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    El Meson Restaurant

    3.6 (311 reviews)
    ModerateSpanish, Tapas Bars
    Closed • 11:30 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

    El Meson Restaurant Photos

    Business Info

    EL MESON RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Quiet
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - El Meson Restaurant

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    Tapas variadas
    Clint M.

    Man, this was one restaurant that I was really looking forward to trying, and it simply didn't live up to what I was hoping for. As with several other restaurants I've reviewed recently, this is one that I normally wouldn't frequent, but since they were participating in Houston Restaurant Weeks they were on my radar. We got a table for three for the volunteers in one of my service groups to check it out. One of us had been here before, but the rest of us hadn't. The appetizers were pretty good, but nothing spectacular. The tapas variadas were more of a charcuterie plate than actual tapas, but were still a nice appetizer for the rest of the meal. The calamari was different from what you normally see (fried and served with marinara). Instead, this was boiled in garlic butter and onions, almost like a shrimp scampi type of dish. It made the calamari a bit more gummy than we'd like, but still worth trying. The item I was looking forward to most was the paella langosta, which I'd heard amazing things about. I'd been told that this was one of the best places to grab paella in Houston. Sadly, out of four different restaurants, this was by far the worst paella I'd had. It was lacking in flavor, seemed to be thrown together at the last minute, and just didn't live up to the hype. The atmosphere seemed like it would have been nice if not for an absolutely obnoxious table right next to us. They were boisterous and completely oblivious to the negative experience they were providing to the people at neighboring tables. On more than one occasion they got up and bumped one of our tables. The worst part is, we later found out that it was the owner entertaining some friends. You would think he'd have known better than to have other patrons treated like that. Service was a bit of a mess also. The waiter disappeared several times, never refilled our drinks, and we practically had to go searching for him after 20+ minutes of sitting around waiting for our checks. At least two of us were completely disappointed in our visit, and even the third, who had been there before, acknowledged that it wasn't quite what he'd experienced in the past. Oh well, he might be back, but we definitely won't.

    a group of people sitting at tables
    Charles L.

    Ate dinner here with a work colleague. Nice atmosphere, friendly and efficient servers. Varied menu ... tapas, Cuban, Mexican, seafood, meat, and pork. All tasty. We had the Albindigas (meatballs), squid, and gambas (shrimp) with garlic to start, and then the Sea bass and lamb chops for entrées. Bread tasty too. Not inexpensive, but I thought it was decent value. Fairly empty just before 6 pm on a week night, so did not need our reservation.

    Lauri B.

    What an unexpected nugget we found today! We originally left the hospital heading to Shake Shack, but waiting in traffic turned our attention to this elegant little place, so we pulled in to try it. The parking is super convenient, directly located outside the door. This is a must mention as places in this area are not always easy to park in/find parking. It was mid day after the lunch rush, so that possibly helped us. Tapas, TexMex, Cuban, Latin flare, they have it all! I was super impressed with the decor of this restaurant. Just walking to the doors, you step into a small little Latin world on their pretty patio. Upon entering the doors, there is a wall of crawling ivy that is simply stunning. I love my ivy plants, so this was immediately impressive. We were warmly greeted and seated in a lovely large booth. A Giara (flip-top swing stopper) bottle with water was brought to our table. I thought that was a nice touch. So much more elegant than a regular glass of water. The music playing set the tone for a little Havana scene. You really feel the atmosphere! Our server was excellent. He provided several suggestions on popular items. I ordered the cheese enchilada dinner and my aunt ordered the Tacos al Carbone. We contemplated getting tapas, but decided to keep it with TexMex. Our meal was delicious! Presentation was nice, everything was cooked well, the seasoning was on point, and the portions are a nice size. I was very impressed with our entire experience. I still can't say enough about the restaurant decor. Everything was top-notch and detailed. Even the table settings were detailed and elegant. I love the ambiance. Though we stopped in for a late lunch wearing our capri pants and flip flops, I can see this place also being a great date night spot. It's on the finer side of Spanish restaurants, but still cozy and comfortable to be dressed down. Very impressed! Our total for 2 meals and one glass of wine before tip was $68.00. Highly recommend.

    OSSO BUCO braised veal shank demi-glace, spinach, goat cheese mashed potatoes
    Tondra H.

    I recently visited El Meson on a Sunday evening. We were greeted by the hostess into a welcoming atmosphere...cozy lighting, comfortable booths, and pleasant decor. Our server was reserved but professional and cordial. He was well-informed on the menu's offerings and answered our questions quickly. Everything we ordered arrived fast! My Osso Buco was decent, but a little pricey for "decent." In all fairness, I'm not typically a veal eater. The meat was tender and juicy. It had a subtle flavor that wasn't bad at all, but it definitely wasn't my favorite. It may be right up someone else's alley. The goat cheese mash and spinach were fantastic. The nachos, enchiladas, salad, etc. were also enjoyable. Overall, the service, ambiance, and food were worth the visit. I'd be open to returning to try additional options on the menu.

    Lechon Asado
    Juan Pablo S.

    The food was very good but nothing to say wow. Had the lechon lunch plate. Great combination. The tortilla española was excellent. The Sandwich cubano was dead on. I think it is overpriced specially since I've been to Miami a few times and you would buy the same food for 1/3 of the price. The flan was very well made. The service was ok. Lost of seating and I assume the Havana Room is for smoking cigars. Overall I do recommend this place and would come back just not as often as I would like.

    Salad
    Morgan W.

    Sleeper restaurant to be honest. Food is great. Service is decent. Ambiance is very "walk to your neighborhood restaurant" which is one of the things I love. The food is a variety from Cuban, Tex-Méx, seafood, and Tapas. I always order the same thing the Lubina (sea bass in a garlic butter sauce. Vegetables and potatoes). I also ordered a mango margarita this time which was perfection! I tried the plantains and they have the perfect sear! Sharing my sleeper restaurant but don't crowd it up ok?

    Our table and the view.
    Amanda O.

    Great atmosphere, quiet on a Wednesday night! We enjoyed the pork belly, nacho cabana, cuban salad, and the pork cutlet.

    Solomillo
    Lane M.

    We've been visiting the area for about a year for the unfortunate reason of MD Anderson appointments. Rice University Village is close to the Hilton where we stay and there's a free shuttle so we keep trying new places. This was our first trip to this restaurant and I wish I had skipped lunch so that I could've tried a few tapas selections. The wine list, or should I say book, is comprehensive and will please any taste. I can see this as a place to explore the tapas offerings and try new wines with friends or family. It has a real neighborhood feel and family owned vibe, although I don't know if that's true. We were surprised to be served a light dinner salad before the meal. The dressing was delicate and delicious and my only complaint is that I wanted more of it. I had the Solomillo which was fantastic. Butterflied meat is so easy to overcook but mine was done to perfection. It was well grilled and very juicy. The onions were a delicious addition to the meat. I don't know how you're supposed to eat them but I added the white rice to my black beans (served in the little bowl). It was a wonderful bite to me. My husband had the Pollo Salteado which was perfectly grilled chicken served with fragrant green bell peppers and onions. I snuck a little bite and both of us chose well. There was no room for dessert but I was definitely tempted. My advice is to go hungry and they will fix that.

    Shrimp & lobster paella
    Roxy Z.

    Service wasn't welcoming for it being in the Kirby drive area. We ordered the lobster & shrimp paella and it was delish. The Cuban saucey shrimp with rice & beans were not great. Beans tasted old and possibly out of a can.

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    1 year ago

    Ishrael was a great server who was knowledgeable and friendly. The food was fresh and we enjoyed the ambiance.

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    1 year ago

    Great food. Service was ok. Love the ambience. Nice and quiet . Do recommend it kids friendly.

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    1 year ago

    Great food, margs & service. Thank you!! If you haven't eaten here you are missing out. The best kept secret. We'll be back.

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    Mi Luna Tapas Restaurant & Bar - Goat cheese

    Mi Luna Tapas Restaurant & Bar

    4.4(155 reviews)
    2.6 mi•Montrose, Fourth Ward

    Lots of outdoor seating, great for when the weather cools down. Dogs are allowed on the patio from…read morewhat I saw. The sangria was quite strong, we also did the mimosas pitcher which I thought was a great deal for $30. I appreciated how we were able to get the juice on the side, we did the grapefruit option but they do have orange juice, cranberry and mango. We sat at the bar since it was pretty busy and we didn't make any reservations. Do recommend to take that into consideration if you plan on going on the weekend. The ambiance is loud, lots of chatting, live music. Natural lighting, great place for girls brunch, family birthdays. First date if you prefer meeting in the day. Started of with the chicken empanadas, a must try! The sauce on top with the sauce on the side was amazing, even without it the chicken inside is very much flavorful. Every bite is soft and I enjoy a nice flakey empanada. For the main entree first we have the "Pan Con Tomate" a very light refreshing dish. A perfect summer choice when you don't want anything too heavy or hot of a meal. Everything is topped on top of the bottom half of their in house fresh bread with chopped tomatoes, fresh herbs with what seemed to be like an egg benedict and fresh grated cheese that tasted a lot like mozzarella to me but it's actually a Spanish cheese called manchego. Really enjoyed this, would get eat again. For the second entree "Albóndigas Marroqui" a morrocan inspired dish. More on the savory warm aromatic flavors. Steamy hot, gives that homey comfort vibe, I could definitely see this as a meal to eat during the colder days. Flavorful tomato sauce with meatballs, I would suggest to dip the house bread into the sauce with the runny eggs just pairs so well together, which by the way I think it's also like an egg benedict topped with fresh herbs as well. Lastly the hallway with mirrors that leads into the restrooms, very cute to take selfies as you wait for your turn.

    What a pleasant surprise this place was! We typically go to Barcelona Tapas, but wanted a different…read moreexperience that Mi Luna exceeded. Everything was so rich in flavor. From the Pulpo con Patatas, the chorizo Patatas, the goat cheese and tomato. Each dish was packed with flavor and little sodium! The highlight was the pollo pinxto. Massive chunks of chicken grilled perfectly over a bed of Moroccan rice. Topped with the albandigas on the side was pure magic. We finished our meal with a great recommendation from Mario. The crepe cheesecake was just the right combination and texture to finish a great night. The downside to this wonderful night was the drinks. The pear old fashioned was a bit watered down and the sangria is very sweet. We'll definitely be back with different tapas to try and drinks to stick to!

    Photos
    Mi Luna Tapas Restaurant & Bar - Bar area

    Bar area

    Mi Luna Tapas Restaurant & Bar - Hot octopus

    Hot octopus

    Mi Luna Tapas Restaurant & Bar - Churros but first: paella del mar, bombas de queso, b'stilla, lingual con porto chased down w/ a bottle of clos de tafall.

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    Churros but first: paella del mar, bombas de queso, b'stilla, lingual con porto chased down w/ a bottle of clos de tafall.

    BCN Taste & Tradition - foie gras

    BCN Taste & Tradition

    4.4(588 reviews)
    2.1 mi•Montrose, Fourth Ward
    •$$$

    So I've been here twice now. The first time I came was for restaurant week- they had a great menu…read morewith lots of options! El Pulpo is my favorite dish from here! I came back the second time just for this! For the restaurant week I tried the suckling pig- i was honestly a little disappointed with it. The waiter had recommended it but i ended up getting some gristle at some point and couldn't finish eating as it really turned me off of it. For dessert I had the (tarta de Santiago)-almond cake- again it was fine- I wasn't overly impressed with it- was a little dry. When I came back the second time was a much better experience! Started off with el pulpo again (of course) and we also had the Patatas bravas.- they are very unique and creamy. We also tried a pistachio and beet salad which was very light and refreshing. The almond soup- was ok- I will pass on it next time. And the main course we had the Bomba rice with seafood- very similar to paella. I really enjoyed this dish! Desserts we had the Gypsy's arm- sponge cake with carmelized custard- complimentary for my birthday :) and we also tried the warm manchego cheese lava cake. I really enjoyed both of them. Overall is it was a much better experience the second time around and will definitely be returning for more pulpo

    Lucky to be able to get a table for an early dinner date night on a Wednesday at BCN. Reservations…read moreare a must for this Michelin gem. Nestled in an old home, the atmosphere is upscale and cozy at the same time. The restaurant is filled with masterpieces that match the culinary artistry for which BCN Taste & Tradition is known. BCN...the airport code for Barcelona. So of course the food brings the delights of Spanish cuisine to Montrose. It also features modern Spanish masters in the decor. The complimentary bread service was a great way to start the meal. Since we don't eat pork or shellfish, they brought us a small plate filled with manchego cheese (my favorite) and small white spoons topped with the most delicious artichoke hearts. Thank you for the VIP service. What a great to start a five star dining adventure! We went for the Houston Restaurant Week (HRW) menu. Our waiter, Roberto, was great. He helped guide us given our dietary restrictions. He also gave us an art history lesson on the beautiful works that are scattered throughout the converted two story former Victorian home. You coukld tell that he and his assistant, Romy, love their "home." For the appetizers, the "Patatas Bravas BCN" is a classic. Potatoes filled with spicy oil and alioli. The perfect bite for a hot appetizer. We also had the beet-pistachio-raspberry ravioli salad. The paper thin sliced multicolored beets are magically filled with kefir cheese and pistachio oil to create beet ravioli. So delicious. The entrees were so delicious. The Grilled Duck Breast is served with sliced quince, Idiazábal cheese sauce, pine nuts and balsamic vinegar reduction. It is so beautiful and the sauce is a joyful explosion of flavor. My husband upgraded to the Grilled Lamb Chops as the Grandma's sauce for the filet mignon has shellfish in it. Thank you, Roberto, for letting us know. The lamb chops are served with BCN potatoes, roasted zucchini filled with eggplant, red bell pepper, onion, and a confit tomato and a side of garlic alioli to enhance the lamb. So tasty. Finished the meal with the crispy fillo dough and the chocolate cake in textures. The crispy fillo dough is filled with the creamiest Catalán vanilla brûlée and aged rum raisins. The decadent chocolate cake and chocolate mousse is served with a cute little ice cream cone filled with a refreshing raspberry sorbet. The perfect way to cap a wonderful meal. Since Roberto told us so much about the art, I had to visit the original masterpieces by modern Spanish master artists. Joan Miró. Pablo Picasso. Salvador Dalí. Paintings and ceramics that adorn the walls, the bookcases, the fireplace. Thank you to Paco for sharing the story behind the two Salvador Dalí pieces in the private dining room. A necklace for Dominique de Menil, who founded the Menil Collection, and a collage created to advertise pantyhose. Amazing! The attention to the fine details throughout BCN Taste +Tradition is commendable. From making sure that we were enjoying our meal to watching the waiters steam and iron the table cloths for the next guest, BCN definitely takes dining to another level. Thank you to Paco, Roberto and Rony for an exceptionally memorable dining experience. We've been to BCN and MAD. I can't wait to see what is on the menu next for another five star immersive adventure. #3000+1

    Photos
    BCN Taste & Tradition - Gender neutral restroom

    Gender neutral restroom

    BCN Taste & Tradition - Artichoke Hearts

    Artichoke Hearts

    BCN Taste & Tradition - Salmon tartare

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    Salmon tartare

    La Rambla Usa - Encanto ibérico

    La Rambla Usa

    4.0(22 reviews)
    30.6 mi
    •$$

    What a treat! I'll…read morestart by saying Barcelona is my absolute favorite city in the world. I had an amazing time enjoying all of the food on La Rambla, so I was beyond excited to try this restaurant. I chose to dine in for my husband's birthday and what a night! The food was so delicious. Each dish came out promptly and was perfect dressed and seasoned. The staff were exceptional! They made suggestions, checked on us constantly and went above and beyond to make sure we were enjoying our experience. If you're looking to try a new date night restaurant, La Rambla should be a place at the top of your list!

    Sadly I must update my review from 5 stars to 3 stars. Why? Obviously the original chef has left…read moreand the quality of food preparation has declined. As this is basic Spanish food cooking technique is paramount and current chef clearly does not understand/have skills. The gazpacho was recently overly thick and creamy (more bread and olive oil) and was lacking fresh vibrant vegetable flavor. Plus it wasn't as chilled in past (did they originally use a little bit of ice during pureeing? And now stopped). The paella was a total mess. It arrived soupy with a quarter inch of liquid still in bottom of pan. While not "overcooked " to mushy. The rice was well past al dente. Obviously achieving socarrat was impossible. While yellow it was lacking ANY distinct saffron flavor that it used to have. I also did not notice any threads- have they now gone to powdered saffron and cut back on amount too???? The Torta San Sebastian was still "very good" but it's crust was overcooked and gummy. TBH, it really wasn't that bad and normally I wouldn't comment but given above complaints I feel it is part of a trend. We have been coming here about 4X per year. Will still come back to try Tapas, but again their basic Spanish Tapas require a deft cooking technique- so we'll see how those go. Oh well, As George Harrison wrote in 1970 "All Things Must Pass" This is not an uncommon trend in Mom & Pop places - once successful, staff get hired to replace overworked family and quality deteriorates I kept it at 3 stars because food wasn't terrible nor inedible. Just nothing special. Poorly made average American version of European classics. I am also holding out hope that it gets better- I have to believe other regulars have commented (or did they just quietly stop coming? Which is the worse)

    Photos
    La Rambla Usa - Ambience

    Ambience

    La Rambla Usa - La Rambla Egg Sandwich (brunch)

    La Rambla Egg Sandwich (brunch)

    La Rambla Usa - Spanish Tortilla

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    Spanish Tortilla

    Baso - Grilled oysters

    Baso

    4.2(107 reviews)
    6.1 mi•The Heights
    •$$$$

    Since our first visit to Baso, have been eager to return so we went for our anniversary dinner…read moreyesterday evening. Waited too late to book reservation so got bar seating but it was just fine and service was great. Upon arriving we were so nicely greeted by the hostess, felt very welcome. Our cocktails were very good--and Old Fashioned and a "Crime!". For a starter we had the aka obi, then the endive salad (best I've had!) and for entrees we shared the shrimp and the whole striped bass which is butterflied. For dessert we got the Basque Cheesecake and it was heavenly. Baso has quickly become my favorite high-end restaurant in the Heights. The portions are nice and the flavors are outstanding. We left beyond satisfied and looking forward to our next foodie adventure at Baso.

    This is honestly some of the best cooking in Houston right now, although with a price point that…read moremakes it a bit out-of-reach for a regular occurrence. This is a bit of a dated review, but we came here for a Valentine's dinner as a special occasion. We got seats at the bar counter behind the fire (which to me was the best seat in the house) so we could be close to the action. One thing you'll notice is that the place is quite loud, I think which owes to the low ceilings (so don't expect like a quiet and romantic vibe). The meal started out great with the bread and butter - bread was sourced from Magnol, which was a huge green flag to start. The oysters were extremely fresh and absolutely delicious. We also had a dish with tuna over crispy rice which was my fiancee's favorite of the night. My personal favorite was the salad (I know that is crazy to say at a restaurant that specializes in live fire cooking) - but the way they zested all different types of citrus/lemons, peppers, chiles, and the way the herbs they put into it, created what was one of the most memorable salads I have ever had. All in all the food was excellent. Service was great (the night we were there, Max Lappe was there sending out food to customers himself). I do kind of wish the atmosphere was a little more quiet. With that said, expect to spend around $200pp (we did share a bottle of wine though).

    Photos
    Baso - Entrance area

    Entrance area

    Baso - Charred oysters

    Charred oysters

    Baso

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    Traveler's Table

    Traveler's Table

    4.4(2.5k reviews)
    2.6 mi•Montrose, Fourth Ward
    •$$$

    Traveler's Table makes a compelling case for exploring the world through food. The menu's…read moreinternational range is part of its appeal, and the execution makes the experience worth returning for. I visited with friends, and the evening came together effortlessly. We secured a table without difficulty, and the staff were attentive, accommodating, and welcoming throughout dinner. The portions struck an excellent balance: satisfying while leaving room to explore the menu and enjoy dessert. The drinks were equally impressive, complementing the food and contributing to a well-rounded meal. The setting brings it all together. The dining room is lively, and the décor gives it a distinct personality without sacrificing comfort. It feels like a place where you can settle in, enjoy good conversation, and make an evening of dinner. Traveler's Table gets the combination right: memorable food, excellent drinks, thoughtful service, and an inviting atmosphere. An enthusiastic five stars.

    We came here during Houston Restaurant Week, and I noticed that the website has still not been…read moreupdated to reflect what happened to the former owners. We had a 7pm reservation for two, and it was in a corner with a small table and high bar stools. It was very hot. We were sweaty, and I am normally very cold in restaurants. I think they go a little overboard with saying that having food here is like traveling the world and breaks down barriers. I like the concept though. They could do more with the decor to give it more of a world traveler vibe. They definitely tried. They were playing American hip hop music, which does not fit the international theme. We got the three course dinner, which was $60 each plus tip. The food was good but did not feel like it was worth the price. For appetizers, we got the Mochiko Chicken and Crispy Pork Belly in Pasilla Sauce. We liked the chicken a lot, and it came with a sweet mango chutney and spicy mayo sauce. The pork belly was alright. It was pretty standard. For entrees, we got the Singaporean Shrimp Laksa and Nigerian Suya Skewers. I liked the noodles and curry, but the fish cakes were not that appetizing. The skin was much bigger than the meat inside, so it would weirdly inflate or deflate. The shrimp came with their tails on, so I got my hands slimy with curry. I did not personally try the beef, but I was informed it was a 3.85/5 and 4/5 with the sauce. The laksa was a decently sized portion, but the beef was quite the small portion with a few chunks and a bit of rice and tomatoes. For dessert, we enjoyed the Orange Torta Caprese and New Orleans Bourbon Bread Pudding. I was kind of confused why the chocolate cake was called torta. It was very small but nice and rich. The orange flavour was strong. The bread pudding, on the other hand, was very big. Although it wasn't pudding. There was a large piece of the bread in whole form. It was delicious. I did not taste bourbon.

    Photos
    Traveler's Table
    Traveler's Table
    Traveler's Table - Ube Pancakes

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    Ube Pancakes

    El Meson Restaurant - spanish - Updated September 2026

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