Photos by Samantha Jane Beatty
Styling by Kate Stukenberg
Grooming by Tonya Riner for Page Parkes Agency
Models Madison Johnston for Wallflower Management and Jake Atterberry for Page Parkes Agency
Photo assistance by John Lewis
Styling assistance by Molly Jodeit
Men’s styling consulting by Cody Sever
and Whitney Wiggins for M Penner
Shot on location at Hotel Alessandra in Downtown
Danny Ray and the Atlantic Street Band performs May 31 (photo from dannyrayatlanticstreetband.com)
"At Chapman & Kirby, we are dedicated to curating exceptional experiences for our guests beyond great food and drinks. The Spring Music Series is a testament to our commitment to hospitality from every angle, and we’re excited to show off incredible talent" said Mazen Baltagi, co-owner of Chapman & Kirby.
In partnership with Gulf Coast Entertainment, the Spring Music Series lineup will feature a diverse array of musical talents. Each Friday night will offer a unique, interactive experience for guests, via music, food & beverage and local vendor pop-ups. Doors will open at 6pm, with performances starting promptly at 7pm. Purchase tickets here. The schedule includes:
Sol 7 at Thompson Houston Hotel
Molihua
Houston’s newest culinary destination in the Blossom Hotel debuts tomorrow, April 23, but you can snag ressies now. Michelin-starred chef Hideki Hiwatashi and Ho Chee Boon and will offer traditional Japanese cuisine, elaborate dim sum, and artful desserts with a modern twist in the stunning second floor space. “Inspired by the beauty of the Jasmine flower and its delicate fragrance and beauty, Molihua encapsulates the essence of elegance and sophistication,” says chef Ho, who you may recall was with Houston’s Yauatchua in the Galleria. Japanese mains, raw fish tartares and crudos, and sharable plates like crispy truffle puffs — along with and sashimi, maki and nigiri, of course — headline the menu. Molihua is the third restaurant set to open under the Boon Group, following successful ventures in San Francisco, namely Empress by Boon and Blue Whale Restaurant & Lounge.
Vibrant Cafe at Memorial Park (photo courtesy of Leonid Furmansky)
Vibrant’s original location in Montrose was a little quiet during peak-pandemic, but it’s back in action, along with a new sister spot in Memorial Park. The Houston-based café known for its commitment to health and sustainability will provide all-day dining within the new Running Complex. Although the menu will evolve over time to fit the flow and vibe of the park, expect a similar menu as the original, along with an organic coffee program and natural wines. All dishes are free from gluten, dairy, refined sugars, peanuts, GMOs and gums. There’s a chocolate-chia-banana bowl, for example, and a watercress salad with shredded chicken and pickled apples. Also find a hearty sweet-potato-noodle stir fry, tacos, and sandwiches.
Designed by local Schaum Architects with a patio and interior elements curated by Vibrant’s founder, the café’s light-filled space reflects the natural aesthetic of its surroundings. “The café's opening and the broader expansion of dining and recreational options in the Park, reflect our ongoing commitment to meet the diverse needs of all Houstonians,” says Shellye Arnold, president and CEO of Memorial Park Conservancy.
Vibrant's Rainbow Salad (photo by Kirsten Gilliam)
This lively restaurant-bar on the seventh floor of the hotel overlooks a garden surrounded by the infinity pool. It embraces the outdoors with floor-to-ceiling windows, which are open during mild days. Irresistible breakfast, lunch, dinner and bar menus have something for everyone with lots of surprises. Its raw bar sports half-shell oysters, smoked salmon with crispy potato and horseradish crème fraiche, and ahi tuna tartare with macadamia nuts. Main plates include linguine with zucchini, burrata and walnut-basil pesto, grilled Ora king salmon and steaks, as well as burgers, salads and fun small plates. Located on prime real estate overlooking Buffalo Bayou Park and the Downtown skyline, the hotel also recently welcomed Maven Coffee Company, and will debut Chardon and Buck 40 restaurants soon. National concepts Toca Madera and Meduza Mediterrania are also in the works.
Holey Moley
Just in time for great spring weather, this new mini-golf club-bar-eatery from Australia-based company Funlab has bowed near Greenway Plaza. Pick up a club and take a swing at one of three nine-hole golf courses, which all have punny names and whimsical designs like the “Parber Shop.” Take a break at the 100-seat bar and restaurant named The Caddy Shack. Its menu offers a Texas spin on American comfort food such as nachos, sandwiches wings, pizzas and salads. Highlights include a chopped brisket sandwich, taco salad, and grilled elote corn ribs with cotija cheese, garlic aioli, Tajin and lime.
Roger and Fatima Camp, and Cassie and Wesley Sinor
The evening kicked off with a VIP pre-party inside the museum's Galveston Orphan's home, which survived the Great Storm of 1900. Cowboy-hat-clad guests then made their way to the property's Conservatory for the main event, welcomed with a platter of Brush Fire signature cocktails. They sipped and surveyed the silent-auction items, including a suite at a Texans game and original art.
The gala, chaired by Kelley Sullivan Georgiades and George Georgiades, honored fifth-generation Galveston rancher Gerald Sullivan with the Buck'n'Bull Award. Sea-glass-inspired decor filled with blooms from Island Flowers and a meal featuring RC Ranch beef, catered by Culinaire, were among the sensory-rich highlights. Guests participated in a lively auction, led by Rodeo Houston auctioneer Randolph Holford, that included an exciting Montana ranch trip donated by Houston native and Yellowstone star Cole Hauser. And afterward, partygoers took to the dance floor and two-stepped the night away to a set by Roger Creager.
In all, the night raised more than $900,000 for the Bryan Museum, which opens its Coastal Cowboys exhibit in November.
Alicia Bryan
Todd and Sarah Sullivan
Chairs George and Kelley Sullivan Georgiades
Russell and Jolyn Sheirman
Champagne Cowgirl at the 2024 Bryan Museum Gala
Romy and Jason Dell’Ario
Cole Lowry and Eloise Haynes
Roger Creager
D'Lisa and John Johnston
Gerald Sullivan, Mac Sullivan
Greg McEldowney and Joanie McLeod
Robert Clay, Colleen and Phillip Smith
Michelle Lilie and Rodney Rudell
Honoree Gerald Sullivan and Family
Michael Fossum and Rusty Hardin
J.P. Bryan, Gerald Sullivan
Melissa Williams Murphy, J.P. and Mary Jon Bryan
Leigh Stubbs, Natalie Crowder, Bill Stubbs
Jackson Alston Berger, Kelley Sullivan Georgiades
Johnny and Sydney Sullivan
John and Andrea Bryan
Jim and Kate Lykes
