Bravo, Houston!

This Southwestern city gets an A for arts.

Early in this city's history, philanthropists put a premium on developing the arts. The result is a feast for the culturally inclined. Today Houston has it all, from edgy performances to world-class museums.

Friday: Finding Peace

Houston traffic can cause problems for visitors, particularly on Friday afternoon. Arrive early to avoid rush hour.

Begin your exploration at The Menil Collection. The museum claims some 15,000 works, ranging from Surrealist paintings to rare books. Besides the main exhibit hall, there are four additional galleries nearby not to be missed.

Continue to indulge your senses at Aries Restaurant. Chef Scott Tycer, a protege of Wolfgang Puck, planted his restaurant on Montrose Boulevard. Try the chef's tasting menu ($65). You'll be delighted by such offerings as smoked free-range chicken served over creamy polenta and butter-- poached tilefish accompanied by roasted tomatoes, capers, and broccoli raab. Then there's dessert: a delicate pastry cup filled with rice pudding and topped with homemade dulce de leche ice cream. Delicious!

Stroll over to Hermann Park's Miller Outdoor Theatre. West Side Story is staged by Theater Under the Stars, July 17-20 and 22-- 27. Tickets for the seated areas are distributed from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the day of the performance. If you miss the ticket distribution, spread a blanket on the hill, and relax beneath a star-filled sky.

Check in to The Warwick Hotel ([713] 526-1991 or 1-800-298-6199; weekend rates start at $129). This elegant hotel, built in 1925 and recently remodeled, sits in the heart of the Museum District.

Saturday: Art and Architecture

Spend the better part of the day exploring the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. In all, there are more than 40,000 pieces in the MFA's permanent collection.

Dine at the colorful, spacious Cafe Express in the lower level of the Audrey Jones Beck Building. Try the Pasta Capri ($10.50), a bowl of linguine with shrimp and spinach tossed in garlic butter.

Continue your tour of the Museum District at the Contemporary Arts Museum. The building itself-a parallelogram crafted of solid steel-is worth the visit. If you have kids, head for The Children's Museum of Houston. With 14 different galleries, there's lots to entertain the younger set.

Wrap up your day at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. The entry fee grants you admission to three floors of exhibits, but additional tickets are required for the Wortham IMAX Theater, Cockrell Butterfly Center, and Burke Baker Planetarium.

At night, go to Bayou Place, an entertainment complex in the Theater District. At Mingalone Italian Bar and Grill, choose from calamari, wood-fired pizza, or pasta dishes. If you're not going to a stage production, consider the Angelika Film Center. Here, eight screens showcase foreign and art films, as well as blockbuster hits.

Sunday: No Worries

Kick off the day with brunch at Bistro Lancaster. They'll welcome you with a complimentary mimosa or a flute of Champagne. Entrees include such traditional breakfast items as eggs Benedict ($12.95), but you can also order heartier fare such as crab cakes ($21) or a filet ($20).

Walk across the street to Jones Hall for the matinee performance of Disney presents The Lion King. Everyone will enjoy this show, which runs through August 25. You'll leave Houston singing "Hakuna Matata."

CASSANDRA M. VANHOOSER

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation Jul 2002
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved