Festive Foodie Fun

’Tis the season! Holiday happy hours and family-friendly activities abound. Here are some of the best bets for the days leading up to Dec. 25.

12.12

Danton’s


During the restaurant’s final days as Danton’s — it’s moving to the former Mockingbird Bistro space in 2019, and will be called Eugene’s — raise a glass of Almond Joy, made with vanilla vodka, coconut rum, frangelico and half and half. It’s served in a martini glass with a candy-coated topping of coconut flakes and chocolate sauce.

Fig & Olive 

On Dec. 13 and 20, sip “Chestnut Cup” cocktails — rum, chestnut syrup, walnut liqueur, Aquafaba foam and seasonal spices — to the sounds of DJ-spun holiday remixes at the Fa La La La Fig happy hour, 4-7pm.

Four Seasons Hotel

Decorate ornaments, cupcakes and gingerbread houses during afternoon tea, 12-4pm, on Dec. 15 and 22 at the beautifully adorned Four Seasons. The kiddos will stay busy while the adults sip and snack on traditional tea offerings — plus a glass of prosecco.

La Fisheria

Seeing a show Downtown this season? Begin or end the evening at La Fisheria, with the Snow-Top cocktail served in a glass rimmed with cinnamon and brown sugar; or the White Christmas Margarita made with coconut milk and topped with cranberry garnish.

The newly revamped Uptown restaurant has two chances to catch Santa himself next weekend: Join him for a family-style brunch (orange brioche French toast? yes, please!) and photo ops from 11am-3pm on Dec. 22 and 23. Plus: mimosas for mom and dad, and a gingerbread house to decorate for the kiddo! Merry merry.

Poitin

There’s extra reason to celebrate the season if you live in the 77007 zip code: Enjoy 50 percent off bottles of wine on Mondays, with valid ID.

Yauatcha

The Galleria is festive as it is — but Yauatcha is spicing things up further, with delicious new seasonal desserts: the Mandarin spice bar — mandarin and white-chocolate mousses, marmalade and spice cake — and the pecan tart with dulce de leche. They’re perhaps best enjoyed as the finale to the restaurant’s new dim sum brunch, 11am-4pm on weekends.

AT TOP: Decorating gingerbread houses at Quattro in the Four Seasons

Dispatches
Leadership in Action: ‘Family, Community and Spiritual Connection’ Drives Success for Henry Richardson

How did you get to where you are today? The present moment is a combined history of my family, my time as an athlete, my passion for learning, and my desire to see the world be better. I grew up as a successful springboard and platform diver, however, an injury caused me to seek alternative treatments to heal my body. In that process, I discovered the power of yoga, exercise, meditation, mindset, and nutrition. This holistic approach eventually led me to open a Pilates and cycling studio called DEFINE body & mind. I opened studios around the nation, and after selling most of my business between 2017-2019, I was ready to explore how I could make an even greater impact on the wellbeing of our community. In 2023, I started actively working on a brand new multi-family/apartment concept called, Define Living. The idea focused on offering health and wellness services within a beautiful apartment setting to increase the wellbeing of our residents. Having a strong sense of community is the number one factor in living a happy life, so why not build a community where daily fitness, cooking classes, and social connection are the norm? We opened Define Living in March of 2024, and we couldn’t be happier with how things are being received. We are already looking at building more concepts like this in the Houston area and beyond.

Keep Reading Show less

THE WEATHER IS changing, and soon, so will the time! Make the most of that extra hour of sun at Montrose’s Okto. This Mediterranean hotspot, located in Montrose Collective and part of Sof Hospitality — a group nominated for the prestigious 2025 James Beard Award in the competitive Outstanding Restaurateur category — is rolling out a new happy hour to enjoy on their urban-chic patio.

Keep Reading Show less
Food

THERE'S A MOMENT just before dusk when everything turns to gold—the light softens, the world slows, and indulgence feels not just necessary, but deserved. Welcome to Golden Hour at The Marigold Club, where opulence meets effortless charm and your midweek unwind turns into an exquisite ritual.

Keep Reading Show less