:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50177633/caracol-fb.0.jpg)
Now just days away from the culinary bonanza that is Houston’s month-long Houston Restaurant Weeks, the complete list of eateries has been released and reservations are officially open. The festivities kick off on August 1st, which means there’s not much time left to snag your table(s) before the best are all snapped up.
It’s important to remember, though, that not all Houston Restaurant Weeks reservations are created equally. Whether you’re looking to score dinner at a restaurant that’s typically out of budget or looking to do some serious surveying of the city’s culinary scene, these five eateries bring both solid cuisine and a good value to the table.
Caracol
Chef Hugo Ortega’s HRW menu doesn’t skimp on the seafood. Start with pozole verde loaded with little neck clams, then move on to a wood-grilled Gulf catch served over black truffle and crispy rice tamal. Crispy-fried gaznate (think Mexican cannoli) stuffed with orange pastry cream provide a sweet finish.
Price: $45 per person, wine pairings $28/pp
Hunky Dory
This newcomer to Houston Restaurant Weeks brings a hearty menu with plenty of options for gluten-free diners. Starters include housemade charcuterie and country ham served with melon, while chicken tikka masala, braised short rib, and Hunky Dory’s much lauded burger round out a hearty selection of mains.
Price: $35 per person
Toulouse
If you haven’t made it to this Houston newcomer, there’s no better time than Houston Restaurant Weeks. The three course menu of classic French dishes like shrimp provencal, duck leg confit, and apple tarte tatin is both a splurge and a solid value.
Price: $45 per person
La Table
Ball on a budget with La Table’s classy HRW menu. Supplemental dishes like lump crab salad and Hudson Valley duck breast are worth the extra $5 each, but you’ll do just fine sticking with the simply prepared dishes (roasted chicken, grilled salmon) included in the $45 prix fixe.
Price: $45 per person
B&B Butchers
You won’t find any of that fancy, specially certified Kobe beef on B&B Butchers’ $45 prix fixe, but the options are still decidedly worth the cash. If you’ve got extra cash to blow, $20 more gets you a 22 ounce prime ribeye, otherwise go for the 10 oz prime filet or crab stuffed shrimp served over fried rice.
Price: $45 per person
