HERE'S WHO'S POPPING in and what's going down this week in Houston's dynamic restaurant scene.
HOW MUCH PROFUNDITY can be hidden in just a few lines of poetry? How much history can be contained in the pressure of fingers on the strings of a guitar, or the keys of a piano?
At Janelle Alexis, we not only aspire to make each and every guest to feel and look their very best, we want everyone to feel like part of our amazing crazy family. We laugh, we cry, we dance, but most of all we value each other and every single guest that walks through the door. When visiting us, you are always greeted by our little ESA’s Gizmo and Luna, but we are more than just fun! We bring expertise and specialization with hair extensions, color, balayage, mens cuts, keratin treatments, make-up application and updo’s.
Jack Vielhauer, Cher Baker, Lindsay Yates, Sarah Smith, Aaron Matthews, Mario Gudmundsson
The annual party — which celebrates the magazine’s “Cool 100” list, which ranks the Houston’s coolest people of the moment — was held at the grand new Le Tesserae event space in the East River development. The sexy bash doubled as the grand opening for the beautiful venue, a new sister project to the beloved Astorian space off the Washington Corridor.
Along with Le Tesserae, sponsors for the event included top-tier catering outfit Jackson & Company and Bentley Houston, which presented a fabulous luxury model near the party entrance. Exclusive Furniture, which underwrote the content in the magazine, was also a sponsor. Liquor sponsors included Insólito tequila, whose Pink Flamingo signature cocktail garnished with edible sugar versions of the magazine’s Cool 100 cover, were a hit. Fraser & Thompson whiskey, Aspen vodka and Campari were also sponsors, serving up delicious drinks.
Highlights of the party included the opportunity for guests to explore the venue, with its soaring ceilings and sparkling chandeliers. Between showers, guests ventured outside to the spacious L-shaped terrace, to take in never-before-seen views of a bending Buffalo Bayou and the Downtown skyline from the east.
There was also a unique interactive dessert station from Jackson & Company dubbed “DessArt.” Per the caterer: “Desserts and interactive artistry collide with this fun take on a classic dessert station. Starting with a fresh canvas, our expert pastry chef creates an abstract spread of bite-size desserts with perfectly paired accompaniments. Guests approach the live action station, make their selection of dessert and then dip or smear into the canvas.” Dramatically presented sweets included tiramisu in little martini glasses, summer panna cotta in cute shooter cups, truffle ganache in tiny ice cream cones and a variety of cookie sandwiches.
Sophisticated savory bites — Jackson & Company knows no other kind — were served “butler-style” by roving servers. The menu included tempura shishito on forks with a dollop of miso basil aioli; lox waffle sticks with smoked salmon and a dap of dilled cream cheese; mini open-faced ground lamb burgers with tzaziki and cucumbers; pork flautas with cilantro lime dipping sauce; and fresh seafood agua chile in teardrop spoons.
Dozens of the “Cool 100” nominees were on hand, including actor Johann Fitch. Fitch, who came in at No. 79 on the list after appearing the Netflix hit Obliterated, made a splash and gamely posed in photos all evening. Other “Cool” guests included gallerist Abigail Haley, top realtor Mike Mahlstedt, beauty biz titan Jentry Kelley, the Lancaster Hotel’s Emre Ozsut, musician Jastin Martin, restaurateur and fashion retailer Thy Mitchell, jewelry designer Christina Greene and interior designer Gin Braverman.
VIP guests included Kristen Cannon, Ahshia Berry and Teri Pugh.
Abigail and Robert Haley
Rubens Franz and Bernie Cantu
Emre Ozsut, Hannah Khalil and Jordan Khalil
DJ Tony Styles
Shawn Lynch, Jentry Kelley, Mike Mahlstedt
Tafara Hardeman, Jastin Martin, Viswant Korrapati
Thy Mitchell
Jesus Morales, Cabe Nowlen
Christina Greene McAllen and David McAllen
Patrick Curphey, Sarah Koller, Van Morris
Cecilio Cerda, Andy Sommer
Todd Ramos, Johann Fitch, Travis Shirley, Orlando Antonio
Desserts by Jackson & Company
Shannon Morris and Paulina Romero
Andrew Aguilar, Charlie Rodriguez, René Garza
Valeria Croatto, David Croatto, Gerardo Derksen, Thomas Derksen
Maricela Olivo and Shawn Singh
Omar Lisandro and Ahshia Berry
Bret Whitacre, Gin Braverman
Todd Ramos and Kristen Cannon
Chris Favors, Chris Beverly, Peter Remington
Valeria Croatto and Johann Fitch
'The Swan' at Sophie (photo by Shawn Chippendale)
Local entrepreneur, globetrotter, and “tastemaker’” Ashley Muncie channels her experience living in Paris into this stylish new cocktail bar, lounge and terrace. Her aim with the two-story space is to capture the essence of the French Riviera with chic design touches at every turn including dark red lacquer walls and soft pink accents.
Ashley Muncie (photo by Alex Montoya)
Designed by EAMStudio, the intimate 20-seat cocktail bar hidden behind a velvet curtain puts on the ritz with floral and animal prints and velvet club chairs, oversized glass chandeliers, and paintings by French artist Phlippine de Richemont. Upstairs, anticipate a playful terrace with live music and a plant-filled outdoor patio withmultiple seating vignettes for up to 80 guests.
Although the concept is heavy on scene and fancy cocktails, the French-inspired food menu by chef de cuisine Anthony Anderson, an Uchi alum, has something for everyone. Caviar graces fettuccine with lemon butter as well as the Thon Cru – marinated yellowfin tuna and saffron potato. There’s a Sophie burger with gruyere anda wide selection of cheese and wild game charcuterie. Even more Frenchified is the weekend brunch. Grab those cameras: The Swan, which appears to be floating as all beautiful swans do, is an artistic pistachio cake with pistachio sable and raspberry confit.
But cocktails take the cake. In feminine style, Scent of a Roseis crafted withKettle One Rose and grapefruit vodka, rose syrup, lemon, elderflower, and sparkling rosé. Other options include domestic and French wines, house-curated shots, an upstairs seasonal spritz menu, and signature “experiential” cocktails offered downstairs.
“Sophie is a destination to gather with friends for a long afternoon of cocktails and bites on the terrace, a post-dinner nightcap, and everything in between,” said Ashley Muncie in a press release.
Santé!
Cocktails at Sophie
Fettucine at Sophie (photo by Shawn Chippendale)
