One Michelin Star Winning Houston Restro, Musaafer Has A Chandigarh Connect

Restaurant co-owners, couple Shammi (Gurpreet) & Mithu Malik hail from Chandigarh

Musaafer’s Executive Corporate Chef Mayank Istwal is from Dehradun

Hailing from Chandigarh, couple Shammi and Mithu Malik have been making waves with their authentic Indian and contemporary cuisine restaurant Musaafer in Houston, Texas, USA. The popularity of the restaurant located in the Galleria shopping mall in Houston has now won it international recognition having won its first coveted Michelin star designation.

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Musaafer is among only six restaurants in Houston city and 15 in entire Texas state to win One Michelin star designation, which recognises a restaurant’s “high-quality cooking” and deems it “worth a stop.” Houston has a staggering 12,000 small and big restaurants.

Musaafer’s Executive Corporate Chef Mayank Istwal, who hails from Dehradun, received the famous embroidered Michelin star jacket in the inaugural invite-only Michelin Guide Ceremony 2024 Texas, a private award ceremony held at the 713 Music Hall in Houston on Monday night (US time), accompanied by the co-owners of the restaurant Shammi and Mithu Malik.

The ceremony kicked off with a message from floating astronauts, including Indian origin Sunita Williams, from the International Space Station (ISS). Houston is home to NASA’s pioneering Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center.

In an exclusive telephonic with your own news portal LifeInChandigarh.com, Shammi (Gurpreet) shared: “Musaafer, an Urdu word for traveller, is an outcome of a quest for authentic recipes and their ingredients from the vast and multi-cultural Indian sub-continent, for which Chef Mayank Istwal was sent on an ambitious 100-day journey across 29 Indian states and beyond, to gather stories and experiences along the way and bring home age old regional recipes, which have been translated into the restaurant’s eclectic menu.”

Shammi further said, “The intention of Musaafer’s gastronomic experience is to showcase our homeland in a manner that authentically honours the country’s culinary diversity. It is an educational tour for our diners, where Executive Corporate Chef Mayank Istwal vows to take you on the 100-day journey, which he embarked on through the 29 states of India and beyond.

“With his cutting-edge skill, creativity and imagination, the chef translates his redefined vision for traditional Indian recipes into stunning, new-age plate presentations and also ensures that Indian cuisine holds the same place on the global culinary stage as any other top cuisine.”

Though this aspect is not considered in the Michelin star-rating, the restaurant’s interiors present both the grandeur and simplicity of the Indian heritage.

Quoting a food critic, “dinner in a shopping mall doesn’t sound promising, unless you’re headed to Musaafer. The sheer scale of this grand hall, with its arches, towering windows, labyrinth-like layout, and elaborate patterns, feels like a palace of its own.”

Another critic has written, “This larger-than-life restaurant is reminiscent of a palace, with stunning artwork, fabrics, furniture, and décor all imported from India. Beyond the glitz and glamour, there’s a menu chock-full of sensational bites, such as tandoori octopus and the chef’s exquisite mushroom ceviche. The authentic Indian aromas, spices, curries, and flavours will transport you to the subcontinent – no passport required!”

Reacting to the One Michelin Star designation, Shammi and Mithu, while sharing their gratitude for the award, said: “It reflects the dedication, passion, and tireless efforts of our entire Musaafer family. This honour reaffirms our commitment to delivering an unparalleled dining experience inspired by the rich culinary heritage of India.”
Commenting on the Michelin recognition, Executive Corporate Chef Mayank Istwal said:

“The Michelin recognition is not only a personal achievement for Musaafer, but also a reflection of Houston’s thriving culinary landscape. We feel incredibly honoured to stand among so many talented chefs and restaurateurs in this vibrant city, and we are excited to see Houston’s dining culture continue to flourish.”