The interior of Mi Luna. Photo rendering by Agustin Fata.
Head chef and owner Youssef Nafaa revives his Spanish tapas restaurant and bar, My moonto 888 Westheimer, this time in the former Picnik premises in Montrose Collective. Nafaa opened the first restaurant in Rice Village in 1998, and it was a loyal favorite before it suddenly closed its doors in 2018. The new location is scheduled to open this fall.
Regarding the revival, Nafaa — and is also CEO of Bella Restaurant Groupwhich has ZOA Moroccan cuisine, Coconut Crêpes & coffee And My Bella Trattoriasaid in a press release: “I decided to revive Mi Luna after realizing that the Spanish tapas concept was not authentically represented in Houston. I missed Mi Luna and the atmosphere it provided.”
Nafaa left Morocco in 1988 at age 21 to study and began working in restaurants. It was there that he caught the hospitality bug and later attended the Le Cordon Bleu program at the prestigious Cooking and Hospitality Institute of Chicago before embarking on a lifelong culinary career that eventually led him to Houston, where he worked as a restaurant consultant before opening Mi Luna in 1998. Now, 26 years later, his story is finally coming full circle. “My feelings for Mi Luna never died and I had dreamed of bringing it back to life,” he said. “An opportunity presented itself in the perfect location to bring it back to the Houston restaurant scene.”
The menu offers a vibrant variety of flavors, including nods to Nafaa’s Moroccan heritage, with eye-catching starterseHow roasted whole branzino, fried seafood (fried small fish) and slow cooked meat, including Braised oxtail with chickpeas And Roast Moorish lamb shoulder. Well-known classics from the original setting are also making a comeback. These include the iconic paella Valencianatender Octopus with potatoes, Bastillaa hearty North African meat pie, and Prawns with ajilloor Spanish garlic prawns.
Of course, tapas lovers can also enjoy a wide selection of hot and cold small dishes, perfect for an evening together with friends. Cocktails from the well-stocked bar, such as refreshing Sangria available in a jug and a selection from an extensive Wine List. The restaurant will also be designed to easily accommodate large groups.
The new version will capture the energy of its predecessor with late-night specials, live music and weekend flamenco performances from the Houston-based dance troupe. Flamenco Solero and acoustic guitar sets at weekend brunch. Artists will perform on a sleek, elevated stage, and Mi Luna will be open later than most restaurants in the area in case guests want to keep the party going, as they do abroad.
Although the building is currently under construction, once it opens it will accommodate 140 guests across 360 square metres of indoor space and a sprawling 111 square metres terrace, perfectly positioned to enjoy the lively atmosphere of the passageway and Crocker Street. The architecture and design will be chic, modern, Spanish design.eCor and globally inspired elements.
Mi Luna is open Monday to Thursday from 11am to midnight, Friday from 11am to 2am, Saturday from 10am to 2am and Sunday from 10am to 10pm.
Mario-Sebastian Berry is a wine and spirits dealer who has been working in the hospitality industry since 2002. He currently represents Blanco, Texas-based Andalusia Whiskey Co. and several wine labels. Somehow he also finds time to be the assistant editor and social media manager for the Houston Food Finder.
