The PESKA Experience

It is very difficult to miss PESKA Seafood Culture, a 6,000-square-foot venue located in Phase II of BLVD Place, the restaurant that just opened a few months ago is already a hot spot and has been raved as a very competent showcase for seafood traditions and fish from around the world. My experience at this sophisticated yet simple restaurant was exquisite. Seated next to the window close to the bar I got to capture the lush green outdoor views while totally keeping an eye on the bar.

Omar Pereney the Executive Chef of Houston’s PESKA Seafood Culture, is now becoming one of the youngest people in the country to helm a position of this caliber. In this role, the 20-year-old Venezuelan native, who relocated from Mexico City for the opportunity, oversees the menu. Designed by Gensler, PESKA is the fifth restaurant and first in the United States for La Trainera Group, a family-owned operator of acclaimed eateries based in Mexico.

The restaurant and bar, is known to mark two culinary milestones, a seafood market component into the finer dining segment, and also home to one of the youngest executive chefs in the country.

PESKA Seafood Culture is the first U.S. offering from the Mexico-based Ysita family, which has built a loyal following and critical acclaim for their La Trainera brand, an established collection of four, upscale seafood restaurants with locations in Mexico City and Acapulco. No strangers to Houston, the Ysitas have a longtime residence in the Uptown area. Pereney has been working as Consulting Chef for La Trainera since the summer of 2013.

According to siblings Diego and Maite Ysita, “Houston is our second home, and we had been waiting patiently for the ideal location to introduce PESKA Seafood Culture here. Drawing on the international diversity of Uptown and its appeal to both business and leisure travelers from around the world, the menu focuses on the best of globally sourced seafood and cuisine that blends the cooking styles of the Mediterranean, Europe and South America.”

My evening at PESKA started with PESKA Gin & Tonic: Bombay Sapphire gin, herbs & botanicals, my guest enjoyed the Mezcal Maggie: Del Maguey Vida mescal, lime juice, agave & cilantro muddle. I will not be able to say which one was my favorite as I truly confess that I enjoyed sipping from both. We later enjoyed a few of chefs creations and favorites that were sent out to us. A seafood tower with different kinds of oysters, sashimi, jumbo shrimp, Baja clams, and ceviches with house made cocktail sauce. Followed by my favorite at PESKA, the Lobster Cappuccino: a creamy lobster bisque with white truffle foam, lobster brie crostini. Fruit and Flower salad is the perfect summer evening delight that will tingle your palate with an unique lemon-olive oil sorbet, seasonal berries and spicy pecan meringue. We also got a taste of Yucatec: Lime juice, octupus, shrimp, conch, habanero sauce, avocado and cilantro – a seafood delicacy. What I really liked was the fact that one could add the spicy sauce to its taste. Our entree was from the sea, a delicious Striped Bass.

By now we were totally in a seafood coma but we managed to take a bite from the Chocolate Triffle: chocolate cake, mousse, mascarpone cream, berries, and vanilla ice-cream. The staff is extremely friendly and polite, always willing to help and hear suggestions. The restaurant has a great relaxing and comfortable ambiance, juxtaposing industrial elements with high-end finishes and modern materials. Color choices at the restaurant are made to capture the essence of water, as well as the sunset, with an array of whites and corals. The flooring is a porcelain tile that is evocative of a weathered boardwalk. A dropped wood ceiling element in the dining room was inspired by the interior of a boat. Guests are sure to come back many times and those who haven’t yet visited PESKA need to head over there now.

Wait no more make your reservations and try some of my favorites and oh yes, the pea soup is amazing. PESKA Seafood Culture is located at 1700 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 190, Houston, TX 77056. The restaurant entrance faces San Felipe and is immediately adjacent to a BLVD Place valet stand and escalator to the garage, where self-parking is available. For more information or reservations, please visit www.PESKA.us or call 713.961.9229.