Etoile Cuisine et Bar

Recommends

AlainHarvey

Joined 4 years ago

Etoile Cuisine et Bar offers traditional as well as modern interpretations of French and Mediterranean cuisine in its beautiful farmhouse-inspired space in Uptown Park.

With their recent move to Houston, Owner/Chef Philippe Verpiand and wife Monica Bui brings culinary experience earned at the French Culinary Institute in Avignon and some of the world’s most famous restaurants. Having made the conscious decision to sell their restaurant, Cavaillon, in San Diego (Rancho Santa Fe Hills), they chose to bring a menu to Houston that would appease both those interested in traditional French offerings and those who prefer a more modern and seasonal approach.

The menu offers up the classics of French cuisine such as duck leg confit, beef bordelaise and braised short ribs. Definitely try the escargot Bourguignonne for an appetizer and the cassoulet made in traditional fashion with pork, sausage and duck. The wild boar Bolognese is a popular selection from the lunch menu.

If the goal was to replicate an "elegant French farmhouse", then it is definitely a sexy one. Etoile Cuisine et Bar is not a large place by any means, but the set up plays kindly to the available space and does evoke an immediate sense of comfort. With a large bar and seating that allows you to get an up close and personal kitchen view, you will find that Etoile Cuisine et Bar fits quite well into its surroundings. The lighting was dim, but bright enough to enjoy the beautiful presentation of your meal.

The scene seemed mixed and included socialites, those on first dates and regulars. The waiters are very knowledgeable. Our server, Waylon was extremely helpful and was great in providing recommendations on both our wine and menu selections for the evening.

Moving on to the food, the menu is two-sided and represents the two styles of Chef Verpiand. On the "La Tradition" side of the menu, you will find those well-known favorites like Escargots Bourguignonne (Snails baked in Garlic and Herb Butter) or the Coq au Vin (Chicken braised in Red Wine, Purple Potatoes and Seasonal Vegetables). If you flip your menu to the other side, "La Saison", you will find items such as the Plat de Côtes de Boeuf Braisés (Braised Beef Short Ribs, Butternut Squash, Mousseline, and Seasonal Vegetables) or the Risotto de Champignons (Mushroom Risotto with Aged Parmesan).

We are fortunate that Chef Verpiand decided to make Houston his home and share his culinary talent with us. Having served as a personal chef for a brief period before opening Etoile, he truly prefers cooking for larger groups and we are the fortunate recipients.

Recommends

Julietakwa

Joined 5 years ago

OKAY. I enjoyed this place, not what i was expecting but it was okay. I brought some friends and we all had a good time.