Kiss — Restaurant in Houston

This was my worst experience at an “upscale restaurant” let alone a black owned restaurant. I DO NOT recommend to anyone. Myself(a black woman) as well as my 3 black female friends attended this restaurant on 7/16/21. We were treated beyond poorly. Let’s start off with being told on the day of our reservation that there was a 2 hour dining limit. Myself and another female at my table ordered the surf and turf. It is a lobster shrimp and filet mignon dish. On the menu it was described as $64. The waitress asked if we wanted to come out normal or lit on fire by skewer. Neither one of us cared and took it lit on fire. When the dishes started being brought out a black gentleman brought out the first round. One of the girls at my table began to record with her flash on (because the restaurant is extremely dark in the inside) the gentle rudely told us that the flash was a hinder to his eyes and not to turn it on. As the rest of the food came out, my friend’s oysters were moved to the table next to us to make room for our main course. A hostess trying to seat another group that didn’t even end up sitting at the table rudely came over asking if that was our oysters and demanding it be moved to accommodate guest that were not even sat there. Despite the fact that it was only 4 of us checks were not split and gratuity was charged which is usually not a norm for a small group at a restaurant let alone an upscale restaurant. When checks came the surf and turf myself and another friend ordered went from $64 to $78. When I asked the waitress she explained there was a price difference for having it lit on fire on a skewer. It was very frustrating because that was not explained when we ordered. Myself and my friend preceded to pay because money was not an issue but that should have been explained rather than being treated liked “idk what to tell you” by the waitress. On top of that we ordered spinach dip as an appetizer that came with bread only issue is half of the bread had fell off the plate before it reached our table according to the waitress. It ended up being replaced by a young black gentleman. I never got his name but he was 21 a Sagittarius with a nose ring that came over and assisted in the best way to make our experience exceptional. And for his great customer service I did take the time to tip him. After paying our tab we took pictures in the front near the entrance. We asked the group of hostess (who were not busy) would they be willing to take a picture of us. They got quiet and looked at us before a young short Hispanic woman (I believe) stepped up and agreed to take the pictures (do not know her name but she was sweet). The food is not all that good for the price but it would have been worth if the customer service was much better. Myself as well as my female friends are all career having women and I’m not sure if we were perceived as something less or stereotyped against by our own people but we were more than happy to spend our hard earned money on our own people. So to receive the worst customer service EVER was unacceptable. Customer service needs to be retrained. Black people always want you to support black owned business but never want to treat you properly when you’re attending their establishment, spending an egregious amount of money. I would recommend anyone to go to steak 48, Ruth Chris etc for great food and great customer service. This place only has music to offer, nothing more. I will share what pictures I have as proof to my...

First, I'd like the reader to know that this is stated at the bottom of KISS’s menu in small print: A customary gratuity of 20% will be added to all checks. If you feel the service did not warrant the gratuity, please notify a manager to have it reduced. However, sitting at the bar, waiting to be seated for a party, I did not see the menu. It was my first time there. None of the staff introduced themselves nor asked, “Is your 1st time here?” .....you know, it’s usually at that time the customer is made aware of the restaurant’s policies that may be unexpected. The restaurant had about 10-15 customers in the entire establishment at the time I arrived, not at the bar.... the entire establishment. The NON-attentiveness to a handful of people did not warrant an automatic 20% gratuity. I ordered 3 drinks, a vodka (Tito’s) Martini, a screwdriver, and vodka cranberry, basic drinks. I was charged $13x3 for the vodka $4.00 for the martini, (I guess the olive juice) $3.55 for mixed beverage tax, (I guess for the orange juice and cranberry juice); and $8.60 gratuity, 20%. My total was $55.15. That was before the guest of honor arrived; before we were escorted to the party room, and before I ATE a piece of bread. Again, this was my first time at this place. The atmosphere was AMAZING. However, the bartender at the bar needed customer service training. I arrived around 10mins to 7 pm, which was the reservation time. Per the website, the restaurant opens at 5 pm. There was one bartender, and it may have needed to be more. Her customer service SUCKED, in my opinion......we sat for about 10mins before she came and took our drink orders and dared to charge $8.60 for delayed service. I often wondered what was happening with the restaurant communities, especially the ones that seemed to have great atmospheres and decent food. I discovered that it’s the “nickel and dimming” patrons are charged for mediocre service at best. I believe that any service at bars and restaurants deserves a tip, but as the customer, let me tip according to the service I believe I received, and her service didn’t warrant 20%. I give KISS an overall 3-star rating, and that was because THE WAITRESS who served the party group was GREAT, and I can go on and on about how beautiful the atmosphere was.

Message to that bartender: you would have gotten more than $8.60 had you been more attentive to ALL the customers, especially the ones who sat directly in your...

The experience was almost ruined for me before I even stepped in the door. The parking lot is huge as there are 6 or 7 businesses there. I saw valet was handling parking near the restaurant so I parked far where the parking lot was completely empty and I walked the long way. A valet guy RAN ME DOWN and said I had to pay $10 if I was going to kiss and parked anywhere in the entire lot…. I was baffled because I didn’t park anywhere near it but he said the owner owns the whole lot (a LIE) and I had to pay. My party of 7 was already inside so I went inside to tell them I’m leaving but they convinced me to stay. It was a horrible experience that almost ruined my experience and the policy needs to be changed. I spent $100 and they were gonna lose that over $10

The Food: The food was Touch and go. I initially got the crab fried rice which was NOT good and not a fried rice at all, more of a pilaf. Also the rice has poor flavor and the crab was just put on top and not cooked with the rice. I sent it back and got the gumbo which was good! I also got the boudin egg rolls which were terrible 😣. The fried flounder was AMAZING!!! The best thing ANY OF US HAD! 10/10 but just switch out the sides because it comes with the bad crab fried rice and terrible Brussel sprouts.

The Drinks:

Single handedly the BEST thing they do. Drinks were ON POINT. I had 3 Thank Me Laters and it was my FAV. I had a Living the Life wish was good but had a bit of a kick. I tried my friends Certified which was delicious and came with a delicious edible flower. My friend loved her reasonable doubt as well.

The Vibe:

DJ Debanair was spinning and the music was EVERYTHING! The vibe was perfection and the decor was beautiful!

The Service:

The service was good and our waiter did a good job. 20% gratuity was automatically added but I don’t mind at all because it was good service.

I would’ve given them a 3 or 4 but I took a point off because I had to switch out two plates and a point off for the horrible valet experience. All in all I’ll try to come back but if I’m harassed by valet again it’s a no. Mind you none of my friends were asked to valet and they all parked even closer but they said the valet was busy and didn’t...