And the winner is.....

It's magic! "A Proposal to Remember" winner conjures up the most romantic engagement

CultureMap readers sure are a bunch of romantics.

When we asked you to tell us about a memorable wedding proposal that took place in a Houston-area restaurant, you answered in droves. The entries, submitted in the first-ever "A Proposal to Remember" contest, co-sponsored by the Greater Houston Restaurant Association, were so touching that it was hard to pick one winner.

We eventually decided to go with a little magic.

Alejandro Cruz hatched a plan to propose to Gisela Saldivar that involved a magician. Here's how it went, in Cruz's own words:

First I hired a magician (Theo Plummer) and told him my idea about proposing during a magic act. I went to Hugo's and talked to two managers and told them that my idea was to get a nice table away from the main entrance and also to allow a magician to arrive 10 minutes before us so he could start doing some magic tricks with the other clients at other tables so my girlfriend could see this and think that it was all part of the restaurant.

When we arrived, the magician was at another table. We were shown to our table and, after the appetizers, the magician came and did one trick where he asked us for a coin. It started disappearing and appearing and at the end there was no coin. Instead, a ring appeared.

He asked her, "Is this yours?"

I said, "No, that's mine," and I proposed. At the same time the song "A Thousand Years" by Christina Perri began to play, thanks to Hugo's (this was also part of the plan), and everything went just perfect.

Hugo's personal were all very helpful, they even gave us champagne and a special dessert to celebrate. They printed out our menu in a nice format. They also allowed me to hire photographer Alejo Almanza to capture the moments, and he did! Also, the table next to us were friends of the magician and they filmed my proposal."

Congratulations to Alejandro and Gisella, who plan to get married April 5 at Tuscany Villa in Katy.

As first place winners, they will receive a Houston staycation — a one-night stay at the Royal Sonesta Houston (complimentary champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries, along with breakfast for two) and a $100 gift certificate for dinner for two at Frank’s Americana Revival restaurant.

Read first-runnerup Shawn Culpepper's touching tale of a wedding proposal that happened with some puppy love. Second-runnerup Melissa Lopez engagement story will be posted soon on CultureMap.

Watch Alejandro's magical proposal here:

After a magician magically discovered an engagement ring, Alejandro Cruz got down on bended knee to propose to Gisela Saldivar at Hugo's restaurant

Alejandro and Gisella's Proposal, restaurant, ring, Hugo's

Photo by © Alejo Almanza

After a magician magically discovered an engagement ring, Alejandro Cruz got down on bended knee to propose to Gisela Saldivar at Hugo's restaurant

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One Day Only

Chef of Michelin-starred Texas BBQ joint pops up at Houston crawfish favorite

Photo by Quit Nguyen

Join Lucas McKinney for a crawfish pop-up this Sunday, May 17.

The pitmaster behind one of Texas’ Michelin-starred barbecue joints will be in Houston for a one-day-only crawfish boil. Evan LeRoy, chef and co-owner of Austin’s LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue, will be at Josephine’s this Sunday, May 17 from 2-6 pm.

Part of the restaurant’s Backyard Boil pop-up series, LeRoy and Josephine’s executive chef Lucas McKinney have collaborated on a four dishes that will be served at the pop-up, which will take place on Josephine’s patio. They are:

Smoked Crawfish Boil Sausage on a Stick: andouille flavored pork sausage with crawfish, corn, and potatoes
Brisket and Cheddar Croquettes: Chopped brisket and cheddar cheese in a creamy bechamel. Scooped, breaded in panko, and fried til crispy
Oysters on the Half Shell: Pickled Onion Mignonette, Smoked Jalapeno Salsa, Kimchi Elote
Smoked Salsa Macha with Beef Tallow: Guajillo, ancho, and arbol chiles, lime, soy, garlic, onion, pepitas, and pecans

The pop-up is part of LeRoy’s tour for his new book, New School Barbecue: Recipes for Next-Level Smoking and Grilling, which he co-wrote with Texas Monthly restaurant critic Paula Forbes. Released this week, the book contains almost 100 recipes for mains, sides, and desserts.

LeRoy & Lewis Evan Leroy ATX Evan LeRoy is coming to Houston this weekend. Photo by Briana Balducci

“Lucas asked me to participate in a crawfish boil this year, and it happened to line up with the release of the book, so I said yes,” LeRoy tells CultureMap. “The event format centers around a crawfish boil, along with some fried items and oysters, so it doesn't necessarily reflect the recipes in the book. Instead, we decided to bring a few dishes we’ve been working on over the past year or so, including the brisket and cheddar croquettes — which will definitely make it into my next cookbook.”

McKinney has already hosted pop-ups with the likes of ChòpnBlọk chef-owner Ope Amosu and Mike Pham of Trill Burgers.

“With these crawfish boils, I want each chef to bring their own perspective and let the menu reflect their personal style of cooking,” McKinney adds. “Events like this are really centered around community, collaboration, and introducing something fresh and exciting to Houston each time.”

LeRoy and Lewis has earned wide acclaim for its “new school” barbecue. In addition to being one of only four Texas barbecue joints to hold a Michelin star, it ranked No. 2 on Texas Monthly’s list of the state’s 50 best barbecue joints. McKinney began patronizing the restaurant when his friend, pitmaster Cole Parkman, worked there.

“It’s incredibly good,” McKinney says. “Eating there feels like they’re telling you, ‘I know you think you like brisket, but this is what you should really like.’ I really respect that they’ve planted their feet firmly in the ground and committed to doing things differently. It all makes so much sense — and it’s delicious.”

Reservations (free) are required to attend the Backyard Boil at Josephine’s; both 2 pm and 4 pm seatings are available. Attendees will purchase food and drinks a la carte. Josephine’s regular menu will not be available at the pop-up. Copies of New School Barbecue will also be available for purchase.

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