04/09/09

Unparalled Food, Strange Looks

by shammy123

I recently had my fifth dinner at Chez Nous. I grew up in Humble and I remember being young and hearing about this strange "fancy" restaurant hidden in our downtown hub. When i was 23 I finally had the opportunity to try it out and I was nothing short of impressed. I took my then girlfriend to celebrate her 21st birthday and we were treated like royalty. Since then we returned twice more. The food is always well prepared and the pairings are sometimes brave but yet they always work together. I have recommended this place numerous times to many friends, but our last experience was not exactly something that we enjoyed.

I don't know what I did, or how I looked but the waiter seemed very rude and snobby to me. The thing is he was our waiter every time we visited Chez Nous. He asked if we had been there, etc and we told him that we were members of the email family and that we know how everything works. We ordered the chefs tour (we like trying many different things) and let me tell you the food was spectacular. This time it was even better then the previous visits. Sadly though the waiter for some reason seemed distracted or annoyed that night. It seems they were training some new people, and he would constantly call them to the corner and reprimand them in our view. It was really distracting to our romantic dinner. We found ourselves feeling bad for what seemed to be new hires.

The part of the night that really got to me was halfway through the meal my wife saw the cheese plate. She heard the selections and wanted one. I then called the waiter over and asked if it would be possible to bring one out. He then said, "you know that will be extra, right?". At first I was confused, was he joking? If I didn't have the money to eat there, then why would i be there? I thought this must be some kind of joke, but I let it slide. I then asked my wife what she thought, and she was insulted too. Half of the reason we go there is for the service and we were not happy with our service that night. We finished the rest of our meal quickly without spending the time to enjoy it, and we left.

I don't know if it was the tone in which he spoke to us, but his demeanor that night insulted me and my wife. I may just be sensitive, but either way Chez Nous did not meet my expectations on service this last time i visited. This should not stop you from trying this absolute treasure, but next time complain if you are treated rudely, like we should have.

• Pros: Food, Selection, Prices
• Cons: Some, but not all the staff

03/04/09

Customer For Over 20 Years And Will Be For Over 20 More!

by amr818

My family has been going to Chez Nous for over 20 years. We know the owners after being customers for so long and the welcome is just as warm as the first time we went. The food has NEVER disappointed! It is a sensational culinary experience from beginning to end. Everything is always excellent and always is. My Mother and I were partial to a certain way they used to make their veal and every time we go they accommodate our wishes for the original sauce. I will miss Chez Nous greatly when I move to Los Angeles! Hopefully Mom will take me to Chez Nous each time I come home for a visit!

• Pros: Fabulous food, atmosphere, and people.
• Cons: Absolutely NONE!

09/09/08

The best French restaurant in SE Texas (or just about anywhere)

by ryanlake

This is the restaurant that's always on the top of our list. It stays there because they know what-works-with-what. We've never tried anything and said "why would anyone put these flavors together?" It is classic yet inventive and consistenly outstanding.

It's really special when you have two people with very different tastes. "He" likes meat and has several favorites. "She" likes fish and lamb and veal and oysters-- and salad after the main course, not before it,

Some people look forward to a special vacation--we look forward to lots of dinners at Chez nous. We aren't 'those' people who are going to be happy 'when'.... We're happy we can have dinner here in the middle of the week for no special reason. So have fun wherever you may go, and we'll stay home and enjoy the food and wine and service at Chez Nous.

• Pros: Finest food, wine & service--feels like a place in Provence.
• Cons: Haven't found one yet

09/05/08

Without a doubt, the best french dining in Houston

by 78597

Simply stated, from the decandent entrees to the scrumptuous desserts---- my favorite the creme brulee trio---- there is no better restaurant in Houston. Quite frankly, this is one of the best restaurants I have ever dined at period. The only drawback being that we live on South Padre Island and frequent Houston maybe once or twice a year!

08/26/08

CONSISTANTLY THE BEST FRENCH CUISINE

by sandyinsnowmass

Chez nous is about to turn 25 years old this year, I was told upon my last visit there. The dish I love (Tournedos Rossini) was there in the beginning, along with the Duck, Lamb, Chateaubriand and the rest of the "right side" of the menu. I thought at that moment how thankful I am that I will return in 4 months and I WILL have my favorite dish, as many other guests must anticipate savoring their favorite dish with their next visit to Chez nous. I'm always amazed that whenever I return to Houston, I read about this new, hot restaurant with the great Chef so and so who used to be with such and such restaurant. I'll always look for the next gem of a restaurant, so I try them more than once while I'm there. Inherently I return to Chez nous because I know that they will not destroy tradition for the sake of creativity. It's rare that you find that type of respect for the tradition of cuisine, not in ego-driven culinary abominations. If you haven't been, you must, they truly make it feel like "our home"

• Pros: Service matches Cuisine
• Cons: Not in Colorado

05/16/08

Best Service

by JimTX

Consistently the best service in Houston, and we've been to them all. There is not another top-rated restaurant in Houston in a league with them in terms of service. One of the big differences is, you don't have to be a regular to be treated well, the way you do at so many of the other places. Our child is welcome there also, she has dined with us there since the age of six (but she's quiet and well-behaved).

• Pros: Ambiance, service, food

04/28/08

Great French Cuisine the way it used to be!

by Monchicourt45

We live in France and spend a month in Houston every year, we have been doing this since 1998, that is how long we have known Chez nous, we never miss a chance to visit it and it never misses a beat. The food is glorious, much better than most restaurants in Paris, the service attentive yet restrained, the atmosphere cozy and campy. Their unlikely location in a residential area in Humble speaks volume of their confidence, they know they are worth the trip!

• Pros: fantastic restaurant, great attention to details and seasons
• Cons: hard to find for first timers

01/05/08

One of the best meals we've ever had!

by marcyann76

My husband and I had dinner at Chez Nous on Sat, Dec. 21. We had the chef's tasting menu. The dining room is formal, but not stuffy or snobby. We were welcomed at the door and promptly shown to our table, even though we were about 20 minutes early.

The first course was a mushroom bisque. The flavors were well developed and not overpowering. The portion was small because the soup was very rich. (I commented that it was basically a delicious bowl of mushroom gravy, and if someone was going to put a bowl of it in front of me, I was going to eat it and like it!)

The second course was a single diver scallop. It was perfectly seared and placed atop some creamy seafood orzo.

Our third course included Chez Nous' own charcuterie--a pate of cold braised pork shoulder that was well seasoned and served with field greens and crunchy baguette croutons.

We ordered an extra appitizer of seared foie gras. It was served with fresh berries, a honey viniagrette and traditional French melba toast.

For our main course, we were served a delectable 6 oz filet mignon wrapped in bacon, accompanied by a madeira sauce and topped with St Andre cheese. On the side were fluffy garlic mashed potatoes and perfectly steamed (and very sweet) carrots and French green beans.

For dessert we were served an apple and peach gallette in a wonderfully flaky crust with homemade vanilla ice cream.

Overall, we could not find anything that could be improved upon. The seasonings and temperatures were flawless and classical French cuisine was not abandonded. The prices reflect the food and not the clientele of the restaurant (they weren't inflated to pay for a swanky location or to impress anyone.) The tasting menu (minus our extra app) was $55, and I had a wine pairing with each course, which added $30. Each wine complemented the food perfectly. Bread and water/iced tea refills never stopped appearing at our table, and each server was friendly and helpful. We truly enjoyed our experience.

• Pros: Food, Service, Ambience
• Cons: Parking (but not too big of a deal)

08/14/07

Wonderful food and service!

by txfoodie80

My boyfriend took me to Chez Nous to celebrate my long awaited graduation from College! He could not have made a better choice. We had such a wonderful time in this quaint little restaurant. We shared a bottle of wine (extensive list!) and to eat we had a salad, escargot, bacon wrapped tenderloin served w/ potatoes and veggies, and the salmon special served w/ parmesan risotto and roasted radicchio salad. Everything was just superb! We were so full that we were unable to try out the desserts. Maybe next time! We will definitely be back again.

• Pros: Truly amazing food!
• Cons: None!

07/18/07

Best dining experience

by danjen

My husband and I went to Chez Nous for our 11th wedding anniversary and had the best dining experience ever! The food, atmosphere, and hospitality were incredible! I highly recommend the blue crab, mango, avocado, and tomato basil salad appetizer. Every part of our meal was delicious. They really made us feel special, and we look forward to sharing more wonderful dining experiences with family and friends at Chez Nous.

• Pros: Service, food, atmosphere, close to our house!
• Cons: My husband is spoiled now, and I have to learn to cook.