La Strada - Montrose

We had a large party of 11 and yes, we brought some kids along. I knew ahead of time that this place was not kid friendly so that was not the problem. We were there for Sunday BRUNCH and the music was club-like and way too loud for conversation. I understand keeping to music that way for evenings but not before noon on a Sunday. Our waitress was decent although I sat with my baby on my lap for a good 30 minutes before I finally asked if I could have a highchair. That just seemed like a common sense thing to me but I guess I could be wrong. We were also seated under the vents for the air conditioner unit and half of our party got a continuous stream of condensation. When we complained the manager was more than rude and did little to offer to help. Finally we moved the table ourselves. Let me end this by saying I NEVER complain about any establishment and I never would unless I had a truly horrible experience. I will not be going back. Pros: the food was decent. It was something I had never had before so that kept it interesting Cons: waited forever for a highchair, a/c unit leaked condensation on us, rude management, loud music for Sunday brunch more

I would never suggest this place to anyone!!!!! It has all gone down hill. They have had a turn-over in management and it was a turn for the worst. These guys missed the customer service part of training. The customer is the last thing on anyones mind. The food is poor quality and the drinks melted. The only good thing about the place was my waiter Cameron. Avoid this place at all cost. I wonder what happened to all the pretty people. more

I love going for Sunday Fundae. I have recommended this place for Sunday brunch numerous times for friends coming into town and they always have a great time. Great service and good food. Fun times. more

I have eaten at La Strada a few times before, but unfortunately the restaurant has become very poor in terms of food quality and service. Saturday of this past week we had reservations for 8:00 pm. When we arrived, the restaurant was half empty, which should have been a sign for a Saturday night. The food was poorly cooked. The tuna steak was well done and the deserts were almost inedible. Both my wife and I left feeling nauseous. The service was unfortunately just as poor. Our our waiter was unable to make any suggestions regarding the wine list and had to be asked numerous times just to bring water to our table. This used to be a great restaurant with good food and a wonderful atmosphere, so it is sad to see what has happened. I cannot suggest anyone try this restaurant, as there are so many more wonderful places to dine in Houston. more

To the person below that has a complaint about split checks; let me lay it out for you. If the management at La Strada were to openly allow split checks for large parties on Sunday brunch, your service would be a lot slower. Sure they could hire more waiters and go to smaller sections, but then the compensation for working a grueling Sunday brunch shift that starts at 9am and often doesn?t end until after 7pm would be considerably less. With large groups, especially on Sundays, there are people ordering drinks left and right. Some people are together on a tab while some claim to be alone. Problem is, the place gets so packed that when it comes time to pay up, someone could easily slip out of the door unnoticed. This has happened many times before and is the reason this new policy was implemented. If the check was indeed split, it would absolve anyone else at the table from having to pay the other portion of the bill. I have heard the phrase ?those weren?t MY drinks!? more times than I can remember. When it boils down to it the no split checks rule on Sunday is more about holding the group as a whole accountable for their least honest member, than it is about laziness or lack of better hardware. You should check your friends if you?re really worried that someone at your table isn?t going to step up and admit to a fair portion of the total unless they are assigned a specific amount. Or perhaps if you?re really concerned that you are going to spend a few extra dollars on a portion of the bill that was not yours, then maybe you should act your wage and abstain from Sunday funday at La Strada. Oh and criticism about someone typing from a blackberry using ?U? instead of ?you? from someone who doesn?t know the difference between ?there? and ?their? is rich?thanks for the laugh. more

All i have to do is copy and paste the email i sent to La Strada; SEE RESPONSE BELOW: Date: Fri, 16 May 2008 13:37:54 To: Subject: customer To whom it may concern, I started going to La Strada?s after a friend suggested it. I?ve been there twice with large parties 7+ both for special occasions, everything was great. The food is great and so are the drinks. The service is great too, but when it comes to the checks being split, this is where the problem is. I have been told twice (each time I?ve been there) that I needed to split the check myself, 1.) This is not my job, since I?m going to eat and relax with good dinner after a work week the last thing I want to do is crunch numbers. When I am at work I do my job and I expect the same from others 2.) after having cocktails, I?m in no condition to handle money?and the last time I went ( april 26th ) it took so long to split the checks that everyone lost there buzz after spending so much on cocktails. This is not right and I just want to bring it to you?re attention. I would like to return but I would hate for this same situation to happen repeatedly, especially if I?m the one that has recommended this place to others. Am I being lied to about not being able to split check because of laziness or is this really your policy, if so, you should invest in a new system for the servers to use to be able to split checks. Thank you for taking time to read this email, I wish your business the best, all compliments and concerns should always be taken into consideration. RESPONSE from La Strada "It is really not about a fancy machine we do not split checks because we lose both ways. If we don't split u get mad at first then glad because it was fast. We do you get glad at first then mad because It takes so long," Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile Nice to see the person in charge of responding to customer relations cannot even type, or understand where the customer is coming from. more

DO NOT EVER GO TO THIS RESTAURANT! THEIR EMPLOYEES WILL SCAM YOU! Our waitress, name was Elisa, was not only bad (for various reasons... didn't know the menu, took 30-45 minutes to bring us a check, screwed up various things, etc.) but she tried to give herself a 40-50% tip and STOLE OUR CREDIT CARD! Our group split the bill into two parts and paid with two credit cards. Mine and my husband's total was about $30; our friends' total was about $50. It takes the waitress at least 20 minutes to come back to get our cards. When she came over she said "you guys should have flagged me down or something to remind me to get your cards." Then, when she brings it back, the amount our friends were supposed to pay - $50 -was there.. but she had split it into a $15 tip for herself and $35 going to the restaurant (obviously, she was scamming the restaurant and us). When our friends asked her about it, she said there was a "computer glitch" and that she would have to re-do everything. Even though our bill was fine (totaling about 30 bucks), we gave her our credit card again... and I asked her, "Why do you need our credit card... our bill is correct... " and she said that she had to "void it all out". And then, she STOLE our credit card! Her version of the story is that she LOST it. Of course, she never apologized. She also threw away all of the credit card invoices that she had already printed out (which was proof of her scam). The only thing the manager did for us was comp our meal... and he told us to cancel our credit card. Seriously!! [There are other reasons why our experience was bad. The lady taking reservations screwed up our reservations; we parked in a non-coned off spot two feet from the restaurant and we paid 5 dollars for valet, even though we didn't valet; we waited outside (with tons of other people) for 5-10 minutes because the people at La Strada refused to open the doors and let us wait inside.] WORST EXPERIENCE EVER! Cons: Their Employees Scam and Steal from you!!! more

My party of 6 ventured into La Strada Sunday for brunch. I have heard that the Sundays get chaotic so we were sure to be the first party seated. The atmosphere was splendid (a nice booth in front of the open doors that granted us a gentle breeze as we dined). The service was remarkable (our waiter was a very nice young man who was very helpful in recommending a few dishes). Our party had the Assortimento Antipasti, which was wonderful. I had the Pollo Involtini (breaded chicken breast stuffed with spinach, provolone cheese and sun-dried tomatoes finished with a mushroom marsala sauce) and it was heavenly. The Bellinis for which we had all heard so much about were spectacular (I recommend getting the "meltdown" added). Only one of us had room for dessert, which was a shame (as we found out at La Strada you should leave a little room for dessert). All of the desserts are apparently made fresh daily and they all looked amazing (you can see them on display). Mark ordered a chocolate cake that had white godiva and dark godiva chocalte, raspberries and strawberries (I forgot the name). I highly recommend La Strada and I look forward to my next dining experience there. Pros: Main course, dessert, bellinis, waitstaff, ambience Cons: gets busy more

A group of 7 of us went out to celebrate a friend's birthday at La Strada. The wonderful bread and the appetizer sampler platter were delicious (we ordered the piccolo, or smaller of the two samplers) and seemed like an auspicious start to the meal. I had the steak salad, and the two individuals seated nearest to me both ordered a seafood risotto dish. The risotto came out horribly undercooked (how do you manage to screw up rice?) and the steak on my salad was so tough as to be inedible. I ate about half of the meat, until my jaw could no longer take the workout. No one seemed pleased with their choices at dinner, and the excellent service from a young waiter did not cover the fact that the food was atrocious. The wine was delicious, but I don't think that the restaurant can really take credit for that...Overall, I wouldn't return to this overpriced and underwhelming restaurant, especially with so many delicious alternatives nearby. Pros: Location, ambiance, appetizer Cons: Food was bad, overpriced more

Let me start by saying that I hate giving them 1 star because I think their food is excellent. I've only been there 3 times and the food has always been good. Now I don't think I ever want to go back! We thought this would be a great, mellow place to go for New Year's Eve. We didn't want to go to a crazy busy club. When I made reservations 3 weeks ahead of time, I was told there was going to be a DJ and a Carnivale theme with masks and beads. There was no DJ, no Carnivale theme and no masks and beads. They did pass out horns just before midnight. I should've went somewhere else! Well the night started out good. The food was delicious until half way through the appetizer combo platter my friend was chewing her calamari and there was plastic in it! The waitress comped us for it. She offered to replace it but we were pretty much set on food so we asked that she just bring more chips so we could finish of the spinach dip.It took us 1/2 an hour at least just to get the replacement chips to go with our spinach and artichoke dip.Obviously our dip was cold by the time we got the chips. I asked the bartender when the DJ was going to start and he said he was surprised he hadn't yet.About an hour or so goes by and we start asking the waitress and she tells us the DJ was a no show!Great, what a great NYE!Ugh!To top all of that off, our waitress was horrible! Her service was horrible. I seriously have never tipped someone so little. Every time we ordered a drink it took like 15 minutes to get it.My husband ordered a drink and never got it but it was on the bill! The guy passing out champagne spilled it all over me! We weren't the only ones with problems.The 2 tables surrounding us were having issues too.They kept calling with waitress over with problems.When we were leaving the restaurant there was a lady outside yelling at the manager. They weren't even busy! I mean there were probably bigger parties than normal but there were lots of empty tables. Pros: Food Cons: Service more

If you're looking for a nice quiet brunch where you'll get to enjoy your food and conversation, this is NOT for you. This brunch is more about drinking than eating. Although the food is excellent, the drinks are better. Def make a reservation if you want a table. By 3 pm it's shoulder to shoulder with drunk people dancing on tables and taking shots from shot girls. This is the best party in town on Sundays. Pros: lots of fun Cons: pricey more

We had the same Sunday brunch experience as others here. were rudely asked to leave by manager posing to be a houston police officer after spending over $200 on sunday lunch and drinks do not recommend and will not recommend to others and will spread the word. Pros: none Cons: rude rude service after the check was paid for. more

The new incarnation of this once-fabulous restaurant is a sad shell of its former self. They have apparently decided to ditch the ?le bon temps rolle? atmosphere that make them (locally) famous and instead ardently court the himbo/bimbo crowd. On a recent Sunday my brunch party of 8 arrived shortly after opening WITH reservations and were the second table to be seated. The hostess decided we didn?t look the part (lack of oversized sunglasses and mini-skirts I guess), seated us at the back of the restaurant, and had to consult with the manager before moving us. While the food is good, you can get better food at the same price at numerous other nearby restaurants without putting up with the pretension. The one bright spot is that I?m already seeing signs that the local zeitgeist is moving on, so within a few years this place should be loosening up out of necessity and start courting their Montrose clientele again. Until then, I'll be brunching elsewhere. Pros: Location, music Cons: Pretension, attitude, weak drinks at a hefty price more

Tuesday through Saturday this restaurant is just like any other restaurant. The food and service is excellent. Friday night and Saturday night, from 10 pm - 3 am, there is a midnight brunch again with excellent service and food. (try the jalepeno pasta with sausage, the best) ///////// SUNDAYS are a totally different story. Sundays La Strada is open from 11 am - to 6 pm with the kitchen closing at 5 pm. MAKE RESERVATIONS the WEEEEEEK before! You cannot make same day reservations on sunday, so do not expect to call the morning of, when they already have over 350 reservations, and think you will get one. Arrive when you make the reservation... If you are 15 min late, you WILL lose your reservation. And having your full party present at the time of the reservation will get you to your table faster. Since they only seat you if over half of your party is present.//////////There is a two hour time limit on your table (only on sunday) starting from the moment the first person sits down at the table. This is a strict rule only enforced in order to accomodate all reservations. You can eat, and then head upstairs with your pitchers and dance. But they will clearly tell you when you sit down that you have two hours/////Next: this is a club atmosphere on sunday. This is not the place to come after church. Its the place to come before Chrome. There is a door guy that takes ID's, there is a police officer on duty, and a dj upstairs with a dance floor; of course there will be scantily clad dressed people, its a morning club. Come a different day if you don't want to be in that atmosphere. Pros: late night brunch, great food and service Cons: parking more

This place is the biggest waist of time and money. The food is horrible and the manager is a horrible person. If you want to go hang out with a bunch of 30,000$ millionaires, gold diggers/ strippers then go for it! Pros: Nothing Cons: That it's still there more

This place is f******** up. Hostess ,managers .VIRAL PATEL is the G M . I was told. As a G M HE IS RUDE TO HIS CUSTOMER'S AND HIS STAFF. I HEARED HIM TALK TO A SERVER MY GOD .HE PUT THAT GUY DOWN.THIS MAN SHOULD BE SENT BACK TO HIS F******** UP INDIA.FOOD TASTE LIKE CAN FOOD.I THINK HE HAS ONLY CAN OPENERS IN THE KITCHEN.SORRY TO SAY HE NEEDS TO CLOSE THE PLACE DOWN.HE HAS A HOSTESS THAT CAN NOT ANSWER THE PHONE I THINK IS HIS MOM. PATEL TAKE YOUR MOM HOME. more

I honestly think that La Strada is a joint were Nuvo Rich meet Trailer Park to party up on Sunday at Brunch. Brunch stands for Breakfast and Lunch. Not Booty run can happen. I really do not like the clientelle that goes there or the tramp stamped host and waiteresses. The food is marginal. The buidling is contemporary and nice. My problem is when people get drunk and dance on the table. Hello? this is a restaurant, feet and shoes do not belong on the table!!! Absolutely one filthy trailer park crowd. If you want a crossing of Strippers, trashy people pretending to be something, well this is your place. Drunk people, loud crowds, and people think that this is a club can come here, but as a restaurant they have failed to cater a true brunch. Pros: Location and food Cons: Trashy clientelle, Nuvo Rich, Trailer Park, Drunk roudy people more

I've only ever been on the weekends, but the brunch at La Strada is amazing. The food is great - the drinks are great and it's a total party. It's basically an awesome bar -- if you don't want to eat brunch in a bar -- then don't go to the brunch. It's packed - the wait without reservations can be up to 2 hours -- so on sundays they will ask people to leave their tables in order to seat the other guests who are waiting. It can take a long time to get food -- and get seated -- but if you think of it like you'd think of a hot bar on saturday night - it's such a good time. If you are in for an afternoon party, this is totally the place to be. My favorite spot for a fun time on the weekend! Pros: great party Cons: the valets are awful. seriously awful. It's a shame to have to pay them, they are so bad. more

My sister and I decided to have a fun Sunday brunch two days ago so I recommended La Strada - I had never eaten at the Montrose location but had heard wonderful things. I heard wrong! We were seated promptley at 11. Ordered our first round of mimosa's, and an appetizer. Enjoyed that. Then each ordered an entre and another pitcher. Finished our entres and were immediately being told our time was up we had to leave. We still had half a pitcher of belini's (that were not very good!) left to finish. Normally that wouldn't matter so much if the pitcher weren't so horribly overpriced! The hostess did not even attempt to be courtious. We were told we had to leave now and simply that our time was up. We asked to speak to the manager and he was just as rude if not more rude. When I told the manager that we were getting ready to leave we just wanted to finish our drinks, his response was "No, you will leave right now, and if you don't I will have the police escort you out". I was shocked! All we were trying to do was finish our meal and drinks that we had just paid for! I told him that would be fine, we would leave and I would make sure I never returned to his restaurant again and that I would let everyone know what a horrible experience we had. The manager's only response to my sister and I was "good, we don't need cocky brats like you in our restaurant". Shocked, Appauled, and Completely embarassed that I wasted my good money in such a riduculous restaurant. Dine there at your own risk. The owners should be very embarrased that they allow their employees to treat people with such little respect, especially people that have just wasted money on their completely average and over priced food! Never again - and I have already let everyone I can think of know my opinion of this restaurant. Worst dining experience of my life! Pros: The waiter Cons: Everything else! more

I've always heard good things about this place and decided to check it out. We arrived at 11:45am and were informed that there was a two hour limit to our stay. Ok, we can eat and enjoy ourselves in that time. At 12 noon, the young immature hostess told us we had to leave by 1pm. So much for having a relaxing brunch. We told her that she told us something different just a few minutes ago and she responded 'Well, sorry that is just the way it works here'. We were about to leave at that moment, but we had already ordered drinks. The best part is that the place was half full. If the hostess hadn't had been so rude, we would have spent more money enjoying ourselves instead of feeling rushed out the door. I will never go back and have already told all of my friends and coworkers about the terrible experience. Managers need to reevaluate hostesses and train how to treat customers nicely. Pros: Good ambience Cons: Rude hostess, overpriced, pretentious, parking more