12 Nosy Questions for Brian McCarthy

October 6, 2015October 20, 2017Teresa Byrne-Dodge

New York interior designer Brian McCarthy arrives in Houston on Thursday, October 8, for a series of Texas appearances to celebrate the publication of his new book Parish-Hadley Tree of Life. Among his stops: The Lobby at Greenwood King, where he will discuss time spent with the legendary design firm and...

Focus on the High End

October 5, 2015October 20, 2017Cameron Ansari

Photos by TK Images © In past editions of River Oaks Market Report we have described how the high end of the River Oaks real estate market is the most unpredictable because it is the least driven by the economic factors that affect the majority of buyers and sellers. At the high end,...

Gardening with Dogs

October 5, 2015October 20, 2017Teresa Byrne-Dodge

Several years ago, after closing on our new house, I looked at my garden and decided it needed a dog. Not a tidy little dog – we already had a perfectly fine miniature schnauzer, not to mention two cats – but a nice big lummox of a dog: a German shepherd....

Et tu, Houston?

October 5, 2015October 20, 2017Teresa Byrne-Dodge

For anyone who loves a great Caesar salad, Houston’s annual Caesar Salad Competition is a must-see — or, make that, a must-taste. This Friday, October 9, marks the 31st annual staging of this madcap toss-up, which, so far as I can ascertain, is the oldest Caesar salad competition in the United...

The River Oaks Market Report: 2015 Mid-Year Report

August 31, 2015October 20, 2017Cameron Ansari

The 2015 mid-year edition of the River Oaks Market Report, published by Cameron Ansari and Teresa Byrne-Dodge, has just been released.

Living with a Pond

August 31, 2015October 20, 2017Teresa Byrne-Dodge

When we moved in, the goldfish pond was a wreck with about 10 inches of fetid water, mucky with decayed leaves – and who knows what else? – brewing in the bottom. It didn’t bubble like some antediluvian swamp, but it was almost that bad. The wiring for the pump was...

Where the Magic Happens: The Roca Brothers

August 26, 2015October 20, 2017Teresa Byrne-Dodge

If you’re a Houston foodie, you are no doubt aware that Spain’s three Roca brothers (photo below), whose restaurant El Celler de Can Roca in Girona, Spain, is widely regarded as the best restaurant in the world, are back in Houston. They have spent the last three days (August 24-26) participating...

Neighborhood Negotiator: Gary Mangold

August 26, 2015October 20, 2017Teresa Byrne-Dodge

Gary Mangold (photo below) is a familiar presence in River Oaks, where he has been the general manager for 32 years. He’s not the mayor or the police chief, the park superintendent or official historian, but he’s kind of all those in a single package. “River Oaks Property Owners – or...

Canine Corral

June 24, 2015October 20, 2017Teresa Byrne-Dodge

Many dog trainers advocate using crates as a training tool. And many dogs grow to love their crates as a safe place to sleep or just get away from boisterous children and over-friendly guests. Ever notice how your dog likes to curl up under a table against a wall or in...

Styling Your Street Address

April 30, 2015October 20, 2017Teresa Byrne-Dodge

Every home should be well marked with its street address. It lets the fire and police departments quickly find your house in case of emergency – not to mention help your daughter’s prom date find the right front door.