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Underbelly

MY REVIEW: This is not a place to go during a lunch hour. Waitstaff is very casual about taking your order and delivering your food but quick to bring the bill. They won't give separate bills. Very casual dress code and atmosphere.

Food was good but how do can they justify $4. for a half-loaf of bread & $9. for a shallow bowl of soup?

Won't be ging back anytime soon.

NAME: sandra
SUBMITTED: 12/19/2012   LAST VISIT WAS: 12/14/12
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: Not sure what all of the excitement is about. Maybe my level of expectation was too high. Certainly did not live up to the hype. Grilled pork chop..... Average. Wife's steak....... Good. Service........ Below average. Saturday night, but not crowded. Open tables. Just unimpressed.

NAME: Jesse
SUBMITTED: 12/18/2012   LAST VISIT WAS: December/2012
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: Finally made it to Underbelly last Friday. Wow, best meal I have had in Houston in a very long time. Unique menu, freshest of ingredients and the service was impecable. Can't wait to return.

NAME: Cypressgirl
SUBMITTED: 8/6/2012   LAST VISIT WAS: 8/2012
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: Lovely building/architecture, we tried various appetizers which were all superb - their salami defies description. The shrimp were fresher than fresh and the gazpacho was chilled and seasoned to perfection. My friends all tried the flank steak which they raved about and I had the snapper which was absolutely delicious. We also tried various desserts and I tried the vinegar pie with salt brittle - it was yummy. Our awesome waiter, Chris, took good care of us and we are all wanting to return very soon. Best dinner I have had in Houston in ages. They have an interesting wine list too and we have a superb Sancerre and a Pinot Noir from Walawala, Washington. Ambiance was great, good energy in the restaurant and attentive wait staff.

NAME: Harrogatelass
SUBMITTED: 6/28/2012   LAST VISIT WAS: June 2012
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: Vastly underwhelmed with Underbelly - food was decent but in no way deserving of the price and hype. We had the pickled shrimp, BBQ meatballs, tete de cochon, Korean goat with dumplings, heirloom tomato salad, changing of the season vegetables, bycatch of the day with oat groats, and sourdough bread with nectarine butter. Of these, the tete was the best. Meatballs were heavy and compressed, dumplings exactly like those that can be bought frozen at a Korean market. Simply no "wow" at all in this meal, nor was our server very helpful. We did love the restaurant space and appointments, and the acoustics are evidently designed to absorb noise and allow conversation - pretty rare in Houston. Unfortunately we won't be returning.

NAME: DakotaBlue
SUBMITTED: 5/22/2012   LAST VISIT WAS: May 2012
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: I got the Friday 7:30 pm reservation a week in advance and upon arrival they were as ready for us as we were for them. The way overdue opening of Underbelly finally happened and I'm so glad it did.

The initial impression as far as decor was a bit raw and understated but nice enough. Mainly the wood tables and wood chairs seemed a bit "picnic-y" but at least there's no noise from their movements. In fact, the noise level is just right: energetic, but not too much. The wine wall and open kitchen design are much the same as C*atalan was but the wine bar is it's own separate space near the entrance, a nice distinction.

The wine list is a treasure trove of unique, fabulous and minimally marked up selections. For example, we found A. Raffanelli zin from the Dry Creek area of California for $63. It so happens that we've been to that winery (appointment only) and haven't seen it on any other lists in Houston so that was a nice find.

And of course, the five stars means the food was wonderful too! Specifically, we tried the bread - nice loaf of rye, enough for four served with onion butter (yummy), Leeks - don't know about the newspaper wrapping but it does keep them warm. The humus with it had a flavor like smoke from a firework. It went away half way into it so it could of been a clash with the wine. The dumplings were very flavorful and the fava beans were an interesting assortment of beans, tomato, and a mozzarella like cheese. The cheese was so fresh and delicious that it actually stole the show from the beans. Then for the main: we shared a 14 oz steak special and wow! it was perfect! If there's any secret I could pick up on it was the use of fresh onions, quality olive oil, Fleur De Sal, and a fresh green herb that I'm pretty sure was thyme but it could have been oregano.

I usually skip dessert but having heard about the strawberry empanada from other Yelpers I decided to try it. Indeed the berries are fresh and the sweet creme fraiche definitely enhances it but the empanada crust had a taste of fryer oil that was a bit distracting from the delicious strawberries.

The service was excellent too, even if too quick too pick up dishes.

Overall, I was pleased as pie and very happy with the seasonally fresh concept so I can visit often and not get bored. Congratulations Chris, we'll be back!

NAME: coairdave
SUBMITTED: 3/9/2012   LAST VISIT WAS: 03/12
FREQUENCY: Visited once

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