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# Courses – Culinary Student Restaurant in Houston, TX
Courses is a unique dining experience located at The Art Institute of Houston in Houston, TX, where culinary students showcase their skills in a restaurant setting. This innovative establishment offers a rotating menu that highlights various cuisines, providing patrons with a chance to enjoy gourmet meals at an affordable price. The restaurant has garnered attention for its community involvement and commitment to culinary education, creating a supportive environment for students to learn and grow. Review highlights often mention the relaxed atmosphere, the opportunity to see students in action, and the diverse menu options that change weekly, making each visit a new adventure.

## History
### The story of Courses
Courses was founded with the vision of providing culinary students at The Art Institute of Houston a platform to gain practical experience in a real restaurant environment. The establishment aims to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world culinary challenges, allowing students to apply their skills while receiving guidance from experienced chefs. This hands-on approach not only enhances their education but also fosters a sense of community and support among students and patrons alike.

### Milestones and growth
- **Inception**: Opened as a student-run restaurant to provide practical training.
- **Menu Evolution**: Introduced a rotating menu that features various culinary themes.
- **Community Engagement**: Partnered with local organizations to support culinary education.
- **Recognition**: Gained popularity among locals for its unique dining experience and affordable pricing.

### Cultural and local influence
Courses has become a staple in the Houston dining scene, reflecting the city's diverse culinary landscape. The restaurant not only serves as a training ground for aspiring chefs but also as a cultural hub where different cuisines are celebrated. By incorporating local ingredients and flavors into their menus, the students at Courses contribute to the culinary identity of Houston, making it a vibrant part of the community.

### Continuing the tradition
As Courses continues to evolve, it remains committed to its founding principles of education and community involvement. The restaurant regularly hosts events that showcase the talents of its students while also providing opportunities for local chefs to mentor them. This tradition of collaboration and support ensures that Courses remains a vital part of the culinary education landscape in Houston.

## Community
### Community involvement
Courses actively engages with the local community, offering a unique dining experience that supports culinary education. The restaurant often collaborates with local organizations and charities, hosting events that raise funds for culinary scholarships and other educational initiatives. This involvement not only benefits the students but also strengthens the bond between the restaurant and the community it serves.

### Community notion about the place
The community views Courses as a valuable asset, providing a platform for students to showcase their culinary skills while offering diners a chance to enjoy quality meals at reasonable prices. Many patrons appreciate the opportunity to support aspiring chefs and often return to experience the evolving menus. The restaurant's casual atmosphere and friendly service contribute to a welcoming environment that resonates with locals.

### Events and gatherings
Courses hosts various events throughout the year, including themed dining nights that highlight different cuisines. These events not only showcase the students' culinary skills but also encourage community participation. Patrons often gather to enjoy special menus, live music, and unique dining experiences, fostering a sense of camaraderie among diners and students alike.

## Offerings
### What Courses offers
Courses provides a unique dining experience where patrons can enjoy a multi-course meal prepared by culinary students under the supervision of experienced chefs. The restaurant's rotating menu features a variety of cuisines, allowing diners to explore different flavors and dishes during each visit. The focus on quality and creativity ensures that each meal is a memorable experience.

### Dining and food experience
The dining experience at Courses is designed to be both enjoyable and educational. Guests can expect a multi-course meal that showcases the students' culinary talents. The menu changes weekly, offering a mix of appetizers, entrees, and desserts that reflect various culinary themes. Diners often appreciate the opportunity to taste innovative dishes while supporting the next generation of chefs.

### Events and packages
Courses offers special dining events that highlight specific cuisines or culinary techniques. These events often feature themed menus, allowing diners to immerse themselves in different culinary traditions. Additionally, the restaurant may offer packages for larger groups or special occasions, making it an ideal venue for celebrations or corporate events.

### Facilities and features
- Open kitchen for a behind-the-scenes view of food preparation
- Casual dining atmosphere with a focus on comfort
- Limited seating for an intimate dining experience
- Rotating menu featuring diverse culinary themes
- Community-focused events and collaborations

## Pros and Cons
### Key insights from reviews
Reviews of Courses highlight a mix of experiences, reflecting the learning environment of the restaurant. While many diners appreciate the quality of the food and the opportunity to support students, some reviews point out inconsistencies in service and dish execution. Overall, the restaurant is seen as a valuable educational experience for both students and patrons.

### Compliments and strengths
Patrons often compliment the creativity and flavor of the dishes, especially during themed nights. The relaxed atmosphere and the chance to see culinary students in action are also frequently praised. Many diners appreciate the affordability of the multi-course meals, making it a great option for those looking to experience fine dining without the high price tag.

### Contrasts and notable mentions
Some reviews mention that while certain dishes are outstanding, others may fall short of expectations. Service can vary, as students are still learning the ropes, leading to occasional lapses in attention or timing. However, many diners express understanding of this learning process and appreciate the overall experience.

### Summary evaluation
Courses offers a unique dining experience that combines culinary education with community involvement. While there may be occasional inconsistencies in service and dish quality, the overall experience is generally positive. Diners leave with a sense of satisfaction from supporting aspiring chefs and enjoying a diverse range of culinary offerings.

## Location & Nearby Attractions
Courses is conveniently located at 4140 Southwest Frwy, within The Art Institute of Houston, TX. This area is known for its vibrant culinary scene and proximity to various attractions. Visitors can explore nearby shopping centers, parks, and cultural venues, making it an ideal spot for a day out in Houston. The restaurant's location also provides easy access to public transportation, enhancing its appeal to both locals and tourists.

## FAQs
**What type of cuisine does Courses serve** Courses features a rotating menu with various culinary themes.  
**Is there a dress code at Courses** There is no formal dress code, but casual dining attire is recommended.  
**Can I make a reservation at Courses** Reservations are recommended, especially for themed events.  
**Are dietary restrictions accommodated** Yes, Courses strives to accommodate dietary restrictions with prior notice.  
**Is parking available at Courses** Yes, there is free parking available for diners.

## Visit Courses Today
Courses invites you to experience a unique dining adventure where culinary students showcase their talents in a supportive environment. With a rotating menu that highlights diverse cuisines, you can enjoy a delicious meal while contributing to the education of aspiring chefs. The friendly atmosphere and community involvement make Courses a must-visit destination in Houston. Join us for an unforgettable dining experience that combines great food with a meaningful purpose.

8877031d-a125-49e5-bdc2-dede29655049

Dude, I am totally in support of students!!! So I'm like heck ya let's do this!!! All tables pretty spaced out, cool, cold atmosphere, window into the kitchen- all the students are doing their thing in the kitchen!!! Jazzy Restaurant music gave a really nice touch.. Some dishes were super bomb!!!! Like the fried risotto ball... and they only give you ONE... cries inside... Seafood rizo -it was ok, the whole thing taste like shrimp ...... In the cup, the chocolate with fruit on top was soooogood!!!!! It's $35 per person if you didn't find it on Groupon... I highly recommend you DO get it... I can go into more detail about the food but .. bottom line is... they are students and some are a complete hit and some could be a light L... you're not gonna get super top notch service this isn't a fine dining establishment so just understand that when you walk in. They have some sodas, in addition to water... i was expecting super creative dishes like siriacha pomegranate sauce, but menu changes up. I am glad I went to this experience today, but I don't think I would be returning. Thank you for the experience!

02574873-27d9-4906-88f5-d61655dda49d

Dinner tonight has an Italian inspired menu. I would recommend having the tomato soup, the Osso buco, glazed carrots, fettuccine & mashed potatoes. The chicken was also good although the portion is a little in the small side. Avoid both desserts, they are not worth even a taste. Salad was so so as well as the calamari relleno which composed of 3 tiny squids. The main complaints I have with the Osso buco are 1) the sauce/ gravy was too salty ( had to take a bite of the carrots & mashed potato each time to remove the saltiness) 2) the meat is more on the tough side. The intermizzo was at room temperature which made the concoction sickeningly sweet. They should have both the glass container & the concoction cold ! Remember, these are culinary students so they are newly trained to attend to your needs as a restaurant customer so we were patient when water was not refilled without us flagging one of them all the time.

dd45e6ab-1e0e-419d-9bc6-ec2e4fce5354

Delicious!! 5 course meal at a super reasonable price. It has a great and relaxed atmosphere. My friend and I went for dinner on caribbean night and it had me feeling caribbean vibes! We had jerk chicken skeweets, delicious soup, mahi mahi and amazing deserts. I must come again

c51cdbd4-2d38-4fb0-b943-8e4757b24133

This was our third attendance this year. Week one and two were ok. This week not only was the menu outstanding, we had over and above awesome service from Stephanie! We will be back and definitely ask for Stephanie

df5540fa-d7fb-45e5-9117-40a7e52b96f2

My wife and I went here for HRW 2013. The menu they had sounded fantastic and we both knew we would regret not going here if we didn't give it a try. It feels weird walking into a school knowing you are going there for a nice meal. The decor is very minimal and nothing fancy at all. We were greeted at the hostess stand and shown to our table. There are only about 20 tables at most in the place. Our waitress we had was not good at all. She didn't ask us for our drinks, took forever to take our food order and just was really bad through the whole dinner service. I know these are students and they are learning, but she needs a whole lot of work still. The food was better than the service at least, well some dishes were anyway. The amuse bouche was not very good and I would skip it next time. The bread they bring out is pretty good though and we were hungry so it went down well. 1st course was the lamb meatballs and the pork belly. The lamb meatballs were very good and one of the best things from the meal. They were very tender and had nice flavor. The tzaziki sauce went well with the meatballs. The pork belly was cooked well and had good texture and flavor. The langostine it was served with was delicious. It was nice and tender and not overcooked. 2nd course was the grilled pineapple and quail salad for us both. This one was a fail all the way around. Do not get this if you see it on the menu. For entree, we had the veal osso bucco and the ribeye. The entree portions were huge and my wife could not finish hers. The veal was melt in your mouth tender and had great flavor. The ribeye was a little tough, but had a good taste. It was served with french fries and grilled asparagus. The veal was the better of the two dishes. For dessert, I had the sticky toffee pudding and my wife had the homemade vanilla bean ice cream with toasted lemon pound cake. The sticky toffee pudding was extremely sweet. Very rich and heavy. The ice cream and pound cake was a lot lighter and a nice ending to the meal. I am glad we came and gave this place a try. About 1/2 of the dishes we tried were good the other 1/2 not so much. I probably will not return.

c9f66ec6-bb9c-485f-b4a6-81294da34381

Well, I wasn't expecting perfection because I knew these were students that were learning, but some of the food was inedible. Luckily we didn't pay much for our meal, thanks to Groupon. The FOOD: - Bread and Butter: The butter was so salty that you could feel the salt granules in between your teeth. I took one bite and literally, could not eat another crumble. Rating: 1 - French Onion Soup: Pretty good, very flavorful and hearty. Rating: 4 - Haricot Vert Salad: You could tell this was pre-made, sitting in the refrigerator, served on a cold plate. Not very good. Rating: 2 - Coquille St. Jacque: Not sure if it was the preparation or the quality of the scallops, but they were watery and fishy. I couldn't eat more than one bite. Rating: 1 - Salpion of Wild Mushrooms: This was pretty good! Rating: 4 - Lemon-Lime Sorbet: this tasted like an Italian Ice. It was ok, just too lemony for me: Rating: 3 - Duck a la Orange: This was by far the thing I was most impressed with. Usually duck can be very dry or very gamey. This was nether. Kudos to the chefs on this one. - Vanilla Bean Éclair: No. This was very dry and the cream was not tasty. Rating: 1 - Cream the Dream: This was way better than the Éclair, but still not top notch. Rating: 3 The SERVICE: The wait staff was very friendly, but not well versed in table service. Our table was set for 4 and with only 2 of us there, I was expecting the other 2 table settings to have been removed. They were not. Also, we had to ask for refills on water a lot. The ATMOSPHERE. The atmosphere was very cold and not too welcoming. Some of the plates were dirty as well. OVERALL: We probably won't try this experiment again. Follow me on my way to Foodietown! http://britneygfoodie.yelp.com

e1db3b2c-fd1d-4b9a-900e-dd95590ea0fd

We have eaten at Courses quite a few times. The food is prepared by students being overseen by a masterchef. In the past the food has always been incredibly good. Tonight however was a bit of a disappointment. The entree options were beef ribs or a Cornish hen. They came and told us and told us halfway through or meal that they had run out of Cornish hens. So we all decided to have the ribs. They came out again and told us that they only had 3 portions of ribs. We were a party of six. So what they did was offer a shrimp plate instead. Although the ribs and shrimp are very good it was a real disappointment not to get what you want. Now for desert! In the options included peach cobbler and banana pudding. Our party of six three of us ordered banana pudding and the other half ordered peach cobbler. She came out with 5 cobblers ia d one one banana pudding stating that was all they had left. Unfortunately, the cobbler had sat under the heat liamp way too long and was totally dried out. The flavor was good but it was like eating a three day old stone.

c25ce8eb-a3f4-4cf0-8546-ebb4cf129d35

Ok, granted this is a culinary cooking restaurant. However, I figured for students who are about to graduate , the food could have been much better. Don't get me wrong......... SOME of the courses were good...but not "over-the-moon". First things first. This meal is 6 courses...YEP..that's right, SIX ! The Appetizers :: We had fried calamari , as their black mussels were not up to par to serve..so only fried calamari was served. ( no problem ) However, the batter was falling off, and looked as though they were fried with corn meal. They were *meh*. The Soup:: We had Pasta Fagioli.. basically penne pasta with italian sausage meatballs with cannelloni beans in a tomato broth. VERY tasty ! The Salad :: Mixed greens with red and yellow cherry tomatoes, walnuts, and feta cheese served inside a red cabbage leaf..and dressed with a creamy vinaigrette. YUM ! The Pasta :: Langostino with linguini, served with herbs and parmesan cheese. They serve the pasta with langostino meat already incorporated and also with one whole langostino aside the pasta. Nice looking presentation. The pasta was ok.. not great , but not bad either. The Intermezzo :: ( palette cleanser ) Raspberry sorbet with orange liquer. Nice. The Entree :: ARE YOU FULL YET ?!......... I am ! LOL The Entree :: Husband had Veal with gnocchi in a brown gravy. It tasted very much like "Beef stew ". It tasted good, though. I had the seared Tuna Steak served over a mashed butternut squash. The tuna steak had chimichurri on top which I loved. The steak was seasoned well, but it was so heavy.I ate a few bites of it and was done, but I finished the squash. and finalllllllllllyyyyy The Dessert :: Tiramisu *sigh* Not only was it not good looking, but it didn't taste worth a thing ! The lady fingers were drenched so heavily in brandy, that they were mushy . I found a piece of the second cookie that wasn't loaded with brandy and it was crunchy...but overall, the dessert was not good ,,AT ALL ! All in all, I can't complain... We had a 6 course meal for only $35.00 per person..so $70. bucks for the husband and I , and we were beyond FULL ! I would go back..and I would recoommend this spot to others. Each week is a different menu, so why not ! I will get a chance to try all kinds of culinary cuisines for not a lot of money.

4d19fae2-e7ea-4274-b2e7-554ae7a607d5

Great effort! We came on vietnamese food night. The pho broth was too marrow tasting and the plaintain dessert was too rigid and tough. I felt the meats were salted a bit much but thats for different tastes. The 5 stars is for the service and presentation. Never left us thirsty and were attentive. Parking was free and each course had its own flavor (besides salt). My favorite part was the palette cleanser. Coconut ice cream! In the middle of dinner? Why not?!

77157f02-5131-4aac-9284-7a6530dbe49e

My boyfriend and I came here for Houston Restaurant Weeks. We were a little nervous when we first approached, as it didn't seem like many cars were in the garage. We went back and forth saying, "Is anyone else going to be here? Should we have chosen this place?" The answer to both was, "Yes." The decor is very simple: maybe it is because it was at a school, but it seemed like a classroom with table-clothed tables. It's neat that you can look into the kitchen as your meal is being prepared. The waiters (students) were all very friendly and attentive. It did feel a bit odd that service was very formal in an overall casual setting. What you get for the price, quality, and quantity of food is outstanding. The meal began with an amuse bouche of fois gras torchon (very rich and tasty). Next, my boyfriend and I each had the crab cakes (also very good). In between the appetizer and main dish, we were given a lime intermezzo. My boyfriend thought the sourness was overpowering, but it was definitely a palate cleanser. For the main course, I got the duck (breast and confit over lentils with a kale salad and a fois gras bread pudding). The duck was good, but I must say that the bread pudding was the major standout (it reminded me of a fancy Thanksgiving stuffing). My boyfriend seemed to be enjoying his Study of Pork (he finished the entire plate, so I think it is a safe assumption). The portion sizes of the main courses were very generous. I think they could have cut the portions in half, and we still would have been happy. For dessert, I had the cheese and grilled fruit place, and he had the chocolate souffle. My plate was good (the truffled honey really elevated things), but his souffle was amazing! I preferred it to souffles I have had a fancier restaurants, made by veteran chefs rather than students. We were already full when the waiter appeared with a plate of chocolates. Maybe it was tacky (however, we already saw other people doing it), but we asked to take them home in a to-go box so that we could enjoy them later. Overall, we had a great dining experience, and it felt nice to support the Houston Food Bank and student chefs.

Discover top culinary courses at The Art Institute of Houston in Houston, TX. Enhance your skills in a vibrant setting. Enroll now and elevate your cooking journey.

Courses at The Art Institute of Houston - Houston TX

Houston

Courses

Texas

Discover Courses at Houston's Art Institute, a vibrant spot blending art and dining. Perfect for art lovers and foodies alike. Visit us today!

Experience Art & Cuisine at Courses, Houston's Art Institute

Learn about Courses at Houston's Art Institute, a unique venue offering art classes and culinary experiences in Houston, TX. Dive into creativity today!

About Courses at Houston's Art Institute, TX | Art & Culinary Hub

Opening hours for Courses, Houston's Art Institute. Find opening hours for Courses at 4140 Southwest Frwy, Houston, TX on our website.

Courses Menu Overview

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Experience the Menu at Courses

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