Cafe Rabelais

09/11/09

wish i had tried this when it was good

by seanofthefed at Citysearch

It seems like everyone used to like this place. I didn't read the reviews closely before I went, but there is clearly a point in time when people changed their minds about the quality of the restaurant. I can't speak to what it was because I just went for the first time recently, but the food isn't really good at all. And boy is it expensive.

If you're trying to decide whether to try this place, I'd recommend looking at recent reviews, as the restaurant I visited is not the one described in early reviews but matches the recent (scathing) reviews much more closely.

• Pros: none to speak of
• Cons: middling quality, poor value

08/30/09

trop le mauvais

by luckydad at Citysearch

unfortunately this adorable french restaurant has gone downhill since its early days. The original owners are not present anymore and the food has suffered. So you would do better to spend your money and time elsewhere.

• Pros: none
• Cons: waiting time, service time

08/28/09

ultimately unsatisfying

by cmk1126 at Citysearch

First, don't expect the dishes on the website to be available despite the promise that it's today's dinner menu. The actual menu is invariably different, which is annoying. I'm also annoyed that they don't take reservations. If I'm going to pay over $100 for dinner, I think you should keep a table open for me and not force me to wait around in a cramped space.

But my main complaint is that the food is just OK, but it favors the pricey side. I have been twice, and the dishes just aren't seasoned properly. Even the richer or fattier dishes are low on flavor (or are smothered in overpowering cheese), which makes me feel all the guilt but none of the delight. The first visit got me interested because, although the entree was basically flavorless, they used good mushrooms and had dishes with figs--both good signs. But the potential of the ingredients never materialized on either visit.

I also think the service is too slow. The servers are not lazy, but rather are spread too thin. We waited 17 minutes for dessert menus that never came while our waiter dashed around the restaurant. Finally, we got the check and left, likely for the last time.

I'm convinced that scrambled eggs with a little truffle oil and parmesan are better than almost anything a Houston restaurant will serve you.

• Pros: good wine at reasonable price; bread is nice
• Cons: food is only OK, service very slow