#TeamMilo

Houston 5-year-old in Down syndrome restaurant flap makes a national impact, draws Anderson Cooper

Kim Castillo, her husband Eric and their 5-year-old son Milo are regulars at Laurenzo's Prime Rib on Washington Avenue . . . but there was something off about their meal on Jan. 16.

"Dinner at Laurenzo's and a family of four asked to be moved from the booth next to us," Castillo wrote on Facebook later in the evening. "I didn't think that much about it. Shortly after, they left the restaurant entirely, glancing at our table as they left. (Thought I was being paranoid.)"

"We always knew [Milo] would impact more people than just us. He is a pretty special dude and has opened a lot of people's ideas about Down syndrome."

Milo, who was born with Down syndrome, was having a great time that night, telling the wait staff about his birthday and sharing some new words he learned.

Apparently irritated by the noise, a nearby family asked to be moved to another table, telling their waiter Michael Garcia that "special needs kids should be kept in special places." Offended by the comment, Garcia refused to serve them.

Soon Garcia and Milo found themselves launched into the national news circuit with outlets from Anderson Cooper to Today featuring their story.

CultureMap caught up with Castillo to talk about her family's jump into the limelight.

"It feels oddly natural — at least where Milo is concerned," she explained in a recent email.

"We always knew he would impact more people than just us. He is a pretty special dude and has opened a lot of people's ideas about Down syndrome, use of the R-word and tolerance for people who are different."

The Castillos are in the process of designing #TeamMilo shirts to raise funds for the Rise School of Houston — the unique school that Milo attends and the city's only institution devoted to the early education of infants, toddlers and pre-school children born with Down syndrome.

Milo Castillo, playing with his parent's DJ setup

Milo Castillo, special needs child, spinning, DJ, January 2013

Photo courtesy of Kim Castillo

Milo Castillo, playing with his parent's DJ setup

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there's the rub

Restaurant known for 'new Houston cuisine' now open in Cypress

Courtesy of Jonathan's the Rub

Jonathan's the Rub serves steaks and other dishes.

A restaurant known for its eclectic “new Houston cuisine” has opened in Cypress. The fourth location of Jonathan’s the Rub is now open for dinner in Bridgeland (20215 Bridgeland Creek Parkway).

First announced last year, the new Jonathan’s is located in Village Green, a 70-acre mixed-use development within the 925-acre Bridgeland Central district. The 5,500-square-foot restaurant includes two patios totaling 2,600 square feet, giving the restaurant plenty of room for private dining rooms, a bar area, and indoor-outdoor areas with fire pits and greenery.

“We were looking for the next frontier — a community with a booming population and a clear vision for growth that aligns with our brand,” chef-owner Jonathan Levine said in a statement. “When we discovered Bridgeland and learned it was a Howard Hughes development, we were immediately impressed. With their reputation for developing generational communities, we felt confident that Bridgeland was the right place for our family and for Jonathan’s the Rub.”

Like Jonathan’s three other locations, the menu at Bridgeland is built around Levine’s signature “new Houston cuisine,” a kicked-up take on comfort food that includes everything from lobster tacos and blackened shrimp and grits to Italian American classics and steakhouse fare.

Village Green is also home to H-E-B and restaurants such as Sweet Paris Crêperie & Café and Crust Pizza Co. Austin-based burger joint P. Terry’s will open there next year.

“Jonathan’s the Rub’s arrival in Bridgeland Central brings a distinguished addition to the culinary scene in both the community and northwest Houston,” said Jim Carman, president of the Texas region, for Bridgeland developer Howard Hughes Communities. “We’re proud to partner with exceptional restaurateurs like Chef Jonathan Levine to bring elevated dining experiences that enhance the lifestyle offerings for our residents and neighbors.”

Courtesy of Jonathan's the Rub

Jonathan's the Rub serves steaks and other dishes.