Updated: Houston Restaurant Weeks announces participating restaurants for 2017
Updated: Houston Restaurant Weeks announces participating restaurants for 2017
Houston Business Journal
With the start of Houston Restaurant Weeks on Aug. 1, the list of participating restaurants has been updated.
When the initial list was released on July 15, nearly 245 restaurants had signed up. Now, the list has increased to about 280 participating locations. See the full list below or on HoustonRestaurantWeeks.com. Menus for the participating restaurants also are available on the event’s website.
The annual event runs through Labor Day, which is Sept. 4 this year.
Restaurants participating in the event offer specially priced, multicourse prix-fixe menus and make donations to the food bank based on those sales. Last year, HRW added a $25 dinner option, but this year’s dinner options include only the $45 and $35 prices. Lunch is still $20, and brunch is $22. From each meal, $7, $5, $3 and $3, respectively, will be donated to the Houston Food Bank. The Houston Food Bank also partners with the Montgomery County Food Bank and the Galveston County Food Bank. All donations from restaurants operating in those counties will go to their respective food banks.
Houston Restaurant Weeks is the largest single fundraiser for the country’s largest food bank. Since it began in 2003, the event has raised more than $9.6 million for the Houston Food Bank. Last year’s event raised a record $2.015 million, up from more than $1.9 million in 2015.
So whether you’re there for the Raw Bar, the Sweet Tea Brined Pork Chop (yes!), or the Texas Beef Burger (that bun and those fries tho’), there is no shortage of good eats to accompany your vino.
But as a good “wine professional” I kept my glass fingerprint free. I think. And these Texas Blue Crab Fingers are still occupying thoughts in my head.
Wine is an essential part of the identity of State of Grace. And while you can certainly find vintage wines, cult wines and impressive verticals, there is something for every wine drinker. Beverage Director Lara Creasy is as committed to offering rare and allocated wines as she is to offering a wine list that is accessible to guests at all price points and knowledge levels. With over 250 bottle selections ranging in price from $28 to $1,250 (yes, someone can treat me to a First Growth Bordeaux) as well as an impressive by-the-glass selection (so many drop the ball here) with a median price of $11, you’d be hard pressed not to find something you love.
As the cuisine is Italian, about 65% of the list is made up of Italian wines.
But what’s nice about the list is that the bulk of the bottle selections (with just a handful of exceptions) come in at $50 or less. $50 Barolo? Yes indeed! Certainly gives you an opportunity to try something new without breaking the bank. The goal according to Wine Director Vinny Montecuollo? To have the customer not be afraid to truly explore the wine list. And – to make them come back and try more.
Seafood reigns supreme at SaltAir and the wine list is a testament to wines that pair perfectly with such foods. Whether it’s bubbly, clean, crisp whites, or light-bodied reds, there is no shortage of wines to pair with the extensive selection of fresh fish, shellfish, or items from the Raw Bar. Yes there are some land lubbers on the menu but it’d be almost criminal not to indulge in the seafood! And do yourself a favor and get an early start on dinner by catching happy hour and indulging in these delicious mini tuna tacos.
And versatile. We had a variety of small plates, including this delicious fried soft-shell crab (one of my favorite seasons!) with corn maque choux and green tomato relish and it never skipped a beat.
I also had the opportunity to try the Onward Skin-Fermented Malvasia Bianca which was floral beauty in a glass. I didn’t even know Malvasia was grown in the U.S.! Can’t wait to go back to see what else I can discover.
While both locations give a nod to authentic Greek cuisine, the new Heights location is the more casual of the two spots and sports a larger food menu with more small plates. Additionally, all of the wines are available by the glass and none clock in over $70. The original location has the larger wine list, and has an impressive by the glass list as well as an extensive bottle selection. You can’t go wrong at either location. And while the menus are different at the two restaurants, they both offer the trio of Greek dips which shouldn’t be missed.
In addition to its cuisine, Peli Peli takes its wine pretty seriously as well. While the restaurant currently has a significant amount of wines from South Africa, it is in the process of transitioning its list to around 90% South African wines to truly showcase the region’s wines. As an added bonus, the restaurant also plans to lower the markups on its wines which really gives diners even more opportunities to discover the wines. They also have their own private label wine collection from the Western Cape’s Stellekaya Vineyard which features a Cabernet Sauvignon, a Bordeaux style blend, Chardonnay, and Pinotage (I keep trying to love Pinotage). But I did love this Hamilton Russell Pinot Noir which I’d been eyeing for several months.
In fact, the El Papo was quite a surprise. Tannat is typically full-bodied and quite tannic but this one was almost as light-bodied as a Pinot Noir. Who knew?! Just tell the well-informed staff what style of wine you’re after and they will certainly find something to please your palate. And do your palate a favor and try the Prim Pork Lolichop which is bacon wrapped and served with a spicy mango sauce. Fantastic with the El Papo Tannat!
