Ishtia @ Th Prsrv
5-Course Retracing Indigenous Roots Tasting Event
Opened a year ago in June in the bayside town of Kemah, this fascinating eatery jumped right onto such Lists as Eater’s “Best New Restaurants in America” and Houston Chronicle’s “Top 10 Best New Restaurants.” At Ishtia, which means “to begin” in Choctaw, Chef David Skinner (a tribal member who created celebrated Eculent and who is a 2025 Semi-Finalist for a James Beard “Best Chef: TX” Award) offers a space where people can experience indigenous culture. Each dish is made with traditional ingredients and a blend of traditional and modern gastronomic techniques and tells a story. The menu is too exotic for us even to begin to list dishes here, but just know that fire is the critical component of Ishtia, and the scent of mesquite and sage mingles with the rich aroma of roasted corn and smoked meats. The walls are adorned with tapestries, pottery, and artifacts from various indigenous people, and soft, rhythmic drumbeats play in the background. It all sounds like a trip we must take, and while we'll be hosted at sister restaurant Th Prsrv for the evening, we hope you’ll join us for this opportunity to chat with a truly original chef and sample his creations.
About the Host:
David Skinner
Chef/Owner
Chef David Skinner, a Choctaw tribal member, was inspired by his ancestors' stories to offer a space where people could experience Indigenous culture through food and storytelling. From his first restaurant, La Vie en Rose (after the Edith Pilaf song), to Christopher’s on Washington, to eculent and Th Prsrv, he has honed his craft in pursuit of this goal, finally opening Ishtia in June 2024. In 2025, he was named a James Beard "Best Chef: TX" Semi-Finalist and a CultureMap Houston Tastemaker Nominee for “Best Chef”.
The Lineup
All courses will be individually plated. This menu will be Mushroom and Nut Free. For the list of restrictions Chef is accommodating, scroll to the bottom of this page.
-
A Choctaw Feast
foie gras pemmican | smoked salmon tart | tanchi labona | banaha
-
Mimi's Favorite
red & golden beets, housemade crème fraîche, buttermilk & chive dressing, tuile
-
Three Sisters and the Sea
red shrimp, squash trio, tepary bean gel, corn butter
-
Herd on the Range
triple cooked beef & bison strip loin, farm vegetables, fermented ramp sauce
-
Tanchi Champuli Tuchina
corn tres leches, roasted corn husk meringue, chicha gel, corn crémeux
Ishtia @ Th Prsrv
709 Harris Ave
Kemah, TX 77565
Event FAQs
- Does this restaurant allow BYOB?
- No. This restaurant is a non-BYO establishment. Outside alcohol will not be permitted at this event.
- What is the event ticket cancellation/refund policy?
- Restaurants purchase the food for our events 14 days before the event date, at which point we are on the hook for the cost of your ticket. As such, we are not able to offer refunds (or credits towards future events) for any cancellation requests submitted within 14 days of the event date. We will, however, issue full refunds for all cancellation requests submitted at least 14 days before the event date. All cancellation requests must be submitted via email to support@tastingcollective.com.
- What dietary restrictions/food allergies can be accommodated at this event?
- Due to the large-format nature of our events, restaurants are not able to accommodate all dietary restrictions/food allergies or make any menu adjustments based on food preferences (e.g distaste for specific ingredients/flavor profiles). This restaurant will be offering substitutions exclusively for the following restrictions/allergies: Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Allium, Dairy, FIsh, Shellfish, and Gluten. If you have any of these restrictions/allergies, please make sure to note this in your profile (in the “Event Preferences” section) either before or right after purchasing your tickets so Chef can prepare accordingly.
- Will this event be handicap acccessible?
- According to the restaurant, this event is handicap accessible. If applicable however, please email support@tastingcollective.com with your needs to ensure proper accommodations.
