Former Houston pro sports stars Calvin Murphy and Chester Pitts joined restaurateurs and foodie fans Sunday night at the new Mr. Peeples to kick off Houston Restaurant Weeks.
The month-long event offering special dining deals at more than 170 restaurants to benefit the Houston Food Bank begins Thursday (Aug. 1), but supporters met early to get revved up about the opportunities to sample Houston's diverse food scene. Participating restaurants are thrilled because it has turned August — traditionally a down month — into one of the busiest times of the year.
"It's a lot of work. But it makes the whole restaurant scene in Houston a buzz."
"It's great for business," said Chuck Criswell, general manager of The Tasting Room in CityCentre. "It gets a lot of Houstonians out to eat at a lot of restaurants they wouldn't go to. And everybody at our restaurant, from the chef to the servers, gets excited about showcasing our product."
The region-wide benefit runs the entire month of August through Sept. 2 with special lunch, brunch and dinner menus ranging from $20 to $45. A portion of sales from each lunch and dinner offering goes to the Houston Food Bank. Click here to see the complete menu list.
Philippe Schmit, owner of Philippe, likens HRW to a reality TV restaurant challenge. "You have $35 (for the special dinner menu), with $5 going to the Food Bank, to give them a culinary experience. You want them to remember you. It's a lot of work. But it makes the whole restaurant scene in Houston a buzz."
Houston Restaurant Weeks founder Cleverley Stone thanked all the restaurants and sponsors for participating, noting that last year $1.2 million was raised for the Houston Food Bank. Known for her unrelenting promotion of the cause, Stone enlisted Pitts to be a supporter after they served together as celebrity judges at a tailgate throwdown at the Houston Texans Grille Saturday.
"I've only known her for 24 hours," Pitts said. "But when Miss Cleverley asks, you say yes."
Mr. Peeples owner Lucky Chopra was beaming as he showed guests the lavish new Midtown restaurant, with a two-story circular wine rack, Swarvoski crystal chandeliers and graffiti art by Houston artist James Perez. The restaurant opens to the public tonight. Waiters passed hors d'oeuvres while guest sampled wines from a variety of suppliers, including Brugal Rum, MacAllan, Highland Park, Famous Grouse, Desantis Wines and Evamor water.
Among those celebrating were Leisa Holland-Nelson, whose Content Active company produced the Houston Restaurant Weeks website, State Reps. Carol Alvarado and Gene Wu, with his wife Miya Shay, Houston Food Bank CEO Brian Greene and chief development office Amy Ragan, radio personalities MIX 96.5's Blake Hayes, Hot 95.7's Sara Pepper and 950 AM's High Tech Texan Michael Garfield, publicist Melissa Stevens and FOX 26 vp Ralph Rendon.
Among the restaurateurs were Cinq owner Dan Zimmerman and chef German Mosquera, Mr. Peeples executive chef Pedro Silva, director of operations Tim Kohler and manager Tom Williams, and Landmark Houston Hospitality vp of marketing Kevin Smoot.
Chester Pitts, from left, Cleverley Stone, Franklyn Barnett and Calvin Murphy at the Houston Restaurant Weeks kickoff.
