la dolce vita
How a Houston designer transformed an Uptown hotel into an Italian escape
Jun 5, 2026 | 1:07 pm
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Photo by © Michelle Watson/CultureMapSNAP.com -
Photo by © Michelle Watson/CultureMapSNAP.com -
Photo by © Michelle Watson/CultureMapSNAP.com -
Photo by © Michelle Watson/CultureMapSNAP.com -
Photo by © Michelle Watson/CultureMapSNAP.com -
Photo by © Michelle Watson/CultureMapSNAP.com -
Photo by © Michelle Watson/CultureMapSNAP.com -
Photo by © Michelle Watson/CultureMapSNAP.com -
Photo by © Michelle Watson/CultureMapSNAP.com -
Photo by © Michelle Watson/CultureMapSNAP.com -
Photo by © Michelle Watson/CultureMapSNAP.com -
Photo by © Michelle Watson/CultureMapSNAP.com -
Photo by © Michelle Watson/CultureMapSNAP.com -
Photo by © Michelle Watson/CultureMapSNAP.com
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Philippe Restaurant + Lounge -
The Pass and Provisions' ricotta, arugula and ham pizza. -
Pan fish at UnderbellyPhoto by Julie Soefer -
Braised oxtail at OxheartPhoto by Ruthie Johnson Miller -
Giant pretzel at Mongoose and CobraPhoto by Sarah Rufca -
Philippe's Coq au vin Day -
Hamachi at UchiPhoto by Juliainhouston/Twitter -
The Pass and Provisions -
Mongoose Versus Cobra interior. -
Mongoose versus Cobra exterior.
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Wander downtown to Hotel Icon’s Line & Lariat, and you can sip on mixologist(and minister) Houston Farris’s Padre Navidad.Courtesy Photo -
Latin Bites has an Algarrobina Cocktail mixed with egg yolks and carob treesyrup.Photo by Melisssa Kuo -
In December, you’ll find two holiday specialty sips at Fleming’s PrimeSteakhouse & Wine Bar: The bubbly Haute Holiday with prosecco and the Merry MintSpice with whiskey.Photo courtesy of Fleming's -
Line & Lariat's PonderosaCourtesy Photo -
if you are dreaming of a white Christmas, head out to Hotel Sorella inCityCentre for a sweet Sorella Snowflake.Courtesy Photo -
Phil’s Wine Lounge (the casual wine bar at Philippe’s Restaurant + Lounge) willwhet your whistle with the Patch L’Autumn, made with pumpkin pie syrup.Photo by Melissa Kuo -
Cherry of San Leon at Triniti with Raileen XO Rum and cherry liquorPhoto by Melissa Kuo
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Philippe's bar space has undergone a bit of an update, but the pumped-up winemenu is the real difference.Philippe Houston -
You need something to nosh on with that wine — and Philippe delivers there aswell. -
Vanessa BoydPhoto by Melissa Quo
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Pirate's Punch at III ForksCourtesy Photo -
Kiran's Pumpkin MartiniPhoto by Todd Gregory -
Dracula's Kiss at Sullivan's SteakhousePhoto courtesy of Sullivan's Steakhouse -
Honey + Venom at Phil's Wine LoungePhoto by Karl Heim/KH Studio -
Sullivan's Candy Apple MartiniPhoto courtesy of Sullivan's Steakhouse -
Reserve 101's Bloody HatchetCourtesy Photo
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Need an excuse to sip some bubbly? Friday is Global Champagne Day.Photo by Wilson Parish -
Fried chicken and Champagne: A perfect combo at Max's Wine Dive -
Pop your cork over great Champagne.ImageOf.net/Wallpaper -
Cha's bills itself as "Houston’s only champagne-centric wine bar.”Photo by Julie Soefer/Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau -
Cheers!Toni Blay/Flickr -
Brenner's on the Bayou has a great selection of Champagne and great views of thebayou.Brenner's on the Bayou/Facebook -
Vanessa Trevino Boyd can offer recomendations at Phillipe's.Philippe Restaurant -
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Phillipe S -
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The James Beard are loving Houston. -
Chef Danny Trace of Brennan's Houston -
Studio RED Architects/Facebook
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The best table in the house.Sale Sucre/Facebook -
Camembert and toasted baguette slices: What else do you want in life?Photo by Sarah Rufca -
The Crepe Forestiere and friesPhoto by Sarah Rufca -
A sweet crepe with apple, caramel and almondsPhoto by Sarah Rufca
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The Terms of Endearment room at Brennan's of Houston -
Ristorante CavourPhoto by Jeff Meyers -
TrevisioPhoto by Paula Murphy
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Sommelier Vanessa Trevino-Boyd -
Photo by Daniel Ortiz
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Tequila shots at TQLAPhoto by Jack Thompson -
Phil's Wine Lounge at PhilippePhilippe Houston
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Rainbow Lodge's Lobster Thermidor, or Lobster Thermidoralicous, as chef MarkSchmidt likes to call itRainbow Lodge/Facebook -
Oysters Rockefeller: Since the dish was invented in New Orleans, Brennan's ofHouston has something of a homefield advantage.Brennan's Restaurant -
Rebecca Masson's Signature Baked Alaska, only at Fluff Bake BarFluff Bake Bar -
Clams Casino at Strip HousePhoto by Sarah Rufca
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Pizza Nonni, or snail pizza, at Bistro Provence -
Escargot at Philippe Restaurant + LoungePhoto by Hillary Roy -
The "tipsy" mushroom jar at PhilippePhoto by Hillary Roy
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Katie McCall, from left, birthday girl Courtney Zubowski, Casey Curry and MiyaShay at the birthday bash.Photo by Dana Katz -
Dr. Nadia Mahmood, from left, Courtney Zubowski, Dr. Eric Haas and Dr. AliMahmood at the KHOU news ace's birthday party.Photo by Dana Katz -
Tom Lawrence, from left, John Daugherty Jr. and Larry Anton at The Eden Clubcocktail party at River Oaks Country Club.Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com -
The birthday girl and hubby, pictured at a DeBeers party in December, celebratedher birthday at Ninfa's.Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com -
Composer for Visions of America Roger Kellaway, left, and Steve Tyrell with theBoston Pops.Courtesy Photo -
Bob Hogan and Carrie Colbert at The Eden Club fete at River Oaks Country Club.Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
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SardinesPhoto by Mai Pham -
Philippe Schmit
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Chorizo gazpachoPhoto by Mai Pham -
EscargotPhoto by Mai Pham -
Egg and peaPhoto by Mai Pham -
Blanc MangerPhoto by Mai Pham
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Sorrel Urban Bistro/Facebook -
Chef Soren PedersenPhoto by Kimberly Park -
Sorrel Urban Bistro/Facebook
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Philippe Restaurant
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Vanessa Treviño Boyd makes a signature cocktail at Philippe for CultureMap'sCaroline Gallay.Photo by Joel Luks
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Blue Fish is all about game-watching and fun.Photo by Amy Chien -
At Phil's, try the French Cowboy Cocktail.Photo by Amy Chien -
Big screens await you at Cafe 101.Photo by Amy Chien -
Bar bites at TrinitiPhoto by Amy Chien
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My TableMy Table/Facebook -
John Mariani, food critic for EsquireJohn Mariani
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Philippe's Vanessa Trevino Boyd shows Caroline Gallay some Latin cocktailsecrets.Photo by Joel Luks
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Marcy de Luna, from left, Caroline Gallay and Vanessa Trevino Boyd.Photo by Joel Luks
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Asia Society Texas has planned a four-day event binge to inaugurate its new homeon Southmore designed by Japanese architect Yoshio Taniguchi.Photo by Paul Hester/© 2011 Hester + Hardaway -
The 2012 Houston Heights Home & Garden Tour includes five historic and one newlybuilt residence. -
Discovery Green's fourth anniversary fete summons the energy of the Beatles withthe Fab 40. Friday, 7:30 p.m. -
The Menil Community Festival 2012 includes book readings, performances, drumcircles, workshops, concerts, screenings, art fairs, sales and demonstrations.Saturday, 11 a.m.-5p.m. -
Preservation Houston is back with another cemetery tour focusing on the leadingladies of Houston history. Sunday, 2 p.m.
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Chef Philippe Schmit does use some garlic in his French onion soup, one of thestaples at Philippe Restaurant + Lounge. And it’s awesome.Photo by Catherine Walsh -
"French onion soup...is always comforting and calming to the soul," says DavidLuna of Line & Lariat.Photo via Hotel Icon -
And let’s not get started on Vietnamese soups. Who can pass up Jenni’s NoodleHouse?Photo by Joel Luks -
There's also tortilla soup, and TQLA chef Tommy Birdwell does a mean Aztectortilla soup that will warm your bonesPhoto by Scott Lindsey
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Dinner with Friends is a 2000 Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Donald Marguliesthat begins with Houston's favorite activity: Eating. -
Houston Ballet's Stanton Welch updates the story of Cinderella. His version ismore virile, robust, spunky.Photo by Amitava Sarkar -
At Houston Arboretum's family-friendly two-hour workshop, guests will make ahummingbird feeder hanging basket to take home.Photo by Stephan Lorenz -
The Houston Modern Market includes lectures, a vintage car show, film screening,and a modern architecture tours. -
Greg Dean and Troy Schulze in Catastrophic Theatre's production of SamuelBeckett's Endgame.Photo by Anthony Rathbun
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Hanover Post Oak at BLVD Place will break ground in the first quarter of 2013.Rendering courtesy of The Hanover Co. -
Ed Wulfe, chairman and CEO of Wulfe & Co., told CultureMap, "The market forbuilding multi-family residences is strong."Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
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Warner Roberts, from left, John Blaisdell and Moncia Hartland at PhiippeRestaurant where they strategized for the Mission of Yahweh surprise.Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com -
Bethany Hartland and Charlie Hartland at Philippe Restaurant.Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com -
Daniel Hartland played Santa at the "Christmas on a Mission" happening.Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com -
Ken Downing appears as guest judge on Project Runway All-Stars. -
Luggage filled with personal items were gifts for the moms at Mission of Yahweh.Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com -
Joanna Hartland and Brad MarksPhoto by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
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Photo via Soup Cowboy/Facebook -
Photo via Soup Cowboy/Facebook -
Photo by Sarah Rufca
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Occupy Houston's "Corporate House of Horrors"Photo via Occupy Houston -
Photo by JvvD/FotoCommunity.com -
Bar MunichPhoto via Bar Munich/Facebook -
Ghostland ObservatoryPhoto by Robert Castro -
Montrose Pub CrawlPhoto via Ultimate Montrose -
13 Celsius
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Nemata Blyden, left, and Solkem Ngangbet at the Houston Museum of AfricanAmerican Culture dinner.Photo by Bert Long -
Taiye Selasi and John Guess Jr. at the museum party.Photo by Bert Long -
Gracie Cavnar in the gardens at the White House. -
Sheridan WilliamsPhoto by Gary Fountain -
Sonia Kotb sewing iLuminate costumes for "America's Got Talent." -
Chef Geoffrey Zakarian made a Houston stopover.
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The Restaurant Weeks super fan ended up eating at Philippe 15 times in August.Photo by Michelle Watson/CatchlightGroup.com -
Cathi Walsh loved the brunch at RDG.Photo by Michelle Watson/LastNightPics.com -
And she loved hearing about Cinq's approach from chef Jeramie Robison himself.
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Sir Sidney Poitier and Lynn Wyatt at Hotel Granduca.Photo by Ashley White -
Lora and John Clemmons at the Brilliant Lecture series dinner.Photo by Ashley White -
David Klienberg and Chesie Breen at Chateau Domingue booksigning.Photo by Fulton Davenport: PWL Studio -
Donna Bruni, from left, Terry Bradshaw and Bob Bruni at the Linda LorelleScholarship luncheon.Photo by Priscilla Dickson -
Liz Zaruba and Bob Devlin at the Linda Lorelle event.Photo by Priscilla Dickson -
March of Dimes chief Jennifer Howse and Lan Bentsen at the Fourticq home.Photo by Phyllis Hand
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Gregory Boyd and Hallie Foote share a moment at the Alley's pre-performancesupper.Photo by Priscilla Dickson -
Larry Norman, from left, Sharin Gaille and Gary and Caroline Kenney at theAlley.Photo by Priscilla Dickson -
Kimberly DeLape, left, and Alicia Smith chairs of the Memorial Hermann event.Photo by Gary Fountain -
Dr. Kelli Cohen Fein, from left, Carolyn Farb and Rachel Regan at the MemorialHermann gathering.Photo by Gary Fountain
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Photo by Shelby Hodge -
Photo by Shelby Hodge -
The dishes from Fadi's Mediterranean Grill were as eye-appealing as tasty.Photo by Shelby Hodge -
Photo by Shelby Hodge -
Photo by Shelby Hodge -
Photo by Shelby Hodge -
Fadi's executive chef explains the Middle Eastern dishes.Photo by Shelby Hodge -
The buffet from Fadi's Mediterranean Grill was ample and tempting.Photo by Shelby Hodge
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Linda Salinas -
Haven/Facebook -
The Haven bar will turn into a restaurant-inside-a-restaurant manned by PhilippeGaston featuring an "international raw bar" menu.Haven/Facebook -
Philippe Gaston at Kata Robata
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Martha Stewart has signed on as forum speaker for the Theta Charity AntiquesShow in November. -
Philippe Schmit, left, hosted a farewell party for KHOU Channel 11's LucyNoland. Her co-anchor Greg Hurst was in the mix. -
Roni Atnipp, from left, Heather Simpson, Patty Dominguez and Mary Tere Perusqiacelebrate the launch of the Latin American Women Initiative's cookbook onAmazon.com.Photo by Shelby Hodge
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But I looked down and there were two glasses of water in front of us.Photo via Photos Public Domain -
And at the year-old The Counter built-your-own burger emporium in The Heights,Manager Alex Outtrim says they’re trying to ask before pouring. -
A severe lack of rain and near biblical triple-digit temperatures is causingrivers and lakes, like Lake Houston, to dry up like a raisin in the sun.Photo via iWitnessWeather -
At Haven, floor-to-ceiling green screens and fast-growing shade trees helpreduce air conditioning use, which is a chilled-water duct system.Photo by Barbara Kuntz
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Players at Américas' Cohesion Thursday Nights bash are chef David Cordua, left,Ashlee Lee and Roi Alan.Photo by Oliver Puzon -
Amber Willis, from left, Joanne King Herring, Corbett Daniel Parker and ReyneHirschPhoto by Oliver Puzon -
Rachel Brown celebrated her birthday at La Griglia where the lunchtime crowd wasawash in movers and shakers. -
These ladies chair the upcoming Dec My Room luncheon at Tootsies.Photo by Gary Fountain -
Seen here at the Houston Grand Opera Ball, Oscar and Lynn Wyatt held court at acenter table in the bar at Tony's Thursday night.Photo by Gary Fountain
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July 14th, of course, is Bastille Day, the day in 1789 when the French rebelsstormed the Bastille prison and began the French Revolution, which would end thereign of the monarchy and begin the first Republic. Jean-Pierre Houël, "Prise dela Bastille ("Storming of the Bastille"), 1789Jean-Pierre Houël, "Prise de la Bastille" (The Storming of the Bastille) -
Save room to this Bastille dish, Schmit’s garbure.Photo by Marene Gustin -
Then came one of Philippe's Bastille Day-only specials: The Tower of Escargot.Tower. Of. Escargot.Photo by Marene Gustin -
Pastry chef Jamie Kling's fabulously fun Key Lime Popsicle, a deconstructed keylime piePhoto by Marene Gustin
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Photo by Daniel Ortiz -
Photo by Daniel Ortiz -
Photo by Daniel Ortiz -
Photo by Daniel Ortiz -
Photo by Daniel Ortiz -
Photo by Daniel Ortiz -
Photo by Daniel Ortiz -
Photo by Daniel Ortiz
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Hugo Ortega and his team from Hugo's was the crowd favorite.Photo by Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com -
Chris Shepherd of Underbelly offered up a pulled pork and cabbage sandwichPhoto by Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com -
Photo by Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com -
Photo by Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com -
Photo by Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com -
Photo by Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com -
Photo by Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com -
Photo by Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com -
Noshing in the Central Market party tentPhoto by Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com -
Judges Marie Mann, Laurann Claridge and Teresa Byrne-DodgePhoto by Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com -
Colorful salads from CanopyPhoto by Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
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Birthday girl Suzy Bergner gets a kiss from David Gooch, right, at Galatoire'sin New Orleans. -
The Galatoire's party girls wore masks and feather boas. -
Proud papas Matthew Burrus-Pearce, left, and Mike Burrus-Pearce flank babyshower friends Deborah Duncan and Monsour Taghdisi. -
Malisa and Rene Galvan, left, joined Susie and Bob Hale at Philippe Restaurant +Lounge. -
Roberta Miller, left, and Cindi Rose in Aspen.
