Where Ben’s Been in October
Welcome to our new feature here at the Montrose District, where we check in with our new Executive Director, Ben Brewer, and learn about where he has been in the district. Ben is a native Houstonian who recently moved home from San Antonio to Montrose, and he is rediscovering everything that the neighborhood has to offer.
Ben stopped in to the latest reincarnation of Chris Shepherd’s One Fifth for dinner. The current theme, Romance Languages, focuses on French, Italian and Spanish cuisine, and offers diners a comprehensive taste of Western European flavors using internationally sourced ingredients. Start the night with some charred octopus, gnosh on some gnocchi, and prepare for main courses like the suckling pig presse and beef cheek borgogne.
One of the principle ways that Ben discovers the neighborhood is by walking! The district’s density and walkability provide ample opportunities to discover hidden gems like the dolphin fountain at Lamar Park. The fountain, with its playful dolphins spouting water, is currently being restored as a project between the Houston Parks Board and the Hyde Park Civic Association. Learn more about the project, and donate here.
Here you can see Ben working the gyro booth at the annual Original Greek Festival, put on by the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral and Houston’s Greek community. Now in its 51st year, the festival is a neighborhood favorite for delicious food, wine and cultural demonstrations. If you missed your chance to catch it live (and get a gyro from Ben), you can check out our festival compilation video.
Music At Twilight: Mandell Park
Every Wednesday in October, the Friends of Mandell Park are sponsoring Music at Twilight, a free concert series for the neighborhood. Ben made it a point to drop by to catch some tunes in the great October weather.
