Hmmm... why all the hype about this place? Is it just that people hear it's great and their experience is tainted by reputation? I had also heard from so many people that this place was not just good but great, but I didn't have that experience at all. I made reservations for some friends and I for an evening out of good food. My friends arrived about 15 minutes early, so they valet parked and sat at the bar for a drink. When we arrived, our experience started with obnoxious valet guys. We drove up and saw busy valet guys and an open spot in front of the laundromat next door. We drove up to it and looked for any type of sign on the spot saving it for the laundromat. As we sat there for about 5-10 seconds, the valet guy drove in front of us, braked hard, and then dramatically backed into the space just a foot in front of us. It was one of the rudest moves I've seen from a valet in a long long time. We decided not to give the valet our car after seeing that and drove a block and parked ourselves. If you go here, be wary of the valet. We walked in and brushed off the issue with the valet because they are just employed by the restaurant to park cars and weren't the reason we were there. Our friends were at the bar. One of our friends was half way through his beer while his wife was waiting for her drink. The hostess who was waiting to seat us had to go ask the bartender for my friend's drink, which had been sitting down at the end of the bar for over 5 minutes. How do we know over 5 minutes? Because my friend had seen her drink be made, poured, and then set aside. She was annoyed and had been trying to get his attention so she could get her drink but to no avail. Ok, we shook off the bad valet and bad bar service and were led to our table. Our table was on the far side of the back room. When we reached our table, I was disappointed. Not only was the table next to a curtained doorway that servers were walking in and out of all night, but my chair was positioned half on and half off the carpet. One leg of my chair had to be put on the tile leading into the service area, which meant every time I moved, the chair slid. Not only was the position of the table and the flooring below the table bad, but the chairs are simply medieval. I felt like they had plucked them from the Ren Fest. There was also a stairway next to our table that led up to a balcony. The balcony was piled high with chairs, at least one table and other random pieces of junk. Why is this balcony not concealed? more organized? emptied of its junk? Everyone in the main dining area can see it. It's an eyesore. And low and behold, we were at the bottom of the stairs. Our waitress was nice and well trained. She kept our water glasses filled and helped us make food selections. Our service while seated was fine. She was a little odd in that she vacillated from very formal speech in the way she served us to almost overly familiar talk where she told us about her dogs and the scraps of food she brings them. it was strange, but her overall service was good, so it didn't bother me. The whole reason we were there was the food. I had read such wonderful things about the food here that everyone at the table got an appetizer and a entree. My calamari appetizer was good, heavily fried, and came with a taste sweet dipping sauce. It was good but nothing special or different from any other calamari I've eaten. My husband's onion soup was also good but nothing special or amazing. Where things went weird was with the entrees. My duck entree was fine, but the flavor of the sauce was overpowering. My husband enjoyed his rack of lamb and commented that the meat was extremely tender and fell off the bone. I had thought about getting the scallops but settled for a bite of my friend's. Wow! It was like eating a lump of salt. My friend even prefaced it with "It's salty but I like salt". Well, I think she was being far too nice. It was incredibly salty, to the point I would have sent it back if it had been mine. She made the decision to keep it. I'm just glad I didn't order it. If I had been the one with the scallops, this would have probably ended up a 2 star review. Dessert: very mediocre. We had the flourless cake which was boring. Our friends had the pastry filled with fruit which was fine but nothing special. Overall, our evening was a bunch of nothing special (duck, dessert, calamari) mixed with some disappointments (valet, bar, scallops). I don't think I'll be back. I see some great reviews of their brunch and I could possibly be persuaded, but at $120 per couple (not including alcohol), I expect to be WOWed and I wasn't.
(3)
Kathy M.
Their duck dish was the best i have tried and chocolate truffles was dark and extremely smooth - perfect! Beside those two, i tried the lobster lollipop and kobe hot dog. Not as good, i don't like them at all.
(4)
Patty R.
Loved this place! The food was AWESOME!
(5)
Mitchell P.
We went to mockingbird bistro a few months ago based on a friend's recommendation who lived across the street from the restaurant. Having not read any reviews or even looked at the website online, I felt a bit under dressed in jeans when we first got there (maybe everyone else felt over dressed?). We loved the ambiance and how intimate of a setting it was. The staff was really helpful and they knew the menu pretty well. The food was excellent - I got the buffalo steak as a healthy choice and did not regret it at all. It was cooked perfectly medium rare and tasted way too good to be healthy.
(4)
Olivia K.
I absolutely loved this cafe in regards to the food. However, the reasons I didn't give it 5 starts are due to the lack of on-street parking, the service was average when it should have been outstanding, and the place feels very cramped like they tried to squeeze too many tables into the space they have. I felt as though the tables next to us were having Brunch with us. The food is some of the best in town and a trip back to this cafe is not an "if", but a "when"!
(4)
Kinsey S.
Meh. Food was OK. I was expecting more after reading the reviews. I brought my parents here for dinner when they were in town. Both my fish and my dad's duck were overcooked. Nothing we got really left an impression. It's a cute location, and we had great service...just felt like the meal was a little lacking.
Came here with my boyfriend on a date. The place was neat, very cozy, dark & the decor was strange but very neat. The food was great, everything we got from start to finish was excellent. Portions were large, next time we'll just split an entree and appetizer. I will def. dine at Mockingbird again.
(4)
Brendan C.
Came here for hrw 2014 with 2 others. Parking may be a bit finicky, but we managed to find a spot in front of an apartment complex 1.5 blocks away. Reservation details were remembered and they handed us the hrw menus straight away. The ambience is quite nice with a dimlit setting. Our waiter was very attentive though he left an extra set of diningware on the table. Bread and flavored olive oil was nice to start lunch with. We ordered gazpacho and salmon crudo for apps. The gazpacho was nice and refreshing, well-seasoned, and reminded me of cold pizza sauce watered down with cucumber water. Doesnt sound very appetizing, but it tasted quite nice until I thought of that. That aside, the gazpacho was a bit too large. The salmon crudo was well-seasoned, though I wish they would perl the ginger first. The chives are nice, but I thought the salmon was cut too finely. The chips it came with were good. Entrees we had the chicken and salmon. The salmon was cooked very well. A minute over for medium in my opinion, but still very moist with an awesome sear. The vegetable compote the fish sat on was nice, especially the beurre blanc. The chicken was delicious, something i have to admit even though chicken breast is not usually my cup of tea. The mashed potatoes the chicken came with were apparently divine according to my lunch buddies. For dessert we ordered the cheesecake and the apple bread pudding. We ended up getting the flourless chocolate cake, the cheesecake, and the apple bread pudding because they misheard the order. Nevertheless, the apple bread pudding was great, especially the homemade cinnamon ice cream. It was my favorite dessert of the 3. The cheesecake was a bit to grainy/dry for my taste. Happy eating!
(4)
Jessica B.
Mockingbird Bistro is wonderful! Fine dining without a snobby attitude. I've eaten here for restaurant week, at the bar and for a HH and it's always been delicious. The HH Croque Monsieur is a fantastic deal.
(5)
Andrea Z.
This review is solely for HRW! I came here for my birthday with my parents expecting it to blow me away from what I've heard. But unfortunately I wasn't impressed. All the appetizers were decent, salad and soup, nothing special. The entrees were a disappointment, however. I had the salmon with wax beans. Presentation was meh. The salmon was overlooked even though I told them to make sure not to over cook it. And the taste had a strange wax bean taste that i didn't enjoy. My mother had the pork chops which was also over cooked, taste was alright. My dad's steak was ok at best. The spinach clump thing was nothing special. It was just like a simple egg dish that Chinese people make for breakfast. The only part of the meal I truly enjoyed was the dessert. My favorite was the flour less chocolate cake. I had the apple pie bread pudding and my dad had the cheesecake. Both were pretty good. Perhaps I will come again for the regular menu but this restaurant truly slacked on HRW.
(3)
James F.
So we're in Houston visiting from Austin. Checking out the Galleria and the upscale pawn scene that dots Westheimer on the west side. I decide I need a new cell phone, but after driving around for two hours find out nobody has the color I want. We've now ventured well out of are normal hang out area. I ditch the cell phone fiasco as my wife is growing increasingly angry; she grabs her cell phone and pulls up Mockingbird Bistro on Yelp. Its a burger place, that's what all the reviews mention she says. We arrive just after happy hour. Um, this ain't no burger place baby. Most diners were wearing designer clothes dressed to impress. Me, well I'm wearing my patent pending ghetto apparel that includes a white shirt with an exposed nipple. Instead of giving us directions to the nearest Whataburger the staff including the manager was very gracious inviting us in to dine. That burger that the wife had told me about was in fact a $32 American "kobe" patty topped with foie gras. Complimenting this ultimate indulgence was beautiful greens, house made pickles, and delicious aoli. Add in some equally posh parmesan truffle fries and I was in burger heaven. The wife picked the New York strip with wild mushrooms and red wine reduction. Substitutions were made without issue or upcharges trying to stick to her dietary needs. The steak was cooked to order, and the creamed spinach was divine. Oh, and the amuse bouche of salmon on crostini with mixed peppers was great bites. Service was perfect adding to the list of accolades for our visit. So, next visit to Mockingbird I will at least have a collared shirt on so other diners don't thing I'm going to mug them in the parking lot. Thank you again for your hospitality, a well deserved 5 star rating from the "ranchthug"
(5)
Chili And Tart T.
This is our second visit here and I just don't understand all the rave reviews. The space is nice, opulent and packed ...but our meal was mediocre. It was crowded as usual and there was a mix up so our main courses arrived (very late) before our appetizers which set a bad tone for the meal. The appetizers were fine, simple wedge salad and carpaccio. My salmon with beans and mussels was an odd mixture of flavors. The mussels were small and over cooked with no flavor and the salmon was drowned on a bed of white beans with limited flavor...really all I could taste was white beans and not salmon or mussels. The deserts were also only ok, dry and flavorless bread pudding, key lime pie was okay and chocolate truffles I did not finish. Not really french and not much flavor in a pretty space w/ well plated items. Not a memorable meal and there are much better places in Houston to enjoy a meal so we will definitely not return here.
(2)
Wajida A.
Really wanted to like this place but it was such a big disappointment. Came here for HRW, had the gazpacho, it was mediocre, had the beef filet which was cold and the sauce was a bit sweet and off. Lastly the flourless chocolate cake tasted like cheap decadent fudge. Friends/boyfriend had the salmon, chicken, and pork chop so we all got different thing and every single one of them was the one of the worst entrees we have ever had. Regret coming here, such a waste. They didn't even bring out the menus till 30 mins later because apparently they bring it out after getting our drinks. The only nice thing was the hostesses who were super nice.
Came here for a friend's surprise dinner after we couldn't get a last minute reservation at several other places. My first thought was that maybe this restaurant wasn't that great, since it wasn't first on the list. To be honest, my expectations were kinda slightly lower than normal, so maybe it played a small part in how this place just completely blew me away! The restaurant is located somewhere deep in the neighborhoods of Montrose. Finding it was like trying to make your way through a maze. Streets were very narrow and parking around the restaurant was limited. You will have to valet. Right off the bat, as I exited my car after I was lucky to find a parking spot right next to the restaurant, I was able to see inside the kitchen from the outside - and I was kind of impressed. Why? Because the kitchen was packedd with chefs. And my impression was that they must have great attention to detail when preparing their food, unlike other restaurants which have only a few chefs multitasking on several dishes at once. My impression was later proven correct. Service was amazing! I hadn't even stepped into the restaurant yet before the manager came outside to invite me through the side kitchen door, after seeing how I was struggling with the balloons and a cake. The cake was taken to the fridge right away. Our server, Robert if I remembered correctly, was extremely well mannered the entire night, treating me and my friends as adults and not just some young teenagers. Now the food was what stood out the most. We started off with the swordfish bruschetta as appetizer, which we didn't order, but they brought it out and said it was on the house. Sweet! The bruschetta was not only delightful, but they also accommodated the dish to our numbers, giving us exactly seven pieces. My impression of the restaurant grew deeper, not only because of the free food, but also seeing as to how they don't just stick to the menu serving size, and is willing to adjust it to fit the needs of their customers. They also did the same with the cake that I brought, cutting the entire cake into exactly seven pieces. What splendid and detailed service. Now my entree, which I ordered the pork chop, was absolutely amazing. The plate alone was arranged beautifully and with precision, making it look so appetizing. And when I took a bite into the pork chop, it was undoubtedly the best tasting and juiciest pork chop I've had in my life. You can tell that it was perfectly seasoned with care, and the juices that flowed out from within complimented the flavor sooooo well. Combined with the fried onions topping, this could easily be one of the best meal I've ever had. But what made this night so memorable was when the balloons, which were tied to a chair, accidentally came unloose and floated to the ceiling. The staff were kind enough to allow us to stand on a chair to try and retrieve it. They even brought out a pair of tongs for us to grab the strings with because our arms weren't long enough! Then they decided to pull out their trump card and summoned this 6 foot 7 giant from the kitchen, who stood on the chair and easily grabbed the balloons and pulled it back down for us. We made such a huge commotion for such a fancy and quiet restaurant, but I was very surprised that the restaurant managers and staff did not mind at all. Plus the other customers all seemed to enjoy our little display, because they were cheering us on the entire time, and applauded when we finally got the balloons back. Bottom line if you didn't want to read all that: Top class food. Top class service. Top class experience.
(5)
Sabrina H.
We came here for my daughter's 24th birthday. Pricey, but well worth it. Great experience from start to finish. Staff is extremely attentive. And the cocktail to have is definitely the Cucumber Martini....sooooo yummy! We had Mussel, Fries w/ Truffle Oil and Parmesan for appetizers and then the Shrimp N Grits, the Bistro Burger and the Duck. Presentation was beautiful. The only con: While clearing or presenting items at the table, a couple of the staff were leaning in too close where their armpits were actually hitting our shoulders. Not cool. Will be back sometime this year for the weekend brunch. And I hear the happy hour is wonderful too. I highly recommend this place for business lunch or dinner and all other reasons to go. Kudos to the Mockingbird Bistro! Winner Winner!
(5)
Ray D.
Mockingbird Bistro is a romantic, tasty get away experience. It reminds me of a medieval castle on the inside, Bam Margera style house! Very cool decor. I only have a few complaints, but I will get to those. Didn't have reservations on a Saturday night, got seated super fast, was great service from the get go. The menu was lovely, the drink menu looked awesome! My wife & I started off with a couple cocktails which turned out to be very delicious and properly made! We told them I was Gluten-Free and our waiter handled it like a champ! For the appetizer we got the Foie Gras, pork belly, with sweet potato which is absolutely amazing, and the ducks are farm raised A+++. Very smooth! The entrees we had were the crispy chicken, and the pork belly German steak with green beans. The Crispy chicken was juicy, excellent from my wife's comment, and I thought my pork steak was cooked o.k., tough at points and tasted alright. The sausage that came with it could have been left off, I have made better sausage myself... The sauerkraut made with Shiner Bock was excellent, zingy and had that perfect sweet to salt ratio. Our dessert was the Dulce de leche which I've had once before in New York, and I have to say this was the best thing I've indulged in all month! Was very tasty, very good, and had the greatest of texture and sweetness in your mouth, with a milky creamy finish. Everything FOOD wise was not bad, but it's pretty expensive I'd have to say. My only CON was not that the service was bad, but that there was only about 8 tables full of people and probably about 15-20 staff running around all over the place, the service/water waiters were staring non stop, and the bartenders were staring at us and everyone every time I looked up like a HAWK. It was very intimidating and almost uncomfortable at a point. Our waitress was great at service, but for a romantic night with my wife she wanted to talk, and talk, and talk, she was very nice, but at a price/class restaurant as this, service staff should be professional and not engage in personal, "come join us at a bar" after I get off work give me her number while my wife was their attitude. We are very respectful/nice couple, we weren't about to tell her to please leave us alone. She was nice don't get me wrong, but I just didn't know how to tell her to chill out a little bit. We know the golden rule with people who handle your food. Other than the hawk eye starring staff and VERY social waitress, I would DEF go back to Mockingbird and def recommend it to all my foodie friends and visiting clients. B+
(4)
Xiaoting X.
Foie Gras was very good. Maple duck was very good. The side dishes were on the salty side and didn't enjoy those.
(4)
Janna L.
I had always heard of Mockingbird Bistro, but had yet to try it in the 3 years I've been living in Houston. Situated in the middle of a neighborhood full of houses right off Montrose, you'd never see this place unless you were looking for it. A group of 8 of us went on a Friday evening for a friend's birthday. We sat upstairs in a semi-private room, which was nice and secluded. The bread was delish! The soft and fluffy focaccia paired with herbed olive oil for dipping could have made for an excellent meal by itself. For appetizers we ordered the mussels and soft shelled crab, which were both good, but not great. For my entree I ordered one of their specials- seared ahi tuna with wasabi mashed potatoes. I liked that the dish wasn't too heavy, and was very flavorful. I think I preferred my boyfriend's dish though- the rack of lamb. The meat was so incredibly tender and juicy, I wanted to trade but unfortunately he liked it just as much as I did. This is the type of place I'd be very interested in going back to, because honestly everything on the menu looked incredible, and overall my group was very happy with their dishes. The service was good and drinks were refreshing, so overall it was a great experience!
(4)
Sheri A.
This place is such a hidden gem. Never have I had a bad meal here and there are great deals! Sunday brunch is delish. They have a new lunch menu with 2 courses for $25 and there are wonderful selections to choose from. They also have a daily happy hour from 5-7 with a delightful $9 hamburger! Only con: the music they play sounds like horrible elevator music. Womp. Womp. I suggest maybe some French music!?
(5)
Rene L.
I would like to start off with the only reason they got a 4 and not a 5 was because their desert menu was resistible? took my wife there weekend after New Years. Service was great!, wines we great! food was great as well as the ambiance! we started with a cheese plate and shared a shrimp and grits plate wife & I both had the Lamb Chops, they were awesome
(4)
Terry J.
Wow. Had a great dinner here Before I begin I rushed to dinner from work. They didn't judge the way I was dressed although it was full restaurant and had beautiful ambience on a saturday night. The beef filet was amazing for a non steak restaurant. Service was nice and water was always full. Only two oddities. Charges for refills for soft drinks. Charges for every two cokes. Odd policy. Steak knife was not serrated. Again great ambience. I recommend it for a date or formal dinner.
(5)
Chris R.
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this place! The atmosphere is fantastic, the food is even better! This is my favorite restaurant in Houston.
(5)
Holli T.
Truffle fries and happy hour are the way to go. Very nice restaurant!
Early, early Friday, I couldn't sleep. Thumbed through Yelp and found Mockingbird Bistro, Open Table reservation for me and Carol on Friday evening. What an amazing meal! Salmon tartare, bibb-lettuce salad and sea bass for her. Onion soup, strip sirloin (rare), fries and apple bread pudding for me. Food was perfectly prepared and served. I am at a loss for words to describe this great dining experience. I cannot believe it took me two years to find this restaurant. Thanks Mockingbird, Yelp and all previous reviewers. We'll be back -- often.
(5)
George K.
Went for the start of restaurant week and their menu was fantastic. The lobster risotto, when it wasn't massaging my stomach, caused me to well up and question previous culinary life decisions. The short ribs were so tender that a knife wasn't required and after sobbing helplessly into a napkin over its deliciousness, I composed myself for the final course. And then it came...apple bread pudding with cinnamon ice cream. I love bread pudding, but this was hand delivered by Zeus himself as a lightning bolt of taste struck my tongue. Highly recommend.
(5)
Kendra F.
I have to say everything I have read about mockingbird my visit was not what it seems most have been. In fact I have hesitated writing this because it was just such a disappointment. It was about an hour and half before they closed. I walk in and the resturant is almost empty and only 2 other groups of 2 at the bar. One would expect the service than should be out of this world. This was not the case. I sat and waited quite a bit to even be greeted when I was I was brought water but no menu or asked what I wanted. They went back to talking to what seemed the lead bartender. Finally I asked for menu and I was asked if I would be eating there, "yes but the menu is required first." Oh yes sorry, and for me a menu. He came over and asked if I had been there before and I said no. So he goes to say it's French influenced food. So I asked what I thought was a simple question "what types of French infusion", I got a look like I was crazy, thinking maybe I asked an stupid question I clarified, "I haven't had French food before so is it in the sauces you use, cooking style, or flavors?" Ohhhh I don't know was the response. Shoot me now. So I asked for a chianti figuring a French infused would have a nice chianti, he looked confused and walked away and asked the guy down the bar, came back and suggested a Pinot noir. Do you have a chianti, I ask. Well you should try this Pinot first it's really nice. This guy must be new, inexperienced or they don't want to open a bottle this near to close. Time for food. I asked what he suggested for someone new to the resturant like myself, I kid you not the response was "we are known for our salads." I said I'm a bit hungry not the steak? People really love our salads he says. So I order the caesar off his recommendation. There was so much dressing, the lettuce is no longer has crisp to it left. Wow really and this is what your known for.... Ugh such a let down on so many levels. I closed the tab and left. I will go back again since everyone has a bad night but that was pretty poor. But based on all the other reviews i have hope to experience it the way they have.
(1)
Aline D.
Came in on a Friday night with kids & got "looks" from patrons. Guess they are frowned upon here. Anyways, got seated upstairs & the table was cozy. Service was great. Kids get French fries instead of the typical bread basket. That was nice. Ordered a bunch of appetizers & 3 entrees to share. We are Asian so we love to eat Family style to taste the different plates. Foie Gras was so good & rich. Duck was good but not great. The cured meat platter was ok as well. The server was very patient with the kids & we appreciate that. Food was ok, guess I was expecting more from all the reviews. Maybe we didn't order the right things. Overall a good experience at this hidden restaurant.
(3)
S O.
There happy hour is a lovely thing! 5-7 pm daily...5 dollar menu that consists of sparkling wines and reds & whites...some local crafts and delicious food..soy thai wings, lobster lollypops, crab corn chowder for example...the atmosphere is very cool and cozy, the bartenders are engaging and friendly..its nestled within a residential neighborhood, reminds me of cool restaurants in Philly that I so miss...i will be back nom nom nom
(4)
E Y.
Nice neighborhood restaurant! We had a business dinner with party of eight and they treated us well. Filet mignon was huge and very good, not the best I have ever had or anything but very good.
(4)
Kristen M.
I love this place. We have been several times, and it has become one of my favorite places in Houston. Everything I have ordered has been cooked to perfection. I really like to stick to the classics when I am here just because they do them so well. The service is fantastic. I usually drink wine, but I have had their lavender gin fizz a couple of times. It is so good! I love that this place is not your average chain steakhouse.
(5)
Aaron S.
Recently had a lunch at Mockingbird Bistro and it was simply fabulous! All of the meals at our table were cooked to perfection and delicious. The cocktails (yes we had cocktails at lunch) were suberb as well. Crafted to perfection. The burger was out of this word! All in all can't wait to return to have dinner...
(5)
David S.
Hooray for bar menus! We went to Mockingbird Bistro the other night after hearing wonderful things about the place. We'd also heard (correctly) that Mockingbird Bistro has one of the best bar menus around. We ordered the chicken pizza and the Kobe burger with truffle fries. The pizza was small in circumference but huge on flavor. It had fontina and goat cheeses as well as roasted peppers. Yum. The burger had a generous amount of beef and came out hot enough to instantly wilt the fresh spinach I placed on top. The onion jam was perfection but the Stilton blue cheese was potent (luckily cheddar is an option). If any of you have been to Father's Office in Los Angeles, I can say that this is the next best thing in Houston. The truffle fries were rich and loaded with good Parmesan cheese. All of this food was only $21 ($3 of which was for "truffling" the gratis fries). Typically, bar service is a compromise from table service. But not at Mockingbird Bistro. Our bar tender/server was attentive and knowledgeable. He even steered us in the right direction on wine. The bar menu at Mockingbird Bistro is a wonderful option for a relaxed dinner for two, or even just an excuse to treat yourself. Next time I'm gunning for the scallops.
(4)
Kim X.
I'm never going to Mockingbird Bistro again. I picked this place for dinner on New Year's Eve because I've been there once before and I thought the food was good and it had a nice romantic cosy atmosphere. We booked an early dinner, 5:45 pm, to avoid the crowds. When we got there the place was practically empty, but when the hostess tried to seat us at a tiny table near the kitchen and I asked for a nicer table, she gave us nasty look and said that all the other tables were booked. I've been a restaurant hostess before in college, so I knew she was talking total crap. So, I told her that we wouldn't take long to eat and to check with her boss and she walked away with an attitude to go check. Then her boss came up to us with an equally nasty attitude and told us amongst all the empty tables that the only other table she could give us was in the wine room but we had to be out of there by 7:30 pm. So we took the table and whole time we sat there the hostesses and wait staff kept giving us dirty looks. We were totally ignored while the other customers who were obviously rich regulars got star treatment. We felt so uncomfortable that we ordered our food, ate it quickly, and skipped dessert just to get out of there. The food was good but the way we were treated didn't make for a good dining experience. This was not the dining experience I got the last time I was here. The atmosphere was extremely stuffy and snobby. I expected more for a restaurant of this caliber. Thanks Mockingbird Bistro for ruining our New Year's Eve dinner!
(1)
Blake L.
had valentine's dinner here. food was great and a good, upscale and romantic atmosphere. great service as well. i like the fact that it is a bit tucked away in a neighborhood as well.
(4)
Jan G.
I considered many dining destinations for a special birthday occasion and I am so GRATEFUL we decided on the Mockingbird. We drove there in a torrential downpour but their valets got us to the front door in tact. We showed up 30 minutes before our reservation but they seated us at the best table immediately. The room was properly lit, elegantly decorated for the holidays with beautiful red walls and high ceilings. The wine list was expansive. but not ridiculously so. We opted for a nice Rosenblum Zinfandel ($45). The pace of the service was perfect. We decided on the mussels ($16.00) for an appetizer and they were served in two separate bowls in a warm succulent broth with a garlicky spinach wad decorating the middle. These meditterean Washington mussels were perfectly steamed and were HUGE! It was garnished with a toasty bread to soak up the broth. What a great way to start the meal. Our entrees were both specials with a Prime Dry Aged Ribeye $42 garnished with prawns that also included mashed potatoes and grilled vegetables and asparugus. As good as it was, the Pan Seared Flounder ($40) with Lobster Rissotto was incredible. Portions were big, so we both got enough of each other's entrees. The steak was flavorful, perfectly cooked medium rare with just enough fat to liven things up. The flounder was incredible to the taste and the rissotto was a welcome innovation.There wasnt anymore room for dessert but we decided to do some mixed market berries in a glaze with cream and a nice candle and a cursive chocolate happy birthday scribbled on the bowl. We finished with some champagne at the bar and some decaf for the road. WOW. Can't wait to get back to the Mockingbird Bistro. John Sheely and his wife Violeta were the perfect hosts/proprietors.
(5)
LAWJISTIK -.
Great food...I had salmon
(5)
Flora G.
A place that's named after the Texas state bird, you know has to represent. This is a really nice place to eat lunch or dinner. Everything I've had there has been good. I especially like the Kobe beef burger. The food and decor is part French and part Texan, which is a great combination. Its classic Texan ingredients used in classic French cuisine...They even have a tasting menu that I can't wait to try the next time I'm there.
(5)
Imran M.
Upscale restaurant in the heart of River Oaks. The service is excellent and the waiting staff are very attentive to your every need. I guess that is a requirement when it comes to attracting the A list crowd that frequent it. The Kobe burgers are to die for and the side of fries are the very best. Huge selection of wines ranging from very affordable all the way to those priced like an automobile. Mockingbird is a surprisingly affordable restaurant especially for the location and the upscale qualities. I heard Ken Lay of Enron fame or should I say shame used to eat here. I guess he won't anymore.
(4)
Glory P.
Amazing service and quality food! This place is the best for fine dining. But I would also check out the Happy Hour menu if you're not willing to go all out for a $200 dinner tab. The Happy Hour has small bites and crafty cocktails and their classy bar inside the restaurant.
(5)
Brittney N.
I'm not sure what the hype about this place is, it is a little overrated. I went here for my birthday with my family for HRW. If one person wanted to order off of the HRW the whole table has to, which does not make any sense. I scoped out the regular menu and the HRW menu before hand so I knew what to order. I really love scallops, so I wanted to try them. They were an off the menu item. My family wanted to order off the HRW menu, so I had to choose something off there. They waiter only let me order a la carte, so I ordered that along with their fillet on the HRW menu. So I ended up getting 2 entrees... a lot of their items off the menu was really sweet tasting. The fillet was okay, but the scallops were awful.
(3)
Vicki G.
So good! French onion soup to begin, with flavor so rich and deep. For a main course, I ordered the "kurabuta pork chop stone ground Texas white grits roasted cipollini onions, braised red cabbage bourbon glazed dried plums 36". Oh, my. Two inches thick. Delicious, especially all the extras that came with it. The grits alone were decadent. Even the red cabbage was divine. He ordered the "angus strip loin steak frites wild mushrooms, watercress shallot/red wine redux, frites 39". It was exquisite. The steak was superior to that at Mark's. And those frites! Wish I had some right now. For dessert, we ordered the "Caramelized pear & pecan crostata, nutella crème anglaise and vanilla ice cream." Better -- far better -- than I anticipated. Perfect pastry with oozy fruity goodness. I would definitely return. Their menu is not large, but they seem to do everything exceptionally well.
(5)
Connie W.
I took my boyfriend here for his birthday after seeing all the rave reviews on Yelp, and I was not in the least bit disappointed. The atmosphere was perfect for a romantic date night and the service was perfect. The server checked up on us just enough and was very attentive throughout our meal. My boyfriend ordered the filet mignon special that they had, which was served with asparagus tips, pulled short ribs, and wild mushrooms. The filet was cooked right to order and was simply delicious. The meat seriously melted in my mouth. I ordered their sea scallops that came on top of a green pea butter concoction with roasted cauliflower and crisp potato fingerlings. It was cooked perfectly and was just filling enough to not leave me wanting to unbutton that figurative top button. This restaurant is located right next to a laundromat, which may not be what you want your top-notch restaurant to be adjoined to, but at the end of the day, if the food is AMAZING, who can really argue with that?
(5)
Ellie R.
This place is typical River Oaks...expensive for moderate-ok tasting food. They have an extensive wine list which is great. I liked the fact that they brought all of our food at once (as it should be)...so in that aspect service was fine....but in general service was ok. Nothing on the menu jumped out at me....it all looked too standard...i was expecting more unique combinations from Mockingbird. We had 5 different dishes at our table, all of them were too salty. The duck did not taste like duck....it was masked by the rub and/or other seasoning which was disappointing. The saving grace was the wine and chocolate truffles for dessert. I think this place has a better bar menu/happy hour....so try it only then...not for dinner.
(2)
Hanh N.
Took a friend here for her birthday and we were LOVING every minute of each bite that went in out mouths. We started off with the Hudson Valley foie gras appetizer dish. Anytime I see foie gras on the menu, 9 out of 10 times, I will order it and hands down, this dish paired w/ the other items on the dish was delicious. The foie gras melted in your mouth. Devine! I ordered the Crispy duck breast, sweet potato & duck confit hash, baby spinach, black cherry & foie gras redux (of course, foie gras...) I got the duck prepared medium and to my delight, there was a generous portion of foie gras sitting on top of the duck breaast as well!!!!! The duck breast and foie gras went so well together. The sauce down to the spinach was heaven. HIGHLY RECOMMEND the duck! My friend order the special, where the chef only prepares 21 of those dishes a night. The special that night was a filet mignon w/ asparagus, sweet potato, with mushroom and foie gras redux. That filet was cooked wonderfully and the flavors again went well together. Another friend ordered the Maple basted King Salmon, pumpkin risotto, leek & oyster mushroom ragout, toasted pepitas and it came out well seasoned- not overwhelming and juicy. For the birthday girl, they gave her complimentary chocolate truffles, and I'm not a big sweets person but it was so goood! We all enjoyed it. Service was great and our waiter was awesome. Wish I remembered his name! Needless to say, I'll be back... EDIT: 03/01/11 I ended the last review with "needless to say, I'll be back..." and I was RIGHT! I came back and again, I orderd the crispy duck breast AGAIN! I don't know how much more I can rave about it. IT's just THAT GREAT! My friend had the lamb and he said it was good- I took his word for it since I do NOT eat lamb.
(5)
Jeannie K.
Pretty good! Pricey but decent. The famed steak isn't life-changing, but as long as you don't expect a piece of meat to be as such, it's pretty darn good. The desserts were great.
(4)
Pete J.
date: 9/5/12 early evening who: me crowd: hip, trendy but NOT hipster ages 20s-70, mean 40 room: high ceilings, postmodern but warm. Twelve 4 person tables on 1st floor, few tables in loft, bar along one edge of room holds 12+. service: exceptional attentive but not hovering food: -Warm bread served with herb basil olive dipping sauce. -Slow roasted onion soup bland, but onions nicely carmelized. -Caeser salad perfect, fresh, proportions perfect. -***Truffle fries*** OUTSTANDING: Beautifully presented, lovely blend of truffle oil with dash of parmesan. -Scallops braised, fresh, tender, accompanied by succotash, truffled lima bean puree, sweet corn emulsion and red pepper coulis. This was also very good, except the scallops were a bit salty. -Bitterweet molten lava cake w/ fresh blackberries, blueberries, strawberries with mango sorbet. All was great except the mango sorbet was not good accompaniment to chocolate. wine: -Nice selections, fairly priced price:141.34 Overall: very good. few nuances would easily move to 5 stars. 5+ for truffle fries.
(4)
Lesley H.
My friend had come here with her bf on valentine's day and got the know the bartender who told them that they were going to have a liquor tasting later in the week where they would have a list of drinks featuring a certain liquor and all the drinks would be free.... sooooo of course she told me about it and we went! First off the drinks were amazing!!!!! I went with 2 other friends and we each had 2 drinks and always ordered something different and we loved every single one! When i went to order my second drink, I couldn't decide what I wanted and so the bartender asked me what I liked and I told him mojitos, margs, cuba libres.... and he came back with their signature margarita and even though it wasnt on the list for free drinks they still gave it to me for free. Now on to the food. Also great!! we each had the truffled mac and cheese which was really creamy and really good and only $5. As for your meal though I would recommend going with the kobe beef burger on the bar menu. My friend ordered it and it was AMAZING!!! and its only $9 and comes with fries. We however upgraded to the parmesan truffle fries.... omgggg the fries were sooooooo delicious!!!! Definitely coming back and becoming a regular here!
(5)
Jeffrey C.
Fun fact: did you know that Mockingbird Bistro was my second-ever Yelp review? For those of you that have long been following my reviews (I thank you but can't figure out why, what with my love of parentheses, semi-colons and dependent clauses), you'll know my "big 3" Houston fancy restaurants include Mockingbird, Reef, and Mark's. Why Mockingbird? Three words: Prime. Steak. Frites. Or as I like to call it, "oh my god the best steak EVAR" (copyright pending). So when I saw my dish on the Houston Restaurant Week menu, I had to go. And convince some of my friends to try this best steak ever. Now let's get this out of the way: HRW Prime Steak Frites is not best steak ever like regular menu Prime Steak Frites is. For one, it's a smaller. And two, the quality of the beef is not quite as good (and sneaking suspicion, may actually be a different cut). That said, the sauce is still fantastic, the triple mushrooms adds the perfect complement, and the pommes frites dipped in aioli sauce can best be described as like artery-clogging crack. Seriously, when they show "The Best Thing I Ever Ate!: Non-Celebrity Edition," the regular menu Prime Steak Frites is at the top of my list. Don't believe me? Go try it; compliment me later. Quickly, some other plugs: * It's in a neighborhood, tucked away. Next to actual houses. Not next to a freeway or a Taco Cabana. * There's valet parking, but because it's in said neighborhood, there's plenty of nearby street parking. * Another neighborhood benefit: awesome decor. * The waiter service is fantastic. Every time I've been, the waitstaff is friendly but not overbearing. * The wine list is stout. * Esquire named it one of the best bars in America. What are you waiting for?
(5)
K. D.
I can't write a thorough review at the moment but I wanted to jot something down right away after my experience here. Everything here was just Wow. I am one happy girl, they get a 5 for doing a fantastic job.
(5)
Rick F.
This place has their stuff together. They take service here to another level. To go here and find a complaint is to go here with a very unhappy life. You ever go to a really great restaurant that you simply fell in love with, however during the writing of your review you did have one complaint so you had to place the dreaded "but" in the review. Well here...there is no "but." I came here for my second visit and both was Christmas parties. The service we received was simply phenomenal. Our meal was served in 3 courses and for each course, everyone at our table received their food at the same time. No, not one server bringing a big tray and handing them out, there was a server for each person at the table. All would come stand beside the person who's plate they were holding and at a unheard count of 3, all plates were placed down at the same time. Even when I got up to use the restroom, someone immediately came to the table to fold my napkin behind me whilst someone else escorted me to the restroom, all without me saying a word. When I got back my area was clean, chair was pulled out for me and I was sat down with napkin unfolded and placed in my lap. FINALLY.. how I deserve to be treated everywhere I go. Here everyone is a celebrity. The food is nothing short from PERFECTION. I had the Filet Mignon with Scallops as a main course and both were cooked to perfection. They only cook the Filet 2 ways, Medium Rare and Well done. I ordered mine Well and it wasn't dry but pretty much a medium well as I wanted. The wife had the medium rare, and it too was so delicious it melted in your mouth. No matter what you order here you MUST order the Lobster mashed potatoes. These are hands down the best mashed potatoes on this side of the Sun. Chunks of lobster mixed in with mashed potatoes is a sure way to get you and your date in some major orgasmic trouble. We clearly cheated on one another with those mashed potatoes, so be forewarned. I can't wait to go again next year. Why a year? Because I'm spoiled with the entire experience being free, and with bottomless drinks. I want to keep my memory of Mockingbird just the way I discovered it....with perks, perks perks. Dine Well, and Prosper.
(5)
Ivy L.
Service was spot on and the waiters are always very attentive. The tartare was delicious and the filet mignon is cooked to perfection. The cheesecake was so good - I liked it better than the bread pudding. Very rich and classy atmosphere.
(4)
Angel L.
I think I am love with this place. It is a strange place that it is located in residential. My date had the bison burger and I had the seared duck. Both plates just melt in your mouth. I highly suggest the truffle fries...MIND BLOWING. lastly, I have a huge chocolate sweet tooth...flourless chocolate cake.....enough said. :: death by chocolate ::. DoNE I'm out.
(5)
Dina M.
I like the ambience a lot . expect your meal to be the event of the evening. We were served complimentary hors deouvre while we decided on drinks and further choices. The group concurs that the drinks were well made . the salads were also good. The mixes reviews rose upon tasting the main dishes. Our table had a variety ranging from steak frites to salads and shrimp and grits. The meat eaters said the steak was different. One person said it got better while the other two didn't care much for it. The shrimp and grits were a bit salty. Ive had way better too. As for the chicken with African prawn.. That guest was happy with his selection. The staff is very nice and do put an honest sincere effort. The valet isn't so great . Overall it was alright I suppose.
(3)
Alex T.
This review is for Mockingbird Bistro's happy hour and bar menu. A friend and I went to Mockingbird Bistro for happy hour the other day, and we were literally the only people in the restaurant which was really awesome. Obviously, we were immediately seated. The "Happy Hour" menu is fairly limited, but they also have Bar menu with a lot of well priced choices. The service at Mockingbird is amazing, and I can't even think of a single complainant. Our waiter was very friendly and attentive, and he provided great recommendations. Food: (5/5) The Fried Gulf Oysters were amazing. Next time I come to Mockingbird, I plan on ordering at least three plates of these babies. The dijon butter sauce they put on the oysters was awesome. (3/5) Cheese Plate. In my opinion, a cheese plate should be primarily made up of cheese. Maybe that's just me. The cheeses we ordered (Smoke Blue, Veldhuizen Redneck Cheddar, and the Challerhocker) were all pretty good, but we got such small servings of them. The plate was mostly bread and other things that weren't cheese. (5/5) The M bistro burger was my entree as recommended to me by our waiter. It was very good. I recommend getting it cooked medium rare, also get the french fries with it because they are very tasty. ( I think they might have been truffled) Overall, I will definitely be back for their Happy Hour
(4)
BerBer L.
three stars can't be more a disappointment actually if only judging their food. very plain i tried the pan seared duck breast, the steak and the lamb rack and they just did not worth the money.... so plain and so Americanized i rather go to Etoile Cuisine et Bar where they actually serve decent French crusion
(3)
Joyce O.
This place was packed on a Saturday night and the crowd was noisy. If you are expecting quiet, perhaps you should come during happy hour on a weekday. My husband and I enjoyed a lovely dinner here for date night. Beautiful decor and lighting was warm. If you ask for a corner table, the noise isn't as bad.
(4)
David Z.
Traditional in setting and contemporary in style, Mockingbird Bistro offers a delightfully elegant dining experience without the stuffiness and general pretentiousness often associated with the "fine dining" moniker. Situated in a residential area of the Montrose neighborhood, the restaurant offers a sense of both grandeur and homeliness. Of course, taste is king and this restaurant heartily delivers. Eschewing the avant-garde styles of its trendier competitors, Mockingbird Bistro reminds us that sometimes the tried-and-true flavor combinations of the past were put together for a reason, and sometimes, there's no need to change them for the sake of change. In the two times that we've been to Mockingbird Bistro, we've been treated to an appetizer and two of the daily specials. Generally presented as either a fish of the day or a steak option, the specials really showcase the chef's creativity and style. Now, the specials do tend to be pricier than their regular entrees, but if servings like Australian sea bass with apple puree, or halibut with crawfish ratatouille and lobster fritters, or dry-aged ribeye with risotto and porcini mushrooms sound irresistible to you, then do yourself a favor, take a dive, and splurge to your heart's content. You will have no regrets. In the end, Mockingbird Bistro is one of the best restaurants in Houston for a reason: it offers memorable food, with great service, in a remarkable atmosphere.
Very discouraged about making reservations here. The hostess was quite rude and was not willing to get answers for the questions I had. I like to dine at places that are knowledgable across the board.
(1)
Anaid G.
I am a big fan of this place. I love the lighting, the bar and the overall ambiance. My experience here was exceptional. The prices for the main courses range from 30-40 but everything you eat is a treat. I had the bistro Cesar salad to start and the Chef's special, it was an Alaskan catch of the day and it was delicious. For dessert, I had an espresso and their homemade Apple bread pudding. YUMMY! P.S. Kudos on their wine selection and service (my waiter was very polite, informative, and witty).
(5)
Cammy G.
Mockingbird Bistro is truly one of Houston's finest. The inside of the restaurant was beautiful, the service was extraordinary and the food was absolutely delicious. Definitely a 5-star restaurant in my book! We ordered the Calamari for appetizer which I thought delicious. The Calamari was fresh and crispy, and I couldn't get enough of the dipping sauces. For my entree, I ordered the night's special which Mahi with fried Soft Shell Crab. My mouth is watering just thinking about it! For dessert, we had the molten chocolate cake... So good! Everything was really outstanding! I would highly suggest Mockingbird Bistro!
(5)
Bethanne A.
Lovely, lovely interior, parking is terrible, but food is good. The menu pretty much stays the same with a few specials being served, but not enough about this place makes me want to give it 5 stars. This restaurant does have amazing desserts, however. All of the choices are wonderful. Attentive wait staff always asking if you need anything or to make sure your glass is full.
(4)
Anna V.
I came here for HRW during lunch and it exceeded my expectations. Our waiter was so nice and friendly. I ordered the caesar salad, chicken, and ricotta cheesecake. Usually when I go to places, I'm always weary about ordering chicken because it's usually kind of dry. Not this place. The chicken was very moist and very flavorful. I really enjoyed everything I ordered. 3 course lunch for just $20 is definitely not bad at all. Obviously this was HRW....but I would definitely come back even when it's not HRW season. ;)
(5)
Cindy T.
My friends and I decided to check out Mockingbird Bistro for HRW dinner since we wanted to all try a place none of us have been to yet. It would suffice to say that we were all disappointed! Below is a list of things we ordered and how it fared with our taste buds. Appetizers: - Salmon tartare - it was good but nothing special to the taste. It was almost a bit bland for me - how unfortunate. - MB Caesar salad - my friend said he enjoyed it. Main entrees: - Vegetables - my friend loved her entree but she also commented that it might've been because she hadn't eaten all day so I can't vouch for this. - Pork chops - I had the pork chops, and the first bite was delicious; however, it turns out that the kitchen staff was not consistent with their seasoning techniques because a couple of latter pieces that I bit into were super peppery. - Beef filet - My friend ordered medium rare, and his steak came out extremely rare! He sent it back, and it's almost as if they just heated it up in a microwave or something. Sooo disappointing. Sides: - Truffle Parmesan fries - yummmm! However, maybe the fries were sitting for a bit braise you could tell it wasn't fresh. - Calamari/baby squid - I think we liked this more than the salmon tartare. Dessert: - Apple bread pudding - thumbs up! - Chocolate cake - my friend said it was amazing but a little too rich. Overall, I may stop by for Happy Hour but not sure if I'd dine there again based off of our recent visit.
(2)
Debs C.
Had dinner here with a couple of friends one night after seeing all the reviews. Place is tucked in a neighborhood and has a cozy feel to it. Crowd also leaned on the older side. Nice wine selection along with a cocktail menu. Bar area was also packed with customers. Menu is typical with your steak, seafood, poultry items. We decided on the special of the day which was steak, mashed potatoes, and brussel sprouts in a mushroom sauce, the foi gras burger, and the scallops. All were well prepared and delicious. Nothing too exciting but good, solid food.
(4)
Kathy W.
In town visiting my step-daughter, her husband and family and they were kind enough to bring us here for lunch. As part of the Houston Restaurant Weeks celebration a special three course (appetizer, main course and dessert) fixed price menu is offered. I chose a Caesar salad, seasoned chicken breast with garlic mashed potatoes and cheese cake. Everything was excellent! Especially the chicken, it was outstanding. Perfectly seasoned and cooked. Others in our party ordered salmon and a rigatoni dish and raved about the apple bread pudding. Portions were a good size for lunch. The staff was very attentive and the courses were served in an expeditious and timely manner. No complaints. I would definitely dine here again when I am in town.
(4)
Nicole J.
My husband and I went here for our anniversary. It was a Tuesday night and even though we made a reservation in advance, I don't think we needed to for a weeknight. The service was excellent. Our waiter was helpful and attentive without being overbearing or pushy. Things simply appeared at our table when we needed them and disappeared when we were done (literally; I did not see who took my empty wine glass). The food was excellent; I had the seafood bouillabaisse, my husband had the duck. It was expensive (for us anyway), but worthwhile for a splurge and a perfect way to celebrate our anniversary.
(5)
Michelle M.
Fancy, schmancy place with a well-executed menu that is deserving of the praise and prices charged. If you're one of those Food Network buffs that hangs on the words of Top Chef judges, Anthony Bourdain, and the Barefoot Contessa, this is the spot for you. Firstly, I'll indulge in the interior -- I cannot speak for the actual building's history, but this place has really nice exposed brick, antique-finished mirrors, and a curious but aesthetic loft that overlooks the main floor of the restaurant. It certainly gives you a cool vibe. Secondly, I agree with Daniel L. about the parking -- just go around the block and park for free on the street. Thirdly, the food. I came here for brunch with two friends. One ordered the M Bistro Benedict, one the M Bistro burger, and I feasted on the pain perdu and a side of haricot verts. All of us thoroughly enjoyed our meals, and what I liked was that the menu accommodated sweet, savory, meaty, veggie -- all varietals. I didn't see anything specifically gluten free, but I'm sure such care into a menu would also accommodate for those dietary needs. Fourthly, the service. The staff was curiously attentive to our table, particularly the floor managers. I'm not sure why -- we were a young, underdressed posse that was also telling rich stories of travel and food adventures. I'm not sure they could place us for anything other than Yelpers, and then they would have placed us rightly. I really liked the pain perdu. For me, the portions were too big (though I came in post-5K desperately wanting food). It was a little heavy, too. If you like a generous breakfast, this will certainly please you. I would recommend NOT skipping the house-made jellies. This really added character to French Toast that was otherwise could have chalked up to being simply French Toast. I really wish I had ordered the M Bistro Burger. Alas, my friend had picked it out first, and I have a tacit rule not to order what my friends order when venturing out at American (New) restaurants. However, I tried a bite, and the burger and fries were simply delicious and would have better suited my aerobic-induced cravings. Lastly, there's something to be said for restaurants that serve really good bread before your meal arrives. DO NOT SKIP THE BREAD if you can. It was sooooo good and different. It's texture was a little denser and moister than typical -- almost like a cake or muffin bread. However, the beautifully orange baked parmesan on the bread's top sent me over the edge. And it's free. I will come again in a few paychecks. And I will dress a little nicer.
(4)
Tracy E.
Very accommodating staff! It was our first time there and we were stuffed from dinner, but they brought us complementary cheesecake anyway.
(4)
Sarah M.
We ate here during restaurant week. My husband ordered food from the RW menu and I ordered off the regular menu. The food was good and the service was great. Their French onion soup is some of the best I've had. My husband's steak was too rare and kind of chewy but the rest of the food seemed to make up for it. Their dessert is good, too.
(4)
Karen C.
2.5 stars. No complaints about the service what so ever, they aim to please at this semi-upscale little restaurant. Their food however needs work. Tried the foie gras appetizer and it was just okay...the portion size was adequate for the price but the way it was cooked made eating it sloppy and fall all over the place. The fig was a little overburnt for my tastes buds. Had their special sea bass with sweet corn risotto. Not the best, but not bad either. Issue was with the bf's duck. It was overcooked (when he asked for medium) and the kale that it came with was very very salty, the baby carrots that it came with was undercooked and hard. Never had that before. The waiter and manager was nice enough to take it back and replaced that terrible kale with a side of our choosing, we asked for the risotto which was great. The duck itself was just meh. Appreciate the large portion sizes (not typical of french restaurants to do) but the quality and preparation of the food needs work.
(3)
Bianca F.
Oh my goodness this place is sooooo good! I should have done my review a few months ago. We shared the steak and the scallops along with a bottle of wine. Amazing!!! This is a great place for a date or business lunch. The service is great and the location is in a good area. I had this place on my radar for awhile; mostly because of the Kobe beef burger, which I have yet to try. I'll be back again for dinner and to try that burger!
(5)
Samantha P.
Went for brunch on January 11th.The wait staff was great and the food was flavorful! Had the eggs Benedict. Was expecting smaller portions similar to the restaurants around,but, was surprised by the generous portions. Was expecting to be busier but was pretty quiet. Unfortunately, they did not offer a carafe for mimosas, had to pay per glass. As a avid bruncher, I love me some mimosas. Also free Valet. Would defiantly go back again!
(4)
Craig M.
wow. One of the classiest spots in Houston...yet extremely inconspicuous. Set amidst a quiet neighborhood, mockingbird transports you to a rustic culinary heaven the second you step foot inside. The food is by far 9/10 and ambience a solid 10/10. The staff should give lessons to other restaurants in the area because they know EXACTLY what they are doing. Superb service both times i have been. Give it a shot...I'm betting you'll be back.
(5)
Carla C.
I went to Mockingbird for lunch during a visit to Houston. The food was delicious and beautifully presented. Starter: Beef Carpaccio with parmesan vinaigrette, white truffle oil, and garlic crostinis. The white truffle oil complimented the Carpaccio beautifully. (see picture) Salad: Chopped Salad - avocado, smoked bacon, blue cheese, tomato, creamy onions and vinaigrette.
(4)
Ping L.
I have been to this place many times. I always enjoyed the food & the service, which I think is the most important reason I recommended this place to my host of the party. The service was so poor this time, it made me wonder if I will ever go back again.
(2)
Doug Y.
Visited for the first time this weekend and had a wonderful exerience. Food was great; service was outstanding! Very comfortable atmosphere; would definitely recommend.
(5)
Mike H.
I went here on Tuesday night for HRW dinner. We made reservations on Open Table, valet parked, and were immediately seated in the upstairs dining room. It was all very smooth. We were then handed all the menus, and asked we would like a pre-dinner cocktail, (which we did). I ordered the Pimm's Coupe, (which is a take on the Pimm's Cup obviously). The waitress then left to put in our drink orders. Five minutes later she returned to take our dinner order. We ordered from the HRW menu, and included the wine pairings. The first thing to arrive were the appetizers which consisted of my salad, and my gf's soup. We just sort of stared at them, as we had not yet received our pre-dinner cocktails. The pre-dinner cocktails arrived a few minutes later with the 1st course wine pairing. I think its unfair to offer a pre-dinner cocktail and then serve it after the meal has started. We should have received our cocktail at least 5 minutes before any food showed up. I could understand if they were really trying to flip tables, but there were tables in our section that sat empty throughout our meal. I flagged down our waitress and explained the problem. She said, "Do you want me to take your food back?" This put the onus on me to decide how to correct the problem. I decided that my food could get just as cold in the back as it could on the table, so I told her to leave it. When serving the cocktails, the waiter walked up to the table and asked me which drink I ordered. I said the Pimm's Coupe. I fully expected him to pick up the other cocktail and serve my date first. He did not. He served me first. $12 cocktails come with an expectation of a certain level of service. As far as the food went, my bibb lettuce salad was pretty good, and it had a good presentation. The braised lamb shank served over pappardelle pasta with baby spinach reminded me of pot roast, and I don't think any spinach made it to my plate. The cool flourless chocolate cake was delicious, and definitely worth a try. All of the pairings were thoughtful and appropriate. The port was perfect for the cake, and the chardonnay was refreshing with the salad. Two stars represent "Meh. I've experienced better." My bill came to $170, and in that price range I definitely have experienced better.
(2)
Mia G.
This is a fancy schmancy place but not too over the top that you feel uncomfortable. Expect classical music in the background and dimmed lighting. The staff were very attentive and guessed what you needed before you even asked. The food was good and fair priced. The serving size is what you would expect in an upscale dinning place. They are more concerned with flavor and presentation than busting your belt. My hubby was still a little hungry but thoroughly liked his steak. We had Moscow Mules and they were fresh and zingy. This is defiantly a great place to visit if you have an anniversary or special celebration. Reservations are recommended and you should expect to valet.
(4)
Robert A.
Been here twice for Sunday brunch and have not been disappointed either time. A nice seasonal menu that leaves the pallet satisfied. A little pricey, but good for a special treat on a day like Mother's day. Make sure to make reservations since this is not a secret that this place is good. They have made a couple renovations/expansions since the first time I had been there from more seating.
(5)
Tina C.
Our first time dining at Mockingbird Bistro & our first stop of HRW 2013! Right away, the reason for -1 star was from waiting for the table. We had our reservation and they made us wait at fully packed bar for 15 min. What is the point of the reservation? yes, it was Saturday night, but then you need to manage it better. They guided us to a table on the 2nd floor. We had a big group right next to us, so it was a little bit noisy at times, but they were not too rowdy group. Our waiter & the service was great. Only thing I would point out is that there are many people that stop by at your table other than your waiter. So it does get kind of confusing.. as they are all wearing the same thing. Food we had were absolutely amazing. This is what we ordered Appetizer * M-Bistro Bibb Salad * Roasted Cauliflower Souffle Main course * Braised Colorado Lamb Shank * Ruby Red Trout Dessert * Cool Flourless Chocolate Cake * Apple Bread Pudding We liked all of our dishes! Salad was amazing with the goat cheese and pine nuts. Not too overwhelming, but so delicious. Souffle was warm and not too creamy, my boyfriend doesnt like too greasy/creamy things but he liked it. I got the lamb shank and let me tell you, it was BIG & the meat just melted right off the bone. Tasted so great and loved the spinach and pasta that it came on top of. My boyfriend got the trouts and it was 2 fillets. They were very well seasoned and cooked perfectly. Potatoes that came on the side of this dish was very delicious as well! Dessert..... the flourless chocolate cake was like a very dense chocolate mousse. I loved it since I am a huge chocolate person! it was not too sweet it was great! for the bread pudding, it had good cinnamon flavor to it and it was great as well!
(4)
Kathryn H.
I do like this place, and like to go when I'm having a quality meal with a friend for any special occasion like a birthday. It's quaint, intimate, and you can always count on a consistently good meal. This is the place I recommend for people to try foie gras because they do it the way I had it in France - it's not pre-tinned (if it is, please don't tell me). I love their mussels in coconut sauce - and good mussels are hard to find sometimes. I've settled on a favorite and it's their chicken with asparagus risotto. They have a great price fix menu and are a great restaurant to try during Restaurant Week if you think they may be too pricey for you on a normal day. Personally, I'd like to see them break out of what everyone else serves during Restaurant Week because I know their chefs have the creative skills.
(3)
Kimberli D.
Fantastic dinner last night. I had the Mahi Mahi special and it was perfect. My date had the pork chop and also offered great reviews. They also make a really nice vodka martini. We did not do dessert but I was greatly tempted by the bread pudding. Great waitstaff too. Solid place and the atmosphere is still really great. Can be a really romantic setting so it's a great place for a special occasion. I made online reservations and requested a quiet table near edge of dining room. They complied perfectly. Sometimes I don't think restaurants read those requests.
(4)
Belle K.
We finally made it to Mockingbird Bistro and boy am I in love!!! Why has it taken us so long to get here!!! As the big happy hour fans as we are, we have to atleast check out the HH spread as a way to sample the
(4)
Dawn B.
What a wonderful dinner we had here. We haven't been in a long time because we know it's expensive and there are just so many places to eat in Houston, it just was forgotten about on our list. I know this is a small thing, but it is my biggest pet peeve at a restaurant....when I order hot soup, can you please give me HOT soup. Mockingbird did just that. It was fantastic, and it set the mood for such a great night. The wine was perfect and so was the steak frites, what really made them, however, was the dipping sauce. Yum! We'll be back for sure.
(5)
Kathy Z.
I have been dying to try this place for a long long time. I've heard so many good things about it, that my expectations were pretty high. For some reason, I imagined this restaurant to be pompous and high class all the way, but I was very pleased to find the ambiance to be more casual and cozy. Located in the neighborhoods of Montrose, Mockingbird Bistro is a balance between fine dining and rustic bistro. Husband and I came for Houston Restaurant Week. Dinner was $45. I had the tomato soup for appetizer, lamb shank for entree, and lemon tart for dessert. The tomato soup was just okay, but it's hard to really shine on tomato soup. The lamb shank was absolutely delicious. It was fall off the bone tender with lots of flavor. The lemon tart was good. My husband had the onion soup for appetizer and steak for entree. He said they were both just okay. For dessert, he had the flourless chocolate cake, which he thought was fairly bad. I had a bite and had to concur. It was dry and reminded me of cocoa powder. (We are both choco-holics, so this is a big deal.) I have nothing bad to say about service. I have no idea what the regular menu prices are like since we were only presented with the restaurant week menu. With so many outstanding restaurants in Houston, I was a little disappointed in Mockingbird Bistro for the lack of creativity and detail, but this is still a solid restaurant.
brunch on a sunday = ) because there is no breakfast on saturdays. haha. it was kind of dark, but we sat by the window and opened the blinds great service...the coffee cup was never empty. bread basket...the bread was really bland. i usually don't touch the salt shaker scrambled eggs + apple chicken sausage: the eggs were kind of bland (3/5). but the sausage and potatoes were delicious (4/5) french toast + apple compote and bacon (3/5) bistro benedict (4/5): delicious and decadent. i loved the avocado + prosciutto....drowning in egg yolk = amazing. this place reminds me of a hang out joint for the ladies who lunch. it's a very classic menu...i guess i did fall into the hype as well. guilty!! after going back again, i still think it was a solid brunch, but nothing crazy special
(3)
Kevin M.
HRW 2012 Review: So we had a reservation for 9pm but didn't get seated until 9:45pm. Crowded on a Wednesday night! As a result we were the very last patrons to leave around 11:30pm. Take that however you want to. I personally didn't want to eat that late, but the quality of the food made up for it. Also, their mojito was on point (5/5). They gave us some combination of bread and olive oil with herbs. Poppy seed bread stood out to me, the rest was forgettable. Appetizer: Sweet corn souffle - I would rename this for the non-foodies out there: Corn flan with crab on top. So given that, the texture was flan-like, had a nice corn taste, with chunks of corn kernels, and was nicely complimented by the crab. Not sure how I feel about it though. (3.5/5) CAB filet - perfectly medium rare as requested. Great flavor and crust, complemented by red wine reduction. Organic new potatoes stole the show in my opinion. How do french restaurants make potatoes so tantalizing? Besides butter, I mean... (5/5) Dessert - sample trio. Apple bread pudding - amazing. Flourless chocolate cake - rich and moist. Vanilla Creme Brulee - meh I've had better. (4/5) All in all, I think it was a good preview to what the restaurant has to offer. Will be back! The lamb chop sounds amazing... now to save up the money...
(4)
Alice T.
Smack dab in the middle of a neighborhood, Mockingbird is the cutest little restaurant. A little dark and romantic for three girls eating Sunday brunch, but it has a gorgeous half woody- half industrial interior now with all the fun holiday decorations up. This place is more suitable for interior dining- the outdoor patio doesn't look as festive as somewhere like Backstreet Cafe where everybody is buzzing about (but that may be just because of the weather). Parking is valet in the front, but plenty of room along the street in the neighborhood blocks. The bellini was okay- not peachy enough for me. But, the smoked salmon benedict was fantastic. Poached egg on smoked salmon, layered on a thick potato and chive cake and bed of garlic sauteed spinach. Times two! which made it deliciously filling and was just a great medley of flavors. Friends got the Bistro Benedict, which was similar but on an english muffin with prosciutto and a potato cake next to it. This was also really good. I'd say skip the appetizers. The calamari was too chewy and came with a remoulade that tasted way too fishy. Save your stomach for your dish and the bread (soft herb focaccia with yummy olive oil).
(5)
Michael L.
Solid food, came here with the family and had brunch as my first meal coming back to my home town. Everything was good, kind of on the pricier side, but you get what you pay for. Waiter was very helpful and gave good recommendations. Everyone at the table was claiming their food was the best dish. So naturally I was bragging that my soft shell crab special was the $hit. they also have a nice outdoor area for when its not a million degrees and 500% humidity out. Looking forward to coming back.
(4)
John F.
Always EXCELLENT with wonderful service! Try the Burger with Foie Gras....DECADENT AND DELISH!!!!!!!
(4)
Kris P.
We definitely liked this place. ...So much so we went 2 days in a row during our 3 day Houston visit. The service was great, and the waiter was happy to discuss the exceptionally priced bar menu. Main Menu changes a bit, so it's nice to get seasonal dishes too. (We visited in March) Definitely go to HAPPY HOUR - it's so worth it. HH drinks were tasty and only ~$5, and the food was on par. The good: -truffle pomme frites -mac&cheese -roasted eggplant app -creamy polenta w/ veal bolognese: can get a bit monotonous, so definitely a good shared plate -seared foie gras: Yuuuuummmm. The average: -mussels (main menu) -braised short ribs -veal sweetbread: it was just too much of one texture. The first few bites were good, the last 10 were difficult. Service was great and ambiance is nice. We sat in the bar the first night and then outside during happy hour and had a fantastic time.
(4)
Roland f.
Excellent appetizers and good bar service thanks to Angel & Alex for a lovely evening last Saturday May 12, 2012 wife's B day. Keep it up Chef/owner John. Definitely will be back to try the American Kobe/wagyu burger. Draw back not enough parking.
(5)
Ryan S.
A spur of the moment change in dinner plans led me and a friend to a great experience at Mockingbird Bistro. You won't be having a budget meal but you will have an awesome conversation with your friends about good eats. Upon walking up to the plain but inviting architecture, you're immediately welcomed to a dim but cozy/romantic ambiance indoors. The interior of the restaurant is very picture-worthy. Tall ceilings, woods and hanging rustic chandeliers create an eye pleasing painting for this place. On to the food... The wonderful wait-staff kept a good and distant eye on us to be sure we were comfortable throughout our dining experience. They were more than willing to go into depth over the menu items(trust me, we did much dish interrogating). We started off with a good bottle of Napa red along with the Veal Sweetbreads. The sweetbreads were lightly crisp on the outside and incredibly juicy in the middle. The combination of sauce, crisp panchetta mated up well with this dish. Three portions of sweetbreads was the perfect amount for two people. For our main course I had the Seared Tuna Steak with Wasabi potato and shitake... while she had the T-bone topped with jumbo lump crab, asparagus and herbed risotto. Hands down, that was probably one of the thickest and freshest tasting tuna steaks I've had in years. It was perfectly seasoned and seared to the bare minimum. The wasabi potatoes was something left to curiosity upon ordering but it was the best pairing for this rare tuna...beat that soy sauce! Her T-bone was grilled perfectly medium rare, tasty tender. The sauce and lump crabmeat was delicious! The herbed rice/risotto is to die for. I totally recommend at least ordering a side of that if at all possible. Anchoring the night were the Cool Flourless Chocolate Cake and the Bananas Foster Crepes. I'm not a big fan of all-on chocolate desserts but this flourless cake was very light on the chocolate flavor. Slightly dense but I powered through it just fine haha. Recommended. The Bananas Foster Crepes is the next best thing here. The crepe was perfectly made and did not sog up at all. Sugar, caramel, and incredibly fresh vanilla bean ice cream made this a 5 star dessert. RECOMMENDED! This review is extremely long but it does no justice to the experience we had that night. I would make my way back here for any special occasion.
(5)
Sherwin S.
I visited Mockingbird a little over four years ago, when it was not a juggernaut on the Houston restaurant scene. I went to the restaurant, which is nestled in a residential neighborhood on Upper Kirby, on a weeknight when it was super empty. I was maybe one of three tables that evening and as such, received excellent service. My wife and I both enjoyed a 7-course tasting menu with a wine paring. The food was good...nothing super fancy. The paired wines left something to be desired as all of them were basic supermarket wines. Mockingbird is a great place to go to enjoy a good meal in a great atmosphere. It is one of the few Houston restaurants that is not located in a strip mall. The staff is small, but friendly. Don't rush your experience at Mockingbird...take your time (this is perhaps why their staff is so small so don't get mad when your food doesn't come out right away). If you have somewhere else to go after dinner, then eat somewhere else. But if dinner is the highlight of your evening, then Mockingbird is a great place to dine!!!
(5)
B. D.
I really was expecting better of this restaurant...but sadly it was a huge disappointment. First off the service is so painfully slow...not because they were busy either...just disorganized? Food lacked quality that a restaurant of its reputation should have. I won't be returning.
(2)
Dan G.
Had to book a last minute business dinner with a party of 8. Called this place up and was able to get the round table in the back room by the wall of wine. The happy hour drinks were well priced. The food, was delicious (I had the PNW seabass with a starter of calamari), and may be my favorite calamari in Houston now. I really enjoyed the ambiance and decore. Perfect place for business dinner or weekend brunch. Still have to try the burger as I've heard it's the best in all of Houston.
(4)
J G.
Very Delicious. We came during Houston Restaurant Weeks and everything was very yummy. The service was excellent and everyone was very polite and seemed to really enjoy their job. It is a little fancier than your average Friday night date night restaurant so be prepared to dress nice and spend a little more. My appetizer was a Lobster Corn Souffle and it was amazing. The main course was Grilled Half Chicken and it was also good but I was so blown away by the starter and the dessert trio that I only thought the chicken was just ok. I would definitely return if the occasion came around.
(5)
Sneha R.
COME HERE BETWEEN 5-7PM AND SIT OUTSIDE ON THE PATIO OR IN THE LOUNGE. It turns out if you sit in the patio outside or at the lounge, you get to order off the happy hour menu and the dinner menu -- best of both worlds! Happy hour menu is 5$ for all mini bites -- we got the truffle oil mac and cheese and the eggplant dip. The truffle oil mac and cheese was so delicious, probably the best I've ever had. Towards the end I started to feel it's heaviness and kind of got sick of the flavor punch in each bite. This is a good dish to share. Entree -- scallops and creamy risotto with green peas and pork belly. The scallops were really plump and juicy. The risotto was too flavorful, I couldn't eat too much of it. My date got the kobe beef burger with foie gras and truffle oil fries. The mac and cheese and the fries both have the same distinct truffle taste. They're so good! My main complaint about the food is that everything is so flavorful and you eventually get sick of it if you eat too much. Sharing dishes could solve this problem, of course. In short, be prepared for a rich and heavy meal. Service was excellent.
(4)
Terri N.
Loved every minute. The restaurant eclectic, service is first rate, and I cleaned my plate which does not happen often. I usually do not care for focaccia, but rather enjoyed the bistro's offering! Will definitely be back.
(5)
Lisa W.
Mockingbird bistro rates as one of our favorite restaurants in Houston. The food has always been spot on if you are dining for a special occasion or going to happy hour at the bar. I was excited to find out that they are now dog friendly. I headed up there after work one day with my husband and dog. They were very attentive, giving our dog water, dog treats, and pets. We both ordered the burgers from the bar menu which were tasting and at $9 a fabulous deal. I am already looking forward to my next visit.
(5)
J M.
There is not much more to say than AMAZING about Mockingbird Bistro. Everyone is incredibly nice, and the food is out of this world. Sit at the bar at lunch and share a burger and bibb salad. For dinner, enjoy an off the menu feature or something else from the well appointed menu and please order the bread pudding for dessert. You will not be disappointed! Enjoy
(5)
Megan H.
Still one of my favorite Houston restaurants after several visits. Their French onion soup, creme brulee, and warm apple tart are some of the best dishes I've ever had. As far as entrees go, I try something new every time, and every time I'm thrilled with it!
(5)
Brandy C.
Came here for lunch with a group of girlfriends and I'm in love now. To be clear, we go out to lunch knowing our hands are going to end up in each other's food, and this was no exception. One pal had seen their American Kobe beef burger in Texas Monthly's best burger list and grabbed that - a hit. Delicious White Truffle Parmasan Fries. I had the Petite Filet Mignon, took half to go since it was so big, and it didn't make it home before I tore into it. Yeah, that's me driving next to you on Shepherd licking meat juice off my fist. I'm classy like that. The atmosphere of this place is cute and cozy and it was easy to come in for lunch and grab a table. I can't wait to go back for an encore.
(5)
Peter T.
Food: 4/5 Ambiance: 3.5/5 Services: 3.5/5 Prices: $$$$ (avg 70/person) I came here about 4 years ago for the first time and I remembered it didnt give me a great impression... first, the pasta i had was not that great & second, the clientele was a bit too intimidating for my taste! Thus, I never came back since until recently when I asked fellow Yelpers to choose between Tony's & Mark's and of course, there's always some smart-ass Yelpers (just kidding) that will disagree & suggest another, thus Mockingbird was bookmark in my TO-TRY list! We decided to show a Norwegian suburbanite who currently live alone in Sugarland the beautiful neighborhood of Memorial Park & Montrose. We came here on a Monday evening around 7.45pm & was promptly seated. The restaurant was not busy with about 30% capacity filled, thus it was quiet where we could comfortably talk & listen to each other conversations... thats a PLUS point! We skipped the appetizer and had the following entrees: Kobe Beef Short Ribs $40 (Day's Special): Huge chunk of meat that was slowed cook until it falls apart and melt in your mouth... We were oooing and aaaing as the flavor of the meat dance around inside our mouth and slowly melted away. This is probably the BEST dish of the evening... and the portion was just right. Sesame Seared Swordfish $40 (Day's Special): Both my partner & I are not a fan of swordfish coz the fillet tend to be tough & has not much flavor. Our guest ordered this and she cant even finished the dish. She was given a very generous cut of the fish, beautifully seared & to our surprise, it was very moist & tender, full of flavor. Organic Chicken $28: This was my dish and i'm loving it. A simple dish, not too heavy but enough to fill your tummy as it comes with roasted potato. Again, the chicken was very tender & flavorful. Considering it was a Monday, we only ordered a glass of wine each. I had the rose $8, it was OK, not chilled enough. My partner had the Cote du Rhone $10, he doesnt look impressed but our guest love her Chardonnay $11. So, Mark's or Mockingbird? I think Mark's cuisines are more adventurous & contemporary but somehow faltered in the overall combination of flavors. Mockingbird offers a more classic/traditional flair. If given the choice, I will go back to Mark's to check out more of their dishes coz I'm the adventurous type... but if you want a quiet, romantic evening with something you know its going to be GOOD (and for a safer bet), then go Mockingbird! Thats my 2cents...
(4)
Moriah T.
I went here during Houston Restaurant Weeks, and it was very good. First Course: Chilled Tomato and Basil Soup. The shrimp and basil with the tomato soup was just divine. A very refreshing and light start to the meal. Second Course: Lamb Rack with Risotto. This was too scrumptious for words! And of course the dessert trio for a perfect ending to the meal. All throughout the meal I imbibed Duval Leroy Brut. Needless to say I was quite drunk and very happy. I must go again!
(5)
Angie F.
We really enjoyed Mockingbird. It was a mixture of a classy and casual atmosphere with excellent service. The food was very good. I had the foie gras and the duck which were both great. It was overall a great experience. It is pretty pricey but we will be back for sure.
EXCELLENT!! Came during HRW and we were all blown away. I got the Lobster Corn Souffle, Striped Bass and Dessert Trio. I can't decide what I liked the most but the whole table had stellar reviews. Can't wait to come back and try the hamburgers.
(5)
D D.
Found this place on Yelp while passing through town and I am so happy we found this place. An excellent menu delivered with excellent presentation and unequaled service. I think this bistro is a must for anyone in Houston. We had four different appetizers and entrees and all were excellent. Would recommend to anyone!
(5)
Donna R.
This is our favorite restaurant at the moment. The atmosphere is great, quiet but friendly. The Chef is very talented and creative and takes care of every detail so that your experience is a good one. We go there for brunch almost every Sunday and always enjoy it. The Eggs Benedict are the best I've ever had. Last night, I had the maple smoked salmon with pumpkin risotto and it was to die for. And the bartenders are as creative and talented with the cocktails as the chef is with the food. Let them experiment with your drinks. You won't be sorry. I had a mimosa last week with campari, gin, champagne and fresh blood orange juice. It was fabulous. And yes, it is sort-of forced valet parking, but who cares? If you want an inexpensive dining experience, go somewhere else. After you eat and drink at Mockingbird, you won't want to walk the neighborhood to get to your car!
(5)
Christy D.
Even though I did not come here on a date, I feel like the ambiance here is very cozy, warm and inviting with low lighting so it would be a great place for a "romantic" dinner. Regarding service and whatnot: The service was helpful and polite, not overbearing, nor indifferent. We had a little confusion with our bill getting misinterpreted in the way we wanted it split, but we didn't say anything. It was just a little awkward the way they split the bill pre-tip and then divided the tip unevenly between the bills instead of splitting the final amount. Oh and gratuity was already included for the two of us; I'm not sure if this is the norm for fine dining establishments or what. I don't really mind, but I know some people might not like that. Also, parking is valet and it's free, except for the tip. Since it was a cold evening, we checked out their hot coffee drink menu. They had some great sounding drinks! My friend got a banana nut drink that was so tasty and I had the cafe mockingbird ($9) drink (which they cheerfully made decaf for me) which was almost as good. If I'm being honest, though, I wanted my friend's drink. They brought some bread and herbed olive oil to the table. GREAT bread--they must've put some sort of flavoring on the crust. It was yummy! We were going to start with the beef carpaccio because I remembered checking yelp to see that it was a good dish (I think). We didn't know much about the dish, but it sounded good. However, on her own accord, our ever so helpful waitress informed us that it was cold and raw beef, which did not appeal to my friend. We went for the calamari ($12?) instead. It was good, a heaping bowl of both the rings and squiggly parts. Ok that sounds gross, but it was good. It was served with two sauces, one was a sweet dark sauce and the other was a little spicier remoulade-type dip. For the entree, I really wanted to try the diver scallops, but the logical side of my brain talked me into getting one of the evening's specials, since the scallops are on the printed menu, and the special was not. This special ($40) was grouper topped with crabmeat over mushrooms and oysters, served with pesto mashed potatoes topped with caviar. I'd never had caviar before but it wasn't anything to write home about. The food was very good, but I didn't get to eat much of it fresh from the kitchen because I was so full from the heavy calamari. Honestly though, if I could do it over, I would've tried the scallops since it wasn't the "best fish EVAR" or anything. We looked at the dessert menu so I could tease myself. Really, I wanted a dessert SO badly. They all sounded so good. I wish I were writing a review of some divine dessert right here, but no. Maybe I can update after next time when I decide to go for a delicious hot spiked coffee and something sweet with a friend or on a date. :)
(4)
Julia L.
I had a chance to dine here for August restaurant week. Woohoo for 3 courses for $35! When you walk into this place, it kinda feels like one of those old Southern estates. You've got those high ceilings, pillars eveywhere, but it feels like you've walked into someone's living room. Behind the bar, you can see stairs leading to the second floor. I liked that the tables were situated too close together. Very classy (but not hoighty-toighty) and romantic vibe to the place. I know the dim lighting was for ambiance but my camera had a terrible time focusing. The chilled tomato-basil soup has royal red shrimp, avocado and brioche croutons. I had watched Masterchef and saw two chefs create a series of souffles and so I was craving one like crazy! Imagine my excitement when I saw that there was a souffle on the menu. The sweet corn souffle had jumbo lump crab and lobster nage. It was sweet and light as air! The pan-roasted striped bass was served with tomato barigoule, truffled shoe string potatoes in white wine lemon broth. The certified Angus beef filet was served with roasted wild mushrooms, organic new potatoes in a port wine reduction. This steak hit the spot! It was flavorful and wonderfully chewy. The bit of blue cheese on top added a distinct flavor profile.
(5)
Fregilia L.
Renia and I decided to stop in for their happy hour since we had another event to attend that was just down the street. I was excited to check out this place from all the great reviews I've read. I got there around 5:30 and it wasn't packed at all. Just a few people at the bar. The bartender, Rene', was just fantastic. He had two beautiful ladies sitting in front of him that are avid lushes and he knew how to handle us properly. He catered to our thirsty needs. I was unsure as to what cocktail I should order and he told me that he could make anything. He mentioned fruit and I was sold. I am a berry girl so any drink accompanied with berries is going to be my drink. He made me an amazing strawberry cocktail. He was attentive to us the entire time until we left. I did not order from the bar menu but they do offer small bites during happy hour. I was able to find parking on the side of the street with no problem. I do believe that they also valet as well if you don't want to deal with finding parking.
(4)
Britromancer O.
We have been coming to Mockingbird quite regularly and have found it to be a consistently solid choice for Happy Hour. The ambience, food and service have been stellar. Unfortunately, our most recent Friday happy hour visit was a disappointment. While the service and was still top notch, the quality and presentation of the food did not seem at all characteristic of what we were served on previous visits. The overall taste seemed to be simplified and not as delicately prepared as in the past. It also seemed as though there was a little more emphasis on quantity vs quality. We truly hope that this was just an off evening and that everything will return to previous standards. Again, over the years, we have loved going to the restaurant and would be delighted if it continues on the same path.
(3)
Renia L.
Thought I would visit this place as I heard the happy hour was stellar and the customer service top notch. Boy was that accurate. My husband and I decided to stop in after work to celebrate a special occasion and with the 5 dollar drink and Happy hour apps who could resist. Especially when those apps consist of items like Lobster rissotto lolli pops and Kobe beef hotdogs. Upon entering we were greeted immedialtey by Rolando the GM, who assist us with our seats and even told us a little bit about the place. As the evening progresses I noticed the GM speaking with everyone and making them feel cery "at home" and I loved that, being a first timer. Sitting at the bar is always nice and the bar staff was great! The drink were great. Mokingbird was once an old Itlaian restuarant and you can pick up on that old new york, mafia vibe here. Something about the red velvet seats and wood apholstery made me think of "A Bronx Tale". Parking was easy, there is a lot in the back with comp. valet but we were able to find street parking at 5:30p with ease. One reccomendation is to get to the bar early if you want a seat there, as they reserve it for their regulars that start to arrive about 7:15p. There is also a private wine room that seats about 75 patrons for a more intimate gathering. I will be back to this Bistro.
(5)
John P.
This place is pretty expensive but the food is pretty delicious. I come here every so often and I'm always satisfied with the food. It's just really really good. Last time I was here I had a burger and it might have been the best one I ever had. I hope you guys have a chance to check it out.
(4)
Kiri K.
Came here with my family and had a lovely evening. The service is impeccable: you're always escorted to the restroom, the waiter replaced my knife when it slipped into the Bearnaise sauce, and most impressively all the entrees were placed on the table at the same time by five waiters with a flourish. Needless to say we were impressed. Further, the sommelier served the wine correctly - a Chablis with small pours and an ice bucket to protect the cool temperature. OK, on to the food. ORDER the steak!!!! It is gigantic and cooked perfectly. The frites and garlic aioli were a super yum! Also really liked the haricots certs The mesclun salad was quite good and again a very generous portion. My sister had the lamb which was again cooked to perfection. The scallops were lovely and the starch they were served with was delicately flavored with citrus and celery. Dad's salmon was the least popular at the table and significantly less generous of a portion than all the other entrees. Anyways, dinner was great and Evelio took great care of us! Five stars is well deserved!
(5)
Julia P.
I've been meaning to try Mockingbird Bistro since my husband and I moved to Houston in July, but pregnancy has not been so kind to me, so I've pretty much stayed home the past 6 months. However, for Valentine's Day, I wanted to do something special, so we dressed up and decided to do a fancy "date night.' I love the Montrose location because it reminds me of our hometown, Austin, so I was already very optimistic about our dinner. I loved that they had valet parking, and we were seated right away which is always nice. They had a set Valentine's Day menu, but everything I ate was absolutely delicious, so I didn't mind too much. The waiters were very knowledgeable and professional, and it had that true fine dining atmosphere. The interior of the restaurant was absolutely beautiful, and it was very romantic. I highly recommend this place for a birthday or anniversary!
(5)
Isabel C.
We pulled up to Mockingbird Bistro just as the dusk was fading into moonlight. The quaint, yet stylish exterior of the building reflected the experience soon to come. The interior reminded me of the really nice house of a born and bred Texan. It was elegant and stylish, but had enough knick knacks to make you feel at home. We were seated towards the back of the restaurant in a room with wine lining the perimeter of the room. I was able to watch people in the mirrors and make up stories of their lives. The waiter seemed a little bit nervous or maybe he just was a high-energy person, but he did a fairly good job. After taking some time to review the menu, we settled on getting the Mussels for an appetizer. He got the Golden Snapper special and I got the Lemon Sole. I cannot tell you how much I regreted my choice. I had a delicious experience, but after one bite of his Golden Snapper I can absolutely tell you now that was the best fish I have EVER tasted. The mussels were hit or miss. Some of the mussels tasted a little foul and others were absolute perfection. The broth was a bit salty to be eaten alone with bread, but it complimented the mussel meat well. The Golden Snapper was served with a red curry sauce on a bed of coconut risotto. The whole dish was fantastic and lead to food euphoria. I was on such a high that I beamed with a smile from ear-to-ear for the rest of the night. My lemon sole served with parchment is an old standby of the establishment and on any other night I would have been blissfully happy. Without the advent of that golden snapper, my review would have been raving about the sole. The ratatouille had bits of olive in it which was somewhat unusual and reminded me of the olive mix you dip your bread in at Nino's/Vincente's. The waitstaff got wind that it was my birthday (thanks to the ballon tied to my wrist and my very helpful fella) and they scribed "Happy Birthday" on our creme brulee. Our coffees came with our dessert and there was a slight hiccup in getting his coffee, but that was quickly aleviated. I love this restaurant and it's definitely one of my favorites in Houston. If only it didn't break the bank so much, I'd be back here on the regular.
(4)
Maria S.
I missed happy hour but nevertheless sat at the bar with a friend to enjoy a small plate of food and wine. The $9 glass of Spanish wine was OK. It wasn't on the menu. The least expensive glass of wine on the menu was more than $10. I ordered a grilled veggie plate. For $12 I received a small serving of zucchini and asparagus. I'm not complaining about the contents as I told them not to serve me mushrooms nor green peppers. But the amount of veggies for $12 was small. I've had a grilled delicious veggie plate at a luxurious restaurant at the Galleria. It's generous and has a variety including sweet potatoes.
(3)
Stephen S.
I went to Mockingbird Bistro with my girlfriend for our three year anniversary. After reading the reviews on Yelp, I expected great food with mediocre service. However, I was blown away by both the delicious food and exceptional service. When we entered we were immediately greeted by a friendly staff and were taken straight to our table for which we had made reservations in advance. We started with the beef carpaccio and truffle macaroni and cheese (this was from the happy hour menu which had already ended, however they still served it to us without giving us a hard time). The beef carpaccio was the best I have ever had, and I order it just about any time it is on a menu. There were multiple dabs of different sauces lining the plate giving each bite a different flavor and a light layer of parmesan cheese sprinkled on top with a hint of sea salt that really brought out the flavor. For our main course, we split the Colorado lamb shank which was very flavorful and tender. The meat was falling off of the bone and accompanied with a delicious creamy goat cheese polenta. Enough about the food though, everyone raves about that, the service is what made our night special. Wilmer, our waiter, took great care of us, never allowing for our wine glasses to run dry. He had a good presence but wasn't a shadow standing over our table the whole night. John, the chef and owner came by and asked how everything was as well, he later sent out a chocolate truffle plate for desert because he heard that it was our anniversary. The only knock I have was that the man who appeared to be the manager walked around and spoke to every table EXCEPT mine, I don't know if it is because we looked young or unimportant, but I was bothered that he seemed to write us off. However Wilmer and John completely made up for this. Everything about this evening perfect, I cannot wait to go back!
(5)
April C.
I came here for a birthday dinner. It was nice and the service was attentive. The food was good, but a tad pricey for what you're getting. The week prior, we went to Charivari and that was great food and a great experience. I was hoping for the same after reading the other reviews. I would give this place a 3.75. Mediterranean Mussels: 4/5 - tomato, garlic, red curry and coconut milk broth with garlic toast; it was tasty and the mussels were of a good size too. Calamari: 3/5 - quick-fried with two dipping sauces: remoulade and sweet and spicy glaze; the batter was very fragile and would fall off, but was still good. Cast Iron-seared Diver Scallops: 4/5 - truffled smashed English peas, spring cauliflower and beurre rouge sauce; the serving size is small - I had to share my steak because I knew the portion size was not going to be filling for my bf. The scallops were fabulous. Steak Frites: 4/5 - certified angus strip loin with sauteed crimini, shitake and oyster mushrooms and pommes frites; the steak was cooked nicely and the dipping sauce gave it that extra YUMM. Even without the dipping sauce - the mushrooms were fabulous and the fries were perfectly crunchy.
(4)
Michael B.
Mockingbird has always been an excellent Bistro to chill out and relax. I've always have had wonderful service and food here. I've had many different drinks here, but my favorite is the Bourbon honeycomb. My second favorite is the red sangria.
(5)
David N.
So I always wanted to check this place out since they had such great reviews. I just never had a chance to dress up and actually enjoy a sit-down dinner with some friends. So when my friend asked if my gf and I wanted to do a double date during Houston Restaurant Week I was all over it! I managed to find a spot on the street just around the corner but if you aren't so lucky they offer valet parking. The value of HRW is always a plus, but some places the service is dropped, that is not the case here. As far as food I had the Onion soup, it was a HUGE serving size, tasted delicious, my gf had the Lobster Risotto, with big chunks of lobster. I liked the risotto more. Our entrees, were as followed: my gf had the king salmon, it was coupled with some wasabi whipped potatoes and a soy sauce topping. It was just OK in my opinion. I had the slow braised short ribs. It was sweet and super tender. For dessert instead of picking they just went ahead and gave everyone a sampler of three of the desserts. One was a bread pudding, another was a chocolate cake, and the last was a creme brulee. My fav was the creme brulee. Overall, it was a great dining experience. I always take HRW with a grain of salt, since it's not the full menu and not the same attitude as far as the wait staff goes, but it gives me a good preview. This preview was good enough for me to come back and check out the feature show.
(4)
Tom W.
Mockingbird Bistro is argueably the best fine dining establishment in Houston. Not stuffy, not pretentious, not lost in its own PR, this restaurant is refreshingly the counterpoint to Tony's and Cafe Annie/RDG. Reliable, solid, and genuinely friendly and professional service, this place remains the epitome of a welcoming restaurant that serves world-class food. Meals start with a gift from the kitchen that is a delicious bite (amuse bouche). Appetizers are lovely and I highly recommend the oyster appetizer (fried oysters with a crab-Rockefeller treatment) , seared scallop on Italian black rice risotto or - trust me - the sweetbreads with Sherry Vinaigre sauce. Salads are made from local lettuces and taste of freshness, but, like the soups, are $9.00 and don't offer (me) the same excitement as some of the more substantial offerings. Entrees are likewise lined out....a fish/shellfish, beef, lamb, pork and chicken entree, each with a few lovely sides. I recently had the Lamb entree - 2 lamb chops with 4 slices of roasted leg of lamb served with a horseradish mashed potato in the potato shell and sauteed eggplant - and the lambchops were not only perfectly cooked medium rare as requested, but were also so delicious I wanted to shout like Sally when I ate them. Yes! Yes! YES! Outstanding and frequently changing wine list. The wines are priced below most restaurant mark up as well. And there are many excellent and unusual choices among the selections. You can go in an sit at the bar and feel well served with an appetizer or two or a Kobe beef hamburger while enjoying a beer, a glass of Cotes du Rhone or any number of the excellent wines by the glass. I have been to Mockingbird probably 30 times in the past 2 years; this place is my father's idea of Cheer's because he is there so often they not only know his name, but he keeps a table there. When I tell this to other people who go there occassionally, they tell me they feel just as well treated even when going only once in a while. To me, that is a class act. When you go to Tony's occassionally, you get to sit "in Siberia"; go to Mockinbird and they make you feel like a long lost friend whom they have never met. This place is the real deal. And you can wear comfortable attire, not a suit and tie, and be just fine. Oh, expensive? Yes. Worth it? Every penny.
(5)
Jen W.
We had a Girls Night Out at Mockingbird Bistro, booked through Yelp/My Open Table. The restaurant was very organized, called me the morning of appointment to confirm. When I called 2 hours prior appointment time to change the time and # of people, they were very helpful, showed great courtesy and accommodated my request. We showed up on time, has complimentary valet parking, our table is in the inside room, has very good ambiance. Not too noisy and the wait staff was very attentive and helpful. We ordered the calamari, came with 2 sauces, it was very good. All of the entries were delicious, good portion and reasonable price. We shared the crembulee, bread pudding. Drinks were good but not very strong. Will go again.
(4)
Patrick K.
A Houston friend and I enjoyed dinner here on a Friday evening. My friend had made a reservation for 8pm. We arrived a few minutes early. The place was busy but not crazy. The host seemed genuinely glad to see us-- as though both of us were regulars. He gave us the option of being seated immediately in the wine room or waiting a few minutes for a better table in the main room. When he seated us about two minutes later, he took our drink orders immediately. The decor is ecclectic-- a lot of red, lots of wood, leather-lined chairs, low lighting. I liked the atmosphere but recognize that it may not be everyone's cup of tea. I also appreciated that the crowd was dressed well-- not fancy but certainly what I as an Austinite would consider dressed up. Some men were even wearing jackets and ties-- wow! (In Austin we consider closed-toed shoes in summer to be "dressed up.") Outstanding food and a huge wine list. I had onion soup and a trout dish that was superb. My friend and I shared an order of truffle pommes frites. I also enjoyed a dry martini beforehand, which was ice cold and perfect.
(4)
John I.
The Mockingbird Bistro is housed in a unique building that almost feels Gothic. Hard to say how this building structure adds or detracts for the dining experience, but it was definitely different. Mockingbird tries hard. From the greeting at the beginning of the meal to the call for a cab at the end of the evening. I appreciated that. The meal overall was uninspiring, but the price didn't blow my budget. Although not cheap and not what one would consider value (based on quality), I think it is still worth trying. Here was my night: Starter: Veal Sweetbreads, sweet onions, mushroom tarragon cream sauce. A below average dish as the sweetbreads were extremely tough. I actually had to deposit some into a napkin and politely gave the napkin to one of the water/bread specialists. The sauce was reasonable, but the quality of the veal ruined the experience. Dinner: Flounder (a special for the evening). A really nice dish that was simple and well presented. Nothing fancy and really no culinary risk was taken. Flounder can be a difficult fish to cook and present, but they did a fine job. Wine: I would have to congratulate the restaurant on their wine list. It truly was spectacular. I even had a chance to chat with the Sommelier on a variety of wines. Her knowledge was average to slightly below average. A nice touch was their "wine flights" or a sample of three different wines. This feature was priced well and the wine poured was more than generous. Good job! Overall, I have experienced better. Good luck
(2)
Gary Y.
This place is great for the service and decor. Rustic and charming. The food is another matter. Everything I've had here was way over salted. I thought it might have just been me but my dining companions had a similar compliant. I hear excessive sodium in-take might result in various kind of kidney diseases. Very uncool. I'd hope they tone it down a few notches.
(3)
Virtuous F.
Over 200 reviews of this place already, but it deserves another 5 star. Keith, the manager, made it seem that his personal goal was to ensure all of me and my girl's needs and wants were met promptly but not intrusively. His attention to detail wasn't reserved to only our table though, which was impressive. Service was impeccable. Food and atmosphere doesn't hint at anything below superior. So that's that. Just wanted to leave my two cents in terms of the great service that left me obligated to review this restaurant. Go to Mockingbird Bistro! Happy Hour is until 7 pm, and it's damn worth it.
(5)
Tommy S.
I visited MockingBird Bistro as the first restaurant of my Houston Restaurant Weeks tour this year. I'll get right to the point and break down my experience in different categories. Parking -- Our group of four came to the restaurant in 1 car and we decided to valet. No long line and very little wait to get our car back. The car came back as it was when we left it for the valet. Those guys got our $5 tip. Atmosphere -- it was a little crowded on the Sat. night. The noise wasn't too bad where we sat. We got seated by the service area so it wasn't the best seats in the house, but we were OK with it. The restaurant looked really beautiful. The lighting and decors were really nice the way an upscale restaurant should be. The Food -- my fiancee and I ordered different things and we tasted each other dishes. It was like I ordered two dishes for each course. Appetizer -- Um.. Love the Lobster Risotto. It was possibly the best dish of all courses. Tri-melon Gazpacho was well, just OK. I did enjoy the garlic bread with the soup, but I expect the whole dish to be much better. Entree -- Holy snap! The wasabi whipped potato that came with the King Salmon was awesome. It was so great; it made the salmon kind of bland. Having said that, it was much better than Diver Scallops. That dish was not memorable at all. Dessert -- I like the Creme Brulee, but I don't love it. It was good but I had better. I would say the same thing about the Truffle as well. No one at our table liked the Apple Bread Pudding. Service -- Prompt but I feel a little rushed. Our waiter was professional, and 'courteous,' however; I am the kind of guy who prefers 'nice' over 'courteous' any day. One other thing, he never asked if we would like a cup of coffee. All and all, we were in and out of the restaurant in an hour. It would be perfect timing if we had a show to go afterward. Unfortunately, that was not the case that night. To sum it up, it was a good experience at the Mockingbird Bistro. I would love to come back again and try different dishes, but it will probably be a while since I put several restaurants ahead of Mockingbird Bistro.
(3)
Soo K.
Our Kobe burgers were brought out by 3 servers at the same time, following each other, looked very impressive. They looked like they were heading to serve someone very important. Great presentation, steam off the burger. I mixed a bit of this tangy mayo concotion and placed the greens and onions in the burger, took a bite...wow, so flavorful. Hate to overhype, so defintely recommending you to go and try it. Didn't even use the ketchup, except for the fries. There was so much flavor and it was so juicy...goodNASS! Review was shortened, for full blog sooandthecity.com
(4)
Britt E.
Do you like French food that is delicious, accessible and reasonably priced? Do you like Lobster that is expertly prepared? Do you like lamb that is cooked to perfection, with the right amount of spice and tenderness? Do you like heavenly desserts like creme brulee and bread pudding that will rock your socks off? Do you like excellent service, a vast choice of wines priced reasonably? Then this place is for you. It is for me.
(5)
Kate B.
I dined at Mockingbird Bistro on a Monday evening with some of my regular foodie friends. First let me say that I love the location and decor of the restaurant. The dining room and lounge area are split by a nice sized bar. The lighting is romantic and the restaurant boasts high ceilings. There is even a couple of tables on the second floor overlooking the main dining room. When the hostess noticed my friend and I admiring the quaintness of the balcony she offered us a table there. As this was a platonic dinner we thanked her for the offer but decided to take a table in the main dining room. I did notice that the prime table in the room was saved for a couple that were obvious regulars. A nice touch in my book. We started with cocktails, I had the strawberry/basil and he had the watermelon mojito. My drink was better, his a bit gritty from the fresh melon. We ordered the crispy calamari to start, it was good but heavy on the breading for my taste. I like calamari that is still soft with fine breading seasoned well. The breading on this dish was lacking in flavor and thick. I had the special, Kobe beef braised short ribs with mushroom risotto and my friend had the pork, a recommendation from our server. Unfortunately the food was just good, not spectacular. I love mushroom risotto but the mushrooms included where so large I had to cut them with a knife into bite sized bits. It just feels wrong to approach risotto with a knife. The short ribs were good but not amazing. Same for the pork. The meal left me wanting to return and try the seafood, maybe this is mockingbirds strong suit. I will return but I can say, if not "wowed" I don't know that Mockingbird will make it on my favorites list. I am starting to wonder if it is unfair to expect Houston's food scene to really be able to compete with New York, Chicago or even Vegas.
(3)
Max W.
Went in for HRW and was happy with food and the service. Place was jumping on a Wednesday night. For some reason I have never gotten around to eating here but will definitely be back to partake of many of the menu items.
(5)
Houston A.
There was a little roach on the wall. I had to kill it. That basically killed the mood.
(3)
Luis R.
I give out 5 stars like Mother Theresa gives out condoms..... However, in this case, Mockingbird Bistro deserved every star. My wife and I had the tasting menu and we were able to share and sample a variety of awesome dishes. Mussels - 10/10 Foie Gras - 11/10 (extra credit was given for using huckleberries in a dish - who knew???) Prime Steak Frites - 10/10 Kobe Beef Burger - 10/10 Desserts - 10/10 (trio sampler of creme brulee, bread pudding, and chocolate truffle) The service was awesome, the wine list was great (I had a wine flight that went really well with my dinner), and cocktails were well done. What are you waiting for? Make your reservations now!
(5)
Donna C.
Their burger that's topped with foie gras is GOOD! Get that! It's an expensive burger, I know, but it's worth it. Their other stuff is good too, but I don't even want to talk about the other stuff. No parking, must valet. Crowded. Good service. I prefer to sit upstairs because it's more intimate, so if that's what you're looking for, be sure to ask for it when making reservations.
(5)
Mr C.
Love this place! Have dined there a few times and always had prompt, professional service and great food. The burger and fries are terrific. Met a friend for Happy Hour and they have a great menu for $5-$10. It was quite crowded. Had Cassoulet with a Jumbo Shrimp and Croutons--delicious, Carpaccio was tasty and the slider plate (pork, lamb and kobe beef and those perfect fites) was a winner too. The owner came by the table and chatted with my friend. She introduced him to me and an hour later when we were leaving, he called my by name and thanked me for coming. That was a nice touch. Take note those of you in the service industry. Personal service can overcome most anything. Looking forward to eating my way through the menu.
(4)
Samantha M.
Pricey...but worth it. Everything is cooked to perfection which has kept me coming back. I"ve been three times in the last couple of months and I expect to return. Every time somebody from out of town comes and visits me I take them here. Have never had dessert so I can't comment on that, but the complaints about poor service are unwarranted. The service has always been excellent, attentive, and non-bothering when I've been in. A class act.
(5)
Sayda B.
Everyone is going to hate me but I can't specifically remember the name of the dishes I ate at Mockingbird bistro but I will do my best to describe to you what I ate and how it made me feel :) I dined here with a group of girlfriends during restaurant week. I was a bit nervous about it because you may get treated like a second class citizen for participating in RW at some restaurants.... ahem Tradicao!! We dined there on a Wednesday night. I started out by having a Cosmo at the bar, we arrived during happy hour. $5 Cosmos were so delicious and I liked the iciness. For the starter, I selected this creamed corn with crab. Most of my girlfriends tried this as their starter. It was ok. I didn't like the texture, and there were few pieces of fresh crab (not the imitation kind). The texture was very similar to flan and that kind of put me off and some of my girlfriends. It wasn't terrible though. I forgot to mention that we had an assortment of fresh bread which was warm and tasty. You really can't mess up bread right? For the main course I had the steak, challots, and potatos. OMG the steak was heaven, the wine reduction was bliss. I'm not ashamed to say that I took a few of the left over pieces of bread to slop up the remaining reduction off of my plate!!! The beef was seasoned and cooked perfectly. I think they use that chef's torch to toast some of the outer areas of the cut. Most of the table ordered the steak and we were all in agreement that it was absolutely delicious (and i saw a few slop it up with the left over bread too hehe). For dessert, we ordered a plate with a bread pudding, creme brulee, and chocolate mouse. I cleaned that plate like a good girl. I'm not a wine expert so I just drank the bottle my girlfriends ordered at the recommendation of the server. Everything tasted great! Service was excellent. The restaurant is tucked in the west gray shepherd area, in a small cute neighborhood that I never knew existed. There is valet, I'm cheap so I parked on a street side - that evening there was ample parking on the street. Pricing: This is a pricey restaurant outside of RW. We were part of RW so it was a wonderful deal! I would definitely consider this a special occasion spot for the future. You get what you pay for. My girlfriends and I were incredibly pleased with our restaurant selection! There's a lot of thought we put behind the restaurants we choose to dine at for our monthly get together's. This has to be one of our faves!!
(5)
Andrew C.
I visited Mockingbird last week for a friend's birthday dinner. The location in Upper Kirby is difficult to find at night, ambience was quaint but dimmly lit. The food experience was very good; appetizers, soup/salads, and entrees paired with excvellent wine pairings. To be honest, service was mediocre. Dont get me wrong, table service was attentive and prompt. I especially liked how the bartender came and asked what the birthday girl wanted for her special drink. He probed for interested delights and managed to make a creation truly uniquely suited for the person. This was due to several reasons: 1. My 12 ounce sirloin steak was on the medium well side when I asked for meduim rare. In addtion, the sirloin was a bit tough due to too much gristle. 2. Risotto was undercooked and just didnt have the wow factor. 3. They took my plate before I had time to finish. I look away for a moment to answer a call and the next thing I know, my plate and utensils were gone. 4. Split check at the register which automatically tacks on an addtional 10%. This is inaddtion to the 20% gratuity charge for parties of 6 or more. However, the main reason was the addtional $21 service charge tacked onto the bill. We had brought in a cake from outside to celebrate the occassion. The waitreess never mentioned that there would be another service fee. I was expecting there would be an extra charge (similiar to a corkage fee) of around 4-5 bucks. Certainly not 21.00. All the staff did was cut the cake, place on chinaware and add 1-2 garnishes. While it was appreciated, it certainly would have been nice to know in advance.
(2)
Daniel W.
I went here for 2011 HRW and this was by far the prix fixe that I was fortunate enough to try this year. The service at this restaurant was fantastic. I decided to try the wine pairings with my meal. I started with the Lobster Risotto which were very very good, but they were out-shined by my main course, the Slow Braised CAB Short Ribs. The short ribs were incredibly tender and braised very nicely. My choice for dessert was a sampler of the house desserts. The one that really stuck out was the apple bread pudding. This HRW Prix Fixe definitely got me interested in trying this restaurant for real.
(4)
Megyn B.
Well I almost fell on the floor when I went here and learned that I could get flourless chocolate cake here! On top of having amazing food and an attentive wait staff the atmosphere is great too! Tucked away in the Montrose neighborhood and not surrounded by shopping strips helps. The dark wood bar and dim lighting make it a little romantic too! I wish i could afford to eat here all the time!!
(5)
joseph y.
My girlfriend is writing a more in depth review about this restaurant, but rather than combining both our ratings in one review, I figured I'd give it my own separate 5 star rating because the staff was friendly and attentive, the environment was nice and relaxing, but best of all the the food was absofreakinlutely phenomenal. This restaurant is on the pricey side ($40-60+ / person), but it's well worth it whether it's a special occasions or if you're just in the mood to take someone out (or if you're from out of town and your girlfriend tricks you into taking her to one of Houston's finest). The tap water here was excellent!
(5)
Tanya F.
My sister and I went here together for a special night out. I live in nyc now, and she has two kids, so it isn't often that we get to spend an evening out alone. We wanted to pick something special for the occasion and Mockingbird Bistro fit the ticket perfectly The restaurant is BEAUTIFUL. Absolutely just gorgeous. And the service, impeccable! We arrived, and right away we were greeted warmly and seated at our table. The sommelier came over to help us select wine. And she was incredibly gracious and welcoming (shout out NICKI!!) and INCREDIBLY well informed about wine. She suggested a wine to me and brought a taste, it wasn'tmy favorite,so she brought tastes of TWO more she thought i'd like. And her assessment was right on the money. Then, the chef sent over an amuse bouche of salmon tartare with wasabi aioli. It was FABULOUS. Even my sister who is finicky about raw fish liked it. For appetizers, we ordered the "duck three ways" which is seared duck breast, foie gras, and duck mousse. The duck breast was the best I'd ever tasted. I'm not a fan of foie gras, but my sister was moaning and rolling her eyes back in her head. And neither of us were fans of the duck mousse (but hey, who's perfect!?) We also shared the truffle pommes frites for an appetizer, and it was delicious. To be honest, I've had better but they were still just really excellent. THEN, the waiter comes by and brings us a free order of mussels in a curry sauce that we hadn't ordered. it was sent to us by the sommelier, which was SO nice. For the main entree, we shared the scallops, which were cooked almost perfectly. Really really great, but we both would have preferred a tad more searing and a crispier exterior. But all in all, pretty fabulous. The scallops were served over seasonal vegetables and a truffle oil pea puree. YUM. After all that delicious-ness, we asked for the check... guess what they brought us.... a free dessert because they overheard it was my sisters birthday. It was a flourless chocolate cake served with white chocolate icecream. OMG. Heaven. So rich decadent and delicious. My experience was amazing. The only tiny little flaws I woudl mention (and this is CERTAINLY not a reason to stay away from this restaurant. on the contrary, run run run over there right now.) is that 1) the duck mousse was not great. 2) it's a bit old school bourgeois-ish and the clientele tend to be a bit older. But regardless, this place is a gem and everyone should try it.
(4)
Doris B.
came here for lunch. not a lot to choose from. pricy.
(3)
Marcus M.
I've lived in Houston nearly seven years, and even lived within walking distance of Mockingbird Bistro for four, but had never been. A very close friend of mine and I had something to celebrate and she asked me where we should go. I thought this would be a good choice - she's relatively new to the city, and I'd always wanted a go at it. All in all, the experience was excellent! We were there on Valentine's weekend, so the only offering was a prix fixe menu (3 courses, $65 - $95 with thoughtful wine pairings). There were four choices for each course, so we didn't feel limited, and everything sounded delicious. We always eat family style (yes, it might be gauche at a fine dining restaurant, but whatever...), so I was excited to get to try a good range of Mockingbird's offerings. For our appetizers, we had the king salmon tartar and the corn & crab souffle. Both were fantastic. The salmon was served in a generous portion, super fresh and perfectly seasoned with soy and ginger. On the plate were two smears of delectable sauces: one a avocado-wasabi concoction (great) and the other a sriracha aioli (fabulous - this is something I wish I had on hand at all times at home). There were also a few pieces of flatbread, plain but useful for sopping up the final bits of sauce. The souffle was also excellent, if not as distinctive as the salmon. The corn was used to cup an ample heap of lump crab meat, and the combination of flavors was spot on. Our entrees were dijon-crusted rack of lamb with risotto and chanterelles and Muscovy duck breast with a raspberry reduction and pilaf. Both ordered medium rare, both cooked to perfection. Again, the portions were generous and the flavors spot-on. The dijon flavor on the lamb was not overpowering, but perfectly balanced with the excellent cut of meat. The risotto was perfectly toothsome and not overly-salted (a common problem, I find). The duck was tender and juicy and went perfectly with the raspberries, which were at their peak of ripeness. For dessert, we had a warm bittersweet chocolate torte and creme brulee. Sadly, I'm not a fan of either cheesecake or bread pudding (the other two offerings). The desserts were very good, but I wouldn't call them excellent. the brulee had the right crunch and some wonderfully tasty berries sitting atop, but the custard was a bit heavy on egg taste for me. The accompanying "espresso chocolate chip cookies" would have been better served warm. The torte was also tasty, but nothing to write home about. If the food were the only thing under review, I'd likely give five stars; however, caveats with the wine list and the service have to bump it down. The wine list is OK, but it features many "usual suspects" and the markup is 3-4x what you'd pay at Specs, which is a no-no for me in Houston. Our Aglianico was, of course, tasty, but our server *insisted* on decanting it, even though I told her I didn't think it was necessary. The service wasn't bad, but it was, well.....weird. Our server spoke at whisper and seemed frightened the whole night, yet still was adamant about decanting our wine. I also felt embarrassed for her that she had to use a raggedy sketch pad to write our orders down. She wasn't unfriendly or anything, and our courses were served at appropriate times and temperatures, and we were never rushed. Our water and wine were kept filled. It just felt "odd", for lack of a better word. Hopefully with more experience, she will make her customers (and herself) more comfortable. Both of us called earlier in the day to make reservations, but were told the restaurant was booked. The dining room was never more than 3/4 full and we got a table right away (we almost didn't come...). Overall, I would happily return - next time to try the bar menu, which I hear is fabulous. If given the option, I'd probably skip dessert and head to that cake and ice cream place on Alabama, and it might even be worth it to weather the $30 corkage fee and bring a bottle from my own collection (pay $90 for a $60 bottle from home of my choosing instead of $180 for one on their list...).
(4)
P P.
You know those books or movies you watch and you think its amazing (the best ever!) ... only for it to slowly decline in your mind's eye over the next few months till you wonder why you liked it so much? Well, that's what has happened to my memories of Mockingbird Bistro. The valet guys are still nice (I ride my bike past them on my way to work) but for some reason I don't think I'll be going back. I guess a year and a half later, what I'll say is that it was a good meal, but in the end unremarkable.
(4)
Krashaunda G.
This place is really good. I had no idea it was here, and it has a feeling of a neighborhood gem. For starters I had their version of a caprese salad, delicious. Other people at my table enjoyed the calamari, and the beet salad was described as excellent. As my meal I ordered the 21-dish special of the night, a Chilean Sea Bass that was very nice. My husband thoroughly enjoyed the kobe beef burger with Stilton blue cheese and seared foi gras. If you want to know what a $30 hamburger tastes like, THIS is it. Also enjoyed at the table were a veal chop (a special of the day), roasted chicken, and lamb. Everyone was thoroughly satisfied. The truffle pommes fries deserve a special note; they have such a savory flavor one can't help but reach for another one and dip it in the aoili dressing. It does become a little too rich after awhile and it is a large portion, so an order could easily be shared between 2-3 people. For dessert we busted out the apple bread pudding and oh god did it live up to the hype. One unsung hero of the dessert menu is the lemon tart; it is not too tart and has a strawberry garnish that helps balance the flavors. A nice touch here, is if you split a dish between 2 people the kitchen will split it for you. Service is attentive and friendly. This is a great spot.
(5)
Gloria S.
Gotta Love HRW!! I'm so glad I waited to come here. it was the best ending to HRW. I couldn't have asked for a better dinner. Everything was delicious. We did have to valet but it's complimentary and those guys are running to get our cars when we were ready to leave. We also had excellent service! We got seated and greeted immediately. Our food came out quickly one right after another. It wasn't too loud and it was a very pleasant atmosphere. Now on to the food! We started with the Onion Soup and Lobster Risotto. I didn't love the onion soup only because the onions tasted burnt, but the base of the soup was flavorful. The Lobster Risotto was great, I got to taste the lobster and lemon all mixed in there. It was too bad that some of the risotto wasn't cooked all the way through, but not enough to bug me because the seasoning was perfect. Next we had the Roasted Chicken and Driver Scallops. Both were scrumptious. The spice of the chicken actually went pass the skin which was a very cool experience. The scallops couldn't have been more perfect. Everything about that dish was supreme! Then we had their dessert and I loved their creme brulee. It wasn't like every other creme brulee I have had but I can say what was different, but it was excellent. I did try the chocolate truffle and Apple Bread pudding and I thought the truffle was too rich. I really like the caramel paired with the bread pudding. It was a wonderful experience and I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Michael L.
Great food - really enjoyed the pork chop and boudin with the coice of mustards. I never drink complicated mixed rinks with clever names, but I did try the "Corpse Reviver" and was really impressed. Great atmosphere and absolutely worth the cost...though this particular meal was a birthday present, so I guess I can't speak to that...
(5)
Michon P.
With the exception of my overcooked, but flavorful, ahi tuna, and some "okay" pommes frites (french fries), this is a 5-star restaurant based on the other food (more details to follow), cool neighborhood feel, classy/chill interior and service. I went to this neighborhood gem with my brother and his wife to celebrate the birth of my niece. Just to provide context, I get them a gift certificate every Christmas to this place because they LOVE it and now I understand why. The drinks, especially the lemon ginger martini, are phenomenal. With regards to food, here's a list of the "must-try's" - the french onion soup; red curry black mussels that makes you want to hum; the Kobe burger; the Prime steak (minus the pommes frites) and the aoli for the fries; the turbot fish (was part of the 21 orders, so when it's available); and, last but not least, my favorite apple bread pudding with house made cinnamon ice cream and caramel sauce. Can I cry now because I miss the bread pudding? Enjoy and eat responsibly.
(4)
Natasha G.
Went during restaurant week. We had drinks which were good and tasty, I got some kind of berry slush. Had a lobster appetizer, the salmon for entree and the 3 piece dessert. All were so tasty my food didn't last more than 5min. I just got a little antsy waiting around for so long for a waiter to finally come get drink orders and take our selections. I know it's that style of restaurant that they wait about 15min between everything....literally. but I don't like it! If you see me finish the plate within 5min you can pick up the pace a little bit!!! :)
(5)
Ernest G.
A coworker and I went on a Tuesday night. We did not know think that the attire we had on was inappropriate in any sense. But when we walked in and saw the other guests, we definitely felt out of place. The women had on cocktail dresses, while the men were in suits or in business casual. We expected to be treated somewhat differently, considering we basically had on nice t-shirts and jeans. The servers were, however, completely accepting. No comments were made or gestures given. The waitress was not rude and took our order without hesitation. She was also accepting of our payment method, considering we were on a tight corporate budget and needed to use multiple cards to make everything work. We were approached by who I assume was the maitre'd. He helped us pick out the wine for the dish my coworker had selected (pork shank). The waitress was also able to describe my dish in great detail. She even changed out the veggie selection on my coworkers's shank with no problem. I had the lamb shank, which was cooked perfectly medium like I asked. The potatoes, which I thought would be weird with goat cheese, were amazing. My coworkers pork shank was more than a generous portion, as was my lamb. The veggies were soft on my dish. But when combined with the sauces and texture of the lamb, their texture was more than appropriate. I saw other review where the service was bad, and the food wasn't prepared the way it was ordered. I did not find any of that on my trip, granted that it was a Tuesday night at 9pm and the restaurant was almost empty. I can see where more people would mean a hastier service and perhaps some cooking errors. It can be expected. I also understand that the mark of a great restaurant is being able to deliver great quality and service consistently. So this causes some contradiction. I can only say that my experience and food was completely 5 star, albeit somewhat pricey. So keeping in mind what you are paying for and when you are going, your experience can also be a great one.
(5)
Jill L.
Disappointment after all of the national foodie mag hype. Decor is eclectic and not really in a good way, restaurant was sort of dirty, food was ok and service was mediocre. We made a reservation a week in advance online and let them know that this was our first trip to the restaurant. Why, then, were we relegated to the far back table by the kitchen, especially when other tables at our reservation time were open? We ordered a bunch of appetizers to split and try their mastery - steak tartar, salmon with jicama, spinach, ceasar salad, etc. and some wine. All good, not the best we've ever had, but good. Once our waitress figured out that our table wouldn't be spending $150, though, she pretty much disappeared. Their loss - this is Houston and there are literally hundreds of very solid restaurants from which to choose. Next time, we will.
(2)
Andrea J.
This place is a hidden jewel! The food is creative and tasty! I have been here twice for lunch and once for dinner and both the lunches were AMAZING, but the dinner was not as impressive. Still great, but I expected a little better since the lunch was so good. I had braised short ribs and filet - the ribs were superb, but the filet was a little tough, which I was surprised. All in all, I would definitely go here again!!!!
(4)
Mrs. C.
Last night was my second dining experience at Mockingbird. I still love the ambiance of this place. The interior is dim and feels very cozy. It is a great date restaurant. This time we were seated in the small balcony upstairs. I definitely preferred the downstairs seating. The upstairs felt a little cramped and the noise level was higher. Our waitress this time was ok. She did her job within a timely manner and made some recommendations, but was not anything note worthy. I ordered the duck after having seen several other reviews raving about it.... and I'm so glad I did. Duck is not something I would usually order, but it was delicious! I cleaned my plate. I also tried the bread pudding for dessert, based on other reviews. It was just ok for me. Next time I will try something else. My entree I give a 5 +++ Overall ambiance of restaurant 5 Upstairs seating 3 My second trip here re-affirmed that this restaurant is on my list of favorites. I am looking forward to going back!
(4)
Amit K.
I am not going to review any other restaurants that I went to for HRW except the best one and the award goes to Mockingbird (and keep in mind we went to a few other restaurants in town who were new to HRW as well this time). I have no idea how I never went to this place before after living here so long but I guess I really needed an excuse to come to this place. The restaurant is sort of hidden in a neighborhood so it has the "neighborhoody" charm to it. The inside is very warm and inviting as well with dark mahogany colored decor and white table cloths everywhere. I had an Old Fashioned at the bar to start the night off right. I had the Cantaloupe soup which was delictable, sweet, tangy and tasty. The Steak Frites was amazing and extremely well seasoned and I devoured the entire thing. Agree with Jeff C below...... best. steak. ever. The dessert offered was a tasty trio sampler of all their major desserts and quite a hit with our group. I'll be back for seconds.
(5)
Grace K.
THIS IS A HAPPY HOUR REVIEW. There is complimentary valet and street parking. It's located at the corner of the street. The design of the restaurant makes it have a homey, intimate feel, especially with the red colors inside. HH is served daily 5-7 PM. There is a full bar and fantastic wine selection. The restaurant is divided, with the outer for HH and inner for dine in. You can also sit outside and dine as well. Food: My friends and I ordered the Truffle Mac and Cheese, Spicy Popcorn Shrimp, Beef Slider Duo, and Kurabuta Pork Baby Back Ribs. Truffle Mac and Cheese (2/5): I am not a fan of Mac and Cheese but tried it anyways. Nothing special. The cheese was more on the bland side in my opinion. I would not order this again. Spicy Popcorn Shrimp: I didn't try this. My friends said it was good. The size of the shrimp were pretty decent, served with homemade tartar sauce. Beef Slider Duo (3/5): Each slider is about the size of the $1 coin. They looked cute but that was it. The meat was semi dry, and the horseradish cream didn't help much. I had to dip my sliders into my friends sauce (not sure what it was... Rouille sauce I believe). The sauce made it x10 better. Kurabuta Pork Baby Back Ribs (5/5): I saved and ate the best for last. It has a Vietnamese twist to it with the carrots, peanuts, and Hoisin glaze. The meat is tender and falls right off the bones. There are 3 ribs served. You can share or don't have to. Definitely order this! Drinks: French 75 and Biagio. French 75 was great. If you like gin, then you would like this. Adult lemonade to sum it up. I would recommend the Biagio over the Pinot Grigio. The Pinot Grigio was too sweet for me. I have to say this HH place for drinks are definitely worth it. However, I do not agree with the food besides the ribs! The portions for the amount are not worth it. I would come back for brunch or lunch!
(3)
Ricky S.
My first impressions about this place as we were driving up....are we at someone's house? Seriously, this place is right in the middle of a residential area, which took me off by surprice. However, when you walk into the establishment, you will quickly see French decor. The place is dimmed, so it's a nice place to enjoy some good atmosphere. I am rating this place 3.75 stars because I enjoyed my appetizer and dessert, but my entree was just average. Food: I ordered the beef carpaccio as my appetizer. Some people do not enjoy raw beef...I typically don't either, but the toast and dressing added great texture and flavor. The beef is thinly sliced so they just melt in your mouth. We were told by our server that the portions are not big enough to share, but, in my opinion, we could have easily shared because the portions were decent. My next course was their special of the night, rib eye served over grilled asparagus and mashed potatoes. I originally wanted to order the duck, but the rib eye sounded too great to pass up. I enjoyed my rib eye, but I've had better (try the rib eye at Reef! I know, its weird ordering beef at a fish specialized restaurant, but it was delicious). To finish the night, our table shared a few things. My favorite of the night was the flourless chocolate cake. It was very light and not too sweet. I took a quite bit and was not shy to keep going for more! The service was good. I noticed that the server would fold your napkin and place it back on your table if you ever got up. Additionally, they brought all our food out at the same time! I really like that! You won't have to awkwardly start your meal or wait for your food to get cold as others are waiting. That's a plus. However, our server could have done a better job if she knew the menu a bit better. I would consider having another meal at the Mockingbird Bistro, but there are many other options to try in Houston.
Went to Mockingbird Bistro for my mom's birthday and I can't say enough good things! The restaurant is a classy spot and has some spectacular chandeliers. We ordered some wine and cocktails and then I had the pork chop entree with polenta and red cabbage. Some of the best pork I've ever had and large portions for a French restaurant! We all shared some truffle pomme frites (french fries) which were also amazing. The rest of the group really enjoyed their meals as well: duck and the venison special. Our waitress was nice and brought out three chocolate truffles with the words 'Happy Birthday' written in chocolate across the plate as well as a candle. Not a large dessert but the truffles were great like anything else. Mockingbird has entered my top 10 favorite restaurant in Houston, bravo!
(5)
Jessica J.
This place has been on my short list of places to dine in Houston. It did not disappoint. The restaurant is beautiful. I made reservations for 3 and we were seated upstairs in a lovely loft area. The temperature was perfect and the service was top notch. We sampled several cocktails on the menu and all of them were refreshing and well balanced. My favorite of the night was the "Pimm's cup". The "Cucumber martini", "French Blonde", and "Midnight Bramble" were also delicious. The main course was also delightful. I ordered the special; Red Snapper served with crawfish risotto and roasted vegetables. The fish was perfectly cooked and it was not overpowered by the other components of the dish. My fellow diners also enjoyed their meals; one ordered the pan seared duck breast and the other the range chicken. My only regret is that we did not have the time to stay for dessert. I will definitely be going back to Mockingbird soon!
(5)
John B.
We were here recently for Houston Restaurant Weeks. The food was excellent. The service was extremely attentive and detail oriented. Definitely worth the money!
(5)
Nora H.
I've only been here for lunch, but it's a fantastic setting for an intimate meeting during the day. The truffled pommes frites do not disappoint!
(5)
Miranda L.
Houston Restaurant Week 2014: lunch review I kicked off Houston Restaurant Week 2014 with a lunch at Mockingbird Bistro. I participated two years ago for dinner and wasn't impressed, but everyone deserves a second chance right? Right. Reservations were made promptly for 11:30, but I arrived a few minutes early and they were already open with people already seated. The staff was very welcoming and friendly. Our server was very nice and provided his insights to the menu when I asked about portion sizes, preferences, ingredients, etc.. He managed to convince me to order the M-Bistro Caesar salad again because of their award winning caesar dressing. Like I said earlier, everyone deserves a second chance right? Salads included. I didn't take a picture, but it was presented very nicely, and the portion size was perfect. The dressing wasn't too heavy which made the first course very light and refreshing. I picked the salmon for my entree. I actually liked the sides more than the salmon itself. It wasn't very flavorful and wasn't cooked to my liking. I would have preferred it to be medium well, but it was still a bit rare. If I wanted raw salmon, I would have gone to a sushi restaurant. Just saying. Anyway, it wasn't anything special or exciting. The portion size was perfect though. For dessert, I chose the cool flourless chocolate cake. As stated in last year's HRW yelp reviews, the cake is pretty dense since it's flourless. I didn't think it was anything special either. Given that this restaurant has pretty good ratings in general, I'm guessing their HRW menu doesn't quite reflect what they can truly offer. It'd be nice if they put their best, most popular dishes on it. If they tasted great, I'd definitely come back. However by putting mediocre items on it, it will cause me to skip over this place next time around.
(3)
Lisa G.
Mockingbird Bistro has a fantastic happy hour that is available in the bar, lounge, and patio areas from 5pm - 7pm on weekdays. Both valet and neighborhood street parking is available. Complimentary bread basket: Excellent. The bread basket came with white and whole grain bread. The white was good, but the whole grain was absolutely delicious--moist and pillowy soft. The olive oil dip had complex flavors with a nice array of aromatic spices. The bread basket was automatically offered to us on my first visit, but we had to ask for it during my second visit. Salmon tartare: Good. Small portion, but not unreasonable for the price. It could be a little more flavorful, but the fish is fresh and buttery. Wild boar sausage: Good. Tasty and not too greasy, but nothing special. Served on a bed of sauerkraut. Onion rings: Great. I am not a big fan of onion rings, but these won me over. The batter is beer-based and extremely crispy and flavorful without being too greasy. The onion is not stringy at all. M bistro burger: Star of the show. Succulent, juicy Kobe-style beef is served on a soft onion roll with a little sweet twist from the bacon onion marmalade. It is served with a delicious side of garlic aioli with some pretty awesome shoestring fries. Happy hour drinks: Good. Very reasonable at $5 a cocktail, and quite tasty to boot. Service: Very attentive and professional.
(4)
Catherine L.
Came here for restaurant week last night and it was pretty good! It wasn't our first choice to eat here for my parent's anniversary, but it was one of the few restaurants with reservations available. I got there before everyone so I went in to let them know that the rest of my party will be late and they were very understanding and asked if I wanted to wait at the bar. For HRW I got the salmon tartare, the pork chops and the cheesecake. The salmon tartare was delish. I tried the wedge salad and the Caesar salad and those were good too. The pork chop was cooked to perfection and there's this white mash potato looking like thing that was amazing. The cheesecake however, was not good. It was very dry. We also ordered risotto and truffle fries as sides. The risotto and truffle fries were good but not the best I've had. The service was great, they did this thing where they had a server per person bring out food and everyone would get their dish at the exact same time. My water was always filled. It was a very lovely experience.
(4)
Jenny M.
HRW menu was really good!! The service was excellent!!! Highly recommend it for 2 to 6 ppl. I would definitely go back again and eat some food off the regular menu. The French onion soup, salad, pork chops, ribeye, and the sample dessert platter was all very flavorful.
(4)
Jackie F.
Had yet another great meal at Mockingbird last night. This time I went with more casual food and sat at the bar. Salmon BLT was great, as were the addictive frites and a salad of heirloom tomatoes and burrata. Excellent food and a great bartender, which made sitting at the bar even better. Love the family feel and great food here.
(5)
Michael B.
While I've only been here a few times, I have yet to be disappointed. For good French cuisine in the Montrose area, look no further. The slow roasted onion soup is some of the finest I've ever head (and I basically order it every time a restaurant has it). I've also been a big fan of the lamb rack and the duck in the past. That being said, I have no doubt that Chef john Sheely would never allow a subpar item to be on his well crafted menu. This is no "every day" restaurant as prices are quite high, however, they offer a HRW menu and happy hour is very reasonable. Free valet is available, but you can usually find parking around the neighborhood.
(4)
Quyen V.
Cute brunch spot. Inside is decorated pretty fancy, kind of gothic architectural style. Kind of surprised me, for some reason from the reviews and pics I thought it was gonna be a cute little house? Anyway, it's good for a fancy brunch on the weekend for couples/girlfriends. I had the French toast and it was a nice texture- not too soggy. My boyfriend had the croque Monsieur and that was just okay. We were expecting the one-slice style croque Monsieur you typically see at other restaurants, but this was just more like a ham sandwich. No huge complaints, and I'll probably come back here (prob to try out the dinner menu!) Fyi- parking here is NOT easy. It's in the middle of a residential neighborhood. Valet only unless you park somewhere in the neighborhood and walk.
(3)
Lasairiona M.
My first time here and my first attempt at HRW menu. I'm always wary of going to "nice" places with little little people, and, true enough, I felt like I got a few stares from the staff upon arrival. Normally, I get to the restaurant 30mins before I'm due to meet friends to (breast)feed my infant. It's more comfortable for the both of us than nursing in public, and I REFUSE to wear a cover. So, I turn up at the bistro at 11, and there's no restaurant parking. The only parking they have is valet parking, which is closed for now, and, not knowing the area, being totally confused by all the bent no parking signs, I had no idea of where was legal to stop for 30 mins and feed my son. Back on to S. shepherd I go and find somewhere to feed my baby. Not only is there no parking, but it's valet parking, onto the road. So when you get your car back, it's "in traffic" so you have to pack up ALL your baby gear, stat and get out of the way. That aside, I had the Caesar salad, strip steak (well done) and the flour less chocolate cake. I literally died and went to heaven. The breadbasket was yummy too. The steak, which I normally eat well done, was cooked to perfection, but not dry or flavorless, it was packed full of flavour. The jus was out of this world, presentation was great, portion size was great and the fries and garlic aioli were so good, I took some aioli home! Nom!!! The chocolate cake was rich and creamy, and I couldn't finish it!! The server was great, too much Ice in my soda but he was friendly and attentive. I'd go back, if someone else was driving
(4)
Antineous R.
Great place to go to for happy hour, they have a dog friendly patio where they serve some awesome $5 cocktails between 5-7pm as well as some tasty appetizers, I'd personally recommend getting the cheese plate and some of the shrimp cocktail! They do offer valet or you can just try to find some parking off the street.
(4)
Gigi L.
Girls night out here, but looked more romantic. it's ok maybe I can be kinda romantic to them lol. Bar area for happy hour: $5 appetizers!! Can't beat that. Great service, complimentary valet. So far the food was good/ok. Appetizers should be changed a bit, Mac n cheese was vey plain and too much cheddar, popcorn shrimp didn't have a kick to it, onion ring sauce was so good actually went well the shrimp instead of blue cheese ranch we had.
(3)
Kelly C.
Really enjoyed this little gem - the first thing that hit me when I walked in was that it felt much more intimate and warm than I expected. It has rich velvet material, dark wood, and big chandeliers which make it different (in a good way). The service and the food were both very well executed. I ordered the beet salad which was a nice light start to the meal, tried the squash soup which was rich and cozy for a winter's night, and enjoyed a barramundi (Australasian white fish) special for my main. Friends ordered the tuna with wasabi mashed potatoes which they said was excellent. For dessert we shared a cinnamon apple bread pudding which was really nice. The service was nicely done as our server was always available, but I actually felt like I was able to enjoy conversation with my fellow diners without being interrupted. Would definitely come back again when in the area. It's a great place for a romantic dinner, nice dinner with work colleagues or friends.
(4)
Justine H.
*REVIEW FOR HRW MENU* Mockingbird Bistro has always been a strong contender in the Houston restaurant scene, providing top-notch customer service, an upscale dining environment, and. until my most recent experience, high quality food. What separates the strong from the weak is consistency, whether it be a dead Tuesday night or a bustling Saturday night during Houston Restaurant Week. Let me explain. The staff was very accommodating. No hitches in our reservation. Charismatic hostesses and wait staff. Black napkins instead of white. As usual, the attention to detail was spot on. The booze was great, and at $12 per cocktail, they had better be. The HRW menu here is ultra safe - great for you ofal-fearing food introverts. FIRST COURSE. For starters we ordered the Wedge Salad with Pork Belly Croutons and the Salmon Tartare with Potato Chips. The wedge salad had a wonderful zippy stilton dressing. And the "pork belly croutons"? Well, when in doubt, pork it out, I say. The salmon tartare was nothing special. On the other hand, I could have gone for a whole bowl of the potato chips... but that's not very proper is it *holds up pinky while munching Lays*. SECOND COURSE. Being the carnivorous meat-lovers that we are, both Jason P. and I ordered the Petit Beef Filet. MISTAKE! The wild mushrooms doused in bland madeira sauce were plain boring. The creamed spinach flan, which my waiter repeatedly referred to as a "souffle", was an atrocity. The flan had very little taste and reminded me of jello, the way it kept a detailed resemblance to the ramekin it was pooped out of. The petit beef filet, albeit cooked medium rare per my request, was as tough as shoe leather, covered in nails, rolled up in a tire (without salt). Eventually my jaw tired from chewing the unseasoned hockey puck, and I passed it off to my boyfriend. LAST COURSE. The Flourless Chocolate Cake, and my favorite dish of the night, the Apple Bread Pudding, ended our meal on a mid G note. The chocolate cake became a fun dinner topic, as I pointlessly expelled the mystery of a flourless cake. The cake is like a fudge or truffle and would please any woman during that time of the month. The wonderful apple bread pudding was perfectly tart, not too sweet, caramelized in all the right places, and complimented with cinnamon ice cream. I dared not share too much of my dessert, in hopes that it would remedy any further ranting throughout the night. Towards the end of our meal, the table behind us, who had been receiving special treatment all night, received a special halibut dish that sent my nose hairs for a whirl. I did not have the heart to tell them that their "fish special" was really just fish that had been saved from the dumpster. I expected more out of Mockingbird Bistro. At the very least, I had hoped for a beef filet that wouldn't put my jaw out of commission. Houston Restaurant Week is not an excuse to slack off on producing quality food, and for that, I give Mockingbird Bistro 3 stars, and the deuces.
(3)
Jennifer D.
Had dinner in the wine cellar for a company event. Rustic, dimly lit interior with gorgeous wooden carved doors and and beautiful wooden chandeliers. Enjoyed the Caesar salad and apple bread pudding (came with berries!), but the highlight for me was definitely the filet mignon. Tender, juicy and well seasoned, I'm usually not a steak person but I loved this one. The servers were wonderful, and though this certainly was not necessary, every time one noticed me on the way to the bathroom would go out their way to open the door for me. Perfect date night restaurant.
(4)
Andrea P.
Sometimes yelp reviews can be misleading and unfortunately, I was mislead. It was my grandmothers birthday and I had asked her to travel from Guatemala to celebrate in Houston and unfortunately booked a reservation here based on all of the rave reviews. We had the fried calamari as an appetizer and they came out soggy with undercooked batter. The sauce they served with the dish was delicious but the calamari were inedible so the sauce became pointless. My husband had the pan seared duck which, was decent but simple and nothing to brag about. He is an eater and let's just say he left most of his plate untouched by the end of the evening. I had the strip steak with mushroom reduction sauce but the meat was really tough and somewhat dry. I can say that the fries were delicious and cooked to perfection so definitely give those a try because they don't disappoint. I can't remember what my grandma or mother had but they were not impressed. We didn't order dessert because we were so disappointed by the entrees but our server (whose name I don't remember) was awesome. He was so friendly and extremely helpful and most importantly, he was not pretentious at all. Overall, I would say I might have come here on a bad night but I don't think I'm going to give this place a second shot. However, based on all the rave reviews maybe you'll make it out on a good night? Always worth a first try.
We had dinner last night at the Mockingbird Bistro. We had no problem getting a reservation, valet parking, and we sat right down. Drinks are pricy but usual for the area. The service was amazing and our waiter was fantastic and very helpful. I had the snapper and my friends had the filet. Wonderful!!! The shrimp and grits appetizer was also very very good. Highly recommend!
(5)
Melissa K.
My friend and I came here for happy hour, and goodness, this place is amazing! Happy hour runs daily from 5-7 pm. When we arrived around 5:15 pm, we literally walked into an empty restaurant, excluding the staff. I guess this place just doesn't get very busy for happy hour on a weekday, which is fantastic. The restaurant is beautiful and romantic. It's perfect for an intimate gathering of friends or a date. I almost wish I had my birthday dinner here had I known about this place. The service is impeccable. Our waiter was so gracious and charming while assisting us, recommending dishes off the happy hour menu and even cracking a tasteful joke. I tipped him well, obviously. Since this was our first time there, my friend and I wanted to try different dishes. We ordered 3 cheeses ($10) and Fried Gulf Oysters ($12) to share and each got an M Bistro Burger ($9). For our beverages, my friend ordered a Margarita (delicious), and I had a glass of their happy hour red wine. The cheese portions were very small for our cheese plate, so I would not recommend getting one. The cheeses we chose were okay -- nothing special. The Fried Gulf Oysters, on the other hand, were fantastic. They were flavorful and perfectly fried, and the coleslaw underneath complemented the oysters well. The M Bistro Burger (recommended by our waiter) was juicy and satisfying. The burger itself is pretty large, and the stilton blue cheese really gave the burger a kick. We spent a hefty amount for happy hour (around $50), but we ordered a lot of extra food that we typically wouldn't get. Plus, had it not been for happy hour, we probably wouldn't have tried this place out since one main dish usually costs around $25-$30. I definitely know I'll be back to try other items on their happy hour menu!
(5)
Christina E.
My boyfriend and I, plus 2 other couples enjoyed a fantastic Sunday brunch here. The ambiance was classy and sophisticated, and the service treated us like royalty. I really liked their drink menu which offered cucumber, grapefruit, and even pomegranate mimosas! (In addition to regular and blood orange) All 6 of us enjoyed our meals. My friend had the French toast, and I had the blackened shrimp over creamy cheddar polenta with pulled pork. It was very tasty and the perfect serving size. We will definitely be back!
(5)
Christie N.
I LOVE this place. I used to come here with my dogs so I can't say I know much about the inside of the restaurant. Mockingbird is one of the more fancy-smancy dog-friendly places on my list. The lunch was phenomenal. I had the catch of the day which was a Chilean sea bass served with rice. Flavors were on point: flakey, buttery, hearty, homey. Really, it was such a long time ago but it was so unforgettable...as it should be. I've never had anything I didn't like so my compliments to the chefs! Overall, food and service was great; I love how attentive they were to me and my dogs even though we were scrubby and on the patio. That kind of service is golden.
(5)
Stephanie Y.
I really can't find anything bad to say about this place. The food and service were excellent, wine recommendations were exactly what I wanted (smooth and full bodied), and this restaurant truly knows how to give their patrons a fine dining experience. Not once was my water glass or wine glass empty, and if you don't know where the restroom is just ask your waiter. It's probably not that big of a deal but instead of pointing you in the direction of it, he'll lead you there. Once you come back to your seat you'll find your napkin refolded on the table as if you had never even used it. How fancy. It's these little details that I believe distinguish a restaurant from "just serving expensive food" to a true "fine dining experience." Onto the food... for starters, my bf and I received smoked duck confit on a garlic baguette as "compliments from the chef." All I can say is that the garlic baguette with garlic butter and smoked duck confit was to die for. I love anything smoked, and I am a huge fan of duck confit, so to me, this was an amazing pre-appetizer bite. The duck was so tender and the garlic crouton was perfectly buttered. I wish I could eat that pre-appetizer as a meal! Our "real" appetizer that we ordered was the foie gras with corn, mushrooms, and two kinds of sauce. I'm usually pretty picky about my foie gras, as I've had some very "irony-minerally" tasting foie gras before and was not a fan. The foie gras at mockingbird bistro is absolutely delicious. The texture isn't as smooth as I thought it would be (like soft tofu) rather, it's more meaty but still fork tender. The sweet sauces that were paired with the foie gras complimented each other when eaten in one bite. Sweet and savory heaven on a plate. Definitely order this as an appetizer. For my entree I ordered the seared duck breast-roasted leg (forgot the actual name but it's something like that). The duck thigh and breast were both cooked at medium (although they recommend medium rare). Surprisingly, the duck was extremely tender and not gamey tasting at all. They know how to cook a mean duck dish! I wanted to eat the seared skin so badly.. I mean that's the BEST part of duck. But I refrained from it and only ate the meat. So tender, so juicy... some of the best duck I've ever had, definitely on par with some pretty phenomenal duck dishes in Paris. The duck dish is served with baby broccolini and French carrots as well as a cranberry apricot wild rice. Once again, the chef really seems to enjoy cooking sweet and savory dishes as the wild rice is quite sweet and the duck is very savory. Overall, if you're not on a tight budget and would like to pamper your date or celebrate a special occasion, I'd highly recommend coming to Mockingbird Bistro to elevate your palate to a whole different dimension. Next time I'll make sure to save room for dessert as the portion of the duck dish easily could have been for two people to share. :) Thanks for a wonderful dining experience Mockingbird Bistro.
(5)
Jane V.
Disclaimer: I came here for HRW so it may not be representative of the normal quality. Overall great service, nice, upscale setting (pretty dark inside), and good food. The wedge salad had a great dressing and the pork belly croutons were fantastic, but lacking in quantity (4 tiny slivers). The steak was cooked to a perfect medium rare but the spinach accompaniment was not very good (flavorless and a weird texture). The cheesecake was excellent. I'll definitely try it again, but think it'll fall into my "nice restaurant with good food" category - not a place to rave about.
First, great burger! Second, the mayo aoli is really good too. I have had the burger with and without the foie gras and in my opinion you don't need it.
(4)
Courtney P.
One of my favorites for Mothers Day, Anniversary, and Bday. You just have to go...it's the Mockingbird!
(5)
J T.
I recently stopped by Mockingbird Bistro for happy hour and was very pleased as always. It had been a while since I had visited, far too long actually. The food and service were both excellent and the happy hour bar prices are very reasonable. I highly reccomend!
(5)
Yunzhi W.
For the price and the hype of the mockingbird, I was shockingly disappointed. Both the service and the food were terrible. I will NOT be returning. For reference, the price point of the mockingbird at dinner time will run the average patron about $80 (appetizer or dessert, entree, one alcoholic drink, tax and tip). That's fairly standard for high end restaurants in Houston. For that money, I got an appetizer of mussels (washington state black mussels - roasted tomatoes, spanish chorizo, white wine, garlic toast), the duck entree (pan-seared rohan duck breast - foie gras, red quinoa pilaf, black cherries, baby spinach, port redux), and a glass of the house cab. My date had the veal sweetbreads (veal sweetbreads fricassee of portabello mushrooms, roasted cipollinis, pancetta, puff pastry, creole mustard sauce), the foie gras burger(seared foie gras, slow dough onion bun, garniture, truffle frites) , and 2 glasses of wine. We had a few other orders around the table, but I only really focused on our plates. So, the food. I was honestly not impressed with any of the items we ordered. The wine was a decent full-bodied red, but nothing special. But that is to be expected for a high-end restaurant. The wine should compliment the food. The food, on the other hand, was an absolute disgrace. My date's sweetbreads were bland and starchy - the sauce overly sweet and cloying. My mussels were fairly standard. Not terrible, but could have been much much better. The entrees tasted like they would have been average by strip-mall bistro standards. The burger patty was under-seasoned and overly rare, with a slightly slimy texture. The duck was tough and chewy - reminiscent of shoe leather. The foie gras on both entrees were somehow overly foie-gras-earthy. For hours after dinner, I could taste the greasy liver flavor on the throat of my tongue, despite drinks and brushing my teeth. I didn't think there'd be a thing as too much foie gras, but I was very disappointed to find out that there was. It goes without saying - it was not the best culinary experience. Now, the service. If the food was disappointing, the service was actually worse. For the calibre of restaurant the Mockingbird claims to be, I expected prompt, but not overbearing service provided by happy (or at least seemingly happy) staff. The restaurant provides complimentary bread and dipping oil (probably one of the only pleasant food items all night). However, we were a party of 7 and they gave us one basket, which went very quickly. I must have asked for a refill 3 times before any actually showed up. Service was slow, as well. My reservation was for 8 pm, and we did not leave until well after 11. My suspicion was that the staff was not as attentive since our party was large enough that the 18% gratuity was automatically included. Quite an obvious display of cutting corners. So, I'm glad I finally made it out to try the Mockingbird. I had really been looking forward to it, given all the positive reviews on Yelp. It was disappointing and I will not be returning.
(1)
Alexander W.
We have an uprising on our hands and it is my Hunger.. Pangs. Theory: Texas is Panem. Houston is The Capitol. Mockingbird Bistro is Katniss Everdeen's restaurant. Proof: The state bird of Texas is the Mockingbird. I know the Jabberjays mated with Mockingbirds to spawn Mockingjays. It all makes sense, trust me. The only thing that can quell this ravenous rebellion are some Steak Frites and/or Pork Chops... okay and probably Jennifer Lawrence ;). Both the steak and pork chops are huge, tender, and scrumptious. The truffle fries were oh-so-satisfying. The meal was served in an arena resembling a high ceiling-ed historical house tucked away in a quiet neighborhood. The Avox and prep teams were great and on point.
(4)
Kim O.
We ended up at Mockingbird Bistro on accident. For weeks, my mother and I had been planning a nice dinner at Oxheart. According to Oxheart's website, we could not make a June reservation until June 1. My mother neurotically checked back on the website about 72 times during the last week of May just to be sure. At 10:00 pm on May 31, she checked again, only to find that reservations had opened, and there was nothing available for the night we were wanting to go. Bummed but not deterred, we did some research and made reservations for Mockingbird Bistro, which is located in a charming old strip on Welch Street. Much like the exterior, the interior is also very charming. The inside is much more massive than you would expect. The large rooms are dimly lit and contemporary-looking, with contrasting Renaissance-style lighting fixtures hanging from the ceilings. Mockingbird's menu doesn't really offer anything in the way of vegetarian entrees, but I was able to piecemeal a sizable (and outstanding!) dinner together from sides and apps (something I'm starting to get used to when eating out veg). I started off with the organic beet salad, which was lovely. Loaded with red beets, orange beets, arugula, blue cheese, and white balsamic foam, this salad was light, sweet, savory, and indulgent. It was a perfectly executed little starter. Next up, for my main course, I ordered the truffle parmesan pommes frites, and the asparagus risotto. Now I am unabashedly obsessed with truffle. These fries were great, but--dare I say it?--a little heavy-handed on the truffle. I know! I can't believe I'm saying that either! It wasn't to the point of me not wanting to eat them because, obviously. But these fries would have been top of the charts good had they scaled it back on the truffle a *tad*. Otherwise, they were perfectly crispy, salty, and topped with just the right amount of parmesan. The asparagus risotto is not actually a singular offering on the menu, but I spotted it as an accompaniment to one of the entrees. And mah lord. You guys, this was so good, and rich, and creamy, and filling. The asparagus taste was not overpowering at all, and the dish was absolutely perfect. I couldn't stop "oohing" and "ahhing" over this one. I cannot recommend it enough. By time we left on that Saturday night the place was PACKED, and rightly so. My mom and I left fully satisfied and happy about our unplanned dinner at Mockingbird Bistro.
(4)
Danny N.
It was an ok meal ... The lobster bisque was salty and the duck leg was tasteless ... I had a much better French dishes for a 4 stars rating restaurant
(3)
Andrea M.
This place is excellent with exceptional food and service! I loved the atmosphere. My drinks were delicious! I'm definitely going back!!
(4)
Penny N.
Ick. Just ick. The staff was snotty. Then, when I met the owner I realized where they got their attitude. The owner was the mama snotty. Smug as hell, and he wreaked of tequila. A bottle a night (say the help) will do that. Food was salty. So much salt. I woke up and needed to chug water all throughout the night. All that is a shame, because the inside is quite cute. And the prices during happy hour are great. Very neighborhood look. But the ambiance is pure shit. Keep driving. Check out Roost a block further. Or Just Dinner also in the hood.
(1)
A R.
food and drinks are amazing! brought a girlfriend then the husband and both experiences were top notch. their prices reflect the service and food quality. recommend the texas mule or raspberry mojito! cons: valet parking
6 people for HRW the other night and unfortunately this experience didn't garner the excitement previous visits have. Here's what I ate... Beef carpaccio- So thick and tough that I left half of it on the plate. Salmon with mussels- Just ok Trio of desserts (truffle, bread pudding, and a lemon tart)- eh Along with the mediocre food was the odd service. My friend asked if she could order off the regular menu as she wasn't interested in the protein options on HRW menu. The server told her "no". That the whole table must order off either the regular menu or the HRW menu. That seemed bizarre after many other restaurants over the years allowing a mix at the table, but the bistro bird squawks a big negative. She then asked if she could substitute the protein for something else and was again told "no". The server ended up going to speak with someone and came back informing us we could indeed swap out the protein, but we would have to pay extra. The entire exchange was pretty tacky and lacking in customer centric service. When food came out of the kitchen, one server was way ahead of the rest and would stand at our table holding the plate of food for a while until the others came out of the kitchen. This happened for all three courses. I realize the goal is to have all plates set down at once, but it's pretty awkward if not timed right. All in all, this was a disappointment. I don't know what's happened over the years, but I used to recommend this place to everyone....USED TO being the the operative words.
(2)
Marleigh T.
This restaurant has valet parking if you are not up to illegally parking in front of the laundromat next door. Just FYI. Came here for happy hour (which is actually at 4, not 5:30), and was pleasantly surprised, especially when the front door was opened for me. The decor is enchantingly comfortable, and the staff wonderfully friendly. Food on the happy hour menu is minimal, and the ceviche I ordered was decent enough. The true stars were the drinks. The cocktails are $5, and hella strong. I tried the Aztec Mule (in copper mugs!) and a Mai Tai. Both were excellent and fresh, even though my Mai Tai was spilled a bit on the table cloth when delivered. Gratuity is already included in the check, so that was quite convenient. I would return again to try other drinks during happy hour because they are definitely worth the price.
(4)
Mai N.
Came here for happy hour (5-7pm) on a Monday. They have a cute little patio area in the front that we sat at since it was so nice outside that day. Service was attentive and pleasant. I can't speak much for the interior since I didn't go inside lol M bistro burger ($10) 4/5. It has a tasty bacon-onion marmalade on a slow dough onion bun. They even ask you how you want it cooked. I ordered medium rare and it was perfect. Best bang for your buck because it comes with fries. I asked to upgrade the fries to truffle fries which costs a small surcharge but worth it. Get the truffle fries guys. They're delicious! Honeycomb ($5) 4/5. Highly recommend this cocktail! It has bourbon with texas ruby red grapefruit, honey, and sprinkling wine. You can definitely taste the bourbon but it's blended very nicely with the other ingredients. I really enjoyed it All in all, good food/drinks/service/environment/happy hour. Would come back!
(4)
Nick W.
Really enjoyed both the meal and the ambiance in this converted house. Service was excellent and even though we took our time eating there was no pressure on us to vacate the table. Good spot for a date as its a nice intimate setting. Recommend
(4)
Diana H.
Came here for happy hour with a few girls. The place itself seems more like a brunch place... For couples. Lol. They have complimentary valet, which you're pretty much obligated to tip or you look cheap and rude. Very homey feeling. Cozy. Clean. Dim. Romantic.. The happy hour menu was $5 for everything. I got the spicy shrimp and 2 glasses of wine. You get maybe less than 10 small shrimps with your order. They definitely give you wayyyyy too much sauce in comparison to what you were getting. The dish was definitely NOT spicy. Far from it. Felt no kick at all. The shrimp was well good and not too heavily battered, which was good. My friend got a burger with a side of onion ring. The sauce that came with her rings were good! We all enjoyed that a lot and that had more of a bite than my sauce. There was also an order of mini beef sliders. My friend did not enjoy them and said it was dry. The ribs were fall off the bone tender but drenched in sauce! Still good though. Would I come back? For brunch :).
What a charming neighborhood spot! The atmosphere is cozy, warm, and almost lodge-like... a welcome change from the stuffy places on Westheimer. The cuisine is upscale American food, but not overly fussy. I thought it was pretty cool that the chef creates a new special every night using the freshest ingredients available that day... and only prepares 21 orders of it. I don't know if that is just a marketing ploy or what, but it definitely worked on me! OH, and he also offers a very reasonably priced 7-course tasting menu, which unfortunately we didn't find see until it was too late :( What we had: French onion soup - A classic rendition, Yum. Fois Gras appetizer - Hard to go wrong with foie... Accoutrements were nothing special though, and that's half the fun :( Seared snapper with tomato & corn ragout and wilted veggies (the "21" special) - Solid dish. Nothing complicated but cooked perfectly and flavored well. I would definitely order it again if I could... Mockingbird Bistro is a solid contender in the Houston restaurant scene and definitely worth checking out. However, I have to say that while the food was very good, it didn't exactly stand out. I'll definitely be back... but after reading other reviews, it'll probably be for happy hour! :)
(4)
Kate A.
My boyfriend and I met up with some friends for a weekend happy hour. We were not dressed appropriately for this place, but they still treated us like kings and queens! We had on shorts and t-shirts but they still welcomed us and serviced our table with friendly and knowledgeable staff. One of our friends went to use the restroom and an employee went out of her way to open the door to the restrooms for my friend; totally exceeded my expectations! I cannot wait to come back.
(5)
richard y.
Came here with my dearest for HRW, and it did not disappoint. Excellent service paired with good food, and fantastic wine selection. The red of the month, Rosenblum Petite Sirah 07, was a pleasant surprise. We will be returning.
(5)
Livio G.
Great staff, fabulous food, and nice quiet environment. Best dinner my wife and I have had this year, and we are pretty picky !
Great drinks, good food (a little expensive for Houston) but the wait staff was not very good. We had to ask for food menus after being seated at a table for 20 minutes. Had to ask to order, and it took what seemed like an hour to receive food (probably close considering it took 2 hours for 2 courses). For 75/person you expect better.
(3)
Mike and Chih L.
Good food, but for the price you are paying for it, it was just ok. It is good, but not great or amazing. We went there for mother's day, and it has a preset menu. Good idea, but a bit pricey. Not sure if we would go back again, for the same price, you can go to a lot of other restaurant with better food.
(3)
Jay R.
Delicious as always. First time I've been There for brunch though. Very affordable including the $5 mimosas :-) think I paid about the same as for the crappy microwaved eggs Benedict we had at the Black Walnut last weekend. And that place didn't have table service or any atmosphere.
(5)
Garden V.
Fabulous ingredients, treated with respect. Service is first-class, and a quality operation through and through. Good value happy hour, too. My first recommendation to anyone from out of town.
(4)
Jason C.
one of my favorite stops for HRW2011. been raving about the lobster risotto to everyone and anyone, couldve easily had it or my entree and been very satisfied. the short rib was a bit dry but well flavored. the salmon came with a wasabi mash potato which looked like wasabi but tasted like mash. clever. easily the creamiest brulee ive had in town for desert. yumyumyum
(4)
Stephanie I.
Came here for Restaurant Week dinner with high expectations, but left feeling unsatisfied. The decor and ambiance is great - moody lighting with unique decorations. Free valet, but there is also street parking available. But the service was terrible. OK, maybe not terrible, but when you come to a place like this, you definitely expect way better treatment than what we received. Our server was unattentive, not helpful, not friendly, and definitely added negative points to this experience. I wish I had remembered to get his name because he didn't crack one smile the entire time and only came by twice throughout the whole meal: to take drink and menu orders. I don't think he even served us our food. Terrible. The food itself is good, but not memorable. For appetizers: - Caesar salad: interesting, but really what more can you do with a Caesar salad? - Onion Soup: too salty - Calamari: I honestly don't even remember what this dish tasted like. Goes to show how unexciting it was. - Chilled Cantaloupe Soup: tasted like pureed cantaloupe (which I guess, it is...). Nothing special here. Entrees: - Mountain Trout: Now this was good. I loved the flavors and the crust that forms on top. Pretty decent-sized fish too. - Chicken: Just okay. - Scallops: Two pretty big scallops, but the flavor was definitely lacking. - Prime Steak Frites: Pretty big steak, well-seasoned. Fries are average. Dessert: - Mockingbird Trio of Apple Bread Pudding, Chocolate Truffle, and Mini Creme Brulee. This dessert was reallllly good, except the Chocolate Truffle was way too rich. Still very yummy though. Overall, I don't think I'd be back unless I had a reason to. I can see why people like this place so much and I can see why it's so famously good, but this time just fell way short of my expectations.
(3)
Rodolfo M.
The food was fairly good,i had duck while my wife had fish. However, the meal was quite expensive for the competent but bland dinner experience we were served. Beautiful decor inside.
(3)
Jeri P.
Everything about this place is AMAZING! Food, service, ambiance, location - love it! Def a great place to come for a business meeting or romantic evening.
(5)
Vic C.
"A-OK," per Yelp's description of the star ratings. Probably would have been "I'm a fan" except for the price - it was good, but not *that* good! Of course, like an idiot, I went on Fathers' Day. I worked it out from their regular lunch menu how much extra we got charged for that. They had a prixe fixe menu, $59 no matter what app, entree, and dessert you chose. Me: $8 onion soup, $22 trout, $10 bread pudding = $40. So, a $19 premium for Fathers' Day. Hubby: $8 onion soup, $16 burger, $10 chocolate cake = $34. So, a $25 premium for Fathers' Day. Live and learn. Another little surprise - we were offered still, sparkling, or ice water. I chose still. Found out when we got the check it was Evian and we were charged $9 for the two of us. I had wondered why the server was being so stingy with the water. Live and learn. The soup was OK, but it tasted on the verge of burned, and I don't like their style of crouton and cheese - I want *lots*. Hubby liked burger a lot, and the little sides and garnish were cute. I had a taste and my main reaction was they emptied the salt shaker in the meat. Ditto for the green beans that came with my trout - heavy hand with the salt shaker. The trout itself was well cooked and tasty, although it seemed to have no seasonings of any sort. Well, it didn't need them. Bread pudding was just OK. Hubby said cake was good but he couldn't finish it - I'd rather they'd charged a little less and given us one dessert for the two of us. All in all, nothing to rave about considering how much it cost. I had a Pisco sour (never had one before) just to have something different and a little fancy. It seemed well made and was cute and tasty. Drink prices were quite reasonable. Service was excellent, but I'd certainly hope so, given the prices! If it hadn't been, I'd have been pretty annoyed....! I'll never go back on a holiday, for sure. The bar area looked nicer than the room we were in, actually (the room we were in kinda reminded me of a Steak and Ale) - if I go back I'll probably try the bar menu. Doubt I can get hubby back at all - we don't like valet parking (after the stories you hear in Houston about parkers damaging cars and the establishment weaseling - not this establishment specifically, just something I've heard happens in Houston) and he didn't like the block walk in the heat and on the cracked and heaved sidewalks.
(3)
Ty D.
Mockingbird Bistro is one of those neighborhood gems that makes Houston such a wonderful place for foodies. It's a quaint, unique location, striking just the right balance between upscale and familial, and the staff is great. The wine list covers a great deal of terrain, with good selections across the board. And of course, the food is amazing. Everything is always beautifully prepared with the highest-quality ingredients. Recent favorites of mine include the king salmon and the foie gras. This is my girlfriend's favorite restaurant in Houston, and would definitely make my top 10.
(5)
Asya N.
Each and every aspect of our dinner was excellent. The service was personable, prompt, and attentive, the food and drinks delicious, and the atmosphere comfortably elegant. We went for a birthday dinner and it far exceeded expectations. Definitely try the Southside Royale and the Kumquat Ginger Caipirina. Ever had an award winning Caesar salad? Order that too- finally a salad that isn't meh. We'll be going back soon for their happy hour, which is 5-7 *every* night and has a great setup of $5 food and drink specials. Seriously- this is as good as it gets in Houston.
(5)
Joseph P.
Chronologically, restaurant #2 in my attack of the Houston Restaurant Week 2010 list, was supposed to be a lot better than it was. I wouldn't say it was bad -- it was pretty good overall, just not GREAT. My wife an I showed up at 8:30 (table reservations strongly advised, my experience notwithstanding -- saw a lot of folks waiting a long time to try to get a table), were promptly seated and presented menus. Linda was professional, if fast, in an undercurrent theme of the experience at this establishment. I like the decor. The seating is tight, but the mirrors make it all seem bigger (yeah, I know, "That's what she said..."). We had an amuse bouche that amounted to a crunch potato chip with a squirt of orange cream something or another that did not taste like anything really, but remained texturally pleasing. My wife had the chilled cantaloupe soup, followed by the diver scallop dish (diver scallops, white beans, roasted tomato ragout, green shell mussels, and 100 year balsamic vinaigrette) and the trio of signature desserts: apple bread pudding, chocolate truffle, and mini Creme Brulee. I had the onion soup "modern style," the mountain trout, and the same dessert. We did the wine paring as well. Her soup was interesting and good. I've never had something like it before: a surprisingly placid dish of sweet fruitiness that might have benefited from just a bit more prosciutto. Her diver scallop dish was definitely something to order -- quite well constructed and balanced, and oh-so-savory. My onion soup was sweeter than expected. I prefer my wife's recipe from Thomas Keller (even if it does take two days to make), which has more salt. The trout was well breaded (potato crusted with ratatouille vegetables and lobster beurre blanc) but really came across bland and almost oily; a touch of salt would have helped, but I'm not certain that would really do the trick for this dish. It just needs SOMETHING more. Desserts were great: the chocolate thing is a bit heavy -- I'd never order it alone. The best dessert, we both agreed, was the apple bread pudding. The wine paring was mediocre in my opinion. I'm no sommelier, but I like wine and I like to anticipate it. I would not anticipate any of the wines in the paring (regrets that I don't have the names to write -- maybe someone else can help out here). To close on a positive note, it was and is and good place to eat, but three figures later, for two, I think that there are better places out there. Anyways, keep savouring! Until my next post, adieu, IC
(3)
Colleen H.
Yeah Houston Restaurant Week! Only thing I didn't like was the corn souffle and that was the only thing I would not order again. I didn't like the flan-like texture, but you might not mind. The roasted bass I ordered was great, as well as the CAB steak my boyfriend ordered. The dessert trio was really great. Glad my boyfriend's parents treated us, fun night!
(5)
joyce w.
I've been here twice, our first date and our first anniversary. Both times I wasn't disappointed. The first time, I had duck breast with foie gras, omg it was sooo amazing! I love properly seared foie gras! So delish! The second time, their menu had changed and I couldn't get the duck breast with foie gras anymore...however, the kobe beef burger came with foie gras and the bf gave me the foie gras off his burger...yum yum yum Their service is always good and the food never disappoints!
(5)
Jessica C.
KOBE BEEF BURGER? WHAT? Yes please! I was reluctant to order something I had to use my hands instead of utensils like a civilized person, but this is KOBE BEEF we're talking about here. The beef patty was amazing. It came with pickled purple onions, those tiny pickles, and little peppers. The truffled pomme frites were also delicious. They were topped with herbs and grated cheese. I couldn't finish my burger because it was so big and definitely did not finish my fries. It was really filling. My friend and I decided to split the flourless chocolate cake. If you've have flourless cake before, this is NOT it. It's literally solid fudge. No joke. Even my chocolate crazed friend thought it was too much. It was dense. I think if they gave us more whipped cream we would have been able to finish it. More berries would have been nice, too, to balance out to the wedge of tightly-packed fudge. The ambiance is nice. We went during the holiday season so they had a Christmas tree up and lots of cute decorations around the restaurant. It feels very homey.
(4)
Joelle B.
Mockingbird is a great place for a quiet meal with people you actually want to talk to. The food is good and somewhat traditional, but not stuffy at all. I guess I would say its a good place to go if you have both a foodie and someone less comfortable with "new" food in tow. I still love the atmosphere - I used to live in this neighborhood before mockingbird's time, and it has the right vibe in a neat space. The details - light fixtures, wood details, etc combine with a spacious area to create a warm feeling that doesn't seem crowded. Unfortunately on a Saturday night they were not crowded, but certainly not empty. The service was efficient and helpful, if not terribly friendly. I heard the "wine guy" behind me and he provided helpful and unpretentious information. I ordered a prosecco by the glass and got a nice version and a HUGE pour, then a malbec by the glass with dinner, and got a pretty small pour - at least it seemed so - maybe the glass was just really large? either way the wine went well with my pork meal and the glass was reasonably priced. For starters we had the butternut squash soup and the beet salad. The soup was nice and earthy and not too sweet, which is frequently my beef with squash soup. The beets were really great! Perfect amount of bite to them and paired with a nice creamy blue cheese and a little crunch from some almonds. For dinner hubby had the ribeye special - what can I say - its a ribeye - it was a good steak and cooked nicely - I guess I'm rarely inspired by a steak (ok, except for at Killens in Pearland). I had a pork plate that included a brined pork chop, a piece of crispy pork belly (of course), and a pork boudin, served with sauerkraut and roasted potatoes. The crispy pork belly was, well, crispy - it wasn't the most transcenent I've ever had, but hey - it was pork belly, it was good. The boudin was interesting, I enjoyed it a lot, though I would have preferred a bit more spicing of some sort. The pork chop was frankly disappointing - it was the teenyest bit dry, and generally just wasn't that flavorful - maybe it is just plain industrial pork? Overall it was a nice meal and my feeling is that this is a reliable restaurant for that "fancy night out" kind of feeling.
(4)
Rachel K.
This is mostly based on service. I went here a couple weeks ago for happy hour / restaurant week. I was mostly disappointed by the service. We had a reservation, so I called the day before to ask if we would have access to the happy hour menu and the restaurant week menu. The person who answered the phone said yes with no hesitation. When we arrived they informed us we were not at the bar and therefore did not have access to the happy hour menu. I told them about my call, but since i did not know the name of the person I talked to, they shrugged it off. I understood this though. I'm not the type to make a big deal of small issues. Then as some of my friends looked over the HRW menu, a couple of them wanted to order off the regular menu. Our server said if one person wants to order off of the HRW menu, then we all had to. Now I'm starting to feel irritated. The entire time our server just seemed annoyed by us. We all felt this way, but didnt understand why. A couple ppl in our reservation didn't show, so I don't know if this upset our server, but the place was dead so it wasn't like we took up a big table while they were busy. I used to be a server for about 2 years, so I get it, but I also know we didn't do anything that obnoxious. Unfortunately this much anticipated visit was a complete disappointment except for the company I had.
(2)
Glenn L.
I've been here many times, but I would say this visit was a little dissapointing. I had scallops, which were overpowered by the accompanying vegetables and somewhat skimpy on the portion size. My wife's salmon was good, but dried out.. . I stil like this restaurant and will return, but I was forced to hold back the 5th star that I usually give to them.
(4)
Wil F.
What a disappointment! I really think that there must be something funky going on with all of these 4/5 and 5/5 reviews of Mockingbird Bistro. Did they host a Yelp event or something? Bottom line - food was mediocre at best and service was terrible from beginning to end. It was a Friday night and the place was empty. Specifically: - the waitress was rushing us from the time we sat down, coming by 3 times to ask if I was ready to order wine - each time I asked for menus first - wait staff cleared the table while we were eating - including taking my wine glass while there was still wine in the bottle, taking all of my utensils while there was food in front of me and taking away an untouched side dish mid-meal - the berries in the deserts had no flavor - the lamb was so-so, everything else they tossed on the plate with it was over seasoned and inedible Photos of the food and place look great here on Yelp, but don't be fooled, it's really not that good.
(2)
Angela K.
Tucked away in a neighborhood, cute cozy restaurant. Service was good, food was excellent. We had the Steamed Mussels, Crispy Duck, and Kobe Beef Burger. Kobe Beef Burger was excellent, very rich, very flavorful. Crispy Duck was as good as the other reviews indicate. Will definitely return.
(4)
G M.
Loved the mussels
(5)
Kyle P.
One of the best hamburgers I have ever had!!! Amazing with Kobe beef and Gruyere cheese! Very friendly service as well and relaxing atmosphere.
(5)
Annie T.
The food was amazing. Went for date night and it was great. For appetizers we had the calamari and the veal sweetbreads. Calamari was good although the batter falls off but it was still good. Veal sweetbreads were actually heavy. For dinner I had the 21 special, their nightly special but only 21 orders are available each night. It was the pan seared Alaskan Halibut with succotash and it was delicious. The fish was cooked perfectly and had jumbo lump crabmeat on top. Crabmeat was sweet and tender (can that word be used to describe crabmeat?!). For dessert we had the apple bread pudding -- no raisins or nuts and it was good. One of the better bread puddings I've had but still, no one compares to Ruggles' White Chocolate Bread Pudding (that still is my #1). You don't have to valet if you can find street parking.
(4)
Nate M.
Decided to go to Mockingbird Bistro for my beautiful wife's birthday! It was fabulous! I called beforehand to make the reservation and requested a quieter table and explained the occasion. The maitre-d had everything setup perfectly. My wife enjoyed the Warm spinach salad and I had the roasted red and yellow beets to start with. Mine was excellent, but the warm spinach salad was even better! For the main course my wife had the Farm Raised Duck - seared breast and roasted leg, apricot wild rice, steamed broccolini and port redux. She had never tasted duck before and I convinced her to be adventurous, telling her she would love it, and she did! I had one of the seafood specials. It was AWESOME! I'm a fish lover and the flavor on this plate was amazing! No fishy taste at all! The server suggested the Warm Chocolate Torte with mango sorbet and market berries. If you need 1 reason to come to Mockingbird Bistro it is for this Chocolatey piece of heaven! I can't wait to go again! And we will! May even try to hit up the weekend brunch!
(5)
Bill C.
I had a nice lunch here recently. Had the bibb lettuce salad, a tuna special, and a pot de creme dessert. The salad was great, and the tuna was nice. The pot de creme was overly sweet, but was otherwise good. Everyone else at my table also seemed very happy with their food. The decor is also nice. I'll come back here in a second.
(4)
Kasushi S.
This place is absolute garbage: 1) Lying to guests about the ingredients: they are NOT serving Kobe beef, you just can't get Kobe outside of Japan and why don't you look up the prices for Akaushi beef, which is available in the U.S. and see what I mean? They are not serving k\Kurobuta or Berkshire pork; it's not even U.S.D.A. prime pork-it's junk @ $36 dollars a plate. These are just the clearest examples, they regularly lie to guests about what they are being served in a host of other dishes. 2) Marriage: they pour wines and liquors from an older bottle into a new one. This is not only reprehensible from a sanitation standpoint, it's also illegal. On a more general note, it's a sign the employees at the restaurant don't care. 3) Sanitation: no concept of cleanliness in preparation, plating, or disposal of consumed food; none. I saw, I didn't think I saw something that somewhat resembled...I SAW fish being prepared on the back of a metal pan that was sitting on top of a big grey trashcan. This is not an opinion of Mockingbird, these things I know because I saw them with my own two eyes; caveat emptor: consider this a public service announcement to all yelpers, and forget about this place.
(1)
Patricia S.
I took a big chance by choosing this to be my birthday dinner spot during HRW last week but I had a good feeling. I am glad that I went with that feeling because it was a very enjoyable experience. I called a week in advance to reserve a table for 20. The restaurant was happy to honor that reservation as long as I provided a credit card for a $350 deposit. They assured me it would not be charged unless I canceled 72 hours prior to the requested date. This seamed reasonable since I knew for sure I wanted to dine there and also considering I asked for 8pm on a Friday night during a stressful month for Houston restaurant employees. The waitstaff was very friendly and attentive to our table and we did not feel rushed through the three-course meal at all. The big hit dishes of the night were the lobster risotto, tri-melon gazpacho, slow-braised CAB short ribs, and diver scallops. Of course everyone enjoyed the trio dessert sampler - flourless chocolate cake, bread pudding, and creme brulee. Yummo! I even had a few vegetarian friends who were given alternatives to the HRW menu but still at the same price and they were more than just pleased with their choices. Nice job! I was very happy with this as my selection for my birthday dinner party and cannot wait to come back and try the regular menu.
(4)
Lorenzo L.
Menu looked awesome on the website ( especially for a Monday night in Houston when many places are closed). Appeared to have a "bistro - like" feel to it. Just what I was in the mood for. Steak Frites sounded like the ticket. At $39 for a 9 oz strip steak ( a la carte), you would think that the meat would be" decent". Not. Dry / flavorless, and about the same price ( sans fries) as a chain steakhouse ( think Morton's The Palm, Fleming's). Bottom line....want steak.....go see Ruth. Menu was pricey, and 50% of the entrees were topped with some type of green salad. Maybe a bit redundant. I think I'll wait for the video before I go back.
(2)
lizzy w.
Love this quaint restaurant - it is tucked away on a shaded street and from the moment I laid eyes on it I knew it I would love it. The food is incredible - not quite as rich as traditional french which I actually liked... the wait staff was great, the wine selection also great.... the scallops and lamb are to die for! Perfect date night restaurant!
General steak house fare, with Everything was cooked to perfection. We tried the seared tuna and angus strip. The sauces were not too salty or overpowering. For desert they offered a selection traditional dishes including items such as bread pudding and homemade ice cream. Both the apple bread pudding and flour-less chocolate cake were well done. I would definitely recommend this as an excellent choice for American cuisine.
Preface: I really wish that I could write a seperate review for HRW dinner. I'm sure if I could pick from their normal menu, this would be different. There are two things that I consider a horrendous crime. 1. Do not steal my pens. I only use Papermate Liquid Espresso pens and special ordered pens from Vistaprint that have my name and tagline printed on them. No touchy! 2. No two people are allowed to order the same thing at the same table. My friends are not shy about picking off each others' plates, but we can't do it if someone else orders the same thing! I told my friend that I had already looked at the menu as we were being seated and had already picked out my courses. He knows of my personality quirks and warned me that he was eyeballing the same dishes. We found out that we were going to have to settle for the same dessert because apparently, the online menu for HRW is wrong. Mockingbirds is offering a dessert trio instead. So we decided to compromise. He and I both wanted the lobster risotto and the CAB slow braised English short ribs. I let him have the lobster risotto and I got the braised ribs. He settle for a salmon entree and I went with the tri-melon gazpacho appetizer. One of the things that we noticed (and again, it might be because it was HRW) was that service was really slow. It took us 10 minutes to get water and 20 to get complimentary bread. The gazpacho was horrible! I don't really like cold tomatoes, but I thought that this gazpacho was going to be made with, or at least cut with some sort of melon (hence the name). I didn't taste any melon at all! My friend let me have a bite of his lobster risotto and it was amazing. He swears that throughout the 1st course I kept eyeballing his dish with envy and my face would look so sad with each spoonful of my own appetizer. It got to the point where he tried to give me the rest of his risotto by putting his plate in my face and handing me his fork. ... I should have eaten it. But pride took over and I refused to eat his delicious risotto (which should have been mine). Second course rolled out and it was okay. I say okay because I most definitely can produce better tasting salmon and short ribs in my own kitchen. To be fair, I was raise in a half Korean household and Koreans are very capable of paying good homage to an English short rib. My short ribs had decent flavor, but they were served on a bed of undercooked polenta. A few rounds had hard centers. The salmon was under seasoned. That might have something to do with the wasabi flavored mashed potatoes that it was served with, but that fish seriously needed a good hit of salt and some nice acidity to get rid of the overly fishy flavor. And finally, the dessert trio was a hit a miss. Chocolate truffle was nice and soft. The creme brulee was so-so. I tried mixing the two but that didn't work out as nicely as I'd hoped. There was this odd square pastry that tasted like a poorly executed flan at the end. I didn't like it at all.
(3)
Whitney S.
Wine-o's and foodies unite for a one of a kind gastronomical experience at Mockingbird Bistro! I am obsessed with this Bistro/Wine Bar, especially their Monthly Wine Dinner series. I can't stop bragging to my friends about what an incredible evening it was from start to finish! (Now it's your turn to hear my tale!) The bistro is a bit hard to find off of Shepherd in a residential area on Welch St. You'll need to valet because the surrounding area is patrolled by eager towers. Once you step across the threshold, you are entering a parallel universe of unparalleled service. This is what a restaurant should be: friendly staff, Texas-sized bar, diverse and bountiful menu, and an extremely talented chef! On a regular basis, Mockingbird Bistro is phenomenal. But there is one night a month where it truly raises the bar. I went to the last Wine Dinner as a pre-birthday date with a handsome stud whose eye for haute cuisine never steers us wrong. We were escorted to a private wine room and seated at a round table with an interesting couple from South Africa and a Houston distributer for Meeker Winery. I had never heard of Meeker but I am now a proud wine club member of their vineyard in Sonoma County, Californ-I-A. Molly and Charles Meeker (co-owners and winemakers of Meeker Winery) are a dynamic duo to be reckoned with. Charles was former president of MGM studio and his humble yet animated story-telling captured the room of about 40 people. His sassy, spunky wife Molly added comic relief with your classic husband-wife shtick (interruptions, loving insults, and insane tangents were her specialty). Along with the interesting pair, the food and wine pairings were perfection. First course: 2009 Meeker Lobster Cove Chardonnay was paired with a seafood salad containing grilled baby octopus, bay scallops and jumbo lump crab meat and drizzled with mango/ginger vinaigrette *I had to whisper to the boyfriend to slow down. For someone who typically doesn't enjoy white wine, the grin was from ear to ear. **PS- This wine is like $9-$10 at Spec's! Definitely a great summer beverage. Second Course: 2005 Meeker Handprint Merlot paired with a seared rare tuna mignon & bold purple Peruvian potato risotto *Risotto was so flavorful and had such a pretty cover **Charles dips his hands in paint to create each unique bottle Third Course: 2005 Four Kings Cabernet Blend paired with slow-braised Kobe Short Rib "Osso Busso" with blue corn grits and morel mushrooms *This course stole the show! We bought a bottle of Four Kings and had it autographed by Charles and Molly before we left the restaurant. And my mouth is foaming at the thought of the short rib... not very lady-like, I know... Fourth Course: FroZin Zinfandel with a chocolate croissant bread pudding that was topped with mascarpone-pistachio mousse and a raspberry and white chocolate milk shake shooter *Sinful! Or should I say "Zin-ful!" The FroZin is their signature wine If I could give 6 stars, I would! Ok... I have to take a break and call Mockingbird to see when the next Wine Dinner ($125pp including unlimited vino) is! Hopefully I'll see you there!
(5)
Antonio A.
The one thing I have to say is that the service was excellent! The waiter was very helpful and came around our table at the right time. He was very genuine which is what appreciated the most of the service. As for the food, my lamb rack was okay. I definitely have had better. I think it just needed a little more condiments or something. My girlfriend's risotto and scallops on the otherhand, it was really good. She loves the combination of risotto and scallops and she claims it is definitely one of the best she has had. The ambiance was good. Overall, good job!
Great ambience. Appreciated the valet parking in this tight spot. Was seated without reservations no problem on a busy Thursday evening. Service was courteous and beyond prompt. Enjoyed the Foie Gras Club, Truffle Fries, & Rabbit. Delicious! The outdoor patio at the front was a nice for a after dinner drink as well. Nice to note the management and chef constantly working the dining room to ensure that patrons were pleased. I will be returning.
(4)
Rudy M.
It's been a long time since I've visited Mockingbird Bistro....too long. Excellence in dining is what this place serves up. Mockingbird Bistro serves up some delicious contemporary French dishes that are savory and very memorable. Obvious attention to detail and flavor is apparent and the staff made my dining experience there extremely memorable. what we had: cocktails - watermelon mojito; pear cosmo; old fashioned - season and very good. apps - beef carpaccio - perfectly shaved and served over arugula main - panseared red snapper on veg ratatouille and burrata mozerlla rissotto; rack of lamb on grilled vegetables and goat cheese mashed potatoes en crute desert - peach and wild berry cobbler Hector was our server and offered us great recommendations for our party. I can't wait to go back for my next special occasion there.
(5)
Jessica N.
This is probably my favorite restaurant in Houston. The food is superb. Every time. The service is polite and prompt. Every time. There's really nothing else to say. I've been going for years and I've never had a bad experience. Love it. I had a warm spinach salad there once and I've never been the same.
(5)
Emmie C.
Went here for Happy Hour. HANDS DOWN FANTASTIC! Best artisinal $5 cocktails in town and amazing truffle mac and cheese--yes, for $5 and I had white truffle shavings in my serving. Other items of note were mussels and the cheese/charcuterie platter. Totally tucked away, and relaxed atmosphere in the bar. Will definitely come here and grab a few cocktails before heading off to dinner.
(4)
Jarrod M.
(Note: this review is limited to the food and drinks available while sitting at the bar) Summary: Exceptional food and even better drinks make this neighborhood restaurant one of the best bar menu deals in town. Exemplary Dishes: Kobe Burger w/Parmesan Truffle Fries (one of the best burgers in town) Calamari x 2 ways Cheese Plate My wife and I have been to Mockingbird Bistro countless times, and each time, we keep asking ourselves "why do we go anywhere else?" To me, it is the perfect spot to go for a really enjoyable date night. Mockingbird Bistro almost makes it too easy. The ambiance inside is subdued and relaxing. It is quiet so you can actually have a decent conversation. Did I mention the food and the drinks? If you're going, I would recommend sitting at the bar and exploring Mockingbird's cocktail menu. The main bartender, Carlos, is putting out drinks that rival anything the boys (and girls) at anvil are throwing together. In fact, go during happy hour (7 days a wee, 5-so you can get one of the best deals in town: the mockingbird rita for a mere $5. My wife ordered that recently and upon tasting it, I had one of those transcendental experiences. Ah, so this is how Tequila should be highlighted! Other happy hour deals include $2.50 Texas brews (such as Southern Star's Pinebelt Pale Ale tallboy) and reduced prices on numerous food items. I only have a few nitpicks with mockingbird. I'm not a huge fan of the valet out front, but I understand the necessity (the parking lot is small). Spare yourself the hassle and annoyance of having a stranger drive your car and simply find some street parking nearby. It is plentiful. Also, the clientele can trend toward the older range. Just drink enough booze so that you won't care. The quality of the food more than makes up for the geriatric clientele and an annoying valet service. The Kobe burger is out of this world, and when paired with the truffle fries, is as good as any fancy-pants burger. Also out of this world is Calamari x 2 ways. The fried calamari is lightly breaded so that you don't lose the wonderful texture (i.e., it isn't too chewy), while the calamari in liquid has a wonderful flavor. For dessert, anything will do, as it is all exquisite. The chocolate from either the warm bittersweet chocolate torte or the cool flourless chocolate cake coats your tongue with, chocolatey goodness. Each dish has an ice cream to cleanse the pallet between bites. Do yourself a favor and try them, you won't be sorry. All in all, Mockingbird Bistro is one of the best deals in town. Our last visit resulted in us staying for about 4 hours while we chatted up the bartender and feasted like kings. Now, its time for me to start planning my next drink to get there, as I need Carlos to somehow top his Ramos Gin Fizz.
(5)
Wendy T.
It's likely this could be a 5 star review from what I've heard from others but since my recent experience is only based on the bar menu at happy hour, 4 seems pretty good. If you haven't been, it's a really pretty restaurant. Very little parking but there is a valet. The have a GREAT happy hour. Very good bar menu (short ribs and truffle mac n cheese just to name a couple) and $5 cocktails. The staff is extremely nice and very attentive. Just park in the neighborhood if you get there early for happy hour. (It's only 2 hours 5-7 so why wouldn't you get there early) and you get have a very inexpensive dinner and drinks at the bar. There is a large seated area in the bar so if you don't like sitting at a bar, there are plenty of tables.
(4)
Jeff H.
16 chefs walk into the restaurant, including myself and leave completely satisfied. Do i need to say any more? BRAVO!
(5)
Gretchen P.
I've finally found my new favorite brunch spot. I've been wondering about this place for quite some time. It is a favorite amongst Houstonians and I've only heard great reviews of the restaurant. Unlike a few places in town, I was not let down. The restaurant is beautiful in a mildly eclectic way. Well, that opinion is coming from the fact that I know of the original owner of that business strip. He still owns the laundromat next door and his office is in between it and the restaurant. If you've seen the laundromat, you know: garage sale chic. The Mockingbird is very upscale, but it has that vintage 70s restaurant feel about the place. Lots of carved wood. White table clothes. A hidden upstairs loft area. I love eggs benedict of any variety, but after reading Kitchen Confidential, I've shied away. Mr. Bourdain did not paint a pretty picture of eggs yolks in a sauce that sat on a counter top for hours on end. Ick. So I reserve this dish to places I can trust, such as Mockingbird. And they definitely did not disappoint! I got the crab cake benedict ($18). Two perfect, scallion-sized crab cakes, full of fresh crab meat. Two almost perfectly poached eggs (not a problem with me). The best hollandaise sauce. All served with a thick slice of toasted whole grain bread. Perfect, since the yolks and sauce would have rendered any other type of bread into a soggy glump. I got a glass of Reisling to go with it. It was just tart enough for the crab. Wonderful. I would have gotten a bloody mary, but was going to drink a couple of those later in the day (sodium!). I'll definitely be back again for brunch...soon. Brioche French Toast ($12) would go nicely with a Bloody Mary, yes?
(5)
Trini G.
Oh this place was divine! A few friends chose this place during Houston Restaurant Week and raved about it. I decided to check it out and could not believe how wonderfully delicious everything was. We split lobster risotto, ceviche, salmon, scallops and the trifecta dessert (bread pudding, chocolate dome cake and creme brulee). Every single thing was great.... a true party in my mouth! Even though they had an extensive wine menu, I opted for the Mockingbird Margarita. Also fantastic! It was not too sweet or sour and very fresh, brisk. We made our reservations and were a little concerned upon arrival but surprisingly, we were seated within 10 minutes. When does this ever happen in Houston???? It was one of my favorite dining experiences in Houston and I will be going back!
(5)
Lesa T.
This was my first HRW stop this year, and just like last time, Mockingbird Bistro did not disappoint. Fantastic service, delicious food, and beautiful atmosphere. We dined with a table of 7, and they treated us so well. Mockingbird Bistro also has a $60 wine pairing option for their HRW dinner menu, which is a must-try!
(5)
Jodi M.
Best HRW restaurant I have been to yet, hands down. Mockingbird Bistro gets an A+ from me! Me and a couple friends went there last week and enjoyed every second of it. I started off with the world renowned Lobster Risotto which was just like I had imagined. Then I got the Short Ribs which were so soft and tender, with spinach and braising jus. Then, oh man are you ready for this? Instead of picking just one dessert, we each got a sample of all three! Truffle, Creme Brulee, and Bread Pudding-all equally delicious... The restaurant has a very cozy touch and is way bigger than I thought. The only thing that sucks is: parking. Oh well, the restaurant definitely makes up for it!
(5)
Diane Y.
I'm reading Hanh N's review, and she is spot on about the duck entree: "I ordered the Crispy duck breast, sweet potato & duck confit hash, baby spinach, black cherry & foie gras redux (of course, foie gras...) I got the duck prepared medium and to my delight, there was a generous portion of foie gras sitting on top of the duck breast as well!!!!! The duck breast and foie gras went so well together. The sauce down to the spinach was heaven. HIGHLY RECOMMEND the duck!" Each entree on the menu has a recommended wine pairing specially picked by the sommelier. I'm no wine connoisseur so I went with the pairing and wow, what a great choice. The restaurant has an extensive wine list but the pairings are not too pricey. There's also a fully stocked bar if you prefer cocktails or other drinks. Service is prompt and polite. This atmosphere is intimate and would make a great place for a nice date or special occasion. There's plenty of well dressed patrons around, so don't try to walk in here dressed too casual. You may get some odd stares. There's no lot for this restaurant so you'll have to valet or park on the street and walk.
Service was great as you'd expect. Older crowd and the food was whatever. Certainly not worth the $$$ you shell on an establishment as this.
(2)
Andrea S.
Delightful surroundings. We sat outside and it was pretty, and relaxing. We had the largest, plumpest mussels ever that were cooked in a fabulous broth. The wilted spinach salad was good. It was accompanied by a well cooked egg and large pieces tasty bacon. The happy hour specials offered interesting flavors, were well presented, with good portions, and reasonable prices. Staff was very courteous and attentive. It's nice that it is in the neighborhood; sitting outside on a comfortable couch waiting for a table was really a delightful experience. Especially with a couple glasses of wine.
(5)
Daniel P.
This place is weird. I wanted to take my mom out to a nice dinner to show my appreciation for giving birth to me and stuff. So after reading stellar reviews for Mockingbird on yelp, I figured this place would be perfect. Oh how yelp has led me astray. First off, the ambiance was like death. No fun at all. Some would call the decor of deep reds and mahogany paneling romantic...I would call it stuffy as fuck. The inexplicable cool wave muzak playing in the background felt like a lame attempt to lend some liveliness to the environment; it was as if Dracula was having some pals over for dinner and had the socially awkward (but in his mind great) idea of playing shitty background music to make his lair more inviting. These atmospheric nitpicks could have easily been forgiven if the food was good. But alas, I was let down again. Very uninspired and middle-of-the-road. But for the price, I was expecting ambrosia. We ordered calamari for our appetizer, and it was just plain bad. Over-fried and poorly made, the breading fell off of every single piece of dinky calamari. I had the trout, which was decent, but somehow the flavors didn't work for me and aside from the first few bites, I didn't feel compelled to keep eating. My moms ordered the braised Kobe beef short ribs, which sounded amazing, but didn't live up to the dish's description. It tasted more watery and bland than juicy and flavorful. My mom was bummed, and so was I. We both left feeling bitter and like WTF. I don't know why we came here. As soon as we stepped in the door and caught a glimpse of the atmosphere, I immediately regretted my choice of restaurants. Not my type of place. Don't waste your money.
(2)
Erin M.
One of my most favorite places to eat in Houston. I have been here many times but will mention a few things that I adore from here. The Kobe Beef Burger topped with Foie Gras served with truffle french fries is OUT OF THIS WORLD!!!!!!! Its hard to describe just how good that burger is. I also recommend going in and getting 5 or 6 appetizers and splitting them because it's just too hard to pick one thing there that is good. The ravioli, foie gras, carpaccio, etc. It's all wonderful so experiment and order as much as possible! It is small and romantic, yet it can also be the perfect spot to sit with a girlfriend and catch up for hours. There is no feeling of rush at this cozy and elegant establishment. You could sit and talk and slowly savor the delicious wine and food all evening.
(5)
Nala L.
I have only been here for happy hour but I am very impressed by everything here. The staff is very welcoming and very attentive. It helps that the staff has been there for a while, so it feels like a neighborhood joint and it happens to be right in the middle of a neighborhood. The staff actually cares about the place they work. The happy hour drinks are very good. The happy hour bites for $5 are great! I have had the lobster risotto lollipops and they are amazing. Out of the other bar bites the prosciutto & wild mushroom pizza is very tasty, perfect pairing of flavors. The trio of sliders is another one of my favorites, you get a pulled pork, lamb, and kobe beef slider and they are paired with amazing "condiments" like ginger coleslaw. It is a explosion of taste on a tiny burger. The manager always checks in even on the bar customers and the chef is easy going and happy to chat with you as well. I like that this restaurant is quaint and comfortable, and not trendy and over done. It is a nice change of pace.
(5)
Meredith V.
Mockingbird Bistro is a perfect example of Houston's casual fine dining scene. Located in a "house" in River Oaks, Mockingbird has a homey feel to it right as you enter. Dark brick walls, velvet fabrics, and wooden gargoyles hanging from the ceiling create an interesting and rich atmosphere. The commercial ceiling tile, however, need to be painted or replaced - they really detract from the ambiance. We made a reservation on OpenTable and were wisked upstairs to a table looking out over the downstairs dining room. I felt like belting out the monologue from Romeo and Juliet or acting like Rapunzel and letting my beautiful blonde hair down (yes, my healthy ego is intact!) We were presented with a wine menu first. We thought this was odd. How do you order the proper bottle of wine without perusing the menu and making your selections? Anyway, we had an idea of what we were going to eat, so my companion picked a wonderful French blend, heavy with Grenache, Chateau des Roques. It was yummy and went very well with our food selections. We started with the Mockingbird version of the Caprese salad. Their twist is the toasted bruscetta bread as the dish's base. The mozzarella was divine, the tomatoes disappointing, and the balsamic vinegar was very sweet (which I liked). The salad was a little under seasoned and did not have enough basil for me, but was pretty darn good. For entrees, we had the Steak Frittes and Diver Scallops. The steak was amazing. Cooked perfectly and dressed with sauteed mushrooms and watercress. The Truffled Frittes were fabulous and served with a delicious garlic aioli. I was told the Diver Scallops were fresh and tasty. I did sample the blood orange risotto, which was interesting (in a great way) and cooked properly. The dessert was a real winner...Bananas Foster with vanilla ice cream. The crepes were perfect! All in all, Mockingbird lived up to the hype. It is a great spin on American fare in a great setting
(4)
Rich P.
Mockingbird Bistro on Mother's Day. Was expecting something less than their normal stellar selection of entrees and great service, however, they nailed it for all the mothers with a great special menu and additional staff to ensure everyone received their normal extraordinary service.
(5)
Allen B.
I have had more than one date here. It is the best restaurant in town for anything romantic or what you deem as romantic. I have never been disappointed by any of the following. Food, service, atmosphere, or cost. It is reasonable for what you are provided. Cheers.
(5)
jen f.
I'd read so much about this place, I knew I wanted to go for our anniversary. Know what? I'm not even going to tell the whole story. Dinner was delish. The service was the most attentive service I've ever experienced in my life. They brought out the food at the right intervals- split the appetizers on 2 plates, poured water at the right time based on our needs and- for all I know- our body language. Kinda Truman Showy, how much they revolved around us. But dessert! For dessert we had a bleu cheesecake with a poached pear in a port wine reduction sauce. I don't even REMEMBER what I ate for dinner! This dessert was the most creative and delicious thing ever. I've never even considered combining bleu cheese + cheesecake and it rocked my world. I really want to try and make it myself. Or just go back for dessert. The latter is more likely.
(5)
Danielle S.
There was a recent episode of The Office in which the character Andy is lamenting the fact that he could never be a film critic because he's not insightful enough. "Maybe I can be a food critic," he says, switching to something he perceives to be easier. "'These muffins...are bad'." I kinda felt like Andy when I was at Mockingbird Bistro, except my review would be "this meal...is awesome." Seriously, though, I was confronted by how little I know about food and how much I would love to learn. Most of the time I didn't really know what I was eating, but I knew it was delicious. Chef John Sheely has really acheived his vision of haute cuisine with a down-home soul. The lovely Suzanne R. made our reservations for 7PM and we were seated immediately. After being treated to an appetizer of crostini topped with pate and huckleberries compliments of the chef, I decided on the Alaskan king salmon with twice baked potatoes and broccolini in a beurre rouge sauce (a butter based sauce mixed with pan drippings, and pretty much as delicious as it sounds). The salmon was rich and flavorful, flaking easily with my fork as I dug into it. The potatoes were mixed in with bits of smoked salmon--which would seem like overload when served with a salmon steak, but the tastes were so distinct I actually forgot about it until I looked up the menu today. Portion size was hearty but not overwhelming, proving it really is about quality, not quantity. Service was incredible, from the hostess to the bar to the table and everywhere in-between. I've never had such an attentive experience at a restaurant in my life--Mockingbird Bistro takes its committment to fine dining seriously, which encompasses the whole experience, not just the food. The waiter made instant recommendations for both wine and the menu, a telltale sign he knew the restaurant's offerings inside and out. Toward the end of the meal, Chef Sheely came by our table to inquire about our meal and say hello to Suzanne. It was the perfect way to cap off such an extraordinary dining experience. The interior of the restaurant is warm and inviting, much like the food and the staff. Mockingbird Bistro is incredible--a wonderful destination for the most special of occasions, but I'll likely be back "just because."
(5)
Robert C.
I stopped by a month or two ago for lunch, and I wasn't disappointed. The atmosphere is admittedly a bit stuffy -- dark paneling, subdued chatter, a middle-aged man pounding back his second lunchtime martini as he sat in silence with his frigid wife -- but it was a nice place for a low-key conversation and meal. And the food wasn't half bad. I ordered the Spanish omelet with chorizo sausage and fried onions. Fantastic. I guess it's a little hard to truly mess up an entree like that, but I was quite happy with my perfectly crisp onion rings and juicy chorizo. Service was efficient but not pushy, and they were quite generous with the bread basket refills. My dining partner went with the chopped chicken cobb, if I remember correctly; no complaints there. It's definitely a place I'd recommend.
(4)
Alexandra W.
This review applies only to restaurant week 2010. They have quite an extensive RW menu, which is nice. We received very good service but found the food good but not great. Began with cocktails: I had the hibiscus mojito--totally worth the $9, and I never think that. Appetizers: Tomato/mozzarella salad appetizer was small. French Onion Soup came with 1 crostino (not advertized crostinI, plural...), which had been sitting in the soup a long time, and was already soft. Also, it had gruyere just sort of dumped on it, so it all came off into the soup in one chunk. It was not melted over the crostini thing or the soup. They call this "modern-style," I call it "meh." Entrees: Steak was very tender but a bit flavorless, though the mushrooms that came with it were yummy. Scallops was only 2--a quite small portion for an entree. Dessert: your only option is a trio of mini desserts. Creme Brulee was nothing to write home about, bread pudding was good, and I don't do chocolate truffles. I had trouble with proportions--giant truffle, teeeny square of bread pudding. I didn't know they could cut it that small! Service was mostly good although waiter didn't remove from the right, like my mom taught me. I dunno, I happened to notice. I'd be back for drinks, but less likely for dinner. At the price, there's lots better food, but as a drinks-date, fabulous, especially the atmosphere and signature drinks.
(3)
Vanessa M.
Kobe Burger - Tasted like any other good burger. The only difference is it had foie gras on it. That was gone in one small swift bite. It was the best part of my meal. I know its a fancy restaurant but boy was I jonesing for a bun and some crispy bacon and cheese to slap on this bland puppy. Duck - Dry. Dry duck. Really dry duck. I'm not sure what else I can say other than how dry it was. Its hard to get past. I'm still not over it.
(2)
Caroline D.
I absolutely love this place. I have never ordered off the main menu because that is a little too pricey, but the bar menu and the happy hour is delicious. This week I got slow braise short rib on a bed of mashed potatoes and spinach for $5. That is an amazing deal! In the past I have also had the truffle Mac and cheese, cheeseburger, truffle fries, cheese plate. Everything that I have is delicious, I would highly recommend coming here for the bar menu or happy hour menu.
(5)
Hai N.
One word...Awesome !!! Everything from greeting to service to the quality of the Food was Excellent ! Will Definetly come back....
(5)
Debra O.
The food is really well prepared here. The bar menu excellent. The mussels in a coconut thai inspired broth delicious, mussels not over cooked. The reason I cant give it 5 stars is the staff is simply not sophisticated enough. Last time we were there they wanted to jam us into the bar, disrupting others who were sitting there. At times I feel like there is a cultural and language barrier I would not expect at this type of restaurant. Yes I will go back but they really need to hire more polished employees.
(4)
Laura K.
I've eaten here twice and had really great experiences both times. The restaurant is beautiful, the service is impeccable, and the food is really top notch. The first time I went, I had just moved back to Houston and was completely disgusted with the gluten free scene here. As a result, I was a bit nervous about this meal and as a result maybe a tad of a b*tch to my family :) But I shouldn't have worried at all. I told the waiter as soon as we sat down that I was concerned about gluten and he said no problem. Without missing a beat he told me that most everything on the menu was or could be made gluten free and just to figure out what I would like to have and he would check it out just to make sure we were safe. I'm happy to report that I enjoyed an excellent steak and truffle fries that were to die for! I finished it off with flourless chocolate cake... yum. As you would probably expect, service and food like this don't come cheap, but if you are looking for a really nice place to take out of town guests or a Celiac friend of a special occasion... look no further.
(5)
Wog W.
Mind blowingly good food. Service is top notch. Prices high high high but we went during restaurant week(s) and had one of the best meals of our lives. Innovative, fresh ingredients, gorgeous presentation. Highly recommend the assoc wine pairing.
(5)
Sal S.
This place is fancy, expensive, but really tasty. I had the steak special that night and it was wonderful. Service was superb. Good place for a business meeting or a date with your spouse etc... It was kind of stuffy for 3 bachelor friends... When I want to take a woman out, I would consider bringing her here.
(5)
Chris W.
Expensive for what you get. The climate is great, loved being here with my wife for a special night. Intimate and not too noisy to talk. Crowd is older, lots of grey haired men in sportcoats. The food was very pleasing. We had a beef special and the pork chop, along with salads. Our service could have been better. Waiter seemed to forget about us a couple of times. Ask for a table by the windows, away from the bar.
(3)
JIMMY N.
I'm not going to go on and on about the establishment since you got plenty of other yelpers to do that for you. However I'm just going to write about my dinner yesterday at Mockingbird. Last night's occasion was for a friend's birthday. The two of us were seated upstairs (I was kinda excited because I never sat upstairs and I've been here on three other occasions), and was immediately greeted by our friendly server. I passed up on ordering a bottle of wine, great wine list selection at stellar prices, and opted for a glass of merlot. I picked the soup du jour (a sweet-like bisque w/ lumps of crabmeat), crispy gulf oysters as an appetizer, and Diver Scallops as my main course. Everything was delicious... I loved the soup, sure wish it was a staple on the menu. The battered oysters sat on creamed spinach, bits of bacon with Hollandaise sauce. My scallops came in 3 pieces, that were pan seared with some cooked greens and veggies and orzo pasta. My friend had odered a Chilean Seabass special. That came with mashed potatoes and asparagus. She thought her dish was delicious as well. The food, service and even my company made for a wonderful evening. Too bad I'm not too crazy about their dessert selections. Had to go elsewhere for that. One note, their menu is seasonal; but do order any dish that's accompanied with pomme frites (like the Kobe burger w/ pomme frites), those french fries, oops I mean pomme frites, are really darn good.
(5)
mesa b.
I first went here when it was open for less than a year on a date. Revisited last month. So nice to see that the standards have not dropped. A great neighborhood place for chef quality food with a welcome atmosphere. The price paid compared to other "trendy" places for real food is a welcome reminder that good people can do good food in this town without going crazy on cost -- thank you.
(4)
Grace L.
Just had dinner tonight with a girlfriend and really enjoyed it. We both had the five course tasting menu and it was plenty. Service was courteous and professional. Nice place to go for a special occasion.
(4)
Brinda G.
Mockingbird Bistro was delicious!! From the bread basket to the perfectly cooked sea bass with pesto angel hair pasta to the outstanding rack of lamb to the most polite valet I've ever encountered. This is easily my favorite fine dining experience in Houston!!
(5)
Travis D.
Great french bistro fare. Haven't been here in a few months, but in the last 4 years or so i have been here quite a bit. About half of the time i will try something new on the menu, but my go-to item is the steak frites. I feel kind of silly getting it, as i am not really a "meat and potatoes" kind of guy, but its just so damn good. Normally places will put steak frites on the menu so that clientle that are scared of the more adventurous stuff have a safe place to hide, but Mockingbird really excels at the dish. I've never been disappointed by anything i had here. Its definitely one of Houston's hidden gems. You should check this place out, if you haven't already.
(5)
Adam P.
Just had dinner here last night. Sat at the bar as I was alone on business. Didn't have high service expectations since I was sitting at the bar. Service - I had a 7:30 PM reservation, but decided to go early. The hostess was very accommodating and began to take me to a dining table. I asked if it was okay to eat dinner at the bar instead, since I was alone. She was very kind and accommodating and immediately took me to the bar. The bartender was friendly, asked me a few questions, and made me feel welcome. Didn't talk too much, which I appreciated but didn't ignore me either for more regular customers. Had a Manhattan - Straight Up for a cocktail and it was a good solid cocktail. Ordered a half bottle of wine (side note - they have a GREAT selection of half bottles, which is my preferred restaurant size when I'm alone or dining with one other person). Instead of bringing me my Half Bottle of White Wine, they brought over a glass of a red wine, I quickly stated that it was not what I ordered and they promptly brought me my bottle. Bottle was 2009, even though the menu said 2010. I didn't say anything about it, because I didn't feel like being a jerk again, and the 2009 White Burgundy's (IMO) are drinking better than the 2010. During dinner service, food came out before my proper silverware for each course (soup and dinner) were set. Again I was eating at the bar, so I didn't really hold it against them. But just some notes. At the end of service they ordered me a cab and I was on my way. Food - I had the Lobster Bisque to start off. It was supposed to come with Brioche Croutons - however they were not present on my soup. Soup was very rich and good. It came out too hot and I had to wait for quite some time for it to cool down, but once it did it was very flavorful and really showcased the lobster flavor. It was a big serving and it would have been enough for dinner. I should have put my spoon down half way through, but it was too good and finished it all. For dinner I had the Bouillabaisse - one of my favorite dishes to eat when dining out. It was very rich, but the seafood was fresh. Everything worked well together. Went well with the wine that was just at the proper temperature by the time I got to the main course (I like my white burgundy's on the warm side). Bouillabaisse was also served VERY hot. And had to wait for a few minutes for it to cool down. But once it did the quality was great. Overall the food was very good. If I come back to Houston I'll try and eat her again. The happy hour specials looked to be very good. Please note - I am an overly critical person (as my wife will attest), however I am not rude about such things and I typically keep them internal or share with just my wife these thoughts. However I find them to be helpful to the management on places they and their staff can improve their establishment. And since I would come back to this place when returning to Houston, that means overall it was a good experience and met my expectations.
(4)
Amber F.
Possibly my favorite resturant in Houston. The food is consistently amazing. You can count on excellent service, seasonal cocktails and fresh seasonal food. Very romantic and beautiful interior design. A true Houston gem!
(5)
Meg L.
We went for brunch on a Sunday. The service was very slow, and the food mediocre at best. We had a reservation for 11 am and the place was not crowded, yet it took nearly an hour from order to food arrival. The carpaccio was not good. Some of it tasted okay, but some of it tasted like old roast beef. The soup special was fine, but really uninspired. There are much better brunch places in Houston.
(2)
Bella H.
Great service!! I originally made a reservation for 6 people and called to change the reservation to 12 people only 24hrs before and guess what?!? They accommodated our entire group! Now that's what I call good service! The food was delicious, I tried the HRW menu and was very impressed. I started off with the onion soup which was just yummy. I then had the salmon with wasabi mashed potatoes; the salmon was a little overcooked and I was disappointed by how few potatoes came with it, but overall the flavor was delish. I ended the meal with the dessert trio and I have to say WHAT A GREAT IDEA! It was the perfect portion size to just have a little bite of everything. Overall, I was very impressed and will definitely return.
(5)
Laura L.
This place is top notch. The service from when you walk in the door until when you leave is impeccable - you're greeted at the door, greeted immediately when seated at the table, and everyone who comes by the table is knowledgeable and unobtrusive. Our waiter was Hector, and he is among the best of the best - he did not miss a thing. Keith, the maitre d, was pleasant and personable. The ambiance is dark, not too loud, and imaginative with mirrors and creative chandeliers. The food started with a giant basket of perfectly fried calamari with two nice dipping sauces. The duck leg and breast were delicious with a deep red cherry sauce. My husband, notoriously hard to please with a steak, loved the strip with frites. He normally prefers a dry steak to one with a sauce, but we both loved this perfectly cooked steak with the sauce and mushrooms. To top it off, of course we were too full to eat desert, but in chatting with Hector while finishing our wine we mentioned it was our wedding anniversary, so then we were delivered two wonderfully dark chocolate truffles with candles to celebrate. We will be back.
(5)
Mike P.
Thank you HRW yelpers, ok some of you anyway that is. Spot on reviews on the lobster riz and the short ribs. Service on a monday night was prompt but not rushed, and I have to say that the previous comments about the wine pours and the deserts were off the mark. Full pours of wine justify the add of $30, and a nice trio of desert tastings, the three course meal is priced accordingly for HRW, and it gives you a good feel for what Mockingbird can offer.
(4)
Khalid H.
Really good food and different than any other restaurant in Houston. French/Texan. The best kept secret is a $9 Kobe beef burger if you eat it at the bar. It twice as expensive sitting down
(4)
Camille P.
I am a hardcore carnivore (I was a low-carber once in my lifetime) and Mockingbird has the BEST New York Strip Steak. I always order the Steak Frites when I am here for dinner. Beef Carpaccio is fresh and tasty. Their calamari is the standard fried calamari with a tasy aioli. The atmosphere is a bit quiet, considering that I go on Saturday nights. Their bar, however, seems to be very hip. I haven't had the chance to check out their bar food selection. The restaurant could be totally missed because it is tucked in such a cozy little corner. I love it!
(5)
Darby A.
I so dearly wanted to LOVE Mockingbird on my second visit, but alas, it just wasn't going to happen. I dined with two companions who chose from the restaurant week menu, while I ventured a la carte from the regular offerings. My review may be skewed by the fact that it was RW, but in my opinion, restaurants shouldn't participate unless their heart is in it and they treat newcomers just as they would the regulars. Starters from the RWM included the onion soup and Caesar salad, which were both easily forgettable. Given that each would approach $10 any other time, they were really not worth it. The calamari on the other hand, was delicious! For the mains, both RW diners had the steak frites, while I had the roasted chicken off the regular menu. One was happy with the steak although she admitted that she wouldn't pay the full menu price for it. The other found the cut very tough, and prepared significantly cooler than his desired medium. It may be because we were fresh off an experience at Tyler Florence's new Wayfare Tavern in SF where he had a similar dish, but he just thought the flavor layering left much to be desired. Particularly in the mushroom jus. We could have had TF's version for the same price, and trust me, it was much better. On the other hand, the frites were quite nice. The roasted chicken was very blah. Don't put it on the menu if you aren't into it! The dessert trio was the best part according to my companions. I've had the full size version of the bread pudding before, and it is indeed delicious! I'll hesitate to come back to MB and drop a cool $150 for an only average dinner in the future. I will certainly come in and sit at the bar after a workday to savor a cocktail and some of their bar menu selections which are very well priced. The old-fashioned I had was simply perfect.
(2)
Amanda M.
This is absolutely one of my favorite restaurants. I have had the sweetbreads, they were amazing!! I have had the grilled chicken, amazing!! I choose this place every time my boyfriend comes to bring me to lunch. It's definitely one of our favorites. I can't wait to sit at the bar and enjoy a glass of wine in the future... Might even have to have the creme brulee trio or apple bread pudding for dessert. Emmmmmm.....................
(5)
Lauren F.
I'm glad I finally thought to step into this tucked-away restaurant. I love the eclectic decor, the building, the atmosphere, the food. My lunch was great. Also, people including the hostess and the owner were friendly and cordial. If the service was just a little bit faster and they hadn't forgotten my fries this place would be a solid 4.5. I will be back soon!
(4)
Shawn C.
My wife and I don't usually go places this expensive. Not that it's over the top pricey, it's just that we ain't got a lot of money so we need our buck to go far. But we were graciously taken to dinner there by a couple that dines there weekly. They were greeted by name and then the Chef, John Sheely(sp?), came out to greet them as well. The staff was great. Very attentive and cordial, and not as stuffy or ingratiating as other fancy places. The food was good! I loved the dipping sauces we got with our calamari. And the sandwich I got, sorry the Tartin duJour, was wonderful. It's a cozy place that isn't too big and isn't too small, and we had no problem finding parking near there at lunch time, so we didn't have to valet. The next day the Chronicle gave The Mockingbird the distinction of having the "ultimate hamburger." Makes me wish I had tried it.
(5)
Dolph W.
I went to Mockingbird Bistro last night based on Cory O's review in Yelp. This is the first time I've used Yelp in this fashion and I wasn't disappointed. My dining experience can be described as episodic with each stage topping the previous one... THE APPREHENSION I made an early 5:30 reservation at Mockingbird Bistro because my wife and I were attending an 8:00 show at a nearby theater and I didn't want to rush dinner. Because I'm valet-averse, I drove around the block before coming to the conclusion that self-parking in the area was a futile endeavor. We dropped off the car, were greeted warmly at the door and were quickly shown to a table by the window in a quiet corner of the restaurant. From this vantage point, we could see all the patrons arriving and departing. Their attire ranged from very formal to extremely casual (shorts and tennis shoes). Suspended from a high ceiling in this converted warehouse were rustic chandeliers painted a faux antique gold. Interspersed amongst them were winged dragon creatures that looked somewhat like seahorses. The overall effect can best be described as "funky Gothic". On a business card I picked up at the reception stand, the restaurant's fare is described as "Texas Provence". The menu confirmed that what they offered was an eclectic mix of local and European influences. I felt some trepidation as my wife quipped, "They have a hamburger for $30!" What were we getting into? THE SEDUCTION Our waiter was excellent throughout the evening. He had that instinctive sense to know exactly when he should appear and disappear. After discussing the menu with him we chose both specials and items from the menu. I opted for a shrimp bisque, duck and a perky Pinot Noir. My wife went in a different direction with a trout entree and a Pinot Grigio. While waiting for the food to be prepared, we received the first tantalizing hints of what was in store for us. Their pate was lovely and their fresh bread dipped in oil and spices teased the tip of my tongue. However, my palate was completely unprepared for what was to come. The shrimp bisque was divine. Its rich creamy tomato base was a sensual wake-up call and I savoured it to the last drop. THE CLIMAX My duck arrived perfectly medium rare on a bed of vegetables that included crisp thin stalks of asparagus and artichokes. Its dark gravy reduction beckoned. With the first bite, my mouth exploded in culinary rapture. Every erect taste bud vibrated in paroxysms of pleasure that sent tingling waves of electricity to the furthest regions of my torso. I was deep into five-star territory and believe I moaned softly in ecstasy until only a single lonely duck bone remained on my plate. THE AFTERGLOW For dessert, I originally was going to sample the Creme Brulee, but I wisely took the waiter's recommendation instead: apple bread pudding. It was presented to me in a caramel sauce accompanied by blackberries. As I closed my lips over the first forkful, the earth moved. I gasped, everything went fuzzy and I ascended into heaven. I had discovered what I want in my mouth when I draw my last breath. It was obvious that Mockingbird Bistro could meet any of my fine dining needs. Even the thick froth on my Cappuccino was perfectly prepared. A culinary rhapsody like this doesn't come cheap. Be prepared to spend $150-$200 per couple for the meal, a modestly-priced bottle of wine and a generous tip. As I write this, I'm still reeling from the experience!
(5)
Liz S.
Well, now I can't say that Yelp never gave me anything, We were looking for somewhere nice where we could enjoy some drinks and appetizers after an unsatisfying and long workday, and I gave in to my Yelp-inspired yearnings to visit Mockingbird Bistro. Wow, wow, and wow. The interior is reminiscent of an elegant hunting or ski lodge - lots of leather and wood, a good mix of classic/rustic elements. The bartender was so nice, and our drinks (pomegranate cosmopolitan and tequila mockingbird) were almost too tasty. The cheese plate was the best we've had in town, too - each cheese accessory deserved its place alongside the creamy wedges. Though there's a bar-specific menu, the bartender also offered to let us order off of the regular menu (a nice, non-obligatory touch, don't you think?). The whole evening was only $40ish with tip - not bad at all for a brief respite from the work week. I can't wait until we have enough time to eat a real meal here. Everyone was so courteous! We didn't need to valet - parking seems to be plentiful here during off times.
(5)
Christine C.
/: perhaps my expectations doomed me to disappointment from the get go, but i don't understand the hype. food was good, don't get me wrong. service was also impressive. but it just didn't wow me. the flavors were good, the execution was off. not top quality restaurant. just... good. like i expect cheaper prices for this kind of food good KING SALMON W/ PUMPKIN RISOTTO - i asked for medium rare. got a well done salmon. flavor was good, but the fish was dry. ): risotto was a bit undercooked and hard. cute plating though. risotto came in a little mini pumpkin. CRISPY DUCK W FOIE GRAS - the duck was really tough and chewy. foie gras was good though. however the disappointing main attraction offset any benefit of a tasty side. again, great flavors. Blackberry mint julep & Blood orange martini - both great. at least the alcohol delivered! location is a bit shady. what's up with the middle of nowhere address, mockingbird?
(3)
Sarah M.
Enjoyed Thanksgiving lunch with 9 family members today. The food was amazing, service attentive and extremely accommodating, atmosphere pleasant, classy and comfortable. I will be dreaming about the scallop appetizer with mushrooms and unbelievable sea bass entree until I can score my next fix. We will definitely be back!
(5)
Jerry E.
Wonderful Seafood; did not have wine, but the list is long; Good Service; Expensive; Out of town-er, dinner for one: $68 plus tip Tap Water $0 Cup of Soup $5 Fish Special (sea bass) $40 Espresso $4 Chocolate Cake, very rich (Flour-less Chocolate Cake with Raspberry Sauce) $7 Martini Up $12
(3)
Trish R.
What a pleasant surprise to find this jewel hidden in plain sight. On the SE corner of McDuffie & Welch, this inner loop quaint neighborhood restaurant is an exceptional find. The service was excellent, the food delightful & fresh as it could be. The country French/mediterranean chic fusion was fun, charming, interesting & unique. The pride of management & staff were apparent from the moment we began to hear about the 'restaurant favs' and the 'daily special'. How can anyone do roasted chicken any better? Surprise yourself. Delight yourself. I can't wait to try the 'Houston's Best' risotto. Special occasion room or dining room. Dress - casual to upscale casual. Pricey.
(5)
Jeremy B.
Good Food, Cool ambiance Ate here midweek around 7:30. This restaurant has a comfortable feel about it. Not stuffy or quiet. The kind of place you could go with friends and have a good time. Started out with the charcuterie plate and it was delicious. The house made pate was awesome, and I liked the olive/pepper mix they serve with it. Next I had the French Onion soup, while the other two diners had the foie gras. At 1st I was a little dissapointed with the soup. It didn't have the thick layer of melted gruyere on top I was looking for, instead it was served in a shallow bowl with two croutons topped with cheese. After trying the rich flavorful broth I was happy. I didn't try the foie gras, 1 of my brothers was a fan, the other didn't like the bacon and said his piece was small and over cooked. For my entree I tried the Korobuta Pork Chop. It was OK, nothing special. I also tried the short ribs, a generous portion served with loaded mashed potato and some delicious saute'd corn and peppers. Ended with the cheese plate. I love cheese and was very happy with the selection offered (especially the Mt. Tam triple cream). Overall an enjoyable experience. For me starting with a charcuterie plate and wine and ending with great cheese always satisfies.
(4)
Chandu C.
My wife and I went for our first anniversary and we were not disappointed. The food was good. The decor was interesting without overwhelming. And the service was attentive without disturbing. The ability to hear and be heard by your company was very important to us and this place was great for that. Solid wine menu that offers good wines in half bottles (important because my wife is pregnant). The menu was very interesting. We each had a salad to start. I had the beet, date, and almond salad and it was sweet and interesting. My wife had the Bibb salad. Hers was savory and mine was sweet and we both enjoyed the tastes that were uncommon and fresh. The bread and olive oil was outstanding. She ordered the lamb chops which were good. I had the Kobe burger with Foie Gras which was outstanding. We also ordered the mushroom risotto and it was rich and could easily be shared by a table of 4 and it should be. Go there on a date or with company that likes a fine meal and menu and you will not be disappointed. The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars is because I save the fifth star for the place that not just meets all expectations, but also delivers something other worldly at a great value.
(4)
Mel H.
We've been to Mockingbird Bistro twice, and had wonderful experiences both times. Most recently we visited after our wedding reception. The service was beyond excellent, and the food was fantastic. The atmosphere is nice but not to the point where you feel like you can't laugh a little for fear of the whole place turning around to shush you. The wine list is also fantastic. We love this place! Definitely try their tasting menu at least once, and go for the one with wine parings. You won't be disappointed. Cannot recommend this restaurant enough.
(5)
Will L.
Went for happy hour. Short rib was generous size but not good at all. The eggplant was soggy. The wine was good, cocktails were bad and uninspired. Basically, this place is dated and the food overrated!
(2)
Lana H.
Good neighborhood restaurant. A little on the pricey side for what you get but the few times I have been there I have been pleased with my meal. If you are into meat, you will love this place!
(4)
Patricia B.
Great food and menu were overshadowed by snooty, unhelpful service. Also, the huge sign that says parking with an arrow to the back of the restaurant is apparently only there to help the valet since its blocked off. Have cash or be prepared to park on the street.
(2)
Matthew N.
I liked this place, I really did. But it seems to me that with a lot of restaurants in Houston, you are paying more for the clientele you dine with rather than the food itself. Don't get me wrong. My food was good and the service was top notch which is always nice. But for the amount of money you will spend on a meal here, it better be some of the most amazing food you have ever had (which it is not). It's a beautiful place, and it really "feels" like you are eating in a fancy restaurant. But to me, the prices do not accurately reflect the food served. Drop every dish by about $10 and I might consider going back.
(3)
Au N.
Yummy food and great service! Only downside is that it's located around a residential neighborhood which makes street parking difficult though there is 'complimentary valet'...which is never complimentary because you have to tip! Aside from that, we were seated promptly with our reservation and someone came by right away to take our drinks order. We started with the charcuterie appetizer plate which was good but nothing to blow you out of the water. My SO had the pan seared duck breast/leg and it was delicious! I had the grouper special and it was tasty but I'd try something else next time. Portions are respectable for the price. A great experience, will definitely go again.
(4)
Michael F.
On a quiet Monday night, Mockingbird still has a decent crowd at 8:30. We started with the beef tar tar, ample enough portion for sharing, good quality beef and nicely spiced with a quail egg served to the side (of course we mixed it in) with 4 toast points (we immediately ordered more). I had the mixed grill special, boar chops with sliced flank steak. It came out a perfect MR and the portion was commesurate with the price ($42.00). Served with sauteed mushrooms that thankfully were not over sauced, a few asparagus spears and some stilton mashed potatoes (yum). A little bit of roasted cabbage too gave a nice balance of texture. K had the trout in beurre noisette, which was fresh and well executed; some capers on top and a generous addendum of steamed lobster pieces & some herot covert all for a reasonable $29.00. Too stuffed for dessert. Good selections on the wine list, but they have not yet embraced the value priced ethos that Ibiza, Reef etc. have promulgated. Restrained, but prompt service was fine. Parking is problematic, so you will more than likely need to utilize the valet service. I can't wait to go back when the weather turns chilly (well this is Houston), as it is very lodge like in its atmosphere.
(4)
QA T.
Cozy. Funky. Great place to get a bunch of appetizers. The pan-seared Fois Gras and Sweet Bread were above average, but the Truffles fries were GREAT. The fried baby octopus was also a winner.
(4)
Becky L.
I'm going to try my hardest to make sure this review isn't tainted by my expectations but it's going to be difficult. After reading so many great reviews about this place I went in expecting a LOT. We went for Valentine's Day and like most places they had a $75 prix fixe menu. The place was pretty empty at 6:30 and the other diners were dressed pretty casual. They were also a bit older -- so it was okay. Something about age gives you a license to dress down, I guess. The hostess and servers were very attentive and friendly. I went with the Lump Crab Timbale, Sea Bass, and Red Velvet Cake. The Timbale was delicious, the Sea Bass was standard, and the Red Velvet Cake was the best red velvet I've ever had. The husband had the Foie Gras, Lamb Rack, and Trio of Chocolates. The Foie Gras was amazing, the Lamb Rack was very tender and perfectly medium rare (and better than Mark's according to the husband), and I didn't try the Trio of Chocolates but the husband really enjoyed it. The trio was comprised of a warm bittersweet torte, a chocolate truffle, and chocolate mousse. So why only 3 stars? -- We weren't given any bread in the beginning and when the husband asked our waiter, he quickly said that it was on its way and that he wanted to wait so that we could get freshly baked bread. When he brought it out the bread was cold -- so I'm not sure what happened there. On the plus side, there was this interesting muffin kind of bread with some sort of spices that was pretty unique. -- My seabass was pretty plain. I mean, it was fresh, sure, but I thought maybe they would have been a bit more creative with the flavors. It came with this tomato based puree with pickled olives -- the harsh flavors didn't jive well with the delicate fish. Maybe I just ordered the wrong thing? I should have went with the duck -- I really like how they did the foie gras with peaches in the husband's appetizer. -- Ambiance. It just wasn't very romantic for some reason. The lighting needed to be just slightly dimmer, the chairs are these old fashioned wooden chairs with really wide arm rests and it's hard to move them to sit closer to your date. It just wasn't as cozy as I was hoping it would be. I also felt like everyone could hear each other's conversations... that bothered me. -- Pace. The pace of the dinner was really fast -- which I guess is good if you're in a hurry, but not that great if you're having a nice romantic meal. The dishes were brought and taken very quickly in an attentive manner but at times it felt like they were clearing your plates to turn over the table, rather than give good service. So yeah, it's a hefty pricetag for all these negative aspects. If I wanted to spend the same amount, I'd rather go to Mark's. But don't get me wrong, they do a lot of things right. If I had more time/money, I'd probably go back and try more of their dishes. But probably not anytime soon.
(3)
Brian W.
There are already 80 reviews at the time of me posting, so I don't have much to add other than follow the preponderance of the evidence (~4.5 star rating over 80 reviews). Dinner was excellent. Top notch food and service!
(5)
Kiki P.
My parents were visiting me from Boston during the Holiday season so we decided to go to the best restaurant in Houston for our Christmas eve dinner. I had previously heard wonderful things are this place and I was super excited to take my parents here. Unfortunately, we were utterly disappointed at the food and the service. I hesitated to write this review at first because it is based off a pre-fix menu. However if a restaurant is supposed to be "one of the best restaurants in Houston" then the food and service should be awesome regardless. For my three course, prefix meal I started off with a caesar salad which was not bad. It was just your typical caesar salad. No complaints at this point. For dinner I ordered scallops. My dish came out cold. No joke. It was not warm at all. The scallops were rubbery and did not taste fresh at all. I felt as though the dish was made a couple of days ago and was just sitting out. I mean since the menu for Christmas was pre-fix, it is more convenient for the chefs to make dishes ahead of time anyways. My parents had the same issue with their dishes. They came out cool to lukewarm. We complained and the server did not seem to care. She took the dishes back, heated them up and brought them back to us. If felt as though they just stuck my plate in the microwave for a minute, which made the scallops even more rubbery. For dessert, I had the pecan pie, which was the worst dessert I have ever had in my life. The pecans were COMPLETELY STALE. I just could not believe it. Forget being fresh, they were old and expired. We also felt extremely rushed during all of dinner. We would finish one course and they would immediately bring out the next course. We ate the 3 course meal in 40 minutes. It was quite obvious that they just wanted to get us in and out as quickly as possible. At the end of the dinner, we asked to speak with a manager. This was the worst part of the entire night. She was ridiculously impolite and not genuine at all. We explained to her how we were disappointed in the food and she did not care one bit. Her exact words were: "Oh okay, usually people like our food." If this truly is the best restaurant in Houston, the manger would have apologized, offered a refund or gift card to return etc. In the past, anytime I have ever had a disappointing experience at an upscale restaurant, they always apologize profusely and attempt to make up for it. After reading this review, if you are still planning on going to Mockingbird, do not go on a day which is prefix only. They will probably prepare the food ahead of time and it will not be fresh. Better yet, do not provide this place any business at all.
(1)
A.J. H.
Great restaurant. We loved every last thing about our experience here. Cannot wait to go back
(5)
Betty L.
This restaurant is really.... reallyyy.. realllyyyy good. It is an excellent place to dine and try if you haven't. Here's what I've tried: 1. Slow Roasted Onion Soup. Excellent. 2. Chilled Tomato Basil Soup. This was ok but it was chilled. I would've like it better served warm. 3. Baby Squid. Super Yummy. The dipping sauce is to die for. Very exquisite and different taste. 4. Tropical Fruit Salad. This was ok. 5. Grilled Half Chicken. Excellent. 6. Lobster Risotto. This sounded good but it wasn't my favorite. I think there was too much cheese in it. The cheese was a little overwhelming and it's all I really tasted. 7. Truffle Pommes Frites. The BOMBDIGGITY. I was sippin on some very delicious cocktails.. Some included Champagne Cosmo, Cucumber Martini, and Pimm's Daddy. They all had a slight lime/sour taste which I like. They used top shelf ingredients and I got drunk after the 2nd or 3rd drink. :)
(4)
Kathryn C.
Here's the haps on the happy hour and the restaurant in general... I LOOOVE it! -$5 cocktails and nibbles from 5-7. -The cable car cocktail is so sweet and yummy it's like drinking orange candy. -Warm, Italian spiced bread served upon being seated. Mmmm. -Staff opens doors, places napkins in your lap and escorts you to the bathroom (if you don't know where it is). It's past the bar and through a door near the stairs. -Valet parking. Typically an 'ugh' follows my realizing there's only valet parking, but it's no charge. The guys work for tips. -Seemingly lax dress code. No, I don't recommend bumming up here in your beach wear, but I've seen folk with jeans and fancy pants. And last night there was no problem with my messy Halloween garb. -Smoking on patio is a-ok.
(4)
Judy C.
What a hidden gem tucked away in the middle of Montrose. My date and I had the risotto, which wasn't the best thing in the world, but then again, it's a French restaurant. The staff was overly helpful and engaging, especially when I told them that my date was a former actor (and had a part in "Legends of the Fall"), they sent their manager over, and it was just amusing to watch them come over - one. by. one. What did command 4 stars was their decor. Rich velvety reds and yellow enveloped the restaurant, something that I would NOT have expected walking through the door. Definitely a great restaurant to take a date to.
(4)
Casie C.
I went here for my birthday dinner last weekend. I made a reservation for 15. I was aware that we might need to split the group into two tables due to the limit of the space inside the restaurant. When we arrived, we requested if we can just put the tables together and glad that they actually let us! The restaurant has complimentary valet. It is very difficult to park because you might need to park it on the side of the street somewhere if you don't want anybody to touch or drive your car. The restaurant itself is not really that big so might not be ideal for a big group. I just happened to want to try the place so bad that I still gave it a shot even with a big group. The lighting inside is pretty dark! Could barely see my menu, but I guess that's what their ambiance is really going for. cool decor and has a quite average noise level. The food was good, and some of my friends loved their steak. I'm sure you will find something in the menu that you may absolutely love! The only thing I didn't understand is that, we had to pay $3 per person to cut and serve our own cake. Even if we cut it ourselves, we will need to pay due to their restaurant policy. I know a fee to bring a cake but per person? That was the first time I've heard that.. Overall, I don't mind coming back again, but probably with a smaller group to experience the place in a different perspective!
(4)
Ivette L.
Amazing. Had the lamb and the braised pork - both were spectacular. Great wines and desserts as well. Nice environment, great service. I am a foodie at work (public relations) we actually hosted a food client event here. Delicious, a must-dine! Good for any ocassion - expect to spend some $$, but worth every penny!
(5)
Sundancer S.
I love this place! The service is prompt and they are very curious. Dinner is great and so is the happy hour. I really like the drinks here which are only five dollars on happy hour my favorites are the Moscow Mule and the Paloma. I also enjoy the braised rib, mussels and Kobe burger which were all very good. Also, I'm big on ambiance and this place is one of the best decorated in Houston. It feels warm and cozy; it's definitely one of the best dining experiences in Houston.
(5)
Brendan L.
Great food. Nice atmosphere. Good service. Very pricey for what you get. Yet despite all this they opened the windows at 10 pm to encourage customers to move along as the kitchen. Denied it as well, even though our whole table was suddenly freezing. I used to do that when I waited tables in college. Old, cheap, and rather tacky trick. Stay classy San Diego.
(2)
Stacy S.
Houston, there is no problem! This was the first time I have been to Texas, I was there for a business trip. We were meeting with some of our customers and I decided on Mockingbird based on some of the Yelp reviews that I had read. I was very excited reading the menu online and from the reviews. Because we were a large party we had to choose from a pre-selected menu. Based on the reviews I read, I had chosen the menu below. Food First Course Bibb lettuce and Texas Goat Cheese Salad w/ toasted pine nuts, roasted red peppers and red wine vinaigrette *Salad was very creative and tasty but I was disappointed that there wasn't more dressing. I don't like it drowning but they were very sparse with it. Bistro Caesar Salad Texas 1015 Onion Soup with Gruyere Crouton Second Course Grilled Strip Steak w/ wild mushrooms, roasted pearl onions, watercress and garlic mashies *I didn't have this but I saw the piece of meat and it was a very generous portion and was sorry that I didn't have it! The folks that chose it were very happy with it and pleased with its preparations. Pan Seared Duck Breast and Roasted Leg w/ almond barley, seasonal veggies and black cherry sauce *My co-worker had this and he was happy with it. I am usually a duck person myself but I went with the salmon dish. Roasted Wild Salmon w/ green asparagus risotto, roasted tomato confit and merlot beurre rouge sauce *After seeing the piece of meat that everyone had gotten, I was very green with jealous when looking at my smallish piece of salmon sitting on my plate. BUT after taking the first bite I was very happy with my choice. The salmon was cooked perfectly and was moist, it was paired nicely with the roasted tomato confit (reminded me of a sauce my mom makes!). I was nervous about the asparagus risotto, I had one a couple months ago at a local restaurant and it was so tasteless I was hoping that Mockingbird would prove me wrong and show me that asparagus risotto can actually have some flavor... and they did! It was rich and well prepared, there were enough pieces of asparagus that you had one in every bite. Overall, I started the night with my eyes being bigger than my stomach but in the end I was satisfied. Desserts Flourless Chocolate Cake with Raspberry Sauce *It was SO rich that I took one bite and I was done. I was sad that it was such a wasted piece of cake but after my meal I couldn't get it down. It was a beautiful presentation with the raspberry sauce, whipped cream and fresh berries. Crme Brulee *I'm not a fan of the brulee but one of our customers was really looking forward to this and when it was presented it was very beautiful, but he was not happy with the consistency of it and said that it was very tasty. Customer Service Our server and wait staff was phenomenal and very attentive. Water glasses were always full, they were quick in serving dishes and removing empty plates. They also provided suggestions when looking for wine or a cocktail to go with your meal. I am an event coordinator, one of the things I look for when booking these kinds of dinners is the flexibility and how accommodating the restaurant is. This proves to be a challenge when you host these events in cities that you do not live or know people in. Because this was a customer based event, we reached out and recruited them to attend. As many of you know when you are invited to a focus group type event, unless you have paid to go there is always an excuse to not go... Tired from work, don't really know what the agenda for the evening is going to entail, worried you are getting signed up for some kind of freakish pyramid scheme... TOTALLY understandable! I had let the restaurant know that there was a possibility of 20 people to show, unfortunately for me my trip to TX was right after a holiday weekend and I was traveling during the 72 - hour window to let them know the numbers had changed. When the bill came we had been charged for 20 dinners and 10 were there. I had let the group order from open bar. I was just a little disappointed that we racked up a decent bill and there really wasn't any thing else that they did to help us out. But, it's a business and I understand the rationale behind it. Overall I was happy, the food was good, the service great and the location and the ambiance of the restaurant very inviting and comfortable. If or when I go back to Houston, I'd like to go back with a group of friends to enjoy the full menu and bar atmosphere.
(4)
Jake R.
The happy hour is unbelievable. Drop your laundry next door at Haute Wash, the most wonderful laundromat in Houston, and then drop $5 on a short rib plate and another fiver for two St. Arnolds.
(5)
morgan i.
great menu-alot of choices a date kind of restaurant or if the parents are in town delicious dishes: calamari, creamy tomato soup would go back and let someone else pay again
(3)
David S.
Brunch was great. Traditional decor with brick and dark wood work, a very high ceiling. An innovative Texas American menu with enough of the traditional dishes that you won't starve if you are not feeling adventurous. Calamari appetizer was excellent and included an Asian soy and ginger dip as well as the usual jalapeno mayonnaise. Our main dishes included pan fried trout, crab cakes and a t-bone steak; all superb. Service was attentive without being intrusive.
(5)
Saee D.
Amazing service, fantastic food, and wonderful ambiance. Overall, I was extremely satisfied with my dining experience. I order the tomato/mozzarella salad and the Diver Scallops. For dessert I had the Chocolate Torte. The salad was fresh and the tomatoes were very sweet and was drizzled with a balsamic vinaigrette reduction. Simply fantastic. The Diver Scallops were pan-seared served over risotto pasta. Delicious! The Chocolate Torte was simply brilliant. Baked to perfection! Highly recommended!!!
(5)
Michelle B.
We had excellent service and the food was yummy! We had the duck and the Kobe burger - which was recommended by our waiter. Both were very good and we'd definitely go back if given another opportunity! Highly recommend!
(5)
Matthew M.
I hate to give such a high rated place such low rating, but I have too. Service can make good food bad. I called around 3 on a Saturday to get me and friend 8 o clock reservations, which was not a problem. We walk in and immediately you get hit with the scent of truffles. I was in heaven I thought. We then were seated. We waited about 10 minutes with no menus, water, or even being approached by a waiter. The wine list was finally dropped , but still no waiter or water. Finally, a flustered waiter comes to us asking for our drink orders we decide to start the meal off with a couple of glasses of the Cremant. He ask to see our IDs. From this point he was omitting smugness, like "who are these two dudes eating here bothering me". I have never been carded at a fine dining establishment, and we gladly showed him our IDs. First, he scrutinizes my ID. Busting out his flashlight, bending the ID for hologram, and double taking between my picture on the ID and my smiling face. My friend only had a passport. He asked if he had a drivers license!! He did not know if he could take it?!?! He proceeded to show the ID to his manager, they deliberated over it and we finally got our much needed beverages. What are we boarding an international flight? Just the fact that I can pronounce "Cremant" should allow me to drink it. The waiter continued to be a smug ass the whole time we dined with him. We were extremely polite to him trying to bust him out of his funk, but he had some sort of chip on his shoulder towards our table. I have dined at the nicest restaurants in America never have I experienced such pretentiousness. The food was amazing. The Kobe beef burger was great. Tender Kobe beef with foie gras! Forget about it! The mussels were also a star of the meal. The service simply overly shadowed the food.
(2)
Dawn G.
Outstanding restaurant and wonderful ambiance. After a day at museums, we called ahead to ask if shorts were okay for a very early dinner. We arrived just as they opened at 5:30 and were relieved to find the place empty and apologized for our attire. After asking for an inconspicous table, we were pleased to find the table linens hid our casual dress. We explained that we were there simply to sample the mussels. They were fanatstic. Now, we had dinner plans later in the evening at another restaurant, where we expected to arrive properly dressed. But after such a delicious appetizer, we decided on another appetizer. And a third. And a fourth. We tried the foie gras (melt in your mouth), beef tartare (delicious), and oysters. The oysters were fried and laid on the shell Rockefeller style. And while the oysters themselves were perfect, the "stuffing" was lukewarm in contrast to the steaming hot oysters. We ended with a warm chocolate torte that was in our waiter Simon's words the piece de resistance. It was the best I've ever had. The service was impecable, and obviously, the neighborhood clientele appreciates it. The place was packed when we left. Needless to say, we cancelled our previously set dinner plans.
(5)
Jonathan F.
I usually wait to write a review until I've been to a restaurant at least three times, but I had to write a quick note. The foie gras appetizer was unreal. Service was great, everything great. Extremely romantic spot, loved it.
(5)
Jim H.
Considering the earlier reviews Mockingbird was a little disappointing. My martini was diluted with too much melted ice. We had the spinach salad and Butternut Bisque for starters. The waiter had warned that the bisque was sweet but I was not prepared for something akin to a liquid pumpkin pie - very sweet with too much allspice. To his credit the waiter offered to take it back and I chose the onion soup instead which was very good. The warm spinach salad was quite good but we thought the $18 price tag excessive. It was topped with the two halfs of a cold boiled egg whose center was still liquid. To my mind it too should have been warm. For our entres my wife chose the duck - a seared breast and roasted leg accompanied by an apricot wild rice and I had the rack of lamb with the merguez sausage/potato hash and roasted eggplant. The duck and accompaniments were delicious and complimented each other with the duck being perfectly prepared. My lamb was supposed to be encrusted with a dijon mustard coating but it was more like a wet rub. It was perfectly cooked and delicious but I missed the crunch of a crust. The hash however did not go well with the lamb at all but the eggplant saved the day. Again to his credit our waiter offered to exchange the lamb entre for another dish but I declined. The wines suggested by the waiter, a Cote du Rhone for the duck and a La Fuente Cabernet for the lamb, were both delightful to the nose but lacked depth of character and finsh. Over all the service was quite good - the waiter and other staff attentive without hovering.
(3)
Agustin S.
Well I finally made it to Mockingbird Bistro. I love to go out to eat and try new restaurant, but I had yet to make to Mockingbird. It's one of those places that is sort of hidden in a neighborhood so I had always forgotten about it, but after joining Yelp it is always one of the top rated restaurants in town, and as I'm finding out Yelp is pretty much right on the money on a lot of things, so I thought I needed to try it. I am glad I did. What an incredible experience, the service, the food, the wine list, and the ambiance. We were seated promptly, imagine that you make a reservation for a certain time and when you show up they have your table ready for you. The look of this place is really cool. They sat us in the back wine room, it was very intimate. The food was awesome! We started out with a vegetable soup and the pan seared sweet breads with mushrooms and Marsala redux. I would have to say it's the best sweet breads in town. Also as an appetizer the table ordered the Truffle Oil Pommes Frites.....Holy Crap. These little slices of heaven stole the show for the night. Hand cut fries tossed in truffle oil topped off with asiago cheese. For dinner I went with braised short rib and my wife did the fish special which was delicious. Seared Red Snapper with Jumbo Lump Crab Meat poured on top. And for the big finish the table shared the Apple Bread Pudding, which was a perfect way to end my dinner experience. Add a couple bottles of wine and good friends and it turned out to be an incredible evening.
(5)
Emily N.
Hot happy hour! Super cheap $25 with tip for one person! I had the mac n cheese which came in a mini cauldron with some undesired brittles on the side and margarita that was top notch and a complimentary key lime pie shot ( incredibly delicious btw I want another) plus the Apple Carmel bread pudding with brown sugar ice cream.... Like wow it hit the spot! Perfect spot to catch up with the girls and dress up a little. I'll be back! Ps 4-7 happy hour? Double check i can't quite remember what time we got there but good $3-7 prices on the HH menu
(5)
Michelle C.
I know there is a lot of hype with this restaurant, but I wasn't impressed on my first visit. The service was excellent, but the food fell flat. Our favorite dish of the night was the Foie Gras app. I had the soup of the season- Cauliflower soup and it lacked depth. I also had the Lemon Sole En Papillote, which was highly recommended by our server. I was disappointed. It was slightly over cooked and dry. The provencal veggies underneath the filet were mono-toned- the only flavor was of capers. The fish itself lacked flavor and the lobster butter did not add anything. Fiance had the duck, which he enjoyed, but stated he wouldn't go back for. May give another try, maybe we just got the wrong dishes.
(3)
Twi A.
Overpriced and not too tasty. If you don't like seafood, don't bother to come here. I like the decor and the atmosphere. The bread before the meal was good. The worst thing was the service. I was overcharged for my meal and it still hasn't been fixed. And getting the server to come over during the meal was difficult because she had too many tables.
(1)
Robert J.
5 of us decided to drop by Mockingbird Bistro this afternoon at 4:00PM. MANDATORY valet parking! We laughed & left for elsewhere & won't return. Valet Parking at 4P? Can they possibly be serious with this??? Valet parking has become the PLAGUE of restaurants city-wide. We see the sign -- we move on.
This is a very quaint place. Not much parking, but they do have valet. I was in the mood for a burger so I had the M BISTRO BURGER with the Parmesan truffle fries. For $32 dollars this better be the best burger I've ever had. It was a very good burger, and the fries were very good. The chef cooked the burger perfectly. I would definitely come back and try other items off their menu.
(4)
Dan N.
Went here a few weeks ago and ordered the American Kobe Beef Burger and truffle fries. The burger was pretty amazing, and flavors blended well together. I did find that all the juices from the burger made the bun pretty soggy. I think next time I order the burger I going to ask for the bun on the side. Otherwise, the experience was great. Will visit again.
(4)
Paul D.
I really wanted to give Mockingbird a 5 star. It is pretty damn close, one of my favorite places for fine dinning in Houston. The restaurant itself is immaculate. An awesome granite topped bar that is unpolished. I can see and feel the pitted, eroded spots of Mica (ya, I am a Geologist). A touch not seen in most places. I think it is great. Dim lighting, chandeliers line the restaurant. A great area upstairs that overlooks everything, along with a patio outside. Just an all around great set up. The service is always great. The bartenders are on top of everything, and when sitting at a booth or table it is no less attentive. Every time I have visited a manager always checks to see how everything is going. OK, booze first...two taps of Karback and Southern Star. A good start. Lots of wine, and they make some great cocktails. They have their own take on Pimns Cup, Old Fashion, Manhattan's, and Mint Julep's. All very good, and on par with Anvil and Down House. The food which is the important stuff, is great. There is a constantly rotating menu. They do a $5 happy hour which is a good deal. I was not that impressed with the lobster lollipops. More corn meal than any kind of lobster meat I could find. Anyway, the mac & cheese with truffle oil is out of this world, and one of the first places in Houston, that I found, to do that. The Charcuterie is excellent. An amazing mix of cheese and meat plates. The calamari is very good, but not great. I have had a smoked salmon BLT that was excellent. One of the best cooked salmons I have had. They can cook some fish. Just an excellent restaurant that is on the same scale as Zelko's Bistro and Branch Water Tavern. A place I highly recommend.
(4)
Alexis J.
Interior is a bit like a Victorian brothel, what with the dark curtains, fleur de lis everywhere, crimson velvet, etc, but don't let this bother you. Great expensive account place. Classical flavor pairings done well. The food is fabulous, if a tad spendy. Lovely scallops and filet, and desserts are all quite rich and heavy but decadent. Try their flourless chocolate torte. Happy hour is a 5 for 5-- 5 signature wines and apps for $5.
(4)
Son H.
Got brunch here and it was delicious. I got the pork chops and they were incredibly tender with some fat on it. I really enjoyed it and the atmosphere is very nice. It's on the pricier side of things but definitely worth the price (I'm just poor). Definitely recommend this place for a really nice date.
(4)
Dee H.
One of the best catered experiences I had. My friend's wedding reception was held there. From the attentive staff, to the menu selections and overall intimacy of the room that we had there was nary an unhappy face in the room. If you got the chance for them to make that event with friends that much more special check it out!
(5)
Sarah C.
We recently went on a trip to Houston, TX to attend an alumni event at my alma mater - Rice University. The trip happened to fall around the time of our 2nd Wedding Anniversary, so we wanted to have a nice dinner in Houston to celebrate. We chose the Mockingbird Bistro as our location and had a wonderful evening. We were impressed as soon as we entered by the hostess's greeting: "Are we holding a table for you?" I thought that it was much more polite than the usual "Do you have a reservation?" The manager brought us complimentary Cava in honor of our Anniversary, and they also knew our favorite (and hard to find) cocktail, Pisco sour, so we were quite pleased from the beginning. Once we were seated, we had a chance to look at the decor and layout. The main room is pretty small and divided into a bar/lounge area and a dining area, but there is another large room (which doubles as wine storage), and stairs to a balcony room (both of which are available for private events). The style was very cool - hip, old Paris feel with a bit of a gothic edge - I was instantly in love with it. The cool vibe, old-fashioned cocktails, and stellar wine list (one of the best in the city) makes this a place that I would definitely hang out at - if only I had known about it when I lived there! We started by sharing two appetizers - the beef carpaccio and the roasted beet salad. The beet salad was very good, but the carpaccio was stellar - served with a creamy Parmesan vinaigrette, pesto, reduced balsamic, and truffle oil. Next, we both had the Hudson Valley foie gras "club" - seared foie gras on top of toasted brioche and applewood smoked bacon with heirloom tomatoes and some sort of fruit jam (I forget which kind). This was, of course, amazing - which is why we never share foie gras. For my entree - I ordered the kobe beef burger, topped with more seared foie gras, on an onion bun. This was possibly the best burger I have EVER had, and the sides were amazing too - truffle frites, pickled onion, cornichons, dressed watercress, and a delicious aioli. Jasper ordered the seared sea scallops with carbonara risotto, which were very good as well. The risotto tasted EXACTLY like carbonara - with peas, lardons, and Parmesan butter. But let's be honest here, that burger is where it's at. We ended our meal with a lovely cheese plate and left full and happy. We will definitely be coming back here anytime we are in Houston again.
(5)
Aaron B.
Mockingbird Bistro is a fancy restaurant. An expensive restaurant. A good restaurant. But not an exciting restaurant. Their risotto is fantastic, and all the dishes I've had there have been very good. But food styles and trends change, and what is exciting in the culinary world won't be found here. It also caters to older, wealthy people. Average age is probably in the mid-50s if not higher. They close at 10pm on the weekend which should tell you something.
(3)
Jamie L.
I'm really not a fancy smancy restaurant type of person but I really enjoyed this restaurant. I was here for a client dinner and I had the Kobe beef burger (first timer) with frites. I don't get out as much as others so I learned fits are fries.....I really enjoyed the taste of that beef. Halfway through the burger, I realized there wasn't any cheese on the burger. It was just that tasty!!!! The location is a calm, trendy type area...
(5)
Lora P.
This is such a great place to come for a special occasion, or just any occasion that might become special. :) We came here w/ our favorite double date couple and absolutely loved it. Appetizers: I went with something simple and got a Cesar salad. Two thumbs up! My hubby got the onion soup and loved it, but couldn't eat it all b/c it the richness of the dish caught up with him. Our dinner mates got the mussels and the tomato/mozzarella stars and both of them really liked theirs. Entrees: Our awesome waiter told us about the specials, which was a 8 oz. filet or Sea Bass. Hubs and our friend both ordered the Sea Bass special, our other friend ordered the bone-in pork chop and I went for the Filet Special. I had to steal a bite of the pork chop- it was cooked a perfect medium which allowed the pork chop to not dry out like pork tends to. Delish! My filet was absolutely devine- I got it cooked medium rare and it was maybe even a shade under in a couple of spot, which I actually secretly prefer, so I was in heaven. It was super flavorful and the best meal at the table in my opinion. The two Sea Bass meals were just "good" for me, not "great", so I was glad that I'd went wit the steak after all. The fish was cooked perfectly, but it didn't actually have a lot of flavor strangely enough. It was accompanied by a HUGE fried prawn and I thought the prawn actually stole the show from the Sea Bass. Dessert: We were all full from our meals, but there was no WAY I was going to miss out on a nice sweet finish. Me and my girl friend decided to split the chocolate torte, her hubby got the Bananas Foster, and my better half decided to try a cheese plate and ordered three different cheeses. The torte was warm and gooey. Yum!! It was accompanied by fruit and a scoop of mango sorbet. The sorbet had an odd soapy taste to it, so I only had a bite of it and decided to skip out on eating it and just indulged in the torte. I didn't try the Bananas Foster, but he made a "Happy Plate" so I'm assuming it was a home run! :) My husband's cheese plate came with small crostinis, almonds, a cranberry compote, fig preserves, and his chosen cheeses, and he seemed to enjoy the hell out of it. I'd love to come back here again on just a simple date night w/ my honey in the future and try some of the other items on the menu! I consider this restaurant a true destination in our city and a real treat to dine at!
(5)
Brittany D.
Any place that can serve up stiff drinks and amazing food gets five stars in my book! Everything from the moment I walked in to walking out, service was top notch. You need reservations in advance and I may or may have not been 30 min. late and we still had our table reserved on a Saturday night. The waitress knew her stuff and quite frankly, I didn't need any suggestions. I always dart for the duck. Since you really can't go wrong with duck. Started with a mango mojito and boy were they strong. We were checked on probably every five minutes to make sure we were ok, not only by the waitress but by the GM as well. The meal came out in a timely manner and it was by far the most tender duck I've ever had. You don't even need a knife to cut through it. With a tap of a fork the meat just falls apart. So succulent and juicy and served with wild rice and broccolini. Delish.
(5)
Mark B.
I am sure this place is great for regulars, but our experience was not so good. We wanted to sit at the bar, but most of the places were reserved. Not to familiar with a spot at the bar being reserved. Food was decent, but I don't know just left with kind of odd vibe.
(2)
Cindy L.
I just wanted to comment on how this restaurant has earned its keep time and time over again. I went here with a large group about a year ago for a birthday. Unfortunately, we were seated late, despite arriving on time. Because of the late arrival, we were seated in an awfully cramped spot, and being New Years Eve, we were forced to order from the Prix fixe menu because it was so late. The only saving grace of the visit was the food. Dismayed by the experience since it was so contrary to my expectations from prior visits, I decided to write management a letter detailing my experience above. I received a very sincere apology and a gift card from the chef himself, urging us to try the restaurant again. And so we did, Valentine's weekend, 2013, one year later. Service was excellent and the food and drink was just as good as we remembered. Thank you for listening to your customers, Mockingbird Bistro. You've earned a customer for life.
(5)
Jenny W.
Sweatbreads were amazing. Great wine and service.
(4)
Rachel P.
This place is amazing! The food is outstanding, the service is spectacular and their wine selection is great! I will keep coming back here over and over again! Ask for Harmony to be your waitress! And you must order the Cauliflower Souffle!!
(5)
Kalen P.
Awesome spot!! I have only been for Happy Hour, but I'm hooked just from that. Great drink and food specials. The bar does get busy during Happy Hour....but who cares when the staff is so nice. I pretty much have made this my spot once or twice a week.
(4)
Amy J.
This place is great, we walked right in & say at the bar to great service & delicious food. Started with the mussels & foie gras... The mussels were cooked perfectly with the most amazing broth of tomatoes & spinach. Foie gras had a perfect sear with a silky texture inside. We split the roasted pork shank which was buttery & fell off the bone, cooked with perfect veggies. We paired it all with a bottle of Edict cab. I would give it 5 stars but the decor needs an upgrade & they played pop music (Bleh). Otherwise amazing & we will definitely go back!!
(4)
David P.
Took the girlfriend here for Christmas. Everything about this restaurant is great. She killed my wallet.
(5)
Meagan T.
Went as part of our happy hour tour. Hands down, one of the best. Old school manners in their service - Door opened for us, greeted warmly, very accommodating. We tried all the food on the Happy hour menu. ($5 each item!) Favorites were the short ribs and the mac and cheese. The mac wasn't an all around hit, just because some didn't like the strong truffle taste. Mussels were awesome as well - we ended up ordering more. The only thing that we didn't love was the roasted eggplant dip - it was served cold, and just seemed a bit out of place with the other menu items. Drinks, $5 - an awesome selection of crafted cocktails. Amazing, can't wait to return :-)
(5)
lily s.
August 10, 2013, Saturday evening me and a friend arrived early around 5:15pm. I did try to find street parking in the neighborhood but couldn't find any. Valet parking is provided at no cost. For the ladies I would definitely wear a dress, heels and some jewelry. I didn't feel that a designer dress was required but it's not your casual, laid back place for sure. I have to say the decor is really lovely. I love bistros but do not visit them very often, so I really relish the details. When I first sat at the bar there was an elegant, 12 inch long/rectangle shape, fresh flower arrangement on the bar to greet me. (I love fresh flowers so this was delightful) The woodwork of the bar and restaurant is beautiful. The servers were friendly, making sure they interacted with me a bit. I did partake in a passion fruit mojito, but found it really tart and strong and not enough sweetness. I like it sweet but not 'diabetic' sweet. Wouldn't order it again. I usually find regular mint mojito's perfect. Upon arrival the hostess asked if I had a reservation in a way that I thought maybe it was required, but she said no that was fine but I do think it was the best situation, to arrive early evening as we did. After we finished eating, we sat a talked a bit, and the manager walked by eyeing our table, then the waitress approached our table, expressing the need for the table. So, don't expect to sit and converse for long as they have a certain amount of reservations to accomodate. We had the Lamb (very good) Chocolate Flourless Cake (just says "flourless cake" on the menu for those who do not frequent restaurants who abbreviate alot, lol.) I did not partake in an entree having just ate a filling lunch 3 hrs. prior but I did have a Banana's Foster. It was fine, but not fabulous. The flourless cake was reeeally intense, a bit of bitterness to it, more than most chocolate desserts I have. We sat near the windows, to the right, as you enter and so we got a grand view of the french theme light fixtures and wood detail. Someone posted a review that said it reminded them of a Victorian brothel. I wouldn't go that far, as I think the decorating was done with taste and balance. I think the specs on here listed the price of dishes as 2 stars but it's definitely a 3 star. Perhaps continue to work on the fine art of managing the tables and sense another reviewer said they got a lot of people coming to their table...I'm concerned that the management's eagerness to manage also translates anxiety that the customer senses. I will definitely be back for a full course meal!
(4)
Ryan L.
Dinner is usually outstanding, but a recent brunch, not so much. Out waitress would disappear for long stretches of time, and when actually there wasn't too friendly. Food was good, but for the quality and execution, the price was too high. Hollandaise for the Benedict was over-sour (and I like the taste of lemon in hollandaise). Ham in the Croque Madame did not taste fresh, and the whole thing was insufficiently sauced. Brunch drinks, such as a strawberry mimosa, were cloying. Ratatouille was very good, though, and so were truffle fries. I'd also still go for dinner, maybe for HRW.
(3)
Michael W.
Took my wife here last night as part of her Christmas present. She's been wanting to dine here for a while. I looked up the yelp reviews and thought maybe we should give it a try. We were not disappointed. The first thing that's impressive about Mockingbird is the actual space. The restaurant has great ambiance and decor. It's modern, yet rustic, if that makes any sense at all. It's fairly romantic and would be a great spot for a first date. We sat sort of off to the side where there is a cluster of two-tops against the wall right by the bar. Unlike Au Petit Paris (which we also love), you're not crammed right up against the people you're sitting by, so that's a plus. Our waiter came over and got our drink order, and slightly after that presented us with the menu. There were a couple of off-menu items, one was a Skate Wing (which, to be honest, I have no idea what that is but I think it's some sort of fish, and it sounded awesome when he described it, and it came with parmigiana-crusted shrimp) and the other was a filet. My wife ordered the filet and I went with the ol' trusty go-to rack of lamb. The waiter asked if we wanted a small appetizer, and I asked him what he would recommend. He proceeded to recommend the bibb lettuce salad, and said it was his favorite. I was a bit skeptical of the salad, actually. There were so many other great looking items on the menu, I just couldn't image that a salad was going to blow my mind. We ordered it anyway, because I wanted something bad to write about in this review. Turns out the salad really is F-ING MIND BLOWING. It's got these delicious pine nuts in it along with a healthy dose of goat cheese, along with the right amount of dressing. (Truth be told, mine was slightly, and I do mean slightly, over dressed) But the real strength of the dish lies in the fried goat cheese resting right on top of the salad. I saved it until the end, and ate it with my last bite, and an explosion of flavor spread across my palate. Really epic salad. Never thought I'd say that. I was pretty sure there was no way the rest of the meal could live up to that salad. But again, I was wrong. Now, I feel like I should mention that I eat a ton of lamb. It's one of my favorite dishes. And up until recently, I think the best lamb I'd had was probably at Backstreet Cafe, or maybe Au Petit Paris. But those two are but a distant memory after the rack of lamb served by Mockingbird Bistro. It was perfectly cooked to medium rare, and was so tender and moist. The mustardy crust on the outside added just the right kick, and it came with some sort of tomato reduction that gave it a great acidity. The cooked greens and the, I think it was a polenta cake, were both excellent as well. I only took one bite of my wife's filet, but it was also delicious. I'm glad I got the lamb, but she preferred the filet. We decided to order creme brulee for dessert because it's my favorite. And I have to be frank, it was the biggest let-down of the night. It wasn't terrible, but it wasn't at the same level as the previous dishes. The creme part seemed like it was just on the edge of breaking, and just didn't have the "pop" that I love in my creme brulee. It wasn't terrible by any means, but it was just sort of meh. The Irish coffee I ordered to go along with it, on the other hand, was pretty epic. So even ending on a down note, Mockingbird Bistro far exceeded expectations and really deserves a stellar rating.
(5)
Jared R.
2.5 stars. Underwhelming french food for the price. After visting other French restaurants in Houston, there is no reason to lower yourself to this sloppy Tex-French frankenfood.
Best restaurant experience ever! Showed up with no reservation on Valentines evening. Was seated within minutes. Bartender/waiter was accommodating, friendly, helpful, and enthusiastic (We love you, Rene). Food was awesome from the saffron risotto, seafood stew and flour-less chocolate cake I had to the oysters, lamb and apple bread pudding my boyfriend had. Wine was excellent. We will return!
(5)
Gino T.
Back for our at-least-quarterly dinner here, we had another outstanding dinner. My wife asked for a martini "shaken so hard there are ice crystals in it", and that's exactly what came out--absolute perfection! Our apps were the best-in-the-city onion soup, a large bowl of rich, oniony broth. We only wish it were served with a bit more Gruyere cheese, but the soup is good enough to stand alone. The other app was a crabmeat tian, which was crabmeat, cherry tomatoes, and some type of risotto served with a beurre blanc sauce. (Had my mother not raised me better, I'd have licked the plate!) Our mains were both fish--a wonderful snapper special, served with a crawfish risotto that was lacking a little something, and a salmon that was prepared to perfection, served over an absolutely delicious risotto. The dessert we split (and the menu truthfully says "For Two") was four sherbets (mango, passion fruit, strawberry-basil and blackberry[?]), along with some fresh berries. It was delicious, yet light. This remains one of our very favorites in town. I was pleased to see one couple who came in wearing inappropriate attire (she had on very short shorts, he had on flip-flops, shorts and a tee shirt) leave shortly after arriving. I'm not sure if the restaurant turned them away, but their attire was totally inappropriate for the restaurant--it looked as if they were headed to Mickey D's instead.
(5)
Langley M.
Good happy hour, neat seating area on second level, food is delicious and service is wonderful. Equally good to sit at the bar for a quick bite or meet someone for a nice dinner.
(5)
Eric G.
The service was fantastic, but the menu was pretty limited and the specials were extremely overpriced. Considering we usually hit up Brenner's steakhouse for special occasions, this felt a bit underwhelming. I had the buffalo rib-eye topped with crab which sounded a lot better than it actually was. It's also my fault for not hearing the "buffalo" part. :) Also, to add to that it cost about half a Benjamin.. Wifey had the Alaskan halibut with jumbo shrimp, which she liked but it was the same as eating halibut anywhere else except with a little more premium price tag. The drinks, on the other hand, were great! Truthfully, our overall feeling was about what Yelp recommends for a 2-star rating: "Meh. I've experienced better". But, a 2-star rating seems a bit harsh for this restaurant. I'd give it about a 3.5 if I could.
(3)
Tressie J.
This is one of my favorite places in Houston. I love going to the Mockingbird for Happy Hour. I love the atmosphere and service. The bartenders are always great and they have many specialty drinks.
(5)
T W.
Such a beautiful old charm restaurant! The food is excellent and the wine complement our meal perfectly. It's a nice place to take someone on a intimate date. However, I didn't care for their stale breads. I recommend the foigras hamburger.
(3)
Julia S.
Another HRW hit! Dinner was fantastic. Everything we had we enjoyed. I came here with my family and we ordered just about everything but the chicken entree. I read all the HRW reviews prior to coming here. When my sis ordered the gazpacho, I thought it was going to be a flop but quite the opposite, everyone at the table loved it! It was refreshing with a hint of watermelon yet it wasn't overwhelming. My husband had the caesar salad. It, too was delicious! Dare I say best caesar dressing in town! Gasp! Dressing was creamy, tangy with a hint of anchovy. Gawd, I'm salivating just thinking about it! Lobster risotto was good as well, though it tasted rather blend after sampling the salad. I ordered the scallops and my only complaint is, I could've done with one more scallop. My entree came with 2 scallops, perfectly seared and still succulent. The entire dish was mildly seasoned which brought out the sweetness in the scallops and roasted cauliflower. It was very refreshing! My hubs got the short ribs. It was ok. Ribs were very tender but I actually find the whole dish rather salty. I definitely preferred my scallops. No complaints on the trio dessert, our fave was the bread pudding. BUT, the highlight of the dining was definitely the service. First class all the way! This is the type of place when you ask where the restroom is, they don't just direct you to it, they lead you there. The type of place that acknowledges what you note on your reservations. And the type of place that despite ordering from HRW menu, still treats you like royalty. I'm very impressed!
(4)
Jade L.
My boyfriend and I have had Mockingbird on our to-do list for a while so I decided to take him here for his birthday last week for happy hour. We had the best experience! Service was outstanding and the staff was very attentive to us. Of course, the food was delicious! The lobster risotto balls are a must try! To top the whole evening off, they gave him a dessert on the house w/ a birthday candle and all!
(5)
Aimee L.
I cannot believe it has taken me so long to try Mockingbird Bistro out. The place is so quaint and cozy and the service is top notch. I went for a Christmas dinner with friends who also have not been here and they too were very happy with the overall experienced here. It is easy to get to and right off of Shepard. Valet was complimentary, quick, and courteous. We were seated immediately upon arrival of our reservation time. The server greeted us almost immediately and water and bread with served promptly. For starters: I had the Washington State mussels which were perfectly cooked and had a great light coconut red curry sauce. The mussels were plumped and very fresh. Dinner: I went with the Angus Strip Loin. My steak was cooked perfectly to my liking and was tender and spiced appropriately. My only complaint was that the wild mushrooms were a bit on the salty side but it maybe just my palate. The truffled pomme frites were delicious and I love that they were small and had lots of crispy pieces. Dessert: I ordered the Apple bread pudding. This was probably the most disappointing part of the meal. The bread pudding was a bit on the dried side but it was very good and not overly sweet. Overall I had a great experienced and the food was well-prepared and delicious. I will definitely be coming back here again and would love to try out their brunch.
(5)
Mandy G.
I've seen the "Best Happy Hour" lists that unanimously praise Mockingbird as best of the best. I've salivated over their facebook posts of lobster risotto lollipops. Yet, I had not been until last night. And now I never want to leave. Please forward my mail to 1985 Welch. It is valet only but I was able to find a street spot across the street pretty easily at 5:30pm. Upon entering I just gazed at the place. It was like a movie set in it's perfectness. The staff was so very welcoming, prompt and attentive - WAY beyond 5 stars. The chef seemed to know everyone by name and greeted diners as they arrived. I cozied up to a table in the lounge, ordered my $5 bubbly and promptly decided that I would order everything on the happy hour menu instead of choosing. When my friends arrived, they decided the same so we pretty much ordered 2 of everything on the happy hour menu: the lobster risotto lollipops, the smoked salmon, citrus crab salad ... it was amazing. The bread basket was emptied, the dishes licked clean, the 2nd round of drinks arrived: a French 75, a Bramble and another bubbly. It was the perfect Monday night. Actually, it was the perfect night.
(5)
Doris D.
I had my birthday brunch at Mockingbird Bistro and we enjoyed the food and immaculate service, but we can't indulge more often though as it is pretty pricey. Maybe only special occasion.
So, I returned to Mockingbird Bistro last night with a client and my husband. We had a great time, and the service was impeccable! Such attention was given to my allergies even with a "gift" from the chef! We were all impressed and our tummies satisfied. We were too full for dessert, but maybe next time :) Love Mockingbird Bistro.
(5)
Pam E.
Hmm, what to say. First of the atmosphere was wonderful, very neat place. The service was excellent! The Foie Gras was to die for. Then I had the French Onion soup and it was good, not great though. I should have stopped there as that was plenty of food, but I continued with scallops, I could have done without the lentils wishing there was more vegetables, but they were good. It was a little pricey in my opinion, and it wasnt as French as I was hoping for. It more on the new American side. It was a fun night though and was glad I went.
(4)
Cameron Y.
After reading on the Houston Press food blog this morning I was immediately set on checking out Mockingbird Bistro for lunch. See article here... blogs.houstonpress.com/e… The article raves about how fabulous and reasonably priced the Kobe beef burger is. My parents were going to drive in from suburbia to meet me for lunch, so I thought this would be the perfect place. This was my first time here, so upon entering I was immediately surprised as to how formal it is. It is beautifully decorated with ornate light fixtures and a nice combination of formal, yet quirky decorations. We were first asked if we had reservations (we didn't). This created one of those snooty hostess conversations about where on earth they would seat us... than they finally decided on the table right by the door. As we were given the menus I felt that there was quite a disconnect with the waitress. As we were being seated I mentioned that the Houston Press Food blog had written just this morning about how great their $9 Kobe beef burgers are and that we came straight here to try it out. (This article was even reposted by Mockingbird Bistro on Facebook with the line "How about a burger today?") The burger was on the menu, but for $16. Apparently you have to sit at the bar to get a $9 burger. The bar was empty, so it was a bit ridiculous that we could have moved over 3 ft to get a better price on the burger, but I digress... My Mom ordered a spring mix salad with pecans and a raspberry vinaigrette, while my Dad and I ordered the burger - mine with blue cheese and his with white American. I got the truffle fries, my Dad the regular. The burger was nothing short of DIVINE. The onion bun was almost croissant like, the Kobe beef was juicy and delicious, and the garlic mayo served on the side was fabulous... It was heavenly. My Dad felt the same way about his. My Mom loved her salad and was really impressed with the atmosphere and the menu. She and my Dad discussed coming back for dinner for a date sometime in the near future. Overall I was blown away by the burger but a little turned off by the fact that they reposted an article raving about their burger then, in my opinion, treated us as a bit second class when we came there specifically to order the burger and didn't order wine or dessert. Don't make a fabulous burger if you don't want a burger loving clientele frequenting your establishment...
(4)
Cameron H.
Went here for a nice date night with my girlfriend, and we certainly had one hell of a night. I read about Mockingbird on Yelp, and with brilliant reviews, decided to take my girlfriend here. The decor is very romantic, with dim lighting. I loved the atmosphere. It's quiet, slightly reserved, and very nice. I got a salad to start. I believe it was a raspberry/pecan salad, and it was so good. She got the butternut squash soup, and let me tell you, I was envious. Luckily, we like to order different things, then trade off halfway :). We also both ordered drinks, which were strong, plentiful, and delicious. For dinner, she got scallops over risotto, and I got the duck. Both of our meals were just amazing. Such savory flavors. My mouth was left watering after every bite. I feel like I ate too fast, but I just couldn't stop. Not going to lie, if you're looking for some place cheap, or even remotely inexpensive, this is not the place. But if you're looking to take out someone special for a special night, and you don't mind making them feel special, this is the place. I will most certainly be back as much as I can afford to go back.
(5)
Adrienne L.
4.5 stars Ohh, if only my Caesar salad was better. It was my mistake to order that in the first place for my Restaurant Week(s) appetizer. I should have had the lobster risotto, but I was afraid a) it'd make me feel bad because it was so hot outside and b) I'd be stuffed halfway through my entree. The lettuce was so wet that my dressing was watery. DAMN! But let's get to the real deal: My short rib was the best short rib I've EVER HAD. The farroto under it was great, but sometimes there was a weird spice in it. I could have just had the meat. Best part of the meal: my apple bread pudding. I got a tiny sample of it in the dessert trio -- but we had to go ahead and get a real one to share. I'd go there just to get this dessert. Truly. I'll be back ASAP to have a full-out dinner that isn't constricted by Restaurant Week(s), but this was a great way to get introduced to MB.
(4)
Katie W.
Mockingbird Bistro is tucked away in the neighborhood and it is truly a gem. The service is fantastic and the food is amazing. The server seemed to really promote Houston Restaurant Weeks, which is unlike a lot of places.
(5)
Michael R.
My favorite place to eat when in town. Steak and Pork Chops good but the best thing here is the Burger no joke. Stilton Cheese makes it.
(5)
Eric L.
I went here for HRW only to enjoy such a fantastic meal. You can park in the surrounding neighborhoods of this restaurant so go ahead (be careful how you park though because my parents' car was hit while being parked on the street). For the meal I chose the wine pairing for each course because not many restaurants do this (and let's be real all of us need a little something to end the long work week). I started out the night with the Lobster Risotto. I agree with everyone else on yelp when I say that it is fantastic. Most risotto's are undercooked but this one was awesome. The Starry Night Chardonnay was a perfect pair for this course. Second course I chose Slow Braised CAB Short Ribs. I wondered why they gave me a knife, because the short rib was so tender I could cut it with my fork. Being that tender let me just say it didn't disappoint one bit. The "Littlefoot" wine pairing was excellent with the short ribs. Last course, the dessert. Everyone gets the same dessert which is Apple bread pudding, chocolate truffle, and the creme brulee. Let me just say that the bread pudding was the absolute best. Normally the bread pudding has a soggy texture. Somehow, their bread pudding has the normal bread texture but the flavor of everything else. The creme brulee was awesome and the truffle went so well with Erazurriz Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc it blew my mind. Normally, I eat my food and then drink my wine (I know this isn't sophisticated) but the wine pairing complimented the food so well it opened my eyes up to everything. Also the service of this place was fantastic. They dropped a glass cup and cleaned it up behind us. Once that was over, they came up to our table and informed us that glass was shattered and they would gladly re-seat us if we would like. Re-seating a table for seven was going to be hard on a Friday night at 7:30. Overall, this place is excellent and I would recommend this place to anyone who was thinking of going (HRW or not).
(4)
Jennifer T.
***Houston Restaurant Weeks Review*** I had my first HRW experience at Mockingbird Bistro. We couldn't find any street parking, so we did valet (complimentary). We had a reservation for 3 on a Monday evening and were seated immediately upon arrival. The waiter was very attentive, and each course was brought out promptly by him and another server so we could all be served simultaneously. Even though each successive course was brought out quickly, I didn't feel rushed at all. The service really impressed me. BREAD *Pretty standard bread and butter, nothing to write home about. FIRST COURSE *Lobster Risotto (4.5) - Amazing!! Warm, creamy, and flavorful. *Tri-Melon Gazpacho (2.5) - This was my first time trying a soup served cold, and I wasn't a huge fan. The flavors didn't go well together for me, but my sister enjoyed it. ENTREE *Slow Braised CAB Short Ribs (4.5) - SO tender. The meat fell apart beautifully just using a fork. I really, really loved the farroto that was served underneath it, maybe even more so than the short rib! Really hearty and a nice complement to the overall dish. *Diver Scallops (3.5) - No complaints, but if you're deciding between these and the short ribs, definitely go with the latter. DESSERT *Trio of Apple Bread Pudding, Chocolate Truffle, & Creme Brulee (3.5) - The bread pudding was probably my favorite out of the 3, but even that fell a little short; I thought it was a bit dry. The truffle was very rich, and a few nibbles were more than enough for me. The creme brulee was OK. After the risotto and short ribs, I had high expectations and the dessert didn't really do it for me. Overall, a great HRW experience! I would definitely recommend Mockingbird :)
(5)
Judy T.
I went here one year for Restaurant Week and really enjoyed it. So I decided to go here again for my birthday and was not disappointed one bit. Both times, I went with a group of girlfriends. But, this is definitely a place for a romantic date as well.
Well done. Enjoyed a Sunday brunch with some friends. Service & food ? Excellent. I like tartar when I can get it. Salmon. To keep the seafood feel going , I then moved onto gulf lump crab cakes. Everyone was pleased with the experience. Coffee and a chat with Chef Sheely. Is it possible to have a better Sunday brunch in Houston ? Maybe ... but I haven't seen it yet.
(5)
Vivian W.
Took my mom and dad for dad's birthday and to treat them for the first time post-grad school on my own money! This was awhile back during restaurant week. Service was great, and the environment/ambiance was really vibing. Food was only alright though. I think the reviews on yelp definitely overhyped it up for me. My parents both ordered the risotto while I ordered the gazpacho. Surprisingly I liked the gazpacho the best because the risotto was great, but really really heavy/salty in the end. My mom ordered the scallops for her entree, I ordered the salmon, and my dad ordered the beef option. All of the dishes were good, but again - salty. I must have a heightened salt sensitivity or something.
(4)
Anthony N.
First off, the service is impeccable. Host, hostesses, waiters, and staff were on their game the entire time. Water glasses never dropped below half, tables cleared of empty dishes within a minute, escorts to where the bathroom is, as much service and hospitality I can think of. The only hiccup was our waiter forgot one wine order but an honest mistake. Atmosphere was laid back, romantic, yet with a hip feel. I was expecting some French music but instead was top 40 tracks. No big deal though. I digress. The noise level was just right. On to the food. We started with the Bibb Lettuce that was very refreshing. Often I'm not too fond of goat cheese, but this was nice and moist and fit well with the rest of the lettuce and dressing. It was one order of Bibb Lettuce but split between the two of us. Even then the amount was just right for an appetizer. I wouldn't recommend a single Bibb Lettuce order as an appetizer for one in addition to room for dessert unless you arrived with a large appetite. I ordered the special which was ono Hawaiian fish wrapped in rice paper and briefly baked. The fish was extra moist and topped with the perfect wine pairing recommended by the sommelier. She was spot on. We also had the swordfish, a sweeter dish than I was expecting, but excellent nonetheless. A strong cocktail with a wonderful entree with the perfect paired wine, the night was looking good if you know what I mean. Surprised by the time check, I saw we were there for two hours already. With the good times, atmosphere, and good food, time blew by. We were dying to try the truffle pommes frites since the adjacent two tables ordered it and with its aroma hovering around us. One order is large enough to split among two or three. If we did order we knew we wouldn't have room for dessert. So, next time. The night ended with the 'warm bittersweet chocolate torte, mango sorbet' dressed up in generous 'Happy Anniversary' attire and candle. Very nice of them. The torte was filled with extra warm oozing chocolate. Bite, melt, enjoy, grin. It was that good. The sorbet was a nice companion. All these reasons are more than enough for us to come back, especially with the truffle frites smell lingering in my memory.
(5)
Roundabout P.
Always solidly reliable for good food and excellent service. On my last visit I only noticed our meals were slow to arrive from the kitchen after the manager apologised (we were enjoying a few mimosas). Apparently my quiche was burned but the new quiche was incredibly yummy. To make up for this we were given deadly truffles. This is the way to gain loyalty!
I've been hearing so much about this place so why not try it out during HRW. I was pleasantly surprised by the attentive staff, as we walked through the restaurant to our table every waiter was welcoming us. The ambiance wanted to be intimate, but it was too loud if you wanted to have a romantic dinner. Our waiter was a little anti-social with us group of girls and he didn't laugh at my friend's jokes which annoyed her, but as the night went on he loosened up. On to the food, Appetizer: Sweet Corn Souffle was....different. It wasn't bad, but I wouldn't rave about it or order it again. I don't think my friend liked her onion soup. So I guess go with the other option. Main Course: Pan Roasted Striped Sea Bass. Delicious. I tried my friend's CAB filet, it was a perfect well seasoned medium steak. For dessert you get to sample all three: - Flourless Chocolate Cake was very chocolatey, a little too much - Apple Bread Pudding....I was disappointed, I guess it was overhyped on the reveiws, but I wasn't feeling it - Vanilla Creme Brulee was by favorite Drinks: I recommend the Pimms Daddy I just might come back for a date night with the hubby!
(4)
Andrew B.
Went to Mockingbird for the second time a few weeks ago and have to say that you really cannot find a better happy hour in the Inner Loop. The drinks and food are phenomenal and the cost of each item. Only $5! Almost made me question the sanity of the ownership and its too bad that the lounge and patio are not larger or I would think this place would be REALLY busy. The location is interesting which I mean that in a good way. A true example of the interesting zoning in parts of Houston. Essentially in an older residential neighborhood although there is although small shops that connect to the West of the building. The building itself is rather unique. It has a very similar feel to a Dutch coffee shop so the European feel is felt there for sure. The building was probably a "filling station," old house, or some sort of warehouse. While it is interesting without a doubt due to its uniqueness, it has an awkward feeling with its tight lounge area, super old school bar set up and intimate yet wide out main, first floor dining. Equally awkward is the men's bathroom set up but I am not complaining just simply giving a full review. The service is impeccable and even on our first visit, the waitress we had curtsied as she left the table each time. The chef send us a follow up to the letter we mailed complimenting their restaurant. The manager on duty seems a little bit pretentious but I am probably just sensitive to how well mannered and polished he is....so please-no disrespect. You have to go and check it out. A favorite of mine, indeed!!!
(4)
Isabel V.
If we could give this review 0 stars we would. We were celebrating my son's 14 birthday and what a disaster! We had reservations for 6.15 and it took them at least 1.5 hours to get the main courses out. The appetizers: old head of iceberg with so so blue cheese for $16; shrimp and grits had popcorn shrimp drowned in a half pound of butter. After endless waiting, the main courses came out. My son's $32 biurger was raw, rather than medium well, as was my $41 steak which was also burnt from the outside. Needless to say we returned our meals, manager came out and apologized, and shortly returned with our new meals...my raw-burnt steak was refurbished by slicing it up and slapping it down on the same plate. The burger now nuked and burnt was placed in front of my son. Unacceptable! The worst part was the manager...even the waitress was appalled. After explaining to her once again that the order was unacceptable once again, she informed her manager who told her we were at liberty to leave. We left as soon as possible and will never return.
(1)
Allison P.
Mock-yeah, Ing-yeah, Bird-yeah, yeah? Yeah! Bistro is a nice little treat. It's tucked away in the middle of a little neighborhood in Montrose. Parking is limited, but why park when you have valet? The apps/entrees/wine/experience are all top notch, but what I have come here to write about is the APPLE CINNAMON BREAD PUDDING WITH CINNAMON ICE CREAM. It deserves shouting in all caps, because I want to shout it from the roof tops how much in love with it I am. Yes, I realize this relationship will go no where except in the saddle bag region, but for a treat, this is it.
(5)
Jeena L.
This review is only applicable to my experience during Houston Restaurant Week 2011. Parking can get a bit tricky but you don't always have to valet. Just drive around the neighborhood and you'll find some lucky open spots. I came here to catch up with 2 friends and here's the downlow: First Course: Lobster Risotto - Good thing I had several pieces of lobster. My girlfriend didn't really taste any of see any in her dish. My friends said not to try the onion soup, said it was salty and not very tasty. Entree: Slow Braised CAB Short Ribs - I wouldn't say it was the BEST short ribs I've had but it was decent. It was also a bit on the salty side. The portion wasn't very large either compared to other restaurants I've been to especially for HRW. It was about a little less the size of my palm and I have medium sized hands. I hear the roasted half chicken was the best, but I can't really confirm since I didnt get to try that one. Dessert: -Don't really have a say in the dessert but it was their trio of mockingbird bistro desserts which consisted of apple bread pudding, chocolate truffle, mini crème brulee. The chocolate truffle was very rich and decadent, apple bread pudding - portion was tiny but it was delicious. it's not very mushy like what you would expect bread pudding to be though. Lastly the creme brulee, you can't go too wrong with this but it was good. Overall service was nice and quick. Water was refilled every moment. The bread at the beginning was also good to nibble on before the meal.
(3)
John S.
If you're in the neighborhood, this is an excellent choice for HH. The mini snapper ceviche was nice, but only three per order :( ... The petit citrus & lump crab salad was one of the more "healthy" options on the menu (very nice as well!). The soy glazed chicken wings had a bit too strong of flavor for me, but they're definitely popular. The fromage & charcuterie plate was good, but didn't excite me as much... Tip: They hold lots of cool events here, so it's worth getting on their mailing list.
(4)
Ben M.
Wow, what an experience. The service was great. Drinks came out quick and stayed full. Onion soup to start - a little sweet but very nice. CAB filet came next. I ordered it medium rare and it actually came out medium rare. So many places get it wrong (either purple inside or nearly well done) that it made all the difference. The bleu cheese was interesting, and the mushrooms and potatoes complimented it well. Dessert was also delicious.
(5)
Audrey W.
I'm not sure If I really liked the decor inside, but the service and food were good. I was told that the kobe beef foie gras burger was delicious, so I had to try it! It was definitely a darn good burger! I honestly could have gone without the foie gras, I didn't really notice it and it probably added 10 extra dollars to the burger (and 1000 extra calories). I asked for the fries to be very lightly tossed in truffle oil (if there is too much i feel really sick after, lame i know). They were really good with the garlic aioli sauce. My boyfriend ordered the duck, which was pretty good. Tender and seasoned well. I believe he said he loved the cranberry wild rice (I think that was the side). We also ordered the Veal sweetbreads. Our first time ever eating sweetbreads, so it is really hard to critique it since I have nothing to compare it too. I enjoyed them though and I guess that is all that matters. I had a 25 dollar gift certificate that someone gave me and forgot to bring it! It's okay though, kobe burger in my near future!!
(4)
Doris K.
After reading all the good reviews and also having yelpers suggest this place, I was sorely disappointed. Most things were just average which is my reason for the three star rating. We started out with the Hudson Valley Foie Gras, pan-seared with poached lady apple, apple cider gastric and brioche. The foie gras was great, but then again if the restaurant screws up foie gras they should be shut down immediately in my book. Our appetizer was the only good thing about the evening. It was all downhill from here. Our main courses, a special of the night a seared white fish with truffled mashed potatoes and baby vegetables and the duo of lamb with golden raisin caponata, rosemary potatoes and Texas goat cheese, were somewhere around average to below average. Emma's fish was overcooked so we sent it back. Although it did come out better the second time around it just did not have much flavor. The only thing that kept her going were the mashed potatoes with truffles. My lamb was a huge disappointment. Three out of the five pieces of lamb were dry and unfortunately my mashed potatoes did not really keep me going. To end our evening we tried the apple bread pudding which was good but also felt like something I could make at home. Besides the food my main complaint is that the waiter did not seem to know anything about wine and suggested a pinot noir that was not to our liking and our other half bottle of sparkling wine was too dry and lacked flavor. Another thing to add was that when the guy took my name for a reservation I specifically asked if they did anything for birthdays. He (I believe his name was Cameron) told me that they would do a birthday plate. What really made me mad was that after I had requested that this be done, there was no birthday plate presented at dessert! Instead of alerting our waiter I just let it go because the night was a wash anyway from the food. There are certainly much better places to go then Mockingbird Bistro. Just PM me if you want a list.
(3)
Katherine G.
I went a couple of weeks ago with a client and a few co workers.This is a small, but cozy restaurant. The food was awesome- I had one of their steak specials and the wine was superb. The service was good and attentive.
(4)
C T.
My sisters and I decided to treat my parents to a dinner here for their wedding anniversary -- I was not there myself, but my mom's email afterwards was so happy that I couldn't resist posting it! Certainly made my day to hear what a wonderful time they had. --------------------------------------------------Â-------------------------------------------- "I thought we would be late. the traffic was horrible. I called them to notify. she said i don't have any reservation under [my father's last name]???????? it was reserved under [my mother's last name]. ha ha ha ha it was so beautiful. we got all the attention and pampered from the waiters...... i ordered the more like a taster dish for me. the waiter announced that the portions would be small.....but i will have 5 course dinner..... the first 3, he saw us sharing food each other.....he learned that the dinner was rerserved by our children for our anniversary.....so for the 4th course, he brought it out, which is the lamb chop. It was big comparing with the other portion. he said " i brought you 2 portion, for your husband.....". he was so sweet.. and the last one, it was a chocolate cake and mind ice cream. when you cut it, there was a lava of chocolate spilling out......but the best part is the chef engraves the " HAPPY ANNIVERSARY" on the plate. it was sooooo pretty. the waiter asked to take picture, which we did not expect. Daddy handed out his cell phone, said " but I don't know how to use this?????" Again, i had to ask the waiter to help us........It was funny. The best had not come yet. After the dinner, we were waiting for the bill. The waiter said " everything was taken care of from your children..." We were both speechless. Daddy responsed " why didn't you let us know, so we can order more food and wine......." Just like Daddy always said, the food tasted even better than the best when you don't have to pay for it........ Ha ha ha ha ha........ Thank you so much. You ave us a very lovely evening.....We enjoyed it so much. Your father loved it. Now he will have something to brag about his children. Love you all. Mommy"
(5)
D C.
There was quite a wait even with my reservation but it was a weekend on restaurant week so I can't hold that against them. The food was great the risotto (lobster i think he supposedly won at a risotto contest with it) was particularly good. A pricey place but great atmosphere and food.
(4)
Brian H.
I'm not sure how comfortable I am to be the first one not to give Mockingbird a perfect rating, especially since the food tasted so good, and I really liked the design inside. I just don't think the Tasting Menu/Wine Pairing was on par with the price. I also thought that the service was not exceptional- I'm kind of a stickler for eye contact. However, when one is trying to justify why a restaurant received 4 stars instead of 5, you are in for a great dining experience.
(4)
J S.
Went here Friday evening during Restaurant Week. The restaurant was extremely packed, and I'm not surprised given the quality of the food. Everything we ate was delicious - my girlfriend especially liked the lobster risotto appetizer. HOWEVER, the service was terrible. Here's on anecdote from the evening: I had a piece of bread in my hand ready to dip it in olive oil, and before I could do so the waiter cleared the entire table, including my plate and dish of olive oil, leaving me with a stranded piece of bread in my hand. This was just one of the mishaps that left me feeling like the waiter was focused on churning out Restaurant Week-goes without regard to the quality of service. Overall, 5 stars for food, 1 star for service.
(3)
Eleanor E.
We came here for dinner during a recent trip to Houston. It really is true what they say--everything IS bigger in Texas. I had the seared ahi and got double the portion I would have expected in San Francisco. It wsa good, but a lot of food! I am glad we didn't order appetizers! My fiance had the duck breast and it was good, but not spectacular. The service was impeccable and the restaurant was beautifully decorated. It's nice to check it out and get a sense of how the well-heeled Houstonians dine. All things considered, it wasn't as good as a comparable place in San Francisco, but it was certainly a highlight of our trip.
(4)
Cory O.
Quite possibly the best meal I've ever had. We went there to celebrate my husband's birthday and decided to go all out. We started with a bottle of wine (their selection is amazing and their sommelier was really knowledgeable without being pretentious) and then realized that we wanted to do the tasting menu. Needless to say, that was a lot of wine for one night, but quite enjoyable. Each course was fantastic. They worked around my husband's allergies and came up with great substitutions. I'd definitely recommend this place to anyone who wants a romantic night out.
(5)
Julia B.
We had a wonderful dinner for my mother's birthday. The calamari was delicate and the salmon in seafood broth was cooked to perfection. Homemade ginger ice cream was a big hit, too. Our waiter, Hector, was attentive but not intrusive. After our meal, Hector approached me in the parking lot to inform me that I had overtipped him, as the tip for a party of 6 is included in the bill. What waiter ever does that? Tipped him an extra for his honesty, anyway. We will be back...and will ask to be seated in Hector's section.
(5)
Daniel H.
mockingbird thoroughly exceeded my already considerably high expectations. this is without a doubt one of the best restaurants i've ever been to. the decor and atmosphere were interesting; classically gothic, and almost strange, but not uncomfortable. the service was prompt and friendly, and the food was simply outstanding. i'll be doing my best to come up with a reason to go back as soon as possible.
(5)
Martin W.
Mockingbird Bistro probably doesn't need another review, but I'm going to chime in with the already loud chorus of praise, anyway. I had the Chilean Bass special, and it was superb. The apple bread pudding was not exotic but was quite delicious. The waitstaff are skilled professionals, and the wine holdings fit the menu nicely. A truly enjoyable meal - hard to do better.
(5)
Pamela M.
Came here again with the soon-to-be in-laws the first weekend of November ... again, amazing service, extremely well-plated and delicious food, and another A+ for ambiance. This place is so cozy and romantic it was the perfect place to take out of towners to experience what real Houston dining is about. Can't wait to come back here again. :)
(5)
Rebecca v.
Not alot of people know about this restaurant, its in the Heart of River Oaks and its in a residential neighborhood. It is small and intimate. In the 6 years that I have been going, I have never had a negative experience. It is typical french food with high quality ingredients, but it is very expensive. I have only been about 5 times in 6 years due to the fact that I'm always on some type of budget. That being said, a friend of mine told me that they actually have a happy hour bar menu. If you sit at the bar vs. table you have a different menu with prices up to 75% less... Pretty outstanding. After finding this out, I gave the bar food a try. It was really good but it wasn't the same menu that you get when you are at a table. I think I prefer to splurge and just go all the way... Till next time Mockinbird, and in the meanwhile I'll be next door at the washateria fantasizing about you and your amazing wine list.
WOW this place is cool! I have a friend that works here and she told me to stop by because it is so fantastic. So one day for lunch I did and man oh man, it was fantastic just like she said!! The calamari was superb and the sandwich I had was mind blowing... I told her I had to try dinner. Dinner is what took things over the top, the menu and how it was set up was really cool, having to pick the app, main course and the dessert was so much fun and so hard. The food was perfect and the servers were fantastic, always helping you out and making everything smooth and fun. I wish I was able to eat here all the time, but the price... does not let me do that. It is expensive but way way way worth it.
(5)
Ms. M.
This review is for Mockingbird's Thanksgiving menu. I was really looking forward to dining at Mockingbird Bistro after reading all of the rave reviews on Yelp, but I was actually really disappointed by the Thanksgiving dinner that I had there last night. Maybe the chefs are just better at preparing items off of their regular menu; if so, they should just offer their regular menu for Thanksgiving instead of charging $59/person for a lackluster meal. The good: The butternut squash soup, the pan seared scallop (but not the black risotto or chanterelle mushrooms that came with it), the sea bass (including the tomato-caper-kalamata olive sauce that came with it, but not the breaded crust), and the sides that came on the side of my turkey -- the haricot verts, the stuffing, and the mashed sweet potatoes. The bad: The pumpkin cheesecake (it was not nearly as flavorful as it should have been, and thankfully you can get the huckleberry on the side because these two things do NOT go well together), the creme brulee (which was totally lacking a crispy caramelized sugar top). The ugly: The turkey and the gravy -- which is the whole point of Thanksgiving dinner. The turkey was pretty bad on its own in that I only got one thin little slice of breast meat, and the rest was just shreds of random dry meat. But add the gravy, and it was even worse. I don't know what was wrong with that gravy, but it was way too smokey and spiced in an odd way. Both my dinner companion and I would have much preferred the gravy you mix from cheap mix packets sold at the grocery store. The service wasn't that great either. For example, when we sat down, I specifically asked for "regular plain tap water" (which is what I always order), and they attempted to bring me still Evian bottled water -- and then proceeded to try to convince me that I had asked for "still." They were also very stingy with the bread. The first bread basket came with both focaccia and plain french bread; the refill only omitted the interesting focaccia. All in all, I was not impressed.
(2)
Andrew L.
This review is for HRW 2011. Lobster Risotto: 5/5 - absolutely divine, hi-light of the meal for me Slow Braised CAB Short Ribs: 5/5 Diver Scallops: 5/5 Dessert Trio: 4/5 - Bread pudding and creme brulee were excellent, but the chocolate truffle was too rich for my taste Service: 3/5 - Not the best service - wine came out after the 1st course and it felt a bit rushed and impersonal. I will give the benefit of the doubt though due to the crowd for restaurant week. I am excited to come back here and try dinner from the full menu!
(5)
Amy M.
Last night my husband and I went to dinner at Mockingbird Bistro with another couple as part of Restaurant Week which is a fundraiser for the foodbank. It was our first visit to Mockingbird Bistro and our first experience with Restaurant Week. I expected a lot better based on reviews and on word of mouth. I suspect some of the issues we encountered stem from Restaurant Week service, but that is no excuse. We will not be back. The Houston Restaurant Week dinner at Mockingbird Bistro is a rip off. Skip it. Three courses were advertised, and in name, three courses were served. I would argue that maybe as a stretch two actual courses were served. Each course was about a 1/2-3/4 portion sized course, especially dessert which in its entirety was consumed in 6 small bites. We left, went home, and had a snack. For the wine pairings, for $25pp, we each received a partial glass with each course. (Yes, I know dessert wine servings are smaller.) For the $50 it cost us, we should have ordered a bottle and would have had double the amount of wine served as with two purchased pairings. Service was more than efficient; it was rushed. We arrived to a half full restaurant and a packed bar at 7PM on Sat. It was as if the wait staff were trying to get us through a pre-theater meal without any theater nearby. They were trying to turnover the table in under an hour. Waiters and servers hovered as we were attempting to dine on each course whisking our plates away almost partially finished. Food for the second course was serverd well ahead of the paired wine and sat cooling at our places as we waited on our wine. Again plates that were barely finished were whisked away. Dessert (all 6 bites) was at best an afterthought; we were never even offerred coffee with our dessert or afterwards to finish the meal. The check was brought with the dessert plates. The flavors of the food I actually got to taste were good, but the food itself had issues as well. First Course: lobster risotto: Wonderful flavor, the hint of seafood flavor from my one small piece of lobster was nice, and the parmesan was really good. However, risotto is supposed to be creamy but not thick glue and not leave a grease residue behind. They over cooked it trying to make the correct amounts ahead for a busy night and have it ready quickly. If you have been watching that reality food star search show in 2011, it was what I imagined had been served to Wolfgang Puck that inspired him to teach the contestant how to make real risotto. Portion size was about 1/2-3/4 of what I would consider a first course portion for a 3-course meal, and some actual lobster would have been nice. Second Course: braised short ribs with spinach and grains. The short ribs were cooked beautifully, tender and flavorful without turning to mush. Delicious, even when eaten cool. However, I would guess we had maybe 3 ounces of short rib on each plate. The grains were well cooked, but the spinach was salty which was probably why it was served very sparingly. Portion size for a main entree was about 1/2 of an entree. Dessert: Well, 6 bites and no coffee pretty much sums it up. They were 4 very delicious bites (apple bread pudding and the chocolate ganache truffle), but the creme brulee was ordinary at best. Although the issues we encountered were probably partially the result of Restaurant Week service, there are too many good restaurants in Houston to waste time and money with this one.
(1)
Greg P.
My first visit to Mockingbird Bistro was excellent from start to finish. I was craving some lobster risotto, which was not listed on the menu. Our waiter informed us that they were out of lobster, but the chef could make some crawfish risotto instead...so that's what I had to start things off. It was incredibly delicious! For my entree, I had the striped bass special. It was delicious and cooked perfectly. For dessert, I had the "dessert trio". My only minor gripe would be that the bread pudding third of the dessert was a little on the dry side. The service was truly outstanding. Our waiter was very attentive throughout the meal, and the chef even came out to our table to ensure everything was to our satisfaction. This place isn't cheap, but it's a great place to go for a special occasion to enjoy a fantastic meal.
(5)
Kris R.
Oh man! That was some good eats! This was our first time to eat at Mockingbird and so glad I did. It's made think that I should make a "bucket list for restaurants", I've always used to drive by it and tonight I finally walked in. Being that that is already 100+ reviews I will spare you details and say.... Just go and enjoy some amazing food!
(5)
Franklin J.
Went for a company lunch today...service was top notch. I had the lamb shank, it was very tender and yummy (but not the best i had). Truffle fries was yummy. Seafood appetizer was good too. I will be back to try the kobe burger!
(4)
Nikki J.
I went to Mockingbird Bistro on Valentine's Day and was treated to one of the best restaurant experiences I have ever had. The service was impeccable from the moment we walked in the door. I only wish I hadn't waited so long to post my review so that I could remember our server's name. She never rushed us, had a great sense of humor and wonderful table timing. When it came to making our wine selection, the GM who sets up the wine list assisted us in picking a wine that wasn't going to break the bank but was still going to be a great experience. He did a wonderful job and was extremely polite and a very cool guy. As for the meal - I started with the green salad which was wonderfully fresh and not over-dressed. For my entree, I had the duck breast with foie gras. The duck breast was cooked perfectly and the foie gras had a beautiful sear on it providing just the right flavor. Dessert was the most delicious bread pudding I have ever eaten in my entire life. I know what you're thinking - "Bread pudding? Really?" YES. Do *not* miss this when you dine there. You'll be shocked. That bread pudding calls to me in the night.
(5)
Caroline E.
The food here is always wonderful and the ambiance is I come here for. I love the darkly lit room and the decor, really creates a mood that could either be romantic or mellow. Service is phenomenal- always have the best waiters there. Even during HRW the place is amazing.
(5)
Lauren M.
My husband and I took my mom here for her birthday. The service was great and so was the food. We were seated and were given a treat from the chef --- a salmon mixture on a homemade potato chip. The wine menu is extensive, but also pricey. We got a HALF bottle of Artesa, which was really good but cost us $45. We ordered the beef carpaccio as an appetizer, which was really good. Bread was also served with olive oil and that was tasty too. Our entrees consisted of ahi tuna and scallops. Both dishes were really good. Potatoes were served with the dishes too and they were amazing. My mom ordered the four course menu sampler for $65. Her sampler consisted of a quail egg leek salad, sea bass, rack of lamb and dessert. Her desserts were amazing...the chocolate torte and the flourlesschocolate cake. I had the apple bread pudding which was also very good. The ambiance of this place was very nice, but this place is pricey. We spent $270 for dinner for three consisting of what I mentioned above.
(4)
Katie F.
There are several great things about Mockingbird, but I have to start by saying that the generosity of the owner is tops. I'm always willing to support a restaurant that puts charitable giving at the top of their list, and Mockingbird leads the pack in that respect. As far as food, it's first class and always on point. I've eaten there a few times, but most recently enjoyed an evening at the bar The bar menu is both extensive and interesting, with most of the portions being not only generous, but also $9. That's a steal for what you get, especially if you order the kobe beef burger & fries. My mom & I split it and we were stuffed! The scallop is smaller (just one atop a bed of risotto), but it's a great companion to whatever you get and the flavors are incredible.. If you have enough room for dessert, the chocolate pot du creme is great. It's served with warm cookies & berries...there's just no better way to top off a meal.
(5)
Jon B.
Excellent service. I had the chowder and rack of lamb were good choices. Good atmosphere and relatively quiet.
(5)
Loree B.
Went to Mockingbird Christmas weekend and brought our sons and their wives. We have always loved Mockingbird but hadn't been in a long time. We were excited to share with our kids one of our favorite restaurants and it did not disappoint us or them one bit, it was amazing. I love love love the atmosphere and the food is amazing. By far, the duck was my favorite dish, best I have had anywhere. Cocktails and wine were wonderful, desserts amazing. We each shared off each other's plates to get a good taste for everything and there wasn't anything that we weren't crazy about. I will have to say that Mockingbird Bistro is our favorite restaurant in Houston for a nice night out. I would recommend it to anyone!
(5)
Mark Y.
Read all the great reviews so went to celebrate a friends BDay. Most of the items we looked forward to were not available. A special wine that one of our guests had on a previous visit/not available, lobster risotto/not available, special dessert trio/not available. What we dId eat was reasonably good but not what we expected. Menus must change yes I know, but if something is 'all the rage' - keep it for a while.
(3)
John V.
Great food and service! Food: 9/10 Service: 8/10 Atmosphere: 6/10 Creativity: 7/10 Went here for dinner with a group of six. We showed up 10 minutes late for our reservation and the other four were seated already. The restaurant was crowded and slightly hard to hear the rest in our party. I scanned the menu and didn't see an entree that stood out. After spotting the lamb on the tasting menu, I asked the waiter if i could order it and had no problem ordering. Food came out in a timely manner. Everything tasted really great and cooked to order. I appreciate the creativity of the sides that came with my entree. There was a hollowed cucumber filled with chopped up eggplant. The cons: valet only and the horrible European accent that the waiters use to describe the off-menu entree. And the price point is pretty high for what you get.
(4)
Christine B.
Nice ambiance but my son's chair had to be changed twice and mine was wobbly, (a little disconcerning for my osteoporosis). They were not able to seat us outside because there were five of us yet there were plenty of seats on the veranda. Delicious complimentary croustades, loved the mussels, however, my rabbit was dry and perhaps overcooked, the best entree was the prime steak ($40). Our waitress wisked away the platters as we were licking up the basalmic, took away the glasses of our cocktails as we were fishing out the liquor soaked kumquots, and poured our wine so quickly we felt we were eating at a fast food restaurant even though it was not crowded and there were plenty of empty seats. We will not be going back.
(2)
Kee M.
I love this place. When I go to a restaurant, especially more expensive ones, my first and foremost focus is the food. Service comes next and then maybe the ambiance. That being said, I will say that the food ive had at the Mockingbird Bistro was very, very good. From the mussels, to my scallops, to my date's beef, and the awesome desserts -- the food was well prepared and executed, seasoned well and served on time. The service was good, if a bit hasty and rushed. Probably the reason why one star was removed from my rating was because our server said "oh you liked the food, your plates are clean" to us. Not that he was wrong but I found it a bit off putting for him to tell us that we have been pigs. I find the interiors to be a bit too dim, and the restrooms a tad difficult. Other than that, this is a place I love and would come back to.
(4)
Susan W.
Got a restaurant.com coupon to this place. The food was okay, the service was okay. Nothing particularly spectacular.
(3)
Athenapex C.
Went for HRW and will be back. Cute design of restaurant decor, remind my husband and I of France actually. Waiter Joshua was very attentive. Appetizers were strong with an excellent shrimp gazpacho and lobster risotto. Braised Ribs were very good and salmon was excellent. Dessert trio of chocolate truffle, caramel bread pudding, and creme brulee were excellent. The chef showed consistent and delicious quality for all courses which has not been the case for other restuarants we have checked out during HRW. We will be back as it was our favorite out of the restaurants that we tried.
(5)
Trevor B.
The wifey has long (Pre-Yelp - gasp!) wanted to eat here but we never have gotten around to it. I had looked at their menu a while back and thought it a little dull and expensive. So we stayed away due to a lack of interest on my part. Nonetheless, her birthday came around we needed a place a bit last minute and came up with Mockingbird. Apparently, the night we picked was "Blue Hairs Eat Free Night" because we were surrounded by geriatric gentry. I don't care and it took nothing away from my experience, it just jumped out at me and I found it humorous. Decor - dark, rustic. Nice but not breathtaking. The waiter was friendly but very unnatural as it seemed he had just spent about an hour in front of a mirror practicing his lines. By lines I mean asking for drinks, describing the specials, and telling us that the menu was brand new (it had started the night before). The new menu reminded me of the menu I had seen years ago - nice but nothing jumped out as a must have. I settled in on a seared ahi tuna with wasabi mashed potatoes, shitake mushrooms, and a ginger-soy reduction. Basically a dish I have head countless times in many different cities. As I said, nothing stood out so I went with a "classic" as a way to test the restaurant. My wife also wanted the Foie Gras appetizer (served "sandwiched" between two toasted brioche rounds and served on a tangerine and berry marmalade). I committed to two bites. They were good bites, if not a little too dominated by the marmalade (unless taken in very small doses). The tuna was good. Not great. Well cooked, well presented, and...good. I have had two or three versions that were better with the best (in South Beach Miami) being way way better. I didn't really feel any love put into it. Just, "this is a typical tuna dish, let's do one too!" and with no surprise variation or flavor. Overall, that describes the restaurant for me. Good, but conservative fine dining that is a little uninspired and unoriginal. If this was my first exposure to New American fine dining I might have been blown away. As it was, I am underwhelmed. I won't not go back but I don't ever see myself really wanting to go back. Another recent $100+ meal that left me wanting/expecting more. My new scorecard: originality - 2 stars menu - 2.5 stars flavor - 3.5 quality of preparation - 4.5 stars quality of ingredients - 5 stars
(4)
Sally J.
Disappointed that the restaurant was disappointing. Came for a Birthday dinner with my best friend and chose the restaurant because we both have never tried this place. Atmosphere is wonderful. To start the night, they didn't have our reservation in their computer system (she even pulled up the confirmation on her phone). Turned out to be fine, they still had a table open for us. Service: A little slow to start. The guy that would take our plates away would stare at us and ask to take it away several times when we were clearly not done. Just because we aren't eating the entire time and instead, having a conversation, does not mean we are finished with our plates. We were a little creeped out and annoyed. Food: We wanted to order both specials: Sea bass & Veal. They ran out of the veal by 7:30 PM, so we had to pick something else. Sea bass - What made the dish? The ratatouille vegetables that accompanied the sea bass. The fish was cooked perfectly...but lacked flavor...so much flavor! It was a crusted sea bass. The crust did absolutely nothing for the fish or flavor. Duck - I love duck. The duck was good. I really enjoyed the duck breast. The leg was dry and I could care less. The rice was WAY TOO AL DENTE. It's supposed to be "Caramelized Butternut Squash Souffle". Tasted none of that. It was like barely cooked wild rice. Portion size = good. Dessert: Not to be a brat...but usually at nicer establishments, they give you a complimentary dessert (FYI, they don't here). Creme Brulee - Thicker custard. Nice portion. The service guy took it away before we were done. Sad day. LASTLY! I requested for the duck leftovers. I went home and opened the box, they gave me someone else's steak and green bean leftovers...ew!
(2)
Shaan S.
Mockingbird Bistro might have the best burger I've tried in Houston. At $16 I was expecting something special, and during a busy Sunday brunch service it delivered. Bun was soft, soaked up extra juices, not too dry and not soggy. The beef was cooked as requested and the burger was substantial, juicy, and meaty. The house aioli, cornichons, lightly-dressed greens, and pickled red onion on the side were all excellent accompaniments that complimented the burger nicely. Ordered it with cheddar, something I rarely do, and the cheese was nicely melted and added good flavor to the burger. Kept me full all day long and absolutely worth coming back for, The only complaint I had, and even this isn't enough to take away a full star, is that the fries were all fry and no potato. I like potato so I'm not a fan of the shoestring style. Other notes: - My friend went the extra mile and ordered his with foie gras, and received a 4oz portion on top, so if you really want to splurge you'll get your money's worth. I tried a bit and it was delicious as far as foie gras goes. You also get a larger portion of fries (because really, at this point why not?). - Bread service! We had our basket of assorted warm, soft breads refilled a couple times during the meal without ever asking. Wish more places were this attentive. - $3 coffee. Don't know the beans but it tasted fine and I'm confident that the barista at your favorite coffeeshop doesn't come by and offer free refills from a nice steel kettle throughout your meal. Our plates had been cleared and we were just sitting around talking while waiting for the check and they continued to offer me coffee. Really makes you feel special. - Don't care much for the decor but I didn't pay much attention either. Some nice features here and there. People were, for the most part, dressed nicely. Men are fine in khakis and a polo or button-down and you won't feel out of place in a blazer or sportcoat. - Street parking is available if you don't want to valet 4.5 stars. Rounding up for service.
(5)
Naveed B.
I came here with a group of six people for my brothers birthday. We ended up here after calling about twenty other restaurants trying to secure last minute reservations. It ended up being a decent experience. The service at Mockingbird Bistro was excellent. Our waiter was very attentive and our drinks were always filled. The food was very good, though some food did come out a bit cold. Of all the dishes I tried, I would have to recommend the duck. The reason I'm giving Mockingbird Bistro is that it is way overpriced for what you get and the menu seems a bit small. There are so many other restaurants that are just as good in Houston that are cheaper, I don't know why you come here. That being said, if they dropped the price down a bit Mockingbird Bistro would easily score better with me.
(3)
Craig J.
I visited Mockingbird for my very first time at the recommendation of my fellow Yelpers. I had two work colleagues in town from Singapore and wanted to take them to a Houston hit spot. Two other couples and my gal accompanied us as well. First, I loved the atmosphere. Nicely decorated. Good vibe. People talking and smiling and laughing. Very good. Our waiter, and their entire staff, were great. Very attentive, customer oriented, and pleasant. They had an app special that was a combo of seared scallop, fried oyster, and something else I can't recall. (We had been drinking...a lot....so bare with me). Regardless it was yummy. A couple of bottles of La Magia Brunello di Montalcino were pricy but yummy. Wine list was extensive but over priced. That's why they don't get five stars....if Brass 19 can sell me great wine at good prices then you can too! My main course was a delicious filet of soul cooked in paper. Insanely good. I will be back!
(4)
Olivia H.
I've only been here for happy hour (5-7 PM), which is restricted to the bar and the outside tables (which is a great place to sit and relax if it isn't too hot). The interior of the full restaurant was quite nice. It's probably a fantastic date/fancy dinner place, but definitely beyond my typical dinner budget. The happy hour menu is pretty short, but reasonable. For the appetizers, the lobster risotto "lollipops" were the best thing we ordered, although the truffle white bean dip was a close second. I'll come back for real dinner someday.
(4)
Chloe Z.
Definitely one of my favorite restaurants. I have been here multiple times and tried different things on the menu and haven't been disappointed! Personally I think the duck here is the best in Houston. Must try! My only complaint is service! It can be a hit or miss depending on the server. Hoping to see more consistency in the future.
(5)
Nick H.
Based off the reviews I brought my wife here for her birthday. It was OUTSTANDING. I've eaten in places like Italy, Sweden, and Finland.... This was easily one of the best meals I've ever had. Highly recommended.
(5)
Nicole H.
Nice restaurant, but overpriced in my opinion. The food is good, will say it's unique, but expect to pay for it.
(4)
Rebecca N.
One of the best little hidden gems in Houston! My children treated me to lunch here a few years ago and I'm still thinking about it. The asparagus souffle was magnificent.
(5)
Amanda W.
WOW! Where do i start?! My boyfriend made a reservation at Mockingbird Bistro for our anniversary after seeing Wicked at the Hobby Center. He is very good at picking out amazing spots with mouth watering food. From the time we walked in we were greeted by name. All the staff had smiles on their faces and said hello in passing as we walked to our table. The hostess provided our menus, and also placed napkins on our laps. I was kinda shocked, in a good way of course. Now because i am on a strict acid re flux diet there are a lot of things that i have to stir clear of, but since it was our anniversary i figured i would splurge just a little:) We started off with fried calamari and sangria. Both were out of this world! I have never had a better drink than the sangria they served! For our entrees, he had the M Bistro Burger (American "Kobe" Beef, Seared Foie Gras, Slow Dough Onion Bun, Parmesan Truffle Frites) and i ordered the chicken (Grilled Half Chicken, Smoked Sausage, Summer Succotash, Mango BBQ Sauce). Words can not begin to describe how tasty and well prepared our dishes were. To end our dinner, the waiter brought out two chocolate truffles on a dish with "Happy Anniversary" written out on a piece of chocolate. What a pleasant surprise! The staff at Mockingbird Bistro were amazing, and because of that i will continue to come here:) Thank you for making our day even more special! :)
(5)
Louise W.
It's a lovely place, the waiters were so thoughtful and friendly. Very good enviroment! Also it was the first time that we tried the food there, couldn't forget it! The Duck Trio, Kobe beef burger were so tasty and flavored. After the lunch, we ordered the creme brulee and homemade sorbets, impressed us!! Especially the homemade sorbets, we will try it again.
(5)
Wendy L.
It was my bf's birthday and he ended up choosing Mockingbird due to the great reviews. This place has valet parking but you can also try your luck with finding parking on the streets. We were lucky and ended up finding parking on the street. To start, we ended up ordering the mussels as appetizers. The mussels came in a nice curry coconut broth and was pretty delicious. As for entrees, my bf ordered the duck but I was stuck on what to order. So many options looked appetizing. I ended up ordering the Bouillabaisse, which is a seafood stew that looked appealing as I was kind of cold. Don't you love how temperature affects your decisions! If I wasn't cold, the scallops, lamb shank or kobe burger looked like delicious options too. As for our entrees, the duck was a little overcooked in my opinion but had great flavor while the bouillabaisse had plenty of seafood (fish, mussels, clams, etc) and a great spice flavor in the stew. The bouillabaisse was definitely my favorite of the night. I definitely want to come back and try the kobe burger.
(4)
Howard P.
Great service, tasty food but the menu seems limited and not diverse. The ambiance seems more like a lounge which is good for a date night. I would good back again, try the lemon sole!
(4)
Anne H.
I love the atmosphere here. There is a wine room, and a balcony overlooking the restaurant. I have been here for brunch and dinner, and both times I thought it was just a-ok, nothing special. My boyfriend got the steak frites, and he was not very impressed. And I got the special, which was snapper. It was pretty good, but then I found a few bones in the fish. Overall, this place had nothing memorable except for the dessert, the flourless chocolate cake with banana brulee. That was amazing, but I expected much more from Mockingbird Bistro. From my understanding, this place is a hit or miss. My parents went to this restaurant and loved it, but I think this place is just average.
This really should be 2.5 stars since i'm pretty neutral about this place. After seeing Bourdain chowdown on some pan roasted duck breast, I had a big craving and was happy to see it on the menu. However, this dish was a bit of a miss to me. The duck breast itself was decent, however, there some sort of fibrous tissue running the length of the breast. Very hard to chew through. The duck leg that accompanied it was very dry as well unfortunately. It came with some spinach and a butternut squash souffle. The latter was decent, but had the consistency of baby food. A bit off-putting for my taste. However, my companions' dishes were fantastic. Pork chop and the steak were very flavorful and with generous portions. Perhaps I just picked the wrong dish.
(3)
Mike B.
Holy cow! Went with friends that love this place and was not disappointed. The warm spinach salad is honestly one of the best things I have ever tasted. It even smelled like heaven. The steak included the best tasting risotto that I have ever eaten. Love everything about this place. Lamb perfectly cooked, service is first class.
(4)
Ju A.
I'm not easily pleased at just any eggs Benedict but Mockingbird got it right. Perfectly constructed with savory hollandaise sauce. However, the beef hash was slightly salty. Had brunch here on a Sunday. The atmosphere was dark and gloomy. They had all the blinds shut. The server was nice enough to slightly open the blinds for me but he said he also didn't want to blind other patrons. Huh? :-/ I typically like my Sundays to be bright--it helps wake me up. Is that too much to ask? Whatever the case, service was good. It would have been awesome if my server were a bit friendlier and smile more. Maybe pretend like he likes his job.
Yelpers, if you can find this place, you're more navigationally gifted than I. Luckily, I was driven here by a friend and regular for a let's-catch-up lunch. Nestled in a converted home on a street corner somewhere in downtown Houston, this quaint spot has definite curb appeal. The cafe seating outside made me want to stay for a bit, but alas, some of us have to work for a living... Arrived, valeted and entered, we are immediately escorted to our seats where white tablecloths, shiny silver and well-heeled waiters await. The specials? They're most likely not on my diet, but let's hear them anyway! Shrimp & chorizo paella and a Virginia ham split pea soup. Oh dear, maybe we'll have to try that soup. Water, water - no cocktails this time around. This is a right & proper Houston business lunch, not one of those like we do in New Orleans. But I did note the bar that curves around the front of the restaurant with very inviting leather stools. Next time. Split pea soup arrives near instantaneously, with a light cream on top and a sprinkling of butter-doused croutons. Black pepper and we are off: huge bits of ham and peas are enveloped in a creamy sauce. Full flavor, tres chaud, this is every bit the fall soup you want it to be. I reluctantly set down my spoon - it would simply be too gauche to lick the bowl. Soup bowl cleared, my Bibb salad with grilled shrimp arrives as if part-salad and part-rainbow. The bibb lettuce is Technicolor green, set off by the deep red of the roasted peppers, the light pinkish hue of the grilled shrimp and the stark white goat cheese. Throw in some pine nuts and this is a salad full of bold flavors. Did I mention the lettuce came bundled as if a bouquet? Yes, this plate was more than a meal - it was a beautiful representation of food when it finds the right chef. Each taste was equally exquisite - full flavor goat cheese, perfectly grilled shrimp combine with the crisp lettuce and roasted red peppers to make a beautiful harvest salad. Coffee? Dessert? Oh how I wish, but no, we must be good. I did sneak a peek at the extensive after-dinner cocktail list and will most certainly be back.
(4)
Jennifer C.
I can give it 10 stars, if there were that many stars for me to rate! We had our wedding reception here. We only had 46 people. The size of The Wine Room was just perfect for us. There are already hundreds of reviews describing how good the food is, so I'm going to skip this part. Wedding reception is more than just the choice of food, but also the entire event planning. We felt grateful to have Rolando, the manager at Mockingbird Bistro. He was so professional and efficient. He gave us many helpful suggestions, including the arrangement of guest tables, registration, photo booth, keyboard and music, decorations, parking, choice of wine, and the reasonable time for each course and event. He was definitely a lifesaver. On the day of our reception, everything went as he promised and we planned. All the managers, waiters and waitresses were very attentive, friendly and professional. We all had a wonderful time because of this great restaurant. This was the first and also the last restaurant we had checked before we decided the location for our wedding reception, so you know how much we liked it the first time when we were there. If you want to have a cozy wedding reception, then this is definitely the place.
(5)
Katie F.
I visited Mockingbird for the first time with coworkers during Houston restaurant weeks. It has an old-school, upscale atmosphere. Dim lights, high ceilings, and burgundy accents. Most diners were probably in their 50s and appeared to be well off. The bread and pesto were an excellent start to the meal. It truly tasted as if they baked it in house. I had a cocktail with Ruby Red grapefruit vodka, fresh grapefruit juice, and grand mariner. It was so refreshing and the grapefruit juice tasted fresh squeezed which I really appreciated. I started with the salmon tartare which my server recommended over the summer gazpacho. The salmon crudo lacked flavor, I was not particularly impressed. With dinner, my coworkers and I selected a French Cabernet blend from Mockingbird's extensive wine menu. The sommelier was helpful in making a few recommendations and selecting a bottle he thought we would like. For my main course I had the kurobuta pork chop with braised cabbage and pancetta and a cauliflower puree. I would say the pork chop was prepared medium although I asked for it to be cooked medium rare. It was still relatively tender. The cauliflower puree was delicious with the pork chop. However, I did not particularly like the crunchy, tough cabbage paired with the pork chop. If the cabbage were steamed I think it may have been a more cohesive dish. For my third course I had the apple bread pudding. It was the highlight of my dining experience. The texture and cinnamon flavor were excellent! They definitely know how to make some good bread. The servers were attentive and, again, somewhat old fashioned. For every course, all of our plates were served together which was nice. I think it was a little too expensive for the quality of the food but combined with the service, atmosphere, and their drinks (both the delicious cocktails and wine selection) I can understand Mockingbird's prices. I would be interested in coming back for the happy hour specials. Its location is also convenient and quite cute, tucked away in a residential Montrose/River Oaks neighborhood just south of West Gray Street.
(3)
Daniel L.
Esquire liked this place - "one of the best new restaurants in America" they said. My concurrence Yelper Cee B. gave this place five stars. I predictably blew my shot at bringing a first date here, which would have been my first date since last November, so it remained on my "must try when I get back to Houston" list. And I needed a nice, fancy place suitable to take my brother out for his birthday, so I pitched this place and he was interested in giving it a try. Plus this month is Houston Restaurant Weeks so $10 from our bill was going to be sent over to the Houston Food Bank, which makes everyone feel good about sending a little bit of money their way, especially since my pro bono activities have had to be significantly scaled back since I spend so little time in Houston these days. So the stars were aligned for a visit to Mockingbird Bistro to eat dinner. If you want to skip the hallmark of nouveau riche excess by valeting your car, you can quickly and easily find parking on the surrounding streets even at peak "goin' out" hours. As you walk in it seems like you step back in time, almost the same way that Dolce Vita feels, that it harkens back to a kinder, gentler, and simpler time. There is a lot of history, atmosphere, and character in the design of this place and I like it. The first floor has the bar and a large seating area, the hostess stand is off to the left of the door in a nook. They pulled up my reservation and we were off to the food. We were walked around the bar and up the old, slightly uneven staircase to the loft area with a few tables and right next to the restrooms. I like that loft area. Just like the upper floor of Dolce Vita the tables are close enough you are going to be up in everyone elses' business through no fault of your own. But you are not crammed in like sardines or anything. If you are on a date you would want to be in the loft as opposed to the genpop downstairs. Just like the hostess, the waiter was very polite and friendly, nobody cursed us under their breath for coming in under the HRW menu. The bread basket and olive oil appeared immediately. There was the standard issue white bread and then a whole new level of awesomeness and flavor in some other kind of bread. I tasted garlic and other spices, it was very pleasing. Even better when my brother and I quickly ate through the first basket we had another one presented for our satisfaction. The olive oil came with a spoon, which won them points, and it also had a fair helping of spices at the bottom of the bowl-ish container. It was basically like how Josephine's did it downtown years ago - just ten times better. And I take notice of these kinds of things. For the first course I went with the Sweet Corn Souffle. It had the consistency of flan, very wibbly-wobbly in a pleasing sense, topped with a piece of lobster, surrounded by a tasty sauce for dipping purposes, and corn pieces dotted the landscape. Delicious, colorful, great texture, and very pleasing from start to finish. My brother went with the Chilled Tomato-Basil Soup and I don't like soup, so I did not try any, but it looked colorful and good. Portion size for an appetizer: healthy. For the main entree I went with the CAB Filet. There was one big stalk of asparagus, a roasted tomato half, potato halves, mushrooms, and what I assume was a blue cheese crumble kind of topping. Very colorful, incredibly tasty, I definitely approve of everything. It was even cooked medium well as asked, instead of something else I did not order. So extra points for taking orders. My brother went with the Bass and the little piece I tried was just as good, just more fishy than my steak. Portion size for an entree: good sized. The dessert they presented small helpings of all three options on a tray for each of us - the brulee was pretty good, I don't typically eat such things so I can't be snobby in picking it apart but I ate it; the truffle was extremely chocolately and thick; but the apple bread pudding was the show-stopper and the absolute best. There was nothing wrong with it - everything was right and it was the most flavorful and most memorable of all three. Portion size for a dessert: huge. My only complaint regards the restroom. The little tiny hall-closet was not air conditioned, it was hot, and the restrooms are one person only restrooms so you stand there and wait a bit, which is frustrating sitting there in a sauna as you get increasingly frustrated that you are standing in Rubeus Hagrid's armpit. I'm a huge fan of the Bistro and feel like this is one place in Houston, like Hugo's, that actually deserves all of the praise they garner from Yelpers I trust as well as other sources I might pay a bit of attention to when they start talking. Just like with Hugo's I would definitely come back, even though I memorialized this experience with an unfortunate Hagrid reference. There is still time left in August to check this out for HRW if you are on the fence.
(5)
David B.
HRW 2012 provided me the perfect opportunity to try this much heralded restaurant. Reservations were made, and upon arrival we were treated to a wonderful evening. I drove around the block a couple times before deciding to valet park. Too much of a hassle looking for parking, and it was getting close to our dinner reservation. The restaurant itself is a renovated and restored old house sitting smack dab in the middle of a neighborhood hence the parking situation. Still, it adds to the charm of this place. For starters I had the sweet corn souffle and my wife had the onion soup. The souffle was good, not quite what I was expecting but good. It was more of a flan consistency than souffle and did not have very much lobster in it as stated. Portion was also really small. The onion soup my wife ordered was good as well. Nothing great, but good and satisfying. Entrees were cab filet for me and grilled half chicken for her. I tried to convince her to get the sea bass, but she wanted the chicken. The filet was pretty good. Portion again was pretty small, but it had good flavor and the Stilton crust on top complimented the beef perfectly. The chicken was tasty as well. Nicely cooked with a homemade mango BBQ sauce that had good flavor. Dessert was an assortment of the 3 they offered. You did not get to choose one, instead were brought 3 mini desserts. This afforded us the opportunity to sample them all. The apple bread pudding was amazing. I wish I was able to have ordered just that, because that was going to be my selection. The other options were good as well, but did not compare to the apple bread pudding. I may return here just to have that and some coffee some time. That good. Service was of course terrific. From the time we walked in and were greeted by the hostess and manager and throughout our dinner service, everything went great. Our waiter was very considerate and timely with the courses. He refilled our glasses and checked in on us periodically without being obtrusive. I highly recommend this place and it is a must eat.
(5)
J Y.
Good place to come for a special occasion. The food is good and the service is great.
(4)
Jessica T.
We went to try out the Houston restaurant week menu over the weekend and man! 1st, I love how the restaurant is located in the neighborhood. When we walked in I totally felt in love with the atmosphere! It's elegant, cozy and romantic. They had the pre-selected wine that goes with the courses and everything we had was very delicious! We had the trout, scallops dinner. The dessert was a trio with cream brulee, chocolate truffle, apple cinnamon pudding. They went perfect with the dessert wine they served us. We absolutely loved everything there. The executive chef was at our table greeding and serving us. I will definitely go back for a date night! SUPER~~~
(5)
Andrew M.
So, I went to Mockingbird Bistro based on all the glowing previous reviews and everyone was spot on! We had a great experience here. The restaurant has a great atmosphere and feels quaint, without feeling small. The menu and wine list were perfect, with choices to fit any taste. I had the dinner special, which was the Red Snapper and it was amazing! The other people at my table had the scallops and the chicken, both of which were prepared to perfection. My only complaint would be that I thought the presentation of the food was just marginal, however the taste definitely makes up for it.
(5)
Van T.
*Happy Hour Review Definitely one of the better Happy Hours in Houston. I have eaten here for a regular dinner and honestly, I like the happy hour a million times more. Skip the overpriced dishes and opt for their above average bar food. (If I had to rate this place on dinner, I would only give it 3 stars, definitely better French places in Houston.) Things I've tried for HH/Bar Platess: 1. M Bistro Burger - A must try, one of the best burgers I have had in Houston. I'm not usually a fan of blue cheese, but in this burger rendition I couldn't even tell it was blue cheese, it worked perfectly with the bacon onion jam. To boot, the burger comes with fries, which you can upgrade to the truffle parmesan fries, but the regular fries are great as well. You can easily make a meal of the burger and fries for just $9, but me being the fatty I am I always have to sample at least a few more dishes. 2. Calamari - Nothing special here, I would skip it 3. Smoke Salmon Cream Cheese Dip - Definitely get this one if you like smoked salmon. I love bagel and lox, and this spread reminds me of that. 4. Kurobuta pork baby back ribs†This one is okay, the hoison sauce was a little bitter for my liking. I guess I just prefer a regular bbq rib to an Asian glazed one. 5. Crab and Mushrom Fondue - Realy cheesy and yummy, I would get it if you're willing to do two dip type dishes, but if you're only wanting one I would prefer the smoked salmon dip. There is a lot of mushrooms in the dip, which was a huge plus for me. 6. Mussels - These were on the small side, I would skip this plate, I have had much better mussels at other places 7. Slow braised short rib - a really good dish, a little on the smaller side, but when you're sharing 5/6 dishes per couple you're already stuffed to the gills anyways 8. Mac and Cheese - definitely does not live up to all of the hype, not worth the $9 price tag in my opinion, I love mac and cheese (from Luby's to Pappas Bros), this one was nothing to write home about 9. Shrimp Shooters - very light and refreshing, but a little on the smaller side for the price 10. Lobster Risotto Lollipops - very yummy, I would definitely get this one again (came with about 5 lollipops) They usually have about 5-7 dishes available during happy hour for only $5, but the plates/bites are available in the bar all night. They also have a selection of beers and cocktails that are discounted during happy hour. They change out the HH selections seasonally so dishes are subject to change.
(4)
Anna J.
I was excited to try this place, but the overall experience was okay. The restaurant was crowded, so I sat at the bar... the service was not up to par for such a nice establishment. On to the food, the lobster risotto (much hyped), was okay. I could barely find any lobster pieces, maybe 3 little pieces? It was good, don't get me wrong, I just wish that there was more lobster meat considering the $21 price tag. I also ordered the fried oysters, they were delicious! It was from the bar menu (maybe I should have stayed with the bar menu). They were crispy and the honey mustard dijon sauce was delicious!
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Valet Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Romantic Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Melissa M.
Hmmm... why all the hype about this place? Is it just that people hear it's great and their experience is tainted by reputation? I had also heard from so many people that this place was not just good but great, but I didn't have that experience at all. I made reservations for some friends and I for an evening out of good food. My friends arrived about 15 minutes early, so they valet parked and sat at the bar for a drink. When we arrived, our experience started with obnoxious valet guys. We drove up and saw busy valet guys and an open spot in front of the laundromat next door. We drove up to it and looked for any type of sign on the spot saving it for the laundromat. As we sat there for about 5-10 seconds, the valet guy drove in front of us, braked hard, and then dramatically backed into the space just a foot in front of us. It was one of the rudest moves I've seen from a valet in a long long time. We decided not to give the valet our car after seeing that and drove a block and parked ourselves. If you go here, be wary of the valet. We walked in and brushed off the issue with the valet because they are just employed by the restaurant to park cars and weren't the reason we were there. Our friends were at the bar. One of our friends was half way through his beer while his wife was waiting for her drink. The hostess who was waiting to seat us had to go ask the bartender for my friend's drink, which had been sitting down at the end of the bar for over 5 minutes. How do we know over 5 minutes? Because my friend had seen her drink be made, poured, and then set aside. She was annoyed and had been trying to get his attention so she could get her drink but to no avail. Ok, we shook off the bad valet and bad bar service and were led to our table. Our table was on the far side of the back room. When we reached our table, I was disappointed. Not only was the table next to a curtained doorway that servers were walking in and out of all night, but my chair was positioned half on and half off the carpet. One leg of my chair had to be put on the tile leading into the service area, which meant every time I moved, the chair slid. Not only was the position of the table and the flooring below the table bad, but the chairs are simply medieval. I felt like they had plucked them from the Ren Fest. There was also a stairway next to our table that led up to a balcony. The balcony was piled high with chairs, at least one table and other random pieces of junk. Why is this balcony not concealed? more organized? emptied of its junk? Everyone in the main dining area can see it. It's an eyesore. And low and behold, we were at the bottom of the stairs. Our waitress was nice and well trained. She kept our water glasses filled and helped us make food selections. Our service while seated was fine. She was a little odd in that she vacillated from very formal speech in the way she served us to almost overly familiar talk where she told us about her dogs and the scraps of food she brings them. it was strange, but her overall service was good, so it didn't bother me. The whole reason we were there was the food. I had read such wonderful things about the food here that everyone at the table got an appetizer and a entree. My calamari appetizer was good, heavily fried, and came with a taste sweet dipping sauce. It was good but nothing special or different from any other calamari I've eaten. My husband's onion soup was also good but nothing special or amazing. Where things went weird was with the entrees. My duck entree was fine, but the flavor of the sauce was overpowering. My husband enjoyed his rack of lamb and commented that the meat was extremely tender and fell off the bone. I had thought about getting the scallops but settled for a bite of my friend's. Wow! It was like eating a lump of salt. My friend even prefaced it with "It's salty but I like salt". Well, I think she was being far too nice. It was incredibly salty, to the point I would have sent it back if it had been mine. She made the decision to keep it. I'm just glad I didn't order it. If I had been the one with the scallops, this would have probably ended up a 2 star review. Dessert: very mediocre. We had the flourless cake which was boring. Our friends had the pastry filled with fruit which was fine but nothing special. Overall, our evening was a bunch of nothing special (duck, dessert, calamari) mixed with some disappointments (valet, bar, scallops). I don't think I'll be back. I see some great reviews of their brunch and I could possibly be persuaded, but at $120 per couple (not including alcohol), I expect to be WOWed and I wasn't.
(3)Kathy M.
Their duck dish was the best i have tried and chocolate truffles was dark and extremely smooth - perfect! Beside those two, i tried the lobster lollipop and kobe hot dog. Not as good, i don't like them at all.
(4)Patty R.
Loved this place! The food was AWESOME!
(5)Mitchell P.
We went to mockingbird bistro a few months ago based on a friend's recommendation who lived across the street from the restaurant. Having not read any reviews or even looked at the website online, I felt a bit under dressed in jeans when we first got there (maybe everyone else felt over dressed?). We loved the ambiance and how intimate of a setting it was. The staff was really helpful and they knew the menu pretty well. The food was excellent - I got the buffalo steak as a healthy choice and did not regret it at all. It was cooked perfectly medium rare and tasted way too good to be healthy.
(4)Olivia K.
I absolutely loved this cafe in regards to the food. However, the reasons I didn't give it 5 starts are due to the lack of on-street parking, the service was average when it should have been outstanding, and the place feels very cramped like they tried to squeeze too many tables into the space they have. I felt as though the tables next to us were having Brunch with us. The food is some of the best in town and a trip back to this cafe is not an "if", but a "when"!
(4)Kinsey S.
Meh. Food was OK. I was expecting more after reading the reviews. I brought my parents here for dinner when they were in town. Both my fish and my dad's duck were overcooked. Nothing we got really left an impression. It's a cute location, and we had great service...just felt like the meal was a little lacking.
(3)Colleen K.
Best mussels in town. Bar none. Rene is a great bartender who enjoys mixology and input/suggestions from wannabe mixologists. A wonderful neighborhood bistro. Do try the pâté and the fried oysters as well.
(5)Linda T.
Came here with my boyfriend on a date. The place was neat, very cozy, dark & the decor was strange but very neat. The food was great, everything we got from start to finish was excellent. Portions were large, next time we'll just split an entree and appetizer. I will def. dine at Mockingbird again.
(4)Brendan C.
Came here for hrw 2014 with 2 others. Parking may be a bit finicky, but we managed to find a spot in front of an apartment complex 1.5 blocks away. Reservation details were remembered and they handed us the hrw menus straight away. The ambience is quite nice with a dimlit setting. Our waiter was very attentive though he left an extra set of diningware on the table. Bread and flavored olive oil was nice to start lunch with. We ordered gazpacho and salmon crudo for apps. The gazpacho was nice and refreshing, well-seasoned, and reminded me of cold pizza sauce watered down with cucumber water. Doesnt sound very appetizing, but it tasted quite nice until I thought of that. That aside, the gazpacho was a bit too large. The salmon crudo was well-seasoned, though I wish they would perl the ginger first. The chives are nice, but I thought the salmon was cut too finely. The chips it came with were good. Entrees we had the chicken and salmon. The salmon was cooked very well. A minute over for medium in my opinion, but still very moist with an awesome sear. The vegetable compote the fish sat on was nice, especially the beurre blanc. The chicken was delicious, something i have to admit even though chicken breast is not usually my cup of tea. The mashed potatoes the chicken came with were apparently divine according to my lunch buddies. For dessert we ordered the cheesecake and the apple bread pudding. We ended up getting the flourless chocolate cake, the cheesecake, and the apple bread pudding because they misheard the order. Nevertheless, the apple bread pudding was great, especially the homemade cinnamon ice cream. It was my favorite dessert of the 3. The cheesecake was a bit to grainy/dry for my taste. Happy eating!
(4)Jessica B.
Mockingbird Bistro is wonderful! Fine dining without a snobby attitude. I've eaten here for restaurant week, at the bar and for a HH and it's always been delicious. The HH Croque Monsieur is a fantastic deal.
(5)Andrea Z.
This review is solely for HRW! I came here for my birthday with my parents expecting it to blow me away from what I've heard. But unfortunately I wasn't impressed. All the appetizers were decent, salad and soup, nothing special. The entrees were a disappointment, however. I had the salmon with wax beans. Presentation was meh. The salmon was overlooked even though I told them to make sure not to over cook it. And the taste had a strange wax bean taste that i didn't enjoy. My mother had the pork chops which was also over cooked, taste was alright. My dad's steak was ok at best. The spinach clump thing was nothing special. It was just like a simple egg dish that Chinese people make for breakfast. The only part of the meal I truly enjoyed was the dessert. My favorite was the flour less chocolate cake. I had the apple pie bread pudding and my dad had the cheesecake. Both were pretty good. Perhaps I will come again for the regular menu but this restaurant truly slacked on HRW.
(3)James F.
So we're in Houston visiting from Austin. Checking out the Galleria and the upscale pawn scene that dots Westheimer on the west side. I decide I need a new cell phone, but after driving around for two hours find out nobody has the color I want. We've now ventured well out of are normal hang out area. I ditch the cell phone fiasco as my wife is growing increasingly angry; she grabs her cell phone and pulls up Mockingbird Bistro on Yelp. Its a burger place, that's what all the reviews mention she says. We arrive just after happy hour. Um, this ain't no burger place baby. Most diners were wearing designer clothes dressed to impress. Me, well I'm wearing my patent pending ghetto apparel that includes a white shirt with an exposed nipple. Instead of giving us directions to the nearest Whataburger the staff including the manager was very gracious inviting us in to dine. That burger that the wife had told me about was in fact a $32 American "kobe" patty topped with foie gras. Complimenting this ultimate indulgence was beautiful greens, house made pickles, and delicious aoli. Add in some equally posh parmesan truffle fries and I was in burger heaven. The wife picked the New York strip with wild mushrooms and red wine reduction. Substitutions were made without issue or upcharges trying to stick to her dietary needs. The steak was cooked to order, and the creamed spinach was divine. Oh, and the amuse bouche of salmon on crostini with mixed peppers was great bites. Service was perfect adding to the list of accolades for our visit. So, next visit to Mockingbird I will at least have a collared shirt on so other diners don't thing I'm going to mug them in the parking lot. Thank you again for your hospitality, a well deserved 5 star rating from the "ranchthug"
(5)Chili And Tart T.
This is our second visit here and I just don't understand all the rave reviews. The space is nice, opulent and packed ...but our meal was mediocre. It was crowded as usual and there was a mix up so our main courses arrived (very late) before our appetizers which set a bad tone for the meal. The appetizers were fine, simple wedge salad and carpaccio. My salmon with beans and mussels was an odd mixture of flavors. The mussels were small and over cooked with no flavor and the salmon was drowned on a bed of white beans with limited flavor...really all I could taste was white beans and not salmon or mussels. The deserts were also only ok, dry and flavorless bread pudding, key lime pie was okay and chocolate truffles I did not finish. Not really french and not much flavor in a pretty space w/ well plated items. Not a memorable meal and there are much better places in Houston to enjoy a meal so we will definitely not return here.
(2)Wajida A.
Really wanted to like this place but it was such a big disappointment. Came here for HRW, had the gazpacho, it was mediocre, had the beef filet which was cold and the sauce was a bit sweet and off. Lastly the flourless chocolate cake tasted like cheap decadent fudge. Friends/boyfriend had the salmon, chicken, and pork chop so we all got different thing and every single one of them was the one of the worst entrees we have ever had. Regret coming here, such a waste. They didn't even bring out the menus till 30 mins later because apparently they bring it out after getting our drinks. The only nice thing was the hostesses who were super nice.
(1)Harry T.
The Mockingbird Bistro has become a favorite in a city that has more restaurants than you could enjoy in a lifetime. The interior is beautiful with a variety of artwork. The ambiance reminded me of my favorite places back home in New Orleans. The staff provided the welcoming and attentive service you expect of a top quality dining establishment. We were even graced with a visit to our table from the Chef. Now that is a very nice thing to experience especially when you are not a regular patron. The type or dining experience where you enjoy dressing up and going back in time when going to dinner was more than just sitting, ordering, eating, and leaving the place. Dinner should and does take some time to truly enjoy and feel good about the time you spend with your love. The culinary delights that are produced in the kitchen made my wife and me smile the entire evening. The wine list is versatile and reasonable. We absolutely have to try out the Beet Salad whenever we find it on a menu. And not very many restaurants provide this tasty dish or they don't do it well. Here it was fantastic. Served with Arugula, Walnuts, Blue Cheese and Croutons. My wife is weak for and ordered the Cassoulet of Black/Green Mussels. She raved about this dish and was reluctant to share. The mussels are prepared beautifully with White Beans, Andouille Sausage, and Roasted Tomatoes. The difficult decision was made for my entrée to be the Braised Kurobuta Pork Shank. The pork is savored with Vegetables and Cipollini Onions and sizzles in its own juices. A remarkable combination of taste and flavors that was so very satisfying for my appetite. On our next visit to Texas we will surely do a return dinner. I will fast that day to leave as much room as possible to dance more around the Chef's amazing list of options. Parking is not a problem at this place. The restaurant itself along with the service, food, wine, and overall atmosphere and with a very exceptional and charming Chef makes this a Five Star in my book. This restaurant has my Seal of Approval!
(5)Chelsea Y.
I've wanted to come here foreverrr, and the bf and I finally came for HRW. The restaurant is right in the middle of a neighborhood, which is probably why I found it warm and homey. Valet parking is complimentary! We got the onion soup and cauliflower soufflé for our appetizers, and they were both underwhelming :/. I was really looking forward to the soufflé, but I thought it had a strange taste. For our entrees, we ordered the lamb shank and the filet, and both of these were delicious! The lamb shank was fall-off-the-bone tender and really flavorful, and the filet was cooked perfectly medium rare. I'm usually not too fond of steak, but I kept stealing pieces of the filet from my bf's plate :P. For dessert, the lemon tart was too sweet in my opinion, but the bf really liked it, especially with the pine nuts they sprinkle on top. Being the carb lover that I am, I loved the apple bread pudding! Mockingbird is probably too pricey for me to come regularly right now, but I definitely want to check out the happy hour some time!
(4)Leo K.
Came here for a friend's surprise dinner after we couldn't get a last minute reservation at several other places. My first thought was that maybe this restaurant wasn't that great, since it wasn't first on the list. To be honest, my expectations were kinda slightly lower than normal, so maybe it played a small part in how this place just completely blew me away! The restaurant is located somewhere deep in the neighborhoods of Montrose. Finding it was like trying to make your way through a maze. Streets were very narrow and parking around the restaurant was limited. You will have to valet. Right off the bat, as I exited my car after I was lucky to find a parking spot right next to the restaurant, I was able to see inside the kitchen from the outside - and I was kind of impressed. Why? Because the kitchen was packedd with chefs. And my impression was that they must have great attention to detail when preparing their food, unlike other restaurants which have only a few chefs multitasking on several dishes at once. My impression was later proven correct. Service was amazing! I hadn't even stepped into the restaurant yet before the manager came outside to invite me through the side kitchen door, after seeing how I was struggling with the balloons and a cake. The cake was taken to the fridge right away. Our server, Robert if I remembered correctly, was extremely well mannered the entire night, treating me and my friends as adults and not just some young teenagers. Now the food was what stood out the most. We started off with the swordfish bruschetta as appetizer, which we didn't order, but they brought it out and said it was on the house. Sweet! The bruschetta was not only delightful, but they also accommodated the dish to our numbers, giving us exactly seven pieces. My impression of the restaurant grew deeper, not only because of the free food, but also seeing as to how they don't just stick to the menu serving size, and is willing to adjust it to fit the needs of their customers. They also did the same with the cake that I brought, cutting the entire cake into exactly seven pieces. What splendid and detailed service. Now my entree, which I ordered the pork chop, was absolutely amazing. The plate alone was arranged beautifully and with precision, making it look so appetizing. And when I took a bite into the pork chop, it was undoubtedly the best tasting and juiciest pork chop I've had in my life. You can tell that it was perfectly seasoned with care, and the juices that flowed out from within complimented the flavor sooooo well. Combined with the fried onions topping, this could easily be one of the best meal I've ever had. But what made this night so memorable was when the balloons, which were tied to a chair, accidentally came unloose and floated to the ceiling. The staff were kind enough to allow us to stand on a chair to try and retrieve it. They even brought out a pair of tongs for us to grab the strings with because our arms weren't long enough! Then they decided to pull out their trump card and summoned this 6 foot 7 giant from the kitchen, who stood on the chair and easily grabbed the balloons and pulled it back down for us. We made such a huge commotion for such a fancy and quiet restaurant, but I was very surprised that the restaurant managers and staff did not mind at all. Plus the other customers all seemed to enjoy our little display, because they were cheering us on the entire time, and applauded when we finally got the balloons back. Bottom line if you didn't want to read all that: Top class food. Top class service. Top class experience.
(5)Sabrina H.
We came here for my daughter's 24th birthday. Pricey, but well worth it. Great experience from start to finish. Staff is extremely attentive. And the cocktail to have is definitely the Cucumber Martini....sooooo yummy! We had Mussel, Fries w/ Truffle Oil and Parmesan for appetizers and then the Shrimp N Grits, the Bistro Burger and the Duck. Presentation was beautiful. The only con: While clearing or presenting items at the table, a couple of the staff were leaning in too close where their armpits were actually hitting our shoulders. Not cool. Will be back sometime this year for the weekend brunch. And I hear the happy hour is wonderful too. I highly recommend this place for business lunch or dinner and all other reasons to go. Kudos to the Mockingbird Bistro! Winner Winner!
(5)Ray D.
Mockingbird Bistro is a romantic, tasty get away experience. It reminds me of a medieval castle on the inside, Bam Margera style house! Very cool decor. I only have a few complaints, but I will get to those. Didn't have reservations on a Saturday night, got seated super fast, was great service from the get go. The menu was lovely, the drink menu looked awesome! My wife & I started off with a couple cocktails which turned out to be very delicious and properly made! We told them I was Gluten-Free and our waiter handled it like a champ! For the appetizer we got the Foie Gras, pork belly, with sweet potato which is absolutely amazing, and the ducks are farm raised A+++. Very smooth! The entrees we had were the crispy chicken, and the pork belly German steak with green beans. The Crispy chicken was juicy, excellent from my wife's comment, and I thought my pork steak was cooked o.k., tough at points and tasted alright. The sausage that came with it could have been left off, I have made better sausage myself... The sauerkraut made with Shiner Bock was excellent, zingy and had that perfect sweet to salt ratio. Our dessert was the Dulce de leche which I've had once before in New York, and I have to say this was the best thing I've indulged in all month! Was very tasty, very good, and had the greatest of texture and sweetness in your mouth, with a milky creamy finish. Everything FOOD wise was not bad, but it's pretty expensive I'd have to say. My only CON was not that the service was bad, but that there was only about 8 tables full of people and probably about 15-20 staff running around all over the place, the service/water waiters were staring non stop, and the bartenders were staring at us and everyone every time I looked up like a HAWK. It was very intimidating and almost uncomfortable at a point. Our waitress was great at service, but for a romantic night with my wife she wanted to talk, and talk, and talk, she was very nice, but at a price/class restaurant as this, service staff should be professional and not engage in personal, "come join us at a bar" after I get off work give me her number while my wife was their attitude. We are very respectful/nice couple, we weren't about to tell her to please leave us alone. She was nice don't get me wrong, but I just didn't know how to tell her to chill out a little bit. We know the golden rule with people who handle your food. Other than the hawk eye starring staff and VERY social waitress, I would DEF go back to Mockingbird and def recommend it to all my foodie friends and visiting clients. B+
(4)Xiaoting X.
Foie Gras was very good. Maple duck was very good. The side dishes were on the salty side and didn't enjoy those.
(4)Janna L.
I had always heard of Mockingbird Bistro, but had yet to try it in the 3 years I've been living in Houston. Situated in the middle of a neighborhood full of houses right off Montrose, you'd never see this place unless you were looking for it. A group of 8 of us went on a Friday evening for a friend's birthday. We sat upstairs in a semi-private room, which was nice and secluded. The bread was delish! The soft and fluffy focaccia paired with herbed olive oil for dipping could have made for an excellent meal by itself. For appetizers we ordered the mussels and soft shelled crab, which were both good, but not great. For my entree I ordered one of their specials- seared ahi tuna with wasabi mashed potatoes. I liked that the dish wasn't too heavy, and was very flavorful. I think I preferred my boyfriend's dish though- the rack of lamb. The meat was so incredibly tender and juicy, I wanted to trade but unfortunately he liked it just as much as I did. This is the type of place I'd be very interested in going back to, because honestly everything on the menu looked incredible, and overall my group was very happy with their dishes. The service was good and drinks were refreshing, so overall it was a great experience!
(4)Sheri A.
This place is such a hidden gem. Never have I had a bad meal here and there are great deals! Sunday brunch is delish. They have a new lunch menu with 2 courses for $25 and there are wonderful selections to choose from. They also have a daily happy hour from 5-7 with a delightful $9 hamburger! Only con: the music they play sounds like horrible elevator music. Womp. Womp. I suggest maybe some French music!?
(5)Rene L.
I would like to start off with the only reason they got a 4 and not a 5 was because their desert menu was resistible? took my wife there weekend after New Years. Service was great!, wines we great! food was great as well as the ambiance! we started with a cheese plate and shared a shrimp and grits plate wife & I both had the Lamb Chops, they were awesome
(4)Terry J.
Wow. Had a great dinner here Before I begin I rushed to dinner from work. They didn't judge the way I was dressed although it was full restaurant and had beautiful ambience on a saturday night. The beef filet was amazing for a non steak restaurant. Service was nice and water was always full. Only two oddities. Charges for refills for soft drinks. Charges for every two cokes. Odd policy. Steak knife was not serrated. Again great ambience. I recommend it for a date or formal dinner.
(5)Chris R.
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this place! The atmosphere is fantastic, the food is even better! This is my favorite restaurant in Houston.
(5)Holli T.
Truffle fries and happy hour are the way to go. Very nice restaurant!
(5)Linh N.
My first stop for HRW 2013! The restaurant was fairly easy to find. I noticed it's mostly street parking but I made the BF valet since I was wearing heels. I believe it was complimentary since we weren't charged. (We did tip though!) I have to say the service was outstanding. Right when my BF and I walked in the door (6 minutes late for our reservation) we were greeted very warmly. Even throughout our meal, we had several different employees come by to check on us. Plates were taken away quickly and even crumbs were brushed off immediately. It's been a long time since I've experienced such high end service. A breakdown of our meal: Pre-meal: I had a passion fruit mojito which the waiter recommended. It was strong and tart but not much passion fruit flavor though. The complimentary bread and pesto oil was delicious. 1st course - Cauliflower soufflé was very light and fluffy. Honestly I really couldn't taste the cauliflower but then again it doesn't have much taste to begin with. Each component was beautifully done and delicious. I loved the shaved truffles. - The onion soup was the BF's choice. I thought the flavor was good and the portion was very generous compared to my dish. The BF wasn't very thrilled with it though. He was having a stomachache that night and the cheese from the crostini was making him a little nauseous. 2nd course -Chicken Veronique. DELICIOUS. The chicken came out pipping hot and juicy. The saffron tomato couscous was a refreshing starch. The grapes added a nice lightness. Portion was perfect and it wasn't heavy. - Lamb shank. BF said it was very tender. But he complained it salty for him that needed rice. Haha. Again, that's just his preference. 3rd course - Lemon tart. BF said it reminded me of key lime pie. When he said that, that's when I took a bite. It's a close call but I believe key lime is a little more tart. This dessert was pretty light. - Flour less chocolate cake. I'm not a huge chocolate lover but with the Yelp recommendations I decided to try it. It's extremely RICH. Too rich that it was hard for me to finish. You have to really love chocolate to eat this! Overall, I had a great experience!
(5)Eugene M.
Early, early Friday, I couldn't sleep. Thumbed through Yelp and found Mockingbird Bistro, Open Table reservation for me and Carol on Friday evening. What an amazing meal! Salmon tartare, bibb-lettuce salad and sea bass for her. Onion soup, strip sirloin (rare), fries and apple bread pudding for me. Food was perfectly prepared and served. I am at a loss for words to describe this great dining experience. I cannot believe it took me two years to find this restaurant. Thanks Mockingbird, Yelp and all previous reviewers. We'll be back -- often.
(5)George K.
Went for the start of restaurant week and their menu was fantastic. The lobster risotto, when it wasn't massaging my stomach, caused me to well up and question previous culinary life decisions. The short ribs were so tender that a knife wasn't required and after sobbing helplessly into a napkin over its deliciousness, I composed myself for the final course. And then it came...apple bread pudding with cinnamon ice cream. I love bread pudding, but this was hand delivered by Zeus himself as a lightning bolt of taste struck my tongue. Highly recommend.
(5)Kendra F.
I have to say everything I have read about mockingbird my visit was not what it seems most have been. In fact I have hesitated writing this because it was just such a disappointment. It was about an hour and half before they closed. I walk in and the resturant is almost empty and only 2 other groups of 2 at the bar. One would expect the service than should be out of this world. This was not the case. I sat and waited quite a bit to even be greeted when I was I was brought water but no menu or asked what I wanted. They went back to talking to what seemed the lead bartender. Finally I asked for menu and I was asked if I would be eating there, "yes but the menu is required first." Oh yes sorry, and for me a menu. He came over and asked if I had been there before and I said no. So he goes to say it's French influenced food. So I asked what I thought was a simple question "what types of French infusion", I got a look like I was crazy, thinking maybe I asked an stupid question I clarified, "I haven't had French food before so is it in the sauces you use, cooking style, or flavors?" Ohhhh I don't know was the response. Shoot me now. So I asked for a chianti figuring a French infused would have a nice chianti, he looked confused and walked away and asked the guy down the bar, came back and suggested a Pinot noir. Do you have a chianti, I ask. Well you should try this Pinot first it's really nice. This guy must be new, inexperienced or they don't want to open a bottle this near to close. Time for food. I asked what he suggested for someone new to the resturant like myself, I kid you not the response was "we are known for our salads." I said I'm a bit hungry not the steak? People really love our salads he says. So I order the caesar off his recommendation. There was so much dressing, the lettuce is no longer has crisp to it left. Wow really and this is what your known for.... Ugh such a let down on so many levels. I closed the tab and left. I will go back again since everyone has a bad night but that was pretty poor. But based on all the other reviews i have hope to experience it the way they have.
(1)Aline D.
Came in on a Friday night with kids & got "looks" from patrons. Guess they are frowned upon here. Anyways, got seated upstairs & the table was cozy. Service was great. Kids get French fries instead of the typical bread basket. That was nice. Ordered a bunch of appetizers & 3 entrees to share. We are Asian so we love to eat Family style to taste the different plates. Foie Gras was so good & rich. Duck was good but not great. The cured meat platter was ok as well. The server was very patient with the kids & we appreciate that. Food was ok, guess I was expecting more from all the reviews. Maybe we didn't order the right things. Overall a good experience at this hidden restaurant.
(3)S O.
There happy hour is a lovely thing! 5-7 pm daily...5 dollar menu that consists of sparkling wines and reds & whites...some local crafts and delicious food..soy thai wings, lobster lollypops, crab corn chowder for example...the atmosphere is very cool and cozy, the bartenders are engaging and friendly..its nestled within a residential neighborhood, reminds me of cool restaurants in Philly that I so miss...i will be back nom nom nom
(4)E Y.
Nice neighborhood restaurant! We had a business dinner with party of eight and they treated us well. Filet mignon was huge and very good, not the best I have ever had or anything but very good.
(4)Kristen M.
I love this place. We have been several times, and it has become one of my favorite places in Houston. Everything I have ordered has been cooked to perfection. I really like to stick to the classics when I am here just because they do them so well. The service is fantastic. I usually drink wine, but I have had their lavender gin fizz a couple of times. It is so good! I love that this place is not your average chain steakhouse.
(5)Aaron S.
Recently had a lunch at Mockingbird Bistro and it was simply fabulous! All of the meals at our table were cooked to perfection and delicious. The cocktails (yes we had cocktails at lunch) were suberb as well. Crafted to perfection. The burger was out of this word! All in all can't wait to return to have dinner...
(5)David S.
Hooray for bar menus! We went to Mockingbird Bistro the other night after hearing wonderful things about the place. We'd also heard (correctly) that Mockingbird Bistro has one of the best bar menus around. We ordered the chicken pizza and the Kobe burger with truffle fries. The pizza was small in circumference but huge on flavor. It had fontina and goat cheeses as well as roasted peppers. Yum. The burger had a generous amount of beef and came out hot enough to instantly wilt the fresh spinach I placed on top. The onion jam was perfection but the Stilton blue cheese was potent (luckily cheddar is an option). If any of you have been to Father's Office in Los Angeles, I can say that this is the next best thing in Houston. The truffle fries were rich and loaded with good Parmesan cheese. All of this food was only $21 ($3 of which was for "truffling" the gratis fries). Typically, bar service is a compromise from table service. But not at Mockingbird Bistro. Our bar tender/server was attentive and knowledgeable. He even steered us in the right direction on wine. The bar menu at Mockingbird Bistro is a wonderful option for a relaxed dinner for two, or even just an excuse to treat yourself. Next time I'm gunning for the scallops.
(4)Kim X.
I'm never going to Mockingbird Bistro again. I picked this place for dinner on New Year's Eve because I've been there once before and I thought the food was good and it had a nice romantic cosy atmosphere. We booked an early dinner, 5:45 pm, to avoid the crowds. When we got there the place was practically empty, but when the hostess tried to seat us at a tiny table near the kitchen and I asked for a nicer table, she gave us nasty look and said that all the other tables were booked. I've been a restaurant hostess before in college, so I knew she was talking total crap. So, I told her that we wouldn't take long to eat and to check with her boss and she walked away with an attitude to go check. Then her boss came up to us with an equally nasty attitude and told us amongst all the empty tables that the only other table she could give us was in the wine room but we had to be out of there by 7:30 pm. So we took the table and whole time we sat there the hostesses and wait staff kept giving us dirty looks. We were totally ignored while the other customers who were obviously rich regulars got star treatment. We felt so uncomfortable that we ordered our food, ate it quickly, and skipped dessert just to get out of there. The food was good but the way we were treated didn't make for a good dining experience. This was not the dining experience I got the last time I was here. The atmosphere was extremely stuffy and snobby. I expected more for a restaurant of this caliber. Thanks Mockingbird Bistro for ruining our New Year's Eve dinner!
(1)Blake L.
had valentine's dinner here. food was great and a good, upscale and romantic atmosphere. great service as well. i like the fact that it is a bit tucked away in a neighborhood as well.
(4)Jan G.
I considered many dining destinations for a special birthday occasion and I am so GRATEFUL we decided on the Mockingbird. We drove there in a torrential downpour but their valets got us to the front door in tact. We showed up 30 minutes before our reservation but they seated us at the best table immediately. The room was properly lit, elegantly decorated for the holidays with beautiful red walls and high ceilings. The wine list was expansive. but not ridiculously so. We opted for a nice Rosenblum Zinfandel ($45). The pace of the service was perfect. We decided on the mussels ($16.00) for an appetizer and they were served in two separate bowls in a warm succulent broth with a garlicky spinach wad decorating the middle. These meditterean Washington mussels were perfectly steamed and were HUGE! It was garnished with a toasty bread to soak up the broth. What a great way to start the meal. Our entrees were both specials with a Prime Dry Aged Ribeye $42 garnished with prawns that also included mashed potatoes and grilled vegetables and asparugus. As good as it was, the Pan Seared Flounder ($40) with Lobster Rissotto was incredible. Portions were big, so we both got enough of each other's entrees. The steak was flavorful, perfectly cooked medium rare with just enough fat to liven things up. The flounder was incredible to the taste and the rissotto was a welcome innovation.There wasnt anymore room for dessert but we decided to do some mixed market berries in a glaze with cream and a nice candle and a cursive chocolate happy birthday scribbled on the bowl. We finished with some champagne at the bar and some decaf for the road. WOW. Can't wait to get back to the Mockingbird Bistro. John Sheely and his wife Violeta were the perfect hosts/proprietors.
(5)LAWJISTIK -.
Great food...I had salmon
(5)Flora G.
A place that's named after the Texas state bird, you know has to represent. This is a really nice place to eat lunch or dinner. Everything I've had there has been good. I especially like the Kobe beef burger. The food and decor is part French and part Texan, which is a great combination. Its classic Texan ingredients used in classic French cuisine...They even have a tasting menu that I can't wait to try the next time I'm there.
(5)Imran M.
Upscale restaurant in the heart of River Oaks. The service is excellent and the waiting staff are very attentive to your every need. I guess that is a requirement when it comes to attracting the A list crowd that frequent it. The Kobe burgers are to die for and the side of fries are the very best. Huge selection of wines ranging from very affordable all the way to those priced like an automobile. Mockingbird is a surprisingly affordable restaurant especially for the location and the upscale qualities. I heard Ken Lay of Enron fame or should I say shame used to eat here. I guess he won't anymore.
(4)Glory P.
Amazing service and quality food! This place is the best for fine dining. But I would also check out the Happy Hour menu if you're not willing to go all out for a $200 dinner tab. The Happy Hour has small bites and crafty cocktails and their classy bar inside the restaurant.
(5)Brittney N.
I'm not sure what the hype about this place is, it is a little overrated. I went here for my birthday with my family for HRW. If one person wanted to order off of the HRW the whole table has to, which does not make any sense. I scoped out the regular menu and the HRW menu before hand so I knew what to order. I really love scallops, so I wanted to try them. They were an off the menu item. My family wanted to order off the HRW menu, so I had to choose something off there. They waiter only let me order a la carte, so I ordered that along with their fillet on the HRW menu. So I ended up getting 2 entrees... a lot of their items off the menu was really sweet tasting. The fillet was okay, but the scallops were awful.
(3)Vicki G.
So good! French onion soup to begin, with flavor so rich and deep. For a main course, I ordered the "kurabuta pork chop stone ground Texas white grits roasted cipollini onions, braised red cabbage bourbon glazed dried plums 36". Oh, my. Two inches thick. Delicious, especially all the extras that came with it. The grits alone were decadent. Even the red cabbage was divine. He ordered the "angus strip loin steak frites wild mushrooms, watercress shallot/red wine redux, frites 39". It was exquisite. The steak was superior to that at Mark's. And those frites! Wish I had some right now. For dessert, we ordered the "Caramelized pear & pecan crostata, nutella crème anglaise and vanilla ice cream." Better -- far better -- than I anticipated. Perfect pastry with oozy fruity goodness. I would definitely return. Their menu is not large, but they seem to do everything exceptionally well.
(5)Connie W.
I took my boyfriend here for his birthday after seeing all the rave reviews on Yelp, and I was not in the least bit disappointed. The atmosphere was perfect for a romantic date night and the service was perfect. The server checked up on us just enough and was very attentive throughout our meal. My boyfriend ordered the filet mignon special that they had, which was served with asparagus tips, pulled short ribs, and wild mushrooms. The filet was cooked right to order and was simply delicious. The meat seriously melted in my mouth. I ordered their sea scallops that came on top of a green pea butter concoction with roasted cauliflower and crisp potato fingerlings. It was cooked perfectly and was just filling enough to not leave me wanting to unbutton that figurative top button. This restaurant is located right next to a laundromat, which may not be what you want your top-notch restaurant to be adjoined to, but at the end of the day, if the food is AMAZING, who can really argue with that?
(5)Ellie R.
This place is typical River Oaks...expensive for moderate-ok tasting food. They have an extensive wine list which is great. I liked the fact that they brought all of our food at once (as it should be)...so in that aspect service was fine....but in general service was ok. Nothing on the menu jumped out at me....it all looked too standard...i was expecting more unique combinations from Mockingbird. We had 5 different dishes at our table, all of them were too salty. The duck did not taste like duck....it was masked by the rub and/or other seasoning which was disappointing. The saving grace was the wine and chocolate truffles for dessert. I think this place has a better bar menu/happy hour....so try it only then...not for dinner.
(2)Hanh N.
Took a friend here for her birthday and we were LOVING every minute of each bite that went in out mouths. We started off with the Hudson Valley foie gras appetizer dish. Anytime I see foie gras on the menu, 9 out of 10 times, I will order it and hands down, this dish paired w/ the other items on the dish was delicious. The foie gras melted in your mouth. Devine! I ordered the Crispy duck breast, sweet potato & duck confit hash, baby spinach, black cherry & foie gras redux (of course, foie gras...) I got the duck prepared medium and to my delight, there was a generous portion of foie gras sitting on top of the duck breaast as well!!!!! The duck breast and foie gras went so well together. The sauce down to the spinach was heaven. HIGHLY RECOMMEND the duck! My friend order the special, where the chef only prepares 21 of those dishes a night. The special that night was a filet mignon w/ asparagus, sweet potato, with mushroom and foie gras redux. That filet was cooked wonderfully and the flavors again went well together. Another friend ordered the Maple basted King Salmon, pumpkin risotto, leek & oyster mushroom ragout, toasted pepitas and it came out well seasoned- not overwhelming and juicy. For the birthday girl, they gave her complimentary chocolate truffles, and I'm not a big sweets person but it was so goood! We all enjoyed it. Service was great and our waiter was awesome. Wish I remembered his name! Needless to say, I'll be back... EDIT: 03/01/11 I ended the last review with "needless to say, I'll be back..." and I was RIGHT! I came back and again, I orderd the crispy duck breast AGAIN! I don't know how much more I can rave about it. IT's just THAT GREAT! My friend had the lamb and he said it was good- I took his word for it since I do NOT eat lamb.
(5)Jeannie K.
Pretty good! Pricey but decent. The famed steak isn't life-changing, but as long as you don't expect a piece of meat to be as such, it's pretty darn good. The desserts were great.
(4)Pete J.
date: 9/5/12 early evening who: me crowd: hip, trendy but NOT hipster ages 20s-70, mean 40 room: high ceilings, postmodern but warm. Twelve 4 person tables on 1st floor, few tables in loft, bar along one edge of room holds 12+. service: exceptional attentive but not hovering food: -Warm bread served with herb basil olive dipping sauce. -Slow roasted onion soup bland, but onions nicely carmelized. -Caeser salad perfect, fresh, proportions perfect. -***Truffle fries*** OUTSTANDING: Beautifully presented, lovely blend of truffle oil with dash of parmesan. -Scallops braised, fresh, tender, accompanied by succotash, truffled lima bean puree, sweet corn emulsion and red pepper coulis. This was also very good, except the scallops were a bit salty. -Bitterweet molten lava cake w/ fresh blackberries, blueberries, strawberries with mango sorbet. All was great except the mango sorbet was not good accompaniment to chocolate. wine: -Nice selections, fairly priced price:141.34 Overall: very good. few nuances would easily move to 5 stars. 5+ for truffle fries.
(4)Lesley H.
My friend had come here with her bf on valentine's day and got the know the bartender who told them that they were going to have a liquor tasting later in the week where they would have a list of drinks featuring a certain liquor and all the drinks would be free.... sooooo of course she told me about it and we went! First off the drinks were amazing!!!!! I went with 2 other friends and we each had 2 drinks and always ordered something different and we loved every single one! When i went to order my second drink, I couldn't decide what I wanted and so the bartender asked me what I liked and I told him mojitos, margs, cuba libres.... and he came back with their signature margarita and even though it wasnt on the list for free drinks they still gave it to me for free. Now on to the food. Also great!! we each had the truffled mac and cheese which was really creamy and really good and only $5. As for your meal though I would recommend going with the kobe beef burger on the bar menu. My friend ordered it and it was AMAZING!!! and its only $9 and comes with fries. We however upgraded to the parmesan truffle fries.... omgggg the fries were sooooooo delicious!!!! Definitely coming back and becoming a regular here!
(5)Jeffrey C.
Fun fact: did you know that Mockingbird Bistro was my second-ever Yelp review? For those of you that have long been following my reviews (I thank you but can't figure out why, what with my love of parentheses, semi-colons and dependent clauses), you'll know my "big 3" Houston fancy restaurants include Mockingbird, Reef, and Mark's. Why Mockingbird? Three words: Prime. Steak. Frites. Or as I like to call it, "oh my god the best steak EVAR" (copyright pending). So when I saw my dish on the Houston Restaurant Week menu, I had to go. And convince some of my friends to try this best steak ever. Now let's get this out of the way: HRW Prime Steak Frites is not best steak ever like regular menu Prime Steak Frites is. For one, it's a smaller. And two, the quality of the beef is not quite as good (and sneaking suspicion, may actually be a different cut). That said, the sauce is still fantastic, the triple mushrooms adds the perfect complement, and the pommes frites dipped in aioli sauce can best be described as like artery-clogging crack. Seriously, when they show "The Best Thing I Ever Ate!: Non-Celebrity Edition," the regular menu Prime Steak Frites is at the top of my list. Don't believe me? Go try it; compliment me later. Quickly, some other plugs: * It's in a neighborhood, tucked away. Next to actual houses. Not next to a freeway or a Taco Cabana. * There's valet parking, but because it's in said neighborhood, there's plenty of nearby street parking. * Another neighborhood benefit: awesome decor. * The waiter service is fantastic. Every time I've been, the waitstaff is friendly but not overbearing. * The wine list is stout. * Esquire named it one of the best bars in America. What are you waiting for?
(5)K. D.
I can't write a thorough review at the moment but I wanted to jot something down right away after my experience here. Everything here was just Wow. I am one happy girl, they get a 5 for doing a fantastic job.
(5)Rick F.
This place has their stuff together. They take service here to another level. To go here and find a complaint is to go here with a very unhappy life. You ever go to a really great restaurant that you simply fell in love with, however during the writing of your review you did have one complaint so you had to place the dreaded "but" in the review. Well here...there is no "but." I came here for my second visit and both was Christmas parties. The service we received was simply phenomenal. Our meal was served in 3 courses and for each course, everyone at our table received their food at the same time. No, not one server bringing a big tray and handing them out, there was a server for each person at the table. All would come stand beside the person who's plate they were holding and at a unheard count of 3, all plates were placed down at the same time. Even when I got up to use the restroom, someone immediately came to the table to fold my napkin behind me whilst someone else escorted me to the restroom, all without me saying a word. When I got back my area was clean, chair was pulled out for me and I was sat down with napkin unfolded and placed in my lap. FINALLY.. how I deserve to be treated everywhere I go. Here everyone is a celebrity. The food is nothing short from PERFECTION. I had the Filet Mignon with Scallops as a main course and both were cooked to perfection. They only cook the Filet 2 ways, Medium Rare and Well done. I ordered mine Well and it wasn't dry but pretty much a medium well as I wanted. The wife had the medium rare, and it too was so delicious it melted in your mouth. No matter what you order here you MUST order the Lobster mashed potatoes. These are hands down the best mashed potatoes on this side of the Sun. Chunks of lobster mixed in with mashed potatoes is a sure way to get you and your date in some major orgasmic trouble. We clearly cheated on one another with those mashed potatoes, so be forewarned. I can't wait to go again next year. Why a year? Because I'm spoiled with the entire experience being free, and with bottomless drinks. I want to keep my memory of Mockingbird just the way I discovered it....with perks, perks perks. Dine Well, and Prosper.
(5)Ivy L.
Service was spot on and the waiters are always very attentive. The tartare was delicious and the filet mignon is cooked to perfection. The cheesecake was so good - I liked it better than the bread pudding. Very rich and classy atmosphere.
(4)Angel L.
I think I am love with this place. It is a strange place that it is located in residential. My date had the bison burger and I had the seared duck. Both plates just melt in your mouth. I highly suggest the truffle fries...MIND BLOWING. lastly, I have a huge chocolate sweet tooth...flourless chocolate cake.....enough said. :: death by chocolate ::. DoNE I'm out.
(5)Dina M.
I like the ambience a lot . expect your meal to be the event of the evening. We were served complimentary hors deouvre while we decided on drinks and further choices. The group concurs that the drinks were well made . the salads were also good. The mixes reviews rose upon tasting the main dishes. Our table had a variety ranging from steak frites to salads and shrimp and grits. The meat eaters said the steak was different. One person said it got better while the other two didn't care much for it. The shrimp and grits were a bit salty. Ive had way better too. As for the chicken with African prawn.. That guest was happy with his selection. The staff is very nice and do put an honest sincere effort. The valet isn't so great . Overall it was alright I suppose.
(3)Alex T.
This review is for Mockingbird Bistro's happy hour and bar menu. A friend and I went to Mockingbird Bistro for happy hour the other day, and we were literally the only people in the restaurant which was really awesome. Obviously, we were immediately seated. The "Happy Hour" menu is fairly limited, but they also have Bar menu with a lot of well priced choices. The service at Mockingbird is amazing, and I can't even think of a single complainant. Our waiter was very friendly and attentive, and he provided great recommendations. Food: (5/5) The Fried Gulf Oysters were amazing. Next time I come to Mockingbird, I plan on ordering at least three plates of these babies. The dijon butter sauce they put on the oysters was awesome. (3/5) Cheese Plate. In my opinion, a cheese plate should be primarily made up of cheese. Maybe that's just me. The cheeses we ordered (Smoke Blue, Veldhuizen Redneck Cheddar, and the Challerhocker) were all pretty good, but we got such small servings of them. The plate was mostly bread and other things that weren't cheese. (5/5) The M bistro burger was my entree as recommended to me by our waiter. It was very good. I recommend getting it cooked medium rare, also get the french fries with it because they are very tasty. ( I think they might have been truffled) Overall, I will definitely be back for their Happy Hour
(4)BerBer L.
three stars can't be more a disappointment actually if only judging their food. very plain i tried the pan seared duck breast, the steak and the lamb rack and they just did not worth the money.... so plain and so Americanized i rather go to Etoile Cuisine et Bar where they actually serve decent French crusion
(3)Joyce O.
This place was packed on a Saturday night and the crowd was noisy. If you are expecting quiet, perhaps you should come during happy hour on a weekday. My husband and I enjoyed a lovely dinner here for date night. Beautiful decor and lighting was warm. If you ask for a corner table, the noise isn't as bad.
(4)David Z.
Traditional in setting and contemporary in style, Mockingbird Bistro offers a delightfully elegant dining experience without the stuffiness and general pretentiousness often associated with the "fine dining" moniker. Situated in a residential area of the Montrose neighborhood, the restaurant offers a sense of both grandeur and homeliness. Of course, taste is king and this restaurant heartily delivers. Eschewing the avant-garde styles of its trendier competitors, Mockingbird Bistro reminds us that sometimes the tried-and-true flavor combinations of the past were put together for a reason, and sometimes, there's no need to change them for the sake of change. In the two times that we've been to Mockingbird Bistro, we've been treated to an appetizer and two of the daily specials. Generally presented as either a fish of the day or a steak option, the specials really showcase the chef's creativity and style. Now, the specials do tend to be pricier than their regular entrees, but if servings like Australian sea bass with apple puree, or halibut with crawfish ratatouille and lobster fritters, or dry-aged ribeye with risotto and porcini mushrooms sound irresistible to you, then do yourself a favor, take a dive, and splurge to your heart's content. You will have no regrets. In the end, Mockingbird Bistro is one of the best restaurants in Houston for a reason: it offers memorable food, with great service, in a remarkable atmosphere.
(5)J T.
Dinner this evening was the special ahi tuna and a very large shrimp with wasabi mashed potatoes and red and green pepper garnish. For starters a salad and calamari. The food was all good. A couple of comments. The calamai is billed as "baby squid" and I was expecting something closer to the Spanish tapas style puntillitas. Mockinbird's is a combination of baby squid and the more common "o-ring" pieces. It's done very well with a couple of less-traditional sauces - one sweet and the other spicy. I liked it. I thought the salad was fantastic also. The mashed potatoes could have been hotter. Nice wine list and good values on bottles. Lastly, the portions are very big. For two people dining, there would be nothing wrong with a single starter shared and a single entrée. At $30 to $45 per main course, the $10 split plate fee isn't a bad way to go. Nice meal. Nice service. Good vibe. A winning combination. If I lived around here, I'd spend a lot of time at the bar after work I'm sure.
(4)Meredith W.
Very discouraged about making reservations here. The hostess was quite rude and was not willing to get answers for the questions I had. I like to dine at places that are knowledgable across the board.
(1)Anaid G.
I am a big fan of this place. I love the lighting, the bar and the overall ambiance. My experience here was exceptional. The prices for the main courses range from 30-40 but everything you eat is a treat. I had the bistro Cesar salad to start and the Chef's special, it was an Alaskan catch of the day and it was delicious. For dessert, I had an espresso and their homemade Apple bread pudding. YUMMY! P.S. Kudos on their wine selection and service (my waiter was very polite, informative, and witty).
(5)Cammy G.
Mockingbird Bistro is truly one of Houston's finest. The inside of the restaurant was beautiful, the service was extraordinary and the food was absolutely delicious. Definitely a 5-star restaurant in my book! We ordered the Calamari for appetizer which I thought delicious. The Calamari was fresh and crispy, and I couldn't get enough of the dipping sauces. For my entree, I ordered the night's special which Mahi with fried Soft Shell Crab. My mouth is watering just thinking about it! For dessert, we had the molten chocolate cake... So good! Everything was really outstanding! I would highly suggest Mockingbird Bistro!
(5)Bethanne A.
Lovely, lovely interior, parking is terrible, but food is good. The menu pretty much stays the same with a few specials being served, but not enough about this place makes me want to give it 5 stars. This restaurant does have amazing desserts, however. All of the choices are wonderful. Attentive wait staff always asking if you need anything or to make sure your glass is full.
(4)Anna V.
I came here for HRW during lunch and it exceeded my expectations. Our waiter was so nice and friendly. I ordered the caesar salad, chicken, and ricotta cheesecake. Usually when I go to places, I'm always weary about ordering chicken because it's usually kind of dry. Not this place. The chicken was very moist and very flavorful. I really enjoyed everything I ordered. 3 course lunch for just $20 is definitely not bad at all. Obviously this was HRW....but I would definitely come back even when it's not HRW season. ;)
(5)Cindy T.
My friends and I decided to check out Mockingbird Bistro for HRW dinner since we wanted to all try a place none of us have been to yet. It would suffice to say that we were all disappointed! Below is a list of things we ordered and how it fared with our taste buds. Appetizers: - Salmon tartare - it was good but nothing special to the taste. It was almost a bit bland for me - how unfortunate. - MB Caesar salad - my friend said he enjoyed it. Main entrees: - Vegetables - my friend loved her entree but she also commented that it might've been because she hadn't eaten all day so I can't vouch for this. - Pork chops - I had the pork chops, and the first bite was delicious; however, it turns out that the kitchen staff was not consistent with their seasoning techniques because a couple of latter pieces that I bit into were super peppery. - Beef filet - My friend ordered medium rare, and his steak came out extremely rare! He sent it back, and it's almost as if they just heated it up in a microwave or something. Sooo disappointing. Sides: - Truffle Parmesan fries - yummmm! However, maybe the fries were sitting for a bit braise you could tell it wasn't fresh. - Calamari/baby squid - I think we liked this more than the salmon tartare. Dessert: - Apple bread pudding - thumbs up! - Chocolate cake - my friend said it was amazing but a little too rich. Overall, I may stop by for Happy Hour but not sure if I'd dine there again based off of our recent visit.
(2)Debs C.
Had dinner here with a couple of friends one night after seeing all the reviews. Place is tucked in a neighborhood and has a cozy feel to it. Crowd also leaned on the older side. Nice wine selection along with a cocktail menu. Bar area was also packed with customers. Menu is typical with your steak, seafood, poultry items. We decided on the special of the day which was steak, mashed potatoes, and brussel sprouts in a mushroom sauce, the foi gras burger, and the scallops. All were well prepared and delicious. Nothing too exciting but good, solid food.
(4)Kathy W.
In town visiting my step-daughter, her husband and family and they were kind enough to bring us here for lunch. As part of the Houston Restaurant Weeks celebration a special three course (appetizer, main course and dessert) fixed price menu is offered. I chose a Caesar salad, seasoned chicken breast with garlic mashed potatoes and cheese cake. Everything was excellent! Especially the chicken, it was outstanding. Perfectly seasoned and cooked. Others in our party ordered salmon and a rigatoni dish and raved about the apple bread pudding. Portions were a good size for lunch. The staff was very attentive and the courses were served in an expeditious and timely manner. No complaints. I would definitely dine here again when I am in town.
(4)Nicole J.
My husband and I went here for our anniversary. It was a Tuesday night and even though we made a reservation in advance, I don't think we needed to for a weeknight. The service was excellent. Our waiter was helpful and attentive without being overbearing or pushy. Things simply appeared at our table when we needed them and disappeared when we were done (literally; I did not see who took my empty wine glass). The food was excellent; I had the seafood bouillabaisse, my husband had the duck. It was expensive (for us anyway), but worthwhile for a splurge and a perfect way to celebrate our anniversary.
(5)Michelle M.
Fancy, schmancy place with a well-executed menu that is deserving of the praise and prices charged. If you're one of those Food Network buffs that hangs on the words of Top Chef judges, Anthony Bourdain, and the Barefoot Contessa, this is the spot for you. Firstly, I'll indulge in the interior -- I cannot speak for the actual building's history, but this place has really nice exposed brick, antique-finished mirrors, and a curious but aesthetic loft that overlooks the main floor of the restaurant. It certainly gives you a cool vibe. Secondly, I agree with Daniel L. about the parking -- just go around the block and park for free on the street. Thirdly, the food. I came here for brunch with two friends. One ordered the M Bistro Benedict, one the M Bistro burger, and I feasted on the pain perdu and a side of haricot verts. All of us thoroughly enjoyed our meals, and what I liked was that the menu accommodated sweet, savory, meaty, veggie -- all varietals. I didn't see anything specifically gluten free, but I'm sure such care into a menu would also accommodate for those dietary needs. Fourthly, the service. The staff was curiously attentive to our table, particularly the floor managers. I'm not sure why -- we were a young, underdressed posse that was also telling rich stories of travel and food adventures. I'm not sure they could place us for anything other than Yelpers, and then they would have placed us rightly. I really liked the pain perdu. For me, the portions were too big (though I came in post-5K desperately wanting food). It was a little heavy, too. If you like a generous breakfast, this will certainly please you. I would recommend NOT skipping the house-made jellies. This really added character to French Toast that was otherwise could have chalked up to being simply French Toast. I really wish I had ordered the M Bistro Burger. Alas, my friend had picked it out first, and I have a tacit rule not to order what my friends order when venturing out at American (New) restaurants. However, I tried a bite, and the burger and fries were simply delicious and would have better suited my aerobic-induced cravings. Lastly, there's something to be said for restaurants that serve really good bread before your meal arrives. DO NOT SKIP THE BREAD if you can. It was sooooo good and different. It's texture was a little denser and moister than typical -- almost like a cake or muffin bread. However, the beautifully orange baked parmesan on the bread's top sent me over the edge. And it's free. I will come again in a few paychecks. And I will dress a little nicer.
(4)Tracy E.
Very accommodating staff! It was our first time there and we were stuffed from dinner, but they brought us complementary cheesecake anyway.
(4)Sarah M.
We ate here during restaurant week. My husband ordered food from the RW menu and I ordered off the regular menu. The food was good and the service was great. Their French onion soup is some of the best I've had. My husband's steak was too rare and kind of chewy but the rest of the food seemed to make up for it. Their dessert is good, too.
(4)Karen C.
2.5 stars. No complaints about the service what so ever, they aim to please at this semi-upscale little restaurant. Their food however needs work. Tried the foie gras appetizer and it was just okay...the portion size was adequate for the price but the way it was cooked made eating it sloppy and fall all over the place. The fig was a little overburnt for my tastes buds. Had their special sea bass with sweet corn risotto. Not the best, but not bad either. Issue was with the bf's duck. It was overcooked (when he asked for medium) and the kale that it came with was very very salty, the baby carrots that it came with was undercooked and hard. Never had that before. The waiter and manager was nice enough to take it back and replaced that terrible kale with a side of our choosing, we asked for the risotto which was great. The duck itself was just meh. Appreciate the large portion sizes (not typical of french restaurants to do) but the quality and preparation of the food needs work.
(3)Bianca F.
Oh my goodness this place is sooooo good! I should have done my review a few months ago. We shared the steak and the scallops along with a bottle of wine. Amazing!!! This is a great place for a date or business lunch. The service is great and the location is in a good area. I had this place on my radar for awhile; mostly because of the Kobe beef burger, which I have yet to try. I'll be back again for dinner and to try that burger!
(5)Samantha P.
Went for brunch on January 11th.The wait staff was great and the food was flavorful! Had the eggs Benedict. Was expecting smaller portions similar to the restaurants around,but, was surprised by the generous portions. Was expecting to be busier but was pretty quiet. Unfortunately, they did not offer a carafe for mimosas, had to pay per glass. As a avid bruncher, I love me some mimosas. Also free Valet. Would defiantly go back again!
(4)Craig M.
wow. One of the classiest spots in Houston...yet extremely inconspicuous. Set amidst a quiet neighborhood, mockingbird transports you to a rustic culinary heaven the second you step foot inside. The food is by far 9/10 and ambience a solid 10/10. The staff should give lessons to other restaurants in the area because they know EXACTLY what they are doing. Superb service both times i have been. Give it a shot...I'm betting you'll be back.
(5)Carla C.
I went to Mockingbird for lunch during a visit to Houston. The food was delicious and beautifully presented. Starter: Beef Carpaccio with parmesan vinaigrette, white truffle oil, and garlic crostinis. The white truffle oil complimented the Carpaccio beautifully. (see picture) Salad: Chopped Salad - avocado, smoked bacon, blue cheese, tomato, creamy onions and vinaigrette.
(4)Ping L.
I have been to this place many times. I always enjoyed the food & the service, which I think is the most important reason I recommended this place to my host of the party. The service was so poor this time, it made me wonder if I will ever go back again.
(2)Doug Y.
Visited for the first time this weekend and had a wonderful exerience. Food was great; service was outstanding! Very comfortable atmosphere; would definitely recommend.
(5)Mike H.
I went here on Tuesday night for HRW dinner. We made reservations on Open Table, valet parked, and were immediately seated in the upstairs dining room. It was all very smooth. We were then handed all the menus, and asked we would like a pre-dinner cocktail, (which we did). I ordered the Pimm's Coupe, (which is a take on the Pimm's Cup obviously). The waitress then left to put in our drink orders. Five minutes later she returned to take our dinner order. We ordered from the HRW menu, and included the wine pairings. The first thing to arrive were the appetizers which consisted of my salad, and my gf's soup. We just sort of stared at them, as we had not yet received our pre-dinner cocktails. The pre-dinner cocktails arrived a few minutes later with the 1st course wine pairing. I think its unfair to offer a pre-dinner cocktail and then serve it after the meal has started. We should have received our cocktail at least 5 minutes before any food showed up. I could understand if they were really trying to flip tables, but there were tables in our section that sat empty throughout our meal. I flagged down our waitress and explained the problem. She said, "Do you want me to take your food back?" This put the onus on me to decide how to correct the problem. I decided that my food could get just as cold in the back as it could on the table, so I told her to leave it. When serving the cocktails, the waiter walked up to the table and asked me which drink I ordered. I said the Pimm's Coupe. I fully expected him to pick up the other cocktail and serve my date first. He did not. He served me first. $12 cocktails come with an expectation of a certain level of service. As far as the food went, my bibb lettuce salad was pretty good, and it had a good presentation. The braised lamb shank served over pappardelle pasta with baby spinach reminded me of pot roast, and I don't think any spinach made it to my plate. The cool flourless chocolate cake was delicious, and definitely worth a try. All of the pairings were thoughtful and appropriate. The port was perfect for the cake, and the chardonnay was refreshing with the salad. Two stars represent "Meh. I've experienced better." My bill came to $170, and in that price range I definitely have experienced better.
(2)Mia G.
This is a fancy schmancy place but not too over the top that you feel uncomfortable. Expect classical music in the background and dimmed lighting. The staff were very attentive and guessed what you needed before you even asked. The food was good and fair priced. The serving size is what you would expect in an upscale dinning place. They are more concerned with flavor and presentation than busting your belt. My hubby was still a little hungry but thoroughly liked his steak. We had Moscow Mules and they were fresh and zingy. This is defiantly a great place to visit if you have an anniversary or special celebration. Reservations are recommended and you should expect to valet.
(4)Robert A.
Been here twice for Sunday brunch and have not been disappointed either time. A nice seasonal menu that leaves the pallet satisfied. A little pricey, but good for a special treat on a day like Mother's day. Make sure to make reservations since this is not a secret that this place is good. They have made a couple renovations/expansions since the first time I had been there from more seating.
(5)Tina C.
Our first time dining at Mockingbird Bistro & our first stop of HRW 2013! Right away, the reason for -1 star was from waiting for the table. We had our reservation and they made us wait at fully packed bar for 15 min. What is the point of the reservation? yes, it was Saturday night, but then you need to manage it better. They guided us to a table on the 2nd floor. We had a big group right next to us, so it was a little bit noisy at times, but they were not too rowdy group. Our waiter & the service was great. Only thing I would point out is that there are many people that stop by at your table other than your waiter. So it does get kind of confusing.. as they are all wearing the same thing. Food we had were absolutely amazing. This is what we ordered Appetizer * M-Bistro Bibb Salad * Roasted Cauliflower Souffle Main course * Braised Colorado Lamb Shank * Ruby Red Trout Dessert * Cool Flourless Chocolate Cake * Apple Bread Pudding We liked all of our dishes! Salad was amazing with the goat cheese and pine nuts. Not too overwhelming, but so delicious. Souffle was warm and not too creamy, my boyfriend doesnt like too greasy/creamy things but he liked it. I got the lamb shank and let me tell you, it was BIG & the meat just melted right off the bone. Tasted so great and loved the spinach and pasta that it came on top of. My boyfriend got the trouts and it was 2 fillets. They were very well seasoned and cooked perfectly. Potatoes that came on the side of this dish was very delicious as well! Dessert..... the flourless chocolate cake was like a very dense chocolate mousse. I loved it since I am a huge chocolate person! it was not too sweet it was great! for the bread pudding, it had good cinnamon flavor to it and it was great as well!
(4)Kathryn H.
I do like this place, and like to go when I'm having a quality meal with a friend for any special occasion like a birthday. It's quaint, intimate, and you can always count on a consistently good meal. This is the place I recommend for people to try foie gras because they do it the way I had it in France - it's not pre-tinned (if it is, please don't tell me). I love their mussels in coconut sauce - and good mussels are hard to find sometimes. I've settled on a favorite and it's their chicken with asparagus risotto. They have a great price fix menu and are a great restaurant to try during Restaurant Week if you think they may be too pricey for you on a normal day. Personally, I'd like to see them break out of what everyone else serves during Restaurant Week because I know their chefs have the creative skills.
(3)Kimberli D.
Fantastic dinner last night. I had the Mahi Mahi special and it was perfect. My date had the pork chop and also offered great reviews. They also make a really nice vodka martini. We did not do dessert but I was greatly tempted by the bread pudding. Great waitstaff too. Solid place and the atmosphere is still really great. Can be a really romantic setting so it's a great place for a special occasion. I made online reservations and requested a quiet table near edge of dining room. They complied perfectly. Sometimes I don't think restaurants read those requests.
(4)Belle K.
We finally made it to Mockingbird Bistro and boy am I in love!!! Why has it taken us so long to get here!!! As the big happy hour fans as we are, we have to atleast check out the HH spread as a way to sample the
(4)Dawn B.
What a wonderful dinner we had here. We haven't been in a long time because we know it's expensive and there are just so many places to eat in Houston, it just was forgotten about on our list. I know this is a small thing, but it is my biggest pet peeve at a restaurant....when I order hot soup, can you please give me HOT soup. Mockingbird did just that. It was fantastic, and it set the mood for such a great night. The wine was perfect and so was the steak frites, what really made them, however, was the dipping sauce. Yum! We'll be back for sure.
(5)Kathy Z.
I have been dying to try this place for a long long time. I've heard so many good things about it, that my expectations were pretty high. For some reason, I imagined this restaurant to be pompous and high class all the way, but I was very pleased to find the ambiance to be more casual and cozy. Located in the neighborhoods of Montrose, Mockingbird Bistro is a balance between fine dining and rustic bistro. Husband and I came for Houston Restaurant Week. Dinner was $45. I had the tomato soup for appetizer, lamb shank for entree, and lemon tart for dessert. The tomato soup was just okay, but it's hard to really shine on tomato soup. The lamb shank was absolutely delicious. It was fall off the bone tender with lots of flavor. The lemon tart was good. My husband had the onion soup for appetizer and steak for entree. He said they were both just okay. For dessert, he had the flourless chocolate cake, which he thought was fairly bad. I had a bite and had to concur. It was dry and reminded me of cocoa powder. (We are both choco-holics, so this is a big deal.) I have nothing bad to say about service. I have no idea what the regular menu prices are like since we were only presented with the restaurant week menu. With so many outstanding restaurants in Houston, I was a little disappointed in Mockingbird Bistro for the lack of creativity and detail, but this is still a solid restaurant.
(3)ms t.
If there was a rating of 6 stars, this place owns it. Mockingbird Bistro is the BEST restaurant in town. We've been here a few times and we always get the 4 course meal. It starts out with 2 appetizers, then 1 entree and 1 dessert trio per person. The best thing is that each person gets 2 appetizers and 1 entrée of choice... anything on the menu is fair game. For appetizers, so far we've tried their black mussels, beef carpaccio, charcuterie (homemade pâté, prosciutto salami, and smoked duck breast), seared foie gras, and baby calamari. All items were delicious and perfectly cooked. For our entrees he ordered the angus strip loin steak frites -med rare and I had the foie gras burger. I've had many gourmet burgers in my lifetime, and I will admit that their foie gras burger was worth the $30+ dollars. His steak frites was super tender and tasty. Desserts were decent but after 4 appetizers and our entrees, we were over stuff anyways so took desserts to-go. We usually go here to celebrate special occasions and when we want to treat ourselves to a fantastic meal with excellent service.
(5)Christina S.
To be a snob...
(3)Leslie K.
brunch on a sunday = ) because there is no breakfast on saturdays. haha. it was kind of dark, but we sat by the window and opened the blinds great service...the coffee cup was never empty. bread basket...the bread was really bland. i usually don't touch the salt shaker scrambled eggs + apple chicken sausage: the eggs were kind of bland (3/5). but the sausage and potatoes were delicious (4/5) french toast + apple compote and bacon (3/5) bistro benedict (4/5): delicious and decadent. i loved the avocado + prosciutto....drowning in egg yolk = amazing. this place reminds me of a hang out joint for the ladies who lunch. it's a very classic menu...i guess i did fall into the hype as well. guilty!! after going back again, i still think it was a solid brunch, but nothing crazy special
(3)Kevin M.
HRW 2012 Review: So we had a reservation for 9pm but didn't get seated until 9:45pm. Crowded on a Wednesday night! As a result we were the very last patrons to leave around 11:30pm. Take that however you want to. I personally didn't want to eat that late, but the quality of the food made up for it. Also, their mojito was on point (5/5). They gave us some combination of bread and olive oil with herbs. Poppy seed bread stood out to me, the rest was forgettable. Appetizer: Sweet corn souffle - I would rename this for the non-foodies out there: Corn flan with crab on top. So given that, the texture was flan-like, had a nice corn taste, with chunks of corn kernels, and was nicely complimented by the crab. Not sure how I feel about it though. (3.5/5) CAB filet - perfectly medium rare as requested. Great flavor and crust, complemented by red wine reduction. Organic new potatoes stole the show in my opinion. How do french restaurants make potatoes so tantalizing? Besides butter, I mean... (5/5) Dessert - sample trio. Apple bread pudding - amazing. Flourless chocolate cake - rich and moist. Vanilla Creme Brulee - meh I've had better. (4/5) All in all, I think it was a good preview to what the restaurant has to offer. Will be back! The lamb chop sounds amazing... now to save up the money...
(4)Alice T.
Smack dab in the middle of a neighborhood, Mockingbird is the cutest little restaurant. A little dark and romantic for three girls eating Sunday brunch, but it has a gorgeous half woody- half industrial interior now with all the fun holiday decorations up. This place is more suitable for interior dining- the outdoor patio doesn't look as festive as somewhere like Backstreet Cafe where everybody is buzzing about (but that may be just because of the weather). Parking is valet in the front, but plenty of room along the street in the neighborhood blocks. The bellini was okay- not peachy enough for me. But, the smoked salmon benedict was fantastic. Poached egg on smoked salmon, layered on a thick potato and chive cake and bed of garlic sauteed spinach. Times two! which made it deliciously filling and was just a great medley of flavors. Friends got the Bistro Benedict, which was similar but on an english muffin with prosciutto and a potato cake next to it. This was also really good. I'd say skip the appetizers. The calamari was too chewy and came with a remoulade that tasted way too fishy. Save your stomach for your dish and the bread (soft herb focaccia with yummy olive oil).
(5)Michael L.
Solid food, came here with the family and had brunch as my first meal coming back to my home town. Everything was good, kind of on the pricier side, but you get what you pay for. Waiter was very helpful and gave good recommendations. Everyone at the table was claiming their food was the best dish. So naturally I was bragging that my soft shell crab special was the $hit. they also have a nice outdoor area for when its not a million degrees and 500% humidity out. Looking forward to coming back.
(4)John F.
Always EXCELLENT with wonderful service! Try the Burger with Foie Gras....DECADENT AND DELISH!!!!!!!
(4)Kris P.
We definitely liked this place. ...So much so we went 2 days in a row during our 3 day Houston visit. The service was great, and the waiter was happy to discuss the exceptionally priced bar menu. Main Menu changes a bit, so it's nice to get seasonal dishes too. (We visited in March) Definitely go to HAPPY HOUR - it's so worth it. HH drinks were tasty and only ~$5, and the food was on par. The good: -truffle pomme frites -mac&cheese -roasted eggplant app -creamy polenta w/ veal bolognese: can get a bit monotonous, so definitely a good shared plate -seared foie gras: Yuuuuummmm. The average: -mussels (main menu) -braised short ribs -veal sweetbread: it was just too much of one texture. The first few bites were good, the last 10 were difficult. Service was great and ambiance is nice. We sat in the bar the first night and then outside during happy hour and had a fantastic time.
(4)Roland f.
Excellent appetizers and good bar service thanks to Angel & Alex for a lovely evening last Saturday May 12, 2012 wife's B day. Keep it up Chef/owner John. Definitely will be back to try the American Kobe/wagyu burger. Draw back not enough parking.
(5)Ryan S.
A spur of the moment change in dinner plans led me and a friend to a great experience at Mockingbird Bistro. You won't be having a budget meal but you will have an awesome conversation with your friends about good eats. Upon walking up to the plain but inviting architecture, you're immediately welcomed to a dim but cozy/romantic ambiance indoors. The interior of the restaurant is very picture-worthy. Tall ceilings, woods and hanging rustic chandeliers create an eye pleasing painting for this place. On to the food... The wonderful wait-staff kept a good and distant eye on us to be sure we were comfortable throughout our dining experience. They were more than willing to go into depth over the menu items(trust me, we did much dish interrogating). We started off with a good bottle of Napa red along with the Veal Sweetbreads. The sweetbreads were lightly crisp on the outside and incredibly juicy in the middle. The combination of sauce, crisp panchetta mated up well with this dish. Three portions of sweetbreads was the perfect amount for two people. For our main course I had the Seared Tuna Steak with Wasabi potato and shitake... while she had the T-bone topped with jumbo lump crab, asparagus and herbed risotto. Hands down, that was probably one of the thickest and freshest tasting tuna steaks I've had in years. It was perfectly seasoned and seared to the bare minimum. The wasabi potatoes was something left to curiosity upon ordering but it was the best pairing for this rare tuna...beat that soy sauce! Her T-bone was grilled perfectly medium rare, tasty tender. The sauce and lump crabmeat was delicious! The herbed rice/risotto is to die for. I totally recommend at least ordering a side of that if at all possible. Anchoring the night were the Cool Flourless Chocolate Cake and the Bananas Foster Crepes. I'm not a big fan of all-on chocolate desserts but this flourless cake was very light on the chocolate flavor. Slightly dense but I powered through it just fine haha. Recommended. The Bananas Foster Crepes is the next best thing here. The crepe was perfectly made and did not sog up at all. Sugar, caramel, and incredibly fresh vanilla bean ice cream made this a 5 star dessert. RECOMMENDED! This review is extremely long but it does no justice to the experience we had that night. I would make my way back here for any special occasion.
(5)Sherwin S.
I visited Mockingbird a little over four years ago, when it was not a juggernaut on the Houston restaurant scene. I went to the restaurant, which is nestled in a residential neighborhood on Upper Kirby, on a weeknight when it was super empty. I was maybe one of three tables that evening and as such, received excellent service. My wife and I both enjoyed a 7-course tasting menu with a wine paring. The food was good...nothing super fancy. The paired wines left something to be desired as all of them were basic supermarket wines. Mockingbird is a great place to go to enjoy a good meal in a great atmosphere. It is one of the few Houston restaurants that is not located in a strip mall. The staff is small, but friendly. Don't rush your experience at Mockingbird...take your time (this is perhaps why their staff is so small so don't get mad when your food doesn't come out right away). If you have somewhere else to go after dinner, then eat somewhere else. But if dinner is the highlight of your evening, then Mockingbird is a great place to dine!!!
(5)B. D.
I really was expecting better of this restaurant...but sadly it was a huge disappointment. First off the service is so painfully slow...not because they were busy either...just disorganized? Food lacked quality that a restaurant of its reputation should have. I won't be returning.
(2)Dan G.
Had to book a last minute business dinner with a party of 8. Called this place up and was able to get the round table in the back room by the wall of wine. The happy hour drinks were well priced. The food, was delicious (I had the PNW seabass with a starter of calamari), and may be my favorite calamari in Houston now. I really enjoyed the ambiance and decore. Perfect place for business dinner or weekend brunch. Still have to try the burger as I've heard it's the best in all of Houston.
(4)J G.
Very Delicious. We came during Houston Restaurant Weeks and everything was very yummy. The service was excellent and everyone was very polite and seemed to really enjoy their job. It is a little fancier than your average Friday night date night restaurant so be prepared to dress nice and spend a little more. My appetizer was a Lobster Corn Souffle and it was amazing. The main course was Grilled Half Chicken and it was also good but I was so blown away by the starter and the dessert trio that I only thought the chicken was just ok. I would definitely return if the occasion came around.
(5)Sneha R.
COME HERE BETWEEN 5-7PM AND SIT OUTSIDE ON THE PATIO OR IN THE LOUNGE. It turns out if you sit in the patio outside or at the lounge, you get to order off the happy hour menu and the dinner menu -- best of both worlds! Happy hour menu is 5$ for all mini bites -- we got the truffle oil mac and cheese and the eggplant dip. The truffle oil mac and cheese was so delicious, probably the best I've ever had. Towards the end I started to feel it's heaviness and kind of got sick of the flavor punch in each bite. This is a good dish to share. Entree -- scallops and creamy risotto with green peas and pork belly. The scallops were really plump and juicy. The risotto was too flavorful, I couldn't eat too much of it. My date got the kobe beef burger with foie gras and truffle oil fries. The mac and cheese and the fries both have the same distinct truffle taste. They're so good! My main complaint about the food is that everything is so flavorful and you eventually get sick of it if you eat too much. Sharing dishes could solve this problem, of course. In short, be prepared for a rich and heavy meal. Service was excellent.
(4)Terri N.
Loved every minute. The restaurant eclectic, service is first rate, and I cleaned my plate which does not happen often. I usually do not care for focaccia, but rather enjoyed the bistro's offering! Will definitely be back.
(5)Lisa W.
Mockingbird bistro rates as one of our favorite restaurants in Houston. The food has always been spot on if you are dining for a special occasion or going to happy hour at the bar. I was excited to find out that they are now dog friendly. I headed up there after work one day with my husband and dog. They were very attentive, giving our dog water, dog treats, and pets. We both ordered the burgers from the bar menu which were tasting and at $9 a fabulous deal. I am already looking forward to my next visit.
(5)J M.
There is not much more to say than AMAZING about Mockingbird Bistro. Everyone is incredibly nice, and the food is out of this world. Sit at the bar at lunch and share a burger and bibb salad. For dinner, enjoy an off the menu feature or something else from the well appointed menu and please order the bread pudding for dessert. You will not be disappointed! Enjoy
(5)Megan H.
Still one of my favorite Houston restaurants after several visits. Their French onion soup, creme brulee, and warm apple tart are some of the best dishes I've ever had. As far as entrees go, I try something new every time, and every time I'm thrilled with it!
(5)Brandy C.
Came here for lunch with a group of girlfriends and I'm in love now. To be clear, we go out to lunch knowing our hands are going to end up in each other's food, and this was no exception. One pal had seen their American Kobe beef burger in Texas Monthly's best burger list and grabbed that - a hit. Delicious White Truffle Parmasan Fries. I had the Petite Filet Mignon, took half to go since it was so big, and it didn't make it home before I tore into it. Yeah, that's me driving next to you on Shepherd licking meat juice off my fist. I'm classy like that. The atmosphere of this place is cute and cozy and it was easy to come in for lunch and grab a table. I can't wait to go back for an encore.
(5)Peter T.
Food: 4/5 Ambiance: 3.5/5 Services: 3.5/5 Prices: $$$$ (avg 70/person) I came here about 4 years ago for the first time and I remembered it didnt give me a great impression... first, the pasta i had was not that great & second, the clientele was a bit too intimidating for my taste! Thus, I never came back since until recently when I asked fellow Yelpers to choose between Tony's & Mark's and of course, there's always some smart-ass Yelpers (just kidding) that will disagree & suggest another, thus Mockingbird was bookmark in my TO-TRY list! We decided to show a Norwegian suburbanite who currently live alone in Sugarland the beautiful neighborhood of Memorial Park & Montrose. We came here on a Monday evening around 7.45pm & was promptly seated. The restaurant was not busy with about 30% capacity filled, thus it was quiet where we could comfortably talk & listen to each other conversations... thats a PLUS point! We skipped the appetizer and had the following entrees: Kobe Beef Short Ribs $40 (Day's Special): Huge chunk of meat that was slowed cook until it falls apart and melt in your mouth... We were oooing and aaaing as the flavor of the meat dance around inside our mouth and slowly melted away. This is probably the BEST dish of the evening... and the portion was just right. Sesame Seared Swordfish $40 (Day's Special): Both my partner & I are not a fan of swordfish coz the fillet tend to be tough & has not much flavor. Our guest ordered this and she cant even finished the dish. She was given a very generous cut of the fish, beautifully seared & to our surprise, it was very moist & tender, full of flavor. Organic Chicken $28: This was my dish and i'm loving it. A simple dish, not too heavy but enough to fill your tummy as it comes with roasted potato. Again, the chicken was very tender & flavorful. Considering it was a Monday, we only ordered a glass of wine each. I had the rose $8, it was OK, not chilled enough. My partner had the Cote du Rhone $10, he doesnt look impressed but our guest love her Chardonnay $11. So, Mark's or Mockingbird? I think Mark's cuisines are more adventurous & contemporary but somehow faltered in the overall combination of flavors. Mockingbird offers a more classic/traditional flair. If given the choice, I will go back to Mark's to check out more of their dishes coz I'm the adventurous type... but if you want a quiet, romantic evening with something you know its going to be GOOD (and for a safer bet), then go Mockingbird! Thats my 2cents...
(4)Moriah T.
I went here during Houston Restaurant Weeks, and it was very good. First Course: Chilled Tomato and Basil Soup. The shrimp and basil with the tomato soup was just divine. A very refreshing and light start to the meal. Second Course: Lamb Rack with Risotto. This was too scrumptious for words! And of course the dessert trio for a perfect ending to the meal. All throughout the meal I imbibed Duval Leroy Brut. Needless to say I was quite drunk and very happy. I must go again!
(5)Angie F.
We really enjoyed Mockingbird. It was a mixture of a classy and casual atmosphere with excellent service. The food was very good. I had the foie gras and the duck which were both great. It was overall a great experience. It is pretty pricey but we will be back for sure.
(4)Meredith O.
Similar to the previous reviewer, this was the first restaurant week stop of 2013 for my boyfriend and me. Service was excellent; I couldn't believe how quickly our food came after we ordered, and my water glass was never empty (and I drink a lot of water). For our first course, we got the roasted cauliflower soufflé and onion soup. The cauliflower soufflé was fluffy and hot, though the taste mainly came from the fried onions on top. (As mentioned in another review, cauliflower doesn't really have much of a flavor to begin with, so this wasn't a shock.) It was good, but for me, it was more about enjoying the novelty of a non-dessert soufflé than the taste. The onion soup was hearty for an onion soup - lots of caramelized onions in it plus a couple small pieces of bread with gruyere cheese. If you like french onion soup, you would definitely like this onion soup. Winner of the appetizer round: onion soup. For our second course, we got the lamb (because our waiter recommended it) and beef (because it sounded delicious). The lamb was tender and literally fell off the bone when I tried to move it over on my plate to get to the equally delicious pasta and spinach underneath. The beef (medium rare) was really good and came with several different vegetables on the side, including mashed potatoes with horseradish, which gave them a unique taste. Winner off the entrée round: definitely the beef (mostly because I am more of a beef person than a lamb person). For the third course, we got the lemon tart and cool flourless chocolate cake. The lemon tart was good, definitely tart and not too sweet. I was originally considering not ordering the chocolate cake because I am not the biggest fan of the chocolate-raspberry combination, but the raspberry flavor was on the side of the plate and not mixed in the actual cake, and I was so glad I decided to go ahead and order it! It was rich and delicious. Winner of the dessert round: definitely the chocolate cake.
(5)Caroline H.
EXCELLENT!! Came during HRW and we were all blown away. I got the Lobster Corn Souffle, Striped Bass and Dessert Trio. I can't decide what I liked the most but the whole table had stellar reviews. Can't wait to come back and try the hamburgers.
(5)D D.
Found this place on Yelp while passing through town and I am so happy we found this place. An excellent menu delivered with excellent presentation and unequaled service. I think this bistro is a must for anyone in Houston. We had four different appetizers and entrees and all were excellent. Would recommend to anyone!
(5)Donna R.
This is our favorite restaurant at the moment. The atmosphere is great, quiet but friendly. The Chef is very talented and creative and takes care of every detail so that your experience is a good one. We go there for brunch almost every Sunday and always enjoy it. The Eggs Benedict are the best I've ever had. Last night, I had the maple smoked salmon with pumpkin risotto and it was to die for. And the bartenders are as creative and talented with the cocktails as the chef is with the food. Let them experiment with your drinks. You won't be sorry. I had a mimosa last week with campari, gin, champagne and fresh blood orange juice. It was fabulous. And yes, it is sort-of forced valet parking, but who cares? If you want an inexpensive dining experience, go somewhere else. After you eat and drink at Mockingbird, you won't want to walk the neighborhood to get to your car!
(5)Christy D.
Even though I did not come here on a date, I feel like the ambiance here is very cozy, warm and inviting with low lighting so it would be a great place for a "romantic" dinner. Regarding service and whatnot: The service was helpful and polite, not overbearing, nor indifferent. We had a little confusion with our bill getting misinterpreted in the way we wanted it split, but we didn't say anything. It was just a little awkward the way they split the bill pre-tip and then divided the tip unevenly between the bills instead of splitting the final amount. Oh and gratuity was already included for the two of us; I'm not sure if this is the norm for fine dining establishments or what. I don't really mind, but I know some people might not like that. Also, parking is valet and it's free, except for the tip. Since it was a cold evening, we checked out their hot coffee drink menu. They had some great sounding drinks! My friend got a banana nut drink that was so tasty and I had the cafe mockingbird ($9) drink (which they cheerfully made decaf for me) which was almost as good. If I'm being honest, though, I wanted my friend's drink. They brought some bread and herbed olive oil to the table. GREAT bread--they must've put some sort of flavoring on the crust. It was yummy! We were going to start with the beef carpaccio because I remembered checking yelp to see that it was a good dish (I think). We didn't know much about the dish, but it sounded good. However, on her own accord, our ever so helpful waitress informed us that it was cold and raw beef, which did not appeal to my friend. We went for the calamari ($12?) instead. It was good, a heaping bowl of both the rings and squiggly parts. Ok that sounds gross, but it was good. It was served with two sauces, one was a sweet dark sauce and the other was a little spicier remoulade-type dip. For the entree, I really wanted to try the diver scallops, but the logical side of my brain talked me into getting one of the evening's specials, since the scallops are on the printed menu, and the special was not. This special ($40) was grouper topped with crabmeat over mushrooms and oysters, served with pesto mashed potatoes topped with caviar. I'd never had caviar before but it wasn't anything to write home about. The food was very good, but I didn't get to eat much of it fresh from the kitchen because I was so full from the heavy calamari. Honestly though, if I could do it over, I would've tried the scallops since it wasn't the "best fish EVAR" or anything. We looked at the dessert menu so I could tease myself. Really, I wanted a dessert SO badly. They all sounded so good. I wish I were writing a review of some divine dessert right here, but no. Maybe I can update after next time when I decide to go for a delicious hot spiked coffee and something sweet with a friend or on a date. :)
(4)Julia L.
I had a chance to dine here for August restaurant week. Woohoo for 3 courses for $35! When you walk into this place, it kinda feels like one of those old Southern estates. You've got those high ceilings, pillars eveywhere, but it feels like you've walked into someone's living room. Behind the bar, you can see stairs leading to the second floor. I liked that the tables were situated too close together. Very classy (but not hoighty-toighty) and romantic vibe to the place. I know the dim lighting was for ambiance but my camera had a terrible time focusing. The chilled tomato-basil soup has royal red shrimp, avocado and brioche croutons. I had watched Masterchef and saw two chefs create a series of souffles and so I was craving one like crazy! Imagine my excitement when I saw that there was a souffle on the menu. The sweet corn souffle had jumbo lump crab and lobster nage. It was sweet and light as air! The pan-roasted striped bass was served with tomato barigoule, truffled shoe string potatoes in white wine lemon broth. The certified Angus beef filet was served with roasted wild mushrooms, organic new potatoes in a port wine reduction. This steak hit the spot! It was flavorful and wonderfully chewy. The bit of blue cheese on top added a distinct flavor profile.
(5)Fregilia L.
Renia and I decided to stop in for their happy hour since we had another event to attend that was just down the street. I was excited to check out this place from all the great reviews I've read. I got there around 5:30 and it wasn't packed at all. Just a few people at the bar. The bartender, Rene', was just fantastic. He had two beautiful ladies sitting in front of him that are avid lushes and he knew how to handle us properly. He catered to our thirsty needs. I was unsure as to what cocktail I should order and he told me that he could make anything. He mentioned fruit and I was sold. I am a berry girl so any drink accompanied with berries is going to be my drink. He made me an amazing strawberry cocktail. He was attentive to us the entire time until we left. I did not order from the bar menu but they do offer small bites during happy hour. I was able to find parking on the side of the street with no problem. I do believe that they also valet as well if you don't want to deal with finding parking.
(4)Britromancer O.
We have been coming to Mockingbird quite regularly and have found it to be a consistently solid choice for Happy Hour. The ambience, food and service have been stellar. Unfortunately, our most recent Friday happy hour visit was a disappointment. While the service and was still top notch, the quality and presentation of the food did not seem at all characteristic of what we were served on previous visits. The overall taste seemed to be simplified and not as delicately prepared as in the past. It also seemed as though there was a little more emphasis on quantity vs quality. We truly hope that this was just an off evening and that everything will return to previous standards. Again, over the years, we have loved going to the restaurant and would be delighted if it continues on the same path.
(3)Renia L.
Thought I would visit this place as I heard the happy hour was stellar and the customer service top notch. Boy was that accurate. My husband and I decided to stop in after work to celebrate a special occasion and with the 5 dollar drink and Happy hour apps who could resist. Especially when those apps consist of items like Lobster rissotto lolli pops and Kobe beef hotdogs. Upon entering we were greeted immedialtey by Rolando the GM, who assist us with our seats and even told us a little bit about the place. As the evening progresses I noticed the GM speaking with everyone and making them feel cery "at home" and I loved that, being a first timer. Sitting at the bar is always nice and the bar staff was great! The drink were great. Mokingbird was once an old Itlaian restuarant and you can pick up on that old new york, mafia vibe here. Something about the red velvet seats and wood apholstery made me think of "A Bronx Tale". Parking was easy, there is a lot in the back with comp. valet but we were able to find street parking at 5:30p with ease. One reccomendation is to get to the bar early if you want a seat there, as they reserve it for their regulars that start to arrive about 7:15p. There is also a private wine room that seats about 75 patrons for a more intimate gathering. I will be back to this Bistro.
(5)John P.
This place is pretty expensive but the food is pretty delicious. I come here every so often and I'm always satisfied with the food. It's just really really good. Last time I was here I had a burger and it might have been the best one I ever had. I hope you guys have a chance to check it out.
(4)Kiri K.
Came here with my family and had a lovely evening. The service is impeccable: you're always escorted to the restroom, the waiter replaced my knife when it slipped into the Bearnaise sauce, and most impressively all the entrees were placed on the table at the same time by five waiters with a flourish. Needless to say we were impressed. Further, the sommelier served the wine correctly - a Chablis with small pours and an ice bucket to protect the cool temperature. OK, on to the food. ORDER the steak!!!! It is gigantic and cooked perfectly. The frites and garlic aioli were a super yum! Also really liked the haricots certs The mesclun salad was quite good and again a very generous portion. My sister had the lamb which was again cooked to perfection. The scallops were lovely and the starch they were served with was delicately flavored with citrus and celery. Dad's salmon was the least popular at the table and significantly less generous of a portion than all the other entrees. Anyways, dinner was great and Evelio took great care of us! Five stars is well deserved!
(5)Julia P.
I've been meaning to try Mockingbird Bistro since my husband and I moved to Houston in July, but pregnancy has not been so kind to me, so I've pretty much stayed home the past 6 months. However, for Valentine's Day, I wanted to do something special, so we dressed up and decided to do a fancy "date night.' I love the Montrose location because it reminds me of our hometown, Austin, so I was already very optimistic about our dinner. I loved that they had valet parking, and we were seated right away which is always nice. They had a set Valentine's Day menu, but everything I ate was absolutely delicious, so I didn't mind too much. The waiters were very knowledgeable and professional, and it had that true fine dining atmosphere. The interior of the restaurant was absolutely beautiful, and it was very romantic. I highly recommend this place for a birthday or anniversary!
(5)Isabel C.
We pulled up to Mockingbird Bistro just as the dusk was fading into moonlight. The quaint, yet stylish exterior of the building reflected the experience soon to come. The interior reminded me of the really nice house of a born and bred Texan. It was elegant and stylish, but had enough knick knacks to make you feel at home. We were seated towards the back of the restaurant in a room with wine lining the perimeter of the room. I was able to watch people in the mirrors and make up stories of their lives. The waiter seemed a little bit nervous or maybe he just was a high-energy person, but he did a fairly good job. After taking some time to review the menu, we settled on getting the Mussels for an appetizer. He got the Golden Snapper special and I got the Lemon Sole. I cannot tell you how much I regreted my choice. I had a delicious experience, but after one bite of his Golden Snapper I can absolutely tell you now that was the best fish I have EVER tasted. The mussels were hit or miss. Some of the mussels tasted a little foul and others were absolute perfection. The broth was a bit salty to be eaten alone with bread, but it complimented the mussel meat well. The Golden Snapper was served with a red curry sauce on a bed of coconut risotto. The whole dish was fantastic and lead to food euphoria. I was on such a high that I beamed with a smile from ear-to-ear for the rest of the night. My lemon sole served with parchment is an old standby of the establishment and on any other night I would have been blissfully happy. Without the advent of that golden snapper, my review would have been raving about the sole. The ratatouille had bits of olive in it which was somewhat unusual and reminded me of the olive mix you dip your bread in at Nino's/Vincente's. The waitstaff got wind that it was my birthday (thanks to the ballon tied to my wrist and my very helpful fella) and they scribed "Happy Birthday" on our creme brulee. Our coffees came with our dessert and there was a slight hiccup in getting his coffee, but that was quickly aleviated. I love this restaurant and it's definitely one of my favorites in Houston. If only it didn't break the bank so much, I'd be back here on the regular.
(4)Maria S.
I missed happy hour but nevertheless sat at the bar with a friend to enjoy a small plate of food and wine. The $9 glass of Spanish wine was OK. It wasn't on the menu. The least expensive glass of wine on the menu was more than $10. I ordered a grilled veggie plate. For $12 I received a small serving of zucchini and asparagus. I'm not complaining about the contents as I told them not to serve me mushrooms nor green peppers. But the amount of veggies for $12 was small. I've had a grilled delicious veggie plate at a luxurious restaurant at the Galleria. It's generous and has a variety including sweet potatoes.
(3)Stephen S.
I went to Mockingbird Bistro with my girlfriend for our three year anniversary. After reading the reviews on Yelp, I expected great food with mediocre service. However, I was blown away by both the delicious food and exceptional service. When we entered we were immediately greeted by a friendly staff and were taken straight to our table for which we had made reservations in advance. We started with the beef carpaccio and truffle macaroni and cheese (this was from the happy hour menu which had already ended, however they still served it to us without giving us a hard time). The beef carpaccio was the best I have ever had, and I order it just about any time it is on a menu. There were multiple dabs of different sauces lining the plate giving each bite a different flavor and a light layer of parmesan cheese sprinkled on top with a hint of sea salt that really brought out the flavor. For our main course, we split the Colorado lamb shank which was very flavorful and tender. The meat was falling off of the bone and accompanied with a delicious creamy goat cheese polenta. Enough about the food though, everyone raves about that, the service is what made our night special. Wilmer, our waiter, took great care of us, never allowing for our wine glasses to run dry. He had a good presence but wasn't a shadow standing over our table the whole night. John, the chef and owner came by and asked how everything was as well, he later sent out a chocolate truffle plate for desert because he heard that it was our anniversary. The only knock I have was that the man who appeared to be the manager walked around and spoke to every table EXCEPT mine, I don't know if it is because we looked young or unimportant, but I was bothered that he seemed to write us off. However Wilmer and John completely made up for this. Everything about this evening perfect, I cannot wait to go back!
(5)April C.
I came here for a birthday dinner. It was nice and the service was attentive. The food was good, but a tad pricey for what you're getting. The week prior, we went to Charivari and that was great food and a great experience. I was hoping for the same after reading the other reviews. I would give this place a 3.75. Mediterranean Mussels: 4/5 - tomato, garlic, red curry and coconut milk broth with garlic toast; it was tasty and the mussels were of a good size too. Calamari: 3/5 - quick-fried with two dipping sauces: remoulade and sweet and spicy glaze; the batter was very fragile and would fall off, but was still good. Cast Iron-seared Diver Scallops: 4/5 - truffled smashed English peas, spring cauliflower and beurre rouge sauce; the serving size is small - I had to share my steak because I knew the portion size was not going to be filling for my bf. The scallops were fabulous. Steak Frites: 4/5 - certified angus strip loin with sauteed crimini, shitake and oyster mushrooms and pommes frites; the steak was cooked nicely and the dipping sauce gave it that extra YUMM. Even without the dipping sauce - the mushrooms were fabulous and the fries were perfectly crunchy.
(4)Michael B.
Mockingbird has always been an excellent Bistro to chill out and relax. I've always have had wonderful service and food here. I've had many different drinks here, but my favorite is the Bourbon honeycomb. My second favorite is the red sangria.
(5)David N.
So I always wanted to check this place out since they had such great reviews. I just never had a chance to dress up and actually enjoy a sit-down dinner with some friends. So when my friend asked if my gf and I wanted to do a double date during Houston Restaurant Week I was all over it! I managed to find a spot on the street just around the corner but if you aren't so lucky they offer valet parking. The value of HRW is always a plus, but some places the service is dropped, that is not the case here. As far as food I had the Onion soup, it was a HUGE serving size, tasted delicious, my gf had the Lobster Risotto, with big chunks of lobster. I liked the risotto more. Our entrees, were as followed: my gf had the king salmon, it was coupled with some wasabi whipped potatoes and a soy sauce topping. It was just OK in my opinion. I had the slow braised short ribs. It was sweet and super tender. For dessert instead of picking they just went ahead and gave everyone a sampler of three of the desserts. One was a bread pudding, another was a chocolate cake, and the last was a creme brulee. My fav was the creme brulee. Overall, it was a great dining experience. I always take HRW with a grain of salt, since it's not the full menu and not the same attitude as far as the wait staff goes, but it gives me a good preview. This preview was good enough for me to come back and check out the feature show.
(4)Tom W.
Mockingbird Bistro is argueably the best fine dining establishment in Houston. Not stuffy, not pretentious, not lost in its own PR, this restaurant is refreshingly the counterpoint to Tony's and Cafe Annie/RDG. Reliable, solid, and genuinely friendly and professional service, this place remains the epitome of a welcoming restaurant that serves world-class food. Meals start with a gift from the kitchen that is a delicious bite (amuse bouche). Appetizers are lovely and I highly recommend the oyster appetizer (fried oysters with a crab-Rockefeller treatment) , seared scallop on Italian black rice risotto or - trust me - the sweetbreads with Sherry Vinaigre sauce. Salads are made from local lettuces and taste of freshness, but, like the soups, are $9.00 and don't offer (me) the same excitement as some of the more substantial offerings. Entrees are likewise lined out....a fish/shellfish, beef, lamb, pork and chicken entree, each with a few lovely sides. I recently had the Lamb entree - 2 lamb chops with 4 slices of roasted leg of lamb served with a horseradish mashed potato in the potato shell and sauteed eggplant - and the lambchops were not only perfectly cooked medium rare as requested, but were also so delicious I wanted to shout like Sally when I ate them. Yes! Yes! YES! Outstanding and frequently changing wine list. The wines are priced below most restaurant mark up as well. And there are many excellent and unusual choices among the selections. You can go in an sit at the bar and feel well served with an appetizer or two or a Kobe beef hamburger while enjoying a beer, a glass of Cotes du Rhone or any number of the excellent wines by the glass. I have been to Mockingbird probably 30 times in the past 2 years; this place is my father's idea of Cheer's because he is there so often they not only know his name, but he keeps a table there. When I tell this to other people who go there occassionally, they tell me they feel just as well treated even when going only once in a while. To me, that is a class act. When you go to Tony's occassionally, you get to sit "in Siberia"; go to Mockinbird and they make you feel like a long lost friend whom they have never met. This place is the real deal. And you can wear comfortable attire, not a suit and tie, and be just fine. Oh, expensive? Yes. Worth it? Every penny.
(5)Jen W.
We had a Girls Night Out at Mockingbird Bistro, booked through Yelp/My Open Table. The restaurant was very organized, called me the morning of appointment to confirm. When I called 2 hours prior appointment time to change the time and # of people, they were very helpful, showed great courtesy and accommodated my request. We showed up on time, has complimentary valet parking, our table is in the inside room, has very good ambiance. Not too noisy and the wait staff was very attentive and helpful. We ordered the calamari, came with 2 sauces, it was very good. All of the entries were delicious, good portion and reasonable price. We shared the crembulee, bread pudding. Drinks were good but not very strong. Will go again.
(4)Patrick K.
A Houston friend and I enjoyed dinner here on a Friday evening. My friend had made a reservation for 8pm. We arrived a few minutes early. The place was busy but not crazy. The host seemed genuinely glad to see us-- as though both of us were regulars. He gave us the option of being seated immediately in the wine room or waiting a few minutes for a better table in the main room. When he seated us about two minutes later, he took our drink orders immediately. The decor is ecclectic-- a lot of red, lots of wood, leather-lined chairs, low lighting. I liked the atmosphere but recognize that it may not be everyone's cup of tea. I also appreciated that the crowd was dressed well-- not fancy but certainly what I as an Austinite would consider dressed up. Some men were even wearing jackets and ties-- wow! (In Austin we consider closed-toed shoes in summer to be "dressed up.") Outstanding food and a huge wine list. I had onion soup and a trout dish that was superb. My friend and I shared an order of truffle pommes frites. I also enjoyed a dry martini beforehand, which was ice cold and perfect.
(4)John I.
The Mockingbird Bistro is housed in a unique building that almost feels Gothic. Hard to say how this building structure adds or detracts for the dining experience, but it was definitely different. Mockingbird tries hard. From the greeting at the beginning of the meal to the call for a cab at the end of the evening. I appreciated that. The meal overall was uninspiring, but the price didn't blow my budget. Although not cheap and not what one would consider value (based on quality), I think it is still worth trying. Here was my night: Starter: Veal Sweetbreads, sweet onions, mushroom tarragon cream sauce. A below average dish as the sweetbreads were extremely tough. I actually had to deposit some into a napkin and politely gave the napkin to one of the water/bread specialists. The sauce was reasonable, but the quality of the veal ruined the experience. Dinner: Flounder (a special for the evening). A really nice dish that was simple and well presented. Nothing fancy and really no culinary risk was taken. Flounder can be a difficult fish to cook and present, but they did a fine job. Wine: I would have to congratulate the restaurant on their wine list. It truly was spectacular. I even had a chance to chat with the Sommelier on a variety of wines. Her knowledge was average to slightly below average. A nice touch was their "wine flights" or a sample of three different wines. This feature was priced well and the wine poured was more than generous. Good job! Overall, I have experienced better. Good luck
(2)Gary Y.
This place is great for the service and decor. Rustic and charming. The food is another matter. Everything I've had here was way over salted. I thought it might have just been me but my dining companions had a similar compliant. I hear excessive sodium in-take might result in various kind of kidney diseases. Very uncool. I'd hope they tone it down a few notches.
(3)Virtuous F.
Over 200 reviews of this place already, but it deserves another 5 star. Keith, the manager, made it seem that his personal goal was to ensure all of me and my girl's needs and wants were met promptly but not intrusively. His attention to detail wasn't reserved to only our table though, which was impressive. Service was impeccable. Food and atmosphere doesn't hint at anything below superior. So that's that. Just wanted to leave my two cents in terms of the great service that left me obligated to review this restaurant. Go to Mockingbird Bistro! Happy Hour is until 7 pm, and it's damn worth it.
(5)Tommy S.
I visited MockingBird Bistro as the first restaurant of my Houston Restaurant Weeks tour this year. I'll get right to the point and break down my experience in different categories. Parking -- Our group of four came to the restaurant in 1 car and we decided to valet. No long line and very little wait to get our car back. The car came back as it was when we left it for the valet. Those guys got our $5 tip. Atmosphere -- it was a little crowded on the Sat. night. The noise wasn't too bad where we sat. We got seated by the service area so it wasn't the best seats in the house, but we were OK with it. The restaurant looked really beautiful. The lighting and decors were really nice the way an upscale restaurant should be. The Food -- my fiancee and I ordered different things and we tasted each other dishes. It was like I ordered two dishes for each course. Appetizer -- Um.. Love the Lobster Risotto. It was possibly the best dish of all courses. Tri-melon Gazpacho was well, just OK. I did enjoy the garlic bread with the soup, but I expect the whole dish to be much better. Entree -- Holy snap! The wasabi whipped potato that came with the King Salmon was awesome. It was so great; it made the salmon kind of bland. Having said that, it was much better than Diver Scallops. That dish was not memorable at all. Dessert -- I like the Creme Brulee, but I don't love it. It was good but I had better. I would say the same thing about the Truffle as well. No one at our table liked the Apple Bread Pudding. Service -- Prompt but I feel a little rushed. Our waiter was professional, and 'courteous,' however; I am the kind of guy who prefers 'nice' over 'courteous' any day. One other thing, he never asked if we would like a cup of coffee. All and all, we were in and out of the restaurant in an hour. It would be perfect timing if we had a show to go afterward. Unfortunately, that was not the case that night. To sum it up, it was a good experience at the Mockingbird Bistro. I would love to come back again and try different dishes, but it will probably be a while since I put several restaurants ahead of Mockingbird Bistro.
(3)Soo K.
Our Kobe burgers were brought out by 3 servers at the same time, following each other, looked very impressive. They looked like they were heading to serve someone very important. Great presentation, steam off the burger. I mixed a bit of this tangy mayo concotion and placed the greens and onions in the burger, took a bite...wow, so flavorful. Hate to overhype, so defintely recommending you to go and try it. Didn't even use the ketchup, except for the fries. There was so much flavor and it was so juicy...goodNASS! Review was shortened, for full blog sooandthecity.com
(4)Britt E.
Do you like French food that is delicious, accessible and reasonably priced? Do you like Lobster that is expertly prepared? Do you like lamb that is cooked to perfection, with the right amount of spice and tenderness? Do you like heavenly desserts like creme brulee and bread pudding that will rock your socks off? Do you like excellent service, a vast choice of wines priced reasonably? Then this place is for you. It is for me.
(5)Kate B.
I dined at Mockingbird Bistro on a Monday evening with some of my regular foodie friends. First let me say that I love the location and decor of the restaurant. The dining room and lounge area are split by a nice sized bar. The lighting is romantic and the restaurant boasts high ceilings. There is even a couple of tables on the second floor overlooking the main dining room. When the hostess noticed my friend and I admiring the quaintness of the balcony she offered us a table there. As this was a platonic dinner we thanked her for the offer but decided to take a table in the main dining room. I did notice that the prime table in the room was saved for a couple that were obvious regulars. A nice touch in my book. We started with cocktails, I had the strawberry/basil and he had the watermelon mojito. My drink was better, his a bit gritty from the fresh melon. We ordered the crispy calamari to start, it was good but heavy on the breading for my taste. I like calamari that is still soft with fine breading seasoned well. The breading on this dish was lacking in flavor and thick. I had the special, Kobe beef braised short ribs with mushroom risotto and my friend had the pork, a recommendation from our server. Unfortunately the food was just good, not spectacular. I love mushroom risotto but the mushrooms included where so large I had to cut them with a knife into bite sized bits. It just feels wrong to approach risotto with a knife. The short ribs were good but not amazing. Same for the pork. The meal left me wanting to return and try the seafood, maybe this is mockingbirds strong suit. I will return but I can say, if not "wowed" I don't know that Mockingbird will make it on my favorites list. I am starting to wonder if it is unfair to expect Houston's food scene to really be able to compete with New York, Chicago or even Vegas.
(3)Max W.
Went in for HRW and was happy with food and the service. Place was jumping on a Wednesday night. For some reason I have never gotten around to eating here but will definitely be back to partake of many of the menu items.
(5)Houston A.
There was a little roach on the wall. I had to kill it. That basically killed the mood.
(3)Luis R.
I give out 5 stars like Mother Theresa gives out condoms..... However, in this case, Mockingbird Bistro deserved every star. My wife and I had the tasting menu and we were able to share and sample a variety of awesome dishes. Mussels - 10/10 Foie Gras - 11/10 (extra credit was given for using huckleberries in a dish - who knew???) Prime Steak Frites - 10/10 Kobe Beef Burger - 10/10 Desserts - 10/10 (trio sampler of creme brulee, bread pudding, and chocolate truffle) The service was awesome, the wine list was great (I had a wine flight that went really well with my dinner), and cocktails were well done. What are you waiting for? Make your reservations now!
(5)Donna C.
Their burger that's topped with foie gras is GOOD! Get that! It's an expensive burger, I know, but it's worth it. Their other stuff is good too, but I don't even want to talk about the other stuff. No parking, must valet. Crowded. Good service. I prefer to sit upstairs because it's more intimate, so if that's what you're looking for, be sure to ask for it when making reservations.
(5)Mr C.
Love this place! Have dined there a few times and always had prompt, professional service and great food. The burger and fries are terrific. Met a friend for Happy Hour and they have a great menu for $5-$10. It was quite crowded. Had Cassoulet with a Jumbo Shrimp and Croutons--delicious, Carpaccio was tasty and the slider plate (pork, lamb and kobe beef and those perfect fites) was a winner too. The owner came by the table and chatted with my friend. She introduced him to me and an hour later when we were leaving, he called my by name and thanked me for coming. That was a nice touch. Take note those of you in the service industry. Personal service can overcome most anything. Looking forward to eating my way through the menu.
(4)Samantha M.
Pricey...but worth it. Everything is cooked to perfection which has kept me coming back. I"ve been three times in the last couple of months and I expect to return. Every time somebody from out of town comes and visits me I take them here. Have never had dessert so I can't comment on that, but the complaints about poor service are unwarranted. The service has always been excellent, attentive, and non-bothering when I've been in. A class act.
(5)Sayda B.
Everyone is going to hate me but I can't specifically remember the name of the dishes I ate at Mockingbird bistro but I will do my best to describe to you what I ate and how it made me feel :) I dined here with a group of girlfriends during restaurant week. I was a bit nervous about it because you may get treated like a second class citizen for participating in RW at some restaurants.... ahem Tradicao!! We dined there on a Wednesday night. I started out by having a Cosmo at the bar, we arrived during happy hour. $5 Cosmos were so delicious and I liked the iciness. For the starter, I selected this creamed corn with crab. Most of my girlfriends tried this as their starter. It was ok. I didn't like the texture, and there were few pieces of fresh crab (not the imitation kind). The texture was very similar to flan and that kind of put me off and some of my girlfriends. It wasn't terrible though. I forgot to mention that we had an assortment of fresh bread which was warm and tasty. You really can't mess up bread right? For the main course I had the steak, challots, and potatos. OMG the steak was heaven, the wine reduction was bliss. I'm not ashamed to say that I took a few of the left over pieces of bread to slop up the remaining reduction off of my plate!!! The beef was seasoned and cooked perfectly. I think they use that chef's torch to toast some of the outer areas of the cut. Most of the table ordered the steak and we were all in agreement that it was absolutely delicious (and i saw a few slop it up with the left over bread too hehe). For dessert, we ordered a plate with a bread pudding, creme brulee, and chocolate mouse. I cleaned that plate like a good girl. I'm not a wine expert so I just drank the bottle my girlfriends ordered at the recommendation of the server. Everything tasted great! Service was excellent. The restaurant is tucked in the west gray shepherd area, in a small cute neighborhood that I never knew existed. There is valet, I'm cheap so I parked on a street side - that evening there was ample parking on the street. Pricing: This is a pricey restaurant outside of RW. We were part of RW so it was a wonderful deal! I would definitely consider this a special occasion spot for the future. You get what you pay for. My girlfriends and I were incredibly pleased with our restaurant selection! There's a lot of thought we put behind the restaurants we choose to dine at for our monthly get together's. This has to be one of our faves!!
(5)Andrew C.
I visited Mockingbird last week for a friend's birthday dinner. The location in Upper Kirby is difficult to find at night, ambience was quaint but dimmly lit. The food experience was very good; appetizers, soup/salads, and entrees paired with excvellent wine pairings. To be honest, service was mediocre. Dont get me wrong, table service was attentive and prompt. I especially liked how the bartender came and asked what the birthday girl wanted for her special drink. He probed for interested delights and managed to make a creation truly uniquely suited for the person. This was due to several reasons: 1. My 12 ounce sirloin steak was on the medium well side when I asked for meduim rare. In addtion, the sirloin was a bit tough due to too much gristle. 2. Risotto was undercooked and just didnt have the wow factor. 3. They took my plate before I had time to finish. I look away for a moment to answer a call and the next thing I know, my plate and utensils were gone. 4. Split check at the register which automatically tacks on an addtional 10%. This is inaddtion to the 20% gratuity charge for parties of 6 or more. However, the main reason was the addtional $21 service charge tacked onto the bill. We had brought in a cake from outside to celebrate the occassion. The waitreess never mentioned that there would be another service fee. I was expecting there would be an extra charge (similiar to a corkage fee) of around 4-5 bucks. Certainly not 21.00. All the staff did was cut the cake, place on chinaware and add 1-2 garnishes. While it was appreciated, it certainly would have been nice to know in advance.
(2)Daniel W.
I went here for 2011 HRW and this was by far the prix fixe that I was fortunate enough to try this year. The service at this restaurant was fantastic. I decided to try the wine pairings with my meal. I started with the Lobster Risotto which were very very good, but they were out-shined by my main course, the Slow Braised CAB Short Ribs. The short ribs were incredibly tender and braised very nicely. My choice for dessert was a sampler of the house desserts. The one that really stuck out was the apple bread pudding. This HRW Prix Fixe definitely got me interested in trying this restaurant for real.
(4)Megyn B.
Well I almost fell on the floor when I went here and learned that I could get flourless chocolate cake here! On top of having amazing food and an attentive wait staff the atmosphere is great too! Tucked away in the Montrose neighborhood and not surrounded by shopping strips helps. The dark wood bar and dim lighting make it a little romantic too! I wish i could afford to eat here all the time!!
(5)joseph y.
My girlfriend is writing a more in depth review about this restaurant, but rather than combining both our ratings in one review, I figured I'd give it my own separate 5 star rating because the staff was friendly and attentive, the environment was nice and relaxing, but best of all the the food was absofreakinlutely phenomenal. This restaurant is on the pricey side ($40-60+ / person), but it's well worth it whether it's a special occasions or if you're just in the mood to take someone out (or if you're from out of town and your girlfriend tricks you into taking her to one of Houston's finest). The tap water here was excellent!
(5)Tanya F.
My sister and I went here together for a special night out. I live in nyc now, and she has two kids, so it isn't often that we get to spend an evening out alone. We wanted to pick something special for the occasion and Mockingbird Bistro fit the ticket perfectly The restaurant is BEAUTIFUL. Absolutely just gorgeous. And the service, impeccable! We arrived, and right away we were greeted warmly and seated at our table. The sommelier came over to help us select wine. And she was incredibly gracious and welcoming (shout out NICKI!!) and INCREDIBLY well informed about wine. She suggested a wine to me and brought a taste, it wasn'tmy favorite,so she brought tastes of TWO more she thought i'd like. And her assessment was right on the money. Then, the chef sent over an amuse bouche of salmon tartare with wasabi aioli. It was FABULOUS. Even my sister who is finicky about raw fish liked it. For appetizers, we ordered the "duck three ways" which is seared duck breast, foie gras, and duck mousse. The duck breast was the best I'd ever tasted. I'm not a fan of foie gras, but my sister was moaning and rolling her eyes back in her head. And neither of us were fans of the duck mousse (but hey, who's perfect!?) We also shared the truffle pommes frites for an appetizer, and it was delicious. To be honest, I've had better but they were still just really excellent. THEN, the waiter comes by and brings us a free order of mussels in a curry sauce that we hadn't ordered. it was sent to us by the sommelier, which was SO nice. For the main entree, we shared the scallops, which were cooked almost perfectly. Really really great, but we both would have preferred a tad more searing and a crispier exterior. But all in all, pretty fabulous. The scallops were served over seasonal vegetables and a truffle oil pea puree. YUM. After all that delicious-ness, we asked for the check... guess what they brought us.... a free dessert because they overheard it was my sisters birthday. It was a flourless chocolate cake served with white chocolate icecream. OMG. Heaven. So rich decadent and delicious. My experience was amazing. The only tiny little flaws I woudl mention (and this is CERTAINLY not a reason to stay away from this restaurant. on the contrary, run run run over there right now.) is that 1) the duck mousse was not great. 2) it's a bit old school bourgeois-ish and the clientele tend to be a bit older. But regardless, this place is a gem and everyone should try it.
(4)Doris B.
came here for lunch. not a lot to choose from. pricy.
(3)Marcus M.
I've lived in Houston nearly seven years, and even lived within walking distance of Mockingbird Bistro for four, but had never been. A very close friend of mine and I had something to celebrate and she asked me where we should go. I thought this would be a good choice - she's relatively new to the city, and I'd always wanted a go at it. All in all, the experience was excellent! We were there on Valentine's weekend, so the only offering was a prix fixe menu (3 courses, $65 - $95 with thoughtful wine pairings). There were four choices for each course, so we didn't feel limited, and everything sounded delicious. We always eat family style (yes, it might be gauche at a fine dining restaurant, but whatever...), so I was excited to get to try a good range of Mockingbird's offerings. For our appetizers, we had the king salmon tartar and the corn & crab souffle. Both were fantastic. The salmon was served in a generous portion, super fresh and perfectly seasoned with soy and ginger. On the plate were two smears of delectable sauces: one a avocado-wasabi concoction (great) and the other a sriracha aioli (fabulous - this is something I wish I had on hand at all times at home). There were also a few pieces of flatbread, plain but useful for sopping up the final bits of sauce. The souffle was also excellent, if not as distinctive as the salmon. The corn was used to cup an ample heap of lump crab meat, and the combination of flavors was spot on. Our entrees were dijon-crusted rack of lamb with risotto and chanterelles and Muscovy duck breast with a raspberry reduction and pilaf. Both ordered medium rare, both cooked to perfection. Again, the portions were generous and the flavors spot-on. The dijon flavor on the lamb was not overpowering, but perfectly balanced with the excellent cut of meat. The risotto was perfectly toothsome and not overly-salted (a common problem, I find). The duck was tender and juicy and went perfectly with the raspberries, which were at their peak of ripeness. For dessert, we had a warm bittersweet chocolate torte and creme brulee. Sadly, I'm not a fan of either cheesecake or bread pudding (the other two offerings). The desserts were very good, but I wouldn't call them excellent. the brulee had the right crunch and some wonderfully tasty berries sitting atop, but the custard was a bit heavy on egg taste for me. The accompanying "espresso chocolate chip cookies" would have been better served warm. The torte was also tasty, but nothing to write home about. If the food were the only thing under review, I'd likely give five stars; however, caveats with the wine list and the service have to bump it down. The wine list is OK, but it features many "usual suspects" and the markup is 3-4x what you'd pay at Specs, which is a no-no for me in Houston. Our Aglianico was, of course, tasty, but our server *insisted* on decanting it, even though I told her I didn't think it was necessary. The service wasn't bad, but it was, well.....weird. Our server spoke at whisper and seemed frightened the whole night, yet still was adamant about decanting our wine. I also felt embarrassed for her that she had to use a raggedy sketch pad to write our orders down. She wasn't unfriendly or anything, and our courses were served at appropriate times and temperatures, and we were never rushed. Our water and wine were kept filled. It just felt "odd", for lack of a better word. Hopefully with more experience, she will make her customers (and herself) more comfortable. Both of us called earlier in the day to make reservations, but were told the restaurant was booked. The dining room was never more than 3/4 full and we got a table right away (we almost didn't come...). Overall, I would happily return - next time to try the bar menu, which I hear is fabulous. If given the option, I'd probably skip dessert and head to that cake and ice cream place on Alabama, and it might even be worth it to weather the $30 corkage fee and bring a bottle from my own collection (pay $90 for a $60 bottle from home of my choosing instead of $180 for one on their list...).
(4)P P.
You know those books or movies you watch and you think its amazing (the best ever!) ... only for it to slowly decline in your mind's eye over the next few months till you wonder why you liked it so much? Well, that's what has happened to my memories of Mockingbird Bistro. The valet guys are still nice (I ride my bike past them on my way to work) but for some reason I don't think I'll be going back. I guess a year and a half later, what I'll say is that it was a good meal, but in the end unremarkable.
(4)Krashaunda G.
This place is really good. I had no idea it was here, and it has a feeling of a neighborhood gem. For starters I had their version of a caprese salad, delicious. Other people at my table enjoyed the calamari, and the beet salad was described as excellent. As my meal I ordered the 21-dish special of the night, a Chilean Sea Bass that was very nice. My husband thoroughly enjoyed the kobe beef burger with Stilton blue cheese and seared foi gras. If you want to know what a $30 hamburger tastes like, THIS is it. Also enjoyed at the table were a veal chop (a special of the day), roasted chicken, and lamb. Everyone was thoroughly satisfied. The truffle pommes fries deserve a special note; they have such a savory flavor one can't help but reach for another one and dip it in the aoili dressing. It does become a little too rich after awhile and it is a large portion, so an order could easily be shared between 2-3 people. For dessert we busted out the apple bread pudding and oh god did it live up to the hype. One unsung hero of the dessert menu is the lemon tart; it is not too tart and has a strawberry garnish that helps balance the flavors. A nice touch here, is if you split a dish between 2 people the kitchen will split it for you. Service is attentive and friendly. This is a great spot.
(5)Gloria S.
Gotta Love HRW!! I'm so glad I waited to come here. it was the best ending to HRW. I couldn't have asked for a better dinner. Everything was delicious. We did have to valet but it's complimentary and those guys are running to get our cars when we were ready to leave. We also had excellent service! We got seated and greeted immediately. Our food came out quickly one right after another. It wasn't too loud and it was a very pleasant atmosphere. Now on to the food! We started with the Onion Soup and Lobster Risotto. I didn't love the onion soup only because the onions tasted burnt, but the base of the soup was flavorful. The Lobster Risotto was great, I got to taste the lobster and lemon all mixed in there. It was too bad that some of the risotto wasn't cooked all the way through, but not enough to bug me because the seasoning was perfect. Next we had the Roasted Chicken and Driver Scallops. Both were scrumptious. The spice of the chicken actually went pass the skin which was a very cool experience. The scallops couldn't have been more perfect. Everything about that dish was supreme! Then we had their dessert and I loved their creme brulee. It wasn't like every other creme brulee I have had but I can say what was different, but it was excellent. I did try the chocolate truffle and Apple Bread pudding and I thought the truffle was too rich. I really like the caramel paired with the bread pudding. It was a wonderful experience and I can't wait to go back!
(5)Michael L.
Great food - really enjoyed the pork chop and boudin with the coice of mustards. I never drink complicated mixed rinks with clever names, but I did try the "Corpse Reviver" and was really impressed. Great atmosphere and absolutely worth the cost...though this particular meal was a birthday present, so I guess I can't speak to that...
(5)Michon P.
With the exception of my overcooked, but flavorful, ahi tuna, and some "okay" pommes frites (french fries), this is a 5-star restaurant based on the other food (more details to follow), cool neighborhood feel, classy/chill interior and service. I went to this neighborhood gem with my brother and his wife to celebrate the birth of my niece. Just to provide context, I get them a gift certificate every Christmas to this place because they LOVE it and now I understand why. The drinks, especially the lemon ginger martini, are phenomenal. With regards to food, here's a list of the "must-try's" - the french onion soup; red curry black mussels that makes you want to hum; the Kobe burger; the Prime steak (minus the pommes frites) and the aoli for the fries; the turbot fish (was part of the 21 orders, so when it's available); and, last but not least, my favorite apple bread pudding with house made cinnamon ice cream and caramel sauce. Can I cry now because I miss the bread pudding? Enjoy and eat responsibly.
(4)Natasha G.
Went during restaurant week. We had drinks which were good and tasty, I got some kind of berry slush. Had a lobster appetizer, the salmon for entree and the 3 piece dessert. All were so tasty my food didn't last more than 5min. I just got a little antsy waiting around for so long for a waiter to finally come get drink orders and take our selections. I know it's that style of restaurant that they wait about 15min between everything....literally. but I don't like it! If you see me finish the plate within 5min you can pick up the pace a little bit!!! :)
(5)Ernest G.
A coworker and I went on a Tuesday night. We did not know think that the attire we had on was inappropriate in any sense. But when we walked in and saw the other guests, we definitely felt out of place. The women had on cocktail dresses, while the men were in suits or in business casual. We expected to be treated somewhat differently, considering we basically had on nice t-shirts and jeans. The servers were, however, completely accepting. No comments were made or gestures given. The waitress was not rude and took our order without hesitation. She was also accepting of our payment method, considering we were on a tight corporate budget and needed to use multiple cards to make everything work. We were approached by who I assume was the maitre'd. He helped us pick out the wine for the dish my coworker had selected (pork shank). The waitress was also able to describe my dish in great detail. She even changed out the veggie selection on my coworkers's shank with no problem. I had the lamb shank, which was cooked perfectly medium like I asked. The potatoes, which I thought would be weird with goat cheese, were amazing. My coworkers pork shank was more than a generous portion, as was my lamb. The veggies were soft on my dish. But when combined with the sauces and texture of the lamb, their texture was more than appropriate. I saw other review where the service was bad, and the food wasn't prepared the way it was ordered. I did not find any of that on my trip, granted that it was a Tuesday night at 9pm and the restaurant was almost empty. I can see where more people would mean a hastier service and perhaps some cooking errors. It can be expected. I also understand that the mark of a great restaurant is being able to deliver great quality and service consistently. So this causes some contradiction. I can only say that my experience and food was completely 5 star, albeit somewhat pricey. So keeping in mind what you are paying for and when you are going, your experience can also be a great one.
(5)Jill L.
Disappointment after all of the national foodie mag hype. Decor is eclectic and not really in a good way, restaurant was sort of dirty, food was ok and service was mediocre. We made a reservation a week in advance online and let them know that this was our first trip to the restaurant. Why, then, were we relegated to the far back table by the kitchen, especially when other tables at our reservation time were open? We ordered a bunch of appetizers to split and try their mastery - steak tartar, salmon with jicama, spinach, ceasar salad, etc. and some wine. All good, not the best we've ever had, but good. Once our waitress figured out that our table wouldn't be spending $150, though, she pretty much disappeared. Their loss - this is Houston and there are literally hundreds of very solid restaurants from which to choose. Next time, we will.
(2)Andrea J.
This place is a hidden jewel! The food is creative and tasty! I have been here twice for lunch and once for dinner and both the lunches were AMAZING, but the dinner was not as impressive. Still great, but I expected a little better since the lunch was so good. I had braised short ribs and filet - the ribs were superb, but the filet was a little tough, which I was surprised. All in all, I would definitely go here again!!!!
(4)Mrs. C.
Last night was my second dining experience at Mockingbird. I still love the ambiance of this place. The interior is dim and feels very cozy. It is a great date restaurant. This time we were seated in the small balcony upstairs. I definitely preferred the downstairs seating. The upstairs felt a little cramped and the noise level was higher. Our waitress this time was ok. She did her job within a timely manner and made some recommendations, but was not anything note worthy. I ordered the duck after having seen several other reviews raving about it.... and I'm so glad I did. Duck is not something I would usually order, but it was delicious! I cleaned my plate. I also tried the bread pudding for dessert, based on other reviews. It was just ok for me. Next time I will try something else. My entree I give a 5 +++ Overall ambiance of restaurant 5 Upstairs seating 3 My second trip here re-affirmed that this restaurant is on my list of favorites. I am looking forward to going back!
(4)Amit K.
I am not going to review any other restaurants that I went to for HRW except the best one and the award goes to Mockingbird (and keep in mind we went to a few other restaurants in town who were new to HRW as well this time). I have no idea how I never went to this place before after living here so long but I guess I really needed an excuse to come to this place. The restaurant is sort of hidden in a neighborhood so it has the "neighborhoody" charm to it. The inside is very warm and inviting as well with dark mahogany colored decor and white table cloths everywhere. I had an Old Fashioned at the bar to start the night off right. I had the Cantaloupe soup which was delictable, sweet, tangy and tasty. The Steak Frites was amazing and extremely well seasoned and I devoured the entire thing. Agree with Jeff C below...... best. steak. ever. The dessert offered was a tasty trio sampler of all their major desserts and quite a hit with our group. I'll be back for seconds.
(5)Grace K.
THIS IS A HAPPY HOUR REVIEW. There is complimentary valet and street parking. It's located at the corner of the street. The design of the restaurant makes it have a homey, intimate feel, especially with the red colors inside. HH is served daily 5-7 PM. There is a full bar and fantastic wine selection. The restaurant is divided, with the outer for HH and inner for dine in. You can also sit outside and dine as well. Food: My friends and I ordered the Truffle Mac and Cheese, Spicy Popcorn Shrimp, Beef Slider Duo, and Kurabuta Pork Baby Back Ribs. Truffle Mac and Cheese (2/5): I am not a fan of Mac and Cheese but tried it anyways. Nothing special. The cheese was more on the bland side in my opinion. I would not order this again. Spicy Popcorn Shrimp: I didn't try this. My friends said it was good. The size of the shrimp were pretty decent, served with homemade tartar sauce. Beef Slider Duo (3/5): Each slider is about the size of the $1 coin. They looked cute but that was it. The meat was semi dry, and the horseradish cream didn't help much. I had to dip my sliders into my friends sauce (not sure what it was... Rouille sauce I believe). The sauce made it x10 better. Kurabuta Pork Baby Back Ribs (5/5): I saved and ate the best for last. It has a Vietnamese twist to it with the carrots, peanuts, and Hoisin glaze. The meat is tender and falls right off the bones. There are 3 ribs served. You can share or don't have to. Definitely order this! Drinks: French 75 and Biagio. French 75 was great. If you like gin, then you would like this. Adult lemonade to sum it up. I would recommend the Biagio over the Pinot Grigio. The Pinot Grigio was too sweet for me. I have to say this HH place for drinks are definitely worth it. However, I do not agree with the food besides the ribs! The portions for the amount are not worth it. I would come back for brunch or lunch!
(3)Ricky S.
My first impressions about this place as we were driving up....are we at someone's house? Seriously, this place is right in the middle of a residential area, which took me off by surprice. However, when you walk into the establishment, you will quickly see French decor. The place is dimmed, so it's a nice place to enjoy some good atmosphere. I am rating this place 3.75 stars because I enjoyed my appetizer and dessert, but my entree was just average. Food: I ordered the beef carpaccio as my appetizer. Some people do not enjoy raw beef...I typically don't either, but the toast and dressing added great texture and flavor. The beef is thinly sliced so they just melt in your mouth. We were told by our server that the portions are not big enough to share, but, in my opinion, we could have easily shared because the portions were decent. My next course was their special of the night, rib eye served over grilled asparagus and mashed potatoes. I originally wanted to order the duck, but the rib eye sounded too great to pass up. I enjoyed my rib eye, but I've had better (try the rib eye at Reef! I know, its weird ordering beef at a fish specialized restaurant, but it was delicious). To finish the night, our table shared a few things. My favorite of the night was the flourless chocolate cake. It was very light and not too sweet. I took a quite bit and was not shy to keep going for more! The service was good. I noticed that the server would fold your napkin and place it back on your table if you ever got up. Additionally, they brought all our food out at the same time! I really like that! You won't have to awkwardly start your meal or wait for your food to get cold as others are waiting. That's a plus. However, our server could have done a better job if she knew the menu a bit better. I would consider having another meal at the Mockingbird Bistro, but there are many other options to try in Houston.
(4)Melanie S.
Lots of things are good at Mockingbird Bistro, but what keeps me coming back over and over and over again is the Happy Hour burger. A delicious burger covered in chunky blue cheese (for $10). Yes, please! And served with pickles, pickled onions, French fries, and mayonnaise. Add a $5 cocktail (or glass of wine) to that and the complimentary amazing bread basket and seasoned olive oil and you have a heavenly, affordable, memorable meal. I could eat it at least once a week. The décor, ambiance, and service are all top notch. Parking on the street can be annoying, but it's a small annoyance. And you could always spring for the valet. If you want to try Mockingbird Bistro, but don't think you can afford it, GO DURING HAPPY HOUR (which they also have on the weekends! I die.). And even if you can afford Mockingbird, you should still go during HH. I have dreams of one day trying the dinner time burger with foie gras, but for now the HH version will do nicely.
(5)Vlad V.
Went to Mockingbird Bistro for my mom's birthday and I can't say enough good things! The restaurant is a classy spot and has some spectacular chandeliers. We ordered some wine and cocktails and then I had the pork chop entree with polenta and red cabbage. Some of the best pork I've ever had and large portions for a French restaurant! We all shared some truffle pomme frites (french fries) which were also amazing. The rest of the group really enjoyed their meals as well: duck and the venison special. Our waitress was nice and brought out three chocolate truffles with the words 'Happy Birthday' written in chocolate across the plate as well as a candle. Not a large dessert but the truffles were great like anything else. Mockingbird has entered my top 10 favorite restaurant in Houston, bravo!
(5)Jessica J.
This place has been on my short list of places to dine in Houston. It did not disappoint. The restaurant is beautiful. I made reservations for 3 and we were seated upstairs in a lovely loft area. The temperature was perfect and the service was top notch. We sampled several cocktails on the menu and all of them were refreshing and well balanced. My favorite of the night was the "Pimm's cup". The "Cucumber martini", "French Blonde", and "Midnight Bramble" were also delicious. The main course was also delightful. I ordered the special; Red Snapper served with crawfish risotto and roasted vegetables. The fish was perfectly cooked and it was not overpowered by the other components of the dish. My fellow diners also enjoyed their meals; one ordered the pan seared duck breast and the other the range chicken. My only regret is that we did not have the time to stay for dessert. I will definitely be going back to Mockingbird soon!
(5)John B.
We were here recently for Houston Restaurant Weeks. The food was excellent. The service was extremely attentive and detail oriented. Definitely worth the money!
(5)Nora H.
I've only been here for lunch, but it's a fantastic setting for an intimate meeting during the day. The truffled pommes frites do not disappoint!
(5)Miranda L.
Houston Restaurant Week 2014: lunch review I kicked off Houston Restaurant Week 2014 with a lunch at Mockingbird Bistro. I participated two years ago for dinner and wasn't impressed, but everyone deserves a second chance right? Right. Reservations were made promptly for 11:30, but I arrived a few minutes early and they were already open with people already seated. The staff was very welcoming and friendly. Our server was very nice and provided his insights to the menu when I asked about portion sizes, preferences, ingredients, etc.. He managed to convince me to order the M-Bistro Caesar salad again because of their award winning caesar dressing. Like I said earlier, everyone deserves a second chance right? Salads included. I didn't take a picture, but it was presented very nicely, and the portion size was perfect. The dressing wasn't too heavy which made the first course very light and refreshing. I picked the salmon for my entree. I actually liked the sides more than the salmon itself. It wasn't very flavorful and wasn't cooked to my liking. I would have preferred it to be medium well, but it was still a bit rare. If I wanted raw salmon, I would have gone to a sushi restaurant. Just saying. Anyway, it wasn't anything special or exciting. The portion size was perfect though. For dessert, I chose the cool flourless chocolate cake. As stated in last year's HRW yelp reviews, the cake is pretty dense since it's flourless. I didn't think it was anything special either. Given that this restaurant has pretty good ratings in general, I'm guessing their HRW menu doesn't quite reflect what they can truly offer. It'd be nice if they put their best, most popular dishes on it. If they tasted great, I'd definitely come back. However by putting mediocre items on it, it will cause me to skip over this place next time around.
(3)Lisa G.
Mockingbird Bistro has a fantastic happy hour that is available in the bar, lounge, and patio areas from 5pm - 7pm on weekdays. Both valet and neighborhood street parking is available. Complimentary bread basket: Excellent. The bread basket came with white and whole grain bread. The white was good, but the whole grain was absolutely delicious--moist and pillowy soft. The olive oil dip had complex flavors with a nice array of aromatic spices. The bread basket was automatically offered to us on my first visit, but we had to ask for it during my second visit. Salmon tartare: Good. Small portion, but not unreasonable for the price. It could be a little more flavorful, but the fish is fresh and buttery. Wild boar sausage: Good. Tasty and not too greasy, but nothing special. Served on a bed of sauerkraut. Onion rings: Great. I am not a big fan of onion rings, but these won me over. The batter is beer-based and extremely crispy and flavorful without being too greasy. The onion is not stringy at all. M bistro burger: Star of the show. Succulent, juicy Kobe-style beef is served on a soft onion roll with a little sweet twist from the bacon onion marmalade. It is served with a delicious side of garlic aioli with some pretty awesome shoestring fries. Happy hour drinks: Good. Very reasonable at $5 a cocktail, and quite tasty to boot. Service: Very attentive and professional.
(4)Catherine L.
Came here for restaurant week last night and it was pretty good! It wasn't our first choice to eat here for my parent's anniversary, but it was one of the few restaurants with reservations available. I got there before everyone so I went in to let them know that the rest of my party will be late and they were very understanding and asked if I wanted to wait at the bar. For HRW I got the salmon tartare, the pork chops and the cheesecake. The salmon tartare was delish. I tried the wedge salad and the Caesar salad and those were good too. The pork chop was cooked to perfection and there's this white mash potato looking like thing that was amazing. The cheesecake however, was not good. It was very dry. We also ordered risotto and truffle fries as sides. The risotto and truffle fries were good but not the best I've had. The service was great, they did this thing where they had a server per person bring out food and everyone would get their dish at the exact same time. My water was always filled. It was a very lovely experience.
(4)Jenny M.
HRW menu was really good!! The service was excellent!!! Highly recommend it for 2 to 6 ppl. I would definitely go back again and eat some food off the regular menu. The French onion soup, salad, pork chops, ribeye, and the sample dessert platter was all very flavorful.
(4)Jackie F.
Had yet another great meal at Mockingbird last night. This time I went with more casual food and sat at the bar. Salmon BLT was great, as were the addictive frites and a salad of heirloom tomatoes and burrata. Excellent food and a great bartender, which made sitting at the bar even better. Love the family feel and great food here.
(5)Michael B.
While I've only been here a few times, I have yet to be disappointed. For good French cuisine in the Montrose area, look no further. The slow roasted onion soup is some of the finest I've ever head (and I basically order it every time a restaurant has it). I've also been a big fan of the lamb rack and the duck in the past. That being said, I have no doubt that Chef john Sheely would never allow a subpar item to be on his well crafted menu. This is no "every day" restaurant as prices are quite high, however, they offer a HRW menu and happy hour is very reasonable. Free valet is available, but you can usually find parking around the neighborhood.
(4)Quyen V.
Cute brunch spot. Inside is decorated pretty fancy, kind of gothic architectural style. Kind of surprised me, for some reason from the reviews and pics I thought it was gonna be a cute little house? Anyway, it's good for a fancy brunch on the weekend for couples/girlfriends. I had the French toast and it was a nice texture- not too soggy. My boyfriend had the croque Monsieur and that was just okay. We were expecting the one-slice style croque Monsieur you typically see at other restaurants, but this was just more like a ham sandwich. No huge complaints, and I'll probably come back here (prob to try out the dinner menu!) Fyi- parking here is NOT easy. It's in the middle of a residential neighborhood. Valet only unless you park somewhere in the neighborhood and walk.
(3)Lasairiona M.
My first time here and my first attempt at HRW menu. I'm always wary of going to "nice" places with little little people, and, true enough, I felt like I got a few stares from the staff upon arrival. Normally, I get to the restaurant 30mins before I'm due to meet friends to (breast)feed my infant. It's more comfortable for the both of us than nursing in public, and I REFUSE to wear a cover. So, I turn up at the bistro at 11, and there's no restaurant parking. The only parking they have is valet parking, which is closed for now, and, not knowing the area, being totally confused by all the bent no parking signs, I had no idea of where was legal to stop for 30 mins and feed my son. Back on to S. shepherd I go and find somewhere to feed my baby. Not only is there no parking, but it's valet parking, onto the road. So when you get your car back, it's "in traffic" so you have to pack up ALL your baby gear, stat and get out of the way. That aside, I had the Caesar salad, strip steak (well done) and the flour less chocolate cake. I literally died and went to heaven. The breadbasket was yummy too. The steak, which I normally eat well done, was cooked to perfection, but not dry or flavorless, it was packed full of flavour. The jus was out of this world, presentation was great, portion size was great and the fries and garlic aioli were so good, I took some aioli home! Nom!!! The chocolate cake was rich and creamy, and I couldn't finish it!! The server was great, too much Ice in my soda but he was friendly and attentive. I'd go back, if someone else was driving
(4)Antineous R.
Great place to go to for happy hour, they have a dog friendly patio where they serve some awesome $5 cocktails between 5-7pm as well as some tasty appetizers, I'd personally recommend getting the cheese plate and some of the shrimp cocktail! They do offer valet or you can just try to find some parking off the street.
(4)Gigi L.
Girls night out here, but looked more romantic. it's ok maybe I can be kinda romantic to them lol. Bar area for happy hour: $5 appetizers!! Can't beat that. Great service, complimentary valet. So far the food was good/ok. Appetizers should be changed a bit, Mac n cheese was vey plain and too much cheddar, popcorn shrimp didn't have a kick to it, onion ring sauce was so good actually went well the shrimp instead of blue cheese ranch we had.
(3)Kelly C.
Really enjoyed this little gem - the first thing that hit me when I walked in was that it felt much more intimate and warm than I expected. It has rich velvet material, dark wood, and big chandeliers which make it different (in a good way). The service and the food were both very well executed. I ordered the beet salad which was a nice light start to the meal, tried the squash soup which was rich and cozy for a winter's night, and enjoyed a barramundi (Australasian white fish) special for my main. Friends ordered the tuna with wasabi mashed potatoes which they said was excellent. For dessert we shared a cinnamon apple bread pudding which was really nice. The service was nicely done as our server was always available, but I actually felt like I was able to enjoy conversation with my fellow diners without being interrupted. Would definitely come back again when in the area. It's a great place for a romantic dinner, nice dinner with work colleagues or friends.
(4)Justine H.
*REVIEW FOR HRW MENU* Mockingbird Bistro has always been a strong contender in the Houston restaurant scene, providing top-notch customer service, an upscale dining environment, and. until my most recent experience, high quality food. What separates the strong from the weak is consistency, whether it be a dead Tuesday night or a bustling Saturday night during Houston Restaurant Week. Let me explain. The staff was very accommodating. No hitches in our reservation. Charismatic hostesses and wait staff. Black napkins instead of white. As usual, the attention to detail was spot on. The booze was great, and at $12 per cocktail, they had better be. The HRW menu here is ultra safe - great for you ofal-fearing food introverts. FIRST COURSE. For starters we ordered the Wedge Salad with Pork Belly Croutons and the Salmon Tartare with Potato Chips. The wedge salad had a wonderful zippy stilton dressing. And the "pork belly croutons"? Well, when in doubt, pork it out, I say. The salmon tartare was nothing special. On the other hand, I could have gone for a whole bowl of the potato chips... but that's not very proper is it *holds up pinky while munching Lays*. SECOND COURSE. Being the carnivorous meat-lovers that we are, both Jason P. and I ordered the Petit Beef Filet. MISTAKE! The wild mushrooms doused in bland madeira sauce were plain boring. The creamed spinach flan, which my waiter repeatedly referred to as a "souffle", was an atrocity. The flan had very little taste and reminded me of jello, the way it kept a detailed resemblance to the ramekin it was pooped out of. The petit beef filet, albeit cooked medium rare per my request, was as tough as shoe leather, covered in nails, rolled up in a tire (without salt). Eventually my jaw tired from chewing the unseasoned hockey puck, and I passed it off to my boyfriend. LAST COURSE. The Flourless Chocolate Cake, and my favorite dish of the night, the Apple Bread Pudding, ended our meal on a mid G note. The chocolate cake became a fun dinner topic, as I pointlessly expelled the mystery of a flourless cake. The cake is like a fudge or truffle and would please any woman during that time of the month. The wonderful apple bread pudding was perfectly tart, not too sweet, caramelized in all the right places, and complimented with cinnamon ice cream. I dared not share too much of my dessert, in hopes that it would remedy any further ranting throughout the night. Towards the end of our meal, the table behind us, who had been receiving special treatment all night, received a special halibut dish that sent my nose hairs for a whirl. I did not have the heart to tell them that their "fish special" was really just fish that had been saved from the dumpster. I expected more out of Mockingbird Bistro. At the very least, I had hoped for a beef filet that wouldn't put my jaw out of commission. Houston Restaurant Week is not an excuse to slack off on producing quality food, and for that, I give Mockingbird Bistro 3 stars, and the deuces.
(3)Jennifer D.
Had dinner in the wine cellar for a company event. Rustic, dimly lit interior with gorgeous wooden carved doors and and beautiful wooden chandeliers. Enjoyed the Caesar salad and apple bread pudding (came with berries!), but the highlight for me was definitely the filet mignon. Tender, juicy and well seasoned, I'm usually not a steak person but I loved this one. The servers were wonderful, and though this certainly was not necessary, every time one noticed me on the way to the bathroom would go out their way to open the door for me. Perfect date night restaurant.
(4)Andrea P.
Sometimes yelp reviews can be misleading and unfortunately, I was mislead. It was my grandmothers birthday and I had asked her to travel from Guatemala to celebrate in Houston and unfortunately booked a reservation here based on all of the rave reviews. We had the fried calamari as an appetizer and they came out soggy with undercooked batter. The sauce they served with the dish was delicious but the calamari were inedible so the sauce became pointless. My husband had the pan seared duck which, was decent but simple and nothing to brag about. He is an eater and let's just say he left most of his plate untouched by the end of the evening. I had the strip steak with mushroom reduction sauce but the meat was really tough and somewhat dry. I can say that the fries were delicious and cooked to perfection so definitely give those a try because they don't disappoint. I can't remember what my grandma or mother had but they were not impressed. We didn't order dessert because we were so disappointed by the entrees but our server (whose name I don't remember) was awesome. He was so friendly and extremely helpful and most importantly, he was not pretentious at all. Overall, I would say I might have come here on a bad night but I don't think I'm going to give this place a second shot. However, based on all the rave reviews maybe you'll make it out on a good night? Always worth a first try.
(1)Lee J.
ALL the Yelp folks I follow (and trust) gave this place 5 stars and raved about the superb service and food. My experience wasn't so great at all. So I am just utterly confused. I have 4 strikes against them: 1. I didn't like their crème brûlée and that is my favorite dessert !!! MB's was different than any other I've ever tasted. It kind of tasted more like egg custard. It resembled the one at Mediterraneo's in Clear Lake, except Mediterraneo's tasted much better. 2. My lobster bisque was barely lukewarm (almost cool actually). Why!?!? 3. My table of two was forgotten most of the time. We had to flag the guy down several times for drink refills and for further requests. (btw, my table was in the dead-end corner, behind the bar). For a highly-reputable establishment such as this place, really there is no excuse. 4. I felt so crammed in their tiny bathroom and I'm already a very tiny person. I can't imagine anyone of normal size in these restrooms. I think I'm being generous and fair by giving them 3 stars. It's just too dang expensive for me to go there again and give them another try. I really want to give them 2 stars, but I'm such a nice person. I try to go at least twice to every establishment before I give 2 stars, so I'll round up to 3. Besides my above gripes, the rest of our food was okay. We ordered a variety off the menu, but sadly I can't remember and I've lost my receipt. The Colorado rack of lamb was $44! For superb service, great lamb and dessert, and much better atmosphere I will stick with one of my favorite places - Masraff's. For French cuisine, I will stick with my other favorite place - Café Rabelais. For lobster bisque or crème brûlée, I will go anywhere else but here (even to that place I've banned - Cullen's, just kidding!...but Cullen's really did taste better for those 2 items).
(3)Amber K.
We had dinner last night at the Mockingbird Bistro. We had no problem getting a reservation, valet parking, and we sat right down. Drinks are pricy but usual for the area. The service was amazing and our waiter was fantastic and very helpful. I had the snapper and my friends had the filet. Wonderful!!! The shrimp and grits appetizer was also very very good. Highly recommend!
(5)Melissa K.
My friend and I came here for happy hour, and goodness, this place is amazing! Happy hour runs daily from 5-7 pm. When we arrived around 5:15 pm, we literally walked into an empty restaurant, excluding the staff. I guess this place just doesn't get very busy for happy hour on a weekday, which is fantastic. The restaurant is beautiful and romantic. It's perfect for an intimate gathering of friends or a date. I almost wish I had my birthday dinner here had I known about this place. The service is impeccable. Our waiter was so gracious and charming while assisting us, recommending dishes off the happy hour menu and even cracking a tasteful joke. I tipped him well, obviously. Since this was our first time there, my friend and I wanted to try different dishes. We ordered 3 cheeses ($10) and Fried Gulf Oysters ($12) to share and each got an M Bistro Burger ($9). For our beverages, my friend ordered a Margarita (delicious), and I had a glass of their happy hour red wine. The cheese portions were very small for our cheese plate, so I would not recommend getting one. The cheeses we chose were okay -- nothing special. The Fried Gulf Oysters, on the other hand, were fantastic. They were flavorful and perfectly fried, and the coleslaw underneath complemented the oysters well. The M Bistro Burger (recommended by our waiter) was juicy and satisfying. The burger itself is pretty large, and the stilton blue cheese really gave the burger a kick. We spent a hefty amount for happy hour (around $50), but we ordered a lot of extra food that we typically wouldn't get. Plus, had it not been for happy hour, we probably wouldn't have tried this place out since one main dish usually costs around $25-$30. I definitely know I'll be back to try other items on their happy hour menu!
(5)Christina E.
My boyfriend and I, plus 2 other couples enjoyed a fantastic Sunday brunch here. The ambiance was classy and sophisticated, and the service treated us like royalty. I really liked their drink menu which offered cucumber, grapefruit, and even pomegranate mimosas! (In addition to regular and blood orange) All 6 of us enjoyed our meals. My friend had the French toast, and I had the blackened shrimp over creamy cheddar polenta with pulled pork. It was very tasty and the perfect serving size. We will definitely be back!
(5)Christie N.
I LOVE this place. I used to come here with my dogs so I can't say I know much about the inside of the restaurant. Mockingbird is one of the more fancy-smancy dog-friendly places on my list. The lunch was phenomenal. I had the catch of the day which was a Chilean sea bass served with rice. Flavors were on point: flakey, buttery, hearty, homey. Really, it was such a long time ago but it was so unforgettable...as it should be. I've never had anything I didn't like so my compliments to the chefs! Overall, food and service was great; I love how attentive they were to me and my dogs even though we were scrubby and on the patio. That kind of service is golden.
(5)Stephanie Y.
I really can't find anything bad to say about this place. The food and service were excellent, wine recommendations were exactly what I wanted (smooth and full bodied), and this restaurant truly knows how to give their patrons a fine dining experience. Not once was my water glass or wine glass empty, and if you don't know where the restroom is just ask your waiter. It's probably not that big of a deal but instead of pointing you in the direction of it, he'll lead you there. Once you come back to your seat you'll find your napkin refolded on the table as if you had never even used it. How fancy. It's these little details that I believe distinguish a restaurant from "just serving expensive food" to a true "fine dining experience." Onto the food... for starters, my bf and I received smoked duck confit on a garlic baguette as "compliments from the chef." All I can say is that the garlic baguette with garlic butter and smoked duck confit was to die for. I love anything smoked, and I am a huge fan of duck confit, so to me, this was an amazing pre-appetizer bite. The duck was so tender and the garlic crouton was perfectly buttered. I wish I could eat that pre-appetizer as a meal! Our "real" appetizer that we ordered was the foie gras with corn, mushrooms, and two kinds of sauce. I'm usually pretty picky about my foie gras, as I've had some very "irony-minerally" tasting foie gras before and was not a fan. The foie gras at mockingbird bistro is absolutely delicious. The texture isn't as smooth as I thought it would be (like soft tofu) rather, it's more meaty but still fork tender. The sweet sauces that were paired with the foie gras complimented each other when eaten in one bite. Sweet and savory heaven on a plate. Definitely order this as an appetizer. For my entree I ordered the seared duck breast-roasted leg (forgot the actual name but it's something like that). The duck thigh and breast were both cooked at medium (although they recommend medium rare). Surprisingly, the duck was extremely tender and not gamey tasting at all. They know how to cook a mean duck dish! I wanted to eat the seared skin so badly.. I mean that's the BEST part of duck. But I refrained from it and only ate the meat. So tender, so juicy... some of the best duck I've ever had, definitely on par with some pretty phenomenal duck dishes in Paris. The duck dish is served with baby broccolini and French carrots as well as a cranberry apricot wild rice. Once again, the chef really seems to enjoy cooking sweet and savory dishes as the wild rice is quite sweet and the duck is very savory. Overall, if you're not on a tight budget and would like to pamper your date or celebrate a special occasion, I'd highly recommend coming to Mockingbird Bistro to elevate your palate to a whole different dimension. Next time I'll make sure to save room for dessert as the portion of the duck dish easily could have been for two people to share. :) Thanks for a wonderful dining experience Mockingbird Bistro.
(5)Jane V.
Disclaimer: I came here for HRW so it may not be representative of the normal quality. Overall great service, nice, upscale setting (pretty dark inside), and good food. The wedge salad had a great dressing and the pork belly croutons were fantastic, but lacking in quantity (4 tiny slivers). The steak was cooked to a perfect medium rare but the spinach accompaniment was not very good (flavorless and a weird texture). The cheesecake was excellent. I'll definitely try it again, but think it'll fall into my "nice restaurant with good food" category - not a place to rave about.
(4)Rae M.
I thought Mockingbird, overall, was good. The part that i'm struggling with is that I didn't get warm fuzzies. I think maybe because it is much fancier than I had originally anticipated? I have to be in the right frame of mind to go to a restaurant where people stand by my side until I get up just so that they can refold my napkin into the shape of a swan, unicorn or some other mythological type creature that looks elegant and beautiful. Anyhoo, I'll start from the beginning: I don't like that they give you ONLY drink menu's first, then once you decide on your drinks and they get delivered, THAT is when you get your food menu. I already knew what I wanted and I was super hungry, so I didn't much care for that style. I've been to several classy, high end restaurants and have never come across a style like this. Just preference, I suppose. Also, there really aren't any starters? Our server told us about a Caprese Salad as a starter and they are my weakness, so we opted for that....The cheese, (it was some kind of Italian cheese, not just the typical mozzarella) was delicious. There was just a liiiiitle smidge of balsalmic glaze. I only tasted it on 1 or 2 bites. I would have liked to see more of that. Also, there were just little pieces of basil leaves kind of shredded on top of the tomatoes and I would have preferred the whole leaves on each tomato. I just think basil really brings alla the flavors together. Through all of my complaining and nit-picking, It was still very, very good. I guess I was just expecting a lot more from a $21 dollar salad. We both ordered the Mussels. In a coconut curry broth. Now THEY were great. Oh, the flavor. Just...Wow. I was very impressed by them. And thankfully so, because they are the reason why we came. They run $16 dollars each. Well worth the price. For dessert we had the Tahitian Vanilla Crème brûlée. Whenever a menu offers Crème brûlée, I order it. The homemade whipped cream was to die for. The custard was just ok...The disappointing part was the caramelized sugar on top. Which is my favorite part...There really wasn't one? There was no crunch, so to speak, when I sank my spoon in. For me, the custard is too overwhelming and rich when you don't have the caramelized top. We took a couple bites and didn't finish. It wasn't bad tasting by any means, but I wouldn't have called it a Crème brûlée...Which means "burnt cream". Nothing torched or burnt about it. Sad face. I ordered a drink that wasn't on the menu. Our server was happy to have it made. I told him the ingredients that I wanted and it turned out great. That was a plus. After that I ordered a martini and that was good as well. Your water will never get low and your napkin will always be a beautiful Swan should you decide to get up for a moment. :) Congratulations if you made it through this entire review. I'll shut up now.
(3)Jason W.
First, great burger! Second, the mayo aoli is really good too. I have had the burger with and without the foie gras and in my opinion you don't need it.
(4)Courtney P.
One of my favorites for Mothers Day, Anniversary, and Bday. You just have to go...it's the Mockingbird!
(5)J T.
I recently stopped by Mockingbird Bistro for happy hour and was very pleased as always. It had been a while since I had visited, far too long actually. The food and service were both excellent and the happy hour bar prices are very reasonable. I highly reccomend!
(5)Yunzhi W.
For the price and the hype of the mockingbird, I was shockingly disappointed. Both the service and the food were terrible. I will NOT be returning. For reference, the price point of the mockingbird at dinner time will run the average patron about $80 (appetizer or dessert, entree, one alcoholic drink, tax and tip). That's fairly standard for high end restaurants in Houston. For that money, I got an appetizer of mussels (washington state black mussels - roasted tomatoes, spanish chorizo, white wine, garlic toast), the duck entree (pan-seared rohan duck breast - foie gras, red quinoa pilaf, black cherries, baby spinach, port redux), and a glass of the house cab. My date had the veal sweetbreads (veal sweetbreads fricassee of portabello mushrooms, roasted cipollinis, pancetta, puff pastry, creole mustard sauce), the foie gras burger(seared foie gras, slow dough onion bun, garniture, truffle frites) , and 2 glasses of wine. We had a few other orders around the table, but I only really focused on our plates. So, the food. I was honestly not impressed with any of the items we ordered. The wine was a decent full-bodied red, but nothing special. But that is to be expected for a high-end restaurant. The wine should compliment the food. The food, on the other hand, was an absolute disgrace. My date's sweetbreads were bland and starchy - the sauce overly sweet and cloying. My mussels were fairly standard. Not terrible, but could have been much much better. The entrees tasted like they would have been average by strip-mall bistro standards. The burger patty was under-seasoned and overly rare, with a slightly slimy texture. The duck was tough and chewy - reminiscent of shoe leather. The foie gras on both entrees were somehow overly foie-gras-earthy. For hours after dinner, I could taste the greasy liver flavor on the throat of my tongue, despite drinks and brushing my teeth. I didn't think there'd be a thing as too much foie gras, but I was very disappointed to find out that there was. It goes without saying - it was not the best culinary experience. Now, the service. If the food was disappointing, the service was actually worse. For the calibre of restaurant the Mockingbird claims to be, I expected prompt, but not overbearing service provided by happy (or at least seemingly happy) staff. The restaurant provides complimentary bread and dipping oil (probably one of the only pleasant food items all night). However, we were a party of 7 and they gave us one basket, which went very quickly. I must have asked for a refill 3 times before any actually showed up. Service was slow, as well. My reservation was for 8 pm, and we did not leave until well after 11. My suspicion was that the staff was not as attentive since our party was large enough that the 18% gratuity was automatically included. Quite an obvious display of cutting corners. So, I'm glad I finally made it out to try the Mockingbird. I had really been looking forward to it, given all the positive reviews on Yelp. It was disappointing and I will not be returning.
(1)Alexander W.
We have an uprising on our hands and it is my Hunger.. Pangs. Theory: Texas is Panem. Houston is The Capitol. Mockingbird Bistro is Katniss Everdeen's restaurant. Proof: The state bird of Texas is the Mockingbird. I know the Jabberjays mated with Mockingbirds to spawn Mockingjays. It all makes sense, trust me. The only thing that can quell this ravenous rebellion are some Steak Frites and/or Pork Chops... okay and probably Jennifer Lawrence ;). Both the steak and pork chops are huge, tender, and scrumptious. The truffle fries were oh-so-satisfying. The meal was served in an arena resembling a high ceiling-ed historical house tucked away in a quiet neighborhood. The Avox and prep teams were great and on point.
(4)Kim O.
We ended up at Mockingbird Bistro on accident. For weeks, my mother and I had been planning a nice dinner at Oxheart. According to Oxheart's website, we could not make a June reservation until June 1. My mother neurotically checked back on the website about 72 times during the last week of May just to be sure. At 10:00 pm on May 31, she checked again, only to find that reservations had opened, and there was nothing available for the night we were wanting to go. Bummed but not deterred, we did some research and made reservations for Mockingbird Bistro, which is located in a charming old strip on Welch Street. Much like the exterior, the interior is also very charming. The inside is much more massive than you would expect. The large rooms are dimly lit and contemporary-looking, with contrasting Renaissance-style lighting fixtures hanging from the ceilings. Mockingbird's menu doesn't really offer anything in the way of vegetarian entrees, but I was able to piecemeal a sizable (and outstanding!) dinner together from sides and apps (something I'm starting to get used to when eating out veg). I started off with the organic beet salad, which was lovely. Loaded with red beets, orange beets, arugula, blue cheese, and white balsamic foam, this salad was light, sweet, savory, and indulgent. It was a perfectly executed little starter. Next up, for my main course, I ordered the truffle parmesan pommes frites, and the asparagus risotto. Now I am unabashedly obsessed with truffle. These fries were great, but--dare I say it?--a little heavy-handed on the truffle. I know! I can't believe I'm saying that either! It wasn't to the point of me not wanting to eat them because, obviously. But these fries would have been top of the charts good had they scaled it back on the truffle a *tad*. Otherwise, they were perfectly crispy, salty, and topped with just the right amount of parmesan. The asparagus risotto is not actually a singular offering on the menu, but I spotted it as an accompaniment to one of the entrees. And mah lord. You guys, this was so good, and rich, and creamy, and filling. The asparagus taste was not overpowering at all, and the dish was absolutely perfect. I couldn't stop "oohing" and "ahhing" over this one. I cannot recommend it enough. By time we left on that Saturday night the place was PACKED, and rightly so. My mom and I left fully satisfied and happy about our unplanned dinner at Mockingbird Bistro.
(4)Danny N.
It was an ok meal ... The lobster bisque was salty and the duck leg was tasteless ... I had a much better French dishes for a 4 stars rating restaurant
(3)Andrea M.
This place is excellent with exceptional food and service! I loved the atmosphere. My drinks were delicious! I'm definitely going back!!
(4)Penny N.
Ick. Just ick. The staff was snotty. Then, when I met the owner I realized where they got their attitude. The owner was the mama snotty. Smug as hell, and he wreaked of tequila. A bottle a night (say the help) will do that. Food was salty. So much salt. I woke up and needed to chug water all throughout the night. All that is a shame, because the inside is quite cute. And the prices during happy hour are great. Very neighborhood look. But the ambiance is pure shit. Keep driving. Check out Roost a block further. Or Just Dinner also in the hood.
(1)A R.
food and drinks are amazing! brought a girlfriend then the husband and both experiences were top notch. their prices reflect the service and food quality. recommend the texas mule or raspberry mojito! cons: valet parking
(5)Chris O.
Mockingbird Bistro is a fancy restaurant serving up American cuisine in what looks like a very residential neighborhood. I've been to Mockingbird Bistro a few times now, and always for a work related event, so I can't really say what the vegetarian options on their menu are like. The service here is top notch. The man taking care of my party was super attentive, and when I told him I was vegetarian, he offered a few options not on the prix fixe menu, because there wasn't a single vegetarian appetizer or entrée on our menu. I ended up eating a blue cheese iceberg lettuce salad, a mixed vegetable risotto, and chocolate cake. The salad was okay. It was a classic case of Chris forgetting to ask for the dressing on the side. It was, in all-American fashion, drenched in sauce. I felt like I was using each piece of lettuce as a vehicle to consume more blue cheese dressing. The crumbled blue cheese on top was a nice addition. I only recently started to enjoy blue cheese more, and look forward to many years of blue cheese love to come. I wish the portion size of the mixed vegetable risotto was larger. It tasted good, and the risotto had a nice creaminess and body to it. But looking around at people with chicken or steak made my small bowl of risotto seem quite comical. The chocolate cake was sinful: you can't eat something like that without the weight of 21st Century science telling you to put your fork down and walk away. I ate all of it. I need to come back and order off the regular menu. Mockingbird's location and atmosphere make it very accessible, and I look forward to returning.
(3)Kit C.
6 people for HRW the other night and unfortunately this experience didn't garner the excitement previous visits have. Here's what I ate... Beef carpaccio- So thick and tough that I left half of it on the plate. Salmon with mussels- Just ok Trio of desserts (truffle, bread pudding, and a lemon tart)- eh Along with the mediocre food was the odd service. My friend asked if she could order off the regular menu as she wasn't interested in the protein options on HRW menu. The server told her "no". That the whole table must order off either the regular menu or the HRW menu. That seemed bizarre after many other restaurants over the years allowing a mix at the table, but the bistro bird squawks a big negative. She then asked if she could substitute the protein for something else and was again told "no". The server ended up going to speak with someone and came back informing us we could indeed swap out the protein, but we would have to pay extra. The entire exchange was pretty tacky and lacking in customer centric service. When food came out of the kitchen, one server was way ahead of the rest and would stand at our table holding the plate of food for a while until the others came out of the kitchen. This happened for all three courses. I realize the goal is to have all plates set down at once, but it's pretty awkward if not timed right. All in all, this was a disappointment. I don't know what's happened over the years, but I used to recommend this place to everyone....USED TO being the the operative words.
(2)Marleigh T.
This restaurant has valet parking if you are not up to illegally parking in front of the laundromat next door. Just FYI. Came here for happy hour (which is actually at 4, not 5:30), and was pleasantly surprised, especially when the front door was opened for me. The decor is enchantingly comfortable, and the staff wonderfully friendly. Food on the happy hour menu is minimal, and the ceviche I ordered was decent enough. The true stars were the drinks. The cocktails are $5, and hella strong. I tried the Aztec Mule (in copper mugs!) and a Mai Tai. Both were excellent and fresh, even though my Mai Tai was spilled a bit on the table cloth when delivered. Gratuity is already included in the check, so that was quite convenient. I would return again to try other drinks during happy hour because they are definitely worth the price.
(4)Mai N.
Came here for happy hour (5-7pm) on a Monday. They have a cute little patio area in the front that we sat at since it was so nice outside that day. Service was attentive and pleasant. I can't speak much for the interior since I didn't go inside lol M bistro burger ($10) 4/5. It has a tasty bacon-onion marmalade on a slow dough onion bun. They even ask you how you want it cooked. I ordered medium rare and it was perfect. Best bang for your buck because it comes with fries. I asked to upgrade the fries to truffle fries which costs a small surcharge but worth it. Get the truffle fries guys. They're delicious! Honeycomb ($5) 4/5. Highly recommend this cocktail! It has bourbon with texas ruby red grapefruit, honey, and sprinkling wine. You can definitely taste the bourbon but it's blended very nicely with the other ingredients. I really enjoyed it All in all, good food/drinks/service/environment/happy hour. Would come back!
(4)Nick W.
Really enjoyed both the meal and the ambiance in this converted house. Service was excellent and even though we took our time eating there was no pressure on us to vacate the table. Good spot for a date as its a nice intimate setting. Recommend
(4)Diana H.
Came here for happy hour with a few girls. The place itself seems more like a brunch place... For couples. Lol. They have complimentary valet, which you're pretty much obligated to tip or you look cheap and rude. Very homey feeling. Cozy. Clean. Dim. Romantic.. The happy hour menu was $5 for everything. I got the spicy shrimp and 2 glasses of wine. You get maybe less than 10 small shrimps with your order. They definitely give you wayyyyy too much sauce in comparison to what you were getting. The dish was definitely NOT spicy. Far from it. Felt no kick at all. The shrimp was well good and not too heavily battered, which was good. My friend got a burger with a side of onion ring. The sauce that came with her rings were good! We all enjoyed that a lot and that had more of a bite than my sauce. There was also an order of mini beef sliders. My friend did not enjoy them and said it was dry. The ribs were fall off the bone tender but drenched in sauce! Still good though. Would I come back? For brunch :).
(4)Michelle D.
For a romantic dining experience, it's difficult to surpass the quaint ambiance of the out-of-the-way Mockingbird Bistro. Hidden in a mostly residential area, located next door, of all things, to a coin-operated Laundromat, sits one of Houston's best kept secrets. Valet parking is complimentary at the front door, which is a good thing, since parking in this area of Houston is either at a premium or unavailable completely. We were promptly greeted by our hostess at the front door, who then escorted us to our table. Reservations are not required, but they are highly recommended and preferred, particularly on special event evenings, such as Valentine's Day. The wait staff was exceptional. We received complimentary champagne with frozen strawberries floating at the bottom, and our glass never appeared empty throughout the evening. The waiter was unobtrusive, but friendly and knowledgeable of the menu and mostly knowledgeable of the drinks. We ordered aged scotch, and he did have to speak with the bartender about our selections, but he was courteous and helpful throughout the meal. The Mockingbird Bistro is not wheelchair friendly, as there are steps to the front entrance, the tables are extremely close together, and the doorways to the bathroom or the back dining area are narrow as well. While I'm certain the staff would attempt to accommodate clients with special needs, it would be awkward dining there for those in wheelchairs. The interior is dark and quaint, with track lighting to brighten each table, and candles aflame on the tabletop. The linens are of fine quality, but the tables are small, the chairs wooden and uncomfortable, which was surprising for an upscale restaurant such as this. When compared with Cullen's, and their soft sided, cloth-covered rolling chairs, the comfort level simply can't be compared. However, the interior is fun to look at, the lighting is interesting, the décor is aged and the chandeliers look like the old-fashioned lantern lighted castle fixtures. The menu selection is limited, as is the case with most upscale restaurants, since the choices of meals are seasonal and limited to availability. The executive chef prepares a daily menu, with daily specials, along with a menu of options for the season. Mockingbird Bistro, according to their website, uses local sourced foodstuffs when possible, for the freshest, best-tasting offerings. I would have to agree. The food was divine. The portions were on the smaller side when compared with our review of Cullen's Upscale Grille, which serves large portions for an upscale restaurant. Even so, there was plenty of food and a variety of tastes to please the palate. We sampled ahi tuna appetizers, with a divine sauce and cracker ensemble. For dinner, we had fresh roasted vegetables, with sea bass and bowfish caviar, creamed potatoes, scallops with another divine sauce, and our side dishes. The sauces were by far the best portion of the meal, but everything tasted exceptional, especially the mouth-watering perfectly popping bowfish caviar that was a pleasant and unexpected culinary treat. Dessert was likely where we were least impressed, though still satisfactory. My guest ordered a chocolate torte with melted chocolate inside, and said the chocolate crunch cakes provided by Domino's Pizza were actually better than the ones at Mockingbird. However, they won us over when the waiter brought us frozen, chocolate dipped strawberries, with chocolate curls garnishing the plate. These were luscious, the chocolate was exceptional, and I, even not being a sweets eater, could have dined on the chocolate strawberries alone. From aperitifs to after-dinner drinks, plus the twenty-five-year aged scotch rounded out the perfect meal, along with cappuccinos to pair with the dessert. Their bar is a full bar, stocked with a selection of well-aged bottles, some of the finest wines, and most any spirit one might request. In the final analysis, I am glad we tried Mockingbird Bistro, and I was extremely pleased with the service-from making the reservation to the valet staff, the hostess and the wait staff-and I would recommend Mockingbird Bistro to others as a fine dining romantic experience, I believe there are other fine dining establishments in the Houston area.
(4)Usmaan A.
Food: Appetizer- baby squid. Rough start to our meal. Squid was tough and chewy and not particularly well seasoned. Main course- rack of lamb. Very nicely done. Perfectly cooked, great flavored on the plate. The kind of thought I expected in their food. Side order- potato purée. A bit on the salty side but good none the less. Dessert- banana crepe with pecan ice cream. Presentation wasn't the prettiest but it tasted great. Crepe was chewy and hard to cut through. Service: I wasn't impressed. We were sat while we waited for the rest of our party and served our drinks. After that we were forgotten about. I had to stop our waiter to ask for a menus and bread. Menus came, bread didn't. Front of house suit asked if our meal was going well but waiter didn't. Overall: For a Wednesday night with only a handful of covers we should have received much better service. The saving grace is a kitchen that delivered on flavor combos in both entrees and dessert .
(4)Monica K.
What a charming neighborhood spot! The atmosphere is cozy, warm, and almost lodge-like... a welcome change from the stuffy places on Westheimer. The cuisine is upscale American food, but not overly fussy. I thought it was pretty cool that the chef creates a new special every night using the freshest ingredients available that day... and only prepares 21 orders of it. I don't know if that is just a marketing ploy or what, but it definitely worked on me! OH, and he also offers a very reasonably priced 7-course tasting menu, which unfortunately we didn't find see until it was too late :( What we had: French onion soup - A classic rendition, Yum. Fois Gras appetizer - Hard to go wrong with foie... Accoutrements were nothing special though, and that's half the fun :( Seared snapper with tomato & corn ragout and wilted veggies (the "21" special) - Solid dish. Nothing complicated but cooked perfectly and flavored well. I would definitely order it again if I could... Mockingbird Bistro is a solid contender in the Houston restaurant scene and definitely worth checking out. However, I have to say that while the food was very good, it didn't exactly stand out. I'll definitely be back... but after reading other reviews, it'll probably be for happy hour! :)
(4)Kate A.
My boyfriend and I met up with some friends for a weekend happy hour. We were not dressed appropriately for this place, but they still treated us like kings and queens! We had on shorts and t-shirts but they still welcomed us and serviced our table with friendly and knowledgeable staff. One of our friends went to use the restroom and an employee went out of her way to open the door to the restrooms for my friend; totally exceeded my expectations! I cannot wait to come back.
(5)richard y.
Came here with my dearest for HRW, and it did not disappoint. Excellent service paired with good food, and fantastic wine selection. The red of the month, Rosenblum Petite Sirah 07, was a pleasant surprise. We will be returning.
(5)Livio G.
Great staff, fabulous food, and nice quiet environment. Best dinner my wife and I have had this year, and we are pretty picky !
(5)Mark M.
Ok, so I was a little weirded out by the location and the atmosphere of the restaurant. But, I must admit I'm a "out-of-towner" so I don't have much experience with Houston fare. I will, however, be happy to rate the food and wine selections. I will say that the service began very slowly; but, after waiting for longer than I am usually accustomed to it became apparent that the experience of the dining journey is very important to the chef and its owners. So, as for the food let me just say what a pleasure! My date and I ordered the food and wine pairing and it couldn't have been more thoughtful. I had the Caesar salad with truffles Parmesan croutons and I've never had a more interesting mixture. I also choose the free-range chicken and was amazed at the tenderness of the poultry. I must also say that the wine pairing was extremely thoughtful and nuanced. My date ordered the Striped Bass which was cooked to perfection and before that we had a beet salad that was beyond good. I must say though that the highlight of the night was dessert. We had the dessert trio of creme brûlée, chocolate truffle, and apple tart. Ah, heavenly! I have also give a shout out to our server, James. This guy really knows what he's doing and is a huge asset to this business. He was a total professional! I can't thank him enough for a truly lovely dining experience!
(5)Megan M.
Great drinks, good food (a little expensive for Houston) but the wait staff was not very good. We had to ask for food menus after being seated at a table for 20 minutes. Had to ask to order, and it took what seemed like an hour to receive food (probably close considering it took 2 hours for 2 courses). For 75/person you expect better.
(3)Mike and Chih L.
Good food, but for the price you are paying for it, it was just ok. It is good, but not great or amazing. We went there for mother's day, and it has a preset menu. Good idea, but a bit pricey. Not sure if we would go back again, for the same price, you can go to a lot of other restaurant with better food.
(3)Jay R.
Delicious as always. First time I've been There for brunch though. Very affordable including the $5 mimosas :-) think I paid about the same as for the crappy microwaved eggs Benedict we had at the Black Walnut last weekend. And that place didn't have table service or any atmosphere.
(5)Garden V.
Fabulous ingredients, treated with respect. Service is first-class, and a quality operation through and through. Good value happy hour, too. My first recommendation to anyone from out of town.
(4)Jason C.
one of my favorite stops for HRW2011. been raving about the lobster risotto to everyone and anyone, couldve easily had it or my entree and been very satisfied. the short rib was a bit dry but well flavored. the salmon came with a wasabi mash potato which looked like wasabi but tasted like mash. clever. easily the creamiest brulee ive had in town for desert. yumyumyum
(4)Stephanie I.
Came here for Restaurant Week dinner with high expectations, but left feeling unsatisfied. The decor and ambiance is great - moody lighting with unique decorations. Free valet, but there is also street parking available. But the service was terrible. OK, maybe not terrible, but when you come to a place like this, you definitely expect way better treatment than what we received. Our server was unattentive, not helpful, not friendly, and definitely added negative points to this experience. I wish I had remembered to get his name because he didn't crack one smile the entire time and only came by twice throughout the whole meal: to take drink and menu orders. I don't think he even served us our food. Terrible. The food itself is good, but not memorable. For appetizers: - Caesar salad: interesting, but really what more can you do with a Caesar salad? - Onion Soup: too salty - Calamari: I honestly don't even remember what this dish tasted like. Goes to show how unexciting it was. - Chilled Cantaloupe Soup: tasted like pureed cantaloupe (which I guess, it is...). Nothing special here. Entrees: - Mountain Trout: Now this was good. I loved the flavors and the crust that forms on top. Pretty decent-sized fish too. - Chicken: Just okay. - Scallops: Two pretty big scallops, but the flavor was definitely lacking. - Prime Steak Frites: Pretty big steak, well-seasoned. Fries are average. Dessert: - Mockingbird Trio of Apple Bread Pudding, Chocolate Truffle, and Mini Creme Brulee. This dessert was reallllly good, except the Chocolate Truffle was way too rich. Still very yummy though. Overall, I don't think I'd be back unless I had a reason to. I can see why people like this place so much and I can see why it's so famously good, but this time just fell way short of my expectations.
(3)Rodolfo M.
The food was fairly good,i had duck while my wife had fish. However, the meal was quite expensive for the competent but bland dinner experience we were served. Beautiful decor inside.
(3)Jeri P.
Everything about this place is AMAZING! Food, service, ambiance, location - love it! Def a great place to come for a business meeting or romantic evening.
(5)Vic C.
"A-OK," per Yelp's description of the star ratings. Probably would have been "I'm a fan" except for the price - it was good, but not *that* good! Of course, like an idiot, I went on Fathers' Day. I worked it out from their regular lunch menu how much extra we got charged for that. They had a prixe fixe menu, $59 no matter what app, entree, and dessert you chose. Me: $8 onion soup, $22 trout, $10 bread pudding = $40. So, a $19 premium for Fathers' Day. Hubby: $8 onion soup, $16 burger, $10 chocolate cake = $34. So, a $25 premium for Fathers' Day. Live and learn. Another little surprise - we were offered still, sparkling, or ice water. I chose still. Found out when we got the check it was Evian and we were charged $9 for the two of us. I had wondered why the server was being so stingy with the water. Live and learn. The soup was OK, but it tasted on the verge of burned, and I don't like their style of crouton and cheese - I want *lots*. Hubby liked burger a lot, and the little sides and garnish were cute. I had a taste and my main reaction was they emptied the salt shaker in the meat. Ditto for the green beans that came with my trout - heavy hand with the salt shaker. The trout itself was well cooked and tasty, although it seemed to have no seasonings of any sort. Well, it didn't need them. Bread pudding was just OK. Hubby said cake was good but he couldn't finish it - I'd rather they'd charged a little less and given us one dessert for the two of us. All in all, nothing to rave about considering how much it cost. I had a Pisco sour (never had one before) just to have something different and a little fancy. It seemed well made and was cute and tasty. Drink prices were quite reasonable. Service was excellent, but I'd certainly hope so, given the prices! If it hadn't been, I'd have been pretty annoyed....! I'll never go back on a holiday, for sure. The bar area looked nicer than the room we were in, actually (the room we were in kinda reminded me of a Steak and Ale) - if I go back I'll probably try the bar menu. Doubt I can get hubby back at all - we don't like valet parking (after the stories you hear in Houston about parkers damaging cars and the establishment weaseling - not this establishment specifically, just something I've heard happens in Houston) and he didn't like the block walk in the heat and on the cracked and heaved sidewalks.
(3)Ty D.
Mockingbird Bistro is one of those neighborhood gems that makes Houston such a wonderful place for foodies. It's a quaint, unique location, striking just the right balance between upscale and familial, and the staff is great. The wine list covers a great deal of terrain, with good selections across the board. And of course, the food is amazing. Everything is always beautifully prepared with the highest-quality ingredients. Recent favorites of mine include the king salmon and the foie gras. This is my girlfriend's favorite restaurant in Houston, and would definitely make my top 10.
(5)Asya N.
Each and every aspect of our dinner was excellent. The service was personable, prompt, and attentive, the food and drinks delicious, and the atmosphere comfortably elegant. We went for a birthday dinner and it far exceeded expectations. Definitely try the Southside Royale and the Kumquat Ginger Caipirina. Ever had an award winning Caesar salad? Order that too- finally a salad that isn't meh. We'll be going back soon for their happy hour, which is 5-7 *every* night and has a great setup of $5 food and drink specials. Seriously- this is as good as it gets in Houston.
(5)Joseph P.
Chronologically, restaurant #2 in my attack of the Houston Restaurant Week 2010 list, was supposed to be a lot better than it was. I wouldn't say it was bad -- it was pretty good overall, just not GREAT. My wife an I showed up at 8:30 (table reservations strongly advised, my experience notwithstanding -- saw a lot of folks waiting a long time to try to get a table), were promptly seated and presented menus. Linda was professional, if fast, in an undercurrent theme of the experience at this establishment. I like the decor. The seating is tight, but the mirrors make it all seem bigger (yeah, I know, "That's what she said..."). We had an amuse bouche that amounted to a crunch potato chip with a squirt of orange cream something or another that did not taste like anything really, but remained texturally pleasing. My wife had the chilled cantaloupe soup, followed by the diver scallop dish (diver scallops, white beans, roasted tomato ragout, green shell mussels, and 100 year balsamic vinaigrette) and the trio of signature desserts: apple bread pudding, chocolate truffle, and mini Creme Brulee. I had the onion soup "modern style," the mountain trout, and the same dessert. We did the wine paring as well. Her soup was interesting and good. I've never had something like it before: a surprisingly placid dish of sweet fruitiness that might have benefited from just a bit more prosciutto. Her diver scallop dish was definitely something to order -- quite well constructed and balanced, and oh-so-savory. My onion soup was sweeter than expected. I prefer my wife's recipe from Thomas Keller (even if it does take two days to make), which has more salt. The trout was well breaded (potato crusted with ratatouille vegetables and lobster beurre blanc) but really came across bland and almost oily; a touch of salt would have helped, but I'm not certain that would really do the trick for this dish. It just needs SOMETHING more. Desserts were great: the chocolate thing is a bit heavy -- I'd never order it alone. The best dessert, we both agreed, was the apple bread pudding. The wine paring was mediocre in my opinion. I'm no sommelier, but I like wine and I like to anticipate it. I would not anticipate any of the wines in the paring (regrets that I don't have the names to write -- maybe someone else can help out here). To close on a positive note, it was and is and good place to eat, but three figures later, for two, I think that there are better places out there. Anyways, keep savouring! Until my next post, adieu, IC
(3)Colleen H.
Yeah Houston Restaurant Week! Only thing I didn't like was the corn souffle and that was the only thing I would not order again. I didn't like the flan-like texture, but you might not mind. The roasted bass I ordered was great, as well as the CAB steak my boyfriend ordered. The dessert trio was really great. Glad my boyfriend's parents treated us, fun night!
(5)joyce w.
I've been here twice, our first date and our first anniversary. Both times I wasn't disappointed. The first time, I had duck breast with foie gras, omg it was sooo amazing! I love properly seared foie gras! So delish! The second time, their menu had changed and I couldn't get the duck breast with foie gras anymore...however, the kobe beef burger came with foie gras and the bf gave me the foie gras off his burger...yum yum yum Their service is always good and the food never disappoints!
(5)Jessica C.
KOBE BEEF BURGER? WHAT? Yes please! I was reluctant to order something I had to use my hands instead of utensils like a civilized person, but this is KOBE BEEF we're talking about here. The beef patty was amazing. It came with pickled purple onions, those tiny pickles, and little peppers. The truffled pomme frites were also delicious. They were topped with herbs and grated cheese. I couldn't finish my burger because it was so big and definitely did not finish my fries. It was really filling. My friend and I decided to split the flourless chocolate cake. If you've have flourless cake before, this is NOT it. It's literally solid fudge. No joke. Even my chocolate crazed friend thought it was too much. It was dense. I think if they gave us more whipped cream we would have been able to finish it. More berries would have been nice, too, to balance out to the wedge of tightly-packed fudge. The ambiance is nice. We went during the holiday season so they had a Christmas tree up and lots of cute decorations around the restaurant. It feels very homey.
(4)Joelle B.
Mockingbird is a great place for a quiet meal with people you actually want to talk to. The food is good and somewhat traditional, but not stuffy at all. I guess I would say its a good place to go if you have both a foodie and someone less comfortable with "new" food in tow. I still love the atmosphere - I used to live in this neighborhood before mockingbird's time, and it has the right vibe in a neat space. The details - light fixtures, wood details, etc combine with a spacious area to create a warm feeling that doesn't seem crowded. Unfortunately on a Saturday night they were not crowded, but certainly not empty. The service was efficient and helpful, if not terribly friendly. I heard the "wine guy" behind me and he provided helpful and unpretentious information. I ordered a prosecco by the glass and got a nice version and a HUGE pour, then a malbec by the glass with dinner, and got a pretty small pour - at least it seemed so - maybe the glass was just really large? either way the wine went well with my pork meal and the glass was reasonably priced. For starters we had the butternut squash soup and the beet salad. The soup was nice and earthy and not too sweet, which is frequently my beef with squash soup. The beets were really great! Perfect amount of bite to them and paired with a nice creamy blue cheese and a little crunch from some almonds. For dinner hubby had the ribeye special - what can I say - its a ribeye - it was a good steak and cooked nicely - I guess I'm rarely inspired by a steak (ok, except for at Killens in Pearland). I had a pork plate that included a brined pork chop, a piece of crispy pork belly (of course), and a pork boudin, served with sauerkraut and roasted potatoes. The crispy pork belly was, well, crispy - it wasn't the most transcenent I've ever had, but hey - it was pork belly, it was good. The boudin was interesting, I enjoyed it a lot, though I would have preferred a bit more spicing of some sort. The pork chop was frankly disappointing - it was the teenyest bit dry, and generally just wasn't that flavorful - maybe it is just plain industrial pork? Overall it was a nice meal and my feeling is that this is a reliable restaurant for that "fancy night out" kind of feeling.
(4)Rachel K.
This is mostly based on service. I went here a couple weeks ago for happy hour / restaurant week. I was mostly disappointed by the service. We had a reservation, so I called the day before to ask if we would have access to the happy hour menu and the restaurant week menu. The person who answered the phone said yes with no hesitation. When we arrived they informed us we were not at the bar and therefore did not have access to the happy hour menu. I told them about my call, but since i did not know the name of the person I talked to, they shrugged it off. I understood this though. I'm not the type to make a big deal of small issues. Then as some of my friends looked over the HRW menu, a couple of them wanted to order off the regular menu. Our server said if one person wants to order off of the HRW menu, then we all had to. Now I'm starting to feel irritated. The entire time our server just seemed annoyed by us. We all felt this way, but didnt understand why. A couple ppl in our reservation didn't show, so I don't know if this upset our server, but the place was dead so it wasn't like we took up a big table while they were busy. I used to be a server for about 2 years, so I get it, but I also know we didn't do anything that obnoxious. Unfortunately this much anticipated visit was a complete disappointment except for the company I had.
(2)Glenn L.
I've been here many times, but I would say this visit was a little dissapointing. I had scallops, which were overpowered by the accompanying vegetables and somewhat skimpy on the portion size. My wife's salmon was good, but dried out.. . I stil like this restaurant and will return, but I was forced to hold back the 5th star that I usually give to them.
(4)Wil F.
What a disappointment! I really think that there must be something funky going on with all of these 4/5 and 5/5 reviews of Mockingbird Bistro. Did they host a Yelp event or something? Bottom line - food was mediocre at best and service was terrible from beginning to end. It was a Friday night and the place was empty. Specifically: - the waitress was rushing us from the time we sat down, coming by 3 times to ask if I was ready to order wine - each time I asked for menus first - wait staff cleared the table while we were eating - including taking my wine glass while there was still wine in the bottle, taking all of my utensils while there was food in front of me and taking away an untouched side dish mid-meal - the berries in the deserts had no flavor - the lamb was so-so, everything else they tossed on the plate with it was over seasoned and inedible Photos of the food and place look great here on Yelp, but don't be fooled, it's really not that good.
(2)Angela K.
Tucked away in a neighborhood, cute cozy restaurant. Service was good, food was excellent. We had the Steamed Mussels, Crispy Duck, and Kobe Beef Burger. Kobe Beef Burger was excellent, very rich, very flavorful. Crispy Duck was as good as the other reviews indicate. Will definitely return.
(4)G M.
Loved the mussels
(5)Kyle P.
One of the best hamburgers I have ever had!!! Amazing with Kobe beef and Gruyere cheese! Very friendly service as well and relaxing atmosphere.
(5)Annie T.
The food was amazing. Went for date night and it was great. For appetizers we had the calamari and the veal sweetbreads. Calamari was good although the batter falls off but it was still good. Veal sweetbreads were actually heavy. For dinner I had the 21 special, their nightly special but only 21 orders are available each night. It was the pan seared Alaskan Halibut with succotash and it was delicious. The fish was cooked perfectly and had jumbo lump crabmeat on top. Crabmeat was sweet and tender (can that word be used to describe crabmeat?!). For dessert we had the apple bread pudding -- no raisins or nuts and it was good. One of the better bread puddings I've had but still, no one compares to Ruggles' White Chocolate Bread Pudding (that still is my #1). You don't have to valet if you can find street parking.
(4)Nate M.
Decided to go to Mockingbird Bistro for my beautiful wife's birthday! It was fabulous! I called beforehand to make the reservation and requested a quieter table and explained the occasion. The maitre-d had everything setup perfectly. My wife enjoyed the Warm spinach salad and I had the roasted red and yellow beets to start with. Mine was excellent, but the warm spinach salad was even better! For the main course my wife had the Farm Raised Duck - seared breast and roasted leg, apricot wild rice, steamed broccolini and port redux. She had never tasted duck before and I convinced her to be adventurous, telling her she would love it, and she did! I had one of the seafood specials. It was AWESOME! I'm a fish lover and the flavor on this plate was amazing! No fishy taste at all! The server suggested the Warm Chocolate Torte with mango sorbet and market berries. If you need 1 reason to come to Mockingbird Bistro it is for this Chocolatey piece of heaven! I can't wait to go again! And we will! May even try to hit up the weekend brunch!
(5)Bill C.
I had a nice lunch here recently. Had the bibb lettuce salad, a tuna special, and a pot de creme dessert. The salad was great, and the tuna was nice. The pot de creme was overly sweet, but was otherwise good. Everyone else at my table also seemed very happy with their food. The decor is also nice. I'll come back here in a second.
(4)Kasushi S.
This place is absolute garbage: 1) Lying to guests about the ingredients: they are NOT serving Kobe beef, you just can't get Kobe outside of Japan and why don't you look up the prices for Akaushi beef, which is available in the U.S. and see what I mean? They are not serving k\Kurobuta or Berkshire pork; it's not even U.S.D.A. prime pork-it's junk @ $36 dollars a plate. These are just the clearest examples, they regularly lie to guests about what they are being served in a host of other dishes. 2) Marriage: they pour wines and liquors from an older bottle into a new one. This is not only reprehensible from a sanitation standpoint, it's also illegal. On a more general note, it's a sign the employees at the restaurant don't care. 3) Sanitation: no concept of cleanliness in preparation, plating, or disposal of consumed food; none. I saw, I didn't think I saw something that somewhat resembled...I SAW fish being prepared on the back of a metal pan that was sitting on top of a big grey trashcan. This is not an opinion of Mockingbird, these things I know because I saw them with my own two eyes; caveat emptor: consider this a public service announcement to all yelpers, and forget about this place.
(1)Patricia S.
I took a big chance by choosing this to be my birthday dinner spot during HRW last week but I had a good feeling. I am glad that I went with that feeling because it was a very enjoyable experience. I called a week in advance to reserve a table for 20. The restaurant was happy to honor that reservation as long as I provided a credit card for a $350 deposit. They assured me it would not be charged unless I canceled 72 hours prior to the requested date. This seamed reasonable since I knew for sure I wanted to dine there and also considering I asked for 8pm on a Friday night during a stressful month for Houston restaurant employees. The waitstaff was very friendly and attentive to our table and we did not feel rushed through the three-course meal at all. The big hit dishes of the night were the lobster risotto, tri-melon gazpacho, slow-braised CAB short ribs, and diver scallops. Of course everyone enjoyed the trio dessert sampler - flourless chocolate cake, bread pudding, and creme brulee. Yummo! I even had a few vegetarian friends who were given alternatives to the HRW menu but still at the same price and they were more than just pleased with their choices. Nice job! I was very happy with this as my selection for my birthday dinner party and cannot wait to come back and try the regular menu.
(4)Lorenzo L.
Menu looked awesome on the website ( especially for a Monday night in Houston when many places are closed). Appeared to have a "bistro - like" feel to it. Just what I was in the mood for. Steak Frites sounded like the ticket. At $39 for a 9 oz strip steak ( a la carte), you would think that the meat would be" decent". Not. Dry / flavorless, and about the same price ( sans fries) as a chain steakhouse ( think Morton's The Palm, Fleming's). Bottom line....want steak.....go see Ruth. Menu was pricey, and 50% of the entrees were topped with some type of green salad. Maybe a bit redundant. I think I'll wait for the video before I go back.
(2)lizzy w.
Love this quaint restaurant - it is tucked away on a shaded street and from the moment I laid eyes on it I knew it I would love it. The food is incredible - not quite as rich as traditional french which I actually liked... the wait staff was great, the wine selection also great.... the scallops and lamb are to die for! Perfect date night restaurant!
(4)Victoria M.
Last stop for HRW (non-extended version!) I've driven by this place by accident a number of times and always reminded myself to try it out, but never got around to it. HRW saves the day again! Arrived on time, seated immediately. Nice atmosphere, ambient lighting - dim, but not too dark. Wine list is decent, but selections by the glass were pretty limited. Our group of 6 ended up with bottles instead anyway. In addition to the HRW menu, a few additional starters were ordered to check out some of the regular fare. HRW menu selections: Bistro Caesar Creamy Parmesan Dressing, Truffled Potato Croutons, Sweet Pepper Bruschetta - just a really good Caesar salad. The truffled potato croutons were a great added touch. Chilled Cantaloupe Soup Prosciutto di San Daniele, Texas Lavender Honey - 3 people had this and all were glad, I didn't taste it personally so I can't say. Presentation was lovely though, proscuitto and a melon ball in a dish, then the chilled soup poured around. Mountain Trout Potato Crusted with Ratatouille Vegetables, Lobster Beurre Blanc - I didn't try this either, and unfortunately it failed to please the person that ordered it. Diver Scallops White Beans, Roasted Tomato Ragout, Green Shell Mussels, 100 Year Balsamic Vinaigrette - one of our group ordered this and it looked delish. He ate it all so I'm going to guess that it was good :) Prime Steak Frites Sautéed Crimini, Shitake, Oyster Mushrooms, Pommes Frites - all of the rest of us ordered the steak. Portion was small (which is good since we were all getting full off apps), nice variety of tender mushrooms in a red wine sauce? Pommes frites were crispy and hot and the aioli for dipping was just creamy and tangy enough. Trio of Mockingbird Signature Desserts Apple Bread Pudding, Chocolate Truffle, Mini Crème Brûlée - bread pudding was a tiny little square, but just the right bite of bread and apple in a light caramel sauce. Creme brulee had nice smooth texture. Truffle was too dense for me, but if you like chocolate, it's definitely for you. Additional menu selections: Black Mussels, tomato, garlic, red curry, coconut milk broth, garlic toast - great quality mussels, nice and fat, not gritty at all. Broth was light and flavorful. Foie Gras seared, three onion muffin, baby portabella mushrooms, tomato gastric - a generous portion of foie gras, seared perfectly, soft and melty in the center. The tiny onion muffin was a little sweet bite. Nice balance to all the flavors on the plate. And yes, if foie gras is on the menu, we're going to order it! Iceberg Wedge, cool creamy blue cheese dressing, applewood smoked bacon, chives - hello, the richest "salad" you will ever eat! Beautiful dressing with a pungent but not overly stinky blue cheese and bacon everywhere. more like dressing and bacon garnished with lettuce. so. good. Glad we were sharing ;) A number of other items on their regular menu caught my eye, so I hope to swing by again soon to check it out. Blue cheese and foie gras burger here I come!
(4)Emma F.
General steak house fare, with Everything was cooked to perfection. We tried the seared tuna and angus strip. The sauces were not too salty or overpowering. For desert they offered a selection traditional dishes including items such as bread pudding and homemade ice cream. Both the apple bread pudding and flour-less chocolate cake were well done. I would definitely recommend this as an excellent choice for American cuisine.
(5)Valerie H.
This is my favorite Houston restaurant, and as such, I've been here for several special occassions. Just recently, my grandparents were in town and wanted to have a really nice lunch so I suggested Mockingbird. It was just as it has been every other time: delicious food and fantastic service. I've ordered the sweetbreads, the duck, the fish previously, but I was in the mood for something more basic this time and went for the Kobe beef burger. It was phenomenal. The chef allowed us to order off the dinner menu for my picky grandparents and accommodated all of their food allergies (long list that includes black pepper). They both loved their dishes as well. We finished with cappuccino and a trio of creme brûlée which I highly recommend.
(5)Kristin H.
Preface: I really wish that I could write a seperate review for HRW dinner. I'm sure if I could pick from their normal menu, this would be different. There are two things that I consider a horrendous crime. 1. Do not steal my pens. I only use Papermate Liquid Espresso pens and special ordered pens from Vistaprint that have my name and tagline printed on them. No touchy! 2. No two people are allowed to order the same thing at the same table. My friends are not shy about picking off each others' plates, but we can't do it if someone else orders the same thing! I told my friend that I had already looked at the menu as we were being seated and had already picked out my courses. He knows of my personality quirks and warned me that he was eyeballing the same dishes. We found out that we were going to have to settle for the same dessert because apparently, the online menu for HRW is wrong. Mockingbirds is offering a dessert trio instead. So we decided to compromise. He and I both wanted the lobster risotto and the CAB slow braised English short ribs. I let him have the lobster risotto and I got the braised ribs. He settle for a salmon entree and I went with the tri-melon gazpacho appetizer. One of the things that we noticed (and again, it might be because it was HRW) was that service was really slow. It took us 10 minutes to get water and 20 to get complimentary bread. The gazpacho was horrible! I don't really like cold tomatoes, but I thought that this gazpacho was going to be made with, or at least cut with some sort of melon (hence the name). I didn't taste any melon at all! My friend let me have a bite of his lobster risotto and it was amazing. He swears that throughout the 1st course I kept eyeballing his dish with envy and my face would look so sad with each spoonful of my own appetizer. It got to the point where he tried to give me the rest of his risotto by putting his plate in my face and handing me his fork. ... I should have eaten it. But pride took over and I refused to eat his delicious risotto (which should have been mine). Second course rolled out and it was okay. I say okay because I most definitely can produce better tasting salmon and short ribs in my own kitchen. To be fair, I was raise in a half Korean household and Koreans are very capable of paying good homage to an English short rib. My short ribs had decent flavor, but they were served on a bed of undercooked polenta. A few rounds had hard centers. The salmon was under seasoned. That might have something to do with the wasabi flavored mashed potatoes that it was served with, but that fish seriously needed a good hit of salt and some nice acidity to get rid of the overly fishy flavor. And finally, the dessert trio was a hit a miss. Chocolate truffle was nice and soft. The creme brulee was so-so. I tried mixing the two but that didn't work out as nicely as I'd hoped. There was this odd square pastry that tasted like a poorly executed flan at the end. I didn't like it at all.
(3)Whitney S.
Wine-o's and foodies unite for a one of a kind gastronomical experience at Mockingbird Bistro! I am obsessed with this Bistro/Wine Bar, especially their Monthly Wine Dinner series. I can't stop bragging to my friends about what an incredible evening it was from start to finish! (Now it's your turn to hear my tale!) The bistro is a bit hard to find off of Shepherd in a residential area on Welch St. You'll need to valet because the surrounding area is patrolled by eager towers. Once you step across the threshold, you are entering a parallel universe of unparalleled service. This is what a restaurant should be: friendly staff, Texas-sized bar, diverse and bountiful menu, and an extremely talented chef! On a regular basis, Mockingbird Bistro is phenomenal. But there is one night a month where it truly raises the bar. I went to the last Wine Dinner as a pre-birthday date with a handsome stud whose eye for haute cuisine never steers us wrong. We were escorted to a private wine room and seated at a round table with an interesting couple from South Africa and a Houston distributer for Meeker Winery. I had never heard of Meeker but I am now a proud wine club member of their vineyard in Sonoma County, Californ-I-A. Molly and Charles Meeker (co-owners and winemakers of Meeker Winery) are a dynamic duo to be reckoned with. Charles was former president of MGM studio and his humble yet animated story-telling captured the room of about 40 people. His sassy, spunky wife Molly added comic relief with your classic husband-wife shtick (interruptions, loving insults, and insane tangents were her specialty). Along with the interesting pair, the food and wine pairings were perfection. First course: 2009 Meeker Lobster Cove Chardonnay was paired with a seafood salad containing grilled baby octopus, bay scallops and jumbo lump crab meat and drizzled with mango/ginger vinaigrette *I had to whisper to the boyfriend to slow down. For someone who typically doesn't enjoy white wine, the grin was from ear to ear. **PS- This wine is like $9-$10 at Spec's! Definitely a great summer beverage. Second Course: 2005 Meeker Handprint Merlot paired with a seared rare tuna mignon & bold purple Peruvian potato risotto *Risotto was so flavorful and had such a pretty cover **Charles dips his hands in paint to create each unique bottle Third Course: 2005 Four Kings Cabernet Blend paired with slow-braised Kobe Short Rib "Osso Busso" with blue corn grits and morel mushrooms *This course stole the show! We bought a bottle of Four Kings and had it autographed by Charles and Molly before we left the restaurant. And my mouth is foaming at the thought of the short rib... not very lady-like, I know... Fourth Course: FroZin Zinfandel with a chocolate croissant bread pudding that was topped with mascarpone-pistachio mousse and a raspberry and white chocolate milk shake shooter *Sinful! Or should I say "Zin-ful!" The FroZin is their signature wine If I could give 6 stars, I would! Ok... I have to take a break and call Mockingbird to see when the next Wine Dinner ($125pp including unlimited vino) is! Hopefully I'll see you there!
(5)Antonio A.
The one thing I have to say is that the service was excellent! The waiter was very helpful and came around our table at the right time. He was very genuine which is what appreciated the most of the service. As for the food, my lamb rack was okay. I definitely have had better. I think it just needed a little more condiments or something. My girlfriend's risotto and scallops on the otherhand, it was really good. She loves the combination of risotto and scallops and she claims it is definitely one of the best she has had. The ambiance was good. Overall, good job!
(4)Sue B.
We went for a group dinner so the menu was very limited. There was only 3 choices for each course. Interestingly enough, everyone at our table chose filet mignon, so I can only speak for that choice. Everyone raved about it. It was a huge hunk of meat, cooked properly. I did request rare for mine and it was medium rare, but my husband got rare and we switched. The side were tasty as well. The desserts really were the issue. My husband was recommended the bread pudding, but it truly was just average. My mango creme brûlée was tasteless and the crunchy topping was soggy. It came topped with a syrupy pineapple blob, not so good, and two dry coconut cookies. The only dessert that seemed to get raves was the flourless chocolate cake. As for the service, I was impressed. They were attentive, quick and great with presentation. That alone, will make me return to this restaurant and try their standard menu.
(4)Liz B.
Great ambience. Appreciated the valet parking in this tight spot. Was seated without reservations no problem on a busy Thursday evening. Service was courteous and beyond prompt. Enjoyed the Foie Gras Club, Truffle Fries, & Rabbit. Delicious! The outdoor patio at the front was a nice for a after dinner drink as well. Nice to note the management and chef constantly working the dining room to ensure that patrons were pleased. I will be returning.
(4)Rudy M.
It's been a long time since I've visited Mockingbird Bistro....too long. Excellence in dining is what this place serves up. Mockingbird Bistro serves up some delicious contemporary French dishes that are savory and very memorable. Obvious attention to detail and flavor is apparent and the staff made my dining experience there extremely memorable. what we had: cocktails - watermelon mojito; pear cosmo; old fashioned - season and very good. apps - beef carpaccio - perfectly shaved and served over arugula main - panseared red snapper on veg ratatouille and burrata mozerlla rissotto; rack of lamb on grilled vegetables and goat cheese mashed potatoes en crute desert - peach and wild berry cobbler Hector was our server and offered us great recommendations for our party. I can't wait to go back for my next special occasion there.
(5)Jessica N.
This is probably my favorite restaurant in Houston. The food is superb. Every time. The service is polite and prompt. Every time. There's really nothing else to say. I've been going for years and I've never had a bad experience. Love it. I had a warm spinach salad there once and I've never been the same.
(5)Emmie C.
Went here for Happy Hour. HANDS DOWN FANTASTIC! Best artisinal $5 cocktails in town and amazing truffle mac and cheese--yes, for $5 and I had white truffle shavings in my serving. Other items of note were mussels and the cheese/charcuterie platter. Totally tucked away, and relaxed atmosphere in the bar. Will definitely come here and grab a few cocktails before heading off to dinner.
(4)Jarrod M.
(Note: this review is limited to the food and drinks available while sitting at the bar) Summary: Exceptional food and even better drinks make this neighborhood restaurant one of the best bar menu deals in town. Exemplary Dishes: Kobe Burger w/Parmesan Truffle Fries (one of the best burgers in town) Calamari x 2 ways Cheese Plate My wife and I have been to Mockingbird Bistro countless times, and each time, we keep asking ourselves "why do we go anywhere else?" To me, it is the perfect spot to go for a really enjoyable date night. Mockingbird Bistro almost makes it too easy. The ambiance inside is subdued and relaxing. It is quiet so you can actually have a decent conversation. Did I mention the food and the drinks? If you're going, I would recommend sitting at the bar and exploring Mockingbird's cocktail menu. The main bartender, Carlos, is putting out drinks that rival anything the boys (and girls) at anvil are throwing together. In fact, go during happy hour (7 days a wee, 5-so you can get one of the best deals in town: the mockingbird rita for a mere $5. My wife ordered that recently and upon tasting it, I had one of those transcendental experiences. Ah, so this is how Tequila should be highlighted! Other happy hour deals include $2.50 Texas brews (such as Southern Star's Pinebelt Pale Ale tallboy) and reduced prices on numerous food items. I only have a few nitpicks with mockingbird. I'm not a huge fan of the valet out front, but I understand the necessity (the parking lot is small). Spare yourself the hassle and annoyance of having a stranger drive your car and simply find some street parking nearby. It is plentiful. Also, the clientele can trend toward the older range. Just drink enough booze so that you won't care. The quality of the food more than makes up for the geriatric clientele and an annoying valet service. The Kobe burger is out of this world, and when paired with the truffle fries, is as good as any fancy-pants burger. Also out of this world is Calamari x 2 ways. The fried calamari is lightly breaded so that you don't lose the wonderful texture (i.e., it isn't too chewy), while the calamari in liquid has a wonderful flavor. For dessert, anything will do, as it is all exquisite. The chocolate from either the warm bittersweet chocolate torte or the cool flourless chocolate cake coats your tongue with, chocolatey goodness. Each dish has an ice cream to cleanse the pallet between bites. Do yourself a favor and try them, you won't be sorry. All in all, Mockingbird Bistro is one of the best deals in town. Our last visit resulted in us staying for about 4 hours while we chatted up the bartender and feasted like kings. Now, its time for me to start planning my next drink to get there, as I need Carlos to somehow top his Ramos Gin Fizz.
(5)Wendy T.
It's likely this could be a 5 star review from what I've heard from others but since my recent experience is only based on the bar menu at happy hour, 4 seems pretty good. If you haven't been, it's a really pretty restaurant. Very little parking but there is a valet. The have a GREAT happy hour. Very good bar menu (short ribs and truffle mac n cheese just to name a couple) and $5 cocktails. The staff is extremely nice and very attentive. Just park in the neighborhood if you get there early for happy hour. (It's only 2 hours 5-7 so why wouldn't you get there early) and you get have a very inexpensive dinner and drinks at the bar. There is a large seated area in the bar so if you don't like sitting at a bar, there are plenty of tables.
(4)Jeff H.
16 chefs walk into the restaurant, including myself and leave completely satisfied. Do i need to say any more? BRAVO!
(5)Gretchen P.
I've finally found my new favorite brunch spot. I've been wondering about this place for quite some time. It is a favorite amongst Houstonians and I've only heard great reviews of the restaurant. Unlike a few places in town, I was not let down. The restaurant is beautiful in a mildly eclectic way. Well, that opinion is coming from the fact that I know of the original owner of that business strip. He still owns the laundromat next door and his office is in between it and the restaurant. If you've seen the laundromat, you know: garage sale chic. The Mockingbird is very upscale, but it has that vintage 70s restaurant feel about the place. Lots of carved wood. White table clothes. A hidden upstairs loft area. I love eggs benedict of any variety, but after reading Kitchen Confidential, I've shied away. Mr. Bourdain did not paint a pretty picture of eggs yolks in a sauce that sat on a counter top for hours on end. Ick. So I reserve this dish to places I can trust, such as Mockingbird. And they definitely did not disappoint! I got the crab cake benedict ($18). Two perfect, scallion-sized crab cakes, full of fresh crab meat. Two almost perfectly poached eggs (not a problem with me). The best hollandaise sauce. All served with a thick slice of toasted whole grain bread. Perfect, since the yolks and sauce would have rendered any other type of bread into a soggy glump. I got a glass of Reisling to go with it. It was just tart enough for the crab. Wonderful. I would have gotten a bloody mary, but was going to drink a couple of those later in the day (sodium!). I'll definitely be back again for brunch...soon. Brioche French Toast ($12) would go nicely with a Bloody Mary, yes?
(5)Trini G.
Oh this place was divine! A few friends chose this place during Houston Restaurant Week and raved about it. I decided to check it out and could not believe how wonderfully delicious everything was. We split lobster risotto, ceviche, salmon, scallops and the trifecta dessert (bread pudding, chocolate dome cake and creme brulee). Every single thing was great.... a true party in my mouth! Even though they had an extensive wine menu, I opted for the Mockingbird Margarita. Also fantastic! It was not too sweet or sour and very fresh, brisk. We made our reservations and were a little concerned upon arrival but surprisingly, we were seated within 10 minutes. When does this ever happen in Houston???? It was one of my favorite dining experiences in Houston and I will be going back!
(5)Lesa T.
This was my first HRW stop this year, and just like last time, Mockingbird Bistro did not disappoint. Fantastic service, delicious food, and beautiful atmosphere. We dined with a table of 7, and they treated us so well. Mockingbird Bistro also has a $60 wine pairing option for their HRW dinner menu, which is a must-try!
(5)Jodi M.
Best HRW restaurant I have been to yet, hands down. Mockingbird Bistro gets an A+ from me! Me and a couple friends went there last week and enjoyed every second of it. I started off with the world renowned Lobster Risotto which was just like I had imagined. Then I got the Short Ribs which were so soft and tender, with spinach and braising jus. Then, oh man are you ready for this? Instead of picking just one dessert, we each got a sample of all three! Truffle, Creme Brulee, and Bread Pudding-all equally delicious... The restaurant has a very cozy touch and is way bigger than I thought. The only thing that sucks is: parking. Oh well, the restaurant definitely makes up for it!
(5)Diane Y.
I'm reading Hanh N's review, and she is spot on about the duck entree: "I ordered the Crispy duck breast, sweet potato & duck confit hash, baby spinach, black cherry & foie gras redux (of course, foie gras...) I got the duck prepared medium and to my delight, there was a generous portion of foie gras sitting on top of the duck breast as well!!!!! The duck breast and foie gras went so well together. The sauce down to the spinach was heaven. HIGHLY RECOMMEND the duck!" Each entree on the menu has a recommended wine pairing specially picked by the sommelier. I'm no wine connoisseur so I went with the pairing and wow, what a great choice. The restaurant has an extensive wine list but the pairings are not too pricey. There's also a fully stocked bar if you prefer cocktails or other drinks. Service is prompt and polite. This atmosphere is intimate and would make a great place for a nice date or special occasion. There's plenty of well dressed patrons around, so don't try to walk in here dressed too casual. You may get some odd stares. There's no lot for this restaurant so you'll have to valet or park on the street and walk.
(5)Cay T.
Came here for Houston Restaurant Weeks. Most impressed with the Bubble Bath champagne flight. We received generous pours of a nice prosecco, rosé, and sparkler that were all palate pleasers. Portions were small which is what I prefer, especially given the richness of the food. I had gazpacho and scallops, and my friend had lobster risotto and salmon. We agreed that the food was delicious and we were glad to leave feeling satiated but not stuffed. Service was slow in the way that's more like "hey, where'd my server go?" rather than "ah this is so relaxing". We placed beverage orders before ordering our meals, yet the drinks came out after the apps. Also we were not asked if we wanted an after-dinner drink, cappuccino or otherwise. I would have liked something like that or even a cordial, but the server brought the check soon after dessert was cleared and it would've been awkward to ask. We dined from 8:00-9:30ish, so maybe he was just ready to go home? On our way out and periodically during the meal, we heard a pair of much older "gentlemen" at the table next to us "notice" us in a moderately loud, crude manner. We were dressed upscale and didn't do anything to solicit such attention, so it was simply strange and disappointing to have to put up with that at an establishment of this caliber. Overall, I would try this again if I were tired of my failsafe favorites in the neighborhood.
(3)Mehul P.
Service was great as you'd expect. Older crowd and the food was whatever. Certainly not worth the $$$ you shell on an establishment as this.
(2)Andrea S.
Delightful surroundings. We sat outside and it was pretty, and relaxing. We had the largest, plumpest mussels ever that were cooked in a fabulous broth. The wilted spinach salad was good. It was accompanied by a well cooked egg and large pieces tasty bacon. The happy hour specials offered interesting flavors, were well presented, with good portions, and reasonable prices. Staff was very courteous and attentive. It's nice that it is in the neighborhood; sitting outside on a comfortable couch waiting for a table was really a delightful experience. Especially with a couple glasses of wine.
(5)Daniel P.
This place is weird. I wanted to take my mom out to a nice dinner to show my appreciation for giving birth to me and stuff. So after reading stellar reviews for Mockingbird on yelp, I figured this place would be perfect. Oh how yelp has led me astray. First off, the ambiance was like death. No fun at all. Some would call the decor of deep reds and mahogany paneling romantic...I would call it stuffy as fuck. The inexplicable cool wave muzak playing in the background felt like a lame attempt to lend some liveliness to the environment; it was as if Dracula was having some pals over for dinner and had the socially awkward (but in his mind great) idea of playing shitty background music to make his lair more inviting. These atmospheric nitpicks could have easily been forgiven if the food was good. But alas, I was let down again. Very uninspired and middle-of-the-road. But for the price, I was expecting ambrosia. We ordered calamari for our appetizer, and it was just plain bad. Over-fried and poorly made, the breading fell off of every single piece of dinky calamari. I had the trout, which was decent, but somehow the flavors didn't work for me and aside from the first few bites, I didn't feel compelled to keep eating. My moms ordered the braised Kobe beef short ribs, which sounded amazing, but didn't live up to the dish's description. It tasted more watery and bland than juicy and flavorful. My mom was bummed, and so was I. We both left feeling bitter and like WTF. I don't know why we came here. As soon as we stepped in the door and caught a glimpse of the atmosphere, I immediately regretted my choice of restaurants. Not my type of place. Don't waste your money.
(2)Erin M.
One of my most favorite places to eat in Houston. I have been here many times but will mention a few things that I adore from here. The Kobe Beef Burger topped with Foie Gras served with truffle french fries is OUT OF THIS WORLD!!!!!!! Its hard to describe just how good that burger is. I also recommend going in and getting 5 or 6 appetizers and splitting them because it's just too hard to pick one thing there that is good. The ravioli, foie gras, carpaccio, etc. It's all wonderful so experiment and order as much as possible! It is small and romantic, yet it can also be the perfect spot to sit with a girlfriend and catch up for hours. There is no feeling of rush at this cozy and elegant establishment. You could sit and talk and slowly savor the delicious wine and food all evening.
(5)Nala L.
I have only been here for happy hour but I am very impressed by everything here. The staff is very welcoming and very attentive. It helps that the staff has been there for a while, so it feels like a neighborhood joint and it happens to be right in the middle of a neighborhood. The staff actually cares about the place they work. The happy hour drinks are very good. The happy hour bites for $5 are great! I have had the lobster risotto lollipops and they are amazing. Out of the other bar bites the prosciutto & wild mushroom pizza is very tasty, perfect pairing of flavors. The trio of sliders is another one of my favorites, you get a pulled pork, lamb, and kobe beef slider and they are paired with amazing "condiments" like ginger coleslaw. It is a explosion of taste on a tiny burger. The manager always checks in even on the bar customers and the chef is easy going and happy to chat with you as well. I like that this restaurant is quaint and comfortable, and not trendy and over done. It is a nice change of pace.
(5)Meredith V.
Mockingbird Bistro is a perfect example of Houston's casual fine dining scene. Located in a "house" in River Oaks, Mockingbird has a homey feel to it right as you enter. Dark brick walls, velvet fabrics, and wooden gargoyles hanging from the ceiling create an interesting and rich atmosphere. The commercial ceiling tile, however, need to be painted or replaced - they really detract from the ambiance. We made a reservation on OpenTable and were wisked upstairs to a table looking out over the downstairs dining room. I felt like belting out the monologue from Romeo and Juliet or acting like Rapunzel and letting my beautiful blonde hair down (yes, my healthy ego is intact!) We were presented with a wine menu first. We thought this was odd. How do you order the proper bottle of wine without perusing the menu and making your selections? Anyway, we had an idea of what we were going to eat, so my companion picked a wonderful French blend, heavy with Grenache, Chateau des Roques. It was yummy and went very well with our food selections. We started with the Mockingbird version of the Caprese salad. Their twist is the toasted bruscetta bread as the dish's base. The mozzarella was divine, the tomatoes disappointing, and the balsamic vinegar was very sweet (which I liked). The salad was a little under seasoned and did not have enough basil for me, but was pretty darn good. For entrees, we had the Steak Frittes and Diver Scallops. The steak was amazing. Cooked perfectly and dressed with sauteed mushrooms and watercress. The Truffled Frittes were fabulous and served with a delicious garlic aioli. I was told the Diver Scallops were fresh and tasty. I did sample the blood orange risotto, which was interesting (in a great way) and cooked properly. The dessert was a real winner...Bananas Foster with vanilla ice cream. The crepes were perfect! All in all, Mockingbird lived up to the hype. It is a great spin on American fare in a great setting
(4)Rich P.
Mockingbird Bistro on Mother's Day. Was expecting something less than their normal stellar selection of entrees and great service, however, they nailed it for all the mothers with a great special menu and additional staff to ensure everyone received their normal extraordinary service.
(5)Allen B.
I have had more than one date here. It is the best restaurant in town for anything romantic or what you deem as romantic. I have never been disappointed by any of the following. Food, service, atmosphere, or cost. It is reasonable for what you are provided. Cheers.
(5)jen f.
I'd read so much about this place, I knew I wanted to go for our anniversary. Know what? I'm not even going to tell the whole story. Dinner was delish. The service was the most attentive service I've ever experienced in my life. They brought out the food at the right intervals- split the appetizers on 2 plates, poured water at the right time based on our needs and- for all I know- our body language. Kinda Truman Showy, how much they revolved around us. But dessert! For dessert we had a bleu cheesecake with a poached pear in a port wine reduction sauce. I don't even REMEMBER what I ate for dinner! This dessert was the most creative and delicious thing ever. I've never even considered combining bleu cheese + cheesecake and it rocked my world. I really want to try and make it myself. Or just go back for dessert. The latter is more likely.
(5)Danielle S.
There was a recent episode of The Office in which the character Andy is lamenting the fact that he could never be a film critic because he's not insightful enough. "Maybe I can be a food critic," he says, switching to something he perceives to be easier. "'These muffins...are bad'." I kinda felt like Andy when I was at Mockingbird Bistro, except my review would be "this meal...is awesome." Seriously, though, I was confronted by how little I know about food and how much I would love to learn. Most of the time I didn't really know what I was eating, but I knew it was delicious. Chef John Sheely has really acheived his vision of haute cuisine with a down-home soul. The lovely Suzanne R. made our reservations for 7PM and we were seated immediately. After being treated to an appetizer of crostini topped with pate and huckleberries compliments of the chef, I decided on the Alaskan king salmon with twice baked potatoes and broccolini in a beurre rouge sauce (a butter based sauce mixed with pan drippings, and pretty much as delicious as it sounds). The salmon was rich and flavorful, flaking easily with my fork as I dug into it. The potatoes were mixed in with bits of smoked salmon--which would seem like overload when served with a salmon steak, but the tastes were so distinct I actually forgot about it until I looked up the menu today. Portion size was hearty but not overwhelming, proving it really is about quality, not quantity. Service was incredible, from the hostess to the bar to the table and everywhere in-between. I've never had such an attentive experience at a restaurant in my life--Mockingbird Bistro takes its committment to fine dining seriously, which encompasses the whole experience, not just the food. The waiter made instant recommendations for both wine and the menu, a telltale sign he knew the restaurant's offerings inside and out. Toward the end of the meal, Chef Sheely came by our table to inquire about our meal and say hello to Suzanne. It was the perfect way to cap off such an extraordinary dining experience. The interior of the restaurant is warm and inviting, much like the food and the staff. Mockingbird Bistro is incredible--a wonderful destination for the most special of occasions, but I'll likely be back "just because."
(5)Robert C.
I stopped by a month or two ago for lunch, and I wasn't disappointed. The atmosphere is admittedly a bit stuffy -- dark paneling, subdued chatter, a middle-aged man pounding back his second lunchtime martini as he sat in silence with his frigid wife -- but it was a nice place for a low-key conversation and meal. And the food wasn't half bad. I ordered the Spanish omelet with chorizo sausage and fried onions. Fantastic. I guess it's a little hard to truly mess up an entree like that, but I was quite happy with my perfectly crisp onion rings and juicy chorizo. Service was efficient but not pushy, and they were quite generous with the bread basket refills. My dining partner went with the chopped chicken cobb, if I remember correctly; no complaints there. It's definitely a place I'd recommend.
(4)Alexandra W.
This review applies only to restaurant week 2010. They have quite an extensive RW menu, which is nice. We received very good service but found the food good but not great. Began with cocktails: I had the hibiscus mojito--totally worth the $9, and I never think that. Appetizers: Tomato/mozzarella salad appetizer was small. French Onion Soup came with 1 crostino (not advertized crostinI, plural...), which had been sitting in the soup a long time, and was already soft. Also, it had gruyere just sort of dumped on it, so it all came off into the soup in one chunk. It was not melted over the crostini thing or the soup. They call this "modern-style," I call it "meh." Entrees: Steak was very tender but a bit flavorless, though the mushrooms that came with it were yummy. Scallops was only 2--a quite small portion for an entree. Dessert: your only option is a trio of mini desserts. Creme Brulee was nothing to write home about, bread pudding was good, and I don't do chocolate truffles. I had trouble with proportions--giant truffle, teeeny square of bread pudding. I didn't know they could cut it that small! Service was mostly good although waiter didn't remove from the right, like my mom taught me. I dunno, I happened to notice. I'd be back for drinks, but less likely for dinner. At the price, there's lots better food, but as a drinks-date, fabulous, especially the atmosphere and signature drinks.
(3)Vanessa M.
Kobe Burger - Tasted like any other good burger. The only difference is it had foie gras on it. That was gone in one small swift bite. It was the best part of my meal. I know its a fancy restaurant but boy was I jonesing for a bun and some crispy bacon and cheese to slap on this bland puppy. Duck - Dry. Dry duck. Really dry duck. I'm not sure what else I can say other than how dry it was. Its hard to get past. I'm still not over it.
(2)Caroline D.
I absolutely love this place. I have never ordered off the main menu because that is a little too pricey, but the bar menu and the happy hour is delicious. This week I got slow braise short rib on a bed of mashed potatoes and spinach for $5. That is an amazing deal! In the past I have also had the truffle Mac and cheese, cheeseburger, truffle fries, cheese plate. Everything that I have is delicious, I would highly recommend coming here for the bar menu or happy hour menu.
(5)Hai N.
One word...Awesome !!! Everything from greeting to service to the quality of the Food was Excellent ! Will Definetly come back....
(5)Debra O.
The food is really well prepared here. The bar menu excellent. The mussels in a coconut thai inspired broth delicious, mussels not over cooked. The reason I cant give it 5 stars is the staff is simply not sophisticated enough. Last time we were there they wanted to jam us into the bar, disrupting others who were sitting there. At times I feel like there is a cultural and language barrier I would not expect at this type of restaurant. Yes I will go back but they really need to hire more polished employees.
(4)Laura K.
I've eaten here twice and had really great experiences both times. The restaurant is beautiful, the service is impeccable, and the food is really top notch. The first time I went, I had just moved back to Houston and was completely disgusted with the gluten free scene here. As a result, I was a bit nervous about this meal and as a result maybe a tad of a b*tch to my family :) But I shouldn't have worried at all. I told the waiter as soon as we sat down that I was concerned about gluten and he said no problem. Without missing a beat he told me that most everything on the menu was or could be made gluten free and just to figure out what I would like to have and he would check it out just to make sure we were safe. I'm happy to report that I enjoyed an excellent steak and truffle fries that were to die for! I finished it off with flourless chocolate cake... yum. As you would probably expect, service and food like this don't come cheap, but if you are looking for a really nice place to take out of town guests or a Celiac friend of a special occasion... look no further.
(5)Wog W.
Mind blowingly good food. Service is top notch. Prices high high high but we went during restaurant week(s) and had one of the best meals of our lives. Innovative, fresh ingredients, gorgeous presentation. Highly recommend the assoc wine pairing.
(5)Sal S.
This place is fancy, expensive, but really tasty. I had the steak special that night and it was wonderful. Service was superb. Good place for a business meeting or a date with your spouse etc... It was kind of stuffy for 3 bachelor friends... When I want to take a woman out, I would consider bringing her here.
(5)Chris W.
Expensive for what you get. The climate is great, loved being here with my wife for a special night. Intimate and not too noisy to talk. Crowd is older, lots of grey haired men in sportcoats. The food was very pleasing. We had a beef special and the pork chop, along with salads. Our service could have been better. Waiter seemed to forget about us a couple of times. Ask for a table by the windows, away from the bar.
(3)JIMMY N.
I'm not going to go on and on about the establishment since you got plenty of other yelpers to do that for you. However I'm just going to write about my dinner yesterday at Mockingbird. Last night's occasion was for a friend's birthday. The two of us were seated upstairs (I was kinda excited because I never sat upstairs and I've been here on three other occasions), and was immediately greeted by our friendly server. I passed up on ordering a bottle of wine, great wine list selection at stellar prices, and opted for a glass of merlot. I picked the soup du jour (a sweet-like bisque w/ lumps of crabmeat), crispy gulf oysters as an appetizer, and Diver Scallops as my main course. Everything was delicious... I loved the soup, sure wish it was a staple on the menu. The battered oysters sat on creamed spinach, bits of bacon with Hollandaise sauce. My scallops came in 3 pieces, that were pan seared with some cooked greens and veggies and orzo pasta. My friend had odered a Chilean Seabass special. That came with mashed potatoes and asparagus. She thought her dish was delicious as well. The food, service and even my company made for a wonderful evening. Too bad I'm not too crazy about their dessert selections. Had to go elsewhere for that. One note, their menu is seasonal; but do order any dish that's accompanied with pomme frites (like the Kobe burger w/ pomme frites), those french fries, oops I mean pomme frites, are really darn good.
(5)mesa b.
I first went here when it was open for less than a year on a date. Revisited last month. So nice to see that the standards have not dropped. A great neighborhood place for chef quality food with a welcome atmosphere. The price paid compared to other "trendy" places for real food is a welcome reminder that good people can do good food in this town without going crazy on cost -- thank you.
(4)Grace L.
Just had dinner tonight with a girlfriend and really enjoyed it. We both had the five course tasting menu and it was plenty. Service was courteous and professional. Nice place to go for a special occasion.
(4)Brinda G.
Mockingbird Bistro was delicious!! From the bread basket to the perfectly cooked sea bass with pesto angel hair pasta to the outstanding rack of lamb to the most polite valet I've ever encountered. This is easily my favorite fine dining experience in Houston!!
(5)Travis D.
Great french bistro fare. Haven't been here in a few months, but in the last 4 years or so i have been here quite a bit. About half of the time i will try something new on the menu, but my go-to item is the steak frites. I feel kind of silly getting it, as i am not really a "meat and potatoes" kind of guy, but its just so damn good. Normally places will put steak frites on the menu so that clientle that are scared of the more adventurous stuff have a safe place to hide, but Mockingbird really excels at the dish. I've never been disappointed by anything i had here. Its definitely one of Houston's hidden gems. You should check this place out, if you haven't already.
(5)Adam P.
Just had dinner here last night. Sat at the bar as I was alone on business. Didn't have high service expectations since I was sitting at the bar. Service - I had a 7:30 PM reservation, but decided to go early. The hostess was very accommodating and began to take me to a dining table. I asked if it was okay to eat dinner at the bar instead, since I was alone. She was very kind and accommodating and immediately took me to the bar. The bartender was friendly, asked me a few questions, and made me feel welcome. Didn't talk too much, which I appreciated but didn't ignore me either for more regular customers. Had a Manhattan - Straight Up for a cocktail and it was a good solid cocktail. Ordered a half bottle of wine (side note - they have a GREAT selection of half bottles, which is my preferred restaurant size when I'm alone or dining with one other person). Instead of bringing me my Half Bottle of White Wine, they brought over a glass of a red wine, I quickly stated that it was not what I ordered and they promptly brought me my bottle. Bottle was 2009, even though the menu said 2010. I didn't say anything about it, because I didn't feel like being a jerk again, and the 2009 White Burgundy's (IMO) are drinking better than the 2010. During dinner service, food came out before my proper silverware for each course (soup and dinner) were set. Again I was eating at the bar, so I didn't really hold it against them. But just some notes. At the end of service they ordered me a cab and I was on my way. Food - I had the Lobster Bisque to start off. It was supposed to come with Brioche Croutons - however they were not present on my soup. Soup was very rich and good. It came out too hot and I had to wait for quite some time for it to cool down, but once it did it was very flavorful and really showcased the lobster flavor. It was a big serving and it would have been enough for dinner. I should have put my spoon down half way through, but it was too good and finished it all. For dinner I had the Bouillabaisse - one of my favorite dishes to eat when dining out. It was very rich, but the seafood was fresh. Everything worked well together. Went well with the wine that was just at the proper temperature by the time I got to the main course (I like my white burgundy's on the warm side). Bouillabaisse was also served VERY hot. And had to wait for a few minutes for it to cool down. But once it did the quality was great. Overall the food was very good. If I come back to Houston I'll try and eat her again. The happy hour specials looked to be very good. Please note - I am an overly critical person (as my wife will attest), however I am not rude about such things and I typically keep them internal or share with just my wife these thoughts. However I find them to be helpful to the management on places they and their staff can improve their establishment. And since I would come back to this place when returning to Houston, that means overall it was a good experience and met my expectations.
(4)Amber F.
Possibly my favorite resturant in Houston. The food is consistently amazing. You can count on excellent service, seasonal cocktails and fresh seasonal food. Very romantic and beautiful interior design. A true Houston gem!
(5)Meg L.
We went for brunch on a Sunday. The service was very slow, and the food mediocre at best. We had a reservation for 11 am and the place was not crowded, yet it took nearly an hour from order to food arrival. The carpaccio was not good. Some of it tasted okay, but some of it tasted like old roast beef. The soup special was fine, but really uninspired. There are much better brunch places in Houston.
(2)Bella H.
Great service!! I originally made a reservation for 6 people and called to change the reservation to 12 people only 24hrs before and guess what?!? They accommodated our entire group! Now that's what I call good service! The food was delicious, I tried the HRW menu and was very impressed. I started off with the onion soup which was just yummy. I then had the salmon with wasabi mashed potatoes; the salmon was a little overcooked and I was disappointed by how few potatoes came with it, but overall the flavor was delish. I ended the meal with the dessert trio and I have to say WHAT A GREAT IDEA! It was the perfect portion size to just have a little bite of everything. Overall, I was very impressed and will definitely return.
(5)Laura L.
This place is top notch. The service from when you walk in the door until when you leave is impeccable - you're greeted at the door, greeted immediately when seated at the table, and everyone who comes by the table is knowledgeable and unobtrusive. Our waiter was Hector, and he is among the best of the best - he did not miss a thing. Keith, the maitre d, was pleasant and personable. The ambiance is dark, not too loud, and imaginative with mirrors and creative chandeliers. The food started with a giant basket of perfectly fried calamari with two nice dipping sauces. The duck leg and breast were delicious with a deep red cherry sauce. My husband, notoriously hard to please with a steak, loved the strip with frites. He normally prefers a dry steak to one with a sauce, but we both loved this perfectly cooked steak with the sauce and mushrooms. To top it off, of course we were too full to eat desert, but in chatting with Hector while finishing our wine we mentioned it was our wedding anniversary, so then we were delivered two wonderfully dark chocolate truffles with candles to celebrate. We will be back.
(5)Mike P.
Thank you HRW yelpers, ok some of you anyway that is. Spot on reviews on the lobster riz and the short ribs. Service on a monday night was prompt but not rushed, and I have to say that the previous comments about the wine pours and the deserts were off the mark. Full pours of wine justify the add of $30, and a nice trio of desert tastings, the three course meal is priced accordingly for HRW, and it gives you a good feel for what Mockingbird can offer.
(4)Khalid H.
Really good food and different than any other restaurant in Houston. French/Texan. The best kept secret is a $9 Kobe beef burger if you eat it at the bar. It twice as expensive sitting down
(4)Camille P.
I am a hardcore carnivore (I was a low-carber once in my lifetime) and Mockingbird has the BEST New York Strip Steak. I always order the Steak Frites when I am here for dinner. Beef Carpaccio is fresh and tasty. Their calamari is the standard fried calamari with a tasy aioli. The atmosphere is a bit quiet, considering that I go on Saturday nights. Their bar, however, seems to be very hip. I haven't had the chance to check out their bar food selection. The restaurant could be totally missed because it is tucked in such a cozy little corner. I love it!
(5)Darby A.
I so dearly wanted to LOVE Mockingbird on my second visit, but alas, it just wasn't going to happen. I dined with two companions who chose from the restaurant week menu, while I ventured a la carte from the regular offerings. My review may be skewed by the fact that it was RW, but in my opinion, restaurants shouldn't participate unless their heart is in it and they treat newcomers just as they would the regulars. Starters from the RWM included the onion soup and Caesar salad, which were both easily forgettable. Given that each would approach $10 any other time, they were really not worth it. The calamari on the other hand, was delicious! For the mains, both RW diners had the steak frites, while I had the roasted chicken off the regular menu. One was happy with the steak although she admitted that she wouldn't pay the full menu price for it. The other found the cut very tough, and prepared significantly cooler than his desired medium. It may be because we were fresh off an experience at Tyler Florence's new Wayfare Tavern in SF where he had a similar dish, but he just thought the flavor layering left much to be desired. Particularly in the mushroom jus. We could have had TF's version for the same price, and trust me, it was much better. On the other hand, the frites were quite nice. The roasted chicken was very blah. Don't put it on the menu if you aren't into it! The dessert trio was the best part according to my companions. I've had the full size version of the bread pudding before, and it is indeed delicious! I'll hesitate to come back to MB and drop a cool $150 for an only average dinner in the future. I will certainly come in and sit at the bar after a workday to savor a cocktail and some of their bar menu selections which are very well priced. The old-fashioned I had was simply perfect.
(2)Amanda M.
This is absolutely one of my favorite restaurants. I have had the sweetbreads, they were amazing!! I have had the grilled chicken, amazing!! I choose this place every time my boyfriend comes to bring me to lunch. It's definitely one of our favorites. I can't wait to sit at the bar and enjoy a glass of wine in the future... Might even have to have the creme brulee trio or apple bread pudding for dessert. Emmmmmm.....................
(5)Lauren F.
I'm glad I finally thought to step into this tucked-away restaurant. I love the eclectic decor, the building, the atmosphere, the food. My lunch was great. Also, people including the hostess and the owner were friendly and cordial. If the service was just a little bit faster and they hadn't forgotten my fries this place would be a solid 4.5. I will be back soon!
(4)Shawn C.
My wife and I don't usually go places this expensive. Not that it's over the top pricey, it's just that we ain't got a lot of money so we need our buck to go far. But we were graciously taken to dinner there by a couple that dines there weekly. They were greeted by name and then the Chef, John Sheely(sp?), came out to greet them as well. The staff was great. Very attentive and cordial, and not as stuffy or ingratiating as other fancy places. The food was good! I loved the dipping sauces we got with our calamari. And the sandwich I got, sorry the Tartin duJour, was wonderful. It's a cozy place that isn't too big and isn't too small, and we had no problem finding parking near there at lunch time, so we didn't have to valet. The next day the Chronicle gave The Mockingbird the distinction of having the "ultimate hamburger." Makes me wish I had tried it.
(5)Dolph W.
I went to Mockingbird Bistro last night based on Cory O's review in Yelp. This is the first time I've used Yelp in this fashion and I wasn't disappointed. My dining experience can be described as episodic with each stage topping the previous one... THE APPREHENSION I made an early 5:30 reservation at Mockingbird Bistro because my wife and I were attending an 8:00 show at a nearby theater and I didn't want to rush dinner. Because I'm valet-averse, I drove around the block before coming to the conclusion that self-parking in the area was a futile endeavor. We dropped off the car, were greeted warmly at the door and were quickly shown to a table by the window in a quiet corner of the restaurant. From this vantage point, we could see all the patrons arriving and departing. Their attire ranged from very formal to extremely casual (shorts and tennis shoes). Suspended from a high ceiling in this converted warehouse were rustic chandeliers painted a faux antique gold. Interspersed amongst them were winged dragon creatures that looked somewhat like seahorses. The overall effect can best be described as "funky Gothic". On a business card I picked up at the reception stand, the restaurant's fare is described as "Texas Provence". The menu confirmed that what they offered was an eclectic mix of local and European influences. I felt some trepidation as my wife quipped, "They have a hamburger for $30!" What were we getting into? THE SEDUCTION Our waiter was excellent throughout the evening. He had that instinctive sense to know exactly when he should appear and disappear. After discussing the menu with him we chose both specials and items from the menu. I opted for a shrimp bisque, duck and a perky Pinot Noir. My wife went in a different direction with a trout entree and a Pinot Grigio. While waiting for the food to be prepared, we received the first tantalizing hints of what was in store for us. Their pate was lovely and their fresh bread dipped in oil and spices teased the tip of my tongue. However, my palate was completely unprepared for what was to come. The shrimp bisque was divine. Its rich creamy tomato base was a sensual wake-up call and I savoured it to the last drop. THE CLIMAX My duck arrived perfectly medium rare on a bed of vegetables that included crisp thin stalks of asparagus and artichokes. Its dark gravy reduction beckoned. With the first bite, my mouth exploded in culinary rapture. Every erect taste bud vibrated in paroxysms of pleasure that sent tingling waves of electricity to the furthest regions of my torso. I was deep into five-star territory and believe I moaned softly in ecstasy until only a single lonely duck bone remained on my plate. THE AFTERGLOW For dessert, I originally was going to sample the Creme Brulee, but I wisely took the waiter's recommendation instead: apple bread pudding. It was presented to me in a caramel sauce accompanied by blackberries. As I closed my lips over the first forkful, the earth moved. I gasped, everything went fuzzy and I ascended into heaven. I had discovered what I want in my mouth when I draw my last breath. It was obvious that Mockingbird Bistro could meet any of my fine dining needs. Even the thick froth on my Cappuccino was perfectly prepared. A culinary rhapsody like this doesn't come cheap. Be prepared to spend $150-$200 per couple for the meal, a modestly-priced bottle of wine and a generous tip. As I write this, I'm still reeling from the experience!
(5)Liz S.
Well, now I can't say that Yelp never gave me anything, We were looking for somewhere nice where we could enjoy some drinks and appetizers after an unsatisfying and long workday, and I gave in to my Yelp-inspired yearnings to visit Mockingbird Bistro. Wow, wow, and wow. The interior is reminiscent of an elegant hunting or ski lodge - lots of leather and wood, a good mix of classic/rustic elements. The bartender was so nice, and our drinks (pomegranate cosmopolitan and tequila mockingbird) were almost too tasty. The cheese plate was the best we've had in town, too - each cheese accessory deserved its place alongside the creamy wedges. Though there's a bar-specific menu, the bartender also offered to let us order off of the regular menu (a nice, non-obligatory touch, don't you think?). The whole evening was only $40ish with tip - not bad at all for a brief respite from the work week. I can't wait until we have enough time to eat a real meal here. Everyone was so courteous! We didn't need to valet - parking seems to be plentiful here during off times.
(5)Christine C.
/: perhaps my expectations doomed me to disappointment from the get go, but i don't understand the hype. food was good, don't get me wrong. service was also impressive. but it just didn't wow me. the flavors were good, the execution was off. not top quality restaurant. just... good. like i expect cheaper prices for this kind of food good KING SALMON W/ PUMPKIN RISOTTO - i asked for medium rare. got a well done salmon. flavor was good, but the fish was dry. ): risotto was a bit undercooked and hard. cute plating though. risotto came in a little mini pumpkin. CRISPY DUCK W FOIE GRAS - the duck was really tough and chewy. foie gras was good though. however the disappointing main attraction offset any benefit of a tasty side. again, great flavors. Blackberry mint julep & Blood orange martini - both great. at least the alcohol delivered! location is a bit shady. what's up with the middle of nowhere address, mockingbird?
(3)Sarah M.
Enjoyed Thanksgiving lunch with 9 family members today. The food was amazing, service attentive and extremely accommodating, atmosphere pleasant, classy and comfortable. I will be dreaming about the scallop appetizer with mushrooms and unbelievable sea bass entree until I can score my next fix. We will definitely be back!
(5)Jerry E.
Wonderful Seafood; did not have wine, but the list is long; Good Service; Expensive; Out of town-er, dinner for one: $68 plus tip Tap Water $0 Cup of Soup $5 Fish Special (sea bass) $40 Espresso $4 Chocolate Cake, very rich (Flour-less Chocolate Cake with Raspberry Sauce) $7 Martini Up $12
(3)Trish R.
What a pleasant surprise to find this jewel hidden in plain sight. On the SE corner of McDuffie & Welch, this inner loop quaint neighborhood restaurant is an exceptional find. The service was excellent, the food delightful & fresh as it could be. The country French/mediterranean chic fusion was fun, charming, interesting & unique. The pride of management & staff were apparent from the moment we began to hear about the 'restaurant favs' and the 'daily special'. How can anyone do roasted chicken any better? Surprise yourself. Delight yourself. I can't wait to try the 'Houston's Best' risotto. Special occasion room or dining room. Dress - casual to upscale casual. Pricey.
(5)Jeremy B.
Good Food, Cool ambiance Ate here midweek around 7:30. This restaurant has a comfortable feel about it. Not stuffy or quiet. The kind of place you could go with friends and have a good time. Started out with the charcuterie plate and it was delicious. The house made pate was awesome, and I liked the olive/pepper mix they serve with it. Next I had the French Onion soup, while the other two diners had the foie gras. At 1st I was a little dissapointed with the soup. It didn't have the thick layer of melted gruyere on top I was looking for, instead it was served in a shallow bowl with two croutons topped with cheese. After trying the rich flavorful broth I was happy. I didn't try the foie gras, 1 of my brothers was a fan, the other didn't like the bacon and said his piece was small and over cooked. For my entree I tried the Korobuta Pork Chop. It was OK, nothing special. I also tried the short ribs, a generous portion served with loaded mashed potato and some delicious saute'd corn and peppers. Ended with the cheese plate. I love cheese and was very happy with the selection offered (especially the Mt. Tam triple cream). Overall an enjoyable experience. For me starting with a charcuterie plate and wine and ending with great cheese always satisfies.
(4)Chandu C.
My wife and I went for our first anniversary and we were not disappointed. The food was good. The decor was interesting without overwhelming. And the service was attentive without disturbing. The ability to hear and be heard by your company was very important to us and this place was great for that. Solid wine menu that offers good wines in half bottles (important because my wife is pregnant). The menu was very interesting. We each had a salad to start. I had the beet, date, and almond salad and it was sweet and interesting. My wife had the Bibb salad. Hers was savory and mine was sweet and we both enjoyed the tastes that were uncommon and fresh. The bread and olive oil was outstanding. She ordered the lamb chops which were good. I had the Kobe burger with Foie Gras which was outstanding. We also ordered the mushroom risotto and it was rich and could easily be shared by a table of 4 and it should be. Go there on a date or with company that likes a fine meal and menu and you will not be disappointed. The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars is because I save the fifth star for the place that not just meets all expectations, but also delivers something other worldly at a great value.
(4)Mel H.
We've been to Mockingbird Bistro twice, and had wonderful experiences both times. Most recently we visited after our wedding reception. The service was beyond excellent, and the food was fantastic. The atmosphere is nice but not to the point where you feel like you can't laugh a little for fear of the whole place turning around to shush you. The wine list is also fantastic. We love this place! Definitely try their tasting menu at least once, and go for the one with wine parings. You won't be disappointed. Cannot recommend this restaurant enough.
(5)Will L.
Went for happy hour. Short rib was generous size but not good at all. The eggplant was soggy. The wine was good, cocktails were bad and uninspired. Basically, this place is dated and the food overrated!
(2)Lana H.
Good neighborhood restaurant. A little on the pricey side for what you get but the few times I have been there I have been pleased with my meal. If you are into meat, you will love this place!
(4)Patricia B.
Great food and menu were overshadowed by snooty, unhelpful service. Also, the huge sign that says parking with an arrow to the back of the restaurant is apparently only there to help the valet since its blocked off. Have cash or be prepared to park on the street.
(2)Matthew N.
I liked this place, I really did. But it seems to me that with a lot of restaurants in Houston, you are paying more for the clientele you dine with rather than the food itself. Don't get me wrong. My food was good and the service was top notch which is always nice. But for the amount of money you will spend on a meal here, it better be some of the most amazing food you have ever had (which it is not). It's a beautiful place, and it really "feels" like you are eating in a fancy restaurant. But to me, the prices do not accurately reflect the food served. Drop every dish by about $10 and I might consider going back.
(3)Au N.
Yummy food and great service! Only downside is that it's located around a residential neighborhood which makes street parking difficult though there is 'complimentary valet'...which is never complimentary because you have to tip! Aside from that, we were seated promptly with our reservation and someone came by right away to take our drinks order. We started with the charcuterie appetizer plate which was good but nothing to blow you out of the water. My SO had the pan seared duck breast/leg and it was delicious! I had the grouper special and it was tasty but I'd try something else next time. Portions are respectable for the price. A great experience, will definitely go again.
(4)Michael F.
On a quiet Monday night, Mockingbird still has a decent crowd at 8:30. We started with the beef tar tar, ample enough portion for sharing, good quality beef and nicely spiced with a quail egg served to the side (of course we mixed it in) with 4 toast points (we immediately ordered more). I had the mixed grill special, boar chops with sliced flank steak. It came out a perfect MR and the portion was commesurate with the price ($42.00). Served with sauteed mushrooms that thankfully were not over sauced, a few asparagus spears and some stilton mashed potatoes (yum). A little bit of roasted cabbage too gave a nice balance of texture. K had the trout in beurre noisette, which was fresh and well executed; some capers on top and a generous addendum of steamed lobster pieces & some herot covert all for a reasonable $29.00. Too stuffed for dessert. Good selections on the wine list, but they have not yet embraced the value priced ethos that Ibiza, Reef etc. have promulgated. Restrained, but prompt service was fine. Parking is problematic, so you will more than likely need to utilize the valet service. I can't wait to go back when the weather turns chilly (well this is Houston), as it is very lodge like in its atmosphere.
(4)QA T.
Cozy. Funky. Great place to get a bunch of appetizers. The pan-seared Fois Gras and Sweet Bread were above average, but the Truffles fries were GREAT. The fried baby octopus was also a winner.
(4)Becky L.
I'm going to try my hardest to make sure this review isn't tainted by my expectations but it's going to be difficult. After reading so many great reviews about this place I went in expecting a LOT. We went for Valentine's Day and like most places they had a $75 prix fixe menu. The place was pretty empty at 6:30 and the other diners were dressed pretty casual. They were also a bit older -- so it was okay. Something about age gives you a license to dress down, I guess. The hostess and servers were very attentive and friendly. I went with the Lump Crab Timbale, Sea Bass, and Red Velvet Cake. The Timbale was delicious, the Sea Bass was standard, and the Red Velvet Cake was the best red velvet I've ever had. The husband had the Foie Gras, Lamb Rack, and Trio of Chocolates. The Foie Gras was amazing, the Lamb Rack was very tender and perfectly medium rare (and better than Mark's according to the husband), and I didn't try the Trio of Chocolates but the husband really enjoyed it. The trio was comprised of a warm bittersweet torte, a chocolate truffle, and chocolate mousse. So why only 3 stars? -- We weren't given any bread in the beginning and when the husband asked our waiter, he quickly said that it was on its way and that he wanted to wait so that we could get freshly baked bread. When he brought it out the bread was cold -- so I'm not sure what happened there. On the plus side, there was this interesting muffin kind of bread with some sort of spices that was pretty unique. -- My seabass was pretty plain. I mean, it was fresh, sure, but I thought maybe they would have been a bit more creative with the flavors. It came with this tomato based puree with pickled olives -- the harsh flavors didn't jive well with the delicate fish. Maybe I just ordered the wrong thing? I should have went with the duck -- I really like how they did the foie gras with peaches in the husband's appetizer. -- Ambiance. It just wasn't very romantic for some reason. The lighting needed to be just slightly dimmer, the chairs are these old fashioned wooden chairs with really wide arm rests and it's hard to move them to sit closer to your date. It just wasn't as cozy as I was hoping it would be. I also felt like everyone could hear each other's conversations... that bothered me. -- Pace. The pace of the dinner was really fast -- which I guess is good if you're in a hurry, but not that great if you're having a nice romantic meal. The dishes were brought and taken very quickly in an attentive manner but at times it felt like they were clearing your plates to turn over the table, rather than give good service. So yeah, it's a hefty pricetag for all these negative aspects. If I wanted to spend the same amount, I'd rather go to Mark's. But don't get me wrong, they do a lot of things right. If I had more time/money, I'd probably go back and try more of their dishes. But probably not anytime soon.
(3)Brian W.
There are already 80 reviews at the time of me posting, so I don't have much to add other than follow the preponderance of the evidence (~4.5 star rating over 80 reviews). Dinner was excellent. Top notch food and service!
(5)Kiki P.
My parents were visiting me from Boston during the Holiday season so we decided to go to the best restaurant in Houston for our Christmas eve dinner. I had previously heard wonderful things are this place and I was super excited to take my parents here. Unfortunately, we were utterly disappointed at the food and the service. I hesitated to write this review at first because it is based off a pre-fix menu. However if a restaurant is supposed to be "one of the best restaurants in Houston" then the food and service should be awesome regardless. For my three course, prefix meal I started off with a caesar salad which was not bad. It was just your typical caesar salad. No complaints at this point. For dinner I ordered scallops. My dish came out cold. No joke. It was not warm at all. The scallops were rubbery and did not taste fresh at all. I felt as though the dish was made a couple of days ago and was just sitting out. I mean since the menu for Christmas was pre-fix, it is more convenient for the chefs to make dishes ahead of time anyways. My parents had the same issue with their dishes. They came out cool to lukewarm. We complained and the server did not seem to care. She took the dishes back, heated them up and brought them back to us. If felt as though they just stuck my plate in the microwave for a minute, which made the scallops even more rubbery. For dessert, I had the pecan pie, which was the worst dessert I have ever had in my life. The pecans were COMPLETELY STALE. I just could not believe it. Forget being fresh, they were old and expired. We also felt extremely rushed during all of dinner. We would finish one course and they would immediately bring out the next course. We ate the 3 course meal in 40 minutes. It was quite obvious that they just wanted to get us in and out as quickly as possible. At the end of the dinner, we asked to speak with a manager. This was the worst part of the entire night. She was ridiculously impolite and not genuine at all. We explained to her how we were disappointed in the food and she did not care one bit. Her exact words were: "Oh okay, usually people like our food." If this truly is the best restaurant in Houston, the manger would have apologized, offered a refund or gift card to return etc. In the past, anytime I have ever had a disappointing experience at an upscale restaurant, they always apologize profusely and attempt to make up for it. After reading this review, if you are still planning on going to Mockingbird, do not go on a day which is prefix only. They will probably prepare the food ahead of time and it will not be fresh. Better yet, do not provide this place any business at all.
(1)A.J. H.
Great restaurant. We loved every last thing about our experience here. Cannot wait to go back
(5)Betty L.
This restaurant is really.... reallyyy.. realllyyyy good. It is an excellent place to dine and try if you haven't. Here's what I've tried: 1. Slow Roasted Onion Soup. Excellent. 2. Chilled Tomato Basil Soup. This was ok but it was chilled. I would've like it better served warm. 3. Baby Squid. Super Yummy. The dipping sauce is to die for. Very exquisite and different taste. 4. Tropical Fruit Salad. This was ok. 5. Grilled Half Chicken. Excellent. 6. Lobster Risotto. This sounded good but it wasn't my favorite. I think there was too much cheese in it. The cheese was a little overwhelming and it's all I really tasted. 7. Truffle Pommes Frites. The BOMBDIGGITY. I was sippin on some very delicious cocktails.. Some included Champagne Cosmo, Cucumber Martini, and Pimm's Daddy. They all had a slight lime/sour taste which I like. They used top shelf ingredients and I got drunk after the 2nd or 3rd drink. :)
(4)Kathryn C.
Here's the haps on the happy hour and the restaurant in general... I LOOOVE it! -$5 cocktails and nibbles from 5-7. -The cable car cocktail is so sweet and yummy it's like drinking orange candy. -Warm, Italian spiced bread served upon being seated. Mmmm. -Staff opens doors, places napkins in your lap and escorts you to the bathroom (if you don't know where it is). It's past the bar and through a door near the stairs. -Valet parking. Typically an 'ugh' follows my realizing there's only valet parking, but it's no charge. The guys work for tips. -Seemingly lax dress code. No, I don't recommend bumming up here in your beach wear, but I've seen folk with jeans and fancy pants. And last night there was no problem with my messy Halloween garb. -Smoking on patio is a-ok.
(4)Judy C.
What a hidden gem tucked away in the middle of Montrose. My date and I had the risotto, which wasn't the best thing in the world, but then again, it's a French restaurant. The staff was overly helpful and engaging, especially when I told them that my date was a former actor (and had a part in "Legends of the Fall"), they sent their manager over, and it was just amusing to watch them come over - one. by. one. What did command 4 stars was their decor. Rich velvety reds and yellow enveloped the restaurant, something that I would NOT have expected walking through the door. Definitely a great restaurant to take a date to.
(4)Casie C.
I went here for my birthday dinner last weekend. I made a reservation for 15. I was aware that we might need to split the group into two tables due to the limit of the space inside the restaurant. When we arrived, we requested if we can just put the tables together and glad that they actually let us! The restaurant has complimentary valet. It is very difficult to park because you might need to park it on the side of the street somewhere if you don't want anybody to touch or drive your car. The restaurant itself is not really that big so might not be ideal for a big group. I just happened to want to try the place so bad that I still gave it a shot even with a big group. The lighting inside is pretty dark! Could barely see my menu, but I guess that's what their ambiance is really going for. cool decor and has a quite average noise level. The food was good, and some of my friends loved their steak. I'm sure you will find something in the menu that you may absolutely love! The only thing I didn't understand is that, we had to pay $3 per person to cut and serve our own cake. Even if we cut it ourselves, we will need to pay due to their restaurant policy. I know a fee to bring a cake but per person? That was the first time I've heard that.. Overall, I don't mind coming back again, but probably with a smaller group to experience the place in a different perspective!
(4)Ivette L.
Amazing. Had the lamb and the braised pork - both were spectacular. Great wines and desserts as well. Nice environment, great service. I am a foodie at work (public relations) we actually hosted a food client event here. Delicious, a must-dine! Good for any ocassion - expect to spend some $$, but worth every penny!
(5)Sundancer S.
I love this place! The service is prompt and they are very curious. Dinner is great and so is the happy hour. I really like the drinks here which are only five dollars on happy hour my favorites are the Moscow Mule and the Paloma. I also enjoy the braised rib, mussels and Kobe burger which were all very good. Also, I'm big on ambiance and this place is one of the best decorated in Houston. It feels warm and cozy; it's definitely one of the best dining experiences in Houston.
(5)Brendan L.
Great food. Nice atmosphere. Good service. Very pricey for what you get. Yet despite all this they opened the windows at 10 pm to encourage customers to move along as the kitchen. Denied it as well, even though our whole table was suddenly freezing. I used to do that when I waited tables in college. Old, cheap, and rather tacky trick. Stay classy San Diego.
(2)Stacy S.
Houston, there is no problem! This was the first time I have been to Texas, I was there for a business trip. We were meeting with some of our customers and I decided on Mockingbird based on some of the Yelp reviews that I had read. I was very excited reading the menu online and from the reviews. Because we were a large party we had to choose from a pre-selected menu. Based on the reviews I read, I had chosen the menu below. Food First Course Bibb lettuce and Texas Goat Cheese Salad w/ toasted pine nuts, roasted red peppers and red wine vinaigrette *Salad was very creative and tasty but I was disappointed that there wasn't more dressing. I don't like it drowning but they were very sparse with it. Bistro Caesar Salad Texas 1015 Onion Soup with Gruyere Crouton Second Course Grilled Strip Steak w/ wild mushrooms, roasted pearl onions, watercress and garlic mashies *I didn't have this but I saw the piece of meat and it was a very generous portion and was sorry that I didn't have it! The folks that chose it were very happy with it and pleased with its preparations. Pan Seared Duck Breast and Roasted Leg w/ almond barley, seasonal veggies and black cherry sauce *My co-worker had this and he was happy with it. I am usually a duck person myself but I went with the salmon dish. Roasted Wild Salmon w/ green asparagus risotto, roasted tomato confit and merlot beurre rouge sauce *After seeing the piece of meat that everyone had gotten, I was very green with jealous when looking at my smallish piece of salmon sitting on my plate. BUT after taking the first bite I was very happy with my choice. The salmon was cooked perfectly and was moist, it was paired nicely with the roasted tomato confit (reminded me of a sauce my mom makes!). I was nervous about the asparagus risotto, I had one a couple months ago at a local restaurant and it was so tasteless I was hoping that Mockingbird would prove me wrong and show me that asparagus risotto can actually have some flavor... and they did! It was rich and well prepared, there were enough pieces of asparagus that you had one in every bite. Overall, I started the night with my eyes being bigger than my stomach but in the end I was satisfied. Desserts Flourless Chocolate Cake with Raspberry Sauce *It was SO rich that I took one bite and I was done. I was sad that it was such a wasted piece of cake but after my meal I couldn't get it down. It was a beautiful presentation with the raspberry sauce, whipped cream and fresh berries. Crme Brulee *I'm not a fan of the brulee but one of our customers was really looking forward to this and when it was presented it was very beautiful, but he was not happy with the consistency of it and said that it was very tasty. Customer Service Our server and wait staff was phenomenal and very attentive. Water glasses were always full, they were quick in serving dishes and removing empty plates. They also provided suggestions when looking for wine or a cocktail to go with your meal. I am an event coordinator, one of the things I look for when booking these kinds of dinners is the flexibility and how accommodating the restaurant is. This proves to be a challenge when you host these events in cities that you do not live or know people in. Because this was a customer based event, we reached out and recruited them to attend. As many of you know when you are invited to a focus group type event, unless you have paid to go there is always an excuse to not go... Tired from work, don't really know what the agenda for the evening is going to entail, worried you are getting signed up for some kind of freakish pyramid scheme... TOTALLY understandable! I had let the restaurant know that there was a possibility of 20 people to show, unfortunately for me my trip to TX was right after a holiday weekend and I was traveling during the 72 - hour window to let them know the numbers had changed. When the bill came we had been charged for 20 dinners and 10 were there. I had let the group order from open bar. I was just a little disappointed that we racked up a decent bill and there really wasn't any thing else that they did to help us out. But, it's a business and I understand the rationale behind it. Overall I was happy, the food was good, the service great and the location and the ambiance of the restaurant very inviting and comfortable. If or when I go back to Houston, I'd like to go back with a group of friends to enjoy the full menu and bar atmosphere.
(4)Jake R.
The happy hour is unbelievable. Drop your laundry next door at Haute Wash, the most wonderful laundromat in Houston, and then drop $5 on a short rib plate and another fiver for two St. Arnolds.
(5)morgan i.
great menu-alot of choices a date kind of restaurant or if the parents are in town delicious dishes: calamari, creamy tomato soup would go back and let someone else pay again
(3)David S.
Brunch was great. Traditional decor with brick and dark wood work, a very high ceiling. An innovative Texas American menu with enough of the traditional dishes that you won't starve if you are not feeling adventurous. Calamari appetizer was excellent and included an Asian soy and ginger dip as well as the usual jalapeno mayonnaise. Our main dishes included pan fried trout, crab cakes and a t-bone steak; all superb. Service was attentive without being intrusive.
(5)Saee D.
Amazing service, fantastic food, and wonderful ambiance. Overall, I was extremely satisfied with my dining experience. I order the tomato/mozzarella salad and the Diver Scallops. For dessert I had the Chocolate Torte. The salad was fresh and the tomatoes were very sweet and was drizzled with a balsamic vinaigrette reduction. Simply fantastic. The Diver Scallops were pan-seared served over risotto pasta. Delicious! The Chocolate Torte was simply brilliant. Baked to perfection! Highly recommended!!!
(5)Michelle B.
We had excellent service and the food was yummy! We had the duck and the Kobe burger - which was recommended by our waiter. Both were very good and we'd definitely go back if given another opportunity! Highly recommend!
(5)Matthew M.
I hate to give such a high rated place such low rating, but I have too. Service can make good food bad. I called around 3 on a Saturday to get me and friend 8 o clock reservations, which was not a problem. We walk in and immediately you get hit with the scent of truffles. I was in heaven I thought. We then were seated. We waited about 10 minutes with no menus, water, or even being approached by a waiter. The wine list was finally dropped , but still no waiter or water. Finally, a flustered waiter comes to us asking for our drink orders we decide to start the meal off with a couple of glasses of the Cremant. He ask to see our IDs. From this point he was omitting smugness, like "who are these two dudes eating here bothering me". I have never been carded at a fine dining establishment, and we gladly showed him our IDs. First, he scrutinizes my ID. Busting out his flashlight, bending the ID for hologram, and double taking between my picture on the ID and my smiling face. My friend only had a passport. He asked if he had a drivers license!! He did not know if he could take it?!?! He proceeded to show the ID to his manager, they deliberated over it and we finally got our much needed beverages. What are we boarding an international flight? Just the fact that I can pronounce "Cremant" should allow me to drink it. The waiter continued to be a smug ass the whole time we dined with him. We were extremely polite to him trying to bust him out of his funk, but he had some sort of chip on his shoulder towards our table. I have dined at the nicest restaurants in America never have I experienced such pretentiousness. The food was amazing. The Kobe beef burger was great. Tender Kobe beef with foie gras! Forget about it! The mussels were also a star of the meal. The service simply overly shadowed the food.
(2)Dawn G.
Outstanding restaurant and wonderful ambiance. After a day at museums, we called ahead to ask if shorts were okay for a very early dinner. We arrived just as they opened at 5:30 and were relieved to find the place empty and apologized for our attire. After asking for an inconspicous table, we were pleased to find the table linens hid our casual dress. We explained that we were there simply to sample the mussels. They were fanatstic. Now, we had dinner plans later in the evening at another restaurant, where we expected to arrive properly dressed. But after such a delicious appetizer, we decided on another appetizer. And a third. And a fourth. We tried the foie gras (melt in your mouth), beef tartare (delicious), and oysters. The oysters were fried and laid on the shell Rockefeller style. And while the oysters themselves were perfect, the "stuffing" was lukewarm in contrast to the steaming hot oysters. We ended with a warm chocolate torte that was in our waiter Simon's words the piece de resistance. It was the best I've ever had. The service was impecable, and obviously, the neighborhood clientele appreciates it. The place was packed when we left. Needless to say, we cancelled our previously set dinner plans.
(5)Jonathan F.
I usually wait to write a review until I've been to a restaurant at least three times, but I had to write a quick note. The foie gras appetizer was unreal. Service was great, everything great. Extremely romantic spot, loved it.
(5)Jim H.
Considering the earlier reviews Mockingbird was a little disappointing. My martini was diluted with too much melted ice. We had the spinach salad and Butternut Bisque for starters. The waiter had warned that the bisque was sweet but I was not prepared for something akin to a liquid pumpkin pie - very sweet with too much allspice. To his credit the waiter offered to take it back and I chose the onion soup instead which was very good. The warm spinach salad was quite good but we thought the $18 price tag excessive. It was topped with the two halfs of a cold boiled egg whose center was still liquid. To my mind it too should have been warm. For our entres my wife chose the duck - a seared breast and roasted leg accompanied by an apricot wild rice and I had the rack of lamb with the merguez sausage/potato hash and roasted eggplant. The duck and accompaniments were delicious and complimented each other with the duck being perfectly prepared. My lamb was supposed to be encrusted with a dijon mustard coating but it was more like a wet rub. It was perfectly cooked and delicious but I missed the crunch of a crust. The hash however did not go well with the lamb at all but the eggplant saved the day. Again to his credit our waiter offered to exchange the lamb entre for another dish but I declined. The wines suggested by the waiter, a Cote du Rhone for the duck and a La Fuente Cabernet for the lamb, were both delightful to the nose but lacked depth of character and finsh. Over all the service was quite good - the waiter and other staff attentive without hovering.
(3)Agustin S.
Well I finally made it to Mockingbird Bistro. I love to go out to eat and try new restaurant, but I had yet to make to Mockingbird. It's one of those places that is sort of hidden in a neighborhood so I had always forgotten about it, but after joining Yelp it is always one of the top rated restaurants in town, and as I'm finding out Yelp is pretty much right on the money on a lot of things, so I thought I needed to try it. I am glad I did. What an incredible experience, the service, the food, the wine list, and the ambiance. We were seated promptly, imagine that you make a reservation for a certain time and when you show up they have your table ready for you. The look of this place is really cool. They sat us in the back wine room, it was very intimate. The food was awesome! We started out with a vegetable soup and the pan seared sweet breads with mushrooms and Marsala redux. I would have to say it's the best sweet breads in town. Also as an appetizer the table ordered the Truffle Oil Pommes Frites.....Holy Crap. These little slices of heaven stole the show for the night. Hand cut fries tossed in truffle oil topped off with asiago cheese. For dinner I went with braised short rib and my wife did the fish special which was delicious. Seared Red Snapper with Jumbo Lump Crab Meat poured on top. And for the big finish the table shared the Apple Bread Pudding, which was a perfect way to end my dinner experience. Add a couple bottles of wine and good friends and it turned out to be an incredible evening.
(5)Emily N.
Hot happy hour! Super cheap $25 with tip for one person! I had the mac n cheese which came in a mini cauldron with some undesired brittles on the side and margarita that was top notch and a complimentary key lime pie shot ( incredibly delicious btw I want another) plus the Apple Carmel bread pudding with brown sugar ice cream.... Like wow it hit the spot! Perfect spot to catch up with the girls and dress up a little. I'll be back! Ps 4-7 happy hour? Double check i can't quite remember what time we got there but good $3-7 prices on the HH menu
(5)Michelle C.
I know there is a lot of hype with this restaurant, but I wasn't impressed on my first visit. The service was excellent, but the food fell flat. Our favorite dish of the night was the Foie Gras app. I had the soup of the season- Cauliflower soup and it lacked depth. I also had the Lemon Sole En Papillote, which was highly recommended by our server. I was disappointed. It was slightly over cooked and dry. The provencal veggies underneath the filet were mono-toned- the only flavor was of capers. The fish itself lacked flavor and the lobster butter did not add anything. Fiance had the duck, which he enjoyed, but stated he wouldn't go back for. May give another try, maybe we just got the wrong dishes.
(3)Twi A.
Overpriced and not too tasty. If you don't like seafood, don't bother to come here. I like the decor and the atmosphere. The bread before the meal was good. The worst thing was the service. I was overcharged for my meal and it still hasn't been fixed. And getting the server to come over during the meal was difficult because she had too many tables.
(1)Robert J.
5 of us decided to drop by Mockingbird Bistro this afternoon at 4:00PM. MANDATORY valet parking! We laughed & left for elsewhere & won't return. Valet Parking at 4P? Can they possibly be serious with this??? Valet parking has become the PLAGUE of restaurants city-wide. We see the sign -- we move on.
(1)Sandra M.
HRW @ Mockingbird bistro :) My hubby and I went for an impromptu date night and because its Houston Restaurant Weeks. They have a 3 course prix fixe with or without wine pairing; we went with pairing. I had: -cauliflower soufflé: creamy yummyness with crispy leeks and shaved truffles paired with veuve cliquot sparkling wine -RubyRainbow trout: perfectly done served with roasted red potatoes and haricot verts -flour less chocolate cake: decadently rich Hubby had: -MBistro salad: goat cheese, bib lettuce and roasted tomatoes -Braised Colorado lamb shank: WOW!!!!! Fall off the bone, fork tender Served pappardelle noodles and mushrooms -lemon tart: think lemon cheese cake and wonderfully balanced acid and Sweet. Get the cauliflower soufflé, lamb shank and the lemon tart. Oh and splurge on the wine pairing menu! Ask for Roberto to be your waiter, great guy!You can thank me later..
(5)Kimmi D.
This is a very quaint place. Not much parking, but they do have valet. I was in the mood for a burger so I had the M BISTRO BURGER with the Parmesan truffle fries. For $32 dollars this better be the best burger I've ever had. It was a very good burger, and the fries were very good. The chef cooked the burger perfectly. I would definitely come back and try other items off their menu.
(4)Dan N.
Went here a few weeks ago and ordered the American Kobe Beef Burger and truffle fries. The burger was pretty amazing, and flavors blended well together. I did find that all the juices from the burger made the bun pretty soggy. I think next time I order the burger I going to ask for the bun on the side. Otherwise, the experience was great. Will visit again.
(4)Paul D.
I really wanted to give Mockingbird a 5 star. It is pretty damn close, one of my favorite places for fine dinning in Houston. The restaurant itself is immaculate. An awesome granite topped bar that is unpolished. I can see and feel the pitted, eroded spots of Mica (ya, I am a Geologist). A touch not seen in most places. I think it is great. Dim lighting, chandeliers line the restaurant. A great area upstairs that overlooks everything, along with a patio outside. Just an all around great set up. The service is always great. The bartenders are on top of everything, and when sitting at a booth or table it is no less attentive. Every time I have visited a manager always checks to see how everything is going. OK, booze first...two taps of Karback and Southern Star. A good start. Lots of wine, and they make some great cocktails. They have their own take on Pimns Cup, Old Fashion, Manhattan's, and Mint Julep's. All very good, and on par with Anvil and Down House. The food which is the important stuff, is great. There is a constantly rotating menu. They do a $5 happy hour which is a good deal. I was not that impressed with the lobster lollipops. More corn meal than any kind of lobster meat I could find. Anyway, the mac & cheese with truffle oil is out of this world, and one of the first places in Houston, that I found, to do that. The Charcuterie is excellent. An amazing mix of cheese and meat plates. The calamari is very good, but not great. I have had a smoked salmon BLT that was excellent. One of the best cooked salmons I have had. They can cook some fish. Just an excellent restaurant that is on the same scale as Zelko's Bistro and Branch Water Tavern. A place I highly recommend.
(4)Alexis J.
Interior is a bit like a Victorian brothel, what with the dark curtains, fleur de lis everywhere, crimson velvet, etc, but don't let this bother you. Great expensive account place. Classical flavor pairings done well. The food is fabulous, if a tad spendy. Lovely scallops and filet, and desserts are all quite rich and heavy but decadent. Try their flourless chocolate torte. Happy hour is a 5 for 5-- 5 signature wines and apps for $5.
(4)Son H.
Got brunch here and it was delicious. I got the pork chops and they were incredibly tender with some fat on it. I really enjoyed it and the atmosphere is very nice. It's on the pricier side of things but definitely worth the price (I'm just poor). Definitely recommend this place for a really nice date.
(4)Dee H.
One of the best catered experiences I had. My friend's wedding reception was held there. From the attentive staff, to the menu selections and overall intimacy of the room that we had there was nary an unhappy face in the room. If you got the chance for them to make that event with friends that much more special check it out!
(5)Sarah C.
We recently went on a trip to Houston, TX to attend an alumni event at my alma mater - Rice University. The trip happened to fall around the time of our 2nd Wedding Anniversary, so we wanted to have a nice dinner in Houston to celebrate. We chose the Mockingbird Bistro as our location and had a wonderful evening. We were impressed as soon as we entered by the hostess's greeting: "Are we holding a table for you?" I thought that it was much more polite than the usual "Do you have a reservation?" The manager brought us complimentary Cava in honor of our Anniversary, and they also knew our favorite (and hard to find) cocktail, Pisco sour, so we were quite pleased from the beginning. Once we were seated, we had a chance to look at the decor and layout. The main room is pretty small and divided into a bar/lounge area and a dining area, but there is another large room (which doubles as wine storage), and stairs to a balcony room (both of which are available for private events). The style was very cool - hip, old Paris feel with a bit of a gothic edge - I was instantly in love with it. The cool vibe, old-fashioned cocktails, and stellar wine list (one of the best in the city) makes this a place that I would definitely hang out at - if only I had known about it when I lived there! We started by sharing two appetizers - the beef carpaccio and the roasted beet salad. The beet salad was very good, but the carpaccio was stellar - served with a creamy Parmesan vinaigrette, pesto, reduced balsamic, and truffle oil. Next, we both had the Hudson Valley foie gras "club" - seared foie gras on top of toasted brioche and applewood smoked bacon with heirloom tomatoes and some sort of fruit jam (I forget which kind). This was, of course, amazing - which is why we never share foie gras. For my entree - I ordered the kobe beef burger, topped with more seared foie gras, on an onion bun. This was possibly the best burger I have EVER had, and the sides were amazing too - truffle frites, pickled onion, cornichons, dressed watercress, and a delicious aioli. Jasper ordered the seared sea scallops with carbonara risotto, which were very good as well. The risotto tasted EXACTLY like carbonara - with peas, lardons, and Parmesan butter. But let's be honest here, that burger is where it's at. We ended our meal with a lovely cheese plate and left full and happy. We will definitely be coming back here anytime we are in Houston again.
(5)Aaron B.
Mockingbird Bistro is a fancy restaurant. An expensive restaurant. A good restaurant. But not an exciting restaurant. Their risotto is fantastic, and all the dishes I've had there have been very good. But food styles and trends change, and what is exciting in the culinary world won't be found here. It also caters to older, wealthy people. Average age is probably in the mid-50s if not higher. They close at 10pm on the weekend which should tell you something.
(3)Jamie L.
I'm really not a fancy smancy restaurant type of person but I really enjoyed this restaurant. I was here for a client dinner and I had the Kobe beef burger (first timer) with frites. I don't get out as much as others so I learned fits are fries.....I really enjoyed the taste of that beef. Halfway through the burger, I realized there wasn't any cheese on the burger. It was just that tasty!!!! The location is a calm, trendy type area...
(5)Lora P.
This is such a great place to come for a special occasion, or just any occasion that might become special. :) We came here w/ our favorite double date couple and absolutely loved it. Appetizers: I went with something simple and got a Cesar salad. Two thumbs up! My hubby got the onion soup and loved it, but couldn't eat it all b/c it the richness of the dish caught up with him. Our dinner mates got the mussels and the tomato/mozzarella stars and both of them really liked theirs. Entrees: Our awesome waiter told us about the specials, which was a 8 oz. filet or Sea Bass. Hubs and our friend both ordered the Sea Bass special, our other friend ordered the bone-in pork chop and I went for the Filet Special. I had to steal a bite of the pork chop- it was cooked a perfect medium which allowed the pork chop to not dry out like pork tends to. Delish! My filet was absolutely devine- I got it cooked medium rare and it was maybe even a shade under in a couple of spot, which I actually secretly prefer, so I was in heaven. It was super flavorful and the best meal at the table in my opinion. The two Sea Bass meals were just "good" for me, not "great", so I was glad that I'd went wit the steak after all. The fish was cooked perfectly, but it didn't actually have a lot of flavor strangely enough. It was accompanied by a HUGE fried prawn and I thought the prawn actually stole the show from the Sea Bass. Dessert: We were all full from our meals, but there was no WAY I was going to miss out on a nice sweet finish. Me and my girl friend decided to split the chocolate torte, her hubby got the Bananas Foster, and my better half decided to try a cheese plate and ordered three different cheeses. The torte was warm and gooey. Yum!! It was accompanied by fruit and a scoop of mango sorbet. The sorbet had an odd soapy taste to it, so I only had a bite of it and decided to skip out on eating it and just indulged in the torte. I didn't try the Bananas Foster, but he made a "Happy Plate" so I'm assuming it was a home run! :) My husband's cheese plate came with small crostinis, almonds, a cranberry compote, fig preserves, and his chosen cheeses, and he seemed to enjoy the hell out of it. I'd love to come back here again on just a simple date night w/ my honey in the future and try some of the other items on the menu! I consider this restaurant a true destination in our city and a real treat to dine at!
(5)Brittany D.
Any place that can serve up stiff drinks and amazing food gets five stars in my book! Everything from the moment I walked in to walking out, service was top notch. You need reservations in advance and I may or may have not been 30 min. late and we still had our table reserved on a Saturday night. The waitress knew her stuff and quite frankly, I didn't need any suggestions. I always dart for the duck. Since you really can't go wrong with duck. Started with a mango mojito and boy were they strong. We were checked on probably every five minutes to make sure we were ok, not only by the waitress but by the GM as well. The meal came out in a timely manner and it was by far the most tender duck I've ever had. You don't even need a knife to cut through it. With a tap of a fork the meat just falls apart. So succulent and juicy and served with wild rice and broccolini. Delish.
(5)Mark B.
I am sure this place is great for regulars, but our experience was not so good. We wanted to sit at the bar, but most of the places were reserved. Not to familiar with a spot at the bar being reserved. Food was decent, but I don't know just left with kind of odd vibe.
(2)Cindy L.
I just wanted to comment on how this restaurant has earned its keep time and time over again. I went here with a large group about a year ago for a birthday. Unfortunately, we were seated late, despite arriving on time. Because of the late arrival, we were seated in an awfully cramped spot, and being New Years Eve, we were forced to order from the Prix fixe menu because it was so late. The only saving grace of the visit was the food. Dismayed by the experience since it was so contrary to my expectations from prior visits, I decided to write management a letter detailing my experience above. I received a very sincere apology and a gift card from the chef himself, urging us to try the restaurant again. And so we did, Valentine's weekend, 2013, one year later. Service was excellent and the food and drink was just as good as we remembered. Thank you for listening to your customers, Mockingbird Bistro. You've earned a customer for life.
(5)Jenny W.
Sweatbreads were amazing. Great wine and service.
(4)Rachel P.
This place is amazing! The food is outstanding, the service is spectacular and their wine selection is great! I will keep coming back here over and over again! Ask for Harmony to be your waitress! And you must order the Cauliflower Souffle!!
(5)Kalen P.
Awesome spot!! I have only been for Happy Hour, but I'm hooked just from that. Great drink and food specials. The bar does get busy during Happy Hour....but who cares when the staff is so nice. I pretty much have made this my spot once or twice a week.
(4)Amy J.
This place is great, we walked right in & say at the bar to great service & delicious food. Started with the mussels & foie gras... The mussels were cooked perfectly with the most amazing broth of tomatoes & spinach. Foie gras had a perfect sear with a silky texture inside. We split the roasted pork shank which was buttery & fell off the bone, cooked with perfect veggies. We paired it all with a bottle of Edict cab. I would give it 5 stars but the decor needs an upgrade & they played pop music (Bleh). Otherwise amazing & we will definitely go back!!
(4)David P.
Took the girlfriend here for Christmas. Everything about this restaurant is great. She killed my wallet.
(5)Meagan T.
Went as part of our happy hour tour. Hands down, one of the best. Old school manners in their service - Door opened for us, greeted warmly, very accommodating. We tried all the food on the Happy hour menu. ($5 each item!) Favorites were the short ribs and the mac and cheese. The mac wasn't an all around hit, just because some didn't like the strong truffle taste. Mussels were awesome as well - we ended up ordering more. The only thing that we didn't love was the roasted eggplant dip - it was served cold, and just seemed a bit out of place with the other menu items. Drinks, $5 - an awesome selection of crafted cocktails. Amazing, can't wait to return :-)
(5)lily s.
August 10, 2013, Saturday evening me and a friend arrived early around 5:15pm. I did try to find street parking in the neighborhood but couldn't find any. Valet parking is provided at no cost. For the ladies I would definitely wear a dress, heels and some jewelry. I didn't feel that a designer dress was required but it's not your casual, laid back place for sure. I have to say the decor is really lovely. I love bistros but do not visit them very often, so I really relish the details. When I first sat at the bar there was an elegant, 12 inch long/rectangle shape, fresh flower arrangement on the bar to greet me. (I love fresh flowers so this was delightful) The woodwork of the bar and restaurant is beautiful. The servers were friendly, making sure they interacted with me a bit. I did partake in a passion fruit mojito, but found it really tart and strong and not enough sweetness. I like it sweet but not 'diabetic' sweet. Wouldn't order it again. I usually find regular mint mojito's perfect. Upon arrival the hostess asked if I had a reservation in a way that I thought maybe it was required, but she said no that was fine but I do think it was the best situation, to arrive early evening as we did. After we finished eating, we sat a talked a bit, and the manager walked by eyeing our table, then the waitress approached our table, expressing the need for the table. So, don't expect to sit and converse for long as they have a certain amount of reservations to accomodate. We had the Lamb (very good) Chocolate Flourless Cake (just says "flourless cake" on the menu for those who do not frequent restaurants who abbreviate alot, lol.) I did not partake in an entree having just ate a filling lunch 3 hrs. prior but I did have a Banana's Foster. It was fine, but not fabulous. The flourless cake was reeeally intense, a bit of bitterness to it, more than most chocolate desserts I have. We sat near the windows, to the right, as you enter and so we got a grand view of the french theme light fixtures and wood detail. Someone posted a review that said it reminded them of a Victorian brothel. I wouldn't go that far, as I think the decorating was done with taste and balance. I think the specs on here listed the price of dishes as 2 stars but it's definitely a 3 star. Perhaps continue to work on the fine art of managing the tables and sense another reviewer said they got a lot of people coming to their table...I'm concerned that the management's eagerness to manage also translates anxiety that the customer senses. I will definitely be back for a full course meal!
(4)Ryan L.
Dinner is usually outstanding, but a recent brunch, not so much. Out waitress would disappear for long stretches of time, and when actually there wasn't too friendly. Food was good, but for the quality and execution, the price was too high. Hollandaise for the Benedict was over-sour (and I like the taste of lemon in hollandaise). Ham in the Croque Madame did not taste fresh, and the whole thing was insufficiently sauced. Brunch drinks, such as a strawberry mimosa, were cloying. Ratatouille was very good, though, and so were truffle fries. I'd also still go for dinner, maybe for HRW.
(3)Michael W.
Took my wife here last night as part of her Christmas present. She's been wanting to dine here for a while. I looked up the yelp reviews and thought maybe we should give it a try. We were not disappointed. The first thing that's impressive about Mockingbird is the actual space. The restaurant has great ambiance and decor. It's modern, yet rustic, if that makes any sense at all. It's fairly romantic and would be a great spot for a first date. We sat sort of off to the side where there is a cluster of two-tops against the wall right by the bar. Unlike Au Petit Paris (which we also love), you're not crammed right up against the people you're sitting by, so that's a plus. Our waiter came over and got our drink order, and slightly after that presented us with the menu. There were a couple of off-menu items, one was a Skate Wing (which, to be honest, I have no idea what that is but I think it's some sort of fish, and it sounded awesome when he described it, and it came with parmigiana-crusted shrimp) and the other was a filet. My wife ordered the filet and I went with the ol' trusty go-to rack of lamb. The waiter asked if we wanted a small appetizer, and I asked him what he would recommend. He proceeded to recommend the bibb lettuce salad, and said it was his favorite. I was a bit skeptical of the salad, actually. There were so many other great looking items on the menu, I just couldn't image that a salad was going to blow my mind. We ordered it anyway, because I wanted something bad to write about in this review. Turns out the salad really is F-ING MIND BLOWING. It's got these delicious pine nuts in it along with a healthy dose of goat cheese, along with the right amount of dressing. (Truth be told, mine was slightly, and I do mean slightly, over dressed) But the real strength of the dish lies in the fried goat cheese resting right on top of the salad. I saved it until the end, and ate it with my last bite, and an explosion of flavor spread across my palate. Really epic salad. Never thought I'd say that. I was pretty sure there was no way the rest of the meal could live up to that salad. But again, I was wrong. Now, I feel like I should mention that I eat a ton of lamb. It's one of my favorite dishes. And up until recently, I think the best lamb I'd had was probably at Backstreet Cafe, or maybe Au Petit Paris. But those two are but a distant memory after the rack of lamb served by Mockingbird Bistro. It was perfectly cooked to medium rare, and was so tender and moist. The mustardy crust on the outside added just the right kick, and it came with some sort of tomato reduction that gave it a great acidity. The cooked greens and the, I think it was a polenta cake, were both excellent as well. I only took one bite of my wife's filet, but it was also delicious. I'm glad I got the lamb, but she preferred the filet. We decided to order creme brulee for dessert because it's my favorite. And I have to be frank, it was the biggest let-down of the night. It wasn't terrible, but it wasn't at the same level as the previous dishes. The creme part seemed like it was just on the edge of breaking, and just didn't have the "pop" that I love in my creme brulee. It wasn't terrible by any means, but it was just sort of meh. The Irish coffee I ordered to go along with it, on the other hand, was pretty epic. So even ending on a down note, Mockingbird Bistro far exceeded expectations and really deserves a stellar rating.
(5)Jared R.
2.5 stars. Underwhelming french food for the price. After visting other French restaurants in Houston, there is no reason to lower yourself to this sloppy Tex-French frankenfood.
(2)Rob H.
I was looking for a more refined dining experience. What I found was a higher end location with nothing special to offer in terms of the food. I was traveling to visit family, but on this particular night I was going to be by myself. I booked my reservation online as a party of 1. When I arrived I was seated my table, and the staff proceeded to place two sets of everything on the table. No one bothered to correct this oversight until after the bread arrived. On the plus side, this took long enough that I had finished my first glass of water, allowing me to start on the glass for my "guest". The wine list was mediocre, especially the wines by the glass list. With the wine industry in the U.S. so prolific the last few years it is quite easy to maintain a good list of wines by the glass across a wide range of prices. I would expect a restaurant of this caliber to have a lot more choices. Considering what I was spending on my main course, it deserved better than what was available on the wines by the glass list. The Foie Gras was good and clearly the best thing of the night. If you must go here, have this as a main course with a salad. The lamb main course was disappointing. A rack of lamb is one of my favorite items, and something I frequently order. While the menu online had a Colorado Lamb Trio listed, the menu in the restaurant offered a rack of lamb instead. At $46 I expected this to be a really great lamb dinner. While it was well presented when arriving at the table, the use of Colorado lamb means they are much bigger than one would get from New Zealand lamb or even CA lamb. Compared to higher quality lamb, these were tougher, less juicy and the flavor was nearly drowned by the seasoning that seems to have something pickle related in it. It really felt like the seasoning was trying to hide the lamb rather than compliment it. My waiter returned shortly after the plate arrived. He noted that this was a new menu item, and then preceded to tell me how good it looks. He never asked me my opinion even though I had already started to eat the lamb. Another employee (not sure his function) asked me how everything was a bit later. He got my feedback on the lamb. He seemed surprised anyone would have a problem, and offered really nothing in his response. The sides with the lamb were uninspired, and the only pop of color on the plate was a 4" sprig of rosemary jammed into the puréed side like a potted plant. Part way into the second piece of lamb I seriously considered scraping off their seasoning, chopping the rosemary up with my knife and seeing if that could help salvage the lamb. Alas, my high hopes for a wonderful evening of lamb and good wine were coming to a tragic end. At this point I decided that I should just avoid dessert. If you reach $100 on a meal you should feel as though it has been something really good. Within just a few miles I could have spent 1/2 this amount and gotten something equal or better.
(2)Amy P.
Best restaurant experience ever! Showed up with no reservation on Valentines evening. Was seated within minutes. Bartender/waiter was accommodating, friendly, helpful, and enthusiastic (We love you, Rene). Food was awesome from the saffron risotto, seafood stew and flour-less chocolate cake I had to the oysters, lamb and apple bread pudding my boyfriend had. Wine was excellent. We will return!
(5)Gino T.
Back for our at-least-quarterly dinner here, we had another outstanding dinner. My wife asked for a martini "shaken so hard there are ice crystals in it", and that's exactly what came out--absolute perfection! Our apps were the best-in-the-city onion soup, a large bowl of rich, oniony broth. We only wish it were served with a bit more Gruyere cheese, but the soup is good enough to stand alone. The other app was a crabmeat tian, which was crabmeat, cherry tomatoes, and some type of risotto served with a beurre blanc sauce. (Had my mother not raised me better, I'd have licked the plate!) Our mains were both fish--a wonderful snapper special, served with a crawfish risotto that was lacking a little something, and a salmon that was prepared to perfection, served over an absolutely delicious risotto. The dessert we split (and the menu truthfully says "For Two") was four sherbets (mango, passion fruit, strawberry-basil and blackberry[?]), along with some fresh berries. It was delicious, yet light. This remains one of our very favorites in town. I was pleased to see one couple who came in wearing inappropriate attire (she had on very short shorts, he had on flip-flops, shorts and a tee shirt) leave shortly after arriving. I'm not sure if the restaurant turned them away, but their attire was totally inappropriate for the restaurant--it looked as if they were headed to Mickey D's instead.
(5)Langley M.
Good happy hour, neat seating area on second level, food is delicious and service is wonderful. Equally good to sit at the bar for a quick bite or meet someone for a nice dinner.
(5)Eric G.
The service was fantastic, but the menu was pretty limited and the specials were extremely overpriced. Considering we usually hit up Brenner's steakhouse for special occasions, this felt a bit underwhelming. I had the buffalo rib-eye topped with crab which sounded a lot better than it actually was. It's also my fault for not hearing the "buffalo" part. :) Also, to add to that it cost about half a Benjamin.. Wifey had the Alaskan halibut with jumbo shrimp, which she liked but it was the same as eating halibut anywhere else except with a little more premium price tag. The drinks, on the other hand, were great! Truthfully, our overall feeling was about what Yelp recommends for a 2-star rating: "Meh. I've experienced better". But, a 2-star rating seems a bit harsh for this restaurant. I'd give it about a 3.5 if I could.
(3)Tressie J.
This is one of my favorite places in Houston. I love going to the Mockingbird for Happy Hour. I love the atmosphere and service. The bartenders are always great and they have many specialty drinks.
(5)T W.
Such a beautiful old charm restaurant! The food is excellent and the wine complement our meal perfectly. It's a nice place to take someone on a intimate date. However, I didn't care for their stale breads. I recommend the foigras hamburger.
(3)Julia S.
Another HRW hit! Dinner was fantastic. Everything we had we enjoyed. I came here with my family and we ordered just about everything but the chicken entree. I read all the HRW reviews prior to coming here. When my sis ordered the gazpacho, I thought it was going to be a flop but quite the opposite, everyone at the table loved it! It was refreshing with a hint of watermelon yet it wasn't overwhelming. My husband had the caesar salad. It, too was delicious! Dare I say best caesar dressing in town! Gasp! Dressing was creamy, tangy with a hint of anchovy. Gawd, I'm salivating just thinking about it! Lobster risotto was good as well, though it tasted rather blend after sampling the salad. I ordered the scallops and my only complaint is, I could've done with one more scallop. My entree came with 2 scallops, perfectly seared and still succulent. The entire dish was mildly seasoned which brought out the sweetness in the scallops and roasted cauliflower. It was very refreshing! My hubs got the short ribs. It was ok. Ribs were very tender but I actually find the whole dish rather salty. I definitely preferred my scallops. No complaints on the trio dessert, our fave was the bread pudding. BUT, the highlight of the dining was definitely the service. First class all the way! This is the type of place when you ask where the restroom is, they don't just direct you to it, they lead you there. The type of place that acknowledges what you note on your reservations. And the type of place that despite ordering from HRW menu, still treats you like royalty. I'm very impressed!
(4)Jade L.
My boyfriend and I have had Mockingbird on our to-do list for a while so I decided to take him here for his birthday last week for happy hour. We had the best experience! Service was outstanding and the staff was very attentive to us. Of course, the food was delicious! The lobster risotto balls are a must try! To top the whole evening off, they gave him a dessert on the house w/ a birthday candle and all!
(5)Aimee L.
I cannot believe it has taken me so long to try Mockingbird Bistro out. The place is so quaint and cozy and the service is top notch. I went for a Christmas dinner with friends who also have not been here and they too were very happy with the overall experienced here. It is easy to get to and right off of Shepard. Valet was complimentary, quick, and courteous. We were seated immediately upon arrival of our reservation time. The server greeted us almost immediately and water and bread with served promptly. For starters: I had the Washington State mussels which were perfectly cooked and had a great light coconut red curry sauce. The mussels were plumped and very fresh. Dinner: I went with the Angus Strip Loin. My steak was cooked perfectly to my liking and was tender and spiced appropriately. My only complaint was that the wild mushrooms were a bit on the salty side but it maybe just my palate. The truffled pomme frites were delicious and I love that they were small and had lots of crispy pieces. Dessert: I ordered the Apple bread pudding. This was probably the most disappointing part of the meal. The bread pudding was a bit on the dried side but it was very good and not overly sweet. Overall I had a great experienced and the food was well-prepared and delicious. I will definitely be coming back here again and would love to try out their brunch.
(5)Mandy G.
I've seen the "Best Happy Hour" lists that unanimously praise Mockingbird as best of the best. I've salivated over their facebook posts of lobster risotto lollipops. Yet, I had not been until last night. And now I never want to leave. Please forward my mail to 1985 Welch. It is valet only but I was able to find a street spot across the street pretty easily at 5:30pm. Upon entering I just gazed at the place. It was like a movie set in it's perfectness. The staff was so very welcoming, prompt and attentive - WAY beyond 5 stars. The chef seemed to know everyone by name and greeted diners as they arrived. I cozied up to a table in the lounge, ordered my $5 bubbly and promptly decided that I would order everything on the happy hour menu instead of choosing. When my friends arrived, they decided the same so we pretty much ordered 2 of everything on the happy hour menu: the lobster risotto lollipops, the smoked salmon, citrus crab salad ... it was amazing. The bread basket was emptied, the dishes licked clean, the 2nd round of drinks arrived: a French 75, a Bramble and another bubbly. It was the perfect Monday night. Actually, it was the perfect night.
(5)Doris D.
I had my birthday brunch at Mockingbird Bistro and we enjoyed the food and immaculate service, but we can't indulge more often though as it is pretty pricey. Maybe only special occasion.
(4)Pete S.
We Went there for a chefs wine and food pairing dinner that my fiancé bought at 'Bayou Bash' the spring Buffalo Bayou Partnership party. We had excellent food and great wine with each course. Every dish was extraordinary and they took great care of our veg head and shellfish allergy folks with no drop off in quality. Josh was our waiter. The service was the best part of our experience. At every course there was an server for each of the 6 of us. They served us all simultaneously. Whenever you went to the restroom they would open your door. Just an all around great atmosphere. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for an upscale sit-down dinner!
(4)Saba E.
So, I returned to Mockingbird Bistro last night with a client and my husband. We had a great time, and the service was impeccable! Such attention was given to my allergies even with a "gift" from the chef! We were all impressed and our tummies satisfied. We were too full for dessert, but maybe next time :) Love Mockingbird Bistro.
(5)Pam E.
Hmm, what to say. First of the atmosphere was wonderful, very neat place. The service was excellent! The Foie Gras was to die for. Then I had the French Onion soup and it was good, not great though. I should have stopped there as that was plenty of food, but I continued with scallops, I could have done without the lentils wishing there was more vegetables, but they were good. It was a little pricey in my opinion, and it wasnt as French as I was hoping for. It more on the new American side. It was a fun night though and was glad I went.
(4)Cameron Y.
After reading on the Houston Press food blog this morning I was immediately set on checking out Mockingbird Bistro for lunch. See article here... blogs.houstonpress.com/e… The article raves about how fabulous and reasonably priced the Kobe beef burger is. My parents were going to drive in from suburbia to meet me for lunch, so I thought this would be the perfect place. This was my first time here, so upon entering I was immediately surprised as to how formal it is. It is beautifully decorated with ornate light fixtures and a nice combination of formal, yet quirky decorations. We were first asked if we had reservations (we didn't). This created one of those snooty hostess conversations about where on earth they would seat us... than they finally decided on the table right by the door. As we were given the menus I felt that there was quite a disconnect with the waitress. As we were being seated I mentioned that the Houston Press Food blog had written just this morning about how great their $9 Kobe beef burgers are and that we came straight here to try it out. (This article was even reposted by Mockingbird Bistro on Facebook with the line "How about a burger today?") The burger was on the menu, but for $16. Apparently you have to sit at the bar to get a $9 burger. The bar was empty, so it was a bit ridiculous that we could have moved over 3 ft to get a better price on the burger, but I digress... My Mom ordered a spring mix salad with pecans and a raspberry vinaigrette, while my Dad and I ordered the burger - mine with blue cheese and his with white American. I got the truffle fries, my Dad the regular. The burger was nothing short of DIVINE. The onion bun was almost croissant like, the Kobe beef was juicy and delicious, and the garlic mayo served on the side was fabulous... It was heavenly. My Dad felt the same way about his. My Mom loved her salad and was really impressed with the atmosphere and the menu. She and my Dad discussed coming back for dinner for a date sometime in the near future. Overall I was blown away by the burger but a little turned off by the fact that they reposted an article raving about their burger then, in my opinion, treated us as a bit second class when we came there specifically to order the burger and didn't order wine or dessert. Don't make a fabulous burger if you don't want a burger loving clientele frequenting your establishment...
(4)Cameron H.
Went here for a nice date night with my girlfriend, and we certainly had one hell of a night. I read about Mockingbird on Yelp, and with brilliant reviews, decided to take my girlfriend here. The decor is very romantic, with dim lighting. I loved the atmosphere. It's quiet, slightly reserved, and very nice. I got a salad to start. I believe it was a raspberry/pecan salad, and it was so good. She got the butternut squash soup, and let me tell you, I was envious. Luckily, we like to order different things, then trade off halfway :). We also both ordered drinks, which were strong, plentiful, and delicious. For dinner, she got scallops over risotto, and I got the duck. Both of our meals were just amazing. Such savory flavors. My mouth was left watering after every bite. I feel like I ate too fast, but I just couldn't stop. Not going to lie, if you're looking for some place cheap, or even remotely inexpensive, this is not the place. But if you're looking to take out someone special for a special night, and you don't mind making them feel special, this is the place. I will most certainly be back as much as I can afford to go back.
(5)Adrienne L.
4.5 stars Ohh, if only my Caesar salad was better. It was my mistake to order that in the first place for my Restaurant Week(s) appetizer. I should have had the lobster risotto, but I was afraid a) it'd make me feel bad because it was so hot outside and b) I'd be stuffed halfway through my entree. The lettuce was so wet that my dressing was watery. DAMN! But let's get to the real deal: My short rib was the best short rib I've EVER HAD. The farroto under it was great, but sometimes there was a weird spice in it. I could have just had the meat. Best part of the meal: my apple bread pudding. I got a tiny sample of it in the dessert trio -- but we had to go ahead and get a real one to share. I'd go there just to get this dessert. Truly. I'll be back ASAP to have a full-out dinner that isn't constricted by Restaurant Week(s), but this was a great way to get introduced to MB.
(4)Katie W.
Mockingbird Bistro is tucked away in the neighborhood and it is truly a gem. The service is fantastic and the food is amazing. The server seemed to really promote Houston Restaurant Weeks, which is unlike a lot of places.
(5)Michael R.
My favorite place to eat when in town. Steak and Pork Chops good but the best thing here is the Burger no joke. Stilton Cheese makes it.
(5)Eric L.
I went here for HRW only to enjoy such a fantastic meal. You can park in the surrounding neighborhoods of this restaurant so go ahead (be careful how you park though because my parents' car was hit while being parked on the street). For the meal I chose the wine pairing for each course because not many restaurants do this (and let's be real all of us need a little something to end the long work week). I started out the night with the Lobster Risotto. I agree with everyone else on yelp when I say that it is fantastic. Most risotto's are undercooked but this one was awesome. The Starry Night Chardonnay was a perfect pair for this course. Second course I chose Slow Braised CAB Short Ribs. I wondered why they gave me a knife, because the short rib was so tender I could cut it with my fork. Being that tender let me just say it didn't disappoint one bit. The "Littlefoot" wine pairing was excellent with the short ribs. Last course, the dessert. Everyone gets the same dessert which is Apple bread pudding, chocolate truffle, and the creme brulee. Let me just say that the bread pudding was the absolute best. Normally the bread pudding has a soggy texture. Somehow, their bread pudding has the normal bread texture but the flavor of everything else. The creme brulee was awesome and the truffle went so well with Erazurriz Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc it blew my mind. Normally, I eat my food and then drink my wine (I know this isn't sophisticated) but the wine pairing complimented the food so well it opened my eyes up to everything. Also the service of this place was fantastic. They dropped a glass cup and cleaned it up behind us. Once that was over, they came up to our table and informed us that glass was shattered and they would gladly re-seat us if we would like. Re-seating a table for seven was going to be hard on a Friday night at 7:30. Overall, this place is excellent and I would recommend this place to anyone who was thinking of going (HRW or not).
(4)Jennifer T.
***Houston Restaurant Weeks Review*** I had my first HRW experience at Mockingbird Bistro. We couldn't find any street parking, so we did valet (complimentary). We had a reservation for 3 on a Monday evening and were seated immediately upon arrival. The waiter was very attentive, and each course was brought out promptly by him and another server so we could all be served simultaneously. Even though each successive course was brought out quickly, I didn't feel rushed at all. The service really impressed me. BREAD *Pretty standard bread and butter, nothing to write home about. FIRST COURSE *Lobster Risotto (4.5) - Amazing!! Warm, creamy, and flavorful. *Tri-Melon Gazpacho (2.5) - This was my first time trying a soup served cold, and I wasn't a huge fan. The flavors didn't go well together for me, but my sister enjoyed it. ENTREE *Slow Braised CAB Short Ribs (4.5) - SO tender. The meat fell apart beautifully just using a fork. I really, really loved the farroto that was served underneath it, maybe even more so than the short rib! Really hearty and a nice complement to the overall dish. *Diver Scallops (3.5) - No complaints, but if you're deciding between these and the short ribs, definitely go with the latter. DESSERT *Trio of Apple Bread Pudding, Chocolate Truffle, & Creme Brulee (3.5) - The bread pudding was probably my favorite out of the 3, but even that fell a little short; I thought it was a bit dry. The truffle was very rich, and a few nibbles were more than enough for me. The creme brulee was OK. After the risotto and short ribs, I had high expectations and the dessert didn't really do it for me. Overall, a great HRW experience! I would definitely recommend Mockingbird :)
(5)Judy T.
I went here one year for Restaurant Week and really enjoyed it. So I decided to go here again for my birthday and was not disappointed one bit. Both times, I went with a group of girlfriends. But, this is definitely a place for a romantic date as well.
(4)Maigen A.
4.5. Before I start this review, I have to say I really enjoyed my experience at Mockingbird Bistro. But giving a full 5-star review for the limited HRW menu seems unfair...and completely naive, on my part. I'll just have to tuck the half of that last star away until I have my mind completely blown away during my next visit. And I know I will. I've had my eye on this place since, well, since I started Yelping. I've read nothing but great things, so when HRW rolled around, this was my first pick. My ever-faithful dining companion and I made a reservation for 7pm on a Sunday evening. The restaurant is nestled in a residential area, so you may have to rely on valet parking as we did. Although there were still an ample amount of tables open, I recommend making a reservation for places of this stature. The entire bottom floor was packed, and as the hostess led us upstairs to the "loft" seating area, I took in the ambiance of the restaurant. As Daniel H. described, Mockingbird Bistro is "classically gothic." I do agree with him on this. For me, personally, the restaurant gives off a "burlesque-underground-gentlemen's-club" vibe - it's classy, but the dim lighting makes it mysterious and sensual. It was definitely interesting. Upon being seated, our table was immediately dressed with waters and complimentary bread 'n olive oil. As far as the edibles go... * Lobster Risotto: Amazing. I'm big on risotto and this dish really hit my risotto-sweet-spot. The carnaroli itself was perfectly al dente, I had several lumps of lobster meat, and the entire dish was creamy and rich and warm and delicious. My plate was licked clean - well, as much as it could've been without me looking like a complete barbarian in a dress. * King Salmon Entree: The salmon was so juicy and tender! It would come apart in these small, steaming little flakes of meat. And that wasabi-infused potato whip was PURE GENIUS. I was only saddened that I wasn't given more of it! * Angus Filet: My boyfriend described it as "tender, really good, small portion but somehow really filling." There you have it, folks. * Trio of Dessert: Crème brûlée wasn't memorable; after a while, it started tasting like vanillafied egg whites. Chocolate truffle is a BIG chocolate fix in a small package; will definitely satisfy your chocolate cravings. We really enjoyed the bread pudding, though all they give you of it is a sad, tiny-looking slab with caramel dribbled on it. * Pear Cosmo and Pimp Daddy (my boyfriend is a sucker for ANYTHING that sounds this amusing) are both drinks we'd recommend. They're very sweet and citrus-y, but pack a punch! Totally didn't like the Watermelon Mojito, ew. Our waiter was very attentive; often making his rounds throughout the loft area so he was always in sight. Food delivery time wasn't bad either - there was just the right amount of time in between courses to rest 'n digest a little. We really enjoyed ourselves at Mockingbird Bistro that night and I can't wait to find another reason to come back. Totally excited to try the rest of their regular menu!
(4)Olin U.
Well done. Enjoyed a Sunday brunch with some friends. Service & food ? Excellent. I like tartar when I can get it. Salmon. To keep the seafood feel going , I then moved onto gulf lump crab cakes. Everyone was pleased with the experience. Coffee and a chat with Chef Sheely. Is it possible to have a better Sunday brunch in Houston ? Maybe ... but I haven't seen it yet.
(5)Vivian W.
Took my mom and dad for dad's birthday and to treat them for the first time post-grad school on my own money! This was awhile back during restaurant week. Service was great, and the environment/ambiance was really vibing. Food was only alright though. I think the reviews on yelp definitely overhyped it up for me. My parents both ordered the risotto while I ordered the gazpacho. Surprisingly I liked the gazpacho the best because the risotto was great, but really really heavy/salty in the end. My mom ordered the scallops for her entree, I ordered the salmon, and my dad ordered the beef option. All of the dishes were good, but again - salty. I must have a heightened salt sensitivity or something.
(4)Anthony N.
First off, the service is impeccable. Host, hostesses, waiters, and staff were on their game the entire time. Water glasses never dropped below half, tables cleared of empty dishes within a minute, escorts to where the bathroom is, as much service and hospitality I can think of. The only hiccup was our waiter forgot one wine order but an honest mistake. Atmosphere was laid back, romantic, yet with a hip feel. I was expecting some French music but instead was top 40 tracks. No big deal though. I digress. The noise level was just right. On to the food. We started with the Bibb Lettuce that was very refreshing. Often I'm not too fond of goat cheese, but this was nice and moist and fit well with the rest of the lettuce and dressing. It was one order of Bibb Lettuce but split between the two of us. Even then the amount was just right for an appetizer. I wouldn't recommend a single Bibb Lettuce order as an appetizer for one in addition to room for dessert unless you arrived with a large appetite. I ordered the special which was ono Hawaiian fish wrapped in rice paper and briefly baked. The fish was extra moist and topped with the perfect wine pairing recommended by the sommelier. She was spot on. We also had the swordfish, a sweeter dish than I was expecting, but excellent nonetheless. A strong cocktail with a wonderful entree with the perfect paired wine, the night was looking good if you know what I mean. Surprised by the time check, I saw we were there for two hours already. With the good times, atmosphere, and good food, time blew by. We were dying to try the truffle pommes frites since the adjacent two tables ordered it and with its aroma hovering around us. One order is large enough to split among two or three. If we did order we knew we wouldn't have room for dessert. So, next time. The night ended with the 'warm bittersweet chocolate torte, mango sorbet' dressed up in generous 'Happy Anniversary' attire and candle. Very nice of them. The torte was filled with extra warm oozing chocolate. Bite, melt, enjoy, grin. It was that good. The sorbet was a nice companion. All these reasons are more than enough for us to come back, especially with the truffle frites smell lingering in my memory.
(5)Roundabout P.
Always solidly reliable for good food and excellent service. On my last visit I only noticed our meals were slow to arrive from the kitchen after the manager apologised (we were enjoying a few mimosas). Apparently my quiche was burned but the new quiche was incredibly yummy. To make up for this we were given deadly truffles. This is the way to gain loyalty!
(4)Eugene H.
My first (and definitely only) experience was on a Saturday evening. I made my reservation a week ahead through OpenTable. The restaurant had a very nice presentation. It actually is surrounded in a residential neighborhood in River Oaks. Very nice exterior, and the entrance is impeccable. Valet is recommended for $5.00, but not required if you can find parking on the street. I am not sure with a reservation why we were seated in the bar when there were plenty of open tables in the dining room. For a restaurant in the "romantic" category, the noise level was a bit high. The cocktails were amazing. You cannot go wrong with the Kiwi Mojito. The mussels in coconut milk appetizer was unique and delicious. The entrée's we had were the swordfish on special and the duck. Both entrée's were overdone. This was a bit surprising since French cuisine is supposed to be known for main course fish and duck. For dessert we had the chocolate lava cake, which was really nothing out of the ordinary. Service was slow. Perhaps it just happened to be an off night. Not a bad place overall as long as your expectations aren't high.
(3)Lorinna H.
I've been hearing so much about this place so why not try it out during HRW. I was pleasantly surprised by the attentive staff, as we walked through the restaurant to our table every waiter was welcoming us. The ambiance wanted to be intimate, but it was too loud if you wanted to have a romantic dinner. Our waiter was a little anti-social with us group of girls and he didn't laugh at my friend's jokes which annoyed her, but as the night went on he loosened up. On to the food, Appetizer: Sweet Corn Souffle was....different. It wasn't bad, but I wouldn't rave about it or order it again. I don't think my friend liked her onion soup. So I guess go with the other option. Main Course: Pan Roasted Striped Sea Bass. Delicious. I tried my friend's CAB filet, it was a perfect well seasoned medium steak. For dessert you get to sample all three: - Flourless Chocolate Cake was very chocolatey, a little too much - Apple Bread Pudding....I was disappointed, I guess it was overhyped on the reveiws, but I wasn't feeling it - Vanilla Creme Brulee was by favorite Drinks: I recommend the Pimms Daddy I just might come back for a date night with the hubby!
(4)Andrew B.
Went to Mockingbird for the second time a few weeks ago and have to say that you really cannot find a better happy hour in the Inner Loop. The drinks and food are phenomenal and the cost of each item. Only $5! Almost made me question the sanity of the ownership and its too bad that the lounge and patio are not larger or I would think this place would be REALLY busy. The location is interesting which I mean that in a good way. A true example of the interesting zoning in parts of Houston. Essentially in an older residential neighborhood although there is although small shops that connect to the West of the building. The building itself is rather unique. It has a very similar feel to a Dutch coffee shop so the European feel is felt there for sure. The building was probably a "filling station," old house, or some sort of warehouse. While it is interesting without a doubt due to its uniqueness, it has an awkward feeling with its tight lounge area, super old school bar set up and intimate yet wide out main, first floor dining. Equally awkward is the men's bathroom set up but I am not complaining just simply giving a full review. The service is impeccable and even on our first visit, the waitress we had curtsied as she left the table each time. The chef send us a follow up to the letter we mailed complimenting their restaurant. The manager on duty seems a little bit pretentious but I am probably just sensitive to how well mannered and polished he is....so please-no disrespect. You have to go and check it out. A favorite of mine, indeed!!!
(4)Isabel V.
If we could give this review 0 stars we would. We were celebrating my son's 14 birthday and what a disaster! We had reservations for 6.15 and it took them at least 1.5 hours to get the main courses out. The appetizers: old head of iceberg with so so blue cheese for $16; shrimp and grits had popcorn shrimp drowned in a half pound of butter. After endless waiting, the main courses came out. My son's $32 biurger was raw, rather than medium well, as was my $41 steak which was also burnt from the outside. Needless to say we returned our meals, manager came out and apologized, and shortly returned with our new meals...my raw-burnt steak was refurbished by slicing it up and slapping it down on the same plate. The burger now nuked and burnt was placed in front of my son. Unacceptable! The worst part was the manager...even the waitress was appalled. After explaining to her once again that the order was unacceptable once again, she informed her manager who told her we were at liberty to leave. We left as soon as possible and will never return.
(1)Allison P.
Mock-yeah, Ing-yeah, Bird-yeah, yeah? Yeah! Bistro is a nice little treat. It's tucked away in the middle of a little neighborhood in Montrose. Parking is limited, but why park when you have valet? The apps/entrees/wine/experience are all top notch, but what I have come here to write about is the APPLE CINNAMON BREAD PUDDING WITH CINNAMON ICE CREAM. It deserves shouting in all caps, because I want to shout it from the roof tops how much in love with it I am. Yes, I realize this relationship will go no where except in the saddle bag region, but for a treat, this is it.
(5)Jeena L.
This review is only applicable to my experience during Houston Restaurant Week 2011. Parking can get a bit tricky but you don't always have to valet. Just drive around the neighborhood and you'll find some lucky open spots. I came here to catch up with 2 friends and here's the downlow: First Course: Lobster Risotto - Good thing I had several pieces of lobster. My girlfriend didn't really taste any of see any in her dish. My friends said not to try the onion soup, said it was salty and not very tasty. Entree: Slow Braised CAB Short Ribs - I wouldn't say it was the BEST short ribs I've had but it was decent. It was also a bit on the salty side. The portion wasn't very large either compared to other restaurants I've been to especially for HRW. It was about a little less the size of my palm and I have medium sized hands. I hear the roasted half chicken was the best, but I can't really confirm since I didnt get to try that one. Dessert: -Don't really have a say in the dessert but it was their trio of mockingbird bistro desserts which consisted of apple bread pudding, chocolate truffle, mini crème brulee. The chocolate truffle was very rich and decadent, apple bread pudding - portion was tiny but it was delicious. it's not very mushy like what you would expect bread pudding to be though. Lastly the creme brulee, you can't go too wrong with this but it was good. Overall service was nice and quick. Water was refilled every moment. The bread at the beginning was also good to nibble on before the meal.
(3)John S.
If you're in the neighborhood, this is an excellent choice for HH. The mini snapper ceviche was nice, but only three per order :( ... The petit citrus & lump crab salad was one of the more "healthy" options on the menu (very nice as well!). The soy glazed chicken wings had a bit too strong of flavor for me, but they're definitely popular. The fromage & charcuterie plate was good, but didn't excite me as much... Tip: They hold lots of cool events here, so it's worth getting on their mailing list.
(4)Ben M.
Wow, what an experience. The service was great. Drinks came out quick and stayed full. Onion soup to start - a little sweet but very nice. CAB filet came next. I ordered it medium rare and it actually came out medium rare. So many places get it wrong (either purple inside or nearly well done) that it made all the difference. The bleu cheese was interesting, and the mushrooms and potatoes complimented it well. Dessert was also delicious.
(5)Audrey W.
I'm not sure If I really liked the decor inside, but the service and food were good. I was told that the kobe beef foie gras burger was delicious, so I had to try it! It was definitely a darn good burger! I honestly could have gone without the foie gras, I didn't really notice it and it probably added 10 extra dollars to the burger (and 1000 extra calories). I asked for the fries to be very lightly tossed in truffle oil (if there is too much i feel really sick after, lame i know). They were really good with the garlic aioli sauce. My boyfriend ordered the duck, which was pretty good. Tender and seasoned well. I believe he said he loved the cranberry wild rice (I think that was the side). We also ordered the Veal sweetbreads. Our first time ever eating sweetbreads, so it is really hard to critique it since I have nothing to compare it too. I enjoyed them though and I guess that is all that matters. I had a 25 dollar gift certificate that someone gave me and forgot to bring it! It's okay though, kobe burger in my near future!!
(4)Doris K.
After reading all the good reviews and also having yelpers suggest this place, I was sorely disappointed. Most things were just average which is my reason for the three star rating. We started out with the Hudson Valley Foie Gras, pan-seared with poached lady apple, apple cider gastric and brioche. The foie gras was great, but then again if the restaurant screws up foie gras they should be shut down immediately in my book. Our appetizer was the only good thing about the evening. It was all downhill from here. Our main courses, a special of the night a seared white fish with truffled mashed potatoes and baby vegetables and the duo of lamb with golden raisin caponata, rosemary potatoes and Texas goat cheese, were somewhere around average to below average. Emma's fish was overcooked so we sent it back. Although it did come out better the second time around it just did not have much flavor. The only thing that kept her going were the mashed potatoes with truffles. My lamb was a huge disappointment. Three out of the five pieces of lamb were dry and unfortunately my mashed potatoes did not really keep me going. To end our evening we tried the apple bread pudding which was good but also felt like something I could make at home. Besides the food my main complaint is that the waiter did not seem to know anything about wine and suggested a pinot noir that was not to our liking and our other half bottle of sparkling wine was too dry and lacked flavor. Another thing to add was that when the guy took my name for a reservation I specifically asked if they did anything for birthdays. He (I believe his name was Cameron) told me that they would do a birthday plate. What really made me mad was that after I had requested that this be done, there was no birthday plate presented at dessert! Instead of alerting our waiter I just let it go because the night was a wash anyway from the food. There are certainly much better places to go then Mockingbird Bistro. Just PM me if you want a list.
(3)Katherine G.
I went a couple of weeks ago with a client and a few co workers.This is a small, but cozy restaurant. The food was awesome- I had one of their steak specials and the wine was superb. The service was good and attentive.
(4)C T.
My sisters and I decided to treat my parents to a dinner here for their wedding anniversary -- I was not there myself, but my mom's email afterwards was so happy that I couldn't resist posting it! Certainly made my day to hear what a wonderful time they had. --------------------------------------------------Â-------------------------------------------- "I thought we would be late. the traffic was horrible. I called them to notify. she said i don't have any reservation under [my father's last name]???????? it was reserved under [my mother's last name]. ha ha ha ha it was so beautiful. we got all the attention and pampered from the waiters...... i ordered the more like a taster dish for me. the waiter announced that the portions would be small.....but i will have 5 course dinner..... the first 3, he saw us sharing food each other.....he learned that the dinner was rerserved by our children for our anniversary.....so for the 4th course, he brought it out, which is the lamb chop. It was big comparing with the other portion. he said " i brought you 2 portion, for your husband.....". he was so sweet.. and the last one, it was a chocolate cake and mind ice cream. when you cut it, there was a lava of chocolate spilling out......but the best part is the chef engraves the " HAPPY ANNIVERSARY" on the plate. it was sooooo pretty. the waiter asked to take picture, which we did not expect. Daddy handed out his cell phone, said " but I don't know how to use this?????" Again, i had to ask the waiter to help us........It was funny. The best had not come yet. After the dinner, we were waiting for the bill. The waiter said " everything was taken care of from your children..." We were both speechless. Daddy responsed " why didn't you let us know, so we can order more food and wine......." Just like Daddy always said, the food tasted even better than the best when you don't have to pay for it........ Ha ha ha ha ha........ Thank you so much. You ave us a very lovely evening.....We enjoyed it so much. Your father loved it. Now he will have something to brag about his children. Love you all. Mommy"
(5)D C.
There was quite a wait even with my reservation but it was a weekend on restaurant week so I can't hold that against them. The food was great the risotto (lobster i think he supposedly won at a risotto contest with it) was particularly good. A pricey place but great atmosphere and food.
(4)Brian H.
I'm not sure how comfortable I am to be the first one not to give Mockingbird a perfect rating, especially since the food tasted so good, and I really liked the design inside. I just don't think the Tasting Menu/Wine Pairing was on par with the price. I also thought that the service was not exceptional- I'm kind of a stickler for eye contact. However, when one is trying to justify why a restaurant received 4 stars instead of 5, you are in for a great dining experience.
(4)J S.
Went here Friday evening during Restaurant Week. The restaurant was extremely packed, and I'm not surprised given the quality of the food. Everything we ate was delicious - my girlfriend especially liked the lobster risotto appetizer. HOWEVER, the service was terrible. Here's on anecdote from the evening: I had a piece of bread in my hand ready to dip it in olive oil, and before I could do so the waiter cleared the entire table, including my plate and dish of olive oil, leaving me with a stranded piece of bread in my hand. This was just one of the mishaps that left me feeling like the waiter was focused on churning out Restaurant Week-goes without regard to the quality of service. Overall, 5 stars for food, 1 star for service.
(3)Eleanor E.
We came here for dinner during a recent trip to Houston. It really is true what they say--everything IS bigger in Texas. I had the seared ahi and got double the portion I would have expected in San Francisco. It wsa good, but a lot of food! I am glad we didn't order appetizers! My fiance had the duck breast and it was good, but not spectacular. The service was impeccable and the restaurant was beautifully decorated. It's nice to check it out and get a sense of how the well-heeled Houstonians dine. All things considered, it wasn't as good as a comparable place in San Francisco, but it was certainly a highlight of our trip.
(4)Cory O.
Quite possibly the best meal I've ever had. We went there to celebrate my husband's birthday and decided to go all out. We started with a bottle of wine (their selection is amazing and their sommelier was really knowledgeable without being pretentious) and then realized that we wanted to do the tasting menu. Needless to say, that was a lot of wine for one night, but quite enjoyable. Each course was fantastic. They worked around my husband's allergies and came up with great substitutions. I'd definitely recommend this place to anyone who wants a romantic night out.
(5)Julia B.
We had a wonderful dinner for my mother's birthday. The calamari was delicate and the salmon in seafood broth was cooked to perfection. Homemade ginger ice cream was a big hit, too. Our waiter, Hector, was attentive but not intrusive. After our meal, Hector approached me in the parking lot to inform me that I had overtipped him, as the tip for a party of 6 is included in the bill. What waiter ever does that? Tipped him an extra for his honesty, anyway. We will be back...and will ask to be seated in Hector's section.
(5)Daniel H.
mockingbird thoroughly exceeded my already considerably high expectations. this is without a doubt one of the best restaurants i've ever been to. the decor and atmosphere were interesting; classically gothic, and almost strange, but not uncomfortable. the service was prompt and friendly, and the food was simply outstanding. i'll be doing my best to come up with a reason to go back as soon as possible.
(5)Martin W.
Mockingbird Bistro probably doesn't need another review, but I'm going to chime in with the already loud chorus of praise, anyway. I had the Chilean Bass special, and it was superb. The apple bread pudding was not exotic but was quite delicious. The waitstaff are skilled professionals, and the wine holdings fit the menu nicely. A truly enjoyable meal - hard to do better.
(5)Pamela M.
Came here again with the soon-to-be in-laws the first weekend of November ... again, amazing service, extremely well-plated and delicious food, and another A+ for ambiance. This place is so cozy and romantic it was the perfect place to take out of towners to experience what real Houston dining is about. Can't wait to come back here again. :)
(5)Rebecca v.
Not alot of people know about this restaurant, its in the Heart of River Oaks and its in a residential neighborhood. It is small and intimate. In the 6 years that I have been going, I have never had a negative experience. It is typical french food with high quality ingredients, but it is very expensive. I have only been about 5 times in 6 years due to the fact that I'm always on some type of budget. That being said, a friend of mine told me that they actually have a happy hour bar menu. If you sit at the bar vs. table you have a different menu with prices up to 75% less... Pretty outstanding. After finding this out, I gave the bar food a try. It was really good but it wasn't the same menu that you get when you are at a table. I think I prefer to splurge and just go all the way... Till next time Mockinbird, and in the meanwhile I'll be next door at the washateria fantasizing about you and your amazing wine list.
(5)GREY O.
So restaurant week is winding down and I'm sure these places and their staff are getting tired. I liked Mockingbird a lot. They only offered a HRW menu (a little disappointing). The service was sub-par even though there was nothing overly bad. We just couldn't tell who exactly was our server and there was no explanation of the menu or any dishes. Lobster risotto was ridiculous. Gazpaccio was delish too. My short rib entree was good, but nothing special. Fiancé had salmon with wasabi potatoes or something. Honestly, I was not even paying attention. Both dishes were decently portioned. The dessert was a trio, bread pudding, creme brûlée, and chocolate truffle. Bread pudding was the stand out here. Would like to see the place after HRW. Overall not bad. Worth it. And I'm an over-analyzer. Try it, it's pretty damn good. :)
(4)Alex R.
WOW this place is cool! I have a friend that works here and she told me to stop by because it is so fantastic. So one day for lunch I did and man oh man, it was fantastic just like she said!! The calamari was superb and the sandwich I had was mind blowing... I told her I had to try dinner. Dinner is what took things over the top, the menu and how it was set up was really cool, having to pick the app, main course and the dessert was so much fun and so hard. The food was perfect and the servers were fantastic, always helping you out and making everything smooth and fun. I wish I was able to eat here all the time, but the price... does not let me do that. It is expensive but way way way worth it.
(5)Ms. M.
This review is for Mockingbird's Thanksgiving menu. I was really looking forward to dining at Mockingbird Bistro after reading all of the rave reviews on Yelp, but I was actually really disappointed by the Thanksgiving dinner that I had there last night. Maybe the chefs are just better at preparing items off of their regular menu; if so, they should just offer their regular menu for Thanksgiving instead of charging $59/person for a lackluster meal. The good: The butternut squash soup, the pan seared scallop (but not the black risotto or chanterelle mushrooms that came with it), the sea bass (including the tomato-caper-kalamata olive sauce that came with it, but not the breaded crust), and the sides that came on the side of my turkey -- the haricot verts, the stuffing, and the mashed sweet potatoes. The bad: The pumpkin cheesecake (it was not nearly as flavorful as it should have been, and thankfully you can get the huckleberry on the side because these two things do NOT go well together), the creme brulee (which was totally lacking a crispy caramelized sugar top). The ugly: The turkey and the gravy -- which is the whole point of Thanksgiving dinner. The turkey was pretty bad on its own in that I only got one thin little slice of breast meat, and the rest was just shreds of random dry meat. But add the gravy, and it was even worse. I don't know what was wrong with that gravy, but it was way too smokey and spiced in an odd way. Both my dinner companion and I would have much preferred the gravy you mix from cheap mix packets sold at the grocery store. The service wasn't that great either. For example, when we sat down, I specifically asked for "regular plain tap water" (which is what I always order), and they attempted to bring me still Evian bottled water -- and then proceeded to try to convince me that I had asked for "still." They were also very stingy with the bread. The first bread basket came with both focaccia and plain french bread; the refill only omitted the interesting focaccia. All in all, I was not impressed.
(2)Andrew L.
This review is for HRW 2011. Lobster Risotto: 5/5 - absolutely divine, hi-light of the meal for me Slow Braised CAB Short Ribs: 5/5 Diver Scallops: 5/5 Dessert Trio: 4/5 - Bread pudding and creme brulee were excellent, but the chocolate truffle was too rich for my taste Service: 3/5 - Not the best service - wine came out after the 1st course and it felt a bit rushed and impersonal. I will give the benefit of the doubt though due to the crowd for restaurant week. I am excited to come back here and try dinner from the full menu!
(5)Amy M.
Last night my husband and I went to dinner at Mockingbird Bistro with another couple as part of Restaurant Week which is a fundraiser for the foodbank. It was our first visit to Mockingbird Bistro and our first experience with Restaurant Week. I expected a lot better based on reviews and on word of mouth. I suspect some of the issues we encountered stem from Restaurant Week service, but that is no excuse. We will not be back. The Houston Restaurant Week dinner at Mockingbird Bistro is a rip off. Skip it. Three courses were advertised, and in name, three courses were served. I would argue that maybe as a stretch two actual courses were served. Each course was about a 1/2-3/4 portion sized course, especially dessert which in its entirety was consumed in 6 small bites. We left, went home, and had a snack. For the wine pairings, for $25pp, we each received a partial glass with each course. (Yes, I know dessert wine servings are smaller.) For the $50 it cost us, we should have ordered a bottle and would have had double the amount of wine served as with two purchased pairings. Service was more than efficient; it was rushed. We arrived to a half full restaurant and a packed bar at 7PM on Sat. It was as if the wait staff were trying to get us through a pre-theater meal without any theater nearby. They were trying to turnover the table in under an hour. Waiters and servers hovered as we were attempting to dine on each course whisking our plates away almost partially finished. Food for the second course was serverd well ahead of the paired wine and sat cooling at our places as we waited on our wine. Again plates that were barely finished were whisked away. Dessert (all 6 bites) was at best an afterthought; we were never even offerred coffee with our dessert or afterwards to finish the meal. The check was brought with the dessert plates. The flavors of the food I actually got to taste were good, but the food itself had issues as well. First Course: lobster risotto: Wonderful flavor, the hint of seafood flavor from my one small piece of lobster was nice, and the parmesan was really good. However, risotto is supposed to be creamy but not thick glue and not leave a grease residue behind. They over cooked it trying to make the correct amounts ahead for a busy night and have it ready quickly. If you have been watching that reality food star search show in 2011, it was what I imagined had been served to Wolfgang Puck that inspired him to teach the contestant how to make real risotto. Portion size was about 1/2-3/4 of what I would consider a first course portion for a 3-course meal, and some actual lobster would have been nice. Second Course: braised short ribs with spinach and grains. The short ribs were cooked beautifully, tender and flavorful without turning to mush. Delicious, even when eaten cool. However, I would guess we had maybe 3 ounces of short rib on each plate. The grains were well cooked, but the spinach was salty which was probably why it was served very sparingly. Portion size for a main entree was about 1/2 of an entree. Dessert: Well, 6 bites and no coffee pretty much sums it up. They were 4 very delicious bites (apple bread pudding and the chocolate ganache truffle), but the creme brulee was ordinary at best. Although the issues we encountered were probably partially the result of Restaurant Week service, there are too many good restaurants in Houston to waste time and money with this one.
(1)Greg P.
My first visit to Mockingbird Bistro was excellent from start to finish. I was craving some lobster risotto, which was not listed on the menu. Our waiter informed us that they were out of lobster, but the chef could make some crawfish risotto instead...so that's what I had to start things off. It was incredibly delicious! For my entree, I had the striped bass special. It was delicious and cooked perfectly. For dessert, I had the "dessert trio". My only minor gripe would be that the bread pudding third of the dessert was a little on the dry side. The service was truly outstanding. Our waiter was very attentive throughout the meal, and the chef even came out to our table to ensure everything was to our satisfaction. This place isn't cheap, but it's a great place to go for a special occasion to enjoy a fantastic meal.
(5)Kris R.
Oh man! That was some good eats! This was our first time to eat at Mockingbird and so glad I did. It's made think that I should make a "bucket list for restaurants", I've always used to drive by it and tonight I finally walked in. Being that that is already 100+ reviews I will spare you details and say.... Just go and enjoy some amazing food!
(5)Franklin J.
Went for a company lunch today...service was top notch. I had the lamb shank, it was very tender and yummy (but not the best i had). Truffle fries was yummy. Seafood appetizer was good too. I will be back to try the kobe burger!
(4)Nikki J.
I went to Mockingbird Bistro on Valentine's Day and was treated to one of the best restaurant experiences I have ever had. The service was impeccable from the moment we walked in the door. I only wish I hadn't waited so long to post my review so that I could remember our server's name. She never rushed us, had a great sense of humor and wonderful table timing. When it came to making our wine selection, the GM who sets up the wine list assisted us in picking a wine that wasn't going to break the bank but was still going to be a great experience. He did a wonderful job and was extremely polite and a very cool guy. As for the meal - I started with the green salad which was wonderfully fresh and not over-dressed. For my entree, I had the duck breast with foie gras. The duck breast was cooked perfectly and the foie gras had a beautiful sear on it providing just the right flavor. Dessert was the most delicious bread pudding I have ever eaten in my entire life. I know what you're thinking - "Bread pudding? Really?" YES. Do *not* miss this when you dine there. You'll be shocked. That bread pudding calls to me in the night.
(5)Caroline E.
The food here is always wonderful and the ambiance is I come here for. I love the darkly lit room and the decor, really creates a mood that could either be romantic or mellow. Service is phenomenal- always have the best waiters there. Even during HRW the place is amazing.
(5)Lauren M.
My husband and I took my mom here for her birthday. The service was great and so was the food. We were seated and were given a treat from the chef --- a salmon mixture on a homemade potato chip. The wine menu is extensive, but also pricey. We got a HALF bottle of Artesa, which was really good but cost us $45. We ordered the beef carpaccio as an appetizer, which was really good. Bread was also served with olive oil and that was tasty too. Our entrees consisted of ahi tuna and scallops. Both dishes were really good. Potatoes were served with the dishes too and they were amazing. My mom ordered the four course menu sampler for $65. Her sampler consisted of a quail egg leek salad, sea bass, rack of lamb and dessert. Her desserts were amazing...the chocolate torte and the flourlesschocolate cake. I had the apple bread pudding which was also very good. The ambiance of this place was very nice, but this place is pricey. We spent $270 for dinner for three consisting of what I mentioned above.
(4)Katie F.
There are several great things about Mockingbird, but I have to start by saying that the generosity of the owner is tops. I'm always willing to support a restaurant that puts charitable giving at the top of their list, and Mockingbird leads the pack in that respect. As far as food, it's first class and always on point. I've eaten there a few times, but most recently enjoyed an evening at the bar The bar menu is both extensive and interesting, with most of the portions being not only generous, but also $9. That's a steal for what you get, especially if you order the kobe beef burger & fries. My mom & I split it and we were stuffed! The scallop is smaller (just one atop a bed of risotto), but it's a great companion to whatever you get and the flavors are incredible.. If you have enough room for dessert, the chocolate pot du creme is great. It's served with warm cookies & berries...there's just no better way to top off a meal.
(5)Jon B.
Excellent service. I had the chowder and rack of lamb were good choices. Good atmosphere and relatively quiet.
(5)Loree B.
Went to Mockingbird Christmas weekend and brought our sons and their wives. We have always loved Mockingbird but hadn't been in a long time. We were excited to share with our kids one of our favorite restaurants and it did not disappoint us or them one bit, it was amazing. I love love love the atmosphere and the food is amazing. By far, the duck was my favorite dish, best I have had anywhere. Cocktails and wine were wonderful, desserts amazing. We each shared off each other's plates to get a good taste for everything and there wasn't anything that we weren't crazy about. I will have to say that Mockingbird Bistro is our favorite restaurant in Houston for a nice night out. I would recommend it to anyone!
(5)Mark Y.
Read all the great reviews so went to celebrate a friends BDay. Most of the items we looked forward to were not available. A special wine that one of our guests had on a previous visit/not available, lobster risotto/not available, special dessert trio/not available. What we dId eat was reasonably good but not what we expected. Menus must change yes I know, but if something is 'all the rage' - keep it for a while.
(3)John V.
Great food and service! Food: 9/10 Service: 8/10 Atmosphere: 6/10 Creativity: 7/10 Went here for dinner with a group of six. We showed up 10 minutes late for our reservation and the other four were seated already. The restaurant was crowded and slightly hard to hear the rest in our party. I scanned the menu and didn't see an entree that stood out. After spotting the lamb on the tasting menu, I asked the waiter if i could order it and had no problem ordering. Food came out in a timely manner. Everything tasted really great and cooked to order. I appreciate the creativity of the sides that came with my entree. There was a hollowed cucumber filled with chopped up eggplant. The cons: valet only and the horrible European accent that the waiters use to describe the off-menu entree. And the price point is pretty high for what you get.
(4)Christine B.
Nice ambiance but my son's chair had to be changed twice and mine was wobbly, (a little disconcerning for my osteoporosis). They were not able to seat us outside because there were five of us yet there were plenty of seats on the veranda. Delicious complimentary croustades, loved the mussels, however, my rabbit was dry and perhaps overcooked, the best entree was the prime steak ($40). Our waitress wisked away the platters as we were licking up the basalmic, took away the glasses of our cocktails as we were fishing out the liquor soaked kumquots, and poured our wine so quickly we felt we were eating at a fast food restaurant even though it was not crowded and there were plenty of empty seats. We will not be going back.
(2)Kee M.
I love this place. When I go to a restaurant, especially more expensive ones, my first and foremost focus is the food. Service comes next and then maybe the ambiance. That being said, I will say that the food ive had at the Mockingbird Bistro was very, very good. From the mussels, to my scallops, to my date's beef, and the awesome desserts -- the food was well prepared and executed, seasoned well and served on time. The service was good, if a bit hasty and rushed. Probably the reason why one star was removed from my rating was because our server said "oh you liked the food, your plates are clean" to us. Not that he was wrong but I found it a bit off putting for him to tell us that we have been pigs. I find the interiors to be a bit too dim, and the restrooms a tad difficult. Other than that, this is a place I love and would come back to.
(4)Susan W.
Got a restaurant.com coupon to this place. The food was okay, the service was okay. Nothing particularly spectacular.
(3)Athenapex C.
Went for HRW and will be back. Cute design of restaurant decor, remind my husband and I of France actually. Waiter Joshua was very attentive. Appetizers were strong with an excellent shrimp gazpacho and lobster risotto. Braised Ribs were very good and salmon was excellent. Dessert trio of chocolate truffle, caramel bread pudding, and creme brulee were excellent. The chef showed consistent and delicious quality for all courses which has not been the case for other restuarants we have checked out during HRW. We will be back as it was our favorite out of the restaurants that we tried.
(5)Trevor B.
The wifey has long (Pre-Yelp - gasp!) wanted to eat here but we never have gotten around to it. I had looked at their menu a while back and thought it a little dull and expensive. So we stayed away due to a lack of interest on my part. Nonetheless, her birthday came around we needed a place a bit last minute and came up with Mockingbird. Apparently, the night we picked was "Blue Hairs Eat Free Night" because we were surrounded by geriatric gentry. I don't care and it took nothing away from my experience, it just jumped out at me and I found it humorous. Decor - dark, rustic. Nice but not breathtaking. The waiter was friendly but very unnatural as it seemed he had just spent about an hour in front of a mirror practicing his lines. By lines I mean asking for drinks, describing the specials, and telling us that the menu was brand new (it had started the night before). The new menu reminded me of the menu I had seen years ago - nice but nothing jumped out as a must have. I settled in on a seared ahi tuna with wasabi mashed potatoes, shitake mushrooms, and a ginger-soy reduction. Basically a dish I have head countless times in many different cities. As I said, nothing stood out so I went with a "classic" as a way to test the restaurant. My wife also wanted the Foie Gras appetizer (served "sandwiched" between two toasted brioche rounds and served on a tangerine and berry marmalade). I committed to two bites. They were good bites, if not a little too dominated by the marmalade (unless taken in very small doses). The tuna was good. Not great. Well cooked, well presented, and...good. I have had two or three versions that were better with the best (in South Beach Miami) being way way better. I didn't really feel any love put into it. Just, "this is a typical tuna dish, let's do one too!" and with no surprise variation or flavor. Overall, that describes the restaurant for me. Good, but conservative fine dining that is a little uninspired and unoriginal. If this was my first exposure to New American fine dining I might have been blown away. As it was, I am underwhelmed. I won't not go back but I don't ever see myself really wanting to go back. Another recent $100+ meal that left me wanting/expecting more. My new scorecard: originality - 2 stars menu - 2.5 stars flavor - 3.5 quality of preparation - 4.5 stars quality of ingredients - 5 stars
(4)Sally J.
Disappointed that the restaurant was disappointing. Came for a Birthday dinner with my best friend and chose the restaurant because we both have never tried this place. Atmosphere is wonderful. To start the night, they didn't have our reservation in their computer system (she even pulled up the confirmation on her phone). Turned out to be fine, they still had a table open for us. Service: A little slow to start. The guy that would take our plates away would stare at us and ask to take it away several times when we were clearly not done. Just because we aren't eating the entire time and instead, having a conversation, does not mean we are finished with our plates. We were a little creeped out and annoyed. Food: We wanted to order both specials: Sea bass & Veal. They ran out of the veal by 7:30 PM, so we had to pick something else. Sea bass - What made the dish? The ratatouille vegetables that accompanied the sea bass. The fish was cooked perfectly...but lacked flavor...so much flavor! It was a crusted sea bass. The crust did absolutely nothing for the fish or flavor. Duck - I love duck. The duck was good. I really enjoyed the duck breast. The leg was dry and I could care less. The rice was WAY TOO AL DENTE. It's supposed to be "Caramelized Butternut Squash Souffle". Tasted none of that. It was like barely cooked wild rice. Portion size = good. Dessert: Not to be a brat...but usually at nicer establishments, they give you a complimentary dessert (FYI, they don't here). Creme Brulee - Thicker custard. Nice portion. The service guy took it away before we were done. Sad day. LASTLY! I requested for the duck leftovers. I went home and opened the box, they gave me someone else's steak and green bean leftovers...ew!
(2)Shaan S.
Mockingbird Bistro might have the best burger I've tried in Houston. At $16 I was expecting something special, and during a busy Sunday brunch service it delivered. Bun was soft, soaked up extra juices, not too dry and not soggy. The beef was cooked as requested and the burger was substantial, juicy, and meaty. The house aioli, cornichons, lightly-dressed greens, and pickled red onion on the side were all excellent accompaniments that complimented the burger nicely. Ordered it with cheddar, something I rarely do, and the cheese was nicely melted and added good flavor to the burger. Kept me full all day long and absolutely worth coming back for, The only complaint I had, and even this isn't enough to take away a full star, is that the fries were all fry and no potato. I like potato so I'm not a fan of the shoestring style. Other notes: - My friend went the extra mile and ordered his with foie gras, and received a 4oz portion on top, so if you really want to splurge you'll get your money's worth. I tried a bit and it was delicious as far as foie gras goes. You also get a larger portion of fries (because really, at this point why not?). - Bread service! We had our basket of assorted warm, soft breads refilled a couple times during the meal without ever asking. Wish more places were this attentive. - $3 coffee. Don't know the beans but it tasted fine and I'm confident that the barista at your favorite coffeeshop doesn't come by and offer free refills from a nice steel kettle throughout your meal. Our plates had been cleared and we were just sitting around talking while waiting for the check and they continued to offer me coffee. Really makes you feel special. - Don't care much for the decor but I didn't pay much attention either. Some nice features here and there. People were, for the most part, dressed nicely. Men are fine in khakis and a polo or button-down and you won't feel out of place in a blazer or sportcoat. - Street parking is available if you don't want to valet 4.5 stars. Rounding up for service.
(5)Naveed B.
I came here with a group of six people for my brothers birthday. We ended up here after calling about twenty other restaurants trying to secure last minute reservations. It ended up being a decent experience. The service at Mockingbird Bistro was excellent. Our waiter was very attentive and our drinks were always filled. The food was very good, though some food did come out a bit cold. Of all the dishes I tried, I would have to recommend the duck. The reason I'm giving Mockingbird Bistro is that it is way overpriced for what you get and the menu seems a bit small. There are so many other restaurants that are just as good in Houston that are cheaper, I don't know why you come here. That being said, if they dropped the price down a bit Mockingbird Bistro would easily score better with me.
(3)Craig J.
I visited Mockingbird for my very first time at the recommendation of my fellow Yelpers. I had two work colleagues in town from Singapore and wanted to take them to a Houston hit spot. Two other couples and my gal accompanied us as well. First, I loved the atmosphere. Nicely decorated. Good vibe. People talking and smiling and laughing. Very good. Our waiter, and their entire staff, were great. Very attentive, customer oriented, and pleasant. They had an app special that was a combo of seared scallop, fried oyster, and something else I can't recall. (We had been drinking...a lot....so bare with me). Regardless it was yummy. A couple of bottles of La Magia Brunello di Montalcino were pricy but yummy. Wine list was extensive but over priced. That's why they don't get five stars....if Brass 19 can sell me great wine at good prices then you can too! My main course was a delicious filet of soul cooked in paper. Insanely good. I will be back!
(4)Olivia H.
I've only been here for happy hour (5-7 PM), which is restricted to the bar and the outside tables (which is a great place to sit and relax if it isn't too hot). The interior of the full restaurant was quite nice. It's probably a fantastic date/fancy dinner place, but definitely beyond my typical dinner budget. The happy hour menu is pretty short, but reasonable. For the appetizers, the lobster risotto "lollipops" were the best thing we ordered, although the truffle white bean dip was a close second. I'll come back for real dinner someday.
(4)Chloe Z.
Definitely one of my favorite restaurants. I have been here multiple times and tried different things on the menu and haven't been disappointed! Personally I think the duck here is the best in Houston. Must try! My only complaint is service! It can be a hit or miss depending on the server. Hoping to see more consistency in the future.
(5)Nick H.
Based off the reviews I brought my wife here for her birthday. It was OUTSTANDING. I've eaten in places like Italy, Sweden, and Finland.... This was easily one of the best meals I've ever had. Highly recommended.
(5)Nicole H.
Nice restaurant, but overpriced in my opinion. The food is good, will say it's unique, but expect to pay for it.
(4)Rebecca N.
One of the best little hidden gems in Houston! My children treated me to lunch here a few years ago and I'm still thinking about it. The asparagus souffle was magnificent.
(5)Amanda W.
WOW! Where do i start?! My boyfriend made a reservation at Mockingbird Bistro for our anniversary after seeing Wicked at the Hobby Center. He is very good at picking out amazing spots with mouth watering food. From the time we walked in we were greeted by name. All the staff had smiles on their faces and said hello in passing as we walked to our table. The hostess provided our menus, and also placed napkins on our laps. I was kinda shocked, in a good way of course. Now because i am on a strict acid re flux diet there are a lot of things that i have to stir clear of, but since it was our anniversary i figured i would splurge just a little:) We started off with fried calamari and sangria. Both were out of this world! I have never had a better drink than the sangria they served! For our entrees, he had the M Bistro Burger (American "Kobe" Beef, Seared Foie Gras, Slow Dough Onion Bun, Parmesan Truffle Frites) and i ordered the chicken (Grilled Half Chicken, Smoked Sausage, Summer Succotash, Mango BBQ Sauce). Words can not begin to describe how tasty and well prepared our dishes were. To end our dinner, the waiter brought out two chocolate truffles on a dish with "Happy Anniversary" written out on a piece of chocolate. What a pleasant surprise! The staff at Mockingbird Bistro were amazing, and because of that i will continue to come here:) Thank you for making our day even more special! :)
(5)Louise W.
It's a lovely place, the waiters were so thoughtful and friendly. Very good enviroment! Also it was the first time that we tried the food there, couldn't forget it! The Duck Trio, Kobe beef burger were so tasty and flavored. After the lunch, we ordered the creme brulee and homemade sorbets, impressed us!! Especially the homemade sorbets, we will try it again.
(5)Wendy L.
It was my bf's birthday and he ended up choosing Mockingbird due to the great reviews. This place has valet parking but you can also try your luck with finding parking on the streets. We were lucky and ended up finding parking on the street. To start, we ended up ordering the mussels as appetizers. The mussels came in a nice curry coconut broth and was pretty delicious. As for entrees, my bf ordered the duck but I was stuck on what to order. So many options looked appetizing. I ended up ordering the Bouillabaisse, which is a seafood stew that looked appealing as I was kind of cold. Don't you love how temperature affects your decisions! If I wasn't cold, the scallops, lamb shank or kobe burger looked like delicious options too. As for our entrees, the duck was a little overcooked in my opinion but had great flavor while the bouillabaisse had plenty of seafood (fish, mussels, clams, etc) and a great spice flavor in the stew. The bouillabaisse was definitely my favorite of the night. I definitely want to come back and try the kobe burger.
(4)Howard P.
Great service, tasty food but the menu seems limited and not diverse. The ambiance seems more like a lounge which is good for a date night. I would good back again, try the lemon sole!
(4)Anne H.
I love the atmosphere here. There is a wine room, and a balcony overlooking the restaurant. I have been here for brunch and dinner, and both times I thought it was just a-ok, nothing special. My boyfriend got the steak frites, and he was not very impressed. And I got the special, which was snapper. It was pretty good, but then I found a few bones in the fish. Overall, this place had nothing memorable except for the dessert, the flourless chocolate cake with banana brulee. That was amazing, but I expected much more from Mockingbird Bistro. From my understanding, this place is a hit or miss. My parents went to this restaurant and loved it, but I think this place is just average.
(3)Julie J.
Ate here a few months back to celebrate an anniversary and it was great! 4.5 stars, but I'll round down for a fairer idea. The biggest issue for me really is the price. It's high. Really high. Apps are about $20-30, entrees are $40-50, and dessert $10-20. Of course there are places more expensive, but this is up there. The food is really delicious though. We had the scallops and the lamb. Both were good but the scallops were awesome! Also, the pumpkin creme brûlée was amazing. I normally don't even like creme brûlée but this was the perfect combination of a custard with pumpkin pie. We licked the plate clean. Okay, not literally since it was a nice place, but at home, I might have... :) The ambience is great! We were seated upstairs almost in a balcony alcove that overlooked the restaurant and was empty almost the whole meal, which was perfect considering the occasion. The service was so friendly and accommodating. I don't have any complaints. Go! Pick a special occasion and enjoy a wonderful meal!
(4)George L.
This really should be 2.5 stars since i'm pretty neutral about this place. After seeing Bourdain chowdown on some pan roasted duck breast, I had a big craving and was happy to see it on the menu. However, this dish was a bit of a miss to me. The duck breast itself was decent, however, there some sort of fibrous tissue running the length of the breast. Very hard to chew through. The duck leg that accompanied it was very dry as well unfortunately. It came with some spinach and a butternut squash souffle. The latter was decent, but had the consistency of baby food. A bit off-putting for my taste. However, my companions' dishes were fantastic. Pork chop and the steak were very flavorful and with generous portions. Perhaps I just picked the wrong dish.
(3)Mike B.
Holy cow! Went with friends that love this place and was not disappointed. The warm spinach salad is honestly one of the best things I have ever tasted. It even smelled like heaven. The steak included the best tasting risotto that I have ever eaten. Love everything about this place. Lamb perfectly cooked, service is first class.
(4)Ju A.
I'm not easily pleased at just any eggs Benedict but Mockingbird got it right. Perfectly constructed with savory hollandaise sauce. However, the beef hash was slightly salty. Had brunch here on a Sunday. The atmosphere was dark and gloomy. They had all the blinds shut. The server was nice enough to slightly open the blinds for me but he said he also didn't want to blind other patrons. Huh? :-/ I typically like my Sundays to be bright--it helps wake me up. Is that too much to ask? Whatever the case, service was good. It would have been awesome if my server were a bit friendlier and smile more. Maybe pretend like he likes his job.
(4)Lynne H.
We decided to order things that my husband I regularly get at different restaurants. Wanting a light meal I had the wedge salad followed by shrimp & grits, which is really an appetizer. The waiter told me it was with blue grits which I had one other time and wasn't a big fan. However I really enjoyed them this time. The wedge was really good and served chilled as it should be but some places it is room temp. I asked the waiter for a recommendation on a light summery cocktail and he recommended the cucumber martini.I never drink martinis and was hesitant but it was really good. My husband had a beet salad which he enjoyed. He had the tuna special. He loves tuna. He said it was the best he has ever had. In fact, every day this week since then, he has told me how good it was. He REALLY liked it. The décor was nice. We had really good meals all weekend but we may have enjoyed this one the best. Waiter was great, food was great, girl who greeted us was not friendly.
(5)Angela S.
Yelpers, if you can find this place, you're more navigationally gifted than I. Luckily, I was driven here by a friend and regular for a let's-catch-up lunch. Nestled in a converted home on a street corner somewhere in downtown Houston, this quaint spot has definite curb appeal. The cafe seating outside made me want to stay for a bit, but alas, some of us have to work for a living... Arrived, valeted and entered, we are immediately escorted to our seats where white tablecloths, shiny silver and well-heeled waiters await. The specials? They're most likely not on my diet, but let's hear them anyway! Shrimp & chorizo paella and a Virginia ham split pea soup. Oh dear, maybe we'll have to try that soup. Water, water - no cocktails this time around. This is a right & proper Houston business lunch, not one of those like we do in New Orleans. But I did note the bar that curves around the front of the restaurant with very inviting leather stools. Next time. Split pea soup arrives near instantaneously, with a light cream on top and a sprinkling of butter-doused croutons. Black pepper and we are off: huge bits of ham and peas are enveloped in a creamy sauce. Full flavor, tres chaud, this is every bit the fall soup you want it to be. I reluctantly set down my spoon - it would simply be too gauche to lick the bowl. Soup bowl cleared, my Bibb salad with grilled shrimp arrives as if part-salad and part-rainbow. The bibb lettuce is Technicolor green, set off by the deep red of the roasted peppers, the light pinkish hue of the grilled shrimp and the stark white goat cheese. Throw in some pine nuts and this is a salad full of bold flavors. Did I mention the lettuce came bundled as if a bouquet? Yes, this plate was more than a meal - it was a beautiful representation of food when it finds the right chef. Each taste was equally exquisite - full flavor goat cheese, perfectly grilled shrimp combine with the crisp lettuce and roasted red peppers to make a beautiful harvest salad. Coffee? Dessert? Oh how I wish, but no, we must be good. I did sneak a peek at the extensive after-dinner cocktail list and will most certainly be back.
(4)Jennifer C.
I can give it 10 stars, if there were that many stars for me to rate! We had our wedding reception here. We only had 46 people. The size of The Wine Room was just perfect for us. There are already hundreds of reviews describing how good the food is, so I'm going to skip this part. Wedding reception is more than just the choice of food, but also the entire event planning. We felt grateful to have Rolando, the manager at Mockingbird Bistro. He was so professional and efficient. He gave us many helpful suggestions, including the arrangement of guest tables, registration, photo booth, keyboard and music, decorations, parking, choice of wine, and the reasonable time for each course and event. He was definitely a lifesaver. On the day of our reception, everything went as he promised and we planned. All the managers, waiters and waitresses were very attentive, friendly and professional. We all had a wonderful time because of this great restaurant. This was the first and also the last restaurant we had checked before we decided the location for our wedding reception, so you know how much we liked it the first time when we were there. If you want to have a cozy wedding reception, then this is definitely the place.
(5)Katie F.
I visited Mockingbird for the first time with coworkers during Houston restaurant weeks. It has an old-school, upscale atmosphere. Dim lights, high ceilings, and burgundy accents. Most diners were probably in their 50s and appeared to be well off. The bread and pesto were an excellent start to the meal. It truly tasted as if they baked it in house. I had a cocktail with Ruby Red grapefruit vodka, fresh grapefruit juice, and grand mariner. It was so refreshing and the grapefruit juice tasted fresh squeezed which I really appreciated. I started with the salmon tartare which my server recommended over the summer gazpacho. The salmon crudo lacked flavor, I was not particularly impressed. With dinner, my coworkers and I selected a French Cabernet blend from Mockingbird's extensive wine menu. The sommelier was helpful in making a few recommendations and selecting a bottle he thought we would like. For my main course I had the kurobuta pork chop with braised cabbage and pancetta and a cauliflower puree. I would say the pork chop was prepared medium although I asked for it to be cooked medium rare. It was still relatively tender. The cauliflower puree was delicious with the pork chop. However, I did not particularly like the crunchy, tough cabbage paired with the pork chop. If the cabbage were steamed I think it may have been a more cohesive dish. For my third course I had the apple bread pudding. It was the highlight of my dining experience. The texture and cinnamon flavor were excellent! They definitely know how to make some good bread. The servers were attentive and, again, somewhat old fashioned. For every course, all of our plates were served together which was nice. I think it was a little too expensive for the quality of the food but combined with the service, atmosphere, and their drinks (both the delicious cocktails and wine selection) I can understand Mockingbird's prices. I would be interested in coming back for the happy hour specials. Its location is also convenient and quite cute, tucked away in a residential Montrose/River Oaks neighborhood just south of West Gray Street.
(3)Daniel L.
Esquire liked this place - "one of the best new restaurants in America" they said. My concurrence Yelper Cee B. gave this place five stars. I predictably blew my shot at bringing a first date here, which would have been my first date since last November, so it remained on my "must try when I get back to Houston" list. And I needed a nice, fancy place suitable to take my brother out for his birthday, so I pitched this place and he was interested in giving it a try. Plus this month is Houston Restaurant Weeks so $10 from our bill was going to be sent over to the Houston Food Bank, which makes everyone feel good about sending a little bit of money their way, especially since my pro bono activities have had to be significantly scaled back since I spend so little time in Houston these days. So the stars were aligned for a visit to Mockingbird Bistro to eat dinner. If you want to skip the hallmark of nouveau riche excess by valeting your car, you can quickly and easily find parking on the surrounding streets even at peak "goin' out" hours. As you walk in it seems like you step back in time, almost the same way that Dolce Vita feels, that it harkens back to a kinder, gentler, and simpler time. There is a lot of history, atmosphere, and character in the design of this place and I like it. The first floor has the bar and a large seating area, the hostess stand is off to the left of the door in a nook. They pulled up my reservation and we were off to the food. We were walked around the bar and up the old, slightly uneven staircase to the loft area with a few tables and right next to the restrooms. I like that loft area. Just like the upper floor of Dolce Vita the tables are close enough you are going to be up in everyone elses' business through no fault of your own. But you are not crammed in like sardines or anything. If you are on a date you would want to be in the loft as opposed to the genpop downstairs. Just like the hostess, the waiter was very polite and friendly, nobody cursed us under their breath for coming in under the HRW menu. The bread basket and olive oil appeared immediately. There was the standard issue white bread and then a whole new level of awesomeness and flavor in some other kind of bread. I tasted garlic and other spices, it was very pleasing. Even better when my brother and I quickly ate through the first basket we had another one presented for our satisfaction. The olive oil came with a spoon, which won them points, and it also had a fair helping of spices at the bottom of the bowl-ish container. It was basically like how Josephine's did it downtown years ago - just ten times better. And I take notice of these kinds of things. For the first course I went with the Sweet Corn Souffle. It had the consistency of flan, very wibbly-wobbly in a pleasing sense, topped with a piece of lobster, surrounded by a tasty sauce for dipping purposes, and corn pieces dotted the landscape. Delicious, colorful, great texture, and very pleasing from start to finish. My brother went with the Chilled Tomato-Basil Soup and I don't like soup, so I did not try any, but it looked colorful and good. Portion size for an appetizer: healthy. For the main entree I went with the CAB Filet. There was one big stalk of asparagus, a roasted tomato half, potato halves, mushrooms, and what I assume was a blue cheese crumble kind of topping. Very colorful, incredibly tasty, I definitely approve of everything. It was even cooked medium well as asked, instead of something else I did not order. So extra points for taking orders. My brother went with the Bass and the little piece I tried was just as good, just more fishy than my steak. Portion size for an entree: good sized. The dessert they presented small helpings of all three options on a tray for each of us - the brulee was pretty good, I don't typically eat such things so I can't be snobby in picking it apart but I ate it; the truffle was extremely chocolately and thick; but the apple bread pudding was the show-stopper and the absolute best. There was nothing wrong with it - everything was right and it was the most flavorful and most memorable of all three. Portion size for a dessert: huge. My only complaint regards the restroom. The little tiny hall-closet was not air conditioned, it was hot, and the restrooms are one person only restrooms so you stand there and wait a bit, which is frustrating sitting there in a sauna as you get increasingly frustrated that you are standing in Rubeus Hagrid's armpit. I'm a huge fan of the Bistro and feel like this is one place in Houston, like Hugo's, that actually deserves all of the praise they garner from Yelpers I trust as well as other sources I might pay a bit of attention to when they start talking. Just like with Hugo's I would definitely come back, even though I memorialized this experience with an unfortunate Hagrid reference. There is still time left in August to check this out for HRW if you are on the fence.
(5)David B.
HRW 2012 provided me the perfect opportunity to try this much heralded restaurant. Reservations were made, and upon arrival we were treated to a wonderful evening. I drove around the block a couple times before deciding to valet park. Too much of a hassle looking for parking, and it was getting close to our dinner reservation. The restaurant itself is a renovated and restored old house sitting smack dab in the middle of a neighborhood hence the parking situation. Still, it adds to the charm of this place. For starters I had the sweet corn souffle and my wife had the onion soup. The souffle was good, not quite what I was expecting but good. It was more of a flan consistency than souffle and did not have very much lobster in it as stated. Portion was also really small. The onion soup my wife ordered was good as well. Nothing great, but good and satisfying. Entrees were cab filet for me and grilled half chicken for her. I tried to convince her to get the sea bass, but she wanted the chicken. The filet was pretty good. Portion again was pretty small, but it had good flavor and the Stilton crust on top complimented the beef perfectly. The chicken was tasty as well. Nicely cooked with a homemade mango BBQ sauce that had good flavor. Dessert was an assortment of the 3 they offered. You did not get to choose one, instead were brought 3 mini desserts. This afforded us the opportunity to sample them all. The apple bread pudding was amazing. I wish I was able to have ordered just that, because that was going to be my selection. The other options were good as well, but did not compare to the apple bread pudding. I may return here just to have that and some coffee some time. That good. Service was of course terrific. From the time we walked in and were greeted by the hostess and manager and throughout our dinner service, everything went great. Our waiter was very considerate and timely with the courses. He refilled our glasses and checked in on us periodically without being obtrusive. I highly recommend this place and it is a must eat.
(5)J Y.
Good place to come for a special occasion. The food is good and the service is great.
(4)Jessica T.
We went to try out the Houston restaurant week menu over the weekend and man! 1st, I love how the restaurant is located in the neighborhood. When we walked in I totally felt in love with the atmosphere! It's elegant, cozy and romantic. They had the pre-selected wine that goes with the courses and everything we had was very delicious! We had the trout, scallops dinner. The dessert was a trio with cream brulee, chocolate truffle, apple cinnamon pudding. They went perfect with the dessert wine they served us. We absolutely loved everything there. The executive chef was at our table greeding and serving us. I will definitely go back for a date night! SUPER~~~
(5)Andrew M.
So, I went to Mockingbird Bistro based on all the glowing previous reviews and everyone was spot on! We had a great experience here. The restaurant has a great atmosphere and feels quaint, without feeling small. The menu and wine list were perfect, with choices to fit any taste. I had the dinner special, which was the Red Snapper and it was amazing! The other people at my table had the scallops and the chicken, both of which were prepared to perfection. My only complaint would be that I thought the presentation of the food was just marginal, however the taste definitely makes up for it.
(5)Van T.
*Happy Hour Review Definitely one of the better Happy Hours in Houston. I have eaten here for a regular dinner and honestly, I like the happy hour a million times more. Skip the overpriced dishes and opt for their above average bar food. (If I had to rate this place on dinner, I would only give it 3 stars, definitely better French places in Houston.) Things I've tried for HH/Bar Platess: 1. M Bistro Burger - A must try, one of the best burgers I have had in Houston. I'm not usually a fan of blue cheese, but in this burger rendition I couldn't even tell it was blue cheese, it worked perfectly with the bacon onion jam. To boot, the burger comes with fries, which you can upgrade to the truffle parmesan fries, but the regular fries are great as well. You can easily make a meal of the burger and fries for just $9, but me being the fatty I am I always have to sample at least a few more dishes. 2. Calamari - Nothing special here, I would skip it 3. Smoke Salmon Cream Cheese Dip - Definitely get this one if you like smoked salmon. I love bagel and lox, and this spread reminds me of that. 4. Kurobuta pork baby back ribs†This one is okay, the hoison sauce was a little bitter for my liking. I guess I just prefer a regular bbq rib to an Asian glazed one. 5. Crab and Mushrom Fondue - Realy cheesy and yummy, I would get it if you're willing to do two dip type dishes, but if you're only wanting one I would prefer the smoked salmon dip. There is a lot of mushrooms in the dip, which was a huge plus for me. 6. Mussels - These were on the small side, I would skip this plate, I have had much better mussels at other places 7. Slow braised short rib - a really good dish, a little on the smaller side, but when you're sharing 5/6 dishes per couple you're already stuffed to the gills anyways 8. Mac and Cheese - definitely does not live up to all of the hype, not worth the $9 price tag in my opinion, I love mac and cheese (from Luby's to Pappas Bros), this one was nothing to write home about 9. Shrimp Shooters - very light and refreshing, but a little on the smaller side for the price 10. Lobster Risotto Lollipops - very yummy, I would definitely get this one again (came with about 5 lollipops) They usually have about 5-7 dishes available during happy hour for only $5, but the plates/bites are available in the bar all night. They also have a selection of beers and cocktails that are discounted during happy hour. They change out the HH selections seasonally so dishes are subject to change.
(4)Anna J.
I was excited to try this place, but the overall experience was okay. The restaurant was crowded, so I sat at the bar... the service was not up to par for such a nice establishment. On to the food, the lobster risotto (much hyped), was okay. I could barely find any lobster pieces, maybe 3 little pieces? It was good, don't get me wrong, I just wish that there was more lobster meat considering the $21 price tag. I also ordered the fried oysters, they were delicious! It was from the bar menu (maybe I should have stayed with the bar menu). They were crispy and the honey mustard dijon sauce was delicious!
(3)