Chic new Houston Steakhouse Toca Madera delivers the drama

The result: New upscale Mexican-inspired steakhouse Toca Madera got off to a good start at a preview dinner. While the steaks were solid, it was the seafood, desserts and cocktails that really impressed. Prices are high, but you’ll get what you pay for if you appreciate fancy restaurant environments.

THE Lifestyle Pavilion at the Allen continues to fill the empty spaces, and its newest addition is also the chicest. Upscale Mexican-influenced grill Toca Madera opened at 1755 Allen Parkway. It joins the Eos Fitness hotel and Hyatt’s Thompson Houston, which houses Maven Coffee and Cocktails and Sol 7. This is the brand’s fourth location and the Noble 33 Restaurant Group first adventure in Texas. Houston Food Finder was invited to a preview dinner at the glamorous new restaurant.

The design and construction is the most impressive part of Toca Madera. The 14,000-square-foot steakhouse features immersive decor and an energetic atmosphere, but the design is even more thoughtful than that. The sheer size of the space allows the restaurant to create multiple and distinct experiences. The first area after entering the restaurant is by far the liveliest, giving you a glimpse of the eclecticism of the restaurant’s decor. The solid marble bar and skull-adorned DJ booth (which, according to the press release, will be used every night) are the focal points of the room. This space is noisier and brighter than the rest of the restaurant.

The main dining room is darker and the music is at a much lower volume, but it still manages to convey an energetic vibe. The patio is probably the most interesting space in the restaurant, taking the recurring theme of greenery and wood to the extreme. An intricate wooden trellis and greenery fully surround the tables and create Toca Madera’s most intimate setting. In addition to the DJ, fire dancers and live musicians are also regularly present at the restaurant.

For the aperitif, there is chips and salsaas well as some classics like queso fundido (given the number of things burned, surprisingly, they were not accompanied by flameado) and guacamoleas well as some upscale versions of dishes like truffle quesadillas And tostadas. There are also choices that seem unusual for a Mexican steakhouse, like fried squid And shishito peppers.

Steak takes center stage on the menu. Cuts of meat are divided into categories based on the beef marbling scale, ranging from the leanest cuts like nets And New York bands to the biggest Ribeye and notoriously rich Wagyu. Toca Madera offers three types of Wagyu, which customers can order in two-ounce increments. If you want to go all out, you can opt for the tomahawk, who is brought inflamed to the table. With indulgence being the key word, accompaniments include fresh truffles, shrimp, lobster, caviar or one of the special house-made butters. I tried the New York Strip, and although my visit was on the first day amidst a large crowd, it was well cooked and well seasoned. It was served with herb butter and a bulb of roasted garlic.

The steak may be the main character, but the seafood was the star. Raw seafood offerings include Oysters, hamachi, sashimi and the Marisques, a tower available in two sizes. THE white ceviche, made with Chilean sea bass, avocado, lime, jalapeño, and aji amarillo (a type of sweet yellow pepper perhaps best known in Peruvian cuisine), was the most memorable dish of the evening. The dish was fresh and flavorful, more citrus than spicy, but its construction set it apart, making it one of the restaurant’s most appealing plates. Like ceviche, tender diving scallops are fresh; they’re topped with roasted pepitas, chimichurri and a sauce made from aji amarillo peppers.

The menu also offers some salads, such as Toca Caesar, chop And corner each with added Mexican ingredients. If you don’t feel like steak, there are also some composted meals, like chicken with pastor And enchiladas. To complement the savory starters, four taco options, available on a separate taqueria menu: Beer-battered sea bass, will snatch (Mexican skirt steak; another personal favorite of the evening), Truffle-Mushroom (seasonal mushrooms with truffle cream) and chicken with pastor. (Although not stated anywhere, many of the restaurant’s dishes, such as the quesadilla, enchiladas, and tostaditas, can be vegan.

Even if you don’t want the full dinner experience, Toca Madera is a great stop just for dessert and drinks. THE Lady of Los Muertos is a hollow milk chocolate skull filled with peanut butter mousse and served in a “moat” of raspberry coulis, cocoa nibs and fresh raspberries. The dessert is delicious, but also unique and aesthetic. Another great option is the Strawberry Tres Leches. The cake wasn’t too sweet, never got soggy – and the English was addictive. I found myself eating spoonfuls after the cake was gone.

The house cocktail menu, which primarily featured agave spirits and tiki inspirations, was meticulously crafted. From glassware to garnishes and even accessories such as miniature honey spoons and a fire, the drinks were elaborate. The favorite drink on our evening table, No Mames! which took a mai tai base (the overly sweet, juice-laden Hawaiian boat drink version, not the classic tik version) and added flavor with mezcal, ginger, and red pepper, creating a surprisingly tasty treat balanced.

Chartreuse, tequila, ginger, mint, lemon and wildflower honey from Winnie The Pooh , it looks like an exaggerated Mexican mule. However, the mint and chartreuse added enough flavor to make this a unique drink (not to mention the miniature honey dipper was fun to play with). Como La Flor reminded me of an Indian rose milk drink and wasn’t my favorite drink, but led to one of the funniest moments when the very friendly waiter delivered the cocktail while singing Selena’s classic. Toca Madera also has a list of more than half a dozen margarita riffs. Additionally, a few Mexican beers are available and an impressive selection of wines by the glass.

Dinner at Toca Madera at Noble 33 will be expensive. A dinner for two, with two starters, two cocktails, an appetizer and a dessert, can easily exceed the $200 mark. That being said, the restaurant’s eye-catching designs, atmosphere, service, and overall fun factor should make for a fun dining adventure. At the very least, I can’t wait to check out Noble 33’s next Houston restaurant, Meduza Mediterranean.

Toca Madera is open Tuesday through Sunday from 5 p.m. to midnight and reservations are available online.

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