Course's Restaurant

 

8

43

Eric B.

Houston, TX

What more can I say?  Robyn is right.  Friends had been pestering me to go to a Courses dinner for quite some time.  I just thought students at the Culinary Institute couldn't pull off a five-course meal consistently enough for me to bother.  Oh, how wrong I was!

The courses are fixed and set in advance.  If you are really anal and must know, then go ahead and cheat.  I recommend setting yourself up for a surprise.  Just go and enjoy the ride.  My party called in advance and told them there would be a vegetarian in our group.  My dinner varied from those of my friends course for course, and it was all savory and unique.  I didn't know what I would be eating until it was placed in front of me.  I loved every bite!

For $43 (TOTAL) per person, I can't imagine a better "deal".  Four different wines were served throughout dinner.  Since I don't drink, I can't vouch for them, but there wasn't a single complaint at our table of eight.

At our particular dinner last week, they were having poetry readings between each course.  The poems by the likes of Sylvia Plath and Ogden Nash corresponded with the menu.  It was cute and fun and not trying to be anything else.

DEFINITELY make reservations.  I would advise calling at least a week in advance.  You can read a bit about it here:
http://www.artinstitut...
or just call to make a reservation at: 713-353-3644      

The atmosphere is a little drab, but you are in a school after all.  For what it is, Courses is pretty impressive.

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

Elite '08

2

26

Robyn T.

Houston, TX

Lunch is Monday-Friday, but I'm not here to talk about lunch.  Dinner is where it's at.  

They are open for dinner Wednesday-Friday nights.  You get a five-course wine pairing for $42.95 per person.  This is a student run restaurant with an executive chef instructor Scott Fernandez overseeing everything in the kitchen and front-of the-house manager Jonathon LeBlanc overseeing the dining area. While it is a school and students are preparing everything, these are students that are about to graduate and Chef Fernandez expects them to live up to his high standards.  

Reservations are highly recommended as the regulars snatch up those seats fairly quickly.  There are three seating times, 6:30, 7:00, and 7:30.  They are pretty strict on closing time, because it is a class.  The place is quiet and small, seating around 42 people and it's a great place for a date.  Each week brings a different theme and you get a wine with 1st, 2nd, and 4th courses.  

An example is this Flavors of Provence pairing.

1st - Provencal Tomato Puree, Crusty Boulettes, Herbed Goat Cheese
2nd - Truffled Guinea Egg, Fresh Pasta Pillows
3rd - Black Cherry Sorbet
4th - Lavender Roasted Game Hen, Asparagus Flan, Brandied Morels
5th - Bittersweet Chocolate Gateau, Raspberry Floc

You might be disappointed, but I doubt it.

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review