Grotto Downtown — Restaurant in Houston

Quite possibly one of the most disappointing restaurants I've had the displeasure of visiting in the last few years. I never have had such high expectations for an establishment and have them nearly all dashed.

The disappointment started as soon as I walked into the door. The restaurant was moderately busy, but it was nowhere near what I would describe as "packed", yet it took about 6-7 minutes to even see the server to be seated. A line formed of people waiting to be given a table. Personally, the decor did not work for me either and all appeared to be cheap fake plastic, if that matters to you.

I ordered a Red Headed Mule, a plate of mussels, and "shrimp piatta"

The Mule was the best part of my meal. It was mixed well, had a good ice content, and was not overly complicated. Even me, with my basic palate could taste all of the liquors in it. I would order this again, but sadly, I doubt I will ever return to this restaurant. The biggest compliment I can give this was that it tasted very refreshing.

The Mussels were nothing to write home about. I'd say they're even a little worse than average, as there were a good amount that hadn't purged their sand. I could still feel sand in them. The seasonings and butter were okay, but it was presented nice. The bread was also just average, but it felt like the butter went with it a lot more than the Mussels. It just did not feel like the butter was made with mussel flavor in mind.

My main dish was the Shrimp Piatta. This was easily the worst main course meal I can remember ordering at a restaurant. The shrimp were tough and overcooked. Considering their poor quality, I was surprised they still had their shells on. I would have assumed that a restaurant this poor would have removed them from my shrimp. There were a few tomatoes scattered about, and were one of the only two enjoyable things about the plate. The butter/sauce was the same as the mussel's, but again it did not feel like it belonged with the flavor of anything on the dish. The asparagus was overly charred to the point where the outside layers were charred so badly that I had to manually peel some of the layers off simply to eat it. The only other enjoyable part were the 2-4 nuggets of crab I found.

The service was bad as well, and I had to ask the host for water instead of my waiter. They were very unprofessional and rude. I nearly left because I waited almost 10 minutes without anyone approaching my table.

Do not go here unless if it's to sit at the bar and socialize with friends. The food is terrible and there is no reason not to go to the steakhouse 200 feet away instead. This place is a social club, not a restaurant. Even the hotel bar across the street from Grotto has a better menu. Do...

Exclusive AfroTech Event with Apple

Grotto Downtown Houston set the bar high with its incredible hosting of an exclusive event with Apple for AfroTech 2024. I was absolutely blown away by the transformation of this already popular restaurant into a private, elegant space that celebrated Black excellence in tech.

The event’s organization was flawless from the moment I arrived. The seamless entrance process made every guest feel welcomed and connected—a true testament to the team’s professionalism. As a keynote speaker and career accelerator for powerhouses, I was touched by the thoughtful details throughout the event, ensuring no one felt out of place.

The food? Simply phenomenal. I want to give a heartfelt shoutout to Kirsten, who went above and beyond to make sure I was fed after a long day of speaking and engaging. Her kindness and attention to detail perfectly reflected the elevated service at Grotto. Highlights of the evening included the delicious skewers, the chicken sandwich with chipotle mayo and pickles on honey garlic bread (an absolute game-changer), and the most divine oatmeal cookie I’ve ever tasted.

The layout of the event was another standout feature. Grotto’s thoughtful use of space—from the main bar to the back area, outdoor patio, and private sections—ensured the venue could comfortably host a large crowd while still providing intimate spaces for conversation and connection. Being located in the heart of downtown added another layer of magic, with stunning views of Discovery Green and the Marriott lights providing the perfect backdrop.

Finally, the partnership with Apple elevated the experience, offering incredible opportunities to connect with their recruiting team and network with other professionals in tech. This collaboration showcased how a well-curated space like Grotto can seamlessly blend sophistication with accessibility, making it the perfect venue for private events.

Whether you’re looking to host an exclusive holiday event or want to create an unforgettable experience in the heart of downtown, Grotto Downtown Houston is the place to be.

Lovely Is YOUR Story acknowledges your exceptional service. Keep...

Last night I dined at Grotto Downtown to celebrate my 1 year anniversary. Unfortunately, the service was quite disappointing. No one greeted us for what felt like ages, and the only reason we were acknowledged was because we had to wave someone down. To make up for the wait, they offered to comp our first round of drinks without any prompting from us. I thought this was a nice gesture, and we could basically start over with a clean slate, but things only went downhill from there. We finally met our server after we got our drinks and appetizers, but it felt like he was rushing us to get us out.

From then on, Our server was barely anywhere to be found. We had to wave down another server to get a soda and knives so we could actually start eating, but he also forgot about us because we saw him running food shortly after he came to the table and never returned. So we had to wave someone else down, and by the time we finally got the utensils, the food was no longer hot. We would patiently wait for our server to show up, but eventually, we had to wave other people down multiple times for the rest of the evening because our server again was no longer around.

By the end of the night, we were ready to just leave after paying and move on with our night. However, the manager went out of their way to approach us and get our contact information and promised to reach out to us to apologize for the lackluster experience. Which we appreciated. Unfortunately, they never actually followed through with their promise, leaving us feeling even more disappointed.

On the bright side, the food at Grotto was amazing. Despite the poor service, we truly enjoyed our meal. The short rib gnocchi was delicious. However, the lack of attention from the staff really put a damper on our anniversary celebration. I would not recommend Grotto if you are looking for a special night out, as the service is not up to par. After reading other reviews, It might be best to just order...