We celebrated our company gathering and we had dinner in the private room. The sea bass was killer…read more The calamari appetizer was the best I've ever had. It was my first time in Houston and what an experience! The owner came out to say hello and ensure everyone was happy. 5 stars service! Also Miguel our waiter was 10/10! The whole team is an asset to this establishment.

The service was truly excellent -- attentive, welcoming, and one of the highlights of the evening…read more As for the food, it landed more in the middle for me. The quail eggs and squid were solid choices and definitely stood out. That said, when even something as simple as the potatoes doesn't quite hit the mark, it makes you pause -- especially at $20+ per entrée. With so many exceptional and creative dining options throughout Houston, it's hard not to compare. I might consider giving them another try, but with the richness of culinary talent this city offers, I'm not certain it would be my first choice for a return visit. If you do go, the Chilean sea bass is a strong option and probably the safest bet on the menu.

Beautiful experience! We went on a recommendation and was…read morenot disappointed From the servers to the bar staff they know how to deliver a great dinning experience

The Library is truly a gem in my neighborhood. I'm always excited to bring friends who are visiting…read moreHouston or don't live nearby. The décor, wine list, menu, comfortable seating, and cozy atmosphere make it such a special spot. They offer wines for every taste and budget, and the staff is knowledgeable when asked for recommendations. That's why this is difficult for me to write. Despite visiting frequently, I've consistently found the customer service to be unwelcoming. The service has a strange tone, and it isn't limited to one employee they all seem to share the same indifferent, slightly annoyed demeanor. The experience feels less like genuine hospitality and more like, "You're here what can I get you?" On my most recent visit, others in my group noticed and commented on the same thing without any prompting from me. Since they had never been before, it confirmed that it wasn't just my perception. One small interaction captured the overall tone. We asked whether they happened to have a birthday candle, and an employee responded in an annoyed tone by pointing to the candle on our table which, realistically, no one would put on a birthday dessert. We completely understood that they might not have one; it wasn't an unreasonable expectation or request. A simple, friendly response like, "Unfortunately, we don't, but we do have some delicious desserts," would have been perfectly fine. It wasn't the answer that bothered us. it was the way we were made to feel for asking. It may seem like a small interaction, but great hospitality is built on small moments. The atmosphere is warm, cozy, and inviting, but unfortunately, the service doesn't reflect that same feeling. People return to places where they feel welcomed and appreciated, especially in a city like Houston with so many wonderful food and wine options. I genuinely want The Library to thrive because it has everything else it needs to remain a true neighborhood favorite.

This is my second time visiting this place. The food is very good. And the drinks are also good. I…read morewill say it is quite loud and the chairs are a bit uncomfortable. But the service is pretty good and fast. Our cocktails were about $14. And plates arranged from $20 to $48 depending on pizza, pasta, meat. The appetizers were delicious. The pizza in my opinion wasn't that good. But the beef tenderloin was really good. They also have specials. I would recommend and come back.

I had the opportunity to visit Del Vista with my friends and I'm so glad I did! This beautiful…read moreItalian restaurant was recommended by my friend Holly, and it definitely lived up to the hype. We started with the flatbread and fresh oysters, and both were delicious. For dinner, we enjoyed the salmon over creamy polenta and a perfectly cooked filet. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The atmosphere is one of my favorite things about this place. From the elegant chandeliers and impressive wine wall to the beautiful artwork and cozy ambiance, every detail makes for a relaxing and upscale dining experience. I found myself wanting to take pictures of everything, but the restaurant was busy, and I didn't want to interrupt other guests. Great food, wonderful service, and a beautiful setting made for a fantastic evening. I'll definitely be back!

The place is very well appointed and staffed. It has a high-end appearance and prices to match…read more Because of the shape of the dining area, the result is an excessively noisy venue. The muzac was louder than it needed to be. In the large dining area on the east side of facility, the noise level was such that normal conversation is difficult. We came away with the feeling we had just dined in a large lunchroom, not an upscale restaurant. I think the "fix" is to have more booths screened from one another and or fewer tables not crammed tightly together. One couple was seated at a tiny table for two less than two feet from a group of four. I am sure that experience was sub-par. Softer lighting and maybe some sound dampeners on the walls might help the ambience. The food was very good and presented well - as were the drinks. Although, I think the drinks were far too expensive ($19 for an old-fashioned - this is Houston, not NYC). The fried oyster appetizer was a very small portion in part because the oysters were tiny. Valet parking of course takes up all the close parking necessitating garage parking which, in inclement weather would be unpleasant as it is about a 50-yard walk in open air from the garage to the entrance. I would probably not go here again simply because of the detractors noted. Houston has other venues in the price range that offer a more intimate dining experience at or below the price point of Kirkwood - at which casual conversation with one another at the same table is not a shouting match.

I went there for lunch because it was close to my workplace and it's a really nice, upper scale…read moreestablishment. They require reservation and they also have a waiting seating area. The interior is modern elegant with a lot of natural light and wooden accents. Physically, it's very beautiful and aesthetic inside. They have around maybe 50 to 60 people worth of seating both booths and tables. They have a pretty comprehensive menu. With a lot of different options with wrapped sandwiches, etc. I think it's a very varied menu so everyone in your party has options. I didn't try the cocktails, but they also have a lot on the menu. The table comes with the basket of bread. I ordered the avocado club and it came with a side of fries. The side of fries were very delicious and it was a good amount for the order. The size of the sandwich itself also was enough for lunch and leftovers for the next day. The presentation, the food was very elegant and it was overall very good sandwich. Service was a little on the slower side. But the waiter was very attentive. They give you the option also to pay by digital with a QR code on the receipt. However, the QR code was not working for me so I had to wait for the waiter to physically take my card. They pack the takeout for you and they also bring it to the front for you to take when you leave, which I've never had happened before. I will warn that the day that I went, the restaurant was packed for lunch so I would either get there early or make a reservation.

Best pizza in town! Elevated vibe for a date night but casual enough to drop by on a whim with your…read morekids. 10/10. No notes

Murray's Pizza & Wine was absolutely delicious--easily a 10/10 experience! I'm so happy we finally…read moretried it, and I already can't wait to go back. The pizza reminded me so much of Italy. Their dough is made in-house, and it tasted incredibly fresh and light. I'm usually worried about feeling bloated after pizza, but my stomach felt completely fine afterward, which meant we still had room for dessert! I ordered the Margherita pizza, and my husband got the pepperoni. Both were full of flavor, especially after our server, Dan, brought us some delicious hot honey to drizzle over them. Such a perfect touch! I also had the Murray's Spritz, while my husband ordered the Mai Tai, and we loved both drinks. Then came the horchata tiramisu... OMGGGG. So good! It was the perfect ending to an already amazing meal. A special shoutout to Dan for being so sweet, attentive, and helpful throughout our visit. Great food and genuinely wonderful service can feel so rare these days, but Murray's delivered on both. We'll definitely be visiting often! PS. Also make sure to try their Cesar salad! It'll be the best one you'll ever have!!!!

5//5 on food. Highlight of the night was definitely the dry aged duck. They say it's for 2 but…read morehonestly I think it's more for 3! There was still a ton left over. Loved the creme brulee for dessert! Had the Dead Flower to drink and that was probably my favorite mocktail! 5/5 on service as well. Our server had great recommendations for drinks and food. He was also super attentive. 5/5 on ambiance. Was definitely giving an upscale vibe.

After hearing non stop great things about Credence from friends and on social media, we finally…read morewent for dinner the other night to celebrate my birthday with some friends. The dining room is chic and feels very upscale but comfortable with a large open fire kitchen that was really fun to watch while dining. They were very on top of service with both our dining captain and waiter checking on us throughout the evening. For appetizers we ordered the deviled crabs, tuna tostada and wood roasted carrots. All were great but I especially loved the carrots which were cooked and seasoned perfectly. For my main course I had the chicken and dumplings, husband got the NY strip, our friends shared the whole fish and we had the cabbage and crab rice as sides. Everyone was very happy with both their main courses and the side dishes. We were too stuffed to order dessert but they sent out a s'mores inspired sunday for my birthday which was both thoughtful and sublime. Overall we were very impressed with our meal. Food was delicious but veeeery indulgent. We will be back.

Magnifico bar de vino. We found this amazing Italian wine…read morebar in Memorial a few nights ago and thanks to Aaron the Sommelier . Tonight was a special Portuguese wine flight tastings with a light vino, a medium bodied wine and a port dessert vino. We choose to sit outside in their comfy chairs outside with a cool breeze . Servizio was excellent with owner Ricardo coming outside to check on us and give us his history of the cafe . He even gave us generous sampling of a Lambrusco after our discussion. Would highly recommend a look if you want a casual but upscale wine bar off Memorial that offers a light menu of food and equally good service.

Great experience for a Portuguese wine tasting a few weeks back…read more Service was especially memorable with a visit outside where we were sitting by the owner. Although we came just for the tasting , would return for dinner or dessert. There is outside seating and on a breezy night it was perfect for us.

Dropped in here at Ivy for a quick catch up lunch with a friend. The vibe of the restaurant is very…read morecutesy and quaint. The inside seating is nice and cozy with good music and the patio/rooftop is very nice. The cocktail menu has some variation for most palettes and are all reasonably priced. I ordered the Roma which was very good. The bubbles from the kombucha give it a nice subtle effervescence. The spiced rum and blood orange mesh very well together making for a great drink. My friend ordered the Lavender Cucumber Collin's. This drink didn't really put the lavender on the forefront which lead to it getting lost by the cucumber, same for the crème de violets, absent. The drink was overall refreshing and tasty to her standards. She let me know it was quite strong also, which she prefers. She also ordered the kale Caesar and really enjoyed it. It was perfectly sauced to her liking. Service was okay. Looks like there was only 2 people working for a midday shift around 2 o clock. But no complaints. Salad and drinks came out pretty quickly. The place was pretty empty, definitely looks like I could hold a nice little crowd. Overall a solid 4 stars and warrants a repeat visit so I can try out the food and appetizers.

Ivy Bar and Bistro has an attractive setting for a lounge which located upstairs. The actual bar is…read moresmall with maybe four stools and very limited seating inside. The uncovered patio has considerable more space but be prepared to stand. My visits have been early evenings and haven't witnessed what a crowd would look like. They have excellent drinks and the bartenders are very skilled. Creative cocktails are always a plus for me and you will find something tasty to enjoy.