5 Solid Dinner Options For Dining Out For Life

Next week, Dining Out For Life will return in Houston for its 26th year, giving folks an opportunity to enjoy a meal at one of the city’s best restaurants while raising cash for AIDS Foundation Houston. This year’s event takes place on Thursday, April 27, and more than 40 restaurants are raising cash to help the Foundation continue its work in HIV prevention and providing care to people living with HIV and AIDS in the city.

If you’re planning to dine out on Thursday, check out one of these five excellent options that will serve up a good meal with a side of charity.

Starfish

Restaurateur Lee Ellis’ new seafood-focused spot hasn’t officially announced an opening date just yet, but the restaurant will be ready to go by the time next Thursday rolls around. If Ellis’ Instagram is to be believed, look forward to dishes like lump crab & avocado salad and “sizzled shrimp.”

Krisp Bird + Batter

This newly-opened fried chicken spot from Chef Ben McPherson serves up an interesting array of yardbird-focused dishes. The spot’s hand-battered fried chicken sandwiches (including a Korean fried chicken style sandwich and another that uses waffles as the bun), tater tots, and waffle fries are comfort food bliss.

Pi Pizza

Yes, it’s technically a Lee Ellis joint, but Anthony Calleo’s endlessly nerdy pizza spot offers up pies that are decidedly more interesting than your average cheese and pepperoni. Try the Sgt. Pepper Redux, topped with blackberries, local goat cheese, and mint pesto, and definitely don’t sleep on the bottled cocktails. There’s a few tiki options (like the Zombie) and the frozen Screwston Daiquiri (aka purple drank) is appropriately garnished with a Jolly Rancher.

Songkran Thai Kitchen

Vegetarians will definitely find plenty to love at this Houston Thai favorite. Instead of having just one or two veg-friendly dishes on the menu, Songkran serves up an extensive menu of appetizers, curries, and sides. Try the kang khew waan, or crispy tofun in coconut green curry for sure.

Rainbow Lodge

If a treat yo’ self option is what you seek, Rainbow Lodge offers a cozy space in which to enjoy a killer tasting menu at only around $80 per person. If that’s out of the budget, share a few sides, like the southern fried quail bites served with grits and bacon gravy.

None of these spots appeal to you? Check out the full list of restaurants here.