Chef Hugo Ortega’s Oaxacan Restaurant Xochi Opens At Marriott Marquis Houston

In an expansion of his Mexican food empire in Houston, Chef Hugo Ortega is ready to debut what is perhaps his most exciting project yet in Xochi.

CultureMap reports that Xochi will kick open the doors for dinner service this weekend at the Marriott Marquis, at which time you’ll be able to feast on Ortega’s scratch-made Oaxacan fare, including a selection of dishes topped with Oaxaca’s signature sauce, mole. Look forward to barbacoa and suckling pig roasted in a wood-fired oven, along with a selection of dishes that feature edible insects.

On the sweeter side of things, pastry chef Ruben Ortega has created an impressive array of whimsical, modern desserts, including a tamarind mole cake that’s topped with mole ganache and served with mandarin sorbet and candied ants. A selection of 100+ agave-based spirits curated by beverage director Sean Beck will also be on offer, alongside cocktails, Mexican wine, and beer.

Xochi’s online reservation system isn’t up and running just yet, but a call to the restaurant confirms that the kitchen will be open from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. tonight, and that’s a table you’re definitely going to want to score.

• Sneak peek at Xochi: Houston’s most anticipated new restaurant arrives just in time for Super Bowl [CultureMap]