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    Bistro Menil

    3.7 (417 reviews)
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Bistro Menil Photos

    BISTRO MENIL ATMOSPHERE

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

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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!

    $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!

    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.

    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.

    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.

    Taylor C.

    I was really surprised how much I enjoyed my experience here. I had never been because I figured it was expensive. Firstly I wanna say the limoncello kiss, my drink, was fire. And that may have altered my perception of the food. The croquettes were absolutely delicious. I started regretting ordering food and wishing I had just ordered more croquettes honestly. The burger overall was a 7/10. It had good umami flavor, I loved the truffle cheese and the onions. The bun was above average. The actual burger patty was alright. It was not cooked to what I ordered and ended up being medium well instead of well done. I honestly could've done without the bacon as it added nothing to the flavor profile. I would've loved to see something fresh added in as well like arugula or something. The side potatoes were very bland and unimpressive. No im sorry I didn't try the little pickles. But overall I enjoyed it and it was nice to sit outside. It will be so much nicer I'm sure after the summer. Oh yeah and lots of parking and right next to menil shop, menil collection, and park.

    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.

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    2 years ago

    This is a celiac paradise. Almost everything on the menu is Gluten Free and good w resonable prices

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    2 years ago

    Nice cafe. Went there for tea service. Had a great time there. I would go again for the regular menu.

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    Page 2 of 11

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    District 7 Grill

    District 7 Grill

    3.9
    (724 reviews)
    1.7 mi
    $$

    i said it once, i'm going to say it again;…read more i love high quality simple food! district 7 grill is that! as a california native, diner culture is in my blood!! (and tacos, avocados, strawberries, and wine- lol) i never pass up an opportunity to visit a diner. district 7's inside is very "dreamy" and i can see a lot of editorial potential. (if you're into that) but very casual. the food was excellent!! crab cake benedict (8/10) american breakfast (8/10) strawberry milkshake (9/10) red sangria (9/10) great portions + great service = left happy district 7 grill has been added to my permanent brunch list! bonné appétit c.

    ABSOLUTELY ATROCIOUS!! Let this place die like it's trying to. Unfortunately we were in a pinch…read moreand staying in a hotel nearby so we had limited options. 1) Nobody in the place at 7:00 on a Friday should have been a sign. 2) Waiter never took our drink order. He asked our food order first. We had to ask him if we could get drinks first. 3) When we did order we watched our drinks sit at the end of the bar for 10 min until I had to go retrieve them myself. 4) The food was INCREDIBLY mid for it being that expensive. Undercooked potatoes, overcooked chicken, not a single person at the table of 4 adults had a good thing to say about their meal 5) It took 2 FREAKING HOURS with no one there. When I say no one I mean completely empty 6) Trying to check out and leave. Our server who was looking for an upsell told us he saw a cookie in the back that was ready to go. Thanks for telling our 3 small children that at 9:30. Reluctantly after telling him no several times it was awkward enough to cave. Cookie took about 20 minutes to come out. We had been there for over 2 hours at that point and we had to just get up and leave. If you go to this restaurant after reading this, you deserve the horrible experience you will certainly have.

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    District 7 Grill
    District 7 Grill
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    ChopnBlok - Montrose

    ChopnBlok - Montrose

    4.5
    (414 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    michelin recommended for a REASON!!! chop n blok was AMAZING!!! food was so flavorful, staff was so…read moreso nice - the owner was saying hi to all the tables and you can tell he truly put so much time and love into the food! highly recommend the black star - the curry was like nothing we've ever had and it was SO delicious!!!

    Why 5 stars? Because it's elevated and unique cuisine…read more --- --- --- There is no shortage of restaurants you can enjoy in Houston, but a massive percentage of them are Tex-Mex and BBQ. Then there's the stuff you get plenty of in any city: pizza, chinese, sandwiches, chicken places, etc. But a real rare gem is ChopnBlok. It's West African cuisine, which is not exactly something you see on every street corner. But more importantly, this food is clearly made with love. It's not cheap: a couple of bowls and a tea comes out to nearly $100 after tip, but you're paying for real quality here. My dad and I both ordered a Golden Bowl and added steak. The steak was the best part. It had this amazing smokey flavor that made me wish I just ordered double steak instead of steak as an add on. I initially visited the ChopnBlok in POST, and was blown away with the flavors, so I've always wanted to come back and try their stand alone spot. If you're a person greatly adverse to spice, just be aware that there are some subtle hints of a kick in this dish, but I found it to be just the right amount: it let you know that it was there, but stayed in its lane.

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    Inside
    Inside
    Course 2 - Citrus Smoked Chicken w/ Native Fried Rice, Scallion Masa Pancake & Seasonal Pickles
    Course 2 - Citrus Smoked Chicken w/ Native Fried Rice, Scallion Masa Pancake & Seasonal Pickles
    Oga Palmer add tequila

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    Josephine's Gulf Coast Tradition

    Josephine's Gulf Coast Tradition

    4.3
    (309 reviews)
    1.6 mi

    I love this restaurant! And it's favorite spot to visit when I'm in Houston…read more The food is always fabulous, and I enjoy the libation. My last dish was étouffée with gold tile filet - delicious! TV screens in the background don't interfere with the table conversations. There's street parking.

    Josephine's is listed as a Michelin recommended restaurant, and so we visited with some friends -…read moreit was a party of four on a Tuesday evening. I had pretty high expectations. We started by sharing a couple of appetizers - the smoked redfish dip and the biscuits. I'm weird about smells and aftertastes - and was hesitant to try the smoked redfish dip. The dip was flavorful and very smoky - the crackers it is served with were amazing. The aftertaste was tolerable, but a little fishy for me. The biscuits - I could write poems about them. I'd go back to eat baskets of just those biscuits. Highly recommend. My husband ordered the fried catfish platter - it was amazing. The catfish nuggets were crunchy and HOT (temperature), the fries were perfectly seasoned and the hush puppy was a crunch heard around the globe. Sadly, the shrimp and grits arrived to the table at room temp. The flavor was really good, but I was worried to mention the temp issue and have the kitchen nuke them in the microwave. The red beans and rice were similarly room temp and congealed. The restaurant atmosphere was lovely, the service was solid, and on a Tuesday evening we could have walked in and been seated quickly. Overall, it was a nice evening with our friends. Sometimes the company makes up for small disappointments.

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    Inside - back area seating
    Inside - back area seating
    Banana Pudding-$10. Would've loved more cookies! Rich and filling!
    Banana Pudding-$10. Would've loved more cookies! Rich and filling!
    Blue Crab Rice Bowl-$26. RICH!

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    Blue Crab Rice Bowl-$26. RICH!
    Bludorn

    Bludorn

    4.3
    (762 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$$$

    Lovveeee anything Bludorn…read more Chose to revisit Bludorn for the start of my bday weekend and it did not disappoint. Service - top notch. Best service in Houston hands down. Food - you really can't go wrong with anything you order here. This time the highlights were definitely the duck and the rice. I could have eaten the rice as a meal and been very happy. Drinks - wine and cocktails 10/10 Parking - you might get lucky w self parking in the back of the restaurant otherwise it's valet for $8 right now. Make a reservation and wear something nice. Definitely a must try in Houston for an upscale experience.

    Came here for my wife's birthday. Made the reservation using Resy/Opentable indicating occasion,…read moreand when we arrived, there was no indication from staff that they were aware. We weren't drinking so we did mocktails. Their selection is solid. I recommend the Million Dollar Baby and the New Madness. For the oysters, we did 2 of each: fried, smoked and roasted. I would low key just come back for oysters next time. They were that damn good. I was let down by the dry-aged burger. Even though I ordered the burger as medium, it was pretty dry. I've had better burgers from joints around town. Not worth $24. The Chicken entree was an absolute let down. I won't even elaborate. Some of our favorite entrees were the carrot soup and crab rice. Both were out of this world. For me the food was 3/5, service (aside from staff forgetting occasion of visit) 5/5, value 3/5. Also valet parking is $8. I'm still undecided if I'll be back. Need to recover from spending $275 on a single dinner. Ouch.

    Photos
    Bludorn postcard
    Bludorn postcard
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    Bistro Menil - bars - Updated July 2026

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