Spindletop

03/09/08

View is worth it, everything else - subpar

by jjbraunius at Citysearch

I took some out of town guests that wanted to see something different, in this case - a view of Houston's downtown from above.

First visit this time turned to be a miss - the restaurants' website showed it as open on that day but they had decided to close it, due to it being January 2nd that day. We came back again a few days later and this time it was open.

Having eaten there previously for my mother's birthday and found the food and service pretty much below average, we thought we can't go wrong with desserts and an aperitif. What we got was 4 times a $12 piece of stale cake each and it probably took about 30 mins to get it to us, considering that in our line of view we were the only table and there were at least 3 waiters lingering around the whole time.

At least the view interested our guests so we wanted to leave them with a good impression. If we were alone we would've left pretty quick.

To be honest with this type of restaurant - the San Francisco restaurant of similar type (downtown view) was just as poor with the wait-staff even more incompetent than Houston's. It must be the type of business - as long as the view is there and new people come in, who cares about the idiots that might want to come back?

• Pros: View
• Cons: everything else

06/25/09

Spindletop

by elenaisfabulous at Citysearch

Restaurant

08/28/08

best food and drink

by chockoa at Citysearch

nice spot. made me dizzy at first then you get use to it. good drink called loveteny. reccomend it everyone

02/06/08

View???

by robert73 at Citysearch

View? What view? All you see is dirty windows and office buildings. You can't even see the downtown area or any area because the buildings around are taller than spindletop thus blocking the view. Also the food and service are mediocre at most.

01/08/08

Romantic.

by amandasearch at Citysearch

My boyfriend and I came for our One year and dinned with red and pink rose petals sprinkled on our table.

Must try the chicken!

• Pros: Romantic
• Cons: Expensive

01/01/08

Overrated, over-priced and terrible service

by z_man1025 at Citysearch

My wife and I dined here on the recommendation of a colleague. We were absolutely underwhelmed. The evening started poorly when we were told by the young lady that met us at the entry that our table would not be ready for an hour later than our reservation. I reminded her that we had made the booking almost a month earlier and that we were celebrating my wife's birthday, whcih was met with a "so what".

After 15 minutes, I asked her for an updated dining time and she told me she didn't know when we'd be seated (not even able to confirm her original 60 minute estimate was still valid). I asked for the manager, who was mildly more helpful and found us a table quickly (only 30 minutes later than our reservation).

The food was passable but overpriced for the quality and the rib eye I had was not cooked as requested. Te much raved about view from the restaurant was obscured partly by very dirty windows. To top it all off, I was charged an exhorbinant valet fee (a communication mix up with the valet I was told by the parking manager) but still left with a $20 fee. Never again, and I have since declined business meals here based on the one experience.

• Pros: Nothing

10/22/07

Great all the way around, but hold on to your teeth when the bill comes

by jwillis6 at Citysearch

The atmosphere was perfect for my 6th wedding anniversary. I researched to find "The" place to go. We dressed up, valet parked, and stepped into this lovely room over looking the skyline. How special. Dinner was amazing, steaks cooked to perfection. When placing the reservation we were offered the "romance package". Who could say no? For $85 bucks, great food, rose petals on the table, wonderful. We don't always spend a lot for meals, but my husband and I agreed this is worth it. My husband was all proud and several times mentioned how pampered he felt, UNTIL. The bill arrived and not only does a glass of tea not come with the meal, the waiter added his own tip and the $85 dollars for the romance package was for each person. I was shocked and felt violated that we had been scammed for an anniversary. $225 dollars later we had to cancel all the remaining plans and head for home and not in a very good mood after this. Not the end we hoped for. Be aware that you may only get half the story when you call and the "romance package" will destroy the mood fast. We literally were shocked and pretty disappointed. Food was good, but not that good. This really ruined the anniversary experiance and we will not go back. How many individuals ask for the romance package? Usually for romance it takes 2, usually. They should have quoted the real price. I can not recommend them. I can get just a great of a steak at my local Texas Land and Cattle or Texas Road House and not pay that price. The romance left the building as did my husbands cash roll.

• Pros: VIEW, Parking, romantic
• Cons: Not told the correct package price when making the reservation

07/21/07

Most Exclusive Restaurant in Houston

by sashulya at Citysearch

My boyfriend and I chose Spindletop to celebrate our anniversary, and we couldn't have been happier anywhere else. The food was wonderful, the service - very prompt and professional. We also had an amazing view from our table: we could see the sunset and then beautiful night lights of Houston. We enjoyed our special night there very much and definitely recommend Spindletop for everybody. Even though you have to wait for a while for your food, it's well worth it, and you probably are not in a hurry on your special night anyway. The complimentary valet parking was also very nice and convenient and we liked the downtown location of the place. We will definitely be back to Spindletop again!

• Pros: Atmosphere, Food, View, Parking, Location, Service
• Cons: None really

07/15/07

Don't Spindle your Money!!!

by jroc22 at Citysearch

I recently visited the Spindle top for a special occasion and needless to say the previous reviews were right on point. When I first walked in I was somewhat greeted by the hostess if you call a 10 sec. staring contest a greeting. She was not at all social and lacked personality. Once we were seated the view was breathtaking. As far as the food goes you will have a 30-45min wait for your food to arrive. That's about 2 complete revolutions around the downtown scene. I hope you are not thirsty while you wait for your food to arrive because the wait staff only does table visits once you are 1st seated and when your food arrives. The food was very average and the portions were less than desirable. The best thing going was the dessert. All in all it was an experience but not one that i would look forward to making again.

• Pros: view
• Cons: food and service

05/18/07

Pretty good food, but what's going on with the wine list?!

by gm01 at Citysearch

Headed out to the Spindletop last night after a couple of years absence. Things have changed. I used to love it there for a "special" dinner out. The food is still fairly good but has definitely gone down hill. My major beef is the wine list. The vast majority of it is Californian, which is fine if you have a bit of variety and something out of the ordinary. However, if people are out for a meal in which entrees are around $30, I don't think they want to see R.H. Phillips and Beringer on the wine list for $45 a bottle. Surely they can get hold of better stuff than the $7 a bottle in the store range!?

It's still a nice place to go for a different dining experience but I think they've become lazy. They shouldn't rest on the fact that there's a nice view.

• Pros: Beautiful view
• Cons: The awful wine list!