Meet Alana Kundu | Owner/Chef Ambrosia Restaurant

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alana Kundu and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alana, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I’m from a small country town in East Texas. I have great parents that never limited creativity and taught all of us kids that we can do anything we put our minds to. You would often find me in the kitchen cooking dinner or lunch with my Granny, who taught me most of my cooking skills, she passed on her love of cooking to me. I wish I could say as a kid, or even in high-school ,I had my plans laid out…I didn’t, I failed alot! My parents were patient and never forced anything on me. They let me find my own way, and figure out what I love, and supported me through it all.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We are a cozy little restaurant located just minutes from Houston’s museum district. We serve up tapas style dishes inspired by Asian Fusion cuisine in a beautifully decorated style bungalow. We serve a unique cuisine that takes all parts of Asia and fuses it together to make some absolutely tasty dishes, such as our popular Japanesian Brussels, Basil Crab Fried Rice, and Masala Lamb Lollipops. I don’t think anybody in the restaurant business will tell you it is easy, it’s hard! You will work long nights, busy shifts, slow shifts (these are the worst), and of course the dreaded pandemic. You have to be willing to go with the flow in this business. Adjust as needed, and not be afraid of change, your customers are key to your success! Always praise the good reviews and learn from the bad ones, adjust and do it all over again. This is a tough business to succeed in, you have to set yourself apart, we strive at Ambrosia to offer a unique dining experience. I have worked in many different restaurants from fine dining to quick service. I have been doing this for 22 years and my end goal was always to open my own restaurant. I went to culinary school to help take my first steps towards accomplishing this. I married my husband while studying and we traveled to different parts of Asia (that is where he is from.) Tasting different flavors along the way and learning how to infuse different taste together to make a spectacular flavor. I was excited to bring this knowledge back home to Texas and thus Ambrosia was born.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Houston has so many great things to entertain even the toughest critics, in my opinion. We would definitely have to do a little shopping at 19th street in the heights it has some of the coolest shops around. McGovern Centennial Gardens would be on the list it is such a beautiful place. We would definitely have to hit up St Arnold’s brewing company, can’t miss that! Killens BBQ in Pearland would be a must, as well as exploring China town and all its great restaurants. A trip to Surfside Beach would be on the Itinerary for a little rest and relaxation, I mean who doesn’t love a good beach! Truckyard and Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar would be on the list for sure.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I couldn’t possibly choose just one person to shout-out, this has been a group effort from the beginning. It’s all about family, whether it’s family by blood or family by heart. My parents have supported me my entire life with unwavering love and advice. My sister and her family have supported me with encouragement and unending marketing of the restaurant. My brother is my biggest cheerleader always coming in clutch when needed. My husband and Son have been steadfast in there support and understanding of the long days and nights and me not being there. I have two fabulous business partners that are family to me they help me with my ideas and reign me in when I need to be. I couldn’t have done any of this without them all.

Website: www.ambrosiatx.com

Instagram: ambrosiahtx

Twitter: ambrosiahtx

Facebook: Ambrosia

Yelp: Ambrosia

Image Credits
Jamie Lynn Fries