Kristi Brown always knew she’d be a cook and she always knew she’d end up working for herself. “I’m not a good follower!” she says. She launched soul-food inspired catering company That Brown Girl Cooks! in 2012—maybe you’ve tried her famous black-eyed pea hummus? Next spring, she’ll expand into a restaurant in the Central District’s Liberty Bank Building. “Community is everything. We don’t need another restaurant that’s all about the chef or the cuisine. It’s time for people to have gathering spaces.”
BROTHBOUND
I’m dreaming of Vietnam! I want to travel from the Hanoi to Saigon and everywhere in between. I feel like soup is in my soul, and this feels like the logical next place for me to go.
IN THE FAMILY
My favorite mixologist is Damon Bomar of Brown Liquor Cocktail Company, not only because he’s my son but because of his delicate, complicated and surprising drink concepts. He does one called Henny-thing is Possible, and you gotta watch out, because you might think oh this is light and then you’ll be light on your ass!
HOT SPOT
Every pho spot has its own personality and my favorite is the Pho Bac on Rainer (not the boat)—the broth is better than any other store. I order the #9 with nuoc beo, the extra onion and beef fat combination to dip your meat in.
OLD SOUL
Felicia Loud makes me swoon! She brings up the ancestors every time she opens her mouth, and I love watching her perform because all that ancient wisdom comes out when she starts to belt those tunes.
INSIDE THE LINES
Coloring books are a must for travels, even long bus rides.
