web exclusive

French Toast!

red, white and blue eclair

Now that July 4 has passed, it’d be logical to turn to Labor Day as the next reason to celebrate. But overlooking Bastille Day, the French national holiday on July 14, would be a deprivation of deliciousness at some of Houston’s hottest restaurants. Wondering where to get your fix for red, white and blue round two on Saturday?

A’Bouzy (2300 Westheimer Rd., 713.722.6899) is, unsurprisingly, serving up an especially boozy brunch, with $99 bottles of Dom Perignon Brut from 10am until 3pm — or until they run out of the bubbly. Keep the party going at the swanky new Bar Victor (4321 Montrose Blvd., 713.521.2002) lounge in Montrose. DJ Sebastian will spin French beats, and food and drink specials include deals on charcuterie and Croque Monsieurs.

For a more family-friendly treat, hit Sweet Paris (sweetparis.com), which just opened an outpost in Katy, its sixth area location. The creperie is serving a French flag-inspired version of its Very Berry Crème Brulee crepe for just $6.95. And at the darling new Café Poêtes (122 W. Gray St., 346.802.4969) in Midtown, eclairs drizzled with red, white and blue are best washed down with specialty wine cocktails. Oui!

AT TOP: The eclairs at Café Poetes

Food+Travel
promoted

Leadership in Action: John Kuykendall Traded Newcaster Dream for Success in Luxury Retail

Leadership in Action: John Kuykendall Traded Newcaster Dream for Success in Luxury Retail

John Kuykendall, Showroom Manager, Sub-Zero, Wolf and Cove

How did you get to where you are today? Growing up I had envisioned myself as a news anchor, living in NY and enthusiastically saying into the camera “Good Morning America!”. To this day, I am still a news/political junkie. My mother owned fur salons so specialty retail, luxury retail was in my blood through the family business. Eventually, mom shuttered the stores and I was recruited to a large specialty retailer. Over the next 30 years, I was in commissioned sales on the sales floor, became a department manager, worked my way up to buyer and store manager. Although I never became a newscaster, I did live in NYC for a few years. But Texas is home and with aging grandparents, I felt the pull to come back to my roots. A headhunter approached me. I never envisioned myself in the high-end appliance market, but there are so many similarities. Clients want a memorable experience; whether shopping for diamonds and fur or remodeling their kitchen.

Keep Reading Show less
food

Escape to Europe Without Leaving Houston: Heights & Co. Hosts Al Fresco Wine & Movie Nights

The patio at Heights & Co.

IT'S ALMOST TIME for summer vacations, but Heights & Co. is offering escapes on its newly redecorated patio in the form of wine and movie nights — no passport needed! Visit France, Italy, Greece, Spain, and more through wine pairings and tasting menus, all complemented by movies set in each location.

Keep Reading Show less
Food
parties

All That Jazz: With ‘Moonlight’ Theme, Mercury Mixes Up Musical Medley, Goes Glam for 2025 Gala

Jacob Power

Ally Shell and Martijn van Koolwijk

BLAME IT ON the Moon! Mercury Chamber Orchestra’s 2025 gala at the Thompson hotel — themed “Moonlight Serenade and chaired by Ally Shell and Martijn Van Koolwijk — was a night of glamour and big band vibes, raising more than $350,000 for the company.

Keep Reading Show less
Art+Culture