Manuel Pucha to open French restaurant in the Heights

Manuel Pucha, executive chef of La Table, is leaving the Galleria-area restaurant this month to open his own French restaurant in the Heights. Maison Pucha Bistro, 1001 Studewood, is expected to open this fall. Manuel Pucha, executive chef of La Table, is leaving the Galleria-area restaurant this month to open his own French restaurant in the Heights. Maison Pucha Bistro, 1001 Studewood, is expected to open this fall. Photo: Greg Morago Photo: Greg Morago Image 1 of / 24 Caption Close Manuel Pucha to open French restaurant in the Heights 1 / 24 Back to Gallery

Manuel Pucha, who has impressed Houston diners with accomplished French food at La Table in Galleria, is setting out on his own. The 42-year-old Ecuadoran-born chef will open Maison Pucha Bistro at 1001 Studewood, in the space that until recently was home to Black & White restaurant (and before that Stella Sola).

For several years now Pucha has been assessing taking the leap, but owning a restaurant was an endeavor he knew he didn't want to make alone. About a year and a half ago he finally convinced his two brothers, who currently live and work in New York City – Cristian, a sommelier and bar manager, and Victor, a French-trained pastry chef – to join forces with him in Houston. They both are leaving their jobs and packing up their respective families to make the move.

"It's a family reunion," Pucha said, "a family dream. We've all worked in fine dining."

Indeed, Maison Pucha Bistro will be an upscale casual French restaurant with some Ecuadoran and South American flavors – think Ecuadoran shrimp and tuna; South American organic chocolate and coffee; fruits such as soursop and passion fruit.

"It's simple food: well seasoned, well cooked, French technique and plated in Pucha style," said the chef who spent years working with chef Philippe Schmit at Bistro Moderne and then Philippe Restaurant & Lounge which became Table on Post Oak after Schmit's departure (Pucha was executive chef at Table which later transitioned to La Table).

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Pucha sees each of the brothers' strengths – a pyramid of savory, sweet and wine – as imperative to the success of the restaurant.

"We're three great minds that think alike, going in the direction of one goal – to succeed," he said.

Pucha recently signed a lease for the space and left La Table to begin work on Maison Pucha Bistro which he hopes to open this fall.

Restaurateur and sommelier Shepard Ross, a founding partner of Pax Americana in Montrose, is consulting for the restaurant under his new company MadCat Hospitality. Cookbook author and restaurant designer Erin Hicks, who is responsible for the look of Helen Greek Food & Wine, Helen in the Heights and FM Kitchen and Bar, will oversee the design.

When asked if he was worried about moving into the Heights location where several restaurants failed to find traction ¬– Black & White, and before that Stella Sola and Bedford – Pucha answered without hesitation: "I've never been afraid."