Food News: Modern Sushi Concept Opens in Midtown
Beef rendang from Phat Eatery.
Image: Dragana Harris
On Thursday Phat Kitchen chef-owner Alex Au-Yeung announced that he was ending his relationship with Blodgett Food Hall. Au-Yeung felt his business model didn't align with the operations at Blodgett, which are run by CloudKitchens.
"After much consideration, we regret to share that our vision, core values and commitment to excellence in customer service cannot be realized in our current environment," wrote Au-Yeung in a statement. "Beyond cooking good food, we, as restaurant industry professionals, know that the ability to provide great service and communicate with our guests is essential."
Customers of Blodgett Food Hall concepts order their food online and either request delivery or pick up by visiting the property in the Third Ward. There, customers only interact with a food hall staffer through a pick-up window.
As for Phat Kitchen, Au-Yeung is searching for a new location to serve Malaysian food inside the Loop. Phat Eatery remains open in Katy Asian Town, while sister operation Yelo (banh mi sandwiches and other goodies from chef Cuc Lam) is set to open there in January.
A look inside Kanau Sushi at Drewery Place.
Image: Jesslyn Wade
Kanau Sushi, the concept from Mike Lim (formerly Tobiuo), is now in its soft-opening phase at Drewery Place in Midtown (2850 Fannin St.). A full opening is set for January 14. Kanau offers contemporary Japanese food with table-side preparations and omakase options. Look for uni flights, "the tuna breakdown" in which Lim will cut a tuna into multiple dishes for guests, and French-infused cold dishes. It'll be open from 4 to 10 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday, from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday.
The fourth location of local Chinese-regional favorite Mala Sichuan Bistro has opened at 3412 Hwy 6, #P, in Sugar Land. The 2,300-square-foot space can seat 100 at full capacity. Sugar Land residents should expect a menu similar to the Asia Town favorite's, meaning dishes like red oil dumplings, prawns with crispy rice cracker, mapo tofu, and cumin lamb. It's open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday to Monday for dine-in and takeout.
Meanwhile, Dish Society has announced its sixth location is now open at 4191 Bellaire Blvd at Southside Commons (essentially West University). At 3,600 square feet, it can seat 100 indoors and 55 outside on a year-round patio. The new Dish Society is open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily for both dine-in and takeout.
