Lynn Wyatt Lands First Sneak Peek Taste of Lusted-After Houston Restaurant Yauatcha Fever Grips All BY Shelby Hodge // 03.28.17 photography Chinh Phan 1 9

Sanford Criner and Lynn Wyatt meet the playful dragon at Yauatcha private party.

Lynn Wyatt gave her French chef the night off Tuesday and moved her latest signature intimate dinner party from her River Oaks dining room to the much-anticipated Yauatcha, which opens to the public on Wednesday in The Galleria. That coup — first in the door of the Michelin-starred dim sum restaurant, patisserie and tea house — makes her the envy of foodies not only in Houston but across the country.

Houston is the first mainland United States location of the restaurant (there’s a Yautacha in Hawaii) that was founded in London’s Soho district in 2004 and earned a Michelin star rating the following year. It continues to hold that star ranking. So it’s no surprise that Houstonians are salivating over the opportunity to sample what is billed as extraordinary fare.

Serendipitously, the mystical forces came together and Wyatt was able to invite a few friends to dine in the “jewel box” restaurant before its doors opened to the public.

As it debuts in Houston, Yauatcha and its parent company, Hakkasan Group, are making a commitment to the arts here and Rothko Chapel is at the top of the list for a longterm relationship. Coincidentally, Wyatt is a longtime Rothko supporter and will be honored at the Rothko Chapel gala in May. Consider this an early celebration of the chapel’s 45th anniversary.

Among those sampling the dim sum and applauding the colorful Chinese entertainment, including a playful dragon, were Isabel and Danny David, Susie and Sanford Criner, Sarahbeth Melton and Pierce Bush, Dorothea Potocki DeChaudenay, Marcy Taub Wessel, and Thuy Tran.

The collective verdict — the food was divine.