Susan and Mark Ryan
Nearly 1,000 partygoers joined chairs Elizabeth Fulghum, Melissa Hobbs and Stephanie Morris at the event, which raised funds for pediatric cancer research and initiatives in Houston. The "Pop Art"-themed party was colorful indeed, and featured caricature artists and bright decor. Several of Victory's founding members were in attendance, cheering on a few rounds of Paddles Up and Vegas-style gaming.
Emcee Frank Billingsley kept the evening moving, and introduced auctioneer extraordinaire Johnny "Bravo" Holloway, who showed up ready to rally in a gold sequined jacket. Items in the live auction included jewelry from Valobra and Diamonds Direct, and cool culinary experiences like a Steak 48 cocktail party, and dinner for 24 at the home of Johnny Carrabba himself.
Sonic Automotive rolled in the big guns at the end, donating a 2023 Ford F-150 King Ranch custom truck, which got bidders excited. The dealer ended up donating a second truck because interest was so high — and the two sold for a combined $190,000. Guests were riding high after the energetic auction, and took to the dance floor to boogie to tunes by Yacht Rock and Disco Expressions.
In all, the night brought in a whopping $1.6 million. For nearly 40 years, Victory's all-volunteer team has raised more than $60 million for cancer research — all of which goes to Medical Center organizations.
Regina and Matt Reynolds, Jo and Matt Farina, and Frank Billingsley and Kevin Gilliard
Karen Tellepsen, Aimee Dodson and Cynthia Urguhart
Elizabeth Fulghum, Stephanie Morris and Melissa Hobbs with Johnny Bravo Holloway
Jackie Eubank, Dee Darby and Marissa Eubank
Amanda Moreno, Krista Shamaly, Laurie Cacioppo and Tiffany Halik
Diane Cain and Samantha Derrett
Emily Anderson throwing dice
Alex and Robin Brennan Martin
Cynthia Wolf and Raquel Lewis
Susan Ryan, GiGi Harbison and Susan Bonora
Elaine Finger and Sherri Zucker
Diane Cain with Jo Ann Petersen
Riley Canfield, Katie Tiegs and Jessica Morrison
Lauren and Nathan Colbert
Patrick Carter, Lisa Hauser-Carter, Sarah Oliver and Boriss Losso
Hind Rafei, Hilla Janjua, Sheetal Rao and Hibah Callies
Rob and Bayli Dale
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The Mean Left Hook cocktail at Eau Tour
Pork Milanese
During the pandemic and after the loss of Benjy’s and The Classic, owner and hospitality veteran Benjy Levit did what he always does: soldier on and evolve. After expanding Rice Village Local Foods, he added Lees Den upstairs, a speakeasy-style wine bar with Asian-inflected fare, and now Eau Tour takes its adjacent space, formerly Thai Spice. Fresh and inviting with striped chartreuse banquettes, glowing stained-glass windows, and bar seating, Eau Tour is a flirty hideaway.
Start off all smiles with the Mean Left Hook cocktail served in a fish-shaped cocktail glass and made with French rhum agricole, green chartreuse, coconut, pineapple and lime. If choosing the new happy hour (Tues.-Sun., 4-6pm), expect small yet substantial bites like a half-shell oyster duo with dill mignonette; confit duck wings; and baked mussels with Café de Paris butter. The ET Happy Meal cheeseburger combines house ground short rib and duck meat on brioche. Coupled with fries, it gets a sidekick of Kronenbourg 1664 lager beer — how perfect is that? Cocktails, including a Dill Martini and Marfa Sunrise, run from $7-10. If available, choose the charming treetop patio on pleasant evenings.
“French cuisine is ingredient- and technique-driven, and we wanted the opportunity to put our own playful spin on it,” says Levit. For dinner, the salad Eau Tour is a must to kick off the courses to come — think chicories, radicchio, prosciutto, Roquefort, fresh pears and anchovy vinaigrette.
Double cheeseburger
Caviar 'for the people'
Executive chef Kent Domas
The Diabolique cocktail
The kitchen is helmed by executive chef Kent Domas, previously of The Classic, Alice Blue and Bernadine’s, with a menu centering around a wood-burning Josper oven. His dishes taste French bistro to the core. Popular appetizers include caviar “for the people” (many affordable options), scallop crudo with blood oranges and pistachio dukkah, and gussied-up tuna tartare.
Fish is one of the most difficult dishes to season and cook properly. Not only is freshness mandatory, but it can’t be over- or under-cooked. The grilled snapper is spanking fresh and gently grilled. Yes, it’s perched on a delicious fluff of whipped cauliflower hummus and garnished with a garlicky textbook correct pistou. But it would wow even swimming solo. Non-seafood items include a stunning and texturally pleasing pork Milanese with tonnato, dill, snap peas and chili oil; roasted chicken with Cognac duck jus; and Parisian gnocchi.
If carb-dodgers want a break from deprivation, we’ll cheer you on. Don’t miss the seeded sourdough bread and whipped ricotta with a well of honey to keep you buzzing along or as a sweet finale. Want a classic French dessert? Order the olive oil cake or picture-pretty Gateau Basque with infused Texas strawberries and orange-blossom cream.