Lower Westheimer has a new “rustic European” restaurant, Feast (219 Westheimer). After a practice opening with friends and family, husband and wife James and Meagan Silk and their friend Richard Knight opened the place just a couple weeks ago. James is a butcher; Meagan deals with the business end; and Richard is the chef.
The plan is to offer a revolving menu that changes with the seasons. “The menu is inspired by English, French, Spanish and North African restaurants that I’ve worked in,” says Richard, who has worked in a number of Michelin-starred restaurants such as Petrus, Green’s and Richard Corrigan’s Lindsay House.
Right now, Feast’s offerings include a roast garlic and chorizo soup with poached egg and duck hearts on toast; a confit of pork tart with apple and ginger chutney; and spotted dick with custard. “We’re trying to give the adventurous diner the opportunity to try things that are common ‘back home’ [England] and have fun while we’re doing it,” says James. “At the same time, we have lots of ‘safe stuff’ on the menu that won’t put anybody off. In Europe, people eat kidney, liver, brains and tongue everyday — in fact, they’re considered normal. We just want people to try them.”
This article appears in Apr 10-16, 2008.