06/28/07

Finally, a reasonable restaurant in the Texas Medical Center

by rfgagel

I have dined at Trevisio more than 50 times over the several years it has been open. Under the previous managment the food was not particularly interesting. For the past year or so the management of Prego and Backstreet Cafe has been in charge and have brought some life to the menu. I have my favorites (the Risotto, Tricolore salad, prosciutto pizza and the lamb chops). All of the entres are good, but somehow they do not have the same "pizzaz" as dinners at either Prego or the Backstreet Cafe. A part of the reason may be the size of the restaurant. It was designed as a place where members of the various medical cneter institutions could get together. It is very busy for lunch, but is less busy at night and it is the lack of other diners at night that creates the sense one is dining alone in a large room. Perhaps some type of partitioning would eliminate this feeling. The size and lack of busyness also seems to contribute to spotty service. On my last visit it was not possible to get the waitress's attention for 10 min or more to order desert and subsequently to obtain the check. My wife and I have taken friends to the restaurant on at least two occasions on a weekend night. We were pleasantly surprised that there were a number of other people dining, more than we might have expected. Our friends, on both occasions, enjoyed the evening. They were particularly impressed with the water wall funded by the late John McGovern at the entrance to the building. Parking is handy (go up the entrance ramp and park on level 2) and free after 6 PM for employees who have parking cards at other TMC Institutions (note you have to arrive after 6PM so that your TMC parking card will open the gate at arrival and departure). This feature reduces the cost of every meal by $3-4.

We would place this restaurant in the solid to above average category. A great addition to the medical center with a unique ambiance, but the food is not so special that we would rave about the experience.

• Pros: Good food, rarely unable to get a table, ease of parking
• Cons: Service can be spotty, restaurant has a large majestic feel but lacks intimacy

03/09/07

Great decor, great service, poor quality food

by houstonbigeater

We went on Valentine's Day 2007. I was expecting the restaurant has a full house. When I walked in, the place was 1/2 full. The hostess was very nice and pleasant. Service overall was very nice.... decor was nice.... BUT.. the most important thing for the night - the food, it was TERRIBLE!! My boyfriend's food was burnt, my fish had a very strong faul scent. Those crab claws on my plate was BLACK!!! I guess pollution in the sea is REAL! I wish I could post pictures I took during the dinner and share the horrifying experience!!! Never go back and pay for the food again. Maybe happy hour drinks....

• Pros: Ambience, Great View, Easy Parking, Good Service
• Cons: Food

02/15/07

Very Nice, Beautiful View

by jodierenee

I went here for their Valentine's Day Special. They had a specific three course menu you could order off of for $50/person. I had the duck tortellini, the beef tenderloin, and wonderful chocolate cake to finish it off. The place is inside a building in the Medical Center area. There was not that many people there...even for valentine's day!

We ordered a $70 bottle of wine, and when I came home and looked it up on Spec's, it only cost $26!!! Talk about inflation!!

The service was great. Beautiful view of the Medical Center. Their fountain is beautiful too. The jazz singer they had was awful though. This is a nice place for a special evening, but too expensive for everyday.