Bistro Des Amis

Great place but sadly it has now CLOSED, permanently. Rumour has it an italian restaurant will open in the space.

Ever since I have been living in Rice Village Apartments, I’ve wanted to visit this place. Today I finally went here, and everybody in my group was greatly satisfied. I strongly recommend foie gras. It is as expensive as an entrée but totally worth its price.

Cute setting, very intimate. I could not figure out why Poutine Quebecoise was an item in a French bistro, so I gave it a try. This was a sophisticated European French version of a poor drunk Canadian man’s post bar food. Authentic Quebec poutine consists of french fries, brown beef gravy and cheese curds. Bistro Des Amis offers frites smothered with mushroom ragout, roquefort cheese, and truffle oil. You want to be sober to enjoy all these strong rich flavors that balance each other very well. I’ve been here a few times and I’ve never been disappointed. Try the escargot for a dose of garlicky herbaceous goodness. Though it has been described as Basque cuisine, I feel the that menu has evolved to be more conventional French.

We were seated right away inside, we had the option of the beautiful patio outside but I was having bad allergies. The inside had a romantic ambiance. Our waitress was nice and attentive. The food was amazing! All of it! I’ve never had French food accept for La Madeleine which is no comparison. The shrimp was flavorful and the steak was cooked to perfection. The prices were decent. Will we be back? Most definitely!

I decided to give this place another try after learning about the new ownership, and I’m glad I did. It is nothing like the Bistro Des Amis that I went to back in 2010.
The dish that really stood out, for me, was the foie gras. The chef who created the dish came out and told us how it was prepared.
What changed my whole experience about the new Bistro Des Amis, was the great customer service. The chef, who prepared the foie gras, actually served us as well, since they seemed to be short-​staffed that evening. As a business owner myself, I can appreciate the hands on involvement of the owners/​partners.
Overall, it was a great dining experience. I will definitely be back for more.

A great place for unpretentious French food. Casual and friendly service. The food is fresh and perfectly cooked. Sit on the patio and enjoy a glass of wine with your meal. It’s just a perfect little place for a romantic date.

This place is just as advertised: a romantic little French/​basque restaurant nestled in the heart of a college town, casual yet classy, simple yet sophisticated dishes. We loved this place, especially as it reminded us of all the French places we had visited when we were in Quebec City.
We had some confusion on where to go to be seated, but they were at the heart of dinner time so they were busy assisting customers. It was a perfect night so everyone was sitting outside. We sat on one of the small side tables closest to the street. It was slightly lopsided so we joked around that our food would slide off the table.
Thankfully the food didn’t slide off the table, because it was delicious. From the richness of the cream of zucchini to the tenderness of the lamb shank, the food was top rate. We learned that it takes 2 days to prepare the lamb shank, which explains how the meat comes so soft and tender. It was literally falling off the bone. It had a much more subdued taste to my beef dish, which was strong in taste but good in its own right
The only disappointment was the prix fixe Nutella crêpe. It just had too much Nutella and so drenched the crêpe. Next time i will go without the dessert and just get the lamb shank or try the duck confit. Overall, a solid French place with reasonable service, and can’t wait to come back.

Impromptu date night this weekend brought us to the unassuming front door of bistro des amis. I have driven by this place hundreds of times and I totally thought it was a hair salon. Valet was easy. Like many rice village eateries, they charge $ 4 so bring cash.
We opted to my sit outside on the patio which was very pleasant. The tables seemed close together but luckily the patio was not too full and only at the end of our meal when a large party showed up did it get noisy.
I started with the French onion soup which was very good. My fiancé had the salad which I was less impressed with — it was fine, but nothing special. Then I had the scallops which were amazing. They seriously melt in your mouth. Mmmm. My fiancé had the duck confit which (from the few bites I had) was tasty.
The wine list had many reasonable priced bottles. We asked our server to help us select a rose and he was very knowledgeable about the options. The rose we had was excellent and paired well with the food. Service was friendly and attentive throughout. I would definitely return.

Visited this place for the second time, and I my impressions have changed, so I am updating my review… For some reasons, it felt like different people, new owner or new management? For example, tables were rearranged, and the classic white bistro tablecloth has been removed, so now the food is being served directly on some cold and small marble round tables, and the blonde lady who seated us explained that this is in order to achieve a «cozier feeling»… instead, I felt like the table was too cold to the touch. would be perfect for outdoor seating in summer months, not inside, not for a dinner date, in February…
After we got seated, our waiter never showed up. I saw other people coming after us and their waiter showed up right away. so after politely waiting for a while, I had to go and request service. I spoke to the waitress with dark hair, and she ended up picking up our table and covering the whole evening for the original waiter who was «busy». This lady was nice to us, she compensated for the FAIL of her colleague.
Now about the food. One thing we noticed right away: the Prix Fixe menu has shrunk, it had fewer choices than last time. It is a pity– we thought that was a great opportunity, especially for the younger clientele (after all this bistro is right next to Rice University)…
We ordered the Escargots appetizer… we don’t recommend. The first time, a few weeks ago, they was great… This time, it tasted strange, like from a can– and with the wrong sauce. We wish they cooked their escargots simpler, with just a bit of butter, salt and herbs…
During previous visit, they served us great bread– couldn’t stop eating it. But a couple of days ago, their bread was harder than the sole of my shoes. I almost broke a tooth :-) Randall’s supermarket has better baguettes.
We also ordered the Foie gras (see pic), it was one of the best I’ve had in Houston so far. Saved our evening. For the Foie, they provided some toasts; after trying one, my date commented that usually the French way of preparing toast is supposed to be «crisp on outside, but a bit softer and gentler on the inside». Whereas the toast we got served was like a stone :-)
My lamb osso buco, and her scallops were both petty outstanding (see pix). Hands down — very nicely prepared, delicious.
So all in all, we still continue to like this restaurant’s cuisine, we will probably give it a try again in the near future. Hope they can recuperate the romantic atmosphere and bring back the white table cloth. :-)

Probably a great, quiet date spot.
There must be some sort of signature flavor to «home-​cooked» versus «industrial batch» because the best part of Bistro Des Amis is the feeling you’re sitting in your friend’s kitchen. To that extent the atmosphere here is very relaxing. I’m a proponent of sitting up straight at the dinner table, but I found it difficult to do here.
The feuillette de roquefort was adorable and very tasty. The duck confit was well done, and the chocolate mousse just added to the «at home» feeling.

We went for lunch on the weekend. The Salmon & Brie sandwhich was superb and the side garden salad was the best I have ever had. Also to add to it, the waitress actually spoke french, which made it seem so authentic.
You feel like you are in a parisian café eating real parisian food.

Recently a group of 4 were looking for a place to eat and since we were close and assumed it being French it shouldn’t be bad. Two of my friends ordered the Chicken Espellette, and OMG, was it bad. The girls were complaining how bad it was so I decided to give it a taste. Literally it was chewing on a old rubbery dry chicken ⁰⁄₅ stars.
I ordered the Pre Fixed Dinner and got the Ragout de Champignons, Beef Bourguignon and Chocolate Mousse. All three choices were ⁴⁄₅ stars.
The waiter tried to make up for the poor chicken dishes by requesting the girls get something new, but they were being a bit stubborn and didn’t want anymore, so big credit to the restaurant for trying to rectify the problem.
Overall, the place is just ok.

Reading the reviews by fellow Unilocalers, I made reservations for my two couple friends and us for New Years Eve. They had a prix fixe menu, but to say it was limited would be incorrect.
Upon entering, we all had the same reaction, «how cozy!» and they gave us a tiny room in the back. It was wonderfully comfortable and the ambiance was perfect. It made me wonder if I should make a reappearance on a date :)
The food was great. I began with a French onion soup, and around the table I saw a house salad and a mushroom ragout. «mmmm» was a common sound among us followed by ravings and anticipation for our entrees. Along with our appetizers, we popped open our first BYOB bottle of French Bordeaux, and even though all of us did not participate in libations, we were all grateful for their BYOB policy. So rare at a French restaurant.
Next, our entrees arrived. I had the Beef Bourguignon (a delicious slow roasted filet), and around the table I saw at least two Duck Confits, a rack of lamb, and a cassoulet with duck confit. «Mmm“s and «wow“s continued around the table. And, my caveman of a husband cleaned his lamb chop causing our friendly waiter to ask if we snuck in a dog?! :) Great service too!
Then, it was time for our desserts. I opted for chocolate mousse, some opted for crème brûlée, and others opted for a fruit tart. These, too, were outstanding. Then, as we were celebrating the last night of 2013, our waiter, generously, brought a plate of cheese with jelly and grapes. Our waiter really let us take our time and enjoy ourselves. We didn’t feel rushed; we were happily fed; and we all had a fantastic time. I definitely hope to return for a romantic dinner or just when I need an escape from the hustle/​bustle of Houston.
Thank you, Unilocal,for a fabulous NYE find! :-)

Wow! This place is great. My friend has been trying to get me to go here since HRW 2013, but I didn’t know if I wanted to take the dive and get French food since I had never been to a formal French restaurant before and the menu for HRW seemed a little too exotic for my tastes.
We all had the prix fixe menu and I stayed on the safe end of it (French onion soup, salmon, crème brûlée). EVERYTHING was great that I ordered. I dabbled in some of the lamb that one of my friends got and and I also tried the beef bourguignon that my fiancée ordered. Those were delicious as well. My friend got escargot and he seemed to like it. I wasn’t bold enough to try it, but hey, Bistro Des Amis ended up being a great experience and I’d definitely head back when I’m in the mood for some delicious French food!

How wonderful to be taken to yet another French restaurant in less than a week! This quaint bistro oozes charm. With a large outdoor dining deck and homey interior, I felt transported to a lovely village in a small French town. Our Christmas lunch for 6 dined in a private back room. Now, to be honest, this room was a bit austere in comparison to the rest of the restaurant and could use a few warm touches.
The menu is extensive and very French with everything from Rabbit, Frog Legs, Escargot, etc. There are also more general ones such as Salmon, various salads and sandwiches. The salads were wonderful and fresh. I initially ordered Scallops for my entrée, but were later told they were out, so opted for the Salmon with a Biere Blanch sauce and Louis topping. It was a large portion cooked a nice medium. Served over a tasty saffron rice, all was wonderful! The sliced squash and zucchini were cooked that perfect al dente’ and nicely seasoned. Other diners enjoyed the French Onion Soup and the Salmon Croissant Sandwich with melted Brie and a Smoked Salmon Salad.
The service was friendly, fast and attentive, making our holiday gathering special! Again, parking in Rice Village is awful, and the lot one thinks is for this restaurant in front of Pinkberry is NOT! You will be towed and must park in the street. So, leave time to cruise around the block a few times to make your reservations. If you do, it is well worth the visit. I will be back for dinner soon.

If you’re looking for French food in a more casual atmosphere, Bistro des Amis is a good place to go. I have been here on a date night and out with friends and have had a great experience both times. It’s BYOB (or wine), so that can definitely lower your bill.
The food isn’t the best French food I’ve ever had, but I think it’s quite tasty. I ordered the escargot for an appetizer the first time I came, and it wasn’t what I expected. It’s served inside a puff pastry. I prefer the traditional way escargot is served, so I’ll stay away from that in the future and choose the cheese plate instead. I have had the Lamb Osso Bucco and the scallops here and was very pleased with both.
The service is good, and the wait staff is happy to give suggestions if you’re not sure what to order. When I ate here, we had a very slow, European-​paced dinner (which is what I wanted), but I’m sure they can accommodate you if you want a speedier dinner.
There is valet parking available, but I was able to find street parking around Rice Village. Just allow for a few extra minutes to find parking if you don’t want to valet.
If you’re looking for a fancy French restaurant, go somewhere like Brasserie 19 or Café Rabelais. Head to Bistro des Amis if you’re looking for casual, affordable French dining. I will definitely be coming back.

My first ever 2 star review.
I was underwhelmed by this place. It’s in the village, so I thought it would be nice, but like everything else in Rice Village, it’s shabby-​chic.
I came with my family for HRW, and I wish we didn’t go. It’s not a very good value at all, but i guess on the upside they are donating to the houston food bank. So if you’re going to eat here and don’t mind paying the usual price, it’s a good thing.
First course is a salad, which was good — this was probably my favorite part of the three courses.
I had the quiche lorraine. It comes with a side of MORE salad. Not a fan of anything on the plate, the quiche had this burnt taste and had too much cheese, not enough egg. The salad was a strange combination of celery and grape…
Dessert for me was crème brûlée, it was average.
Highlights,
Snail appetizer, the butter garlic sauce is amazing with the puff pastry.
My brother had a croque monsieur which was good, and the fries were good too.
All the food I had was average/​mediocre. I won’t be coming back.
The restaurant is also FREEZING. Bring a jacket, even in the summer.
The staff was okay. One server was a little strange, making off jokes, and kind of jumping all over the place. There were three servers there, and only three tables were occupied, so service was good, despite the one strange guy.
This place is also small and a little crowded. I do not recommend for a party larger than 6. Parking is also slightly difficult, it is the village after all.

Parking is a pain the arse. You find out after you’ve been backing in and out of «DO NOT PARK HERE» signs and circled for street parking that you can park next door at the bank parking that says «ONLY FOR BANK CUSTOMERS» which I still wouldn’t feel comfortable parking in even with the waitresses blessing.
The positive:
The interior is very cozy. The décor is interesting. And the waitresses are helpfully and friendly.
The negative:
The parking situation is a mess. The prices are a little on the high side. And the food is very unimpressive. The Escargot smelled and tasted like it had been left out on the counter for a day or so. The main course was passable but forgotten, and the crème brûlée was very shoddy.
I’ll give it one more chance before I blacklist it.

Bistro des Amis features freshly-​prepared, classic Paris bistro cuisine in a charming, casual setting. Prices are moderate, too. This middle-​range French restaurant is a good choice for all gourmets, or for those who would like to exercise their gourmet muscles– without breaking their wallets.

The Lowdown
Pros:
* Delicious, simple French bistro dishes with modern flair
* Excellent service and friendly wait staff
* Basque décor transports you to Biarritz
* Terrace offers outdoor dining option

Owner Matthew Brice and his staff offer up freshly-​prepared market ingredients in elegantly-​presented traditional dishes, adding just a zest of the eclectic and modern to old favorites.
Because seasonal ingredients are favored by the kitchen, there are always daily menu specials. You can order a la carte, but I recommend the fixed menu for a first visit.
In short, Bistro des Amis is worth reserving an evening to enjoy and experience.

Houston Restaurant Weeks Lunch! 3 Courses = $ 20.00
*Boyfriend and I added the amount that would come out if we were to buy these items separately from the regular lunch menu assuming they’re the same portion size and what-​not. You save about $ 3-​$ 4 which is a bummer…
First Course
Pâté Maison (Boyfriend’s) — It’s served cold and pretty good. Some sliced toasted bread came out, a few shallots, and then a squirt of dijon whole grain mustard on the side. Great starter if you’re into duck.
Ragout de Champignons — Puffy pastry with mushrooms. This was actually just okay. The pastry was cut into two and although the top half of the pastry was flaky, the bottom half felt stale/​overcooked and was a struggle for me to cut. The sauce itself was flavorful but too salty for my liking. Perhaps it was reduced too many times over? The chopped basil on top really helped balance out the flavors.
Second Course
Croque Monsieur (Boyfriend’s) — Side of fries. This was very cheesy, they did not skimp on any of the ingredients! I expect my croque monsieurs to have cheese on both sides of the bread but this one only had it on the top. Other than that, it was fairly good but nothing to really rave about.
Tartin du jour — Side of fries. Croissant sandwich with mixed greens, cheese, pesto, chicken, cherry tomatoes, and mushrooms. This was much better than the croque monsieur in my opinion. Had much more flavor and the croissant was really flaky!
Third Course
Nutella Crêpe (Boyfriend’s) — Boyfriend said this was good. Had nice dopples of whipped cream and a lot of Nutella filling. The crêpe was soft on the inside and deliciously crispy on the outer edges.
Chocolate Mousse — No one told me it was going to be WHITE CHOCOLATE MOUSSE. I was expecting a sinfully dark chocolate mousse, not an overpowering milky white chocolate mousse. Great texture, but I don’t like my mousse warm, it was just okay. Maybe if they used 70% Cacao like the traditional recipe and chilled it longer it would’ve been better.
Service was okay. Nothing too special. The restaurant was busy but they tend to kiss the men in suits butts better than regular looking patrons. The ambiance was cute and the restaurant itself is small. Parking can be a pain on this side of town. You can definitely find better deals for HRW during lunch than this place but nonetheless, the food was still pretty good. Not enough to want to return and nothing I could really crave for.