Beat the Heat with Houston Restaurants’ Delicious Summer Menu Creations

Don’t miss out on fine dining, casual gatherings, summer cocktails and more

Mix it up and enjoy a little bit of everything!

EMMALINE: Located at 3210 West Dallas

New Emmaline menu follows the genesis of American cuisine

Starters:  The menu reads as homage to the funloving spirit of the season: Scallop Crudo with passion fruit habanero dressing and watermelon sorbetto; Crudo di Pesce Bianco with red snapper, grilled pineapple, orange, apple, serrano, lime and cucumber– both pop with bright citrus and a touch of heat.

A fresh Tuna Tartare, a playful Caviar rendition and daily Market Oysters round out the depth of the pure offerings. A lavish Meat & Cheese board is Instagram-ready, topped with prosciutto, bresaola, hot coppa, pork rillette, delice de Bourgogne, gorgonzola dolce, manchego, preserved meyer lemon, blackberry mostarda, seasonal fruits and marcona almonds.

Emmaline’s shareables are seen in a classic crispy Calamari rendition, a Miso Eggplant, Fontina Fondue, Asparagus & Prosciutto and Mussels in lemon-caper butter, blistered tomatoes, sopresssata that beg to be mopped up with a swipe of country bread.

Lunchable:  Lunch includes new sandwiches and a classic burger made with house-mixed Angus beef, leaf lettuce, aged cheddar, shoestring onions and coffee-bacon jam on a poppy seed bun. A Grilled Cheese of four cheeses has robust flavors complimented with a side of tomatobasil soup for dipping. The Chicken Brie Croissant is all-out craveable.

Pastas include Linguine Zucchine e Gamberetti of wood fired shrimp, cherry tomato, garlic, lemon-pistachio pesto; Fontina-Ricotta Agnolotti with roasted wild mushrooms, thyme, cremini mushroom sauce and parmigiana. Sea lovers must try the Bucatini alle Vongole of little neck clams, vino Greco, garlic, pepperoncini, lemon and parsley that bring coastal Italy to the taste.

Dinner:  Dinnertime rolls out grown-up dishes from the wood-fired grill. Get your grill on with the Salmon simply served with warm farro salad and a light zippy beurre blanc; whole Branzino with Israeli couscous; double-cut Cheshire pork chop; and the more serious Veal Chop – a 42 oz. cut in a green pepper demi-glace, market greens, polenta fries and herbed crème fraiche.

Feature photo & photos: V. Sweeten

GRIMALDI’S PIZZERIA: June 11-September 9:  Summer Selections Menu

Multiple Houston Locations Available

Warmer temps, cool cocktails and summer vibes are finally here, and starting June 11 we will be relaunching our Summer Selections menu. These limited-time options incorporate seasonal flavors including tangy barbeque sauce, fresh berries, crisp spinach, and crunchy almonds so guests can enjoy unique versions of our classic New York style pizza, salad, and cheesecake.

In addition to the Summer Selections Menu, Grimaldi’s two new options will be added to our Chef Selections on our main menu.  Adding a little extra pizazz to the classic white pizza, the Prosciutto Arugula Pizza is topped with thinly sliced prosciutto, signature cheese blend and fresh arugula.

Those in search of a vegetarian and nut-free option can turn to the new Garden Pesto Pizza—hand-sliced mozzarella and basil pesto sauce, topped with creamy ricotta cheese, artichokes, and red onions, then finished with their signature cheese blend and spices. Also new to the starters and salads on the menu is the Lemon Arugula Salad and Roasted Red Pepper & Ricotta Bruschetta.

Lastly, prosciutto lovers rejoice because prosciutto will now be offered all year long as a topping choice on our main menu.

photo courtesy of Grimaldi’s

THE GROVE

The Grove at Discovery Green begins its series of summer happy hour events on their second floor patio on June 25. Tree House Happy Hour brings The Grove’s drink specials and bar bites to the upstairs patio, which is typically served for private events.

Beat the heat with select beers ($3), cocktails ($6) or a refreshing glass of house rose ($5) and nosh on shrimp corndogs ($6), beet hummus with serrano, pistachio and flatbread, and truffle fries with smoked garlic aioli ($5 small, $10 large). The Grove’s Tree House Happy Hour series is from 4-7 p.m. on June 25, July 20, and August 31.

photo courtesy of The Grove

HOTEL ALESSANDRA AND HOTEL SORELLA CITYCENTRE

Why have a cocktail when you can have a poptail? Summer just got a whole lot sweeter at Valencia Hotel Group.

Each of the Valencia Group hotels, including Hotel Alessandra and Hotel Sorella CItyCentre  are offering overnight packages featuring delicious accommodations alongside a handcrafted “poptail” to enjoy patio or poolside. Dive into Summer with the ultimate adult confection that cools you down in the Houston heat.

MCDONALD’S WORLD MENU

McDonald’s Worldwide Favorites Menu will be available at participating restaurants for a limited time.

Choose from international favorites like the Stroopwafel McFlurry (The Netherlands), Grand McExtreme Bacon Burger (Spain), Tomato Mozzarella Chicken Sandwich (Canada) and Cheesy Bacon Fries (Australia).

photo courtesy of McDonalds