Sip Expertly-Crafted Libations at Anvil Bar and Refuge

Anvil Bar and Refuge in Montrose is a popular cocktail bar housed in an old tire shop from the 1950s. Everything about Anvil screams vintage, from the exposed brick walls and ductwork to the antique drinkware and stylish reclaimed wood lamps.

The cocktail menu changes frequently, but always features bitters made in house, crafty infusions, and a special emphasis on local ingredients. Crowd favorites include the Long Point Sour (gin with key lime, cardamom, and kaffir leaf) and the Grass Roots (amaro, rum, coconut, raspberry, lime, almond, and grass jelly).

The menu is divvied up by what flavor you're looking for, but don't be overwhelmed if you're not sure what you want. The staff is highly trained and has no qualms explaining the drink selection or even selecting a cocktail on your behalf. Anvil Bar and Refuge is a great choice for a night out trying something new.

Anvil Bar and Refuge
1424 Westheimer Road
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 523-1622
http://www.anvilhouston.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/anvil-bar-and-refuge-houston

5 Tips for Choosing an eBook Reader

You’re a bookworm and love being able to travel with several books at a time with an eBook, but trying to decide which one is the best for you is a challenge. We’ve put together some tips to help you select the reader that best suits your needs. Whether you read newspapers, magazines, or books, you’ll easily be able to find the reader that’s right for you.

1. Look at the readability of the screen.
Many tablets offer eBook reading abilities, but exclusive eBook Readers typically have a much better screen for reading text. Try out the screen to see if you can stand looking at it for long periods of time.

2. Decide if you want internet access.
If you are a reader of books and internet articles, you might want a tablet that has access to both. If you prefer not to be distracted by the lure of the internet, stick with a eBook Reader only.

3. Visit your library.
Both your at home library and public library will tell you about what eBook reader to buy. Not all books are available on each device, so check with your local branch to see which device they support and compare it to the books you’ve been wanting to read to see who has them available.

4. Read reviews.
Check out product reviews by trusted sources on devices you’re interested in. Find out what is included on them and how they compare to other similar devices.

5. Set a budget.
Figure out how much you are willing to invest in a device and stick to it. You can get eBook readers for as low at $39 and as high as $500.

eBook Reader Review [Top Ten Reviews]
Find the Perfect eReader [Tech Hive]
How to Buy an eBook Reader [PC Mag]
eReader Comparisons [Digital Trends]
Buying Guide to eBook Reader [Wired]

Happy New Year!

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy 2014!

Dionisio Winery: In Vino Veritas, Houston

Friends of the mighty grape like to congregate at Dionisio Winery. It’s a great place for date night or to meet up with friends and tip back a glass or two. Choose from a variety of wines made on site by the winery’s friendly owner. Reds include merlot, pinot noir, shiraz, zinfandel and cabernet sauvignon. If white’s your thing, sample some chardonnay, sauvignon blanc or zinfandel. Fruit wines made at the winery meld flavors for a super-sweet taste that many people love. Peach Chardonnay, Green Apple Riesling, Strawberry White Merlot and Black Cherry Pinot Noir are some of the luscious flavors to try. Want to learn more about wine or try bottling your own? Sign up for one of their fun, informative classes. Open Wednesday through Saturday.

Dionisio Winery
2110 Jefferson Street, Suite 119
Houston, TX 77003
(713) 906-2499
http://www.yelp.com/biz/dionisio-winery-houston

Provisions: Stock Up in Houston

Provisions has won over diners with their fresh, flavorful menu, an open kitchen dining area and spacious terrace. Get your party started with a refreshing cocktail like the Highland with green chartreuse, tequila, sugar cane & lime. Add on a Bread & Cheese Plate or a wood-fired pizza with mozzarella, basil & tomato. Some yummy pasta dishes adorn the menu, as do meat entrees like Hanger Steak with spring onions, Suckling Pig Porchetta for Two and Ham’O’Day with mustard rye. Fish entrees include Curried Mussels with cauliflower, Shrimp Salad with celery-apple remoulade, and Big Eye Tuna with fennel. Save a spot in your tummy for a tantalizing dessert like Neapolitan Chocolate Mousse Cake.

Minutes from Marquis Lofts on Sabine, Provisions is open Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner.

Provisions
807 Taft Street
Houston, TX 77019
(713) 628-9020
http://www.yelp.com/biz/provisions-houston

Oxheart: A Houston Dining Experience

If you're lucky enough to secure a reservation at Oxheart you will not be disappointed. The small dining room only has 30 seats. This Houston restaurant is so popular that reservations are taken weeks in advance. Oxheart is not quite a vegetarian restaurant, as there are a few meat and seafood options, but the menu comprises primarily delicious vegetable dishes like warm Sunflower Seed Soup and Heirloom Carrots cooked with exotic spices, coconut, avocado, and corianders. The menu changes frequently but is always full of flavorful options. Order the chef's tasting menu for a taste of everything. You will not be disappointed with seven courses of careful created dishes. Everything is made with care to create a delicate mix of flavors. You can even see the chefs cooking in the open kitchen that is the center of the restaurant. The service is wonderful, taking the time to explain each dish that is brought out to you. Make sure you sample the desserts created by the talented pastry chef. 

Oxheart
1302 Nance Street
Houston, TX 77002
(832) 830-8592
http://www.yelp.com/biz/oxheart-houston

Season’s Greetings!

Wishing everyone a happy and safe holiday season with all the warmth and splendor this time of year has to offer. Happy Holidays!

Follow Football All Week Long with These Great Sites

Sure, you can watch the big games on Saturdays and Sundays. But devoted football fans also have a growing number of ways to keep up with their favorite sport online throughout the rest of the week. Here are three websites where you can read in-depth articles, watch videos, and see stats as a lead up to the next big game!

NFLNation
Hosted by the beloved television sports network, ESPN’s NFLNation is a great online source for following pro football. This site is jam packed with articles and discussions written by football experts, the latest league news, a constantly updated scoreboard and weekly player stats that you won’t find anywhere else. Fans can even search NFLNation to see stuff about their favorite team.

Football Outsiders
Written by thinking fans for thinking fans Football Outsiders is an in-depth website that takes an entirely new approach to analyzing the sport of football. The site’s statistics-centric writers provide brand new stats that attempt to make a more effective analysis of each game, as well as long-form articles that might change your perspective on the game.

Dr. Saturday
Yahoo! Sports’ Dr. Saturday is a college football blog that discusses the players, teams and coaches within the world of college football. With a laid-back, conversational voice and expert analysis, this is the ideal follow-up reading after watching your alma mater’s latest game.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving surrounded by those you love and full of many things to be thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving!

Station Museum of Contemporary Art: Around the Art World

The Station Museum of Contemporary Art is a small venue showcasing local, national and international artists, with a particular focus on the cultural diversity of Houston's varied neighborhoods. Past international exhibitions have included artists from Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Mexico, South Africa, Congo, Czech Republic, Austria, Palestine, Iraq, India, Afghanistan, and Russia. Solo exhibitions by Texas artists showcased the work of Mel Chin, James Drake, Dick Wray, Jesse Lott and George Smith. The museum also hosts film screenings, concerts, lectures, and fundraisers for social causes. Open Wednesday through Sunday. Admission is free.

Station Museum of Contemporary Art
1502 Alabama
Houston, TX 77004
(713) 529-6900
http://www.yelp.com/biz/station-museum-of-contemporary-art-houston

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