They party from fancy kitchens to museums as the social scene rolls on

Those of us who weren't among the lucky 16 dining at the high-rise aerie of Gracie and Bob Cavnar last week, when they launched the Recipe for Success "We're Cooking Now, A Gala in Small Bites" series of dinners, can just eat our hearts out.

Haven chef Randy Evans whipped up an incredible meal in the Cavnar kitchen — lamb loin with cherry sauce and bread pudding, anyone, or how about Gulf trout with braised cabbage? Guests parted with $1,500 each for the pleasure of dining at the Cavnars' beautifully-set table where the operative accessories word is Bacarrat. It was a handsome start to the dinners that continue through June and pair some of the city's finest chefs with fab hosts and hostesses. 

Sitting down to the East Texas-themed feast, while pianist Paul English, saxman Horace Alexander Young and torch singer Tommie Lee Bradley entertained, were guests including Ginni and Richard Mithoff, Donna Bruni, Phoebe and Bobby Tudor, Guyla Pircher, Sultana Rehmatulla and Sara and Bill Morgan.

More on deck

That dinner was just the start of a number of evenings available to those with an interest in the fight against childhood obesity (the Recipe for Success mission), with a free night and with a few discretionary dollars. The events range from $200 to $1,500 per person.

You can choose from a swank dinner, prepared by Cal-A-Vie chef Jason Graham, in the River Oaks home of Terri and John Havens, to a family affair Earth Day brunch in the gardens of Stephanie and Al Walker's home to a dinner party in the Memorial swankienda of "We're Cooking Now!" co-chair Sharon Gaille with Chez Roux chef Matthew Gray doing the honors. 

Details on these and other "We're Cooking Now!" events are available at info@recipe4success.org.

On a better roll

Ernie Els might have stumbled along the way at the Shell Houston Open, but he was top scorer at The Tasting Room on Friday when he stopped in to share info on his South African wines and to promote his Els for Autism program. You might remember that Els' son is autistic. 

Fans showed up with bottles of Ernie Els Wines and golf memorabilia for the the PGA star to autograph. It was a big day for Tasting Room and Max's Wine Dive owner Jerry Lasco and his partner in the two ventures, Jonathon Horowitz.

Not so strange bedfellows

Mayor Annise Parker's chief of staff and former campaign manager Adam Harris made it a special night when he popped the question last week to political consultant Mary Bell. She thought it was just going to be a special dinner when the limo picked her up at home but the destination was far from a restaurant.

She was delivered to the Byzantine Fresco Chapel Museum in Montrose where Harris awaited just inside the door. He romantically told her that the museum was filled with treasures and that, in his eyes, she was a treasure in herself. He then went down on one knee, presented a ring and asked for her hand. She, of course, said yes.

Many of their friends were aware of the surprise for Bell so they planned a party. Leading the festivities were David Arpin, the mayor's finance chairman, and his partner, Alex Martinez. The duo just happens to own the apartment complex where Harris lives, so they took advantage of the glorious weather and threw an engagement bash in the courtyard.

The celebrating throng included Mayor Parker's chief of staff Waynette Chan, power broker Marty McVey, Fulbright & Jaworski partner Neil Thomas and wife Kris, Houston Boards and Commissions director Jenn Charr, attorney Roland Garcia and wife Karen, City Councilwoman Sue Lovett, PR whiz Cindy Clifford and many more.

Close call

Johanna Bot might have missed the Black Eyed Peas when they performed at RodeoHouston but hubby Tim Thomas, Memorial Clinical Associates managing director, made sure that she got to see them — in San Diego. He woke her early the other morning to catch a 7 a.m. flight to that California city, where they happen to own a nearby condo on Imperial Beach. The short trip out west included a swell dinner, the show and walking on the beach. Then back to Houston, just missing the earthquake. Talk about good timing.