Restaurant Weeks Game Changer

Dinner and a movie now part of Houston Restaurant Weeks: $35 for three courses and a flick

Throughout its history, the only entertainment provided by Houston Restaurant Weeks came via either an engaging server or sparking dinner conversation from one's friends. But that was then. This year, movie theater The Alamo Drafthouse has joined in to raise money for the Houston Food Bank.

For $35, diners get a three-course dinner at the theater and a movie ticket. At the end of the meal, the diner will receive a second movie ticket good for a return visit. The menu choices include bottomless popcorn, a spicy blue cheeseburger, fish and chips and adult shakes for dessert. The Alamo will donate $5 from every menu to the Food Bank, and the promotion runs through Sept. 1. To participate, diners simply need to purchase a ticket online via the Alamo website.

"I am thrilled to be able to offer Houston's diners something new and different for Houston Restaurant Weeks."

"I am thrilled to be able to offer Houston's diners something new and different for Houston Restaurant Weeks," organizer Cleverley Stone tells CultureMap. "Ultimately, it's a unique way to give back to the Houston Food Bank."

“We are honored to have our Houston area Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas selected as the first movie theater to participate in Houston Restaurant Weeks,” Neil Billingsley-Michaelsen, CEO of Triple Tap Ventures LLC, said in a statement. “This is a win-win-win for Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Houston; we are able to showcase our award-winning menu items and offer first run and classic movies to Houstonians, while giving them the unique Alamo experience, and most importantly, support to the Houston Food Bank, an extremely worthy local organization.”

Will you try the Alamo dinner as part of HRW or stick to traditional restaurants? Let us know in the comments.

A spicy blue cheese burger is also on the menu.

Courtesy photo

A spicy blue cheese burger is also on the menu.

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street food inspired

Veteran chef opens affordable new Thai restaurant in West Houston

A new restaurant serving Thai street food is opening in the Westchase District. Osha Thai Kitchen will begin serving customers on Tuesday, December 10.

Located in the West on West development (12230 Westheimer Rd.), Osha Thai Kitchen is the latest project from Saranya Danvetnukroh, who owns Nua Thai in downtown Houston. Named for the Thai word that means “delicious,” the restaurant takes inspiration from dishes served in street markets in different regions of Thailand as well as some items for those seeking more familiar flavors.

Meals at Osha could start with items such as crispy spring rolls, crab rangoon, or Thai chicken wings. Three papaya salads — traditional Thai, one with salted egg, and another that’s Lao style with salted crab — join chicken larb in the salads section.

Notably, Osha makes all of its noodles in-house. They’re utilized in dishes such as pad Thai, pad see ew, and pad woo sen. The restaurant also makes its curries in-house. They include red curry, green curry, and panang curry.

Part of Osha’s appeal will be its affordable prices. Only two entrees, crab fried rice and whole fried red snapper, cost more than $20.

Danvetnukroh has recruited sous chef Afridi Zama to lead the kitchen. His resume includes time with Pappas restaurant and at The Nicolette, a restaurant in Lubbock that earned a James Beard Award semifinalist nomination in 2022.

“This project is a culmination of dedication to our craft and creativity to elevate Thai cuisine,”

Danvetnukroh said in a statement. “It’s an homage to our roots and a celebration of our heritage in the modern age.”

West on West is home to number of food-related business. Its anchored by a 99 Ranch grocery store and includes restaurants such as cake bakery Lady M and Tokyo-based ramen shop Tsujita Artisan Noodle.

Photo by Becca Wright

Osha Thai Kitchen opens December 10.

openings news-you-can-eat osha thai kitchen