Costa Brava Bistro — Restaurant in Bellaire

Went to this place for a family dinner. Was a little annoyed to not get the menu for a way too long duration of time. Also despite half of the table being served drinks, 3 of us had to ask for a beverage ourselves, but that’s just me being nitpicky. For appetizers, I shared a salad with my friend, though personally not my favorite, she and everyone else enjoyed it. Entrees, I got the salmon with cauliflower, and though I enjoyed it, it felt a bit overpriced for what I got, I was still pretty hungry afterwards (but that could totally just be a me thing).The salmon itself was small but it was crispy and well season, and whatever cauliflower thing surrounding it was was extremely buttery and delicious. My friend got the paella and personally I believe that was the weakest entree. I’ve had more authentic and flavourful paella for half the price for more people and it just personally wasn’t my favorite. My favorite dish, that I wish I got, was the scallops. I thought I didn’t like scallops because whenever I get them, they’re usually rubbery and gritty and overly salty. These on the other hand were the best scallops I’ve ever had, smooth and not chewy, flavorful but not tasting like sand. It was delicious. The risotto was also creamy and delightful.

As for desserts, was midly disappointed. I got the strawberry dessert and it kinda tasted like something I could get at IHOP. Someone else got a cheesecake and I personally disliked it heavily. It was for too savory and taste way too much like jsut a slice of cheese. My friend got the apple tart and it was probably the best out of the three. Sweet and delightful.

Overall I just think this place is a bit too pricy for me considering its options, but the rissota was incredible that I’d love to go again to get it myself. The atmosphere was nice and I was told the wine and cocktails were delicious (I...

So glad to have discovered this Spanish gem in Houston. Having been to and enjoyed the likes of BCN, I have to say our experience at Costa Brava went above and beyond any Spanish dining experience we have had in Houston.

We had the Gambas al Ajillo, Grilled Octopus, Salmon Belly Ceviche, Snapper with Lump Crab, Squid Ink Rice with Shrimp, Calamari, and Crab, the Buttermilk Strawberry Cake and the Orange Mousse de Chocolate. The gambas were sublime but garlic confit under them with the bread were sublime. The octopus was perfectly seasoned and cooked and came with crispy fingerling potatoes and bread. The salmon belly ceviche was refreshing and came with pan de cristal which was unique - while this dish was good it paled in comparison to the other two appetizers. My husband and I couldn’t decide on which dish was better between the snapper with lump crab and beurre blanc or the squid ink rice - I woke up today still thinking of that citrus butter on the rice so my vote goes to that dish which was perfection. The buttermilk strawberry cake was so so so good and while the orange chocolate mousse was interesting I do feel the hazelnuts should have been left a little bigger to provide more hazelnut flavor and more texture to the dish.

The service was wonderful - attentive but not overwhelming. We were celebrating our anniversary and the person at the front of the house greeted us with champagne in the house which was very thoughtful.

The ambiance is upscale but non pretentious and very inviting.

Overall, we had such a wonderful experience and cannot...

Sad to say that this place used to be better years ago. Although the food is okay it's overpriced and the host/owner running the front of the house is horrified by the presence of young customers. I took my husband and 16 months old daughter there yesterday to celebrate a few special occasions. We were looking forward to having a wonderful time but instead we were welcomed by the owner with a "we have nothing here to accommodate a baby but you can still eat..." Thirty minutes later, our daughter was laughing while having a great time seated on my lap and interacting with our server. The owner came to our table and said "...make sure she doesn't scream...if she does go outside because other customers are complaining". First of all, our daughter was not being loud or otherwise I would have taken her outside. And second, the older couple whom apparently complained were obviously the owner's friends or regulars. If young customers are not welcome at your fancy restaurant, please find a better way to make it clear in the first place. We would have completely understood and go somewhere else. There are hundreds of great restaurants in the Houston area that welcome kids and older people are just confortable with them. Finally, there was not need to overreact about a baby having a good time. I would have left your restaurant if our daughter was in any way being disruptive before you came to our table and made us...