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    Presidential Candidate Wows at La Griglia

    Presidential candidate Marco Rubio draws SRO crowd for fundraiser lunch at La Griglia

    Shelby Hodge
    Oct 21, 2015 | 3:34 pm

    Not unlike a stealth bomber, presidential candidate Marco Rubio slipped into H-Town under the radar on Wednesday for fundraising rounds that included an overflowing lunch crowd at La Griglia, the evergreen politico watering hole.

    Organizers had planned on having 25 or so with deep pockets turn out for the luncheon fundraiser. But the Florida senator's draw was more than expected as the number of curious grew daily. By Wednesday morning, a total of 110 interested parties had signed on. Tickets ranged from $500 to the maximum $2,700 per person for a modest lunch of chicken paillard salad and profetiroles for dessert.

    The private party space holds only 80. The extras were relegated to standing room only before adjourning to the restaurant main dining room for lunch. The crowd arrived early, mingling and grabbing photos with Rubio, then listened with rapt attention as he talked for almost 40 minutes about his political platforms and his upbringing in a working class family.

    The interested parties made for an interesting group including Medistar CEO Monzer Hourani, Harris County TreasurerOrlando Sanchez, Charles Miller, Claudia and Roberto Contreras, George Farris, Raul Romero, Daniel Wong, Brook and Mike Novelli, Don Chapoton, Ernie Cockrell, Donnie Young andTrini Mendenhall.

    Of the gathering, Sanchez emailed "Today was the most mutli-ethnic event I have ever attended in my two decades of Houston politics! It was also the largest gathering of CuTex's (Cuban Texans) since the Sanchez for Mayor era. As I listened to the son of a fellow 'off the boat' Cuban immigrant talk about his aspirations for America, the thought ran through my head that it's just not Marco Rubio, but dozens of other immigrants, like myself and children of immigrants like Texas Senator Ted Cruz who have reached the highest levels in the governance of our country."

    Rubio, understanding Texas' deep well of Republican political funding, announced that he would be back in November. By some accounts of the luncheon, Rubio is quickly gaining speed. "I do believe that it's time to move forward," Mendenhall said.

    Orlando Sanchez and Gary Polland, left, with others attending the Marco Rubio fundraiser.

    News, Shelby, Marco Rubio at La Griglia, Oct. 2015
      
    Courtesy photo
    Orlando Sanchez and Gary Polland, left, with others attending the Marco Rubio fundraiser.
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    news/society

    Roman Reverie

    Top Houston chef and Michelin sommelier help symphony raise $900,000

    Eric Sandler
    May 14, 2025 | 2:03 pm
    Houston Symphony wine dinner and auction 2025
    Photo by Priscilla Dickson
    Houston Symphony executive director and CEO Gary Ginstling, Margaret Ginstling; chairs Elia and Michael Gabbanelli.

    When spring gala season reaches full crescendo, few evenings deliver the kind of multisensory bacchanal as the Houston Symphony’s Wine Dinner and Collector’s Auction. On May 2, a sold-out crowd of 365 stylish guests made a grand entrance at Jesse H. Jones Hall for the Performing Arts, where fine wine, lavish décor, and a five-course feast awaited.

    Houston Symphony wine dinner and auction 2025
      

    Photo by Priscilla Dickson

    Houston Symphony executive director and CEO Gary Ginstling, Margaret Ginstling; chairs Elia and Michael Gabbanelli.

    A revelry worthy of Dionysus himself. In black-tie, of course.

    Leading the charge were Elia and Michael Gabbanelli, gala chairs and proud heirs of the famed Gabbanelli accordion family — a fitting touch of musical lineage. They were joined by Jack Matzer, whose stewardship of the collector’s auction helped orchestrate the evening’s finale: More than $900,000 raised for the symphony’s Education and Community Engagement initiatives, which bring music to schools, hospitals, and underserved venues.

    The foyer buzzed with energy as guests in all their finery sipped champagne and circled the silent auction, eyes gleaming at the fabulousness of oenophilic riches. Standout lots included six vintage bottles of Red Bordeaux, two bottles of 1982 Château Margaux (yes, the unicorn vintage), and a week-long Tuscan getaway for those dreaming of vineyard vistas and sun-drenched serenity. Bidding was brisk and focused — more than one guest looked ready to conduct their own blind tasting right on the spot.

    At the dinner hour, the scene shifted dramatically as guests were ushered onto the Jones Hall stage, transformed by The Events Company into a sumptuous Roman mirage. Towering candelabras crowned with coral and ruby blooms stood sentry over lace-red linens strewn with votives, pomegranates, and overflowing grapes. Four statues, wreathed in greenery, added a mythic flair—as if Bacchus himself might pop out to pour the next glass. And the next.

    But it wasn’t just about the wine. Culinary star chef Danny Trace of Potente crafted an ambitious five-course menu that married elegance and indulgence. A standout starter of heirloom tomato and whipped burrata with cucumber ribbons gave way to Potente’s signature black truffle pasta, then diver scallops with sweet corn risotto and a show-stealing veal perigeux with goat cheese polenta. Dessert? A double chocolate cake kissed with Chambord and crowned with caramel crunch pearls.

    Wine pairings, curated by John and Lindy Rydman and Lisa Rydman Lindsey of Spec’s Wines, were introduced by master sommelier Steven McDonald, the Pappas Bros. Steakhouse wine expert who earned the sommelier award at the 2024 Michelin Guide Texas ceremony. Guests clinked, tasted, nodded in approval — oenophiles united in appreciation.

    Among those spotted in the stylish crowd were Ann and Jonathan Ayre, Betty and Jesse Tutor, Janet Clark, Gary Ginstling and Margaret Lederer, Joan and Robert Duff, Margaret Alkek Williams, Barbara Burger, Lydia Gold, Quentin and Aerin Smith, Hallie Vanderhider and Bobby Dees, Vicki West and Ralph Burch, Mary Lynn Marks, Bob Weiner, Robert Sakowitz, David Peavy and Stephen McCauley, Aggie Foster and Steve Simon, Virginia Clark, Brigette Kalai, Farida Abjani, Jennifer and Scott Allison, Carey Kirkpatrick, Ken and Mady Kades, and Sippi and Ajay Khurana.

    houston symphonyfundraiserswine
    news/society
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