Holiday 2016: On Location
Welcome back for round two! Here's your intimate behind-the-scenes look at the sophomore issue of the most exciting new magazine in Houston.
Nov. 21, 2016
Lillith's Lullaby and Coven's Calling cocktails at The Cursed Cauldren
To summon The Cursed Cauldron to life, long-time hospitality professionals Alexis Mijares and Angelique Cook Cavazos cast a spell upon Ninja Ramen owner Christopher Huang and redecorated the space to resemble a cross between a witches apothecary and a Spencer’s outlet circa 1977. While definitely not for the kiddies, The Cursed Cauldron will certainly appeal to any grownup witch or warlock with a passion for black lipstick, black lights, black fishnets — and ramen.
Each evening, while sipping such supernatural spins on classical favorites, including the Hexpresso Martini and Sex Magic on the Beach, patrons will encounter wandering fortune tellers, Tarot card and aura readers, and other enchanting denizens of darkness. Curated shots, spirit-free (i.e. non-alcoholic) drinks, and shareable cocktails like the Bruja’s Brew — made with Cantera Negra Reposado, Creme de Cacao, Macadamia nut, coconut milk, Mexican vanilla, and high-grade ceremonial chocolate — will also be on the cocktail menu.
Other libations include Lilith’s Lullaby, with Cantera Negra Blanco, Chili Liqueur, pomegranate, rose water, hibiscus, beet, orange, and lime; and Coven’s Calling, a blend of Aviation Gin, dry sherry, elderflower, sage, black pepper, lemon, and Fever Tree Tonic Water. And in addition to the aforementioned ramen, char-boo-terie boards and other bewitching food items will also be available.
From Your Site Articles
- Wicked Eats, Spooky Sips and the Best Bashes for Halloween (No Tricks Here!) ›
- The Traveling Spirit Mobile Bar Revs Up, Offering Pandemic-Friendly Pours ›
- Iconic Burger Joint Expands, Sushi Fave Rolls Out a Sandwich Pop-Up, and More of This Week’s Food News! ›
- Two Nights Only! Michelin-Starred Bar Pops Up Downtown to Raise Money for Kids with Cancer ›
- At Exclusive Pop-Up, Downtown's Bandista Swaps Places with Legendary French Quarter Bar. Bottoms Up! ›
- Here Are Halloweekend’s Wickedly Wonderful Eats, Sips and Treats - Houston CityBook ›
- Downtown Bar Becomes a Bewitchingly Festive Cocktail Destination for the Holidays - Houston CityBook ›
- Two Nights Only! Famed New York Bar Pops-Up Downtown, with Proceeds Benefiting Kids with Cancer - Houston CityBook ›
- Prost! Welcome a Hint of Fall at These Oktoberfests - Houston CityBook ›
- Tomorrow! Gothic, Girl-Powered ‘Cursed Cauldron’ Pop-Up Returns - Houston CityBook ›
Lautenbach’s Orchard Country, a winery and market in Fish Creek
It’s well known among Midwesterners for its wineries, seasonal orchards and farms, and general vacation-ready vibe. But for those of us recovering from a record-setting summer, the appeal goes far beyond the (delicious) eating and drinking: Door County seems like it’s plucked straight out of a movie, with vintage bed and breakfasts, pumpkin patches and old-school soda shoppes, all set against a backdrop of lighthouse-dotted cliffs.
To get here, fly into Green Bay and drive an hour and a half up the peninsula; it’s a three-hour trip from Milwaukee. The bays and inlets of the peninsula each have their own flavor and offerings. Places to stay range from the Scandinavian-mod Dörr Hotel in Sister Bay to the Victorian bed and breakfast White Gull Inn in Fish Creek (don’t sleep on the cherry-stuffed French toast). In between there are ample art galleries and studio spaces, like Edgewood Orchard Galleries, housed in a 1918-built barn and set within an old apple and cherry orchard. Outside there’s a sculpture garden, filled with works of all shapes and sizes, available for purchase. “Maybe an art gallery seems sort of stuffy,” muses the owner J.R., “but everyone loves a walk through the woods.”
Speaking of seeming stuffy, some people call Door County the Cape Cod of the Midwest. Locals snarl at this reference. (Well, seeing as they’re from the Midwest, they’re too polite to actually snarl. But it’s clearly not their preferred nickname.) Instead, they use words like “tradition” and “family.” Many businesses here are owned and operated by multiple generations, such as Wilson’s, a red-and-white striped restaurant serving a one-liter root beer float and a perfectly charred burger with views of Eagle Harbor. Add MacReady Artisan Bread Company to the itinerary for handcrafted sandwiches made by the owner, who lives on a farm nearby with her husband and dogs and tomato garden.
Tours of Door County Coffee & Tea and the next-door Door County Candle Company are fun for couples or families — but one would be remiss to visit this region and not stop by Renard’s Artisan Cheese.
For a special evening out, snag tickets for the Northern Sky Theater, which seasonally puts on productions — many of which are original world premieres, like the recent Cheeseheads! The Musical — at a facility in Peninsula State Park, among towering trees and twinkling stars.
No matter which way you slice it, a fall getaway to Door County is beautifully cheesy, in all the best ways.
Carb-loading at MacReady’s
Wilson’s old-school exterior
Cheesy goodness at Wild Tomato Pizza in Sister Bay