Food & Drink

Quick Bites and Slow Sips: Veteran Restaurateur and Ambitious Newcomer Offer Distinct Food and Beverage Choices. In the Market at Westchase, a retail center on Westheimer Rd., two generations of Westchase District restaurants have become neighbors, showcasing the area’s unique dining scene. Ramen Jin, a veteran in the area, dishes out swift, satisfying bowls of ramen, while Cafe Tales, the new kid on the block, brews up an experience meant to be savored.   Ramen…..Read More

As large in-person gatherings continue to return, Westchase District has emerged as a hub for a wide array of conventions, conferences and expos. The Houston Marriott Westchase and the Hilton Houston Westchase have played a pivotal role in accommodating the influx of these events in the District, reflecting a promising upturn for the events industry. The resurgence in these events aligns with a broader trend of recovery in the industry. Data from Northstar Meetings Group…..Read More

After more than 20 years combined experience in the restaurant industry, Marisa and Patrick Ashby decided they were ready to start their own. While on a hike together, the idea to do something with ice cream struck them. They were familiar with SMOOSH Cookies, which started as a Houston-based food truck selling ice cream sandwiches in 2015. Marisa and Patrick reached out and soon after became franchisees, opening the second Houston-area brick and mortar location…..Read More

One measure of a restaurant is years in operation. Another is years in operation at the same location. Bistro Le Cep can claim longevity in both. This authentic French restaurant has been a Houston favorite at 11112 Westheimer Road for 21 years. Bistro Le Cep represents the American dream. Founding Chef Joe Mannke grew up in Pomerania (a German province that is now in Poland) and had to flee his village because of World War…..Read More

Pacha Nikkei Merges Two International Cuisines with New Restaurant What do you get when two great culinary traditions intersect? Serving Japanese and Peruvian fusion cuisine, Pacha Nikkei recently opened in Carillon Shopping Center next to Marble Slab Creamery. Chef-owner Masaru Fukuda curates and creates the recipes influenced by his Japanese-Peruvian ancestry. Fukuda's concept centers around Nikkei food which comes from Peruvian ingredients - tropical fish, quinoa, Amarillo peppers - molded by techniques perfected in Japan. Ceviche is…..Read More

Zafar Anvarov wanted soccer cleats and his own bicycle when he was a young boy. Anvarov eventually got both by earning money working in his dad’s restaurant at the age of 7. In 2005, Anvarov arrived in the U.S. from Tajikistan, a mountainous country in Central Asia that was once part of the Soviet Union. He came for college but needed to pay for his tuition. “My life was to work in restaurants while studying…..Read More

Changing hearts one taco at a time The Mexican culture is steeped in rich tradition, and one of the most celebrated elements of the tradition is food. Uno problemo: once Jesse and Denise Hernandez learned the specific details of how meat gets to market, they knew animal products could no longer be a part of their lives. A unique opportunity was staring Jesse in the face, but he knew it wouldn’t be easy. How does…..Read More

New Adams' Mural Animates Park A new mural at Woodchase Park is adding vibrancy to the park’s performance pavilion. Renowned public artist Reginald Adams completed his latest public mural on the pavilion wall facing the performance lawn. The mural features a medley of flower blooms and leaves in spring colors. Adams’ park mural joins his other creations in the District including the east wall of Westchase Auto Repair Center, a mosaic seat bench on the…..Read More

Roderick Walker and his daughter Kai began baking for fun. Baking in the kitchen together was a way to share quality time. After perfecting recipes and receiving rave reviews from friends and family, the father and daughter baking duo decided to convert their cooking talents into a full-fledged business. “We began focusing on keto/low carb with no added sugar, gluten free, and vegan cookies after doing lots of research,” said Walker. “There were many products…..Read More

A restaurant concept born in a food trailer in Austin, Texas 15 years ago has heated up the Westchase District dining scene while growing to become a regional favorite in 11 states. Torchy’s Tacos founder Mike Rypka set out to elevate the traditional street taco with unique flavor combinations. Rypka hit the sweet spot with taco lovers, building a menu out of experimental tacos that were coined by early fans as “damn good,” which continues…..Read More