[vc_row padding_top=”0px” padding_bottom=”0px”][vc_column fade_animation_offset=”45px” width=”1/1″][text_output]3300 Smith Street | Houston, Texas 77006 | 713.522.9711[/text_output][image type=”none” float=”none” link=”true” src=”5049″ alt=”Brennan’s of Houston ” href=”http://www.brennanshouston.com/” title=”” info_content=”” lightbox_caption=”” id=”” class=”” style=””][custom_headline type=”center” level=”h2″ looks_like=”h5″ id=”” class=”” style=””]Brennan’s of Houston – A Taste of New Orleans &
Experience of Southern Charm[/custom_headline][text_output]I recently joined forty-plus Houston Food Blogger Collective members at an exclusive members-only summer happy hour at Brennan’s of Houston to preview Brennan’s 7-7-7 Courtyard Bar Menu. The 7-7-7 Courtyard bar menu is a great way to enjoy Brennan’s upscale food and service at happy hour prices, seven days a week. With a seasonal array of seven appetizers, seven cocktails, and seven wines for $7 each from 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm, you simply can’t go wrong! I was thrilled to hear about that because who doesn’t want to get happy after a long day at the office or grab a few bites before a show? Sign me up, right!

The Brennan’s 7-7-7 Courtyard Bar Menu

Our evening began with a warm greeting from Fern Casio, Brennan’s Marketing Manager. She escorted us to a beautiful, upstairs courtyard view event room and introduced us to the Brennan’s team: Proprietor Alex Brennan-Martin, Executive Chef Danny Trace, Executive Sous Chef Martin Weaver, and Bar Chef Richard Middleton. The jazzy ambiance music, natural lighting, and beautifully arranged food stations set the festive mood for our happy hour.

The craft cocktails and wines from the 7-7-7 menu were carefully selected to compliment our Creole-inspired preview menu: Tuna Crudo, Honey Roasted Crispy Duck, Acadiana Boudin Link, Creole Smoked Catfish Dip, Island Shrimp Ceviche, and the Grand Platter. I started with the Sazerac (a blend of Russell’s Reserve Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey, bitters, a hint of Herbsaint, and simple syrup) and sampled the Courtyard Bar Tea (Seagram’s Vodka, hibiscus tea and pineapple juice) and Carmina Prosecco (bright & refreshing bubbles from Italy) with their suggested food pairings.

With our drinks in hand, we gravitated to the Grand Platter table which featured Blue Crab Raviote, Zatarain’s Boiled Shrimp, Creole Lobster, West Indies Crab Claws, Des Allemands Smoked Catfish Dip, and Bluepoint 1/2 Shelled Oysters. Everything was so beautifully presented that we had to capture a few photographs of the food.  But, it didn’t take us long to put the cameras down and dive into the seafood!

The Island Shrimp Ceviche on Victor’s Tostones was a delicious bite of shrimp, crab, peppers and avocado with a hint of citrus flavors. The Tuna Crudo with peach vinaigrette, caramelized peaches, cucumber, and crema was a Southern twist to sashimi that was fresh and savory. Definitely,  not your traditional happy hour fare!

I continued my seafood journey with a plate of Blue Point oysters, West Indies Crab Claws, boiled shrimp, and catfish dip. The Gulf Coast Seafood Grand Platter is the way to go for starters. It’s perfect for summer dining and sharing with friends. I enjoyed everything I sampled and fell in love with the Creole Smoked Catfish Dip featuring poblano pico de gallo and crispy tortilla chips. Catfish is not exactly my go-to fish but I was impressed with the bold flavors and rich creamy texture of this smoky flavored dip.

I took a break from grazing and spoke with Brennan’s Executive Chef Danny Trace. He explained the various 7-7-7 summer menu items and highly recommended the duck. He told me about his love for hunting ducks, cooking ducks and eating ducks.  So after Chef Danny’s duck promotion, I plated-up the Honey Roasted Crispy Duck with Crawfish Fried Rice topped with Blueberry Duck Sauce and I started round two of eating.

Chef Danny was right. The duck was tender and juicy! The pairing of the crawfish fried rice and blueberry duck sauce made the honey roasted crispy duck was exceptional and paired perfectly with the Courtyard Bar Tea cocktail. I heard that it takes three days to prepare this dish and our group devoured it in minutes.

After a few sips of Carmina Prosecco, I made a last call for the Acadiana Boudin Link with Zatarain’s Creole Mustard. It was a homerun for me. Traditional Creole flavors featuring Black Hill Ranch pork boudin. You simply can’t go wrong with this dish.

As we were ending our Houston Food Blogger Collective Happy Hour, I jokingly said to Chef Danny, “We didn’t get any dessert! We want to know how to make the famous Brennan’s Bananas Foster.” Without missing a beat, Chef Danny replied, “Come on down to the kitchen. I’ll show you how to make it!” So the Houston Food Blogger Collective experienced a little bit of VIP treatment with a private cooking demo from Executive Chef Danny Trace. What a wonderful way to end a memorable experience at Brennan’s of Houston!

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Charm + Flavor + Memories

Since 1967, Brennan’s has created a recipe for success by providing memorable dining experiences for their guests. Their secret? They focus on three key elements: excellent service, Southern hospitality, and classic yet innovative cuisine. From the moment you walk into the French Quarter styled building of Brennan’s of Houston, you immediately connect with their Southern charm. The staff welcomes you like you are a guest in their home. White tablecloths, regal chandeliers, and rich warm colors draw you into an atmosphere of sophistication and relaxation. And Brennan’s Creole-inspired dishes paired with craft cocktails and wine will keep you coming back for more.

I’ve been to Brennan’s several times for various milestone events: my sister-in-law’s bridesmaid lunch, Mother’s Day Brunch, birthdays. And, most recently to celebrate my parents’ 50th wedding anniversary. However, I didn’t know about Brennan’s other offerings. At the Houston Food Blogger Collective Happy Hour, I learned that Brennan’s host numerous events throughout the year. Private chef dinners that are hosted in the kitchen near all the action, signature cocktail making classes, date night cooking classes, and courtyard socials are a few ways Brennan’s is connecting people with creative food and drink experiences. For the ultimate food enthusiast experience, you can participate in Brennan’s a chef for a day program. It’s an all day, chef-led cooking adventure where you learn how to cook.  At the end of the day, you prepare a four-course meal for your closest friends and family in the Brennan’s kitchen.

Brennan’s offerings are endless and they are kicking the summer off with their new 7-7-7 Courtyard Bar happy hour menu. So take a break from the heat, and go taste and see for yourself!

Thank you, Brennan’s of Houston for hosting a memorable Houston Food Bloggers Collective Happy Hour event. It was a pleasure to meet your staff, Executive Chef Danny Trace, and Proprietor Alex Brennan-Martin. I can’t wait to dine with you again and share the Brennan’s one-of-a-kind experience with my friends and family![/text_output][share title=”Share this Post” facebook=”true” twitter=”true” google_plus=”true” email=”true” id=”” class=”” style=””][/vc_column][/vc_row]