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an auto-detailing business adjacent to Fivos' Shell gas station. Last year, father and son decided to close off a former tunnel car wash adjoining the business and turn it into a rotating gallery space. Next, they built upwards to create Echoes, a loft-like, open-air cafe serving the Greek fare of Fivos' homeland, with Mexican influences that reflect his mother's heritage. After 5 pm, Georgeos rotates a selection of tunes, from Roxy Music to his beloved Pink Floyd, and books local DJs and bands for a mix of genres, inspired by Cafe Oto in London, In Sheep's Clothing in L.A., and Public Records in New York. Co-chefs Armando Ramirez and Ana Stanciu deftly translate and modernize the foods of the Greek culture and bring the best to their tightly edited menu. Ramirez hails from Oaxaca; he spent time under the tutelage of Hugo Ortega at Backstreet Cafe early in his career, then worked at Da Marco, BCN, MAD, Hugo's, and Caracol. He also worked in Europe, where he met Madrid native Stanciu, a Cordon Bleu- trained veteran of the Michelin three- star restaurant El Celler de Can Roca in Spain. The husband-and-wife team spins out traditional mezze selections including spanakopita, a perfectly prepared butter phyllo with feta and spinach ($9) and a trio of dips — melitzanosalata (roasted eggplant), muhammara (red pepper and walnut), and tzatziki (yogurt-based cucumber and garlic spread) — brought to the table with warm, toasted pita slices ($9). For your main course, don't miss the smoked tempura eggplant, its flesh infused with the subtle smoke of its charred skin, peeled then fried in a light Japanese-style tempura batter and topped with tomato confit and onion ($10). In my estimation, however, the cocktails are one of Echoes' major draws. Bar manager Erica Sipple oversees the development of such tinctures as the Mikis spritz, which highlights Skinos Mastiha, one of the revered exports of Chios, Greece. Here the mastic distillation is blended with grapefruit cordial, Lillet rosé, dry Curaçao, and lime ($10). Echoes Cafe is currently open for dinner and brunch, with lunch coming later this year. Echoes Cafe, 900 Richmond Ave. (entrance on Rosalind Street), echoeshtx.com. (Continued from page 56) TEXAS FAMILY-OWNED AND MANAGED • INDEPENDENT LIVING • ASSISTED LIVING • MEMORY CARE www.THETRADITION.COM THE TRADITION–WOODWAY 6336 Woodway Drive, Houston, TX 77057 Independent Living (713) 423-6066 Assisted Living & Memory Care (713) 874-9096 THE TRADITION–BUFFALO SPEEDWAY 9339 Buffalo Speedway, Houston, TX 77025 Independent Living (713) 715-1905 Assisted Living & Memory Care (713) 715-1902 Our residents are one of the best reasons to join us at The Tradition. Here is what one of them has to say about what contributes to her enjoyment. "I have several friends that are really interested in moving here, and I would tell them not to wait, honestly because I think the earlier the better, and you're not by yourself. A lot of them are single females that really need to understand that it is just so much better to be around a lively bunch of people, who have a lot of fun, and I would say that this is a great, great property to live in." I hope that you will consider a new way of living and join us at The Tradition. Please make an appointment to tour our spacious model units, meet residents and learn more. I look forward to welcoming you home! Founder & CEO The Tradition INSPIRED VOICES