The operators of Mary'z Mediterranean Cuisine in Houston opened a new concept in River Oaks on May 4 specializing in eastern Mediterranean flavors, including Turkish, Greek and Lebanese.
Called Albi—the Arabic word for "heart"—the new venue can be found in a 6,600-square-foot space near the River Oaks Shopping Center, on the second floor of a building at 1947 W. Gray St., Houston. It was launched by siblings Nano and Jimy Fakhoury along with hospitality entrepreneur Aladdin Nimri, according to a May 4 news release.
“We look forward to creating something very special for Houstonians—an ambience that evokes a very distinctive vibe of the 'Levant' area of the Middle East, which refers to the region along the eastern Mediterranean shores, a vibe we feel will resonate beautifully in this relaxed but buzzy corridor,” Nano Fakhoury said in a statement.
Mark Cox, former chef and owner of Mark’s American Cuisine on Westheimer Road, serves as chef-consultant at Albi, working alongside executive chef Christian Hernandez, who has previously served as chef de cuisine of the Houston Mediterranean restaurant March.
Menu items are made from scratch using fresh, sustainable and local products, according to the release, including local Texas wagyu and lamb, seasonal seafood and produce.
A 220-seat dining room features a 16-seat bar that borders the length of the room. The venue also features a private dining space for up to 40 diners with an indoor/outdoor terrace.
Menu items include shrimp falafel with tarator sauce and heirloom tomatoes; beets bil tahini—salt-baked beets blended with yogurt and topped with a tahini powder and pickled berries; and king trumpet mushroom shawarma with tzatziki and charred lemon. A dessert menu includes items such as the pistachio tiramisu and the lemon halvah tart, which combines a sesame-based confection with lemon curd and is served alongside a lemon and olive oil ice cream.
Drink options include seasonal cocktails with Mediterranean influences, mocktails, wine and spirits. Cocktail options include the Shah of Sunset, made with arak, lime, sugar, Topo Chico, hibiscus tea and mint; and the Baklava Old-Fashioned, made with baklava elixir, demerara sugar and walnut bitters.
832-464-2524. www.albihouston.com
