SEPTEMBER 2010

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F A S H I O N L I F E S T Y L E A R T E N T E R T A I N M E N T

Miss Chinatown USAPays Us a VisitHouston Stars inMao’s Last DancerBistro LancasterRemains a LandmarkOld World vs.New World Wine

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F R O M T H E E D I T O R I N C H I E F

August was a month filled with beauty. I chatted with the reigning Miss Chinatown USA, Miss Crystal Lee, while she was in town to

attend the Miss Chinatown Houston pageant. This year marked the 40th anniversary of the pageant and a majority of the past beauty

queens appeared on stage to mark the momentous occasion. The newly crowned Houston queen, Miss Joy Le, will represent Houston

in the national competition in San Francisco next February. Congratulations!

New York City has been getting a lot of press recently in connection with the proposed mosque near Ground Zero. Last year, the city

was the center of attention because of the country’s economic woes and the big bonuses that gushed from the big Wall Street firms.

We decided to focus on New York, too, but our sights were on the sites to see. There are many that have gone ignored by the mainstream

media but which are a lot more interesting and fun (and certainly, much less controversial).

It was a big month for the Houston art community, especially for those who love ballet. Li Cunxin was in town to promote the opening

of Mao’s Last Dancer, the exquisite new movie based on his best selling autobiography that chronicled his life from provincial China

to the stages of Houston’s Wortham Center and Jones Hall. The film was partially filmed in Houston which was immersed in international

drama when he decided to defect to the United States in 1981. Houston immigration attorney, Charles Foster, played a pivotal role

in securing Li’s position. (Charles is portrayed by Kyle MacLachlan, who was in town with Li, Bruce Greenwood, Joan Chen, and others

to celebrate the film’s premiere). As the many layers of the film unfold, the audience’s interest is captured for almost two hours. In a

word, the film is inspirational.

While I am on the subject of entertainment, very close to where Li performed in Houston is a restaurant at which many who applauded

him assuredly dined. The Bistro Lancaster is situated in The Lancaster Hotel across the street from Jones Hall in the theater district.

It has been a while since we last reviewed a hotel based restaurant and we believe The Bistro offers a menu that is fit for theatergoers

as well as those who are simply looking for a very satisfying dining destination.

I have noticed that the days have finally begun to grow shorter which reminded me that fall will begin on September 22nd. Even

though it is 100 degrees at the moment, just knowing that fall is so close makes it feel just a little bit cooler. Thank goodness that fall

fashions are just around the corner!

V. Van Hoang

Photo by Collin Kelly

Editor

Henri MerceronCultural Editors

Vuthy KuonTricia VoloreHealth Editor

Ivy YangTravel Editor

Matt SimsWine Editor

Philip CuisimanoMusic Editor

Tyler MerceronLifestyle Editor

Chau Nguyen-ToddBeauty Editor

Tree VaelloFashion Editor

Vi HuaContributing Writers

Deanne NguyenLeo SiprasCreative Director

Jeff Martin

Website

Leo SiprasContributing Photographers

Chad LandryThang Nguyenkevinvideo1@yahoo.com

Timothy Fredericktimothyfrederick.com

Shehla Z. Shahshehlazshahphotography.com

Peter ThamFashion Photographer

Collin KellyAssistant Photographer

Jonathan FoelkerFashion Stylist

Leslie RivasAssistant Stylist

Jenn JoeFashion Intern

Lanicka WoodsonHair and Makeup

Bianca LinetteBusiness Manager

Karla Montejo

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September 2010

The color yellow has played a recurrent symbolic role throughoutthe history of Asian culture. It symbolizes the earth that sustainsall life, yet has been embraced by Buddhist monks as an expressionof unchallenged power. Such is the role of yellow: always reveredbut in different ways under different circumstances.

The mission of Yellow Magazine is to introduce our readers to theartistic , fashion, lifestyle and entertainment contributions madeby Asian Americans. It is our hope that the depth and breadth ofthe topics and events we cover do justice to the pride that the coloryellow has represented throughout the millennia. As the editor inchief of Yellow Magazine, my last name is Hoang, which also meansyellow. Just as I am proud of my name, I am proud of my heritage,and proud of Yellow Magazine.

Editor in Chief

V. Van Hoang, President of MV Media

Publisher

MV MediaPublisher/Managing Director

Frank Perez

On the cover

Studded Cape by NaaemKhan $4790, available atNeiman MarcusVelvet Cropped Blazer byRebecca Taylor $495,available at NeimanMarcusMetallic Lame bowtieblouse by Marni $522,available at Saks FifthAvenueBrocade Lace belt byStreets Ahead $77,available at Saks FifthAvenueModel

Jeany Ngo

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A True StoryRooted in Houston

Mao’s Last Dancer

T H E A R T S

I am what you may consider to be a devoted moviegoer. I love movies. On a rainy

Sunday, I have been known to sit through three consecutive movies without experiencing

even the slightest restlessness or fatigue. I enjoy the gamut of genres from comedy to

drama, sci-fi to romance, and everything in between. Even though I enjoy serious films

as well as silly ones, I own very few because there are not that many that I would

consider watching multiple times. Having said that, I would not hesitate to rank Mao’s

Last Dancer as one of my favorite films, and I will purchase the DVD as soon as it

becomes available.

There are so many things to like about this film, some of which areparticular to me and others that are more universal. It is based upon atrue story as written by the principal character, Li Cunxin. A significantportion of the story takes place in Houston and is filmed here. I reallyenjoy seeing Houston in films; we are America’s fourth largest city andreceive precious little exposure in television and cinema. As to the contentof the film itself, it offers the audience a rich story that hits all the highnotes that define riveting entertainment. Only at the end of the 117thminute did I realize to what extent I had been totally engaged in the plot;while I did not want the movie to end, I was completely satisfied withwhat I had seen when it did.

The film draws contrasts on multiple levels; east versus west, povertyversus wealth, conformity versus non-conformity, traditional versusprogressive, Cultural Revolution versus post-Cultural Revolution ideology,and socialist versus democratic social structures. At different times, I wasdrawn into the drama and found myself anxious one moment andexuberant the next.

During Mao’s Cultural Revolution, scouts descended upon schoolsthroughout the country in search of children who demonstrated thepotential to develop into great ballet dancers. Once selected, parentsproudly allowed them to leave their homes and families to take upresidence in Madame Mao’s Beijing Dance Academy where they trainedtirelessly in pursuit of the destiny for which they had been selected.

At the academy, artistic tensions arise within the ideological contextof the Cultural Revolution. One teacher exposes the students to the rawand powerful creativity of the Soviet Union’s Barishnikov. Following aperfectly executed performance by Li Cunxin’s class, a high level femaleofficial in military attire chastised the teachers for not incorporatingsocialist ideals into the dance. “Where are the guns?” she asked withannoyance. In a subsequent performance, strong military overtones wereincorporated and the same official applauded with elation and approval.

The legendary director of the Houston Ballet, Ben Stevensen, broughtLi to Houston as part of the first cultural exchange program betweenChina and America. Throughout the film, delightful cultural differencesand nuances are highlighted in both subtle and significant ways. In onescene, for example, Li watches uncomfortably as Ben withdraws moremoney from an ATM in a few seconds than his father earned in a monthtoiling endlessly on his farm.

At the age of 20, Li followed down a path that the Houston Chineseconsul had warned him to guard against; the seductive capitalist influences

of the American culture. Intoxicated by the adoration of the local audienceswho cheered him exuberantly, the love of a beautiful American woman,and the freedom to which he had grown fond, Li decided to defect. Hemarried his American girlfriend to seal his right to remain in America tothe chagrin of the Chinese consul who forcibly held him captive at theembassy. It was at this time that Houston’s very own attorneyextraordinaire, Charles Foster, was called upon to intervene on Li’s behalf.What ensued was a 21 hour standoff that had all the signs of becomingan international incident as the media from around the world descendedupon Houston to chronicle the developments. Ultimately, Charlespersevered and Li’s freedom was legally secured. In the years that followed,Li was the sweetheart of the Houston artistic community.

Throughout the better part of the film, the director maintains aconstant strand of tension by not letting us forget that Li had not seenhis parents and family since he was removed from his village as a child.During his formative years, he did not venture from the dance academy;after he defected, the Chinese government forbade him from returningto China. Following the death of Mao, the government’s stance regardingmany hard line matters began to soften. The most poignant scene in themovie was when Ben Stevenson arranged for Li’s parents to see him forthe first time since he left their house as a child as he performed on stagein Houston. Li had no idea that they would be there. From the time thattheir eyes met during the standing ovation at the end of the performanceto when Ben escorted them onto the stage to embrace their son, the senseof love of family was overwhelming. It was one of those transformativeand powerful movie moments that remain with you long after the filmends. If you can refrain from tearing up during this scene, you are far morestoic than I.

Li Cunxin thrilled Houston audiences on the stages of the WorthamCenter and Jones Hall for 16 years until 1995 when he and his wife movedto her native Australia. Today, he is a successful stockbroker andmotivational speaker. It seems like the perfect encore for a man who tooka chance, followed his calling, and in sharing his passion and story hasrekindled our sense of inspiration.

by H EN RI MERCERON

The legendary director of theHouston Ballet, Ben Stevensen,brought Li to Houston as part ofthe first cultural exchange program between China and America.

Mao’s Last Dancer is nowshowing at the LandmarkRiver Oaks Theater

For more information, visitmaoslastdancermovie.com

Kyle MacLachlan as Charles Foster Bruce Greenwood as Ben Stevenson, Steven Heathcoate as Bobby Cordner, and Camilla Vergotis as Mary

Amanda Schull as Liz and Chi Cao as Li in Mao’s Last Dancer

Photos by Simon Cardwell /Samuel Goldwyn Films / ATO Pictures

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It Will Always Bethe Apple of Our Eye

Taking a Shine to NYC

T R A V E L

If you can stay at a hotel near Times Square, you will be centrally locatedin the heart of Manhattan and all the major sites will be within walkingdistance. Most of the sights you will want to visit will be within a fairly tightradius; the Empire State Building (.75 mile); ferry to Statue of Liberty (3miles); American Museum of Natural History (1.75 miles); SOHO (SouthHouston Street), Little Italy, Chinatown, NoLita (North of Little Italy) areall within 3 miles. Broadway plays, Grand Central Station and the fertilestreet life that defines Time Square are all within several blocks.

Notwithstanding that NYC has many famous and popular attractions, inmany respects it is the pulse of the city that grabs you and pulls you in unplannedand unforgettable directions. The point to be made here is that New York isalive and spontaneous. The city has an energy that propels you. Welcome theopportunity to explore new sites to which you become exposed along the wayto planned destinations. Flexibility maximizes enjoyment and minimizes stress.

A half block from the hotel, I intersected one of the regular street festivalsthat are popular amongst tourists and natives alike. (You may want to Googlefestivals before you make your trip so that you can make plans to catch one.)The bargains and the aroma of foods reflective of NYC’s ethnic diversity wereintoxicating. There were fine Indian Pashmina and cashmere scarves for $5;beautiful leather belts for $5; jewelry, sculptures, paintings, designer clothing!My favorite cologne for $25! Within half an hour, I had to go back to thehotel to unload so that I could continue where I left off. The vendors populatedboth sides of the street for ten blocks. After three hours of shopping and eatingsuch things as baklava, gyros, and shish-kebabs, I passed Lindy’s, known for its“World Famous Cheesecake.” I shopped so hard, I deserved cheesecake.

From Lindy’s, I traveled a few blocks to the southern edge of CentralPark, an 843 acre patch of green in the middle of Manhattan. In additionto the horse dawn carriages that carry people on romantic sojourns throughthe park, there are also 5-person, star-shaped bicycles, bicycle-drawn rickshaws,and people powered rickshaws. You feel as though you have been transportedback in time as you walk through the park (officially dedicated in 1873) andobserve the character conveyed by the light posts, bridges, tunnels, fountainsand multiple sculptures. It is within this environment that a sea of humanityrepresenting people from all walks of life, nationalities, ethnicities, religion,orientation and age relax and enjoy themselves in myriad ways.

In Sheep Meadow, a fifteen acre area within the park, perhaps a thousandpeople sunbathe, read, play Frisbee, kick soccer balls, catch baseballs, socializeand sleep. Rising beyond the trees, perhaps a quarter mile away soars the roofof the Dakota, where John Lennon was killed. Moving a little deeper into thepark, I followed the distinctive beat of primal dance music to a short sectionof a closed side street where a group of people was dancing on roller blades.

When you travel to NYC, there are certain sites that are obligatory. Someare historical and others are cultural; all are worthwhile and unique to NewYork. The Statue of Liberty tops the list of most popular sites. To reach it, youboard the Circle Line ship at Battery Park at the southern-most tip ofManhattan. The cost is $24/adult and $16/child. It is recommended that youallot five hours for tours; I elected to just ferry around Liberty Island becauseI wanted to spend more time visiting Ellis Island (which is fourth amongstpopular attractions). The immigration building on Ellis Island captures thevery essence of America’s core. Fully restored to its original condition andtransformed into a museum, it does justice to the contributions of immigrants.Immigrants from Asian countries were not processed here for the most partbecause they generally entered the country on the West coast. There areunpleasant references to the anti-Asian sentiments pervasive during that periodin American history. The museum does an honorable job representing thehardships that faced immigrants who arrived from various points of origin.

The Empire State Building is the second most popular tourist site and,on a clear day, the view from the observation deck is spectacular. There isnothing like it. At the admission counter you can purchase tickets to theobservation tower, “Skyride” and “Tony’s Audio View”. Skyride is one ofthose contraptions that takes you on a simulated Star Trek Enterprise ridearound NYC; you get all that cute stuff such as fake near miss collisions intobridges as your seat jerks you around. Save your money. As far as entertainmentgoes, it feels like a 20-year old Disneyland ride for kids, although it ismarginally informative. Do rent “Tony’s Audio View” which is a personalhandheld unit that may be shared by two people if you situate your headsclose together. “Tony” is a seasoned taxi driver who very effectively pointsout all the key spots visible from the observation deck. He may point youto some sites you will want to visit, so be prepared to take notes.

I grew up two blocks from the enormous historic The American Museumof Natural History which retains its original charm amongst moderninfluences. Founded in 1869 by prominent citizens, including Teddy Roosevelt’sfather, the wealth of artifacts and exhibits is too extensive to tour in a day.Some of the highlights include the dinosaur skeletons, the Star of India (theworld’s largest star sapphire given to the museum in 1900 by JP Morgan)and a slice of a 1,500 year-old redwood tree that must be 12 feet in diameter.Don’t miss the galactic performances showing at the state-of-the-art Haydenplanetarium in which several shows are presented. It is spectacular. Convenientlylocated behind the museum is an outpost of one of New York City’s besthamburger hangouts, The Shake Shack, founded by über-restaurateur DannyMeyer. While the original version is located in Madison Square Park andfeatures some of the longest lines you have ever seen (you can watch themonline with their video cam!), the Upper West Side location is less crowdedand has indoor seating, unlike the original. But the burgers and shakes arejust as good. If you still have some room for dessert, just a couple of blockswest is Levain Bakery. Their legendary cookies are truly memorable.

I did not see any famous people while in New York but I did eat pizzaat Joe’s Pizza in SoHo. Ranked as having some of the best pizza in NYC,it has the distinction of being the store that fired Peter Parker in Spiderman2. In the movie, the telephone number on Parker’s helmet is the pizzeria’sactual number. Notwithstanding the hype, I thought that Spiderman couldfind a job at other pizza parlors that made better pies.

I suppose that no trip to NYC would be complete without payingrespects to Ground Zero. There is not much to see but the weight of historyis heavy there. Of note, not more than fifty yards from the site is St. Paul’schapel, part of the Episcopal Trinity Church. George Washington worshippedhere on his inauguration day on April 30, 1789, and attended services at St.Paul’s during the two years when New York City was the country’s capital.His pew is preserved and above it is an 18th century oil painting of theGreat Seal of the United States, which was adopted in 1782. Peering outthe back door, you see a cemetery with headstones so old that the engravedidentities of many of those buried below have long been worn away. Beyondthat is Ground Zero. Two important historical events occurred in closeproximity, separated by centuries and an old cemetery; we are reminded thatour nation’s history is rich with hope and tragedy which together weavethe fabric of our destiny.

This article is one about a native New Yorker’s return as a tourist. Through my experiences,

I hope to impart unto you the true and current flavor of New York City. To begin with,

clear your mind of images promoted by your favorite police and crime television shows.

Remember, Sex & the City also took place here. In fact, a whole bunch of movies and

television shows have been shot here.

by H EN RI MERCERON

The immigration building on Ellis Island captures the very essence of America’s core.

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It’s an All-New Fashion Week for NYC in 2010

Fashion Uptown

F A S H I O N

New York Fashion week makes a big move this month as it

takes the runways at Lincoln Center, leaving the tents of Bryant

Park behind. The new location will be at Damrosch Park at the

Lincoln Center complex, home to the renowned Metropolitan

Opera House and American Ballet Theater.

From September 9-16, thousands of fashion industry professionalswill gather to see over 90 of the world’s most established and up-and-coming designers presenttheir collections forSpring 2011.

Presented by IMGFashion, Mercedes-BenzFashion Week will hostthree runway venues: theTheatre, Stage, andStudio, as well as a fourthpresentation space calledthe Box for designerpresentations, industryforums, press events, andother activities. The newlocation will boast a number of technical enhancements that includemodular designer spaces, expanded lighting and digital design resources,increased venue and runway sizes, as well as a comprehensive digitalupgrade to the event.

September 9, 2010Project RunwayRichard ChaiConcept Korea

September 10, 2010Tadashi Shoji

September 11, 2010Cynthia RowleyPrabal GurungVivienne Tam

September 12, 2010Derek LamCusto Barcelona

September 13, 2010Carolina HerreraBetsey Johnson

September 14, 2010Elie TahariVera WangRosa ChaNarciso Rodriguez

September 15, 2010Bill BlassMichael KorsAnna SuiZang Toi

September 16, 2010Ralph LaurenIsaac MizrahiCalvin KleinNaeem KhanL.A.M.B.

The preliminary schedule includes:

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Never Taking Herself Too Seriously

Miss Chinatown USA

P E O P L E

In how many pageants have you participated?

I did not compete in any 18+ year old pageants but I did compete in a fewfor teenagers. My first one was Miss Teen Chinatown in 2007 and thenMiss California’s Outstanding Teen in 2008.

What is your opinion of shows such as Toddlers and Tiaras?

It is definitely a show that has a lot of viewers and I can see why peoplewant to see it. You get to laugh at all sorts of stage moms doing whatnormal people think of as atrocious–telling children not to eat certain foods,yelling at them because they are growing and their skirts are getting shorterand shorter, etc. I think it could absolutely absurd. I don’t always watch theshow but I do admit to having seen a couple of episodes... just to keep upwith how pageantry is portrayed in mainstream media. However, I personallyam not a proponent of children competing pageants because I feel thatoften it is not their choice. But I support young women 15 years of age andolder who decide to compete in pageants because they are likely to benefitmore from the experience due to a more mature perspective.

Since you’ve been crowned Queen, how has your life changed?

After making many wonderful friends and traveling much more, my lifehas certainly grown busier. At Miss Chinatown USA in February, myroommate was Angela Wang who was Miss Chinatown Houston; I amhere in Houston largely because of our friendship. I am fortunate that thequeen's scholarship helps with my education expenses so there is nopressing need for me to hold a part time job. If I could describe these pastfew months with one word, it would be growth. Attending various events,practicing my communications skills and engaging with a wide variety ofmentors are just some of the ways through which I have been learningand growing every day.

What are the responsibilities of Miss Chinatown USA?

Miss Chinatown USA is a role model and a spokesperson for the ChineseAmerican community, particularly the younger generation and futuregenerations. Although specific duties are not outlined in the contract,every queen follows her own interpretation. For me, it is to live the life Iwant others to live...an equal balance of challenge and reward. I sometimesfound it tough growing up as a Chinese American student surrounded bypeers of different ethnicities who came from family backgrounds that didnot seem to expect as much out of them as my traditional parents expectedof me. But, today, this title lets me realize that it is indeed possible tocombine Eastern and Western values for a life that above all, createshappiness. So, it has been a fun ride and I am hoping that I can succeedin leading others to follow suit.

What are your hobbies?

I love the outdoors, baking and cooking with my sister, camping and hiking.I also like spending time with friends and family. I know that soundsgeneric but I think everyone really tries to do that in their spare time.

What was your talent for the pageant?

My mom was a dancer and when I was little she knew that one day shewould put me in a dance class. I love dancing. I actually performed aChinese dance martial arts routine – a fusion of both disciplines. I felt itrepresented the strength and beauty of Chinese American women.

So, do you know martial arts?

I actually studied Lion Dancing when I was in middle school. Other thanthat, no martial arts.

Where you able to kick the butts of all those young boys?

Of course, helllllo! I really started learning dance because my motherwanted me to take ballet as punishment for becoming so aggressivetowards one of my best friends.

Can you describe your ideal guy?

My ideal guy is someone who keeps his inner child alive, has a sense ofhumor and who does not take life too seriously. There is a quote that Ialways think of whenever times are a little rough or if I am feeling frustrated.The late ballerina, Margot Fonteyn, said that you should always take yourwork seriously but never yourself. I try to live by that quote. When thingsget tough, I just smile and look for the silver lining. Yes, I like people wholike to have fun and do not let anxiety dampen their spirits. This fast-paced industry already provides enough stress for me to want to prefera laid back fellow.

What would you consider tobe the perfect date?

Instead of the typical dinnerand movie date, I actually liketo do something more handson such as preparing dinnertogether. I think cooperatingto create a meal will help meget to know the other personmuch better. After that, I’dlike to do something active,such as a evening hike or, ifI like the person a lot, a romantic walk on the beach.

Tell us about something that embarrasses you?

I was at the mall leaving a nice boutique with a shopping bag. Girls loveto walk out of a store when we have that fresh purchase. Retail therapywas just really having its effect on me and I was so blinded with happinessthat I walked straight into the glass door. The store was very crowdedbecause they were having a big sale and I made a loud collision sound.Well, everyone just stopped in their tracks and looked at me.

So beauty and klutzy?

Klutzy to the max! And, unfortunately, I've got battle scars to prove it.

What are some of the things you cannot live without?

I cannot live with out my contact lenses. In dance class, if I attempted toperform turns wearing glasses, they would fly off my face and pose aninjury risk to the poor souls dancing next to me.

Do you support any charities?

Due to past involvement as a volunteer, I have a particular allegiance totwo organizations – the San Francisco Chinatown Lions Club Vision CareService Foundation and the Children’s Miracle Network. The Lions Clubprovides vision services and, as the daughter of an optician, I find itparticularly meaningful that I am helping others receive the treatmentthat I myself took for granted for many years. The Children’s MiracleNetwork provides monetary support for children’s hospitals.

Are you a t-shirt and jeans or glam kind of girl?

I am actually both depending upon the environment. I am an outdoorskind of girl. I love camping and I don’t mind getting a little dirt under mynails or not wearing makeup for an extended period of time. I don’t coverup with a lot of makeup on a daily basis but, for appearances, I actuallyfeel more comfortable when I look like a makeup counter salesperson.When I am at school, I would say I am a t-shirt and jeans kind of girl.

Who is your favorite designer?

I really like the late Alexander McQueen.

How is it that a t-shirt kind of girl likes Alexander McQueen?

I admired him more as an artist rather than a utilitarian designer. I ampretty simple....or perhaps my refined taste will develop in future years.For now, I am as happy as a clam wearing pieces from stores such as H&M,Anthropologie, UO and F21. I’ll wear whatever I like and what I think isstylish and contemporary.

What piece of clothing can you not live without?

Well, besides the basics that I buy from stores such as Victoria’s Secret, I’dsay little summer dresses that are a staple of my wardrobe. That is becauseat Stanford we are known for being very studious and easy going. We loveto bask in the sunshine. It’s very refreshing to be able to wake up and nothave to assemble 3 or 4 different pieces of clothing but to just slide on asummer dress and some cute sandals.

So, very low maintenance!

The less glammed up I am during the day time, the hotter I look at partiesat night!

Earlier this year, Crystal Lee was crowned Miss Chinatown USA 2010. She grew up in

San Francisco and is currently a sophomore at Stanford University where she plans

to earn degrees in Human Biology and Communications. Crystal thought about going

to school on the east coast but decided that she did not want to be so far away from

her family. I connected with Crystal when she was in town to attend the Miss

Chinatown Houston 2010 pageant.

by VAN HOANG

I love camping and I don’t mindgetting a little dirt under my nails or not wearing makeup for an extended period of time.

Miss Chinatown USA 2010Crystal Lee

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Photographer Collin Kelly

Assistant Photographer Jonathan Foelker

Fashion Stylist Leslie Rivas

Assistant Stylist Jenn Joe

Hair & Makeup Bianca Linette

Fashion Intern Lanicka Woodson

Model Jeany Ngo

Studded cape by Naaem Khan $4790, available at Neiman MarcusVelvet cropped blazer by Rebecca Taylor $495, available at Neiman MarcusMetallic lamé bowtie blouse by Marni $522, available at Saks Fifth AvenueBrocade lace belt by Streets Ahead $77, available at Saks Fifth AvenueSequined leggings $297, available at Neiman MarcusToggle over-the-knee boots by Chrisitan Louboutin $1995, available at Neiman Marcus

“Glam Rococo Rock!”

FallFashionTrendHunting

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Sweater dress by Yves Saint Laurent $2175, available at Neiman MarcusBelt $120, available at Neiman Marcus

Cloche hat by Angelo Frasconi $195, available at Neiman MarcusLeopard print bootie $1175 by Christian Louboutin, available at Neiman Marcus

Scarf stylist’s own

“Camel Color”

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Fur trimmed beaded vest by Naeem Khan $4990, available at Saks Fifth AvenueEmbroidered miniskirt by Nanette Lepore, $295 available at Saks Fifth AvenueBrocade blouse by Stella McCartney $995, available at Neiman MarcusHat and tights stylist’s own

“Eclectic Boho”

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Silk and fur stole by Etro $1955, available at Neiman MarcusLeather studded dress by Roberto Cavalli $4940, available at Neiman Marcus

Mesh corset belt $695, available at Neiman MarcusSequined leopard booties by Fendi $1195, available at Neiman Marcus

“Tough Chic”

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Metallic dress by Escada $1850, available at Neiman MarcusShredded knit long sweater by Piazza Sempione $1050

“Mighty Metallic”

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Ruched mini dress by Alice & Olivia $264, available at Neiman MarcusBuckle cropped cape by Phillip Lim $795, available at Neiman Marcus

Paisley fur collar poncho by Etro $1995, available at Neiman MarcusLeopard print hat by Philip Treacy $795, available at Neiman Marcus

Shearling clogs by Marni $795, available at Neiman Marcus

“The Huntress”

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A LandmarkAmong Landmarks

Bistro Lancaster

F O O D

Since I am watching my waistline, I got smart with this review andordered mini-versions of the menu items. That way, I could still report backto you about multiple selections without struggling through a culinarymarathon. I admit that there have been times in the past when I consumedso many full portion appetizers, entrees and desserts that I almost exploded.I made up for it at The Bistro by sampling almost everything!

Bistro Salad ($8) is listed in the menu under “Act I”. It consists of teardrop tomatoes, spring mix, red wine vinaigrette and two ingredients thattransform it from a basic salad into one with pizzazz; roasted Garbanzo beansand Ricotta salata. The Garbanzo beans have the consistency and flavor ofnuts and impart a nice dominant flavor to the salad. When you think ofRicotta cheese, it is not what is in this salad. Ricotta salata is an Italian sheep’smilk cheese that is dense and salty with a slightly milky flavor comparableto dry feta. The generous topping of the thinly shredded cheese adds quitea bit of flavor without overwhelming the rest of the salad.

Grilled Lamb Meatballs ($8) is a house specialty that has long been afavorite menu item. The small meatballs are skewered and accompanied bytwo dipping sauces with opposing flavor profiles. The Taziki sauce, which istraditionally used in the preparation of Greek gyros, is primarily made withyogurt, cucumber and other ingredients. It is cool and refreshing. I could notmake out what was in the Harissa sauce as recipes do vary, but one thing bywhich they can all be defined is their spiciness. I would characterize TheBistro’s recipe as mildly spicy and I favored it over the cooler Taziki sauce. Themeatballs themselves were bite size, tender and had a mild lamb flavor. Ofcourse, the overall flavor was enhanced by the grilling process.

Blue Lip Mussels ($8) are poached in a garlic, white wine, butter, lemonand fennel stock and presented in a bowl with wide ribbons of fennelscattered about. The fennel is al dente and the broth is so flavorful I wastempted to slurp it like soup. While I am uncertain as to whether I haveeaten “blue lip” mussels or some other variety previously, these were the bestmussels I have ever eaten. Whatever the case may be, it is certain that theperfection by which they were steamed to ideal plumpness and the richflavor of the stock in which they were basted contributed significantly tothe excellence of the final result.

Australian Lamb Chops ($32) are served on a bed of tomato basil risottoand sautéed broccolini and topped with a demi-glace that offers slight hintsof mint. A discussion of the country from which lamb is raised is an interestingsubject and a matter upon which different restaurants trade. In a previousreview, one restaurant only prepared lamb from Colorado because of its “lessgamey” flavor and greater marbling (more internal fat) which melts into themeat while it cooks, keeping it moist. I did not find the plump Australianlamb chops at The Bistro to be particularly gamey, yet the distinctive flavorthat I prefer was preserved. Also, whereas I can appreciate the fact that peoplelike marbled fat because it helps maintain the moistness of cooked meats,this lamb was seared to perfection and I could not imagine it being anymoister than it was. I like fat as well, but my preference is for it to be searedon the outside of the meat (versus marbled throughout) as it is prepared atThe Bistro. It gains that delightful grilled accent that is so delicious.

Blue Crab Cakes ($32) sit on a patch of frizze, encircled with a swirl ofremoulade and topped with a spray of crispy fried julienne golden Yukonpotato and sweet basil sauce. The cakes consist of almost entirely lump crabmeat held together by other crab meat and a miniscule amount of breadcrumbs.As such, the flavor of crab is dominant, which is not always the case whenfillers are added as much as they are at other establishments. If you enjoy thetaste of crab that is just slightly enhanced with minimal use of otheringredients, these are the cakes for you. You will be totally satisfied.

Seared Sea Bass ($36) is something I always order if it is on the menu. Icannot help myself as it is a reflexive, almost addictive response. I really loveChilean Sea Bass. I failed to inquire why the menu simply listed the itemas “Sea Bass”. The reason I make this point is because I have eaten fish atrestaurants that incorrectly listed a fish entrée as “Chilean Sea Bass”. I havealso ordered fish entrées at other restaurants that were accurately listed as“Sea Bass”, assuming that it was Chilean and discovering that it was someother variety (of which there are 370!). As a dedicated Chilean Sea Bassaficionado, I thought that this was an important point to share. The Bistro’sseared sea bass rests in a pool of shrimp and saffron broth with haricot verts,baby carrots, julienne sweet peppers and topped with succulent lump crabmeat. All of the ingredients were fresh and flavorful but it was the searededges of the sea bass that delivered the most satisfaction and reinforced mylove for this fish.

And now, on to the desserts. I will just tell you that I did not sample asingle one of the homemade desserts that would not tempt me to abandonany diet that I may be on at any given time. The Dolce De Leche BananaTart ($8) consists of a handmade tart filled with dolce de leche, walnuts,sliced bananas and topped with freshly whipped cream. If you prefer chocolate,the Mocha Schiuma ($8) consists of layers of flourless chocolate cake andchocolate mousse and topped with an espresso infused whipped cream. Tryto capture each layer with each spoonful for maximum impact. Finally, theBread Pudding ($8) is made from croissants, with fig confit, brandied cherriesand caramel sauce. The croissants look like and have the same consistencyas thick triangularly cut French toast. The cherries add a sweet and sourdimension that contrasts with the overall sweetness of the dessert. The figseeds pop with each bite. I think the perfect night out on the town wouldbe to eat dinner at The Bistro, enjoy a show, and return for dessert and coffeeafterwards. (Hint 1: They are open until midnight on Saturdays.) (Hint 2:You will avoid all the traffic after the show; dessert is a very efficient use ofyour time.)

The Bistro Lancaster may have a little more name recognition than some of the other

boutique hotel restaurants we have reviewed because of its location. It is housed in

The Lancaster Hotel which was formerly known as The Auditorium Hotel prior to

1982. The previous name is telling as the property is located in the heart of the

theater district, adjacent to both the Alley Theater and Jones Hall. Houston’s

theatergoing crowd is quite familiar with The Bistro because it could not be more

convenient for grabbing gourmet dinners en route to a show. The simple one page

menu is brimming with delectable options from which to choose.

by H EN RI MERCERON

The Bistro Lancaster701 Texas Street Houston,Texas 77002713.228.9500thelancaster.com

Breakfast 6:30am-11am M-F;7am-11am Sat and SunLunch 11am-5pm M-FBrunch 11am-5pm Sat/SunDinner 5pm-10pm M-F;5pm-12midnight Sat and SunHappy Hour 4pm-6:30pm M-F

Grilled Lamb Meatballs is ahouse specialty that has long been a favorite menu item.

Our review of the BistroLancaster is the fifthinstallment in a series thathighlights the wonderfuldining experiences availablein hotel based restaurants inHouston.

Photos by Timothy Frederick

18 | S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 0

Le Hoang Gala: Give Hope to Orphanages in Southeast AsiaHeld at Kim Son Ballroom

More than 650 people were in attendance at the Le Hoang Gala, including honored guests fromthroughout the United States as well as other countries. The gala event honored various members ofthe community for their tireless work helping needy children throughout the world. The evening wasmarked with live music provided by the famed CBC Band, performances by the legendary Vietnamesesinger Thanh Tuyen, and ending with a fashion show by Con Trau, Danny Nguyen Couture, and LizziLondon. Due to the boundless generosity of all the participants, the Le Hoang Foundation raised morethan $40,000 for Southeast Asian orphanages.

Christine Hong Nguyen, Viet Hoang Dr. Dane Hoang, Dr. Vu Ban

Jackrin & Chutima Leeburajin, Linda Le Hoang Model

Model Model Jenny Phan, Brittney Nguyen, Ann Wong, Ying Yeung, Mary Nguyen

Kristie Huynh Linda Le Hoang, Singer Thanh Tuyen, Dr. Thinh Nguyen

X_________ Rev. Phong Pham, Ven Tinh Duc, Ven Buddhayano

Tram Ly, Minh Nguyen, Danny Nguyen Mr. & Mrs. Khanh Pham Model

Saorath & Yani Rose Keo J&H Dance Group Model

Photos by Thang Nguyen, Mai Xuan Canh

Pre-screening of Mao’s Last DancerHeld at Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

The pre-release screening of Mao’s Last Dancer broughttogether former Houston Ballet dancer Li Cunxin withmany of his close friends at the Museum of Fine Arts asthey watched with tears and laughter the award-winning film detailing his amazing life. It was no surprisewhen both showings received standing ovations.

The pre-release screening was presented in associationwith Houston Ballet, The Asia Society Texas Center,Museum Fine Arts Houston, the Houston FilmCommission, and the Greater Houston Convention andVisitors Bureau. A champagne reception following thescreening included a delicious Chinese buffet generouslydonated by Gigi Huang, longtime friend of Li Cunxin.

Fritz Lanham, Li Cunxin, Valerie Greiner

Photos by Dave Rossman

Wilhelm Scholê GalaHeld at the Four Seasons Hotel

At this year’s Wilhelm Scholê InternationalCosmopolis Awards Dinner and Tribute, MarilynWilhelm, Founder, Chairman, and President ofWilhelm Scholê International presented theCosmopolis Award to World Renowned HeartSurgeon, Dr. O. H. “Bud” Frazier; AmericanCommunications Legend, Lucy Jarvis; Texas’ FirstLady of Philanthropy, Dr. Carolyn Farb; theHonorable Ambassador Mussie Hailu of Ethiopia;the World Renowned Physicist and HumanitarianVictor F. Weisskopf; and twenty-threeDistinguished Alumni for their significantcontributions to humanity.

Bruce Greenwood, Marian Lutz, Kyle MacLachlan

Kyle MacLachlan, Charles Foster

Scott Looper, Miya ShayGigi Huang, Li Cunxin

Baroness Elizabeth Pettit, David Adicks

Clifford Gordon, Marilyn Wilhelm Dr. & Mrs. EricLindsay

Konstantinos Kouzasand the Honorable Consul ofGreece Alexandra Theodoropoulou

Lucy Jarvis,Jeanette Longoria

Thomas & Anna Au

Photos by Jenny Antill

20 | S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 0

The Tale of Kieu Musical Comes to Houston

Old Poem – Original Production

T H E A T E R

The original Tale of Kieu is a poem that was written by Nguyen Du (1766–1820) and is widely regarded as the most

significant work within Vietnamese literature. It recounts the life, trials and tribulations of Thuy Kieu, a beautiful

and talented young woman, who had to sell herself to save her father and younger brother from prison. The words

and phrases within the poem have been used daily by Vietnamese people for their spiritual values, for motivation,

as encouragement and to bravely face life’s challenges. There are at least sixty-five scholarly studies of The Tale of

Kieu and the poem has been translated into more than ten languages.

by H EN RI MERCERON

Converting the poem into an original musical was no simple task andrequired considerable work and preparation. Burton Wolfe, President ofWorldwide Stage which produced the musical, studied the English translationof the original poem and adapted it into scenes, dialogue, and lyrics. Afterwards,the musical’s composer, Scott Gehman, wrote the score to fit the lyrics andcreated underscores to match the scenes.

Casting for the play was handled in a somewhat novel way that includeda high level of community involvement. Almost a hundred people auditionedfor roles during the course of a month (which was televised on BYN 57.3Vietnamese TV). Approximately five thousand people texted, phoned orfaxed in their votes for the principal “Kieu Idol” roles. Judges consideredthe voting audience’s input in selecting the individuals who finally filledthose roles.

The musical includes many traditional and Broadway style dance numbers.Additionally, talented performers from two local groups, The VovitnamMartial Arts Company and Wyldstyl Dance Troupe, will contribute anotherlevel of entertainment to the production. Choreographers for the showinclude Van Shotwell, Linda Yang, Milinh Cao and Duy Nguyen.

Performance schedules:Friday, Sept. 10 – 7:30 PMSaturday, Sept. 11 – 2 PM & 7:30 PMSunday, Sept. 12 – 2 PM & 7:30 PM

Ticket prices:$48 Center Orchestra$38 General Seating$28 Balcony

For further information, please contact Worldwide Stage at 281.239.8139,email:worldwidestage@gmail.com or visit taleofkieu.com. On-line ticketingand ticket outlets can be found at taleofkieu.com.

A New Chapter in Charity

Room to Read

C H A R I T Y

Room to Read is a new charity that hit the Houston society scene recently by

hosting its first mixer, demonstrating that you can link fun with fundraisers. With

the fundraiser, the organization’s volunteers impressively raised half of the $30,000

goal that had been set for its inaugural year. The proceeds will go towards building

a library in Vietnam as well as supporting the education of five Vietnamese

children for ten years. Room to Read is focusing its fundraising efforts on Houston’s

young, hip professionals.

Room to Read’s Houstonchapter is hosting its secondfundraising mixer on Monday,September 30, 2010, poolsideat Mosaic Towers.

To learn more about Room toRead and its Houstonfundraising campaign, visitroomtoread.kintera.org/rtd/houston

To learn more about the charity, we turned to the Houston chapterleader, Michael Halpin. Michael launched his effort in 2009 after beinginspired by the story of John Wood, a former Microsoft executive whofounded Room to Read.

“Wood’s story is inspiring. He has a impressive business acumen and thecharity’s model is scalable and measurable,” Halpin said. He explained thatthe basic premise was that world change started with educating kids. Roomto Read envisions a world in which all children can pursue quality educationand begins with building schools and libraries that would be filled withdonated books.

“I’m passionate about this. We want to raise awareness to this cause inour city,” Halpin adds. His passion has resulted in quite a buzz. Volunteerswere excited that they ran out of room at their June mixer fundraiser aftersending out 600 invitations that targeted mostly young professionals.

With so many charities competing for donations, we wondered whatmight set Room to Read apart. “The dollar doesn’t go as far here as it doesglobally. Look, we live in a small world and we are all interconnected. Weare helping a lot more kids who have a lot less,” Halpin said. He continuedthat the right to read is fundamental and that it is starting point to helpfoster a peaceful and more economically sound world. Room to Readfocuses its efforts in Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Laos, Nepal, South African,Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Zambia.

Globally, the goal of Room to Read is to provide 10 million childrenaccess to education by 2015. Since 2000, this 501c3 has left its mark:

• Built 1,128 schools;• Established more than 10,000 libraries;• Published 433 local language children’s titles;• Distributed more than 7.4 million children’s books;• Funded more than 8,944 long-term girls’ scholarships.

byCHAU NGUYEN-TODD

The Tale of Kieu MusicalSept 10–12, 2010Houston Baptist UniversityMorris Cultural Arts CenterEntrance at Beechnut St. andBonhomme Rd.

taleofkieu.com281-239-8139

by PH I LI P CU ISIM ANOA Matter of Taste

W I N E

Old World vs. New World Wine

Here are three wines that feature the bestthat both Old World and New World have tooffer. See which ones satisfy your tastes:

Durigutti Malbec 08This wine is from Argentina, a country renowned for producinggreat red wine and Malbec is a grape type that is currently infashion. This offering features blackberries, plum, a hint ofstrawberry and herbs in a medium body with soft, easy tannins.This is an everyday drink that garners favorable press. Serve withlight to medium meat dishes or by itself. $15.00

Castello di Romitorio Rosso di Montalcino 2007This is a “Big Boy”; Rosso di Montalcino is made from theSangiovese Grosso grape which is also the grape of Brunello diMontalcino (Rosso di Montalcino is often called “Baby Brunello).This wine is full-bodied and features bright red berry fruit in acomplex layering of peppers and spices. The 2007 is a greatvintage so catch it while you can. Serve with game and heartydishes. $28.00

Innisfree Cabernet Sauvignon 07This Napa Valley varietal offers a ton of “Old World Charm” andfeatures ripe, luscious blackberries with a hint of pepper, all ina silky, smooth body that is full but with soft tannins. This bottleis produced from low yielding vineyards to guarantee a highlevel of quality. This Cabernet screams for red meat. $27.00

Describing wine as either New World or Old World is arelatively new addition to wine’s lexicon but a practice thatis currently in vogue. Let’s explore the efficacy of thisclassification scheme.

The category of Old World wines initially referred tothose that came from countries such as Italy, France, Germany,Austria and Spain that have been producing wine for centuries.New World wines refer to those from emerging wine producingcountries such has the United States, Latin America, Australia,South Africa, and New Zealand. Over time, differences instyle were identified between these two groups.

Old World wines are characterized as offering a more subtleflavor profile with a highly integrated structure that yield adisciplined balance. These wines also are more full-bodied withbigger tannins and less fruit that require more time in both thebarrel and the bottle to mature. Additionally, Old World winesare less alcoholic but more complex. Their production isgoverned by tradition and century old regulations that emphasizethe soil, grape and micro-climate (what the French refer to as“Terroir”). Thus, these wines are more representative of theearth from which the vines and grapes grew.

New World wines emphasize bright, fruit flavors and aredefined by the variety of grape that comprises them; they areoften higher in alcohol and less acidic with a body that is less

tightly bound together such that their components almost comeat you in waves. Imagine tasting a rich and delicious CaliforniaChardonnay; your palate is first treated to a wave of ripe fruitfollowed by flavors of oak and then finishing with notes ofcream. Additionally, these wines are less complex than theirEuropean competition. Winemaking in the New World is notconstrained by tradition and regulation and often these vineyardsaren’t blessed with optimal soil conditions or climate. So, NewWorld producers are more innovative when it comes toproduction in both the vineyard and the barrel. They arecompelled to explore new methods of irrigation as well asexperimenting with chemical processes.

Clearly, there are inherent, stylistic differences betweenwines of the so called Old World and New World but, today,we live in a much smaller universe and these differences haveconverged. There can be no doubt of the influence of OldWorld wine production on viticulture in the New World but,on the other hand, New World wineries have devised innovativetechnologies that have been adopted by their Europeanneighbors. As an illustration of this point, a top Sicilian wineryrecently hired Australian wine makers to help maximize itsvineyard’s output and to serve as consultants.

Modern winemaking reflects a style of wine not constrainedby country of origin. Europe can produce wines that fit theprofile of the New World while wineries of the emergingcountries can offer bottles that have all the “Old World Charm”anyone could want. The key is not if a wine’s taste fit a profilebut if it tastes good. Today, referring to wine as either Old orNew World makes no sense; it might make for an interestingdebate but I prefer to sip my wine rather than argue.

Wines available at Spec's Wines, Spirits, & Finer Foods, variouslocations. Visit specsonline.com for the store nearest you.

Clearly, there are inherent, stylistic differences between wines of the so called Old World and New World.

Yellow Magazine’s Summer Stars PartyHeld at House of Blues’ Club Red 8 AKA Foundation Room

Yellow Magazine held its Summer Stars Partyat Club Red 8 with more than 300 guestsattending. The night started with Willis Chenintroducing Kollaboration Houston, an AsianAmerican talent competition. The party endedwith a fashion show by Con Trau.

Chai Kid, Hai Ngo

Photos by Celeste Tammariello, Jay Marroquin

Conny Pham, Kim Ly Tran,Christine Tran

Ed Fussa, Meeok Park Katie Glapa, Shay Couley,Kathy Ramidzan

Tamara Hassan,Ashly Hymel

Amy Tran, Alex Parker

Kuan Zhao, Doris Fung, Maria Le, Loan Couch, Melynda Tran

Luz Maria Chang, SusySheets, Melanie Martinez

Paul Nguyen, Vy Le

Suzy Shi, Li Guo, Bing He, Cathy Clark

Model Model

Model Model

Dining GuideYellow Magazine’s featured restaurants

J A P A N E S E

Shabu House8719- Bellaire Blvd., 713.995.5428Only beef or seafood items are served and willbe cooked with the classic shabu shabu style.Boiling broth is situated at the bar. When thefood arrives, place everything in the broth andbegin the unique experience.

Tokyo One7465 W. Greens Rd., 281.955.88982938 W. Sam Houston S., 713.785.8899Tokyo One is a sushi buffet restaurant, situatedin a fancy boat house with an outside deck. Thefood is fresh and is constantly replenished.Selections include: salads such as sea weed, beef,squid, salmon and watercress. Sushi includes avariety of rolls and sashimi. A “must have” is theescobar. There are also a variety of fresh crabsduring dinner. Great price and great atmosphere.

Zushi Japanese Cuisine5900 Memorial Dr., 713.861.5588Zushi serves extremely fresh and high qualitysushi. Stand out items are the sashimi appetizersserved with perfectly paired sauces or any oneof the many house specialty rolls.

Uptown Sushi1131 Uptown Park Blvd. #14 713.871.1200Uptown Sushi personifies an upscale sushirestaurant located near the Galleria in the swankyUptown Park Plaza. The menu offers Japanesefusion dishes and a great selection of high-endsashimi and sushi. Side note: Uptown Sushi has“off-the-menu” specialty rolls served daily!

C H I N E S E

Auntie Chang’s2621 South Shepherd #290, 713.524.8410Auntie Chang’s offers the most flavorful home-style Chinese cuisine around. Although knownfor their dumplings, any of your favorite classicChinese dishes are done extremely well.

Hong Kong Food Street9750 Bellaire Blvd., 713.981.9888Peking duck and roasted pork hang from cleaversin a front window display giving a Hong Kongstreet market feel. In addition, the menu isdivided into sections including Seafood, Hot Pot,Special Stir Fry, Sizzling and Chef Specials. ThePeking duck, Beef Pot and Dry Scallops arerecommended items.

San Dong Noodle House9938-F Bellaire Blvd., 713.271.3945Authentic hand pulled Chinese noodle dishes areserved at a reasonable price. A few favoritesinclude the Roast Beef Noodle soup served in abeef broth accented by ginger and soy, or the ohso addicting pan fried dumplings.

Sinh Sinh9788 Bellaire Blvd., 713.541.0888The seafood at Sinh Sinh is quite excitingbecause everything served comes from live tanks.Prawns, Australian king lobster, King crabs, CoralLeopard trout, Surf clams, Geoduck clams, Trunkclams, Elephant clams, etc…are all featured aslive seafood.

Arco Seafood9896 Bellaire Blvd., 713.774.2888A refreshing take on Chinese seafood offering anupscale ambience. Subtle flavors allow the naturaltaste of the seafood to emerge. Dishes to try: SeaCucumber, Crab Meat and Fish Maw Soup,Noodle’s with Abalone Sauce, Sautéed Snow PeaLeaf or the Steamed Whole Tilapia.

K O R E A N

Arirang Korean Restaurant9715 Bellaire Blvd., 713.988.2088From the décor to the cuisine, everything aboutthis place exemplifies tradition. The Moh DumBulgogi is a classic family style dinner whichincludes barbecued short ribs, squid, chickenand a vast assortment of side dishes such as thepotato salad, kim chi and spicy cucumber salad.

Korea Garden Grille11360 Bellaire Blvd #990, 281.568.0008Clean with nice ambience and quiet atmosphereall you can eat Korean BBQ style. Serving ofendless good quality Korean BBQ, steaks &seafood along with traditional side dishes, BYOB.

I T A L I A N

Da Marco Cucina E Vino1520 Westheimer Rd. 713.807.8857If you are looking for authentic Italian food, DaMarco is the place to find it. It has a charmingatmosphere to go along with the excellent fare.All of the entrees are subtle and prepared nearlyperfect. Must try Sweet Corn Ravioli and Lobsterand the Sea Bass with Aceto Tradizionale.

T H A I

Thai Spice8282 Bellaire Blvd. 713.777.4888Thai Spice on Bellaire is a foodies dream. It’s acasual place that serves Thai dishes you won’tfind anywhere else in Houston, with a hugeselection of interesting, rare, tasty dishes atexcellent prices. A must have is the whole friedtilapia with hot and sour dipping sauce andpapaya salad and Tom Yum soup.

Nit Noi6700 Woodway Pkwy., Suite 580281.597.8200Nit Noi means “a little bit” and Thai food loverspack Nit Noi restaurants and cafes all aroundHouston. Nit Noi will always be known for theirPad Thai, but other must try dishes includePadThai Korat (flat noodles stir-fried withchicken, pork or shrimp with vegetables) andTom Yum Goong (spicy and sour shrimp soup).

Red Basil11322-C Westheimer Rd., 281.293.0426A gourmet take on traditional Thai cuisine, RedBasil offers fabulous food at a reasonable price.If you are a fan of Thai soup try the Tom Yamwith shrimp. It will evoke all of your senses oftaste with its sweet, sour and spice flavors. Thepapaya salad and the Massaman curry beef area few others to try.

Tony Thai10613 Bellaire Blvd., 281.495.1711A sophisticated approach to traditional Thaicuisine, Tony’s executes with perfect balanceand pizzazz. Tony’s Wings, wet or dry, and theSteamed Mussels are popular appetizers. Forthe main course try the Basil Lamb, GarlicSalmon or the Steamed Fish with Chili.

I N D I A N

Kiran’s Restaurant4100 Westheimer Rd. #151, 713.960.8472This northern Indian style restaurant embodiesa fusion approach to its cuisine. With a focus onwell balanced flavors rather than spice, the FlakyHalibut Swimming in Watermelon Curry sauceand the Tandoori Platter typify this perfectly.

V I E T N A M E S E

Kim Son Restaurants2001 Jefferson (and other locations),713.222.2461The menu is the most imposing part of this casual,highly regarded landmark Vietnamese restaurant. There are no poor choices among the 100 or sooptions. Enjoy finely prepared delicacies as wellas the expected fare, such as the pork vermicelliand  fried eggroll. Must try is their black peppersoftshell crab. Expansive banquet and specialevent facilities are also available.

Vietopia5176 Buffalo Speedway, 713.664.7303Trendy yet elegant, Vietopia delivers top notchVietnamese cuisine at reasonable lunch prices anda stellar dinner menu. The lounge at Vietopia worksperfectly for those who want a less formal diningexperience but still want to enjoy quality food.

Van Loc Restaurant3010 Milam St., 713.528.6441A great lunch time eatery serving classicVietnamese cuisine which, according to theestablishment, has around “200 menu itemsthat come straight from mama.” Dishes to tryare the Vietnamese egg rolls and the beef cubedsteak with lettuce and tomato.

Mo Mong1201 Westheimer Rd. #B, 713.524.5664This Trendy Montrose establishment has a greatlunch crowd as well as a packed martini nighton Wednesdays. But the real draw is the food-traditional family recipes mixed in with sometasty modern dishes. Must try items include theMango Spring Rolls, Shrimp and Avocado SpringRoll, Volcano Chicken, and the Bo Luc Lac.

W I N E B A R S

So Vino Bistro & Wine Bar507 Westheimer Rd., 713.524.1000So Vino highlights the unique tastes and stylesof Southern Hemisphere wines. The pairing ofstellar wines with the new interpretations oftraditional world cuisine is the passion of co-founder Elizabeth Abraham. Must try includecooked mussels served with a soy potatoe pattyand topped with a mushroom ragu, also theshort ribs.

The Tasting Room1101 Uptown Park Blvd. #18, 713.993.9800Each of The Tasting Room’s three Houstonlocations offers a unique food and wineexperience. Uptown has a more sophisticatedfeel that attracts a hip, professional crowd. It isthe newest “in” spot to sip and be seen. Checkout the Sunday Brunch Buffet for $24, or theirdelicious thin crust pizza anytime.

C O N T I N E N T A L

Backstreet Café1103 South Shepherd Dr., 713.521.2239A well hidden restaurant with one of the nicestpatios in town delivers the best ProsciuttoWrapped Scallops in town. The tasty New YorkStrip is an 11 oz Black Angus encrusted withwhite, pink, black and green peppercorns andpan seared. Highly recommended if you arelooking for a romantic place for dinner.

Bistro Calais2811 Bammel Lane,713.529.1314French and Continental fare with some Southernfavorites. Must try are the Gumbo (if you like itspicy) and Lump Crab Cakes (all crab withminimal breading), the best in town. Experiencetheir Sunday Brunch, which was voted best“Morning-After Brunch” in 2008 by Citysearch.

Voice Restaurant & LoungeHotel Icon, 220 Main, 832.667.4470The impressive décor has thoughtfullytransformed the space of an old bank lobby intoa warm cozy and elegant dining area. Try theMushroom Soup “Cappucino”, reduction ofgarlic, onion, crimini mushrooms topped withfrothy truffle foam, and the Bryan Farms RoastChicken, a free range and 100% corn fed chicken.

Colombe d’Or Restaurant and Hotel3410 Montrose Blvd. 713.524.7999Built in 1923 and originally the mansion ofWalter Fondren, one of the founders of HumbleOil, Colombe d’Or Hotel is considered a Texashistorical landmark. Featuring French andContinental fare, we recommend the Carred’Agneau, individual rack of baby lamb grilledwith natural herbs and red wine sauce.

Reserve your Marketplace ad today!

Call 832.778.4530

To have your restaurant featured in YellowMagazine, or to recommend a restaurantthat you enjoy, please email the informationto dining@yellowmags.com.