Le Jardinier at MFAH

Le Jardinier at MFAH, a restaurant serving exquisitely refined food in a unique museum setting, is led by Michelin Star Chef Alain Verzeroli. The concept is rooted in French culinary technique and inspired by seasonal ingredients used at the peak of their potential.

Plants play a prominent role on the Le Jardinier menu. Similar to the restaurant’s sister locations in New York and Miami, the Houston location sources the highest quality seasonal fruits and vegetables; fresh herbs and greens; and sustainable seafood, poultry and meats driven by close relationships with local suppliers, fishermen and breeders. Chef Verzeroli delicately balances well-being and indulgence without compromise in each dish, including Burrata with tomatoes, stone fruit, bee pollen and basil seeds; Ora King Salmon with courgettes and lemongrass emulsion; and Grilled Bavette Au Jus with broccolini and eggplant mousse.

Bastion’s Executive Pastry Chef and Michelin Star recipient Salvatore Martone has curated a delicious selection of gluten-free bakery and pastry items. Diners can delight in desserts such as Salty Caramel Sabayon on white chocolate ice cream and cocoa nib tuile, Passion Fruit and Lime Vacherin with floral gelée and an incredible vegan ice cream.

Le Jardinier is beautifully situated on the west side of the Kinder Building, where its floor-to-ceiling windows provide a breathtaking view of the lush and shaded Isamu Noguchi-designed Cullen Sculpture Garden. Steven Harris and Lucien Rees-Roberts of Steven Harris Architects have echoed the natural theme with plush, sage carpet; veneer walls of vintage limba wood; and a ceiling installation of Noguchi’s Akari lanterns, which cast a warm glow during dinner service and express a direct link to the legendary designer’s sculpture garden. A fractal mirror hung above the wrap-around bar emphasizes the geometric aesthetic of the adjacent Glassell School of Art. Le Jardinier at MFAH is open for dinner service, offering intimate interior and al fresco seating by reservation. The fine-dining concept is adjacent to and shares a kitchen with Bastion’s Italian-inspired eatery, Cafe Leonelli at MFAH, which opened in April 2021.