Last week was a beautiful dinner at Claire Smith and Russell Murrell’s new restaurant Canopy at 3939 Montrose, honoring chef Caleb Barber and author Deirdre Heekin proprietors of the celebrated Osteria Pane e Salute in Woodstock, Vermont. The $175 tariff benefited Gracie Cavnar’s Recipe For Success Foundation. Caleb and Deirdre were signing their books In Late Winter We Ate Pears: A Year of Hunger and Love, and Libations, a Bitter Alchemy. Executive chef David Luna and Claire served an outstanding four courses (menu at right). Caleb and Deirdre charmingly read short passages from the books before each course, and small rosy pears and votives lined the centers of the tables.  At the festive dinner: Jana and Scott Arnoldy, Lloyd & Gayle Bentsen, Tim & Nina Smith, Bob Cavnar, Diane Lokey Farb, Maureen & Gary Hall, Molly & Ford Hubbard, Sis Johnson, Franny Koelsch; Dillon Kyle, architect of Canopy; Marie & Alain LeNotre, Gretchen & Andrew McFarland, Karen & Harry Pinson, Jeff Shell, Anne Romano, Patricia Laurant, Michael Jones.
   
 

Later in the week: David Yurman was in town, showing his wares at Neiman Marcus during the day and at a PaperCity co-hosted cocktail party at the David Yurman boutique the same evening. Surrounded by well-wishers, including Bruce Herzog, a good friend of Mr. Yurman’s who lives in NYC and Houston; Neal Hamil, Brad Hensler, Liz Decker, Beth Muecke and adorable daughter Kendra Muecke, Jackie & Monty Eubank, Susan Bono from the Mayor’s office, Chree Boydston, Michael Mandola, Chris Kimbrough in from Dallas, Shauna Brooks and Catie Harrell in from NY, and many more. A group then traveled to Becca Thrash’s home for a lovely seated dinner honoring David and his wife Sybil. Having more cocktails and dining: The Yurman contingent, as well as David & Tricia Dewhurst, Lester & Sue Smith, Ann & Matthew Wolf, Courtney & Bo Hopson, Sara Dodd Spickelmier and Keith Spickelmier, Greggory and Pat Burk;  David Yurman’s son and his wife, Evan and Ku-Ling Yurman;  Greg Fourticq Jr., Chesie Breen, and  Karen Pulaski who has finally moved back to Houston from LA.

In the neighborhood was the Heroes for Handbags Host Committee Holiday Party at the magical home of Christine & Ty Hoffer on West Friar Tuck - a bridge to the front door, rolling lawns, a wonderland. Alissa Steppe Maples was there, as she’s chairing the 2010 Heroes for Handbags luncheon at River Oaks Country Club on April 16. Also there, Virginia and Dan Steppe, co-hosts Laurel & Tim Blando, Ron & Sarah Simon, H & H’s Mimi Bates, Tiffany Miller, and more.

Above, David Yurman and a bevy of followers.

Eight, Kevin & Alissa Maples.