CONNECT: Find your shop, dine, do and see spots in West U / Rice Village

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EAT

Jan Tang, the manager at Local Foods (2424 Dunstan Road), says they are big believers in sourcing farmers markets for what’s fresh. Start with the roast beef sandwich featuring kale and curried cauliflower. Trust us, it’s delish. At the Raven Grill (1916 Bissonnet St.), diners can’t get enough of the wood-fired steaks and salad with salmon. Co-owner Rob Cromie says they owe their success in part to their wood fire grill and great wine list. Seafood in a railroad car? Roll with it at Goode Company Seafood (2621 Westpark Dr.) where Levi Goode’s dad Jim wanted to create an atmosphere that felt like you were sitting in an old-school diner somewhere along the coast. Goode says the menu focuses on simple Gulf Coast fare—“mesquite-grilled dishes with no heavy sauces or breading.” The campechana is so popular that they sell more of it than they do iced tea.

At Sweet Paris Crêperie & Café (2420 Rice Blvd.) co-founder Allison Chavez says they are on a mission to revive the art of eating crêpes. Join the revolution with concoctions both sweet and savory. Who’s in for happy hour at Under the Volcano (2349 Bissonnet St.)? Whether you’re there for the Day of the Dead themed décor or the fresh juice cocktails, it’s a guaranteed good time. Come to Salento Bistrot (2407 Rice Blvd.) for the wine, pizzetas and empanadas, in an atmosphere both lively and relaxed. DO

Retail therapy is all well and good, but sometimes you need to kick the pampering up a notch. Tre Spa (2516 Sunset Blvd.) is owned by New York trained hairstylist Trey Gillen, who works his magic for top designers at NYC’s Fashion Week. Hair, makeup, caviar facials, acupuncture, massage—take your pick.

Chamber Music Houston (Rice University MS-532, 6100 Main St.) isn’t a secret—it’s been around for 46 years—but it is an intimate concert experience in Stude Concert Hall. See for yourself; the Jupiter String Quartet with James Dunham is coming Dec. 2 and Canadian Brass is Jan. 20. Hablas español? Gente de Teatro is a seven-member troupe that performs theater for the Hispanic community, often in Hamman Hall at Rice University.

Main Street Theater (2540 Times Blvd.) has been a major player on the theater scene since 1975. Be sure to catch “Putting It Together,” a 30-song Sondheim review, in January because immediately after they’ll close the Times location for their big renovation. No matter what pace you take it, the Rice University Running Trail (6100 Main St.) will help you put everything in perspective with its beautiful live oaks. Just don’t trip over the roots. SEE

A case of the winter doldrums can be cured with a tour of Rice University’s public art. And they make it easy to find with an online art map. Don’t miss “Mirror” by Catalan artist Jaume Plensa outside Herring Hall or the sixton Mark di Suvero’s sculpture “Po-um (Lyric).” One of the most famous installations at Rice is James Turrell’s “Twilight Epiphany” skyspace (the Suzanne Deal Booth Centennial Pavilion adjacent to the Shepherd School of Music), which uses natural and LED light to utterly transform the environment. Reservations are free but necessary for sunset light sequences. Early birds don’t have to reserve space at the sunrise viewing. Rice University Art Gallery (6100 Main Street) is unique in that it invites artists into the space to create their own installation. December is dark, but opening Jan. 30 is a show by Tokyo-based architecture firm Atelier Bow-Wow, which is collaborating with a Rice Architecture class.

A dying breed in the land of Amazon, two great independent bookstores grace the area: Brazos Bookstore (2421 Bissonnet St.) and Murder By The Book (2342 Bissonnet). Brazos is something to see with its carefully selected books, and MBTB has a vast stock of over 25,000 books; both stores offer impressive author readings and great browsing, but buy something, too. We want them to stick around.

embody the bayou lifestyle

20 DOWN HOME

Pamper your guests with a glorious guest room.

24 IN FIVE

How will you bling up your holiday season? 20 DOWN HOME

22 TO THE 9S

24 IN FIVE

28 TECH SAVVY

Glorious Guest Rooms

Create an inviting space for your holiday guests with these tips.

BY STACY BARRY

The holidays often mean full hearts and full guest rooms as family and friends arrive to spend this special time of year with you and yours. Setting up—or freshening up—the room where your guests will stay doesn’t have to add to seasonal stress, according to Laura Umansky, president and creative director at Laura U. Design.

“At my home, I consider each person and what they might need before they arrive,” Umansky says. That and an eye for detail is all you need to ensure that your out-of-town visitors feel at home for the holidays.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS Nothing says, “Come on in, we were expecting you!” like a cozily made bed and warm mattress, lumpy pillows or scratchy sheets and your guests don’t either. Consider these things an investment. Buy the best you can afford, but don’t be fooled by high thread count linens. “Unfortunately thread count isn’t a sign of luxury these days,” says Umansky. “Many manufacturers play up the count by double twisting yarns into less expensive fabrics,” she says. Comfy weaves to consider are percale, a lightweight, tightly woven fabric that creates soft, crisp bedding, or microfiber, a tight, dense weave that’s wrinkle resistant.

The same goes for bathroom linens. “Large, soft, fluffy towels are a must,” says Umansky. “I like to incorporate a vintage bar cart with rolled towels and wellappointed toiletries to create the perfect

lighting. Plush linens against an upholstered headboard, fluffy accent pillows and throws, and the glow of a bedside lamp offer an intimate welcome. Clutter-free tabletops give guests room to place jewelry and other items, but personal touches add charm. Umansky suggests a stack of favorite books, framed photos and artwork, a scented candle or fresh flowers. Depending on the guest, she also likes to tuck magazines in a drawer or on a side table shelf. “It’s always fun to read celeb gossip when you travel and have an abundance of downtime,” she says.

COMFORT IS KEY A good night’s sleep can be key to a pleasant visit, so don’t skimp on the bedding. You wouldn’t want to attempt sleep on a springy

Consider each person and what they might need when designing a guest room, says Laura Umansky of Laura U. Design. Comforting details make a difference, such as providing luxurious bedding and towels; offering water, magazines and other little necessities (below); or including some storage space, such as a nighttable or a luggage rack (above).

formula for a luxe bathroom.” It’s also nice for visitors not to have to ask for a hair dryer, extra TP or a night light, so stocking the cabinets with these and other essentials is always appreciated.

BE YOUR OWN GUEST A great way to determine the comfort of the room is to spend the night in it yourself. Does it have everything you need? A place to sit (besides the bed) somewhere to place luggage and hang clothes, a clock, extra blankets, pillows and a reading light are all nice touches. While you’re there, take note of how the room feels at different times of day. Do you see dusty fan blades or corner cobwebs when the sun comes through the curtains? And how early does the sun shine through? Should you add a liner or shade? Spending time in the room is a good way to check for things you might not otherwise notice.

FINISHING TOUCHES A final brainstorm of ways to make guests feel at home ensures no details are missed. Prepare a basket with bottled water and favorite easy-to-eat treats or snacks, so guests don’t have to sneak downstairs in the middle of the night and rummage through the fridge. Share codes for WiFi access and security systems (just in case), as well as how to operate the dreaded remote control, which seems to be different in everyone’s house.

Knowing you’ve anticipated their every need will help your guests feel truly at home.

diy

no guest room? no problem.

Even if you don’t have a guest room, it’s still possible to create an inviting space for overnight guests, a comfortable and private-ish place to rest after a day—or night—of holiday festivities.

The bed matters. Fold-out couches, futons and pallets aren’t known for their overwhelming comfort, but highend foam toppers and air mattresses are widely available and much appreciated. Even on these temporary resting spots, high-thread-count sheets, cozy covers and good pillows make a huge difference.

Make a storage spot. Hotel-style luggage racks give guests a dedicated spot to place travel bags and keep them up and off the floor. Shoes and smaller bags slide underneath and out of the way. A sturdy over-door hook allows guests a spot for hanging clothes when no closet is available, and a small accent table, no matter how temporary, gives guests a place to set things like books and reading glasses or their cellphone/alarm clock.

A little privacy goes a long way. While some make-shift guest spaces have doors, others don’t, so a folding screen or a wardrobe rack with a pretty curtain offers temporary privacy in an open living-area-turned-guest-room. A nightlight can light the way to the restroom down unfamiliar hallways and a white noise machine or fan will drown out other household noises.