMUSEUM MUSEUM OF 15.15.CHILDREN’S OF HOUSTON HOUSTON THEHEALTH HEALTHMUSEUM MUSEUM 16.16.THE HOUSTONMUSEUM MUSEUM OF OF NATURAL 17.17.HOUSTON NATURALSCIENCE SCIENCE 18. RICE UNIVERSITY ART GALLERY 18. RICE UNIVERSITY ART GALLERY HOUSTONZOO ZOO 19.19.HOUSTON

Sam Houston Monument

Hermann Park Illustration by German Arellano

august 15 | L O C A L 47

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:18 PM Page 48

GISH AT THE MOVIES

HOUSTON FILM FESTIVALS:

THESE YEAR-ROUND SERIES KEEP US GOING

SEÑORITA CINEMA

SUMMER ISRAELI FILM FEST

ONE OF MY FAVORITE WAYS TO SEE FILMS IS AT FESTIVALS BECAUSE YOU SIT DOWN AND GET TO BINGE ON ONE GENRE. HOUSTON IS FULL OF FESTIVALS YEAR-ROUND SO I SCOUTED THEM OUT FOR YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE…GET YOUR PENS AND PHONES READY TO PLUG ’EM IN, BABY. The Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center and the Consulate General of Israel in Houston present the annual “Summer Israeli Film Series” each June, July and August and this year closes out with the musical comedy The Troupe on 8/19, 7:30pm. 14 Pews is hosting a one-day fest on 8/22, 8pm – a screening of all the short docs that were created in their adult and teen summer documentary workshops. The 5th annual Señorita Cinema will be onscreen this year from August 27–30, and this year they are adding a visual arts component with the show “Viva la Vida! Viva la Mujer!” that is cosponsored by East End Studio Gallery. JOSEFINA LOPEZ, creator of the film Real Woman Have Curves, was the inspiration for this festival and she will show her latest film, Detained in the Desert. The annual Gulf Coast Film & Video Festival unrolls on September 11 and 12 and features one-of-a-kind movie screenings and a special awards presentation. The Reel Recovery Film Festival returns to Houston from September 25–27 and Bold Asian American Images, an eclectic mix of short films by Asian American filmmakers, returns to the Aurora Picture Show after a four-year hiatus on September 26, 7pm. And from November 12–19, the ever-delightful Houston Cinema Arts Festival returns for another installment.

L O C A L

| august 15

Looking ahead to 2016, the 23rd Houston Iranian Film Festival will be onscreen at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston/MFAH from January 29–31 and February 5– 6 at Rice Cinema. The 6th installment of “Five Funny French Films” will be at the MFAH March 5–6 and the Indian Film Festival of Houston will be in town early March. The Houston Jewish Film Festival will be here from March 5–20, and Worldfest Houston (in its 49th year!) will be onscreen from April 8–17. The popular “Latin Wave: New Films from Latin America” will be at the MFAH from April 28–May 1, and the Aurora Picture Show’s “Extremely Young/Extremely Shorts” festival of kid films has been tentatively scheduled for June 10–11. The Houston Asian American Pacific Islander Film Festival will most likely be in June; QFest will return for a fun romp-on-the-screen at the end of July. The dates for the Houston Palestine Film Festival have yet to be determined but it was onscreen in May last year. And finally, there are three interesting ongoing film festivals: the Houston Green Film Series at Rice Cinema; the “Screening Room” films each week at Sundance Cinema; and the nationally programmed films by Fathom Events that include Turner Classic Movies, documentaries and performances by opera companies such as the Met and ballet companies such as Bolshoi Ballet.

AURORA PICTURE SHOW

WANT TO SEE MORE ART FILMS? CHECK OUT THESE VENUES

14 Pews (www.14pews.org) Alamo Drafthouse (www.drafthouse.com) Asia Society (www.asiasociety.org/texas) Aurora Picture Show (www.aurorapictureshow.org) Blaffer Art Museum (www.blafferartmuseum.org) Café Brasil (www.cafe-brasil.net) Contemporary Arts Museum (www.camh.org) Discovery Green (www.discoverygreen.com) DiverseWorks (www.diverseworks.org) Holocaust Museum (www.hmh.org) Jewish Community Center (www.erjcchouston.org) Landmark River Oaks Theatre (www.landmarktheatres.com) Menil Collection (www.menil.org) Miller Outdoor Theatre (www.milleroutdoortheatre.com) Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (www.mfah.org/films) Orange Show (www.orangeshow.org) Rice Cinema (www.ricecinema.rice.edu) Sundance Cinemas (www.sundancecinemas.com)

By Sarah Gish

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:18 PM Page 49

august 15 | L O C A L 49

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:18 PM Page 50

FRESH ARTS SCENE THE ARTS IN HOUSTON ARE BREAKING BOUNDARIES THIS AUGUST. BE A PART OF THE MOVEMENT IN THIS MONTH’S FRESH ARTS SCENE.

ZOO AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD: A CONTINUUM OF THE EXOTIC | Art League Houston On view through September 12 Art League Houston is excited to present Zoo at the Edge of the World: A Continuum of the Exotic, an exhibition by US-based Bahamian artist Lavar Munroe. The exhibition features a selection of mixed-media paintings that explore the nineteenth-century phenomena of the “human zoo.” The works in this exhibition investigate how this phenomenon, which is arguably the origin of racist stereotypes today, fits into the wider discourse of history. Through the manipulation of imagery sourced from ethnologic illustrations, human zoo advertisements and sideshow banners, Munroe’s work creates an “elsewhere” that examines narratives, exhibits and fascinations that resulted from human zoo displays. In much of his work, the ‘exotic human other’ is often paired alongside a wild animal and beast, which was true to many of the human zoo exhibits of the time. Free parking is available. For more information, visit www.artleaguehouston.org.

THE UNIVERSITY OF TAMARIE The Catastrophic Theatre Through August 29 Performances Wednesday–Saturday @ 8pm The University of Tamarie is the 19th installment of the Tamarie Cooper juggernaut. Since 1996, Tamarie has wowed Houston audiences almost every summer with an entirely original, full-scale, musical comedy extravaganza – filled to the brim with songs and gags and hi-jinx from some of Houston’s funniest theatre artists. Without question, her original plays have been among the most wildly popular summer offerings anywhere in town. Tamarie’s shows truly are a unique and uniquely Houstonian phenomenon. All tickets are Pay-What-You-Can. Performances take place at 1119 East Fwy., 77002. For more information, visit www.catastrophictheatre.com.

By Ariel Jones

L O C A L

| august 15

I AM A CAMERA, LGBTQ COMMUNITIES SEEN FROM WITHIN FotoFest On view through August 29 I Am a Camera is about self-representation. Queer communities self-identify across a broad spectrum of sexuality, gender roles, culture and politics. It is a varied and diverse population that resists generalization and traditional, normative expectations. As such, LGBTQ communities have defined themselves on their own terms. I Am a Camera is an exhibition of artists doing just that. The artists in I Am A Camera are exploring a number of humanist themes, including relationships, self-realization and determination, and community and space building. Their works encompass traditional black & white photography, contemporary staged photography, video and installation work. They represent the spectrum of sexual identification – gay, lesbian, transgendered and queer-allied. The exhibition is available to view at 2000 Edwards Street, 77007. For more information, visit www.fotofest.org.

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:18 PM Page 51

august 15 | L O C A L 51

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:18 PM Page 52

RECORDING

FIDDLE WITCH AND THE DEMONS OF DOOM

An interview with Jo Bird and SPIKE The Percussionist

by Lance Scott Walker | Photography by Anthony Rathbun Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got a heavy hitting beast behind the drums, a bona fide Houston picking legend on bass guitar and a violist who has been playing in the classical tradition since she was 10 years old. All three of them have been ever-present around the Houston music scene for decades now, and all three are working in new territory that you could almost call Classical Thrash. In Fiddle Witch and the Demons of Doom, Jo Bird (viola) has teamed with journeyman musicians SPIKE The Percussionist (drums) and Geoffrey Muller (bass) in a venture that gallops towards its heaviest moments through long bridges of sound that never get muddy and never slow. Nobody sings, because there is no space. They just strum and stomp and pick and whip up a big tornado of sound along the way without looking back. Their new album drops this summer.

For the interview with some of the band, visit www.localhoustonmagazine.com.

L O C A L

| august 15

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:18 PM Page 53

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:19 PM Page 54

HOUSTON FOOD BANK YOU RECOGNIZE THE BAG. They are at most local grocery stores, and for $5–8 you can help feed a needy family. THE HOUSTON FOOD BANK is a solution to hunger in times of need. America’s largest food bank and nationally recognized as Feeding America’s Food Bank of the Year, the Food Bank distributes 59 million nutritious meals through its network of 600 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and other hunger relief charities in Southeast Texas, feeding 800,000 individuals each year.

HOUSTON’S RESTAURANT MONTH which is ongoing this month benefits the Houston Food Bank. BY THE NUMBERS:

• Each $1 donated to Houston Food Bank provides three meals to someone in need. • 95 cents of every dollar is used to feed the hungry. • On a given day, 66,000 people in Southeast Texas experience the pain of hunger and have no food – 5,000 are children. • It’s not a homeless issue – 97% of people served by the Houston Food Bank have permanent housing.

Photography by Gabriella Nissen

L O C A L

| august 15

• About 47% of the people who receive Houston Food Bank assistance are children. • Texas has one of the highest rates (27.4%) of children who are food insecure that is, without consistent access to food.

www.houstonfoodbank.org

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:19 PM Page 55

HOUSTON FOOD BANK

august 15 | L O C A L 55

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:19 PM Page 56

LOCAL ICON

TOM HORAN Former Restaurateur + PR Man

AT 70, TOM HORAN may be without one of his legs, but this former restaurateur and owner of his own public relations firm isn’t letting that slow him down. On the day I went to meet with Horan, his wife Jeani was ever the gracious hostess, his daughter Elizabeth and her three children were there as well, and with a glass of Old Tom Horan Whiskey (named after him by Spec’s owner John Rydman), Horan shared his life story – full of laughs and moments of holding back tears. Born in Houston at St. Joseph Hospital to an Italian mother and Irish father, Horan’s life is seeped in the restaurant business and has left an indelible mark on the city’s St. Patrick Day’s Parades.

What was your first job? “My first job was working at Foley Brother’s. I was a cashier wrapper and packer. I lied; I was about 13 years old but I told them I was older. (He asks his wife, ‘Jeani, get me a glass of water and a spoon, please.’) I was making 50 cents an hour and I wanted 75 cents an hour, so I went up to the director of public personnel, Jerry Moreland. I went up there and said I need 25 cents more an hour. He had a glass of water and drinking his coffee and had this spoon. He says, ‘Mr. Horan, right now this is you at Foley’s (demonstrating with the spoon in a glass of water). When you leave that’s how quick your space will be taken (pulling out the spoon from the glass of water).” It hit home. So I says, ‘You know $.50 is really good pay, Mr. Moreland!’” From there he worked as an usher at Loews Theater and then at River Oaks Theater. He graduated St. Thomas High School in 1962. When did you know what you wanted to do? “Let me explain something to you: I always thought you should change careers after 10 years. So after I worked at Walter Pye, I went to Birraporetti’s River Oaks in 1974 with my brother. I left in 1976 and ran for city council in 1975.” Horan opened and ran various joints including Danny Boy’s; then he opened the Allen House. Then a little deli for about two years. “You’ll love this story,” Horan shares, laughing, “People would come in and ask ‘what kind of bread do you have?’ I can’t pronounce my r’s and people would come in just to hear me screw it up. I’d say we got wheat, why, whole and pumwenickle! You know what we have!” Then they took over Harrigan’s but after a few years Horan realized he wasn’t seeing his

L O C A L

| august 15

kids. So he just got tired of it. In about 1981, “I opened up my public relations company, and God bless me, I was very lucky. My first client was the BlackEyed Pea.” Absolut Vodka, Jameson, Luther’s BBQ, Frank’s hotdogs. “And my life turned around with the Shamrock Hotel. It was a labor of love for me. I did their PR from 1980 until it closed in 1986.” Who were your mentors? “Mr. Pye Sr. and Mr. Lou Hersk (a headman for Walter Pye) were my mentors. They instilled in me a great philosophy of treat people the way you want to be treated. I’ll never forget. I was like a coordinator there after a while. A woman came in with a kid about this tall [about 4’] and she had jeans for a kid about this tall [2’] and the woman wants me to give her a pair of new jeans. And I said, ‘Ma’m, the kid’s outgrown them and they are worn out!’ And I’m fighting her. Mr. Pye Sr. is watching and he comes over and says, ‘May I see you?’ He asks how many pairs of jeans do we sell a year. I say maybe 5,000. He says give her a new pair of jeans.” On a whiskey named after him: “That’s better than being canonized a saint, for an Irish guy!” Greatest compliment: The greatest compliment I ever had: “Tommy, you are to Saint Patrick’s Day what Santa Claus is to Christmas.” You participated in the city’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade for about 50 years. When did you stop? Four years ago when I lost my leg. I can’t travel anymore.

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:19 PM Page 57

august 15 | L O C A L 57

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:19 PM Page 58

WHERE TO LIVE NOW

MEMORIAL Known for its abundance in nature, part due to Buffalo Bayou running along its south side, this neighborhood is definitely not lacking in trees. With Spring Valley Village, Piney Point Village, Bunker Hill Village, Hedwig Village, Hilshire Village and Hunters Creek Village, these six villages make up Memorial Villages, well-known for their winding, country-like roads lined with Georgian and ranch-style homes. Having areas such as Memorial City and the CityCentre nearby, people are able to enjoy their time shopping and trying out all the new restaurants. The Houston Country Club and the Houstonian are known to be two of the best clubs in Houston. Having the best workout equipment, swimming pools, spas and restaurants, these clubs allow you to relax and enjoy your days off. Bunker Hill Elementary, Spring Branch Junior High, Memorial High School, the all-girl Catholic school Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart and The Kinkaid School provide students some of the best education in Houston, making Memorial notable. by Ida Sameri | Illustration by German Arellano

L O C A L

| august 15

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:19 PM Page 59

INSIDER – Tonya Riner | Years lived in area:14 What do you love? The trees. Every bike ride is an adventure. I can be on the trails by the bayou in 10 minutes but riding through the neighborhoods is great too. There are hidden pockets everywhere. Untouched farmsteads next to mid-century modern beauties. Within the same block I’ve seen a man in Wranglers walking his hunting dog and a woman riding her bike with her gorgeous, gray hair set in pink rollers. What do you think could make it better? More independently owned shops and restaurants. A Tiny’s #5/Kuhl-Linscomb combo would be nice. Please. Biggest changes you’ve seen? We heard about the extraordinary schools in Spring Branch ISD and that’s why we moved. Everything we heard was true. The elementary schools are being rebuilt and they’re great. Young families are flocking in and renovating homes. Everything is looking fresh and updated but still very Memorial. Is there anything you miss? We can be inside the loop in 15 minutes, so no. We have the best of both worlds.

august 15 | L O C A L 59

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:19 PM Page 60

SPORTS

ATHLETES + FOOD It’s no secret some of the biggest athletes in Htown are also some of the biggest foodies. I mean, have you ever peeped Duane Brown’s Instagram feed? (@duanebrown76)

Some of our other favorite athlete/foodies are Texans Garrett Graham and Jon Weeks, Astros Jake Marisnick and Will Harris, Dynamo Rob Lovejoy and Raul Rodriguez and Dash Tiffany McCarty and Brittany Bock. Check out our rapid fire with some of Houston’s finest (and hungriest) athletes.

Favorite comfort food: Graham: Sticky Toffee Pudding (his dad is from Scotland and it’s a Scottish dish) Weeks: Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Marisnick: Ice Cream Harris: Pizza Lovejoy: Ben and Jerry’s Chocolate Therapy Ice Cream Rodriguez: Chocolate Ice Cream McCarty: Mashed Potatoes Bock: Considering that I love all food, any food is comfort food! Grilled Chicken or Fish and Veggies, Guacamole and Hummus Favorite meal growing up: Graham: Mom’s Cheesy Chicken Casserole Weeks: Spaghetti and Meatballs Marisnick: Mac ‘n’ cheese Harris: Grandma’s tacos Lovejoy: Steak and potatoes Rodriguez: Dessert with smashed bananas, orange juice and sugar (his mom’s specialty) McCarty: Turkey, sweet potatoes, and mac and cheese Bock: Pork chops & applesauce, Grandpa Bock's Macaroni & Spam, Swedish pancakes, Grilled Cheese with Tomato Soup, Sloppy Joes and some Keller’s Farm Stand Sweet Corn

By Jayme Lamm | Illustration by German Arellano

L O C A L

| august 15

Name something always in stock at your house: Graham: Cracker Barrel Sharp Cheddar Cheese Weeks: Quest Bars Marisnick: Frozen Pot Pies Harris: Bananas Lovejoy: Frosted Strawberry Pop Tarts Rodriguez: Fruit McCarty: Cabbage Bock: I love food, especially protein, so here’s a few – Tuna, Eggs, Greek Yogurt, Guacamole/Avocado, Hummus, Almond Milk, Coffee, Protein Powder, Oatmeal, Bananas, Apples, Veggies

Favorite cereal: Graham: Cinnamon Toast Crunch Weeks: Cocoa Puffs Marisnick: Frosted Flakes Harris: Cinnamon Toast Crunch Lovejoy: Frosted Mini-Wheats Rodriguez: Frosted Flakes McCarty: Captain Crunch Bock: Growing up – Apple Jacks and Lucky Charms. Now – Kashi Go Lean or Special K- Protein Favorite Houston restaurant and go-to dish? Weeks: Anything prepared by Ronnie Killen McCarty: Thai Cottage – garlic and pepper lover Bock: Chuy’s and Escalante’s (but can you really go wrong eating Mexican food in Houston?) – Fajitas and bowls of Guacamole!

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:19 PM Page 61

august 15 | L O C A L 61

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:19 PM Page 62

EVENT: GIRLS NIGHT OUT WHERE: ADARA MEDICAL SPA More than 50 ladies came out to Adara Medical Spa for a fun “Girls Night Out” featuring fashion, beauty and more benefiting the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston (CAMH). Guests met and mingled with local designers, Tess Harriss, Sameera Faridi and Anna Wilson of Manoosh, and viewed samples of their newest collections while enjoying light bites, wine and champagne from Mascalzone. Attendees also learned more about the various treatments offered at Adara Medical Spa, on which they received 10 percent off that evening, and were handed goody bags on their way out the door. A percentage of the evening’s proceeds benefited CAMH. Photography by Leah Wilson Photography

SCENE EVENT: BMW GRAND OPENING WHERE: BMW WEST BMW of West Houston celebrated its grand opening in high style as artists, acrobats and performers entertained hundreds of guests who, despite Tropical Storm Bill’s impending appearance, enjoyed a memorable night of style and elegance. The sophisticated crowd sipped champagne and craft cocktails and enjoyed gourmet hors d’oeuvres from Rosemary’s Catering and Fleming’s Steakhouse, while taking in the collection of vintage BMWs on display. The evening also supported a worthy local cause with donations and proceeds benefitting Houston Children’s Charity. But the real star of the evening was the iconic BMW brand and its new $20 million home in Katy. Photography by Lastnightpics.com

L O C A L

| august 15

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:19 PM Page 63

august 15 | L O C A L 63

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:19 PM Page 64

CHARCOAL â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NOT JUST FOR GRILLING

KISHU CHARCOAL is the easiest and least expensive way to filter water. Place the charcoal in any bottle or pitcher, add tap water and watch while Kishu absorbs impurities while adding healthy minerals like calcium and magnesium to the water. With an amazing process starting from their artisans in Japan, Kishu has found an ecofriendly, plastic-free way to filter tap water. You can also get rid of your baking soda because Kishu Charcoal is a multitasker, filtering water and absorbing odors in your refrigerator as well. www.kishucharcoal.com

By Ida Sameri Photography by Gabriella Nissen

L O C A L

| august 15

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:19 PM Page 65

KISHU CHARCOAL

august 15 | L O C A L 65

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:19 PM Page 66

THINGS WE LOVE

Prepara’s Roasting Laurel makes sure that my chicken will no longer rest on its laurels while roasting (I couldn’t help it!). The flexi silicon elevates the bird for perfect roasting rather than a soggy bottom. Flex it to hold veggies snug or any other configuration imaginable. Available at Kuhl-Linscomb. www.kuhl-linscomb.com

Jo Malone might have just embarked in creating the most perfect olfactory experience with Mimosa +Cardamom. I can’t help but inhale when I’m around it. The candle and perfume launch next month. Available at Neiman Marcus. www.neimanmarcus.com

BY CARLA VALENCIA DE MARTINEZ Photography by Gabriella Nissen

Trivets are quite possibly the most underappreciated kitchen accessories in my home, but this beauty looks great alone, serves a purpose and is created by women striving to be financially independent in Nepal. Vilt Van Ver’s trivet is available at Kuhl-Linscomb. www.kuhl-linscomb.com

L O C A L

| august 15

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:19 PM Page 67

We love this apron for each of the thoughtful design details, like tea towel loop and cotton twill ties that cross in the back instead of pulling on your neck. Plus, the soft ocean blue makes this an apron you’ll want to keep wearing even after your guests arrive. Ocean Blue Cross-Back Kitchen Apron. $68 www.food52.com

Photography by James Ransom

Photography by Rocky Luten

Regardless of your level of cooking, Genius Recipes is for you. The debut cookbook from Food52 Works, Food52’s imprint with Ten Speed Press, is written (and signed!) by Food52’s Executive Editor Kristen Miglore. The whole book is based on her James Beard Award-nominated “Genius Recipes” column on Food52 – a series that uncovers the recipes and tricks that change the way we cook. $35 www.food52.com We’re bringing first-class travel to the back of the plane with this Carry-On Cocktail Kit with Spiced Travel Nuts. Just add booze and swirl for two custom cocktails – one for you, one for your new best friend in the middle seat. Old Fashioned or Gin & Tonic kits come with the various artisanal nut options, including sriracha peanuts and smokey whiskey almonds to make those travel delays more bearable. $39 www.carryoncocktailkit.com

One of the things I’ve loved that helps me in the kitchen weekly is www.food52.com. The all things food-related site is simple to use and host to a plethora of food information. Christina DiLaura, VP, Commerce Operations, is the brains behind their amazing online shop. Here she shares a few of the things she’s loving right now.

august 15 | L O C A L 67

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:19 PM Page 68

FAT FINDS If you haven’t checked out Brooke Feather yet, you need to head that way! They have brought the LA vibe to Houston and nailed it with designers like ANINE BING that I have, until now, only been able to buy online. Once you’ve got your outfit, round the corner to EYE BAR. The “it” place in Houston to get an eye exam or to just pick up some of the latest sunglasses of the season. Here are some of my favorite pieces from both boutiques that would be great to wear now and transition into the fall season.

SNEAKERS: www.brookefeather.com

SWEATER: www.brookefeather.com

JEANS: www.brookefeather.com

SKIRT: www.brookefeather.com

BRA: www.brookefeather.com

BALENCIAGA SUNGLASSES: www.eyebarhouston.com

by Marzifat | Photography by Gabriella Nissen

L O C A L

| august 15

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:19 PM Page 69

august 15 | L O C A L 69

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:19 PM Page 70

DESTINATION

GET PAIRING IN NAPA AND SONOMA

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA’S NAPA VALLEY AND SONOMA COUNTIES HAVE LONG BEEN CONSIDERED AMONG THE COUNTRY’S TOP GOURMET DESTINATIONS. AFTER ALL, THIS IS WHERE MANY OF THE MOST FAMOUS AMERICAN WINES ARE BORN, AND WHERE MANY OF OUR TOP CHEFS—FROM THOMAS KELLER TO CHARLIE PALMER—WORK THEIR CULINARY MAGIC. EATING AND DRINKING ARE SERIOUS BUSINESS HERE, AND NOT JUST FOR TOURISTS; CHAT WITH ANY RESTAURANT SERVER OR WINERY EMPLOYEE, AND YOU’LL FIND THAT THEY SPEND THEIR OFF-HOURS HONING THEIR PALATES IN THE REGION’S BARS AND EATERIES, TOO.

WITH ALL THE FOCUS ON THE TASTE BUDS, THE REGION HAS ALSO BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF CULINARY TRENDS. A CURRENT ONE: WINERIES AND VINEYARDS THAT GO BEYOND THE TYPICAL TASTING EXPERIENCE TO OFFER GOURMET, CHEF-PREPARED FOOD AND WINE PAIRINGS. HERE ARE SOME TOP SPOTS TO GET YOUR MOUTH WATERING.

2 By Sandra Ramani Photography provided by wineries

L O C A L

| august 15

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:19 PM Page 71

B CELLARS Set in a beautiful new facility just outside the town of Yountville, B Cellars is an artisan producer committed to presenting their sophisticated wines in a friendly, approachable way – so all tastings here include super-sized apps created by Chef Brian Michael Green to complement the pours. Choose the 90-minute Oakville Trek ($55), during which you’ll tour the culinary garden, crush pad production facility and wine caves, then enjoy a seated tasting in the cozy Hospitality House. Or the 2-hour Chef’s Garden Pairing (starting at $125), presented in the garden or a private room, features seasonal bites paired with flagships and reserve wines. Appointments required; www.bcellars.com. PARTAKE BY K-J Founded in the early-80s, family-owned Kendall-Jackson is one of the region’s most prolific and noted winemakers (they’re credited with popularizing the California Chardonnay). To showcase some of their wines the way they should be enjoyed, the brand has opened Partake by KJ in the town of Healdsburg. Part tasting room (educational wine flights are available from 11am– 5pm), part shop (you can buy wine and related products), the storefront’s main event takes place in the dining room, where the seasonal menus incorporate products from the Kendall-Jackson farms and orchards, as well as local artisans and producers. Choose from an a la carte dinner menu and by-the-glass (or bottle) wine list, or go for the guided tasting menu with chef-paired food and wine. Prices vary; www.partakebykj.com.

1 2

JORDAN WINERY When Tom and Sally Jordan founded Jordan Winery in 1972, they took inspiration from the great wine estates of France, for everything from the structure of their wines to the chateau style of their main building. Today, their son John carries on the European vibe with a focus on elegant vintages and gracious hospitality. In place of a tasting room, the Estate Tour & Tasting moveable feast takes visitors on a guided tour to scenic parts of the estate (which is spread out over 1,200 lush acres), with tastings of current release wines, special vintages, Estate olive oil and food pairings along the way. (Available by appointment from May–October; $120 for 3 hours.) Jordan also hosts a number of lively pairing events throughout the year, including “Starlight Suppers” (with four-course meals, live entertainment and expert-led stargazing), “Spring at Jordan” (which celebrates the year’s new wine releases) and more. Even the shorter Library Tastings ($30–$40) include gourmet bites from the in-house chef. A package including two nights at the Hotel Healdsburg, tickets to the Estate Tour & Tasting, a four-course wine pairing dinner and more is available; see www.jordanwinery.com for more info. HALL NAPA VALLEY A driving force on the Napa wine scene, particularly in the area of sustainability, Hall Wines has wineries in Rutherford and St. Helena. The latter, opened in 2014, features a stunning, stateof-the-art Visitor Center with glass-walled tasting room and museum-worthy art collection. There’s also a demo/workshop kitchen where, one Sunday a month, noted Bay Area chefs cook up a three-course seasonal meal to pair with new release HALL and WALT wines. The interactive, two-hour Taste of Hall event encourages questions (both for the chefs and wine experts), and diners will take home links to recipes. Themes vary depending on the season, so you might find tomato-focused dishes in late-summer and holiday-themed ones in the fall. $125; www.hallwines.com ST. FRANCIS WINERY & VINEYARD One of the places named among Northern California’s best restaurants isn’t actually a restaurant at all. Founded over 40 years ago in the heart of Sonoma County, St. Francis is a certified sustainable, family-owned winery that produces beautiful estate and small-production artisan wines (they farm over 400 sustainable acres in Sonoma and Russian River Valleys alone). Guests can visit the mission-style winery to sample the goods in the Tasting Room, but the nobrainer is to reserve spots for the Wine & Food Pairing ($60), a multi-course, seated meal prepared by Executive Chef Bryan Jones and led by a knowledgeable wine guide. Despite the fivestar cuisine, the experience is fun and casual – and without a doubt one of the best deals in the area. Served Thur–Mon, at 11am, 1pm and 3pm; reservations required. www.stfranciswinery.com

august 15 | L O C A L 71

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:19 PM Page 72

TOOLS+GADGETS Chef’s Thumb I enjoy cooking. And I enjoy having two thumbs. Protecting my thumbs is serious business when using a knife so I found Chef’s Thumb to be a must-have utensil in my kitchen. The device is ergonomically shaped and designed to fit almost every thumb size. Its patented traction system was designed to grip and stabilize the cutting surface while providing protection for your thumb if the knife should slip. Wearing this gadget allows for a closer cut, right to the end of the produce. No more wasted tomatoes. And no more trips to the emergency room for a sliced thumb. $15 www.chefsthumb.com

Wine Pearls I enjoy my cocktails when they are chilled but I try to avoid too much – or any – ice cubes. After all, ice melts and can water down a good drink. Wine is no exception and adding ice to a glass of Pinot Gris could be a social faux pas. So here’s a twist for your snifter: Pop a wine pearl in your glass. These small objects offer chilled temperatures without the melt and mess. Pull one or two pearls from the freezer, add them to your favorite wine or cocktail, and enjoy a cool beverage. Not only do they work well but also add a touch of class to every glass. $25, set of 4. www.store.sparqhome.com

Cutting Board with iPad® Stand I used to have a small computer in my kitchen that I used to follow recipes and surf the web a bit. Kitchen computers are passé now as tablets have mostly replaced those large machines and screens to save space. This prep board has an innovative cutting surface that won’t dull knives or absorb flavors. A perimeter groove keeps juices on the board – and off the counter. The cutting board is compatible with iPad 2 or later, iPad mini and iPad Air. Now you will never leave your kitchen. $75 www.williams-sonoma.com

by Michael Garfield | www.hightechtexan.com 72

L O C A L

| august 15

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:19 PM Page 73

august 15 | L O C A L 73

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:19 PM Page 74

LOCALGRAM #DOLOCALEATS2015 Check out this month’s round of top pics from fellow Houstonians via Instagram. Make sure to share your Houston adventures with us using #DoLocal2015 for a chance to win an awesome giveaway!!

@kelsiesweeten Hot Momma Fries from Miso Yummy are to die for!

@brunchandconversation Boooiiii, let me tell you about this “crunchy chicken” sandwich I met the other night.

@francismajorpain Pizza Porn.

@pepc0 If only I had more than 1 stomach...

@lovealwaysvanna Let the summer happy hour sessions begin!

@livelifeloveall “Benedict Franklin” Hot Dog at @gooddoghouston.... I’m a happy man!

@jyoti_patel Now time to refuel @siphoncoffee.

@michanng Happy Friday! Discovered a gyro food truck near work. #gyroking

L O C A L

| august 15

@uninnocentbystander Bae’s about to get it.

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:19 PM Page 75

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:19 PM Page 76