Credits
From MIMI PR
gin design group's latest project, Mala Sichuan, just opened in The Heights neighborhood in Houston. The restaurant is a James Beard-recognized establishment with 5 locations and is now a mainstay in Houston's dining scene - topping charts of the city's best restaurants.
The owners, husband and wife team Cori Xiong and Heng Chen, spent the last decade working tirelessly to spread their love of authentic Sichuan cuisine. The newest location is an homage to the natural beauty of Xiong's countryside homeland in Chengdu, Sichuan. To bring her full vision to life, Cori brought in veteran Houston hospitality designer, Gin Braverman, of gin design group.
Braverman was a natural choice - in addition to spending the past ten years shaping Houston hospitality (projects like Ginger Kale, Sunday Press and Colombe d'Or), Gin has spent significant time abroad living and working with a Taiwanese design firm, which brought a deep personal understanding of the importance of Chinese culture and architecture.
The new location is unlike any other, giving guests the chance to experience snapshots of life in rural villages through thoughtful artisan installations throughout. A full-size wooden Pagoda roof, handmade by Sichuan artisans, floats above the main dining area along with dozens of fabric lanterns installed 20’ up, as if just released into the sky.
“When Cori and Heng posed the challenge of creating an updated look to their iconic establishment for an MKT location, we jumped at the opportunity. From the delicate architectural and lighting details to the multitude of artisan collaborations, this space reflects the beloved memories of the owner’s home province: Sichuan, China" says Gin Braverman of the project.