It's a Scandal!

Secrets, espionage & cocktails: Perfect drink recipes for a night of“Scandal-ous” television

If you have yet to be ensconced in the cult phenom television series Scandal you do not know what you are missing! The powerhouse behind the show is none other than Shonda Rimes, the brilliant creator of mega-hits Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice.

The show is centered around Olivia Pope (played by actress Kerry Washington) a political “fixer” and owner of crisis management firm Pope & Associates. Her clients are those that are entangled in messes so deep that only a miracle (or a thick Rolodex, lots of cash, and a bit of serendipitous good fortune) can get them out of it.

Interestingly though, Olivia doesn’t just fix problems, she also fixes people. Olivia has a merry band of helpers, but each of them has their own closet full of skeletons, too. For all of her redeeming qualities however, Olivia is no saint: she’s having an affair with Fitzgerald Grant, the president of the United States.

With the addictive and riveting plot twists, storyline surprises, and a complex cast of characters that you don’t always know whether to like or loathe (sometimes doing both in the same episode) set against the politically charged backdrop of the nation’s capital, Scandal keeps its viewers riveted to the screen to watch what happens next.

Fans can't wait for the remainder of season 2 to begin Thursday night (9 p.m., Channel 13), after a mid-season cliff hanger and brief series hiatus, to find out what will happen to one of Olivia’s team members, the mysterious, talented, highly trained, and "highly damaged” former CIA operative, Huck. Did he do it?

If you have to ask what he's accused of doing, trust me, you’ll want to catch up on all of the previous episodes and nail-bitingly watch what happens with the rest of us.

In the meantime, for the “seasoned-vet” viewers, I have crafted a few character-inspired cocktail recipes that are sure to help take the edge off both while waiting for the remainder of season 2, and also while you’re actually watching the show itself in anticipation of the next plot twist to happen. Bottoms up!

Long Live the Pope

This drink is just like Olivia: strong, sultry and captivating, with a slightly delicate edge.

1 ½ to 2 ounces Bourbon
½ ounce elderflower liqueur
1 ounce pomegranate juice
1 ounce Poire William (or any pear liqueur)
2 tablespoons fresh grapefruit juice
1 teaspoon of agave

In a cocktail shaker, combine all of the ingredients, add several ice cubes, and shake well until icy cold. Strain the drink into a tall highball glass filled with ice cubes.

Fitz’s Fizz

Dignified and restrained at first glance, but packs an unexpected and intoxicating punch.

3 ounces sparkling sake (available at Central Market, Trader Joe’s and some supermarkets)
½ ounce tequila
1 ounces white cranberry juice
Juice of ¼ lime
1 dash of Angostura® Bitters (may substitute orange bitters if preferred)

Mix all of the ingredients except the sparkling sake in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into a flute glass and top off with the sparkling sake.

What the Huck?

"It's weird, it's black and bitter, it's minty and strange, and, quite frankly, it tastes like burning.” While this may aptly describe Huck it is also how Bar Manager Jeffrey Morgenthaler describes Italian digestivo Fernet-Branca, the secret ingredient in this drink. Although it may not sound appealing, it is quickly becoming the darling ingredient of the cocktail scene according to Food & Wine magazine.

2 ounces gin
1 ounce lemon juice
½ ounce simple syrup
¾ to 1 ounce tonic water
½ ounce orange liqueur (I prefer Agavero Orange)
¼ ounce Fernet-Branca

Build all of the ingredients into an old-fashioned drink glass filled with crushed ice and stir gently until nice and frosty.

unspecified

rumor no more

East Coast-style Austin pizzeria confirms plans to open in the Heights

Home Slice Pizza Heights location rendering

Courtesy of the Michael Hsu Office of Architecture

A rendering previews Home Slice Pizza's new location in the Heights.

One of Austin’s pizzerias is expanding its presence in Houston. Home Slice Pizza has claimed the former Mapojeong space in the Heights (602 Studewood) for a new location that will open in the fall of 2026.

Founder Joseph Strickland tells CultureMap that Home Slice wanted to add a second Houston location that would build on the success of its Midtown restaurant that opened in late 2022. Unlike Midtown, which is counter service and offers limited seating, the Heights location will offer full service, an expanded menu, and cocktails, which is in line with Home Slice’s North Austin location.

“We saw a lot of synergy in North Austin and the Heights,” Strickland says. “They have a similar feel, a lot of families, a lot of people looking to get together in big groups. There’s also a robust bar scene on White Oak that we’re happy to be part of.”

Strickland says Home Slice had several requirements for a new location, including a larger dining room than Midtown, a decent-sized parking lot, and enough kitchen capacity to serve both dine-in and larger to-go orders. Not only did they find the right building, but they established a productive relationship with the property’s owner, Revive Development, the Houston-based firm that also owns properties that are home to Loro, Squable, Camaraderie, and the Stomping Grounds development in Garden Oaks.

“It was hard to believe at first. The more we talked with the Revive folks, there was a lot of alignment and opportunity for us to expand what we’re showing Houston,” Stickland says.

Home Slice is working with the Michael Hsu Office of Architecture to renovate the building. Strickland notes that it will require some extensive changes, including removing the butcher shop that was installed as part of its iteration as Ritual, a steakhouse that closed in 2021. Assuming everything goes according to plan, the restaurant should open sometime in the fall of 2026.

Home Slice Pizza food spread Home Slice serves New York-style pizza.Photo by Garrett Smith

Once open, Home Slice will serve its East Coast-inspired menu of New York-style pizzas (whole or by-the-slice), hot and cold Italian deli sandwiches, salads, and desserts — all of which utilize dough or bread that’s made in-house. In particular, the restaurant is known for its white clam pizza, as well as classics such as pepperoni and mushroom or sausage with ricotta and roasted peppers. In 2024, the Houston Press awarded “Best Sandwich” to the restaurant’s Italian Assorted, which is made with ham, dry salami, capicola, genoa salami, vegetables, provolone, mayo, and oil & vinegar.

Critically, the Heights Home Slice location will add wings to the New York and Sicilian-style pizzas, salads, and sandwiches that the restaurant serves in Midtown. Inspired by the wings served at the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York, Home Slice keeps its wings simple — medium or hot and served with a house made blue cheese dressing. “It goes with our pizza quite wonderfully,” Stickland says.

He hopes that the the wide-ranging menu, flexible menu, and late night hours will appeal to Heights locals, people patronizing the nearby bars on White Oak, and anyone else looking for a slice and a drink. The larger location and full service should make home slice an option for date nights, office happy hours, any just about any other occasion.

“We hope the neighborhood will be happy to have another offering that’s like ours, where you can bring a first date or your office or go by yourself. We offer all those experiences,” Strickland says.

openings news-you-can-eat pizza home slice pizza