AMAZING! The whole experiance was wonderful, service was amazing, Went in for our 29 th anniversary Brunch. The Steak Diane Benny so so so good! I had them swap with bread for a bed of spinach and it was prefect! We will be going back! read more

The Chef's Table - River Oaks - Steakhouses Near Me - Houston, Texas

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first time and an amazing experience from the hostess, host waiter was David and apologize forgetting all of their names because they ALL made you feel good the minute you stepped inside the doors. All of the recommendations of the food, drinks and the must have shareable desserts. We eve got to meet the chef! We will be back to try many other dishes and bring our friend. Dr. Zeb and Anna Barba-Poindexter read more

My coworker and I came here for Houston Restaurant Week for lunch. Everything we had was amazing, we did an up charge for the Wellington and dessert. All the dishes we had were amazing if you're not allergic to any of these ingredients I would say order the same things. The dishes also looked amazing but they'll be for next time. I would highly recommend to add this place to your list of restaurants to try during next year's Houston restaurant week. Or for any special day for the rest of the year. I would say this is good for dates , catch up with other friends , and with families , probably with the older children instead of younger ones. Our waiter was amazing with a positive cheerful attitude along with some suggestions. His coworkers were also very quick to clear our plates in anticipation for our next dish. This place is a bit more upscale and you definitely want to wear at least business casual here. I plan to bring my husband here next time. Also, luckily, there's free parking outside. read more

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I've been needing to try the original location out in the Vintage Park area for years now, and this new in town option is finally the nudge to get in and try that I needed. There's plenty of parking here, so no valet mess, and the interior is put together well without being unnecessarily dark since they are shooting for fine dining experience. Service was prompt and thorough, our waiter was eager to walk and talk us through the menu and the background of dishes. It's good whenever there's a bit of a collaborative process when ordering in my opinion. The menu is kinda big for my liking, and I see what they're going for, there's this passion for South African cuisine and there's plenty that needs to be included. With that in mind I ended up going with a sampler type plate that let me try multiple types of protein and we even ordered an Impala filet to get everyone a try of some non-beef red meat. Everything is prepared nicely and explained as it's being served, it's part of the finer dining procedure you expect. I struggled with what I really liked as I ate and thought about it later. Everything tastes pleasant, but I wasn't left with a wow feeling. I'd like have that one dish that I can't stop thinking about when I leave, maybe it's there on the menu but there's a lot to sort through. read more

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Went here for restaurant week and was not disappointed. This was probably the best of all that I visited. The service was absolutely amazing! I love how they explained everything and the background to how certain meals were prepared. The chicken curry bowl was really good. The added chefs hot sauce kicked it up a bit. I didn't have any drinks but my friends did and they enjoyed them. I definitely plan on going back to get the bbq guava ribs. Wonderful. read more

We went to The Chef's Table for lunch service for the first time. Service was full sit down service and our service was very good; the staff were knowledgeable about the menu and its individual items that were more South Africa inspired. The ambiance was a casual and slightly upscale feeling vibe; kind of like a Jonathan's The Rub style. We tried a few items for appetizers to share. Firstly was the bobotie (2.5/5), we felt there was too much sweet potato and the proportion of the fillings were a bit uneven. We also got the charred octopus (3.5/5), the octopus were cut into small pieces and roasted potatoes; the potatoes were good but lacked a bit of texture. Peppadew stuffed shrimp (4/5), these were pretty solid. We also got the riblets (2.5/5) which were very okay and was one of the two appetizers that which we didn't finish. For the main, I got the impala filet (3/5). The meat was fairly lean and slightly overcooked; I've never tried impala meat before but compared to venison and other similar meats, this impala filet was a bit tough and underseasoned; 3/5. Also tried their beef Wellington; the puff pastry was done well along with the chopped mushroom layer. The steak was very tender, this was a 4/5. Overall we had some hits, some misses, and some dishes which we didn't feel strongly about. It was great to try out some non American dishes with this execution; while we didn't love everything, it was an interesting dining experience to try out some new to us flavor profiles. read more

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The Chef's Table impressed me so much, I still think about it to this day. I've never had kingklip before but it was compared to halibut, and I can definitely see it. But it was much flakier, melted it in your mouth, bursting with flavor, and every bite left you wanting more even when you've hit satiety level. I still think about the sticky toffee and chocolate cake. And let me tell you, I'd even call in just for a togo order. There's plenty of parking since it shares a lot with other establishments. Service is fantastic. 10/10 I'd come back read more

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I have been to the vintage park location and just knew the River Oaks location would be just as amazing! My friends and I came for HRW and that menu did not disappoint at all! I started off with the Vleis Pastei - i would call it an elevated shepherds pie but that would do this dish a disservice! So full of flavor ! My main course was the Kingclip- definitely worth trying. Now for dessert I concluded with the chocolate cake and babyyyyy I'm so glad I did! It was the perfect "I need something sweet" treat. If you're looking for a sign to come to Chef's Table... this is it! read more

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i had a pretty good experience here for HRW 2026. The service was great, and Jessica was super attentive. It was very busy in here! i tried the calamari -- it was just okay, but the sauce was phenomenal! More of a spicy scampi sauce. The kingslip was also really good. I added the chef's hot sauce to it, which gave it a little more depth, and it was perfect. The dessert was bite-sized sticky toffee pudding rich with caramel sauce.Oh this was so tasty i'm still thinking about it. . Overall, a really enjoyable meal, and the service definitely stood out. one thing to note: they infuse their water with strawberry. it's nothing something i'm able to have so plain water for me. Also sodas are from a can. The new build out of what used to be a Brazilian steakhouse is beautiful and the parking is ample for now. Definitely try it out! read more

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Tried The Chef's Table in River Oaks for lunch during Houston Restaurant Weeks and thought it was a great deal. For $25, you got an appetizer and entrée, and there was a good variety of options to choose from. The service was great, and they also have a nice area that would work well for a larger group or celebration. And in Houston, I always appreciate when parking is easy and available. Overall, a good lunch experience and a great way to try the restaurant during Restaurant Weeks. read more

The Chef's Table - River Oaks - Steakhouses Near Me - Houston, Texas

Houston Restaurant Week Takeover: Chef's Table at River Oaks Alright y'all... we made our way to Chef's Table at River Oaks with Chef Friedman for Houston Restaurant Week. First things first -- FREE PARKING! The restaurant shares a parking lot with Target, so parking was super easy. When we walked in, we were greeted right away and immediately loved the ambiance. It was nice, comfortable, and had a great vibe. We were seated right away, too! Our waiter Drew was AMAZING! He took great care of us throughout the entire meal and definitely added to the experience. One of the first cool touches was the water they served us. It had a hint of watermelon in it. Such a simple little detail, but it was refreshing and definitely got our attention. First Course We started with the Sticky Ribs with guava BBQ sauce and the Vleis Pastei, which is kind of like a shepherd's pie featuring ingredients and influences from different countries. Both were REALLY good! Lots of flavor, and the guava BBQ sauce on those ribs was a nice touch. Second Course For our second course, we had the African Kingklip with crab and lobster and the Steak Diane. The fish was REALLY good, and I will say it was very rich. Between the fish, crab, and lobster, it was good -- definitely flavorful. The Steak Diane was good, but honestly, the chef gave us something else to look forward to... He told us we HAVE to come back and try the ostrich, saying it's better than steak! Well Chef... challenge accepted! We also ordered a stuffed prawn on the side, and y'all... this thing was HUGE! The concept was awesome, although I felt like it was missing just a little seasoning. Still, I love when a restaurant takes a traditional ingredient and gives it a creative twist. Third Course Now THIS is where things got serious! We had the Chocolate Cake and the Sticky Toffee Cake. Let's just say... WE LICKED THOSE PLATES CLEAN. Both desserts were absolutely delicious! And one of my favorite parts of the experience was getting to talk to Chef Friedman afterward. He was so down-to-earth, friendly, and genuinely nice. You can tell he really enjoys what he does and enjoys connecting with his guests. Overall, Chef's Table at River Oaks was definitely worth the visit! I love restaurants that give you an experience and introduce you to flavors and dishes you may not normally order. Would I go back? ABSOLUTELY! Especially now that I know they have Happy Hour... because you already know we have to investigate that! Food: 8.5/10 Service: 10/10 Ambiance: 10/10 Dessert: 10/10 Overall Experience: 9/10 Houston Restaurant Week continues to introduce us to some GOOD places! read more

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An overall amazing experience! I have loved all of the peli peli concepts so I was excited to see this location open up. I got the kingklip which was fantastic as always. And I had to get the sticky toffee pudding for dessert. That is a must to end the meal! Romina was my server and she was so friendly and attentive. I had a great experience thanks to her. The ambiance was quite nice and I went for lunch so there were mostly work lunches dining in. They share a parking lot with the other businesses in the strip so easy parking. read more

Happy Hour Surfing at The Chef's Table - River Oaks Stopped in for happy hour, and it definitely did not disappoint! First things first... those Lemon Drop Martinis were PERFECT! Sweet, smooth, and really hit the spot! So good that one round simply wasn't enough. We definitely had to run it back for a second round! We also tried the Fried Mac & Cheese Balls. They were fried perfectly! Nice and crispy on the outside and creamy & cheesy on the inside--but whew... they needed some seasoning! I don't know why folks are scared to put a little salt in the macaroni! Boil it in some chicken broth... season the cheese... SOMETHING! The texture was there, but the flavor was just a little too bland for me. But listen... THOSE LEMON DROPS?! They understood the assignment! If I don't come back for anything else, I'm definitely coming back for a cocktail... or two! Happy Hour Verdict: The drinks are worth the stop! Lemon Drops: 10/10 Mac & Cheese Balls: 3/5 -- just add some seasoning, please! #HappyHourSurfing #TheChefsTable #HoustonHappyHour #RiverOaksHouston #HoustonEats #HoustonFoodie #LoveJonesEats #LemonDropMartini read more

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We choose Chef's Table to start off restaurant week in Houston. Walking in I found atmosphere friendly, staff smiles and greets you and the tables were mostly filled. The decor is stunning with beautiful statement colors and images from South Africa. I also love how the space is broken up to allow for quiet conversations and big groups. The layout is very well thought out. Our waiter was friendly and informative, telling us about his favorites and convincing my husband to try Brussel sprouts! Chef Paul took the time to come out and talk about his food. I love this personal touch, understanding where the food comes from and how it is prepared is part of the experience. I stuck with the restaurant week menu and had an amazing filet but my husband opted for the Backyard Braai at the Chef's recommendation. I did not think I would be able to find room for dessert, but we had Cheesecake and Sticky Toffee pudding. The entire evening was an incredible experience. Make reservations as they are quickly gathering a well-deserved following! read more

The Chef's Table - River Oaks - Backyard Braai - Steakhouses Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Located a rehabilitating plaza - chefs table has revamped the prior churrascos spot with a total renovation from the ground up. We met the owner who said everything had to be reworked and it shows. The atmosphere as you walk in is if a fancy new , modern, cool dining room, bar space and patio area . Wait staff are polite and professional. Managers are friendly and on the right night you may meet the main guy/ owner / chef. Food was alllll good. Everything we ordered met expectations, place was clean, service was effective. Notables- the Vleis Pastei - Like a refined shepherd's pie -ish with smashed sweet potatoe and ground beef with raisins under a thin, light pie crust. Yum. I guess its like the south African take on shepherd's pie. The place continues to get busy, and im guessing that it will continue ti attract more and more patrons. Salmon was a touch dry, but the mashed potatoes made up for it. The carrot ginger soup is fantastic, light , flavorful, satisfying. Definitely worth a try. Ive taken out twice and dined in once. Food has been great all times and the service and atmosphere is worth the visit read more

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My friends and I went to The Chef's Table at their River oaks location for their Houston restaurant week lunch menu and we all thought it was very well worth the value. You get an appetizer and a main for $25, and they have a few other items that you can get with an additional charge. I got the peri peri calamari to start. It was a small portion but it was pretty solid for what it was. It comes with peppadew tartar and lemon zest. The lemon flavor was very strong and the sauce kind of carried. For my main, I got the wild caught south African Kingklip, a fish only found in the waters of South Africa. It's topped with crab and lobster and has a lemon beurre blanc sauce. The sauce was reallly good. The fish was tender and full of meat. I thought the middle part where the filet was the largest was a teensy but dry but the sauce made up for it. I was really surprised by their filet medallion kabobs though. For one, they cooked it perfectly, it was so tender. But something about that chimichurri, that was the star of the dish and made it really stand out. This was one of the restaurant week deals that I thought was worth it and would consider going to them again for a special occasion read more

Had a wonderful HRW lunch here. So nice that Chef Paul from Peli Peli has opened up back in the city. We ll def be back again. read more

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Everything here was amazing. The little details like the detailed explanations of the food and its story to the infused water elevate the experience. All the food is very flavorful. Everything is seasoned well with the right amount of sauce. I recommend coming a little early before its too busy for a quieter experience. Our server was very helpful and checked on us the perfect amount for us to enjoy our food but feel checked up on and not rushed. I would even come just for the vleis pasteis starter, it was so good, or the sticky toffee pudding dessert. read more

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Delicious. Tried this place for lunch during restaurant weeks. For appetizers we got the calamari, which was delicious; and the gumbo, that was ok. For the mains we had the chicken curry and the steak that were both really really good, and we had a sticky toffee pudin for dessert. Loved that dessert. Our server was super nice and helpful, and the chef came around asking about our food choices and he poured our wine, nice guy. The presentation of the dishes could improve a bit, but I'm all about the flavor so I'll be back for more! read more

We came here for a sunday lunch and were quickly seated. There seems to be plenty of seating for right now but I know it will be inevitably fill up as people in houston find out how good it is! This may be my favorite restaurant. I've been going here since it used to be peli peli and since the rebrand it's just been getting better and better every month. All of our dishes were reasonably priced for the quality. We got the beef pendurada, peri peri calamari, and steak sandwich. Everything was done so well I could not think of any way to improve it, or another restaurant that has done these dishes better! The wait staff was very attentive, and constantly coming by to check up on us. The ambiance of the restaurant is a typical fancy restaurant but nothing to write home about. Please come here I love this place and I hope they keep opening locations! read more

The Chef's Table - River Oaks - Steak sandwich - Steakhouses Near Me - Houston, Texas

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My favorite restaurant (ever) has a new location in central Houston and it tastes the same if not better!!! It is in a shared strip mall with a nail salon and Pokeworks with an unassuming exterior. Given we came during their opening weekend, there were not many people & we did not need a reservation. They have a great lunch menu daily 11a-3p. We got the beef pendadurada, beef sandwich/burger, and calamari. Everything was a 5/5. The calamari was lightly breaded and fried perfectly. The pendadurada and burger were the perfect temperature & super flavorful. Their presentations are always great. The service is impeccable. Ample free parking! read more

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The service was AMAZING. Drew, our server, was so nice and the manager and chef were walking around the whole time without being imposing. The food was so good. The wings were some of the best my husband has tried in Houston and he has tried a LOT of wings. I got the chicken Florentino which was great and the portions were way larger than I was expecting. Will definitely be back. Perfect date/anniversary spot. Surprised this place isn't more popular. read more

Our date night landed beyond expectations at The Chef's Table. It was our first time in so when he came to the table, we asked Chef Paul if he could just send out the food he would want for us to try because we knew we could expect his favorite offerings. The cottage pie, sautéed calamari, chicken rice and curry dish, the South African fish dish (in picture, medium rare ostrich, and Iberico pork steak were all extremely memorable. This was our first time to try ostrich, and it was very similar to steak with no real taste of gaminess and it was perfectly cooked and seasoned. We literally enjoyed every dish he sent out and had engaging conversations with our server, the bartender, and even the Chef as he showed us pictures from his trip to South Africa in 2025. I had no idea about all of the influences that went into South African cooking but Chef Paul really makes them come together in a variety of dishes. We will definitely put this spot into our rotation read more

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Went here for a date night because we wanted to try something new. We ordered the kingklip and steak. The food was decent. The texture of the fish was good and so were the flavors. The sauce with the steak was really good. Our waiter at the table was very knowledgeable and polite. She stated how the owner was there. It was very interesting to see the owner and manager stop at every table but ours and walk past several times through the night. From my peripheral view I could see them glancing at us ever so often but never stopping to say anything. Was very unwelcoming. read more

I have always been a fan of Chef Paul back when he first opened Peli Peli in Vintage Park and then another in the Galleria. I had always found his food to be very flavorful and unique. Different but in a very good way. His lollipop chops made of lamb was my favorite. So, I was excited to try his new restaurant and see what new and creative dishes he has created. When I was seated at my table, I have to admit in the disappointment of the design of the interior. I was expecting something different and modern in the design but what I saw was basic designs with just dark gray colors everywhere. With everything being dark gray (booth seatings, table and the floors, I think since it was very dark in there) there should have been more lighting to show case the different textures used in the space. With that much gray, they should have accented something to brighten up the place. But this is just my take of place since I have I seen the design of Peli Peli in Vintage Park and the Galleria. In both locations, same material of wood was everywhere but what made it not boring was the way the lights played off the space as accent colors. Even Peli Peli kitchen off of Katy freeway had wall art to break the neutral design of the space. But lets talk about the food. The menu is suppose to represent food from different culture and allow you to experience international flavors in just one place. Therefore, there was alot of interesting options. So, to trying something different, we chose the charred octopus. When we saw the plate, we really thought that it would have interesting flavors since there was signs of different seasoning all over the dish's presentation. But to our disappointment, there was little to no seasoning and the octopus was very very chewy. We also tried the sticky porkbelly for an appetizer and it was good. Tender and moist which makes it delicious. For my main course, I was interested and ordered the chicken pendurada. I have to admit, the presentation was interesting. It was a chicken kebab hanging over a plate, allowing me to slide each meat with veggie down to eat. It was fun and the chicken had a nice sweet chili flavor with garlic butter. I also had a side a sautéed baby spinach since the chicken dish was an ala cart type of dish. And of course, I had to have dessert and I chose the sticky toffee pudding. I did enjoy it but it's because I do love toffee. read more

The Chef's Table - River Oaks - Menu - Steakhouses Near Me - Houston, Texas

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We went for Houston Restaurant week, we did the lunch 2 course, we were trying to do the dinner 3 course deal but it is only available after 3p, so we ended up getting extra appetizers. Food was great, we got these beef kabobs were amazing and so was the chicken curry. I wasn't too impressed with the garlic Naan but still a recommendation to eat the chicken curry. Service is amazing and they were checking up on us every so often. The chicken wrap in bacon with bbq says was also great and the vibes are great. Strongly recommend, and one of my favorite Houston restaurants week locations thus far. read more

The Chef's Table - River Oaks - Nigerian Lager - Steakhouses Near Me - Houston, Texas

The service was excellent but not the food. The food was underwhelming! We had high expectations for the unique food offerings, but the food was very lightly seasoned. There was no seasoning on the mushrooms starter. The crab and lobster concealed the flavorless fish. But the desserts, OMG! AMAZING! read more

Everything was nice.... From the food, the service and ambiance.... A must try .... I'd go back

Had a delicious lunch of bacon wrapped shrimp cheese and peppers to start and finished with a steak sandwich with grilled onions and cheese. Wow! Topped it off with lemon drop martinis. Will definitely be back for more. Loved this new location so much closer to us than the Vantage Parkway location but just as good as the original. read more

I have to admit, the atmosphere caught me off guard-crowded and louder than expected. The food was outstanding. The sautéed calamari and ostrich filet were both incredibly flavorful. read more

Dude, I typically don't post on Yelp but this place is LEGIT. Got to get the Portugese Beef Pandurada and the Sticky Toffee Pudding cake dessert. Unbelievable. I was impressed with the service as well. Top notch experience. read more

I recently visited the new River Oaks location of one of my longtime favorite restaurants (I've been going to their Vintage Park spot for years), and once again--they did not disappoint. I held a birthday happy hour for a close friend there, and we were lucky enough to have Chef Paul in the house. He even came out to meet us and personally recommended a few dishes, which made the experience feel extra special. Let me just say... the ostrich fillet was incredible--so tender and flavorful, I honestly would've thought it was steak if I didn't know better. We also tried the Iberico Pork Rib-In Ribeye (YUM), the most amazing prawns, and kingklip that was so light and perfectly cooked. We sampled quite a few other items, but I forgot to take pictures. The Ceviche, Vleis Pastei, charred Octopus and everything was outstanding. I didn't manage to snap photos of the drinks, but trust me--they're just as impressive. And whatever you do, don't skip dessert. The Sticky Toffee Pudding is an absolute must--pure perfection. Highly recommend checking them out if you're in the River Oaks area! read more

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Chef Paul has created another beautiful dining experience location. Perfect in all ways as usual at the Vintage Park location. read more

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I have an absolute excellent experience today with my husband. Chef Paul greet us in a very nice and courteous way. He explained very well the values of the restaurant and suggested a nice dish. Was amazing. I really enjoyed my time. Romina our server she was incredibly helpful and welcoming. Both make our evening, amazing. Thanks. For sure will comeback. PK read more

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Looking for a great meal in a beautiful setting? The Chef's Table is absolutely worth checking out. My friend and I stopped in after seeing a "Now Open" sign. We were a little skeptical since it had a perfect rating with only a few reviews, but we decided to give it a shot. It paid off. We were greeted by Theta, who was warm and welcoming. We sat at the bar and were taken care of by Ricky, who truly made the experience stand out. He crafted our espresso martinis perfectly. My friend had vodka, I went with reposado, and both were excellent. He also walked us through the menu in detail and answered every question with confidence and care. What we ordered: * Garlic Naan, flavorful and well done * TCT Wings, subtle orange flavor with a little spice * 8 oz Huguenot Filet, tender and juicy with a balanced bleu cheese sweetness * 8 oz Filet Mignon with chimichurri, incredibly tender and fresh * Five Cheese Whipped Potatoes, creamy and packed with flavor * Sticky Toffee Cheesecake, a solid dessert The food felt like an experience, not just a meal. The space is great for lunch, whether solo, a date, or business casual. There is also a patio, which is a nice bonus. I went right after their grand opening, so I have not seen the nighttime vibe yet. We will definitely be back and bringing friends. read more

Came here with a group of friends. We are avid fans of the vintage park location so happy to see them open a location closer in the city. The food and service is always 10/10. Thank you Taylor and Chef Marvin for taking care of us. They also have great cocktails a nice wine selection as well. Restaurant interior is stunning!! Will be back to celebrate more birthdays here. :) read more

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*came for HRW lunch on a sunday which may or may not have impacted the experience main negative is that it took an hour from ordering to receiving our food, just an hour of sitting around and waiting with nothing on the table. some tables around us who were seated later already received their meals. it's fine if you have a lot of time to spare or are catching up with a group of friends... but if you just came for a meal and didn't expect to spend several hours at the restaurant it is annoying pro was that food itself was quite good. everything was well seasoned. just nothing memorable either. server was friendly. parking is also easy i wouldn't intentionally come back but wouldn't be opposed either read more

The Chef's Table had been on my list. Finally made my way for HRW. WOW, incredible experience. The ambience, service, and food were excellent. Taylor was a fantastic server! Not once did we feel looked down upon for some of our party ordering from the HRW menu (let's face it, we know how some restaurants are). The calamari, brussels, kingklip, and oh goodness - the iberico steak...phenomenal! I'm usually stuffed by the time dessert comes around, but the sticky toffee dessert was also excellent. You have a new customer, TCT, and we can't wait to return! Want to try the ostrich steak! read more

Exquisito food, service, and ambiance! The quintessential Chef's Kiss from an award winning Chef! read more

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What an amazing experience ! Everything from the customer service , drinks, ambience , food and hospitality were impeccable! Our servers were so kind and patient - Roane took the time to answer our never ending questions about the drinks , food , pairings and made very helpful suggestions. We took our kid with us and even though the burger was not on the dinner menu, they made her a special burger with fried which she loved. We ordered the bobotei (appetizer ) which was a vibrant fusion of flavors - a must try ! For entrees we ordered the Portuguese chicken perdedura and ostrich filet with side of mushrooms , acorn squash - everything was 10/10!! They even brought out a special dessert for my husband's birthday and despite being full, we cleaned that up too because it was so good! The food is delicious , you can taste it's all fresh and well sourced. Can't wait to come back ! read more