News Summary
Silk Road, a newly opened restaurant in Houston located inside a Courtyard by Marriott hotel, is drawing attention for its high-quality dim sum offerings. With a focus on Cantonese tea culture, the restaurant features a diverse tea selection to complement its dishes. While prices are higher than average, the quality and skilled culinary team from Thailand make it a worthy destination for dim sum enthusiasts. Despite some dishes receiving mixed reviews, the inviting ambiance and relaxed dining experience are winning over locals.
Houston’s Hidden Gem: Silk Road Restaurant Brings Premium Dim Sum to the City
Located in the heart of Houston, tucked away inside a Courtyard by Marriott hotel, the newly opened Silk Road restaurant is making waves for its superb dim sum offerings. Situated along Westpark near West University Place, this delightful spot is shining a light on the quintessential Cantonese tea culture, providing a unique experience to both dim sum enthusiasts and casual diners alike.
The Perfect Accompaniment: A Stellar Tea Selection
When it comes to dim sum, nothing pairs better than a fine cup of tea, and Silk Road does not disappoint. The restaurant boasts an impressive tea menu featuring selections such as jasmine silver needle, oolong, and aged pu-erh. Each of these teas has been thoughtfully chosen to complement the dishes served, further enriching the overall dining experience.
Quality Above All: Dim Sum at Silk Road
Silk Road prides itself on offering a high standard of dim sum dishes. In fact, it has claimed the title of serving the best dim sum inside the Loop in Houston. However, with prices ranging from $7 to $13 per dish, it’s important to note that diners will be spending a bit more compared to other dim sum specialists around town. This price point seems worthwhile to many, considering the quality presented in every bite.
Bridging the gap left by the pandemic-related closure of upscale eateries such as Yauatcha, Silk Road’s emergence in this market highlights its necessity for high-quality dim sum in the area. Its quirky location inside a hotel may raise eyebrows, but is a result of a savvy real estate decision made by the owner in collaboration with a hotel investor.
A Culinary Team to Savor
The culinary team at Silk Road features two highly skilled chefs from Thailand, Thawatchai Insingha and Patjarpoom Laoboonruang. Both chefs have honed their craft in luxury hotels throughout Thailand, ensuring that each plate that leaves the kitchen is crafted with precision and flair.
Must-Try Signature Dishes
Among the standout menu items, diners rave about the crispy shrimp cheung fun, deemed the most expensive offering at $13. Despite the price, it is squealed over for its rich taste and exceptional quality. Similarly, har gow and spinach dumplings have garnered attention for their fresh flavors and delightful textures.
However, not everything has charmed the taste buds. Some diners feel dishes such as siu mai and xiao long bao (soup dumplings) missed the mark, citing under-seasoned fillings. But the buffet of flavors offered at Silk Road makes it a tempting destination for friends and family alike, encouraging everyone to explore various options.
A Relaxed Dining Environment
The ambiance is inviting and casual, set within the hotel lobby, where a friendly staff ensures regular tea refills, enhancing that comforting feel. The aesthetics play on a steel and glass design, providing an inviting atmosphere with a noise level that leads to pleasant conversations without feeling overwhelming.
More Than Just Dim Sum
While dim sum shines brightest on the menu, Silk Road also features other offerings such as noodle dishes, fried rice, and hot-and-sour soup. However, many agree these items do not quite match the excellence displayed in the dim sum selections.
Patrons Welcome: Operating Hours and Reservations
Silk Road is seeing a decent influx of patrons, making it a popular choice among locals. For now, diners can visit from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on days excluding Mondays and Thursdays. Soon, the restaurant will begin taking reservations online, making it easier for goers to secure a spot at this burgeoning establishment.
Although traditional dim sum cart service is not available, dishes are prepared to order, giving each customer a fresh experience. With ample parking available on-site at 2929 Westpark, Houston, there’s no reason to hesitate our next delightful dim sum adventure at Silk Road!
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Additional Resources
- Houston Chronicle: Silk Road Restaurant Review
- Eater: Best Restaurants in Houston’s Asiatown
- Houstonia Magazine: Best Pan-Fried Dumplings in Houston
- Texas Highways: Uncovering Houston’s Chinatown
- Houston Chronicle: Best Chinese Restaurants in Houston
- Wikipedia: Dumpling
- Google Search: Houston dim sum
- Google Scholar: dim sum restaurant reviews
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Dim Sum
- Google News: Houston restaurants
