[Houston] Mockingbird Bistro

[FoodMan]

From today's digest:

Changes at Mockingbird

Dai Huynh reports that Chef Sheely left Mockingbird Bistro to his ex-wife and her son-in-law.

I've never been to this place but heard good things about it. Has anyone else been? What did you think? Is chef Sheely's departure going to affect the place much?

Elie

[fifi]

I went there for lunch a couple of times maybe a year ago. I recall that it was very good and I enjoyed the experience. I don't remember what I ate, though. That doesn't mean it wasn't great. I just don't remember those things that often. When a chef leaves, I would always expect things to change. That doesn't mean it is a bad thing.

[LDLee]

My wife and I went several years ago. I thought the food was okay, not great. Deb went back a couple of months ago and really liked it. However, she did say it was a very "seen and be seen" type place.

[fifi]

That was my impression as well, LDLee. And I was there only for lunch. Lots of smart young things in the crowd. I did think the food was solidly good, not a "wowser" experience that I would remember the rest of my life but well prepared and presented. The FOH staff was friendly and showed that there was an effort at training. All in all, very good, but it seemed to attract a "buzz" that was out of proportion to the offerings. I don't deny them that. Good for them.

[LDLee]

Fifi, we are on the same page. Food, that's what matters. It is ironic I "dis" Mockingbird but I love Ouisie's, a true "ladies who lunch" place. If I want to be around beautiful people while I dine, there are much better places than Mockingbird, like Zula or Rouge. Even Shade is better.

[SuperLuckyCat]

I had lamb shanks there about 2 years ago when it first opened and I know that is not a lean cut of meat but by any stretch but the ratio of fat to edible meat was gross and the polenta it sat on wasn't hearty enough, making a thinnish fatty liquid on the bottom. And it was wasn't a cheap entree item. My husband and I were annoyed by the price. The location demands something more clever, maybe more casual?

Isn't that the place where the owner threw Robb Walsh out when he questioned the cut behind the Osso Bucco or was that somewhere else.

Is it too early for a good glass of red wine today???

[LDLee]

It's never too early for a glass of red wine, unless you are drinking white.

Robb's blast on the bad osso bucco was towards Portofino. He liked Mockingbird Bistro. See this review.