Blue Tuba Euro-Tex Cuisine will debut in Houston Heights, blending European flavors with Texas charm | Food drink

Just a few days ago, on May 1, Blue Tuba Euro-Tex Cuisine opened its doors at 350 W 19th St Suite E. This exciting new culinary venture, occupying the esteemed upstairs space that formerly housed Harold’s in the Heights, promises a unique fusion of European-inspired Delights with a Texas twist.

Spanning a spacious 5,141 square feet, Blue Tuba offers indoor dining and a comfortable rooftop terrace with captivating views of 19th Street. Accommodating 150 guests, including 40 al fresco diners, guests at Blue Tuba can expect innovative home cooking and creative cocktails created by bar director Vincent Campos (formerly of Lombardi Cucina Italiana) and Guatemalan sommelier Gabriela Benecke. For those wishing to entertain clients or guests, an intimate 16-seat private dining room is also available.

Created by owners Giga Leszayova and famous former rocker turned chef Vlado Kolenic, both from the former Czechoslovakia, Blue Tuba represents the culmination of their culinary journey. Following their successful stint at Bettola, an Italian restaurant on New York’s Upper West Side from 2016 to 2022, the dynamic duo set their sights on Houston’s diverse culinary landscape.

“I wanted to be a cowboy,” Kolenic jokes when asked what brought him to Houston. “I cook with my cowboy hat on and I have one rule in my kitchen: If you cook with me, you must be an exceptional chef and sing or play an instrument.”

Blue Tuba’s menu is a testament to the owner’s travels, harmoniously blending Slovak flavors with Scandinavian, Hungarian, German, Greek, Spanish and Tex-Mex influences. Prime your taste buds with Kolenic’s signature seared schnitzel, a delicious marriage of European tradition and Texas hospitality. Other tempting offerings include authentic Hungarian goulash, lovingly prepared from Kolenic’s grandmother’s cherished recipe, and nostalgic Slovak mac and cheese (Halushky). Guests can also enjoy the comforting flavors of paprika chicken with mini spaetzle ravioli, reminiscent of Kolenic’s childhood.

“We were overwhelmed by the warmth and generosity of the Heights community,” shared Leszayova. “Their adventurous spirit aligns perfectly with our culinary philosophy, and we are extremely grateful for the support we have received even before our grand opening.”

The name Blue Tuba pays homage to one of Kolenic’s favorite makeshift decor pieces in Bettola, which featured a mix of curved and frayed musical instruments, including a distinctive blue tuba. The instrument has made its way from Manhattan to the Heights and now sits on stage in the Blue Tuba’s dining room, representing a new chapter in the lives of Kolenic and Leszayova.

Workload permitting, after 9 p.m. you might see Kolenic leaving the kitchen to play with local musicians on the dining room’s small stage. He plays piano, guitar and drums and says, “Expressing yourself through food and music isn’t that different. I like to improvise when I cook, just like when I play music. That’s what makes things fun.

Blue Tuba launched its dinner service at 5 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday starting May 1. In the coming weeks, customers can anticipate the introduction of brunch, lunch and Happy Hour menus, with plans to extend opening hours to accommodate late nights. cravings. Catering, deliveries and theme evenings such as Czech and French evenings are in preparation.

Brunch lovers can mark their calendars for Mother’s Day, May 12, when Blue Tuba unveils a delicious lineup of Czech specialties, including fresh-cut vegetables, homemade Rohliky, Germknödel and more.

For a dining experience that seamlessly blends European sophistication with Texas charm, look no further than Blue Tuba Euro-Tex Cuisine. Visit Blue Tuba online at www.bluetubatx.com or call (713) 955-4612 for more information. Follow Blue Tuba on Instagram and Facebook @bluetubatx. To hear Kolenic tickle the ivories and sing, click here.