The Daniel Kany Gallery in the Old Port was packed last night, during the opening reception for Benjamin Lambert's "Fish-Birds & A Snail" show during the January First Friday Art Walk. Lambert unveiled a quirky collection of disfigured ceramic monsters I just wanted to hug. The pieces reference evolution, pollution and the growing gray area between the concepts of natural and synthetic, all the while making you want to smile.

Oh, and the wine was mighty tasty too.

Over at the new Se Vende Underground gallery, I was just as taken with Beecher Cotton's line-up of hybrid heroes. These delightful mixed media sculptures included "Bush Bug" and "Mole Cat." A work called "The Twins," where two black elephant bodies are topped with two baby doll heads, showed us just how quickly cute can turn to creepy.

To warm up from the icy art walking temps and contemplate these creatures further, Adam and I ducked into Novare Res Bier Cafe. We poured over the ever-growing menu before deciding to share a Koningshoeven Quadruppel (which costs $21 but serves up 3 glasses) and a number of the absolutely exquisite small plates.

It was the perfect way to cap off a cold winter's art walk.