The Houston food scene is set to witness the grand opening of the new Phat Eatery in The Woodlands, a significant event that has been eagerly anticipated following the unfortunate passing of the restaurant's founder, Alex Au-Yeung. According to Houston Chronicle, the opening marks the sixth anniversary of the original Katy location and continues to build upon Au-Yeung’s legacy, under the direction of operations managers Kevin Lee and Marvin He.
The new location, which officially starts to serve customers on June 26, has faced its share of delays, most notably due to Au-Yeung’s battle with cancer which he lost earlier this year. Kevin Lee and Marvin He, who've played integral roles in the restaurant since its inception, are now at the helm to ensure that Au-Yeung's vision continues to thrive. “We want to make sure the restaurant is successful.” as Kevin Lee told the Houston Chronicle.
Transforming a former Fuddruckers location into a modern dining space has not been a minor task. The new 8,200-square-foot establishment features striking 24-foot ceilings, a nod to Malaysia with traditional lanterns, and an atmosphere inspired by famed night markets as described by CultureMap Houston. Apart from décor, the new location also includes two private rooms, one of which boasts a $20,000 round party table with a revolving marble top designed for family-style dining, termed the Baller Room.
The menu at The Woodlands location will not stray from the commitment to Malaysian cuisine that earned the original Phat Eatery its acclaim, including popular dishes like roti canai, kerabu prawn, curry laksa, and beef rendang. Marvin He and Kevin Lee also plan to expand their offerings, to include a broader dim sum selection and Chinese barbecue options, fulfilling Au-Yeung's initial vision for the eatery, as per the detailed plans shared with CultureMap Houston. Underscoring the dedication to preserve Au-Yeung's methods, He noted that "If Alex were still with us, he’d say, ‘Finally. We got it open. Dreams really do come true.’"
The Phat Eatery in The Woodlands will operate daily from 11 am, and reservations are available through Resy.
