Montrose has a new culinary player reshaping the fusion game with the opening of Alora, introducing Houstonians to a marriage of Peruvian and Vietnamese flavors. According to an Eater report, the restaurant is the creation of married couples Diego and Makayla Ponce and Ngoc Tran and Louis Lamson Quy, who seized the opportunity presented by the vacant space left by Kau Ba, a former Viet-Cajun eatery that recently shuttered. In an inspiring mix of two distinct culinary traditions, Alora has graced the Houston food scene, located on 2502 Dunlavy Street, with a menu that debuts 16 original dishes.
Despite being known for Nikkei and Chifa cuisines, resulting from Japanese and Chinese immigration respectively, Peru has yet to widely embrace Vietnamese fusion—though now, in Houston, that's all about to change. "Alora" fittingly translates to "beautiful dream" in Latin, an appropriate homage to the chefs' ambitions. Diego Ponce, an alumnus of Lima's Instituto Cultural Peruano Norteamericano culinary school, has worked in illustrious establishments like the Four Seasons and Post Oak Hotel. His dream has always been to fuse the culinary heritages that he and Makayla Ponce share, creating something non-traditional yet resonant for a diverse city like Houston.
At Alora, patrons can indulge in dishes like Aji de gallina crispy spring rolls, the "PeruViet" ceviche, and the tantalizing Shaking Lomo Saltado, a cross between a marinated Peruvian beef stir-fry and Vietnam's shaking beef. Each offering is a thoughtful blend of the respective cuisines—thought to be an entirely new fusion as reported by Eater. Cocktails, too, mirror this synthesis with creations like the Ponce passionfruit pisco sour and the Pho-quila with its pho-infused aroma.
As reported by the Houston Chronicle, the visual ambiance of Alora brings warmth and intimacy to the table, featuring forest green banquettes and wooden furniture accents. About a month after the unfortunate Michelin Guide incident with Kau Ba, this setting came to life, demonstrating Alora's readiness to make its mark. The venture into this new culinary terrain was sparked by a 10-day inspiration trip to Vietnam, shared by both couples who meticulously researched and sampled the local food landscape from street food stalls to upscale restaurants. The chefs' dedication to their craft is evident in their menu, which Makayla Ponce described as "Peruvian-forward and Vietnamese-inspired."
Alora's grand opening set for January 29 is timed with the Lunar New Year celebrations, inviting diners to approach their innovative dishes with an open mind. "We want to bring the best experience," Diego Ponce told Eater. With plans to enlarge the menu and introduce a happy hour in the future, the Ponces and their partners are set out to enrich Houston's dining scene with Alora's unique culinary blend.
