IKEA, the Swedish furniture store, is proud of its restaurant, which serves a 99-cent breakfast and daily specials such as pork tacos and fish and chips starting at $5.99.
Several times each year, it hosts a foodie blowout event. In August, it’s a traditional crawfish, or crayfish as the Swedes say, party known as Kräftskiva. This year’s event is 6-8 p.m. Aug. 17.
On the menu: lemon-and-dill marinated crawfish (served cold), marinated salmon and shrimp, hard-boiled eggs, salad and assorted cheeses and desserts. Cost is $12.99 ($2.49 for ages 11 and younger).
7810 Katy Freeway, 713-688-7867
Julia Child, having her way with a chicken.: 29-95 file
JULIA CHILD WEEK
If Houston Restaurants Weeks, now through Aug. 31, isn’t enough incentive to dine out, several Houston restaurants are participating in Julia Child Restaurant Week, through Wednesday.
The nationwide event is a celebration of the late cookbook author’s 100th birthday. One hundred restaurants across the country have created Child-inspired menus for the event. In Houston, participating restaurants include:
Brasserie Max & Julie: 4315 Montrose, 713-524-0070
Bistro Provence: 13616 Memorial, 713-827-8008
Mockingbird Bistro: 1985 Welch, 713-533-0200
Ouisie's Table: 3939 San Felipe, 713-528-2264
The Bird & The Bear: 2810 Westheimer, 713-528-2473

ANNIVERSARY DINNER
Fratelli's Authentic Italian Cuisine will celebrate its 12th anniversary with a special five-course dinner Aug. 22. On the menu: crab cake with lobster sauce, pear-and walnut salad, veal cannelloni, a choice of mains and Pesche alla Piemontese (baked peaches with Marsala wine and Mascarpone. Cost is $36 and the restaurant will offer wine and other beverage specials for the event.
10989 Northwest Freeway, 713-957-1150

MENU MENTIONS

• Pollo Campero has amped up its menu with additions it says offer “bigger, bolder” flavors. Among the new items: an Argentinean steak taco with chimichurri sauce and a spicy chicken empanada with green tomatillo sauce.
  Find the nearest location here.
• Eddie V's is offering soft shell crabs through September. As an entree, the crabs get a light batter and are fried and served with a spicy remoulade.
  CityCentre: 12848 Queensbury Lane, 832-200-2380
  West Ave: 2800 Kirby, 713-874-1800
• Hungry's Cafe & Bistro has added several new summery dishes, including Lemon Pasta with grilled shrimp, Salmon Nicoise and a Tropical Shrimp Mango Salad.
  Memorial: 14714 Memorial, 281-493-1520
  Rice Village: 2356 Rice Blvd., 713-523-8652