Overrated Restaurant Week

Yesterday, my husband and I ate at Uchi for restaurant week. For those of you who do not know what restaurant week is, it is when a select group of restaurants offer 3 course meals at a set price. Restaurant week is supposed to give you the opportunity to try those fancy restaurants you would not normally go to at a fraction of the price.

When we first sat down at Uchi, we were given the happy hour menu as well as the regular menu. We actually had to ask for the restaurant week menu. After our server brought us the restaurant week menu, I started comparing prices of the items featured on the restaurant week menu to their usual prices on the regular menu. What I found was startling. Depending on which items you chose, the fixed price of $36 was either equal to or more than what those items usually cost on the menu.

I had to share this experience with you because I am convinced restaurant week is a gimmick at most restaurants except a select few. The only restaurant in Austin that I think is worth going to for restaurant week is Perry's Steakhouse. No matter what city you live in, I have found that the steakhouses usually offer the best "bang for your buck" for restaurant week. Besides that, don't waste your time.

After we agreed that the restaurant week menu was nothing special, we decided to order every dish off the happy hour menu. If you want to experience Uchi, this is the way to do it. They offer some of their most popular dishes on the happy hour menu at a fraction of the price. The catch is you have to be willing to eat between 5-6:30pm to enjoy this special. I also love that you do not have to sit at the bar to enjoy their happy hour.  We left the restaurant stuffed. Next time we will order one or two less sushi rolls. Here is a preview of some of our favorite things off the happy hour menu.

Bacon Steakle (MY FAVORITE DISH)

pork belly, watermelon, radish, citrus, thai basil

Hama Chili

baby yellowtail, ponzu, thai chili, orange supreme

Machi Cure

smoked baby yellowtail, yucca crisp, asian pear, marcona almond, garlic brittle

Walu Walu

Oak-grilled escolar, candied citrus, yuzupon, myoga

Of course we had some of their famous sushi rolls. I loved the Shag roll which consisted of tempura, salmon, avocado and sun-dried tomato.

Restaurant week in Austin ends April 4th so if you want to experience a wonderful steak dinner at a reasonable price, go to Perry's. 

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