Dining
BY ASIA ARMOUR
Owner Wen Qin opened the cafe in 2023.
ASIA ARMOUR COMMUNITY IMPACT
Food at Leven Bakery & Cafe in Bellaire is made with an emphasis on fresh ingredients.
COURTESY LEVEN BAKING COMPANY
Local cafe Leven puts focus on health, community Wen Qin’s philosophy when it comes to integrat- ing business and food is to strengthen and support his patrons both physically and mentally, he said. It’s why he named his rst business on Bellaire Boulevard, which he opened in 2014, Sustain Juicery. He opened the gluten-free Leven Bakery & Cafe in August 2023, just down the road.
Put in perspective Qin is from Shanghai, ”The New York of China” he claimed. In the 1980s, there were no supermar- kets near his home. Qin said this idea of a marketplace for fresh products, variety and local, competitive vendors motivates him in his own work. Respecting the craft The menu’s dishes take inspiration from coun- tries around the world, including a Mediterranean chicken bowl, fried chicken sandwich and tur- meric roasted cauli ower—which Qin said re ects the diversity of the area. “This is an international city. ... People come from all cultures to appreciate our food,” Qin said.
The bakery is completely gluten-free, Qin said.
ASIA ARMOUR COMMUNITY IMPACT
DO IT ANYWHERE ANY T I ME No item on Leven’s menu uses wheat our, Qin said. The drinks at the cafe are made with organic grounds. The shared plates—smoky eggplant dip, sauteed mushrooms, and chips and guacamole— are all made with vegetables. “I can only change things in my own neighbor- hood, in my own household and through what I do—which is food and beverage,” Qin said.
BELLAIRE BLVD.
610
N
4191 Bellaire Blvd., Ste. 125, Houston www.levenbakingcompany.com
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BELLAIRE MEYERLAND WEST UNIVERSITY EDITION
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