Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group, the team behind several award-winning Austin and San Antonio-based restaurants, has announced that it is opening its first Houston restaurant at Autry Park, the 14-acre urban village and mixed-use development set along Buffalo Bayou, in late 2025. The uniquely-designed 2,200-square-foot space joins other restaurants including Annabelle Brasserie, Turner’s Cut, Doko, Bar Doko and the forthcoming Mayahuel.

It’s a bit of a “good news, bad news” situation as the round-shaped, standalone building at 3711 Autry Park Drive was until, Tuesday, June 10, home to MF Lobster & Ceviche. The concept, from chefs Chris Kinjo and Miguel Alvarez of MF Sushi, operated for just over a year. “As much as we loved MF Lobster, it sat in an American dining genre that’s outside our natural wheelhouse,” said Kinjo. “We decided it made sense to sell the restaurant and concentrate on culinary ventures that reflect our Vietnamese and Japanese heritage.”

Luckily, fans of their skilled work can still dine at MF Sushi in the Museum District or check out their new Vietnamese and French-inspired restaurant and wine bar, Annam, which just opened steps away in Autry Park in February. 

Rebees Management Company, Autry Park’s retail developer, wasted no time in finding a new tenant. The building, designed by Michael Hsu Office of Architecture, features a visually-striking rotunda structure built mainly of glass, Western Red Cedar and steel. This stunning architectural feature made the decision a no-brainer for the renowned Emmer & Rye restaurant group. 

“We’ve had our eye on Houston — and specifically Autry Park — for quite some time,” said Tavel Bristol-Joseph, partner of Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group and 2023 James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef Texas. “When the opportunity to take over such a unique space came along, we couldn’t pass it up. Houston has such a vibrant and diverse culinary community, and we look forward to opening our doors and contributing to the city’s incredible culinary landscape.”

The group, which is led by led by partners Kevin Fink — a finalist for the 2019 James Beard Award for Best Chef Southwest and Best Chef Texas in 2020 (the first year that the James Beard Foundation put Texas into its own region), Bristol-Joseph, Alicynn Fink, Berty Richter and Rand Egbert, has been on a hot streak of late, particularly with the debut of Texas’s inaugural Michelin Guide. It awarded a Michelin star to the group’s live-fire restaurant, Hestia, and a Michelin Green Star for sustainability to its namesake restaurant in Austin — one of only two Texas recipients. Emmer & Rye, known for its whole-animal butchery and homemade bread and pasta, was also awarded a Bib Gourmand, as was Ladino, its modern Mediterranean grill located in San Antonio’s Pearl District. 

The group also owns Michelin-recommended Ezov Mediterranean and Nicosi dessert bar, Caribbean restaurant Canje and Kalimotxo Spanish restaurant and cocktail bar in Austin as well as Henbit at the Historic Pearl and Pullman Market, a 53,000-square-foot culinary destination with a specialty grocer, four on-site restaurants and five quick service eateries in San Antonio.

Details on the Houston concept are yet-to-be-revealed, but if the group’s pedigree is any indicator, it is sure to become a can’t-miss destination for Bayou City foodies.

Mario-Sebastian Berry

Mario-Sebastian Berry is a wine and spirits vendor who has been in the hospitality industry since 2002. Currently, he represents Blanco, Texas-based Andalusia Whiskey Co. He holds numerous wine, beer and spirits certifications including Certified Sommelier. Somehow, he also finds time to be Houston Food Finder’s associate editor and social media manager.