Bistro Calais

07/01/08

Great place for a quiet lunch!

by rgmyers at Citysearch

I happened to go here for lunch soon after Barkis, and I went in spite of that review, in part because the other reviews were good, and in part because I remembered having been here before some time ago with good experience. I had a very nice lunch of the crab salad with mango and avocado, which I greatly enjoyed. I came back about a week later and had the Calais crab pie as a lunch entree. That was fantastic, but a way richer meal than is good for me to eat often. It was a real treat with crusted cheese on top of lots of crab meat with a nice sherry flavor. The other people in my lunch group that day were also pleased with their meals; spinach salad, a chicken sandwich, and one person had the crab salad and raved about it! Service was very good and attentive and street parking for lunch is really easy. This place definitely makes it on my list for a good lunch location!

• Pros: Good food, easy access, not overcrowded, moderately priced.
• Cons: Service is friendly and good, but "relaxed"

06/18/08

Charming view, but inconsistent food and and inattentive service

by Barkis at Citysearch

I took my mother to this restaurant for lunch. Zaggat said the restaurant used to be a gem, but the food is now inconsistent and the service poor. The little houses and gazebo in back are charming but as Zaggat commented, you can't eat the view. We couldn't eat the food either. Mother's fried chicken livers, Bistro's specialty, and my pork tenderloin were overcooked, chewy, and tasteless. The restaurant management seems to have stopped trying. The background music was broadcast from radio tuned into a Spanish radio station replete with commercials. Mother asked for butter for her bread that only came after repeated requests. It took us about 10 minutes to pay our bill. I had to flag down two different waiters to get it done. Despite the Gardens of Bammel sign next door, there wasn't a flower in sight anywhere. There are too many good dependable restaurants in Houston to waste your time at Bistro Calais..

• Pros: pleasant view of gazebo and pastel painted little houses from rear window
• Cons: Food could charitably be called inconsistent, service slow and inattentive

05/31/08

Wonderful Bistro

by avera415 at Citysearch

I must say that this is one of the finest restaurants I have been to in Houston. The food is outstanding and the portions are generous. The menu is changed every few weeks and you never know what they are going to be serving on your next visit but whatever it maybe the one thing I can always count on is that it will be divine. The wine selection is extensive and the staff is always willing to help you choose just the right wine for your meal.