Coming Soon: A Day In Houston

Now before we say soon, I must admit that this is going to a rather difficult trick I am going to present to you here at Urban Houstonian. I've been thinking alot about Houston, and what exactly it means to be in and/or from Houston. It's an interesting place, and one that sets up certain gifts and challenges. I have been living the sweet life in Houston for the past few months - reaping the rewards of the Theater District, discovering (not sure if the pun was intended) Discovery Green, and communing with Hermann Park. I've felt that sparkle of magic that I know only urban lovers feel when they are stumbling across the eldritch secrets of a fine city.

So I am going to make a day of it, and I hope to give it to you with a wealth of characters. It could take a considerable investment on my part, and not a small amount of intense planning. One does not go from breakfast to the Museum District to Downtown and then the Theater District in one day without a wardrobe change or two. Unfortunately, my Theater District options are slightly limited until we get to October. However, I use the time to come up with something truly spectacular.

We'll see how it goes. I am also going to use the summer and early fall as a good time to FINALLY produce the feature I have always intended to be the standard bearer of this blog. More on that later. For now, enjoy the end of this shortened week.

First Impressions

I have been woeful in my obligations to Urban Houstonian. I would wholeheartedly apologize, but I suspect these droughts are simply a regular occurrence instead of something I really am going to have control of in the future. Simply put, I have been entirely way to busy, exhausted and apathetic to the idea of keeping up a blog. That doesn't mean I don't think about it on an almost daily basis, it's just that I am totally hopeless to tend the fire one needs when they write a blog.

I am sure it came as a surprise that the opening of Discovery Green came and went without a peep from Urban Houstonian. I'll tell you that my intention was always to wait a week or two to let the newness subside somewhat before fighting what I expected to be a unruly mob of curious Houstonians wanting to get a glimpse of Houston's latest urban destination. Over the course of the past two weeks, I have found the time to experience most of what Discovery Green has to offer. During the rest of this post, I will cover my first impressions of Downtown's Backyard. I will be gushing at moments, and terribly concerned the next. In short, Discovery Green is everything I expected and MORE, but I am afraid it is also incredibly vulnerable to failure.

We'll start at The Grove, the latest creation of the fine people at Schiller Del Grande, the group that brought us Cafe Annie, Cafe Express and Taco Milagro. I walked into The Grove with a friend of mine on a Friday afternoon around 12:30. I quickly realized that it is best to arrive at the Grove with a reservation. Fortunately, the hostess was quite amicable, and managed to snag us a table near what I would call the Ladies That Lunch Room on the GRB side of the restaurant; it is a glassed in room with larger tables that cater to a crowd that requires a higher level of dining experience. While my friend and I caught up, I was very impressed with the attentiveness of the waiter, not to mention his patience; my friend and I probably spent a little too much time catching up instead of looking at the menu! The view from the dining room of The Grove has instantly become one of the best gastronomic scenes in Houston. The Oak Allee that is one of two "spines" of the park is truly a delight to look upon while eating lunch. I ordered the Grilled Salmon Salad, and found it thoroughly delightful. I chased it with a raspberry sorbet that I will recommend you experience with a glass of their house Pinot Grigio. Enjoy, you'll thank me for it later.

The following day I met two other friends at the Lake House for lunch before jetting off to the Houston Grand Opera's production of LaBoehme. It is here that I discovered (no pun intended) the extent of parking issues the park brings to the table. I ended up parking (apparently) illegally, and I must voice my concern that the parking meters around certain edges of the park are zipped up in the dreadful green straitjackets that inform you that you cannot park there. This did not, however, discourage other visitors (including myself) from taking a chance. I would ask that the parking be better communicated and be made more clearly available. The garage, which was an ingenious addition to the overall park plan, is $10 (cash only). My sincerest apologies, but I do not want to give up an Alexander Hamilton just to eat lunch. I would advise all visitors to the park to consider parking a block or two away. You'll save time and maybe a bit of your sanity.

I met my friends on the lakeside "dock' by the Lake House. Unfortunately, it was bit too windy to enjoy lakeside dining, but I was more dismayed at the story my friends told me upon arriving. It seems that a little boy dropped his shorts down to his ankles and peed straight into the Lake! It is to his (and his parents) benefit that I was not there when this tragedy had happened because all three of them, including their beloved dog, would have found themselves floating in the urine tainted lake in short order. White trash is the word that comes to mind, and I found myself (upon looking around while we were eating lunch later) surrounded by no-class individuals and too many dogs (more on that later.) I do realize this is a public park, but there is a difference between low-class and no-class. I would hate to see this wonderful addition to Houstonian life ruined because of a group of people who do not have the courtesy to act in a courteous and civic manner.

As for the Lake House itself, I had the with sweet potato french fries. I was a bit skeptical and even a bit turned off by this healthy alternative, but admit that I found them to be an enjoyable and healthy alternative to burger sides. The burger was delicious from the heavenly soft bun to the quality of beef. I look forward to their take on the hot dog.

Last night, after working SPA's presentation of Evidence Dance Company, I found myself at the Treehouse, the Grove's uber-sophisticated cafe/lounge that sits, literally, in the trees of the aforementioned Oak Allee. Plenty of seating and one spectacular view greet you on the roof of The Grove. The menu does leave a bit to be desired. $6 for Texas Classic Queso, proudly noted as Velveeta and Ro-Tel, that comes is a disappointingly small bowl. I would much rather the chef take a shot at his/her own recipe, although I must admit it was not bad. Of course, how do you screw up Velveeta and Ro-Tel, really? We also ordered the Picnic Plate which was full of nice artisan cheeses and select meats.

The one thing that has struck me most about Discovery Green is the sheer uniqueness of the experience. The buildings in East Downtown have an entirely new look when you are eating and drinking in their shadows. The Hilton Americas is a truly gorgeous edifice to view, 6 Houston Center is simply marvelous from the deck of the Lake House. It is more than a great view, it is a new way of life. And this doesn't even include the opening of One Park Place and Houston Pavilions which should (finally) make Downtown the ultimate destination for Houstonians and visitors alike.

It was when we were walking to our cars that the other nagging problem with the Green reared its ugly head. On the beautifully paved walkway were a few poorly placed piles of doggie doo which some poor sap had already stepped in and smeared. My apologies for the graphic picture, but it perfectly illustrates what I fear will be a considerable problem for this park.

In short, there are two groups of people that will ruin this park for everyone: parents and dog owners. It's not that I have a problem with kids or dogs, but I do not trust the group, as a whole, to be responsible for their charges. Between the little boy lake fountain and the plethora of four-legged friends, the park loses all of its charm. Personally, I disagreed with the inclusion of the dog run for the simple fact that dog owners can be some of the most obnoxious people to deal with. They take liberties where they shouldn't, and behave as if their animals have just as much right to the park as people. Parents are no worse. In a horrid application of the It Takes a Village philosophy, they unleash their ill behaved spawn upon the public so they do not have to deal with them at their own homes. The two groups have been too prevalent in these few visits to the park, and I find myself concerned. Again, I welcome one and all to Discovery Green, it's something we, as Houstonians, have needed for quite some time. However, proper decorum must be obeyed. I know that if I see someone allowing their dog to crap anywhere but that dog run, I will make a very public example of them.

I only hope that a reasonable code of conduct is implemented lest the park be ruined by a heathen group of people. Discovery Green has exceeded my lofty expectations, and I haven't seen half of it! I still want to wander its walkways, and look forward to many a Thoughts posted from its public wi-fi. Houston has a new way to live, and other cities are going to be GREEN with envy.

Yes, that pun was entirely intended! Have a great week Houston!