Alora
5-Course Peruvian Meets Vietnamese Tasting Event
Opened this past January, this exceptional Montrose eatery (which draws upon the vibrant flavors of Peru and Vietnam) has appeared on Resy’s “Hit List: Where in Houston You’ll Want to Eat Right Now.” Peruvian-born Chef Diego Ponce first honed his craft in the kitchens of luxury hotels like the Four Seasons and Post Oak Hotel before a summer trip to Saigon sparked his imagination, inspiring him to blend Peruvian techniques with the delicate, aromatic essence of Vietnamese cuisine. Voilà, Alora. Here, diners find such dishes as duck crispy spring roll, BBQ oyster mushroom with sticky rice cake and charred cauliflower puree, pork chop with lemongrass and fresh cilantro, ají de gallina (which is yellow pepper stewed chicken), and superb ceviche. And maybe, for dessert Kem Xoi (pandan sticky rice, topped with toasted coconut ice cream, peanut crumble and roasted coconut flakes)? “An entirely new fusion… a new take in a city where various cultures interact and merge daily,” is how Eater describes Alora, so, naturally, we are pumped to visit here and to chat with Chef Ponce and his wife/co-chef Makayla about the merits of Peruvian and Vietnamese cuisines, and the exciting thing that happens when you put the two together.
About the Host:
Diego Ponce
Co-Chef/Owner
A graduate of the Instituto Cultural Peruano Norteamericano (ICPNA) culinary school in Peru, Chef Diego Ponce has worked in luxury hotels and prestigious restaurants across Latin America and the US, including the Four Seasons and Post Oak Hotel in Houston. He has also spent time in Michelin-Starred kitchens such as D.O.M. in Brazil.
The Lineup
All courses will be individually plated. This menu will be Shellfish & Peanut Free. For the list of restrictions Chef is accommodating, scroll to the bottom of this page.
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Peruviet Ceviche
malabar snapper, calamansi citrus, nước mắm, cusco corn
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Chicken Phở
poached free range chicken, ají limo, huacatay mint, coriander oil
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Ca Ri Chay Curry Tofu
ají amarillo, garlic chili crisp, coconut foam
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Uchucuta Hanger Steak
rocoto pepper, viet spice rub, fava bean purée
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Cinco Leches
chinese five spice, lucuma coulis
Alora
2502 Dunlavy St, Suite B
Houston, TX 77006
Event FAQs
- Do guests need to be of a certain age to attend this event?
- Yes. All attendees must be 21+ to gain entry.
- Does this restaurant allow BYOB?
- No. This restaurant is a non-BYO establishment. Outside alcohol will not be permitted at this event.
- Will this event be handicap acccessible?
- According to the restaurant, this event is handicap accessible. If applicable however, please email support@tastingcollective.com with your needs to ensure proper accommodations.
- What is the event ticket cancellation/refund policy?
- Restaurants purchase the food for our events 14 days before the event date, at which point we are on the hook for the cost of your ticket. As such, we are not able to offer refunds (or credits towards future events) for any cancellation requests submitted within 14 days of the event date. We will, however, issue full refunds for all cancellation requests submitted at least 14 days before the event date. All cancellation requests must be submitted via email to support@tastingcollective.com.
- What dietary restrictions/food allergies can be accommodated at this event?
- Due to the large-format nature of our events, restaurants are not able to accommodate all dietary restrictions/food allergies or make any menu adjustments based on food preferences (e.g distaste for specific ingredients/flavor profiles). This restaurant will be offering substitutions exclusively for the following restrictions/allergies: Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Gluten, Dairy, Fish, Egg, Tree Nut, Mushroom. They are NOT accommodating restrictions related to the following ingredients: Alliums. If you have any of these restrictions/allergies, please make sure to note this in your profile (in the “Event Preferences” section) either before or right after purchasing your tickets so Chef can prepare accordingly.
