Houston's bakery boom is already yielding better breads and pastries. Now it's time for donuts to join the mix.
"I've been fascinated with donuts for a long period of time," Ose Ohen tells CultureMap, noting that he even wrote his MBA thesis at the University of Houston about a donut shop. Currently a global business development manager for an oil and gas firm, Ohen's now all in on donuts. Houstonians will get to experience the product of his fascination when Glazed: The Doughnut Cafe opens in June.
Located in a strip center near NRG Park, Glazed will offer a variety of gourmet donuts to residents and workers near the Medical Center 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Fancy donuts, exotic kolaches and 24-hour utility? Don't put those stretchy pants away for the summer quite yet.
Ohen has studied the new style, gourmet donuts served at places such as Voodoo Doughnuts in Portland and Gourdough's in Austin. He thinks Houston is ready for a similar concept and has recruited pastry chef Tish Winters from Minnesota to help launch Glazed.
Glazed will serve raised, cake and baked doughnuts, with at least some of the baked varieties being both vegan and gluten-free. Specialty kolache flavors will include gouda, kale (?) and turkey. Together, chef and owner have collaborated to develop a menu of exotic flavors like citrus jalapeno, maple bacon and creme brulee. Ohen cites the blueberry cake donut and red velvet as two that he's most excited about unleashing to customers.
During a business trip to Colombia, Ohen discovered Juan Valdez Premium Coffee and decided to feature it at Glazed. Ohen says having "really good coffee" is as important to him as having great donuts and adds that he chose Juan Valdez because it is "completely balanced."
In addition to coffee shop quality drinks, Glazed will also feature plenty of seating and plugs to appeal to medical students and others who want to linger for a bit. "We want people to stay," Ohen says.
Fancy donuts, exotic kolaches and 24-hour utility? Don't put those stretchy pants away for the summer quite yet.
Glazed will open in June near the Medical Center.
