Houston CityBook

07/01/2024

Downhome meets design-forward in Round Top — any time of year.

But it’s becoming clear that the quaint community — a unique mix of old-time western and coastal-shabby-chic, with a high-end shellac finish — is worth a visit year-round.

07/01/2024

TRAVEL REPORT: London is calling!

IN AN OLD city, a visitor finds himself torn between the present — what’s the hottest show, the trendiest chef — and the history of the place. In two Central London hotels, you get both: The Beaumont and The Bloomsbury are 1920s buildings with updates that make them au courant.

07/01/2024

TRAVEL REPORT: In the City of Light, sexy boutique hotels go for gold!

The newbie — Hotel Hana, on the Rue du Quatre Septembre in what’s sometimes called “Little Tokyo” — is, with just 26 rooms, the boutiquest of boutique hotels. And while the surrounding neighborhood boasts Paris’ oldest Japanese restaurant and no shortage of yakitori, and while the proper...

06/28/2024

As the Paris Games bow, Houston is bubbling over with steak frites, escargot in garlic butter, and coq au vi

FRENCH CUISINE HAS been credited with providing the cooking foundation for the entire culinary world. Thankfully, Houston is home to many master chefs of France, some with multiple (and new!) local concepts, who are spreading the love of cuisine française across our city. Here’s your perfect 9.

06/26/2024

Serving premier pub grub in a low-key-luxe tavern, Bar Bludorn brings some star-chef power outside the Loop.

With Bar Bludorn, the unstoppable chef — who has successfully opened three restaurants in Houston in the last three years, and has his sights set on a fourth, at the Bunkhouse Group’s forthcoming Saint Augustine Hotel in Montrose — put the cooking in the hands of the beautiful and capable Alex...

06/24/2024

With help from vibrant restaurants, retailers and residents, creative developers are paving the way for totally walkable communities in Houston’s East End!

“Our goal is to create an international, inspired neighborhood that resonates with the flavor of Houston — one of the most diverse cities in the western world,” says Concept’s managing principal Jeff Kaplan. “Houston lacks an authentic walkable corridor that celebrates the diversity within...

06/20/2024

Adair Concepts expands, adding a beloved breakfast spot to its portfolio.

THE ADAIR FAMILY is no stranger to longstanding, family-run restaurants. Run by siblings Nick Adair and Katie Barnhart, the Adair Concepts umbrella includes Skeeter's Mesquite Grille and Los Tios, plus a number of unique concepts like Adair Kitchen, Bebidas and Eloise Nichols. And now, the beloved b

06/07/2024

Top-tier socialites and VIPs gathered at the River Oaks District’s newest elite boutique, at the invitation Courtney and Christopher Sarofim!

“Houston ladies came out in droves to toast NY-based designer Adam Lippes’s first boutique outside of New York,” gushed a rep for the shop, adding, “2024 is a breakthrough year for the designer, who got his start at Oscar de la Renta, as he is slated to open new doors on Palm Beach’s Worth...

06/07/2024

It’s already one of Houston’s favorite restaurants, but when very pink PostScript held it’s official, invitation-only grand opening — sharing the occasion with supporters of the American Cancer Society’s Men Wear Pink — some 200 rosy-hued VIPs turned out to mark the moment!

“The crisp summer night set the perfect stage, with a pink Porsche 911 GT3 Ruby Star and Porsche 911 GT3 RS Ultraviolet parked in front of PostScript, creating a popular photo opportunity for attendees,” said a rep for the restaurant. “Adding to the charm, PostScript rolled out a pink carpet l...

06/07/2024

One of Houston’s most passionate cancer-research organizations hosted its very successful car-race-themed “Victory Rally Ball” recently at Downtown’s 713 Music Hall, drawing in more than 750 denim-and-diamond-bedecked supporters and raising mega-money!

“Chaired by trio Jennifer Barron, Kathryn Noser and original Victory founding member Jessica Younger, the high-octane event raised over $1.48 million for cancer research and programs in the Greater Houston Area,” noted a rep for the Victory.

06/05/2024

COVER REVEAL! The second annual “Cool 100” issue of Houston CityBook begins hitting newsstands and mailboxes tomorrow, highlighting the magazine’s ranking from 1 to 100 of the coolest Houstonians of the moment.

A handsome young local actor — Johann Fitch, who made a big splash in a small role in last fall’s Netflix hit Obliterated — appears on the cover. Fitch, coming in at number 79 on the 2024 list, turned in a revealing performance as a stripper. But the 23-year-old artist, also an accomplished so...

05/30/2024

Live music, caviar and dramatic presentations are giving storied Tony's a new groove this summer!

The storied restaurant for Houston society — who can forget the iconic ’90s-era photo by Annie Leibovitz of Lynn Wyatt out to lunch — is changing up the feel on select nights with the addition of interactive musicians and more tableside presentations. A rep for Tony’s describes it as, “if ...

05/30/2024

While spring can seem fleeting in Houston, chef de cuisine Felipe Botero at Le Jardinier inside the MFAH is making the most of the season’s freshest ingredients.

Living up to its name, the spring menu is heavy on produce, highlighting radishes, peas, alliums, fava beans and artichokes. Light and refreshing, the French white asparagus is beautifully plated and served with puff rice for a crunch.

05/14/2024

Dinner on the stage is always a special privilege for arts patrons — and the annual Houston Symphony Wine Dinner and Collector’s Auction, served on the stage of the Jesse H. Jones Hall for the Performing Arts, was arguably even more spectacular than usual!

Some “350 guests marveled at intricate French-inspired centerpieces featuring roses of varying colors and candelabras,” said a Symphony rep of the black-tie affair. “Upon arrival, guests mingled while admiring a variety of outstanding wines and spirits part of the silent auction and grazed on ...

05/07/2024

At a unique fundraiser that mixes guitar strings with heartstrings, supporters of Avondale House gathered to raise more than $345,000 to support the nonprofit’s work with individuals with autism and their families!

The “Hear Our Voices” event, presented at River Oaks Country Club, featured live performances by Nashville singer-songwriters Phillip White, Mark Nesler, Leslie Satcher and Jenn Schott — all with No. 1 hits! Luke Morace also performed, and Johnny Bravo served at emcee.

05/07/2024

Houston Ballet’s annual Raising the Barre event — a tasting dinner in which dancers serve as both muses and sous chefs for some of Houston’s most notable chefs — took place this year at Caracol and raised more than $110,000 for the company!

Some 200 ballet fans, wearing bright springtime attire to match the room’s colorful florals in hues of peach and coral, dined on a menu that began with chef Chris Williams and soloist Eric Best’s lamb stew. “The stew featured sweet potato puree, coconut collard green pesto and was garnished wi...

04/29/2024

The Rolling Stones may have brought the house down at NRG last night, but not before front man Mick Jagger took time to take in some H-Town culture during the preceding days!

Jagger, 80, got some satisfaction posting pics from around Houston on his Instagram page for the benefit of his 3.2 million followers. On Friday he posted five shots from his tour of a most “welcoming” NASA, calling out astronauts Josh Cassada, Bob Hines and Jessica Meir.

04/29/2024

As Houston’s prominence as a high-end leisure-travel destination grows, the same thing is happening in the DFW area.

Meanwhile, in Downtown Dallas, the JW Marriott opened last year in the Arts District, where the four-diamond Hall Arts Hotel also lives. The vibrant and walkable area just east of Klyde Warren Park includes the Dallas Museum of Art, Meyerson Symphony Center, American Airlines Center, Nasher Sculptur

04/25/2024

An appropriately dramatic event, this year’s Alley Ball transformed the Post Oak Hotel into an old-Hollywood-themed tribute to Alfred Hitchcock.

AN APPROPRIATELY DRAMATIC event, this year’s Alley Ball transformed the Post Oak Hotel into an old-Hollywood-themed tribute to Alfred Hitchcock. Bold red curtains framed large screens playing black and white clips of classic Hitchcock films, and the centerpieces made of dark red roses had crows hi...

04/24/2024

A fashion show, family party and dancing under outdoor chandeliers: these were just a few of the diverse scenes that took place throughout the Bayou Bend Weekend benefiting the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.

The marathon weekend started off with a luncheon and fashion show chaired by Janet Gurwitch and Meredith Flores Barker. On one of the most beautiful days of the year, the sun was shining and the humidity was low as models donning 45 looks from Neiman Marcus took to the runway. Guests dined onchilled

04/22/2024

While travelers near and far have heard of the Texas Hill Country, there’s another region that offers beauty and seclusion: the Pineywoods!

About 20 minutes outside of Tyler, Texas, Jason and Sharon Romano have established a “laid-back luxury” resort calledHigh Hill Farm, complete with bungalows and barn-style accommodations.

04/22/2024

This is your sign to book a trip to Austin! ☀️

Per the latter, the resort has just unveiled a partnership with Italian wellness brand Comfort Zone. The otherwise richly traditional spa — the fireside Blue Room will be the most opulent and relaxing waiting room in which you’ve ever sipped tea before a lavish treatment such as the $1,050 Valmo...

04/19/2024

Relish chef-owner Dustin Teague has rolled out new veggie-forward dishes to complement the cooler sunny weather!

Chef-owner Dustin Teague has rolled out new veggie-forward dishes to complement the cooler sunny weather. There’s fried eggplant that’s described by the waiter as “cheese sticks but with eggplant instead of cheese.” (And she’s not wrong.) The melon carpaccio is served with a large serving ...

04/17/2024

The Opera Ball, one of Houston’s perennially elegant, must-hit galas among the society set’s top tier, tilted marvelously mod and disco-deluxe this year, with sophisticated Spanish hints, thanks no doubt to ball chairs Isabel and Ignacio “Nacho” Torras!

The “Mirror Ball” theme came alive for guests, arriving via a red carpet appointed with mirrored arches, to a Wortham Grand Foyer draped from floor to soaring ceiling in shimmery silk. “Jaw-dropping decor by The Events Company transformed the space with sky-high silver drapes, tinseled chandel...

04/17/2024

The pop-up culinary trend — when great chefs from elsewhere take over a local restaurant for a night or two — continues to be a hot in Houston!

Enter Four Seasons Hotel Houston, which seems to have gotten the pop-up play down to a science, partnering with buzzed-about restaurants (and bars) from around the country, and wrangling in full houses for their high-dollar events. On Sunday and Monday nights earlier this week, the chef and crew fr

04/17/2024

Twelve years after its delicious debut, Midtown’s Artisans goes west!

Look past the fleur-de-lis-embellished room dividers and expansive, beautiful paintings. Forget for a moment the sounds of sizzling escargot and decanting of wine. And imagine that instead of perched in a leather-upholstered bar chair snacking on a warm baguette with whipped butter, you’re in a st...

04/15/2024

HSPVA celebrated five years at its Downtown campus with a 1920s-jazz-club-inspired luncheon for 300 supporters!

Lunch was served onstage in the school’s Denney Theatre. The meal was unusually decadent for a luncheon, as chef Michelle Morris of Southern Cadence Cuisine served chicken scarpariello with pickled sweet peppers, a white wine Calabrian chili, crispy potatoes — and finished off with a chocolate p...

04/15/2024

A rising opera star and old soul, Houston’s Adam Kral makes his mainstage debut in ‘Sound of Music.’

For those who know the show for such numbers as “My Favorite Things” and “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” the seriousness and timeliness of its book might be surprising. Set in Austria in 1938, retired naval officer Captain Georg von Trapp, who refuses to support the N**i party, meets and falls in ...

04/12/2024

Cool breezes, sunshine and low humidity are beckoning alfresco dining this spring. Here are our patio picks for the season!

WHAT MAKES A restaurant patio great? Beauty, comfort, uniqueness? Check. Stellar food? Check. The feeling that you got away from it all? Triple check. Whether you’re looking to whet your whistle, grab a bite in a treehouse, dine under the stars, or catch a sunset over the urban landscape, Houston ...

04/11/2024

The team has maxed out the menu and the space with extremely impressive upgrades. Working her magic, interior designer Brittany Vaughan of Garnish Design has transformed a simple, small space into a chic, intimate oasis with a dynamite 35-seat covered patio — one that will stay crowded, we’re su...