A Chic Cafe Near Highland Village Will Showcase Coastal Italian Cuisine

Houston has its fair share of Italian restaurants, but a chic new cafe in Highland Village aims to focus on the cuisine of some of the lesser-known regions of the Italian coast.

Concura is the work of Italian fashion and design consultant Jessica Biondi, who has apparently been planning the passion project for the better part of the last decade. The restaurant, at 4340 Westheimer Road, will open sometime later this summer.

Biondi, who was raised in Fano, Italy, on the Eastern coast, wanted to emulate the modern and sophisticated cafes that dot the region, which is on the Adriatic Sea. To run the kitchen, she brought on chef Angelo Cuppone, also a Faro native, who recently left his post at Rice Village Italian spot Roma. Together, the duo has created a menu of small and large plates meant to be shared amongst diners. (The name Concura means ‘with care” in Italian.)

Diners can expect a rotating menu influenced in part by Italy’s Marche region, along the Adriatic, and Liguria, which is on the Northwest Coast, near Genoa. Dishes include paper-thin salumi, tartare, and other made-to-order charcuterie. Seafood-focused dishes will include vitello tonnato, or veal with creamy tuna sauce, seafood carbonara, and marinated octopus and potatoes with Taggiasche olives.

The bar will feature Italian wines and cocktails, including negronis, spritzes, and a drink called La Vita é Bella, made with vodka, cappelletti, raspberry, lemon, and orange.

One of the reasons it took so long for Biondi’s project to come to fruition is that she spared no detail in the design of the space, according to a press release. The intimated space, centered around an open kitchen, includes furniture from Italian designers and artwork and design details evocative of Italy.

“I looked for the perfect space for years,” she says. “I wasn’t willing to cut corners on what some might consider small details.”

Diners will have to wait just a bit longer for Concura’s opening, which should happen soon. Stay tuned to Eater for a more precise date.