Uchi at home

Houston Japanese restaurant crafts new, premium delivery boxes

The San box ($295) includes sushi, sashimi, and caviar.

Courtesy of Uchi

It’s about to get a little easier to enjoy sushi, sashimi, and caviar from Uchi and its sister concepts, Uchiko and Uchibā (a restaurant in Austin and Dallas). Beginning Tuesday, June 18, people who want the Uchi experience at home will have the ability to order to-go boxes for pick up or delivery via Uber Eats.

Designed to feed two people each, diners have the choice of three different boxes. They are:

Ichi: 12 pieces of sushi, two rolls, and a crudo for $95:

Nigiri sushi: Avocado, madai, hamachi, sake toro, akami, hirame
Maki: Cucumber and sake (six pieces each)
Crudo: Hama chili — Uchi’s signature yellowtail crudo with ponzu, Thai chili, and orange supremes

Ni: Everything in the Ichi box plus a chirashi set with the following pieces of sashimi and accouterments: Kanpachi, masu, bluefin otoro tartare, ikura, sushi rice, cucumber, avocado, shiso, and negi. Price: $195.

San: Everything in the Ni box plus two, 15g servings of caviar — kaluga hybrid and smoked trout roe — along with potato chips, creme fraiche, and two mother of pearl spoons. Price: $295.

Ariana Quant, Uchi’s executive pastry chef, took the lead in creating the boxes, according to a release. As illustrated in the photo of the San box above, the intricate packaging adds a premium feel that far exceeds the plastic or cardboard containers that are typical of most to-go orders.

“From the moment we started offering to-go in 2020, we have been imagining ways to elevate the ‘at home’ experience to reflect our passion for surprising our guests with thoughtful presentation and a truly engaging experience,” Quant said in a statement.

As a point of comparison, Uchi offers different omakase experiences for two people that range from approximately $180-350 (listed on the menu as market pricing that may change depending on the ingredients used).

A limited number of to-go boxes will be available daily. Pre-orders go live at 10 am on Monday, June 17 via the Uchi website.

news-you-can-eat dinner

blinded with science

New York's science-themed holiday bar shakes up the Museum District

Courtesy of Drunken Lab

Conduct holiday-themed science experiments at the LIT-Mas Spectacular.

A taste of Manhattan has made its way to Houston with the immersive LIT-Mas Spectacular holiday pop-up. From now until January 12, Houstonians can discover the hype behind New York City’s The Drunken Lab that's known for its unique blend of science and cocktails.

This pop-up marks the first expansion for The Drunken Lab’s parent company, Science and Sip, a concept created to make science accessible and unforgettable. Attendees can dive into holiday-themed science experiments — including explosive endothermic reactions — while enjoying festive cocktails in a winter wonderland setting enhanced with a live DJ. Appropriately, the pop-up is located in the Museum District at 4715 Main Street.

“Houston was the perfect next step for Science and Sip,” founder Cautney Nelson said in a statement. “The city’s vibrant culture, love of celebration, and ties to science through world-famous programs like NASA aligns beautifully with our mission to blend entertainment with discovery.”

Visitors enter a world filled with larger-than-life gingerbread decor and candy-inspired installations where light bulbs and laboratory flasks have been transformed into quirky beverage containers. Admission includes one cocktail or mocktail, a lab coat and goggles, and two to three science experiments. Add-ons like cocktail-filled ornament “Booze Balls” and Grinch-inspired pouches in festive red and green add an extra dose of holiday charm.

“We’re thrilled to host guests for an immersive holiday experience that merges festive fun with curiosity,” Nelson added. “With each pop-up, we aim to create a space where a great party and exploration come together, and we’re excited to see how Houston embraces The LIT-Mas Spectacular.”

A portion of the proceeds from LIT-Mas will benefit Millennial Scnce, a nonprofit founded by Nelson that provides students with accessible STEM resources and educational opportunities.

Tickets are available for Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, with showtimes at 2:30 pm, 6 pm, and 9 pm. Private party and group bookings are also available.

Courtesy of Drunken Lab

Conduct holiday-themed science experiments at the LIT-Mas Spectacular.

cocktails holidays museum district nightlife