Cafe Inka

05/08/2008 Posted by themonkey23

I must say this is my favorite new restaurant in Houston. And if you don't believe me, then ya gotta check out the review in the Houston Press. My fiancee and I have eaten here a few times already and we have been delighted. She loves seafood and I love good meat dishes. This afternoon I had a pulled pork Torta (sandwich) and she had the Mariscada. The Mariscada was awesome...almost like a bouillabaisse but in a creamier, coconut sauce rather than tomato based. It was loaded with calimari, oysters, clams, huge shrimp, scallops and mussels. A bargain at $18 if you ask me. I could only eat half my torta....10 bucks...what a deal. We have also been there for dinner. She the duck and I had the pork ribs with a mole. Looked like BBQ sauce but it wasn't. Instead it was a dry spicy sauce that made the ribs pop. Her duck may have been the best duck I've tasted in Houston. We've also has the Potato Soup, several desserts and the lamb. The Potato Soup was like nothing I've ever had before....almost a bisque...creamy and rich. The lamb is awesome and the desserts...whoa. We had their version of Tres Leches....except that it was made witha chocolate cake. My fiance's favorite though was the sweet potato cheesecake. My favorite was the flan...it was served in a cheesecake like sliced portion. Not your typical little round dish. It's the best flan I've had. I intend to go back and try their Churasco and I just found out they have brunch on the weekends. You gotta check this place out. And I must take issue with the 2 star review. Obviously they were trying to dine on the cheap. And that's fine, but to go to an upscale restaurant and say the appetizer (the appetizer!!) wasn't filling seems a bit ludicrous. And to say the complimentary plantain chips (chips!) were salty is petty. If you're trying to get full on 12 bucks then go to Subway.

Pros: Free Beer Wine and Sangria til they get the Liquor License!! Whoo hoo

Cons: Not really a fan of the peanut soup. That's about it though.

05/07/2008 Posted by mexicatl

I couldn't believe how delicious the food was. If you go expecting to find your typical American-Latin cuisine (food that has been altered to satisfy the average American who hasn't had the privilege of savoring authentic food from other countries) you won't get that. Your taste buds have to be accustomed to tasting the delicacy of different favors, from spicy to bland. The spices used give your palete the adventure of flavor, natural or inhances. If you are an adventurous eater, then go and enjoy! You will go back!! Should something not satisfy you, mention it to the chef. He will listen to your concerns. Service, GREAT! The decor is very different, colorful, and quite enjoyable. The Chef's Aunt and mother are artistically gifted. You can actually purchase their art. All you need to do is ask. The decor adds to the ambience of your dinning experience.

04/28/2008 Posted by MrsGarner

First I have to say that the Food is Great but what will really keep me coming here is it's Service. I had came in planning on eating their with my 2yr old daughter but as I was about to order the Ribs and a Nugget kids meal for my daughter, she started acting up really really bad and I was going to just leave because I didnt want to be embaressed by my daughter running around yelling because she didnt want to be in a high chair. But instead 2 of the waitresses starting playing with her and running around outside on their patio with her and she was just laughing and having one of the BEST restaurant experiences I have ever had!!! I love this place and I will most Certainly be back!!!!!!!! Oh yeah and their Sweet Potato Cheesecake is to DIE for!!!!!

Pros: Good prices and GREAT food and Excellant Service

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

04/18/2008 Posted by chicago2houston

After a LONG wait, (but well worth it) this restaurant is our new favorite. Our first visit was Saturday brunch. The patio was full, but we still had great service. The food was excellent, and the sangria was a perfect match to what we had ordered. They are sill waiting for their liquor license, but they are gracious enough to have sangria, mimosas, wine and beer complimentary. Very friendly and knowledgable staff. The decor of the restaurant is unlike any other in the city. Brightly painted tables, all different, by the Chef/Owners' Mom and Aunt. It's so nice to get great service and food in an upscale atmosphere, with a relaxed, un-do your tie feel. Everyone should try this restaurant at least once. It is sure to please.

Pros: Great food and service

Cons: Would recommend reservations for Saturday-Sunday patio brunch seating

04/16/2008 Posted by htownsnob

The atmosphere is warm and friendly, certainly a place I could see myself going to right after work for some of their bocaditos and sangria!!! Enjoy their free sangrias while they last!!!!! They are awaiting their liquor license. My partner and I notice this wasn’t a traditional South American Cuisine restaurant I ordered their anitcuchos, mind you they are not made out of the traditional beef heart, but not to be skimpy they used beef tenderloin on a sugarcane skewer. Very OK in my book! It had great flavor and was a perfect portion for an appetizer. I had to try a ceviche, WOW, took me back to Manzanillo, Mexico! All this ceviche lacked was the white sands and blue ocean! Did I mention the sangria? Very Yum!!! My partner had the shrimp and chorizo pinchos, very well prepared and scrumptious! With little room left we were persuaded to try their sweet potato cheesecake, now I do not like sweet potato, and my partner isn’t a huge cheesecake fan, however, Stop The Press!!!!! We acted like two children devouring this unbelievable dessert! We will certainly be back!!! Great Service, Great Food, Great Atmoshpere!!!!

Pros: They are on the right track of what West Houston needed!!!

Cons: Can still tell they need to finish up with the back portion of the restaurant, still very cute!!

04/15/2008 Posted by Houstongrl24

A friend and I visited Cafe Inka because we had seen the obvious charm from the road and were excited about the Latin American Cuisine. While we only tried a small section of the menu, we weren't impressed with what we received. Our waitress was great, very upbeat and perky, and the staff was very attentive. Now granted, we were probably one of 10 people there-but they were still wonderful. The plantain chips that were brought out first were delicious, a little salty but that was easy enough to deal with. We ordered a beer appitizer, and we received 5 small medalions of beef for $12. Good, but hardly filling. My friend ordered a ceviche, something she had had many times while living in South America. But when it came out, not only was it not pleasing aestheticlly but she said the taste was awful. The fish that was used was used tasted old and sour. I ordered an Empanada dish which was good, just the portion size was very small for the price. Overall, good atmosphere and pleasent people, and I am sure other dishes are delicious, just don't plan on going if you are very hungry or looking for something cheap.

Pros: Fun atmosphere, great service, many different menu options, open late

Cons: Bad food value for money, questionable dishes

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful