Dining

Warren's Inn (307 Travis, 713-247-9207) has been a downtown institution since way before downtown was cool. The original Warren's was on Milam; when the building that housed the bar was torn down by a developer, Warren Trousdale moved across Market Square to the present location. A rice farmer and sculptor before donning the publican's apron, Trousdale and his inn were esteemed by those who did not share the Bigger-Newer-Faster-Shinier ethos that consumed most of the historic, smaller-scale buildings around Market Square during the Great Oil Boom. Warren died at the end of the '80s, and his sister, Carolyn Wengler, now operates the business. It's still an oasis for the sort of oddballs who are not troubled by the fact that their favorite cocktail has a really silly name, like the Little Princess. Bartender Faye Thomas, who has been at the inn since 1982, is only too happy to oblige these eccentric fancies.

Warren's Inn's Little Princess:
1 shot Martini & Rossi sweet red vermouth
1 shot Myers's rum

Shake over ice, then strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a maraschino cherry. Repeat as often as necessary.