Hartmann
Sep 14, 07, 12:07 pm
In the last couple of weeks I have had a chance to try some really great food in Houston.
First up, the Rattan Pan-Asian Bistro (http://www.rattanbistro.com/).
My S/O visited here on a Friday evening. It is located off of Eldridge near a strip mall and doesn't stick out unless you are looking for it. The atmosphere is quiet but modern. They have an outdoor patio, a bar, and multiple seating areas. Their wine list is nice and they do wine pairing nights where they match a multiple course meal with multiple wines for a decent price.
The prices are very reasonable and the dishes are well portioned. We started with the chicken satay and a spicy coconut sauce. The satay was cooked well and fell off the skewer. The sauce that accompanied it was different, not spicy but not coconut(ty), it complimented the meat without overpowering it.
For our main course I chose the Sizzling Sweet Onion Beef and my S/O chose the Asian Chicken Salad. Both were fantastic. My beef was cooked perfectly and there were hints of spiciness and cilantro throughout. My S/O said that hers was cooked just as well and that the plum sauce was excellent.
Rattan also has a wine bar where you can get a card and try out multiple wines across different visits. Definitely a great idea and we plan to try it out next time we are there.
Next up, Mockingbird Bistro (http://www.mockingbirdbistro.com/). Even though the word "Bistro" is in the name, I'd hardly classify it as that. Located near Montrose in an old business building, there is somewhat of a stuffy presence to the place as soon as you walk in. I was dressed nicely but felt underdressed. It is a very nice setting with old wood carvings and nice table settings but it might be a little too much.
Also, the prices match the setting. This place was advertised as a mid-priced bistro, turns it out is far from it.
The waiters are always there. They told us the specials twice. However, they were extremely attentive, making sure we were taken care of.
We decided on the calamari to start. It was cooked to perfection and the sauces that accompanied it were fantastic.
For our main course I had one of the specials, a pan-seared Chilean Sea Bass served with tomatoes and potatoes. My S/O went with the lamb. The only words out of our mouths while eating were "wow" and "this is amazing". There is no other way to describe it. The Sea Bass melted in my mouth and was full of flavor, the lamb was done very well and presented in a fantastic way.
Mockingbird has a great wine and spirits list and even do half bottles. Nothing is cheap though.
For a Friday/Saturday night away from the house where you can dress up, this is the place. It's a tad overpriced in my opinion but fantastic nonetheless. Be sure and make reservations as it does fill up. Parking is a little strange as well, so be prepared to park a few blocks away if you don't valet.
First up, the Rattan Pan-Asian Bistro (http://www.rattanbistro.com/).
My S/O visited here on a Friday evening. It is located off of Eldridge near a strip mall and doesn't stick out unless you are looking for it. The atmosphere is quiet but modern. They have an outdoor patio, a bar, and multiple seating areas. Their wine list is nice and they do wine pairing nights where they match a multiple course meal with multiple wines for a decent price.
The prices are very reasonable and the dishes are well portioned. We started with the chicken satay and a spicy coconut sauce. The satay was cooked well and fell off the skewer. The sauce that accompanied it was different, not spicy but not coconut(ty), it complimented the meat without overpowering it.
For our main course I chose the Sizzling Sweet Onion Beef and my S/O chose the Asian Chicken Salad. Both were fantastic. My beef was cooked perfectly and there were hints of spiciness and cilantro throughout. My S/O said that hers was cooked just as well and that the plum sauce was excellent.
Rattan also has a wine bar where you can get a card and try out multiple wines across different visits. Definitely a great idea and we plan to try it out next time we are there.
Next up, Mockingbird Bistro (http://www.mockingbirdbistro.com/). Even though the word "Bistro" is in the name, I'd hardly classify it as that. Located near Montrose in an old business building, there is somewhat of a stuffy presence to the place as soon as you walk in. I was dressed nicely but felt underdressed. It is a very nice setting with old wood carvings and nice table settings but it might be a little too much.
Also, the prices match the setting. This place was advertised as a mid-priced bistro, turns it out is far from it.
The waiters are always there. They told us the specials twice. However, they were extremely attentive, making sure we were taken care of.
We decided on the calamari to start. It was cooked to perfection and the sauces that accompanied it were fantastic.
For our main course I had one of the specials, a pan-seared Chilean Sea Bass served with tomatoes and potatoes. My S/O went with the lamb. The only words out of our mouths while eating were "wow" and "this is amazing". There is no other way to describe it. The Sea Bass melted in my mouth and was full of flavor, the lamb was done very well and presented in a fantastic way.
Mockingbird has a great wine and spirits list and even do half bottles. Nothing is cheap though.
For a Friday/Saturday night away from the house where you can dress up, this is the place. It's a tad overpriced in my opinion but fantastic nonetheless. Be sure and make reservations as it does fill up. Parking is a little strange as well, so be prepared to park a few blocks away if you don't valet.