Tony's for free

Legendary Houston restaurant offers luxurious free lunch to federal workers

Federal workers will dine in luxury on February 10.

The government shutdown may be over, but one Houston restaurateur still wants to show his appreciation for federal workers. Tony Vallone will open the doors to his namesake restaurant Tony's this Sunday, February 10, for a special lunch that will be free for the formerly furloughed employees and their guests. (Update 2/7: The event is now sold out.)

"It was something I was thinking about with a few friends," Vallone tells CultureMap. After explaining he felt like the employees had been forgotten about as soon as the shutdown was over, he adds, "it's something I want to do. I do a lot of charity work, but I rarely tell the press about it. I thought these people, the airport people, the security people; it's good to be remembered."

Available at three seatings — 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm — the buffet-style lunch will feature several of Vallone's classic dishes such as pansoti, cannelloni, meatballs, Chianti-braised short ribs, side dishes, and an array of desserts. The offer is limited to one per worker (with government ID) and his or her guest; in total, Vallone says he expects to feed between 500 and 600 people. Those who are interested must register in advance via Eventbrite.

"It's our food. It's going to be a nice menu," Vallone says. "Planning menus is what I do for a living. I'm creative. I want to give them a nice, great meal."

Volunteers from To Educate All Children (TEACH), a local non-profit dedicated to teacher training, will provide volunteers to assist with the event. Vallone's wife and business partner Donna serves on the charity's board of directors.

Houston's restaurant community displayed incredible generosity during the shutdown, as dozens of establishments offered free or deeply discounted meals to people who went over a month without receiving a paycheck. Still, none are quite as luxurious as the 50-plus year old Houston institution — even in buffet mode. Sometimes, when restaurants display such generosity, it's with the hope that those who benefit from it will return for another meal at full price. Does Vallone hope some of the people he'll feed on Sunday will return for a salt-crusted snapper and a sky high soufflé?

"A lot of the things we do, that's a good part of it," Vallone says. "This is not. It's from our heart. Forget the right or left side, we need to take care of our people and pull our country back together again."

One nation under Tony Vallone's meatballs? Politicians on all sides have certainly floated worse ideas.

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cheers to that

Texas bourbon named one of 2024's top 10 whiskies

Still Austin Whiskey Co. Red Corn Bourbon Whiskey

Still Austin Whiskey Co./Facebook

Now if only we could snag a bottle...as a Christmas gift, of course.

Three cheers for Still Austin Whiskey Co.! The distillery's Bottled in Bond Red Corn Bourbon Whiskey was recognized as one of Whisky Advocate'sTop 20 Most Exciting Whiskies of 2024.

Every year, Whisky Advocate's expert panelists rank hundreds of whiskies based on their quality, availability, value for the price, and "X-factor," meaning an excitement-inducing component like a unique flavor or an innovative idea. An international panel also reviews contenders through several blind taste tests without knowing each whisky's producer, origin, age, or price.

The magazine ranked Still Austin's five-year Red Corn Bourbon No. 7 on the list with a prestigious score of 94 points. The Red Corn whiskey, which was released in June 2024, has mash bill consisting of 36 percent Jimmy Red corn, 34 percent white corn, 25 percent rye, and 5 percent barley.

According to panelist Shane English, tasting notes start big and bold with cracked pepper, dusty leather, and cocktail cherries, before moving on to a palate of chile pepper, caramel, and buttery cornbread.

"Each sip is electric — the pepper gives this whiskey a zing balanced by poundcake and glazed doughnuts," English said. "Charred oak fades to chocolate, coffee, and pecan pie on the finish."

Still Austin had the only Texas product on the list, which was fitting given the brand's recent boasting that it could match any Kentucky Bourbon. As a game day stunt when the Texas Longhorns played the Kentucky Wildcats in November, Still Austin refilled empty Kentucky Bourbon bottles with its own Cask Strength Bourbon for just $1.

When the brand isn't playfully antagonizing Kentucky fans, its Red Corn Bourbon sells for a retail price of $85 per 750-milliliter bottle, falling nearly in the middle of the price category out of all 20 bourbons on the list, with eight others priced for less.

For additional context, none of the top five bourbons fall under a $100 price tag. In fact, the most expensive bottle on the 2024 list is the Angel's Envy 2023 Cask Strength Port Wine Barrel Finished Bourbon, which ranked No. 12 and retails for $230 per bottle.

"Our top 20 whiskies represent a curated collection that deserves your attention. Each whisky on the list stands out for its superb taste, representing the pinnacle of a year filled with remarkable tastings," said executive editor David Fleming in a release. "This list features whiskies offering exceptional value, leaders in their respective styles, and superbly made expressions that are well worth seeking out."

Whiskey Advocate's 2024 Whiskey of the Year is Laphroaig Elements 2.0 Cask Strength Scotch Single Malt, which earned 95 points and retails for $165 a bottle.

whiskey bourbon distilleries awards lists