September’s Perfect Party: Thanks-Coach Edition

There’s no way we’re not inviting Lamar High School football coach Tom Nolen to this month’s party. Put it to you this way: Over the decades, even Lamar students who never bothered to attend a football game (ahem) were always well aware of the man’s legend. We hope Coach Nolen enjoys his well-deserved retirement. Also on the list: local developer Robert Clay and his wife, Emily, who’ve pledged $10 million to the Memorial Park Conservancy’s 10-year master plan, for which we, as regular users of said park, heartily thank them; Daniela Soto-Innes, the renowned young NYC chef who came up through local restaurants including Brennan’s and Underbelly, and will be cooking alongside a host of other food-world luminaries at this month’s Southern Smoke Festival (Sept. 30); Michael Dyer, the Houston man who had an amazing showing at the World Series of Poker in Vegas this summer, coming in third (out of more than 7,000 players!) and taking home more than $3 million; and Lyndsey Brantley, the Houstonian whose all-natural skincare line, Camellia Alise, just struck a deal with Walmart. Finally, we just have to invite the anonymous person who donated $3 million to cover tuition for the first class of UH’s new College of Medicine. Whoever it is, we bet they’re pretty cool.

Published in the Houston's 50 Best Restaurants issue of Houstonia Mag.