Forget French Dueling Pistols….Chef Philippe Schmit Pulls Out the Big Guns!!

Of course I would love to tell you that I have always been fabulous…so I will! But only because it is true. But, I was not however always afforded the celebrity access that I enjoy today. Yes I, The Consummate Concierge was once a mere mortal just like you when I started out as a (non-celebrity) Concierge at my first luxury boutique hotel, 'The Sam' (now The Alden Houston, pic below), way back in...well, let's just say eons ago.

And yes, I too would peruse the glossy pages of PaperCity and 002 Magazines with starry eyes, reading about all the glamorous events in Houston and wondering if I would ever be on those exclusive guest lists. Thankfully those brutally agonizing 2 weeks passed and long before The Consummate Concierge was ever born, people started requesting the presence of just plain ole Freddie. Well, long gone are those days from my humble beginnings! My social calendar is now as filled as a champagne glass at a Becca Cason-Thrash party, and boy am I glad because there are certain one-of-a-kind events you just don’t want to hear about on Monday…after it’s over.

You know how certain moments in life quietly whisper to you, "this is the big time baby!"? When I received this invitation, I knew it was one of them:

                               

 Getting a cool interactive flash invite (<== click) to a trendy new hotspot? WOW.

                                                                        

 Finding out that same event is an intimate, INVITE-ONLY opening, exclusively for Houston’s super-elite, to celebrate with one of the most respected chefs in the U.S.?  INCREDIBLE!!

Being asked to come and cover it??

P-R-I-C-E-L-E-S-S!!!

I'm sure I don’t have to tell you that the opening for Chef Philippe’s much anticipated new concept, Philippe Restaurant & Lounge, was a virtual parade of Houston’s who’s-who that was enough to give even Mr. Fabulous himself a serious case of neck-careening soreness. Shelby Hodge, Clifford Pugh, Dr. Carolyn Farb…you name it, they were there. So much so, my team decided it was just too much fabulousness for one post and that we needed 3 separate posts to get all the incredible footage in. So here is the first in a 3-part series on my coverage of Houston’s only authentic French Cowboy. (<== psst, click on 'French Cowboy' to check out his blog.) 

What do a room full of VIRGINS and my new 'luxury travel destination' recommendation have in common?

To all my 'CYGMI?' students who participated in our first field trip the other night, A+. And I know all of you who were unable to attend the PHENOMENAL event I gave you the exclusive hookup on are anxiously awaiting an update so buckle up. No, I mean lit-tra-ly.

Now everyone knows that I travel extensively and am considered a luxury travel destination guru, but even I had under-packed for our trip to Italy….then Portugal…then Tunisia! For all of the directionally challenged: that’s in NORTH AFRICA suga! Put that in your GPS and map it!!! Shocked? Don’t be. Where else but Houston can you take a trip around the world in a day? And can you guess what our purpose for hitting all those amazing destinations was? Here’s a clue: for all you “liquid consumption connoisseurs,” let’s talk flavor profiles. Robust, nutty or fruity? Here’s another hint: a signature Sweet Basil and Strawberry Blush concoction was created just for yours truly and christened, “The Consummate Concierge’s Sweetberry Blush.” 

If you said alcoholic cocktails you are half right. Cocktails yes, alcohol no. How about EVOO….as in Extra Virgin Olive Oils!

The new 'luxury travel destination' for foodies IS

Olive & Vine.

Class is officially in session!

Ok students, please take your seats. Class is now in session and as promised I am now going to begin one of many, in a long line of tutorials, that will start you, the average Joe or Jane, on the road to living the celeb lifestyle. Now, the one thing you need to know to get everything in life free is………..wait a minute, I just got an invite to a delicious tasting event tonight at Olive and Vine.

Ok, your homework is to meet me there for a "field trip" (aka 'middle of the week soiree') and everyone that shows up will get extra credit on the next test! Just tell them that you are part of The Consummate Concierge’s entourage, walk right in then come and find me.  SO WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? Get moving…CLASS DISMISSED.

p.s. Obviously since I am inviting you, you know there will be FREE WINE samplings so don’t be alarmed if you see your Professor a little tipsy. I do what I have to for my students!!!!