Haii Keii opened February 18 in Houston’s River Oaks/Upper Kirby neighborhood. The restaurant features an eye-catching design that was inspired by the futuristic, dystopian, neon-drenched film “Blade Runner” and the highly stylized, colorful intensity of “Kill Bill.”
Gin Braverman and her Houston-based Gin Design Group set out to create a surreal and cinematic reimagining of a Japanese ryokan inn set against a bustling metropolis, where fantasy and futurism collide.
The two-level space is roughly 3,000 square feet indoors, with another 1,000 square feet of outdoor seating on the patio. Unique design elements are placed throughout the space, from an inverted bonsai tree above the bar to illuminated Shoji paper screens wrapped around the second floor.
The kitchen is led by executive chef Jeffrey Taylor and sushi chef Jose Espinoza. Their menu is split into sections including cold plates (oysters, chilled noodles), hot plates (grilled eel with foie mousse, lobster dumplings), vegetables, fried rice, nigiri, maki, and steaks.
“Haii Keii is more than just a restaurant — it’s an experience,” managing partner Jarred Tosto said. “We wanted to create a space where people can explore the bold, diverse flavors of Asia while being immersed in an atmosphere that feels both vibrant and refined.”
Click through the gallery for a peek inside Haii Keii.
