Mimo

When Chef Fernando Rios and Sommelier Mike Sammons first met over 20 years ago while working in famed Italian restaurant Da Marco, they knew instantly they would one day do something together. In March of 2023 they opened MIMO, their first project as sole partners, to bring their shared love of authentic Italian cuisine and wine to the Second Ward where Rios and Sammons were born. They chose to return to this relatively under-served (now thriving!) community of Houston due to their deep-rooted connections there and a sincere confidence in the diverse peoples and cultures that comprise it. The restaurant cultivates a minimalist aesthetic in both food as well as design. It occupies the building within historical Tlaquepaque Market Square that once housed the much-loved Konomwan Thai restaurant, which operated for over 40 years. MIMO was founded on less than a shoestring budget, entirely self-funded, and built by hand. Most of the furniture and interior decor has been harvested from garage sales and resale shops in the surrounding neighborhoods, and several pieces from the previous restaurant were repurposed (such as the wine shelf to the right, which was once the Konomwan cashier’s counter). MIMO focuses on quality of ingredients and an uncomplicated presentation of dishes complemented by a dynamic wine list. It is not fancy, but it is honest.