Cafe Piquet

I was in the mood for something different, so on a recommendation from a friend, I went here Thurs 6/16/11. It was dinnertime, about 6:30. First impression was 'cute place, but where is everyone? I was seated almost immediately upon entering. And so I sat alone, staring out the window for about 10 minutes before a rather snooty waiter came up and said ""hello"" (not 'would you like something to drink?'). I said ""I would like to order, please."" Five more minutes passed, and I finally got my water. I ordered the palomilla con cebolla, which was cooked to their order (I wasn't asked) relatively well, considering it was an uneven cut of meat - some parts were well done, some about medium, with one chunk of gristle. I skipped the rice and doubled the beans. The steak with the onions and natural juices was very tasty, with no discernible spice to it. The black beans were swimming in a broth, flavorless. Tasted like it was from a can. And so my water glass sat empty for another 15 minutes, with a myriad of waiters (carrying pitchers of water, nonetheless) and even the manager passing right by me, not even looking down. I had to flag down a busboy and beg him for a refill. I finished my meal and the water once again, and sat, staring out the window for another 10 minutes. Finally my waiter comes back and asks ""how are you?"" Well, you're my waiter - not my therapist, and the question should be ""can I get you anything else"" or the equivalent. My table was completely cleared at this point, anyhow (thanks to my busboy again) so I said, ""Well, I'm finished, I'd like the check, please"", paid, and left. So, if you're there with a group of interesting friends with no time constraints or raging hunger, then this place may be for you. more

This is by far the best Cuban food I have eaten. They have excellent portions and the price is great. I always wind up taking home and eating it for lunch or snacking on it in the evening. New manager has really whipped this place into shape and gotten rid of all of the crappy wait staff. THERE IS NO NEGATIVE TO THIS PLACE!! Pros: Great Portions, Tastes Awesome, Excellent Price Cons: Waite staff is careless about service more

Pernil Asado con Mojo. This is all you need to know about this place. Pernil Asado con Mojo is unequivocal proof that god exists, loves us, and wants us to be happy. If I were a Hassidic Jew, I would change religions, just for this beautiful plate of pork awesomeness. It is that good. If you like pork, you will love it; if you love pork, you will try to take it home and marry it. There is something beautiful about the combination of the garlic mojo and the tender and moist pork cuts that will drive you wild. It is no wonder why the Latin culture is so lively when they have food like this to ignite them. Never mind that they have fabulous Moros con Cristianos (Black beans and white rice), never mind that their tostones (fried green plantains) are glorious, never mind that their Ropa Vieja is unparalleled in Houston. Go for the Pernil. You will not regret it. Piquet is home to the best Cuban cuisine in Houston, it is a shame that it is all the way out in Bellaire, because I would go there much more often if it wasn't. more

La comida de este lugar me transporta a mi Cuba natal anorada desde hace 10 anos,la sazon de mi abuelo (cocinero profesional 50 anos)algo asi encontra aca en este lugar,la navidad pasada mi comida para la Noche Buena(Dic. 24) fue de ese lugar y mi familia que vino de lejos y amigos de otros estados se quedaron con ganas de visitar este lugar,pero estamos planeando algo.De verdad la comida es fuera de serie;lo malo es el servicio y de verdad verdad(como dice cristina)esta feo,deverian cambiar y educar un poco mas alos meseros si se quieren ganar la propina Pros: parking and good food Cons: service really bad more

This is a regular stop for us when we're in the mood for great Cuban food and when we have time for a slow, long dinner. We always seated promptly, but have to always remind the waiter to bring us bread, refill drinks, bring the side of beans that accompany an entree, etc. The new location is a nice improvement, but doesn't make up for their other shortfalls. If they could improve their service this would be a 10, otherwise I think its a 7... Pros: Great Food, Nice decor, Good Value Cons: Poor, Slow Service more

The service is terrible. Don't expect to get out of there in an hour. On average, it takes approximately 15-20 minutes for your table to get greeted. We often have to ask more than once to get anything, whether it is a refill on drinks or more of that tasty garlic sauce. I have seen one waiter in particular carry on a conversation with another waiter while holding a tables food in his hands for about 5 minutes. There doesnt seem to be any sense of urgency when it comes to getting food out to customers. Dont ask for separate checks. Youll be told to go to the bar for that. So, why do we continue to eat there? One reason...the food. The food is awesome! So, if you dont mind bad service, then I would recommend this place. Otherwise, you might have to order your food To Go. Pros: great food Cons: bad service more

the sangrias are great, especially with good company. the food is authentic and delicious. i have brought my kids, but there are no ""kids menus"".... if your kids aren't fussy they will love the fresh bread & butter plus can share off your plate. more

Although the food was quite good, the service made the entire experience unpleasant. We had a group of about 9 people for a birthday party and we must have sat 20 minutes before we were ever greeted by the waiter. Another 30 minutes before he ever took our order. He disappeared while we ate leaving our glasses empty throughout most of the meal. At the end, he refused to split the bill, or give us an itemized bill leaving us all to guess how much we each spent. But he was more than willing to add his 17% gratuity to the bill and make sure we paid it. The food was good, but not good enough that it is worth dealing with such horrible service and attitude from the waitstaff. None of our group will ever go back to this establishment again. Pros: decent food Cons: horrible service, not group friendly more

Great cuban food & delicious pitchers of sangria. The cuban sandwich and mariquitas (fried green plaintains w/ a garlic sauce) are my favorite! Pros: food, sangria, atmosphere more

Food was very good and reasonably priced. Decor very tasteful. Gets crowded but serving is quick. Need a few more waitstaff during the evening. Otherwise, get the black beans and rice mixed together rather than the separate dishes. Excellent. Pros: location, mixed beans and rice, parking Cons: service but not awful more

This is a very low-key place, tastefully decorated and clearly run by people who care about the patrons. Service, though, can slip when they are crowded, and it helps to speak Spanish. The food is way more delicious than the the prices would suggest - great value. more