Friday, April 23, 2010

Broken Spoke

Do you remember Cafe Montrose on Westhimer close to Mandell? Yeah, nowhere close to Montrose itself. But I never got a chance to go there to taste the 'real' Belgian food. As a matter of fact, while the restaurant physically is no longer there, the website is still there. Outdated, but there.

As far as I understood it, and disclaimer here, I don't know the situation, but from stories I've read and people I've talked to. The restaurant had to close and the sister and brother duo opened up Jeannine's Bistro down on Bagby and the ex-sister-in-law opened up Broken Spoke. Like I said, I don't claim to know any dirty details, but I know if the food tastes good, I'm more incline to return.

I've tried Jeannine's before the space expansion, it was cold out the food was nice the space was cozy. So, I'll need to return to do a better comparison, but for now, let's talk Belgin at Broken Spoke.


The space was decent, check out their ceiling mural, it was very well drawn and very colorful. I wouldn't exactly say that they'll give the Sistine Chapel a run for their money, but it's definitely unusual for restaurant to have a ceiling that decorative.

The space is not small, they can accommodate big parties like no other and the bar looked pretty stocked to accommodate as well, so don't let the outside discourage you. I would say the parking situation can be discouraging, but check the parking signs all around, you can find street parking just fine.

I will say that if you go during a slow time, such as Saturday midday lunch, the service will be spotty despite that you might be one of 3 customers sitting there for lunch. I didn't feel unwelcomed, but it was slow for sure. The owner did stop by to check on me, but I did have to wait for good 10 mins before someone takes my order. So, slow day = lazy day? Dunno. I wouldn't let that discourage you because I've heard great things from other people that I'm willing to go back for another try. Now, if that doesn't produce a different result, then yes I'll say no, but for now, it's still a yes for me.

If you're any of a Belgin food connoisseur, you'd know that their claim to fame is mussles. Any style you want, they can deliver. The most famous style is the Mariniere, which is nice broth steam mussle to bring out the flavor. Or you can go w/ other types of sauces. I went to curry because I remembered at Jeannine's it went really well w/ the fries when you dip into them.

Anyway, got a lunch order of Curry Mussels w/ fries. I would say it's very no frill on that front. Sauce was tasty but didn't give me much pizzazz. Incidentally, the fries when dipped into the sauce was good, but again didn't shoot me thru the roof. Had I have enough room in my tummy I would definitely get the profiterole, but alas I didn't. Boo :(

If you do go, aside from mussles, they also do alot of savory crepes, I highly recommend you give that a shot. They also have daily specials, so check w/ them to see what's out there.

Broken Spoke
http://www.brokenspokecafe.com
1809 Washington Ave
(713) 863-7029

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