La Griglia - Houston

Doesn't Recommend

Kuryakin

Joined 5 years ago

Another Landry's. Don't read the reviews prior to 2007 because it was under different ownership then. Its now a clone of the Landry's chain and has come under the corporate boring sameness of all Tillman Fertitta's restaurants. I still like the bar however for its people watching and martinis. The last time we were there I was in the bar around 5 and asked for some bar snacks. I was informed the kitchen wasn't open til 5:30 so paid up and left! I would pass on eating in the dining room and stick to drinking the bar. Try Tony Mandola's Gulfcoast Kitchen down the street.

Recommends

texmex1

Joined 10 years ago

A True Houston ClassicQ. This place just seems t get better and better with time!

The salads are fresh and light, and the pastas are loaded with flavor!

Recommends

finderl

Joined 6 years ago

Best lunch and dinner spot in town.. La Griglia is my restaurant of choice for lunch or dinner at any time. The General Manager, John Smaistrla, is usually around greeting guests and making sure everything is prepared well and delivered to the tables as ordered. If you don't see something on the menu, ask for it and chances are that it will be made exactly as you described. This is especially helpful for patrons who have special needs when ordering food. The wait staff is usually knowledgable and pleasant, but on rare occasions when there is a problem, it's usually because the place is so busy.

I also recommend La Griglia's party room for groups of 20 or more people. The private room is great for birthdays, board meetings or anything else where people want to mingle and have room for tables as well.

The atmosphere in the restaurant is bright and cheerful, but it's fun to eat outdoors on the patios on those few days in Houston when outdoor dining is possible.

I recommend La Griglia for a business lunch or dinner, or whenever with a date, spouse or SO. The wine selection is good, the bar is hopping and the service is ordinarily very good. One caution regarding desserts: while the baked Alaska is to die for, call ahead of time to order it or expect to be disappointed.

Doesn't Recommend

texas85

Joined 7 years ago

Careless Service. I was amazed by the lack of concern they showed. Five of us dined there a couple weeks ago. Three of us ordered the special which was described to us. One who had a shellfish allergy double checked with the waiter to see if it had shellfish, he said no. Our meal arrived we started eating only to discover that the special was loaded with SHRIMP. We called the waiter back, he said sorry, they hadn't put shrimp in the description given to waiters and said he would bring a new dish. Minutes later the dinner returned. IT WAS THE SAME PIECE OF FISH that he had just pulled the shrimp off. We knew this because the fish had already been cut into. We called him back, asked if he realized how severe shellfish allergies were. He said sorry again and what else did she want for dinner. She was finally able to get a meal that would not put her in the hospital but by that time the rest of us had finished our meals. The waiter offered a free dessert for her trouble. The check arrived and we were charged the full amount minus a dessert. We dine out a lot and can forgive a lot. This was just too much. The complete careless disregard for something as serious as a shellfish allergy, the obvious insincere apology for continually bringing the wrong dinner and then the lack of any attempt to compensate for all the trouble. My friend later called the corporate office to file a complaint. They apparently passed on her phone number to the waiter who was responsible for the problems, who then called her. Clearly the entrire organization is out of their minds. I will not be surprised to see legal repercussions against this company in the future if this is the way they treat their customers.

Doesn't Recommend

tedsleds

Joined 7 years ago

ALERT...If you have a food allergy. We explained in detail about a food allergy a member of our party had, and how severe it was. The waiter told us how he understood and actually discussed how important it was. We placed our orders and after we had started to eat we realized the dish was loaded with it. It was a terrible situation for us, and they treated the problem with a total lack of understanding and a quick dessert to move us on our way. Total poor management...they are into themselves and if you look for service............ dine elsewhere!

Recommends

lish002

Joined 7 years ago

One of my faves in town !!!. The place is so pretty. The service is the best and very attentive. You get a basket of assortive breads. The best is the one which is a lot like cheese pizza, they also constantly fill the basket. They are very good on selecting wine. The food was sooooo good. The salads are so fresh and different, very good. The entrees are awesome. The chicken with the goat cheese mash potatos rocks. Then they have an awesome dessert charts with over five desserts. Huge servings all round. Very very very good. The service I have to mention again, is soooo good. You have so many people waiting on you. If you want a fabulous dinner and feel like a princess you must go here.

Recommends

davidderick

Joined 7 years ago

great for a business deal or a family event.. I like this place although it feels "chain-ey." The food was great and the atmosphere fun and colorful. The service was fine and we had a nice little bottle of wine. The bar scene, where we started our evening, was a disaster, with desperate 40-something men and sun-bleached women trying their hardest to get someone- anyone- to go home with them that night. Kind of depressing, unless that's your scene. Ugh. Thank god I'm not single anymore!

Recommends

sassyraidergirl

Joined 7 years ago

A fun place to celebrate!. In my opinion, La Griglia is one of the best places for a celebration!! Although if you're not ok with loud restaurants, this is not the place for you. The atmosphere is fun and funky with their wild tile mosaics, bright wall murals and very cool glass light fixtures. You'll keep getting your bread basket refilled with their awesome pizza bread sticks...they're so addicting! The service is unpredictable and depends on the crowd. We either have three people attending to us at one time or end up waiting a bit too long for food to be served. We have never been disappointed by the entrees and the dessert cart is very impressive. Also, if ordering coffee, be sure to ask for the biscotti, which is a great way to end a great meal.

PS - one of my husband's favorite dishes is the roasted boar chop and I love the Straw and Hay (Paglia e Fieno).

Doesn't Recommend

voteforpedro

Joined 7 years ago

Bone In?. I started the night with a round of champagne, my girlfriend and i were celebrating valentines one day early. Shortly after I order a bottle of SHRIAZ, the waiter comes back and presents me a bottle of champange? After returning with my correct bottle, he breaks the cork(oh by the way we still have no, water or menus). So now another waiter comes back over with a new bottle of wine(what do you know he brings me a cab). Now I came in to this place with high expectations, and now im dieing to leave(I would have if it were any other night).

Recommends

Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

A sparkling display of playful New Italian dining in the River Oaks shopping center.. In Short
La Griglia is sultry but festive, with colorful Italian murals and sleek, creative touches throughout the posh dining room. Robust grilled choices are many: Sample the wild boar chop. Pasta dishes are fresh and tempting. The seafood is inventive, with salmon Sorrento in grapefruit essence or seared baby snapper with crab, toasted almonds and herb sauce.