The Best of the Bayou City 2016

New and old, ephemeral and eternal—a snapshot of what endears Houston to us, right here and now. Our questions this month: What does the Department of Neighborhoods actually do? How well do you know your Houston trivia? And will that mosquito just bite the dust already?

In this issue:

Arts & Culture

A Late-Summer Night’s Dream

UH Brings Back the Bard for the 400th Anniversary of Shakespeare's Death

Last year’s Houston Shakespeare Festival drew 37,000 in the dead of summer—and there’s a good reason why.

07/18/2016 By Steve Jansen

The Rise of Sunset

At the Menil, a Rare Andy Warhol Film with a Houston Connection

The pop-artist’s rare unfinished film will screen daily at the Menil for two seasons.

07/18/2016 By Steve Jansen

Eat & Drink

Pour

Coppa Osteria Has All the Rosé You Can (and Should) Drink

Other restaurants in Houston have two to four rosés at most. Coppa Osteria has 40.

07/18/2016 By Jenna K. White

Dog-Friendly Dining

10 Pup-Friendly Patios to Visit Right Now

There's no need to leave your dogs at home with these pet-friendly restaurants.

07/18/2016 By Jenna K. White

On the Table

The City's 9 Best Raw Food Spots

In the thick of a steamy day, we recommend chilling out at these restaurants, all of which offer raw, mostly vegetarian dishes.

07/18/2016 By Alice Levitt and Katharine Shilcutt

Restaurant Review

Revisiting Oxheart and Underbelly After Back-to-Back Wins at the Nation's "Food Oscars"

Catching up with Houston’s two most recent James Beard Award–winning restaurants brings mixed results.

07/18/2016 By Alice Levitt

Editor’s Note

Houston's Greatest Asset? Houstonians Themselves

New York’s great to visit, but Houston is home.

07/18/2016 By Catherine Matusow

Health & Wellness

Top Doctors 2016

Houston's Top Doctors 2016

We profile five doctors making a difference today—and in our children’s futures.

07/18/2016 By Roxanna Asgarian

Top Doctors 2016

Close Range: A Quest to Understand and Treat Autism on Both Ends of the Spectrum

“There’s a lot of great evidence to suggest that autism is strongly influenced by genetic factors."

07/18/2016 By Roxanna Asgarian

Top Doctors 2016

To the Wire: How a Rare Brain-Surgery Procedure Helped a Young Patient When Nothing Else Could

“Nobody could tell me what was wrong with her.”

07/18/2016 By Roxanna Asgarian

Top Doctors 2016

Target Practice: Gene Sequencing and the Fight Against Cancer in Children

Studies like BASIC3 could go a long way toward finding more genetic mutations, and along with that, more tailored drugs.

07/18/2016 By Roxanna Asgarian

News & City Life

The Drawl

Who Reps H-Town Best: Drake vs. the Greater Houston CVB?

When it comes to representing the city to the world at large, who does a better job, Drake or the giant civic organization that promotes Houston?

07/18/2016 By Hala Daher

Bayougraphy

Following Robert Ellis on His Journey of Discovery

After years of leaning into the chaos, the singer-songwriter has found an appreciation for how structure and routine can spur creativity.

07/18/2016 By Sarah Rufca Nielsen

Sharp Turn

From Life on the Streets to Life as a Congressional Aide

“I’m 26, and I’ve spent more of my life in the system than out of it.”

07/18/2016 By Roxanna Asgarian

Bite Me

The Mosquitos Diaries: Tales from the Trenches of a Brutal, Month-Long Battle

Just die already.

07/18/2016 By Sarah Rufca Nielsen

Mo' Money Mo' Problems

When Playing with House Money Strikes a Nerve

Don’t worry Mattress Mack; you have nothing to worry about—legally speaking.

07/18/2016 By Adam Doster

The Heat is On

Why Run a 5K in August, in Houston?

Need motivation? What if there’s an ice-cold Bombshell Blonde at the finish line?

07/18/2016 By Jeff Balke

Ice House

August’s Perfect Party

The shock-and-awesomeness edition.

07/18/2016 By Catherine Matusow

Neighborhood Watch

So, What Does the Department of Neighborhoods Actually Do?

A morning cruise with Houston's blight fighters

07/18/2016 By Adam Doster

Best of the City 2016

Best of the Bayou City: Foodie Finds

Including the best butcher and the city's best grocery store corridor.

07/18/2016 By Houstonia Staff

Best of the City 2016

Best of the Bayou City: Diversions

Including the best DJ night, best museum exhibition and the best spot for air-conditioned bouncing.

07/18/2016 By Houstonia Staff

Best of the City 2016

Best of the Bayou City: Beauty

Including where to find the best spa treatment and the best colorist worth the six-week wait.

07/18/2016 By Houstonia Staff

Best of the City 2016

Best of the Bayou City: Shopping

Including where to find the best furniture with a story behind it and the city's best boutique row.

07/18/2016 By Houstonia Staff

Best of the City 2016

Best of the Bayou City: Out & About

Including the best bike-in movie theater and the best place to pretend you’re a human drone.

07/18/2016 By Houstonia Staff

Best of the City

Best of the Bayou City

New and old, ephemeral and eternal—a snapshot of what endears Houston to us, right here and now.

07/15/2016 By Houstonia Staff

Travel & Outdoors

Open Road

Finding An Oasis—and Facing Fears—in the West Texas Desert

Diving at Balmorhea State Park is worth the eight-hour drive from Houston.

07/18/2016 By Katharine Shilcutt