pic above...

...walking in New York

Pic Courtesy: the husband!

She calls it ‘Houston’s heart’ …

… I ask – History, unique and fascinating it is! – But has it taken away from ‘Houston’s heart’?

Without further adieu let me introduce you to the subject of this blog post- the TUNNEL!!!

A gentleman once told me –“walking through this tunnel makes you feel like a little rabbit – you occasionally need to peep out to see where you are”. Right you are, Sir!

Ever since I started working in downtown Houston, a few months ago, I have been fairly ‘intrigued’ by the elaborate and extensive underground network that this part of the town exhibits. Lets first talk about my experience and opinion about the tunnel system and if the subject fascinates you too – go on to read more about its history and story in the link that will appear towards the end of the post.

So what is this tunnel you ask? It is a whole different ‘underground’ world – not just a network of streets that connects the entire downtown but a bustling system of shops, great restaurants, eateries, convenience stores, dry cleaners, art exhibits,  so on and so forth. Not only is it a means of getting around downtown on days of inclement weather (in the context of Houston that would mean hot days above 100F or rain) but this well-lit, completely finished, air conditioned and well guarded SEVEN mile long underground system is more a destination in itself- the heart of intense pedestrian activity for the city’s central business district.

As an Urbanist, I have obvious complains about this system – one that takes life ‘off’ the streets leaving for fairly monolithic street frontages of tall office lobbies, minimal retail storefront and activity. To note though, the part of downtown Houston that manages to balance street life and that underground – is the theater district and areas adjacent to it- lively by day and night- restaurants/outdoor seating and street side pedestrian activity.

On a personal note – I am claustrophobic - which makes me feel not so comfortable underground!

Having said all that, this tunnel really intrigues me – for the subterranean urbanism that exists in there, bustling with activity visible and known only to an ‘insider’.  The city’s buildings lend themselves to pedestrians: allowing themselves to be experienced from the inside… manifested in different ways but giving something more to the pedestrian than what he would get as a passerby!

My love for being connected to the outdoors leads me to avoid the tunnel as much as I can but in a climate like Houston where summers are hot and its rains often, a covered walkway system is probably justified but the ideal scenario would have been though for the tunnel to be purely a means for pedestrians to navigate and come up to ‘real’ life on the street and not a world underground!

Discover Houston Tours, does a tour of the tunnel system and this write up makes for an interesting read….the article reads… Although the Tunnel is one of Houston's best-kept secrets, most of downtown's 150,000-person workforce - and thousands of visitors - use it every day, particularly when it's raining or close to 100 degrees above ground. This system of air-conditioned skywalks and subterranean passages has been given many different names - mall, concourse, connection, underground, promenade - but Houstonians continue to call it simply "the Tunnel." …….. CLICK here to read on

Title of post borrowed from Sandra Lord- author of the article above – and calls herself-the tunnel lady

bourdain speaks!

"deeper you go into a country-the more back in time you do"


- Anthony Bourdain in today's episode of No Reservations in India - this so true for any country anywhere in the world!


love his show!!!! 

iron chef fans... read on.

Besides wanting to visit the Hearst Tower, NY Times building, High Line Park, New Contemporary art museum, revisiting the Moma and Guggenheim, absorbing the city all over again, catching up with friends and partying, up on the list was dining at two Iron Chef Restaurants on our trip to New York last weekend – and so we did….

@ Morimotos

And

@ Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grill

So with an empty stomach and open mind I say to you America… let the battle begin!!!!

The verdict has been made – and the winner is – Iron Chef Morimoto! While both chefs maxed points on taste and flavor, Morimoto has surpassed in presentation and creativity… not to forget hospitality and ambience too!

But we still love you too Bobby Flay!!!




p.s: morimoto's restaurant is designed by Tadao Ando...need i say more?