Honeymoon-Inspired Bridal Luncheons

Bridal luncheons provide the perfect excuse to get a taste of where the happy couple will be honeymooning. You can travel with your taste buds, from Italy to Mexico, in Houston restaurants. (Photo: istockphoto.com/webphotographeer)

A round of festivities precedes a wedding, but none was more fondly remembered than the surprise bridal luncheon my sisters hosted the day before the ceremony. It was a gift of respite and relaxation before things got really hectic. Traditionally, the bridal luncheon is a heartfelt gathering where the bride exchanges gifts with her bridesmaids and closest friends over lunch, brunch or afternoon tea. It’s usually hosted by a close relative or best friend.

With plans to honeymoon in France, my siblings gave me a glimpse of Parisian life at Brasserie Max & Julie (4315 Montrose). The boutique French wines and salade landaise with sautéed chicken liver and lardons over frisée provided a tasty sampling of things to come.

If you’re planning a bridal luncheon and uncertain what to do, why not take their idea and go with the honeymoon theme? It’ll be fun and meaningful.

If the newlyweds are flying to Italy, consider Da Marco Italian Restaurant (1520 Westheimer). In Marco Wile’s upscale restaurant, the eloquent simplicity of risottos and pastas, such as spaghetti with sea urchin, mirror those found in Italy. Arcodoro (5000 Westheimer) serve dishes unique to the island of Sardinia. Meanwhile, owner Tony Vallone of Tony’s Houston (3755 Richmond Avenue) made his name by introducing Houstonians to the true flavors of Italy – from lilting marinara sauce prepared with authentic Italian San Manzano tomatoes to home-made paper-thin lasagna pasta.

Heading to England? When I was in London, the tastiest nibbles were created by the Indian restaurants that populate every street corner of the city. At Kiran’s ( 4100 Westheimer), enjoy the best of two worlds during its weekly 2 p.m. Saturday afternoon teas. Savor wild mushroom samosas and English cucumber finger sandwiches with steaming masala tea. Or travel to India one afternoon and explore the world of spices at Ashiana Indian Restaurant (12610 Briar Forest Drive).

Before climbing to the ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru, fill up on the pisco brandy cocktails and spritely ceviches at chef Roberto Castre’s sleek Peruvian spot, Latin Bites (5709 Woodway). From Veracruz to Baja California, Hugo Ortega’s Caracol (2200 Post Oak Blvd) showcases the coastal seafood heritage of Mexico, whereas his Hugo’s (1600 Westheimer) brings to mind the earthy, complex interior-region cuisines of Oaxaca, Puebla and Mexico City.