Cypress, TX October 2023

THERE’S A BETTER APPROACH TO CANCER CARE in Northwest Houston

At Houston Methodist Neal Cancer Center, we treat every aspect of your cancer. Leading oncologists work with our specialists across disciplines to minimize cancer’s effects on major organs. One comprehensive team — dedicated to your individual care — uses the latest research, treatments and technology to stop your cancer. From infusion and clinical trials to surgery and reconstruction, our innovative care is available at our Willowbrook location, which also serves the Cypress, Spring and Tomball communities. That’s the difference between practicing medicine and leading it.

281.737.2500

houstonmethodist.org/cancer-wb

Now Accepting Sponsors

Decorate a tree or wreath and donate it for inclusion in the auction and in the wonderland of trees!

Dinner & Desserts · Silent Auction · Live Entertainment · 50/50 Drawing Cocktails · Mocktails · Wine Pull · Photo Booth

Saturday, November 11th

Tickets are $50 per person

7–10pm // VIP Cocktail Hour 6-7pm

9606 Kirkton Dr. · Houston

Sponsorship Opportunities Available

All sponsorships include dinner tickets and a reserved table, with special recognition at the event and on social media.

Donate or Sponsor the Festival Today

cyfairhelpinghands.org/FOT2023

jean@cyfairhelpinghands.org | info@cyfairhelpinghands.org

Come to the Table

Here at Cypress Lifestyle we are so glad it’s October because that means it’s time for our annual Foodie issue! After the sweltering summer we endured we all need some fabulous fall foods and maybe some new boots and a pumpkin coffee!

Dig in to all the delicious food we have for you in this issue; from creating your own by using easy but flavorful recipes, to discovering the best restaurants Cypress has to offer!

You won’t want to miss our 2023 Food & Drink Dining Guide and feast your eyes on the offerings of our Can't Miss Cypress Hotspots!

We also had the pleasure of sitting down with Brian Sandel, owner of Creekwood Grill and newly opened P.O.s Icehouse. We enjoyed learning about the rich history behind the ultimate new hang-out for the grownups. With a variety of spirits, extensive offerings of beers, and a laid-back atmosphere, combined with a selection of flatbreads, snacks, and other bar foods– it’s the new Icehouse everyone’s talking about!

We hope you love this issue as much as we enjoyed putting it together.

Bon Appetit! Buen Provecho! Buon Appetito!

October 2023

PUBLISHER

Peggy Garner | peggy.garner@citylifestyle.com

MANAGING EDITOR

Laura SanchezQuan laura.sanchezquan@citylifestyle.com

PHOTO EDITOR

Shannon Raske | shannon.raske@citylifestyle.com

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

Arielle Alston | arielle.alston@citylifestyle.com

SALES DIRECTOR

Peggy Garner | cypress@citylifestyle.com

PUBLISHER ASSISTANT

Cheyenne Leitch | cheyenne.leitch@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Kaylee Dusang, Laura SanchezQuan, Angela Broockerd, Alison Balin Batz, Haley Williams

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Shannon Raske, Janie Jones, Dylan McEwan, David Slavich, Cassandra Castaneda

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES Tiffany Slowinski

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson

DIRECTOR OF FIRST IMPRESSIONS Jennifer Robinson

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Josh Klein

CONTROLLER Gary Johnson

AD DESIGNER Hunter Richie

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsey Ragain

Introducing our new Clinical Director for Cypress, Caitlyn Metoyer.

I have been in the ABA space for 8 years now. I chose ABA because there is no other feeling that is as rewarding as seeing a child have a safe space to learn and grow.

What is most exciting about joining the Apara Cypress team is being able to work side-byside with such a strong clinical team.

There is strength in numbers –ABA is not meant to be done alone.

Beyond the Bottle

Local Bar Honors Cypress History

Can't Miss Cypress Hotspots

Kilwins Opens at the Towne Lake Boardwalk

Eric and Arielle Owens opened confectionery and ice cream parlor, Kilwins in Towne Lake at 9945 Barker Cypress Road, Ste. 126, Cypress. Since 1947, Kilwins has offered hand-crafted chocolates, original recipe ice cream, and other sweets made in store so that customers enjoy the freshest treats using the best ingredients. Visitors can watch the confections being made in the open concept kitchen providing a fun experience for the whole family. Kilwins.com/Cypress

Want

Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/Cypress

HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS

COSTUME SAFETY

» All costumes, wigs and accessories should be fire-resistant

» Fasten reflective tape to their costumes and bags, give them glow sticks or flashlights

» Opt for nontoxic Halloween makeup over masks, which can obscure vision

» Remove all makeup before children go to bed to prevent skin and eye irritation

TRICK-OR-TREAT SAFETY

» A responsible adult should accompany young children on the neighborhood rounds

» If your older children are going alone, plan and review a route acceptable to you

» Agree on a specific time children should return home

» Teach your children never to enter a stranger's home or car

» Instruct children to travel only in familiar, well-lit areas and stick with their friends

» Tell your children not to eat any treats until they return home, and take care to avoid any food allergies

» Children and adults are reminded to put electronic devices down, keep heads up and walk, don't run, across the street

MOTORISTS TIPS

» Watch for children walking on roadways, medians and curbs

» Enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully

» At twilight and later in the evening, watch for children in dark clothing

» Discourage new, inexperienced drivers from driving on Halloween

Salt & Sugar Gastro Bar

Newly Open in Cypress

Located at 16010 West Road newly opened Salt & Sugar Gastro Bar offers fine dining serving international cuisine with Italian and French influences. The restaurant offers brunch, lunch and dinner along with a full bar in a stylish and welcoming atmosphere. Don’t forget to save room for dessert with classic favorites like Tiramisu. Open Mon-Thur 11 AM-10 PM, Fri-Sat 11 AM-12 AM and Sunday 10 AM-10 PM. Live music Friday and Saturday evenings. SaltandSugarHTX.com

Photography DanielaSifuentes.com

Scan to read more.

Essentials Speech and ABA Therapy Opened in Cypress

Essential Speech and ABA Therapy takes a TEAM approach to therapy for children age 18 months to 6 years old on the Autism Spectrum. Offering ABA Therapy, Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy in a natural environment to set them up for success to meet their individualized goals.  SpeechandABA.com

ARTICLE BY MEMORIAL LIFESTYLE STAFF | PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID BECKWITH

BEYOND The Bottle

Gentle Ben uses a distillation process that combines art and science for a smooth tasting spirit.

Gentle Ben is an American bourbon based in Alvin, Texas, and was named the American Spirits Council of Tasters Double Platinum Award winner in 2022. The accolade recognizes the superior quality of the Gentle Ben brand, which is made possible by a revolutionary technology developed by Persedo. The company, founded by Ricky Ford, the creator of Gentle Ben, is dedicated to transforming the distilled spirits industry.

What distinguishes this brand from its competitors besides its numerous accolades and superior taste? Traditionally, the distilled spirits industry has relied on distillation and filtration methods to separate desirable and undesirable compounds or congeners in spirits. However, these methods come with high labor demands, energy consumption, and significant alcohol losses. Ford’s father developed a basic apparatus designed to aerate distilled spirits. It inspired Ford to create a process that could elevate distilled spirits to a quality not yet achieved.

Ford contacted Dr. Benjamin Mosier, a Ph.D. chemist with extensive experience in microencapsulation and bubble dynamics, to analyze the specific compounds and congeners that Ford’s father’s process was removing. While they successfully removed a small amount of offensive volatile organic compounds, they lost a significant amount of proof in the process.

Therefore, in 2007, they initiated a research program to develop and optimize a system for removing the compounds related to the offensive burn without losing ethanol.

Persedo’s C.R.A.F.T. system offers a sharper, more innovative tool for minimizing specific undesirable congeners in distilled spirits and allows Gentle Ben to deliver a top-quality spirit that rivals others in the super-premium space. This is achieved through two controlled and precise steps, during which seven process parameters are carefully monitored.

According to Ford, consumers today demand the best in super-premium spirits. With the Persedo C.R.A.F.T. system, Gentle Ben offers a spirit with distinct qualities across its portfolio. First, it is soft and creamy on the palate. Second, it has minimal burn. Finally, it has enhanced distillate flavors.

“The Persedo C.R.A.F.T. system has been validated by scientific analytics, but the best way to experience what it does for Gentle Ben is to visit our tasting room, see the process firsthand, and conduct a taste test,” says Ford. “Gentle Ben’s secret ingredient is what’s not in it – with no burn to hide, consumers can enjoy the full flavor of the spirit without the need for sugary mixers.”

gentleben.com

A Taste of Cy-Fair

Oct. 7th

Local Bar Honors Cypress History

Casual adult hangout opens in historic building next to Creekwood Grill, serving luxury spirits, bar food and cocktails

When Brian Sandel first opened Creekwood Grill in 2018, he sought to create a space where families could gather and connect. Now, after five years of the restaurant’s success, Sandel carries on Creekwood’s tradition as a hub for the community by opening a hangout spot for the adults.

Situated next door to Creekwood Grill, it’s apparent that P.O.’s Ice House is more than just an average neighborhood bar. Besides its variety of spirit selections and laid-back vibe, P.O.’s also pays homage to decades of local history. Although the building began as a grocery and feed store in the 1940s, it is most notable for becoming the site of P.O.’s Burgers, one of the first restaurants in the Cypress area.

“That building has meant something to people in Cypress for decades now,” said Sandel, owner of P.O.’s Ice House and Creekwood Grill. “The history of that was not lost to me.”

Established by the Dahl family in the 1980s, P.O.’s Burgers became a staple for

hosting school team parties, lunch outings and other gatherings. Sandel hopes to continue the former restaurant’s legacy by establishing P.O.’s Ice House and Creekwood Grill as a premier destination for local residents.

“It’s important that we not only understand that legacy, but we do something that continues it,” he said.

Through detailed renovations and refurbishing, Sandel and his team went to great lengths to bring the building back to life. Housed in the original P.O.’s Burgers’ dining room, the structure possesses the original 80-year-old oak wood floors and is decorated with antiques that complement the ambiance. This includes a bar top crafted from old barn timbers, stamped tin from a 100-year-old house and decorative walls of reclaimed cedar from the property.

“We wanted to make something that was really nice, and that people would enjoy hanging out in, but also gave a very casual and comfortable vibe because that’s similar to Creekwood,” he said.

While Creekwood Grill offers a large outdoor area for kids as well as an indoor stage for live music and events, Sandel says P.O.’s Ice House is meant to be the “playground” for adults. For ages 21 and up, P.O.’s models other Texas Icehouses that feature a casual indoor atmosphere and large sliding doors to the outside.

“We realized that there was a niche in the market that was being underserved, and that was 21 and up,” he said. “We had this awesome space that we weren’t using, and we had a segment of our customer base that we knew we were kind of missing out on.”

Although attached to Creekwood Grill, Sandel wanted a few things to set P.O.’s Ice House apart. While Creekwood is known for its list of 40 draft beers, P.O.’s offers elevated spirit offerings, such as luxury bourbon, whiskey, tequila and uppertier wells. Of course, P.O.’s still provides an extensive selection for the beer drinkers.

“We’re always exploring new options, trying new things and looking at new brands, but we wanted to elevate the cocktail experience on the P.O. side since it’s our playground for grownups,” he said. “We wanted to offer something that might be a step above what they would get anywhere else.”

In addition to beverages, there is no fear of going hungry. Although not serving the full course meals available at Creekwood, the menu still provides plenty of snacks and bar food, including cowboy nachos, queso, spinach artichoke dip and even Creekwood’s famous smoked wings. Only available at the P.O. side, customers can also find an assortment of flatbreads with flavors such BBQ Chicken, Mediterranean and Pepperoni.

While P.O.’s name honors its predecessor, Sandel adds that calling it “Ice House” was also intentional. Historically, Texas Icehouses were local convenience stores where people could purchase ice or other essentials. While they are no longer used for their original purpose, they still remain centers for community gatherings.

“We’re a business, but we also want to be a business that provides something for the community, and having a place to gather is important,” he said.  CREEKWOODGRILL.COM/P-O-S-ICE-HOUSE

They provided the personalized care that was necessar y for my grandmother ’ s needs Sharon, and the caretakers were all professional, kind, and caring

Can't Miss Cypress Hotspots

From fine dining to family gatherings there is something for everyone

PASSERELLA RISTAURANTE & WINE BAR

Passerella Ristaurante & Wine Bar brings together fresh ingredients, in their distinctly unique seafood-centric menu with an extensive wine list–including Italian selections–and an impressive cocktail menu offering an elevated dining experience at the Boardwalk on Towne Lake. Dine indoors or alfresco on the patio overlooking the lake.

PASSERELLA MENU

Passerella’s menu offers traditional Italian dishes with creative twists. Patron favorites includes Chef Ed’s 7-Layer Lasagna; a delicious Italian cheese blend layered with classico meat sauce, ricotta, and fresh basil, Mama’s Spaghetti & Meatballs with Passarella Pomodoro sauce made with tomato braised Wagyu beef meatballs with bucatini and Grana Padano, and Herb-crusted Lamb with three cheese polenta, Italian brussels sprouts and cognac reduction.

PasserellaItaliano.com

CREEKWOOD GRILL

Celebrating five years in business, Creekwood Grill is a down-home gathering place for friends and family serving classic comfort food with a relaxing, enjoyable ambiance. This Cypress favorite has indoor and outdoor seating, a large covered patio, and a playground for the kids to enjoy.

CREEKWOOD COMFORT FOOD

Creekwood offers a wide variety of dishes including Cowboy Nachos with pulled pork, queso, jalapenos, and fixings topped with BBQ sauce, as well as their delicious Rockport Tacos with spicy grilled shrimp, fresh coleslaw, and house-made cilantro lime crema. You'll also find lots of burger choices including their signature CreekBurger, and a large selection of beers on tap.

CREEKWOOD LIVE ENTERTAINMENT

Enjoy live entertainment on most weekend nights by local artists like Mark Childres, Mike Gilbert, and Texas Sundown. CreekwoodGrill.com

MEZZANOTTE RISTORANTE

Mezzanotte brings world-class fine dining to Cypress in a romantic atmosphere and featuring a rich Italian menu inspired by regions all over Italy. Their tomato-based dishes use strong flavors like capers and anchovies typically found in the southern regions of Italy and their decadent butter and cream-based dishes are inspired by fare from northern Italy. The restaurant has been honored as a Houston Chronicle Culinary Stars Top 100 Restaurants multiple years in a row.

MEZZANOTTE WINE

The family-owned restaurant is a winner of the 2023 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence and offers 100 selections from Italy and California. Owners Gerry and Adrianna Sarmiento are both sommeliers and can suggest the perfect pairing for your meal.

Mezzanotte.tv

MEZZANOTTE MENU

Menu favorites include Baby Lamb Chops with fresh-made mint and pistachio pesto, Pappardelle Bolognese with home-made pasta tossed with a light veal, pork, and beef sauce, pumpkin ravioli topped with sage butter sauce and walnuts, and Bananas Foster flambeed with orange liqueur and rum prepared and served tableside. Tapas Wednesdays is a must-try!

UNION KITCHEN

The Union Kitchen is a neighborhood restaurant that blends global cuisine with southern hospitality. Inspired by owner Paul Miller’s student union from college, he likes to say it’s the perfect UNION of good friends and great food. Visitors will enjoy views of Towne Lake as they dine either inside or outside on the patio.

UNION KITCHEN SPECIALS

Kids eat free Mondays and Tuesdays, Wine

Down Wednesdays offer wine specials, steak is served all day on Thursdays, Fri-Yay Happy Hour is 11AM – 6PM on Fridays, and enjoy Locally Famous Brunch on Saturday and Sunday. They also offer weekly Happy Hour Monday – Thursday from 3PM – 6PM.

UNION KITCHEN MENU

Each Union Kitchen location has its own Executive Chef and 20% of the menu is built specifically for the neighborhood it serves. In Cypress, the menu boasts Crispy Crab Benedict featuring flash-fried golden-brown patties, poached eggs, and dill hollandaise, Creamy Shrimp Scampi with roasted garlic, fresh herbs, white wine, and lemon juice, served with linguini pasta, and Miso-Glazed Sea Bass seared in ginger soy broth, with shaved garlic chips, served with sauteed spinach and ginger soy orzo pasta.

TheUnionKitchen.com

SLEEK CREPERIE & CAFÉ - FAIRFIELD

Sleek is a luxury chocolate shop, coffee barista, and creperie all wrapped into one, and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner all day every day of the week.  Enjoy hot and cold beverages including espressos and blended coffees, and satisfy your sweet tooth with handmade truffles and chocolates, gelato, ice cream and cakes.

SLEEK CREPERIE MENU

Sleek’s menu offers both sweet and savory crepes like Roasted Chipotle or Turkey & Avocado crepes and the Triple Chocolate Crepe made with fine Belgium milk, dark, and white chocolates. You’ll also find a variety of sandwiches, salads, and paninis, along with decadent desserts like chocolate shawarma sundaes, chocolate fondue, and molten lava bundt cake.

SleekChocolateFairfield.com

GIANNINA’S PIZZA & CATERING

Giannina’s Pizza & Catering offers a one-of-a-kind catering experience that will make your next event extra special. Owner Giovanna “Giannina”

Cicciarella brings a taste of Italy to you using recipes she learned while working in her family’s restaurant since she was a young girl. You and your guests will delight in watching Giannina “fly” the freshly made dough, which her father taught her to do at age nine, and savor the old-style Italian pizza made in her mobile wood-fired pizza oven that was built by craftsmen and imported from Italy.

GIANNINA’S MENU

Giannina’s catering menu offers a variety of appetizers, antipastos, salads and traditional Italian entrees and desserts. From appetizers like antipasto, bruschetta and mozzarella caprese to classic dishes like lasagna, baked ziti and fettuccine alfredo, and of course wood-fired pizzas, your guests are sure to enjoy an authentic Italian feast.

GIANNINA’S HISTORY

Giannina’s Pizza & Catering began as a Luigi’s Ristorante & Pizzeria in 1983. The restaurant was started by Sicilian husband and wife duo, Chefs Salvatore and Francesca who, at ages 81 and 74 respectively, only recently hung up their aprons to enjoy retirement. Their daughter Giovanna is keeping the spirit of Luigi’s alive through her catering business.

GianninasPizza.com

SIP, SWIRL, AND SAVOR YOUR WAY THROUGH YOUNTVILLE, THE CULINARY HEART OF NAPA

DESTINATION DELICIOUS

Looking for a once-in-a-lifetime epicurean experience?

Yountville, which is nestled into Napa County with vineyards in every direction, is a treasure trove of foodie greatness at every turn. Here is how to take a bite out of it all.

RH YOUNTVILLE RESTAURANT

The flashy, splashy RH Yountville is hard to miss as it takes up nearly a full block along Yountville’s ultra-walkable downtown. The Restoration Hardwareowned property is a wine, food, and shopping mecca comprised of five separate experiences—an indoor/ outdoor restaurant with a glass roof surrounded by 100-year-old olive trees and adorned with dramatic crystal chandeliers; a two-story wine-tasting space with its own share of crystal chandeliers and a sleek limestone bar; a limited-production wine center; an espresso bar; and a boutique design gallery grander in scale than even its ever-so-lavish sister property at the Scottsdale Quarter in Scottsdale.

Award-winning chef Brendan Sodikoff leads the kitchen, sourcing seasonal ingredients from nearby farms and using them as inspiration for both whimsical, shareable, and New American fare, as well as twists on comfort-food classics. His team allows vegetables to shine right along with proteins, making it the perfect place for all diets. There are at least 40 wines by the glass on the menu at any given time, many from neighboring wineries. The expertly trained staff has pairing suggestions—be they wine, craft beer, or craft cocktails—for each dish, offering recommendations based on guests’ palates and preferences over trends and their personal tastes. RH.com/yountville/restaurant

TASTING ROOM TREATS

Yountville’s many wineries and vineyards toss out tradition—bellying up to a bar for a flight of wine with crackers to cleanse the palate or a basic meat and cheese board—in favor of interactive foodie fun when it comes to its tastings.

Handwritten Wines , for example, offers a Breadand-Butter Experience. During the 90-minute seated event, guests can enjoy white truffle potato chips and Bouchon Bakery baguettes, along with multiple mouthwatering artisan butters. The butters are handmade to complement five of the winery’s most awarded varietals that are made on the Napa Valley hillside and most coveted vineyard blocks. HandWrittenWines.com

Priest Ranch , which is next door to Handwritten, boasts a Bacon and Wine Tasting. A must if you love meat and wine, the 90-minute experience marries four wines with its own bacon, each of which has been flavored with everything from honey to harissa to Italian herbs to bring out distinct notes in the wine. PriestRanchWines.com

Silver Trident Winery, across the two-lane street from Priest Ranch and Handwritten—so a one-minute walk— is home to what it calls the Potato Chip Extravaganza. True to its name, those who book this crunch-tastic tasting are treated to five types of potato chips, each sourced from a small producer. Each chip comes with a glass of wine to accompany it. The combination will take your taste buds on a magical mystery tour of flavor. SilverTridentWinery.com

JCB Tasting Salon , approximately 300 feet from Silver Trident, is home to a Caviar and Sparkling Wine Pairing. This dive into the ultimate in decadence pairs four high-end sparkling wines with four distinct artisanal caviars. Prepare for bubbly effervescence and over-the-top indulgence. JCBcollection.com

Chandon is nearly a mile from the others, but well worth the three-minute drive. During its ambitious Epicurean Experience, chef Juan Cabrera highlights the beauty of bubbles by pairing his favorites with five precisely plated works of culinary art. Chandon.com

Baldacci Family Vineyards sits at the intersection of Yountville and Stag’s Leap, and its Perfect Pairings program is just that. The nibble-heavy experience explores the science of how wine and food amplify each other, and even offers suggestions of what to pair with your personal favorite bites and sips.

BaldacciVineyards.com

ROMANTIC RESORT RESTAURANTS

As one might imagine, all the accommodations in the region drip luxury, but Hotel Yountville, Bardessono Hotel and Spa, and North Block Hotel stand out, thanks in great part to their dining options.

Hotel Yountville , just steps from more than a dozen tasting rooms and boutiques and built using river rocks from the nearby Napa River, has elegance to spare—and that extends to Heritage Oak, its signature eatery. Guests in the know always arrive prior to their reservations for killer craft cocktails (and adult popsicles!) at the Y Bar before being seated for elevated comfort food infused with wine country sophistication. HotelYountville.com

Bardessono Hotel and Spa is approximately two blocks from Hotel Yountville. The striking, sprawling LEED Platinum Certified property, situated within its own vineyard, is committed to providing a lavish experience for guests and diners within a sustainable environment. Its world-renowned Lucy Restaurant & Bar—named for the Bardessono family’s matriarch—serves up craveable farm-to-fork dishes with global flair, using ingredients from the hotel’s orchards, on-site certified organic farming garden, and similarly minded farms and purveyors across the region. Bonus: The dog-friendly restaurant also has a menu for pups. Bardessono.com

North Block Hotel, which is nearly next door to RH Yountville, features all things wood-fired and wonderful at its primarily al fresco Restaurant at North Block. Beyond the gorgeous grilled main dishes, North Block is a happy hour hot spot thanks to its daily Oyster Hour, where fresh oysters are just $1, as well as a local craft beer selection and seasonally changing menu of scrumptious sourdough pizzas. NorthBlockHotel.com

CELEB CHEF SUPPER CLUB

No gourmet guide to Yountville would be complete without some stargazing. Many of the world’s most celebrated celebrity chefs sharpen their knives and showcase their skills in Yountville.

French Laundry helped put the region on the map. The prix fixe spot—named by Anthony Bourdain as the best restaurant in the world—is one of the only restaurants to hold three Michelin stars. Every dish tells a story, and every visit is unique. Founder Thomas Keller is a veteran of several Food Network shows, a staple of talk shows, and a guest judge on Top Chef. FrenchLaundry.com

Mustards Grill , a casual, yet elegant spot, is known for American fare and is named to honor Napa’s yellow mustard flowers that provide vital nutrients to the vines. The restaurant is covered in them, save for the space carved out for its organic garden. Its founder is bestselling cookbook author and Top Chef: Masters contender Cynthia Pawlcyn. MustardsGrill.com

Bottega Napa Valley excels at bold Italian flavors in a dizzyingly delicious setting complete with dreamy stone fireplaces and glass chandeliers. Emmy® award-winning chef Michael Chiarello helms Bottega, always seeking to authentically connect guests with the flavors from his family’s roots in Southern Italy.

BottegaNapaValley.com

Bistro Jeanty brings the French countryside to Yountville. The brainchild of Michelin star and James Beard Award-winner Philippe Jeanty, the bistro has been a Napa staple since 1998. Today, Philippe’s daughter Camille continues his legacy, creating each menu as an homage to her father’s favorite childhood food memories from his native France, and diners taste the love in every bite. BistroJeanty.com

Food & Drink

DINING GUIDE

YOUR GUIDE TO THE HOTTEST SPOTS IN CYPRESS

THE FLAVOR OF FALL

Apples are the trademark fruit of fall, and with the many varieties to choose from, there is an apple that is sure to please any palate. They can be included in both sweet and savory dishes and are delicious and incredibly healthful. We all have heard the saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” While they aren’t a cure-all, apples are packed full of polyphenols, antioxidants, vitamin C, B vitamins and fiber. Make the most of autumn’s best produce and the flavors of fall with these simple recipes.

APPLE GALETTE WITH CARAMEL DRIZZLE

Easier than pie but with all the same textures, this gooey warm dessert is sure to please. For simplicity, this can be made with a premade crust.

INGREDIENTS:

Crust:

• 1 1/2 cups flour

• 1/4 cup sugar

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1 stick cold unsalted butter, cubed

• 1/4 cup iced cold water

Filling:

• 2 apples, peeled and sliced into thin slices

• 1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar

• 1 1/2 tablespoons flour

• 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

• Caramel sauce

• Optional: 1/4 chopped walnuts or pecans

INSTRUCTIONS:

Crust:

(Note: If running short on time, store bought crust works great, too.)

Mix flour, salt and sugar together in a bowl. Cut in the butter. Add water and mix until moistened. Lightly knead the dough and then form into a ball. Next, flatten dough into a thick circular form and refrigerate for one hour.

Filling: Mix the apples, flour, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg and brown sugar together in a bowl.

Assemble and Bake:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll the dough into a circle and set on parchment paper. Arrange apples in center of dough, leaving about one inch of space for the edges. Fold crust over the apples and press to seal edges. Drizzle with caramel sauce and sprinkle with pecans or walnuts. Bake for 35 minutes. Serve with caramel sauce and ice-cream.

ELEVATED GRILLED CHEESE

This take on the classic grilled cheese is sure to satisfy your fall cravings. With the combined flavors of savory and sweet, it packs a punch for your taste buds.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/4 red onion, sliced

• 2 tablespoons brown sugar

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• Sliced sourdough bread

• 1-2 tablespoons butter

• 4 ounces Brie, sliced

• Fig jam, or preferred choice of jam

• 1 Granny smith apple, sliced

• Arugula

• Thinly sliced ham, optional

INSTRUCTIONS:

Heat olive oil in the skillet and add sliced onions. Cook for a few minutes and then add brown sugar. Sauté until soft. Set aside. Butter the outside of the sourdough bread. Next, spread jam on the inside of both slices. Add cheese, apples, onions and arugula. If using meat, add as well. Top with slice of bread and grill on skillet until both sides are toasted and cheese is melted. Serve and enjoy!

CHOCOLATE and WINE

The Key to a Successful Wine and Chocolate Pairing Lies in Finding the Right Combination of Flavors and Characteristics.

Pairing wine and chocolate together can be a delightful sensory experience that can elevate the flavors of both. While the concept of pairing wine with food is well-known, pairing it with chocolate may seem unconventional at first. However, when done correctly, it can create a harmonious balance where the flavors of the wine and chocolate complement and enhance one another.

Wine and chocolate have a lot of similarities to each other. Both contain flavanols (antioxidants) and polyphenols (compounds found in plant-based food) that are good for you and have anti-inflammatory properties. These characteristics affect flavor so it’s somewhat challenging to pair wine and chocolate together. The more polyphenols, the more pronounced the bitter taste.

For example, if you sip a delicious dry red wine alongside a hunk of dark chocolate, the wine will start to taste bitter and sour. The taste imbalance is coming from the heightened levels of flavanols (different types of tannin) found in both chocolate and wine that end up clashing against each other on your tongue.

While it might sound counterintuitive, a good rule of thumb is to pair a wine that is “sweeter” than the chocolate itself. “Sweet” doesn’t refer to dessert wines alone. In the wine world, the term “sweet” is often used to denote ripe, fruit-forward flavors in a wine. These characteristics provide a nice balance to the bitter flavors of cocoa.

Both wine and chocolate can have intense, dry flavors. In order to find the right balance, it’s best to choose wines that are a little bit softer and juicier than the chocolate you’re pairing it with.

We’ve done the footwork to find several wines that partner well with chocolate. Here are our guidelines for matching chocolate with wine and a few of our favorite wine and chocolate pairings. We hope you’ll try them and then get inspired to experiment and create your own.

CREATING THE PERFECT PAIR

DARK CHOCOLATE

Bitter to semi-sweet dark chocolates, that are 50 to 100% cacao, have intense, bitter flavors, and earthy to fruity undertones. Match the intensity without adding more dryness by pairing these chocolates with full-bodied, yet fruit-forward wines.

Pairs well with:

Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Port, Merlot, Shiraz, Barolo

MILK CHOCOLATE

Milk chocolate is typically creamier and sweeter with flavors of brown sugar, vanilla, and cream. It requires a wine that is light to medium in body, with a ripe fruit character.

Pairs well with:

Pinot Noir, Merlot, Sweet Riesling, Ice-Style Wine

WHITE CHOCOLATE

White chocolate has a sweet, buttery flavor with notes of cream and honey. Sweet white and rosè wines help cleanse the palate of the rich flavors from white chocolate, as does sparkling spumante like Moscato d’Asti.

Pairs well with:

Sweet Riesling, Moscato, Semi-Dry Sparkling Whites, Gewurztraminer

MELISSA BAKER

REALTORS® | 281.687.8077

Melissa.K.Baker@exprealty.com

events

A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area.

SEPTEMBER 29TH - OCTOBER 7TH

Waller County Fair & Rodeo

WALLER COUNTY

FAIRGROUNDS | 21988 FM.

359 HEMPSTEAD, TX 77445

10:00 AM

It’s time for ridin’, rockin, and livestockin’! The fun starts with a parade through downtown Hempstead on Saturday, September 30 10AM. Enjoy the youth rodeo, ultimate bull riders, cornhole tournaments, livestock exhibit and auction, carnival and live entertainment! The carnival is open Wednesday-Saturday and concerts are Thursday-Saturday starting at 7PM. See the full lineup of events at WallerCountyFair.org

SEPTEMBER 29TH - 30TH

St. Mary’s Episcopal Church Gift Market

ST. MARY’S EPISCOPAL

CHURCH |  15415 N.ELDRIDGE PKWY | 9:00 AM

As a Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist and Relocation Specialist, I am dedicated to securing maximum listing value for sellers and finding buyers their dream home. As a longtime resident of Cypress, I have the local experience and background to help you with all your real estate needs.

Enjoy food, fun and unique shopping presented by local crafts people. Shop the selection of unique jewelry, home decor, handcrafted gifts, collectibles, candles, soaps and bath products, plus trendy clothing for ladies and children. Visit our Team Room for tasty taco soup and desserts or check out the Silent Auction. Our indoor/outdoor market is open from 9AM to 4PM both days. StMarysCypress.org

OCTOBER 7TH

A  Taste of Cy-Fair

LAKELAND VILLAGE CENTER  10615 FRY ROAD, CYPRESS, TX 77433 | 4:00 PM

Join local Cy-Fair restaurants, business owners, and fellow residents

THIS CART STOPS FOR CANDY

for a fun-filled food, wine and beer, live entertainment, and shopping event! All proceeds benefit CyHope. VIP Admission starts at 4PM, with general admission 5PM-8PM. Get tickets at ATasteofCyFair.com

OCTOBER 7TH

LSC-Cy-Fair’s Cy-Fest

Featuring Fire Fest

LSC-CYFAIR CAMPUS | 9191

BARKER CYPRESS | 10:00 AM

Lone Star College–CyFair’s fun, free, family-friendly community celebration for all ages returns with a pumpkin patch, arts and crafts, book mobile, bounce houses and food trucks. Also enjoy the Cy-Fair Fire Department Fire Fest at the same event. Meet our firefighters, see fire trucks up close, fire and rescue demos, participate in children’s activities, learn CPR and donate blood.  Lonestar. edu/Cy-Fest Facebook.com/CyfairFD

OCTOBER 9TH - 29TH

Good Shepherd UMC

Pumpkin Patch

GOOD SHEPHERD UMC | 20155 CYPRESSWOOD DR, CYPRESS, TX 77433 | 10:00 AM

Fun Day on Sundays – Oct 15 & 29 –enjoy picking your favorite pumpkin, storytelling, taking photos in front of fall-themed backdrops, face painting pumpkin decorating, hayrides, pet adoptions, and a concert along with Trunk-or-Treat on Oct 29. GoodChurch.us

OCTOBER 20TH - 21ST

Judy Dierker Holiday Market

THE FOUNDRY CHURCH, JONES ROAD CAMPUS | 8350 JONES RD, | 9:00 AM

Get ready for the holiday season at the Judy Dierker Holiday Market. Find one-of-a-kind gifts for your loved ones, while also supporting a great cause. Enjoy shopping, a silent auction and bake shoppe that supports our Foundry Mission partners. Have fun and help support vital organizations! Open 9AM - 4PM both days. Cy-Hope.org