Holiday Spirit Social

Sold-out crowd gets straight-up lessons on finer points of bourbon at Holiday Spirit Social

A sold-out crowd of bourbon-loving Houstonians gathered on Monday night at Station 3 in the First Ward for CultureMap's Holiday Spirit Social.

After snacking on light bites prepared by popular steakhouse B&B Butchers — the menu included mini versions of the restaurant's signature bites like beef Wellington, the Carpetbagger fried oyster, and chef Tommy's bacon — matched with cocktails made with event sponsor Woodford Reserve bourbon, attendees headed upstairs for the guided tasting.

CultureMap food Eric Sandler and B&B beverage director Jeremiah Butler discussed the finer points of how to entertain and cook with bourbon this holiday season. During the Q&A, Butler provided a recipe for a cranberry-infused Old Fashioned that had people reaching for pens. Don't worry. It's included below.

Then Woodford Reserve brand ambassador Charlie Moore took the stage to guide a tasting. He explained how certain foods such as hazelnut and dark chocolate can enhance the flavors of each of the brand's three products. B&B also provided three more dishes made with the signature spirits to demonstrate the various ways bourbon can be used in cooking.

While sipping bourbon is fun and all, the night was made even better knowing that all proceeds from the evening benefited Mankind, a Dallas-based nonprofit that promises to help save lives and end suffering from prostate cancer by encouraging men to receive annual tests and help research scientists find a cure for prostate cancer. That is something we can all raise our glasses to.

Jeremiah Butler's Cranberry Old Fashioned

2 oz. Woodford Reserve Bourbon
1 Sugar cube
2 dashes Reagan No. 6 Orange bitters
2 dashes Fee Brothers Old Fashioned Aromatic Bitters
Orange peel

Place the sugar cube in a highball (rocks) glass and add the bitters. Muddle the sugar cube. Add the two ounces of bourbon and ice (one big cube is ideal for presentation and dilution but regular ice will work, too). Stir for approximately 15 to 20 seconds. Garnish with an orange peel and some fresh cranberries.

To make the cranberry-infused bourbon, empty approximately 25-percent of a bottle of Woodford Reserve bourbon and add between 15 and 20 fresh cranberries. Let sit for two weeks. Prior to serving, strain out the cranberries.

John Roy, Taylor Otte, Louie Fava.

Photo by Jacob Power

John Roy, Taylor Otte, Louie Fava.

holidays drinks fundraisers

keep rolling

Hot Houston hand roll spot is first restaurant at new EaDo development

Handies Douzo Facebook

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Houstonians with a seemingly unlimited appetite for sushi hand rolls will soon have another destination to satisfy their cravings. Handies Douzo will open its next location in East Blocks, an adaptive reuse project in EaDo.

On track to open in late 2026 or early 2027 at 1107 Hutchins Street, the EaDo location will be Handies Douzo’s fifth, joining the original in the Heights as well as restaurants in Montrose, Spring Branch, and an upcoming outpost in Uptown’s new Central Park Post Oak development. Like those siblings, it will serve Handies’ familiar menu of hand rolls (temaki), crudos, and sashimi that’s overseen by founding chefs and co-owners Daniel Lee and Patrick Pham. The 2,000-square-foot space will feature Handies’ familiar U-shaped counter seating.

Handies is known for wrapping its rolls in crispy seaweed that gives each bite a distinct crunch. The well-executed dishes and affordable prices helped Handies earn a nomination for Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year in the 2026 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards.

"We've been very intentional about where we grow, and East Blocks immediately stood out," Pham and Lee said in a statement. "There's an authenticity to EaDo and a strong sense of community that aligns with our brand. We're excited to be part of a project focused on creating an energetic, walkable destination."

1107 Hutchins rendering Handies will occupy 2,000 square feet at 1107 Hutchins.Courtesy of Pagewood

1107 Hutchins and the nearby 2202 Dallas — each of which are 15,000 square feet — represent phase one of local real estate firm Pagewood’s plans to East Blocks. First announced in 2023, plans call for renovating warehouses into a walkable district of shops, restaurants, offices, and green space. Gensler is leading architecture and design for the project, with landscape architecture by SWA.

"East Blocks reflects a long-term belief in EaDo and the kind of place it’s becoming," said Mat Volz, Managing Principal of PAGEWOOD. "As the project has evolved, our commitment to that vision has only strengthened. Breaking ground on Phase 1 is an exciting step forward, particularly as this neighborhood prepares to welcome the world. With the FIFA Fan Festival taking place just steps from East Blocks and bringing thousands of visitors daily to EaDo, we see this project playing a meaningful role in that energy and in the long-term evolution of the district."

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