Links we love today

Meet 2012 Furby, new bizarre foods, Philip Seymour Hoffman's Hunger Games roleand more

Here are the links we loved today:

How a town turned a failed Wal-Mart into a thriving library.

I went to the 14th annual Del Close Marathon, and here’s what happened.

Bizarre food fan Andrew Zimmern opens up about his new series.

Do you know someone who needs a “Call Me Maybe” intervention?

Pop quiz: What upcoming literary adaptation almost had its own LCD Soundsystem soundtrack?

We do NOT need a 2012 edition of the Furby.

Guided by Voices debuted new material in New York this past weekend.

You can never have too much Philip Seymour Hoffman: The Hunger Games casts everyone’s favorite confused-creepy genius.

NPR is streaming Jeff The Brotherhood’s latest, Hypnotic Nights.

If you’re looking for something fun to Kickstart and/or tights covered in kittens, indie designer Pretty Snake’s got some good news for you.

New Ariel Pink single “Only In My Dreams” is a perfect summer jam:

No Doubt seriously made a trailer for their latest music video:

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This Week's Hot Headlines

Casual River Oaks restaurant closure leads our top stories this week

Photo by Alex Montoya

Eloise Nichols has updated its interior.

Editor's note: It's time to look back at the top Houston news of the week, which is full of restaurant and bar tidbits. Two Houston-area chefs get big victories, while a River Oaks restaurant says goodbye. Get the details on our most popular stories below, then visit this guide for some weekend fun.

1. Casual River Oaks restaurant will shutter after 10 years. A neighborhood restaurant near River Oaks will soon serve its last meal — for now. Eloise Nichols is set to close after service on Sunday, June 29.

2. Houston chef Tristen Epps dishes on his Top Chef victory — and what's next. For the first time, Houston is home to a Top Chef winner. In the final episode of season 22, chef Tristen Epps earned the title and a $250,000 cash prize.

3. Intimate Houston cocktail lounge adds European-inspired outdoor patio. There’s a new al fresco destination for Houstonians this summer. Clarkwood, the chic cocktail bar in Montrose, has expanded with a 1,500-square-foot courtyard bar.

4. Innovative Houston chef is the city's newest James Beard Award winner. Thomas Bille, chef-owner of Belly of the Beast in Spring, was named Best Chef: Texas at the 2025 James Beard Awards ceremony.

James Beard Awards 2025 Thomas Bille Belly of the Beast Thomas Bille is Houston's newest James Beard Award winner. Photo by Getty Images for James Beard Foundation

5. Houston farmers market adds new indoor pickleball court with food and cocktails. The newest player in the city’s crowded pickleball court is Drop Shots HTX, opening today, June 21.