Café Rabelais in Houston

We returned to a place we went to when we first dated more than 20 years ago, Cafe Rabelais. They used to have a tiny section on the second floor before a renovation. We were going to sit on the patio, but the cigar smoke of a person smoking next door was so overwhelming that it gives us a slight headache, so we move to a table indoors closest to the window light. We always like to order an appetizer at a French restaurant to dip the bread with. Instead of the usual ESCARGOTS BEURRE MAÎTRE D'HÔTEL, we opted for OS À MOELLE À LA PERSILLADE, Broiled bone marrow | Garlic persillade |Sea salt |Toasted French baguette | French pickles. If we just had this appetizer alone, we would still walk away satisfied, it is sublime! We used up all the Biscotte then the Baguette to soak and mop up all the fragrant rich delectable Bone Marrow. SALADE NIÇOISE "TRADITION", Albacore tuna| Tomatoes | Poached French green beans | Bell peppers | cage-free hard-bo...

I came here with my sons, we sat outside to be COVID-safe though inside looked very nice and everyone was properly adhering to the standard (ineffective but not their fault!) mask protocols. I had a delicious filet mignon which was rather larger than I had anticipated which was pleasant. The service was quite attentive and earnest as well. Nary a complaint about this establishment to be sure. We all greatly enjoyed every dish we were served. However, there is a cigar joint next door. The smell wafting over to us outdoor diners from those folks sitting outside puffing away on their stogies could not help but mar our experience. Something to consider, and just on account of proximity to the cigar joint I probably won't return.

From the water to the steak sandwiches everything was amazing. One of the best eating experiences I’ve had in ages, the only down side is the creme brûlée could’ve been better.