Uchi Houston made its debut in 2012 in the space that formerly housed the iconic Felix restaurant on Westheimer, bringing its signature level of quality and service to an urban setting for the first time. Items on the menu were selected from Uchi and Uchiko in Austin, as well as signature seasonal dishes that were developed by Chef de Cuisine Shaun King. The restaurant successfully combines cutting-edge culinary technique with an approachable atmosphere. Tyson Cole, winner of the James Beard Award for Best Chef in the United States and owner of the restaurant that bears his name, is a dedicated student of the Japanese culinary culture. After studying sushi for more than ten years in Tokyo, New York, and Austin under two distinct sushi masters, he now spends each day at the restaurants that are part of the Hai Hospitality family continuing his path of study and experimenting with new techniques.