It’s always fun at the stately San Luis, but employees really made H’ween special with a Halloween costume and pumpkin carving contest.
Winner was the spa’s Courtney Goodbar Damien (Kim/ Housewives of Atlanta); then Candice Perez as a vampiress and Art Arriaga as a caveman, or Barney as we called him.
Honorable mention goes to Hollywood diva Philette Carter, who arrived just after the vote!
Winner of the pumpkin carving contest was housekeeping director’s Eunice Boussac and super Gustavo Vazquez (very detailed — even had art on the walls along with actual photos of employees doing the work inside the decorated pumpkin).
First runner-up was accounting and second runner-up was the front desk’s mermaid pumpkin.
The winner won a pizza party for their entire department.
Many thanks to Josie Polanco and Divacuz Lauraleigh Gourley Vogel for including T. J. Aulds of The Daily News and the Diva herself.
Epicurean Poetry
The epicurean epicenter of the Baby Apple has gotta be 21st and Postoffice — this on an island where dining is king.
Had a front row seat at an SRO Saltwater’s, enjoying Danny Hart’s hospitality and seeing Bill Picavance doing his chef thing, while dear Calvin Kirby (of Y Club and M&M fame) and the handsome T.J. Haley and Gary Barnes kept the bevvies flowing.
That darling Danny sez they kept the Murano fish lamps over the bar and Amber Felts did their new wall designs.
The best thing they kept were their recipes, the Diva’s favorite, crab/corn soup, is a poem.
Little Mex Roosters
Meanwhile, down on Broadway, the tacos are tasty and the 47-, count’em 47, year-old Taco House Restaurant is looking sharp and all brand new again.
Amid their favorite rooster theme, Pedro and Celia Quintanilla are happily serving up their tasty tacos and Mexican dishes.
Celia tells us that daughter Raquel Quintanilla Loubet of the House of Color, their gr’son Steven Loubet; Angelica Quintanella Cazares of UTMB fame and little Keano Ray and son Pete Quintanilla are all getting over the nastiness that was “Ike”.
Did’ja know Pedro’s niece DeeDee Granger was a Dallas Cowboy cheerleader?
And Fine Dining On Another Epicurean Eve
A tip of the toque to this year’s Epicurean Evening.
The finest dining south of the Causeway, the island’s annual Epicurean Evening, was a spectacular success with prizes going to some of the Baby Apple’s most popular and delicious dining centers.
The Silver Spoon went to F’man’s Wharf’s chef Juan Cardona.
The Silver Fork winner was the Hotel Galvez/Tremont House’s chef Jeremy and Galveston Island Resort’s chef Joe Schreiber and Edwina Yoak, director of food and beverage was recognized for the best “No Mumbo Great Gumbo.”
Also there for the foodie fun were the Spot’s Dennis Byrd, Gaido’s chef Paul Jordan and Mark Munson, Moody Gardens HS&CC’s chefs Urs and Luciano, the RainForest’s Adam Mason, Marios Seawall’s Johnny Smecca and chef Richie Deplacencia, Yaga’s Mike Dean and his surfing team, the Gumbo Bar’s Matt Erchuell, Luigi’s Luigi Ferre, and Saltwater Grill’s Danny Hart and Joey Smecca.
The piece de resistance was 901 Postoffice’s chef “aficionado” Steve Griffith, The San Luis RSCC’s chef Bryan S. and team and Fishtales’ Larry Irwin and Miss Shannon.
Lauraleigh Gourley Vogel’s cute husband Andrew doing bevvies, and keeping things cool as usual.
Capital Q Texan BBQ’s Ray Herrera was out of town but his culinary pros ran the show along with DiBella’s Charlie D., along with Rudy & Paco’s one and only Paco.
Wood You Believe It – A So Special Exhibit
The Grand 1894 will be hosting a special Artwalk exhibit Nov. 28, from 6-9pm, in Edna’s Room at The Grand, during the island’s November ArtWalk event.
The theater will host the Gulf Coast Wood Turners Group, who will be displaying unique handcrafted vessels, bowls, and other items made from Galveston’s trees.
All proceeds from the special silent auction — that will include select items made by these Houston wood artists — will be donated to the Galveston Island Tree Conservancy, the organization responsible for overseeing the planting of thousands of new trees to replace those lost on the island during Hurricane Ike.
Aaannnddd, On The Way Soon, Folks ...
And also upcoming, the Diva’s deets on The Nutcracker Tea!
D’ya wannabe Divafied, folks? If so, send deets ’n’ pix of your parteez ’n’ proceedings to have your name made part of The Diva’s Scenery. Call ahead and we’ll help with the pix. E-mail divascenes(at)aol.com or call her at 409-744-6540.
