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    Raising the Barre

    Houston's hottest chefs and ballet stars play together in the kitchen: And young professionals eat the spoils

    Joel Luks
    Apr 1, 2015 | 11:29 am

    We all know that Houston Ballet dancers can bust a move. The question is: Can they cook?

    It's this pickle that was on the plate at the fifth annual "Raising the Barre" dinner Sunday at Brennan's of Houston. So much so that demand for seats blew the lid off expectations, engendering Houston Ballet young professionals to snatch all 180 tickets within three weeks of being available for purchase. That's a good problem to have, thought party chairs Ting and John Bresnahan and Crystal and Randy Wright.

    The Ballet Barre throng that this season is led by chairmen Hannah Lonergan and Mary Nichols Patton — always chic, always poised — savored once again the delicious five-course choreography that happens when ballerinas and cavaliers play in the kitchen alongside top local toques.

    The second floor of the restaurant was packed solid with spirited chit chatter as Hell's Kitchen winner and Corner Table chef Ja'Nel Witt passed a trio of apps inspired by principal dancer Yuriko Kajiya's provenance. With a nod to the Land of the Rising Sun, this duo offered Japanese togarashi tuna tartare, blistered shinto peppers and tempura takos — yes, with a "k" and not with a "c." Champagne? Arigatoo gozaimasu.

    Applause was well deserved for this soirée that raised $84,000 to support ballet programs, performances and community engagement ventures.

    Act two included the collaborative efforts of soloist Soo Youn Cho, from Korea, and Coltivare chef Ryan Pera, who became friends with the Bresnahans soon after the couple moved from Virginia to Houston six years ago. As a special favor to Ting, Pera participated for the first time in this fundraiser and created a Gulf Coast Bo Ssam — smoked oysters, crispy pork belly and kimchi wrapped in a soft lettuce leaf.

    The following courses included a butternut squash ravioli thanks to chef Olivier Ciesielski and first soloist Jared Matthews, Texas red snapper and crawfish over mascarpone grits courtesy of host chef Danny Trace and demi soloist Christopher Gray and a tangy sweet finish in the Meyer lemon tart crafted by Rebecca Masson with soloist Allison Miller.

    Applause was well deserved for this soirée that raised $84,000 to support ballet programs, performances and community engagement ventures. Doing their duty were Harry Cullen, who won a vintage 2002 bottle of Dom Pérignon in the silent auction, and Phoebe and Bobby Tudor, bidding $7,500 during the live auction on a similar dinner at home with the evening's culinary team. With a $12,000 bid, Linsay and Jeremy Radcliffe won a private dinner for 12 in the James Beard House in New York City.

    Balletomanes in the crowd alongside artistic director Stanton Welch, executive director Jim Nelson and sponsor BB&T's representatives Heather and Tom O'Connor and Courtney and Bill Toomey included Kristy and Chris Bradshaw, Divya and Chris Brown, Christine and Chris Transier, Beth and Nick Zdeblick, Mary and Ben Patton, Annette and Anthony Brissett, Erin and James Stewart, Jaquel and Jeremy Andrews, Gina and Devinder Bhatia, Margaret and Brian Bravo, Mary Rebecca Dick and Jakeen and Garfield Johnson.

    Phoebe and Bobby Tudor.

      
    Photo by © Michelle Watson CatchLightGroup.com
    Phoebe and Bobby Tudor.
    unspecified
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    Tasting Table Recap

    Houston's Best New Restaurant shows off at CultureMap Tasting Table dinner

    Eric Sandler
    Jun 25, 2025 | 4:59 pm
    CultureMap Tasting Table Leo's River Oaks Land Rover Central
    Photo by Daniel Ortiz
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    Houston’s best new restaurant showed off for CultureMap readers on Tuesday night. Leo’s River Oaks served a meal the sold-out crowd won’t soon forget for round two of the CultureMap Tasting Table dinner series.

    Prior to entering Leo’s posh, Art Deco-inspired dining room, guests couldn’t help but notice the two, well-appointed Land Rover Range Rovers stationed at the valet stand, courtesy of presenting sponsor Land Rover Houston Central. Once inside, everyone stopped by the bar for a sweet sip created by event sponsor Weber Ranch Vodka. As Culinary Khancepts culinary director Justin Yoakum worked the room, Leo’s staff circulated with bites of shrimp ceviche and beef carpaccio. Prior to taking their seats, guests posed for a caricature from NXTLVL Events.

    Having won the title of Best New Restaurant at the CultureMap Tastemaker Awards, diners undoubtedly had sky high expectations for the meal. Executive chef Kirk Thompson and his team easily cleared the bar, serving a four-course meal that showcased some of the restaurant’s most popular fare. Of course, no one was more delighted to see chef Kirk shine than his proud parents, Seliece and Lee Womble, who snagged a prime table for the occasion.

    As the lightly dressed house salad made its way to diners, Gow Media CEO Jacob Swain welcomed the night’s attendees. After a hearty cheers, we were off.

    Leo’s followed the salad with a dish that showcases the last vestiges of spring with a well executed, properly al dente pea and asparagus risotto. After a palate-cleansing citrus sorbet, properly medium rare filet mignon arrived with an accompaniment of roasted carrots. The few vegetarians in the room got an extra special treat with Leo’s fan favorite truffle-mushroom agnolotti. A mascarpone cheesecake, served with sweet and tart and strawberries and raspberries, ended the meal on just the right note.

    Speaking of notes, piano player Thomas Cokinos stole the show with his lively turn at the restaurant’s baby grand. Sure, we expected to hear standards from piano men such as Billy Joel (“My Life”) and Elton John (“I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues," among others), but it was a note perfect performance of Lil’ Troy’s iconic anthem “Wanna Be a Baller” that had people dancing and singing along the loudest.

    Seen in the crowd were Houston influencer Imani Guillory, Gow Media CRO Lindsey Harvel, a number of execs from Culinary Khancepts, Brynn Lehman from Weber Ranch Vodka, and CultureMap contributor Emily Cotton.

    We had so much fun with the first two Tasting Table dinners that we’ll be back for more soon. Make sure to follow CultureMap on Instagram so you don’t miss out on future announcements.

    CultureMap Tasting Table Leo's River Oaks Land Rover Central
      

    Photo by Daniel Ortiz

    Grace Gonzalez, Hillary Graham, and Jacquelyn Barrios.

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