Farewell to auden

One of Texas Monthly's favorite Houston restaurants will soon shutter

Chefs Kripa and Kirthan Shenoy are closing Auden on April 6.

Photo by Jordan Hughes

A vegetable-forward Montrose restaurant will soon serve its final meal. Auden is closing after service on Sunday, April 6.

Chef-owners Kripa and Kirthan Shenoy provided CultureMap with a brief statement about their decision to close the restaurant in the Autry Park mixed-use development:

“We’re holding our heads up high and looking forward to the future. Houston has always been kind to us so there’s only gracious vibes from our hearts towards the community here,” the couple wrote.

Open since the fall of 2023, Auden served a globally-inspired, vegetable forward menu created by its owners. Prior to moving to Houston, executive chef Kirthan and pastry chef Kripa worked at a number of restaurants in New York, including Marea, which earned a Michelin star, and Brooklyn's Nitehawk Cinema. In addition to staples like steak frites and a burger, the couple spotlighted their Indian heritage in dishes such as Chicken 65, Crawfish Samosas, and Masala Shrimp Scampi.

The restaurant earned critical acclaim, including a strong review from retired Houston Chronicle restaurant critic Alison Cook and an honorable mention on Texas Monthly’s list of the best new restaurants of 2025. Still, the media attention wasn’t enough to keep the restaurant afloat.

While Auden is closing, Autry Park has seen a number of new openings. They include both Annam, a fine dining Vietnamese restaurant from MF Sushi chef-owner Chris Kinjo and twin concepts Doko and Bar Doko, a new sushi restaurant and Japanese-inspired cocktail bar from the team Kokoro and Aiko. Mayahuel, a Mexico City-inspired restaurant and bar from acclaimed chef Luis Robledo in partnership with Houston-based Culinary Khancepts (Leo’s River Oaks, Liberty Kitchen) will open later this year.

The Shenoys also own EaDough, a coffee shop and bakery located in East Downtown. It remains open and is not affected by the closure of Auden.

auden restaurant autry park closing

Let's Eat

CultureMap's Tastemaker Awards serve up Houston's best bites + drinks

Little Rey/Facebook

Is there a better "walking" food than chicken flautas?

The most delicious event of the year is almost here: CultureMap's annual Tastemaker Awards.

Our signature tasting event and awards ceremony is happening April 3 at Silver Street Studios, and bringing with it a whole buffet of chef-driven bites and perfectly paired sips that celebrate Houston's unique culinary scene.

Attendees get one delicious evening to sample to their hearts' content, with offerings prepared by the nominees for Restaurant of the Year, Chef of the Year, Bar of the Year, Bartender of the Year, Rising Star Chef of the Year, Pastry Chef of the Year, Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year, and Best Pop-up/Startup. There will even be two Michelin-starred restaurants in attendance!

Our judging panel of industry experts — including past Tastemaker champs — selects the nominees and winners, including this year's buzzy wildcard category of Best Coffee Shop.

However, you determine who wins Best New Restaurant via an online bracket, so be sure to make your votes count before the big day!

You'll want to come hungry to the Tastemaker Awards, considering this sneak peek at what's on the menu:

Short rib Reuben sliders from Bar Bludorn
Smoked picanha with Swamp Sauce from Bayou Butchers
Cuban pork belly bahn mi from Brass Tacks
Smoked pork belly with Colima-style mole from Deckle and Hide
Spicy rigatoni Pasta Zaza from Drake's Hollywood
Hamachi tacos from Lee's
Short rib burnt end lollies from Leo's River Oaks
Smoked chicken flautas, Rico-style, from Little Rey
Spanish octopus with smoked potato salad from Little's Oyster Bar
Lychee ceviche from Musaafer
Octopus skewers from Októ
Mussel escabeche crostini from Ostia
Corned beef brisket and rice from Subo
Tuna tostadas from Tatemó
Vietnamese betel leaf beef from Traveler's Cart
And, special for our VIP ticket-holders: A giant charcuterie spread from Chardon in the VIP Lounge

Of course there will be plenty of sweet treats, as well as coffee-centered pick-me-ups from our wildcard and Pastry Chef of the Year nominees:

Peanut gianduja tart from Berg Hospitality
Caramel Couch O'Stick from Fluff Bake Bar
Purple Rain iced latte and The Slowpoke iced latte from Slowpokes
Affogato and fermented Mexican coffee from Tenfold Coffee Company
The Bay Fog and The Magic Johnson Macchiato from Xela Coffee Roasters

To help wet your whistle, choose from these bartender-crafted cocktails:

Meticulously Made Daiquiri from Ishtia and Meticulous Spirits
Appleteeny and Spice Melange from Lee's
Tepache Mezcalita and Southside from Melrose

There will also be beer (Stella Artois, Stella Artois 00. Michelob Ultra, Estrella Jalisco, Karbach Love Street) and canned cocktails (NUTRL vodka seltzer, Cutwater Spirits, Hoop Tea).

Stay up to date on all things Tastemaker-related with our special editorial series of stories spotlighting the nominees.

VIP tickets are already sold out and limited general admission tickets remain, so act fast to secure your entry to Houston's most delicious night. We'll see you on April 3!

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The Tastemaker Awards ceremony is brought to you by Stella Artois, Chardon, PicMe Events, and more to be announced. A portion of proceeds will benefit our nonprofit partner, the Southern Smoke Foundation.

coffee shop neighborhood restaurant restaurant of the year tastemaker awards tastemakers