Z’Tejas Southwestern Grill will raise money for Bellevue LifeSpring with its annual Chile Fest Sept. 6-25.

Chile Fest is an annual celebration that pays tribute to the harvest of the chilies in Hatch, New Mexico. During this time, Z’Tejas offers a special menu. With the sale of each entree, Z’Tejas donates $1 to Bellevue LifeSpring, formerly Overlake Service League.

Bellevue LifeSpring promotes stability, self-sufficiency and independence for those in need in the Bellevue community through programs and services that feed, clothe, shelter and educate. Volunteers will be at Z’Tejas Sept. 6 to answer questions about the cause.

The special Chile Fest menu includes:

Two appetizers:

– Chile and Onion Rings: Hatch New Mexico Chile rings and fresh onion straws dipped in buttermilk and seasoned flour, flash-fried, topped with queso fresco and served with prickly pear chipotle BBQ sauce and ranch dressing ($7.99)

– Prickly Pear Glazed Meatballs*: Beef and chorizo meatballs smothered in a prickly pear chipotle BBQ sauce, served with crispy Hatch New Mexico Chile and fresh onion rings ($10.99) *Dinner menu only

Four dinner entrees:

– Chicken Tinga Rellenos:  Smoked chicken marinated in tinga sauce, stuffed into Hatch New Mexico Chiles, flash-fried, topped with chipotle sour cream and queso fresco, in a green chile sauce, served with nopalitos salad ($12.99)

– Ancho Trout:  Ancho bacon panko crusted ruby trout, topped with a mesclun mix salad, avocados, onions, tomatoes and queso fresco in an apricot dressing and green chile aioli  ($17.99)

-Jambalaya Farfalle:  Bay scallops, smoked chicken, andouille and pesto marinated shrimp in creole sauce with farfalle pasta, peas, ancho chiles, topped with queso fresco ($18.99)

– Green Chile Carne Guisada:  Chile beef guisada, mixed with red and yellow peppers and Hatch New Mexico Chiles in a green chile sauce, topped with cilantro and queso fresco, served in a cast iron skillet with hot flour tortillas ($ 13.99)

Four lunch entrees:

– Chile Chicken Salad: Chile glazed chicken atop a mesclun mix with tomatoes, red onions, avocados, pickled Hatch New Mexico Chiles and chipotle peppers, tossed in an apricot dressing, topped with queso fresco ($12.99)

– Chicken Tinga Rellenos:  Smoked chicken marinated in tinga sauce, stuffed into Hatch New Mexico Chiles, flash-fried, topped with chipotle sour cream and queso fresco, in a green chile sauce served with nopalitos salad ($11.99)

– Jambalaya Farfalle:  Bay scallops, smoked chicken, andouille and pesto marinated shrimp in creole sauce with farfalle pasta, peas, ancho chiles, topped with queso fresco ($16.99)

– Corona Pork Enchiladas: Pork braised in Corona beer and Jack cheese, topped with green chile sauce, queso fresco and chipotle purée, served with sweet corn rice and borracho beans ($10.99)

Two drink specials:

– Dobel Diamond Smash:  Maestro Dobel Tequila, Herradura Agave Nectar and muddled lemon and mint leaves ($8.50)

– Guacamole Margarita:  Hornitos Reposado, avocado, fresh lime juice, jalapeño mint syrup with an onion salt rim and garnished with salsa fresco ($8.50)

Dessert:

– Sweet Ancho Cake:  Shredded sweet potato, ancho chile, rum soaked raisins, and walnuts layered with green chile custard and topped with jalapeño mint cream cheese frosting ($6.25)

Z’Tejas is located in the lodge on the third level of Bellevue Square; (425) 467-5911; www.ztejas.com.