Justin Yu, Chris Shepherd, Robert Del Grande and Hugo Ortega
Lainie Gordon and David Mincberg
Small plates at Fancy's
Benny Chow's
Crystal shrimp dumplings at Benny Chow's
Just in time for its one-year anniversary, Berg Hospitality Group’s Cantonese concept has launched a new menu and recruited a new executive chef. With the addition of award-winning chef Junnajet “Jett” Hurapan, the menu gets a fresh perspective and a Pan-Asian touch with dishes like his famed steamed edamame and truffle dumplings, Som Tam Papaya Salad, and whole Ginger Garlic Crispy Redfish. Add that to the rotation of Cantonese classics including cold sesame noodles and Truth BBQ smoked brisket egg rolls. “His stellar culinary skills combined with his electric energy makes for bold decisions in the kitchen that are reflected in his dishes,” said Benjamin Berg, owner and CEO of Berg Hospitality of Hurapan, who you may remember from Gigi’s Asian Bistro, Songkran Thai Kitchen, and Yi Peng Thai Dining.
Milton's
A sneak peek of Milton's
Seemingly perfectionist proprietors Benjy Levit and chef Dylan Murray are revamping the upstairs level of their Rice Village location above Local Foods that includes Lees Den and Eau Tour. The remodel will create one cohesive new restaurant with an Italian-American theme. Milton’s will focus on house made pastas, wood-fired meats from the signature Josper grill, creative antipastos and more. After Milton’s makes its late summer debut, Lees will undergo renovation to expand the bar and seating areas, creating a cocktail-focused speakeasy with snacks. Garnish Designs spearheaded the redesign and Uncanned Music will revamp the acoustics throughout.
Haywire
Haywire's huge dining room
Known for its Texas-inspired cuisine and ample selections of whiskey, Haywire recently opened its largest location and first one in Houston. The restaurant hails from FB Society, the group behind many popular Texas concepts including The Ranch at Las Colinas, Sixty Vines and more. Connoisseurs can anticipate a collection 200 whiskey options and an award-winning wine cellar in the 20,000-square-foot multi-level Memorial space and party barn (with its own bar.) Come hungry for generous portions of farm-to-table “heritage recipes” – think Texas Gulf lump crab, Angus steaks, signature elk tacos and queso blanco. Giddy up!
De Fortune
Mayur Desai (photo by Alex Montoya)
Gin Design's next big project is the just-announced De Fortune lounge in Regent Square, the Allen Parkway development with Georgia James and Flight Club. “We envision a hospitality-first experience that will connect with a selective local and visiting clientele who appreciate great design, anticipatory service, cocktails that wow, plus an environment that is upbeat while still allowing for guests to easily chat across the table,” said co-founder Mayur Desai in a statement. Together with Atik Mistry, Kinjal Desai and Emish Patel, he's launched MAKE Investments, with the name coming from the first letter in each of their names. It'll be a moody and chic two-story space occupying just 1,600 square feet, serving globally inspired and new-to-Houston cocktails with a few snacks.
Thai Tail
Thai Tail's Thai Basil Beef Burger (photo by Sean Rainer)
On June 20, MaKiin Concepts will debut its newest project, a fast-casual cafe serving creative Thai cuisine designed with Montrose urbanities in mind. Thai Tail will offer a new direction for Lukkaew Srasrisuwan, founder of Houston Thai spots Kin Dee, M Express Thai Kitchen, and MaKiin. The intimate space has seating for 24 in the dining room and for 36 on the patio. “Our menu will appeal to all guests seeking an authentic and approachable menu celebrating Thai flavors at reasonable price points,” said Lukkaew Srasrisuwan, founder and CEO. Some of those dishes include Panang Chicken Club Sandwich, the Green Curry Pork Burger, Drunken Noodles and Pad Thai. End on a sweet note with a Thai Donut dipped in condensed milk.
Fancy's
Champagne at Fancy's (photo by Shane Dante)
With this newbie tucked away in River Oaks, The Clé Group aims to redefine the lounge scene with a sophisticated ambiance, innovative cocktails, and polished service. Dark and moody colorways set the tone with luxe touches like the Roberto Cavalli textured wallpaper throughout the room. A handful of deep red chandeliers hang from the ceiling, and a large, onyx bar is an eye-catching element. While food is a secondary focus, guests can indulge in small plates that complement the beverage offerings including multiple caviar options, a selection of sushi, and fresh oysters. Sip a perfectly made martini or host an entourage with bottle service including myriad Champagnes.
Alto
Luxury Alto rideshare — a great way to get to and from dinner — has several promos in the works this summer. Not only is it the safest, cleanest and most professional rideshare company, but a fun thing to remember is that riders can legally drink in an Alto (just in case you want to get the party started early). They offer a 30-day free membership trial to unlock better rates and member perks, as well as a monthly credit when you upgrade to Premium Plus!
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Camille Zamora
Zamora, who grew up in H-Town and proudly graduated from HSPVA (they honored her as an outstanding alum a few years back), made her bones on opera stages around the world and lately has been performing with symphonies. The New York Times has called out her “dignity and glowing sound,” while the Houston Chronicle has marveled at her ability to “combine gentility and emotional fire.”
She jumped at the rare chance to perform what’s she calls “guilty pleasure” music for a hometown crowd in a fabulous, intimate new space: the Founders Club at the Hobby. Expect “Desde el Alma: Songs from the Heart” to sizzle with what the venue is calling “irresistible Spanish classic tangos, boleros and canciones.”
The Manhattan-based singer — who also has a history of vigorous fundraising for Houston and New York charities such as the local Avenue 360 Health and Wellness (formerly Bering Omega, with its Omega House hospice for AIDS patients) and her own performing-artist-supporting nonprofit Sing for Hope back East — says she’ll perform the kind of music she once sang backstage at opera houses to warm up. “It will be a feast of musical identities, four centuries of Spanish song,” she says. “It’s music that feels like home.”
Grammy-winning bandoneón virtuoso Hector Del Curto — Zamora calls him “the Whitney Houston of the bandoneón” — and Latin Grammy-winning tango pianist Pablo Estigarribia will accompany the beautiful artist for “Desde el Alma,” presented by ExxonMobil as part of the “Live at the Founders Club” series. The program will help to break in the cozy new performance space, carved from what was formerly a VIP lounge at the Hobby. Seats are sold individually for the show, all at cabaret tables of four.
Zamora, a Juilliard graduate (and current Juilliard trustee) who has performed often with the Mambo Kings and other leaders in Spanish music, calls this collaboration with Del Curto and Estigarribia, both of Argentina, the beginning of an artistic “exploration.” The show will include familiar classics, as well as brand-new world-premiere compositions.
Zamora was raised partly in Mexico City and partly here, by leading Latin American academics. Her mother, now 80, still teaches comparative lit at UH. The singer is looking forward to hanging with Mom when she arrives in town, and also some of her favorite Houston pastimes, including jogging in the Museum District, meditating on the Menil Collection lawn and “eating everywhere.”
In keeping with Zamora’s heart for service and creating new ways to help others, she’s philosophical about the new work, about “what it all means in the larger social fabric, and what it means to be a 21st century musician.
“We’re so polarized these days,” says the musician, who not coincidentally was just named to a new initiative of President Biden’s Committee for the Arts and Humanities called Artists for Understanding. “The arts are the original melting pot. They allow us this opportunity to weave strands emotionally and socially and culturally. This program really does that. It merges a lot of different strands of identity. It starts a conversation that provides something new.”
Buy tickets for Zamora’s show here.
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