Bistro Calais French Cuisine
Houston, TX 77098
Phone: (713) 529-1314
- Price:
- $
- Cross Street:
- Philfall Street
- Best of Citysearch:
- Morning-After Brunch 2008, Brunch 2007
- Hours:
- Tue-Thu 11am-10pm, Fri-Sat 11am-11pm, Sun 11am-3pm
Editorial Review for Bistro Calais French Cuisine – by Andrea Loera
In Short
Ask for a table on the sun-drenched front porch or in the airy, glass-walled main room for a view overlooking the Bammell Gardens and conservatory. The atmosphere is upscale casual; suitable enough for the area's ladies who lunch but still ideal for a relaxed midweek dinner. The menu features authentic French fare (once a rarity for Houston) including a notable bouillabaisse and Cornish hen, as well as creative salads, stews and a lighter lunch menu.
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Insider Tips
When to GoBe sure to make a reservation for Sunday brunch. It's $18 and includes made-to-order omelets and crepes.
Look GoodNeed a new date idea? Try booking the chef's table for a special four-course meal, a bottle of wine and a chance to impress your special someone.
The ExtrasThe "are we really in Houston?" city block known as The Gardens of Bammell Lane includes a handful of restored '30s-era cottages, lush landscaped gardens and English conservatory which can be rented for weddings, luncheons and other special events. To view the gardens, visit during the week from 9am to 5pm.
User Reviews for Bistro Calais French Cuisine
07/01/2008 Posted by rgmyers
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"
06/18/2008 Posted by Barkis
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
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