Cute Former CityBook Model Named Chef of Chris Shepherd’s Revamped Downtown Resto

Evan W. Black

OPENED AT THE beginning of 2021, Underbelly Hospitality’s Georgia James Tavern was a glimmer of hope for the return of Downtown as a social destination post-pandemic. It was first known as an offshoot of Georgia James Steakhouse, but now — with a new menu and a new chef — the eatery is stepping boldly into its own identity.

Can’t-Miss Spring Openings: Return of a Celeb Chef, New Montrose Hot Spot & More!

Robin Barr Sussman

APRIL IS JUST about to wrap, and the culinary hits keep coming! Here’s a rundown of the latest openings.

At Surprise-Filled Gala, JDRF Raises Nearly $2 Million More Than Goal to Fight Type 1 Diabetes

Jeff Gremillion

WHEN JDRF, THE leading global organization focused on researching type 1 diabetes, finally held its slickly produced Promise Ball with its “Day in the Life” theme after a two-year Covid break, it had high expectations. It set a fundraising goal of $2 million — which, it turns out, was all wrong. Instead, with the help of chairs Amber and Clay Bretches, the organization had an eye-popping haul of $3.7 million!
real estate

Fertitta Buys River Oaks District, Expanding Luxury Footprint

An aerial shot of River Oaks District (photo by Shannon O'Hara)

ACROSS 610 FROM his Post Oak Hotel at Uptown, Tilman Fertitta has just purchased the 14-acre mixed-use River Oaks District development. The acquisition is his second luxury-property purchase in recent months; the Rockets owner bought the Montage Laguna Beach for $650 million in November 2022.

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books

New Novel Probes Houston Culture, Friendships and the Wrath of Hurricane Harvey

Jhane Hoang

WHEN HURRICANE HARVEY unleashed its wrath, Mumbai-born author Nishita Parekh and a few family members, some of whom had homes in evacuation zones, holed up in her second-story apartment, safe from the flooding — but trapped. “Five adults and two kids, crammed into this one-bedroom space,” recalls Parekh. “We ended up having a good time. But that experience planted a seed in my mind that this would make a good premise for a mystery."

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Art + Entertainment