Pier 6 — Restaurant in San Leon

Starters - we were pretty hungry and plowed right into it without taking any pictures of this gorgeous food. We had the Lobster Bisque & Deviled Crab Claws to start. The crab claws are very fresh and have been cleaned nicely, they are served on ice with Lemon, Cocktail Sauce and a bit of Jalapeno Lime Tartar Sauce. The tartar sauce is outstanding - loaded with fresh dill just how I like. I could have eaten it with a spoon like a true fat kid. After I had a few claws I dove into the Lobster Bisque. The broth tastes like a gorgeous seafood stock that has been thickened with either rice starch & ground seafood shells or a roux, not thickened with loads of heavy cream. The brightness of the herbs shine through the deep flavors of the opaque broth. You'll find chunks of buttery lobster swimming around in the beautiful broth. The Bisque comes with a fluffy buttery cheddar drop bisquit perfect for sopping up the remaining broth once you've fished out all that lovely poached lobster. I got a little adventurous with the tarter sauce I mentioned earlier and dipped just the tip of my spoon in it before scooping up a spoonful of the lobster bisque - next level good! Or maybe I love that tarter too much - I'll let you decide should you chose to follow my foodie footsteps.

Next my husband ordered the Peri Peri Grilled Shrimp, 8oz Filet with Herb Butter, and the Crab Mac & Cheese. Polina was really excited for his choices, she assured us we were in for a treat with the shrimp. The filet was (to my delight) cooked more on the rare side, which my husband typically won't eat, when we met 8 years ago he ordered his steaks Medium, he's slowly been transitioning to more Med Rare since. He tried a bite rolled his eyes and said babe, I thought it was a little too rare but its REALLY good. I sliced off a chunk and had the same reaction - eyes rolled straight back, oh my goodness! The crust is salty and crisp which contrasts beautifully with the tender and juicy center. The steak tastes clean and fresh like a quality steak should - not heavily marinated. The Crab Mac & Cheese is suprisingly delicate for a typically heavy dish, the sauce is creamy and slightly salty, the pasta has the perfect chew, crispy sweet crab chuncks and bread crumbs top the dish creating a delightful well rounded dish. The grilled shrimp - I rarely order grilled shrimp because I feel like grilled shrimp taste about the same everywhere...not here. Jumbo Gulf Shrimp covered in torn bits of tarragon, will and possibly baby spinach? with a drizzle of sweet chili sauce. The gorgeous shrimp are served on top of herbed rice that has an insane amount of depth in flavor - the rice itself is smaller grain, and so fluffy. The scents on this plate are incredibly comforting. I couldnt get enough of this - I was quite surprised at how much I loved this dish.

We looked at our empty plates and then each other my husband said...dessert? With hopeful eyes, I said why not? He had long before decided that he wanted the nutella smore mousse - again, he makes good choices. The dessert came out quickly with two spoons. The marshmallow is toasted nicely and sprinkled with a chocolate english tofee, and a couple ripe raspberries. There are 3 layers to the mouse - a cakelike base that is light yet chewy, a soft & silky hazelnut chocolate mousse and finally the sweet sticky marshmallow fluff. Its everything a dessert should be, sweet, complex...

It was my second time to Pier 6, and I'll say I was slightly disappointed this time around.

First, the positives. The ambiance was wonderful. Great energy and beautiful scenery. When we arrived, we notified the hostesses of our reservation, and they politely told us that they were running a bit late. No problem. Someone came around with champagne, which took the edge off having to wait an extra 30 minutes. I count this as a positive since as a restaurant, you can't perfectly predict how long people will stay, and the champagne was a nice consolation. We also never had to ask for refills of our drinks; someone came around and swapped them out, which was fantastic. Bravo. As for food, the ceviche was on point. Great blend of flavor with a little kick of spice.

What was ok: My lobster roll was good and satisfied my hankering for one. It still didn't rate very well compared to the other lobster rolls I've had, even if I compare it to others in Houston. Still $24 for a lobster roll is a decent deal, especially at a sit-down restaurant. I recommend subbing out the chips if they let you.

And now the negatives. We had ordered brussel sprouts, carrots, and key lime pies in addition to our meal. I think after a really busy evening, there were a few sous chefs who were tired because while there were plenty of brussel sprouts (which were delicious), but there were almost no carrots to speak of. I felt the same about the key lime pie. I had to dig around for the key lime part of the pie. On top of that, the crust was really crumbly (like it didn't make it to the table in one piece). After looking at pictures online (where the filling reaches near the top of the pastry), I could only guess that they had run out of filling and were scraping something together at the end of the night. It wasn't our fault that we were seated 30 minutes late (and therefore ended the dinner a little later). I would rather that our server inform us that they are out and suggest something else.

Overall, if this experience was my first and only, I probably wouldn't make the drive again. But since I've had a good experience in the past, I'll...

We visited Pier 6 on a bustling Saturday evening around 6:30 PM, and the place was absolutely packed. The popularity of the restaurant was immediately apparent, but the downside was the noise level—conversation at our table of four adults and a child in a high chair was a challenge, as it was difficult to hear each other over the din. Appetizers & Oysters The highlight of our meal was undeniably the blood oysters. These were the star of the menu—fresh, briny, and perfectly shucked, they stood out as the must-order item and showcased the restaurant’s reputation for quality Gulf Coast seafood. The appetizers overall were generously portioned and quite good, offering a promising start to the meal. Main Courses Unfortunately, the main courses did not live up to the standard set by the appetizers. Across the board, our entrees lacked the seasoning and depth of flavor we expected from a restaurant specializing in coastal cuisine. While the menu is broad and the seafood is fresh, execution on the main dishes was underwhelming, leaving our party disappointed after such a strong beginning. Service & Atmosphere Service was mediocre. Our server was polite but seemed overwhelmed by the busy crowd, and there was little attention to detail or engagement with our table. Given the size of the crowd and the lively waterfront setting, some delays and distractions are understandable, but the overall experience felt impersonal and rushed. Family-Friendliness On a positive note, the restaurant was accommodating to families, providing a high chair and enough space for our group. The water views and lively atmosphere make it a pleasant spot for groups, though those seeking a quiet or intimate dinner may want to visit at a less busy time. Summary Pier 6 offers a vibrant, energetic setting with top-notch oysters and satisfying appetizers. However, the main courses fell short due to bland seasoning, and the service did not rise above average. If you’re visiting, come for the oysters and the view—but temper expectations for the rest of the meal and be prepared for a noisy, bustling...