Hyde Park

Chef Chat, Part 1: Joe Macri of Up Restaurant, On Growing Up in a Southern Italian Family, and How He Moved to Houston Within 10 Days of Visiting for the First Time

This is the first part of a Chef Chat series. Parts 2 and 3 will run in this same space on Thursday and Friday. Up Restaurant in Highland Village boasts one of the most beautiful dining rooms in the city. Above the bar, a gigantic, glittering Swarovski chandelier immediately wows before you step d ... More >>

On His Majesty’s Secret Service

In Hyde Park on Hudson, it’s patriotic to pleasure a president.

Chef Chat, Part 2: Bobby Matos of Ciao Bello, On Learning on the Fly in the Kitchen

Bobby Matos Ciao Bello 5161 San Felipe 713-960-0333 ciaobellohouston.com This is the second part of a three-part chef chat series. Read Part 1 here and look for Part 3 in this same space Friday. Yesterday, we chatted with Chef Bobby Matos about why he became a chef, and why he chose culinary sch ... More >>

Chef Chat, Part 1: Bobby Matos of Ciao Bello, On Whether Culinary School Is Worth It

Bobby Matos Ciao Bello 5161 San Felipe 713-960-0333 ciaobellohouston.com This is the first part of a three-part chef chat series. Look for parts 2 and 3 in this same space Thursday and Friday. Ciao Bello, Tony Vallone's lighter, more casual version of his iconic Tony's in River Oaks, offers some ... More >>

100 Favorite Dishes 2012: No. 4, Tuna and Bottarga at Tony's

This year leading up to our annual Best of Houston® issue, we're counting down our 100 favorite dishes in Houston. This list comprises our favorite dishes from the last year, dishes that are essential to Houston's cultural landscape and/or dishes that any visitor (or resident) should try at least o ... More >>

Keep Cool and Caffeinated

Houston's ten best iced coffee crinks

July 2012 in Openings & Closings: t'afia Is Dead, Long Live t'afia

It's true: t'afia is closed. But only until August 14. That's when -- as chef/owner Monica Pope told us on Wednesday -- the restaurant will be reopened with a revamped concept. It's also true that our beloved Nabi is on the chopping block, as owner Ji Kang confirmed to Eater Houston. However, just ... More >>

100 Favorite Dishes 2012: No. 85, Wild Boar and Crab Pizza at Boheme

This year leading up to our annual Best of Houston® issue, we're counting down our 100 favorite dishes in Houston. This list comprises our favorite dishes from the last year, dishes that are essential to Houston's cultural landscape and/or dishes that any visitor (or resident) should try at least o ... More >>

Some Members of the Hyde Park Civic Association Don't Like Their New Neighbors, Underbelly and Hay Merchant

Maybe the guests at Chances and Mary's were quieter back in their days, or maybe Montrose residents have short memories these days. Either way, the Hyde Park Civic Association apparently isn't a fan of its newest neighbors -- Underbelly and Hay Merchant, the new restaurant and craft beer bar duo at ... More >>

A Festivus Miracle: Hyde Park's Stolen Christmas Tree Returned

Not the Hyde Park tree.​We told you Monday how someone had stolen the traditional outdoor Christmas tree put up by the Hyde Park neighborhood in Montrose. Dry those tears: The miracle we foretold occurred: The dude who took it returned it, and all is well. "GREAT NEWS!!!! The Hyde Park Commu ... More >>

Saddest Christmas in Hyde Park: Neighborhood's Tree Stolen

Starring Susan Lucci....​If this was a Lifetime movie, it would all end with everyone learning the true meaning of Christmas. And maybe it still will. But as of now, there are still plenty of commercial breaks to go before the story ends. Sunday was supposed to be the day to celebrate the se ... More >>

Chef Chat, Part 1: Grant Gordon of Tony's

Mai PhamExecutive Chef Grant Gordon of Tony's​There's been a lot of buzz lately about young Executive Chef Grant Gordon of Tony's. Last month, he collaborated on a hugely successful Les Sauvages pop-up dinner with Chefs Justin Basye and Peter Jahnke. Gordon was also among the youngest of the ... More >>

Chef Chat, Part 1: Tommy Birdwell of TQLA

Photo by Matthew DresdenChef Tommy Birdwell, in front of TQLA​Houston native Tommy Birdwell, the co-owner/executive chef at TQLA, may hold the record for having worked at more restaurants than any other chef in Houston: 37, at last count. Then again, his career began at age ten. A graduate of ... More >>

Chef Chat, Part 1: Juan Carlos Gonzalez of Bistro Alex in City Centre

Executive Chef Juan Carlos Gonzalez of Bistro Alex​Executive Chef Juan Carlos Gonzalez of Bistro Alex is a cool kind of guy. The first time I met him, during the launch of Bistro Bar, he came down from the kitchen decked out in full chef's regalia - complete with a signature chef's toque hat t ... More >>

Houston At SXSW: Where & When The Bayou City Invades

​In the coming week, legions of Houstonians will trek northwest to descend upon the city of Austin, blessing it with our mere presence during the madhouse that is SXSW. Heck, some of Houston is already there. Our delegation is not limited to SXSW attendees, however. A host of Houston bands, r ... More >>

Tommy Joe Kelley: Slasher Nabbed, and, Um, Tired Austinites Breathe Sigh of Relief

Travis County SOTommy Joe Kelley, the slasher​Tommy Joe Kelley's reign of terror appears to be at an end. The 56-year-old drifter was quietly nabbed by Austin cops last month on a trespassing charge and booked into Travis County Jail under what police say is one of his 44 aliases. Earlier this ... More >>

Aaron Scheerhorn, 28, Bayou Body Count No. 285

Aaron Scheerhorn: Stabbed outside a Montrose nightclub​A very public stabbing in Montrose Friday night is being described by police as a crime of passion. Aaron Scheerhorn, 28, as stabbed in front of witnesses standing outside of Club Blur on Pacific, the heart of Montrose's gay clubland. Po ... More >>

The Strange Saga of The Muffin Man

Above: Jason "Muffin Man" Perry speaks, um, passionately at a Houston City Council meeting on September 28, 2010. Sitting at home one August day in the Montrose, I watched as a young man walked up and down my street, rolling up flyers and sticking them into gates and doors up and down Hyde Park. H ... More >>

The Barbed Rose

An Ancient Impulse

Portraiture is alive and well.

Chef Chat, Part I: Riccardo Palazzo-Giorgio of Sabetta Café & Wine Bar

​You may recognize Chef Riccardo Palazzo-Giorgio's name from his stint at Simposio Restaurant. Back in November 2009, we visited Simposio and Chef Palazzo-Giorgio for a Fall Wine Tasting featuring the restaurant's new Southern Italian dishes. Palazzo-Giorgio had been there for about two months ... More >>

Antonelli's Cheese Shop

​Specialty shops are not dead. Just ask Kendall and John of Antonelli's Cheese Shop in Austin (4220 Duval Street). On February 11 of this year, they opened Antonelli's Cheese Shop in the city's famous Hyde Park area. Not to worry, Hyde Park Grill and Dolce Vita fans. Antonelli's Cheese Shop ha ... More >>

Music Cities

Texas has its own brand of March Madness

Duck Fat: the New Butter

Is the theme of the awesome Branch Water Tavern "fatty foods for lean times"?

Texas Traveler: Eating in the Alamo City

photos by Robb Walsh Chef Scott Cohen was trying out some new sandwiches for the summer menu when I stopped by San Antonio's hottest new restaurant, Brasserie Pavil on Loop 1604 at Huebner. When I first walked in the door and took in the high ceilings and dark wood, I was immediately reminded of t ... More >>

Texas Traveler: Eating in the Alamo City

photos by Robb Walsh Chef Scott Cohen was trying out some new sandwiches for the summer menu when I stopped by San Antonio's hottest new restaurant, Brasserie Pavil on Loop 1604 at Huebner. When I first walked in the door and took in the high ceilings and dark wood, I was immediately reminded of t ... More >>

SXSW Stream: Notes From The Field

Photos by Chris GrayGuaranteed, at least one person will completely ignore this sign this week.So far the SXSW rumor mill has spun out tales of private or surprise performances by Kanye West, the Roots, Jane's Addiction and Bob Dylan. Further details, if there are any, to follow.Estimated badge pick ... More >>

Environment Texas Wants More Solar Power (Big Surprise)

Environment Texas held a press conference today in front of the Mirabeau B. Sales Center at the corner of Waugh and Hyde Park to, excuse the pun, shed light on the positives of solar energy, specifically in terms of promoting "green" collar job growth in the solar power industry and reducing energy ... More >>

Barack Obama and Me

It was the year 2000 and I was a young hungry reporter in Chicago covering a young hungry state legislator

$13 at Barnaby’s Cafe on West Gray

Illegal Immigrants in the Restaurant Industry

Mexican immigrant Hugo Ortega went from washing dishes to owning Houston's best Mexican restaurant — now he has a few things to say about immigration

Pucker Up

Steak and Peanut Butter

Lemongrass Cafe: A hip Bellaire spot with a hit-or-miss menu

Burrito Wrap-Up

Chipotle chef learned diplomacy at the CIA

Weird Wide Web

Pamela Ribon explains Why Girls Are Weird

Small Wonder

The Hyde Park Miniature Museum has been dredged out of mothballs, but will it find a permanent home before time runs out?

Bulldozers at the Gate

Houston fiddles while its architectural and cultural heritage disappears

Accidental Sexologist

When he was young, William Simon wanted to change the world. The late University of Houston sociology professor changed the way we view sex instead.

Night & Day

December 24 - 30, 1998

To Die For

A mass murderer forges a strange union with Houston crime victims

Alison Cook looks back at 1997: The Year That Bit

Shifting Foundation

Two decades ago, the Burkitt Foundation saved the historic enclave of Hyde Park. But now the foundation is pulling out, and Hyde Park -- as well as many of the social service agencies it houses -- may really become a thing of the past.

Killer Art

Elmer Wayne Henley has some pictures he wants you to see