Bistro Moderne at Hotel Derek
Houston, TX 77027
Phone: (713) 297-4383
- Price:
- $$
- Cross Street:
- Westheimer Road
- Hours:
- Mon-Thu, Sun 11:30am-1am, Fri-Sat 11:30am-2am
Editorial Review for Bistro Moderne at Hotel Derek – by Andrea Loera
The Scene
Beyond Derek's sleek lobby is a two-in-one restaurant well-suited to Houston trendsetters. The cafe and bar, with black-and-white decor and bistro menu, is perfect for casual dining. Suede banquettes, wood floors and iron chandeliers in the formal dining room add to the refined, cozy air. Service is top-notch.
The Food
Executive Chef Philippe Schmit prepares classic French food designed to impress. Expect sophisticated bites--beef tartar and hangar steak--in the cafe. Main menu starters include grilled sardines, and sautéed foie gras with fennel, rhubarb and dandelion salad. The roasted monkfish is served with confit baby artichokes, chorizo and sun dried tomato sauce while the duck breast comes with watercress and spinach flan, ravioli duck leg and balsamic chocolate. Savor the resplendent chocolate souffle for dessert.
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Insider Tips
When to GoA three-course business lunch begins with vegetable soup or salad folle, followed by grilled chicken paillards or pan-seared peppercorn hanger steak and warm vanilla fondant or sorbet, plus an assortment of sides, for $18. In addition to the business lunch, bistro moderne's
The ExtrasReserve the private wine room (seats up to 20 people) for your next special occasion. Chef's tasting menu and special wine selections available.
ParkingValet parking at the hotel is free with your meal.
Know Before You GoDon't forget to pay a visit to the rear of the restaurant where one can watch the chefs prepare the evening meal through the glass-walled kitchen. For something different, ask for one of the few seats at the counter.
What to DrinkTry the signature Texan Martini, with Woodford Reserve, Sauza Conmemmorativo and lime juice.
User Reviews for Bistro Moderne at Hotel Derek
05/06/2008 Posted by barrysanders
This restaurant was sold in October, 2007 and the new management is not nearly on the same level as the old, apparently. I ordered pepper steak medium-rare. It arrived well done and so I sent it back. It arrived a little bit rare and I had difficulty cutting it with a steak knife and even worse luck chewing it. The fingerling potatoes were obviously microwaved and tasteless. The cream/cognac sauce was lukewarm, slight, and entirely lacking in cognac or flavor, but had a plethora of stale, bitter store-bought peppercorns. Instead of this place, I'd look to see where the former head chef landed.
Pros: close to Derek hotel
Cons: food was horrible and overpriced
01/01/2008 Posted by z_man1025
My wife and I finally dined at Bistro moderne after hearing numerous peopel rave about it over the last 12 months. Have to say, we left totally underwhelmed. What was described to us as some of the best french food anywhere in the world was far from that. We dined on an evening that wa snot busy so had expected the service to be good but it wasn't. OUr waiter was extremely arrogant adn would not deviate from the menu as offered (I had asked for dijon mustard to accompany my steak rather than the red wine reduction)!!!. The "sommelier" was almost useless and automatically defaulted to the most expensive wines on the list when I asked for a recommendation to accompany our mains - I ended up choosing a Bordeaux we'd tasted previously. Overall, very average and does not deserve the reputation. Compared to the numerous french restaurants and bistros we've dined at in France and Europe, this is a poor imitation. I know zagats rate it highly so I assume we were there on a bad night but we won't be going back to confirm.
Cons: Terrible service
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