Le Grand Comptoir

Short layover in Houston and this place was perfect! Real restaurant vibe, fantastic wine menu in serving sizes from 1oz to a whole bottle! Servings to suite your layover time… I had 8oz of Sterling Cab with creamy tomato soup topped with cheese and basil. Delicious! Nice décor and prompt service.

Must try! What do you expect from airport food? I travel a lot, and usually disappointed by airport restaurants. This felt like a cute café that makes you forget you are at the airport. The food was good quality and tasty.
Airport food is always more expensive than it is outside. I thought the prices were adequate and good. Got the New York Breakfast, which was really just Lox and Bagel. Normally I would pay between $ 10-​$ 12 at restaurants outside the airport. Here I paid something like $ 13, which was fair. They gave me a large portion of the lox, so I thought pricing was good.

Hell to the nah.
Le Grand Comptoir prides itself on setting the bar high for «exquisite food» and «superior wines.» And this is true — for an aiport. Where else at IAH can you belly up to a bar and sip vintage wines, eat beef carpaccio and croque monsieur? Fantastic. But for the price — that place would never survive outside airport walls, especially in Houston.
My $ 20 beet salad was good — not great, but good. For a restaurant that prides itself to offering locally sourced produce, the menu didn’t describe where anything came from. And none of their meat or poultry were hormone or antibiotic-​free. I know, because I asked the server to ask the kitchen. Why pay an arm and a leg for … nicer décor? Because you’re not getting higher quality foods.
And my $ 30 GLASS of wine was redonk. The price chart completely threw me off as everything was listed in ML. 90ml, 150ml, 240ml and a bottle. (For those who don’t know, 90ml = ~3oz and 150ml = ~5oz AKA a glass of wine.) So when I asked for a glass of their chenin blanc … well, there went my $ 30+.
In the end, I shelled out $ 50+ (not including tax and tip) for a goat cheese and beet salad and one glass of wine. Let’s just say I can and HAVE enjoyed dinner at Uchi and paid $ 80 (and that included four glasses of wine). Le Grand Comptoir is not even on the same level as Uchi and the like, so those prices need to be adjusted.
As fellow Elite Daniel L stated, «Here’s a hint — drop the prices, earn more stars.»
Also, breakfast is only served Mon-​Sat and ends at 10am. That means no Sunday brunch. At all.

If you see something on the menu and think you’re going to receive what you ordered, think again. The service was incredible. Lovely ladies and generous space tables for those who need to work.
I ordered the flatbread, got a pizza and it was the worst, sorry to say.

Our waitress was really nice and professional,
I loved the turkey melt sandwich and their homemade crisps!
I just didn’t like the pizza that much, there was a spice in it which was over used, but not bad.
Overall, it was one if the best foods I’ve ever had in an airport!
Great job

This place deserves an honorable mention. I tried to orders glass of wine, was offered a taste instead. Realized I didn’t like it and was provided 2 more options. We ordered two delicious salads (grilled chicken Caesar and beet salad — chicken was a little dry but it was still a good salad overall). When my server (Ronnie) could not find fresh grated pepper, she provided me a whole new glass of wine on the house. This was a $ 19 big pour of wine.
Thank you for restoring my faith in airport service! Made our delayed flight layover bearable.

Now THAT is airport food! You will be forever ruined for any humdrum Subway stop during your travels again!
During a 2+ hour layover in Houston, I decided before I even landed I would be indulging upon arrival, it was just a matter of where. Fate intervened and placed my departure gate around the corner from this fabulous wine bar, and I am forever grateful!
It may have been barely 10:00 am local time but I had been awake for hours, so I treated myself to a glass of bubbles (Zonin Prosecco to be precise) and their Prime Rib sliders, though breakfast was still available. What an absolute treat — juicy beef piled generously on 3 slider buns, served up with au jus and horseradish cream, and homemade potato chips. Of course a Texas eatery served up beef beautifully. Their bar also has plugs for travelers needing a charge station with their libations, and their wine list is generous with their cellar on proud display. If I get the pleasure of passing through again, their croque monsieur and blue cheese fries are must tries!
Is $ 32 a little steep for food at the airport? Of course. But if you are feeling spendy and need a glamorous escape from the hubbub, Grand Comptoir is your oasis in the desert. Thank you to server Veronica for calling me a doll and making me feel so pampered!

Prime Rib Sliders were phenomenal. chips that came with it were so so. Shoe string fries would complement it better but a very good dining experience in Houston’s big airport

This place is amazing!!! High end wines by the glass, the food is gourmet and delicious! VERY VERY classy place!

It is a nice change to step into a wine bar at the airport and find a very well stocked selection of varietals. Their menu is bistro and offers a nice range of choices from a simple cheese board to a petite filet. I am having their tomato and basil soup special. It’s very tasty with a nice kick of pepper. They should probably tell people this because I would have paired it with a red rather than a white. They could probably use some background jazz (or music in general) to set the Parisian bistro theme

There are a couple options in Terminal C and I’m not sure I’d choose this place again, I went with the Sour Dough Turkey Melt. It was good but for $ 14, even at airport prices, I would have expected more.

I would love this place a billion times more if it was slightly more reasonably priced. That being said I recognize that I’m in an airport…
My advice for you:
Relax on the comfy chairs, listen to the smooth jazz, charge your phone, and pretend you’re NOT spending the night at the airport. ;)

While the airport outside was frightful,
My Cabernet was so delightful!
(And homeboy at the bar was cool, too. And it was peaceful in here cause the airport was crazy that day.)
(And I was hungry but I didn’t have time to get food cause it was time to catch a flight… but I promise I’ll be back. You looked classy and stuff.)
Let it snow!
Let it snow!
Let it snow!!!

I’m not sure if this restaurant exists outside of airports, but anytime I’m at JFK or IAH, I quickly head to a bar stool. (Heck, sometimes I’m not sure if I exist outside of airports).
Here’s my run down;
— Fuji Chicken Salad — a winner
— French Onion Soup — the reason I go here
— Bruschetta — not so good, you should skip it and instead get
— Blue Cheese Chips (French nachos? But good!)
I’ve also had the tenderloin sliders and the chicken in puff pastry, but when flying I like to graze so I stick to the fun apps.
I find this place to be a nice oasis in Houston & NY when traveling, and you should try it.

I decided to stop in to this wine bar, as I had a 2 hour layover in Houston and was trying to burn some time.
I sat at the long bar, on a rather cushy stool. There were three waiters behind the bar, chatting. They were about four feet away from where I sat, so I found it strange that it took them about five minutes to acknowledge my existence. In fact, there was a bartender that was texting the entire time I was seated at the bar. This sort of distanced service continued throughout my dining experience.
I ordered a sparkling water and a harvest chicken salad. After I had ordered, I noticed that the woman next to me had ordered some sort of flat bread that looked absolutely delicious. I instantly had pizza envy, but didn’t change my order. My salad came out after 10 minutes. There was about a quarter of a chicken breast on my salad, which was certainly less than a serving, but there was an incredibly generous helping of blue cheese and spicy pecans. After I finished my salad, I was full, so I can’t really complain about portion sizes.
All in all, I would say this place had better-​than-​most airport food, although I think the service and the staff’s level of professionalism could improve.

Food was yummy and service was great. I haven’t been to the Houston airport before, but it seems like the previous reviewers had very high expectations for airport food. I’m in an airport probably twice every week, and I have never expected much from airport food. As long as it’s decent and edible I will make do. That said, Vino Volo is usually my go to restaurant in most airports. And I think Le Grand stacks up pretty well.
I had the beet salad with chicken. Very generous portion and ingredients tasted very fresh and yummy (a little heavy on dressing). I also got the beef carpaccio which I found to be exquisite. The cut was perfect, the capers and light vinaigrette added a tasty tangy touch.
The waiter was very attentive and so friendly. Overall, a very pleasant experience at an airport restaurant.

Of all places, Le Grand Comptoir was an interesting find in the Houston airport. Due to a delayed flight and missed connecting flight we had a long layover in Houston, so we decided to unwind from an alcohol fueled weekend in NOLA with some wine.
They have a pretty extensive wine list and offer 1z pours to a full bottle. I was happy to see a winery, Cakebread, on the list that we visited in Napa.
I had a nice glass of Flora Springs Merlot from Napa and my fiancée had a Penner Ash Pinot Noir.
Although we did not order any food, the menu did look good.

I arrived at IAH with over two and a half hours to kill, so I came to Le Grand Comptoir for a leisurely lunch. I was expecting to have a breakfast (with a drink, naturally), however they were no longer serving brunch. Instead, I opted for the beet and goat cheese salad (and added avocado for an additional $ 1) as well as the soup of the day which was a broccoli cheese soup (and a Corona Light because I mean, it was almost Cinco de Mayo and I’d been traveling alone). The wine list was extensive, but I’m a red wine drinker and wasn’t in the mood for an 11 a.m. Pinot Noir (that’s a good 2 pm standby). There were pages and pages of wines and sparkling wines with price points for every budget, and the stand-​outs/​award winners notated on their own separate pages (starting at $ 10/​glass, which is awesome).
The broccoli cheese soup came out first and was delicious. Sometimes soup (especially in airports) are obviously from a can, but this had a really delicious homemade quality to it. The salad was also really good — a LOT of avocado was added, there was a lot of goat cheese, and not an overwhelming amount of dressing, which is a plus for me.
I found the server to be excellent. I really wish I had my server’s name, because she was fantastic, and did a really good job of covering almost the entire seating by herself (while another woman manned the bar). She was so sweet and very quick with refilling water, bringing out everything, and taking orders.
Airport food is hit or miss — this was a very good experience for me, especially compared to the other places I saw in IAH Terminal C. I would definitely return here based on my experience, particularly for the service (and the EXTENSIVE wine list).

This restaurant never disappoints! I always enjoy finding actual restaurants in airports not just the typical soggy pizza and greasy noodles. Le Grand Comptoir offers an great wine selection including some of the nicer high end wines! Their food is all fantastic and includes salads, sandwiches and full
on entrees. This trip I’m enjoy their take on chicken cordon bleu wrapped in a fantastic puff pastry and served with a side of grilled asparagus. If you have time for a real meal in IAH stop here.

I just found myself a new place to eat at terminal C. I walked by here so many times but my mind was always on oysters near the gate E4, and never thought of looking at the menu.
Well this particular day, I landed at a gate in terminal C, and my next gate was at terminal B. I was feeling tired and sick from traveling, I didn’t feel like walking to E4. This restaurant is located on my way to terminal B, and I thought I would try it.
Quick review on Unilocal,many suggested tuna tarter, so I did. I wasn’t too hungry for any big meal, so this appetizer was just perfect portion. Tuna tarter tasted very good, very fresh. I can’t wait to try another dish next time I am in IAH.
I didn’t have any glass at this visit but I studied the wine list. They have many of my favorite wine, and I will be sure to trying to pair a glass of wine with some of the food here. IAH is becoming one of my favorite place to have layover now with some good food option.
By the way, terminal B is still like good old airport food used to be (mainly fast food). If you have choice (time), take a train over to terminal C as they have a lot more option for food.

Le Grand Comptoir (The Large Counter) — Ce que je pense (What I think)
While walking around Houston International Airport, thinking: Hustle, Bustle, Hustle, Oh watch it lady! Oh this bag is heavy. Hustle, hustle. Why is she wearing 3 inch heels in the airport? Mmm hungry. One hour until flight. Popeyes? No. La Salsa? No. Einstein Bros? Maybe. Bubbas? No. Whaaa — Le Grand Comptoir — oh a wine bar!
Now entering Le Grand Comptoir and more thinking: Oh nice! I like these chairs. (Dark wood, zen-​contemporary) Where’s the menu? Now perusing the menu (more thinking): Croque Monsieur, lots of cute wine quotes, filet mignon, wine, crepes, wine, roast beef sandwich, wine, turkey sandwich, wine…
Now sitting at the bar, a very pretty gold bar at that, and marveling in the brief travel respite I take in the scenery and décor. I quite like the quiet and cool ambiance — an inviting wine oasis in the middle of a hectic, bustling airport.
I just wanted something simple, the other diners food looked good, so I went with the turkey sandwich. Seven minutes later my huge and rather odd looking turkey sandwich was served. Waitress smiling, «that sandwiches’ bigger than you sug!» — It was two symmetrical heaping halves; a literal ½ pound of warm, holey turkey with lettuce, tomatoes, and a ranch like dressing spilling out everywhere. Not ideal to eat as a traditional sandwich, but I tried anyway.
Now texting my friend:
{Picture of sandwich}
Me: Weirdest turkey sandwich ever. Turkey looks quite nasty actually. It’s warm with holes in it.
Friend: Yuck!
Me: (4 minutes later) I’ve dumped all the insides and am just eating the bread and salad now. Should have gone to Einstein’s I think. $ 10 down the drain and me with bruised ego.
Friend: Yeah that’s what I usually go with
Me: (after one bite of salad) I think I’m going to be ill
Friend: Bullocks!
Le Grand Comptoir gets two stars for décor and innovation (as far as airports go at least) only. I’m sure, or at least I hope the other food is decent, but I’d be hard pressed to pay $ 22+ for filet mignon if they can’t even make a simple turkey sandwich. No stars for service because I expect a little bit of involvement on the part of my servers and when I handed back a plate full of food (minus the bread), one would think she’d ask something like «How was your food? Did you not like it? Was there something wrong?» No, nothing. Maybe next time I’ll just drink my dinner.