That's a lot of meals

Houston Restaurant Weeks raises a record $1.2 million for Houston Food Bank

Mayor Parker, right, proclaimed Wednesday as "Cleverley Stone Day in Houston."Stone, left, poses with the mayor.

Photo by Clifford Pugh
Houston Food Bank CEO Brian Greene, left, Cleverley Stone, middle and MayorAnnise Parker, right, celebrate a record haul for Houston Restaurant Weeks.

Photo by Clifford Pugh

It felt as hot as a summer day on the steps of City Hall Wednesday, but that seemed somehow appropriate as officials announced that Houston Restaurant Weeks, held during the month of August, raked in a record $1.222 million for the Houston Food Bank.

"I had someone check the numbers because I was so pleasantly shocked," Houston Restaurant Weeks founder Cleverley Stone said.

The amount donated was a 52.8 percent increase over 2011, Stone noted, when around $800,000 was raised. "In today's economic climate that is incredible, and I say, thank you, Houston, Texas."

"I had someone check the numbers because I was so pleasantly shocked," Houston Restaurant Weeks founder Cleverley Stone said.

This year, nearly 170 restaurants offered a special $20 lunch and a $35 dinner, with $3 of each lunch and $5 of each dinner donated to the Houston Food Bank. Nearly 48,000 lunches and more than 205,000 dinners were sold, with an estimated $13.47 million spent on food, beverages, sales tax and tips.

Stone said the economic impact was likely higher because she conservatively estimated that diners spent $10 on beverages. Mayor Annise Parker agreed, noting that she dined out during Restaurant Weeks "and I know that for our table, it was a lot more than that amount."

Stone said the event began in 2003 at the suggestion of a friend. It ran for a week and netted $5,000 from 16 restaurants.

It has now grown so popular that it's become one of the best times of the year for Houston restaurants, said Del Frisco general manager Arthur Mooradian. "We used to take vacations in August and now we can't because it's become the busiest month of the year for us...August has become a great celebration month."

Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse came in as the top fundraiser, followed by Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, Americas River Oaks, Perry's Steakhouse & Grill — Memorial City and Masraff's.

Among the first-time participants was Tradicao Brazilian Steakhouse, with two Houston-area locations. Marketing director Melissa Abrantes proudly brought a mock-up of a check for $7,400 that was the portion they donated. "Next year we can do even better," she said.

Houston Food Bank CEO Brian Greene said that every dollar of the donation provides three meals to a needy family. "Every meal that was had at a restaurant, for us is 15 meals going out to some family in need or an individual," he said. "We are grateful to everyone who participated."

Houston Restaurant Weeks is an all-volunteer operation; 100 percent of the proceeds go to the Houston Food Bank. "This is the best kind of volunteer activity," Parker said. "It starts with a great idea, it continues with volunteer help and it grows every year through the generous contributions of the restaurants that participate and Houstonians that take advantage of it."

Parker proclaimed "Cleverley Stone Day" in Houston in honor of Stone's volunteer efforts.

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Houston Astros mark final regular season games with Dollar Dogs, super swag, yoga, and more

Houston Astros Facebook

Catch José Altuve and other heroes before the playoffs.

The Houston Astros are dominating the American League and in a juicy twist, are currently seven games ahead of the New York Yankees as the best team in the league. With the playoffs fast approaching, fans are clamoring to see our hometown heroes in their final home stand of the season.

Games this week feature the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks, the Tampa Bay Rays, and Philadelphia Phillies and include the usual fan-favorite activities. As always, tickets are available online — get those playoff tickets soon.

Here's a rundown of the games and events.

Tuesday, September 27 – Astros vs. Arizona Diamondbacks: 7:10 pm

A First Responders Coin presented by LyondellBasell will be available to 10,000 fans, and Dollar Dog Night returns with unlimited dogs for a buck.

The Astros Foundation and Honeywell will celebrate 10 STEM teachers in the Houston area who earned the STEM Teacher Hall of Fame Award in a pregame ceremony. Each Hall of Fame Award winner will receive pregame recognition, a $2,000 check, and a Honeywell and Astros gift pack.

Wednesday, September 28 – Astros vs. Arizona Diamondbacks: 7:10 pm

All fans can score a Yuli Gurriel AL Champion Replica Ring presented by Gallery Furniture will be available to all fans in attendance. One lucky fan in attendance will receive a personalized ALCS Elite Fan Ring, boasting real diamonds and 10k white gold.

Wednesday is also the Cadence Bank Houston Open Night at Minute Maid Park. More than 1,000 kids and their families that participate in First Tee of Greater Houston will be in attendance, with a ceremonial first pitch in conjunction with Cadence Bank Houston Open Night.

The Cadence Bank Houston Open is set for November 10-13 at Memorial Park Golf Course. Tickets are on sale now.

Friday, September 30 – Astros vs. Tampa Bay Rays: 7:10 pm

The first10,000 fans in attendance will receive a Yuli Gurriel Orange Astros Jersey presented by Schlumberger. Pregame Happy Hour presented by Budweiser runs 5 pm- 7pm.

As always, Friday night concludes with Friday Night Fireworks of the regular season presented by ConocoPhillips (weather permitting). Fans voted for K-Pop as the night's music.

Saturday, October 1 – Astros vs. Tampa Bay Rays: 6:10 pm
The first 10,000 fans score a Jeremy Pena Bobblehead presented by Taquerias Arandas. Saturday also marks Domestic Violence Awareness Day at Minute Maid Park, with a pregame ceremony and ceremonial first pitch.

Sunday, October 2 – Astros vs. Tampa Bay Rays: 1:10 pm

The first 10,000 fans will receive an Astros Bucket Hat presented by Xfinity. Sunday is also Yoga Day at Minute Maid Park, where fans can purchase a $40 add-on package to participate in yoga (led by a professional yoga instructor) for 45 minutes after the conclusion of the game. Those who purchase the add-on will also receive an Astros yoga block, cooling towel, water bottle, and drawstring bag. For more information and to sign up, please visit the Yoga Day site.

For the final time during the 2022 regular season, Sunday will features the Astros’ Kids Run The Bases event, open to kids ages 5-12.

Monday, October. 3 – Astros vs. Philadelphia Phillies: 7:10 pm

The final series of the 2022 regular season against the Philadelphia Phillies opens with all fans receiving a Dusty Baker AL Champion Replica Ring presented by Coca-Cola. For the last time this season, one fortunate fan in attendance at the game will receive a personalized ALCS Elite Fan Ring, with real diamonds and 10k white gold.

As it is Space City Monday, the Astros will don their Nike City Connect Space City uniforms.

The Astros will also recognize the longtime Astros executive Jamie Hildreth and his family in the Houston Baseball Media Wall of Honor pregame ceremony.

Tuesday, October 4 – Astros vs. Philadelphia Phillies: 7:10 pm

Hot dog fans, head up: This is the final Dollar Dog Night with unlimited dogs for a buck. Héctor Herrera, star midfielder for the Houston Dynamo, will throw out a ceremonial first pitch.

Also, the Astros will join Make-A-Wish Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana in celebrating 10,000 local wishes granted by Make-A-Wish over the past 38 years. Prior to the game, wish kids Adrian (from Corpus Christi, 12 years old); Elizabeth (Houston, 14); and Lourdes (Houston, 18) will meet Astros’ superstars Jose Altuve and Kyle Tucker and lovable mascot Orbit. The wish kids will join the team for batting practice, pregame activities, and more.

Wednesday, October 5 – Astros vs. Philadelphia Phillies: 3:10 pm

The Astros will celebrate fans with Fan Appreciation Day. One-of-a-kind prizes will be given out to select fans each half-inning of the game along with much more. For more information, visit the Fan Appreciation Day site.

a real pickle

Houston's first-ever professional pickleball tournament swings into Memorial Park

USA Pickleball/Facebook

The first-ever pro pickleball tourney promises to be a smash.

Is pickleball more fun to watch, like baseball, or is it more fun to play, like softball? Houstonians can ponder these questions when the first-ever professional pickleball tournament ever to be hosted in the Bayou City comes to town in October.

The APP Sunmed Houston Open swings into Memorial Park from October 19-23. A showcase of some of the world’s best pickleball players, the tournament features action in pro, senior pro, and amateur divisions.

Registration to participate APP Sunmed Houston Open Golden Ticket Qualifier for Amateurs and Pros, which promises a $60,000 prize purse, is open through October 10 and can be found online. Importantly, interested players must enroll as a member of USA Pickleball if they are currently not registered with the organization.

As for spectators, admission is $10 online or at the gate during tournament times.

With more than 4.8 million people playing worldwide — an increase of 40 percent since 2020 — pickleball is currently America’s fastest-growing sport. (Interestingly, Microsoft founder Bill Gates has been playing pickleball for more than 50 years, according to Forbes.)

Currently, more than 10,000 Houstonians are estimated to play pickleball.

Jumping on that trend, the City of Houston helped organize the tournament in a joint effort between Council Member Abbie Kamin, Houston Parks and Recreation Department, Greater Houston Pickleball, and the Houston Pickleball Association.

“It doesn’t stop at this tournament; our District is leading the way and making the investment when it comes to supporting Houston’s love for Pickleball— one of the fastest growing sports in the country,” Kamin noted in a statement. “We’re the first office to partner with the incredible team in our Parks and Recreation Department to bring pickleball courts to five of our district’s parks, which should be ready for all Houstonians to enjoy very soon.”

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The APP Sunmed Houston Open will run at Memorial Park (1500 East Memorial Loop Dr.) from October 19-23. For more information, registration, or tickets, visit the official site.

The Ice House Cometh

Favorite Houston watering hole opens 'longest bar in Texas' in bustling Woodlands locale

Photo by Michael Anthony

Kirby Ice House has opened in The Woodlands.

One of Houston's most popular patio bars has opened its third location. Kirby Ice House has arrived in The Woodlands.

First announced last year, the new Kirby Ice House occupies a prime location at 1700 Lake Robbins Dr. that's near The Woodlands Mall, Market Street, and the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. With 10,000-square-feet of interior space and an 18,000-square-foot patio, the massive bar has room for 700 people.

Photo by Michael Anthony

Kirby Ice House has opened in The Woodlands.

The interior features a 141-foot-long bar, which dwarfs the 120-foot bar at the Memorial/Spring Branch location and is touted as the longest bar in Texas. Follow all the games on 61 HDTVs or a 300-inch jumbo screen. Interior details include Kirby Ice House signatures like vintage posters of actors and actresses and Texas signage. A 30-foot tall live oak tree provides shade on the patio.

Drink options start with 51 rotating beer taps along with wines by-the-glass and bottle. Cocktails include a cucumber-lime Moscow Mule, blood orange paloma, and lemonade Old Fashioned. Food trucks — including Satellite Pizza, Lupe Tortilla, Hearsay on the Go, Mr.Sizzles, and Boot Shooters BBQ — will be on-site daily.

"We’re so excited to finally be a part of the vibrant Woodlands community,” partners Danny Evans and Russ Morgan said in a statement. “This is a prime location with incredible proximity to residences, businesses, hotels, and attractions, and the casual indoor/outdoor format is a perfect match for the relaxed vibe of the area. We look forward to being a central, neighborhood-centric place to gather — whether it’s for an office happy hour, birthday, sporting event, pre-gaming for a concert, or just hanging out with friends.”

cocktails news-you-can-eat the-woodlands openings

That's a lot of meals

Houston Restaurant Weeks raises a record $1.2 million for Houston Food Bank

Palatial, fairy-tale mansion in The Woodlands charms market at $13 million

New Texas-based app makes mental health care more accessible

Talented Top Chef veteran with Michelin cred heads up sizzling new steakhouse on Allen Parkway

Houston Astros mark final regular season games with Dollar Dogs, super swag, yoga, and more

Palatial, fairy-tale mansion in The Woodlands charms market at $13 million

New Texas-based app makes mental health care more accessible

Talented Top Chef veteran with Michelin cred heads up sizzling new steakhouse on Allen Parkway

a real pickle

Houston's first-ever professional pickleball tournament swings into Memorial Park

Palatial, fairy-tale mansion in The Woodlands charms market at $13 million

New Texas-based app makes mental health care more accessible

Talented Top Chef veteran with Michelin cred heads up sizzling new steakhouse on Allen Parkway

The Ice House Cometh

Favorite Houston watering hole opens 'longest bar in Texas' in bustling Woodlands locale

Palatial, fairy-tale mansion in The Woodlands charms market at $13 million

New Texas-based app makes mental health care more accessible

Talented Top Chef veteran with Michelin cred heads up sizzling new steakhouse on Allen Parkway

That's a lot of meals

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a real pickle

CultureMap Emails Are Awesome Get Houston intel delivered daily.

We will not share or sell your email address.

The Ice House Cometh

CultureMap Emails Are Awesome Get Houston intel delivered daily.

We will not share or sell your email address.

CultureMap Emails Are Awesome

Get Houston intel delivered daily.

CultureMap Emails Are Awesome

Get Houston intel delivered daily.

CultureMap Emails Are Awesome

Get Houston intel delivered daily.

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