Bistro Provence
Categories:
Restaurants, French Restaurants, Mediterranean Restaurants
Details:
$$$, Notable Wine List, Quiet, Romantic Dining
Message from Bistro Provence
Family owned and operated, Bistro Provence is a traditional, cozy French bistro amongst unconventional surroundings. Located in Houston far from the sidewalks of Paris, Bistro Provence is dedicated to creating authentic French dishes paired perfectly with French wines in a warm neighborhood restaurant spot. With Executive Chef Ryan Hildebrand's help, their diverse menu features traditional dishes such as goat cheese filled ravioli, pizzas, onion soup, escargot, grilled pork chops, succulent salmon and so much more. Daily lunch menu specials and dinner menu specials are offered as well as deserts. An entirely French wine selection can be found at Bistro Provence, ideal for any meal. Call ahead for groups of five or more at this walk-in only Houston French restaurant. The family feel and inspired cuisine won't disappoint at Houston's Bistro Provence.
Insider Pages Reviews for Bistro Provence
My first introduction to Bistro Provence occurred one afternoon when my wife Penny and I (both unapologetic Francophiles and fluent) wanted to go out to eat at a good French restaurant.
Using my iPhone, I called the Bistro's number and inquired as to the possibility of a table at 8:00 p.m. "Certainly, sir," replied the voice in French. The voice that I later would discover belonged to the owner's mother, then explained that they were not taking reservations and were very busy that evening. However, if we arrived after 8 p.m. we shouldn't have a problem obtaining a table.
We were hungry and decided to not wait until 8 p.m. and so off we went. The first challenge was finding it. Travelling east on Memorial Drive we passed Yorkchester Drive. I assumed this was going to be a little boutique restaurant on Memorial Drive, when in fact it turned out to be located in a small shopping center. The Bistro appeared somewhat busy when we arrived near 7:15 p.m. with several couples exiting as we approached.
The first thing we noticed were several small tables with blue and yellow tablecloths set up along the sidewalk in front of the restaurant. None were occupied at the time due to the lingering heat of the day. We entered and stepped into a very cute little 40-seat restaurant. W was greeted by the owner's mother who offered us our choice of seats -- there were maybe 20 people in the restaurant. We hadn't needed to worry about arriving early after all. The restaurant's kitchen is open to view, and the area is dominated by a giant dome-shaped pizza oven. As soon as you sit down at your table, you are given a piece of hot bread from the wood-fired oven. In keeping with the customs of Provence, the bread comes with olive oil flavored with herbs instead of butter.
The menu, although small, included several bistro classics. A chalk board listing several specials of the day was also presented for our consideration. My wife decided to ordered a Salade de Crevettes (mixed greens shrimp salad $10) while I ordered the Escargots La Provencale (escargots baked with garlic and parsley butter $8) as entrees. I selected the half of a duck in a blood orange sauce (Canard a l'Orange $23) as my main course, and a bottle of Chateau Bellevue Peycharneau 2004 from Bordeaux ($35). "How is the duck prepared?" I asked. Failing the communication test, I tried in French. "C'est du magret?"
"Non, monsieur," the waiter replied, and continued in French, "We've had a run on the Canard a l'Orange today. Instead we are serving duck breast. It's a large duck breast cut into several slices, served with spinach and potatoes. How would you like it cooked?"
"A point," I said, which is French for "medium" but tends to be more like medium-rare in the US, since the French eat their meat rather rarer than Americans.
We had some of the bread baked in the Bistro's wood-fired oven that came to the table. It was very tasty, especially with the application of some olive oil seasoned with herbs.
The shrimp were very good -- the mixed greens were paired with mangoes and avocados in a citrus vinaigrette. Penny would have liked the shrimp a bit softer, but that's just us being completely picky. The escargot were delectable as was the bread when dunked in the melted garlic and parsley butter lingering in the bottom of the escargot dish.
The duck was a success. The breast came sliced on a plate trickled with blood orange sauce. Penny meanwhile was enjoying her ravioli stuffed with goat cheese, served over a garlic and provincial herbs (Ravioles De Chvre, Avec Brochette De Fruit De Mer in French $20). Eating the ravioli with crusty bread dipped in olive oil, she was all smiles.
The Chateau Bellevue Peycharneau was very good, pairing very well with both the duck and ravioli.
We ordered a Dame Blanche (hot fudge sundae $8) to split for dessert and it was very, very good -- the ice cream was just soft enough, the whipped cream sweet, the hot fudge chocolate sauce excellent. We each had a shot of espresso with it.
The meal was a success. The shrimp were excellent, and the list of main courses, although small, was a hard decision for me. Bistro Provence is definitely a winner. It's a worthy addition in a city that is a bit desperate for good French cooking. Our combined bill with the appetizers, main courses, wine, dessert, coffee and tax was $104.
Bistro Provence isn't perfect, but the food is very, very good. On a dark evening with a bottle of French red wine and the aroma of garlic wafting through the air, I can close my eyes and imagine I'm back in France seated with friends in a cozy rural auberge.
Bon appetit!
Alain G. Harvey
Posted 07/17/09 | Report Abuse
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This place is my favourite restaurant in Houston. If you want someting that is intimate and different, this is the place you must go. This place have daily specials, excellent food including a great service. Their wine waiter really know everything about wine and he showed us how passionnate he is about his job. You will never be disapointed by going there.
PROS: good waiter, nice intimate place
CONS: nothing
Posted 08/03/06 | Report Abuse
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Latest reviews from Citysearch.
Great Little Family-Owned French Restaurant
by AlainHarvey
Bistro Provence is a great little family-owned French restaurant. The chef and his wife are French and so are some of the waitstaff. The menu is traditional home cooking with a flair of the cuisine from the south of France. If you've been to France...you'll love it and you won't go broke!
I love this little gem of a restaurant in the middle of a strip mall. The restaurant is small but quaint and inviting. The food is great for the price. It seems like the owners appreciate diners who appreciate good french food. It's definitely worth the trip.
Bistro Provence is as close as you can get to the experience of eating at a French restaurant without leaving town. There are ten or so tables on the sidewalk in front of the restaurant. On a warm night, it's a joy to sit outside and eat a light meal, as we did on our next visit.
Bistro Provence isn't perfect, but the food is very, very good. On a dark evening with a bottle of French red wine and the aroma of garlic wafting through the air, I can close my eyes and imagine I'm back in rural France seated in a cozy auberge dining with friends and family.
Bon app?tit!
Alain G. Harvey
Pros: Charming with Excellent Food, Prices and a Friendly Staff
Cons: Limited Seating
Posted 07/16/09
Wonderful Valentine's Day
by Zebmur
Went there on Valentine's Day and had a luxurious meal that was complemented by fantastic service. The lamb and lobster bisque were perfection. We live out of town but when we visit again we will be back!
Pros: Service and superb food combined
Cons: What are the drawbacks?
Posted 03/17/09
Great French food in the suburbs!
by ananya12
So this is right around the corner from where I work, so I am lucky enough to be able to visit for lunch. I love it - the atmosphere is cozy and comfortable, and clearly there is much care given to the ingredients and makings of each dish. I am a fan of French food but for those that aren't, there are more familiar dishes like pizza.
I think this a super place for a date, as well. Very authentic look and taste.
Posted 12/28/08
not a good menu
by virgo72
After a long weekend with out power , me and my family decided to go eat , our friends have told us about this place outside of wilcrest. The bread was not hot and they served us some spices that where bittter and tasteless.They also said they didnt have the full menu and was limited to a special chalk board that to me was not readable after that we ordered the specials but for us it was not to our satatisfaction we wont be going back.
Pros: sat outside
Cons: tasteless spices and no full menu
Posted 09/27/08
This restaurant has it all
by pnig
We have been there twice and the food and service is beyond expectations of the finest restaurants in Houston. The food is superb; prepared with a flair and skill far beyond what I would have expected from a small restaurant in Houston. This is in my humble opinion the best dining value in Houston. For anyone who enjoys French cuisine at it?s best you can not afford to miss this opportunity to delight your taste buds.
Pros: Chef, wait staff, food preparation, escarot!!!, bread
Posted 08/21/08
Bistro Lamb Salad was the BOMB!
by dduplan59
Had lunch there on today with some of my co-workers and this was my first time there. It was (5) of us. Three of us order the Roasted Chicken that came with potatoes and veggies and (1) ordered the Vegetarian Pizza and I had the Bistro Lamb Salad which was simply delicious...the Lamb was juicy and tender. I can't wait to go back to try something different on their menu.
Pros: Amibience and Service was Great!
Posted 08/20/08
Best French Food.....
by TrishCao
My husband is not a fan of french food, but he changed his mind after his visit to Bistro Provence. The food is simply amazing and it's a cozy & romantic place to bring a date!
Pros: None
Posted 08/18/08
Reminds us of our favorite place in Paris.
by dannon99
I surprised my husband and took him here for our anniversary. I was hoping it would be close to our favorite little place we found in Paris-and it did. The ambience is similar, very cute, little and romantic. The chef is amazing. I am so glad I read the reviews here! It is fabulous! The creme brulee was perfect, and we highly recommend the mango duck. Be prepared to be wowed.
Pros: Very France like
Cons: does not take reservations
Posted 07/20/08
Ca C'est bonne!!
by CandidGirl
My husband I discovered this wonderful bistro 3 years ago. It took us a while to figure out their hours because they were not posted on the door. Once we did find them open, it was love! The service was friendly and excellent. The food delicious -- from the starters through to dessert. The wine list also very good and came with knowledgable recommendations. We've been hooked ever since. We go as often as possible and take our friends. We celebrated birthdays, anniversaries and goodbye dinners. The restaurant is small with tables close to each other, which can sometimes stir impromtu interesting conversations with those next to you! We'll keep coming back! This is our favorite spot!
Pros: Everything!
Cons: Tables are close together -- could be a problem if you are handicapped.
Posted 06/18/08
Great Deal on the real deal french food.
by k0co
Very comfortable place, small and intimate, and with the real-deal for French food.
Country Pate is as my wife makes it. Nice wines; bread is terrific. Soups and stews are wonderful. I'd stay clear of the beef dishes, as they can be tough - need a better cut of meat there. Apart from that, just terrific stuff and it won't cost an arm and a leg.
I eat there 1/week when visiting Houston.
Pros: Food, price
Cons: can get crowded at peak time which strains the servers.
Posted 04/29/08
Great place for birthdays!
by babyvero
Everything was great, the environment, manager, chef, waiter and servers!! This was my first time visiting a French restaurant and the experience was outstanding! Our waiter Jonathan was so nice and explained to us every aspect of the menu. The atmosphere was very welcome and extravagant! The chef came to our table to check is everything was fine. My husband wanted to celebrate my birthday in a French restaurant, so he had five different choices of restaurant, and then he chose Bistro Provence. Of course, he made a perfect choice as usual. : )
Thanks Jonathan for your service...
Cons: None
Posted 04/23/08
best french food
by texan2008
Bistro provence a place like no other, me and my family came on a saturday night and enjoyed the atmosphere . The server Jonathan was great the service and the food was wonderful we had the chefs Mussels if you like mussels you will fall in love with these .I have mussels in kehmah and believe me no one has these. The Chef is very creative just by looking at the specials that they have . I do highly suggest Bistro provence for the service and for the food. Had a wonderful time will be coming back.
Pros: service and food great
Cons: no cons at all
Posted 03/14/08
Great French food in a quite casual setting
by nelsonmb
Great food and the service is very helpful. Great wine selection. If you feel like having great French food in a quite bistro setting, this is your place. You can even make it romantic.....
Pros: Wine list, helping you select a great wine.
Cons: Memorial Dr. can be noisy.
Posted 07/17/07
COMFORTABLY DELIGHTED AND CHARMED FRANCAIS STYLE
by r2dvs
A refreshing euro-jewel of a bistro. Authentic french fare,charisma, and feel with warm hospitable care for their guests. Proffessional attention given from member of the staff with caring pampering from manager and proprietors paired with a genuine French classique chef. An masterpiece of a wine list with an incredible selection of amzing wine including half bottles, all of which I find to be very reasonably priced.
Thumbs up all the way!!!!
Pros: THE WORKS
Cons: NONE
Posted 07/17/07
this is simply my favourite restaurant in Houston!!!!
by nancyberranger
I am french and one the things I miss the most from France has to be the food...I have never been disapointed at the Bistrot de Provence!!!
I love their apetizers,from the snails,to the Rillettes(sans oublier le foie gras),and the "tapenade with the fougasse "is a must..
I would recomand the duck as an entree,but the selection of fish is exellent too!!!
Now,if you still have room,the deserts are unforgettable...Wish there was a big patio to enjoy a glass of (great)wine as well...
This "little coin de France" is so romantic,very welcoming and so so french!!!!!
Posted 07/11/07
best french restaurant in houston
by hawkarg
as a french guy in houston since a long time, i always try to find the food i was eating in france.
well after trying all the french restaurants in houston i finally find it.
great food, great french staff (if they are not they talk french, ask the beautiful Elissa sdq) and great well devellop wine list.
why going to fance when you have bistro provence just 2 freeways away????
Pros: it's france
Cons: ???
Posted 07/09/07
highly recommended
by marsouin
way better than before.
all the staff is lovely, great food, great wine list.
One of the best (if not the best) restaurant in houston
Pros: everything
Cons: don't find any
Posted 07/09/07
Best Find!
by damemarie
My coworker and I stopped in for lunch because we have passed this Bistro before and were feeling a little adventurous. I must say I am glad we ventured in. The food was simply amazing; the lunch specials were a great price even for someone on a budget. You must have the sorbet if you go it?s so fresh and delightful. I will definitely be frequenting this establishment and look forward to sampling what seemed like an extensive wine selection.
Pros: Atmosphere, food, Service
Posted 04/22/07
Best French Restaurant
by carolekoch
My family and I dine at Bistro Provence quite often, and as the song say, it is nice to have a place where people remember your name!
The food is excellent and never pricey, Jean-Philippe created a wonderful wine list and is very knowledgable about it. His parents (the famous Georges and Monique) sold him the restaurant in January, and everything is improving since.
The staff is very helpful (most of them speak french!!!) and eager to please.
Do not leave without trying the foie gras, as appetizer and the profiterolles for dessert.
Bon appetit!
Pros: food, wine list, waitstaff
Cons: they do not reservation, so, be there early
Posted 11/08/06
My first AND last time to visit!
by tuyendktran
I ordered the duck leg over beans and it was not good at all (and I am not a picky eater). I felt like my boyfriend and I were not being as attended to as the other guests. We sat there for about 15 minutes after we finished our meal for a dessert menu. We sat for another 10 minutes after we finished our dessert for the check. I honestly would not recommend this place. The prices are NOT worth the food. Plus, a glass of wine was $7, way overpriced.
Pros: Lamps, Bread, Olive Oil
Cons: Food, Value, Service
Posted 05/31/05
Nice Place... Average Fare
by texmikemc
Based on 3 separate dinner visits:
A great wait staff warmly greets you and takes good care of you during your entire dinner. The menu choices are a great change from the usual dining fare, and the off-menu specials are good. I've found the pate to be outstanding, the entrees (whatever the choice) to be honest, but surprisingly average and the desserts to be beautiful but bland. The wine selection is extensive, but way over priced.
Pros: atmosphere, wine list, service
Cons: , rest room
Posted 05/19/04
sonja
by glenandsonja
We discovered this fabulous place a couple of years ago. The food is always delicious and beautifully prepared. The place is small, so service is usually good. Only once have we had a bad experience with service. They gave us our desserts at no charge because of it. They have great specials that are not on the menu each time we go. The atmosphere is very romantic. It is our favorite place to go for our anniversary or V-day. The price is moderate, which makes the food even better. We recommend this place frequently and went again a few days ago ourselves.
Pros: small size, inexpensive french, delicious food
Cons: bathroom, location so-so
Posted 02/13/04
food for thought
by plrfevr
I wasn't too impressed with the meal however the service was good but fare and ambience were passable.
Pros: service
Posted 09/08/03
I recommend it
by tomlyjohn
We have dinner there, at least once a week and we have never been disappointed. My favorite is one of the special Duck in Orange Brown Sauce. Owner Jean Philippe and his right arm Kevin run the place.They are always very attentive and eager to please their customers. It is by far the most authentic french food, and one the best dining place in town. They take reservations, so take advantage of it.
Pros: Reservations accepted, Owner operated, Excellent food
Cons: Small parking lot, No smoking, No cocktails
Posted 08/27/03
Enjoyable evening
by foodcritics101
My wife and I revisited Bistro Provence on our wedding anniversary. We were happily surprised with the changes made there in the last few months. Finally the menu has been changed; they kept alot of the favorites, but they also included Beef Filet Mignon "Au Poivre", Whole Fish Flambeed... and they have Original Ceasar Salad, done tableside. My wife loved it. Their wine list is only french, but ranged from $20 and up. The staff is very professional, and made it a great evening.
Pros: Authentic french food, Great wine list, Excellent service
Cons: No liquor license, Restaurant too small
Posted 08/27/03
Authentic!
by hugodb
I have been meaning to go to this place for a while. Then with the Tour Of The Stars event, we finally went. It was fabulous! The only negative point would be the big pieces of lavender in the crême brulée. Everything else was great! Next time we'll try the fries that are cooked in an imported oil! Hmmm!
Pros: Taste, Size, Atmosphere
Cons: Hot when crowded
Posted 08/24/03
Bistro Prevence
by barlorr
What makes this restaurant truly French is not only the food, but it is owned and run by a French family. The waitstaff are all French speaking. The decor is French - it makes you feel likeytou are dining in Provence.
It is one of the only genuine French restaurants (besides the others run by the Guy family) in Houston.
Pros: Great food, Ambience, French waitstaff
Cons: Need more A/C
Posted 07/05/03
Fantastic
by perfectobones
Great food. Right price. Fantastic atmosphere ... although french 80's pop music isn't my favorite ...
Posted 08/07/02