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Showing posts from February, 2020

Tilman’s big buy stakes a claim atop Houston’s 5 most popular stories

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Editor’s note: It’s time to recap the top stories on CultureMap from this past week. 1\. Houston billionaire Tilman Fertitta acquires storied steakhouse chain. Once the purchase is approved by a bankruptcy court, Landry’s, Inc. will own the following Galleria-area steakhouses: Morton’s, Del Frisco’s, Mastro’s, and the Palm. 2\. Here are the Houston schools and businesses closed due to the massive 610 East flood. A massive water main break flooded the Loop and caused a… from News Feed – CultureMap Houston https://ift.tt/2wiHZ9S from WordPress https://ift.tt/2wQbwYP

Invisible Man hits above its weight with Elisabeth Moss in lead role

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The Invisible Man, which was originally a science fiction story written by H.G. Wells in 1897, is such a simple concept that it’s easily adaptable to multiple genres. The premise has been used in horror, comedy, drama, and more in at least 20 different movie and TV adaptations, and it’s easy to see many more being made in the future. The latest version, written and directed by Leigh Whannell (Saw, Insidious), jumps right into the… from News Feed – CultureMap Houston https://ift.tt/2VwAZkz from WordPress https://ift.tt/32LYyYh

Brazilian steakhouse fires up new location in Highland Village

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Highland Village will soon be home to a destination for glistening skewers loaded with picanha, filet mignon, lamb chops, and more. Brazilian steakhouse Gauchos do Sul will open a new location in the former Up Restaurant space at 3995 Westheimer Rd., the restaurant announced. Work has already begun on the third floor room, which is expected to open in late March. Ledersan Erdmann tells CultureMap that he and co-owner Daison Cima had been looking to… from News Feed – CultureMap Houston https://ift.tt/389AqQe from WordPress https://ift.tt/2PzAlij

Hoffman chows down on RodeoHouston carnival’s most over-the-top food

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Dominic Palmieri, the wildly creative “Midway Gourmet,” is the mastermind — some might say evil genius — behind deep-fried butter and bacon-covered candy bars, turkey legs that look like Louisville Sluggers and everything that fits in a deep-fryer. If it’s “ooey, gooey, fried and chewy,” Palmieri is probably the maestro behind it. After 27 years working his gastronomical magic on the Carnival midway at the Houston Livestock and Rodeo, he’s seen it all and done… from News Feed – CultureMap Houston https://ift.tt/2I7bYnU from WordPress https://ift.tt/3caR6tM

Cherished Houston Jewish community center set for $50 million makeover

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A beloved Houston cultural center is poised to receive a massive makeover and rejuvenation. The Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center, a central fixture of Houston’s Jewish community known affectionately as “the JCC” or “the J,” announced a $50 million renovation and expansion project of the current facility. In order to create a destination experience and bustling community center, the renovations will include a family-centric aquatics complex, new culinary studio, and a dedicated fitness area amongst… from News Feed – CultureMap Houston https://ift.tt/3cfQxyU from WordPress https://ift.tt/2ToLJP9

Houstonians rev engines and fulfill fantasies at private racetrack

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An enthusiastic crowd packed Life HTX event center on February 20 to celebrate a new era for Motor Speedway Resort (MSR), the 383-acre private racetrack for motor enthusiasts. Ever wanted to drive a car with no speed limit, or find a safe, secure garage for your exotic vehicle? How about just have a second-home escape where you can connect with other motor enthusiasts? MSR, located 35 minutes from downtown Houston, is a rare personal playground… from News Feed – CultureMap Houston https://ift.tt/32BKS1V from WordPress https://ift.tt/2wgHywM

The ultimate guide to rodeo fashion for chic and stylish Houstonians

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Tootsies creative director, Fady Armanious, says it best: “Rodeo style is serious in Houston.” Every year, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo brings together trail rides, action-packed rodeo competitions, musical entertainment, world-famous barbecue contents, the annual Rodeo Run, family-friendly fun, and shopping. But what to wear? Houston philanthropist Hallie Vanderhider shares her rodeo must-haves: turquoise jewelry, a python skirt, and a fringed leather jacket. We’re rounded up a list of local stores who can help… from News Feed – CultureMap Houston https://ift.tt/2uAk3OO from WordPress https://ift.tt/32znsdm

Texas town goes Hollywood with new Will Ferrell fruity scandal film

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There’s a movie in the works about a scandal at a beloved Texas fruitcake company, set to star Will Ferrell and Julianne Moore. Called Fruitcake, it’s based on the true story of Sandy and Kay Jenkins, who embezzled more than $17 million from world-famous fruitcake company Collin Street Bakery in Corsicana. The money was stolen by Sandy, who worked as an accountant at the company for a decade. According to government records, he and his… from News Feed – CultureMap Houston https://ift.tt/3cf4IUV from WordPress https://ift.tt/2vsHyKf

Nancy’s Hustle team bakes up plans for new pizza-focused restaurant

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The team behind Nancy’s Hustle will add a new project to their portfolio in 2020. Chef Jason Vaughn, beverage specialist Sean Jensen, and pastry chef Julia Doran released a statement that they will be opening a new restaurant called Tiny Champions. Located just a couple of blocks away from Nancy’s Hustle at 2716 McKinney St, Tiny Champions will open this fall. In a statement, the trio provide a brief description of the restaurant’s concept. No,… from News Feed – CultureMap Houston https://ift.tt/3ad5hwz from WordPress https://ift.tt/386LT33

Kate Hudson’s fab activewear line leaps into Houston with new store

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With the weather in Houston going from frigid to temperate, locals are turning their attention to getting in shape and the great outdoors. Perfect timing, then, for a fashionable active-lifestyle brand to open up shop. Fabletics, the active-lifestyle brand co-founded by Hollywood celebrity Kate Hudson in 2013, announced its new location in first level of The Galleria. The store will celebrate with a grand opening event on Saturday, March 7 from 10 am to 4… from News Feed – CultureMap Houston https://ift.tt/3ckvr2D from WordPress https://ift.tt/2wVvUIf

The Houston West African cafe made famous on PBS, plus hot food news

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On this week’s episode of “What’s Eric Eating,” Ope Amosu joins CultureMap food editor Eric Sandler to discuss ChopnBlọk. Since 2017, Amosu has been hosting pop-ups to test ideas for turning the West African-themed concept into a brick and mortar restaurant. Amosu, who grew up in Houston’s Nigerian community, tells Sandler that he became interested in opening a restaurant when he realized how difficult it was to find West African cuisine in cities he traveled… from News Feed – CultureMap Houston https://ift.tt/396xULX from WordPress https://ift.tt/2VvvUIX

The Houston schools and businesses closed due to the 610 East flood

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Several Houston schools and businesses are closing due to a massive water main break on the 610 East Loop. Neighborhoods including Midtown, Montrose, The Museum District, The Heights, the Memorial Park/Rice Military area, and Timbergrove have been experiencing water shortages. The water main break was reported near Fidelity and North Carolina around noon. Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez tweeted that water flowed to the East Loop and the Ship Channel Bridge. Houston TranStar is asking… from News Feed – CultureMap Houston https://ift.tt/3amGoyT from WordPress https://ift.tt/3cf0ahh

Casual Montrose Italian restaurant may soon take flight

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Night Heron may soon fly away. Agricole Hospitality is seeking to sublease the space that’s currently occupied by its Montrose bistro. Co-owner Morgan Weber confirms the listing but adds that the company doesn’t have a specific timeline for when the restaurant will close. Essentially, they’re waiting for the right offer. “If we get an offer we dig, we’ll pull the trigger,” Weber says. “If not, we’ll keep rolling.” Opened in 2018, Night Heron attempted to… from News Feed – CultureMap Houston https://ift.tt/395xpSr from WordPress https://ift.tt/2wTkRPL

Houston’s haute new spa draws a star-studded evening of glam

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It wasn’t just the crystal chandelier, originally from New York’s Plaza Hotel, that caught everyone’s gaze at the introduction of Solaya Spa & Salon on opening night, but also the style-savvy sophisticates of Houston who came out to celebrate the newest sister spa to the city’s beloved Trellis Spa at The Houstonian. The scoop The award-winning Trellis Spa at The Houstonian has begun a major six-month renovation which started in February, and at the same… from News Feed – CultureMap Houston https://ift.tt/2PtchNY from WordPress https://ift.tt/397f2MT

Meet Peanut, the charming Chihuahua mix, CultureMap’s pet of the week

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Name: Peanut, as in former tennis pro Peanut Louie, and Planters’ late great commercial spokesman Mr. Peanut. Birthdate: February 22, 2018. I just turned 2, which for us little guys is practically a newborn. We have a very long life expectancy, you know. Ethnicity: I’m a short coat Chihuahua, sort of, with a little something extra in my gene pool. I’m described as “moderately active.” I like to play fetch and go on walks. I… from News Feed – CultureMap Houston https://ift.tt/2vlzzyv from WordPress https://ift.tt/3a8rpIy

The property tax toll for Texans is one of the worst in America

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Each year, the average American household spends $2,375 on real estate property taxes. Guess what, Texas: we’re definitely not average. Cash-strapped Texans might not be surprised to learn that we have some of the highest property taxes in the country, according to a new report from personal finance site WalletHub. The 2020 Property Taxes by State report shows that Texas ranks No. 45 out of 51 (the District of Columbia was also included). Our effective… from News Feed – CultureMap Houston https://ift.tt/2VrAGHy from WordPress https://ift.tt/32yae0D

4 ways to saddle up for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

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If the locals and Newstonians in western wear and cowboys on horses on Memorial Drive are any hint, fans of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo are gearing up for the bevy of festivities that kick off this week, before the official start on March 3. Festivities got going with the annual Rodeo Roundup at Houston City Hall, where Mayor Sylvester Turner proclaimed Go Texan Day on Friday, February 28. The city-wide celebration of Houston’s… from News Feed – CultureMap Houston https://ift.tt/32uZ10y from WordPress https://ift.tt/2uBpzAX

Here are the top 8 things to do in Houston this weekend

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The brisk Houston weather is warming, just in time for Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo fun. The warmer temps mean a chance to get out and explore — may we suggest a walk for a good cause on Sunday, say, after BrunchFest in the park? Thursday, February 27 Bank of America Women’s Leadership Series: Women in Journalism: Ann Curry at Asia Society Texas Center Secret time: Back in the day, we had a big crush… from News Feed – CultureMap Houston https://ift.tt/2T7mtOB from WordPress https://ift.tt/3aawVdH

The Chainsmokers scorch at Tilman Fertitta’s over-the-top ice bash

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What: The San Luis Salute — “Royal Ice Garden” Where: The Galveston Island Convention Center at The San Luis Resort The scoop: Nearly 2,000 partiers packed the San Luis Resort for Feritta Family’s annual mega-Mardi Gras! Galveston party, the San Luis Salute. Kicking off the invite-only pre-party, VIPs sipped Veuve Clicquot bubbly and liquid blue nitrogen cocktails beneath a crystal-adorned tent stationed with Fertitta’s mega yacht, the Boardwalk, as the evening’s stunning sunset backdrop. Inside,… from News Feed – CultureMap Houston https://ift.tt/2T5GAN7 from WordPress https://ift.tt/2PsdJA5

Whiskey-fueled restaurant now serving comfort food in Memorial

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The Memorial area has a new option for classic American comfort food. Federal Grill has quietly opened its second location in Hedwig Village at 8731 Katy Fwy. With 7,000 square feet of space, the new restaurant can seat 240 people between its bar and dining room. Two private rooms are available for events and the restaurant’s signature whiskey dinners. Owner Matt Brice incorporates a number of classic design elements into the new restaurant. Diners will… from News Feed – CultureMap Houston https://ift.tt/3932mqh from WordPress https://ift.tt/2T5zlop

LeeAnne Locken leaves Real Housewives of Dallas to focus on real life

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Real Housewives of Dallas star LeeAnne Locken is retiring her exhausted weave. The show’s biggest and most controversial star announced she will exit the series after four seasons. In a statement published in People magazine late February 25, Locken said: “The last four years have been a trolley-slapping good time but after much consideration, I have made the personal decision to step away from RHOD. “Getting to share my wedding with the viewers last year… from News Feed – CultureMap Houston https://ift.tt/3ccOhZa from WordPress https://ift.tt/2SZnxE2

McDonald’s goes green with return of fan favorite Shamrock Shake

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This week, I reached out for a returning classic, the Shamrock Shake, and its new spinoff, the Oreo Shamrock McFlurry, at America’s No. 1 burger barn, McDonald’s, with 14,000 restaurants coast-to-coast, up, down, and all around. There are 300 McDonald’s just in the Houston area. There are five McDonald’s within a 10-minute drive from my winter home in West University Place. Here’s the Shamrock Shake breakdown: vanilla soft-serve ice cream blended with minty Shamrock Shake… from News Feed – CultureMap Houston https://ift.tt/2TlKErv from WordPress https://ift.tt/2uyCIe3

14 Houston chefs, bars, and restaurants score James Beard nominations

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Houston is once again well-represented among this year’s semifinalists for the James Beard Awards. The prestigious culinary awards, considered to be the Oscars of the food world, are awarded annually to chefs, bartenders, restaurateurs, authors, and more in a wide variety of categories. In all, Houston received 14 nominations on February 26. That’s up from last year, when the city earned 11 semifinalist nominations. In the Best Chef: Texas category, the local nominees include: Dawn… from News Feed – CultureMap Houston https://ift.tt/2w9HdvO from WordPress https://ift.tt/2Tgc2ad

New bayou bridge makes Houston areas more walkable and bike-friendly

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In effort to make Houston more walkable and bike-friendly, city organizations have completed an important step in connectivity with the opening of a crucial new bridge. Leaders from various city groups recently celebrated the ribbon cutting for the Brays Bayou Greenway Bridge, which will serve as an important connection between the University of Houston and the future home of the UH College of Medicine — as well as MacGregor Park. The Brays Bayou Greenway Bridge… from News Feed – CultureMap Houston https://ift.tt/2T0RTWN from WordPress https://ift.tt/3abe2qT

Stages unloads an explosive new theater season of crowd-pleasing shows

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Stages has always laid claim as the Houston theater with some of the most varied and diverse season lineups. Every year, audiences have come to expect and anticipate that signature mix of crowd-pleasers, dynamic musicals, and comedies — and quite a few edgy contemporary works. Seen together, they make for an explosive season. So it almost seems a Stage in-joke that for their just announced 20-21 season, they will introduce to the world a new… from News Feed – CultureMap Houston https://ift.tt/2PoQTcy from WordPress https://ift.tt/2I1nl0x

These 11 bartenders are crafting Houston’s best cocktails

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In lieu of a formal introduction to the CultureMap Tastemaker Awards nominees for Bartender of the Year, here’s a quick anecdote. Recently, a friend shared the story of a young bartender who asked that he be listed as a “mixologist” on his business cards. Since most bartenders reject the term as overly pretentious, she began to quiz him about his experience in the service industry. He revealed that he had never visited Anvil, a deficiency… from News Feed – CultureMap Houston https://ift.tt/2VidVG2 from WordPress https://ift.tt/381gOxs

Cirque du Soleil leaps into Houston with fiery daredevil tricks

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Local fans of Cirque du Soleil who were expecting them to come to town at the end of March will be psyched to learn that they will be showing up a bit earlier than that. The Montreal-based, contemporary circus crew will be in H-Town with Alegria, one of their longest-running productions. But instead of starting its run originally on Tuesday, March 31, it will be adding 12 days of performances, starting Saturday, February 29. Now,… from News Feed – CultureMap Houston https://ift.tt/2w20kbg from WordPress https://ift.tt/32pKDa5

Hoffman on the 30-day healthy challenge every Houstonian should try

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Last week, I accepted a dare to take the VegOut Challenge. This is going to be easy. I’ve sort of made a career of doing as little as possible. I was tricked! It wasn’t what I thought. The challenge mean I had to eat vegetables — at least once a day for 30 days. The idea is to raise awareness of childhood obesity. Locally, Houston do-gooder Grace Cavnar’s organization, Recipe for Success, has all the… from News Feed – CultureMap Houston https://ift.tt/3a4eoQ7 from WordPress https://ift.tt/380z9Lk

Healthy-eating restaurant reveals opening date for Heights location

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The wait for Houston’s newest healthy-eating restaurant has almost come to an end. Flower Child announced that it will open its third Houston-area location in The Heights on March 24. Announced last year, the new Flower Child will occupy a 3,500-square-foot space in the newly-built Market at Houston Heights development. Thai restaurant Kin Dee, CycleBar, Salon Lofts, and others will also call the building at 15th St. and N. Shepherd Dr. home. Known for its… from News Feed – CultureMap Houston https://ift.tt/32oeuQa from WordPress https://ift.tt/384LL4c

These are the top 7 concerts in Houston this week

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While shows by local artists might not be the biggest of the week, they are important to note because a healthy local scene always means good things for the city of Houston as a whole. Michelle Miears performs under the name Miears, producing Kate Bush and Chvrches inspired synth-pop with beautiful atmospherics. After paying her dues in the synth band BLSHS, she’ll be releasing her excellent solo debut, Hanging On, at Axlerad (1517 Alabama St.)… from News Feed – CultureMap Houston https://ift.tt/38UHKjQ from WordPress https://ift.tt/3a1Nh8o

Houston steers onto list of Texas’ most dangerous cities for drivers

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When it comes to traffic safety, you might call the Greater Houston area a two-way street. An analysis of 2018 data from the U.S. Census Bureau and Texas Department of Transportation published by Austin-based Aceable, a provider of online driving courses, puts Houston at No. 14 among the 20 most dangerous cities for drivers, while The Woodlands comes in tied for the safest. Aceable ranked the 40 largest Texas cities based on the number of… from News Feed – CultureMap Houston https://ift.tt/2HSY2hj from WordPress https://ift.tt/37YJerS

Crook Log Dental Practice – creating winning smiles in Bexleyheath

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Crook Log Dental Practice is an award-winning dental practice providing a comprehensive range of high-quality dental treatments from a standard check-up and oral hygiene treatment to dental implants and adult orthodontics. The dental practice in Bexleyheath is conveniently situated just a short walk from Bexleyheath Train Station with free car parking available to all patients. The practice has been recently refurbished and modernised creating a welcoming and relaxed environment. The dental team go out their way to ensure that each visit is a positive experience whether it’s a straightforward check-up or its specialist implant dentistry service. All patients are assisted in making the right choices in dental care to suit their precise needs with an informed decision-making process. Crook Log Dental Practice dentists and members of the dental team are familiar with all the latest advances in dental treatments and carry out regular training and education to enable them to lead the w

Houstonians celebrate the gift of time at $2.3 million Heart Ball

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What: Houston Heart Ball 2020 Where: Hilton Americas-Houston The scoop: Houston’s community leaders, medical heroes, titans of industry, and social stars recently celebrated the lifesaving work of the American Heart Association at the 2020 Houston Heart Ball. The well-attended event, chaired by local philanthropists Beverly and Jim Postl, raised a massive $2.3 million to fund research and education programs that will ultimately save lives from heart disease and stroke. This year’s theme, “The Gift of… from News Feed – CultureMap Houston https://ift.tt/2w6NlVW from WordPress https://ift.tt/2uyTWrK

Memorial City cooks up month-long dining event for a good cause

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Houston Restaurant Weeks remains one of the city’s most popular dining events. Diners can’t resist the opportunity to, as the event’s slogan says, “dine out and do good” by eating at popular restaurants who then donate a portion of the proceeds to charity. The format has spawn imitators devoted to various worthy causes, including Black Restaurant Week and Latin Restaurant Weeks. In March, another restaurant weeks offering will give Houstonians a chance to explore the… from News Feed – CultureMap Houston https://ift.tt/2SV1gHv from WordPress https://ift.tt/2SSUTo3

New dining club serves up cool deals for Houston young professionals

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Houstonians love to dine out. And they love being part of something, especially if it’s something that gives them something. Houstonians, meet EaterPass. It’s the brainchild of Courtney Steinfeld, who describes it as “a hip, fun, local membership community.” While her target audience is millennial young women, ages 24-34, membership is open to all. For an $8 monthly fee, EaterPass members get “Insider Pricing” at a host of participating restaurants, which translates to 20 percent… from News Feed – CultureMap Houston https://ift.tt/2ViPbNH from WordPress https://ift.tt/2TeFD3A

Pearland favorite lassos top spot at Rodeo’s Best Bites competition

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Rodeo goers love Grazia Italian Kitchen. The Pearland restaurant made it back- to-back victories at the annual Rodeo Uncorked! Best Bites competition. Grazia’s “smoked and soaked” wagyu chuck with corn pudding earned the coveted people’s choice for the second year in a row. Grazia also won the award in 2016. Cotton Culinary took second place for its duck carnitas. Other winners included Brennan’s of Houston, which won best appetizer for its fried oysters with Crystal… from News Feed – CultureMap Houston https://ift.tt/2Pg3v5Z from WordPress https://ift.tt/390uhXO

Top agents from Houston’s hottest real estate firm spill about success

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It may have only started in 2014, but Nan and Company Properties/Christie’s International Real Estate wasted no time in becoming one of Houston’s most sought-after real estate companies. Founded by Nancy Almodovar, the firm quickly established its presence online as an expert on all things Houston and relied heavily on the community knowledge and industry savvy of its agents. A few of these top-producing agents took a moment from their busy schedules to reflect on… from News Feed – CultureMap Houston https://ift.tt/2HToQ0O from WordPress https://ift.tt/2SUv5YJ

Hoffman on the fury of a bad boxing bet and Houston’s Masked celebrity

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I’m not a gambling man. I place maybe one bet every few years. Here’s why: On February 22, I watched a several boxing analysts discuss the Tyson Fury vs. Deontay Wilder heavyweight title fight. One expert said that Wilder’s right hand is the single hardest punch in the history of boxing. The undefeated Wilder had 42 fights and he scored 41 knockouts. In their first fight, Wilder knocked Fury down two times before the bout… from News Feed – CultureMap Houston https://ift.tt/2vaxIfK from WordPress https://ift.tt/2ST25AA

These are the 9 best food and drink events in Houston this week

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Superstars are in town this week, with selections from Charles Heidsieck on the menu at an event at Rudyard’s, Mark Cox making an appearance at Bisou, and winemaker, designer, and overall jetsetter Jean-Charles Boisset turning up at Emmaline. Fat Tuesday celebrations abound, and a beer dinner raises money for a worthy cause. Monday, February 24 Lundi Gras Dinner at Rudyard’s Hosted by Down Low Dinners — a pop-up that unites sommeliers Emily Tolbert (Savoir), Jonathan… from News Feed – CultureMap Houston https://ift.tt/32mRjFK from WordPress https://ift.tt/3c2jka4

3 Houston employers clock in on Fortune’s best companies to work

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Hunting for a job in Houston? A new ranking from Fortune magazine suggests you might consider three local companies. Camden Property Trust, David Weekley Homes, and Hilcorp Energy Co. all rank on Fortune’s 2020 list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For, published February 18. Fortune bases its annual list of the best workplaces on a nationwide study done by analytics firm Great Place to Work. This time around, the study featured input from… from News Feed – CultureMap Houston https://ift.tt/37XFCqe from WordPress https://ift.tt/2vX3Y6m

Chris Shepherd shocker lights up Houston’s 5 most popular stories

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Editor’s note: It’s time to recap the top stories on CultureMap from this past week. 1. Chris Shepherd electrifies Houston’s dining scene with wild change to One Fifth. So many concepts, so little time. Houston’s hottest chef describes the “lightning round” planned for the final 18 months of his restaurant. 2. Houston’s rooftop cinema unveils new spring lineup full of hot hits and cool themed nights. The city’s first rooftop cinema club revealed a new… from News Feed – CultureMap Houston https://ift.tt/3bYBbP3 from WordPress https://ift.tt/2PaZvnh

Cult-favorite Houston pizza restaurant announces shutter

A once-heralded Houston pizza joint is folding. Sambrooks Management Company restaurant group announced the shutter of Pi Pizza (181 Heights Blvd.) at the close of business on Friday, February 21. Pi Pizza was the brainchild of edgy, popular pizza chef Anthony Calleo, who started concept as pizza truck and was given the green light for a brick-and- mortar location by then-head of Cherry Pie Hospitality, Lee Ellis, in 2016. The two became cult figures in… from News Feed – CultureMap Houston https://ift.tt/32glApG from WordPress https://ift.tt/3bQQycm

Houston billionaire Tilman Fertitta acquires storied steakhouse chain

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In a move that further cements his reign as America’s most prominent restaurateur, Houston’s Tilman Fertitta announced that his company, Landry’s Inc., has agreed to purchase the storied Palm steakhouse chain. The deal was made public on Friday, February 21 and is worth $50 million “plus assumption of certain liabilities and working capital,” according to Landry’s. “The transaction will not close until there is final court approval,” said Landry’s general counsel, Steven L. Scheinthal, in… from News Feed – CultureMap Houston https://ift.tt/37RiMk2 from WordPress https://ift.tt/2wxrEOM

Houston lags this far behind in ranking of country’s healthiest cities

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While one Texas city is running away with an important accolade, Houston is lagging way behind. A study released February 10 by personal finance website WalletHub puts Austin in 11th place among the country’s healthiest cities and first place in Texas. Houston creeps over the finish line in at 82nd place. To determine which regions prioritize residents’ well-being, WalletHub compared 174 of the most populated U.S. cities across 43 key indicators of good health. The… from News Feed – CultureMap Houston https://ift.tt/32hz6cL from WordPress https://ift.tt/32exXTn

Romantic and feminist Portrait of a Lady on Fire is a stunner

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The vagaries of the Oscar nomination process for the International Feature Film category means that each foreign country can only put forth one film as their official contender. In the case of France, that resulted in Les Miserables representing the country for the 2020 Academy Awards, a choice that wound up getting one of the five nominations. But another film from France, Portrait of a Lady on Fire, may have been even better and deserves… from News Feed – CultureMap Houston https://ift.tt/2vVDl1m from WordPress https://ift.tt/2vTwd5T

Parisian fashion house suits up with first Texas shop in River Oaks

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As savvy shoppers know, River Oaks District is home to myriad global fashion brands, such as Veronica Beard, Moreau, and FRAME. Now, ROD has announced that a new stylish shop has just entered the worldly mix. Parisian fashion house, Zadig & Voltaire, will open the doors to a new boutique in late February in a new space next to Alice & Olivia. This is the first Texas store and seventh North American outpost for the… from News Feed – CultureMap Houston https://ift.tt/32ifPHX from WordPress https://ift.tt/3906eYQ

Ken Hoffman on the controversial new United Airlines snack switch

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Biscoff cookies are now the Boeing 737 Max of complimentary in-flight snacks at United — officially grounded. United Airlines is replacing Biscoff cookies with Oreo Thins starting next month. You can hear the cheers of United customers over the roar of its jet engines. Oreos — be they regular, skinny, sugar-free, double, triple, and even quadruple stuf’ed (one “f”) — are America’s favorite cookie and no other cookie is even close. Oreos were invented in… from News Feed – CultureMap Houston https://ift.tt/2vWyQ6F from WordPress https://ift.tt/2wCJRKX

Meet lovely Luna, the terrier charmer, CultureMap’s pet of the week

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Name: Luna, as in former WWE wrestler Luna Vachon, journalism legend Marcy de Luna, and star pitcher Betty Luna from the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. You saw the movie League of their Own, right? Birthdate: December 13, 2007. I am not in my terrible twos … I’m 14 in human years. Ethnicity: I’m a Terrier mixed up girly-girl. I’m petite, only 14 pounds, which is what I weighed in puppy school. I can still… from News Feed – CultureMap Houston https://ift.tt/38ZDTBW from WordPress https://ift.tt/39Un8IK

All cameras are on Dallas for PBS’s Samantha Brown’s Places to Love

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Globe-trotting TV travel host Samantha Brown is as hard to track down for an interview as you’d imagine. The Dallas native was set to chat on the phone about the “Dallas” episode of her Emmy Award-winning PBS show, Samantha Brown’s Places to Love, when she rescheduled to catch a plane to get ahead of a snowstorm. Then the snowstorm caught up with her while driving through Quebec, and our phone interview became an email exchange… from News Feed – CultureMap Houston https://ift.tt/3c4pwP0 from WordPress https://ift.tt/2T2CTGI

20 best Houston bars and restaurants for National Margarita Day

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Saturday, February 22, is National Margarita Day, which is as good a reason as any for Bayou City bars and restaurants to host parties, offer special deals, and otherwise celebrate the popular cocktail. Frozen, on the rocks, or with swirls of sangria, however Houstonians like the drink, they’ll find plenty of places to enjoy it. Arnaldo Richards’ Pico’s Given that its bar menu boasts more than 250 tequilas, it’s no surprise that the Upper Kirby… from News Feed – CultureMap Houston https://ift.tt/2P8LNkU from WordPress https://ift.tt/2P9lElM

The Weeknd lavishes love on Houston with hot summer show

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The Weeknd will bring his new headline world tour, The After Hours Tour, to Houston on July 24 at Toyota Center. The tour is in support of his new album, After Hours, which will be released on March 20. It will travel to 53 cities around the world over the course of five months, starting in Vancouver, British Columbia on June 11. He’ll play both Dallas and Fort Worth, becoming the first act to play… from News Feed – CultureMap Houston https://ift.tt/39IVNJo from WordPress https://ift.tt/2vStbyw