HRW Breaks A Record

Steakhouses lead the way as Houston Restaurant Weeks brings in more than $2 million

Cornerstone Dinner, Feb. 2016, B&B Butchers

B&B Butchers raised the most money during HRW.

Photo by Felix Sanchez

Houstonians have once again demonstrated their generosity by eating well for a good cause during Houston Restaurant Weeks. Organizer Cleverley Stone announced Wednesday that the annual fundraising event has set another new record in 2016, with a total donation of surpassing $2 million.

That amount of money will allow the event's beneficiary, the Houston Food Bank, to serve 6,045,473 meals to hungry people across the Houston-area. The exact total — $2,015,157.77 — represents an increase of approximately $115,000 from 2015, when the event raised $1,900,174. In 2016, HRW increased its total number of restaurants to 274 and added a $25 dinner option that made it accessible for those seeking a less-expensive alternative to the $35 and $45 dinners that are at the event's core.

"What started as an idea in 2003 to raise money for the Houston Food Bank, has happily become a citywide marriage of food and fundraising," Stone said in a statement. "It’s a win-win-win. The restaurants, Houstonians who enjoy dining out and the Houston Food Bank all look forward to HRW each year. I give my heartfelt thanks for the extraordinary efforts by participating restaurants, the sponsors and volunteers who all donate their resources, time and money to make HRW happen every year."

As always, steakhouses led the year's top 10 donations, with Washington Avenue favorite B&B Butchers taking the top spot, followed by South African restaurant Peli Peli's location in The Galleria, and iconic Creole restaurant Brennan's in third. Here's the full list:

1. B&B Butchers
2. Peli Peli, The Galleria
3. Brennan's of Houston
4. Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steak House
5. Masraff's
6. The Capital Grille, CityCentre
7. Americas, River Oaks
8. Del Frisco's Grille, West Ave
9. Vic & Anthony's
10. Eddie V's Prime Seafood, CityCentre

“Because Cleverley is selfless in donating five months of her time each year to Houston Restaurant Weeks along with other volunteers, 100 percent of donation proceeds from Houston Restaurant Weeks come directly to the Houston Food Bank to feed hungry people,” added Houston Food Bank president and CEO Brian Greene. “It’s an amazing endeavor by an extraordinary individual who understands that food is essential to the health and wellbeing of all children, seniors and adults in our community."

charity fundraisers

a spoonful of sugar

New Mexican eatery sweetens Houston with 150 spirits and bold flavors

Courtesy of Mexican Sugar

Mexican Sugar is coming to Regent Square in December.

A Dallas-based Mexican restaurant is coming to Houston. Mexican Sugar will open its first Houston location in Montrose this December.

Located next to Georgia James in the Regent Square mixed-use development, Mexican Sugar will occupy a two-story, 13,000-square-foot building. All that room offers seating for 375 as well as two private dining rooms with full audio-visual capabilities. Both the upstairs and downstairs patios will have a view of nearby Buffalo Bayou Park.

Its part of FB Society, the Dallas-based hospitality group behind Whiskey Cake, Sixty Vines, and Haywire, the Texas-inspired comfort food restaurant that opened its first Houston-area location earlier this year. Mexican Sugar has three locations in the Dallas area: Plano, Las Colinas, and Uptown Dallas.

In a release, Mexican Sugar touts its use of seasonal ingredients. It also makes its tortillas by hand. Menu highlights include skirt steak, lobster fundido, and a bone-in pork chop. At brunch, look for options such as cajeta French toast, Benedictos Rancheros, and vanilla-cinnamon pancakes.

Agave fans will find plenty of choices courtesy of more the 150 tequilas and mezcals. They’re available in individual pours as well as in flights that allow customers to compare the flavors of the different spirits.

“Our goal is to create a dining experience that blends bold Mexican flavors with our signature style of hospitality that stays two steps ahead,” Justin Beam, Mexican Sugar’s director of operations, said in a statement. “We’re excited to offer Houstonians an immersive Mexican experience in a fresh, light, and approachable way.”

Courtesy of Mexican Sugar

Mexican Sugar is coming to Regent Square in December.

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