InterContinental Houston is giving its pint-sized culinary star a fresh encore. After a successful debut last year, the hotel’s immersive dining experience Le Petit Chef & Friends has returned to Safina Restaurant with an updated four-course menu. Blending 3D projection mapping with a playful dinner-theater storyline, the experience follows a 2.3-inch animated chef through a globe-trotting cooking competition, with each course revealed on the tabletop before it arrives on the plate.
The experience is brought to life by 2Spicy Entertainment GmbH, a global leader in immersive dining concepts that blur the line between theater and table. Founded in 2014, the company is best known for Le Petit Chef but also counts inventive attractions like Whimsy, The Magic Table, and Dinner in the Sky among its portfolio. With more than 100 Le Petit Chef installations worldwide—from Bangkok and Singapore to London, Berlin, and Dubai—2Spicy’s involvement puts InterContinental Houston in rare company, aligning it with some of the world’s most buzzed-about experiential dining destinations.
“After an incredible first year that captured the imagination of Houstonians and visitors, we are thrilled to refresh this unique experience with a brand-new menu,” said Juan P. Laginia, General Manager of InterContinental Houston. “This update ensures that the Le Petit Chef experience remains a fresh choice for diners, whether looking to celebrate a special romantic occasion, gathering with colleagues and friends, or looking for a fun family activity.”
This year’s menu leans into Le Petit Chef’s globe-trotting charm, delivering a polished four-course “culinary journey” that feels playful and fun. The experience kicks off in Spain with heirloom tomato dressed up in basil pistou and saffron aioli, layered with jamón, Manchego, and pickled shallot for a bright, savory opener. From there, it shifts to Italy with mushroom ravioli enriched by Parmesan fonduta, crispy pork belly, and shaved truffle. The French-inspired main course anchors the meal with a Snake River Farms striploin served alongside béarnaise, blistered shishito peppers, and frites, before landing in Japan for dessert: matcha cheesecake paired with yuzu gel for a clean, citrusy finish.
True to its crowd-pleasing ethos, Le Petit Chef & Friends also makes room for diners of all ages and preferences. A dedicated vegetarian menu mirrors the theatrical spirit of the main experience, with a grilled maitake mushroom stepping in as the centerpiece, while the kids’ menu pares things down to approachable favorites like chicken Alfredo and a petit filet. The result is an experience that feels just as welcoming for families and mixed-diet groups as it does for date nights and special occasions.
Performances run Thursday evenings at 5 and 8 p.m., while Fridays through Sundays add a midday seating at noon alongside 5 and 8 p.m. showtimes.
Valentine’s Day weekend brings a layer of romance to the experience, with special seatings on Saturday, February 14, and Sunday, February 15. Guests can enjoy the newly updated Le Petit Chef & Friends menu in a mood that leans a little more celebratory, complete with a complimentary glass of champagne for each diner. With seatings available at noon, 5 p.m., and 8 p.m., the holiday programming offers a playful alternative to the standard Valentine’s dinner—equal parts whimsical and memorable.
Intercontinental Houston Hotel, 6750 Main St., Houston, lepetitchef.com/houston
