QBUSINESS.

102

T H E F U T U R E OF B US I N E S S

Johnson Andrew

QBU S I N E S S .

story by JODY SCHMALstory by JODY SCHMAL

from bbIG oil to NASA, industry has long defined the United States’ IG oil to NASA, industry has long defined the United States’ fourth most populous city. So has its flat-as-a-pancake, car-clogged fourth most populous city. So has its flat-as-a-pancake, car-clogged sprawl, where the international airport is more than 30 kilometres sprawl, where the international airport is more than 30 kilometres from Downtown’s CBD and construction and traffic are constants. from Downtown’s CBD and construction and traffic are constants. But Houston is nothing if not welcoming. When it gets a moment But Houston is nothing if not welcoming. When it gets a moment in the spotlight, the city shows its best self as an ever-evolving, pull- in the spotlight, the city shows its best self as an ever-evolving, pull- up-the-bootstraps place that embraces eccentricity and hard work.up-the-bootstraps place that embraces eccentricity and hard work.

During the past year, Clutch City (it’s a Houston thing) hosted During the past year, Clutch City (it’s a Houston thing) hosted two of the country’s premier sports events: the Super Bowl and the two of the country’s premier sports events: the Super Bowl and the World Series. The former ushered in a new wave of hotels, bars and World Series. The former ushered in a new wave of hotels, bars and restaurants, especially in Downtown, which rivals the Montrose restaurants, especially in Downtown, which rivals the Montrose neighbourhood in terms of hipness. Some large corporations are neighbourhood in terms of hipness. Some large corporations are moving beyond the CBD, too, bringing development to suburbs moving beyond the CBD, too, bringing development to suburbs such as The Woodlands (near the home of ExxonMobil’s expansive such as The Woodlands (near the home of ExxonMobil’s expansive campus), where you might just have your next business meeting. campus), where you might just have your next business meeting. And it’s business as usual these days, despite the record-breaking And it’s business as usual these days, despite the record-breaking floods delivered by Hurricane Harvey in August.floods delivered by Hurricane Harvey in August.

Surprises abound, from large swathes of green space to the Surprises abound, from large swathes of green space to the 145-plus languages spoken. Widely known as the country’s most 145-plus languages spoken. Widely known as the country’s most ethnically diverse city, Houston has the dining scene to match, ethnically diverse city, Houston has the dining scene to match, ranging from Vietnamese Cajun to Texas barbecue.ranging from Vietnamese Cajun to Texas barbecue.

Here’s where to lay your head, fill your glass and clinch those Here’s where to lay your head, fill your glass and clinch those deals in this Texan gem...deals in this Texan gem...

Business Travellers´ Guide

HoustonHouston

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STAY

Four Seasons’ renovated Four Seasons’ renovated

lobby (opposite) and lobby (opposite) and

Ambassador Suite Ambassador Suite

(below); the cosy library (below); the cosy library

at The St Regis (above)at The St Regis (above)

ClassicClassic

THE ST REGIS HOUSTONTHE ST REGIS HOUSTON

1919 Briar Oaks Lane, River Oaks

hotel.qantas.com.au/stregishouston

Built by a Texan billionaire Built by a Texan billionaire socialite as the Remington Hotel socialite as the Remington Hotel in 1982, the 232-room St Regis in 1982, the 232-room St Regis is in one of Houston’s more is in one of Houston’s more upmarket enclaves. Standard upmarket enclaves. Standard guestrooms are the largest in guestrooms are the largest in the city, with thick towelling the city, with thick towelling robes, Pratesi linen, Illy espresso robes, Pratesi linen, Illy espresso machines, leather furniture and machines, leather furniture and bedside charging stations. The bedside charging stations. The suites and rooms on the top two suites and rooms on the top two floors come with butler service.floors come with butler service.

↓

Business facilities A lounge with

PCs and a printer is available and PCs and a printer is available and

the boardroom meeting space the boardroom meeting space

has a private entrance.has a private entrance.

Wi-fi Basic is free; premium is Wi-fi Basic is free; premium is

$US11 (about $14) per day.$US11 (about $14) per day.

Food and drink Dine at the upscale Food and drink Dine at the upscale

Remington Restaurant or have a Remington Restaurant or have a

drink in The Remington Bar, where drink in The Remington Bar, where

Harry Spitzer, who’s been tending Harry Spitzer, who’s been tending

the bar for 25 years, can make you the bar for 25 years, can make you

a tequila-zapped Bloody Mary. a tequila-zapped Bloody Mary.

Take afternoon tea in a separate Take afternoon tea in a separate

lounge where a harpist plays.lounge where a harpist plays.

Fitness and wellbeing Just off the Fitness and wellbeing Just off the

mezzanine-level outdoor pool, mezzanine-level outdoor pool,

the exercise room has Life Fitness the exercise room has Life Fitness

machines and free weights. The machines and free weights. The

spa offers facials and massages spa offers facials and massages

and each locker room has a sauna.and each locker room has a sauna.

Run route The concierge can Run route The concierge can

provide a map of a few two-to-provide a map of a few two-to-

four-kilometre routes, the longest four-kilometre routes, the longest

winding around stately mansions.winding around stately mansions.

Coffee nearby Pint-sized Bebidas Coffee nearby Pint-sized Bebidas

(bebidashouston.com) is a half- (bebidashouston.com) is a half-

hour walk away but it’s a worthy hour walk away but it’s a worthy

stop for coffee and smoothies.stop for coffee and smoothies.

QBUSINESS .

Houston isn’t really a pedestrian- or public-transport-friendly

place, as much as the city would like to be. Hire a car with GPS place, as much as the city would like to be. Hire a car with GPS

to navigate the sprawl or use ride services such as Uber, which to navigate the sprawl or use ride services such as Uber, which

has no shortage of drivers. Allow extra time for rush periods has no shortage of drivers. Allow extra time for rush periods

(about 7am to 10am and 4pm to 7pm on weekdays).(about 7am to 10am and 4pm to 7pm on weekdays).

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Luxur yLuxur y

FOUR SEASONS FOUR SEASONS HOTEL HOUSTONHOTEL HOUSTON

1300 Lamar Street, Downtown

hotel.qantas.com.au/

fourseasonshoustonfourseasonshouston

A seven-figure renovation in A seven-figure renovation in 2016 injected fresh life into this 2016 injected fresh life into this pre-eminent hotel. Ceilings were pre-eminent hotel. Ceilings were removed in the lobby to create removed in the lobby to create a lofty “living room” space and a lofty “living room” space and the new lobby bar and grill has the new lobby bar and grill has two golf simulators. two golf simulators. ↓↓

Business facilities Communal Business facilities Communal

tables with docking stations on tables with docking stations on

the third floor provide a quiet the third floor provide a quiet

spot to work or host a meeting.spot to work or host a meeting.

Wi-fi Basic is free; premium is Wi-fi Basic is free; premium is

$US18 (about $24) per day.$US18 (about $24) per day.

Food and drink Quattro’s wine bar Food and drink Quattro’s wine bar

serves small plates and antipasti. serves small plates and antipasti.

Book The Cellar private room to Book The Cellar private room to

close an important deal. The livelier close an important deal. The livelier

Bayou & Bottle in the lobby dishes Bayou & Bottle in the lobby dishes

up more casual fare – lobster tacos, up more casual fare – lobster tacos,

steak frites and burgers – and steak frites and burgers – and

you can order a Dr Pepper Old you can order a Dr Pepper Old

Fashioned at the bourbon-centric Fashioned at the bourbon-centric

bar. Room service operates 24/7.bar. Room service operates 24/7.

Fitness and wellbeing The 24-hour Fitness and wellbeing The 24-hour

gym has treadmills, spin bikes, gym has treadmills, spin bikes,

free weights and a view of the free weights and a view of the

heated pool. Classes run several heated pool. Classes run several

times a week and personal training times a week and personal training

is available. The new spa has is available. The new spa has

treatment rooms and a nail bar.treatment rooms and a nail bar.

Run route Make your way west Run route Make your way west

down Lamar to Buffalo Bayou Park down Lamar to Buffalo Bayou Park

for kilometres of trails and stellar for kilometres of trails and stellar

views. Ask the front desk for a map. views. Ask the front desk for a map.

Coffee nearby There’s a grab-and-Coffee nearby There’s a grab-and-

go counter in the lobby from 6am go counter in the lobby from 6am

(7am on weekends) or try gourmet (7am on weekends) or try gourmet

market Phoenicia (phoeniciafoods.market Phoenicia (phoeniciafoods.

com) across the street.com) across the street.

Bella Vita, one of Hotel

ZaZa’s Magnificent

Seven suites (above); Seven suites (above);

clean, contemporary clean, contemporary

design characterises design characterises

the guestrooms at Hotel the guestrooms at Hotel

Alessandra (below)Alessandra (below)

Cutting-edgeCutting-edge

HOTEL ALESSANDRA HOTEL ALESSANDRA

1070 Dallas Street, Downtown

hotel.qantas.com.au/

hotelalessandrahoustonhotelalessandrahouston

Natural light fills this built-from-Natural light fills this built-from-the-ground-up newcomer that the-ground-up newcomer that has a modern yet whimsical feel. has a modern yet whimsical feel. Accommodation ranges from Accommodation ranges from the king-size Traditional Room the king-size Traditional Room to the 21st-floor Presidential to the 21st-floor Presidential Suite, which has a private patio, Suite, which has a private patio, floor-to-ceiling windows and floor-to-ceiling windows and two ensuite bedrooms. All two ensuite bedrooms. All rooms have a Nespresso machine rooms have a Nespresso machine and an iPad on which to order and an iPad on which to order 24/7 room service or request a 24/7 room service or request a free ride in the hotel’s Maserati.free ride in the hotel’s Maserati.

↓↓

Business facilities Event halls on Business facilities Event halls on

the third floor can host up to 300 the third floor can host up to 300

but the winner is the top-floor, but the winner is the top-floor,

10-seat Autre Boardroom, 10-seat Autre Boardroom,

complete with a verandah.complete with a verandah.

Wi-fi Speedy and complimentary.Wi-fi Speedy and complimentary.

Food and drink Bardot, the hotel’s Food and drink Bardot, the hotel’s

bar, is a good spot for a quick bite bar, is a good spot for a quick bite

or cocktail. For dinner, the tasting or cocktail. For dinner, the tasting

menu at 65-seat Lucienne, which menu at 65-seat Lucienne, which

has a wall of windows, might has a wall of windows, might

include caviar or foie gras.include caviar or foie gras.

Fitness and wellbeing The Fitness and wellbeing The

fifth-floor gym has cardio and fifth-floor gym has cardio and

weights machines. It’s adjacent weights machines. It’s adjacent

to the spa – try a HydraFacial – to the spa – try a HydraFacial –

and the sunny outdoor pool.and the sunny outdoor pool.

Run route Buffalo Bayou Park, Run route Buffalo Bayou Park,

eight short blocks to the west, eight short blocks to the west,

has multiple trails to explore. has multiple trails to explore.

Houston’s bike-share program, Houston’s bike-share program,

BCycle, has a kiosk nearby if you BCycle, has a kiosk nearby if you

want to head out on two wheels.want to head out on two wheels.

Coffee nearby Boutique espresso Coffee nearby Boutique espresso

bar Prelude Coffee and Tea, in the bar Prelude Coffee and Tea, in the

glass atrium of the 609 Main office glass atrium of the 609 Main office

tower, serves killer espresso-based tower, serves killer espresso-based

drinks and intriguing tea options, drinks and intriguing tea options,

such as matcha lattes. On the such as matcha lattes. On the

menu are artisanal doughnuts menu are artisanal doughnuts

and brisket-stuffed kolaches.and brisket-stuffed kolaches.

Boutique

HOTEL ZAZA HOUSTONHOTEL ZAZA HOUSTON

5701 Main Street, Museum District

hotel.qantas.com.au/

hotelzazahoustonmuseumhotelzazahoustonmuseum

ZaZa’s co-owner once described ZaZa’s co-owner once described his hotel as “The Phantom of the his hotel as “The Phantom of the Opera meets George Clooney Opera meets George Clooney meets Versace meets [American meets Versace meets [American economist] Alan Greenspan”. If economist] Alan Greenspan”. If that sounds a bit much, wait until that sounds a bit much, wait until you see the lobby’s zebra prints you see the lobby’s zebra prints and koi pool below a surrealistic and koi pool below a surrealistic image of fashion designer John image of fashion designer John Galliano on horseback. That Galliano on horseback. That vibe flows through to the 315 vibe flows through to the 315 guestrooms, including top-floor guestrooms, including top-floor suites with panoramic views. suites with panoramic views. The Museum of Fine Arts is The Museum of Fine Arts is across the street and Downtown across the street and Downtown is easily accessed via MetroRail is easily accessed via MetroRail or the hotel’s longhorn-adorned or the hotel’s longhorn-adorned shuttle. It’s quite a departure shuttle. It’s quite a departure from the property’s first life from the property’s first life as the Warwick, which hosted as the Warwick, which hosted Princess Grace of Monaco. Princess Grace of Monaco. ↓↓

Business facilities There’s a small Business facilities There’s a small

business centre with two Macs, business centre with two Macs,

a printer and brasserie-style tables, a printer and brasserie-style tables,

as well as multiple tech-capable as well as multiple tech-capable

meeting spaces. Most impressive meeting spaces. Most impressive

is the Imagination room, on the 11th is the Imagination room, on the 11th

floor, with large picture windows.floor, with large picture windows.

Wi-fi Complimentary throughout.Wi-fi Complimentary throughout.

Food and drink The recently Food and drink The recently

revamped Monarch Restaurant revamped Monarch Restaurant

serves lamb “lollipops”, Creole crab serves lamb “lollipops”, Creole crab

cakes, steak and fish. Take a seat on cakes, steak and fish. Take a seat on

the terrace for views of the Mecom the terrace for views of the Mecom

Fountain. Room service is 24 hours.Fountain. Room service is 24 hours.

Fitness and wellbeing A compact Fitness and wellbeing A compact

gym with cardio and weights gym with cardio and weights

equipment is near the courtyard equipment is near the courtyard

pool, across from the spa offering pool, across from the spa offering

facials and four-hand massages.facials and four-hand massages.

Run route Nearby Hermann Park Run route Nearby Hermann Park

has a scenic three-kilometre loop has a scenic three-kilometre loop

that winds around a golf course.that winds around a golf course.

Coffee nearby Bosta Kitchen Coffee nearby Bosta Kitchen

(bostahouston.com) whips up (bostahouston.com) whips up

the classics, plus specialties the classics, plus specialties

such as Japanese pour-overs such as Japanese pour-overs

and Vietnamese iced coffee.and Vietnamese iced coffee.

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BET W EEN

M EETI NGS

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Andy Warhol’s Big

Campbell’s Soup Can

(Beef Noodle) is part (Beef Noodle) is part

of The Menil Collectionof The Menil Collection

Local knowledgeLocal knowledge

David Hamilton, David Hamilton, the fourth-generation the fourth-generation owner of bespoke owner of bespoke menswear brand menswear brand Hamilton Shirts, Hamilton Shirts, shares his top five shares his top five Houston highlights.Houston highlights.

1. Hugo’s restaurant 1. Hugo’s restaurant

(hugosrestaurant.net) in (hugosrestaurant.net) in

Montrose serves Mexican Montrose serves Mexican

food and is consistently food and is consistently

excellent. I love their mole. excellent. I love their mole.

They also have the best They also have the best

vegetable plate in town.vegetable plate in town.

2. If the weather’s good, 2. If the weather’s good,

West Alabama Ice House West Alabama Ice House

(1919 West Alabama Street; (1919 West Alabama Street;

+1 713 528 6874) is a relaxed +1 713 528 6874) is a relaxed

outdoor bar where you can outdoor bar where you can

have a beer and food from have a beer and food from

the trucks parked outside.the trucks parked outside.

3. The three-mile [about 3. The three-mile [about

five-kilometre] loop around five-kilometre] loop around

Rice University (rice.edu) is, Rice University (rice.edu) is,

depending on your ambitions, depending on your ambitions,

a great walk or run. The trail is a great walk or run. The trail is

lined with oak trees and goes lined with oak trees and goes

all the way to Hermann Park.all the way to Hermann Park.

4. I love The Houston Museum 4. I love The Houston Museum

of Natural Science (hmns.org), of Natural Science (hmns.org),

especially the Butterfly Center especially the Butterfly Center

and the Hall of Paleontology.and the Hall of Paleontology.

5. If you want something 5. If you want something

authentically Texan, hit The authentically Texan, hit The

Hat Store (thehatstore.com), Hat Store (thehatstore.com),

a serious western-hat shop a serious western-hat shop

[near Uptown] that has been [near Uptown] that has been

there forever.there forever.

Houstonians are not as intense as, say, New Yorkers but they’re

punctual and like to get business done in a timely manner, punctual and like to get business done in a timely manner,

preferably over a cold beer and with a hearty handshake.preferably over a cold beer and with a hearty handshake.

SMOKE SIGNALSSMOKE SIGNALSNot all Texas-style barbecue Not all Texas-style barbecue

is created equal. Getting your is created equal. Getting your

hands on the best often means hands on the best often means

queuing at inconvenient times queuing at inconvenient times

but there are a few centrally but there are a few centrally

located joints where you can score located joints where you can score

commendable slow-smoked beef commendable slow-smoked beef

brisket, pork ribs and sausage brisket, pork ribs and sausage

– known as the Texas Trinity – – known as the Texas Trinity –

without too much effort. Roegels without too much effort. Roegels

Barbecue Co. (roegelsbarbecue.Barbecue Co. (roegelsbarbecue.

com), Pappa Charlies Barbeque com), Pappa Charlies Barbeque

(pappacharliesbbq.com) and The (pappacharliesbbq.com) and The

Pit Room (thepitroombbq.com) Pit Room (thepitroombbq.com)

are all worth a visit. If you have are all worth a visit. If you have

some time between meetings, some time between meetings,

the hulking beef rib at Killen’s the hulking beef rib at Killen’s

Barbecue (killensbarbecue.com), Barbecue (killensbarbecue.com),

about 30 minutes’ drive south about 30 minutes’ drive south

of Downtown, is excellent.of Downtown, is excellent.

ONE-STOP SHOPONE-STOP SHOPTake care of your entire gift list at Take care of your entire gift list at

Kuhl-Linscomb (kuhl-linscomb.com) Kuhl-Linscomb (kuhl-linscomb.com)

in the Upper Kirby district. This in the Upper Kirby district. This

labyrinthine lifestyle store stocks a labyrinthine lifestyle store stocks a

staggering array of design-minded staggering array of design-minded

items, including jewellery, books items, including jewellery, books

and toys. It also sells beauty and and toys. It also sells beauty and

apothecary products by Spanish apothecary products by Spanish

skincare brand Natura Bissé, skincare brand Natura Bissé,

Brooklyn perfumer D. S. & Durga Brooklyn perfumer D. S. & Durga

and historic French candlemaker and historic French candlemaker

Cire Trudon.Cire Trudon.

ART STARART STAROn a leafy campus in Montrose, On a leafy campus in Montrose,

The Menil Collection (menil.org) The Menil Collection (menil.org)

is Houston’s most globally is Houston’s most globally

renowned museum. Artists and renowned museum. Artists and

fine-art aficionados make the fine-art aficionados make the

pilgrimage here to experience the pilgrimage here to experience the

wideranging collection of its late wideranging collection of its late

founders, John de Menil and his founders, John de Menil and his

visionary wife, Schlumberger visionary wife, Schlumberger

heiress Dominique. The core heiress Dominique. The core

works are housed in an impressive works are housed in an impressive

Renzo Piano-designed building.Renzo Piano-designed building.

RODEO-READYRODEO-READYFor all its urbane complexities, For all its urbane complexities,

Houston doesn’t shy away from Houston doesn’t shy away from

flaunting its country-and-western flaunting its country-and-western

roots, especially in late February roots, especially in late February

and March during the Houston and March during the Houston

Livestock Show and Rodeo Livestock Show and Rodeo

(rodeohouston.com). One of the (rodeohouston.com). One of the

world’s biggest rodeos, the three world’s biggest rodeos, the three

weeks of festivities include a highly weeks of festivities include a highly

competitive barbecue cook-off, competitive barbecue cook-off,

carnival rides and nightly concerts, carnival rides and nightly concerts,

this year featuring Garth Brooks. this year featuring Garth Brooks.

Cowboy boots are de rigueur.Cowboy boots are de rigueur.

BREW BUZZBREW BUZZThe city’s craft beer scene has The city’s craft beer scene has

exploded in recent years, with exploded in recent years, with

many breweries around town many breweries around town

offering tastings. Saint Arnold offering tastings. Saint Arnold

Brewing Company (saintarnold.Brewing Company (saintarnold.

com), a quick hop from the CBD, com), a quick hop from the CBD,

ignited the local-beer movement ignited the local-beer movement

and its hallowed beer hall is a and its hallowed beer hall is a

fine place for a midweek tipple fine place for a midweek tipple

and lunch. Fridays are especially and lunch. Fridays are especially

popular so arrive early.popular so arrive early.

Don Glentzer

QBU S I N E S S .QBU S I N E S S .

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WOR D OF

MOUTHMOUTH

QBU S I N E S S .QBU S I N E S S .

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Enjoy cocktails and Enjoy cocktails and

whiskey at the bar at whiskey at the bar at

One Fifth, where the One Fifth, where the

culinary concept culinary concept

changes each yearchanges each year

Flight pathFlight path

IAHIAHQantas flies Qantas flies

to Dallas from to Dallas from

Sydney, with Sydney, with

onward flights onward flights

to Houston via to Houston via

partner airlines. partner airlines.

qantas.comqantas.com

Coffee pit stopCoffee pit stop

CATALINA COFFEECATALINA COFFEE

2201 Washington Avenue, Sixth Ward

catalinacoffeeshop.com

Creamy flat whites and potent Creamy flat whites and potent cortados made with locally cortados made with locally roasted beans reign at this roasted beans reign at this snug coffee shop in the historic snug coffee shop in the historic Sixth Ward neighbourhood, Sixth Ward neighbourhood, north-west of Downtown. north-west of Downtown. The feel is no-frills industrial The feel is no-frills industrial (exposed brick, bench seating) (exposed brick, bench seating) and the customers are a mix of and the customers are a mix of hipsters, locals and in-the-know hipsters, locals and in-the-know corporate types. There’s a small corporate types. There’s a small selection of pastries, scones, selection of pastries, scones, muffins and croissants but if muffins and croissants but if

you’re really peckish, the tacos you’re really peckish, the tacos from the truck parked across from the truck parked across the street are a standout.the street are a standout.

Breakfast meetingBreakfast meeting

TINY BOXWOODSTINY BOXWOODS

3614 West Alabama Street,

Highland Village

tinyboxwoods.com tinyboxwoods.com

Within the gorgeous grounds Within the gorgeous grounds of a Provençal-style nursery, of a Provençal-style nursery, Tiny Boxwoods champions Tiny Boxwoods champions seasonal produce, superb seasonal produce, superb coffee, housemade pastries coffee, housemade pastries and heartier dishes – such as and heartier dishes – such as breakfast pizza with a poached breakfast pizza with a poached egg – in its dining room bathed egg – in its dining room bathed in sunlight. Bustling yet quiet in sunlight. Bustling yet quiet enough to get work done, the enough to get work done, the ambience is relaxed and chic.ambience is relaxed and chic.

Dining aloneDining alone

ONE FIFTHONE FIFTH

1658 Westheimer Road, Montrose

onefifthhouston.com

Housed in a converted church, Housed in a converted church, this buzzy restaurant from this buzzy restaurant from

famous Houston chef Chris famous Houston chef Chris Shepherd changes its concept Shepherd changes its concept annually. The current iteration annually. The current iteration is “Romance languages”, is “Romance languages”, meaning French, Spanish and meaning French, Spanish and Italian cuisines. Sidle up to Italian cuisines. Sidle up to the main bar and select your the main bar and select your whiskey, hit the raw bar – where whiskey, hit the raw bar – where you might encounter the chef you might encounter the chef assembling a seafood tower – or assembling a seafood tower – or order life-changing duck-heart order life-changing duck-heart bolognese with lemon whipped bolognese with lemon whipped ricotta or a Spanish tortilla ricotta or a Spanish tortilla piled with caviar. Despite the piled with caviar. Despite the white-tablecloth environs, white-tablecloth environs, the service is as warm as it gets.the service is as warm as it gets.

Drinks with clientsDrinks with clients

TONGUE-CUT SPARROWTONGUE-CUT SPARROW

310 Main Street, Downtown

tonguecutsparrow.com

You enter this hidden 25-seat You enter this hidden 25-seat cocktail bar, named after a cocktail bar, named after a Japanese fable, through a door Japanese fable, through a door at the back of The Pastry War at the back of The Pastry War mezcaleria. Upstairs, a formally mezcaleria. Upstairs, a formally attired host escorts you to attired host escorts you to a low-lit table, where warm a low-lit table, where warm towels, bowls of bar snacks towels, bowls of bar snacks and a list of 15 well-crafted and a list of 15 well-crafted classic cocktails await. Walk-ins classic cocktails await. Walk-ins are welcome but it’s better to are welcome but it’s better to make a booking – 25 seats make a booking – 25 seats means 25 sitters, no standers.means 25 sitters, no standers.

Business dinnerBusiness dinner

BCN TASTE & TRADITIONBCN TASTE & TRADITION

4210 Roseland Street, Montrose

bcnhouston.com

Catalan-born chef Luis Roger, who worked under Ferran who worked under Ferran Adrià at El Bulli, sends out Adrià at El Bulli, sends out impeccable small plates (sea impeccable small plates (sea cucumber atop lobster rice, cucumber atop lobster rice, sprightly pickled anchovies) sprightly pickled anchovies) and artfully detailed mains and artfully detailed mains (sous-vide rabbit loin, Ibérico (sous-vide rabbit loin, Ibérico suckling pig) at BCN’s polished suckling pig) at BCN’s polished dining room. Pair those with dining room. Pair those with big-ticket Spanish reds and the big-ticket Spanish reds and the best gin and tonics in town. And best gin and tonics in town. And yes, the works by Picasso and yes, the works by Picasso and Miró on the walls are genuine. Miró on the walls are genuine.

Julie Soefer

It’s customary to tip at least 15 per cent in restaurants and bars It’s customary to tip at least 15 per cent in restaurants and bars

– hospitality industry workers’ livelihoods depend on it. If you’re – hospitality industry workers’ livelihoods depend on it. If you’re

given a drink or dish on the house or you’ve enjoyed the service, given a drink or dish on the house or you’ve enjoyed the service,

increase the tip. If you use valet parking, even if it’s advertised increase the tip. If you use valet parking, even if it’s advertised

as complimentary, a tip of at least a few dollars is expected.as complimentary, a tip of at least a few dollars is expected.