Cullen's Live

This was our first time going to Cullens. We were in a group of 10-12 people. The service was great. I have read several of these reviews that said other wise and I do not agree. Entire wait staff was great. The cocktails were delicious. I had a Sangria drink well work $8. The food was good in taste but the portions were not all that- expecially for the cost. I had the chicken fried rib eye and I really dont think it was rib eye. It was the thickness of 2 credit cards put together. It was good, but not $18.95 good. My husband had a stuffed chicken breast that was probably the size of a tennis ball, again not work $18.95 in size but good in taste. I would have loved to taste the $149.99 steak they were offering as a specail, but for $149.99, it better serve me for a week. I would recommend this place for a special occassion. They have the Grille @ Cullens that seemed to be more in my range and the food looked good.

Pros: Great Drinks & FREE bread & Butter

Cons: portions small for the cost

Posted 06/01/09

We've been twice and both times were totally disappointed in the food. Everyone ordered something totally different and the best thing on the table was the bread. The Prime Rib was the worst I've ever tasted and the fried shrimp was unbelievable horrible. They were kind enough to not charge for part of the meal but honestly, they need to fire the chef and start totally over.

Pros: Beautiful establishment with excellent wait staff

Cons: food is barely Mediocre

Posted 05/06/09

I have to say the set up and decor is beautiful they spared no expense. The staff really seem to want to please customers; we were acknowledge by the manager and were given a tour of the facility including the kitchen. But sadly the food was just barely ok. We had the lobster rissotto and lamb. I could smell the lobster shell before it to to the table which arrived luke warm and mushy. My husband had the lamb and could barely eat half of it. He said it was overcooked and tasted like soy sauce. We had heard the grits were exceptional and ordered them as a side, they were wonderful. This is such a cool place I hope they work on getting the kitchen up to par. Note to chef: as in "Hell's Kitchen" did you taste the food before sending it out?

Pros: Beautiful restaurant, great service

Cons: Food is mediocre at best

Posted 04/13/09

There were three of us. I ordered the chicken fried ribeye. The gravy was over salty almost ruining the entire entree. The potatoes were very good and the spinach was fresh but also over salty with about 20 slices of garlic in a half cup serving.

One person had the goat cheese salad and said that was real good. Her pizza looked okay and was very large for an individual serving. The other person had the pasta entree on the lunch special and she said it was very good.

The desserts were plain awful. It took over 45 minutes to get ours after we ordered them. We came to the conclusion that they ran to Kroger to pick them up. I had a chocolate cake with chocolate mousse filling with a side shot glass of vanilla milkshake. The cake was pathetic to say the least. The mousse was ok. The milkshake was barely cool and thin like sugary milk. How easy is a milkshake that they screwed that up so bad? Someone else had the fried apple pies and blueberry ice cream. The pies were ok but the ice cream was really good. The third person had the pecan pie sundae and said the pecan pie was one of those frozen ones and awful. She said the ice cream was good though.

The service was spectacular and the building is beautiful. I may try it one more time and no doubt about it, I'll skip the $8 dessert from Kroger.

Pros: Beautiful building, excellent service

Cons: Lots

Posted 03/29/09

This was just wonderfull. . . .I have been sitting hear thinking of the right words for this amazing experience and thier are just not words to discribe how nice this dinning was. This place is as casual as blue jeans and a nice blouce or a prom dress & you would not be out of place thier is a place in every part of this resturant to swing from one mood to the next. It was my B-day, My hubby took me here, from haveing are car parked to entering already impressed by the seen.We walked in were plesently greeted then Quickly seated, It was a Monday night so the two of us were more than excited to have the all you can eat, Main Lobster for just (49.95 ) it was to die for OMG... Ladies I also had the Cullens Martini with my meal this I half to say was an all time fave not to sweet not to tart & deffinetly not overbearring by alcahol flave, yummmmmeee...... after owr food we were told all about the the restuaunt & even given a grand toure by our waiter then to the bar for one more Cullens Martini. Lol . . . NO not to get drunk but just to sit at this very inviteing lounge area and cuddle up to conversation with my hubby.. I WILL be returning, this is now a fave of mine and the hubbys. .. I dont know if it makes a differance but IM 28 & hubbys 47 we loved it here guess its good for all ages, all accassions & all food craves. I hade a greate B-day, my hubby really did his homework this time (Thank you Babe mwaa) P.S. sorry about the spelling to all readers. 1 to many Cullen's Martini's LOL..

Pros: to good to be true

Cons: thier is not one in my back yard

Posted 03/12/09

Went with my husband for a Sunday dinner. We have been here about a half dozen times previously, and enjoy the classy atmosphere and great drinks. The food is absolutely top notch and often overshadowed by the cool ambiance. We started with the goat cheese salad and mini crab cake above average dish, huge portion! We also had the steak with mash potatoes and rock shrimp. The portions are very generous, and the service was spot on. They take reservations online too a plus! Overall, a great place for fun cuisine and great drinks!

Pros: warm friendly service, ambiance, food, free valet

Posted 02/25/09

This was a really fun place to go to before seeing a movie. We sat at the (main) bar and split a bottle of wine. After drinks we were seated and had the snapper and sausage and mash which was delicious and the presentation was beautiful. Everything was very fresh and tasty. The wine was very light and refreshing and paired perfectly with the seafood. The waiters were very attentive. Excellent experience overall!

Pros: attentive service, great wine list

Posted 02/25/09

I have been to Cullens 3 times. Each time the food was more of a disappointment.
The service was slow every single time but they were friendly.
The food has GREAT presentation but it just doesnt taste devine. Its "okay".

Now, here is what has really turned me off:
Notice that when you go into the restroom there is that room before it breaks into mens and womens restroom. This room smells like sewage! My friends noticed it as well. I thought maybe it was just a bad day but on my third visit to Cullens it still stunk. They now burn a candle to try to hide the smell. Also notice that there is a vent in that area. I beleive the smell is coming from the vent because you will also notice the smell again as you exit the main dining room and see the Macys table menus on the wall, look up when you get a whiff of sewage and you will notice another vent!

I dont feel comfortable eating not knowing why that smell is coming from the vents. But judge for yourself.
I will not lie, I love the ambiance so much I may go back for a 4th time.

Pros: Nice setting. Nice service. Excellent Presentation

Cons: Overpriced food. Not the best food around. Smells like sewage.

Posted 02/23/09

The ambiance was upscale and the food was very good. Service was also great . I had a really good French Dip which was wayyy too big to finish. Would definately eat here again.

Pros: quick service time

Posted 01/06/09

Love the menu which is based on seasonal food items they can get on any given day. It's an nice menu and my favorite thing on the menu is the goat cheese salad. Fabulous. Also have a great brunch and optional indoor patio for nice days. Seems like a perfect date spot too.

Pros: plenty of choices for lunch, great wine list

Posted 01/06/09

This is a nice looking place, and the food is not bad, except that for the price it should be great. This restaurant is more like a Monterey House than a truly upscale restaurant. The staff was too young and poorly trained to do justice. They did some of the things that pretend to be upscale, like use a million difference pieces of silverware, and charge a lot, but the rest was a joke. The designer added the touch of ever-changing art on HD screens, but the only one I could see just had Vista on it. The web site would lead you to believe that there was live music, but the reality was that for a cover charge you could go down to the bar and listen to top 40 cover music. They could at least have had a piano player in the dining room. Again, that would have actually been upscale, rather than just named 'upscale'. For this price range there are many better restaurants within a few miles of Cullen's. and no, it is not worth the drive from across town.
I would like to see them get their act together. It would be nice to have a restauraunt that is what this one claims to be. It is nice to get a table and keep it for the night, but the wait staff needs to understand the difference between giving the patron space, and simply being inattentive. It is okay to charge for great food and service, but only if you actually provide it.
Here is a brief synopsis of how our evening went:
We make reservations and met friends there. We were asked to enjoy the bar while our table was made ready, but when our table was ready, we were told that transferring the tab to the restaurant would be too much of a hassle (not unusual for a restauraunt unless it is "upscale). We were lead to the table to find service for three instead of four, and promptly waited fifteen minutes to be greeted by a waiter. The rest of the evening had the same flavor. We were attended to on the waiter's time, and if we used the bread plates for the appetiser because the was late with the plates, well ...

Pros: Nice Atmosphere

Cons: Pretending to be Upscale, but only the cost is upscale

Posted 01/05/09

We have only dined at Cullen's twice, and only on Sunday brunch, so we can't speak to the night life. But on those times, we have found the service to be outstanding and the food options good for a Sunday. The first time we dined there, we had really, dare I say, "obnoxious" people sitting next to us, visiting from out of town. A child stood on his chair to summon the waiter, and his parents thought it was funny. It went downhill from there. Nothing can ruin a meal faster than really badly behaved children. Our best wishes to that poor waiter, he was at his wits end, as were we.

The second time we went, it was much more civilized, and we enjoyed a brunch near the kitchen, where we could see some of the things going on. We ordered wine (Proseco) from the computer wine list (what fun!) and enjoyed amazing local pork dishes, salads that were so flavorful, waiters that were very attentive. We will be back again (sans brats!)

Excellent food.

Pros: Fabulous, tolerant wait staff

Cons: None

Posted 12/30/08

My first visit to Cullen's was on Mother's Day with my family. I was taken away by the entire restaurant. The atmosphere was very alluring. The staff was so nice, all of them had kind and gentle smiles. I could see that every intricate detail about the restaurant was thought of. Everything was perfectly placed. I ordered the Tokyo Mojito Sake which was wonderful! We ordered the "Frito Pie" as a starter, on the advice of the waiter, and we were so glad that we did! It's "The Best Frito Pie" in all of Texas! I ordered the "Wedge Salad". The lettuce was fesh and crisp. The mixture of ingredents was so tasty and delightful! My husband ordered Pizza and the taste and texture of the crust alone was so incredibly delicious! The waiter had informed us that Cullen's had a very unique and special oven they used to cook it in. Since Mother's Day we have returned on many occasions to the same distinctive, superior, world-class, unlike no other, service. We have tried the Rib eye, which was well-seasoned and so tender. The lamb was just as delectable! And for dessert..... I believe we have tried every single one of them! My husbands favorite is the Bourbon Pecan Pie! If you love chocolate you have to try the "Chocolate Odyssey"! It is chocolate heaven. I absolutely enjoy going to Cullen's with my family. I have an occasional "Girls Night Out" on the weekends at Cullen Live. My hat is off to you Mr. Munz, you have perfected the whole dining experience. I would also like to give praise to all the hostess, waiters, the managers and especially the chefs for making Cullen's what it is today. I will continue inviting family and friends to dine with me at Cullen's! Once again, to everyone at Cullen's, thanks for making my experience awesome!!!

Pros: Atmoshpere, Eco-friendly, Friendly Service,

Posted 12/26/08

i love the food at cullen's, its good for special occasions. i must recommend the ziti pasta. also, the tuna tartare...just right. the service is great, professional and welcoming.

the atmosphere is very elegant, and will keep your eyes wandering while you wait. definately a pleaser.

Posted 12/22/08

We had lunch at Cullen's Grill on several occasions and we have always been extremely satisfied! We always try to select original items on the menu and have been impressed with the talent of the Chef. He does not hesitate to blend flavors that I would not have thought to use together and the result, so far, has always been extremely successful, according to my taste. I am sometimes surprised but have always been fully satisfied. We have recommended it to several friends and they have all reported to us that they had a good experience. They did return several times, which to me is a vote of satisfaction!

Pros: gift cards, big restrooms, friendly staff

Posted 12/22/08

i've been wating tables for almost 3 years now and i know more or less how an upscale restaurant is supposed to run. i made reservations for my mom's birthday. normally a good restaurant takes note of that to make the occasion memorable in some way (i would only expect more attentive service). yet when we arrived early we were told to wait at the bar filled with those who were interested in the party scene. we're a family with a couple of kids so this was an awkward waiting room...especially when there weren't any seats available. next, a server took our drink orders but our real server arrived 20 minutes later saying that he wasn't used to the rush (there really wasn't one). we were deciding on some menu items and told him to check back in a couple of minutes (don't get the scallops because it only comes with 3 and they aren't even jumbo-sized). 15 MINUTES LATER he comes to finally take our order. a manager tosses us bread as he passes by. at this point i was too lazy and turned off to order wine for my mom's birthday. after we finish our bread basket they bring out the butter that was supposed to go along with it. great, so we ask for more bread but the cheese didn't come out with it becaues the waiter explained it was still cooking (we never got it). then he tells me that the kitchen just ran out of rib eye so i had to order something else. after we all receive our sub-par meals, my brother discovers his buffalo steak was well done when he specifically asked for medium rare. this is an amateaur mistake for a high-class restaurant. finally, we complained. they offered us free dessert but if you work in the restaurant business desserts are the cheapest items on the menu and marked at a premium. we declined and the most professionalism we got out of cullen's was from the manager who took $75 off our $235 tab for four.

Pros: butternut squash soup, lobster risotto, sweet dining area

Cons: the flounder special, any pizzas (not unique for $12), service, kitchen

Posted 12/21/08

Even though this is a bit pricer than average, I would say it is well worth it. The quality of the food and the presentation is great. They gave us some complementary mousse prior to our starters and I almost wanted to lick the bowl... or maybe I was just starving.

I would definitely come back. The best is the desserts which they served in sample sizes so you can taste 5 different types of ice creams.

Also make reservations as this place seems to be always full. It would be nice if you could make reservations online.

Pros: Dessert selections, wine tablets easy to use

Cons: Valet took forever

Posted 12/16/08

Great 3 course menu which includes appetizer, entrees, and dessert. Will definitely fill you up. The food presentation was excellent. Great friendly knowledgeable staff. Steak was made as ordered. Service was nice too.

Pros: easy Christmas present (gift cards are available), Ice tea never went dry, wi-fi

Posted 12/16/08

Me before Cullens entered my life:
o

/|
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And afterwards:
o

/O
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What you can't see in my second person is a gigantic smile with chocolate smeared on my teeth from my chocolate odyssey. That's right, pure chocolate heavenly bliss.?

Posted 12/16/08

Great Restaurant. Have eaten lunch and dinner a minimum of 20 times, including my birthday at Macy's Table which is a one-of-a-kind experience. Try the duck breast, tuna tartare, and rock shrimp, they are awesome.

Just to clear the record, in a previous City Search Review of Cullen's (What a mess! Don't waste your time! - 12/14/08) an individual stated that the owner of Cullen's owned strip joints and pawn shops. They were partially correct he owned 13 pawn shops, one of the largest independent chain's in the State of Texas, prior to that he was a software designer at NASA and has developed approximately 250,000 sf of office/retail space in and around Houston. Obviously the individual who posted the review must be familiar with both strip joints and pawn shops to know who the owners of these establishments are. Must have gotten the owner of Cullen's confused with one of his other friends.

Posted 12/15/08

We had high hopes for this restaurant! We eat at the usual upscales; pappas Steakhous, Vic and Anthony's, Pesce; and loooked forward to something close to home. Unfortunately we were greatly disappointed. The hosteses are either in high school or early college age. THey know nothing of customer service. We were told we had no reservation-we made them and had a reservation number, but were left at the hostess podium without any knowledge of where the hostess was going. She simply told another to take care of us. The manager eventually appeared and said we did have a reservation could we wait in the bar. So OK, we did and were still looking forward to our evening. After more than half an hour in the bar, another manager came to us and said there was no available seating for our reservation. We decided we would leave.
When the valet brought us our car, it was a white late model Lexus. We came to the restaurant in an SUV. Yes, this is indeed fact. They brought us the car, even though we pointed out that our vehicle was parked just moments away in eye sight. This is a failure! This is what happens when an owner of strip joints and pawn shops gets involved in "upscale dining".
Do not waste your time here. Unless of course you like low class treatment!

Posted 12/14/08

My husband and I had seen the restaurant several times while driving down Space Center Blvd. We couldn't wait for it to open up. We have been here several times and have had excellent service each and every time. Each time the hostess called us to confirm our reservation, and when we arrived we were seated immediately. The waitstaff is very attentive and exceptionally friendly. Each time we have tried something new on the menu and have enjoyed everthing we have eaten. The first time we had dinner, I had the frito pie (which was quite honestly the best frito pie I have ever eaten) and my husband had the ziti pasta. Both were wonderful. For dessert we split the creme brulee trio. The chocolate and lavender portion of the creme brulee was the most surprisingly wonderful thing I've tasted. The portions are the perfect size, not overblown and enormous like most restaurants which leave you feeling like you have to eat the whole thing (and end up overstuffing yourself).

I honestly do not understand where these awful reviews are coming from. It's almost as if these people are eating at a completely different restaurant.

No matter. Our experience at Cullen's has been nothing but wonderful and we'll keep coming back again and again.

Shiri Lancaster

Pros: Friendly and Attentive Waitstaff and Hostesses, Excellent Food, Great Variety of Menu Items

Cons: Haven't had one yet

Posted 12/11/08

I made reservations here for my friend's birthday. We arrived and they did not have our table ready, when they finally took us to our table it was practically in the kitchen and they did not have the birthday cake we requested when I made the reservations! We were disappointed in our food, someone thought a lobster was a crawfish and the dessert was not tasty! It totally ruined the surprise and fun of the birthday party for my friend! Do not recomend this restaurant at all!

Pros: Nice bar

Cons: Poor service, ruined the surprise by not suppling the b-day cake I requested 2weeks prior

Posted 11/25/08

We had dinner at Cullen's last night and was very disappointed in the food/service. The wait staff had no clue how to wait on customers. We had old lettuce in our Caesar salads which I sent back. They were brought back to us with a little greener lettuce mixed in with the old lettuce. I would be ashamed to serve this poor quality of food. My daughter had the Fried fish and homemade chips. It looked like fish from Long John Silver's. The wait staff never refilled our water glasses and would attempt to take our plates/ bread plates etc without asking if we were finished. I have been to upscale restuarants in my life and they could run circles around this restuarant. I have been to Cullen's three times now and none of our visits were that great. Last night was our last visit to this restuarant. They need to train their staff on how to be upscale as most have no clue what that entails. We went next door to Cullen's Live at 10:00 pm and there were very few people there except for the one's listening to the band. The band was very good and entertaining. Cullen's Live needs to promote the club more since there was a very small crowd there and it appears to cater to older/baby boomers. If they want to appeal to all ages then they need to advertise and have bands that appeal to all ages. The one last night was good and they did play a variety of music. Most people that I speak to do not know anything about Cullen's or Cullen's Live. I hope that Cullen's improves so they do not lose more customers. It is a bit pricey for the poor service and quality of food.

Pros: Ambience is nice and parking is good

Cons: Poor service and quality of food in poor. Not a good value for the money

Posted 11/15/08

I've now been here for a full family dinner, just drinks at the bar, and a dinner in the bar area. The dinner was the first or second weekend they were open around father's day and it appeared that while some things were in order, they needed some work to be done on the level of service. The service staff struggled with our table of 12 people. But the sheer atmosphere and design of the place is breathtaking. On the other two occasions that I returned in the last two weeks, the food was excellent (ive had a pasta dish and the steak was mouthwatering). I ordered the filet and had it medium rare and it was fabulous. My husband had the lobster bisque and it was crazy good. The service was excellent and better than Perrys chain(which i consider to be good). On the occasion where we just were in the bar for drinks, we tried their "bar bites" menu and it was also tasty. Although we asked the bartender to change one of the (many) tvs to the astros game and it took them about 20 minutes because apparently they dont have control over the tvs behind the bar. They had to go find a manager to do it and the bartender was very very apologetic. There were only about 10 pple in the bar on a tuesday ngt, we were a little surprised at what the big deal was. Im hoping they fix that because it just seems pointless. Beyond that, it truly is a hidden gem that the clear lake crowd has yet to discover!

Posted 09/08/08

Dined there yesterday for dinner with a group for my son's birthday. We had the most wonderful experience with an individual named Matthew. Upon making the reservation the nice gentleman asked me what we were celebrating and I communicated to him that we were bring my 11 year old son for his birthday. The gentleman asked if I would like any type of cake or flowers for the table. I jumped on the cake idea and new that John would just love it. Upon arriving Matthew was waiting for us at the door to take us to our table where he had balloons, cake, and a card signed from the entire staff. The Chef's sent us over a little something for his birthday and gave John a tour of the kitchen. Matthew stayed the entire evening to make sure John's night was the best taking pictures of us with the Chef's and staff. The entire staff was wonderful and couldn't have been better about making us and John feel to be the center of attention... It was unforgettable.

Posted 08/30/08

I am an avid business traveler. I average around three countries a month and eat out at about 30 different restaurants a month. I was recently in Houston meeting with some new clients and found Cullen's Upscale American Grille through my concierge at the St. Regis. He told me this was the place I needed to be to be able to impress some clients. My concierge recommended to me that I book Macy's Table. Now I have been to many chef tables and I have to say that I have never once been to one that can compare to the one at Cullen's that stands above the main dining room 25 feet. SUSPENDED IN THE AIR. Now this is impressing; however, this is only one of the highlights of my experience. The table was set beautifully with some handsome glasses, place cards for each one of my guest along with a menu with their names on it. This I have to say made it easier also for those guest who did not know each other to have their names in front of them. We had a total of 6 people waiting on us hand and foot. Not only did we have an amazing time but Cullen's also arranged for a car service to pick me and my guest up all coming from different areas in town. Dubai has been said to have some of the only 7 star restaurants in the world, I beg to differ. Places like Cullen's are what make food turn into an occasion and an experience rather than a day's necessity. Thank you, I will be back.

Pros: Seven Stars!!!

Cons: I don't live in Houston to be able to experience this on more occasions.

Posted 08/24/08

The staff at Cullen's is exceptional. We recently celebrated my sister's birthday at Cullen's. We were greeted and sat by a friendly hostess, which is rare these days, even though our party was not complete. Our waiter was patient and pleasant in waiting for the rest of our party to arrive. He served the birthday cake that I brought in and a complimentary glass of champagne for the birthday girl. Many birthday well wishes were given from the staff. To keep it short, the drinks were good and the food was great sans the Lobster Bisque. We were greeted by the General Manager who welcomed us and thanked us for choosing to dine at Cullen's. All in all, a pleasant experience. We will return.

Posted 08/20/08

My husband & I dined at Cullen's for the first time last week. The food was fabulous and the atmosphere was welcoming. I had the prime rib and it is the best I've had anywhere in houston. The meal was great and afterwards we went to the bar. NICE! I can't wait for Cullen's Live to open in September. We will definitely be returning & bringing friends.

Pros: Food & Atmosphere

Posted 08/19/08

Fabulous restraunt and now Cullen's Live!!! It's great having such an awsome place so close to home!

Posted 08/19/08

Visited Cullen's on sat nite. The food was amazing the building was unbelievable and the ambiance was perfect. After an excellent meal we ended up in the bar?had a great time playing shuffleboard and billiards. Can?t wait to return to party at Cullen's Live opening , I think in sept. this is definitely a ?downtown? establishment in my own backyard...way to go, its about time!

Pros: ambiance & food

Cons: None

Posted 08/19/08

First time at Cullen's. Invited for financial seminar conference. 50+ people in meeting room and the food (chicken and pasta) was fabulous. The facility is like a really nice hotel. I will be back for dinner in the main dining room.

Pros: Just ate in banquet room but menu looks great

Cons: Never heard about it and I live in the area

Posted 08/19/08

I've been hitting Cullen's pretty regularly since I found it a few weeks back. The food is outstanding and the dessert....to die for. The desserts are just the right price and size. After a filling meal the desserts really take it over the top without leaving you feeling guilty for either stuffing yourself sick or leaving half of it on your plate. And as if great food is not enough, they're about to open Cullen's Live later this month...can't wait to check it out.

Pros: Food & Desserts

Cons: None

Posted 08/19/08

I recently hosted an event at Cullen's in one of their private dining rooms. The room was fabulous and our Event Manager, Aurora Perez, was AWESOME! She went above and beyond to make sure our party had an unforgettable evening. We had personalized flowers and cake and even car service for our guest who had ?a little too much fun?. The night was spectacular and we look forward to many more parties at Cullen?s.

Pros: Excellent Service

Cons: None

Posted 08/19/08

I was a slightly confused after reading other reviews about the pasta; I absolutely loved the pasta. True to the menu description--tradional al dente. I'm happy to finally find a place that makes pasta the way it was intended and not an overcooked mushy mess. Keep up the great job. Its nice to have such an establishment in our area.

Pros: Al Dente Pasta

Posted 08/19/08

I just found this fabulous place and I'm SOOOO glad I did! I have made it my regular lunch stop...the value is awesome! For less than $20 bucks I get a three course meal that is out of this world. I just wish I had found it sooner!

Pros: Value & Food

Posted 08/19/08

I recently was asked to be a guest at an event at Cullen's. I will tell you what there is nothing that compare to it on this side of the city. We started off by having a selection of fabulous sushi, then was lead by my boyfriend to see the ice sculpture that they had surrounded with fabulous shrimp. Next thing we did was go and try if I can remember correctly beef loin and salmon which was cut by the Chef's. Now I am a lady who loves my sweets so the handmade mini tarts and pecan pies were just amazing to compliment my mojito. I have once again never been to an event where I can select from my own flavors and rum to customize my own mojito. Everyone loved these. My favorite was the orange and mango mojito. I have to say that the service was terrific and never did you see an server not working. I can't wait to go in and try the restaurant!

Pros: Favorite Party Place, Custom Drinks, Attention to detail

Cons: Valet???

Posted 08/11/08

I have been to Cullen's about half a dozen times at both lunch and dinner. Lunch is as good as it gets for business because the environment is so rich without being stuffy. I gladly bring my customers here; they are always in awe of the place and there are some great lunch specials. I feel like I am giving away one of my best kept secrets but I want to see these guys succeed. I don't know what the owners wanted Cullen's to be but the place is no Vic & Anthony's and I am glad. It is a way more comfortable environment with a whole lot more food selection. I have had dishes I didn't like but there is a great variety of foods that are second to none: their prime rib, short ribs, fish n chips and my favorite by far the Reuben sandwich at lunch. It is a fabulous environment and a much needed addition to the south side of town. Thanks guys and keep up the good work.

Pros: By far the best restaurant on the south side of Houston

Cons: New. New. New. Working on staff.

Posted 07/29/08

If you gave this place a bad review, your must not eat out much. I have never been to such a great place in my 50 year life. The bar is very fun place to go after work for a few drinks. The building is huge. When my wife and I walked in we were promptly seated in a very cozy booth. The kitchen could be seen through big windows. It was very fascinating. My wife and I typically dine in-town on the weekends, but after going to Cullen's, I believe we will save gas. I had the lobster bisque to start, it was not your typical bisque, but nonetheless very tasty. The main course was my favorite! I had the prime rib, and my wife had the special, which was a rabbit dish. My prime rib was the best in Houston (including Vic and Anthony's). The dessert was very good, we had a chocolate symposium.
Service was very friendly, and prompt, but a tad bit "unpolished". The price was what I would expect, very very reasonable. Very clean restaurant. The manager came to our table and explained to me that Cullen's is the only "Green Restaurant" in Houston. They are the only restaurant in this organization, which I found fascinating. Overall, my wife and I are going to save gas and not go into town, because this place is too good to pass up. Macy's table is now open can't wait to go up there and check it out!

Posted 07/19/08

The concept is upscale dining experience in Pasadena,Clear Lake and the layout is beautiful! The food is pricey and the portions are tiny. I had a pecan pie a la mode that looked like it came from a vending machine. The service was very slow. For +/- $100 a person , I'm out!

Posted 07/12/08

My wife and I live in the area and had been waiting for Cullen's to open their doors so we would have another nice restaurant to frequent w/o driving downtown. The scenary is very nice and the wine tablet is a neat idea, but straight to the point. Now I am a guy who loves my flip flops and shorts and t-shirts, but was under the impression this place would be a business,casual dining experience. We are there and not decked out by any means but nice pants and shirt and my wife in a nice bouse and pants. Low and behold walks in and right by our table is a man in flip flops and shorts and a black "SCORPION" concert shirt, are you kidding me. I can imagine how this must sound not knowing what type of people my wife and I are and we are very casual people, believe me. Then another man and his wife sits next to us and this guy has on a red hanes t shirt and shorts and flip flops.It is a business casual establishment but they , being in this area , understand people may have come from their beach house to dine or off of their boat, and quite possibly didn't have that specific attire w/ them. I know , I know , their money is as good as mine anywhere and you are absolutely correct but when you are expecting to have a dining experience that would reflect the type of place this seemed to be then you understand my point and please enforce the dress code. We will not be back any time soon and when we do go back, I'll be sure to wear my black sabbath shirt and black (chucks)converse shoes and blue jeans w/ bandana's on 'em. In all expect food that is good( not great) but a beautiful atmosphere, our service was good, and the sommelier was informative , and hopefully they will have this problem corrected in the near future. Is it a Chili's or is it the "upscale dining " they promised, cause those aren't Chili's prices on the entree's.

Posted 07/05/08

So when dining at Cullen's you have to take the service with a grain of salt. This is a restaurant that needs to be supported through their growing pains so that the Clear Lake/Pasadena area can continue its culinary growth. The food is fabulous. The menu is well thought out and diverse. The homemade Lamb Sausage and Sweetbreads are to die for. Unfortunately, the staff is comprised of Chili's employees and not fine dining vets. Give it some time and this place will get it right.

Pros: Food, Electronic Wine List

Cons: Service, Values on Wine List

Posted 06/30/08

Went there for a business dinner with a large group and really enjoyed the food. The service was very iffy with it taking almost 30 minutes for them to take our food order; in fact we had to ask for the menus after sitting there for 10 minutes. This is a very unique restaurant that would fit much better in downtown Houston than on the border of Clear Lake and Pasadena.

As far as the food, since this was a business dinner so all I had was an entree and went with their Prime New York Strip which was good but came out Mid Rare rather than the ordered Blue. Also tasted the Hot Smoked Salmon and it was very good. I hope it will survive but given its size and location I have to wonder especially considering on a Thursday night there were only three or four tables and the place felt empty. I will definitely be going back to try some more of their items, especially the $12 Frito Pie.

Pros: Nice Selection, especially given the area

Cons: Iffy Service

Posted 06/27/08

Loved the food! The lamb ($32) was very tasty and moist. The halibut ($19) with couscous was delicious too! A small bowl of lobster bisque ($12) tasted better once you poured the whole bottle of the cream they provided. The Italian soda (skinny glass for $4) was too sour and didn't have enough pomegranate juice and the waiter spilled most of our drink and didn't even bother to either take it off our tab or bring us another drink. I don't remember if he even apologized. We hardly were paid any attention by our waiter. I would understand if the place was packed, but the place was almost empty for a Thursday night. He wasn't that friendly and hardly ever smiled. In fact, he seemed annoyed when we were first greeted. For an upscale restaurant, I thought the waiter would've been a little more cheerful and the utensils on the table would have at least been clean. All in all, it was average in my book. I guess I expected a little bit more for an upscale restaurant.

Pros: Large Waterfront soon-to-be built in the front lot

Cons: Waiter hardly paid us any attention & charged us for a drink he spilled

Posted 06/25/08

Cullens is quite awesome from a visual perspective. The decor and setup make this a landmark destination. The food was very good too. This review could have easily been 5 stars but service was very poor.

Our waiter was very rushed, didn't ever check on us and pretty much only took our orders and gave a bill. We were without water for some time and had to ask other staff for help. He obviously didn't care about our experience and we noticed he was the same with other customers.

Pros: Beautiful restaurant, good food

Cons: Poor Service

Posted 06/25/08

I love this restaurant! I live in the Uptown area and I frequently make the (shorter-than-you-think) drive out to Cullen's for an amazing meal at a fraction of the price you would pay if this restaurant were located closer to town. I love the attention to detail. On my last visit I was celebrating a promotion. My boyfriend must have mentioned it because the host staff congratulated me when we checked in for our reservation. Food suggestions I would make are the Frito Pie (not to be missed), the Goat Cheese Salad, the Braised Short Ribs, or ANY steak and I haven't even tried most of the menu! The cocktails are mixed perfectly every time, and their wine list offers many selections around the $50 mark. The service has always been attentive, but I've also always had the same waiter (props to Evan). The new bar is great, too...we played shuffleboard for free ( I think it only lasts through June, though). Can't wait to visit as the complex opens up the remainder of the space.

Pros: Value, comp valet, cocktails, frito pie

Cons: Art TVs, cold decor

Posted 06/24/08

The drinks and appetizers were great. The pasta dish I had (pork pappardelle) was not very appetizing. The pasta was crunchy in spot and gooey in others. Our waiter was not very friendly and didn't pay attention to our table. Do Not go for your anniversary. If it is your first time you will be disappointed.

Pros: drinks

Cons: pasta and service

Posted 06/22/08

The restraint is a weird concoction of differing facades but it seems to work. We went for father?s day after 5pm and the place was only half filled. When we tried to order my favorite (shrimp for me the dad you see) we were told that they were out of shrimp and a few other things due to the Fathers day lunch rush. Now we live near the Kemah docks where shrimp fishing abounds but oh well. So we ordered the scallops as an appetizer, well don?t, for $19 we got, (get this) 2 scallops with some greens nicely placed but 2 scallops wow. The meal was excellent the service was a little slow but not excessively so but when we requested a tour of the facilities we were told the manager(s) were ?TO BUSY?. I GUESS WE WILL BE TO BUSY TO GO BACK

Pros: nice atmosphere

Cons: we feld like we were a bother

Posted 06/16/08