Editor's note: It's time to recap the most popular stories on CultureMap from this past week:
1. Massive floods shutter Houston restaurants but some are open. Our running list kept track of which restaurants advised customers whether they were either open or closed due to Monday's storms that dumped more than a foot of rain on some parts of Houston.
2. Curtain set to rise on glam, state-of-the-art party space in River Oaks backyard. Luxury developer and man-about-town Monsour Taghdisi will celebrate his 50th birthday by launching his LIFE HTX event space at 2512 Woodhead.
3. J.J. Watt huddles for literacy with Barbara Bush in the former president's Houston home. The former First Lady and the three-time NFL defensive player of the year filmed a PSA that promotes literacy by "calling upon parents to be a game-changer for Houston and read with their children every day for at least 15 minutes."
4. Refurbished 1934 bungalow offers charm, sophistication in inner-loop neighborhood. A renovation has allowed this home in Idylwood to maintain its historic charm while still featuring modern amenities. On the market for $465,000.
5. National critic pens love letter to Houston restaurants: Someone else gets it. Bill Addison, the Atlanta-based critic who travels the country rating restaurants for Eater, penned a "a love letter to Houston's extraordinary restaurant culture" that listed 18 must-try dishes from Houston restaurants.
Barbara Bush and J.J. Watt filmed a PSA to support child literacy.
