I've dined at Riel twice. Both visits were good, however the first visit was better. Riel's has an elevated menu with a laid back vibe (I was feeling the 90s tunes that were playing during my second visit). 1st Visit: My friends and I had dinner during HRW 2024. We arrived before 6:30pm which meant we were able to order from the HH menu. I had a signature cocktail called So Fresh So Clean (love the Outkast reference). This cucumber based cocktail was very refreshing! I also had a Clover Club which I enjoyed (I love the egg white)! Fried Deviled Egg - I opted to add caviar for an additional $8. It was good, but I just really prefer traditional deviled eggs without breading on them. Market Fish - Absolutely delicious! The fish was tender and flaky, seasoned well, and the tomato bacon broth was soooo good! My only complaint was the small portion. Bees Knees - Delicious! Caviar Tots - Compliments of Chef, Ryan (thank you)! 2nd Visit: I came back for dinner. Our server was Chris and he was really nice. We ordered a bunch of items for the table to share. Drinks: I did a So Fresh So Clean because I'm predictable and I loved it the first time. I also had a Negroni and it was really good. Butter Burgers: It normally comes with two, but Chris was nice and brought out a 3rd burger so that we could each have one. I enjoyed the French onion flavor in the beef, but the burger was too buttery for my taste. Crispy Potatoes - Very good with great flavor. Mushroom Empanada - I didn't try any, but my friends enjoyed them. Hanger Steak - It took 40 minutes for the steak to be brought out and unfortunately, one steak was overcooked while the other was undercooked. I tried a bite of the overcooked steak and the flavor was there. The steak was tender enough for my preference. Market Fish - Red Snapper. It was a larger portion, but the flavor wasn't as good as the first time. Additionally, my fish came out about 10 minutes before the steak and it got cold because I was waiting on the steak to be brought out. I read an article on Culture Map that Riel is closing down at the end of August. If Riel is on your list to try, go now before it's too late. read more

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One of Houstons best small restaurants. Tonight's dinner was spectacular as always. However bittersweet. I have heard that they're closing. I can't wait to see what Ryan does next. read more

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Made a last minute 9:30 reservation on this Saturday night at Riel and sat at the chef's counter and boy am I glad we did. Ambiance is great , service is stellar, and food was so very good! My brother and I ordered multiple items at this very modern new American neighborhood spot to share, as our lovely waitress recommended , and it was right on point! We got the baked oysters, shishito peppers, Hanger steak, and mushroom stuffed empanadas. And the only reason why I didn't give five stars was because the hanger steak dish only came with 3 very tiny pieces of actual steak , to accompany green beans and pirogi dumplings. ( a very stingy serving for 34 bucks) But overall a very good experience !! read more

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Sooooo, I always thought this restaurant was called 1927, but it's the address number. Lol, fail. To my defense, some restaurant names are numbers. There's a few spots to park at the front but a hassle to back in/out of due to the busy street. The lot in the back is a rocky lot, and some the spaces are perpendicular which is odd. Did not see valet that evening that others said blocked the lot. Anyway, my friends and I came here on a Friday night through a suggestion. I made reservations for us through Resy. 6 p.m. on a Friday was not busy. Most of the patrons were seated by the window or at the chef's counter. It got slightly busier around 8 p.m. The restaurant temperature was comfortable. Not too hot/cold. Restrooms are single stall/unisex. Music was great. I love 90s R&B. I found myself singing along and liked that the volume wasn't so loud you have to yell talk. The drink options like Gangsta's Paradise, So Fresh, So Clean, and My Mind's Playin Tricks On Me, Sexual Chocolate, and Spice Spice Baby fit the bill with the music theme. I had the mocktail Gangsta's Paradise and had two. Again with the coconut, pineapple, lemon and tiki bitters. Been on that flavor profile since November. We ordered apps to share like the Butter Burgers (though our server Chris did recommend 3 instead of the 2 it usually is presented which was nice), crispy potatoes, and mushroom empanadas. Butter burgers - It was buttery. I'm glad it was small cause I ordered an entree, but not worth the price point with the portion. I only ate a third of it to save room, and it was ok reheated. Crispy potatoes - This usually has roe on it but not this evening. It wasn't on the menu. We liked this the best. I was surprised there was celery in it because usually that flavor overpowers the entire dish. Mushroom empanadas - Like my friend said, the mushrooms were sliced too big. I think it would've been better minced. It was also too lemony for me. The thicker breading areas were a little greasy. I thought I would like this more because I love mushrooms. Hanger steak - I asked for medium and got mostly medium well and well done. The steak was not seasoned at all. Maybe they were banking on the horseradish cream to add flavor. The green beans were ok, but you should cut the stems off both ends. The potato and cheddar pierogies were ok - like a breaded cheesy mashed potato texture. Chris was attentive. Appetizers came out fast, but the entrees took forever. Maybe they were waiting for us to finish all of the apps first, but we felt like other people were getting their entrees quicker. In general, the portion size doesn't match the price. It was nice to try, but I don't see myself returning. read more

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This place deserves a 4.5, if I could give it. We had visited Riel many years ago and weren't that impressed, but were pleasantly surprised when we came the second time. Kimchi carbonara - 5/5 terrific. The shrimp were perfectly charred and smelled heavenly. And the pasta was al dente and had the right balance of umami and spiciness. The sauce tasted like a less spicy version of the flavoring used in Korean ramen. Cabbage rolls - 4.5/5 these were really good. The tomato sauce is sharp and hits you with fresh tomatoes. Mushroom empanadas - 4/5 pretty good Pierogis - 3/5 not bad, just not standout and a bit too deep fried for my liking Bees knees - 4.5/5 I was impressed by the visuals. It was beautifully plated. And it was an interesting combination of textures, with flavors of citrus and dried fruit. Service was both laid back and attentive. They refilled our water constantly. It helped that the restaurant was not full on a Friday night and you could actually hear the other person talk. Ambiance is refined but laid back with rap music playing and stickers on the vent hood of the open kitchen. read more

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Intimate classy dinner or date night spot, nice bar area. Tried this spot for dinner and it was a good service, attentive, very helpful with any food questions we had and suggestions. The hanger steak we ordered medium well but came out very well done, not as flavorful. The Kimchi carbonara is worth trying! What we ordered: Caviar tots Hanger steak Kimchi Carbonara 9/10 Old fashion cocktail Wine glass read more

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For the price the food was not up to par. Was it bad? Nah, I just didn't think it was that good. It was a little pricy & the portions are on the smaller side. We arrived at the restaurant around 6pm & it wasn't crowded. There is a few parking in the front & a good amount in the back. Our server Chris was friendly & helpful but our main course took about 40 minutes to come out. Here's what we ordered. * so fresh so clean- the drink was refreshing & strong. 4.5/5 * Manhattan- the drink itself was strong but it wasn't well presented. 3/5 * mushroom empanadas- the filling was good with lots of mushrooms. Felt that it could've been more flaky. 3/5 * butter burgers- I heard this was their special and to be honest it was just a regular slider with a whole bunch of butter. The burger was oily. 2.5/5 * Crispy potatoes- this was the best dish in my opinion. All the ingredients went well together. The onions added some crunch to the potatoes. 4.5/5 * Market fish (Snapper)- I got to try some of my friend fish and it was not bad. The fish was cooked nicely but very small in portion. The broth was nothing special. 3/5 * Hanger Steak- the steak was cooked unevenly. Parts of it were rare, medium rare & medium well. I prefer my steak to be mid rare. The steak was peppery and barely had any salt on it. The potatoes & cheddar pierogis were forgettable. The green beans wasn't seasoned at all and they didn't even trim the ends. 2/5 Overall, my experience was alright. The ambience is very laid back. Great for a first date. They play 90's music which goes with some of the names on their menu. The service was friendly but we waited a while for our mains to come out & it wasn't worth the wait. 33 dollars for subpar steak was a disappointment. Will I come back? Only if my friends want to go because I wouldn't go out of my way to dine here. read more

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Stopped in for the first time on rainy Tuesday evening. No resy needed, I was solo. They have a main dining room, bar area seating, and chef counter seating at the open grill kitchen. It's definitely a non fussy place, cutesy casual staff and diners. But the menu is full of interesting things both light and heavy, and the reviews are good. I came for essentially one thing and one thing only. To try there yummy burger. I now understand why this is a popular item. And should be rated right up there in comparison to other burger spots in Htown. The butter burger (sliders) come as a duo. But don't be fooled by the size, it packs a punch of flavor. It's very rich & filling, and I shed a small thug tear when I finnished. The pros are the perfectly carmelized onions, and flavor of the meat with the juicy toasty buttery bread. According to the internet, the meat is cooked with butter and French onion soup. This explains a great deal. Save this meal for when you really want to splurge on calories. Service - was great, and quick like I wanted. Lelia my server was delicately dividing her time amongst a few groups and me, being the only server in the dining area. But she gave an approachable smile, and my meal was out in the blink of an eye, and that's all I could ask for. Overall, it was a quick easy yummy few bites, enjoy! read more

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Favorites of the evening: Caviar Tots, Kimchi Cauliflower, and Sticky Toffee Pudding. Favorite wine: Poggio Nibbiale Tommaso (100% Sangioves) Huge thanks to service staff for the various accomodation requests. Intimate seating, highly recommended with a party of 6 or less. read more

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My husband and I came here on date night and I'm so glad we found this place! The interior is very dark and romantic. The food was fresh and delicious and the flavors were very inventive. The presentation was done beautifully and everything tasted amazing. The cocktails were also really delicious! read more

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What a vibe. First time here and will be back. My cousin had us meet her here for dinner and it did not disappoint. The music was fantastic, the menu was great and the staff was exceptional. I love empanadas. And the mushroom empanadas were phenomenal. Highly recommend. We also had the crudo which was such a mouthwatering delight. My boyfriend and cousin shared kimchi carbonara which they said was absolutely phenomenal also! Definitely recommend stopping by if you haven't been before. read more

This place was pretty good. Some dishes are way better than others. Kimchi carbonara --5/5: definitely get this dish. There isn't actually any kimchi in here and you only get 3 pieces of small shrimp but this dish was still our favorite perogi -- 5/5: we got the perogi with caramelized onions (the one with truffle is double the price) and it was very good. Comes with tzatziki sauce which goes together really well tempura cauliflower --3/5: pretty big portion and def good as a snack for the whole table but nothing to write home about duck - 4/5: pretty good, the duck sits on top of some crunchy rice which went well with the dish; but quite a small portion gnocchi with corn -- 3/5: the sauce was a bit too much and very few pieces of gnocchi read more

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We thought we would get an entrée, but these three items from the happy hour menu you were more than enough. Very delicious, and a nice happy hour drink menu too. We live close, we will be back :-) read more

Riel - Happy hour chicken meat balls, biscuit burger and what's left of the pirogies. - New American Near Me - Houston, Texas

We came here for HRW. You get 4 courses for $55. I enjoyed all of my courses. The tempura cauliflower was nice and spicy and the portion size was decent. The butter burger was my favorite. It was on a toasted bun and was so moist and buttery and delicious. The market fish was light and very flavorful. The bees knees dessert was also great. Plenty of parking and the service was great. My only complaint is that the temperature of the restaurant was very warm. We had to keep 2 menus to use as fans. read more

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Riel is one of my absolute favorite restaurants. Every time I've been the services has been absolutely amazing and the food never misses. They have ample parking available. I love coming here for date nights. My go to cocktail is the so fresh so clean. It's so well balanced and refreshing. read more

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I was invited here for a dinner, and was so excited to review the menu! Riel was named after Louis Riel, a Canadian who fought for the natives and was hung for treason in his early 30s. There's a good amount of parking outside, and a bit tucked away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Houston. The interior is a really nice, it gives extremely cozy vibes and has pieces of art that are displayed and rotated out a few times a year. ------------------------------------------------------------------ What we had: - Caviar Tots - Gem Wedge Salad - Kimchi Carbonara - Pierogies - Butter Burgers - Hanger Steak - Nutella Cheesecake - Sticky Toffee Pudding ------------------------------------------------------------------ The caviar tots were just delicious and savory bombs of flavor, and the gem wedge salad was a nice palate cleanser. Honestly, our group was having a really difficult time figuring out what was the best here, but I would say that the kimchi carbonara was just that nice punch of spiciness with umami that I was missing for a while in dishes I've been eating, and the shrimp was extremely juice with it. The pierogies were also just nice pillows of potato and cheese flavor. The butter burgers were just deliciously savory bites (all modestly small but still filling), with wagyu beef. The hanger steak was deliciously cooked a medium rare. Out of the desserts, I would say I favored the sticky toffee pudding more over the Nutella cheesecake, but both were good. I think I liked the sticky toffee pudding more since it had a banana nut bread for the cake. I did enjoy every single dish here! 1000/10 would come back. I already miss it :) read more

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We dined her tonight and though the service was amazing the food left a lot to be desired. It is all tapas portions with entree pricing. Some dishes are great (tabasco toast, hanger steak, wedge salad) however many dishes (pirogies, bone marrow, desserts) just miss the mark. The restaurant and where we were seated was also incredibly hot, it felt about 80 degrees in the area we sat. We did ask our server Dante, who was awesome, to turn down the air (since we were sweating) but the unit just was not cooling. They have happy hour till 630pm which was decent. read more

Riel - tabasco toast - New American Near Me - Houston, Texas

My coworkers were in town so I wanted to showcase the brilliance of Houston's culinary scene. After having Tex-Mex earlier in the day, I wanted something that could appeal to their California and London sensibilities but still hit some of the highlights of our local cuisine offerings. This did not disappoint. Items Ordered: Oysters - we did both types of oysters(Market + Grilled). We consumed them all. I personally liked the grilled oysters slightly better because I felt it had more flavor, but they were both good. Honey Walnut Crawfish - I was skeptical about this - I wondered if we were doing too much with crawfish, but it wasn't bad. This was a hearty portion and because of the other items ordered, we didn't consume all of it, but everyone tried it and agreed it was a good dish. My favorite part was the hint of heat that lingers at the end. Crawfish Rolls - I didn't get to try this but the other three people did and liked them. The bread was a highlight in the experience. Butter Burgers - these are small smash burger-ish/sliders so I question the price point a little. It's definitely not satisfying on its own and the person who ordered did add the crawfish rolls to supplement it. Kimchi Carbonara - everyone who tasted this raved. They loved the noodles, flavor and spice. Market Fish - this was my dish (which I shared in forkfuls) but kept primarily to myself. It was so good!! The fish was light but had a nice crisp and wasn't dry. The soubise was amazing. I could just consume a bowl of that by itself. The gnocchi was also cooked perfectly. I enjoyed every bite and was sad that it was over. They offer two stated NA drinks and I tried the Gangsta's Paradise which was good. It was sweet and they didn't put a lot of ice so it actually lasted throughout my meal. That doesn't always happen so that was a pleasant surprise. Vibes inside aren't exactly what I expected. There's street/urban art and they played a lot of '90s and '00s hip-hop - it wasn't distracting or off-putting but it's worth noting what you see on the menu will be amplified by that soundtrack. On second thought, music does slightly match the drink menu - as it features names like Gangsta's Paradise and So Fresh So Clean. Staff were nice. We reserved our table in advance. There's parking in the front and back but it fills up so you may have to do street parking in the area like some of us did. Overall great experience and I'm putting in my recommendation list for Houston visitors. read more

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What an incredible place! Came here on a Thursday night for dinner and was easy to get a table for 3. Our waitress was so friendly and attentive and the inside is lively but great for conversation. I got a glass of the cab and loved it. We started with the grilled oysters and wagyu tartar and both were absolutely incredible. The grilled oysters are a must have! We split the pirogies which were so delicious and cheesy and the butter burgers (more like sliders) which were the most incredible bite of the night. We liked them so much we had another round! So buttery but not too much. Highly recommend the grilled oysters and butter burgers!! read more

Loved my dinner here. The crudo was very fresh and the vinegar paired well. The mushroom empanadas were perfectly crispy on the outside. The pierogi was very creamy as well. Also had the kimchi carbonara and the pork chop - loved the sweet potato puree. Left our party of 2 very full and satisfied. Service was nice as well. read more

Had an excellent dining experience at Riel! This place is cozy so reservations are a MUST! We went on Thursday when they had $1 oysters which were good. Next were the Tempura Cauliflower which were savory and delicious. The portion size was really good too. It's a good amount to share. Then we had the butter burgers. The bread was drool worthy, but the patty could have used more seasoning. The kimchi carbonara was the highlight. Of note, it came with 3 shrimp which our waiter offered with no prompting to increase to 4 since we were sharing. I just feel like if the waiter has to give a disclaimer and ask if you want to change, the dish should automatically come with 4. Especially since their model is tapas style. No tapas should ever come in odd numbers. And not that I want it for free, just roll the cost into the price to provide a better customer experience. But the dish itself was so flavorful. It had tang and spice. We loved it. Drinks were really good too. I had the penicillin (which is one of my favorite classics) and the Trinidad sour which was so unique and tasty. I can't wait to return and try more dishes. read more

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A fun, local restaurant designed for sharing multiple small bites so you can taste many things. Live this concept but arrive knowing that's the idea and it won't be large portioned, big meals. We were able to sit at the Chef's Table and were excited to see things being made. Unfortunately- they stack all the plates at the counter here so it turned out we couldn't see the preparation. Bummer, but didn't change the how good the food was. Our server explained the tasting concept and recommended for two people we choose 3-4 items to try so we followed her guidance. She was right- that was the best way to experience Riel. Started with the Caviar Tots - these were good but at $24 we were surprised the order is 5 tots topped with a thin line of caviar. Then we tried the Truffle Pierogies- that's a fantastic taste sensation. Bone Marrow was next, neither of us had that before so our server walked us through how to scoop out some marrow and place it on the toasted bread for an amazing bite and WOW! I really liked that burst of flavor. Then for our last taste we got the Maple Porkloin and was amazed at how much flavor each bite had! We wouldn't order the tots again, but everything else we fantastic and o want to return to try more ! read more

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While the food was hit or miss overall (more on that later), my biggest issue with this restaurant was their menu. I felt it was very heavy-handed and one-dimensional. Everything was so decadent, fatty, and carb-heavy. Vegetables were very minimal and all were either fried or creamed. Their one salad option had blue cheese, bacon, and breadcrumbs. Their only other options were raw items (oysters and crudo) and I'm unable to eat anything raw at the moment (pregnant). Their dessert menu was similar, only offering heavy options (like cheesecake and foie gras (!) pudding). After a meal like that, I'd love a light sorbet or a simple ice cream but they offered nothing of the sort. To be clear, I enjoy a decadent dish here and there but I need to balance it with something less heavy. I really felt like the menu could have benefited from more variety and lighter and more veggie-laden options. I waddled out of here in a fog. The food items varied -- some hit the mark while others not so much. -Butter burgers: delicious and living up to their name. Perfectly cooked (moist) beef patty with a buttery bun. Melt-in-your-mouth goodness. -Truffle pierogis: nothing special. The caviar was a nice touch but I've had better home-cooked pierogis. Also, the truffle barely came through. -Mushroom empanadas: these were pretty tasty and went really well with the chimichurri. -Honey walnut crawfish: pretty tasty although I felt like it was too heavily battered. I enjoyed the honey pecans and liked the pea shoots on the bottom. -Creamed collards: the worst thing we ate that night. I was excited to eat a vegetable but it resembled nothing of the sort. It was very heavy on the smoked turkey (at least half of the mixture) and the fried curds on top were barely edible (incredibly greasy). The ambiance was pleasant although I wasn't crazy about the decor. I will say that the service here was pretty darn good. Attentive and fast. Our waters were filled up immediately once our glasses were half empty. Very satisfied with that aspect of the meal. Easy reservation system online. No issue with parking -- they have spots available outside the restaurant plus there's street parking (it's in a residential area). read more

I happened to find this place while looking for oysters. I found they have a $1 oyster special on Thursdays! I had to try it because I love a deal! The place is super lively and always full. I had the opportunity to sit facing the kitchen and watch them cook it was a fun experience. The service was a bit slow but it was very busy so I'll chuck it up to that. The oysters are super fresh and in general the food is fresh and made to order. Everything tasted delicious and I've returned 2 times since my first visit and am always impressed. I like that the menu seems to change occasionally. I highly recommend trying Riel out for dinner. read more

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Dined in on a Thursday at 6:30 pm for a party of two with no reservations. We were seated immediately. It was a full house! We ordered: Two dozen oysters: from Connecticut, they looked kinda busted up and was not cleaned well, a lot of shell fragments Mushroom empanadas: very good, full of mushrooms MKT crudo: I think the fish was snapper, least favorite dish, sauce was not good Caviar tots: great presentation but nothing special, bland So fresh so clean cocktail: very refreshing Disko cowboy: tastes like a Paloma Kimchi carbonara: very interesting twist on flavors, a little sweet Mussels: very good The Jerk: delicious moist rich chocolate cake! Sticky toffee pudding: no foie gras flavor, extremely sweet read more

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Well, 2 years later and I made it back thanks to Eric Sandlers excess posts. The Butter burgers are on the regular menu and I hope stay forever. Delicious! Truffle pierogi lacked the truffle flavour while really charging $$$ for something that didn't deliver. But quite rich with the buerre blanc. Kimchi Carbonara- get it, you won't be sorry. Bone marrow- remains one of my better bone marrow tasting experiences! Bees Knees butter cake- also a crowd favourite and I actually thought we'll balanced with the lemon curd! No valet anymore but parking out front and back! read more

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Chef Ryan is incredible! The vibe here itself is everything! Beautiful clean seating with a nice bar. Open visible kitchen. With hip hop bumping on the speakers. Cool modern art. dope inspiration cook books in front. Just a beautiful sight to see. And the food! Caviar tater tots? Wow! Oysters. Tabasco toast, butter burgers, kimchi carbonara. Riel is the real deal. I wish we had a spot like this in California. The whole concept knocked it out of the park. I can't wait to bring my buddies here next time I'm in town Recommendation: everything! read more

I have no idea what kinda of food we ordered, but we had the best time in our lives. Shot out to Ella for her warm and amazing smile. This is a hidden gem over off S. Shepherd. This place was was jamming 90's Hip Hop. But the food was so fresh and delicious we ordered almost everything on the menu. Nothing can replace good food, ur kind of music, and quiet afternoon. We just live in the moment and work out the details later on. But I highly recommend this restaurant. read more

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Went out for date night. Excellent drinks, excellent staff and great food. I am Polish so a sucker for anything that has Slavic influences. They had cabbages rolls and pierogi on the menu so had to go. Hanger steak with pierogi and horseradish sauce was excellent. Wife had crawfish pasta and we had cabbage rolls to start. Cabbage rolls were spicy , deep spicy not Mexican jalapeño spicy. It was what I expect in a cabbage roll but different so hitting expectations fully but also changing them which is hard to do. Not really a good menu for kids so no kids there which is excellent. I have three kids and see them enough a t dinner and don't want to see kids at date night place. Wine was great and reasonable. Dinner was so good we had to try their desserts. Also excellent. Staff was super nice and knowledgeable. I would recommend for a great date night that's not pretentious or too stuffy or a dinner with good friends. All the food is gourmet. I will be back with friends. read more

Riel - Enjoying dinner with the wife date night. No kids here and food and service fantastic. Chef is Ukrainian and has cabbage rolls on the menu - New American Near Me - Houston, Texas

The food was alright, but the amount of food that was provided for the price was unfair in my opinion. As much as I understand fine dining, I just don't think it was "fine" enough to charge at that price point. The burgers were the most filling thing, but would prefer burger joint or other Houston burgers over what i had there. Their kimchi carbonara was tasty, but don't expect much if you're Asian and looking for actual kimchi flavor. Their hanger steak is 3 pieces of regular meat, that is way too expensive for what they offer. read more

Really great restaurant with a fun atmosphere! Would be great to come with a big group and share. Our personal favorites, of what we got, were the pierogies and the mushroom empanadas. I don't even like mushrooms, and they still blew me away! The service was great as well! read more

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Riel fits between a 4 and a 5. Went to Riel for Houston Restaurant Weeks and was not disappointed. I ordered the Crudo, Burger (smaller portion on HRW - 1 instead of 2), Mussels, and Sticky Toffee which they were unfortunately out of but had the Bees Knees instead. A few other items ordered by the group were the Tempura Cauliflower (if you don't like vegetables, you'll like this), Pork Schnitzel (amazing flavors and texture), and Kimchi Carbonara (cool concept and execution was on point). The flavors in the Crudo and Mussels were amazing. If you haven't had their burger I would definitely recommend you try it. One of my favorites in Houston. It's a small, intimate setting with dimmed lights and cool art - a great date spot. Our food didn't come out at the same time. A couple of us were waiting for quite a bit for the Crudo to arrive but the staff made up for it with the Caviar Tots (more like mashed potato tots but they didn't disappoint.) If you haven't been here, I'd definitely recommend you go. read more

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Last Wednesday, for our first night of a six-day stay in Houston, my wife and I wanted a restaurant within walking distance of our B&B in the Montrose neighborhood. Riel fit the bill. It's a "New American" restaurant, which the Houston Chronicle lists as the 24th best restaurant in Houston in 2023. It also gets 4 stars from the Texas Monthly and is on the Eater.com list of the 38 Essential Houston restaurants. Despite all the critical praise, we didn't really have that high expectations for Riel. "New American" restaurants, in our experience, tend to be more concerned about "plating" your food to make it more visually appealing and about using exotic ingredients, than about actually tasting great. But Riel just blew us away. My wife and I both agreed that it was one of the best restaurants we've ever eaten at. I find it very hard to believe that there are 23 restaurants in Houston better than Riel. We had the grilled oysters in XO sauce, mussels with bacon in red Thai curry sauce, Wagyu bone marrow with jam and persillade, royal red shrimp cocktail in carrot sauce, and seared duck breast with mustard sauce and crispy rice. Every dish was outstanding, but the highlight was probably the mussels (much of the sauce from the mussels ended up on my shirt as I tried to slurp up as much of the sauce as possible). The only slight flaw was that the duck breast was just slightly too salty for our taste. And our server went way above and beyond, not just answering our endless questions about ingredients and cooking techniques (we are kind of pain-in-the-ass customers), but also insisting on writing out for us her personal list of the Houston restaurants she really thought we'd enjoy eating at during our 6 days in town. Finally, the half price on bottles of wine on Wednesday nights is a great deal. read more

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We went for an early 5 pm dinner of sharable items. Riel is the perfect venue for this.

Food was excellent. For appetizers we had the mushroom empanada (the toppings make this dish great), grilled oysters (a must! Very savory) and the kimchi carbonara (tasty but i was kind of disappointed that it only had 2 prawns). I tasted the pirogies and those were delicious. Service was a little slow but within the allotted time frame of 2 hrs. Ambiance - well lit. Tables not too close. And a surprising hip hop play list. read more

Great service, friendly staff, ambiance was nice and chill. Food was good, except the duck. It had an unexpected texture and taste for me, but try if you are adventurous. read more

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Great ambiance same for the food my favorite is the schnitzel with salad and a side of the pierogi and great wine selection as well.

Stopped by for our last Restaurant Week Dinner of 2019, great choice! We didn't have a reservation and ended up sitting in the counter overlooking the kitchen - best spot in the restaurant. We'll be back for more. read more

We went to Riel last night for the first time and were blown away. The Canadian/Ukranian/Gulf influenced menu was creative, and well-executed. Our server, Rob, was extremely knowledgeable and right on point with his suggestions. We really enjoyed the watermelon salad with greens and goat cheese. The Bannock was amazing, it is a round loaf of homemade bread that is served warm in a skillet and accompanied by amazing house butter and blueberry jam...omg!! The fish of the day was Snapper, and it was cooked to perfection...just unearthly delicious! It came served with a mushroom risotto that only fell short due to being slightly over-salted (and we are salt lovers). Yummy cocktails and a good wine list punches Riel up to 5 stars in our book. The atmosphere was casual and convivial. We'll be back!! read more

Riel - Bannock with house butter and blueberry jam! - New American Near Me - Houston, Texas

My husband took me here for a belated birthday dinner. We had the first reservation of the night on a Saturday at 5:45. When we got seated, we were the first people in the restaurant section, but the bar area was full. By 6:30 the entire restaurant (though relatively small) was packed and very lively. The menu is very shareable, and we did just that with 6 'appetizers' and one 'main' course. Food was fantastic, though my favorites were the skirt steak, the truffle perogies the mushroom empanadas and the beef tar tar. Service is more European-style, in that they do not rush you at all. It is very go-at-your-own-pace as they allow you to fully savor and enjoy each meal, cocktail and dessert. Speaking of cocktails, phenomenal. I ordered the seasonal beet drink, and he ordered an old fashioned (the standard, not the one on the cocktail menu). Both were absolutely delicious! Highly recommend table service for a date night, or small intimate gathering. Next time, I will push the reservation to 6:30, so we can enjoy more of the energetic atmosphere that came later in the evening. read more