Smoke Signals

Celebrity-backed global barbecue joint fires up Houston CityCentre opening date

One of this summer's most eagerly anticipated new restaurants has an opening date. International Smoke, the barbecue-inspired restaurant that unites celebrity chef Michael Mina with cookbook author and lifestyle guru Ayesha Curry, will open on July 5, the restaurant announced.

Inspired by Mina and Curry's backgrounds and culinary interests, the menu takes a global approach to barbecue and live fire cooking. The restaurant's menu includes everything from Chinese-style char sui pork shoulder to Argentinian steak with chimichurri and ingredients cooked over Japanese binchotan charcoal. Instead of attempting to put a spin on American barbecue styles — the only notable item is St. Louis-style pork ribs — the influences include Asian dishes such as a Vietnamese pork chop and lots of grilled and smoked seafood, as Mina told CultureMap back in May. The beverage program focuses on a wide array of cocktails and a broad selection of both local and global beers.

"I think when people start to really understand that grilling food is a nice way to eat," Mina said in May. "It’s a lot of flavors, spices. I’m Middle Eastern, so all those flavors and spices and things of that nature on a grilled piece of fish is pretty delicious, and that’s barbecue."

Local chef E.J. Miller will lead the kitchen. The veteran cook has an extensive resume, including time as the sous chef at Riel, where he earned a CultureMap Tastemaker Award Rising Star Chef of the Year nomination, as well as stints at Down House, and with Clark Cooper Concepts at both Coppa Osteria and SaltAir Seafood Kitchen. A native Houstonian, Miller has demonstrated an interest in barbecue with smoked menu items and by participating in events such as the Butcher's Ball.

Located in the former home of pan-Asian restaurant Straits, International Smoke will occupy a 6,000-square-foot space in the heart of CityCentre. The restaurant will include a dedicated bar/lounge area as well as a patio with fireplaces and "vine-wrapped overhead trellises." All told, the restaurant will have the abilty to see approximately 130 inside and 140 outside.

With new arrivals like UB Preserv and Nobu, this summer has already been a busy one for new restaurants. International Smoke's celebrity creators, innovative concept, and high-profile location mark it as another exciting addition to Houston's dining scene.

Argentine beef.

Courtesy photo

Argentine beef.

openings news-you-can-eat barbecue celebrities chefs

coming in 2027

Uchi's izakaya bellies up to new River Oaks mixed-use development

Courtesy of Hai Hospitality

The menu includes sushi, izakaya-style fried items, and more.

Austin-based Hai Hospitality is bringing another concept to Houston. Uchibā, the bar-forward sibling of Uchi and Uchiko, will open in the RO mixed-use development in late 2027.

First opened in Dallas in 2019, Uchibā means “Uchi bar.” The concept is inspired by Japanese izakayas with a menu that includes yakitori grill items, baos and buns, dumplings, and sushi. Uchi classics like madai crudo, hama chili, and Brussels sprouts are also available. Those dishes are paired with cocktails, Japanese whisky, sake, wine, beer, and non-alcoholic options.

The restaurant will occupy 4,400 square feet. It will offer 125 interior seats, 36 patio seats, 11 at the sushi bar and 17 at the beverage bar. Hai’s internal design team is working with architecture firm the Aria Group and interior designers Maybe Sometimes Studio on the restaurant’s design.

Hai has a significant presence in Houston, with high-end sushi restaurant Uchi, its live-fire sibling Uchiko, tasting counter Oheya, and two locations of Loro, its fast casual, Asian-influenced smokehouse.

“Houstonians are passionate, engaged diners who have embraced us from day one, so this city has truly helped shape who we are as a group,” Hai founding chef Tyson Cole said in a statement. “Bringing Uchibā here feels like a natural next chapter for a town that means so much to us.”

The RO is Transwestern’s 17-acre mixed-use development that’s currently under construction at the corner of Buffalo Speedway and West Alabama. The Birdsall, a 34-story luxury hotel and condo tower from Auberge Resorts Collection, will anchor The RO.

To date, Uchibā is the second restaurant that’s been announced for the development. Relish Restaurant and Bar will close its current location on Westheimer this month and reopen at the RO at some point in 2027.