Contrary to popular belief, Mother’s Day was not conceived and fine-tuned in the boardroom of Hallmark. The earliest tributes to mothers date back to the annual spring festival the Greeks dedicated to Rhea, the mother of many deities, and to the offerings ancient Romans made to their Great Mother of Gods, Cybele. Christians celebrated this festival on the fourth Sunday in Lent in honor of Mary, mother of Christ. In England this holiday was expanded to include all mothers and was called Mothering Sunday.
In the United States, Mother’s Day started nearly 150 years ago, when Anna Jarvis, an Appalachian homemaker, organized a day to raise awareness of poor health conditions in her community, a cause she believed would be best advocated by mothers. She called it “Mother’s Work Day.”
Fifteen years later, Julia Ward Howe, a Boston poet, pacifist, suffragist, and author of the lyrics to the “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” organized a day encouraging mothers to rally for peace, since she believed they bore the loss of human life more harshly than anyone else.
In 1905 when Anna Jarvis died, her daughter, also named Anna, began a campaign to memorialize the life work of her mother. Legend has it that young Anna remembered a Sunday school lesson that her mother gave in which she said, “I hope and pray that someone, sometime, will found a memorial mother’s day. There are many days for men, but none for mothers.”
Anna began to lobby prominent businessmen like John Wannamaker, and politicians including Presidents Taft and Roosevelt to support her campaign to create a special day to honor mothers. At one of the first services organized to celebrate Anna’s mother in 1908, at her church in West Virginia, Anna handed out her mother’s favorite flower, the white carnation. Five years later, the House of Representatives adopted a resolution calling for officials of the federal government to wear white carnations on Mother’s Day. In 1914 Anna’s hard work paid off when Woodrow Wilson signed a bill recognizing Mother’s Day as a national holiday.
At first, people observed Mother’s Day by attending church, writing letters to their mothers, and eventually, by sending cards, presents, and flowers. With the increasing gift-giving activity associated with Mother’s Day, Anna Jarvis became enraged. She believed that the day’s sentiment was being sacrificed at the expense of greed and profit. In 1923 she filed a lawsuit to stop a Mother’s Day festival, and was even arrested for disturbing the peace at a convention selling carnations for a war mother’s group. Before her death in 1948, Jarvis is said to have confessed that she regretted ever starting the mother’s day tradition.
Despite Jarvis’s misgivings, Mother’s Day has flourished in the United States. In fact, the second Sunday of May has become the most popular day of the year to dine out, and telephone lines record their highest traffic, as sons and daughters everywhere take advantage of this day to honor and to express appreciation of their mothers.
April:
Houston Children’s Festival
Houston’s official family celebration is held annually in downtown Houston. Benefiting Child Advocates, Inc., the event offers a dazzling smorgasbord of exciting activities, including six entertainment stages, more than 350 games and 10 family adventure areas. (281) 363-0900. April 6-7, 2013
Japan Festival
This annual event in Hermann Park’s beautiful Japanese Garden draws more than 20,000 people. The Japan Festival celebrates the rich cultural heritage of Japan with two stages showcasing music, traditional and folk dance and martial arts, as well as demonstrations of Ikebana flower arrangement, tea ceremony, origami and bonsai. (
713) 963-0121. April 13-14, 2013
WorldFest: Houston International Film Festival
WorldFest brings a blend of feature films, shorts, screenplays, TV commercials, music videos and documentaries to viewers throughout the area. Founded in 1968, past winners include Steven Spielberg, Oliver Stone, George Lucas and David Lynch-all early in their careers. (713) 965-9955. April 12-21, 2013
San Jacinto Day Festival & Battle Reenactment
Texas families can celebrate the battle that won Texas’ independence during the annual San Jacinto Day Festival and Battle Reenactment, which features music performances, kids’ activities, games, and living history camps. April 20, 2013
Houston International Festival
More than one million people attend this annual multicultural celebration. Downtown will be filled with ethnic food booths, arts and crafts, kiosks, interesting exhibits and 1,800 various performers. (713) 654-8808. April 20-21 & 27-28, 2013
Texas Crawfish & Music Festival
The 27th Anniversary of the Texas Crawfish & Music Festival, the largest and most established crawfish festival in the South, returns for two weekends of family-friendly fun featuring live music on three stages, tons of bands, hundreds of vendors, carnival rides, interactive games and activities for kids of all ages, as well as 25 tons of the best Cajun Crawfish. (800) 653-8696. April 19-21; April 26-28, 2013
May:
Keels and Wheels Concours d’Elegance
One of the most anticipated annual events in the Clear Lake area. See hundreds of classic cars and antique wooden boats at this unique show. 713-521-0105. May 4-5.
Houston Dragon Boat Festival
The Texas Dragon Boat Association, in collaboration with Buffalo Bayou Partnership, presents its 11th Annual Houston Dragon Boat Festival. The festival will showcase 30 teams competing along the banks of Buffalo Bayou at Allen’s Landing, and will feature Asian cuisine, music, arts and crafts, and cultural performances for the whole family. (281) 381-7154 May 4, 2013
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Dragon Boat Festival
Art Car Parade
More than 250,000 spectators line downtown’s streets to view this parade, which showcases Houston’s most outlandish folk art creations on wheels. The Fruit Mobile, a 1967 Ford station wagon, started the craze in 1986. Truly a sight to see, the parade is produced by the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art. (713) 926-6368. May 11, 2013
Pasadena Strawberry Festival
A barbecue cook-off, a beauty pageant, arts and crafts, live entertainment, teen battle of the bands and the world’s largest strawberry shortcake are all part of the Pasadena Strawberry Festival. (281) 991-9500. May 17-19, 2013
Comicpalooza
Comicpalooza is a three-day sci-fi and fantasy extravaganza in Downtown Houston. Join celebrities such as Star Trek’s George Takei and Hercules’ Kevin Sorbo for this multi-platform event that brings together comics, fantasy, horror, steam punk, New Media, movies, film, gaming and of course sci-fi. May 24-26, 2013.
June:
Free Press Summer Fest
The Free Press Summer Fest is an annual two-day music festival held at Buffalo Bayou’s Eleanor Tinsley Park. The third annual event featured more than 160 national and local acts on eight stages with a weekend attendance of 60,000. This year’s installment will feature bands such as Snoop Dogg, Flaming Lips, Willie Nelson, Young the Giant, Primus and many more. The festival was started to emphasize local musical performers, visual arts, and artists. June 1-2, 2013
Juneteenth Summer Celebration
The Juneteenth Summer Celebration is the flagship event of the Texas Black Expo. This annual event celebrates African-American culture–showcasing business development seminars, entertainment, shopping and fun for the entire family. The Juneteenth Celebration attracts more than 20,000 attendees from across the country. (832) 200-0540. June 19, 2013
April Showers Bring May Flowers – Origins of the Rhyme
“April showers bring May flowers.” We’ve all heard this rhyme at some point, usually having been taught it at an early age by our parents or teachers. It’s a popular thing to say and hear around the springtime, but one thing you might not know is where the rhyme originated from. It can be traced back to the mid 1500s, although earlier use of “April showers bring May flowers” may have existed.
In 1557 a gentleman by the name of Thomas Tusser compiled a collection of writings he called A Hundred Good Points of Husbandry. In the April Husbandry section he wrote:
Sweet April showers
Do spring May flowers
As you can see, the rhyme was originally a short poem. There is meaning behind the words, as well. “April showers bring May flowers” is a reminder that even the most unpleasant of things, in this case the heavy rains of April, can bring about very enjoyable things indeed – in this case, an abundance of flowers in May. “April showers bring May flowers” is a lesson in patience, and one that remains valid to this day.
Many of life’s greatest things come only to those who wait, and by patiently and happily enduring the clouds and damp of April you can find yourself more easily able to take in the sights and smells of May. After all, it’s easier to love something if you begin with an optimistic outlook! Here’s some more in-depth information about the meaning of “April showers bring May flowers.”
April Showers Bring May Flowers – The Science Behind the Rhyme
“April showers bring May flowers” isn’t just a rhyme. It’s an example of the spring cycle of renewal that many parts of the Earth go through, and can be scientifically analyzed. There are actually several contributing factors to the appearance of flowers in May:
· Rain – The trademark of April showers bring May flowers, the rain is definitely at the forefront of positive stimuli bringing about floral displays in May. Increased levels of moisture in the soil help plants to grow faster and healthier. The water can also help nutrients reach the roots faster as well, which is another side of the coin as far as rain is concerned.
· Temperature – Another contributing factor to making “April showers bring May flowers” reality is the temperature. As the days grow warmer, plants find it easier to grow. They are genetically hard-wired to begin growth as the soil thaws and the frost becomes more distant. This combined with the rain is a perfect signal to the plant that it’s time to return to life (or begin life in the case of a seed or bulb).
· Wildlife – The springtime sees the return of many animals, birds and insects. The renewed ecosystem involving things eating and being eaten provides nourishment for new plants in the form of fecal matter and decaying organic compounds. The presence of insects also helps to pollinate the plants, which in turn allows them to reproduce. This combines well with the April showers to Bring may flowers we can all enjoy.
April Showers Bring May Flowers – Things to Help Pass the Time
If you’re having a hard time enduring April showers, bring May flowers into your home early by purchasing bouquets and arrangements from your florist. If you’re finding it difficult to wait for the growing season, this is a good way to secure a sneak peek of things to come. You can use the florist’s online shop to browse various pre-made arrangements or to get ideas for customized ones.
You can also make purchases and arrange for delivery this way, saving you from having to go out in the middle of a storm. It works well with gifts, as well, since you can send a taste of spring to friends and family without needing to leave your home (perfect if they need a reminder about how April showers bring May flowers as well).
You may wish to use this time to plan your garden for later months, or to do some basic maintenance on the nicer days. It’s good to get ahead of schedule, because then it lets you do some experimenting.
April Showers Bring May Flowers – Sources of Information
If you’re bummed out and waiting for the April showers to bring May flowers, why not spend some time researching various species of plant, landscaping techniques and general gardening advice? There are plenty of resources at your disposal, including your florist, the internet, and books at the local library. By studying this material you can come up with great ideas to work with after the April showers bring May flowers.
April Showers Bring May Flowers – Conclusion
As you can see, the benefits of waiting for the April showers to bring May flowers are great. May heralds the beginning of the warmer months and leads into summer, when the highest concentrations of plants can be found blooming about the world.
So next time you’re gloomy about the weather, keep in mind the classic rhyme, April showers bring May flowers.
Originally published by Ken Bolt.
Tulips at Hotel Granduca – Houston
What is Easter?:
Dating Easter:
Origins of Easter:
Easter, Judaism, and Passover:
Early Easter Celebrations:
Easter Celebrations in Eastern Orthodox & Protestant Churches:
Meaning of Easter in Modern Christianity:
There is a deep connection between Easter and baptism because during the time of early Christianity, the season of Lent was used by catechumens (those who wanted to become Christians) to prepare for their baptisms on Easter day – the only day of the year when baptisms for new Christians were performed. This is why the blessing of the baptismal font on Easter night is so important today.
Flower Power by David Brown
The History of Valentine’s Day
The origins of Valentine’s Day trace back to the ancient Roman celebration of Lupercalia. Held on February 15, Lupercalia honored the gods Lupercus and Faunus, as well as the legendary founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus.
In addition to a bountiful feast, Lupercalia festivities are purported to have included the pairing of young women and men. Men would draw women’s names from a box, and each couple would be paired until next year’s celebration.
While this pairing of couples set the tone for today’s holiday, it wasn’t called “Valentine’s Day” until a priest named Valentine came along. Valentine, a romantic at heart, disobeyed Emperor Claudius II’s decree that soldiers remain bachelors. Claudius handed down this decree believing that soldiers would be distracted and unable to concentrate on fighting if they were married or engaged. Valentine defied the emperor and secretly performed marriage ceremonies. As a result of his defiance, Valentine was put to death on February 14.
After Valentine’s death, he was named a saint. As Christianity spread through Rome, the priests moved Lupercalia from February 15 to February 14 and renamed it St. Valentine’s Day to honor Saint Valentine.
What’s Cupid Got to Do with It?
According to Roman mythology, Cupid was the son of Venus, the goddess of love and beauty. Cupid was known to cause people to fall in love by shooting them with his magical arrows. But Cupid didn’t just cause others to fall in love – he himself fell deeply in love.
As legend has it, Cupid fell in love with a mortal maiden named Psyche. Cupid married Psyche, but Venus, jealous of Psyche’s beauty, forbade her daughter-in-law to look at Cupid. Psyche, of course, couldn’t resist temptation and sneaked a peek at her handsome husband. As punishment, Venus demanded that she perform three hard tasks, the last of which caused Psyche’s death.
Cupid brought Psyche back to life and the gods, moved by their love, granted Pysche immortality. Cupid thus represents the heart and Psyche the (struggles of the) human soul.
Fun Facts
Approximately 1 billion Valentine’s Day cards are sent each year. Half of those are sent through Care2 (OK, maybe not HALF… or even half of half… but we are growing fast!)
In order of popularity, Valentine’s Day cards are given to: teachers, children, mothers, wives, sweethearts, Koko the gorilla.
The expression “wearing your heart on your sleeve” comes from a Valentine’s Day party tradition. Young women would write their names on slips of paper to be drawn by young men. A man would then wear a woman’s name on his sleeve to claim her as his valentine.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
As the pace of society continues to hasten, it is rejuvenating to take a moment to slow down and enjoy the company of good friends.
At Hotel Granduca, afternoon tea is a cherished tradition where you can indulge in an elegant afternoon within the beautifully, intimate areas of the hotel. Whether you choose to savor your tea in the Conservatory, The Library or Ristorante Cavour, it will be an experience you won’t soon forget. In order to prepare you for afternoon tea, we wanted to share with you the history of tea and a short lesson in tea etiquette.
History of Afternoon Tea
During the 19th century it was common for people to only have two meals during the day, breakfast and dinner in the evening. It was the 1840s that Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford, began having a light snack and a pot of tea in the late afternoon to prevent the fatigue she was experiencing. Later she began inviting friends to join her for afternoon tea and soon other hostesses of the time followed suit. Before too long, it was fashionable to enjoy sandwiches and tea in the afternoon.*
What are the differences between Afternoon Tea, High Tea, Low Tea and Royal Tea?
Afternoon tea or “low tea” is the traditional tea served in the afternoon around 3pm to 5pm. It has been referred to as “low tea” based on the height of the table at which it was served. This usually consists of three courses to include small sandwiches, scones and sweet pastries.*
Royal Tea includes the same offerings as an Afternoon Tea with the additional of Champagne or Sherry.
Whereas Afternoon Tea or Low Tea was a tradition amongst the upper class, High Tea was enjoyed by the middle and lower classes. It derives the name from it being served on a dinner or kitchen table and includes a full, family-style meal. It was often served at 5pm or 6pm and replaced the late evening dinner.*
Afternoon Tea Etiquette 101
As Afternoon Tea is an uncommon and lovely experience in US society, we wanted to help guide our readers through the experience with a short lesson in tea etiquette:
Do:
- Only fill your cup ¾ full to avoid spills and allow room for milk if desired.
- Keep your cup near your saucer. If you are standing up, keep your saucer in your left hand while holding the cup by it’s handle in your right hand.
- Pour your tea in the cup first before adding lemon, sugar or milk so that you can judge the strength of the tea.
- Always stir gently and place your teaspoon behind your cup on the saucer.
- If you spill tea in your saucer, politely ask for a new saucer.
Don’t:
- Don’t add lemon and milk to your tea as it will curdle the milk
- Don’t swirl the teacup as if it were wine
- Don’t cradle the cup with your hands
- Don’t raise your pinky while drinking tea
- Don’t scrape the bottom of the cup and hit the sides while stirring
Now that you have had your tea etiquette lesson for today, are you ready for Afternoon Tea? Hotel Granduca in Houston, TX serves an exquisite tea menu including savory sandwiches, fresh scones and delectable pastries. We hope to see you at our afternoon tea soon! Call us at 713-418-1104 for reservations or more information.
*Source for Afternoon Tea History: http://www.afternoontea.co.uk/
*Source for Tea Etiquette: http://www.affluentmagazine.com/articles/article/340
You’re deep in engagement bliss when you suddenly realize what comes next…you’re wedding day. It may seem like a faraway dream, but once that date is set the clock is ticking. At Hotel Granduca, we love weddings! Here are 5 of the most important pieces to planning your Houston wedding.
Step 1: Smile.
This may be the simplest step but it will be the most important. Enjoy each moment of the wedding process. There will be stress and anxiety, but you’re planning a day to commemorate your love for one another. The truth is you have a choice, even in the most stressful of situations, so smile your way through it and it will be much more fun.
Step 2: Find the location.
Houston is a vast and dynamic city. Houston wedding venues cover the spectrum on style, capacity, features and price. Find the venue that offers you all that you need and desire for this day. Whether it is a formal gala or a more intimate affair surrounded by lavish décor, you will find the space to tell your wedding story. At Hotel Granduca, we offer Old World elegance for the new American bride with our refined surroundings including Salone Rialto, a stunning wedding reception venue in Houston. Salone Rialto is a 1,500 square foot ballroom with stunning hand painted ceilings that is names after the Rialto Bridge in Venice, Italy.
Or if you would prefer an outside wedding venue, Hotel Granduca offers exquisite wedding ceremonies in the tranquil gardens surround the sparkling blue pool.
Step 3: Get Professional Help
As the bride, you will find that you are quickly overwhelmed by the immensity of planning the wedding of your dreams. With a little help from a professional planner, your anxiety will be quickly relieved, as you gain an understanding of the special role of the planner. The planner will help you from start to finish, whether it’s hiring a band, planning the menu, orchestrating your bridesmaids, etc. Hotel Granduca’s wedding professional understands the needs of a Houston bride who wants a truly elegant affair. Each detail will be discussed and planned to perfection.
Step 4: Find Your Dress
Hotel Granduca is just minutes away from upscale, shopping galore. Whether you are looking for a small bridal salon, or you want the finest in bridal couture, you will find it in Houston. Experience fine bridal couture at Casa de Novia Bridal Couture or Joan Pillow Bridal Salon. These are just a couple of the endless bridal salons and boutiques in Downtown Houston. You are certain to find the dress that will express your personality and fulfill that dream of your dress.
Step 5: Breathe… Ok, there are many more steps than 5 but these are the main steps to start the wedding planning process. It is going to be a crazy time for you and your husband-to-be, so take deep breaths and remember that you are planning this as a celebration of your love. Imagine your wedding day and feel the love of your family and friends embracing you and your husband. Then return to the planning process renewed and ready to tackle each challenge.
If you would like to chat with our wedding professionals at Hotel Granduca, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at 713-418-1036.
Granduca’s wonderful and international staff spent a few moments sharing how they celebrate the holidays and their special family traditions. We would love to hear how you celebrate the Holidays with your families. Please share in the comments box at the bottom of the page. Happy Holidays!
“Every day in December is so exciting. I wish it could be Dec. 1st through the 15th the entire month. Christmas Eve is my favorite time. It is so calm and peaceful. Everything is done, and if it is not done, it’s not going to be done. As a child my family would put up the handmade ceramic nativity early in December; each Christmas Eve after dinner and midnight mass we took turns placing the baby Jesus at the nativity. It is the simple things that matter most at the holidays; a cup of tea shared with a good friend remains a cherished memory.”
- Mary Grace Gray, General Manager
“After work is my children’s time and during most of the year its filled with football practice, swimming, etc. but through the holidays they decide how they want to spend this time together with me. It is our tradition to open a gift on Christmas Eve and cook soul food listening to my favorite childhood holiday songs. Christmas and Thanksgiving are my favorite times of the year as I think of my childhood growing up in Chicago.”
– Nakia Holmes, Executive Assistant
“My mom’s family is from Louisiana so we have Gumbo on Christmas Eve. I love all the lights and pretty stuff.”
–Heather Hickman, Sales Manager
“My kids are my world. My boys are 9 and 10 years old. They know I work long hours, but the most important thing for me is to give them a kiss when I come home. Love from my kids is the most important thing to me. We celebrate 2 Christmases with our Ethiopian holidays with dorowet. Dorowet is traditionally very spicy and perhaps the best known food from Ethiopia. It’s often referred to as the country’s national dish.”
- Fekade Wolde, Director of Food & Beverage
“Christmas Eve is my baby boy’s birthday so I cook chicken and Korean bbq for him. My baby boy is actually my dog Yanni, who is a Maltese.”
- Grace Kim, Human Resources Manager
“On Christmas Day we prepare lots of food. I learned from my Mom in China that from Christmas until New Year’s no one works, we just enjoy our time. We cook Peking duck, chicken, spring rolls – enough food for twenty people when there are only four of us. We also follow the Asian calendar.”
- Jeremie Heng, Maitre D’, Bar and Wine Manager
“I have two kids that are adopted from Russia. Christmas morning is extra special to watch them run down to see what Santa brought them.”
– Jane Whatley, Executive Assistant to Mr. Borlenghi
“I leave my Charlie Brown Christmas tree all year long. It’s Christmas all year at my house as the person who gave it to me is very special.”
– Ray Guyton, Director of Sales & Marketing
“A good feeling black and white movie. A roasted chicken with chestnuts, nice selection of cheese and wine of course…and end it all with a buche de Noel or “Christmas log”.
– Christine Bayol, Director of Operations
“My family is all back in Italy. I still decorate my house and go buy my Panettone and all the typical Italian Christmas desserts. My nativity set is important to me. As a child our nativity set was huge. We would build mountains out of cardboard and use fresh moss. On Christmas Day we would put the baby Jesus in its place. Then after Christmas we would start to move the three kings closer to the nativity every day.”
–Renato de Pirro, Executive Chef
Chef Renato de Pirro remembers fondly his holiday traditions. “When I was little, I was receiving presents on January 6th, the epiphany, when the “Befana”, an old lady on a broom, with a sac full of candies and toys for the good kids, and carbon for the “naughty” ones was going down the chimneys to fill the stockings, in the same day the three kings were delivering their presents to baby Jesus. The Italian holiday customs are a compilation of Christian and “pagan” traditions” said Chef Renato.
His favorite moment of the holidays is when the whole family gathers around the table, where plentiful amounts of food are awaiting for the feast. Of course, in every region and corner of Italy there is a different array of recipes and foods, founded in the deepest traditions of those regions.
The feast starts on Christmas Eve, where fish and seafood take the stage since meat is forbidden on that day. On Christmas day all the meats, fowls, poultry and game are on the table, until the day after Christmas. This is in honor of Saint Stephan, the first protomartyr of the Catholic Church, and that’s when the “leftovers” takes place.
These days there are dishes that are always on the holiday tables, like the traditional sweets, panettone, Pandoro , the Tuscan panforte, panpepato and ricciarelli.
Throughout the world, the night between December 31 and January 1 signifies the passage from one year to the next and is considered a reason to celebrate. Italians normally celebrate with friends by eating a big dinner on New Year’s Eve, similar to the meal consumed on Christmas Eve. Some of the traditional holiday foods include zampone, or pork trotter, and cotechino, pork sausage with lentils.
According to tradition, people eat large quantities of lentils because they are believed to bring good economic fortune in the year to come, probably due to the fact that the beans look like little coins.
Once dinner has come to a close, Italians normally party all night long. Each city has its own traditions, however some customs can be found throughout Italy. Fireworks are set off at midnight as a modern-day version of the old tradition of making a lot of noise on the last day of the year to scare off spirits. Another Italian tradition calls for wearing red underwear, which is supposed to bring good fortune in love.
We hope that you have a very Happy Holiday season and maybe incorporate one of these lovely traditions into your families’ customs.
Here are examples of traditional holiday dishes:
Stewed Eel
This is a typical dish of Neapolitan gastronomic tradition very much in vogue during the Christmas holidays until the New Year. In reality, the eel, is not consumed only in Naples, but also in all of Southern Italy where it was, and is, eaten to ward off evil. In reality, the eel, is not consumed only in Naples, but also in all of Southern Italy where it was, and is, eaten to ward off evil. Nowadays, the intrinsic meaning of this dish is lost but, stewed eel remains a classic dish of Neapolitan Christmas Eve dinner on the table. Prepare stewed eel is not difficult and at the same time you have on the table one of the most typical dishes and original Christmas tradition.
Click here to see the recipe for Stewed Eel
Mixed Boiled Meat with Salsa Verde
Traditionally served in Northern Italy, this dish pairs well with salsa verde, a mix of chopped herbs, or mostarda, fruit preserved in sugar and mustard oil.
Click here to see the recipe for Mixed Boiled Meat
Cotechino with Lentils
Served across Italy on New Year’s Eve, cotechino sausage and lentils is a succulent dish believed to bring good luck to those who eat it in the year to come.
Click here to see the recipe for Cotechino with lentils
Tortellini in Brodo
Tortellini are small culinary masterpieces with a welcoming and genuine flavor. This is one of the most famous Italian recipes around.
Click here to see the recipe for Tortellini in Brodo
Hotel Granduca is perfectly situated to be your base for holiday shopping adventures this December. Our convenient location in Uptown Park provides you with ample upscale shopping opportunities.
As one of the finest hotels near the Galleria in Houston, Granduca is just minutes away from the ultimate shopping experience. For our guests we even offer car service to the Galleria. We also have wonderful amenities for local Houstonians who just want to escape the crowds of driven holiday shoppers.
Here are some great holiday shopping opportunities within minutes of Hotel Granduca:
This December Uptown Park is featuring Holiday Shop Up featuring later shopping hours until 8pm, complimentary valet parking, free gift wrapping and live music on Tuesdays in December! Uptown Park is a fabulous marketplace offering 38 unique and upscale shops, boutiques and retailers. After your done shopping, stop by Bar Malatesta for a cocktail to relax and unwind.
The Galleria is Texas’ larges shopping center and features 400 stores and restaurants. If you can’t find what you are looking for on that holiday gift list here, then you probably won’t find it. There is also a full-size ice rink, so you can even ice skate in between shopping sprees. Who say’s you can’t ice skate in Texas? This is the ultimate shopping center for shopaholics and holiday shoppers alike.
We hope that you find every item on your list and enjoy the fine stores and boutiques in the Houston area. After you have shopped until the point of exhaustion, we recommend stopping by the Granduca for a little quiet time and nourishment at Ristorante Cavour.
