You are going to go out for dinner and drinks anyway, right? What if you could party at one of the premier restaurants in Austin, and automatically give 10% of whatever you spend to local Austin charities?
This is happening all summer long at TRIO Restaurant in the Austin Four Seasons Hotel who has partnered with I Live Here, I Give Here to make a difference in our community.
TRIO Restaurant Ambiance
Whether you are looking for a night out after work with colleagues or a date with a special friend, TRIO Austin won’t disappoint.
If you’ve never been to TRIO, let me set the mood. The restaurant has a sunset feel to it. Warm yellow, orange and red hues give this Four Seasons Austin restaurant a welcoming vibe. Echoing the sunset theme, hardwood floors give way to a theme-matching carpet which extends out to large bay windows overlooking a medium-sized outdoor patio.
As I looked around the room, I could see friends from work enjoying some of the world’s nicest wines at the bar, while other groups enjoyed conversations around visually tempting plates at comfortably large tables.
New Summer Menu at TRIO – 3 for $36
Chef de Cuisine Grant Macdonald has come up with a delightful selection of fresh summer fare sure to please every palate.
Chef de Cuisine Grant Macdonald
For $36 you may choose a starter, an entree and a dessert off the summer menu at TRIO.
TRIO Austin Gulf Ceviche
For the starter choose from Heirloom Tomato Gazpacho, Grilled Texas Quail or Gulf Ceviche. During my visit, I went with the Gulf Ceviche and it was a citrusy delight of snapper, Texas Shrimp, avocado and lime served with banana chips. My colleagues raved about the quail and highly recommended it.
For the entree choose from Grouper, 10 oz. Prime Flat Iron Steak or Richardson Farm Pork Chop. I went with the Richardson, which was thick, flavorful and cooked perfectly. The chop was complimented by peach chutney, ancho chile and grilled scallion.
Texas Peach Crumble with Lemon Yogurt Sorbet
All entrees come with roasted asparagus, a rich and buttery potato puree bathed in Texas olive oil, grilled lemon and brown butter. My colleagues couldn’t stop talking about the grouper, but I was well pleased with my entree. If you like the “other” white meat, I think you would be pleased too.
Dessert choices are PB&J S’mores or Texas Peach Crumble Lemon Yogurt Sorbet. I went with the Texas Peach Crumble to compliment my peach chutney pork chop. It was a tart and refreshing conclusion to a meal that truly tantalized the taste buds.
For the Wine Lovers of Austin
Sommelier Mark Sayre offers a wine pairing for the meal for $14, which includes a dry riesling from Eden Valley Australia and a robust and rich Munia Toro Crianza from Spain. The latter is exclusive to TRIO within the State of Texas. Mark is an approachable and knowledgeable wine steward who delights in sharing the beauty of each selection.
Also of note for wine lovers: TRIO offers Wine Wednesdays, where guests are invited to sample a bottle they wouldn’t normally try to expand their experience with the fruit of the vine.
How Your Dining Experience Helps Local Austin Charities
The Austin Charity Connection
The Four Seasons has partnered with non-profit connector I Live Here, I Give Here (ILHIGH). ILHIGH connects the community with causes they care about and encourages giving through innovative methods.
By enjoying anything on the menu at TRIO including alcohol, from June 19-August 31, 2012, and mentioning “I Live Here, I Give Here” to the server, 10% of your entire bill will go directly to local charities in Austin.
ILHIGH partners with generous philanthropists and angel donors to match your donations at TRIO, and exponentially increase the total amount given to Austin charities.
With the warm ambiance, near-perfect cuisine and a large wine selection, why not stop by TRIO Restaurant at Four Seasons Austin and have a portion of your bill support the community?
Other Ways to Connect with I Live Here, I Give Here
Though ILHIGH is only four years old, they are making a significant impact on our community and are actively involved with over 300 local non-profits. Through the ILHIGH website you can easily find a cause that you are passionate about and get involved.
I had the pleasure of dining with Casey Miller of I Live Here, I Give Here and she was a gem. During our dinner, Casey energetically informed me that ILHIGH has several initiatives that are impacting Austin in a powerful and positive way:
The Big Give 2012 - An annual fundraiser that connects and educates philanthropists and non-profits, taking community giving to a higher level.
Amplify Austin - A community-wide day to raise $1 million in 24 hours for Central Texas non-profits.
See Jane Give - Young professional women exploring avenues for personal involvement in Austin, connected with female community leaders who share the same heart.
Give Back Jack - A mentorship program for young professional men intended to foster thoughtful and intentional philanthropy. Young men have the opportunity to sit down with a mentor and hear from some of the most influential men who give back to Austin.
Community Needs Spotlight - Each month, ILHIGH highlights a specific issue or cause in the Austin community and creates videos to increase awareness.
Austinvolved - For those that want to come together and dedicate a small amount of time and money to a different non-profit each month. This is a great starting place for those who want to give, but don’t think they have enough resources or don’t know where to start.
Closing Thoughts on Local Giving from The Austinot
We really love Austin, and know our readers do too. We also have a heart for non-profits and love to have fun. If you are of the same mindset, please go out of your way to stop by TRIO sometime this summer. Make sure you mention, “I Live Here, I Give Here” to your server. By the end of the night, you’ll have had an incredible time and a portion of your bill will have made a difference in your community. We appreciate the Four Seasons Austin for their assertive stance on helping the local Austin community.
When Austin-area businesses and non-profits connect, everyone in our community wins.
If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to comment, I’d love to hear from you.
@EricHighland asks:
What local Austin causes are you passionate about and how do you support them?
Photos by Eric Highland. ILHIGH logo courtesy of the ILHIGH website.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary invitation to sample the 3 for $36 summer menu along with several other colleagues in the Austin area from Four Seasons TRIO Restaurant.
