Shelby's Social Diary

No summer doldrums here: Houston's top restaurants are packed with local celebrities

While one might think that well-heeled foodies all depart for the summer, a recent perusal of the local restaurant scene has proven otherwise. Brasserie 19 continues to boom night and day. Tony's is enjoying its best summer on record. And how long can the line get at Common Bond on weekend mornings?

H-Town's booming economy doesn't hurt. There seems to be enough discretionary income floating around to withstand what appears to be an endless, if subtle, escalation in menu prices. When CultureMaps' Eric Sandler describes $30 entree prices at as reasonable, we have to acknowledge that "check, please" means digging deeper into the wallet. A few more greenbacks for the Caesar salad notwithstanding, these joints are seriously jumping even in the dog days of summer.

Dinners are showing the love this summer to Artisans chef Jacques Fox, who recently welcomed KPRC Channel 2 news anchor Dominique Sachse.

Prime example of the hopping restaurant scene is Liberty Kitchen & Oysterette. The wild popularity of the San Felipe location of Lance Fegen's seafood-oriented eateries seems to have waned little since opening in October. Even on weeknights, the bar is packed three and four deep and if you show up without a dinner reservation, be prepared to park at that bar for a table wait.

And who could have predicted the apparent instant success of Mark Holley's new namesake seafood house? As strategic marketing specialist Cindy Clifford recently emailed, "I was thrilled to get a reservation as it’s been booked solid since it opened! We love a roaring economy!"

Among those spotted at Holley's were City Controller Ronald Green, First Southwest’s investment banker Lester Byrd, Shell attorney Carolyn Benton-Aiman, Klotz Associates executive Delvin Dennis and wife Rita, University of Houston VP of Community Relations Elwyn Lee and City Councilman Mike Laster.

Dinners are showing the love this summer to Artisans chef Jacques Fox, who recently welcomed KPRC Channel 2 news anchor Dominique Sachse and Nick Florescu along with Debbie and Rudy Festari.

Across town at Etoile, it was a sellout for the Bastille Day dinner cooked in tandem by Philippe Verpiand and Philippe Schmit. The classic French offerings were a hit with NFL linebackers Connor Barwin of the Philadelphia Eagles, formerly the Houston Texans, and the Texans' Brooks Reed. Among the sellout crowd were Ricardo Weitz, principal owner of Momentum Automotive Group, and Dave Petratis, Allegion CEO.

Lance Fegen, from left, Lee Ellis and Travis Lenig are all smiles of the continued success of Liberty Kitchen & Oysterette.

Lance Fegen, Lee Ellis and Travis Lenig of Liberty Kitchen

Photo by Eric Sandler

Lance Fegen, from left, Lee Ellis and Travis Lenig are all smiles of the continued success of Liberty Kitchen & Oysterette.

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Michelin Stars

Superstar Spanish chefs return to Houston for dinners with a purpose

Hope and Opportunity Dinner Texas Children's Hospital

Courtesy of Texas Children’s Hospital

Jordi Roca, Ignacio Torras, and Joan Roca.

Leave it to Houston to blend avant-garde gastronomy with generosity, stirring up a one-two punch of flavor and philanthropy.

Over two intimate evenings, Isabel and Ignacio “Nacho” Torras opened their private home for the Hope and Opportunity Dinners,an affair that embraced the neurodiverse community with epicurean delight.

The dinners, limited to 100 guests per night, were a collaborative recipe honoring the missions of Texas Children’s Duncan Neurological Research Institute and The Genuine Cup, the nonprofit arm of The Genuine Foundation. With a thematic throughline of “Hope” and “Opportunity,” guests were treated to a nine-course menu..

The culinary talent? Flying in from their famed El Celler de Can Roca in Girona, Spain, Michelin-starred brothers Joan Roca (head chef) and Jordi Roca (pastry chef), along with sommelier Marta Cortizas, teamed up with chef Luis Roger of Houston’s Michelin-starred BCN Taste & Tradition. The menu, a poetic composition of bold Spanish flavors and delicate textures, was elevated further by thoughtful wine pairings.

Far from a solo act, the Roca brothers worked in sync with some of Houston’s culinary luminaries: Felipe Riccio (March), Mayank Istwal (Mussafer), David Skinner (Eculent), Felipe Botero (Le Jardinier), Mary Cuclis (Kriti Kitchen), and Emmanuel Chavez (Tatemó). Service each evening was led by 27 young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, supported by 10 coaches.

One dinner honored Whitney and Jim Crane, whose Astros Foundation has become a pillar of Houston philanthropy, and Dr. Huda Y. Zoghbi, whose groundbreaking neuroscience work continues to shape the future of medicine. The second dinner spotlight fell on Laura Arnold, co-founder of Arnold Ventures LLC, and Dr. Debra F. Sukin, president and CEO of Texas Children’s Hospital, both champions for equity and innovation in their fields.

The evenings ended with cookbook signings by the Roca brothers, a fitting souvenir from two nights where food was both an experience and a vehicle for change. The events raised more than $400,000.

Showing up for science and inclusion were Monica and Yordon Alvarez, Cathy and Joe Cleary, Carlos Correa, Molly and Crownover, Paula and Reginald DesRoches, Pam and Keith Fullenweider, Adrienne and Jared Crane, Cynthia and Tony Petrello, Phoebe Tudor and Tudor, Hugo Ortega and Tracy Vaught, and Penny and Paul Layne.

Courtesy of Texas Children’s Hospital

Jordi Roca, Ignacio Torras, and Joan Roca.

fundraisers hospitals texas children's hospital