Peska Seafood Culture

I love to fish and I really love fresh seafood.  The taste of a freshly caught fish that is simply prepared is quite heavenly.  In Houston, it can sometimes be difficult to find seafood that is not fried or over sauced.  So I was very excited to hear about Peska Seafood Culture. Peska is more than just a restaurant; it is a visually stunning seafood utopia. When you first walk in, you will notice a fresh seafood market to your left and specialty pantry items on your right. The bright and airy dining room is beautifully decorated in coral with touches of turquoise. Schools of silvery fish swim above you and sea creatures dance along the video display cleverly built into the wall.

Dining Area

Seafood Market

Created by Chef Omar Pereney, the food at Peska is truly a work of art. At just 20 years-old, this Venezuelan native has designed a unique menu to tantalize your taste buds.  The simple, yet beautiful flavors found in the fruit and flower salad are just a hint of what the rest of the menu offers. Dishes like Onion Ash Tuna, Braised Pulpo (octopus), as well as six different ceviches await you at Peska. There is an option to completely customize your own entree by choosing the cut of fish, preparation style, and sauce.  Just in case you are overwhelmed by the many choices, Peska has a "seafood sommelier" to help guide you along your culinary journey.  

Chef Omar Pereney - photo courtesy of Peska

Wines

Speaking of sommeliers, what about the wine?  Peska has you covered in that area as well. You can't help but notice the beautiful wall of wine inside the restaurant. General Manager Pete Contaldi has selected over 115 wines to compliment the extraordinary food and 25 of those are available by the glass.  He has also made sure that cocktails are simple and not over thought. In addition to a unique list of specialty cocktails, they have put their own spin on classic drinks. You can choose an OriGINal cocktail, which of course includes gin, or a tequila/mezcal based beverage from the When Life Hands You Cactus menu.  My favorite was the Roasted Slope. It uses Bar Hill gin, Crème de Violette, bacon syrup, and a peppercorn tincture to mimic the earthy, peppery flavors of a glass of Syrah. The detail and thought behind their beverage program is very impressive. You may not notice that special herb infused simple syrup used to make your drink, but trust me, Peska has worked hard to make your overall dining experience enjoyable.

The Roasted Slope

Ceviche Trio

I can't wait to return and have some ceviche and a drink on their magnificent patio. It has a unique louvered system that can allow in full sunlight or close to make it impenetrable to undesirable weather.  That's a good thing because we all know how Houston weather changes by the hour! 

Peska is currently open for dinner nightly from 5pm - 10pm.  Lunch and happy hour will be phased in over the next few weeks. Reservations can be made by calling (713) 961-9229. Be sure to like them on Facebook at Peska Seafood Culture.