Introducing Bukhara

'Meat lover's paradise' will replace legendary Montrose Indian restaurant

Bukhara will have a more rustic look than Indika.

Photo by Shannon O'Hara/Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau

Indika may be closing at the end of June, but the space won’t stay empty for long. Veteran restaurateur Mickey Kapoor, who has been quietly operating the restaurant since January, will open a new restaurant called Bukhara in the building.

Kapoor has 40 years of experience opening restaurants in Houston. Even people who don’t know his name have dined at restaurants he founded, including India’s, Khyber North Indian Grill, and Aga’s (he still owns Khyber). However, taking over Indika and trying to run it in the spirit of founding chef Anita Jaisinghani, who sold it in 2017 to concentrate on Pondicheri, proved too difficult.

“The name was inextricably linked to a chef,” Kapoor tells CultureMap. “Anita is in a class by herself. You can’t just jump on someone else’s horse.”

Instead, he’s diving deep into India’s culinary history by celebrating Bukhara, a region of Uzbekistan along the fabled Silk Road that connected China to the Middle East. Kapoor credits the region with dishes traditionally associated with Indian cuisine such as tandoori chicken and paneer. As the name implies, the restaurant will focus on the region’s cuisine with an emphasis on chicken, lamb, and venison dishes.

“The restaurant is going to be a meat-lover’s paradise,” Kapoor says. “It’s not a very extensive menu, maybe 15 or 16 entrees, a few appetizers, a couple of good desserts. Mainly borrowing from Uzbek and northern Afghan foods. Trying to marry it with Indian food.”

To help develop the menu that will focus on kebab and rice pilafs (among other items), Kapoor recruited chef Suraj Kant from India to join Nepalese chef Dipak Aryal in the kitchen. Both chefs have extensive training in how to prepare dishes from Bukhara, which will lend an air of authenticity to the restaurant’s cuisine.

In addition to changing the name and menu, Kapoor will alter the restaurant’s appearance with new paint, artwork, and more. “It’s going to have a rustic look. It’s ok [now], but it’s a little too well-finished for a Bukhara,” he says.

Since only cosmetic changes are required, Kapoor doesn’t think the restaurant will be closed for long. If all goes according to plan, Houstonians will be dining at Bukhara by mid-July.

news-you-can-eat openings

Bowling over Houston

Gluten-free Austin restaurant picks River Oaks for first Houston store

Rendering of Honest Mary's in River Oaks

Rendering by Mark Odom Studio

Honest Mary's, an Austin-based eatery, is expanding with a new location in Houston's River Oaks in fall 2025.

It will be a Houston homecoming for restauranteur Nelson Monteith with the fall 2025 debut of Honest Mary’s in River Oaks.

“It’s a joy and honor to bring a brand we’ve worked hard to create in Austin and finally be able to share that concept with friends and family in Houston,” Monteith said in a statement. “There’s a bit of built-in comfort in knowing there are folks here who are already fans of Honest Mary’s. They’ve been asking us for years to open a location in Houston, and now it’s happening.”

Located at 2047-A West Gray St., Honest Mary's will occupy the current La Madeleine space. It is not known at this time when La Madeleine will close, but construction on Honest Mary's is expected to begin in May 2025.

Monteith and his wife, Mary, launched Honest Mary’s in 2017 after embracing mindful eating to improve their health. Since then, the Austin-based eatery that describes itself as serving "life-giving fast food" has expanded to four locations, with the upcoming River Oaks spot marking its arrival in Houston.

“There’s healthy food, fresh food, and fast food,” he said. “We wanted to create something that fits into that sweet spot without sacrificing quality or convenience. The trend towards healthy eating and the reality of busy lifestyles aren’t slowing down. We offer a place that caters to both.”

At the center of Honest Mary’s menu are five signature bowls ranging from poke to vegetarian, including the smoky poblano ($10.25) that features a basmati rice base with fresh vegetables of wild arugula, sweet corn, and pickled onions in a creamy poblano sauce. Co-partner and chef Andrew Wiseheart, known for Austin’s Contigo and Ladybird Taco, leads the kitchen.

Honest Mary's menu features healthy, gluten-free bowls. Guests can choose from five signature bowls at Honest Mary's, or create their own.Courtesy of Honest Mary's

Diners can build their own bowls by selecting a base like quinoa, proteins including grilled chicken and tuna, and vegetables such as sweet potatoes. Pickled onions, cucumber salad, and avocado are among the topping selections, with sauces like lemon garlic and cashew-lime crema.

Scratch-made sipping broths round out the menu, with the chicken bone broth packed with celery, carrots, onions and parsley, or an umami-rich seaweed and mushroom broth.

A selection of house-made aguas frescas and teas, local craft beer, wine, kombucha, and organic cold-pressed juices will be available, as will Honest Mary’s popular almond butter cookies sweetened with maple syrup and topped with a sprinkle of Maldon salt.

Rendering by Mark Odom Studio

Honest Mary's, an Austin-based eatery, is expanding with a new location in Houston's River Oaks in fall 2025.

With its fully gluten-free menu, Honest Mary’s caters to a range of dietary preferences, including vegetarian, vegan, and dairy-free. To align with Monteith’s dedication to nutrition, Honest Mary’s uses seed oils sparingly and prioritizes local and organic ingredients when possible.

“River Oaks Shopping Center has a unique blend of history and vibrant new concepts, making it the ideal home for us,” Monteith said. “We aim to be a neighborhood spot where people can enjoy delicious, healthy food.”

Lunden McGill and John Frazier of Baker Katz brokered the deal for the 2,200-square-foot space and additional patio with seating for 38 inside and 44 outside. Mark Odom Studio is responsible for architecture and design.

Honest Mary’s signature elements of terra cotta and blue tilework will be incorporated to provide consistency between all five locations, while Art Deco-inspired decor of lush greenery, warm wood tones and natural light will align the space with the River Oaks Shopping Center’s structure.

Takeaway, delivery, and dine-in will be provided daily from 11 am to 9 pm.

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