Jūn Restaurant Expands with Third Place: A New Daytime Café
Houston’s Heights neighborhood is set to welcome a new addition to its daytime dining scene. Beginning Monday, April 14, acclaimed chefs Evelyn Garcia and Henry Lu will introduce Third Place, a daytime cafe operating within their existing restaurant, Jūn, located at 420 E. 20th Street. This initiative aims to transform the space into a community hub during the day, offering coffee, pastries, and a platform for local culinary talent.
Daytime Transformation: Introducing Third Place
Third Place will operate from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Saturday, providing a relaxed environment for patrons to enjoy specialty espresso drinks and a selection of sweet and savory pastries. The space is designed to cater to remote workers and creatives, offering complimentary Wi-Fi and a comfortable setting for productivity.
Chef Residency Program: A Platform for Culinary Innovation
A key feature of Third Place is its chef residency program, which offers local chefs the opportunity to showcase their culinary creations during lunch service from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Residencies can range from a single day to weeks, allowing chefs to test new dishes and engage with the community.
The inaugural residency will feature Suu Khin, a James Beard Award semifinalist known for her Burmalicious pop-up. In celebration of the Burmese New Year, Khin will offer pre-ordered dishes for pickup on Saturday, April 12, from 1 to 3 p.m. Her menu includes traditional items like chicken coconut soup with egg noodles and a duck puff pastry. Proceeds from these sales will support earthquake relief efforts in Myanmar.
Upcoming residencies include:
- Tristen Epps, fellow “Top Chef” contestant
- Raffi Nasr, chef-owner of Craft Pita
- Nina Fonte of Aleng Nina, specializing in Filipino cuisine
- Gabriel Medina of Subo, known for his Urban Harvest food stand
A Community-Centric Approach
Third Place is more than just a cafe; it’s envisioned as a community space that fosters creativity and collaboration. In addition to its culinary offerings, the cafe plans to host live music events and art showcases, further enriching the cultural fabric of the Heights neighborhood.
With the launch of Third Place, Garcia and Lu continue to innovate within Houston’s culinary landscape, providing a platform for emerging chefs and a welcoming space for the community to gather. For more information on upcoming residencies and events, follow Third Place on their social media channels.
More…
- https://houston.eater.com/2025/4/9/24404931/houston-top-chef-henry-lu-evelyn-garcia-jun-restaurant-new-cafe-pm-intel
- https://www.houstonchronicle.com/food-culture/restaurants-bars/article/third-place-houston-heights-open-20267406.php
- https://houston.diningout.com/lauded-heights-restaurant-jun-adds-daytime-cafe-and-chef-residency-program/
- https://www.overherehouston.com/elon-musk-statue-in-texas-vandalized-and-covered/
