Austin Sushi Restaurant Soto Opens Its First Houston Location | Eater Houston

"A new sushi spot from Austin has quietly opened in the former Bistecca space at 224 Westheimer Road earlier this summer, presenting itself as a chef-led destination for high-end sushi flown in from Japan and multi-course omakase dinners. Helmed by 35-year-old chef-owner Andy Chen—who opened Soto in Austin in 2013 and brought a devoted following to Houston—and joined locally by chef Yoshi Katsuyama, the 3,500-square-foot space Chen took over in December 2020 has been completely revamped with sleek black-and-gold contemporary decor and now seats 97 with a large central dining room, a 14-seat sushi bar, a dedicated cocktail bar, and a secondary seating area that can double as a private dining room. Chen says they focus on nigiri and sashimi (each nigiri features a special topping) and cure most of their fish for improved texture and flavor; diners can choose between two 18-course omakase menus (regular and premium) featuring fish flown directly from Tokyo’s Toyosu Fish Market, or order signature dishes such as the Instagram-famous Fire Salmon (Scottish salmon served hanging above a lit flame), A5 wagyu from Japan grilled on a hot rock, and a luxe foie gras served with dark chocolate, kabayaki, almonds, and a shot of eight-year-aged sake. Houston-only offerings include an aburi hamachi topped with seared banana pepper and a special cured bluefin tuna known as nigiri zuke. The cocktail program emphasizes a robust sake and Japanese whiskey lineup—including highly allocated bottles like the Katsuyama Diamond Akatsuki Junemai Daiginjo from Miyagi Prefecture and Yamazaki 18-year—and the restaurant is now open for dinner Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., and closed Monday and Tuesday." - Mai Pham