Once you bite into your meal at Hubbell & Hudson Kitchen, you'll likely understand what all the buzz is about. Food critics have said that Chef Austin Simmons is in the "upper echelon" of Texas chefs, and customers say that a meal here is simultaneously elegant and relaxed.

The kitchen specializes in dishes that combine unique, modern preparations with familiar flavors and foods reminiscent of the meals that Mom and Grandma used to make. Try, for example, the apricot-glazed turkey meatloaf, served with caramelized onions, spinach, and button mushrooms, and add a side of parmesan and white cheddar mac and cheese topped with a dash of Tabasco. There's also a fun build-your-own menu option where you choose your base meat, add a spice rub, a dipping sauce, and a side dish. Flatbread pizzas, burgers, and a soup and salad bar round out the offerings at this popular eatery.

Hubbell & Hudson Kitchen
4526 Research Forest Drive
The Woodlands, TX 77381
(281) 203-5650
www.facebook.com/hubbellhudsonkitchen
www.yelp.com/biz/hubbell-and-hudson-kitchen-the-woodlands

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/Stu Spivack

Mocktails are delicious and refreshing when relaxing by the pool, enjoying an alfresco lunch, or just winding down after work. Here are three great mocktail recipes for you to try this summer.

Non-Alcoholic Sangria [thekitchn.com]
Jazz up a Spanish-style lunch with a classic sangria made sans wine. This fresh, fruity beverage uses pomegranates and oranges to give it a tart flavor, while cinnamon sticks and black tea gives it the rich, complex taste that red wine sangria normally has.

Peach Cooler [eatingwell.com]
Just like a traditional wine cooler, this peach cooler mocktail is light, refreshing, and just a bit bubbly. Sparkling grape juice gives it a bit of carbonation, while peach juice and sliced peaches have a hint of sweetness that’s perfect for the summertime.

Coconut, Cucumber, Lime and Mint Cooler [townandcountrymag.com]
Have you ever heard of a more refreshing combination of flavors than coconut, cucumber, lime, and mint? This mocktail will quickly become your signature drink all summer long after you taste its hydrating blend of herbs and tropical fruit. Its coconut water base might even make your skin glow!

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr *Bárbara* Cannnela

While Express Hot Yoga offers a few traditional 90-minute bikram-style yoga workouts, this studio stays true to its name by specializing in condensed, 50-minute classes. Regulars at this The Woodlands business say the studio itself is airy, clean, and beautifully maintained, which allows you to focus entirely on the poses—and be aware that you'll need to focus in order to get through a full 26-pose workout in just 50 minutes!

If you've never done hot yoga before, you'll likely find that the 50-minute classes are a great introduction to the bikram method. The studio recommends you arrive prepared to sweat, with a hand towel and plenty of water to drink.

Express Hot Yoga
1201 Lake Woodlands Drive
The Woodlands, TX 77380
(281) 363-2989
www.bytw.com
www.yelp.com/biz/express-hot-yoga-the-woodlands

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/boreritos