Chef Ale Kuri Leads New Austin Restaurant Concept

Alejandra “Ale” Kuri will lead a new Middle Eastern restaurant concept called Karaz, located at 2627 Manor Road in East Austin. Kuri, who has served as the chef de cuisine at Este, joins the project as both a partner and the executive chef.

The restaurant is being developed by the hospitality team responsible for Suerte, Este, and Bar Toti. Partners Sam Hellman-Mass, Fermín Núñez, and Celia Pellegrini are all involved in the new venture, which marks the fourth addition to their East Austin portfolio.

Culinary Influence and Heritage

The concept for Karaz is deeply rooted in Kuri’s personal identity. A third-generation Lebanese Mexican who grew up in Mexico City, Kuri was raised surrounded by family catering and cooking, which serves as the primary influence for the restaurant’s menu.

The name Karaz is the Arabic word for cherry, a reference to the Cherrywood neighborhood where the restaurant is situated. According to a press release, the concept draws inspiration from both Cherrywood and the Rogers-Washington-Holy-Cross neighborhood.

The menu will center on Middle Eastern flavors with an emphasis on seasonality and local procurement. Planned offerings include charcoal-grilled kebabs, hummus, various spreads, and fresh pita prepared in a wood-fired oven. The restaurant aims to provide food that is intentional, rooted, and meant for sharing.

In line with the practices of its sister restaurants, Karaz will source key ingredients from farms across Central Texas. This commitment to local sourcing is a established trait of the hospitality group; for example, Este operates its own garden that is visible from the restaurant, a resource Kuri became familiar with during her tenure there.

Career Progression and Concept Development

Kuri’s appointment to executive chef and partner follows more than five years of growth within the hospitality group. She began her tenure as a line cook at Suerte before advancing to the role of chef de cuisine at Este.

The idea for Karaz evolved from a family meal Kuri prepared for the staff at Este. In the restaurant industry, family meals are a common practice where chefs cook a style of meal for the team before or between shifts. The positive response to this specific meal led Kuri to launch a series of pop-up events at Bar Toti.

The momentum gained from these pop-ups eventually led to the decision to establish a full-scale restaurant. Fermín Núñez commented on Kuri’s trajectory within the group:

It’s been nothing short of amazing getting to work with Ale over the last five-plus years. Watching her grow in her current role at Este leaves no doubt that she is going to be a great leader in the kitchen at Karaz.

Fermín Núñez

Karaz is positioned in a section of East Austin that is described as a quietly evolving pocket, situated between the Cherrywood and Rogers-Washington-Holy Cross neighborhoods.