Brunch is the best part of the weekend, especially when it's for a good cause. Houston Restaurant Weeks (HRW) kicks off on Saturday (August 1) with 36 area eateries offering mouth-watering brunch specials. The unique prix fixe menus offer three to four midday courses for $25 per person; the restaurant will donate $4 from each brunch special served to the Houston Food Bank.
Here are four new hotspots and one old favorite with a new chef to hit up for a great brunch. Don't wait too long to take advantage of the deals as HRW comes to an end September 7.
Head to the sleek two-story space at CityCentre, which features Radio Bar on the first level and the restaurant, Radio Milano, on the second floor, for a chef-driven menu of modern Italian cuisine.
What to order: Housemade burrata with local heirloom tomato and pesto, frittata (flat Italian-style omelet) with Italian sausage, mozzarella cheese and pesto and donut-like bombolinis filled with apple butter and sage cream (click here for the full HRW brunch menu).
The Republic Smokehouse & Saloon
Legendary pitmaster Cedric Williams (Williams Smokehouse) is behind the food at the Midtown smokehouse with hardcore 'cue, and plenty of draft beers and craft cocktails to go with it.
What to order: Mixed berry parfait with almond granola, chicken and waffles, and bread pudding (click here for the full HRW brunch menu).
The Galleria outpost of the South African restaurant is big on international flavors and on swank decor, including an artistically rendered 30-ft.-tall Acadia tree inside and a dining room decked out with LED lights.
What to order: Bobotie (the house take on an English cottage pie), carrot ginger soup, curried chicken and sticky toffee pudding (click here for the full HRW brunch menu).
The Bellaire Kosher chophouse presents a meaty list of entrees including beef, veal, lamb and chicken, and a roster of fine wine and creative cocktails.
What to order: Lox crostini (with smoked salmon, a cream cheese spread, capers and red onions), baked eggs in bread bowl filled with spinach and artichokes, and Bananas Foster (click here for the full HRW brunch menu).
There's a breath of fresh air at Heights-area eatery thanks to new chef at the helm, Greg Lowry (formerly at Triniti), and a fresh take on the menu of New American cuisine featuring local ingredients and regional flavors.
What to order: Blue corn muffins with jalapeno jam and pistachio butter, short rib hash with a fried farm egg, hash browns and hollandaise sauce, and the S’more brownie (salted caramel and graham cracker gelato, roasted marshmallows and caramel). (Click here for the full HRW brunch menu).
Click here to see the full list of restaurants offering HRW brunch menus through Sept. 7. Beverages, tax and gratuity are not included, unless otherwise noted.
Hit up the sleek Radio Milano for modern Italian cuisine.
A vintage picture of chefs EJ Miller and Ryan Lachaine. Photo by