It is Restaurant Week in Houston. Now through August 21, 2010 participating restaurants will donate a portion of the meal you purchase to the Houston Food Bank. This is an annual event that has a new feature this year – lunch! So whether you want to enjoy a romantic evening out for two at one of the participating gourmet restaurants or are taking some clients to a power lunch, you are helping to support the homeless and needy in the Houston area. Currently there are over 130 participating restaurants in this charity spectacular and more restaurants coming on board daily as word spreads.
How does Houston Restaurant Week Work?
Houston Restaurant Week was founded by talk show host Cleverley Stone who regularly participates in talk radio and television shows. As event chair she has created an amazing fundraising opportunity for one of Houston’s most worthy charities. Participating restaurants come up with a special three to four course menu specifically for Houston Restaurant Week for dinner. Lunch patrons will get an exciting 2 course meal. These are some of the best gourmet restaurants featuring top name chefs so the food promises to be amazing!
The diners will get a bargain for a mere $35 per person to enjoy the 3-4 course gourmet fare. Lunch diners will pay $20. Drinks and gratuity are not included but you cannot beat that price for some of the best food Houston has to offer in fine dining. For every meal that is purchased for the charity event $5 will be donated to the Houston Food Bank for dinner, $3 for lunch. The Houston Food Bank feeds nearly 150,000 families every week with deliveries of food and preparation of hot meals.
How will I participate in Houston Restaurant Week?
Most everyone knows I am a foodie. Many of the restaurants participating this year in Houston Restaurant Week are among my favorites. I very well may go to some that are participating in the normal course of dining out in Houston over the next few weeks. But for Houston Restaurant Week I have something special planned to celebrate my own good fortune, enjoy a good meal and give back to the community.
My all time favorite restaurant in Houston is Rainbow Lodge. Due to some bad timing and scheduling issues I was not able to celebrate my birthday, by husband’s birthday or our anniversary. So, we are making a special trek to Rainbow Lodge this weekend to enjoy a romantic evening. Rainbow Lodge has available for a first course a choice of seared scallop, fennel and white bean puree, tomato pistou; smoked duck gumbo with andouille sausage and wild rice pilaf; or butter lettuce hearts, bailey hazen bleu, toasted hazelnuts. Second course consists of redfish (farm raised and sustainable) on hoppin’ John field peas, tomato and aromatic rice. upland cress topper (gluten free); slow cooked wild boar shoulder and sweet potato cake with sunny side quail egg, shaved radish and herb salad; or grilled hanging tender with creamed spinach, duck fat fingerlings and hollandaise. The dessert course is a choice of summer figs, speck, Maytag bleu; croissant bread pudding with bourbon sauce or a trio of refreshing sorbets.
How can you participate in Houston Restaurant Week?
If you enjoy dining out in Houston especially fine dining, this is the perfect time to indulge in some amazing fare while supporting a worthwhile local charity. Check the Houston Restaurant Week website for details on the menus available at your favorite Houston restaurant. Choose lunch or dinner and have a great dining experience for a bargain. $3-$5 will then be donated to the Houston Food Bank for each meal.
Houston Restaurant Week, Houston Restaurant Week.
Rainbow Lodge, Rainbow Lodge.
