Three Houston bars and restaurants hosted one of America's most renown chefs on January 25. Celebrity chef Jose Andres dined at Kata Robata before stopping by Better Luck Tomorrow in The Heights, and Holman Draft Hall in Midtown, according to posts on social media.
Andres, who last visited Houston after Hurricane Harvey to assist with relief efforts through his World Central Kitchen nonprofit organization, came to Houston to participate at a conference at BBVA Compass, where he spoke about the need for immigrant reform. Andres encouraged attendees to read his recent editorial in the Washington Post that laid out his argument.
From there, he proceeded to dinner at Kata Robata, widely considered to be Houston's best sushi restaurant. Andres dined on a selection of nigiri created by chef Manabu Horiuchi (known as Hori-san) as well as special dishes like Iberico and shrimp shumai and madai sashimi with black truffles.
The chef also visited Holman Draft Hall. According to food and beverage director Steven Salazar, Andres wanted to congratulate chef Brandon Silva on the new opening. He also posed for a picture with general manager Jessica Johnson but was too tired to stay for a drink.
Roost chef-owner Kevin Naderi found Andres sitting at the bar at Better Luck Tomorrow. The chef tells CultureMap that he thanked Andres for his work supporting hurricane relief efforts; Naderi says that meant a lot to him personally, since his parents' house flooded during the storm. "He said, 'man, I'm sorry. What a year for so many,'" Naderi says. They also briefly discussed how much he likes visiting such a diverse city.
Come back anytime, chef. Houston likes you, too.
Jose Andres with Holman Draft Hall general manager Jessica Johnson.
