A cozy corner of the new Allegory Bar
If you haven’t spent much time in CityCentre lately, it’s definitely worth an immersive experience. And The Moran CityCentre, recently named a top-three Houston hotel by Travel + Leisure, is a bright, lovely homebase. Thanks to the Midway company’s multi-million-dollar reno, the property now touts a new front desk, lobby bar and terrace space, a prominent new ground level entrance, along with recently completed refreshed rooms and expanded meeting spaces.
The lobby bar is terrific. It’s called The Allegory Bar, and it overlooks CityCentre’s central plaza — a green space surrounded by killer shopping, cute patio restaurants, and an ice cream shop that stays busy. From Allegory, which mixes a sleek, marble bar with a cozier dining space that resembles a chic, urbane library, you can see all the action. And on breezy summer nights, there’s always a lot of action. (A stroll through the CityCentre plaza on a bustling evening should be on anyone’s up-to-date Houston bucket list, to be honest.)
At Allegory, beautiful Texas-y cocktails like the smoked Lonesome Dove (small-batch bourbon, pecan syrup and bitters) wash down apps like brisket-stuffed jalapenos and entrees such as redfish with wild rice and lemon cream. There’s also a smart new breakfast spot, Café Moran, just off the sexy pool deck, awash in natural light and billowing treetop views. Very pleasant.
The hip bar and accomplished new restaurant is only part of the redo. “All 244 guestrooms have been refreshed with stylish new furnishings, premium bedding, modern lighting, and technology upgrades,” notes a Midway rep. “Thoughtfully curated amenities, including chic bar carts stocked with Texas-based liquors, a selection of snacks and Illy coffee service, custom bath products, plush robes, and handheld steamers, further enhance the guest experience, reflecting the property’s dedication to comfort and luxury.”
Other perks include discounted day passes to the sprawling, upscale Life Time mega-gym across the way. This alone may be worth making a weekend of it, as Life Time is notoriously hard to access without member credentials.
And now seems like a great time to pull the trigger on a quick trip. The Taste the Weekend package has been extended through end of August; it’s available Fridays and Saturdays, offering a $199 classic king room with $100 F&B credit.
The Moran CityCentre overlooks the development's iconic central plaza.
The lobby bar
A new meeting space
The new front approach to the Moran
The terrace off the lobby with unique views of CityCentre
Heather Almond and Zinat Ahmed
The real star of the evening? 6,500 pounds of crawfish, served up with all the fixings — plus Gulf Coast favorites like lobster fritters, seafood fondue, boudin balls and bread pudding with a boozy twist.
Guests got competitive during the live auction, which featured everything from Caribbean escapes to helicopter hog hunts. A chocolate lab puppy named Blue Bell stole the show — and a new home — with Cotton EVP Zinat Ahmed. He’ll be trained as an emotional support pup for visitors to Taylor’s Place, a retreat for families facing terminal illness that’s set to open this fall.
Closing out the night? A crowd-pleasing performance by country star Mark Chesnutt, who brought the house (or barn) down.
In the crowd was Pete Bell, Fady Armanious, Ellie Francisco, Whitney Kuhn Lawson, Kristen Cannon and Heather Almond.
Bailey Bell Layne and Pete Bell
Opening Performance by Bayou Roux
Houstonians traveled to CrawFest at the Cotton Ranch in Katy
Stacey Lindseth, Fady Armanious, Ally Ehrman
Balloon Details
Crawfish
Maddy and Patrick Moffitt and Christina and David McAllen
Event chairs Maddy and Patrick Moffitt and Christina and David McAllen were thrilled with the turnout of more than 350, who sipped mint juleps and sampled delicious fare while admiring the decor courtesy of The Events Company. In addition to Derby-adjacent games and bets, guests enjoyed silent and live auctions and a bourbon pull.
The afternoon honored Carol Lee and Allen Lyons with the Champion of Hope Award; Carol shared her grief journey from nearly 20 years ago when her husband passed. “Bo’s Place exists to offer support and community to those who have experienced the death of a loved one," said Bo's Place Executive Director Jennifer Boubel. "We are a non-profit, free-of-charge bereavement center that offers multiple grief support services for children, families, and adults, and provides education and resources for those who assist people in grief.”
The Hats, Hearts & Horseshoes benefit raised a whopping $362,000, the most ever for the event.
Bill Baldwin and Fady Armanious
Cliff and Jordan Vaughn
Steve Boubel, Jennifer Boubel
Cyndy Garza and Thomas Roberts
Ellen and Jonathan Kopp
Stacey and Al Lindseth
Kathryn Swain, Heather Clark, Emily McAndrews
Lesha and Tom Elsenbrook
Kaleta Blaffer Johnson, Tammie Johnson, Kristen Cannon
Glenda Demas, Rick Smith
