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    Greek Fest Guide

    The secrets of Houston's crazy Greek Festival: 21,000 pieces of baklava and parking tricks

    Eric Sandler
    Oct 1, 2014 | 2:02 pm
    The secrets of Houston's crazy Greek Festival: 21,000 pieces of baklava and parking tricks
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    For thousands of Houstonians, the first weekend of October means one thing: The return of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral's annual Original Greek Festival. Taking place this year from Thursday through Sunday, the event sees people flooding into Montrose to get their fill of Greek culture, wine and, most importantly, food.

     

    Hundreds of volunteers spend thousands of hours preparing every dish by hand. It's a labor of love with one principle benefit for festival goers — the money saved on labor gets put into ingredients for the various pastries, snacks and savory items served throughout the weekend.

     
     

      Those 21,000 pieces of baklava sound like a lot, but, when it's gone, that's it until next year. 

     

     

    Eager to get a behind the scenes look at some of the work that goes into the festival's food, CultureMap visited the cathedral during one of the days devoted to making baklava. It takes volunteers almost a week to make enough trays to meet the demand for the more than 21,000 pieces that will be sold during the weekend. The men and women who make the treats carefully lay out each layer of filo dough and apply clarified butter. The final seven layers each have a mixture of nuts, sugar and spices.

     

    In addition to sweets, attendees can snack on savory items like gyros, stuffed grape leaves and Greek lasagna. Wine and beer are also available and reasonably priced.

     

    Of course, the festival is more than just food. You can watch Greek dancing and listen to Greek music. Tour the cathedral. Shop the market for imported items. There's even a separate play area for children. All for an admission fee of only $5; children 12 and under get in free.

     

    For those who don't live close enough to walk or bike, organizers recommend taking the shuttle from Lamar High School or the City of Houston Lot H near downtown. Expect parking enforcement to be closely monitoring anyone who tries to park in the surrounding neighborhoods. Don't be the person whose experience is ruined with an expensive ticket.

     

    With a cool front scheduled to blow through on Thursday, the weather should be fantastic all weekend, which means big crowds. Get there early. Those 21,000 pieces of baklava sound like a lot, but, when it's gone, that's it until next year.

     

     Hours for The Original Greek Festival are: Thursday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (free admission) and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. (food served while it lasts).

    Dozens of volunteers spend hundreds of hours preparing the food sold at the annual Greek Festival.

    Baklava making video
      
    Photo by Joel Luks
    Dozens of volunteers spend hundreds of hours preparing the food sold at the annual Greek Festival.
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    Procrastinator's Guide To Thanksgiving

    Procrastinator's Guide to Thanksgiving: Restaurant choices range from traditional to around the world

    Elizabeth Rhodes
    Nov 24, 2014 | 10:07 am
    Procrastinator's Guide to Thanksgiving: Restaurant choices range from traditional to around the world
    Courtesy photo
    Enjoy roasted turkey breast carved by Fogo de Chao's gaucho chefs, served with sweet potato casserole and cranberry relish.

    With Thanksgiving just around the corner, it's time to start making arrangements if you don't already have a Turkey Day feast planned. Use CultureMap's guide — with options ranging from Brasilian cuisine to Cajun fare (and many standards, of course) — to help you figure out where to go and where to make reservations to celebrate the holiday.

     

     Amalfi
    This Italian newcomer in the Briargrove shopping center is featuring a four-course menu. Start with butternut squash soup. Choose from roasted quail lasagna or riccotta-stuffed pasta for your second course. Entree choices consist of stuffed turkey breast or roast sucking pig served with Brussels sprouts, mashed potatoes, green beans and eggplant caponata. Finish with chocolate meringue or pecan tart.
     Price: $50

     

     Americas/Churrascos
    Cordúa Restaurants are hosting a brunch buffet all area Americas and Churrascos locations. The buffet will include familiar dishes with a South American twist, including pumpkin and chorizo empanadas, aji pepper-rubbed turkey and pumpkin spice tres leches to name a few. Many of the restaurants' classic dishes will also be available, and don't miss out on the cinnamon-spiced cranberry sangria.
     Price: $49 for adults, $15 for children aged 6 to 12

     

     Artisans
    If you're interested in a French take on the holiday, visit this Midtown establishment for their four-course prix fixe feast. The meal begins with a oyster and chorizo cornbread, then on to select from jumbo lump crab cakes or a port braised short rib. Entrees range from wild rice crusted Alaskan halibut to roasted turkey breast with cream of mushrooms. A decadent pumpkin opera cake serves as the perfect finish to the autumnal meal.
     Price: $75

     

     Brennan's of Houston
    From 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., the iconic restaurant will be offering a three-course prix fixe meal. For a down-home take on French fare, start with the duck prosciutto and foie gras dish featuring duck cracklins. As for entrees, the Creole roasted turkey with jalapeno cheddar corn pudding and molasses-roasted sweet potato and pumpkin puree steals the show for a Southern take on Thanksgiving staples. Dessert options include cinnamon spiced pumpkin pie and Brennan's iconic banana's Foster.
     Price: $60

     

     The Federal Grill
    If you are in the mood a traditional Thanksgiving feast, this Washington-area eatery is the place for you. The three-course menu include oven roasted turkey and honey baked ham, as well as standard (and delicious) Turkey Day sides. The restaurant is offering two seatings, one at noon and another at 2:30 p.m.
     Price: $48 for adults, $12 for children 10 and under

     

     Fogo de Chao
    The well-known Brasilian steakhouse is serving up all the meats you could conceivably want to eat as part of their holiday feast. Roasted turkey breast, sweet potato casserole and cranberry relish will make you feel right at home. In addition to standard holiday fare, the churrascaria is also serving up house specialties like picanha sirloin, filet mignon, lamb chops, bone-in pork chop and bacon-wrapped chicken.
     Price: $52

     

     Mockingbird Bistro
    This neighborhood bistro is offering a three-course holiday meal from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. For the first course, opt for the butternut squash souffle, complete with glazed shimeji mushrooms and toasted pepitas. As for entrees, herb roasted turkey with stuffing and sweet potato puree will satisfy your desire for traditional Thanksgiving fare. Dessert options include pumpkin cheesecake, apple bread pudding and chocolate pecan pie.
     Price: $65 for adults, $25 for children

     

     Rainbow Lodge
    This long-time restaurant's three-course prix fixe menu features dishes with a distinctly Southern slant. For the first course, you can't go wrong with the "Taste of the Wild," comprised of the chef's sampling of wild game. A medallion of venison paired with stuffed quail and pork belly corn pudding is a stunner, although a more traditional turkey and sides meal is also an excellent option. The croissant bread pudding is a can't-miss dessert choice. The best part yet? You can take home turkey and dressing (enough for a delicious sandwich) for only $5 extra.
     Price: $55

     

     60 Degrees Mastercrafted
    This ranch-to-table restaurant is offering an extensive buffet in honor of the Thanksgiving holiday. You can expect gourmet updates on classics, including curried deviled eggs and foie gras bread pudding. Entree options include traditional fare, such as slow roasted turkey and baked ham with a brown sugar glaze, as well as herb roasted Akausi roast beef. Don't miss out on sides like fried Brussels sprouts and baked sweet potato casserole.
     Price: $37 for adults, $15 for children 10 and under

     

     Sorrel Urban Bistro
    Contemporary fare reigns supreme at the Upper Kirby restaurant's final Thanksgiving meal (it will be closing in the new year). From 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sorrel offers everything from handmade gnocchi and foie gras brulee to smoked turkey leg and Chilean sea bass. Add some holiday cheer and finish your meal with a slice of pumpkin or pecan pie.
     Price: A la carte

     

    Did we miss your favorite Thanksgiving destination? Leave a comment below.

     

     CultureMap food writer Eric Sandler contributed to this article.

     
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