Summer Escapes

Summer Escapes <p class="p1">Recharge, relax, rejuvinate, re-whatever. You know you need to, and we'll show you how with trips to the new Cuba, modern—and ancient—Istanbul, off-the-grid Alaska, foodie hot spot Charleston, even a closer-to-home luxurious Texas retreat. Plus: you know how to drive like one, shop like one and eat like one—but can you cook like a Houstonian? We'll show you how with six recipes from six of the city's best chefs. </p>

In this issue:

Arts & Culture

Juneteenth

Freedom in Progress: A Brief History of Juneteenth

The weeklong celebration commemorating the end of slavery kicks off this month in Emancipation Park.

05/31/2015 By Michael Hardy

Rap

Reality Don't Get Old: The Geto Boys on Musical Longevity

The pioneering Houston rappers embark on a new tour, coming to House of Blues this month.

05/31/2015 By Justin Mitchell

Best of Houstonia

Recipes

Mastering the Art of Houston Cooking

Essential dishes for the home chef

05/31/2015 By Katharine Shilcutt, Catherine Matusow, Scott Vogel, Michael Hardy, Sarah Rufca Nielsen, and Jeff Balke

Eat & Drink

Editor’s Picks

The 9 Best Restaurants for National Lobster Day

As if you needed an excuse.

05/31/2015 By Katharine Shilcutt

Editor’s Picks

Where to Eat Now in Galveston

When you hit the beach this summer, you simply can’t miss these local islander favorites.

05/31/2015 By Katharine Shilcutt

Pour

Ryan Roberts Brings Texas’ Biggest Whiskey Selection to Clear Lake

The exurbs gain a serious cocktail bar within Cullen’s American Grille.

05/31/2015 By Katharine Shilcutt Photography by Kate LeSueur

Restaurant Review

A Trip to Commonwealth

The Washington Avenue establishment shines, just not always in the ways you’d expect.

05/31/2015 By Scott Vogel

Restaurant Review

Believing in Reincarnation (or Trying to) at the Re-Opened El Cantina Superior

The El atones for its past self—but will it be enough?

05/31/2015 By Scott Vogel

Recipe

Making Homemade Ice Cream with Fat Cat Creamery’s Sarah Johnston

The owner of the artisanal ice cream shop shares her secrets.

05/31/2015 By Scott Vogel Photography by Todd Spoth

Recipe

How to Prepare Ceviche the Andes Café Way with David Guerrero

The Ecuadorian-born chef teaches us how to make his famous ceviche de pescado.

05/31/2015 By Michael Hardy Photography by Todd Spoth

Recipe

10 Reasons Your Barbecue Isn’t as Good as Ronnie Killen’s

Beef up your skills with brisket advice from one of Houston’s most celebrated pitmasters.

05/31/2015 By Jeff Balke Photography by Todd Spoth

Recipe

Make Authentic Banh Mi with Kim Vu

The chef at Pho One shares what many Vietnamese restaurants won’t—her recipe for chargrilled pork banh mi.

05/31/2015 By Catherine Matusow Photography by Todd Spoth

Recipe

Making Chicken Enchiladas with Sylvia Casares

The owner of the eponymous Mexican chain shares the recipe that started it all.

05/31/2015 Photography by Todd Spoth By Sarah Rufca Nielsen

Recipe

Bernie’s Burger Bus’ Recipe for Perfect Burgers

Wow your guests this summer with tips and tricks from Bernie’s burger guru Justin Turner.

05/31/2015 Photography by Todd Spoth and Katharine Shilcutt

Editor’s Note

Songs of Love and Death

Whether sparked by Love Boat or a real cruise, the urge to travel burns in all of us.

05/31/2015 By Scott Vogel

Health & Wellness

HIV/AIDS

For Gay Men, a Ban on Blood Donation Ends, But a Stigma Remains

There will be blood, but whose?

05/31/2015 By Kayla Stewart

Home & Real Estate

Space City

The Porch Enjoys a Revival

Homeowners are rediscovering the iconic front porch, and all the benefits, social and otherwise, that come along with it.

05/31/2015 Photography by Max Burkhalter and Divya Pande By Sarah Rufca Nielsen

News & City Life

The Drawl

Starred Up

Still skeptical of astrological clairvoyance? These recent incidents tell us that the stars have much to offer.

05/31/2015 By Houstonia Staff

H-Town Diary

Growing Up a Gamer Girl

To be a gamer and a girl is to inhabit a world packed with traps, landmines and adversaries all its own.

05/31/2015 Illustrations by Dan Page By Maggie Berardo

Bayougraphy

Cracking Cases With a Genetics Gumshoe

Brendan Lee, Researcher

05/31/2015 Photography by Charles Ford By Jerry Ianelli

Elements of Style

Blazer of Glory: A Sartorial Discussion with Bill Stubbs

The interior designer, whose furniture line debuts at Gallery Furniture this month, talks style, splurging, saving and why Casual Friday must be stopped.

05/31/2015 Photography by Justin Calhoun By Sarah Rufca Nielsen