*17

It's sad when one of your favorite restaurants slips but fortunately there are others to take it's place. On my first vist back to 17 after the change in chefs I was dissapointed with the dinner. It was for restaurant week but really it should always be right... there shouldn't be an excuse. From what I heard, most of my dinner companions were also dissapointed. I may have gone back to give it another try had I not heard from other friends who dined with smaller parties on regular nights and had a negative experience as well.

Pros: Great Bar, Beautiful Dining Room

Cons: Food, just ok service

Posted 09/22/09

My husband and I have been fans of *17 for several years. Unfortunately, we have not been to dinner there since they had gotten their new Chef earlier this year. We had read lots of great reviews so I decided to take my husband there for his birthday prior to going to a concet in downtown. The restaurant looked amazing as they had changed the furniture in the room around. The large white chairs were quite comfy. The waitress knew we were on a time schedule due to the concert and made sure all 3 courses of our dinner were served in a timely manner. From our appetizer to our dessert, everything tasted incredible. I highly reccommend the Butternut Squash Soup and the Banana Creme Brulee. My husband and I both had two seperate fish dishes which were both flavored to perfection. We will definitely not be waiting so long to return.

Posted 10/26/08

We hadn't been to 17 in several years, but had been reading it was getting good reviews, so we booked a table. Disappointing evening. 2 couples went to celebrate an anniversary (17th!). The food, although very well presented, was nothing special, mainly because the food was not hot (my husband did like his scallop special.) Even the cappucino was lukewarm. Staff seemed inexperienced. Our waiter, a new employee, tried his best but did not know much about the menu. The waitress in the bar did not know about the sparkling wine on the table list I asked about, and the service was lazy. No one acknowledged the fact that we were celebrating an anniversary (they were told when we made the reservation; we also mentioned it to the waiter.) On our way out, we stopped by the front desk to ask if we might see of the hotel's rooms. The young lady there unapologetically said no one was available to show us one. For the prices charged, we wont be returning.

Pros: Decor, Food presentation

Cons: Service, food temperature

Posted 09/08/08

My first visit we had the chief?s Tasting Menu with wine. Once we decided to have the tasting, the chief came out to our table to ask us what kind of foods we liked, giving us several ?raw materials? to select from. He then suggested various preparations and offered suggestions. It was a custom meal to our likings, with an excellent wine paring. The food was incredible and was the presentation and service. The second visit was this week during Houston Restaurant Week. We had the same server and the service was excellent; the sommelier came over to offer wine suggestions and a ?mini-paring? for the fixed menu. The wine paring for the three course meal was perfect both in selection and ?volume.? The steaks were prepared to perfection with bordelaise sauce; the halibut was also perfectly prepared with a white corn pudding. The highlight of the evening was desert, homemade ice cream; chocolate, vanilla, and the best caramel I?ve ever eaten.

Is seems most of the ?poor? reviews complain about the price or the serving size. Yes, 17 is not a budget establishment and you should expect casual dinning prices; the quality of the food speaks for the price and value. And it?s not a Pappas Restaurant, so don?t look for lumberjack portions. The portions are ?normal? for fine dining and with a three course meal you will leave very satisfied, but you won?t be ripping you clothes off so you can breathe.

The ambience is very nice with ?art deco? theme and quiet dining room. Extremely comfortable chairs and table larger enough to accommodate the party seated without needing a sideboard to stage items.

If looking for a weak-link, it has to be the wine selections. Wines are a bit on the high end, with limited selections below $75.00. The wine list could use some additional moderate, but good wines and the reds are poured at room temperature.

Parking is the only downfall; with dinner, you get a $4 discount off the normal $10 rate for valet parking.

Pros: Food, Service, Ambience

Cons: Parking, High Priced Wine List

Posted 08/16/08

I'm surprised the last reviewer had such a terrible time, especially considering I was at the same event/same seating for Valentine's day and had a wonderful experience. This was not our first meal there and definitely not our last. The food was spot on and the wine pairings were practically perfect (I use to work at a top wine bar in Houston and can be quite picky about my pairings). While my boyfriend and I have not quite achieved "foodie" status we definitely have had many meals in restaurants like this. I would not recommend this restaurant to someone that does not understand the meaning and excitement of fine dining. Superb quality is definitely a high priority here and we are always pleasantly surprised amazed each time we return. I've lived in both Paris and London and I'd still say that 17 is one of my top 5 restaurants I've ever been too. If you go to 17 expect a fine dining experience and quality (not quantity) then you will leave quite happy. It can be pricey, but no more so than other restaurants like Marks, Hugo's, etc...We alway start out with a cocktail at the A+ lounge and if you are into that sort of thing I definitely wouldnt miss it.

Pros: quality, cocktails, special events

Cons: can be expensive

Posted 06/03/08

We went for a very special dinner in Valentines day. We made a reservation to be seated at 9:00 pm. We waited in the hotel lobby for 1.5 hours until we were actually seated, no one offered any drink or appetizer during the wait . Just after this we had to wait 15 minutes more to receive water and menus (which we could not use anyways because there was a fixed menu due to the occassion). Finally the food came and it was good but definitely extremely pricey for the amount of actual food. The third course supposed to be lobster and we were served scallops, but we paid for lobster. No one came to explain why ... I guess hoping we didn't find out?. Finally we wanted to have some wine by the glass, but not the wine offered with the menu...well that was just not possible. The service overall was lousy, the food was good but extermely price. Definitelly not worth it the wait. Never going back.

Pros: Good food

Cons: service and overall restaurant management

Posted 03/02/08

Here's the scene- Saturday night, just after 8 pm. The light show from the lounge illuminates the empty restaurant in various colors. No worry- we go to the bar to wait for our group of 10. We quickly triple the attendance, which is made up of single depressed men who thought it would be hip to stay at this hotel for their business trip. We collect our group and are seated at a long table in prime location. There are only two other couples there so we anticipate excellent service. It is carried out with stiff formality but fits with the image of the restaurant. That is, until the appetizers arrive. Two of us ordered the soft shell crab and both agreed that it was undercooked and tasted like the salt water it came from. There was barely a bite of meat and we had to scrape the shell in order to find it. When the waitress was called over, she began to debate with us, justifying the taste as a consequence of the salt the chef finishes the dish with. We are familiar with the taste of salt, as well as with what a poorly cooked crab tastes like. She did not offer up any apologies or suggest another appetizer. Worse, she did not remove the dish from the final bill. She took our critique very personally, as if she had cooked it, and perhaps she did, considering that they must be laying people off with the recent lack of customers. My entree- coconut curry shrimp was good, but I would have enjoyed it equally at Mai's Vietnamese restaurant and paid a quarter of the price. The halibut was overcooked, but still smelled of the sea. Perhaps they finished it with the same salt as the crab. The other main courses were all adequate, but that is not what we are paying for. If there is a premium because of the light show coming from the lounge, then I would rather stay home and eat in front of my lava lamp.

Pro: You can get a table anytime
Con: Why would you want to.

Posted 08/25/07

I have eaten in *17 for dinner on serveral occasions and cannot say enough wonderful things about the cuisine and service. Last night my wife and I decided to have dinner in the bar a+, before an Astros game, to enjoy the same great quality of food but in a more casual atmosphere. The bar menu had a great selection of items for someone on a time limit. We ordered tuna tartare as a starter which is probably the best I have ever eaten. The shrimp tacos were "out of this world". Of course, you cannot eat at the hotel and not have a side of their famous "truffle mac and cheese". You will never be disappointed. We were in an out in less than an hour and off to the game with a full belly. Just had to share.....

Posted 06/28/07

what a unique experience: great decor and atmosphere. try chef tasting menu.extended wine selection without forgetting superb service.

Posted 05/25/07

i've been to 17 several times and it is consistently amazing!
the foie gras was some of the best i've ever had...
our main courses were great.
the mini donuts were yum!!
the service was great! diana is awesome; always there but never intrusive.
i will definitely be going back!

Posted 05/17/07

what a disappointment! 17 is over the hill, unfortunately. groovy room, fine service, the meal was paced very well...but unfortunately the food and drink were not worth the price of admission and we won't go back.

the mojito was too sweet, the kir was sent back *by the waitress* as the bartender made a kir royale instead. at least SHE knew the difference! the shrimp curry wasn't balanced and was oversalted, the tortellini in one dish tasted as if it had been made the day before (surely it wasn't?!) and i could smell my dining companion's halibut from across the table--not a good sign.

at the end of the meal, they serve a delightful freebie tiny dessert. lovely presentation...but the strawberry on the tiny cheesecake tasted of onions. that last one really got to me--one would think 'clean your knife between cutting the onions and the strawberries' would be taught in cooking 101...which apparently chef skipped. pity, as a room that groovy deserves better.

save your pennies and go elsewhere.

Pros: quiet room, nice pacing, fine service

Cons: the food, unfortunately

Posted 05/06/07

17 has a solid menu and good service. The atmosphere is relaxing and decor enjoyable. Green papaya salad is tasty and lite, and the duck is cooked nicely. I'm pretty pleased with 17 and it is not as pricey as I had expected.

Pros: food, service

Posted 02/24/07

We have been to 17 five or six times over the last year and generally find it a very enjoyable restaurant. The service is generally impeccable with the food being almost as good. Menu is very varied and there is always something unique to try. We did have one bad visit but after the way management handled it we have gone back and continue to recommend 17 to friends.

Pros: Great Service, Creative Food

Posted 01/09/07

My wife and I went during the week between Christmas and New Year's. This is a good place. It was pretty busty for a Wednesday night. We had clams and scallops for appetizers, and lamb and the green curry shrimp as entrees. All of it was excellent. Nice comfortable chairs too. One surprise was the Roasted Pumpkin side. The waitress recommended it, and we both thought, "how good can roasted pumpkin be?". But we decided to try it. You really won't believe how good it is. If you go, you really need to try it. We skipped the desserts as nothing looked really great. Also on the plus side.... when I asked for a wine recommendation, I got a recommendation for a reasonably priced bottle of wine that turned out to be excellent.

Pros: Atmosphere, food, service

Cons: parking. valet is an $8 charge, and there is really no place to self park.

Posted 12/28/06

Love this place! The most tender filet mignon I've ever had. The foie gras is also to die for. I've been to 17 on several occassions and have never had a bad experience as far as food or service is concerned.

Posted 11/16/06

This place is a favorite! I have read of 17 multiple times in several magazines. The magazines were not even local. I did not understand why this restaurant was receiving all of the raves and others were left out until I experienced for myself. If you enjoy fine dining, this has got to be the first on your list.

Pros: If you are on a date, trust me, this is the place to begin. She will be wined and dined.

Cons: Parking. Definitely valet park.

Posted 11/05/06

We dined here on a Sunday night. Our waitress was very attentive and the decor was very chic.
If you need a romantic spot with very few interruptions check this spot out.

Pros: romantic

Posted 10/29/06

Immediate seating, gracious hostess and waiters, patience to allow us to meander through our meal. This is dining, not eating out, there is a difference. Great wine options, the fish options were excellent, beefs not as magnificient, but still very good.

Creativity in their presentation, and enough attention from the wait staff, even when every table was full to assure our needs were always met. I can't wait to go back!

Pros: Ambiance, Wait Staff, Architecture

Cons: Parking

Posted 10/22/06

Been there twice, had great service and good but expensive food the first time and lousy service, mismade drinks and average food the second time. They were out of three dishes and we ended up spending 50 dollars each for brunch and everyone just had eggs. Much better places available in Houston

Posted 09/17/06

17 is the coolest restaurant in Houston. The menu is exquiste while the service is Texas friendly. From the Lamb Sirloin to Lemon Ricatta Pancakes the chef is a genius. I would recommend 17 for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Make a weekend of it and enjoy one of the coolest hotels in the South, The Alden.
If you are going just for dinner, I would suggest that you get there a few minutes early to have a drink in the a+ bar. The bar menu is great and the ambience us seductive.
What impressed me most was the service. It's not often that you can go to such a neat place and still feel comfortable. The staff is incredible.

Pros: Friendly Gourmet.

Cons: It's expensive but worth it.

Posted 09/10/06

After reading some of the reviews here on citysearch, I did not know if 17 was going to be our restaurant selection, but it was one of the best experiences I have ever had. We were seated promptly at 8:00, and the service was impeccable. Both managers along with our server were so attentive to our needs, we did not have to ask for anything! We could not decide between so many of spectacular food selections, so we decided on Chef Pera's amazing five-course tasting menu that was unbelievable! Every course was something unique and very tasty! Their wine selection was so amazing -- I saw bottles on there I have not seen at any other restaurant in town! It was one of the most romantic dinners my boyfriend and I have ever experienced. I learned to not always go with other people's opinions, but to try something for myself and form my own! Well done, 17, I can see why the restaurant has received so many acclaimations...we will definitely be dining there again!

Posted 07/09/06

My girlfriend asked about substitutions for her meal. The waiter had to check with the chef, came back and told us one could be substituted, the other would be an additional $5. For a $35 entree, you wouldn't expect such pettiness. But whatever, we understand the artistic nature of how a chef likes his creations served. But when the meal came out we only received two sides (not 3 like we paid for). Still, no problem. Then the manager comes over to see how we are enjoying our meal. We tell him about the side issue. He apologizes and says he will take care of it. I see him talking to the waiter. Then nothing else happens. No acknowledgement, nothing. And an additional $5 added to our bill. At least follow up with us if you say you 'will take care of it'. Never again will we go there.

Pros: food, atmosphere, bar

Cons: service, arrogance

Posted 05/07/06

17 was amazing from cocktails to start in the a+ cocktail bar to the amazing wine list. The food was incredible. The grilled quail...incredible. The apple and blue cheese salad...incredible. The filet....incredible....The s'mores cake and homemade marshmallows...incredible. You have got to try for special occasions. Expect to around $80 a person. (Cocktails, Bottle of Wine, Apps, Main, Side, Dessert)

Pros: Romantic, Wine List, Awesome Staff

Cons: Not a one!

Posted 04/03/06

I go here for special occasions and my last visit was back when the hotel was named "Sam Houston." But, 17 just keeps getting better and better. When you do visit, request Mark to wait on you. He describes the off-menu entrees like Stephen King writes horror. He's very attentive and accomodating.

I had the filet and it was perfect in every way. However, I was really suprised that escolar was on the menu. My girlfriend's mother ordered the fish and there was no other way to serve the escolar.

I highly recommend this restaurant and a reservation.

Pros: New American food, waitstaff, ambience

Cons: none

Posted 10/28/05

I went here about a year ago and wasn't too impressed with the food.. but decided to give it another try when a friend came in town and wanted to eat there. OH MY GOODNESS! It was so much better! Apparently, they have gotten a new chef (Ryan Pera) and the menu is outstanding, the service was above and beyond attentive and the atmosphere is perfect for entertaining clients, having a romantic meal or even just a nice place for brunch! I was so impressed with their improvements, that we will continue to return again and again and again!!!

Pros: intimate atmosphere, amazing menu, service

Posted 08/15/05

I have tried four times to enjoy dinner here. There is something terribly wrong with the service each time. Enough to make the dinner unforgetable - for all the wrong reasons. the food is wonderful though and the wind list amazing. Maybe they'll get it right soon?

Posted 08/14/05

And I do consider myself a tough critic. The crab salad was to die for - the pork entree excellent - and I am still thinking about the Truffled Maccaroni & Cheese. The service was great. Attentive staff, never overbearing.

Pros: Ambiance, Service, Food

Posted 05/06/05

There are far better restaurants in Houston. It's convenient to DT - but you're better off eating outside of DT and driving to the clubs and shows. The food is very average and the prices are very high. Not justified.

Pros: location, ambience

Cons: food, service

Posted 03/14/05

Ambiance cannot be beat in Houston. They sat us 25 minutes late for our reservation, but upon tasting the appetizers (quail for me, pasta for my wife) I forgave them. Too bad the fabulous start didn't follow through to the entrees. My rabbit was overdone. My wife's curry shrimp was mediocre (where was the curry?). We really couldn't eat it, so left hungry and went to Mi Luna's for tapas. But before we left 17 the slow service did manage to bring us the wrong check. And charge us $8 for valet parking as a final insult.

Posted 03/05/05

We had reservations for our anniversary at 8:00 on Saturday, we showed up right on time, and could tell something was wrong. By 9:00 we were still not seated and the desk folks couldn't tell us when we might actually get seated. They had overbooked, and no one would admit it. The staff was beyond useless and utterly void of sympathy.

We left and ate somewhere else. The next day the manager did call to apologize and offered a free meal, but we are really thinking about going to one of other favorites instead. At least they (you know the other obvious choices in Houston) are run by grown-ups.

Posted 10/21/04

The decor and the ambiance of the restaraunt is great, but for some reason the food didn't capture my attention like I thought it would. I ordered a pork chop that was about as tough at a truck tire. I told the waiter, yet they still wanted to charge me for my dish. I guess what I'm saying is that I could cook a better pork chop than what I had. Go and find out for yourself, you may have a different experience.

Pros: Fusion, Romantic, Lots O' Wine

Cons: , Small Portions

Posted 10/03/04

The food was great. It's so expensive for what you get though. Tiny portions for extraordinary prices. Try the scallops...they're the best.

Pros: Great Food, Great Service, Great Wine

Cons: , Expensive Valet

Posted 08/15/04

propelled by fluff media reviews, we decided to try 17 midweek. mistake, yet funny.

"sommelier" gave wine list, we chose a value $92 burgundy, which the waiter corked. then sommelier re-appears, claiming a price mistake. argue, so he tries to pour. we ask him to decant......so he leaves with our wine, comes back and sets the decanter down, smiling, "great choice. anything else i can do?".....uh, well, maybe pour the stuff, we think as he sash-shays away.

this was the beginning... went downhill fast, from an amusing amuse-bouche that was missing its parts, to the highly recommended "s'mores" dessert, which consistedof vanilla ice cream and chocolate cake, as you'd find at a child's birthday party.

we left giggling, annoyed at the hype, expense, and obvious immaturity of the chef and staff. and of course, even more dubious of faux "restaurant critics".

Pros: downtown, ambience

Cons: , badly-done food

Posted 06/24/04

Taking my husband out for our Anniversary dinner at 17 a few weeks after I had visited the hotel with my sales group, proved to be an excellent choice! We had one of our most romantic evenings right there at 17. Of course I had notified the restaurant that we were celebrating a very special occasion and they came through in a way that absolutely blew me away. Everything from the ambience to their interesting and creative menu with a personal touch - to the home made chocolates that they surprised us with along with Champagne.it was just heaven! I look forward to making this a tradition and to exploring their Spring menu next time Im in Houston!

Pros: Warm Feeling, Personalized Service, Excellent Food & Wine

Posted 04/28/04

What a great addition to the Houston dining scene! The menu was inventive, the presentation incredible and the quality scrumptious. I thought the best part of the evening was diving into the wine list. They have some incredible selections and the prices are very, very reasonable. I definitely have not seen a wine list like that in Houston before. I have a feeling this will be a hot restaurant with some serious staying power.

Pros: wine menu, interior design, quality ingredients

Posted 04/27/04

Being spoiled with fabulous places to eat in New York I am not often impressed by what I find as I travel across the country, but 17 surprised me! The decor is carefully thought through and the ambiance is very inviting. This place deserves your attention and itll be your loss if you dont get to experience their short-rib salad or the roasted king salmon. The wine list is equally impressive and its clear that its been carefully selected by someone who knows this area. I didnt want to leave before I had a chance to try everything, which of course couldnt happen in one evening so I will have to pay another visit very soon.

Pros: Decor, Food Presentation, Wine List

Posted 04/27/04

The variety of the menu and the quality of the dishes ordered were excellent. But, it was the perfectly balanced service that truly made this restaurant stand out from the crowd. Just as the decor is sophisticated, with Western flavor; the service during our meal was attentive, while still friendly. We will be going back frequently...to the restaurant and to the bar.

Pros: excellent service, varied menu, great atmosphere

Posted 04/06/04