Mockingbird Bistro
This entry was posted on 1/30/2009 8:13 AM and is filed under New American Casual, Breakfast - Brunch, Casual Chic - Jeans Allowed.
UPDATED REVIEW -- JANUARY 2009
We dropped by Mockingbird Bistro one recent Sunday for Brunch. We've enjoyed dinner and lunch there on a number of occasions since our first review. Notwithstanding the $5 mimosas, we were disappointed in the menu offerrings as the brunch (versus lunch) options were limited. There were probably only four or five dishes that we would categorize as brunch -- a few poached egg dishes and steak and eggs. We continue to succumb to the calamari, although this time the pieces seemed smaller and a little chewy. The breading and remoulade sauce were the same as ever. We enjoyed the poached eggs with crab cakes (filled with crab, not alot of breading) although the jalapeno hollandaise was disappointingly bland. Our other entree was the charcuterie plate, which was nothing special and overpriced at $16. We particularly didn't care for the dull country pate. We'll stick to dinner or the regular lunch items next time around.
FIRST REVIEWED -- AUGUST 2006
We've always enjoyed our visits to this restaurant in the past and a recent experience was no different. Judging by the packed house on a Saturday night, this place is one of the more popular restaurants in Houston. And justifiably so -- the food and service were great. John Sheely is in charge and hitting on all cylinders, offerring diners great food in a warm, inviting setting. The high ceilings (decorated with large baroque chandeliers) allow you to actually have a conversation without needing to yell or strain to hear -- a novelty for Houston's trendy casual eateries. We still prefer the front room with all the windows, but the back room, which could be clausterphobic without windows, has been beautifully decorated as a wine cellar.
Our evening started out with a well executed tuna tartare amuse bouche, served on seaweed salad. We could not resist continuing with Sheely's incredible calamari (ranked # 3 in our calamari ratings but probably worthy of moving up to # 2). It was delicious -- tender and lightly breaded with a slightly sweet flavor that went well with the spicy remoulade sauce. (We weren't as excited about the sweet and sour sauce.)
We greatly enjoyed the pork chop and sweetbreads as entrees. The sweetbreads are normally an appetizer, but they were gladly prepared as an entree, served with a wonderful wild mushroom and mustard cream sauce. We substituted the white truffle pomme frites for the mashed potatos with the pork chop and were richly rewarded by this decadent treat. To be fair, the sweetbreads and frites were only lukewarm, but the kitchen quickly replaced them with hot versions.
Despite a few minor glitches, on balance, the service was very good. The hostess kept a watchful eye on the dining room, clearing plates and checking on our replaced frites. Our waiter was very attendant, not bugging us when we lingered over the calamari before placing our entree orders. (One miss -- a forgotten sauteed spinach side dish.) We also appreciated and enjoyed the half-bottle of Spanish red wine that was recommended by Marcy, the wine steward.
Overall a great dining experience and one that we would highly recommend.
1985 Welch
713/533-0200
http://www.mockingbirdbistro.com
