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WHAT IS YOUR FALL LOOK? defining Marc Nguyen sicily is calling cooking + comics lucky dragon opens in vegas
editor,s note
Like so many of you, I always look forward to the Fall when I can change my wardrobe and wear my favorite sweaters, jackets and other cool weather clothing and accessories. Our fashion shoot highlights many such items that I would love to include in my wardrobe this year. Also featured in this issue are articles about where to go and what to do when vacationing in Sicily, including the best hotels, beaches, gelato shops, and restaurants. Closer to home, if you are planning to visit either Lake Tahoe or Las Vegas, allow us to introduce you to two new hotels where you may want to consider booking rooms. We visited the evolving casual dining concept at Noe Grill at the Omni Hotel and Resort. Notwithstanding that the ambiance is casual, the food is decidedly gourmet from appetizers to desserts. Finally, we salute Dr. Marc Nguyen, a local dentist who appears to be a Renaissance Man in our midst. Issa Chou Editor in Chief
Photo by Andrew Nguyen
Creative? Yellow Magazine is looking for talented, creative writers. Contact Editor in Chief Issa Chou issa.chou@yellowmags.com
The color yellow has played a recurrent symbolic role throughout the history of Asian culture. It symbolizes the earth that sustains all life, yet has been embraced by Buddhist monks as an expression of unchallenged power. Such is the role of yellow: always revered but in different ways under different circumstances. The mission of Yellow Magazine is to introduce our readers to the artistic, fashion, lifestyle, and entertainment contributions made by Asian Americans. It is our hope that the depth and breadth of the topics and events we cover do justice to the pride that the color yellow has represented throughout the millennia. Editor in Chief
Issa Chou
Editor
Contributing Writers
Fashion Photographer
Henri Merceron
Deanne Nguyen Leo Sipras Ashley Vu
Collin Kelly
Intern
Stylist Assistants
Cultural Editors
Vuthy Kuon Tricia Volore
Fashion Stylist
Lesile Rivas
Health Editor
Asia Hoang
Ivy Yang
Creative Director
Jordan Roach, Minette Mouton
Travel Editor
Jeff Martin
Hair/Makeup
Matt Sims
Website
Bianca Linette
Wine Editor
Issa Chou
Business Manager
Philip Cuisimano
Assistant to the Editor in Chief
Karla Montejo
Music Editor
Tyler Merceron
Fifi Phi
Lifestyle Editor
Contributing Photographers
Chau Nguyen Beauty Editor
Tree Vaello
Masterworks: Unpacking Fashion The Costume Institute at The Met Fall 2016 Exhibition November 18, 2016 – February 5, 2017 The Costume Institute’s Fall 2016 exhibition, Masterworks: Unpacking Fashion, will feature significant acquisitions of the past 10 years. The exhibition will highlight approximately 60 of these masterworks from the early 18th century to the present, including designers Cristóbal Balenciaga, Tom Ford, Jean Paul Gaultier, John Galliano, Nicolas Ghesquière, Halston, Rei Kawakubo Karl Lagerfeld, Alexander McQueen, Issey Miyake, Noritaka Tatehana, Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren, and Yohji Yamamoto. The main Lizzie and Jonathan Tisch Gallery will be organized chronologically with ensembles shown in packing crates and on palettes, as though they have just arrived at The Met. Each object—primarily women’s wear, as well as some men’s wear ensembles and a selection of accessories—will be accompanied by an in-depth explanation of its significance within the canon of fashion history.
Mitchell Alexander Quy Tran Andrew Nguyen studiodru@gmail.com
Fashion Writer
Monica Abney
Publisher
Yellow Magazine
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Yellow Magazine is published 6 times a year. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part of the magazine is strictly prohibited without the permission of the publisher. Yellow Magazine is not responsible for any unsolicited materials submitted. Subscriptions to Yellow Magazine may be purchased for $36/6 issues. Mail check to: Yellow Magazine, 1990 Post Oak Blvd., Space D, Houston, TX 77056. © 2016 MV Media
On the cover
Simone Rocha dress $2,960, Saks Fifth Avenue Erdem cape $2,650, Saks Fifth Avenue Christian Dior shoes $1,180, Neiman Marcus Model: Anais Nguyen Page Parkes Agency
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Ball Gown, Viktor & Rolf (Dutch, founded 1993), spring/summer 2010 The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Purchase, Friends of The Costume Institute Gifts, 2011 (2011.8) © The Metropolitan Museum of Art, by Anna-Marie Kellen
books
Cook Korean! A Comic Book with Recipes Fun to look at and easy to use, this unique combination of cookbook and graphic novel is the ideal introduction to cooking Korean cuisine at home. Robin Ha’s colorful and humorous one- to three-page comics fully illustrate the steps and ingredients needed to bring more than sixty traditional (and some not-so-traditional) dishes to life. In these playful but exact recipes, you’ll learn how to create everything from easy kimchi (mak kimchi) and soy garlic beef over rice (bulgogi dupbap) to seaweed rice rolls (gimbap) and beyond. Friendly and inviting, Cook Korean! is perfect for beginners and seasoned cooks alike who want to try their hand at this wildly popular cuisine. Born in Seoul, Korea, Robin Ha grew up reading and drawing comics. At fourteen she moved to the United States. After graduating from the Rhode Island School of Design with a BFA in illustration, she moved to New York City and started a career in the fashion industry. Her work has been published in independent comics anthologies including Secret Identities and The Strumpet, as well as in the pages of Marvel Comics and Heavy Metal Magazine. Her blog Banchan in 2 Pages features Korean recipe comics. She currently resides in Falls Church, Virginia. Photo: © Dave Kelly
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travel
Sicily Beckons An Offer That Cannot Be Refused by Matt Sims
© photo Alfio Garozzo
Imagine an island filled with beautiful beaches, lazy seaside towns, ancient ruins, dramatic landscapes, fantastic seafood, and unmatched shopping. Imagine a place where there is so much to see and so much to do that you can never get bored. I found myself in such a place just a few miles off the coast of Italy on the island of Sicily, or Sicilia (pronounced “sicheelia”) as it’s known by the locals. On Sicily, all the things that make Italy great are magnified. The seafood is a little fresher, the gelato tastes a little sweeter, and the Italian love of style is ever-present. Whether it’s fast or slow, choose how you like to vacation and indulge yourself on this intriguing island. You can get lost exploring the vibrant markets of busy Palermo and Catania or find your inner-Italian on casual strolls along cobblestone Zash Country Boutique Hotel streets through villages and Strada Provinciale 2/I-II n.60 vineyards featured in The 95018 Archi - Riposto (CT) - Sicily tel: +39 095 7828932 zash.it/en/contatti/ Godfather films.
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Start in Palermo, the capital city which is home to about 1 million people who love life and are not shy about showing it. Just an hour-long flight from Rome, Palermo is an ideal place to stop first to explore the hectic side of Italian life which includes endless shopping streets, outdoor food markets, historic cathedrals, and friendly street vendors staked out among gorgeous old baroque buildings. Be sure and try some authentic Sicilian street food at one of the main markets. The three main markets are Vucciria, Ballaro, and Capo—all within walking distance from each other in the heart of Palermo. While in the area, either drive to (renting a car is easy and useful) or take a bus to the exquisite 11th century cathedral and monastery in Monreale, an Italian national treasure filled with glittering gold mosaics. After exploring the picturesque garden courtyard and the ancient church in the morning, make sure to climb to the top terrace for an unbelievable view of the entire area. Then, grab some fried arancini (fried risotto balls with different fillings) and a glass of Sicilian wine for lunch in the old town square. You’ll feel like you’ve landed in the middle of an Italian movie set.
For an authentic taste of life in a seaside Sicilian town, try Castellammare del Golfo, San Vito lo Capo, or Cefalu – all on the northern coast. The latter two have incredibly beautiful sand beaches, fun-loving people, and better shopping, but a few more tourists. Castellammare del Golfo is an authentic laid-back Italian town with great views and wonderful food, but you’ll have to drive a few miles to get to a good beach. It is a good place to base yourself for exploring the sites on the western side of the island such as the Greek ruins at Segesta or the ancient mountain castle town of Erice. Both are must-sees and make you feel as if you have traveled back in time a thousand years. Segesta is a majestic Greek ruin sitting alone in a meadow on the edge of a beautiful valley. Take the short 20 minute walk to the amphitheater for the best views. Erice is a stoic, stone village topped by an ancient castle on the highest mountain in the area. Wander the quiet pedestrian alleys of the village, explore the small churches, and take in the stunning views atop the castle walls toward the sea. For great seafood like spaghetti alle vongole (spaghetti with clams) or fresh pasta with Sicilian red shrimp, visit any crowded restaurant near the water in any of the towns and cities mentioned here. I like to ask locals their favorite restaurants and gelato shops, and then explore all the options. I have to tell you that the best gelato I had on this trip was at Vogue Bar in quiet Castellammare del Golfo. Although I stopped by there each night, I observed that, surprisingly, it appeared to be the most popular place for drinks and socializing among the area’s young professional crowd. Eventually, all travelers find their way to Taormina, a gorgeous hilltop town on the east coast of Sicily. To get there, you can drive yourself, hire a car, or take the train. I recommend renting a car for seeing most parts of the island, except Taormina where finding parking is a challenge. The train is a wonderful way to get between major towns. Beautiful Taormina, with its medieval cobblestone streets and ancient Greco-Roman outdoor amphitheater overlooking the countryside (the Teatro Greco), is perched halfway up a winding mountain road overlooking
the intensely blue Ionian Sea. In the distance, you can see Mount Etna, an active volcano. Taormina has been one of the favorite holiday haunts of Europe’s rich and famous for more than a hundred years. With plenty of high-end shops (think Italy’s best designers) and incredible Michelin-star restaurants, as well as a stunning beach and cove at Isola Bella, Taormina is the perfect Mediterranean escape. Sunbathe and swim here all day in the crystal-clear water or wade across the narrow stretch of pebbles that connects the mainland with the tiny island of Isola Bella and explore this little gem that sits in the bay protecting a rocky beach. Most visitors stay higher up in the town at the finer hotels with dazzling views of the sea and take the cable car down to the beaches during the day. If you have time, take a day trip from Taormina to some of the locations used in The Godfather, including the small towns of Corleone (Vito Corleone’s hometown) and Savoca, the location of the picturesque bar and the church in this iconic film. Who knows, you might get an offer you can’t refuse.
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people
A Modern Renaissance Man Dentist Marc Nguyen Explores an Amalgam of Creativity Marc Nguyen balances the stresses of managing a very busy dental practice by expressing his various creative interests which span a wide and remarkable range. In the past, Marc studied ballet, was a singer with a following, worked as an electrical engineer, designed his wife’s wedding dress and has designed and tailored outfits worn my his model daughters (literally models), and has served as the family hairstylist and makeup artist. Whereas, most of us would not be so foolhardy as to even attempt to tackle such tasks, Marc is undaunted and fearless. Let’s take a look at what he is up to at the moment. Fashion Design Marc has designed and constructed a series of white leather masks that have a mythological aesthetic and feature an array of distinctive horns and shapes. These masks have been featured in PaperCity and other local magazines. They have been graciously loaned to for-profit and charitable events where they added drama to the wardrobes of models at fashion shows that are
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often the highlight of such events. Currently, Marc is collaborating with internationally renowned artist, Katja Loher, on her video art installation that includes his masks which complement shibari costumes. The exhibit, entitled Vuela, Vuela will be unveiled at C24 in New York City in November and can be enjoyed at the Anya Tish Gallery in Houston in Spring 2017. In early 2017, Marc will launch his website marcmarcusa.com to showcase his masks which will be available for sale, as well. Musical Composition Marc is partnering with his friend and musician, Le Vu, to launch KeJazz with the mission of introducing standard and popular jazz from around the world to the Vietnamese music community. The project involves translating lyrics from original languages, arranging and recording the scores and taking all the scores through post production. The final results will be published on the web. Graphic Design Marc has developed a series of graphic designs for Gio-O.com, a
Vietnamese web magazine. The dramatic black and white photographs of a model (his youngest daughter) dripping in ink assuming dynamic poses are surrounded by graphically designed ink splatters that capture motion beautifully. Marc has explored so many different media with a fresh and inspiring perspective. As there appears to be no limit to his creative pursuits, we are excited to see where he takes us in the future.
Designs for Gio-O.com
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Vuela Vuela exhibit at C24 New York City November 2016 10
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Leather masks coming soon to marcmarcusa.com
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FOR FALL * Look 1: Gold Metallic
Look 2: Oversized Sleeves/TUrtleneck Look 3: Plaid Overcoat Look 4: Red Dress Look 5: Fall Floral Look 6: Shades of Tan Look 7: Exaggerated Shoulder photographer: Collin Kelly Fashion stylist: LesLIe Rivas Stylist assistants: Jordan Roach and Minette Mouton Hair Makeup: Bianca Linette Model: Anais Nguyen from Page Parkes 12
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Simone Rocha dress $2,960, Erdem cape $2,650, Saks Fifth Avenue Christian Dior shoes $1,180, Neiman Marcus
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Celine oversized sleeve turtleneck $1,750, Neiman Marcus Co scarf $425, Neiman Marcus Jonathan Simkhai white skirt $365, Saks Fifth Avenue Stella McCartney gold creepers $950, Saks Fifth Avenue
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Burberry coat $3,650, Saks Fifth Avenue Nina Ricci cat print dress $1,590, Saks Fifth Avenue
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Erdem dress $6,075, Saks Fifth Avenue Sandro red coat $795, Saks Fifth Avenue
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Adam Lippes floral coat $2,750, The Webster Helmut Lang leather vest $1295, Neiman Marcus Celine skirt by $1,1750, Neiman Marcus Celine matching blouse $1,1450, Neiman Marcus Gucci fox head shoes $1,100, Neiman Marcus
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Sonia Rykiel blouse $920, The Webster Red by Valentino jacket $2,995, Saks Fifth Avenue Gucci skirt $2,800, The Webster Rocha shoes
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Saint Laurent dress $3,990, Neiman Marcus Saint Laurent black belt $1,150, Neiman Marcus Maje mesh long sleeve top $190, Saks Fifth Avenue Lanvin black pencil skirt $2,515, Saks Fifth Avenue Balenciaga platforms Boots $1,135, Neiman Marcus
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travel
There’s a New Lucky Dragon in Las Vegas Authentic Asian Cultural and Gaming Experience Opens This December Lucky Dragon Hotel & Casino, one of two new properties specifically targeting Chinese nationals and Asian-Americans, has set a grand opening date of Saturday, December 3, 2016. The property will commemorate the opening with an extravagant series of Asian demonstrations. Among the planned festivities are a firecracker show, which typically accompanies many Asian holidays and celebrations, driving away evil spirits; a lion and dragon dance, bringing good luck and good fortune to all; and the world’s largest traditional Kung Fu tea service will run throughout the hotel and casino. Lucky Dragon Hotel & Casino is Las Vegas’ first casino resort designed from the ground up to create an authentic Asian cultural and gaming
experience. The resort, located at the north end of the Las Vegas Strip, features a nine-story hotel with 203 rooms, of which 23 are suites; 27,500 square feet of casino space with an emphasis on table games including Baccarat and Pai Gow as well as slots, a high limit gaming area known as the Emerald Room and a luxurious VIP gaming parlor; a pool designed to create an oasis garden escape for hotel guests; a spa with four treatment rooms including reflexology and acupuncture; an indooroutdoor Tea Garden featuring an extensive list of tea curated by Las Vegas’ only tea sommelier; five Asian-inspired restaurant concepts; and staff and signage to accommodate guests from throughout Asia as well as English-speaking guests. Standard Rooms measure 400 square feet and
blend modern amenities with rich Asian cultural flair. Each room features a signature wall mural that evokes the peace and tranquility of ancient China. Modern amenities such as 55” flat screen TV’s with leading edge in-room entertainment options and a full variety of Asian language programming will ensure guests from all over the world feel at home. Each room will feature tea brewing equipment and a complimentary offering of Lucky Dragon’s imported house tea selections. The 23 Standard Suites average 625 square feet. Standard suites will feature all of the amenities of the Standard Rooms, but with an additional spacious seating area and larger bathroom. Most suites will have Strip facing views so that guests may enjoy the excitement of Las Vegas from the comfort of their suites.
Lucky Dragon Hotel & Casino 300 W. Sahara Ave. Las Vegas, NV 89102 luckydragonlv.com
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Food is integral to the property’s concept, and San Francisco’s Willy Ng of renowned restaurants Koi Palace and Dragon Beaux has consulted for Lucky Dragon to open the resort’s five restaurant concepts. Ng’s Koi Palace is widely regarded as one of the best dim sum restaurants in the Bay Area. Lucky Dragon’s newly appointed Executive Chef Phuoc Luu and Executive Chef de Cuisine Jacky Leung are also playing an integral role in the development of the culinary portfolio and will oversee the launch and opening of all food and beverage venues on the property. Chef Luu joins the Lucky Dragon team from the Golden Nugget where he was Executive Chef and Chef Leung brings his expertise from Palazzo. Dragon’s Alley Inspired by the vibrant night markets dotting the streets throughout Taipei and landmarks such as Ghost Street in Beijing, Dragon’s Alley will introduce Las Vegas to the best street food offerings of China, Taiwan and broader Asia. This lantern-lit space will transport Lucky Dragon guests to the excitement and discovery that defines the culinary adventure of night markets throughout Asia. Dragon’s Alley will be open from breakfast through late evening and will feature a rotating menu of regional delicacies, fresh (and live) seafood, exquisite dim sum, succulent barbecue, delicious boba tea, and much more. The Jewel Kitchen of Dragon’s Alley will be the heartbeat of Lucky Dragon’s dining scene. Encapsulated by windows with 360 degrees of viewing angles, the Jewel Kitchen will be Las Vegas’
only show kitchen that extends directly onto the casino floor—marrying the gaming and culinary action. From every seat on the gaming floor, Lucky Dragon customers will see fresh dim sum being rolled and steamed, as well as the flash of woks firing freshly-made stir fry. Pearl Ocean Lucky Dragon will set a new standard for dim sum in Las Vegas. Pearl Ocean will serve lunch and dinner daily, featuring a menu of exquisite delicacies, as well as all-day cart service that has become synonymous with the dim sum experience. A live seafood room joins the main dining room, where guests can select live exotic seafood flown in daily to be prepared in both traditional and modern culinary styles. This 240-seat restaurant will feature private dining opportunities as well as occasional live entertainment surprises. Designed to reflect the rich seafood heritage of the southern China coast, Pearl Ocean will be Las Vegas’ restaurant of choice for family or intimate dining, and serve some of the finest dim sum in North America. Phoenix Phoenix will boast a menu of cutting-edge culinary trends found throughout modern China. Kurobuta pork, deer tendon, abalone and countless other rare and expertly prepared delicacies will punctuate the culinary adventure and world-class service for Las Vegas’ most discerning palates. Featuring 60 seats, a private balcony and a finely curated wine list, the restaurant will be Las Vegas’ most exclusive Chinese fine dining destination.
Cha Garden Lucky Dragon’s hotel lobby and pool area blend seamlessly into one indoor/outdoor tea garden and lounge area. Led by Las Vegas’ only tea sommelier, Cha Garden will feature an extensive list of tea sourced directly from generations-old tea farms throughout Asia. The indoor area of Cha Garden will feature a variety of bar and soft seating options to enjoy tea and yum cha (light snacks akin to Chinese tapas) in a casual or formal service atmosphere. Open 24 hours, the pool features cabanas by day that double as private tea huts at night for guests to gather in an intimate setting to chat, drink, eat, listen to music and watch international TV programming. Bao Now For guests that want a reliable, fast, and delicious meal or snack 24 hours a day, Bao Now will be the answer. Located adjacent to the main gaming floor, the eatery will feature simple dim sum, soups, rice, noodles, congee, Boba tea, and other dishes meant to be consumed on the go. It will also feature a diverse offering of teas and coffees, providing a fix for Lucky Dragon customers at any hour.
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dining
Noe Grill at the Omni A Comfortable Home for Gourmet Dining By Henri Merceron
Several years ago, we introduced a series of articles about hotel based restaurants in Houston. What was surprising is that these restaurants offered some amazing menus. What was also surprising is that Houstonians are not generally aware of these dining options that represent a very attractive alternative to visiting the same restaurants to which they return often, almost by habit. So, it was my pleasure to be invited to experience Noe Grill at The Omni Houston Hotel just outside 610 at Woodway. The menu is in transition so many of the items sampled will likely be unavailable to you when you visit. Having said that, I have attempted to describe the culinary creativity that speaks to the unrelenting quest of chef Franklin Thompson to develop new and tantalizing menu items—from appetizers to entrees to desserts. If a picture can speak a thousand words, then the accompanying pictures of all that I sampled perhaps say it all. While presentation is not everything, when it comes to setting the mood for dining, it is critical. It is the first impression that determines how enthusiastically you will want to take the first bite. Suffice it to say, the pictures are of the actual items that I sampled, and they tasted even better than they looked. And I finished every item completely, savoring each bite. The first item was Pate D’Campagne with butter bean chowchow, raspberry beet jam, toast points and arugula. The pate was very mild in flavor which was a nice base for the stronger pickled chowchow; the jam was more flavorful than sweet. The balance between the three flavor profiles interacted on the palate in perfect harmony. The next item was pork belly resting on a sweet potato pancake, topped with fried Cippolinni onion and sprinkled with maple syrup. I have had pork belly with maple syrup previously and have a clear affection for it. The addition of the sweet potato (which was only mildly sweet) and savory fried onion enhanced the overall flavor and provided a satisfying textural element to the experience. The pan seared salmon is placed on a generous spoonful of fresh celery root puree, surrounded by a fricassee of baby carrots and snap peas. On top of the salmon is a smear of bacon marmalade. The flavor of the salmon
Pork belly
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Pan seared salmon
is enhanced by the perfectly seared crispy skin upon which the sweet and crunchy bacon marmalade is brushed. The celery root puree adds an unusual flavor to the mix and the carrots and snap peas are al dente, keeping their flavor intact and adding more varied texture. The last savory item was brined boneless pork chop with flash fried Brussel sprouts, cider vinegar, toasted pecan and a shiro miso compound butter. The only saltiness I tasted was on the outer edge of the slice of pork. The mild flavor of the pork was beautifully complemented by the more committed flavors offered by the vinegar, miso and mini cubes of crispy lardon. The wonderful flavor of the delicate leaves of the fried Brussel sprouts was enjoyable on their own. Lest you think that the creativity stopped with the savory menu items, for dessert I had a mint cheesecake with a chocolate cookie crust, topped with Vahlrona Dulcey (similar to tres leche), chocolate pellets and a bourbon caramel sauce. On the side was a mint granita to complement the mint cheesecake. It looked delicious. It tasted better. It was just too small. Please rest assured that as the name implies, the ambiance of Noe Grill is very inviting notwithstanding the decidedly gourmet nature of its menu items. You will be perfectly attired in jeans and other casual clothing. Eat in comfort and be amazed. Noe Grill Omni Houston Hotel Four Riverway Houston, TX 77056 713.871.8177 omnihotels.com/hotels/ houston/dining/noe-grill
Mint cheesecake
Brined boneless pork chop
social Photos by Alvin Gee
Jessica Vu, Tina Walker, Loan Davis, Victoria Bryant
Miss Chinatown Pageant Held at Royal Sonesta Hotel C.A.C.A. President Shelley Ding, Miss Talent Sharon Liu, Second Princess Sue Lynn Law, Miss Chinatown Houston Karen Yang, Miss Chinese New Year Irena Wan, National C.A.C.A. President Edmond Gor
Miya Shay, Lily Jang, Gina Li, Tammy Tran Nguyen, Michelle Philips, David Peck, Rita Garcia
Diamond Sponsors Hon. Theresa Chang and Dr. Peter Chang with Rachel Lee
Jade Sponsor Dr. Allen Lee with Rachel Lee
Jade Sponsor Viet Hoa International Foods Christina Yee and Vincent Sun with Christy Zhang
The 46th Annual Miss Chinatown Houston Scholarship Pageant was held at the Royal Sonesta Hotel on July 23, 2016. Seven young Chinese beauties who are high achievers in academics, community involvement, talent, and fitness all competed for the Miss Chinatown Houston’s crown. The contestants were Sue-Lynn Law, Sharon Liu, Kim Nguyen, Orilla Shen, Irena Wan, Lizi Xiong, and Karen Lynn Yang. They were judged on their poise, fitness and talent. The contestants all wore a full length Chipao. Karen Lynn Yang was crowned Miss Chinatown Houston and will go on to compete in the Miss Chinatown USA pageant in San Francisco in 2017. The event was sponsored by the Chinese American Citizens Alliance-Houston Lodge.
Soreal Dance Group
Pageant Chairs Betty Gee and Linda Wu
Director Kitty So, Lizi Xiong, Orilla Shen, Sharon Liu, Sue Lynn Law, Karen Yang, Irena Wan, Kim Nguyen, Christy Zhang, Rachel Lee, and Director Tammy Su yellowmags.com
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scents
la femme prada and l’homme prada launch in the U.S. Prada recently launched its new perfumes, La Femme Prada and L’Homme Prada, master brand scents that aim to encapsulate the idea of the Prada man and woman. Breaking with tradition, Prada released the two fragrances simultaneously, as two parts of a whole rather than as a separate fragrance for men and a separate fragrance for women. Prada has been working with Puig on their fragrances for 13 years now, and this new line is no different. Puig chief brand officer Jose Manuel Albesa spoke with WWD (Women’s Wear Daily), saying that the new fragrance is true to the Prada brand, “classic, with an unexpected twist.” The two scents indeed fit with that vision; both are wearable and unique. Part of the fragrances’ theme is the idea of multiple characters, as Prada is well aware that their brand is not meant for just one type of person, but anyone celebrating ‘individuality and difference.’ La Femme Prada is formulated with sensuality in mind, with notes of ylang-ylang, beeswax, vanilla and tuberose. Vetiver is the top note, and the base is the exotic floral frangipani, also known as plumeria. The frangipani note is meant to be the ‘unexpected twist’ of an otherwise classic feminine scent. It retails for $130 for 3.4 oz., $95 for 1.7 oz and $67 for 1.2 oz. L’Homme Prada is also classic yet unexpected, comprised of traditional iris and amber, with neroli, patchouli, and geranium notes. Albesa says of the scent, “We took classic ingredients, twisted them and showed them in a different way.” It retails at $120 for 5 oz., $98 for 3.4 oz and $78 for 1.7 oz. Available locally at Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom.
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hotels Photos by Luke Beard
Coachman Hotel time to Check out a unique motel experience in south lake tahoe Located in beautiful South Lake Tahoe, California, the Coachman Hotel offers design-minded travelers a new motel experience that embraces modern style and convenience while celebrating escapes to nature near the base of Heavenly Mountain and Gondola. Embracing sustainable style and modern conveniences while returning to the simplicity of another era by way of a renovated 1960s motel, the Coachman serves as both an elevated retreat in as well as a gateway to the wild. The Coachman Hotel’s 42 guestrooms offer adventurers approachable and comfortable features including the finest beds and Frette linens, dedicated ‘wet’ areas for outdoor equipment, an innovative text messaging platform in place of telephones, Apple TVs, and thoughtful minibar items. The guestrooms and adaptable meeting spaces center around the shared firepits and gathering spaces, which enhance discerning travelers’ stays and create a convivial sense of community. Originally built in the 1960s as two separate motels, The Green Lantern and The Royal Coachman, the property was built as part of the tourism boom from the 1960 Winter Olympics at Squaw Valley. In the 1980s, the properties were combined and known as The Green Lantern, until now. The Coachman Hotel’s new name is a nod to the old Royal Coachman and history of South Lake Tahoe. In 2000, the Heavenly Gondola and Village opened just a few blocks from the hotel and revitalized the area. The transformation continues throughout South Lake Tahoe, with ongoing enhancements to outdoor recreation activities, new businesses, and revitalization of old properties. Just minutes away is Harrah’s Lake Tahoe and the recently renovated Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, just in case you tire of Lake Tahoe’s famous scenic beauty and feel like winning some money.
Coachman Hotel 4100 Pine Boulevard South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150 407.439.3151 coachmantahoe.com
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