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?
Chef-owner Austin Waiter of The Marigold Club, now serving fried chicken and Champagne on Sunday nights.
And the drinks? They’re going big. Champagne bottles are half-off, and if you’ve ever dreamed of sipping Krug by the glass with your fried chicken, this is your moment. Feeling fancy? Add caviar service and settle in for the kind of Sunday that’s anything but sleepy.
Set inside The Marigold Club’s moody, glam dining room — think velvet, Murano chandeliers, and hand-painted murals — this new weekly tradition is giving end-of-weekend blues a very bubbly makeover.
Reservations are highly recommended. Southern comfort never looked (or tasted) so good.
Fried chicken for two, buttery mashed potatoes and half-priced Champagne are on the new Sunday menu at The Marigold Club.
Sonja Kostich, Margaret Alkek Williams, and Jim Nelson
The night’s second milestone belonged to Margaret Alkek Williams, Houston Ballet’s beloved benefactor, who celebrated her 90th birthday on the very day. Guests raised flutes of Madame Zéro champagne and shared slices of her favorite indulgence — chocolate cake — served in her honor.
Designed by Bergner and Johnson, the transformed stage offered an enchanting backdrop of mahogany lattice chairs, gold vases of spring blooms and whimsical details. Dinner from City Kitchen matched the setting’s elegance: heirloom tomato tartare with basil sorbet, followed by pan-seared chicken with Madeira jus.
As Nelson introduced Houston Ballet’s new Executive Director, Sonja Kostich, and guests toasted both him and Williams, the evening marked more than an opening — it was a celebration of legacy and philanthropy. This year’s Opening Night Onstage Dinner raised a record-breaking $500,000.
Angel Rios, Richard Flowers, Duyen and Marc Nguyen
Hallie Vanderhider and Bobby Dees
Shara and Kent Schaffer
David Groover, Sasha Davis, C.C. Conner, Jessica Collado
Deborah Koehler and Julie Kent
Jonathan and Margaret Cox, Anne and Albert Chao
Marguerite Swartz and Jane DiPaolo
Marianne Geagea, Sayako Toku, Joe Geagea
Marsha Bourque, Gary and Marian Beauchamp
Melza and Ted Barr
Richard and Kris McGee
Stephen and Kelley Lubanko, Kristy and Chris Bradshaw
Steve and Mignon Gill
Verisone and Foreign Fare models (photo by Arianna Vetere)
The idea? Trade boarding passes for wellness stamps. Guests “traveled” through immersive experiences, each inspired by a different global destination and ritual, all while sipping cocktails, catching skyline views and watching Houston’s most fashionable take the runway.
Hosted by Gregory Palmer of Wareika Hill and Brooklynn Weatherill of LAZYI Eyewear, the vibe was high-energy and luxe — think good music, great style and a crowd fully leaning into the wellness-meets-fashion mashup. For the grand finale — the fashion show! — the lineup included Foreign Fare, Kailier, Versione, Hobbs London, Cotton Club Collection, LAZYI Eyewear, and even Ducati making its way down the runway.
“At Thompson Spa, we believe wellness is more than a routine, it’s a lifestyle,” Said Megan Fitzgerald, Director of Spa & Wellness at Thompson Houston. “The Passport Affair allowed us to connect our guests with local creatives and brands who share our passion for holistic well-being, while also tapping into the joy and healing that travel brings.”
Consider it a glamorous way to kick off Wellness Month — and a sign that Houston’s wellness scene just got a lot more global.
Foreign Fare Model (photo by Arianna Vetere)
Tiana Sweeter (photo by One Awaits Photography)
Foreign Fare Model (photo by Arianna Vetere)
(Photo by One Awaits Photography)
(Photo by Plan B Television)
Gregory Palmer of Wareika Hill and Brooklynn Weatherill of LAZYI Eyewear (photo by One Awaits Photography)
