Ashwin Shetty at ‘Karya’
Anupam Ray, Sylvester Turner and Swapnil Agarwal at ‘Karya’
Local Foods sandwiches
The team has maxed out the menu and the space with extremely impressive upgrades. Working her magic, interior designer Brittany Vaughan of Garnish Design has transformed a simple, small space into a chic, intimate oasis with a dynamite 35-seat covered patio — one that will stay crowded, we’re sure. Interiors have a soothing desert meets ocean vibe with nods to mid-century Mexico and spot on southwestern art from Houston’s Southern Kindness Art Gallery.
Meanwhile, Levit and partners have also just opened a brand-new, 3,300-square-foot Local Foods on Post Oak, complete with new menu items, more wines by the bottle, seafood-savvy weekend brunch, and more. Vaughan decked out this spot, too, including its 1,100-square-foot covered patio. Guests will be thrilled with the ample parking and new specialty cocktails, too.
Back at Maximo: If you recall chef Luhrman’s style at El Topo, the vision for the menu is similar, honoring Mexican and Texan heritage cooking and its place on the Gulf Coast. Levit’s culinary director Seth Siegel-Gardner worked closely with San Antonio-native Luhrman to create an authentic menu showcasing dishes made from scratch, including handmade Tortillas de Nixtamal.
Those tortillas are the star of the extensive taco menu boasting inventive combos like sweet potato with baby kale and cumin vinaigrette; king crab with edamame, asparagus and Baja crema; vegan mushroom tacos; and the more classic crispy fish tacos, and mesquite-roasted barbacoa taco withepazote aioli (Luhrman’s prized signature from El Topo). Also expect specialty burritos and tortas; small plates; soups and salads, and crafted cocktails and margaritas. We can’t wait to tuck into the Watermelon and Cotija Salad with pickled Fresno chili, cucumber and peanut crumble!
“Every item on this menu was carefully selected to ensure all our ingredients are from nearby farms and producers that reflect the bounty of the Gulf Coast region,” said co-owner Benjy Levit, “From farm-fresh vegetables to locally sourced meats and cheeses, every ingredient embodies the ethos of local foods.”
Maximo
Maximo
Maximo
Local Foods
Local Foods
Jeweled top, by Gucci; tights, $8, by Amazon; vintage earrings, by Yves Saint Laurent at DesignVault; oval-link bracelets, from $4,750, by Rudolf Friedmann at Deutsch Fine Jewelry.
Gown, $1,290, by Badgley Mischka at Tootsies, with vintage jewelry, by Yves Saint Laurent at DesignVault.
Top, by Giorgio Armani, with tights, $8, by Amazon.
Beaded dress, by Oscar de la Renta, with accessories, stylist’s own.
Rhinestone bodysuit, $650, by Bronx and Banco at Tootsies, with vintage necklaces, by Yves Saint Laurent at DesignVault.
Silver gown, $3,850, by Gaurav Gupta at Neiman Marcus; diamond earrings, $8,000, elongated cocktail ring, $10,800, snake cocktail ring, $4,250, chain-link diamond band, $2,300, diamond estate bracelet, $150,000, all at Valobra Master Jewelers.
Vintage blazer and crystal shorts, by Nue Studio, and jewelry, all at DesignVault.
Scarf, by Paco Rabone at Design Vault; skirt and bracelet, both by Chanel; ring, by Gucci; jacket, stylist’s own.
Gown, by Valentino; boots, $1,690, by Valentino at Tootsies; black-gold diamond-leaf earrings, $21,000, at Valobra Master Jewelers.
Staud dress from Tootsies and a YSL necklace from DesignVault.
Photography by Jhane Hoang
Styling by Angelique Gioldasis
Art Direction by Patrick Magee
Model Kenna Skye
Hair and Makeup by Hannah Breshears
Photography Assistant Sarah de la Rosa
Digital Tech David Cole
Wardrobe Assistant Erin Hector
Photographed on location at The Park HTX