Bistro le Cep

07/31/09

I LOVE this place!

by Micah39 at Citysearch

My husband took me here for Valentine's Day this year. It was the best French meal I have had in years. The wait staff are very friendly and efficient and the food - I'm nearly in tears just thinking about it.

My husband had the Wild Boar served with Plum Sauce, Wild Rice and Grilled Seasonal Vegetables). I had to try it and it was fabulous. I had the Coq Au Vin. Equally wonderful. The creme brulee was silken, lovely, awesome!

The drawbacks were that the parking lot is tiny and the interior of the restaurant is not wheelchair friendly - the walkways are very narrow. I won't be able to bring my mom here and that's a shame.

• Pros: The food and service are excellent
• Cons: Interior not great for wheelchairs

06/21/09

Wow, what a treat for Houston!!

by bmwm5driver at Citysearch

This place is different from the normal hustle and bustle of Houstons eateries. Slightly Mountian sophiticated decor, wonderfull menu, reasonable wine prices, excellent service and the Chef walks around talking to guests.

If you have a up comming family event, and your children have good table manners, I recommend this place for a new adventure in culinary delights.

Just a wonderfull experience and unique for Houston.

• Pros: French Alp's decor, lovely menu and polite waiters
• Cons: small parking lot

05/12/09

I want to go back!

by arimichan at Citysearch

I took my boyfriend here a few weeks back. He heard me raving about this place for years but we never got the opporunity to go, so I was very excited to take him here.

We got there pretty early, in hopes to forgo the wait. The hostest infromed us that all the tables had reservations but we can eat at the bar. I really didn't want o eat at the bar, so dissappointed we both headed out the door. They called us back in and said they will set a table for us, it turned out they took away their dessert and cheese table to make room for us, which was very nice!

The boyfriend had the onion soup, it was on the sour side and we both agreed the that the one we had in Paris was a lot better. I enjoyed my snails very much.

I had the wild boar and he had the rabbit. My boar was very delishious but his rabbit was to die for. Everytime i took a bit of his rabbit, mmmmmmmmmmmm couldn't stop coming out of my mouth. It was just so good.

We ended the night was the fresh strawberry tart! Just coming back from France, I was afraid this would tarnish my memory of the great pasteries in France, but it didn't. It was soooooooo delishious!

I really do love this gem! And now so does my boyfriend!

• Pros: Very accomadating

11/03/08

A Bistro that Has it All

by GalleyGirl at Citysearch

This restaurant has it all. The service was prompt, friendly, and helpful. The ambience was quaint and intimate. The food was unique, well-presented, and tasty, with a variety of choices for nearly every dining palate. Best of all, the price was reasonable. I strongly recommend it, especially on Sunday evening when a three course meal is a good bargain.

11/01/08

I can't wait to go back

by Yasmine79 at Citysearch

I freakin' love this place. I really cannot recall receiving this caliber of friendly service...ever. All servers were exceptionally helpful...and always smiling. The food is phenomenal. We had the pate de canard, the steak poivre, and the french onion soup. That, with a glass of wine each .Everything was ok here.I would recommend to anyone who want to tasty dinner.

• Pros: food,service
• Cons: crowded

09/06/08

"The gift that keeps on giving"

by chefescoffier at Citysearch

Chef Mannke has been pleasing West Side palates since there were Apaches roaming the neighborhood. Truly we keep going back because of the warmth of the venue and staff; excellent/consistent food, and the extraordinary value.

This is a place where you have virtually no turnover and consequently they treat you like family whenever you showup.

I dined there last night and had as good a chop as ever. The mussels are a classic. --- and don't miss the Duck a la Orange!

• Pros: Chef Mannke oversees the service
• Cons: A little crowded

09/03/08

Simply Excellent

by thebestcritic at Citysearch

The first time I ate at BLC in 2002, I wasn?t too sure about the place, I was expecting something different, and something was missing. After a couple visits I realized what was different. No fast talking server trying to sell you the left-over?s, no one rushing you to turn the table, a staff that really CARED about you being there, a menu designed to satisfy customers not the press, a man who had a passion for food and people who wasn't just there for the cash register and profits. WOW, could it be true???

Joe makes sure everyone is enjoying their dinner and will accommodate just about any request. Don't come to BLC expected that French Fu-Fu food, where you get one or two bites of a couple of items that just tease your appetite, while getting your weekly supply of fat and cholesterol with one bit. But don?t get me wrong, the food is rich and with American sized servings. I suggest the Vichyssoise or Moules aux Fines Herbes for a starter. The Bouillabaisse a la Marseillaise is my favor entree on the menu, but the Canard a l?Orange is a close second. During the ?Clam Bake? they served the best every apple pie I?ve ever eaten, bar none!!

The wine selection fits any budget and offers great selections from around the globe. They always have a ?special? section with something different and reasonably priced.

Oh yes, there is an abundance of ?blue hair? that flock to BLC on a regular basis, so you don?t have to worry about the stereo blasting out some long forgotten rock n? roll or some gangster rap. Most of the patrons are regulars so you?ll see a lot of ?saying hello? as the crowd passes through the dining room. It?s hard to believe you?re in strip center once you inside.

While I was a great fan of ?Rotisserie for Beef and Bird,? Joe?s outstanding gourmet restaurant he closed several years ago, he?s made up for it at BLC with his ?personal? touch and smaller venue. WAY TO GO JOE!!!!

• Pros: Food, Service, Personal Touch
• Cons: Crowded, make reservations

09/02/08

Bistro Le Cep - the little restaurant that excels all others!!

by TexasLady1993 at Citysearch

Bistro Le Cep has become one of our favorite places to eat. The service is always excellent and of course, the food is wonderful. I highly recommend this restaurant especially when they have one of their special 3 course meals for one price per person. Can't be beat. Go there, you'll not regret it!

• Pros: The chef always comes around to check on his patrons - very nice touch!
• Cons: Can't think of any!

09/02/08

Our favorite place!

by LovesCognac at Citysearch

I started eating there with my daughter in 2001. She loves escargot, and I liked the light and airy atmosphere. The food is good, the wine selection is good and not overpriced, and the wait staff is attentive. I have been eating there for 7 years and the the same staff has been there most of the time, and they are experts at making you feel comfortable. The owner, Joe, is a supurb chef, and the menu is always fresh. We had been eating at Bistro Le Cep for a year or more when I proposed to my honey there. I think it was her favorite before, but we have our own special table there now, and we all always anxious to go back. Don't fill up, since the desert is bound to please you.

• Pros: Light airy atmosphere
• Cons: can't think of any

09/02/08

Reservations are definitely suggested on weekends - especially their Sunday night special dinners.

by ADidion at Citysearch

Before I starsted going to Bistro le Cep, I thought you really had to go inside the loop to get really marvelous food. That is simply not true. Bistro is wonderful - has fabulous food, a lot of variety on the menu and simiply great service. Reservations are honored promptly and special celebrations are recognized with lovely table decorations provided if you tell them it is a birthday or anniversary when you make your reservation. The prices are very reasonable and a real bargain for what you get. Try an evening here and you will return.

• Pros: Best deal every Sunday night when they have their three course dinner for the entree price.
• Cons: None