Introduction to Houston Restaurant Weeks
Houston Restaurant Weeks has released the first wave of menus for its 2025 event, which will take place from August 1 until Labor Day (Monday, September 1). This charity dining event recruits as many as 400 Houston restaurants to serve two, three, or four-course, prix-fixe menus at set prices — $25 for lunch and brunch and $39 or $55 for dinner. The Cleverley Stone Foundation collects a $1 donation for every $25 menu sold, $3 for every $39 menu sold, and $5 for every $55 menu sold, and uses that money to make a substantial donation to the Houston Food Bank.
The History and Impact of Houston Restaurant Weeks
Prior to her death in 2020, HRW founder Cleverley Stone described the event as a “win-win-win.” That is, a win for the restaurants who turned the traditionally slow month of August into a busy time. A win for diners who got good deals on meals at some of the city’s top restaurants. And a win for the Houston Food Bank, which turns every dollar raised into three meals for Houstonians in need. The event has raised over $22 million in its 22-year history, with just over $2 million from the 2024 event alone.
Participating Restaurants
Participating restaurants include all four restaurants in Bludorn Hospitality — Bludorn, Navy Blue, Bar Bludorn, and Perseid — all four of James Beard Award winner Hugo Ortega’s restaurants — Hugo’s, Caracol, Xochi, and Urbe — and two of the five Houston restaurants that hold one Michelin star — BCN and Le Jardinier. For diners, one of the most exciting aspects of the event is the opportunity to try a new restaurant with the certainty of a fixed price (plus beverages, tax, and tip).
New Participants and Menus
Some of the new participants in this year’s Houston Restaurant Weeks include Bar Bludorn, Barbacana, Derby, Doko, Kitchen Rumors, Maven Coffee & Cocktails, Okto, Perseid, Pizzana, and Solarium. Each of these restaurants is offering a unique menu for the event, with prices ranging from $25 to $55. Some of the menu items include shrimp tartine, chilled corn soup, arugula salad with watermelon, ricotta gnocchi, branzino, and pork loin.
Bar Bludorn Menu
Bar Bludorn is serving a three-course, $55 dinner menu. Starter choices consist of shrimp tartine, chilled corn soup, or arugula salad with watermelon. For an entree, select ricotta gnocchi, branzino, or pork loin. Finish with blueberry cake, chocolate mousse, or ice cream.
Barbacana Menu
Barbacana is serving both a two-course lunch and a three-course, $55 dinner. Choices include jicama salad, wagyu carpaccio, mushroom donburi, and grilled vermillion snapper. Supplements include octopus with mole poblano and a Texas wagyu Denver cut steak.
Derby Menu
Derby is serving a three-course, $39 dinner menu. Choices include bacon with maple glaze and cayenne, apple walnut salad, fried green tomatoes, blackened chicken pasta, and a wagyu burger.
Doko Menu
Doko is serving a four-course, $55 menu. Start with scallop aquachile, scallop ceviche, or a tomato salad. Choices for the second and third course include yakitori-style skewers with proteins such as short rib, chicken meatball, and wagyu ribeye as well as one of three sushi rolls — wagyu beef, avocado, or fried shrimp. Finish with one of three desserts.
Kitchen Rumors Menu
Kitchen Rumors is serving a three-course, $55 menu. The first course offers five regular choices and two supplements, including lamb keema infladita, blue cheese chicken kebabs, scallop ceviche, and lobster dumplings. Choose from seven different entrees such as pan fried paneer, goat biryani, prawn curry, and bison short rib nihari.
Maven Coffee & Cocktails Menu
Maven Coffee & Cocktails is serving a four-course, $55 menu. Choices include a gazpacho shooter, bread and butter, “Caesar cups,” deviled eggs, steak au poivre, spicy rigatoni pasta, and a cheeseburger.
Okto Menu
Okto is serving a two-course brunch and a three-course, $55 dinner. At brunch, look for dishes such as ricotta toast, frena bread with pistacchio butter, beet-cured lox, and shakshuka. At dinner, the choices include hamachi tartare, octopus carpaccio, squid ink linguini with crab, and steak frites.
Perseid Menu
Perseid is serving both a two-course lunch and a three-course, $55 dinner. Both menus include options such as white gazpacho, smoked salmon dip, tomato risotto, and the signature chicken paillard with fingerling potatoes and arugula salad. Dinner adds three desserts, including a chocolate entremet with salted caramel and coffee ice cream.
Pizzana Menu
Pizzana is serving a three-course, $39 menu that includes one of three pizzas — margherita, pepperoni, or the signature cacio e pepe — paired with a choice of three salads and three desserts.
Solarium Menu
Solarium is serving a two-course brunch and a three-course, $39 dinner. Both meals include choices such as a chicken skewer with jalapeno-dill yogurt, Caesar salad, and cheeseburger. Brunch adds breakfast options such as pancakes or an egg sandwich, while dinner adds chicken tenders, a pulled pork sandwich, and choice of dessert.
Conclusion
Houston Restaurant Weeks is a unique opportunity for foodies to try new restaurants and dishes while supporting a great cause. With over 400 participating restaurants and a wide range of menu options, there is something for everyone. Whether you are in the mood for fine dining or casual eats, Houston Restaurant Weeks has got you covered. So mark your calendars for August 1 and get ready to indulge in some of the best food Houston has to offer.
