At Steak 48, a ‘Back to School’ Bash With Class

Joanne King Herring, Trey and Blakely Griggs

Billed as a “back-to-school" affair and kickoff to the city's fall social season — a moment worth celebrating given that so much of it was washed out by Harvey last year — a rather unassuming cocktail fete upstairs at River Oak District's Steak 48 restaurant last night may have been the hottest invite of the week.


Some of Houston's best-known philanthropy-gala hostesses — Phoebe Tudor, Becca Cason Thrash, Elizabeth Petersen, Leigh Smith and Greggory Burk — came together for a just-because to-do, welcoming a roster of swells to the glitzy steakhouse. Steak 48 honchos Jeff Mastro and Oliver Badgio also played host.

Wine flowed, and Exec Chef Jeff Taylor's passed snacks were rich and delicious, especially for a Monday night! Think New York strip, sautéed Maine Lobster, salmon with caviar, and Maryland-style crab cakes. Folks “inhaled the burrata on crostini like it was their full-time job," gushes a publicist for the eatery.

The guest list, touted as a “who's who of hobnobbing" by the same wordsmith, included Joanne King Herring, Dominique Sachse, Nick Florescu, Tony Bradfield, Shannon Hall and Allison Weaver of the Moody Center for the Arts. Also in the mix were Ursaline Hamilton, Alicia Smith, Houston Ballet's Oliver Halkowich, Matt Donowho, Tony Gibson, JD Adamson, Mia Matsamiya, Debbi Festari, Rudy Festari, Jo Furr, Jim Furr, Duyen Nguyen, Marc Nguyen, Holly Waltrip, Isabel David, Brandon McLendon, Diane Lokey Farb, Lindsey Love, Jeff Martin, Annie Amante, TV host Derrick Shore, New Orleans real estate doyenne Judy Oudt and Meghan Thrash.

Party People
Pelican Builders Welcome Residents To First New Upper Kirby Condo Offering In Years;
Boutique Midrise Adds To Pedestrian Appeal Of Sought-After, Inner Loop Neighborhood

WITH ITS INAUGURAL set of residents newly moved in, Pelican Builders’ mid-rise condominium Westmore at 2323 W Main Street in Upper Kirby is already seeing the blossoming of a tight-knit community. Designed by Houston-based Mirador Group the Westmore is the first new condominium product to be introduced to the in-demand, inner loop neighborhood in more than three years. And with remaining two-bedroom homes starting at $895,000, it’s a remarkable value for this increasingly pricey area, where condos can easily climb to several million dollars and more.

Keep Reading Show less
Home + Real Estate

JUST IN TIME for the Lunar New Year on Wednesday, Jinya Ramen is opening its 70th (!) location in Pearland. Known for its thick, rich broth and flavorful noodles — thanks to the specialized water used to prepare its broth and the aging process its noodles undergo — Jinya also touts a wide array of authentic toppings, from tender pork chashu to shrimp wonton.

Keep Reading Show less

Duck N Bao's bento boxes are part of Dine Out Rice Village

HOUSTON'S EVER-GENEROUS restaurant scene is already at it in 2025. Here are three ways foodies can dig in, raise a glass, and support important causes in January.

Keep Reading Show less
Food