Leina Horii
Babychan, a Japanese-influenced all-day bakery and café, is opening in Spring 2025 at the Neuhoff development in Germantown.
From the husband-and-wife duo behind James Beard Nominated Kisser, chefs Brian Lea and Leina Horii, in partnership with Strategic Hospitality, are bringing the concept to life. Inspired by Japanese and French café cultures, Babychan will blend technique-driven pastry, an all-day menu, and a beverage program featuring beer, wine, sake, plus a curated coffee and tea selection.
The café will offer a variety of sweet and savory breakfast and lunch options, including French toast made with Horii’s house-made Japanese milk bread, an assortment of sandwiches and pastries, a rotating selection of ice creams, and nostalgic dishes from Horii’s childhood, including katsu sandwiches, curry pan, and rice omelets. Guests can pick up pastries and onigiri from the takeaway counter, enjoy a relaxed meal inside, or opt for open-air seating.
Named after an affectionate childhood nickname given to Horii by her mother, Babychan (a mixture of English and Japanese, meaning “Little Baby”) is an evolution of Lea and Horii’s vision, expanding on ideas that began at Kisser but outgrew its footprint.