area restaurants with a Michelin star – Houston Public Media
A restaurant located in the Galleria is one of six in the Houston area that have now received a Michelin Star.
According to the Michelin Guide , a restaurant is rated with one star based on consistency, ingredient quality, harmony of flavors, mastery of techniques and the personality of the chef expressed through cuisine.
Mayank Istwal is the Executive Chef at the Modern Indian restaurant, Musaafer. He said restaurants like his provide an experience for their diners.
"[The staff] talk about my inspiration, my journey from India, what I did on my hundred-day journey, and so we tell [diners] stories about our culture," Istwal said.
Istwal traveled through the 29 states of India to find inspiration for the recipes he would have at Musaafer. His recipes also take inspiration from other regions of the world like Mexico, Peru, Thailand, and other countries.
His menu ranges from Texas Wagyu which has badami korma to butter chicken with a sauce that uses tomatillo, a green tomato that originates from Mexico. Istwal said he defines the food he makes as authentic because of the spices.
"For me, being sustainable is authentic. I can get the spices from India, but I cannot fly in the fresh ingredients from India. If you do that, you're adding a big carbon footprint right there," he said. "So what I do is, I work with the local farms. We try to use all the local produce. Of course, the spirit of our food is the spices."
This is the first time the Michelin Guide has rated restaurants in Texas. 15 restaurants have been rated with a Michelin Star, while 24 others were recognized.
Michael Heckman, the CEO of Houston First — an advocacy group for Houston businesses, was at an event to celebrate the chefs of the region on Monday night. He said the newly recognized restaurants are a first step into a new way for Texas establishments.
"This event and the guide released tonight represent an opportunity to celebrate the incredible talent, innovation and passion that each of the professionals here brings to the culinary world," he said. "Here in Houston, a city renowned for its rich diversity and warm hospitality, we believe [in] the power of food to bring people together."
