Ensemble HTX — Restaurant in Houston

I had a lovely time here celebrating a friend's birthday. It is a fantastic idea for a dining experience, and I truly think the Ensemble team is really on to something. The host, servers, chef, piano player, etc. made for a fantastic Ensemble team and made us feel welcome and excited to be there. They were more than happy to accommodate my dietary restriction and were very easy to email back and forth with prior to the dinner. The interior decor is hip and trendy while the overall atmosphere was cozy and relaxing. We really enjoyed the concept of all sitting at one big family table and getting to know new people seated next to you. I wish all of these amazing things, and the friendly team behind this concept, were enough to warrant a 5-star review. However, there were some downfalls that I hope can be improved as we would really like to go back.

Wine: We chose the $65 wine pairing before we arrived at the restaurant. Unfortunately, this means you don't get your first glass of wine until the first course is served. We were also only given maybe 3 ounces of each wine, and this was inconsistent between guests and courses. The wine pairing was served with 5 courses, so while you do get to try 5 different interesting wines, I cannot see the value of spending $65 for maybe 15 ounces of wine. I would highly recommend bringing your own bottle, we did not know that BYOB was an option until we noticed the guests sitting next to us did so. Additionally, It would have been nice to have been greeted with a glass of wine upon entering, so we had something to enjoy while waiting for the evening to start.

Dinner: Our evening theme was Spanish food. There was one stand-out course among the 5 savory courses, the patatas bravas, and it came down to the sauce being very good. There were several courses that could have simply used more salt or seasoning. The biggest miss was the main course: Paella Valenciana. It was served with mussels as the protein and neither mine, my husband, nor my friend's single mussel was open and able to be eaten. Which may not have been a big issue however there was no other protein in any of our servings.

Dessert: The dessert was fantastic. Salted black sesame ice cream served in a little orange. Very cute and delicious. This course was not served with a wine pairing but with coffee. There was not a decaf option (I don't usually drink caffeine, my friend doesn't drink coffee and my husband can't drink caffeine at 10:30pm if he wants to sleep that night) which was disappointing. Mainly after being served 5 half-glasses of wine, we were still wanting more wine. So I just asked if we could have more and they did bring us another half-glass which was nice. Was that an option the whole time? Could we have asked for another half-glass with each course? I am not sure. I would suggest you try.

I struggled between going 4-star or 3-star for this overall rating. I eventually decided 3-stars was accurate because the high price tag did not match the actual value of the meal/wine that we received.

I truly hope this is constructive as I do want them...

We just had the most phenomenal experience, written by me, a converted first time foodie.

My husband booked this as surprise and I am so thankful he did. I always told myself food is overrated…but this experience left me feeling like I’ve missed out on years of what kind of journey food can take you on .

Ensemble HTX offered a 6 course meal with wine pairing prepared in the Chefs personal kitchen! Yes, his personal kitchen which I thought …hmm .. this a different but the tickets were already bought so no backing out.

And THANK GOD we did not back out..

From the AJO BLANCO with melon and jamon serrano which I quickly moved from using a fork to spoon so I could shovel every last bite into my mouth…. to the ROASTED CAULIFLOWER with black garlic feta which was crazy phenomenal … to the CONFIT LEEK SPICED GOAT CHEESE candied walnuts and fried mint, so so so good … to the crispy FISH AND CHIPS with pickled fresno and garlic which I was unsure of but cleared my plate before the other 6 people sitting at our table. Then the “main course” SAFFRON RISOTTO with new york strip cooked to absolute perfection ! And ended with a FRENCH MERINGUE rosemary ice cream and berry syrup… I gotta say I heard rosemary ice cream and thought to myself Baskin Robbins didn’t offer Rosemary Ice cream and they’re 31 flavors - lol … but Jessica (chefs wife made it so I’ll try it ! ) HOLY SMOKES ! People.Just go try it. Go experience all of it ! Pay all the the money and just go do it !

Oh and in between each dish we had a palate cleansing tincture that we dropped onto our tongues to cleanse our pallets.

All in all , Beyond the exceptional dishes, the experience was heightened by the chef's attention to detail (like the fabulous smelling soap and lotion in the bathroom) and passion for culinary artistry. Chefs wife Jessica and Juan who paid attention to every small detail were so friendly. Each dish came with a story and the presentation was a visual delight, reflecting the chef's creativity and dedication to… well… everything he touched. The personalized service and seamless execution showcased the chef's expertise, creating a memorable dining affair that surpassed all my predetermined “ideas” of thinking.. why are Foodies so obsessed with finding the next best experience.. steak .. etc. I’ll take the challenge fellow foodies, food like this .. IS AWESOME!

This dining experience, curated by the talented personal chef, was nothing short of extraordinary. The music was on point, so much so Chef shared his play list with us (I’ve been listening to it all weekend) Each dish was a testament to culinary mastery, leaving a lasting impression and a lingering desire for more. For anyone seeking a journey beyond the ordinary, for foodies and non-foodies this chef's expertise is an absolute must-try.

I have to go back before he moves to France !...

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I had the pleasure of dining at Ensemble HTX: Chef's Table recently, and it was an absolutely remarkable experience that deserves every bit of praise.

First and foremost, the multi-course meal and matching wine pairings were nothing short of magnificent. Each dish was a culinary masterpiece, perfectly complemented by carefully selected wines. It was a symphony of flavors that left a lasting impression.

The ambience was a key part of what made this evening truly special. The setting was intimate, providing a sense of exclusivity and comfort. It was a chill yet classically luxurious atmosphere, which set the perfect backdrop for an extraordinary dining experience.

What truly elevated this experience was the chef and his team. Their passion for their craft was evident in every dish, and their professionalism was top-notch. What stood out the most was how personable they were. They engaged in regular conversation with the guests throughout the evening, sharing insights and stories about the cuisine. It felt like a dining experience with friends who happened to be culinary experts.

For any foodie or anyone seeking an exquisite dining experience, Ensemble HTX: Chef's Table is an absolute must-try. It's not just a meal; it's a journey through flavors and a showcase of culinary artistry. I can't recommend it enough. It's an unmatched experience that will leave you with...