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    Hot Cocktail Games

    Does Houston have the best bartenders in America? This hot cocktail wiz is looking to make her case

    Eric Sandler
    Feb 28, 2014 | 3:57 pm

    Over the past couple of months, Triniti bartenders Leslie Ross and and Laurie Sheddan have made the River Oaks restaurant a must-try cocktail destination. Now Ross, one half of the Ladies of Libation, is heading to Las Vegas as one of 15 bartenders nationwide to compete in the Shake It Up competition at the Nightclub and Bar convention and trade show, which will be the national qualifier for the IBA World Cocktail Competition.

    "I am so happy and just incredibly fortunate to be representing Texas in this event," Ross tells CultureMap in an email. "The comp itself has a neat premise. All 15 of us will be given a different base spirit the day before, and given three to four hours of development time to figure out what we are going to do.

    "The category is 'Fancy Cocktails,' so anything goes. I have been reading and practicing techniques, making notes about possible combinations of flavors, garnishes, etc . . ."

    Ross is no strangers to these sort of events. She earned a spot in Gaz Regan's 101 Best New Cocktails after winning a statewide competition sponsored by Don Julio, which she followed up by taking the top prize at the United States finals of the Caorunn Gin Global Storytellers Competition in New Orleans.

    "The competition itself is an honor, and I'm going to get to compete with my friends from all different parts of the U.S., which makes this so much fun, and such a wonderful opportunity," Ross writes. "I'm also going to get to meet and compete with and exchange knowledge with some of the bartenders I have the utmost respect for and really look up to in this industry. I mean, how great is that??"

    If Ross wins in Vegas, she'll go on to represent the U.S. in South Africa at the IBA World Cocktail Championship, which, as she notes, would be pretty great. In the meantime, put her to the test by stopping at Triniti and asking her to make something delicious.

    Leslie Ross, left, and Laurie Sheddan are Triniti's Ladies of Libation; Ross will compete in the annual Shake it Up competition in Vegas.

    Leslie Ross and Laurie Sheddan Ladies of Libation at Triniti
      
    Photo courtesy of Triniti
    Leslie Ross, left, and Laurie Sheddan are Triniti's Ladies of Libation; Ross will compete in the annual Shake it Up competition in Vegas.
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    news/restaurants-bars

    a very fine house

    East Coast-inspired tavern shakes up Rice Village with 'World's Coldest Martini'

    Eric Sandler
    May 19, 2025 | 9:09 am
    Hudson House restaurant Rice Village
    Photo by Becca Wright
    Hudson House is bringing its signature martinis to Rice Village.

    The “World’s Coldest Martini” is coming to Rice Village. Hudson House will open its second Houston-area location this Wednesday, May 21.

    Located between CB2 and Banana Republic at 2414 University Blvd., Hudson House is part of the Dallas-based Vandelay Hospitality Group that also includes Drake’s Hollywood, a retro-styled steakhouse that opened in Montrose last summer. For Rice Village, Hudson House’s new, 6,000-square-foot restaurant follows the model of the River Oaks location that opened in 2023. That means navy leather booths, brass accents, and a polished wood bar that serves as a focal point.

    The menu takes its inspiration from East Coast taverns. That includes items such as a cheeseburger, lobster roll, lobster mac and cheese, steak frites, entree salads, and chicken parm. Raw bar offerings include East Coast oysters, shrimp cocktail, and sushi rolls. The brunch menu features pancakes, eggs Benedict, and a bagel with lox and cream cheese.

    Hudson House pairs its dishes with a selection of classic cocktails that is highlighted by the “World’s Coldest Martini.” To achieve the proper effect, the drink is poured from a frozen bottle and served in a frozen glass. Other martini options include the Bleu & Gold (made with olive juice and blue cheese-stuffed olives) and a Lemon Drop that’s topped with limoncello foam. Hudson House also offers wines by-the-glass, beer, and non-alcoholic options.

    Hudson House opens at 11 am for lunch and dinner during the weekend and at 10 am on Saturday and Sunday for brunch. Happy hour, served Monday-Friday from 3-6 pm, includes half-off all martinis, bellinis, and wines by-the-glass as well as $10 cheeseburgers and $3 East Coast oysters.

    “We’re looking forward to bringing a second Hudson House to Houston,” Vandelay founder and CEO Hunter Pond said in a statement. “Our River Oaks location has seen strong support since opening just over a year ago, and we’re confident Rice Village will follow suit. With its already vibrant community and bustling shopping scene, Rice Village offers an ideal background for our beloved coastal-inspired American cuisine.”

    Hudson House restaurant Rice Village
      

    Photo by Becca Wright

    Hudson House is bringing its signature martinis to Rice Village.

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