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The Bird & The Bear

MY REVIEW: My sister and I went to celebrate her birthday during Houston Restaurant Weeks. She ordered the calamari appetizer which was very good. I ordered the gumbo appetizer which was watered down and tasteless. We both ordered the seafood paella which was a shame because the dish was bland and generally lacking any sort of flavor profile. We ended with the pot de creme dessert which was lovely. We were disappointed with the experience, especially because we are fans of O*uisie's Table. Outside of dessert this meal missed the mark.

NAME: mrsladyhead
SUBMITTED: 8/6/2012   LAST VISIT WAS: 8/12
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: Overall very good. The food was very good. We both had seafood, my wife the special that night and I had the black cod. Both fish were perfectly prepared. I had the mango salad and she had the beet salad. Both were very good (I was surprised at how tangy the mango salad dressing was but that was great for me). The dessert was also excellent.

Bad points: NOISY! And I mean Noisy! Why people think this make a place inviting I don't know. And it is forced vallet. The waiter was very new/raw but tried hard - the whole staff made up and made for overall good service.

And I havent learned my lesson for asking for decaf espresso. Even though the waiter assured me it was decaf, at 3 am I was sure it wasn't.

NAME: erioladastra
SUBMITTED: 12/19/2011   LAST VISIT WAS: 12/11
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: I ordered seafood paella for lunch from the mention in the first review. Yes, it's pricey but it was "crammed" with all kinds of seafood: shrimp, scallops, clams, snapper, mussels, and I took home enough for dinner so it's really a serving for two. I don't understand the comments about a small menu. It was the same menu as on the website and sure, no hamburgers, but there are sandwiches and the menu is two long pages!

I'd repeat order the generous tomato-based ceviche with even an oyster in it, tuna tartar, and (tasted from other plates) the herb-crusted quail and the carmelized prunes & apricots on the beef tajine. Also the apple streudel and most excellent lemon curd on a chocolate(?) base with a dome of swirled meringue covering it.

Service was attentive, helpful, and friendly. I didn't find it loud tho it was full at lunch. Valet is probably necessary at this location but it's only $3, and Ouisie's done a big, bright makeover from when it was R*ickshaw. People shouldn't expect it to be like Ousie's since it has a different name and all. I'll definitely return when family visits for Thanksgiving and for business lunches.

NAME: Melanie
SUBMITTED: 11/14/2011   LAST VISIT WAS: 11/11/11
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: Just had "brunch" at the Bird and the Bear...if you can call it that. I realize that they're working on the menu, but please have more than three brunch options. Two of them were steak and eggs and there were no sweet options of any kind (French toast, pastries, etc). But at least there's coffee, right? Well, more like brown water. Based on this experience, we will not be repeat customers. I'm mourning the loss of my Sunday brunch!

NAME: Mackers
SUBMITTED: 11/13/2011   LAST VISIT WAS: 11/2011
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: Casual does not equal cheap at the new Ouisie's spin-off. The place was packed on a Monday night— proof that people do eat out Mondays (Houston restauranteers take note). The clientele was definitely the River Oaks set, and it was LOUD. Once again, here is a restaurant designed to magnify sound— all hard surfaces. It looks a bit cobbled together from what might have gone before. There wasn't the touch of Quisie whimsy other than a couple chairs hanging from the ceiling and some kitschy chadeliers.

The menu does not have Ouisie old favorites (shrimp and grits, chicken fried steak, etc) and has no discernible direction. The appetizers and salads were more interesting than the entrees. In particular a fried green tomato-mozarella-olive Caprese and a trio of butter lettuces. There are THREE paellas— seafood, meat and vegetarian. The seafood most resembled traditional paella, the meat was more like a jambalaya, the vegetarian (with minced roasted veggies) was like a side dish. Desserts were limited. Apple strudel was yummy. There's a nice cocktail menu, and the usual overpriced wine list. Service was quite good with a transplanted Ouisie's waitperson who was obviously having fun. My biggest disappointment, truly, was in the lack of menu choices for casual dining. I would have expected a fabulous hamburger or some truly interesting small plates. I'm sure they'll do well (location location location), but I'll opt for the real Ouisie's for what we paid.

NAME: Michellebeth
SUBMITTED: 11/8/2011   LAST VISIT WAS: 11/11
FREQUENCY: Visited once

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