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

How did you get to where you are today? A few key principles integrated into my life: setting clear goals, maintaining a growth mindset, building strong habits, and surrounding myself with the right people. Goals provided direction, while a growth mindset helped me turn challenges into opportunities for learning. Consistent habits, like disciplined work and effective communication, kept me moving forward. Being surrounded by motivated, supportive individuals has elevated my standards and kept me accountable. They’ve provided advice, encouragement, and sometimes that extra push I needed to stay on track. With these elements, I’ve been able to create a framework that helps me succeed and ensures I continue to grow and evolve.

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People + Places

Lilith's Lullaby cocktail (photo by Angie Cavazos)

TO QUOTE THE wee one in Poltergeist: “They’re baaaaack!” Houston’s beloved gothic and girl-powered pop-up The Cursed Cauldron returns Friday, Oct. 4 to Aero Cocktail Co. in River Oaks. The new Aero Cocktail Co. will host the pop-up Tuesdays through Saturdays, from 4pm-12am, and Sundays 2pm-10pm. To help contribute to the spooky (and fun) vibe, visitors are invited to “don their magical attire;” kohl eyeliner and black nail polish are strongly recommended.

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Food