SPRING / SUMMER 2017
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EDITORIAL DIRECTORS KAREN PENNER, MURRY PENNER EDITOR RITA GUARNA ART DIRECTOR STEPHEN M. VITARBO ART ASSISTANT YVONNE MARKI ASSOCIATE EDITOR DARIUS AMOS CONTRIBUTING EDITORS EVERETT POTTER, MARISA SANDORA, JOSH SENS CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER CODY BESS PUBLISHING STAFF PUBLISHER SHAE MARCUS ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER AMY B. WEISS NATIONAL BRAND MANAGER MONICA DELLI SANTI DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION AND CIRCULATION CHRISTINE HAMEL ADVERTISING SERVICES MANAGER JACQUELYNN FISCHER SENIOR ART DIRECTOR, AGENCY SERVICES KIJOO KIM PRODUCTION/ART ASSISTANT ALANNA GIANNANTONIO ACCOUNTING AGNES ALVES, MEGAN FRANK PUBLISHED BY CHAIRMAN CARROLL V. DOWDEN PRESIDENT & CEO MARK DOWDEN SENIOR VICE PRESIDENTS SHAE MARCUS, CARL OLSEN VICE PRESIDENTS NIGEL EDELSHAIN, RITA GUARNA, CHRISTINE HAMEL
features
MUSICIANS IN A GOLDEN AGE
SIPPING IN STORIED CITIES
WHY BOTHER?
MEET OUR STYLE PROS
FASHION, FLOWERS AND A RED MCLAREN
MURRY’S MUSINGS:
S/S 2017
everyday SUPERCAR IF THE SUIT FITS ‘LINKED IN’ IN IRELAND BARHOPPING EUROPE:
SONIC BOOM:
contents
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DIRECTORY OF
Eagle Steak House • Eleventy • Ermenegildo Zegna • Eton • Etro mens • Faber-Castell • Fabiana Filippi • Hotel Granduca • Isaia • Luciano Barbera • McLaren Houston • Peserico • Samuelsohn • Tenenbaum & Co • Uptown Park
• AG • Boulevard Realty • Brax • California Closets • Culturata • Del Frisco's Double
ROBERT DE NIRO and MCCAUL LOMBARDI, LA, 10:30am
Il Giardino
Casual al Fresco dining Tasty light fare Italian craft beers
Uptown Park | Houston granducahouston.com
Afternoon Tea
Classic English tea service with a touch of Italian flair
Summertime Staycations
Relax…rewind…reconnect
you, our reader, to become part of the magazine. You’ll get lost in the powerful “British Invasion” video that allows you to virtually test-drive the new McLaren 570GT, and I urge you not to miss Wainscot Media President and CEO Mark Dowden’s piece entitled “Sonic Boom,” offering a look at four of today’s top young singer-songwriters during this Golden Age of original music. After you’re done reading, you’ll have the chance to hear the music in videos featuring artists Ben Harper, Neko Case, Aaron Lee Tasjan and Flo Morrissey. A special thank you goes out to our remarkable advertisers who trusted us to bring you something very special with us in this first edition of M PENNER Digital. They are the early adopters who, like us, believe you deserve something innovative in the world of products, and this is an exciting new way of bringing them to you. We hope you enjoy their ads and learn just how extraordinary these companies are. From all of us at M PENNER, thank you for your continued support. We hope to see you soon!
We are thrilled to present the inaugural edition of M PENNER Digital, an online version (and the only version) of our Spring ’17 magazine. We’ve made this bold move away from print because we wanted to show you something new and exciting in the world of style. M PENNER Digital is a fresh and creative way to present our products and services, and it complements our goal of exciting you when you come to the store for the latest in men’s and women’s clothing. We had a blast at our fashion shoot at David Brown’s flower shop on Alabama. Photographer Cody Bess nailed it by highlighting some of our favorite spring picks amidst the colorful symphony of David’s exquisite flowers. Though we couldn’t capture and share the intoxicating fragrance that surrounded us, we did record a little video footage to give you a behind-the-scenes peek at how our photo sessions take place. You’ll see our models in action and, through digital imagery, we hope you’ll get a better sense of the specialness of our clothes. Special thanks to Tanenbaum Jewelry and McLaren for providing great props! We love the way this new technology allows
Welcome to m penner Digital
Karen Penner and the M PENNER Team
This is where we separate the menu from the boys.
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into consideration the culture and lifestyle of our customers. What’s the best jacket for a summer evening cocktail party in Houston? What would you like to have for your summer travels to Aspen or Paris or Lake Como? What’s the perfect shoe that will take you from your office to the theater? Going to the Kentucky Derby this year? We’ve got you covered! White-tie gala? No problem. And that’s just the beginning. Our style experts guide you through your selection and are masters of their craft. They’re infinitely knowledgeable about fashion trends, fabrics and construction, and they will guide you on appropriate clothing decisions for your work and leisure lifestyles. Whether you prefer made-to-measure or off-the-rack, you will receive excellent service in everything from selecting a single shirt to a complete wardrobe. And then there’s our on-site tailor shop. If you invest in quality clothing, you darn well shouldn’t skimp on the tailoring, and our head tailor, Javier Aceves, and his team won’t let you take your clothing home until it fits to perfection. We are true believers that we sew our reputation into every garment we sell. And if you pop a button or split a seam, just stop in and we’ll repair your garment with pleasure. So, why bother? Because you want the best, appreciate excellent quality, value and service. It’s worth the trip.
Let’s face it. Retail is changing. With the click of a mouse, you can order many things (clothes included) online and have them delivered effortlessly to your doorstep. You can buy a shirt, a suit, a pair of jeans; you can even have a box shipped to you every month with the same pre-selected items everyone else gets. Our fast-paced, instant-gratification world is unquestionably changing the face of how we choose and consume goods. So, why bother going to a store anymore? If you’re not picky about style, fashion and outstanding quality, and if pristine fit is not important, internet shopping might be a good enough option for you. But good enough isn’t good enough for us, and that’s not what happens in a specialty store like M PENNER. Each season, I attend fashion shows and visit showrooms in the U.S. and in Europe to see the direction of fashion and decide how I’m going to interpret it for M PENNER. I preview hundreds of collections and scour thousands of swatches from the best mills in the world to bring my customers, truly, the cream of the crop in every category of merchandise we offer. Is the fabric light enough for our climate? Is the weave the right gauge? Is the hand luxurious? By the end of a buying trip, the tips of my fingers are actually raw from handling and analyzing so much fabric. We never cut corners when it comes to searching for the best of the best, and we always take
S W E D I S H S H I R T M A K E R
S I N C E 1 9 2 8
NOT PICTURED: ELISABETH WEBB AND HELAINE BROCHSTEIN
CODY SEVER
WHITNEY WIGGINS
BUTCH LAYNE
CHRIS PATTON
STEPHEN SKODA
BELINDA HILLHOUSE
OUR STYLE EXPERTS
LUCIANOBARBERA.COM
EDWARD ACHOUR bell sleeved daisy top $715 AG JEANS black jean $178 LORENZA GANDAGLIA multi-colored crocheted raffia handbag $850 ASHLEY PITTMAN assorted brass & bone bangles $595 McLaren provided by MCLAREN HOUSTON ETON polka dot cotton shirt $305 ISAIA white jeans $425 SANTONI white sneakers $565 MOORE & GILES waxed cotton & leather messenger bag $450 UNO DE 50 bullet bracelet TENENBAUM JEWELERS watch
Photography by Cody Bess With special thanks to McLaren Houston and Tenenbaum Jewelers
fashion flowers and a red mclaren
Smashing looks for spring photographed on location at David Brown flowers
FABIANA FILIPPI paillette- woven knit top $865, poncho $775 L’AGENCE white jean $225 ASSORTED NECKLACES from FIG TREE and ROBINDIRA UNSWORTH $100–$325 UNO DE 50 Swarovski Elements bracelet $459 and pearl ring $125 FABIANA FILIPPI leather handbag $895 LUCIANO BARBERA wool/silk/linen jacket $1995 KITON blue, brown, white cotton shirt $895 ELEVENTY pindot knitted tie $115 and pocket square $95 ISAIA jean $425
MILLY knit dress $350 LORENZA GANDAGLIA woven beauty handbag $695 ASHLEY PITTMAN brass necklace $695, bracelet $495, earring $395
ISAIA wool/cashmere/ silk/linen jacket $3795 ETON cotton gingham shirt $245 ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA wool pant $495 GEOFF NICHOLSON flower print pocket square $60 BILL LAVIN belt $140
ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA wool suit $2995 ETON cotton dress shirt $265 GEOFF NICHOLSON microprint silk necktie $135 KITON printed linen pocket square $215 WATCH from TENENBAUM JEWELERS
PESERICO polka dot dress $495 JEWELRY from TENENBAUM JEWELERS
ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA wool jacket $2395, dress shirt $370 ELEVENTY knit necktie $115 ETRO printed silk pocket square $125 TED BAKER bow detail dress $279 RING from TENENBAUM JEWELERS
ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA wool/silk 10-pocket blazer $2795, white jean $345 ISAIA cotton-linen striped shirt $495 KITON woven tie $295, silk pocket square $215 ANDERSON’S woven belt $235
PESERICO jacket $695, seersucker stripe pant $395 UNO DE 50 pearl necklace $145, hoop earring $89, pearl ring $125 METALLI 925 sterling silver cuff $695
EDWARD ACHOUR lace top $610, flare pant $715 JEWELRY from TENENBAUM JEWELERS
ISAIA wool/silk/linen windowpane jacket $2995 LUCIANO BARBERA cotton sportshirt $360 ISAIA jean $425 MASSIMO ALBA cotton voile pocket square $55
ELEVENTY wool/cotton/ silk jacket $1295 ETRO cotton print shirt $398 BRAX pima cotton stretch pant $188 PENROSE cotton print pocket square $98 W. KLEINBERG leather belt $195
TED BAKER flower print dress $279 BAIRD & BAIRD turquoise crocodile handbag $2195 METALLI 925 lapis lazuli ring $475 UNO DE 50 pearl ring $125
KITON wool/silk/linen jacket $7095, striped cotton shirt $595, pocket square $215 PTO1 stretch twill pant $385 ANDERSON’S multi-color woven belt $195
ELEVENTY linen dress $375 DIANE COTTON crystal and leather necklace $375 ASHLEY PITTMAN horn & turquoise bracelet $695 MASSIMO PALOMBA leather tote $650
TED BAKER flower and jewel print dress $279 DIANE COTTON faux pearl necklace $475 BRACELETS & RING from TENENBAUM JEWELERS
LUCIANO BARBERA wool/silk/linen jacket $1995 CULTURATA linen flower print short sleeve shirt $248 BRAX 5-pocket cotton pant $188 KITON linen pocket square $215 WATCH from TENENBAUM JEWELERS
ETRO linen shirt $285 PT05 jean $365 ASSORTED BRACELETS from TATEOSSIAN and ELEVENTY $195-$450 MAUI JIM gold rimmed sunglasses $300 D EXTERIOR scarf print dress $295 UNO DE 50 heart necklace $275, leather-wrap bracelet $185 FABIANA FILIPPI woven hat $325 LORENZA GANDAGLIA fishbone handbag $895
D EXTERIOR scarf print dress $295 UNO DE 50 heart necklace $275, leather-wrap bracelet $185 FABIANA FILIPPI woven hat $325
“At California Closets, we believe exceptional design transforms people’s lives. We see home as more than a place—it is a source of comfort and refuge.” Visit our newest showroom in the Woodlands.
www.californiaclosets.com/locations/houston
The rear spoiler sports a higher lip (10 mm over the standard-issue 570S) that provides added downforce and stability.
The uncluttered interior features a “floating” center console with a 7-inch vertical touch screen plus heated memory seats and sumptuous leather trim.
The GT cast alloy wheels are fitted with Pirelli P-Zero tires, which minimize unwanted road noise with noise-canceling foam technology.
The 570GT comes with dihedral doors to make getting in and out easier. The doors gently latch when closing, thanks to the soft-close mechanism.
MCLAREN’S NEW 570GT features a 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, lightweight carbon fiber chassis and aluminum body, allowing an impressive power-to-weight ratio that lets you go from zero to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds. But compared with the 570S, it’s more refined and practical, with a softened suspension, more headroom and more luggage space.
british invasion
AUTOMOTIVE
What do you get when you cross a sports car with a vehicle built for everyday comfort and driveability? The McLaren 570GT, a high-performance yet refined ride.
OVERALL FIT
There’s a reason an off-the-rack suit may not feel right when you try it on—it’s not made specifically for you. A Made-to-Measure suit, however, is constructed according to your body measurements. How should it fit? Jackets should have smooth lines that follow the contours of your body with sleeves ending at the wrist bone. The top button of a two-button suit, or the middle button of a three, should hit at the navel and never below. If a buttoned jacket creates X-shaped rippling, it’s too tight. There’s a lot to consider when finding the right garment, but not to worry—just allow our tailors to take your measurements, and we’ll handle the rest.
LAPEL STYLE
Evening fundraiser? Wedding? Office? Wherever you’re going, there’s a lapel for that. The classic day-to-day look of a notch lapel is perfect for single-breasted suits and sportcoats. Often found on double-breasted suits, peak lapels can be identified by their edges, which point upward toward the shoulders, and are equally suited if you’re headed to work or a black-tie affair. The rounded-edge shawl lapel is commonly found on dinner and tuxedo jackets and worn at formal settings such as weddings, galas and black-tie events.
FABRIC SELECTION
Choose materials and patterns that suit you (and the season) best. For Houston’s warm spring and summer temperatures, choose more breathable fabrics like cotton and linen. If cold temperatures are in your future, garments made of wool and cashmere will keep you warm. And don’t forget to show your personality—colors and patterns, plaids and pinstripes will make your suit pop.
PERSONAL DETAILS
There’s an endless number of ways to give your suit a personal touch. Experiment with a variety of cuffs, stitching, lining and vents to satisfy your tastes and add style. Buttons are small but can play a large role in your suit’s overall appearance—change the type and color of your buttons from basic to an exotic material like horn or bone to enhance your look.
TROUSER CHOICES
A lot of detail goes into the suit jacket, but don’t forget your lower half! You have plenty of trouser options from which to choose—pleats or flat-front, with or without belt loops. But what shouldn’t change is the fit: Trousers should sit at the top of your hipbones, slim downward and then taper below the knee. Your seat and thighs should be hugged comfortably by fabric and show no wrinkles or divots. The bottom hem should graze the top of your shoes.
SURE, you look sensational in the suits you’ve purchased at M PENNER. We carry the finest labels in the world and our tailors are the best in the business. But there may come a time when you want to treat yourself to a one-of-a-kind suit made just for you. That’s when we’ll introduce you to the world of Made-to-Measure.
if the suit fits
MADE-T0-MEASURE
Want to take your wardrobe to the next level? Try Made-to-Measure on for size.
Luxury writing instruments created with meticulous craftsmanship and carefully chosen materials. Eye-catching designs and stylish accessories for pen enthusiasts and statement makers alike.
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Where European elegance meets sophisticated Texas style. More than 35 fabulous places to shop, dine, rejuvenate, sip, crave and enjoy—with easy parking in the middle of the urban Uptown District.
A focal point of the coastal panoramic, a 17th century lighthouse is visible from each green and tee box of Old Head Golf Links; The late John O’Connor, along with his brother Patrick, designed the award-winning golf course at Old Head.
THE SPORTING LIFE
By Josh Sens
Located at the bottom of the Emerald Isle, Old Head will soar to the top of your favorite golf locales.
linked in in ireland
Too much slice or hook off the tee might send your shot into the sea—talk about a water hazard!
With its variety of restaurants, bars, cafes and pubs, the nearby town of Kinsale is considered the food capital of Ireland.
Head’s farthest incursion into the sea. From the day it opened, in 1997, the links inspired a kind of wide-eyed wonder. Even seasoned travelers were stunned by the surroundings, which prompted Links magazine to hail the layout as “the most spectacular” golf course in the world. “Are there courses with better bunkering? More artistry in their architecture? Greater prestige on the global stage? Sure,” says Joe Passov, chief architecture critic for Golf magazine. “But for the sheer sense of thrill, even an element of danger, there was and is nothing like Old Head. It’s a golf course setting more awe-inducing than any you’ll see.” In keeping with its priceless vistas, a round at Old Head does not come cheap. The pair of Irishmen behind the project, Patrick O’Connor and his late brother, John, dreamed up the
TO PLAY THE MOST jaw-dropping golf course on the planet, you don’t have to travel to the end of the earth. It only looks that way. Sleepy two-lane roads wind through the unspoiled countryside of County Cork, Ireland, spilling south toward the coast, where the Emerald Isle gives way to the Celtic Sea. Here, a diamond-shaped promontory known as Old Head of Kinsale rises from the water, its shale and sandstone bluffs towering some 200 feet above the waves. Across its wind-blown crown stretch the firm green fingers of a layout so arresting, its beauty verges on surreal. Nine of the 18 holes at Old Head Golf Links cut hard along the cliffs. All 18 holes provide a coastal panoramic. Also looming into view from every green and tee box is a 17th century lighthouse, perched on a jagged point, Old
With artistry and architecture surrounding every green at Old Head Golf Links, it’s no wonder why travelers consider the course one of the most spectacular in the world.
Power up before your round with a traditional Irish breakfast, including bacon, sausage, eggs, potatoes and more hearty treats.
not to wander for obvious reasons; the next step could be a doozie. Better to wait until the visibility clears. Not that staying put at Old Head is much of a hardship. The course is part of a luxury resort, with a spa, 15 well-appointed cliff-side suites, and a clubhouse bar and restaurant overlooking the Atlantic. Nor is it the only local attraction. Nearby, sits the community of Kinsale, a historic fishing port-turned-tony resort town that is regarded by many as the culinary capital of Ireland, brimming with fine restaurants, wine bars, cafes and pubs. Every October, the town plays host to the Kinsale Food Festival, a three-day celebration of wining and dining marked by foodie walking tours and elaborate tasting menus. But enough about food. The stars of this golfers’ paradise will always be the scenic course and fabled layout of Kinsale.
course as a high-end getaway for golf-loving globetrotters. Accordingly, green fees top out at 260 pounds, or roughly $325, during peak season. The majority of guests come from overseas, happy to pay prime rates for a chance to cross the course off their bucket list. As a return on their investment, golfers are a treated to a layout with the improbable features of an Escher painting. Several tee shots and approaches encourage heroics, with long, forced carries over sheer cliffs and chasms. At Old Head, hazards take on a new meaning. Consider what awaits you on the second hole, a 402-yard par-four whose unforgiving fairway elbows sharply along a bluff. Take a few steps from the tee box, and you’re peering at a dizzying 200-foot drop. When the fog blows in at Old Head, golfers are warned
JERRY THOMAS SPEAKEASY, ROME
PRINZIPAL KREUZBERG, BERLIN
HARRY’S NEW YORK BAR, PARIS
DRY MARTINI AND SPEAKEASY, BARCELONA
THE CONNAUGHT BAR, LONDON
SPIRITS
BARHOPPING EUROPE
If you only have time for one drink in each of these storied cities, let it be here!
By Everett Potter
BACK TO SPIRITS OPENING PAGE
I’ve been haunting European watering holes for decades, but I don’t think I’ve ever sat in a more spectacular drinking establishment than the Connaught Bar. It’s located in the five-star Connaught Hotel, London’s most sublime cocoon of luxury. In 2008, designer David Collins oversaw the construction of this dramatic new bar, an Art Deco temple to all cocktails and a nod to the hotel’s heyday. Collins was essentially given carte blanche to go over the top, and he did just that, inspired by English and Irish Cubist art of the 1920s. The result is a palace with textured walls of platinum silver leaf, mirrors galore, low lighting and leather banquettes, and it feels like a set with you at center stage, a throwback to the glorious, dandified 1920s. You might go with a drink like Vieux Connaught, made with Ron Zacapa 23 rum, Bulleit Rye, a blend of dry vermouths, Bénédictine, saffron smoke, and Angostura and orange bitters. Or go gaga over the limited edition champagnes, spirits and liqueurs. You can even speak with Agostino Perrone, director of mixology, if you want something over the top. But the classic reason to settle in here—apart from a celebrity sighting—is to order a drink from their legendary Martini Trolley. It’s martini as sacrament, painstakingly prepared tableside, using made-in-house bitters and vermouths. These martinis are always stirred, never shaken. Little wonder then that the Connaught Bar took home the “World’s Best Bar” award at 2016’s Tales of the Cocktail festival.
The concept of Dry Martini and Speakeasy, which opened 30 years ago, might have been dreamt by a Spanish surrealist like Salvador Dali. It starts with a bar called Dry Martini. Now hidden in the backroom of this classic cocktail bar is a very small restaurant called Speakeasy. So the bar is in the open, and the restaurant is hidden. Got that? Speakeasy started as an informal restaurant for bar-goers who needed a little sustenance after a few martinis too many. A password was even needed to gain entry. It’s no longer password-protected, but it’s still charming and has a playful air of mystery, vaguely recalling New York and Chicago speakeasies during the Prohibition Era. But for my money, Dry Martini is the main attraction. It’s all about green leather, velvet drapes and brass fittings. There’s a wooden bar and wooden paneling, and it looks and feels like a classic English hotel bar from the 19th century. Dry Martini began life as a so-called “Martineria” serving only martinis. It serves other cocktails now, but you will do well to stick to the original, because you will rarely have a tastier one anywhere in the world. Waiters clad in white jackets make an absolutely perfect signature dry gin martini, presented on a silver tray, poured from a shaker right in front of you into a classic martini glass. These guys are masters of the martini art. Dry Martini has long been considered the best bar in Barcelona, and I like it because you rub shoulders with lots of locals here, not just wide-eyed visitors.
Generations of Americans have made a beeline to this venerable watering hole since it opened in 1911 as “The New York Bar.” Long a haunt of writers, artists and expats—Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald drank here—it’s still quite clubby. I can still recall the first time I saw the ad for Harry’s in the back pages of the International Herald Tribune, long before the Internet came along. It gave the bar’s name and in parentheses read “Sank Roo Doe Noo.” Code? Well, sort of. It’s a phonetic pronunciation of the bar’s address, 5 Rue Danou. The ad ran for years, and it was designed so that a newly arrived Yank in Paris, unfamiliar with the French language but eager to go to the storied Harry’s, could shout it at a taciturn Paris cab driver and get there in a hurry. The bar is a set director’s dream—dimly lit, with wooden walls lined with a century’s worth of memorabilia. In the 1940s, Harry’s was a favored haunt of British novelist Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond. In Casino Royale, in fact, Bond referred to Harry’s as the best place in Paris to get a “solid drink.” Solid drinks are still what to expect here, and the food is completely beside the point. Harry’s claims credit for inventing both the Bloody Mary and the Sidecar. In this dimly lit bar, the bartenders in white coats will look at you sideways if you ever utter the term “mixologist.” The best advice is to man up and go for one of the preferred tipples: a Manhattan or a dry martini.
You can call it time travel to the Weimar years, to a burlesque bar with tassle-clad women on trapeze swings. Prinzipal Kreuzberg is a self-proclaimed “Rabbit Hole” where Alice in Wonderland and Lord-knows-who-else might be found in anything-goes Berlin. On weekdays, it’s a decent and classy bar that offers cocktails and jazz. But on Saturday nights, it becomes something else—Cabaret with a side of David Bowie, with elaborately costumed and un-costumed participants who might keep you out until dawn. In this small, packed space, there’s a touch of Moulin Rouge Paris of the 1920s mixed with the Berlin portrayed by Joel Grey and Liza Minnelli. It’s all a bit raunchy, as the Weimar years were. Entrance is through an unmarked doorway on Oranienstrasse in Berlin’s Kreuzberg neighborhood. Think lots of crystal glassware, bowtie-wearing bartenders and mirrored walls. Waitresses in corsets and feather boas serve you drinks that use syrups, infusions and bitters that are all made in-house. They have bizarre concoctions like the Bloody Betty, made with vodka, Scotch, house-spiced tomato and white balsamic. They get even stranger, like the Eflatun Royale, with cognac, lavender, lemon and crémant. Of course, not everything may be what it seems. Berlin has long been the mistress of the tease. So while there are plenty of femme fatales disrobing on stage, other “ladies” may well be something else indeed. A Saturday night spent here is decadence writ large.
The Jerry Thomas Speakeasy, a hidden boîte in Rome, is sort of the anti-Rome, the last thing you’d expect to find in the city. The bar, which opened in 2010, is named after a legendary or possibly fictional 19th-century American bartender. That’s sort of beside the point. Getting inside is the challenge. In a 21st-century version of the old speakeasies, where entry was provided only to those who knew the password, the password for Jerry Thomas Speakeasy comes from a multiple choice question on the bar’s website. It always has something to do with some aspect of the cocktail, and it changes all the time. Recently the question was, “Which one is the most known drink by Trader Vic?” You could choose from Zombie, Mai Tai or Suffering Bastard, though most Americans of a certain age would know that the middle response was the correct answer. Armed with the password, you can now make a booking for the same evening. But where is this place? In Vicolo Cellini, an otherwise nondescript street near Chiesa Nuova. Inside it’s small, dimly lit, and jammed with about 40 people. It’s a bit of a squeeze, but I’ve always felt that the best bars are small spaces. If you can’t find a spot on one of the leather couches, you’ll be perched on a barstool, filling out the requisite membership card and paying in cash for the privilege of drinking with Roman hipsters with perfect stubble to the sounds of jazz. Plan on sticking to classics like Manhattans, Sazeracs and Old Fashioneds, because the entire place is an homage to the American cocktail.
4310 Westheimer Road, Houston 713.629.7444 www.tenenbaumjewelers.com
New inventory added daily!
Tenenbaum Jewelers is the place to discover unique, rare and collectible estate jewelry with styles ranging from contemporary to vintage to antique.
BEN HARPER
NEKO CASE
AARON LEE TASJAN
FLO MORRISSEY
SONIC BOOM
By Mark Dowden
Despite what some trolls say, we’re living in a Golden Age of original music. Give a listen to these four performers, and you’ll agree.
MUSIC
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musicians to explore
ben harper
Growing up to be a singer-songwriter was a natural path for Ben Harper. His grandparents owned a store called The Folk Music Center and Museum, whose patrons included Leonard Cohen and Taj Mahal. At age 9, Harper heard Bob Marley perform live, and Marley has been an influence ever since. Harper’s work spans blues, folk, reggae, rock and soul, with lyrical themes ranging from protest music to love songs. In mood and sonic range, his latest album, in particular, is a rewarding roller-coaster ride. The album: Call It What It Is Go-to song: “Shine” Deeper dives: “Fool for a Lonesome Train” and “In the Colors” from Lifeline
neko case
While attending art school in Vancouver, Neko Case cut her musical teeth as a drummer for local punk bands. She recorded lead vocals for songs that ended up on The New Pornographers’ first album, which was meant as a side project for its musicians but catapulted the band to surprise indie success. In 1997, as a college junior, Case went country on her first solo album. On the solo efforts that followed, she has explored the haunting genre of “country noir” with songs that are often emotionally raw and always cinematic. The album: The Worse Things Get, The Harder I Fight, The Harder I Fight, The More I Love You Go-to song: “Night Still Comes” Deeper dives: “Ragtime” and “This Tornado Loves You”
Aaron Lee Tasjan
Ohio native Aaron Lee Tasjan writes gritty lyrics. The Smoky Mountain News put it this way: “Tasjan’s words are soaked in spilled whiskey, misunderstood tears and dusty memories. Each number seeps into the cracks of your troubled soul.” Roger that. In New York City, Tasjan found himself as lead guitarist of the New York Dolls and also formed his own band, The Madison Square Gardeners. But it was after moving to Nashville in 2013 that the heartachy lyrics started flowing like so much Tennessee whiskey, and his solo career blossomed. The album: Silver Tears Go-to song: “Memphis Rain” Deeper dives: “12 Bar Blues” and “Everything That I Have Is Broken”
Flo Morrissey
Newcomer Flo Morrissey, a 22-year-old Brit, was drawn to folk music from an early age. Her debut album features her original songs—earnest, pastoral works written from a teenage point of reference. Morrissey has said she gets along better with older people than kids her own age, and certainly her velvety voice sounds like that of a seasoned performer. Her latest effort, released this January, is an album of cover duets with Matthew E. White. These two have fantastic chemistry; the tracks bounce merrily along as the two performers trade verses. The album: Gentlewoman, Ruby Man Go-to song: “Look at What the Light Did Now” Deeper dive: A surprisingly hypnotic version of “Grease” (yes, that “Grease”)
As a local, family-owned business, we take a lot of pride in everything we do at M PENNER. We have the finest sales professionals that you will find anywhere, and our experienced tailoring staff works diligently to assure that your clothes fit to perfection. Service impacts every part of our business and our goal is to constantly exceed your expectations. Here are some of the things we do to take care of you. We love a challenge and welcome special requests, as well!
at your Service
A central part of the M PENNER experience is superlative service. When you need an expert to tell you what to wear to a specific event, advice on current trends, or offer individualized attention, you’ll get it—instantly and for as long as you want. Our knowledgeable staff is well versed in all of the brands we carry, the trends of the season and how to fit every body type. They stand ready to advise you on all matters of wardrobe and accessories.
EXPERTISE
Exceptional fit is essential to impeccable style. We’ve created a room dedicated to the made-to-measure experience where we’ll assist you in designing your own suits, sportcoats, shirts, sweaters, trousers, ties, and even jeans. We’ve been experts at made-to-measure for over 40 years and will assist you in measuring and selecting fabrics, styles, buttons, etc. from the finest companies in the world.
MADE-TO-MEASURE
We’re always available to come to your home or office when finding time to come to the store just won’t work for you or open the store before or after business hours to assist you with your shopping needs. Just call 713.527.8200 and tell us how we can take care of you.
HOME & OFFICE VISITS and SPECIAL APPOINTMENTS
With a full tailor shop on premise, headed by Javier Aceves, you can rest assured that no garment will leave the store until it fits to perfection. Alterations come, with no charge, on every new, regular-priced purchase. We also provide alterations and tailoring on garments from your existing wardrobe.
ALTERATIONS
In order to help you better integrate your new seasonal purchases with the old, we offer closet cleaning services. One of our professional sales associates will come to your home to inventory your closet and provide suggestions on what is out of style or worn and needs to be replaced and help you mix and match your new purchases with your existing wardrobe, adding longer life to older purchases and expanded options for your new items.
CLOSET CLEANING
Houston’s a big city, and parking is often a challenge. At M PENNER we provide plenty of free parking, right at the front door in Uptown Park, near the Galleria.
ABUNDANT PARKING & CONVENIENCE
If you need to have a purchase hand delivered within the Houston area, just let us know. We’re also happy to ship a package to your preferred destination.
PERSONAL DELIVERY
We’re here to make your life a little easier, remember? So, you pick the gift and we’ll take care of the wrapping on all non-sale purchases. Of course, all you have to do is ask and we’ll pick the gift out for you, too!
COMPLIMENTARY GIFT WRAP
COMPLIMENTARY GIFTWRAP
M PENNER gift cards are available in any denomination and can be purchased at the store or over the phone. Just give us the word and we’ll be happy to send them for you as well.
GIFT CARDS
SERVICE DIRECTORY
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