A MIRACLE!, continued

Just as I was chomping at the bit to surprise John with my new find, it turns out he had one for me. Saturday evening, as we were heading out for dinner, he said my six favorite words: "Are you ready for an adventure?" Yeah, I am!

Down in Houston's warehouse district, you will find an unassuming white building with red trim. It sits on Nance St., and looks as if it may have been formed by 2 or 3 different structures being patched together. It began it's life as a whorehouse, called The Last Concert Cafe, back in the early 40's. This could explain why you must park on the street, walk up to the door and knock, then wait for someone to let you in. Once inside, you will find yourself surrounded by a festive jumble of pink and turquoise stucco, flowered oil cloth, and folk art. A cool, glass brick bar is tucked in one corner, but out back in a vacant lot shielded by bamboo, you will find the true heart of this place, which is still called Last Concert.

Unfortunately, we arrived way to early to witness it in full steam. Unlike most people, we actually came for the food, which was some of the best Tex Mex I've ever had. Most people are "here for the party", which includes live music, barefoot dancing in the sand, drum circle during breaks, hula hoopers, and a group of about 75 loyal regulars who think of this place as a second home. They call themselves family, and are tickled pink that the neighborhood is just edgy enough to scare some people away, for that is what has saved Last Concert from going mainstream thus far. When I went on line afterwards to do a little research, one reviewer called it "a little bit of Austin tucked away at the north end of downtown Houston." He was exactly right, and if you are going to be in the area July 26th, I suggest you check out their annual Watermelon Dance & Summer Social. (the truck belonged to the guys who were there doing some work on the stage out back)