Think the Houston Museum of Natural Science and puffy tacos are a weird combination? Well, think again.

On June 7th (and again on June 12th) the HMNS along with esteemed food writer and Tex Mex cookbook author Robb Walsh, will discuss the finer points of Tex Mex cuisine. Robb promises an overview of the origins, legendary figures, and recognition of Tex Mex as America’s oldest regional cuisine. Along with the talk, Robb will be serving vintage dishes he helped create along with Houston Chef Bryan Caswell at their popular new spot El Real on Westheimer.

Sign up for either of the evening here – tickets are $73 or $63 for HMNS members.

Filed under: Food & Drink, History, Houston, Texas by Stephen : No Comments »

Last night in N.Y.C., the James Beard Awards were handed out to the best chefs and restaurants in America. Winning one of these coveted awards is a very big deal, its similar to to a film director winning an Academy Award for Best Movie.

Representing our neck of the woods, the Texas chef Tyson Cole won for “The Best Chef Southwest” for his Austin based restaurant, Uchi. Their own description of the place: “combining local seasonal ingre­di­ents with an infinite spec­trum of seafood from around the globe is the basis for Uchi’s culi­nary philos­ophy. We invite our diners to explore their gastro­nomic bound­aries by pairing tradi­tional Japanese offer­ings with new and refreshing flavors and textures.” Sounds good to me…example dish: Wagyu Short Ribs, Peach Kimchee, Garlic Chips. Sold.

According to their website the restaurant has two locations- Uchi, a contemporary take on Japanese cuisine and the Japanese farmhouse style Uchiko, with both places also serving sushi. These restaurants look totally fantastic, and if I ever get myself to Austin I’m going to be sure and check them out.

If you are not going to be in Austin anytime soon – you don’t have to miss out, you can check out Tyson Cole’s brand new book simply called Uchi – The Cookbook.

**UPDATE** Good News! Just noticed on their website that they are hiring all positions for their new location IN HOUSTON!!!!

Filed under: Books, Food & Drink, Texas by Stephen : 1 Comment »

Love these amazing time lapse videos:

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Recommended by David Hamilton, the new book to add to our list of must-reads is “Empire of the Summer Moon: Quanah Parker the Rise and Fall of the Comanches, the Most Powerful Indian Tribe in American History” by S.C. Gwynne. The publisher describes the book as “a vivid historical account of the forty-year battle between Comanche Indians and white settlers for control of the American West, centering on Quanah, the greatest Comanche chief of them all”.

The first part of the book traces the rise and fall of the powerful Comanche tribe, the second tells the story of Quanah Parker, the mixed blood son of pioneer woman Cynthia Ann Parker, who became the legendary last chief of the Comanches. This action packed book is an amazing look at the Texas frontier in the nineteenth century, David says that most of the story takes place in areas familiar to all Texans – San Antonio, Dallas, and Houston. A very interesting look at Texas history just prior to the founding of the Hamilton Shirt Company back in 1883.

Order your copy from Brazos Bookstore by calling 1.713.523.0701 or emailing direct to brazos@brazosbookstore.com.

Quanah Parker - photo courtesy Library of Congress

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After an airline lost her luggage on her way to the Super Bowl, Hilary Swank took matters into her own hands and got herself a new outfit. Don’t Mess With Texas!

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Last week after working late one evening – we were treated to dinner at the fantastic Hugo’s Mexican restaurant by the Hamilton boss man. While perusing the menu I happened to notice an item served called Chapulines. Chapulines as it turns out, are pan seared grasshoppers served with guacamole, tortillas, and chipotle tomatillo salsa.

Chapulines for sale in the local market of Oaxaca

Not a common dish to see on an American restaurant menu, this rare delicacy is probably ordered by aficionados, brave adventurous eaters, or after too many tequila shots.

I wasn’t brave enough to order them, have you?

Hugo’s, 1600 Westheimer, Houston, Texas 77006 ph. 713.524.7744

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…and the Hamilton World Tour continues & this time we are even a little closer to home!

If you find yourself in Austin on Thursday (9/23) come on over to Johnstone Made to Measure and meet up with David Hamilton for a Fall/Winter 10 trunkshow. He’ll be armed with our new fabric books, ideas for new Fall styles – all from our main Hamilton Shirts bespoke collection. If you’ve never experienced the luxury of having a custom shirt made, exactly to your specifications – now is your chance!

Johnstone Made to Measure, 2905 San Gabriel – 2nd Fl., Austin, Tx. 78705 ph. 512.478.5637

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The new lineup for Austin’s 5th Annual FUN FUN FUN Fest taking place in Waterloo Park has just been released and…GET READY. You could really just stop at just one ‘Fun’…but it actually will take THREE ‘Fun’s’ to accurately describe this list. Are you sitting down?

This years lineup will include: MGMT, DEVO, Mastodon, Bad Religion, Slick Rick, RJD2, A-Trak, GWAR, The Hold Steady, The Dirty Projectors…WEIRD AL YANKOVIC and MORE…

The Fun Fun Fun Festival was created to include “what is bubbling from the underground, what sounds great, and what is making an impact, regardless of what Pollstar or the mainstream media said was cool.” I’ll say. What had once been a two day festival has now been enlarged to three – more days, more bands, more ultimate face-melting music awesomeness!

Tickets are on sale now HERE for November 5, 6, 7.

** also while in Austin – be sure and check out the mens store called Stag – tons of cools stuff for sale, including a GREAT selection of our 1883 shirts! **

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The television Emmy nominations were announced today and for the fourth season in a row Friday Night Lights has not garnered a single nomination in the best drama category. According to the New York Times “Apparently the stigma of being a show about the relatively ordinary lives of Texans obsessed with high school football is still too much to overcome.”

Even still, F.N.L. is one of the best shows on TV and one of Hamilton Shirts all time favorites…THIS TOTALLY SUCKS. Don’t you agree?

Filed under: Televison, Texas by Stephen : 1 Comment »

Straight forward Texas rocker, Alejandro Escovedo has recently released a new album called Street Songs of Love to tons of major acclaim. The New York Times described it as “In another, less fragmented pop era, this would be the album of thoughtful but radio-ready love songs to finally get Mr. Escovedo the big national audience he deserves.” and The Washington Post wrote “Working again with glam-rock producer Tony Visconti, Escovedo proudly wears his musical influences – the Stooges, New York Dolls, all manner of punk – on his sleeve. Filtered through his scuffling yet tender-hearted persona, the result, yet again, is ageless rock-and-roll.”

To make this record Austin based Escovedo worked alongside the legendary rock producer Tony Visconti (Morrissey, Bowie, U2) and and called in friends such as Ian Hunter, and received a helping hand from little known musician named Bruce Springsteen. Alejandro Escovedo has created a classic record totally worth adding to your list of new summer music to check out.

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