Olives from the 25-foot olive bar at Phoenicia's west Houston store

HOUSTON’S BELOVED Phoenicia Specialty Foods was born in the early ’80s, when owners Arpi and Zohrab Tcholakian of humble Arpi’s Deli ran out of shelf space for their imported spices and international groceries. This led to the superstore in west Houston, and then the modern Phoenicia Downtown and MKT BAR debuted in 2011. The culinary landmark is celebrating its milestone birthday with festivities including five days of giveaways and a month-long social media challenge worth one grand.

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Food

The new Fernando Botero sculpture in front of La Colombe d'Or, facing Montrose Boulevard

THE FINE AND famous La Colombe d’Or hotel in the Museum District is approaching a big birthday — so big, in fact, that the 32-room boutique hotel flaunting more than 425 pieces of art and sculpture will celebrate all year long. Who’s invited? You, of course!

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Art + Entertainment

Hugo Ortega (photo by Gittings Photography)

WHAT STARTED AS a casual watering hole with simple soups, salads and sandwiches — and a popcorn machine in the bar — is now a top restaurant owned by one of the city’s most respected restaurateurs and a James Beard Award-winning chef.

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Food