World-Class Restaurant to Make Its U.S. Debut in Houston

The Galleria’s Big Dim Sum Moment

By Jailyn Marcel // Nov 26, 2015

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Yauatcha, an upscale dim sum teahouse concept from Hakkasan Group, will make its United States debut in The Galleria's forthcoming jewel box structure.

One of Yauatcha's many dim sum offerings — the supreme dim sum platter.

Yauatcha's crystal dumpling wrap with pumpkin.

Yauatcha is more than just dim sum. The restaurant also offers an in-house patisserie, which serves up French desserts like this raspberry delice.

It’s safe to say it’s an exciting time for Houston retail. The highly anticipated River Oaks District made its debut on October 1, but let’s not forget about Houston’s original retail mecca — The Galleria. Simon Property Group (The Galleria’s parent company) is in the midst of a $30 million renovation and addition to the mall’s luxury wing, prompting new names such as lingerie brand La Perla, Italian leather-goods company Tod’s and the forthcoming Céline and Christian Louboutin and a new Saks Fifth Avenue in 2016.

Now Hakkasan Group, the brains behind well-known restaurant and night life concepts Hakkasan and 1 Oak Night Club, has tapped the Galleria as the location for its Michelin-starred restaurant Yauatcha. The addition marks Yauatcha’s U.S. debut (there are two outposts in London and four in India), with Houston and Honolulu serving as the restaurant’s first two American locations.

“We’re excited to welcome Yauatcha to The Galleria at Houston, which will add to the center’s excellent collection of fine-dining eateries,” says David Contis, president of Simon Malls. “With more than 30 million visitors to the Galleria each year, the center is the perfect location for Hakkasan Group to launch its renowned Yauatcha brand.”

Consider, a dim sum teahouse meets French patisserie, serving dumplings, rolls and Chinese soups, as well as rice dishes, noodles and a number of meat, poultry and seafood entrées. The French ingredient is an in-house patisserie with a full spectrum of sweets including truffles, macarons, chocolates, gateau and more.

“Houston is currently home to many global brands, and we feel Yauatcha can add a product offering to the market that currently doesn’t exist — a Chinese offering at a Michelin-star level,” says Nick McCabe, president of Hakkasan Group.

Screen Shot 2015-11-25 at 11.17.22 AM — Indulge in a violet grand macaron from Yauatcha’s patisserie.

Yauatcha will be housed in the Galleria’s new jewel-box structure, the first detached structure at The Galleria, alongside fashion house The Webster from Miami (opening December 2015). Yauatcha Houston will seat 272 guests in an indoor and outdoor space designed by Las Vegas-based architecture firm YWS and Paris-based interior design firm GBRH.