Houston – Houston’s Hidden Omakase is no stranger to turning something unexpected into something extraordinary.
The Michelin-recommended restaurant suffered significant structural damage in May 2026 after a car crashed into the building, destroying the dining room and much of the kitchen. But rather than close up shop, Chef Marcos Juarez and his team moved quickly to keep the doors open, the staff employed and the brand alive.
According to Juarez, “We’re actually very grateful that it happened on the day that we were closed. We didn’t have any guests in there. We didn’t have anybody, as far as our team, in there as well. So, we’re extremely grateful that nobody got hurt during that time.”
Watch Juarez’s complete interview in the video above.
From Plainview to Michelin recognition
Juarez, a Plainview, Texas, native, discovered his passion for cooking early in life and went straight to culinary school after high school. He spent nearly seven years with Uchi, helping open restaurants and lead culinary teams, before becoming executive chef at Hidden Omakase in 2023.
Under his leadership, the restaurant earned back-to-back Michelin recommendations in 2024 and 2025 — a testament to his culinary vision and the team he’s built.
What sets Hidden Omakase apart
The name says it all — or at least part of it. Omakase means “chef’s choice,” but Hidden Omakase isn’t your traditional omakase experience.
The restaurant offers an immersive, culinary-driven dining experience built around a seasonally rotating menu that changes every three months. What really sets it apart in Houston’s competitive dining scene is its vegetable-forward approach and its bluefin tuna.
Bouncing back after the crash
When the car struck the building in May 2026, it left the entire dining room and much of the kitchen in ruins. But the team didn’t miss a beat. They quickly secured a summer residency at Bar Moon, located at 1800 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 6110, second floor. A new temporary home that would allow Hidden Omakase to keep serving guests throughout the summer and keep its staff employed through the rebuild.
A new home — with new possibilities
The summer residency at Bar Moon has opened more than just a new dining room. Hidden Omakase was previously a BYOB restaurant, but the new partnership with Bar Moon brings something extra to the table — pairing Bar Moon’s craft cocktail program directly with Hidden Omakase’s seasonal dishes for a fully elevated dining experience.
On the menu now
Juarez recently showcased one of the standout dishes from the current summer menu — a tuna squash tart featuring a crisp tart shell, grilled zucchini and squash tossed in a Meyer lemon sesame vinaigrette, bluefin tuna, Thai basil purée and Kaluga caviar. It’s paired with a yuzu gimlet, a bright, citrus-forward cocktail that reflects the season’s freshest flavors.
The residency at Bar Moon is ongoing while Hidden Omakase works toward reopening its original location. In the meantime, guests can still enjoy the full omakase experience — now with the perfect cocktail pairing to match.
To make a reservation, visit hiddenomakase.com.