If it's just too hot for you to think about fine dining or chowing down on a hunk of beef, you might want to consider several restaurant offerings this month guaranteed to take the heat off of your wallet.
In this era of climbing restaurant prices (with some entrees going as high as $68), a three-course dinner with wines for $59 is something of a shocker. But that's exactly what you'll get when you sit down at one of the linen-covered tables at Tony's. Proprietor Tony Vallone has introduced for the month the "Haute July at Tony's" menu.
Having checked it out on July 1, for the first course, I chose the Orecchiette Genovese (hen of the woods mushrooms, proscuitto riserva and English peas) over the Insalata Milano comprised of burrata, proscuitto and figs. The entree offering was between seared Mediterranean branzino with Tuscan beans and salsa verde or "Tony's Way" center cut filet with sauteed bone marrow. (I opted for the fish.) The Texas blackberry dessert — homemade angel food cake with limoncello cream — was beyond dreamy. All three courses were home runs that had my dining companions rethinking their orders.
As part of the package, the wines were nicely paired with the food and the meal began (summer soda) and concluded (house infused grappa) with shot glasses of liquid delight.
Unlimited Kobe beef
It's an offer we can't refuse. Tradicao Brazilian Steakhouse, in celebration of its fifth anniversary in Fort Bend County and in Clear Lake, is pulling out the culinary stops in celebration. July 7 through July 10, the specialsare on — $5 wines by the glass, $5 desserts, and $5 caipirinhas. But the true celebration for diners is the unlimited Texas Kobe beef ribeye which is available with the purchase of a full Brazilian dinner.
"Texas Kobe beef is noted for being the best quality steak in the market," Melissa Abrantes, Tradicao marketing director, said in a statement. "We wanted to celebrate our 5 year birthday with an exciting addition, but grill it with a Brazilian twist!"
Lunch break
Midtown lunch and dinner oasis Artisans and chef Jacques Fox are enticing workers out of their air-conditioned cubicles this month with a 25 percent reduction in his already wallet-friendly lunch specials. Throughout July, the three-course chef's business lunch is priced at $21.75. That includes soup de jour or salad, business entree and dessert du jour.
As a special bonus for those who brave the heat for dining out, Artisans is offering, through August, gift cards with a 20 percent discount.
Tony's among several restaurants taking the heat off of summer dining.
