Mark's American Cuisine

03/08/08

Mark's - Overrated!

by steveg57 at Citysearch

First time at Mark's but have been to great restaurants in Houston and all over. We were seated 30 minutes after the time of our reservation, not too bad except that the hostess was not honest with us. The bar service was extremely poor, my wife ordered a champagne cocktail and the server was too lazy to wait for bubbles to subside and gave her a glass 1/3 full. The table service was far better but could not make up for the over cooked food. I choked down about a third of the meal and couldn't stand to eat any more. Mark's may have the reputation but doesn't deliver. You will have a much better experience elsewhere.

• Pros: Ambience
• Cons: Food, service

02/22/08

Hands Down Favorite for ANY OCCASION or just when you want excellent food in a lovely setting

by akitalady at Citysearch

If having a restaurant in an old church doesn't tell you that Mark's is a different dining experience, interior should confirm it. There's always something unusual and beautiful to look at. The menu is just as unique...everything is fresh, so it changes seasonally with availability. Whenever, it's always at the top of our list for any occasion or just when we want good food.

No tired old green salads from the Walmart bag here! Their selection is so different, sometimes I order one for a salad and one for an entree. The Costa Rican stacked salad is my absolute favorite, and even though it wasn't on the menu when we were there last, they made it for me anyway. Oh, and the soups are always fabulous, especially the bisques with some kind of seafood.

It's one place where you know the food is worth the price. I guess one of the drawbacks to having this kind of menu, which isn't geared toward saving money in the kitchen, is that staying profitable depends on volume. The lovely church is a great setting but it's unfortunately rather small, so the tables are quite literally crammed in, cheek to jowl. The waitstaff is always courteous, attentive, and informative without being intrusive. The level of service is even more remarkable when you realize how hard it is to navigate the small spaces between the tables with laden trays and drink.

Even if this bothers you, the food and service make it all worthwhile. Everyone in our family loves this place.

• Pros: Incredible food, great service, unique ambience, don't have loud music
• Cons: Expensive, not Houston casual, crowded.

02/13/08

Yums the Word!

by sigmachipmonk at Citysearch

I celebrated my birthday here with my husband. And I can honestly say this was the best restaurant I have ever been. We have reservations and seating was prompt. Service was excellent. Food was excellent. Everything was excellent. Definitely will go again. We had the chef special (pork) and the beef medallions... delicious!

• Pros: Food, service, ambience

01/21/08

Did you miss the shrine?

by sf2ho at Citysearch

Multiple personality dining, could never figure out what the kitchen was going for. Proportions meant for the horse I rode into town on. The entire wall of "accolades" is as offensive as graffiti. All very forgettable. No go backee Tex.

01/13/08

Perfection

by chiceater55 at Citysearch

Everything about my experience at Mark's was perfect. Service, food, ambiance, decor, wine list, entree choices, desserts, food presentation, food preparation, salads, portion size, soups - all of it. You cannot get anything bad at this restaurant no matter how hard you try. Go here and prepare to be amazed at superior restaurant business in action. You can always count on Mark's for a night of elegance and exceptional cuisine. I highly recommend the lamb loin, lobster bisque, and tiramisu.

• Pros: Everything
• Cons: Nothing

12/30/07

Deserved Reputation

by z_man1025 at Citysearch

I first dined at Mark's for a business dinner and was suitably impressed with the design, decor and quality of food and service. So much so that I brought my wife here at the first chance I had. It was an extremely romantic dinner adn one of the best we've had in Houston. Althoguh we weren't seated in the mezzanine area, which I had requested some time in advance, the overall experience was great.

The menu was varied and fresh. We each had seafood and meat entree's, which were cooked to perfection. The wine list was not excessively long but had more than sufficient optiosn to choose from adn our sommelier was very attentive and helful in selecting a Rhone red.

Would highly recommend - just don't have huge expectaitons about special requests being met. The popularity of this place means there's a touch of arrogance and non eed to bend over backwards to please more than the great food and wine already do.

10/17/07

Not up to Reviews

by sammy0930 at Citysearch

I took my wife to Mark's for lunch. Beautiful place but that is where it ended. The food was average and the service was way overdone. Two sips out of my water or tea and splash it was back. Waiters were friendly and helpful but the service was swarming. Average food and over service. Not sure why to go back, better food and service elsewhere at these prices. Loved the building.

• Pros: Beautiful Building, great wine list
• Cons: Average food, not up to par with a good chef

09/25/07

Christmas Party in Alcove Dining Room

by smbenn at Citysearch

Just had our Christmas Party for 7 in the upstairs dining room and loved every bit of every course. All attending loved the food, wine and dessert - thank you Mark's!

I have dined in many, many highly-rated, fantastic restaurants in Houston and I still have to say Mark's is my favorite. The food is absolutely amazing, the wine list is very desirable, the waiters sometimes snobby (why, though, they're serving me?) but overall at 10+. Steak and desserts that melt in your mouth! I go as often as my budget allows and always look foward to my next visit.

• Pros: food, atmosphere, service

09/14/07

Amazing atmosphere and amazing food!!

by shoequeen at Citysearch

My husband and I went to Mark's for our anniversary dinner-it was my first time there, his second. When you walk in, you are just amazed at how beautiful it is-it's an old church, very elegant, and dimly lit-very romantic!! We were seated in the choir loft upstairs, which was wonderful because we could overlook the whole restaurant. The service was excellent-attentive, but not overbearing-do plan some time for dinner, because they don't rush you through your meal-the waiters sort of sit back and are non intrusive. The food was wonderful-I had the corn chowder (yum!!), the Scottish smoked salmon (melt in your mouth!!) and the crispy soft-shell crab. It was all delicious!! It is definately my favorite "special occasion" place in Houston. Amazingly romantic, wonderful food, excellent service-I can't wait to go back!!

• Pros: The restuarant is gorgoues, they have va;et-so don't worry about the small parking lot!
• Cons: It is expensive-but worth it for a special occasion!

08/30/07

Fabulous Food and Ambiance

by happydachsies at Citysearch

My husband and I went to Mark for his birthday. First, I must say that it is very distinctive and delightful entering this restaurant due to the building architecture. To make the dinning experience over the top, the food is fabulous and the service excellent. If you want a great place to take ?out of town? guests or a way to express to someone how great they are by treating them to a beautiful meal, this is the place to go!

• Pros: Food, Service, Location
• Cons: Parking - but they have valet