scott4507

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La Carafe - Houston. 813 Congress St. Houston , Tx 77002 713-229-9399 The oldest haunt in Houston, La Carafe wine bar is less a ghost than a piece of living history, a timeless challenge to the contemporary nightclub scene. Located near the northern end of downtown Houston, the cozy candle-lit tavern hasn't changed much in more than 125 years. The bar is similar to those in New York City from the same era: intimate and low lit, exuding a warmth and character that comes with the passage of time. La Carafe serves only wine and beer and can only ring you up on its now antique cash-only register. The diverse jukebox complements the atmosphere with immortal tunes from Edith Piaf, Django Reinhart and Hank Williams. There is seating outside and the upstairs and balcony are open on weekend nights and the view of the Houston skyline from the balcony is not to be missed.

Went there last year in with the Mrs. (36C) in September for our 10th anniversary. Flew into Venice, back out of Milan. Venice, Dolomites, Lake Garda, Verona, Lake Como, Milan Great trip. We were there 16 days + 2 for flights. Best: Driving and hiking Italian Dolomites at Cortina d'Ampezzo and Castelruth. Amazing and thrilling! Lake Como. Not to be missed! We stayed in Menaggio for several days. Took ferries to Bellagio and Varenna. Amazing views everyday, lots to see. Laid back, no hassle and very enjoyable and will go again if I can. OK: Lake Garda,. Views nice, but overrated, foggy on lake. Venice is historic, Venice is iconic. Venice is hot as hell in late September. Venice is very crowded most of the day. If you go, get up super early to take your iconic touristy spot pics. Make sure you have passes to everything months advance. By lunchtime, forgettaboutit....... Venice is $$$$....$$$$....$$$$. Best part of Venice was a cooking class we took, our host and the other guests were good company. Worst: Train ride from Lake Como to Milan. Short ride, but the scrum for available seating (no reserved seating, seriously overbooked) was a look into other people's character I'd rather not see again. College age &^% taking up 2 seats making others stand (some elderly) while calmly looking at phone and tuning out. People pushing and shoving. There were bright spots - watching a really big dude calmly take one of the college girls' bag out of seat and toss it into aisle and then sit down there. Another was that after I gave up my ledge (not a real seat to my wife), some kind people 4 rows away offered me a seat which I gave to her instead. Watching all tourists crowd into a courtyard at the fake photo op site of "Juliet's balcony" in Verona. People will shell out for anything.... We watched for a couple of minutes, then walked away laughing. Milan: too many homeless people.