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Too many tables too close together. the veal and steak were bland with very little seasoning or flavor. they tried too hard on entrees and there was too much rosemary on the potatoes.
Pros: ... More
Too many tables too close together. the veal and steak were bland with very little seasoning or flavor. they tried too hard on entrees and there was too much rosemary on the potatoes.
Pros: pours a stiff cosmopolitan
Cons: bland overpriced food
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I took my girlfriend here for her birthday, had read the reviews and heard from friends that it was a good spot. Had a 7 o'clock appointment and had no trouble getting a table. The restaurant is... More
I took my girlfriend here for her birthday, had read the reviews and heard from friends that it was a good spot. Had a 7 o'clock appointment and had no trouble getting a table. The restaurant is beautiful, the wine cellar that is viewable from the restaurant is very impressive. But that is where my positive experience ended. I browsed the wine list, almost impossible finding something that is under $100. The wine we did have, Caduceus, was actually quite nice at $105, but I'm sure it can be found for less elsewhere. We started with the quail and foie gras appetizer, far from impressed. To many strange flavors that didn't compliment the dish at all. She had the Carribean Lobster special, I had the Shrimp dish. Both were topped with a heavy amount of sauce that completely took away any flavor you would get from the Lobster or Shrimp. Very sour and pungent taste that lingered far too long. She had the Creme Brulee which was the highlight of the meal, I had the Chocolate sampler which was far from memorable. Server seemed to be slammed, and his visits to the table were few and far between. Our table was terrible, against a wall and felt very cramped the whole time.
All in all, I do not understand how this place has gotten such wonderful reviews. Our bill was close to $400 and there are so many restaurants I would have rather gone to. I've eaten at some great restaurants in this city, and Mark's is close to if not THE bottom. Stay away from the Lobster if you do go, it was $94.95 and covered in cream.
Pros: Wine, beautiful restaurant.
Cons: Food, service, cramped atmosphere.
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Well, I just purchased a $200 lesson for two. I'll dispatch with the good first. Dessert excepting, the food ranged from fine to very good (almost great in small parts). The flavors came more... More
Well, I just purchased a $200 lesson for two. I'll dispatch with the good first. Dessert excepting, the food ranged from fine to very good (almost great in small parts). The flavors came more from spice and salt than the simpler flavors from the ingredients, which I thought was unusual for a place that seems somewhat chef driven. The foie gras was a little burnt, not seared, and everything I ordered had something sausagey involved. Cuisine, it was not, but it was generally enjoyable and there was a lot of it. Three and a half stars for the food.
With so few choices in Houston, I probably would have gone back were the service not so terrible. The waiter, an old fellow with a southern accent, was inattentive and showed no concern for the quality of the food. It took about 30 minutes to get the check after dessert was over and I'd run out of coffee (no refills offered). And the dessert itself was a BIG miss--four kinds of boring chocolate mousse and creme brulee on the lower side of middling. He had described a souffle, but I got mousse in a souffle cup instead. And three other kinds of strikingly similar mousse. I had about four bites, trying a little of everything. The busser cleared it without any concern that I had eaten almost none of it, and without asking if I was done (which is odd because it looked like it was just delivered). We mentioned to the waiter it was not enjoyed. He shrugged, walked off, and dessert remained on the bill.
Maybe you think the service was just off and you should go anyway. To you, I say that even if the service were 5-stars, the food, though usually good, was on the very low end of what one can get away with at the price charged. So best case scenario, you almost get ripped off but not quite.
Pros: there was usually something tasty on the plate
Cons: service was MISERABLE; misses--some big--with each dish
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I've been to Marks only recently for the first time. It is so beautiful, the wait staff is so attentive. You can't find that just anywhere. We went there for a special occassion and the food was... More
I've been to Marks only recently for the first time. It is so beautiful, the wait staff is so attentive. You can't find that just anywhere. We went there for a special occassion and the food was wonderful, the desserts were to die for. I would definitely recommend this restaurant.
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My husband and I wanted something special for our 9 yr anniversary. We have been to many restaurants in Houston and this was the best dining experience we have had. All the food was delicious;... More
My husband and I wanted something special for our 9 yr anniversary. We have been to many restaurants in Houston and this was the best dining experience we have had. All the food was delicious; everything from the appetizer to the soup, salad, main course and dessert. The server was very knowledgeable, attentive and friendly. We were there for almost 3 hours and never felt rushed. We even received a complimentary dessert for our anniversary. If you want a good dining experience where not a single detail is missed, I highly recommend this restaurant!!!
Pros: Everything
Cons: None
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Best restaurant I have been to in Houston. Two of my favorite meals of all time have both been at this restaurant. (and I have only been twice) Soft shell crab and kobe steak (8 oz of... More
Best restaurant I have been to in Houston. Two of my favorite meals of all time have both been at this restaurant. (and I have only been twice) Soft shell crab and kobe steak (8 oz of deliciousness) Also I had a blueberry tart here which was the best most simple dessert I have ever had. I don't understand how it was so good since it was just blueberrys (with blueberry muffin ice cream) in a tart but it was amazing!
Pros: Best food I have ever had
Cons: Food would cancel out any, but I don't know of any
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My husband and I have been going to Marks for years. Some times we rave about it and sometimes we really enjoy it but we are never dissappointed. It's an impressive place to take foks visiting... More
My husband and I have been going to Marks for years. Some times we rave about it and sometimes we really enjoy it but we are never dissappointed. It's an impressive place to take foks visiting since its an Old Church building converted to a restaurant and its not a chain plus you can count on great specials. Can't go wrong if you are looking for a special restaurant. The service is great too!
Pros: Fine Dining in a unique building
Cons: None
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My wife and I just returned from our 17th anniversary at Mark's. It was everything I had expected and wanted for a quiet and romantic night with outstanding service and food. A few of the reviews... More
My wife and I just returned from our 17th anniversary at Mark's. It was everything I had expected and wanted for a quiet and romantic night with outstanding service and food. A few of the reviews had had poor service or food but Mark's ws at it's best for us. We were seated promptly in the 2nd floor as I had requested and the service was flawless. I appreciated the short delay time between when we were seated and when we received our menus: it made me feel that we were not being rushed. Two waiters seated us and served our water and bread. The specials were made known and gave 3 choices for appetizers and 5 entrees which where unique and intriguing. We chose the seafood trio and the lobster bisque (which had perfectly tender pieces of lobster). My wife had an excellent and spicey tuna and I had Kobe beef ribeye medium rare. The desserts were numerous and interesting; I had the coconut bread pudding and she had the warm chocolate cake. Both were al a mode. I now know why people pay high prices for Kobe beef. It was like no beef I have ever had. The setting on the second floor was quiet and intimate and the renovated church is beautiful. Our Desserts came with a candle and chocolate coins imprinted with"Happy Anniversary" on them. Who cares if they do this for all anniversaries...they did it for mine.
Overall, excellent in all categories. The perfect place for those who can afford it. Don't worry about the few negative reviews. I'm glad I went.
Pros: Ambiance, service, food, style points
Cons: None
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Words can't begin to describe my experience at Mark's American. I took my girlfriend here for our first Valentine's Day. We got there a little early and the hostess politely informed us that we... More
Words can't begin to describe my experience at Mark's American. I took my girlfriend here for our first Valentine's Day. We got there a little early and the hostess politely informed us that we could wait at the bar if we liked. When we got to the bar, we received prompt service. I've been to places where you would have to wait 10 minutes for a bar tender to ask what you need. Not here. We ordered a couple of drinks and enjoying them immensely when the hostess informed us that our table was being set. She politely took our drinks from us and carried them to our table for us. When we sat down we were introduced to our very friendly waiter for the evening. He was very descriptive and informative in explaining the menu. I highly recommend the lobster bisque if they have it as an appetizer. I regret not ordering it (my girlfriend was smart enough to do so). That is not to say my appetizer wasn't good. It was delicious. Our main entree came and it was art on a plate with a colorful display. As we tasted the entree's our mouths watered for more. Dessert was absolutely to die for. The Creme Brulee was delicious as was the chocolate cake. Between our waiter tending to our every need to the Chef coming out and taking time out to talk with us, service was as good as the food. I definitely will be coming back here to see what else Chef Mark Cox has for our tantalizing taste buds. I'm sure he won't disappoint. He truly is an artist. With his plate as his canvas and his imaginative mind, the flavors that he creates are endless.
Pros: Great Service, Great Food
Cons: It is a bit pricey, but it's definitely worth it
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I went on a blind date here last year. I had never heard of it before as I am not a regular downtown gal. I had never been to a nicer place. I had an appetizer, the special of the night (VEAL), and... More
I went on a blind date here last year. I had never heard of it before as I am not a regular downtown gal. I had never been to a nicer place. I had an appetizer, the special of the night (VEAL), and dessert. All of it was exceptional. I would recommend vallet parking. Also, for me it was a little too noisey. But, the fabulous food makes up for this. Although I did not pay, this place is on the higher end. Be prepared to spend some money. It is an ideal place for a special occasion or anniversary.
Pros: fabulous food and desserts
Cons: loud
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