laidback manor [Closed]
This entry was posted on 6/9/2006 3:40 PM and is filed under Disappointments, New Openings, Casual Chic - Jeans Allowed, closed.
UPDATE: CLOSED SEPTEMBER 2006
Like Dolce Vita, we wanted to like this place, but it just didn't work for us. As a starting point, the parking situation is a pain -- no valet parking and no easily accessible parking lot. We know we are spoiled Houstonians, and this is what downtowns are like in other big cities. More than any other restaurant in Houston, laidback manor takes risks that only an urban foodie could appreciate. We thought we qualified, but it seems we don't meet the requirements. Although the main item of each dish was recognizable, many of the other ingredients described on the menu were ones we hadn't heard of them. We swear the chef made up some of the words. We would have had the tasting menu if even half of it had sounded enticing. (We aren't fans of the trend to turn food into foam.) The non-tasting menu portions were very small, although priced like other upscale restaurants. When the waiter suggested we not share the salmon terrine appetizer because the appetizers were designed for one person, he was right. We didn't realize they made terrine pans that small. Ditto with respect to the portion sizes on the entrees -- pork and duck. We have never seen sauces served literally as dots on the plate. The food was good, but not remarkable. We were still hungry when we left, so we stopped off at Cafe Rabelais to share some mussels.
706 Main
713/227-0402
http://www.laidbackmanor.net
