Mockingbird Bistro

Mockingbird Bistro, and Chef-Owner John Sheely, have gotten much attention and praise over the years, since opening in 2002.  The decor is eclectic as is the menu -- excellent pairings and matches.  Tucked in the middle of a Montrose neighborhood, the eatery itself is a funky collection of King Henry Era light fixtures, surprise contemporary touches, and a huge, old, wooden beautiful bar.

Mockingbird Bistro

The menu provides many excellent and diverse choices.  And, all the foods popped with flavor!  The service was prompt and courteous. 

I started with the Tuscan White Bean Soup with smoked ham, croutons, and basil pesto ($10).  Outstanding.  Broth based, the soup was full of chopped veggies, including celery, carrots, peas, and broccoli.  The croutons were mixed in with the soup itself and remained crunchy the entire time.  They had excellent garlic butter flavor.   Yummy!  A great way to start my meal!

Tuscan White Bean Soup

For my entree, I ordered the Penne Pasta with shrimp Andouille sausage, tossed with oven dried tomatoes, garlic, shallots, and goat cheese ($21).  I loved this dish.  The construction was simple with fresh ingredients, and the contrasting textures between the creamy goat cheese and spicy sausage was fabulous!

Penne Pasta

So my dining companion ordered the American Kobe Beef Burger with watercress, pickled red onions, pommes frites and Stilton cheese ($16).  I actually had a hard time deciding between the penne pasta and the burger myself, so I was really interested in tasting his dish.  YUM!  The burger was cooked perfectly to order (rare).  The pickled onions were tart and sour, with a touch of sweetness.  The watercress was fresh and crisp.  The bun was flawlessly toasted with butter. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.  The frites were splendidly fried with the perfect crispness on the outside.  Served with a garlic aioli that was yummy enough to eat with a spoon by itself! 

American Kobe Beef Burger

Pomme Frites

Last Stop:  Dessert.  Like the main menu, there were many choices on the dessert menu that sounded tempting!  I asked our server which she recommended.  Her answer:  Caramelized apple & pecan crostata, hazelnut creme anglaise, nutella, and vanilla ice cream ($10).   A crostata is an Italian baked dessert tart, much like a pie baked fully inside the pastry.  The apples within the crostata were thinly sliced and deliciously tender, tossed with cinnamon and brown sugar.  They were scrumptious!  And, Hello!  Anything with Nutella is a winner with me!  Great pairing between the apples and nutella.   I could have done without the crostata pastry, but that is not because the pastry was poorly executed, more so because I wanted more apples and nutella! 

Caramelized Apple & Pecan Crostata

Our meal was full of flavor, the menu offered great selections, and the service was distinguished as well.  John Sheely was intimately involved in the kitchen and the front of the house on our visit.   Mockingbird Bistro is a funky neighborhood eatery that is worth checking out.

Mockingbird Bistro
1985 Welch Street
Houston, Texas 77019
713-533-0200
www.mockingbirdbistro.com