American Cuisine Sponsored by Monument Inn Reviews /  Profile Menus Website Cullen's Upscale American Grille Hours: See Profile   11500 Space Center Blvd Houston TX 77059 281.481.3463 You might also be interested in these:     American Food    Seafood Restaurants    Steaks    ZIP 77059 Profile Description: Housed in an elegant & breath-taking space, the restaurant boasts more than 37,000 ft2 of entertainment and dining delight. Cullen’s main dining room seats 250, about the size of an average restaurant. This means you can enjoy an intimate dining experience while having the opportunity to experience so much more. Benefit from private parties, live entertainment or relax by our one-of-a-kind cozy outdoor fireplace to enhance your dining experience. Cullen’s has many unique amenities that include s   Add Review PROFILE     MY REVIEW: The parking lot and building are huge. The owner clearly subscribes to the bigger is better philosophy. Entering felt uninviting and unfriendly. 7 staring girls at the desk looked confused at my presence. The bar menu had good reasonable drinks and snacks. The dining room is palatial, but quiet and divided into smaller areas. The décor was odd lights and flat screen TVs mounted so high on the walls that you were unable to see or enjoy the display. Our waiter mispronounced several items. He came over 5 times in 5 min and then disappeared for 15-20 min with a mostly empty dining room. He kept mentioning he would send over the sommelier who lost interest when we didn’t want the $90 bottle. The wine list itself is extensive and unique, but is difficult to pass around. The unopened bottles sat at our table for nearly 10 minutes. The menu is vast and the food suffers for it. Too many items to maintain the quality and freshness. The grits were very heavy with cream, but my fellow diners enjoyed the frito pie. The soup was mostly tasteless cream. My garnish was better than the dry unseasoned fish and "risotto". Fish/chips, sausage/potatoes, pasta are better elsewhere. The best was the rabbit with fois gras,peas,and mushrooms. The brownie was nothing special, but the peanut butter chaser with it was terrific. Overall it feels like they are trying to create an fancy dining experience, but it feels fake and forced. When you have to point out how upscale you are, you probably aren't. The other high end restaurants in the area are classier and with better food without all of the faux pretension and pretending. Oh but the restrooms were great! NAME: Wishitwasbetter SUBMITTED: 6/26/2008   LAST VISIT WAS: June 2008 FREQUENCY: Visited once MY REVIEW: The facility is nice and the wait staff is good. However the food is at best average and the menu for lunch is limited and overpriced for the quality of the food. There were four of us for lunch and none of us were impressed with the food. I had planned to take my family to Cullen's for dinner on Saturday evening, but we will be going elsewhere. NAME: professor SUBMITTED: 6/3/2008   LAST VISIT WAS: June 3, 2008 FREQUENCY: Visited once MY REVIEW: My husband live in La Porte, and we arrived at this new and beautifully architected building located just off of Space Center Blvd., very hopeful of a wonderful mother's day occassion. We were seated right away. When I made reservations, I was told that the brunch included a complimentary glass of champagne, however our waitress did not know about this. For an appetizer I ordered the french toast with apricots, which came with my favorite type of sausage links. Although the restuarant was not busy and had plenty of kitchen and wait staff, one of my links were cold~! But the other links served were very tasty. I had the eggs benedict for my main course, which was served over crab cakes. I was a little disappointed that there was not an option to have these served in a more traditional style. My husband ordered the Ranchos Huevos, and he said it tasted of nothing. I thought it tasted mainly of cilantro! Overall I felt that the atmosphere and staff were wonderful, however I fear that the restuarant will not be able to live up to its preteniousness. Given the location and prices, I would be surprised that this investment will make a profit - but I hope it does! We will visit again. NAME: oakes SUBMITTED: 5/13/2008   LAST VISIT WAS: Mother's Day-May 11, 2008 FREQUENCY: Visited once MY REVIEW: The food was excellent but the portions are skimpy and the prices are high. Great wait staff. Nice atmosphere, fairly quiet, lots of staff standing around waiting for more customers so I figure this is why the prices are so high. You can see into the kitchens and they are spotless. Upscale dining at it's finest but I wish the portions were bigger. NAME: Clear Lake Resident SUBMITTED: 5/6/2008   LAST VISIT WAS: May 2008 FREQUENCY: Visited once MY REVIEW: My wife and I celebrated our anniversary by giving Cullen's a try. We were not disappointed. I've watched this restaurant being built during the past year. It is an impressive structure and I was concerned that, much like Mr. F*ertitta's restaurants, this one would be all about atmosphere with little regard for food quality. I'm happy to say that Mr. Cullen provides both atmosphere and good food. I had the pork chops, which were as juicy and delicious as any I've ever tried before. My wife had the roasted chicken and she was also pleased. The sides were also quite good. The only shortcomings were the desserts. Their presentation was impressive, but they were also rather small and somewhat lackluster in taste. They also do not offer such staples as key lime pie, bread pudding or cheese cake. Aside from this we were extremely pleased with our meal. The service was attentive, but they don't rush you. Cullen truly provides you with a fine dining experience. Oh, and we very much look forward to the opening of the jazz club upstairs. We shall return! NAME: Kavalon SUBMITTED: 4/29/2008   LAST VISIT WAS: April 2008 FREQUENCY: Visited once MY REVIEW: Nice ambiance, very Upscale. The Prices also, Fishy raw seafood cocktail, no lemon or horseradish, just seafood floating in Clamato juice. Prime Rib ok. Red snapper. No No not good at all, the taste of artichokes over the snapper. House merlot very good but quantity kinda stingy for $9.00 a glass. Might visit in 6 months again. Service good... NAME: JOJO SUBMITTED: 4/21/2008   LAST VISIT WAS: 04/08 FREQUENCY: Visited once MY REVIEW: I was very impressed with everything that Cullen's has to offer. When we were driving up to the restaurant, my six year old said, "Wow! What a beautiful place"! I was a little nervous about bringing both of my boys to eat, but it is very unpretentious in a warm inviting environment. Our food was excellent and so was the service. I was impressed when the server treated the kids as if they were paying patrons, they were very attentive to the boys and treated them with the utmost respect. The manager was there and checked on us frequently. We are excited about the opening of the chef's table in the near future. We have 2 groups of friends that are anxious to visit the table with us, our name is on a waiting list. My 6 year old son's birthday is coming up soon and he wants to reserve the chef's table for his 7th birthday. My husband had a steak and I wanted something lite, so I opted for the pizza and we were very impressed with both! Both of my boys loved their food as well as their dessert. I had their margarita, it is the best margarita I have ever tasted! For dessert, I had the creme brulee and didn't share because it was so delicious! We will definitely go back again many many times. Kudos to you for a job well done! NAME: Connie SUBMITTED: 4/20/2008   LAST VISIT WAS: March 08 FREQUENCY: Visited once MY REVIEW: The restaurant had been open barely one week when we visite. One of us had the ravioli (very small portion - not enough food for a man) and the other had a tube pasta (rubbery consistency and chewy - flavor was good but pasta itself wasn't). Wait was way too long. However, our thoughts are "cut 'em some slack" - they just opened. We will definitely try them again when they've had a bit of time to work out the issues which I'm sure they will. NAME: Houston diners SUBMITTED: 4/13/2008   LAST VISIT WAS: April 2008 FREQUENCY: Visited once MY REVIEW: We really had a great time at cullens, from the begining to the end. The valet experience was good, I can tell you cullen's have a really professional valet parking service, they know how to wellcome and take care of your vehicle. The staff at the restuarant was well trained and the food was amazing. Not to expensive and a grat place to be and speacially on 45 / celarlake where we badly needed this kind of upsclae restaurant. Thanks again to cullen for giving us a great service. We would be back soon. NAME: Neema SUBMITTED: 4/8/2008   LAST VISIT WAS: 04/05/08 FREQUENCY: Visited once MY REVIEW: We visited on their second day. Atmosphere was amazing and all the wait staff were friendy, professional and timely. We were greeted personally by the owner, manager and events manager and were granted a tour of the facilities. The kitchen was immaculate. I can't wait til their ballroom and bar open. I had the pan roasted chicken and grits and it was all I could do not to lick my plate! We will definitely return. I agree that the computer wine list may be tricky for some, but it was unique. NAME: DSW SUBMITTED: 4/7/2008   LAST VISIT WAS: March 2008 FREQUENCY: Visited once MY REVIEW: Very nice and impressive architecture/building. However, the food we ordered was not that impressive, especially for the price. Our lobster bisque appetizer was not very warm, and it needed major salt/seasoning (no salt/pepper on the table). The pizza was not impressive to come from a woodburning oven...lacked major flavor. The grilled chicken sandwich had a decent flavor but the bread was over-toasted and tough to eat. The best part of the dinner was the dessert we ordered...the creme brulee trio, which was really tasty. In our opinion, the money we spent was not in line with great upscale restaurant food (prefer A*mericas or R*uggles). Hopefully the chefs will refine their seasonings on the food soon! NAME: Lisa SUBMITTED: 4/6/2008   LAST VISIT WAS: April 5, 2008 FREQUENCY: Visited once MY REVIEW: We ate at Cullen's knowing that they had just opened but were just thankful to have somewhere new to eat at on the same level with other Clear Lake establishments like Pe**y's. We arrived right at 5pm when they advertised they open but when they weren't quite ready to receive us in the Dining Room we were taken to the Lounge area where our boys were happy to be given the controllers to some video sports games to amuse them while we waited to be seated. Like other reviewers' assessments, our's is mixed as well. We want to give Cullen's the benefit of the doubt and hope that with time they will gain experience and work out some of the kinks in their establishment. But for now, we are willing to wait some time before we venture back and spend that kind of money on a meal. The Manager came and spoke with us a couple of times about Cullen's and we inquired of him about the reception areas upstairs (not to open for a few months still) as we are trying to determine where to hold our anniversary dinner and a possible business party in the near future. When the Scallops appetizer we ordered arrived barely warm, our waiter asked if we would like it replaced with another, to which we agreed. When it too arrived as the other did, we were dismayed. Definitely left a lasting impression: this place either doesn't know how to present the food, or doesn't care. Two scallops for $18?! Overall, the ambiance was very nice (and comfortable) but it still felt amateurish. Will refer back to B4-u-eat in the months to come to see if there is any improvement in the feedback but until then, will spend our money and time elsewhere. NAME: Comme d'habitude SUBMITTED: 4/5/2008   LAST VISIT WAS: 03/08 FREQUENCY: Visited once MY REVIEW: We arrived just at 5pm when it opens and they weren't ready in the dining room so we were taken to the Lounge. While we waited, our boys were happily engaged with the video sports games they played on flat screen tv's. Overall,our experience was similar to others: a mixed bag. We found some aspects of this newcomer to the area to be very nice such as the lay-out with comfortable seating, quiet ambience, and some of the dishes.It is obvious though they are still training a number of their staff. The Manager came and spoke with us a couple of times during our meal to inquire about our impressions. Where things took a bad turn, was when the Scallops appetizer arrived barely warm (far from hot). Our waiter removed it at our request and returned shortly later with another. This time, it arrived no warmer. Since we were ready to eat and didn't want to hold up anyone else's meal, we chose to eat it "as is". But it left a lasting impression and that was that they aren't quite up to the standards of other fine dining establishments in Clear Lake and Houston. Like one other patron's comment in B4Ueat, we went to Cullens to determine if it might be a setting for a future anniversary party and/or a corporate sponsored large group event. As those rooms are reportedly months away from being completed, we were unable to see them. We will likely return sometime in the future but only after enough time has passed to work out the kinks. Too bad too, because the Clear Lake area has been badly in need of another place like P**rry's Restaurants to give us some variety for fine dining. NAME: Comme d'habitude SUBMITTED: 4/2/2008   LAST VISIT WAS: 03/08 FREQUENCY: Visited once MY REVIEW: My husband and I and another couple visited Cullen's the second night they were opened. I was hesitant, as new restaurants tend to have kinks to work out. But to my utter surprise, I do not have one single thing to complain about. The service, the food, and the decor were just outstanding! The manager, as well as the owner came to our table to greet us. Clear Lake has long needed a restaurant of this caliber. I cannot wait to go back with more friends. The ambiance will blow you away!!!!! NAME: Shirleen SUBMITTED: 4/2/2008   LAST VISIT WAS: March 2008 FREQUENCY: Visited once MY REVIEW: We visited Cullens early on a Saturday evening, Itis a "very large" establishment at the far east end of Ellington air force base off of Genoa Red Bluff and Space Center Blvd. The owner has spent a lot of money here, heard 10 million plus and itis a very different style of modern resturant and ballroom complex Valet was good, Greeting was great, Table setting was excellent We love Art but didnt like the 20 plus large TV's showing rotating classical art pictures. Service was mediocre think they are still training Soup Lobster bisque was cold Main Course my prime rib was cool, not hot but wifes steak, filet and blue cheese, taste was great, portions are just right, not to small not too large. No water was offered to me at all, Wife had to ask Digital wine list / tablet lacks class, guess you like it or hate it, we didnt like it, think you should give you an option of either a real wine list or the tablet After first taste we had to pour our own $100 plus bottle of wine. Had to ask for salt pepper Had to ask for spoons for desert Had to find a different waiter to check us out $240 plus check for two We enjoy nice resturants worldwide this one rates 2-3 stars at this time, It needs to work out the kinks before we return in maybe 6 months. Marks America in Houston, Perrys in Clear Lake are much better experiences for us at this time NAME: The oldsalt and the mermaid SUBMITTED: 3/31/2008   LAST VISIT WAS: March 2008 FREQUENCY: Visited once MY REVIEW: Chicken was not good, it stated 1/2 chicken- wing, leg, and a small breast cut in half is not 1/2 a chicken. It had the taste of raw chicken, ugh, so it didn't really matter that we were slighted on a piece of chicken (thigh). The spinach and mashed potato accompanying the chicken was delicious. The fish and chips were very very good. The Crab cake was wonderful. The pecan pie (small tartlet) and creme brulee was wonderful. Waitstaff was good. We asked to speak to a manager because a secondary reason we came to check out Cullen's was to inquire about having a 100-125 person reception after work one night in the coming weeks as we had just won a major $75+ million contract. We asked if we could tour the facility. We were told by mgr. Ryan(?), NO, sorry. But then several minutes later another manager type (in jeans, owner maybe) stopped by and asked us how we were doing, ok, he went to the next table and asked how everything was, ok, and as he was walking away, one of them asked if they could tour the facility, he said sure! He did not seem to know them, the table just asked and he said yes. Too bad, Our party is at the N*assau Bay Hilton! NAME: Lauri SUBMITTED: 3/31/2008   LAST VISIT WAS: 03/08 FREQUENCY: Visited once MY REVIEW: My wife and I have eaten at Cullen's several times and had wonderful experiences both times. The last time I trie the Red Snapper while my wife had the fish and chips. The Red Snapper has got to be the best I have ever eaten. I never realized that fish could taste this good. My wife's fish and chips were also good but the snapper was beyond belief. The salid which consisted of dried fruit was outstanding will be a regular part of our meal. For desert, we had the pecan pie and apple pie. Both serving were just the right size for one person; not to much, but just enough to top off an excellient meal. The food was excellent, the serving staff very attentive, and even the owner (and family), the generial manager, and Paul, the executive chef, stop by to welcome us and to check it everything was ok. This is the best restaurant I have ever eaten in and will definitely return to enjoy another meal NAME: Charlie SUBMITTED: 3/27/2008   LAST VISIT WAS: March 23, 2008 FREQUENCY: Visited 2-3 times MY REVIEW: We heard there was a new restaurant in town and stopped by to check it out Sunday. We were given a tour of this beautiful restaurant. The staff was so friendly, yet professional, that we stayed for drinks and desserts. We had just eaten at another restaurant and declined dessert. The ambience, drinks and desserts were masterpieces. The owner, architect, and, of course, the chef, are all to be commended. Attention was obviously given to every detail in and out of the kitchen...we were just amazed and most certainly will be back! NAME: Irene SUBMITTED: 3/27/2008   LAST VISIT WAS: March, 2008 FREQUENCY: Visited once MY REVIEW: The place is colossal without being the least bit pretentious. Food is top notch. Their tuna tartare is without a doubt the best I've had, and the steak was perfect! My fiance had carrot cake and it was amazing. It feels like the one nice restuarant that is going to fill a huge void in the area. This is an excellent date/nice-place to go out. The wait wasn't too bad and was fairly reasonable for the elegant dining experience you receive so I plan on coming again. My favorite part is that it is minutes away from my home in Clear Lake. "Like a piece of the big city in my backyard" NAME: Stephen SUBMITTED: 3/26/2008   LAST VISIT WAS: March/08 FREQUENCY: Visited once MY REVIEW: My husband and I visited on a Tuesday evening and had a good experience. For a newly opened place, the servers were a little on the young side but well trained. My husbands hamburger was great but the fries were nothing special. My short rib ravioli was great, light and flavorful, but the portion was small and would not have satisfied a man's appetite. Bar prices were very reasonable. NAME: Margaret SUBMITTED: 3/26/2008   LAST VISIT WAS: 3/24/08 FREQUENCY: Visited once MY REVIEW: Outstanding food and service. I have never felt compelled to write about a place before but this has to be the best I have ever had. I was initially concerned when we were seated that there wasn't any salt or pepper on the table since I always had to "doctor the food". However, I had the Red Snapper and was glad there wasn't anything available since I would have probably spoiled the food before tasting it. It was enough to change a beef eater to someone who wants to try it all any without any change. If you want salt or pepper, I understand that they will provide you a "special" serving that I heard is also great. By the way, I don't remember the name of the 1st salid listed on the menu, but I could make a meal out of it alone. It was great. We will be back many times. NAME: a happy diner SUBMITTED: 3/25/2008   LAST VISIT WAS: 3/23/08 FREQUENCY: Visited 2-3 times MY REVIEW: WOW.....I eat out a lot, and I haven't had a meal from start to finish this good in a very long time. We (my fiancé and I) walked through the door and were blown away by the amazing decor and layout...somebody spent the time and money to do this right. I wasn't sure what we were in for though as it was towards the end of the night and they still seem to be finalizing some areas. The GM stopped by the table and greeted us, I couldn't decide between the short rib ravioli and the salmon. I asked for a recommendation and as expected....he said everything was good. So I pressed and he said to try the grits, spinach, and pan cooked chicken?!? I am not a big fan of grits but I decided to try this based on the confident demeanor by which he answered. All I can say is WOW....what flavor! After this I had high expectations for dessert.....we were not disappointed. My fiancé selected the carrot cake with passion fruit shooter. The portion was perfect, just wonderful texture and flavor - enough to enjoy without feeling glutinous. I just can't say enough. I plan on bringing my friends so I can try their other entrees NAME: Jason SUBMITTED: 3/23/2008   LAST VISIT WAS: 3/22/2008 FREQUENCY: Visited once If you don't agree with these comments, agree with them or have additional comments, click here to Add Your Review. Restaurant Owners & Managers Curious about your Activity and Ranking on b4-u-eat? Want to Create or Update your Free Profile Page? Click here to Login. ©Copyright 1991 - 2008 B4-U-EAT.COM. All rights reserved. Design and database by B4-U-BUY