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Pappas Bros. Steakhouse: Don’t Hold Back

May 22, 2013 by greystar

Sometimes you just want to treat yourself to a decadent, delicious meal. When that fancy strikes, Pappas Bros. Steakhouse is the place to go. Keep an eye out for the creamy, indulgent crab mac and cheese special, a customer favorite bursting with generous chunks of succulent crab meat. A wide selection of steaks, including Texas Akaushe Kobe beef ribeyes and filets, are cooked perfectly to order. The service and atmosphere complement the food with a rich, comfortable dining room and attentive wait staff who will anticipate your every need. A dinner out at Pappa Bros. makes any night a special occasion.

Pappas Bros. Steakhouse
5839 Westheimer Road
Houston, TX 77057
(713) 780-7352

By kawanet [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: Houston Dining, Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, Restaurants in Houston, Steakhouses

Keeping Busy After Retirement: 5 Engaging Hobbies

May 16, 2013 by greystar

Many new retirees find themselves wondering how to fill their days. Here are some simple and rewarding hobbies for retirees:

Handcrafts
Hobbies like wood carving, weaving, and knitting harken back to simpler times when families had to make much of what they used by hand. These hobbies produce useful results, exercise our brains in important ways, and keep fingers limber.

Writing
Taking a writing class or joining a writing group is an opportunity to develop your skills and creativity as well as make social connections. Write memoirs, poetry, even letters, and be sure to keep a copy of what you’ve written.

Teach a Class
Experience the satisfaction of sharing your skills and passion with other people. Talk to activity coordinators at local libraries, senior centers, and community colleges about what you can offer them.

Sports
Many fitness and senior centers offer special programs for adults 50 and over. From swimming to table tennis, you’ll find that opportunities abound for fitness and fun.

Music
Playing music is fun and keeps your mind and body active. Consider taking up that instrument you've always wanted to play!

Public Domain. (From http://www.public-domain-image.com/objects-public-domain-images-pictures/hat-women-female-hat.jpg.html). Hat, style, fashion, shopping, vintage, clothing, clothes, store.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: Crafts, Hobbies, Retirement, Sports

Hearsay Gastro Lounge: Food, Drinks, Friends

May 14, 2013 by greystar

The Hearsay Gastro Lounge is a great place to see to meet up with friends for lunch, happy hour, dinner or late night. Located downtown in the historic W.L. Foley Building, you’ll like coming into the Hearsay to see how beautiful the place is, with its high ceilings, chandeliers and casual décor. Come for happy hour from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., and enjoy terrific deals on beers on tap and by the bottle, wine and cocktails. Wednesdays are also a good time to come for Ladies’ Night! The bar also has a good selection of bourbons and whiskeys. The lunch and dinner menus features tasty apps, soups, salads, sandwiches and small plates, with something for everyone. And the kitchen is always open late until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays!

Hearsay Gastro Lounge
218 Travis Street
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 225-8079
http://www.yelp.com/biz/hearsay-gastro-lounge-houston

Public Domain. (from http://www.photos-public-domain.com/2010/12/27/glass-of-red-wine/) Wine, Wine Glass, Red Wine, Drink, Beverages

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: Bars, Hearsay Gastro Lounge, Houston Dining, Restaurants in Houston

Creole Cooking: Classic Red Beans & Rice

May 13, 2013 by greystar

The next time you're craving the flavors of the deep south, consider whipping up this classic dish full of hearty flavors.

Red Beans & Rice – makes 6 servings

Ingredients
1 pound dried red beans (small red or kidney)
2 tablespoons butter
1 pound smoked sausage, sliced and quartered
1 yellow onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
2 – 3 cloves garlic, minced
1 large smoked ham hock
2 – 3 bay leaves
1 teaspoon cajun seasoning, such as Tony Chachere's
1 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Cooked white rice, for serving

Click here for prep instructions at the Kitchn.

Public Domain. (From http://www.photos-public-domain.com/2012/04/23/pinto-beans/). Pinto beans, pintos, bean, beans.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: Creole Cooking, Easy Dinner, Recipe, Red Beans and Rice

Happy Mother’s Day!

May 12, 2013 by greystar

Wishing all moms a wonderful day filled with much love and happiness!

Filed Under: Life at Reserve at Garden Oaks Apartments Tagged With: Happy Mother's Day, Mother's Day, Mother's Day Wishes

Aurora Picture Show: The Place For Independent Cinema

May 6, 2013 by greystar

If you want to see what new and classic cinema artists are up to, come to the Aurora Picture Show. Located near the campus of Rice University, the Aurora is known throughout the area as the place to go to see innovative films. And screenings are usually only shown once! Check the calendar for neat events like the Al Fresco showings, where films are shown under the stars, and the annual Media Archeology Festival. Make sure that you check the calendar online for all the events and showings. Kids can come to the Aurora in the summer to learn about filmmaking at the annual summer camps for youth. While most showings are in the Rice/Kirby area, the Aurora also hosts screenings throughout the area.

Aurora Picture Show
2442 Bartlett Street
Houston, TX 77098
(713) 868-2101
http://www.yelp.com/biz/aurora-picture-show-houston

By Directed by Stanley Kubrick, distributed by Columbia Pictures [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: Aurora Picture Show, Cinemas, Things to Do in Houston

5 Great Tech Gadgets For The Techies In Your Life

May 2, 2013 by greystar

If you have a techie in your life that always loves the latest and greatest tech gadgets that hit the market, we've got some great ideas for you! Check out the list below of the awesome new items that are now available for the tech-lover in your life.

Jawbone BIG JAMBOX
This popular boombox works using Bluetooth to stream your favorite music. There's an input jack and a microphone, too, making the BIG JAMBOX both portable and versatile.

Nintendo 3DS XL
Heir to the Gameboy, Nintendo's 3DS is a portable video game system with a twist: 3-D. The extra dimension's used in pretty innovative ways in games featuring classic Nintendo characters like Mario, Link, and more.

iPad Mini
Dubbed by some "the real iPad," the iPad mini's got a smaller form factor than the full size device. That mean's it's even more portable than the original, and yet it still runs all of the same apps iPad owners have come to know and love.

Nest Thermostat
Designed by a group of former Apple employees, the Nest thermostat brings the design Apple fans know to the home. Billed as a "learning thermostat," it's far more flexible and adaptable than traditional thermostats, and can even be controlled using your iPhone.

Click and Grow Smart Flowerpot
This self-watering pot helps you tend to flowers at home, using sensors and software to ensure just the right environment.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: Gadgets, Gifts, New Technology, Technology

What to Eat at Minute Maid Park

April 29, 2013 by greystar

Seeing a game of baseball at Minute Maid Park is a whole different experience than watching the Astros play on TV. One of the best parts of going to the park is getting to try all the different food. If you get hungry while watching the game, Minute Maid Park has a lot to choose from. Taste gourmet American classics at Little Bigs with homemade burgers and pork sliders. Delicious Tex-Mex favorites are being served at El Real. Astros Sizzling Grille and Dining Car Grille are serving favorites like hot dogs, burgers, and chili cheese fries. If you're looking for a healthy meal head over to Green Fork for a salad. Of course ice cream stands, cotton candy stands, and beverage stands are located throughout the park as well.

Minute Maid Park
501 Crawford
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 259-8000
http://www.yelp.com/biz/minute-maid-park-houston

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: Baseball, Houston Astros, Minute Maid Park, Minute Maid Park Dining, Restaurants

Industrial-Style Storage Solutions For Under $100

April 26, 2013 by greystar

Industrial-style steel storage options are not only sleek, but they are also super efficient. They can also add an eclectic element to your apartment's decor, especially if the rest of your decor's lighter and less edgy. And you don't have to spend a ton of money to find high quality pieces, as this article from Apartment Therapy shows. Here are some items they've discovered that cost less than $100:

Ladder Storage Baskets $59.00

Steel Work Bench $54.95

3-Drawer Tool Chest $58.00

Want to see some other options? Click here to read more.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: Apartment Decoration, Industrial, Storage, Style, Urban

Unique Food Trucks Around the Country

April 23, 2013 by greystar

Food trucks have gone from pure convenience to a gourmet experience over the last few years. From New York to Washington these popular meals on wheels have been popping up to provide diners a truly unique experience. If you're ever in the area make sure you stop by these top spots.

Streetza Pizza, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Serving up gourmet pizza by the slice. From regular cheese pizza and pepperoni to specialty slices like pizza topped with spam and chili there is always something new to try.

East Side King, Austin, Texas
Truly gourmet food delivered right to you like beef tongue, pork belly, chicken skin, Pho buns. Foodies will delight in this unique menu.

Where Ya At Matt, Seattle, Washington
Bringing a taste of New Orleans to Seattle. True home cooking of grits, corn bread, gumbo, and Po boys. When you need a taste of the South this is the place to go.

Kogi, Los Angeles, California
Korean BBQ to go. The menu is full of short rib stuffed burritos, calamari tacos, and Kogi Kimchi Quesadilla all for a great price.

Sugar Philly, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
When you want to indulge in a sweet treat this truck is here to help. Stop in for fresh baked macarons, cheesecake, and creme brulee.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: Food Trucks, Restaurants, Things to Do, Travel