For the first time, the cancer-fighting Alcides E. Rosaura Diniz Foundation hosted a gala at the Astorian. Ana Paola Diniz, who lost her father Alcides to Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2006, praised MD Anderson, the night’s beneficiary, for its dedication. … Meanwhile, Catholic Charities’ “happy”-themed 75th annual Spirit of Charity event did indeed bring smiles to many faces. The evening, held at the Marriott Marquis, raised $1 million. … This year’s Lyndon Baines Johnson Moral Courage Award dinner honored President George W. Bush for his lifelong commitment to service and country. The total till doubled the previous record, coming in at $4.2 million. … In addition to celebrating the induction of five new members of the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame, the Lone Star Flight Museum’s Flights of Fancy event garnered $700K for the museum. … And the 30th annual Goodwill Gala was the organization’s most successful ever, with more than 400 black-tie-clad guests — including Simone Biles and her family, guests of board member Leisa Holland Nelson — partying for a cause at the River Oaks Country Club.
B&B Butchers
Mac & Cheese
Venture in for the deep-fried A5 Wagyu katsu sando, or similarly stacked deli sandwich in the adjoining butcher shop, at this boutique steakhouse. A rooftop terrace makes B&B a premiere Sunday brunch destination. 1814 Washington Ave., 713.862.1814
Brasserie 19
Confit Rabbit
Wine with lunch and bubbles with brunch is the norm at this sceney River Oaks spot. Situated in the center of a busy shopping strip, Brasserie 19 is reminiscent of a Parisian sidewalk café. 1962 W. Gray St., 713.524.1919
Eugene's
Crab Salad
The menu and the gold-gilding-happy space itself call to mind the best old family-run haunts of New Orleans. Expect really great combos of butter, garlic, acid and fresh Gulf goodness. 1985 Welch St., 713.807.8883
Lucy's Pearls
Turtle Cheesecake
Decadent cakes, picture-perfect cake pops and down-home pies await at this craft bakery inside the POST Houston complex. Go for happy hour Mon.-Weds., 4-6pm, for 20 percent off. 401 Franklin St., 832.777.5496
Ousie's Table
Atlantic Blackened Salmon with Crabmeat Relish
This River Oaks institution serving Southern standards — shrimp and cheese grits, New Orleans red snapper, chicken and waffles at brunch! — is charming. With a beautiful patio and private rooms, it’s a popular locale for showers, receptions and more. 3939 San Felipe St., 713.528.2264
Ragin' Cajun
Gumbo
Crawfish season is here! There’s no better spot to get the fixins for a backyard boil than the original Ragin’ Cajun on Richmond. 4302 Richmond Ave., 713.623.6321
Taste of Texas
Fried Shrimp
This famous classic steakhouse — thick bacon wraps around your filet — touts cozy, rustic environs that live up to the name. There’s actually a Texas history museum inside! 10505 Katy Fwy., 713.932.6901
“I’m very excited to bring a new, elevated bar experience to the Heights and deliver premium cocktails in a beautifully designed space,” said Hansen of Best Regards. “Mixed with a rotating roster of international DJs, live music, and an international tapas menu that transitions from brunch to late night, our social lounge will be a must-visit Houston destination.”
Located on W. 11th near the intersection of Yale in the original home of Calle Onze and most recently the shuttered Chivos, the social club plans to provide premium cocktails, an impressive wine and champagne list, creative mocktails, and an overall chic vibe. The 5,000-plus-square-foot space, anchored by a central indoor bar will channel glamour mixed with intimate seating vignettes built for conversation.
Expansive wrap-around outdoor spaces will create a seamless indoor-outdoor connection well-suited for multiple guest experiences. Well-appointed, covered and cooled outdoor patios will create the perfect ambiance to comfortably enjoy Houston’s summer months, while the lounge’s indoor space will offer additional reprieve.
Best Regards will host DJs and a variety of live music performers each week. Guests can expect lounge music paired with a mix of international live music performers. In addition, the social lounge will offer an all-day food menu to pair with the cocktail service. Fare includes light to medium shareable plates with international flavors.
“We’re working with a team of top-notch Houston nightlife veterans and will deliver an energetic all-day experience like no other found in Houston. We are very excited to showcase the team’s hard work and bring an electric energy to this prolific intersection of the Heights,” continued Hansen.
Best Regards will be open six days a week, with happy hour, late-night service and weekend brunch. It will be located near establishments such as Eight Row Flint, Trattoria Sofia, Loro and Dish Society, as well as popular bars including Heights Bier Garten, Johnny’s Gold Brick, Lei Low and Permission Whiskey & Service Co.
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High Cotton: Pete Bell and Co. Host Spectacular Cook-Off Shindig to Open Rodeo Season
FAMOUS FOR NEVER doing anything halfway, Cotton Holdings and CEO Pete Bell opened Rodeo season strong with a 10,000-square-foot chandelier-and-red-roses-bedecked tent dubbed the Cotton ’Q Club, hosting hundreds of guests at Rodeo Cook-off.
Cotton — the disaster and infrastructure support services company that served as title sponsor of the World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest, aka “Cook-off,” for the second year in a row — has developed a reputation for lavish entertaining, and its Rodeo digs lived up to the rep.
“The cedar-framed ‘tent’ was completely draped in navy paneling with antler and crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling,” explained a Cotton representative. “The room was decorated with seven-foot-tall mosaic horses draped with blankets of red roses by Flora & Eventi, antique mirrors, saddles and mounted taxidermy.” The latter came straight from Bell’s ranch, the rep added.
Cotton Culinary, an award-winning subsidiary or Cotton Holdings, put out a decadent spread. Apps of fried oysters, fried quail, and Figgy Piggy sliders with pork belly and fried brie were followed by barbecued rib-eye with Astro Alex Bregman’s Breggy Bomb sauce, as well as lobster mac ’n’ cheese, twice-baked potato casserole, and, for dessert, bread pudding with Jack Daniels cream sauce.
Also on the menu on opening night: a surprise performance by Grammy-nominated country artist Cole Swindell.
The souped-up tent also boasted a special VIP room, the “Gold Pony” lounge, where the décor featured white roses and disco-ball accents. VIPs in attendance included hospitality mogul Tilman Fertitta, designer-milliner Teressa Foglia, TV personalities Chita Craft and Derrick Shore, and Cotton execs Bryan Michalsky, James Scaife, Johnny Slaughter, Russel White and Zinat Ahmed.
Tilman Fertitta and Pete Bell
Cole Swindell performs
Teressa Foglia, Tyler Wild, Zinat Ahmed
Norbert Tran, Travis Bice, Russell White
Samantha Knight, Lauren Halle, Bill Sisson, Madeline Dill
Over 650 guests joined Cotton Holdings and Quanta Services in the Cotton 'Q Club
Travis Bice, Hayden Layne, Matt Thompson, Louis Martinez, Jesse Luke
Cotton Holdings CEO Pete Bell and Quanta Services CEO Duke Austin
Entry Sign to the Gold Pony VIP Lounge