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Epicure Cafe

MY REVIEW: It's a great neighborhood joint. Their strawberry lemonade is addictive! The strawberry napolean rocks! Portions are good and it's a great place to read or bring a friend. Soups are home made. Try it out!

NAME: drfoodie
SUBMITTED: 2/14/2010   LAST VISIT WAS: 02/2010
FREQUENCY: Visited 4-6 times

MY REVIEW: Like most, it seems I just happened upon this cafe when I arrived early to see a movie at the River Oaks theater next door. My friend and I were in a rush but we decided to give it a try any way and so glad we did. The menu is varied and has plenty of variety. The sweets are wonderful and I will keep the bakery in mind when I need a desert for a dinner get together. Atmosphere is casual and quaint. We were able to order and eat in about 25 minutes. Unfortunately I must confess that service was only mediocre. No one was rude but no one really seemed to care that much if I was a happy customer. It was one of those stare-blankly-at-me cashiers, very clearly not going out of her way to offer above average service. I even saw,, who seemed to be one of the owners and it didn't seem his goal for the day was customer service either. All my initial opinions were confirmed on my second visit. If the owner's took the time to focus on creating excellent customer service the place would be packed at all hours.

Given that "customer service optional" seems to, unfortunately, be the norm in Houston - I will go to this place again because everything else about the cafe was wonderful.

NAME: TruthfulFoodie
SUBMITTED: 6/3/2009   LAST VISIT WAS: 06/2009
FREQUENCY: Visited 2-3 times

MY REVIEW: just like others i never noticed this place till after i left the river oaks theatre.i'm such a picky eater & hesitant to try new places but this place amazed me!i ordered turkey meatloaf w/basmati rice & veggies..yUMMY!i ended my meal w/a strawberry cream cake.it wasn't too sweet or rich but perfect.i can't wait to try their chicken ravioli (for once an alternative to beef)!my friend ordered their chicken curry & that tasted great as well.i do like how small & cozy it is but i can also see how that poses a problem considering the volume of people at peak hours.

NAME: rach81
SUBMITTED: 1/28/2009   LAST VISIT WAS: 1/2009
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: I got to sample their cookies at the River Oaks Jazz and Wine event and I can't wait to try the other items on their menu! The rasberry almond sandwich cookies were fantastic!

NAME: Chiquita
SUBMITTED: 11/11/2008   LAST VISIT WAS: 11/7/08
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: A lovely cafe. I'm surprised by a negative review because I have always found the staff polite, helpful and even quietly friendly... even when we kept adding more yummies to our order.

The pastries and drinks are a bit more expensive than at a major chain cafe, but they are absolutely worth every cent. The richest, most delicious pastries I've ever had in Houston. You can also sit down and they will bring you your order with a smile.

The only downside to the cafe is that occasionally, especially at busy periods, an occasional customer from the neighborhood will behave very badly. The last time I was there, it was to enjoy in conjunction with a English art-house picture. A woman stood up at the end and announced to all, "Gawd this was stupid, I didn't understand a damn thing they were saying!" That summarizes the abuse I've seen the staff take, and which other customers are sometimes made unwilling witnesses to. Some people are impatient, forgetting that this is but a bistro-cafe, and not their personal chef; the nastiest behavior was by clientele who seem threatened by people with European or Spanish accents, in one case, publicly and tastelessly refer to the latter as "illegals", ranting about their grasp of English.

It is a family-owned restaurant and the people are a class act. They have no trouble taking my order in English. If you are a manners-impaired xenophobe who has forgotten the Golden Rule, you'll be uncomfortable in this cafe.

NAME: Bizy Tech
SUBMITTED: 8/12/2007   LAST VISIT WAS: August 2007
FREQUENCY: Visited 4-6 times

MY REVIEW: Augh! Augh! Augh! Augh! I don't think I've ever been more disappointed in my food, especially after waiting 45 minutes for it. Yes, it was Father's Day, but, the restaurant was only 1/2 full.

After they brought out my dry, overcooked omelet, they delayed another ten minutes bringing out the rest of our party's food.

When a person (meditaranean or arabic male about 55 or 60) who looked like 'the manager' or owner came near our table, I stood up and showed him our receipt, "we've been waiting 45 minutes for our food. Any idea when it might be out?" He just stared right through me and walked off. I wanted to scream out "NO SOUP FOR YOU!"

I'll never go back. How rude.

NAME: Fred Walters, Jr.
SUBMITTED: 7/2/2007   LAST VISIT WAS: Father's Day 2007
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: Okay, I've since moved to California and in hindsight, food at Epicure is on the more expensive side for Houston, but average for Cali. Further, the desserts are unparalleled. Sip a delectable cappuccino with any one of their freshly baked gourmet cookies...enjoy their fruit tart, tiramisu or creamy eclairs...they often have fresh lemonade...great gelato. I've never had their food, but my friends tell me it's great. It's a great stop after a show or a pleasant dessert stop after a meal elsewhere. Just give it a try, you won't be disappointed.

NAME: foodismyworld
SUBMITTED: 4/12/2007   LAST VISIT WAS: Sept 2006
FREQUENCY: Everybody here knows my name...

MY REVIEW: This is a classic European cafe. A spectacular array of beautiful pastries, a delicious menu full of fresh choices from breakfast to an elegant dinner before a movie or theatre.

The entries are generous and the service is always very quick.

We love it because it is always welcoming and intimate, full of friends and families visiting. We think of it when we want something casual but delicious with an environment that is completely conducive to an intimate conversation.

The staff are mainly European or Hispanic and they are all wonderful human beings. Smile at them and you will receive the welcome you expect.

NAME: Suzanne and Dan Zeh
SUBMITTED: 7/23/2006   LAST VISIT WAS: July 2006
FREQUENCY: Everybody here knows my name...

MY REVIEW: Although I had been to the River Oaks Theater many times, I never noticed Epicure Cafe tucked away just a few doors to the east. Upon the recommendation of a friend, I gave the place a try on a Saturday afternoon. The menu selection was incredible. I finally decided on the turkey, avocado, and goat cheese sandwich served on a croissant; it was delicious. The ambience of the Cafe was great as well ... very relaxing. I can't wait to return and try something new ... especially one of the Cafe's beautiful pastries.

NAME: Food Lover
SUBMITTED: 7/16/2006   LAST VISIT WAS: July 2006
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: Unfriendly staff and overpriced food. There are too many other places with better food, more reasonable prices and smiling staff.

NAME: flyairdave
SUBMITTED: 12/22/2005   LAST VISIT WAS: December 2005
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: Epicure is TOP NOTCH.

The food is filling and tasty in every way. My favorite dish is the Pesto Pasta with Chicken - it is unbelievably good!

The owners are great folks - Epicure is truly family owned and operated. I have eaten at epicure many times and I have taken lots of my friends. They all love it!

The deserts are ungodly good. Wow. I could sit and eat for weeks on end JUST in the dessert section!

This place really is quite charming. The atmosphere combined with the food and service can't be beat!

NAME: Brandon
SUBMITTED: 10/12/2004   LAST VISIT WAS: 10/2004
FREQUENCY: Everybody here knows my name...

MY REVIEW: good food, good menu selection, but overpriced

NAME: TL
SUBMITTED: 2/24/2004   LAST VISIT WAS: 02/2004
FREQUENCY: Visited 2-3 times

MY REVIEW: This cafe has the only tiramisu cake that I've ever liked... it's great.

The ambience is nice, but maybe a little overpriced. The lunch specials are routinely bland...

NAME: dg
SUBMITTED: 11/19/2003   LAST VISIT WAS: 11/03
FREQUENCY: Visited 4-6 times

MY REVIEW: Great place, great food, not well known. Take a date there to impress her.

NAME: Furious Jam
SUBMITTED: 11/15/2003   LAST VISIT WAS: November 2003
FREQUENCY: Visited 4-6 times

MY REVIEW: Original and classic european cafe.
Great pastries and european cafe dishes (sandwiches)
The owners are great -- good wine list and good knowledge
The best desserts
The best cafe ambiance

NAME: Manuel
SUBMITTED: 8/26/2003   LAST VISIT WAS: August, 2003
FREQUENCY: Everybody here knows my name...

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