Salt & Sugar Gastro Bar — Restaurant in Texas

Salt & Sugar has a beautiful atmosphere. It's one of the nicest interior dining rooms I've seem in quite a while. Unfortunately, that's where my experience peaked.

I want to make it clear that the person taking care of us was completely kind and friendly. She was extremely personable and we really enjoyed speaking with her. It did become clear though after going through some of the menu items with our server that the restaurant does not encourage their staff to know their menu well in order to answer customer questions. Most questions were responded with "I'm not sure what's in this" or "I've never tried anything here" when asked what her favorites were.

Two things i did get from the person taking care of us was that the stroganoff does not have noodles, and the carbonara does not have any meat. This was strange to me as one of the very basic ingredients of any carbonara I've had anywhere in the world is some form of pork (guanciale is traditional, but at the very least pancetta or bacon).

I was told I could add bacon for an additional $3. When asked if I could get pancetta instead, I was told they don't have that. The very next item on the menu called out specifically the "house made pancetta." After some back and forth I was told they do indeed have pancetta and they can add it for me.

When the dish came out, it was served with fettuccini noodles and a thick, goopy sauce rather than the silky thin sauce that a carbonara should have. There was no sign of any black pepper on the dish, which again, is a traditional ingredient of any carbonara I've ever had. I asked if they had pepper (no big deal, I can put my own on) and was told "I'll have to check." I was brought out crushed red pepper. Again, no big deal, just a misunderstanding. When I clarified my request and asked for black pepper, I was told "No I don't think we have that." I was literally staring at the black pepper grinders on the stand to the right of the bar as I was told this.

My dish itself was just ok. It definitely wasn't any form of carbonara I've ever had, and would not recommend it if you're looking for any semblance of a traditional carbonara. It lacked any real flavor and ended up tasting more like an alfredo than anything else.

My dish ended up costing $22. For $23 I can (and will) go to restaurants like Giacomos and Coppa Osteria which serve some of the best Italian food in town. For that $23 I get a server that intimately knows every item on the menu, and fantastic food that becomes a very memorable experience. Instead, I had a mediocre dish, and staff that had no clue what any of the menu items were, and didn't even know if they had black pepper.

I absolutely do not blame the person waiting on us who was as kind as could be. Her lack of knowledge was due to a lack of training by the restaurant.

Sadly, we'll be taking our money somewhere we know we will have a consistently incredible experience on both the service...

My two girlfriends and I had the pleasure of experiencing Salt & Sugar Gastro Bar for the first time on a delightful Friday evening. We convened at the restaurant around 7 p.m., and it was evident from the bustling parking lot that we were in for a lively evening. However, one of our friends arrived a bit later and struggled to find parking, eventually resorting to a spot alongside the Chevron gas station.

Ambiance: Salt & Sugar Gastro Bar boasts tasteful decor that creates an inviting atmosphere. While we appreciated the aesthetics, we couldn't help but wish for cloth napkins instead of the disposable ones provided. During our visit, a talented musician entertained us with a keyboard and soulful singing. Nonetheless, it's worth noting that the setting sun can be blinding for those facing the windows as dusk approaches.

Food & Drinks: Our attentive waitress informed us about the half-price drinks special, which piqued our interest. I opted for the Salt & Sugar cocktail, a delightful concoction served in generous portions. One of my friends was enamored with their Espresso Martinis.

Appetizers: Our dining experience commenced with the Polpete Gratinate – meatballs smothered in a delectable sauce and cheese. We found this dish to be quite enjoyable.

Entree: As a connoisseur of Risotto, I have high standards for this Italian classic. I ordered the Salmone Al Limone, and it exceeded my expectations with its delicious preparation.

Pricing: The pricing for drinks was in line with what is generally expected, given that mixed drinks typically cost over $12 at most establishments. I've paid $16 for a strawberry margarita at a nearby bar, which I found rather steep.

However, the pricing for my risotto felt a tad on the high end. While I understand that some upscale areas like Montrose or Uptown command premium prices, I expected a more moderate price range considering the restaurant's location in a Copperfield shopping strip. Perhaps a price point of $22-25 for the risotto would be more reasonable in this context.

The interior of the restaurant deserves commendation, as it creates the illusion of dining in an upscale Westheimer/Galleria establishment, despite its location in a shopping strip in Copperfield.

Closing Remarks: Salt & Sugar Gastro Bar has only been open since July, and it's natural for any new establishment to encounter some growing pains. I would urge potential patrons to give them a chance before forming opinions based on negative reviews from others. I sincerely hope that they take the feedback and comments into consideration to refine their offerings.

Here's to wishing Salt & Sugar Gastro Bar much success, and I look forward to the opportunity to return and witness their growth and improvements...

My husband surprised me this afternoon telling me to get dressed and meet him at the corner of West and Telge. I wasn’t expecting such a cool restaurant tucked into the heart of Cypress.

We came on a Sunday between lunch and dinner on a rainy day, so we were the only folks here. The waitress was very friendly and knowledgeable of the menu. She made great recommendations.

We love to order a lot when we are trying a new restaurant and this was no different.

We ordered: • Calamari • French Onion Soup • Burrata • Al Peto Panini (brisket) • Pasta Amatriciana (with pancetta) • Pineapple Italian soda • Caramel Latte • Tiramisu Alle Fragole (with strawberry) • Milefoglie (caramel pastry dessert)

The portions were just right, it wasn’t an overwhelming and impossible portion, definitely enough if you didn’t order for an army like we did. We were able to enjoy all of our appetizers, along with the foccacia they give as a complimentary appetizer. We ate about half our entrees and had enough to bring home for tomorrow.

My favorite appetizer was the burrata. It was topped with pesto and fresh tomato. It was the perfect consistency. I was able to use their complimentary focaccia to eat it.

The entrees were fantastic. My husband’s panini had a great crunch on the bread and was generous on portions. It came with a wonderful garlic aioli, and the fries on the side had a good fry/crust on the outside with a soft inside.

My pasta was so flavorful. I was worried with a lighter pasta like Amatriciana that it may be bland, but the onion really showed through. The pancetta gave it a full flavor as well.

The desserts were wonderful. The strawberry tiramisu I ordered was just the right level of sweetness. The layered cream between was generous and perfectly whipped. The milefoglie was crumbly and delicious. It’s a very soft flavored dessert (not super sugary) with a custard. Think layered like tiramisu but vibes like a cannoli.

The last thing to mention is the presentation. There is so much pride in the details here. From every table being set awaiting its guests, to fresh flowers on the tables, to the thoughtful plating and presentation of the dishes. You come here and feel important. As a customer, this deeply can impact you.

We certainly plan to return for their Friday live music, and their Thursday...