Family Weekend hot spots

This week marks Rice's annual Families' Weekend, when parents and siblings alike flock to campus and attempt to make sense of Rice's distinctive culture. Usually Rice students have no problem filling free time, but when forced to entertain visiting family members, time seems to stand still. In order to help with that dilemma, the Thresher has compiled a list of activities and restaurants. These options vary from short walks from campus to longer drives through Houston and satisfy a spectrum of different interests. For those locations farther away than Rice Village, you can use a "QR reader" on your smartphone for instant directions. Use this as a helpful list of suggestions, and do not stress too much; there is plenty of time for stress during midterms next week.

 

 

A short walk from campus down Morningside, this family-friendly restaurant has a large range of offerings suitable for even the pickiest younger siblings. The fare is mostly American comfort food, and the price for an entree ranges from $10-15.

 

As an alternative to more traditional desserts Swirll is a local example of how the frozen yogurt trend has gained traction in Houston. For those new to this movement, the process consists of selecting a yogurt type and then adding a wide range of toppings. The price is then determined by the overall weight of the cup. While it can be an affordable dessert, it is easy to get blinded by excitement in the toppings section.

  

Local Foods is a recent addition to the Houston dining scene, and prominently features  produce from local farms. The food is earthy, and ranges from light salads to more substantial offerings like their gourmet sandwiches.

 

Located in Rice Village, Kahn's sources its delicious sandwiches and bread from small local establishments and providers whenever possible. The Thresher recommends trying "Rice Owl's Hoot," a smoked turkey sandwich that comes with the signature "Hoot Sauce" and is modestly priced at only $9. Kahn's also offers a large selection of craft beers and wines.

 

Come support the Owls as they take on the Marshall University Thundering Herd. The Owls have already proven themselves with their dramatic win over Bowl Championship Series competitors in Kansas and should be hungry for a win after a tough loss to Louisiana Tech University. The game begins at 2:30 p.m. but be sure to stop by earlier for tailgating.

 

Last spring, noted visual artist James Turrell brought his signature creative use of light to Rice University. This impressive space changes color to actively complement and highlight the surrounding natural lighting and environment. The skyspace is best appreciated during dawn and dusk every day of the week except for Tuesday.

 

To conclude Families' Weekend, noted Shepherd Music School professor Thomas Jaber will celebrate his 25th year at Rice with a concert highlighting Shepherd musicians and composers. This capstone event will take place on Sunday at 9 p.m.

 

In what has become a Families' Weekend tradition, Rice a capella squares up against improvisational comedy as two leading campus clubs put on a combined performance. This epic duel will take place at 8 p.m. on Friday at Lovett College.

 

 

2411 S. Shepherd Drive

Austin, Texas, transplant Torchy's Tacos has made an impression on the palates of many Houstonians, including Rice students. Though the line is usually out the door, the tacos are worth the wait, and the chips and queso arrive as soon as you snatch a table. Torchy's green chile queso, mixed with guacamole and diablo sauce, has a full body of flavor and a refined hot-sauce kick. If the names of the tacos do not entice you, the laundry list of higher-end taco ingredients, such as hand-battered fried shrimp and Jamaican jerk chicken, will.

 

2600 Travis Street

Easily accessible by light rail or car, Reef offers an upscale interpretation of Texas Gulf seafood. Definitely on the expensive end of Houston's dining spectrum, Reef is the fine-dining flagship of local restaurateur and chef Bryan Caswell. In 2009, Caswell was named Best New Chef from Food & Wine Magazine, and he more recently appeared on The Next Iron Chef on Food Network.

  

2703 Montrose Boulevard

Chef Caswell's more casual restaurant, Little Bigs is a creative take on the traditional slider. These smaller cousins of the hamburger are perfect for sampling, and the french fries are made-to-order. Little Bigs also boasts a very impressive wine list and a wide range of paired craft beers. For those underclassmen that choose sobriety during Families' Weekend, the milkshakes are also delicious.

 

1515 Sul Ross Street

Houston's main artistic and cultural center turns 25 this year, and it is throwing a birthday party. The Menil Collection began in the early 20th century as John de Menil and his wife Dominique Schlumberger championed modern art in Houston throughout their lives and opened up its impressive collection to the general public in 1987. The festivities for this Saturday include a birthday cake on the lawn and a speech from Rice alum and current Houston Mayor Annise Parker (Jones '78) at 4 p.m. The party itself goes from 3-6 p.m.

 

2000 Lyons Avenue

Founded in 1994 by Rice graduates Brock Wagner (Lovett '87) and Kevin Bartol (Sid Rich '81), St. Ar- nold's Brewery offers tours of its facilities on week- days at 3 p.m. and on Saturdays from 11 a.m.2 p.m.

The tour is $7 and includes a souvenir glass and refills of their signature brews. If you decide to tour on Friday, make sure to bring closed- toed shoes; they are required during production hours.