Much to the delight of many of us Museum District dwellers that have been patiently waiting, the Bastion Collection just announced the highly anticipated Cafe Leonelli is set to open on Friday, April 16, 2021 within the new Nancy and Rich Kinder Building at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH). Led by Michelin Star Chef Jonathan Benno, Cafe Leonelli embraces Italy’s culinary culture to offer traditional Italian cuisine in a friendly and relaxed environment.
“Houston is the perfect next step for the Leonelli brand and concept, which originated in New York,” said Jonathan Benno, Cafe Leonelli Culinary Director and Bastion partner. “The city’s culinary diverse community is bustling and we are grateful for this opportunity to bring high quality cuisine and hospitality to the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.”
Cafe Leonelli will feature convenient, attended counter service with hot menu items beautifully displayed in cast iron Staub cookware and copper-coated hot pans. Moving through the line, guests may choose from options that include a Porchetta Sandwich with rapini, hot peppers and provolone; Pepperoni Focaccia with tomato, caciocavallo & Sicilian oregano; and Eggplant Parmigiana with mozzarella, Parmigiano Reggiano, marinara and basil. Beverages include a variety of coffee drinks, including Leonelli blend coffee roasted by La Colombe, teas, espresso and Italian sodas.
Chef Benno has developed the menu for Cafe Leonelli at MFAH to be unique to the Houston community by partnering with local purveyors, including Lonestar Mushrooms, Houston Dairy Maids and Homestead Gristmill, and utilizing seasonal ingredients in the creation of each dish. The Italian cuisine served at the cafe draws from Chef Benno’s earliest food memories, his extensive travels through Italy and his professional experience honing the craft of classic culinary methods. The menu is comprised of house-made focaccia with a variety of toppings, sandwiches, soups, salads, baked pastas, meat and seafood dishes.
The cafe will offer a selection of Italian pastries, cookies and confections from Bastion’s Executive Pastry Chef and Michelin Star recipient Salvatore Martone. Cafe Leonelli will also debut an outpost of Chef Martone’s Miami- based ice cream shop Frohzen, offering the innovative dessert concept’s creative treats, including homemade ice cream, its signature popsicles, ice cream sandwiches and milkshakes, all of which are as visually stunning as they are delicious.
Located just off Kinder Building’s Cornelia and Meredith Long Atrium, with an additional entrance from Main Street, the cafe will offer indoor and outdoor seating in a spectacular setting. Indoor diners will enjoy views through the café’s window walls toward the Museum’s Caroline Wiess Law Building as they sit below Spencer Finch’s Moon Dust (Apollo 17) (2009) a suspended lighting sculpture consisting of 150 fixtures and 417 incandescent bulbs. Outdoor tables overlook the art and lush landscape of the serene Cullen Sculpture Garden.Cafe Leonelli is adjacent to and shares a kitchen with Bastion’s fine-dining concept Le Jardinier, which will open later this spring.
“We are delighted for Cafe Leonelli to open on the Museum’s campus. The Bastion Collection restaurants are known for their Michelin Star chefs, premier hospitality and visitor experience—qualities and commitments to excellence we strive to offer our visitors every day,” said Gary Tinterow, Director, the Margaret Alkek Williams Chair, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. “These distinctive eateries are the natural extension of our campus transformation and a wonderful addition to Houston’s innovative culinary offerings.”
About The Bastion Collection
With a team of culinary experts and operations leaders dedicated to the highest of standards, The Bastion Collection has conceptualized, opened and currently operates 10 restaurants across New York, Miami and Houston, including Benno, Leonelli Restaurant & Bar, Leonelli Bakery, Frohzen, Le Jardinier, L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon and La Table. The group’s efforts and commitment to food and service excellence have been awarded with a total of 4 Michelin stars in the 2020 Michelin guide New York. thebastioncollection.com
A sampling of menu favorites….
Egg, Bacon Croissant sandwich
