New Mexican Asian Restaurant’s Set to Open in River Oaks

Whispers of SumoMaya‘s River Oaks District arrival have been festering since the outdoor shopping center’s debut nearly two years ago. As restaurants such as prime steakhouse Steak 48 and French-Vietnamese eatery Le Colonial made their own highly-anticipated debuts (joining the likes of Toulouse, Taverna, and Hopdoddy Burger Bar), SumoMaya was still absent from the mix.

In fact, we’d lost hope that the Arizona-based, Mexican-Asian fusion hotspot would ever join River Oak District’s restaurant roster. Luckily, we were wrong. The Scottsdale staple revealed today that it will finally open its first Houston location in the luxury Westheimer shopping complex this June.

The brainchild of German Osio and Osio Culinary Group, SumoMaya Mexican Asian Kitchen marries the bold flavors of Asia with the storied culinary traditions of Mexico and Latin America showcasing a tapas-style menu of everything from tacos and sushi to fresh seafood, noodles, and prime steaks — all crafted from scratch, of course.

“I had the opportunity to take SumoMaya anywhere in the country for a second location and chose Houston.”

The vibrant flavor profile adds another diverse dining destination to River Oaks District’s growing landscape, which currently houses everything from Vietnamese to Italian cuisine alongside a bevy of luxury retailers.

“I had the opportunity to take SumoMaya anywhere in the country for a second location and chose Houston,” Osio says. “Houston is a city that has been near and dear to my heart since my childhood. I lived in Houston for several years and am an ardent advocate of its diversity and the superb culinary reputation it has attained over the years.

“I am ecstatic for the Houston community, a community that means so much to me on a personal level, to have the opportunity to experience SumoMaya and understand what makes it unique.”

Acclaimed chef Eiji Takase leads the SumoMaya Houston kitchen, while 2012 James Beard nominee Jeret Peña is responsible for the artful cocktail program.

Lookout for the bustling ambience SumoMaya’s known for in Scottsdale. A live DJ keeps the space hype through midnight on the weekends.