Dean’s Downtown is the type of throwback cocktail lounge where you would imagine meeting an old friend to meet you for an after-dinner nightcap. With plush, velvet upholstered sofas, a rustic wooden bar, and antique chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, Dean’s has a vintage look that makes it truly stylish and comfortable. The bar’s signature items are craft beers, handcrafted, old-fashioned cocktails, and a few specialty drinks made with unique ingredients. There’s even an entire menu dedicated to different takes on the Old Fashioned.

Don’t worry if you don’t have weekend plans, because Dean’s always has something going on, from the songwriter series showcasing Houston’s endless musical talent to weeknight happy hours and talks from creative locals. Get out and enjoy the town with a visit to Dean’s Downtown.

Dean’s Downtown is open 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. daily. Check the online calendar for upcoming events.

Dean’s Downtown
316 Main Street
Houston, TX 77002
(281) 624-5541
www.deansdowntown.com
www.yelp.com/biz/deans-downtown-houston

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/star5112

It may seem strange, but sharpening your kitchen knives is actually one of the best ways to avoid cutting yourself while cooking. A sharp knife means an easier cut with less effort from you, which gives you more control and requires less force. Here are a few tips for sharpening kitchen knives at home.

1. Place a whetstone, or a rough-surfaced stone made for sharpening knives, on top of a cutting board to offer more stability.
2. Holding your knife by the handle, place it on a very slight angle against the whetstone (blade facing away, of course).
3. With moderate pressure, glide the knife forward across the whetstone 10 times. Flip it over and repeat on the other side.
4. The whetstone has two different types of grit, so flip the whole thing over to the finer side. Repeat the last step to smooth the knife's rough edges.
5. Finally, hone the blade with a sharpening steel. Place the long, steel rod point-down onto the cutting board, just as you would a nail. Touch the part of the knife closest to the handle against the steel, then pull the blade toward you and slightly downward with a bit of pressure. Repeat this 10 times on each side of the knife, and again any time the knife needs a touch-up.

How to Sharpen a Knife [About Food]
Knife Skills: How to Sharpen a Knife [Serious Eats]
How to Properly Sharpen a Kitchen Knife [Le Cordon Bleu]

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/honorphotobar

If you’re looking for a meal that offers a little something different, stop in at Southmore Asian Restaurant, considered by some Pasadena diners to be one of the town’s hidden treasures. From the outside, it may not look like much, as it's lodged in a strip mall and has slightly dated signange. However, the food here is the real draw.

The menu covers an array of Chinese food dishes, with some recommended offerings including the Kung Pao chicken and the chicken with garlic sauce. They also serve tasty Vietnamese food, including pho, the iconic noodle soup dish that’s hearty and filling. To refresh your taste buds, get an order of tapioca bubble tea in one of the many flavors they offer. Prices are incredibly reasonable, with a wide list of lunch specials coming in at just $5.95 apiece.

Visit Southmore's Facebook page to learn more about this Pasadena restaurant!

Southmore Asian Restaurant
2222 Southmore Avenue
Pasadena, TX 77502
(832) 623-6491
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Southmore-Asian-Fast-Food/405048569570534
http://www.yelp.com/biz/southmore-asian-restaurant-pasadena

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/Quinn Dombrowski