Our Chef Robert Garcia is one of those rare, native Houstonians who was born here, grew up in the area, explored different cities, and then found his way back home to Texas.
A self-taught chef, Robert was always fascinated with food and flavors. He developed an early interest in cooking and as a young man, often cooked meals for his family when his parents were at work. After a short stint in the construction field, he began working in a restaurant in 1996 and enjoyed it so much he hung up his tool belt and started a career that took him to Colorado, California and Florida. He has worked at many fine restaurants where he often found himself sharing his knowledge and passion with his employees.
Robert’s passion for food is palpable as he talks about what inspires him. One of his favorite things about food is that it is always changing. He keeps up to date on food trends and loves the evolution of food. Robert is currently interested in the cultural fusion of food and loves some of the new Pacific Rim creations he has seen. He enjoys playing with flavors and says it is a balancing act. With a passion to “nourish people’s souls,” Robert tries to infuse all his Phoenicia inspirations with the fresh ingredients readily available in the store.
The art of creating amazing dishes is not lost on Robert and seeing people happy after a good meal is his favorite reward. He views food as a backdrop for a wonderful evening and believes great conversation, good food and lovely wine can make for a memorable evening. Enjoying being part of the memories that happen when good food abounds, Robert says modestly, “It is hard to be upset when you are eating delicious food.”
An outdoor person at heart, Robert loves to challenge his body with endurance running, golfing, cycling and fishing, and challenge his mind with chess and puzzles. His wife is trying to get him to make pottery and, as with all things, he is excited to try something new.
Robert and his wife come from large, extended families and often find themselves in impromptu cookouts or family evenings centered around food. A culinary hero to his nieces and nephews who are picky eaters, Uncle Robert has made broccoli and even Brussels sprouts something that the kids love! With the holidays upon us, you are sure to find Robert and his wife surrounded by family, grilling, barbecuing and enjoying all of his wonderful creations.
When asked what he loves about Phoenicia there was no hesitation. “The wide variety of food and the exposure to so many cultures,” he professed. Robert loves the palate Phoenicia provides for his masterpieces and you will never find him far from his all-time fave, the Fava Bean Salad.
Come to Phoenicia and let Chef Robert create an amazing backdrop for your next event!
We’re celebrating 30 years of business this year by hosting a week-long bash at both our West Houston and Downtown locations. November 4-10th, we’ll host an anniversary fete or two, have customer giveaways, feature Armenian-inspired dishes and baked goods at Phoenicia and MKT BAR, and serve YUMMY! in-store samples. We’ll take you back to the 80s with morning-to-night jams from the era and also celebrate artfully at our Downtown location with a little help from GONZO247 in the commemorative mural department.
We’ve got a whole list of fun things to do. See for yourself below.
Wednesday, November 6th, 7-9PM – We’ll honor Mama and Papa Tcholakian during Friends & Fam Night at MKT BAR. Enjoy a traditional Armenian-Lebanese buffet and music by Guest DJ Craig T. Brown of Heights Vinyl, playing eclectic beats with international flair.
Friday-Sunday, November 8-10 – Treat yourself to free cupcakes at our Downtown and West Houston locations. Valid while the YUMMY!-NESS lasts!
Saturday, November 9 10AM-3PM – Special Anniversary MKT Brunch at MKT BAR. We’re serving a new menu, whipping up new cocktails and will feature live music by Nick Gaitan from noon to 3PM.
Sunday, November 10, 10AM-3PM – If you miss Saturday’s Special Anniversary MKT Brunch, stop by on Sunday to enjoy the new brunch menu, cocktails and live music by the Thomas Helton Trio from noon to 3PM.
Phoenicia started as a dream of our founders, Arpi and Zohrab Tcholakian, who are both very involved in the business today. The dream began in 1978 when they immigrated to Houston from Lebanon. Both of Armenian descent, the couple uprooted their family in hopes of providing a more promising life for their children. Zohrab was able to secure a position as an architectural engineer soon after arriving in the U.S. With the 1982 oil-industry collapse, three children to feed and expenses to pay, he decided to embrace his roots. Having worked in his father’s small shop in Lebanon, the grocery business was in his blood. He chose to invest in a small sandwich shop and deli. What all started with a shawarma, didn’t stay small for long.
Zohrab and Arpi combined their love of food, family and friends into a humble 2500-square-foot space named Phoenicia Deli. Growth was slow initially, but demand for a greater selection of imported foods was undeniable. As the overall diversity and concentration of different ethnicities in Houston grew, so did the demand for Phoenicia’s products. In 1993, Zohrab opened a 5,000-square-foot version of Phoenicia Specialty Foods in the center next door to the existing business. Expanding from the staple Mediterranean goods, it soon transitioned to carry Western European, then Eastern European products and eventually African, Asian and South American products. This was the start of what Zohrab envisioned: “The International Food Market of Your Dreams!” The business was able to grow in large part to wholesale distribution of the products Phoenicia imported directly to restaurants and other grocers. Soon, the retail customer base ballooned and the opening of a larger 55,000-square-foot facility across Westheimer Road was warranted.
The Tcholakian’s owe much of their success to their ability to adapt to customers’ desires over the years and appeal to a wide variety of people. The emergence of “foodies” across the U.S. and Americans’ openness to non-traditional cuisines helped solidify Phoenicia’s identity. This amazing husband-and-wife team has poured the past 30 years of their lives into the business. Even in their golden years, they show no signs of slowing down. Yet, this modest couple never forgets what is important: family, friends and wonderful employees that are like family. Zohrab and Arpi beam with pride as they talk about their three children, Raffi, Ann-Marie and Haig, and how integral they have been and continue to be to Phoenicia’s success. Also doting and loving grandparents, Zohrab and Arpi always have a moment to share with their adorable granddaughters.
Join us at MKT BAR on November 9th from 8PM-2AM as we celebrate turning 30 during our 1983 Grocery Get Down. DJ Portal Walker and The Spicolis will play radical 80s jams, while you, dressed in 80s garb and with 80s attitude, nosh on complimentary 80s-inspired light bites and enjoy boutique wine, craft beer and MKT BAR cocktail specials. Local entertainer and YouTube sensation Montrose Rollerblade Dancer will jump-start the ’80s-inspired festivities with surprise guest appearances during the week at Phoenicia Downtown, before his grand finale performance at the Grocery Get Down.
A portion of the evening’s proceeds will benefit the Houston Food Bank.
As a proud sponsor of Society for the Performing Arts, we’re treating two lucky winners to dinner at MKT BAR, then sending them on to a breathtaking show that evening. We’ll select two winners each night for the following shows:
Each winner will receive a $50 YUMMY! Gift Card, good toward dinner for two at MKT BAR, plus a pair of tickets to one of the shows above. Winners will pick up show tickets at the SPA will-call window the night of the performance.
Enter to win by: 1) “Liking” and sharing the SPA Houston and MKT BAR pages on Facebook and 2) Commenting on this post on our Facebook page to let us you know you shared/entered the giveaway.
The contest ends Wednesday, October 9th, 2013 at 5PM CST.
Gloria Brown, soon to be Giannelli, grew up in Chicago and attended Eastern Illinois University where she studied Dietetics and Nutrition. While in college, she met her future husband and in short order, found herself moving to Texas. The Lone Star State held all the things she loves: the warm climate, amazing people and plenty of family to make sure she doesn’t get homesick! It didn’t take long before she became a part of our Phoenicia family.
With her wedding date coming up quickly, Gloria glows as she talks about her upcoming nuptials; she tried on over 300 dresses before she chose an exquisite Enzoni dress that makes her look like a princess! Aside from the fact that she will be getting married in the church that she attended all her life, Gloria shared a story about her engagement ring that encompasses the beauty of her and Nate’s story. After dating for a couple of months, they went to St. Louis, and on a whim, went into a jewelry store to window shop. Nate casually asked her if any of the rings were a favorite and when she chose one, he went back the next weekend, bought it and kept it hidden for 2 ½ years! During their drive to Texas, he hid it in the spare tire carrier of the car, petrified that if they had a flat tire, he would have to propose. When Gloria (and her mother) asked what took so long to give her the ring, he said he was waiting for the perfect moment.
Gloria recounts how she has had to juggle her wedding planning with a very busy MKT BAR. You can feel her passion for MKT BAR radiating as she discusses the upcoming bands, special tastings and unique events. She loves the challenges and excitement at MKT BAR and especially loves meeting new and interesting people. With an enthusiastic smile Gloria said, “No two days are ever the same!” With that same excitement, she thinks our executive chef, Matt Johnson, is an exceptional chef. Her favorite dish is the Squashed Pizza, which she pairs with a glass of Pasion Bobal.
Gloria’s love of travel will challenge Nate’s honeymoon destination planning. They have traveled as far as the Dominican Republic and her favorite spot is Hawaii. No matter the destination, when they return, they will begin building a new house and filling it with kiddos. Gloria flashes a beatific grin and with a twinkle says she’d like five kids! Whew!
Come to MKT BAR, share Gloria’s enthusiasm and be counted as one of the amazing people she meets daily!
Join us every weekend for brunch with a YUMMY! menu and noteworthy lineup of live music on Sundays. Check our music calendar for upcoming performances.
Patrick “Count de Kabob” Rayer was born in Paris and raised in Normandy. He graduated from business school in France and then moved to Dallas to complete his MBA. Patrick loved Texas and traveled to Houston fairly often because he loved Houston’s international flair. While in the city, he learned a lot about different cultures and entranced by Houston’s spell, he decided, with the loving encouragement of his father, to move to Houston. After graduation he landed a job as the buyer for a German company that specialized in building materials. The career move began Patrick’s traveling adventures; he traveled to Brazil, Italy and all around Europe. Once the company split, Patrick found himself looking for new opportunities – one came in the form of a lovely Armenian woman from Iraq who had very close ties to the Armenian community and was close to Bob and Arpi Tcholakian. He married his sweetheart in 1982 and as he says fondly, “Sometimes in life, things turn out good.”
A new grocery chain had moved into Houston from France and it seemed a perfect spot for him until the chain closed its Texan doors. In short order, Patrick moved to France where he found a position with Leroy Merlin, one of the largest European distributors of home improvement products. There was a lot of travel associated with the job and Patrick made over 30 trips to Asia alone! He returned to the states in 1998 to manage Leroy Merlin’s American offices, headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.
In early 2000, Patrick’s wise words, “life is about timing,” rang true. Life-changing experiences defined his path. His much-loved father passed away, his wife was involved in a major car accident and his Leroy Merlin contract would soon end in Chicago. In a decision to slow down and travel less, Patrick and his wife moved to Houston. In the city, Patrick worked on several ventures, but found nothing fulfilling to him. Around this time, his son, looking for a job, applied at Phoenicia Specialty Foods and Patrick discovered his fascination with the store and its concept. After a conversation with Bob and Arpi, Patrick found himself with a job! With his incredible buying experience, his accounting acumen and his jovial, kind nature, he has become an integral part of Phoenicia’s management team.
When asked about a few of his favorite things, Patrick mentions a love of French food, model airplanes and shish kabob.
YUMMY! Holiday Decorating Class Reservation Form
Kids YUMMY! Food Classes Reservation Form
Kids YUMMY! Summer Cooking Classes Reservation Form
