Zack Fertitta
&
Elizabeth Dorsey Fertitta
Married 9 years
The daughter of Longoria Collection owner Sylvia Dorsey, Elizabeth knows a good thing when she sees it. “What I love the most about Zack is his kind heart and gentle nature. He is such an amazing husband – so patient, and the best father – so involved in our kiddos everyday lives. It doesn’t hurt that he is super cute either,” she says of her lawyer hubby, who is running for Harris County District Attorney.
Their romance has the makings of a small-town love story: They met when they were 8 years old over horseback riding lessons at the Houston Polo Club. Zack was friends with Elizabeth’s brother. Sparks flew when he walked into her family’s shop, about twenty years later. “I went into Longoria Collection to buy my mother a Christmas present. I fell in love instantly and everyone’s presents came from Longoria Collection that year!” he says.
These days, the couple is rearing two children of their own, Angelina, 6, and Zachary, 2. “Thirty years from now we will both have a few more wrinkles, but Zack will be the exact same amazing man that I love. It will be so fun to grow old together and watch our own children grow up and get married,” says Elizabeth.
The couple keeps the flame alive with regular date nights that often include a good Italian dinner and a movie. Working on Zack’s campaign for DA also helps keep things fresh. “The year ahead is going to be very busy and bring lots of fun and interesting new experiences. I’m learning a lot about politics and enjoying this ride!”
Elizabeth is making sure the word gets out that her husband is the right man for the job. “He will be the best District Attorney because he is such an honorable man and is so passionate about our wonderful city and making it a safe place for all of us,” she asserts.
Zack’s passion for public service is obvious as he tells 002houston, “After working as a prosecutor, defense attorney and grand juror, I have seen that our DA’s office is badly in need of modernization and new leadership.” His passion for Elizabeth, however, is a little more touchy-feely. “Elizabeth has a gorgeous smile. She is sweet and has a wonderful sense of humor. She is also my best friend,” he says.
Kathryn Lott &
Jeff “Rhino” Neumann
Married 2 years
The Director of Operations for The Society for Performing Arts knew when she met her match in Jeff Neumann, aka “Rhino,” a guitarist and founder of the punk rock band Latch Key Kids, about four years ago. Kathryn reveals, “I went on Match.com because my mom and sister twisted my arm and because whatever I was doing wasn’t working. So when he reached out to me, I really wanted to do things differently.
I asked all the questions I wanted to ask before agreeing to go out on a date. In fact, I made him chat with me on the site for a month before I would give him my number or even my personal email address. Luckily for me, he was patient and open and we were engaged ten months later.” According to Jeff, though, once love struck, things moved at warp speed. “Our first date was twelve hours long. The rest is history,” he says.
Finding time to reconnect isn’t always easy for this busy professional and her oft-touring musician husband. “We signed up to be busy people and we’re each grateful to have a busy partner. There’s an understanding and respect for each other’s aspirations and I think that’s where our balance lies. So rather than having the luxury of spending every weekend or holiday together, we really enjoy the simple things like grocery shopping, walking the dogs and running little errands together,” she explains.
The ideal date night for this couple is far from the rock-fest one might expect. “We love food. So whether it’s a great late lunch at a new spot in the neighborhood or just a meal at home, we are pretty happy when good eats are around. And we appreciate any couch time we can get. So days or nights when we can throw on a movie, curl up with the dogs and have a great meal is heaven,” Kathryn confesses.
After years on the road, Jeff, whose band just released their new EP, Democracy: The Art of Maintaining a State of Fear, is also keen on the simple things. “I love the fact that my wife is tough as nails and gets the job done at work. But, when she’s home, she’s my best friend, an amazing wife and a killer cook,” he tells us.
Admittedly, Kathryn is equally smitten by her minstrel. “He’s just got a certain swagger that is understated and confident. He’s true to himself and he has this caaaalm that balances me so completely, “ she says.
Claudia Farinola & Brad Dorsey
Married less than 1 year
If this couple were food, they’d make the perfect – albeit rather decadent – meal. Claudia grew up with Pino’s, her family’s landmark Italian restaurant; Brad is a partner in the Crave Cupcakes franchise, with two growing locations in the city. “I love our cupcakes but truly crave a great pizza,” confides Brad. Claudia is equally smitten with Brad’s specialty treats, admitting she’d often pass on the pie if given a choice. “Cupcakes if it is Monday or Friday. Crave Cupcakes makes my favorite Hummingbird cupcakes those two days,” she says.
They credit their fortuitous meeting to another local food-kingpin, Ziggy Gruber of Kenny & Ziggy’s NY Deli. Introduced and forced to sit next to each other during a group outing, the couple instantly connected. “Despite my lack of smooth operating, we were married 7 months later,” shares Brad.
Oddly, both attended the Hotel and Restaurant program at the University of Houston, but never met there. Since then, Claudia remains loyal to her roots. “My work has been with my family in the restaurant business, which my parents retired from after 45 years of business in Houston. Since then I helped my brother Pino Jr. launch Pino’s Original Sauces into the grocer’s market. Pino’s pasta sauces has taken on great momentum with Central Market and Whole Foods,” she says.
Both Italian-born, Claudia and Brad share a love of food and a passion for la dolce vita. “My ideal date would probably take place in Rome, Italy. We would be enjoying a carafe of lovely fresh local wine while eating an unpretentious delicious dinner with the backdrop of the world’s most important history,” reveals Claudia.
The gourmand duo usually sees eye-to-eye, quite literally, with each of them measuring precisely 5’ 11 1/2”. Their rescue dog, Lucky Luciano, however, can be a point of contention. “He is in love with Claudia and he loves to terrorize me,” says Brad. Luckily, Claudia knows how to keep her sweetie smiling. “I am a bit of a clown in the relationship. I like to play practical jokes, do silly fun things and try to surprise Brad. It works and he manages to get me back most of the time. Fun brings romance,” she says.
Brad isn’t complaining. “Claudia is a great person, validated by her outstanding family. She is attractive, adventurous, intelligent and carries herself with great class. I love Claudia more each day and always enjoy her fulfilling company,” he says.
Jacy & Grant Cooper
Married 5 years
The owner of a string of uber-successful restaurants, including Brasserie 19, Ibiza Food and Wine Bar and Coppa Ristorante Italiano, Grant Cooper knows a thing or two about making things work. “We keep the romance alive by acting like boyfriend and girlfriend,” he says of wife Jacy.
The passionate duo met at a business meeting. Jacy had just opened a floral studio and hoped to score her first big contract. “I was extremely nervous and had practiced my spiel with what I was going to say. I even curled my hair, which was not a normal occurrence for me. We discussed which flowers they needed for the restaurant, and we set up a weekly delivery contract. I went back to the office, and before I could even fax the contract over to him, Grant called to ask me out on a date! I wasn’t interested in anything serious at the time; I had a business to grow. After a few phone calls laying on the charm, he persuaded me to go out with him. I had one stipulation – that he sign another contract stating that our dating would not affect our business deal,” confides Jacy. That contact eventually made it into their wedding album.
Sharing a knack for style and a love of food, Grant and Jacy are a team to be reckoned with. “I live for my next meal. So being involved with restaurants is the best lifestyle for me. We both love the details and we strive to make every detail perfect for our clients! In every aspect, from the playlist to the last bite, we want to stimulate all the senses. Grant works very demanding hours, but in return we get to eat the most amazing meals every day!” says Jacy.
With 4-year-old son Caymus and a second baby boy on the way, Grant and Jacy have no intentions of slowing down. Jacy just launched Her and I, making French macarons with her sister, and continues to grow her event planning and floral arrangement business. Grant’s plans are equally lofty. “In the next year we will be having our second boy named either Mickey (if Caymus has his way) or Bond, designing our home and working on another restaurant concept, all intermixed with a touch of passionate romance!” he tells 002houston. “Jacy’s passion and creativity for her craft and assertive approach to her business was and continues to be very sexy,” he adds.
Dr. Robert Ivany & Mrs. Marianne Ivany
Married 38 years
He is President of The University of St. Thomas. She, his invaluable sidekick who provides support and tirelessly works to make the school better. “I am blessed to be able to offer my time and talent to special projects at the University of St. Thomas. My interest in music and theater fits perfectly with UST’s new initiative to build a Performing Arts Center on our beautiful campus. I also hope to raise awareness for the preservation and renovation of our fabulous Link-Lee Mansion in the near future. I am working on my Master of Liberal Arts Degree at UST in my spare time,” says Marianne.
But it wasn’t always so. The Ivany family has a somewhat tumultuous history. Marianne confides, “Bob’s 34-year career as an officer in the U.S. Army required us to move 25 times in 30 years. As a result, I spent a great deal of time, effort and prayer helping my children navigate the waters of social and educational transition issues.” That dedication paid off. Inspired and guided by their parents, the four Ivany children have made the family proud: one is a doctor in the Army, one became a Catholic priest, one is a cultural anthropologist and the other, a field artillery officer/MBA candidate. They’ve also provided Marianne and Robert with “three of the most beautiful and intelligent grandchildren in the world!” she raves.
Although it was the 1970’s when they met, the Ivany’s courtship and eventual nuptials were pretty straight-laced. “It was an arranged marriage! Our mothers set us up.
They had been tennis partners for over 20 years and decided we would make a great team. I believe they were right!” explains Marianne.
Romance is still in the cards for the scholarly couple. “My ideal day date would be to go jogging together on a beautiful sandy beach in the morning, sharing a breakfast on the boardwalk (with a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice), renting a cabana and alternating between reading an entire book with the sound of the waves lapping the shore and walking hand-in-hand while dodging the incoming tide. Of course, I would end the day back at the beach with Bob, sharing a great bottle of wine under a full moon,” Marianne reveals.
When pondering the future, Marianne keeps her eye on what matters most. “I see Bob and me in a setting where our children and grandchildren will always want to come and stay with us. Family means the world to us!” she says.
By Nadia Michel | Photography by Sofia van der Dys
