Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/779409
16 Restaurant BUZZ MAD TOGS and Englishmen F r o m c r u m b l i n g a n d neglected to inspiring and activated — that's the transformative story of a six-acre patch of green that was Houston's most prominently located yet under- utilized park. Levy Park, on Eastside south of Richmond Avenue, is poised to become a jewel in the city's ever- burgeoning commitment to its green spaces, thanks to the collaborative vision of the City of Houston, the Upper Kirby Redevelopment Authority, Upper Kirby District Foundation, and Houston Parks and Recreation Department. One of Houston's oldest parks, it's named after benefactor Leon Levy, whose estate bequeathed it to the city in 1941. The park's greatest claim to fame was its 1962 pony-league baseball team, which won the national championship. Come Saturday, February 25, the redesigned Levy Park unveils a Mecca for al fresco activities, with a 24,000-square-foot play area and 22,000-square-foot activity lawn with putting green, art and games carts, a rolling reading room, climbing wall, UPPER KIRBY Goes Green water slide, mini amphitheater, and imagination playground. Other attention-garnering amenities — a dog park, community gardens, soon- to-be-finalized farmer's market, beer garden with a refurbished British double-decker bus, food kiosk, new restaurant concept, and performance pavilion designed by Houston architect Natalye Appel + Associates Architects. Four years in the making, the $12 million green space was dramatically and mindfully redesigned by Houston and California- based Office of James Burnett, the landscape architects behind Chicago's Millennium Park and Dallas' Klyde Warren Park. Levy Park comes complete with its own conservancy, headed by new park director Doug Overman, who was recruited from San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, and programs and events manager Nicole Romano, a former University of Houston Mitchell Center exec. Levy Park, 3801 Eastside; opening Saturday, February 25, 10 am, admission gratis, levyparkhouston. org. Catherine D. Anspon B ritish bespoke purveyors Anthony Sinclair and Curry & Paxton are coming to Longoria Collection for a two-day visit, the outcome of diplomatic negotiations between Longoria Collection's co-owner Elizabeth Dorsey Fertitta and Mason & Sons — a luxury business based in London devoted to reviving classic British brands such as Anthony Sinclair (tailor to international man of mystery James Bond) and Curry & Paxton (an exclusive line of eyewear dating to the Victorian era). Get your Sloane on at a celebratory cocktail party at Longoria Collection Thursday, February 16, 6 to 8 pm, with a 007 theme executed by party planners Little Coterie. A trunk show follows on Friday, February 17, where one can acquire a tailored suit (Sean Connery wore the Conduit Cut suit by Anthony Sinclair in all of his Bond films) and the perfect pair of tortoiseshell frames. For cocktail party, RSVP is a must, kat@longoriacollection.com. Longoria Collection, 1101 Uptown Park Blvd., longoriacollection.com. Anne Lee Phillips F leming's Steakhouse operating partner Sam Governale departs from the brand's River Oaks location to embark on a new journey: debuting Emmaline restaurant at 3210 West Dallas Street (previously Teala's Mexican Restaurant) this spring … Chef/owner Ryan Hildebrand celebrates five years behind the range at his progressive American restaurant Triniti. Next up for Hildebrand: this month's opening of FM Burger, the Jim Heard-designed casual burger joint that also serves shakes, fried chicken, and more off Washington Avenue. More details soon … French eatery Brasserie du Parc has opened at 1440 Lamar Street on the ground floor of One Park Place high-rise. The brainchild of chef Philippe Verpiand (Etoile), the brasserie touts French eats alongside a walk-up crepe window … Canadian fare meets Ukrainian cuisine and the Texas Gulf Coast at chef Ryan Lachaine's (Reef, Underbelly) newly debuted eatery Riel at 1927 Fairview Street. Highlights include creamy borscht, Montreal smoked meat, tourtiere, and hangar steak with cheddar pierogi … Grotto leaves its traditional Italian style with its second location in the new Avenida Houston development adjacent to the George R. Brown Convention Center. The new location, at 1611 Lamar Street, features a revamped, contemporary menu of small plates, pizzas, pastas, and the biggest grappa selection in Texas … Local Foods has opened a fourth location at 420 Main Street. A Joseph Finger-designed Art Deco building houses the new three-story restaurant, which includes Local's menu staples alongside a raw seafood bar. Jailyn Marcel COURTESY LEVY PARK CONSERVANCY Levy Park unveils Saturday, February 25. Sean Connery being outfitted for a James Bond film HARRY MYERS / REX FEATURES OBSESSIONS. DECORATION. SALIENT FACTS.