Barbacana
Fine dining restaurant · Downtown ·
Modern American tasting menu, Houston flavors, international influences
Modern American tasting menu, Houston flavors, international influences
"Barbacana fills a gap for those who want a tasting menu that doesn’t feel too stuffy. This fusion restaurant Downtown takes inspiration from Houston’s food scene. You’ll find nods to West African dishes and, of course, the main food group in Texas: beef. Like the Denver cuts of steak doused in suya spice or potato pavés with light dollops of cream cheese. The staff keeps the meal rolling casually. Between the spacious dining room that’s not always packed and the personal treatment you receive, dinner with a few friends can feel like an intimate dinner party." - brooke viggiano, mai pham, nicolai mccrary, andrew ryce, gianni greene, chelsea thomas
"Houston only has three tasting-menu-only restaurants (that aren’t omakases), and one of them is Barbacana. This fusion spot Downtown has a small counter and bar, open Tuesday through Saturday for dinner, and reservations are required. And while the tasting menu does change, expect dishes like Thai-style smoked fish, dry-aged duck with Mediterranean spices, and grilled chicken with housemade tortillas." - brooke viggiano, gianni greene, chelsea thomas
"Houston native Christian Hernandez, who previously worked at Michelin-starred restaurant March, breaks out with his own tasting menu restaurant. Opened in the Downtown Bayou Lofts in December, Barbacana is an amalgamation of international flavors and Hernandez’s chef experiences. Expect a menu that changes monthly, with hints of African, Middle Eastern, and Japanese cuisines. Most recently, the menu featured Texas Wagyu Denver steak, Vermillion snapper crudo, dry-aged duck, and a chocolate and pecan coulant with black tea ice cream. The tasting menu itself is $125 per person, with optional wine pairings for $65 per person, and cocktails created by Kristine Nguyen of Captain Foxheart’s Bad News Bar are also available." - Brittany Britto Garley
"A duck-focused dish that excels: slices of duck with salty, seasoned, fatty skin are accented by zigzags of sweet duck molasses and a pistachio dukkah, and paired with chunks of dates for added sweetness and texture—an indulgent preparation the reviewer admits they wouldn’t be willing to share." - Brittany Britto Garley
"Houston native Christian Hernandez, who previously worked at Michelin-starred restaurant March, debuts his own restaurant with a menu that showcases the breadth of Houston flavors. Opened in the Downtown Bayou Lofts in December, Barbacana is an amalgamation of international flavors and Hernandez’s culinary experiences, which include growing up in the East End and cooking in New York and Mexico City. Expect a menu that changes monthly, with hints of African, Middle Eastern, and Japanese cuisines. Most recently, the menu featured Texas Wagyu Denver steak, Vermillion snapper crudo, an irresistible dry-aged duck with dates, and the most decadent s’mores ice cream sandwich. Bring your buddies and order a spread of à la carte dishes and settle into the dining room’s spacious digs, or opt for Hernandez’s tasting menu ($125 per person, with optional wine pairings for $65 per person). You can dine anywhere, but the counter seating, with views into the kitchen, offers some of the most exciting seats in the house." - Marcy de Luna
