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Self-driving pizza delivery vehicles will hit Houston's roads later this year

Domino's Pizza self-driving car delivery autonomous

Domino's and Nuro have picked Houston to launch a self-driving pizza delivery vehicle pilot program.

Photo courtesy of Nuro and Domino's

Unmanned vehicles are taking over Houston, any way you slice it. Nuro, the robotics company specializing in commercialized self-driving cars, first entered the Houston market earlier this year with its grocery delivery partnership with Kroger. Now, the company has teamed up with Domino's Pizza to deliver an autonomous pizza delivery pilot program in Houston.

Only a select group of Houston Domino's customers will be able to have the option to choose an unmanned delivery process from the R2 vehicles. Currently, Nuro and Domino's have not revealed who will be able to use the service or when. In a news release from Domino's, the company notes that the technology will be available later this year.

"We are always looking for new ways to innovate and evolve the delivery experience for our customers," says Kevin Vasconi, Domino's executive vice president and chief information officer, in the release. "Nuro's vehicles are specially designed to optimize the food delivery experience, which makes them a valuable partner in our autonomous vehicle journey. The opportunity to bring our customers the choice of an unmanned delivery experience, and our operators an additional delivery solution during a busy store rush, is an important part of our autonomous vehicle testing."

On online orders, select customers will have the option to choose to receive deliver from one of the R2 vehicles. Once the order is in, the customers would receive a PIN code to unlock the compartment to access the pizza upon its arrival.

"We are excited to expand our autonomous delivery service in Houston with Domino's delivery," says Cosimo Leipold, Nuro's head of partner relations, in the release. "Domino's delivers millions of pizzas around the world every day, and the company shares our passion for focusing on the customer experience. We see incredible opportunity in offering Nuro's world-class autonomous technology to Domino's customers, accelerating our shared mission to transform local commerce."

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'urban' dining

Galleria hotel reopens Texas-themed, ranch-to-table restaurant

Courtesy of the Hyatt Regency Houston/Galleria

A look inside the refreshed Urban Star Bar.

A Galleria-area hotel has stepped up the offerings at its in-house restaurant. Urban Star has reopened at the Hyatt Regency Houston/Galleria, a 325-room property located directly across from the bustling mall at 2626 Sage Rd.

Although it’s primarily an amenity for hotel guests, Urban Star recently reopened with a new look and a new menu. Built around earth tones, the refreshed dining room aims to offer an approachable environment for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

In keeping with a new “ranch-to-table” approach, the restaurant now serves only meats sourced from Texas producers and seafood from the Gulf of Mexico. Similarly, all ingredients are organic and “responsibly farmed and raised,” according to a release. Specifically, diners should look for wagyu beef from Rosewood Ranch as well as cheeses from Brazos Valley Cheese and The Mozzarella Company.

Highlights from the breakfast menu include Southern peach waffles that are served with two eggs and a choice of bacon or sausage as well as Houston favorites like biscuits and gravy and migas. At lunch and dinner, the restaurant serves dishes such as barbecue brisket pizza, Gulf shrimp tacos, and a spice-rubbed wagyu filet.

Patrons will find similar upgrades at the Urban Star bar. Cocktails are made with Texas-owned spirits such as Rebecca Creek Whiskey, La Dulce Vita Tequila, and Waterloo Gin. Taste them in the bar’s takes on classics such as the margarita, ranch water, and whiskey sour. The seasonal La Poderosa cocktail utilizes a mix of La Gritona tequila, St. Germain, lime juice, and hibiscus-infused simple syrup.

hotels galleria-houston news-you-can-eat

vivian + edward 4ever

Beloved rom-com classic Pretty Woman walkin' down the street to Houston in new musical stage adaption

Pretty Woman The Musical/Facebook

Relive the Hollywood rom-com legend in this new musical.

Cheery and breezy, Pretty Woman has endured as one of Hollywood’s most beloved rom-coms ever thanks to a perfectly charming performance by Julia Roberts and Richard Gere’s detached, and finally open, demeanor.

Now, fans of the cherished 1990 film can catch the popular stage show based on the classic when it hits Houston next year. Pretty Woman: The Musical will run January 3–8, 2023 at The Hobby Center for Performing Arts (800 Bagby St.).

Tickets for the acclaimed show, which is in the midst of a nationwide tour, start at $35 are on sale now online.

Pretty Woman: The Musical boasts serious heavyweights, with a book by the film’s legendary director Garry Marshall and its noted screenwriter J. F. Lawton. Grammy-winning pop star Bryan Adams (“Cuts Like a Knife,” “Summer of ’69”, “Everything I Do”) and Jim Vallance provide the score, while the industry veteran Paula Wagner produces. Two-time Tony Award-winning director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell serves as director.

Picky fans will note that the stage show’s costumes are acutely on-point, from Vivian’s revealing hooker getup to her famous ballroom gown and expensive diamond necklace.

And speaking of fans: Expect a rousing rendition of Roy Orbison’s international smash hit song “Oh, Pretty Woman,” which inspired the iconic movie, which might just inspire an audience singalong moment.

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Highly anticipated Houston holiday shopping card carts up rare discounts at more than 400 high-end retailers

Photo courtesy of American Cancer Society

Shoppers wait all year for this 10-year event.

Shopper alert: There are less than 80 days until Christmas. But, if yuletide shopping hasn’t made it onto the ever-growing to-do list, don’t fret, the Holiday Shopping Card is about to make things easier.

From October 20 to October 30, the card offers shoppers a 20 percent discount at hundreds of participating retail stores and restaurants.

While some might think it comically early to start buying gifts for the holiday season, the Holiday Shopping Card has been an annual Houston tradition for 25 years, raising millions to help the fight against cancer. All, as in 100 percent — of the $75 card proceeds directly benefits the American Cancer Society.

“We are so excited to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Holiday Shopping Card this year,” director of development at American Cancer Society, Stephanie Chesson tells CultureMap. “Thanks to the support and generosity of so many Houston area retailers, restaurants and card purchasers, the American Cancer Society has invested over $18.7 million into improving the lives of people with cancer and their families through research, advocacy and patient support.”

The card is available online and at participating stores all over the Houston area. More than 400 retailers are participating this year, including Bering’s, Kuhl-Linscomb, Saint Bernard, The Monogram Shop, Tootsies, Williams-Sonoma, Anthropologie, The Container Store, Paris Texas Apparel Co., French Cuff, and so many more.

Savvy Houston shoppers wait all year for the 10-day shopping event, especially since many of the retailers involved rarely offer discounts.

“So many of my favorite stores participate in the Holiday Shopping Card. I truly look forward to shopping each year knowing that I am helping to fund the fight against cancer,” says Houston beauty influencer and breast cancer survivor Mely Cruz.

In addition to clothing, accessories and home decor, cardholders can get discounts or score free food at several Houston restaurants, including Crave Cupcakes, Christie’s Seafood, Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, Tres Markets, and Envy Wine Room.

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Self-driving pizza delivery vehicles will hit Houston's roads later this year

Longtime Houston Jewish bagel bakery dishes on its major kosher and name changes

National chicken sandwich chain flies into Houston with wood-smoked tenders, waffles, and more

Acclaimed Houston home design maven infuses zen with first brick-and-mortar store in Rice Village

'urban' dining

Galleria hotel reopens Texas-themed, ranch-to-table restaurant

Longtime Houston Jewish bagel bakery dishes on its major kosher and name changes

National chicken sandwich chain flies into Houston with wood-smoked tenders, waffles, and more

Acclaimed Houston home design maven infuses zen with first brick-and-mortar store in Rice Village

vivian + edward 4ever

Beloved rom-com classic Pretty Woman walkin' down the street to Houston in new musical stage adaption

Longtime Houston Jewish bagel bakery dishes on its major kosher and name changes

National chicken sandwich chain flies into Houston with wood-smoked tenders, waffles, and more

Acclaimed Houston home design maven infuses zen with first brick-and-mortar store in Rice Village

Shopping Cart Status: Overflowing

Highly anticipated Houston holiday shopping card carts up rare discounts at more than 400 high-end retailers

Longtime Houston Jewish bagel bakery dishes on its major kosher and name changes

National chicken sandwich chain flies into Houston with wood-smoked tenders, waffles, and more

Acclaimed Houston home design maven infuses zen with first brick-and-mortar store in Rice Village

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Shopping Cart Status: Overflowing

CultureMap Emails Are Awesome Get Houston intel delivered daily.

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CultureMap Emails Are Awesome

Get Houston intel delivered daily.

CultureMap Emails Are Awesome

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CultureMap Emails Are Awesome

Get Houston intel delivered daily.

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