For most of the young professionals attending CultureMap's Mixer on the Map on Tuesday, benefiting the Houston Area Women's Center, it was a first visit to Branch Water Tavern. And it was an inaugural experience so laced with tasty food samplings that more than a few promised a speedy return.

That's just what Julia Sharaby, Branch Water Tavern chef David Grossman's fiancee, had hoped for — introducing a new crowd to their reasonably-priced, really good food. Thus, the gals and sprinkling of guys feasted on chicken-fried oysters, house-cured salmon served on potato chips, house-made pastrami mini sandwiches and more. Yum!

The HAWC Young Leaders group consists of 60 members, who offer volunteer support at the shelter and serve as community advocates, according to Sarah Meyers, HAWC staff liaison for the group.

HAWC supporters working their way through the scrumptious hors d'oeuvres and a choice of libations were Lorin Leatherwood, John Gorczynski, Chad Singleton, Brian Block and Sarah Dropek.

Representing diverse professional interests were Erin Felton, who works with a non-profit immigration law firm; Jozette Bowman, a campaign director with the Leukemia Society; Ruhee Hate, KBR information manager; attorney Anita Shahani and Anna Phillips, who is headed for the University of Houston law school in the fall.