Gin Braverman, the interior designer behind hospitality hotspots such as Haii Keii, Eunice, Jūn, Goode Company, ChòpnBlok and Raven Tower, said part of her success comes from navigating the chaos in creativity. 

How it started: Braverman, a University of Texas graduate, said she first became inspired by design around the age of eight, while spending time in her grandmother’s house. She later worked on the design team for HGTV sets in New York before moving to work for a design firm in Taiwan. 

Read all about it: When Braverman started her interior design firm in Houston a decade and a half ago, she said the industry was different from what it is now. For one, she said it wasn’t very common for independent restaurants to use interior designers the way they do now. 

Looking ahead: As for the future of hospitality in the area, Braverman said she is currently working on a few exciting projects, including a pizzeria coming soon to the Heights. 

• 3227 Milam St., Houston

Nara Sushi, an all-you-can-eat sushi and hibachi restaurant, has opened in Montrose. It opened at the former Sushi King location at 3401 Kirby Drive.

What’s on the menu: The restaurant and bar offer an extensive menu of raw and cooked sushi and sashimi rolls. Other items on the menu include bento boxes, Japanese fried rice, udon and hibachi.

Nara Sushi opened at the corner of Richmond Avenue and Kirby, the former site of Sushi King, a popular neighborhood restaurant that closed in 2023.

• 3401 Kirby Drive, Houston

The luxury brand Ritz-Carlton is returning to Houston with a 45-story skyscraper featuring 150 guest rooms and 112 residences available for ownership at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel and Residences.

The big picture: Located on Post Oak Boulevard near The Galleria, the luxury property will include restaurants and a lobby bar where guests and residents can dine; however, hotel guests will not be able to access the private residences or residential amenities, representatives said. 

A closer look: As for the interior, internationally recognized architect and designer Lauren Rottet of Rottet Studio said at a March 2 media preview event she is designing the space based on Houston’s layered identity. 

Something to note: Additionally, the property features a $5 million private sales gallery where prospective buyers can see a preview of the residences. The gallery showcases architectural and design elements such as mock designs of a closet, bathroom and kitchen. 

Select international travelers departing from George Bush Intercontinental Airport will check in at Terminal E effective Feb. 27, Houston Airport System officials announced via news release Feb. 27.

What's changed: Previously housed in Terminal D, Air France and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines have transitioned to IAH's newly expanded Terminal E. Per the release, passengers are encouraged to confirm their check-in location directly with their airline prior to arrival.

Officials said customer service representatives in bright orange polos are stationed in Terminals D and E to assist passengers; passengers arriving at Terminal D will be directed to make a 10-minute walk to Terminal E.

Stay tuned: Additional airlines will continue to transition from Terminal D to Terminal E in phases over the next few weeks, officials said. Officials said lounge locations and parking access remain unchanged.

Over 2.3 million Democrats and nearly 2.2 million Republicans voted in the March 3 election, according to unofficial election results from the secretary of state. Totaling nearly 4.5 million voters, this is “the highest voter turnout for a primary in Texas history,” the secretary of state’s office said.

By the numbers: Nearly one-fourth of Texas’ 18.7 million registered voters participated in the primaries, shattering turnout rates from recent years. Less than one-fifth of registered voters cast ballots in the 2024 presidential and 2022 midterm primaries, state election records show.

Texas’ previous primary turnout record was set in 2008, when 4.2 million voters cast ballots in high-profile presidential primaries.

Zooming in: Election data shows the most people cast votes in the high-profile U.S. Senate races that topped the ticket, with the total numbers of votes steadily decreasing down the ballot in both primaries.

There is “some certainty” that voter enthusiasm will extend to the November midterm election, Republican data analyst Ross Hunt told Community Impact during early voting.