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    Bistro Menil

    3.7 (416 reviews)
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Bistro Menil Photos

    BISTRO MENIL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

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    blackberry cake
    Malek B.

    Blackberry cake @ Bistro Menil, needs a few more berries ;-) Very much enjoyed the ambience, and company including AAEF Board members, Rice Univ., artist moody.Rice.edu/exhibitions/Hayv-Kahraman-foreign-us Thank you to our gracious host Dr. Aziz Shaibani! Hayv K. has a not to be missed exhibition @ Rice, free to the public, now through May 11th.

    Lunch crab cake
    Christine L.

    Wow what a pleasant patio dining experience for one today! Weather is gorgeous and the staff seated me under the tree, so I would be almost guaranteed longer shade. I had the entire entrance patio to myself, so I felt very VIP!! They have some jazzy elevator music, but I love that because I can chillax without words - sounds like Spanish guitar at times. Staff is kind and welcome and knowledgeable with the menu. I tried the HRW $25 lunch and was impressed with my crab cake - big chunks of crab and I liked my roasted potatoes and salad, almost like a bento plate. Today was an iced tea kind of day and they kept my glass full. I was just enjoying the sunshine, oak trees, and sycamores. I think they just have the standard iced tea, perhaps having some different flavor options might be fun. The lemon tart was delish - crunchy phylo crust and merengue like topping with the tangy lemon filling, just perfect for a breezy warmer day. So much fun to people watch, great crowd of all ages - one human had magenta hair, I felt style envy! Highly recommended for lunch!

    Papas Ali-adas
    Patty C.

    A nice converted restaurant conveniently next to the Menil Collection, Bistro Menil is a nondescript eatery that offers tasty European inspired dishes. We settled on this place on a Sunday evening. It was a pretty full house, though we were seated immediately. We started off with the papas alinadas as an appetizer which consisted of Spanish style potatoes topped with tuna and egg. It was pretty good. The potatoes possessed a bit of a sour taste and were nice. The duck confit was absolutely delicious. I loved the crispy skin, and it was a perfectly cooked, flavorful, and moist. The dessert of Tuscan lemon almond torte is not to be missed! I love a good almond dessert, and theirs is delicious and top notch with the accompanying dollop of cream. So why the three stars? First, service was super slow. At first I excused it because it was a busy evening, but by the end of our meal, we were the only diners left and it still took forever for the server to attend to us. Secondly, the regular sides were very lackluster and limited, and it was a hefty amount to upgrade to larger and better premium side. Overall an okay place with a charming atmosphere.

    Eggplant fries and Andalusian Gazpacho
    Robert N.

    On a recent visit to Houston decided to return to Bistro Menil for lunch. Had lunch a few years ago and recall having a very good experience. On this visit the meal was even better! Had the Andalusian Gazpacho which came with a tomato-basil sorbet (not sure it enhanced the flavors) but it was flavorful and delivered the right amount of spiciness and Eggplant Fries (their signature starter). Both were delicious. For entrees we had the two specials: Paella and Mussels on a wine sauce. The seafood paella had grated parmesan cheese (which was not expected). Both the paella and the mussels were excellent. Decided to share a Tuscan Almond Torte which made a great meal memorable. This is a must have item. Should you feel full after your meal, order it and take it home! You can thank me later!

    Crab Cakes
    Emily G.

    Overall, I don't think I would come back, but it was a solid place for lunch, especially if you're in the area or visiting Menil. This review is more of a 3.5. FOOD Eggplant fries ($12) It wasn't exactly what I was expecting, maybe more breading than I thought? I recommend if you want something crispy/fried that's not fries. Calamari ($12) This was solid, I didn't like the sauce. Calamari was soft and chewy though! Crab cake ($34) I don't like crab cake, but this may have been the best crab cake I've ever had. I tasted actual pieces of crab, and not that much cake. We got it with mashed cauliflower/potato and house salad. The mashed potato had a pool of butter in it, which my mom/grandma did not like. Pizza ($19) I didn't like this, but my mom and grandma enjoyed it. My grandma even had a second slice! It had sausage and mushrooms, but I think the sauce was what put me off. SERVICE Our waiter was friendly and easily resolved an issue we had with one of our dishes. AMBIENCE There was a lot of natural lighting and the views of the trees/Menil collection was very pretty. It's nice that there's a dedicated parking lot with plenty of spaces. We didn't have to wait for a table at 11:30-12pm on a Saturday.

    $29 to go deal
    Caroline R.

    First you can go your the Bistro Menil for free and the parking is so convenient. Then get a bite at Bistro Menil and have some tasty beautiful food. Or if you are on the go, get their $29 for 2 takeout special with a pizza, Cesar salad and bottle of wine. One of my favorite to-go deals ever!

    Seared Brussels Sprouts with pancetta (GF)
    Rachel J.

    Atmosphere was great. Our waitress was very nice and knowledgeable. Food was very good for the price and portions were large. We got the watermelon salad - delicious. The salmon salad which was good but not your average salad. My dad got the trout also delicious. The seared brussel sprouts were not my favorite. I only took 1 star off because the parking lot is hidden. When you put the address on maps it takes you by the collection building. Also for the brussels

    White Sangria Sparkler
    Tiffany J.

    My friend and I had brunch at Bistro Menil this past weekend. My friend arrived first, but they wouldn't seat her at a table until I arrived. The restaurant wasn't busy when we arrived, but it did pick up as we were leaving. We had the option of ordering from the brunch or lunch menu. I was a little bummed that the cocktails are all wine based. Drinks: Blood Orange Mimosa (not pictured) - It was okay. I didn't love it, but I drank it. White Sangria - My friend ordered this and liked it. Cappuccino - My friend and I ordered cappuccinos after our meal and they were really good and foamy. Food: Belgian Waffle Savory - Chicken and waffles basically. The portion was huge! I asked for extra syrup because the tiny cup that came with it wasn't nearly enough. The chicken was okay. It wasn't bad, but wasn't outstanding either. I could taste orange zest in the waffle batter which I don't care for. Because of that, I probably wouldn't order the Belgian waffle again. Belgian Waffle Fruit Forward - My friend ordered this. She had the same opinion about the orange zest. They did give a generous amount of berries and they were sprinkled with powdered sugar. I had a slice of strawberry and it was good. The presentation of the food was nice, but the taste of the food didn't quite match up. The service was good. Our waiter was attentive and other staff kept water glasses filled which I always appreciate. The restaurant itself is cute and has a nice ambiance. They have a small patio out front as well as a patio on the side if you prefer to dine outside. The grounds around the Menil are really pretty. They have a large sculpture near the entrance of the restaurant. We didn't visit the museum, but I have been to the Menil before (granted it was years ago). They have a private parking lot, but it is kind of narrow so be careful. If you can't find parking in the lot, there's street parking. The food was okay, but the service was good. It wouldn't necessarily be a top choice for brunch, but I would be willing to come back to try some of the other menu items.

    Tea service
    Kaitlin T.

    My work team went for a tea service as a fun outing before we toured the museum. We loved the mini BLTs, crab cake bites, lemon tart, and tea selections. The service was great. It was a little loud because of the way the dining area is set up, meaning it wasn't super intimate (if you're planning to go for a two-to-four person lunch). Would definitely do this again.

    Jamie L.

    I had been wanting to come to this place and it did not disappoint. It is a little pricey but the food is really good. I am pleasantly surprised at how delicious the dishes were! Braised ribs: great flavor, tender and soft, love the caramelized onions Fried eggplants: I didn't know eggplant fries were a thing but I love the concept and the fries were perfectly crispy and light Chicken breast: nothing special and a bit dry Brussels sprouts: roasted well, could use some more flavor Goat cheese and asparagus crepe: loved this! I never would have thought about putting asparagus in crepes but it works well and the crepe batter was light and tasty Service was amazing and the atmosphere is clean and elegant.

    Crab Cake with Caper Mayonnaise
    Jessie C.

    I came for houston restaurant week and this place is a solid 4.5/5. Only took .5 stars off because of the price and quantity of food. I shared the crab cake and the beef rib with a friend. Crab cake - 4/5 Delicious with nice chunks of crab meat. The caper mayonnaise wasn't my favorite but it paired well with the crab and was very tender! Beef rib - 5/5 Super tender meat and delicious bbq sauce. I liked the fried onion strips that went along with the rib. Gave it a nice crunch. My favorite of the sides was the mashed cauliflower/potato with generous amounts of butter. Super delicious and smooth. The fried potato chunks were nice but could've used more salt. Creme brûlée - 5/5 Delicious and creamy but slightly on the cold side. The caramel on top had a very nice crunch and wasn't too thick so it didn't get stuck in your teeth. Basque cheese cake - 4.5/5 This cheesecake was surprisingly not overly sweet and the fruit gave it a good amount of acidity. The only gripe I have is that the crust was too damn thicc. Definitely did not finish that part.

    Flank steak, cauliflower mash and Brussels with pancetta
    Veronica K.

    Service 1 star Food 3 star Atmosphere 5 star Score 2.6 stars Sides were delicious and the flank steak was tender and cooked perfectly. But the meat lacked any seasoning which made it unappealing. Also, the servers looked straight out of a low end Mexican restaurant and the service was slow and unenthusiastic. Terrible service for a kinda pricey place. We had to hail her down with hands in the air. She took off with menus before we could order another serving of wine. She asked me if I wanted a box when they clearly can wrap up your food. And for the price, they should. Motel service at Ritz Carlton prices. Lovely atmosphere. Convo with the ladies is the only thing that made traveling here worthwhile. Not on my lists to revisit and try anything else.

    Lorraine I.

    I like everything down here The service is wonderful The food is great The vibe is super simple but chilled I love every inch of here Will for sure come back again

    Caramelized Banana And Nutella Crepe

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    1 year ago

    The Drinks, Food, Service, and Ambiance were amazing and it was me and my mother's first time and it was all thanks to Miguel our server!

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    Page 1 of 11

    Bistro Menil Reviews in Other Languages

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    Two Headed Dog - Patio

    Two Headed Dog

    4.8(67 reviews)
    1.3 miMidtown

    I've passed by this bar countless times and have always wondered about it. I'm glad that I finally…read morecame in with a group of my friends. This is definitely a dive bar and seems to really be geared towards the local neighborhood. From the outside and even the inside, you may not think much of it but it was a pleasant surprise and they have so many cocktails to try. We got there a little early on a Friday night and were one of the only groups there but a rather large party/gathering came in maybe 30mins or so afterwards. The mixologist? was super friendly and gave recommendations as there are just so many cocktail options. Drinks took a bit to be made but she was by herself and we each ordered a different drink. The drinks themselves were really good and there's definitely something for everyone here. I really enjoyed my lady earl and we even tried a hot cheeto drink (not my favorite but it was fun to try and really does taste like a hot cheeto). I think this is just a fun place to check out and hang out. I'm glad to have this as a local spot not and am looking forward to trying more of their drinks!

    In all honesty, it wasn't what I was expecting when a friend said to meet here to try something…read morenew. We did have a great time playing a game from the game options. The drinks were on point! I had the espresso martini. It was delish! The bartender was friendly. We could tell it was a local hangout. Everyone seemed to know each other. We had a great night!

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    Wooster's Garden - Bayou Bramble. Yum!

    Wooster's Garden

    4.3(697 reviews)
    1.1 miMidtown, Fourth Ward
    $$

    Their drink menu is incredibly creative, with unique cocktails that are both well-balanced and…read morebeautifully presented. You can really tell the bartenders know what they're doing. The food was just as impressive - fresh, flavorful, and thoughtfully put together, with plenty of options to pair with drinks. The outdoor patio is a huge plus, especially when the weather is nice, and adds to the overall experience. Overall, Wooster's Garden strikes a great balance between a laid-back vibe and high-quality food and drinks. Definitely a spot I'd recommend and look forward to visiting again!

    As one of the most popular places in Midtown over the past decade plus, Wooster's Garden came to an…read moreend earlier this month after ownership (#1) decided that it was time to go. Considering the recent shutter of other places (#2) within the hospitality umbrella, it's not too big of a surprise that Wooster's would also be in the crosshairs. The space was always a nice mix of indoor and outdoor seating, which combined with its dedicated parking lot made this an easy drinking outlet for all kinds of occasions. The intimate indoor space was lovely and well ventilated, and it felt like there wasn't ever a moment where the bar wasn't slammed. The outdoor space was much of the same, with lots of tables and chairs, and even the trendy swing chairs facing the city. The only thing that was a little bit of a liability were those open flame heaters; it would only take on person to accidentally walk into one or trip onto it. For libations, the drinks were well priced, well made, and always potent. I appreciated the aesthetics, as well as the bartenders who made them. The only part that wasn't exciting was the limited food menu, which did its part as munchies for the drink heavy crowd, but was mediocre otherwise. The space is already undergoing the new facelift of a separate concept, one of which I hope will do the area justice, just as much as Wooster's did. ____________ (#1) The Kirby Group. (#2) R.I.P. Verde Garden: https://www.yelp.com/biz/verde-garden-houston-2

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    Wooster's Garden - Great drinks, great food, great people!

    Great drinks, great food, great people!

    Wooster's Garden - Part of the tap wall. I'll have one of each please :)

    Part of the tap wall. I'll have one of each please :)

    Wooster's Garden - Great crowd, amazing patio and delicious cocktails!

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    13 Celsius - It's a vibe for sure

    13 Celsius

    4.5(549 reviews)
    1.5 miMidtown
    $$

    I am SO glad we finally had the chance to check this spot out! We were in the room for some wine on…read morea Friday night and after reading great reviews about 13 Celsius, knew we had to try it. We were able to snag some free street parking and wandered our way into a cute setup with mood lighting and plenty of seating. There's a central bar and plenty of outdoor patio space. We were immediately helped as soon as we found a table which I really appreciated. The menu is HUGE and has anything you could possibly want. We're big red wine fans so we settled on that page. J opted for a cab while I decided on a couple to sample before ultimately choosing a red blend. I appreciate that they're more than happy to give you a taste before committing to a glass. You can choose between 3 or 6oz pours, or a bottle. We also decided to share a cheese board with the Willoughby cheese which was soft and delicious! I appreciated how kind and accommodating the servers were as they frequently checked on us. This is a great spot to enjoy some wine with friends, on date night, or anything really! It has a relaxed atmosphere and is a pleasure to visit. Till next time!

    I can't believe it has taken me this long to finally discover 13 Celsius! Where has this been all…read moremy life!? Am I just experiencing retroactive FOMO??? We came in as an impromptu visit after an earlier event and figured we'd just stop in for a glass of wine or so. Upon walking in, the place is super cute with dim lighting and was quite crowded on a Thursday night. We didn't immediately find available seating, but after a couple minutes, a table opened up and we sat there. Our primary server was Grayson, who was super knowledgeable about the wine list. Other servers tended to us throughout the night, and all were equally as knowledgeable about the menu offerings. At the time we went, they were featuring various wines from Beaujolais. We ended up trying one of these, the Alexandre Burgaud Brouilly Rouge, which was a full-bodied red. This was a great recommendation, and I will say that we didn't conclude the visit on only one of these bottles... Based on Grayson's food recommendations, we ended up ordering the Mortadella panini and a combination charcuterie board. The Mortadella panini was unique but good - tomato, mortadella, provolone, and mustard all served on a pretzel bun. Probably not my dish of choice alongside wine, however I did really like the charcuterie board. We asked them to surprise us on the cheese and meat, and they really came through. The prosciutto was tasty and the cheese (can't remember which one) had a peppery flavor to it, which paired well with our red wine. The overall clientele vibe seemed like a range of date nights, girls nights, first dates, and solo drinkers. I love the diversity! We ended up making friends with the table next to us and eventually merged tables to make this a fun group date night. Definitely a highlight of the visit. We will definitely be back sooner than later. This is a cute neighborhood bar that I look forward to returning myself and brining out-of-town guests to come experience. They also have a dog-friendly patio - something to keep in mind whenever the day calls for drinking some wine in nice outdoor weather!

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    13 Celsius - Wine at the bar

    Wine at the bar

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    Leon's Lounge - Classic cocktails

    Leon's Lounge

    4.0(181 reviews)
    1.5 miMidtown
    $$

    We stopped in for a quick nightcap on a Monday night. We were able to park right in front of the…read morebar which was convenient. Street parking is free after midnight. I didn't catch the bartender's name, but he greeted us immediately. There was only one other patron and the staff was decorating the bar with Christmas decor. The bartender informed us that the bar wasn't fully stocked but asked us what types of drinks we like. Based on my preference, he suggested a Martinez. I had never even heard of a Martinez but I was open to trying it. He made it, looked at it, and said it didn't come out right. He asked if it would be okay for him to redo it which I of course obliged. I appreciated the fact that he didn't serve me a drink that wasn't properly made. The wait was worth it. The Martinez tasted like a sweeter Negroni and I really enjoyed it! I'm glad I was able to visit one of the oldest bars in Houston. It was super low key and chill which was a perfect way to end our evening.

    I'm here for the World Cup. Taking the train back to downtown I spotted this gem at the McGowen…read morestop. Best ripcord I pulled in a minute. Jerry knows how to make a mean cocktail. Improv sazerac is spot on. I can't understand how I'm the only one in this place. Will be back after the Dutch match Saturday no question. Look for the British phone booth outside

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    Beautiful afternoon at Leon's

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    Bar from the back room

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    Pour Behavior - Chicken Forestiére with Caramelized Brussels and Mixed Veggies

    Pour Behavior

    3.8(712 reviews)
    1.7 miMidtown, Fourth Ward
    $$
    Happy hour specials
    Large group friendly

    If this is Pour Behavior, I don't wanna be good. I've been here a few times now and every time a…read moretime was had. The food is good, the vibes are good, and the drinks are good. What more can you ask for. We came for brunch and stayed for the party. My husband and I shared the chicken wrap and it was just ok. The chicken had no seasoning but the fries were very tasty. I got the Brussels sprouts, I get them every time, and they were amazing as usual. We had the mimosas and the pretty in pink towers and they were really tasty as well. We also ordered a couple Old Fashioneds and I got an espresso Martini. Everything we had was good. If you come early enough valet is only $10 or $20 to have your car in their tiny parking lot. If you are lucky enough you could park on the street but it's hard to find and there are paid parking lots a block or two away. So either be prepared to pay to park or walk.

    I have visited this establishment several times and have never experienced an issue with the dress…read morecode. However, my male friend recently came here to attend a party and was denied entry because of his attire. He was wearing neatly pressed jeans with no holes, clean tennis shoes, and a collared, button-down sleeveless shirt. Meanwhile, other men were allowed inside wearing T-shirts, shorts, hats, and tennis shoes. Given the venue's casual indoor-outdoor atmosphere, I genuinely do not understand why his outfit was considered unacceptable while more casual attire was permitted. This is not an upscale or fine-dining establishment--it has the atmosphere of a sports bar, allows smoking on the outdoor patio, and primarily serves casual finger foods. Women are also permitted to wear extremely revealing outfits, including very short skirts and bikini-style tops. While everyone should be free to dress comfortably, the rules should be applied fairly and consistently to all guests, regardless of gender. We were told that the owner establishes the dress code. If that is the case, management should clearly communicate the policy and reconsider how it is enforced. Selectively denying entry based on unclear or inconsistently applied standards creates an obvious double standard and leaves guests feeling unfairly targeted. I strongly encourage the owner and management team to review this policy and ensure it is reasonable, transparent, and enforced equally.

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    Oyster Rockefeller

    Bistro Menil - bars - Updated August 2026

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