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OBSESSIONS. DECORATION. SALIENT FACTS. 20 T oma Clark Haines, known the world over as The Antiques Diva, has translated her lifelong love of big, captivating jewels into a glittering new enterprise, THC Collection. Haines has lived abroad for almost two decades, most recently in Venice. As CEO of Europe's largest touring and sourcing company, The Antiques Diva, she works with a team of 31 locally based guides in 15 countries. She started buying jewelry as a student in London and has never stopped designing, sketching her inspirations on napkins, wherever she is during her travels. Her debut collections — MADE FOR A DIVA L e g e n d a r y N O L A c h e f Drake Leonards wowed the Houston crowd last month with the debut of Eunice at 3737 Buffalo Speedway. The eatery, named for Leonards' hometown and backed by BRG Hospitality Group (New Orleans restaurants August, Borgne, and Luke), mixes European influences and flavors with ingredients reminiscent of Leonards' childhood, such as crispy quail, shrimp and grits, fish crudos, New Orleans gumbo, ceviche, and oysters … The Lancaster Hotel reopened in the Theater District last month after its multi-million-dollar revamp (see page TK). At the Lancaster's new restaurant, Cultivated F&B, chef Fernando Huerta produces traditional dishes such as blue crab cakes, filet mignon, and chicken paillard. Come for dinner and stay for post-supper cappuccino, courtesy of Speedy Boy Coffee … Shun Japanese Kitchen, recently opened at 2802 South Shepherd, is chef Naoki Yoshida's take on the izakaya neighborhood bar and restaurant concept. Look for carnitas- Restaurant BUZZ style pork-shoulder dumplings, grilled fish smoked with local pecan wood, house-made pastry dough and sauces, and exclusively Japanese spirits, shochu, beer, and whiskey … The Rustic, a Dallas-based classic bar/restaurant/ live-music-venue combo dreamed up by Pat Green and FreeRange Concepts, comes to downtown Houston early this month. The massive restaurant at 1836 Polk centers on The Rustic's signature U-shaped bar, and large outdoor patio with a retractable roof. Southern cooking encompasses family-sized carnitas, grilled quail, cactus fritters, and potato salad, hominy, and tamales. Wash it down with spirits, wine, and 40 beers on tap … Evelyn's Park in Bellaire is breathing new life into its shuttered Yellow House. The new concept, Betsy's, is slated to open soon by Adair Concepts (Adair Kitchen, Bebidas, Eloise Nichols, Los Tios Mexican Restaurant, Skeeters) with a menu of smoothies, breakfast tacos, wood-fired pizzas, sandwiches, and salads … Restaurant pro Ronnie Killen is cooking up something spicy at 9330 Broadway in Pearland: a brand- new Tex-Mex eatery, Killen's TMX, opening this month. Offerings include brisket enchiladas and tacos, smoked chicken enchiladas, and quesadillas … Neo-soul restaurant Indigo has opened on the Northside. Former Oxheart line- cook chef Johnny Rhodes brings a five- course menu of traditional soul food with tongue-in-cheek names that tackle social stereotypes. Head to 517 Berry Road for Cornrows and Convictions, a dish of braided squash in a pumpkin- butter glaze … After two decades in the making, Saint Arnold Beer Garden & Restaurant has opened at 2000 Lyons Avenue, just across from the brewery. You'll find 12 Saint Arnold signature beers, as well as exclusives and seasonal brews, to sip inside the restaurant or on the covered deck or patio. Menu favorites include the rotating Würst öf Dër Wëëk, curried chicken salad sandwich, and chicken-fried pickled green tomatoes … Chef Nikki Tran of Ugly Delicious fame has opened Kau Ba Saigon Kitchen in Montrose at 2502 Dunlavy. The Chris Shepherd-approved Viet-Cajun (or Viejun) cuisine built around crawfish is served, along with lost recipes of Saigon. The seven-course beef dinner has everything from hot pot and sausage to satay and paté. Annie Gallay Byzantine, Baroque, Art Nouveau, and Art Deco — are inspired by fashion, art, architecture, and relics from ancient Rome to Venice, Istanbul, and beyond. Rings, necklaces, and brooches are shaped into lavish crowns, angel wings, serpents, tigers, and flowers, encrusted in gold and set with amethyst, rubies, peridots, rose citrine, freshwater and Baroque pearls, turquoise, tanzanite, and sapphires. The THC Collection, carried in boutiques in Paris, London, Amsterdam, and Bangkok, launches in the U.S. at Tootsies, with a trunk show Wednesday and Thursday, November 7 and 8, 10 am to 5 pm. Tootsies, 2601 Westheimer, 713.629.9990, tootsies.com, tchcollection.com. Rebecca Sherman Pink and blue sapphire ring Watermelon tourmaline and sapphire ring Blue topaz and pink spinel ring Aquamarine and ruby ring Turquoise and pink tourmaline ring White crystal quartz and topaz angel wing ring Green sapphire and pearl snake earrings