tcheramie

I went to a Bocktober fest and I’ve been there when it wasn’t Bocktoberfest. Either way you go you’ll have a great time and taste some amazing beer.

I frequent the Movie Taven (this one and the one on 1960 in Humble) and it’s fast becoming my favorite place to watch movies. The common areas of these cinemas have been converted to a restaurant/bar. You can show up early and eat before the movie plays or you can wait and have your meal served to you in your movie. The food is not particularly any better than your typical “american-fare” restaurant, but you get to watch a movie and drink at the same time. The accomodations are nice, big leather office-style chairs, or standard movie seating (whichever you prefer) with either a bar to place your food or miniature tables. The main reasons I like going here are that 1. It’s not overrun with screaming teenage mall-trash and crying babies. 2. The tickets are cheaper than at your local rob-you-blind big name theatre. 3. The seating is more spread out, thus the theatres are far less crowded than in standard theatres. 4. I get to drink beer and eat a meal while I watch, if I choose to.

TIPS: If you are going to be a regular and you like to drink beer with your movie, splurge for what they call the “Tanker” its a 40 oz beer mug that you get to keep. AND REFILL. It costs something like 17.00 the first go, but you can bring it back on subsequent visits and refill it with domestic beer for 6.00 and premium beer for 9.00. A 40 OZ BEER FOR $6!!! (And, for you enthusiasts, Shiner Bock is considered Domestic and NOT Premium there.) Also, bring in your tanker on Thursday and You get a buy one-get one free admission. Finally, Wednesday is half priced pizza night. One of my favorite days to go, for sure.

This has to be one of the most beautiful ballparks in America. Not meaning to impress on pure size (like Reliant Stadium) or Gimmicky construction (astrodome) Minute Maid Park is a piece of true Americana. Beautiful brickwork and “patina” on the structural crossbeams. I echo everyone in saying that it was a great gesture in heritage and an investment in the culture of Houston that the beautiful and historical Union Station railroad building was incorporated instead of demolished. The entire stadium calls back memories of old trainstations, historical ballparks, and generally everything beautiful and idealistic about baseball and america in general. I’ve gone to this park more times than I can count, Playoffs and games you wouldn’t even want to admit you went to. Just remember even if the game is terrible (it seldomly is) You still have cold beer, hotdogs, sunny days, and friends there with you. Baseball is more than a sport, it’s an experience.

This is a place that is a must if you are a fan of Rothko. If you are a Houstonian, it’s required if you want to consider your local artistic education complete. I was thinking it would be a good place to take a prayer group or maybe say a rosary. They say the longer you stay there and calm your mind, the more you “get” it. It does have the solemn feeling of a prayer chapel, but it’s totally non-denominational. I heard people call it “anti-religious” in a way, I guess you could look at it that way if you wanted to. Good place to find peace. Even better if you like Rothko. It’s very subtle though, this is not “jump out and grab you” art, it’s contemplative. Not for everyone.

This place is one of my absolute favorites in Houston, Did you know it was originally a gas station! Next time you go see if you can figure out which part is the original gas station. If in doubt order the Gyros (ask for sauce on the side), my favorite dessert is their Galaktoboureko. I once heard it was “the best place in the city to get lamb(on a paper plate)” fact is, it’s still probably the best place in the city to get lamb on any kind of plate. The atmosphere is comfy, energetic. The food, amazing. Great place for friends, my friends consider going here a pilgrimmage. My only advice is to sit outside if the weather is nice, and be patient, this place is hopping every minute that it’s open and it’s menu is heavily (but not totally) based on grilled meats, (plenty of vegetarian options as well). So your food will take a few minutes…. well worth the wait. OH DO NOT PARK IN FRONT OF THE DRIVEWAYS ACROSS THE STREET UNLESS YOU LIKE TO TALK TO THE SHERRIFFS OFFICE.