Mark's American Cuisine

04/28/08

Don't Expect Service

by tokainyc at Citysearch

What a disappointment. Six of us went there for dinner. Restaurant was not busy around 6 PM but there were plenty of people working there, every-time we needed something, we had to ask for it. Food was ok. would I go back? Most likely no.

• Pros: Great atmosphere,
• Cons: bad service

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

04/17/07

Outrageous prices

by mikat at Citysearch

I had not been to Mark's in some time, and was really looking forward to it. We were placed at probably the most undesirable table in the house -- full view of the kitchen, and all waiters passing by our table to pick up orders. I felt that the prices were extremely outrageous, and we were charged for a martini that we never had. Unfortunately, we will not be returning.

• Pros: The food was good
• Cons: Extremely overpriced

02/09/07

Pricy! but Good!

by herefernow1 at Citysearch

Their service is spectacular and the food is awesome! They have the best soft shell crab around. The only thing about this restaurant is there reservation system it's not very good. Oh! the parking is really cramped there, so they make you valet.

• Pros: food
• Cons: parking is limited; no reservations

01/02/07

Very disappointed!

by andrealynnb at Citysearch

I made reservations two weeks in advance to surprise my boyfriend for his birthday. After reading the reviews online, I knew to make reservations in the cloister section. When I called, the very nice gentleman on the phone suggested that I make reservations for the loft section, which is what I did. He did tell me that my reservation in the loft section was not guaranteed, but I didn't think too much of it. Our reservation was for a Friday night at 8:30, we arrived promptly at 8:30 and were told there were no tables available in the loft section. Instead, they had a table right below the staircase and the entry way of the restaurant. We told them that was not acceptable. We were then taken to a table in a small room to the left of the main dining area. This table was in the center of the room in the middle of the doorway for the waiters. There were so many tables crammed into this room I even bumped a gentleman's elbow as he was eating his meal. I apologized politely and he gave me a dirty look, I was probably not the first person to interrupt his meal that evening. We politely told the hostess that we wanted to sit together in a more quite section of the restaurant and that we were more than happy to wait. So we ventured to the bar to wait. The bartenders were more than friendly, explaining the different types of martinis and vodka. We each had a martini, I strongly recommend the Continental Tini. We then had two house glasses of wine. At this point a hour had gone by and no one had even come to give us a status on a table. There were a few other parties that joined in the bar area to wait for their table and they were seated before us. We were so upset, hungry and tired of waiting we left. We told the hostess on the way out that we were leaving and then she said she had a table for us...go figure. Mark's is not a romantic restaurant and I would not recommend this for a special occasion. I will never go back!

• Pros: Great ambience & excellent bartenders!
• Cons: Not romantic, too many tables in the dining area and very loud!

11/21/06

Great Meal; Don't expect privacy.....Very packed in crowd of tables

by azgrenader at Citysearch

Although I have only been here about three times, this is my most memorable time :I made a reservation a few months in advance for a dinner with my husband's clients.It was during the Christmas holiday season, and I told them please give us a good table that is not near the door and what did they do? They stuck us at a table for six in front of the Christmas tree not far from the door! How is that for great service? Anyway, at least the food was good. I don't think that people listen and actually write down any preferences when you tell them anything. I made them moce us to a table further near the bar area. Anyway, I wish that the restaurants didn't need to feel that they have to pack them in. One less table would create a lot more space. I hope that these restaurants start to listen up!

• Pros: great food....beautiful restaurant
• Cons: Noisy, crowded and they don't look at your preferences for seating.

10/22/06

Expect long waits even with reservation; Don't expect special treatment for anniversary

by css98 at Citysearch

My husband and I went to Mark's this weekend to celebrate our anniversary and we were very disappointed. I made the reservation over a week ago and they were already nearly full, so we had to settle for an 8:45pm time. We ended up not being seated until 9:45pm and the hostess told us that long waits are typical, even with a reservation. We noticed two other couples that got tired of waiting and ended up leaving the restaurant. Once we were finally seated, the service and food were great, despite the fact that we were almost too tired to enjoy it. The church building is very cool and the atmosphere is slightly romantic, despite the noisy crowd. The main disappointment to us was that they didn't even acknowledge our anniversary, even though I told them about it when making the reservation. Most other upscale restaurants will at least give you a complementary dessert and some (such as Bank and Brennan's) that we've been to in the past...do many nice things for couples who are celebrating. I would recommend Mark's only if you don't mind waiting at least an hour, eating really late and don't have any special occasion to celebrate. I would have to disagree with the title they give themselves as "Houston's Most Romantic Restaurant", as they made our anniversary dinner unmemorable.

• Pros: Great food, cool building, nice lighting
• Cons: Long waits, crowded and noisy, don't expect special treatment for anniversary

05/15/03

It was OK

by cculver1 at Citysearch

First of all reservations were difficult to get. The food presentation was good, the wine list OK. Hey I have had better in CA and TX. The chairs were not comfortable. A slight hype on the food although the service was good. What can I say? I prefer Capital Grill, Pappas Steakhouse and Cafe Annie....Sorry. Just didn't do it for me.

02/14/03

For management

by andamn at Citysearch

I've eaten almost at every nice/trendy restaurant in Houston, and was for the most part disappointed in the food. At the recommendation of the waiter, I had ordered the lamb special (w/ lamb sausage, lamb chops, lamb something...), and was utterly disappointed. The sausage tasted bland/rubbery/and very small. When the bill came around, I looked for my special at $40 and was amazed. I expected a high bill from a nice restaurant and don't mind paying for good food, but for the taste and consitency of the food, it shouldn't be anywhere near that range. Again, I don't mind paying for GOOD food. You may want to hire Monica Geller as your head chef. Maybe it was just a bad experience, but one that will not bring me back around nonetheless. Good luck.

11/15/02

Overrated!

by designaweb at Citysearch

Beautiful restaurant but the food is very overrated. We were quite disappointed!