September 7th, 2010
In 7 Words: Vietnamese, Orange, Lime, Concrete, Generous, Soy, thơm ngon
“Can I take you to dinner?” asks my wife on a mundane Monday.
“Where should we go?” I am not one to turn down a free meal with such fine company.
“Paul’s always talking about Jenni’s Noodle House. We may as well check it out and cross it off the list. It has appeared in The Week That Was a time or two.” The decision is made. Getting in the car, we cruise the familiar streets making our way to 20th St. and head east to Jenni’s.
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— Richard
November 18th, 2009
In 6 Words: Finality, Jedi's, Westheimer, Festival, Ginormous, Hugs
All good things must come to an end. More times than not the end marks a new beginning. Omar Afra, managing editor of Free Press Houston, has said that “this will be the last Westheimer Block Party.” As FPH is the sole proprietor of the Block Party we have no choice but to believe him. However, with this news of finality there is a spark of hope: The rebirth of the Westheimer Street Festival.
In Houston we love our causes. This one is a lofty challenge. Afra and Free Press Houston are asking for the city’s support so the festival can live again. They will be “forming a non-profit to meet this challenge which will be made up of only Jedi’s who have an unyielding love for arts and music.” If you’ve brushed up on your use of the force we suggest you join them in their fight against the powers of the Dark Side.
For now, all we can do is offer our homage to the final Westheimer Block Party in photo essay form. Good bye, good friend… for now:
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— Paul
September 7th, 2009
The Regular Scoop: This week with a hint of Euro. Minus the cologne or maybe not.
This week or the next: Houston Ballet Presents Manon, Leonard Bernstein’s On The Town, IKE: The Book Book Signing with the Creators of HIWI, The Trilogy: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart at Miller, Black Congress with Balaclavas & No No No Hopes Live at Mango’s, Houston Museum District Day (Free Access To 17 Museums), Vernacular Architecture and the Building Arts in Houston, Arts of Ancient Viet Nam, Slavic Heritage Festival and Oktoberfest at the Liederkranz
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— Richard
August 27th, 2009
In 7 Words: Ristorante, Italiano, Neighborhood, Shortbread, Heaping, Solitary, Mangi
It’s easy to gravitate to a place that seems familiar. Even if that familiarity stems from a childhood nickname that somehow stuck through three moves and four levels of school. Such is the case with Paulie’s an Italian restaurant that has been open for over a decade. Saying that it has carved its niche in the Montrose neighborhood is an understatement. Paulie’s became one of the neighbors a long time ago.
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— Paul
July 21st, 2009
In 8 Words: Hand-Crafted, Sazerac, Rye, Hemingway, Concoction, Traditionalist, Exposed, Temple
Rarely does a bar open in Houston that falls completely outside my paradigm. When we began preparing for The Loop Scoop experiment, we cast a wide net in regards to bar types. Even with 20 classifications, I feared that I had not cast a wide enough net. Upon arrival at Anvil, I immediately knew that my fears were true. In order to truly appreciate the place, I give you one piece of advice: forget everything you ever thought you knew about bars. Accepting that little nugget is integral to your understanding of the experience at Anvil – Bar & Refuge.
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— Paul
July 14th, 2009
In 6 Words: Mediterranean, Cakes, Seclusive, Coffee, Retreat, Patio
Nestled behind purposeful shrubs and potted ferns on one of Houston’s main drags lays something of a Mediterranean-style haven, secluded from the wild world of Westheimer. Empire Café is a spot that you can take friends, family or first dates without having to worry that you’ll have a bad experience, meal or cup of joe. Continue reading and you’ll understand why it’s one of our favorite restaurants on Westheimer.
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— Paul
