It was a bittersweet farewell to KHOU Ch. 11 news anchor Lucy Noland over the weekend when chef/restaurateur Philippe Schmit, aka the French Cowboy, hosted a bon voyage soirée for her at his Philippe Restaurant + Lounge on Post Oak Boulevard. Several dozen friends took over the downstairs lounge where they toasted Lucy and her move to Los Angeles where she will work as an anchor and reporter for NBC4.

Lucy, who had anchored the 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. newscasts with Greg Hurst for the past four years, said her last good night at KHOU on June 27. Wasting no time between gigs, she took up duties in LA, the nation's second largest television market, on Monday.

Among friends joining in the farewell were Hurst, KHOU Ch. 11 news director Phillip Bruce, chief meteorologist Gene Norman, morning anchor Sherry Williams, investigative reporter Mark Greenblatt, reporters Brad Woodard and Leigh Frillici and a number of behind-the-scenes folks including producers and executive producers.

When they weren't drowning their sorrows in cocktails and lighter libations, guests were treated to Philippe specialties including spring rolls, escargot tarts, beef vol au vent, pan bagnat, ricotta ravioli, gazpacho shooters and melon prosciutto brochette.

Martha Stewart on deck

Organizers of the Theta Charity Antiques Show are kicking up their heels at having signed the high priestess of all things tasty, homey and domestically creative as forum speaker at the annual antiques bonanza. On Saturday, Nov. 19, Martha Stewart will dish on her latest book, Martha's Entertaining.

A book signing will follow the mid-morning presentation. Only copies of the book purchased from Blue Willow Bookshop (advance orders available) will be eligible for signing. If you buy the book ahead of time that waves the $10 forum ticket. Tickets for the show itself, required for forum attendance, are $10.

The show runs Nov. 17 through Nov. 20 at the George R. Brown Convention Center.

Also expected to draw a good crowd is Jane Karotkin, Texas Governor's mansion curator and administrator of Friends of the Governor's Mansion. Her talk is scheduled for the afternoon of Nov. 17.

Delicioso!

The Latin American Women's Initiative beautiful cookbook, Latin Flavors: A Taste of our Heritage, is now available at Amazon.com, putting this popular fundraising tome in the hands of a wide audience. The book went on the market last fall and has proven popular with both those who love to cook with a Latin accent and those who simply appreciate a beautifully crafted cookbook.

All recipes are presented in both English and Spanish and come from friends and family of LAWI members.

Midtown b'day bash

Double Cross Lounge's Robby Cook took over the Midtown watering hole recently for a 32nd birthday blowout during which he treated 75 friends to light bites and his favorite Double Cross Vodka drinks.

DJ Jason Hilbert kept the music going late into the night. Guests included Robby's main squeeze Chieko Sloan plus Lucky Chopra, Kevin Smoot, Kristy Farmer, and 360 Sports Lounge owner Jesse Botello and wife Valerie.