’Tis the season for turkeys and tradition — and no tradition is tastier than that of House of Pies. The perennial pie purveyor, which sells around 10,000 at each of its three Houston locations around Thanksgiving, dishes on which flavors are the season’s best sellers. Prefer a classic pecan, or dare to try the chocolate-y Bayou Goo version, with a filling of chopped nuts and sweet cream cheese? Here’s how the pie crust crumbles.
Cool for ‘Schools’! CIS Wants to Transport You to a Whimsical ‘Wonderland’ at Milestone Gala
Mar. 11, 2024
WHETHER YOU PREFER Alice, the Mad Hatter or the Queen of Hearts, Communities In Schools of Houston’s A Night in Wonderland 45th Anniversary GalaA Night in Wonderland 45th Anniversary Galais not to be missed! Join in the celebration for a whimsical good time on Thursday, April 4th, at the luxurious Post Oak Hotel.
Chaired by philanthropists Lauren and John Brollier and Cassie and John Milam, with honorary chairs Kirby and Scott McCool and Judy and Charles Tate, the magical evening supporting the valuable and impactful work of CIS of Houston begins at 6:30pm with a cocktail hour, then dinner and the program. Rounding out the event is live entertainment by the popular Houston-based band Klockwork. Guests can dance the night away, starting at 9pm.
The always diverse crowd makes for a dynamic event. Party-goers are encouraged to dress in “Wonderland Whimsy Cocktail” attire, with the goal of fun and festive. Cocktail attire is also a great option.
Don Friedell and emcee Lisa Malosky at a previous CIS Gala
Attendees at a previous CIS Gala
A full ballroom at a prior CIS Gala
CIS of Houston's Martha Montoya Sanchez with Northbrook High School seniors
CIS of Houston CEO Lisa Descant and CIS of Houston Dir. of Development Donna Watkins with CareSource Foundation
Special guest at the 45th Anniversary Gala is Rey Saldaña, President & CEO of Communities In Schools National in Arlington, VA. During the program, guests will view a powerful video about the life-changing work of CIS Houston, in addition to hearing heartwarming testimonials, bringing a personal touch to the evening.
Funds raised from A Night in Wonderland will support the CIS mission to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. Currently serving 163 campuses across Greater Houston, CIS places at least one full-time CIS Student Support Manager on each partner campus to deliver comprehensive direct services including counseling, academic support and health and human services.
The chairs want to thank the event’s top-tier donors to date: Judy and Charles Tate; CenterPoint Energy; Sharon G. Dies; The Marie and James H. Galloway Foundation; Beth and Bob Gower; and Marathon Oil.
Tickets are going fast! They start at $500, and tables for 10 range from $5,000 through $50,000. Underwriting opportunities are still available.
Judy Tate (photo by Emily Jaschke)
Scott and Kirby McCool
Kit Detering, Cassie Milam, Carl Detering (photo by Jenny Antill)
Sharon G. Dies and Lauren Brollier
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This Week’s Food News: Celeb-Backed Pizza, a Pickleball Sports Bar and More Alfresco Fun
Mar. 22, 2024
HOUSTON’S PIZZA RENAISSANCE is still on fire, and continues to march in from other cities (but we’ll take it!). And now that it’s officially spring, there are plenty of chances to get outside and play — and eat and drink — with new pup-and-family friendly communal spaces. Here are our latest discoveries!
PKL Social
PKL Social (photo by Becca Wright)
This week, FM Kitchen opened its new concept next-door, specializing in pickleball. The premiere sports bar, eatery and playground aims to elevate Houston’s bar game with four state-of-the-art pickleball courts and expansive covered patio spaces for casual fare from FM Kitchen. “Pickleball has seen an incredible surge in popularity over the past few years, and we're thrilled to bring this dynamic and accessible sport to Houstonians in our own vibrant and social way," explains operating partner and former Rice University tennis player, Jason Mok. Don’t play pickleball? The team has created a laid-back vibe with a dog-friendly patio and lawn games like ping pong and cornhole, as well as a full bar with sport TVs. Menu highlights include the FM Burger and Smash Burger as well as soft pretzels, and mains like the coconut-shrimp bowl. Also expect happy hour and weekend brunch.
Pizzana
Cacio e pepe pizza at Pizzana
L.A.’s fave pizza from Sprinkles Cupcakes celeb-chef Candace Nelson and partners opens this Friday, March 22, in restaurant-burgeoning River Oaks Shopping Center. The concept got started in L.A. through a pizza party at actor Chris O’Donnell’s home and led to the first Texas Pizzana in Dallas. The secret to success comes from chef-partner Daniele Uditi’s “Neo-Neapolitan” style pizza made with 48-hour fermented dough, which was such an instant hit, Pizzana received a Michelin Bib Gourmand award.
Houston’s new outpost is housed in a former Starbucks space, which has been redesigned in soothing Mediterranean colors with banquettes, tables and a bar. Rejoice in choices like the signature cacio e pepe pizza with fresh Italian mozzarella, Spinaci with basil pesto, Vodka with parsley pesto and smoked coppa, and a Houston-only carnitas pizza. Non-pizza fans can get their fill of antipasti, salads and pasta. Don’t leave without trying the luscious chocolate olive oil cake or an Aperol slushie — the answer to summer heat!
Magdalena's Trattoria & Pizzeria
Owner of Magdalena’s Nicolas Nikic
Surprise, surprise… another Italian joint! Veteran chef Nicolas Nikic, former GM of DaMarco, opened his first eatery a few weeks ago in West U, and singles and families are filing in. Handmade pasta, hand-tossed pizza and grilled items, using some ingredients straight from Italy, headline the menu. The kitchen is helmed by Luis Silva, previously of Vic & Anthony’s, who is using many recipes from Nikic’s grandmother — think osso buco, baked quail with polenta, and sweet corn ravioli with lobster. It gets quite boisterous in the wide-open space, so either come early or late, and maybe bring earbuds.
Stomping Grounds
Stomping Grounds
RE:VIVE, the team behind Stomping Grounds retail space in Garden Oaks, recently announced the launch of After Hours at the Stomping Grounds. The soulful environment comprised of dining, retail and entertainment that revolves around a 10,000-wquare-foot green space, will transform into a vibrant nightlife destination geared towards an adults-only clientele. “The lights will turn down, the music will turn up, and the lawn will flip into an adults-only playground where you can expect more of a beer garden feel, but with excellent food from around the world, accompanied by an array of adult beverages,” said Bryan Danna, principal at RE:VIVE. After Hours takes place Wed.-Sat., starting at 8pm.
Woodland Social
Woodland Social
If wide open spaces are more your jam, check out this two-acre drinking-dining-backyard newcomer in Woodland Heights from siblings Justin Piper, West Piper and Brandon Piper of Piper’s Hospitality Group. The expansive patio bar and casual lounge, complete with games and high-definition TVs inside, provides a new spot for the neighborhood to hang out (and cheer on the Astros). Come thirsty for 20 beers and cider on tap, frozen and handcrafted cocktails, and brick-oven pizza to nosh. “There really isn’t another venue of our size, scope and location to compare it to,” said Brandon Piper. The dog-and-family-friendly patio boasts a grand 20-foot LED screen, lawn games, three regulation-size volleyball courts, cabanas, and swings and hammocks.
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A FEW SHORT years ago, the Covid pandemic had the whole world questioning if the travel and hospitality industries would ever recover. In a report released this week by Houston First Corporation, the region's marketing organization, it seems that those sectors in Houston not only bounced back, but are continuing on a strong upward trajectory.
Early projections indicate that more than 51 million people visited our city in 2023, up more than 5 percent from 2022. More than 23 million hotel-room nights were booked, which also represents a 5 percent increase year-over-year, and average revenue per room, a standard measure of hotel performance, was up a whopping 12.3 percent.
What could help account for those numbers? More than 60 million people traveled through Houston's two passenger airports in 2023, which broke 2019's record by 400,000 people. And Houston First says that more than 560 meetings and conventions held in 2023 led to 610,000 room nights. “Our ability to drive results for our hospitality stakeholders hinges in large part on our capacity to bring events both large and small to Houston,” said Houston First CEO Michael Heckman in the report. “Our team’s performance this year was fantastic, and it sets the tone for what will be another banner year as we work to capitalize on shifts in the market.”
Beyond conventions, statistics show that more and more folks are visiting Houston for pleasure, and Houston First is working with dozens of influencers and journalists to create content on the destination; it reports that influencer content reached an audience topping 54 million in 2023, a 60 percent increase from 2022.
Leisure and hospitality currently is Houston's fourth-largest industry by employment, and a forecast from the Greater Houston Partnership estimates an additional 10,000 jobs will come online this year. Final numbers are still being tallied, but the economic impact on the metro region is expected to greatly exceed 2022's total of $23.6 billion.
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