Back in early March, a filing was made with Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation for Karaz Restaurant, a new restaurant opening at 2627 Manor Road in Austin. With an estimated cost of $1 million, construction was expected to start in June and run until April 2027.
This week, more details on Karaz Restaurant came to light when the Austin Business Journal reported that Karaz Restaurant is, in fact, a brand new project from Sam Hellman-Mass, the restaurateur who is “behind the high-end Mexican restaurant Suerte and seafood restaurant Este”—and who, apparently, “has been plotting the new spot since 2024.”
“The restaurant will be led by chef Alejandra Kuri, who steps into an executive chef and partner role after helping shape the kitchen at Este,” says coverage by Austin Food Magazine. “If you’ve been paying attention, this is one of those moves that feels earned. She’s been with the group for over five years, working her way up from line cook at Suerte to leading one of the most talked-about kitchens in the city.”
Austin Food Mag also provides a description of the menu to be expected from Chef Kuri:
“Karaz will center around Middle Eastern flavors with a strong focus on seasonality and Texas sourcing. Expect fresh pita from a wood-fired oven, hummus and spreads, and charcoal-grilled kebabs, all built around ingredients from local farms.”
What Now reached out to Sam Hellman-Mass on Friday to ask about plans for Karaz Restaurant. Hellman-Mass was not immediately available for comment.
