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Américas River Oaks
Categories: Restaurants Latin American Restaurants Breakfast & Brunch Restaurants Steakhouses Latin American, Breakfast & Brunch, Steakhouses [Edit]
2040 W Gray StHouston, TX 77019
Neighbourhood: River Oaks
(832) 200-1492
- Hours:
Mon 9 am - 10 pm
Tue-Thu 11 am - 10 pm
Fri 11 am - 11 pm
Sat 12 pm - 11 pm
Sun 10:30 am - 9 pm
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Valet
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Romantic, Classy, Upscale
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Jason M. said: "Had a great time at this steakhouse. The food was great and if your a sports fan you'll love that the menu comes out on a pro football." read more »
62 reviews for Américas River Oaks
Review Highlights
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"Also served one of the best Tres Leches I've ever had." In 13 reviews -
"Lobster corndogs were amazing." In 6 reviews -
"...good veggies and plantain chips (love chimichurri sauce..." In 6 reviews
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62 reviews in English
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Review from Debs C.
Thanks to family, I was treated to a glutton-fest at Americas yesterday. All the items I never had the courage to order for my wallet's sake, I had last night. The $14 appetizer lobster soup I've never been able to justify getting? So rich. So smooth. So magical. The $14 appetizer crab salad I've always eyed but was never willing to shell out the dollars for, I had that as well. Think thick slices of tomato and mozzarella topped with crab salad paired with two pieces of grilled pesto bread.
The evening started out with drinks. Then came plate after plate of ceviche, salads, empanadas (you can't go wrong with anything with cilantro sauce), taquitos, chimichurri beef, pork, scallops, salmon, and red snapper. And finally, dessert. I've never liked Americas' tres leches and always found it too sugary sweet for my taste but the tequila bread pudding was perfect. Our party was seated at the back of the restaurant, past all the smaller tables and the crazy circular booths, up on a small lofted area. For a Saturday night, almost every table was occupied.
Favorite meal of 2012 so far? Absolutely. Although I do have dinner plans at another steakhouse tonight...1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/16/2011
Americas, I love you because you always welcome me with open arms even when I show up at your door… Read more »
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Review from Melissa T.
Houston, TX
3/17/2012 2 Check-ins Here
I used to frequent Americas for happy hour, but I don't think I've ever been for an actual meal until now. It was a spur of the moment decision since Uchi is booked for life, and the hostess there can't give a proper estimate of wait time.
It was the day before Valentine's Day, and the restaurant was completed booked, so we opted to sit in the bar area, since it is full service anyway. We were immediately given a drinks menu, but it took a really long time to get a regular menu. Customers who came in after us were given a regular menu, but somehow, we got overlooked. And since we were sitting there for so long without a menu, I went through my entire glass of water, which was not refilled until halfway through our meal. I don't know if service just sucks in the bar area, since I haven't had a chance to sit in the dining room, but I was less than pleased.
The lobster corndogs immediately caught my eye. I'm a huge fan of corndogs done right, and these corndogs did not disappoint. I don't know what my entree was...probably something unmemorable, but I cannot leave a Churrasco's restaurant without ordering their tres leches cake. I could eat a whole sheet cake of that stuff. I have even joked that if I'm unemployed at any point, I might try to snag a part-time job at Americas to learn their secret for tres leches cake. I can't get the dang cake consistency right! -
Review from Courtney D.
Jersey City, NJ
3/6/2012
Américas River Oaks is one of the newest additions to the Cordúa family of restaurants. Award winning chef and restaurateur, Michael Cordúa teamed up with Chicago Architect Jordan Mozer's vivid mind to create this Latin fusion eatery. The whimsical rain forest inspired décor and Cordúa's brilliant combination of North, Central and South American cuisine gives the patrons a true "New World" experience.
I managed to work my way through the first part of the menu over several "working sessions" with friends and family--a hard job but someone has to do it! The Empanadas, Lobster Corndogs and Crab Fingers are my faves. The empanadas are chicken in an avocado mousse, spinach and cheese in a risotto sauce, black bean and chorizo in cilantro dressing and beef with huancaina sauce. You can sample all four or create your own combination. The Lobster Corndogs are so adorable. You get seven "dogs" presented in a big wooden die with corn poblano dipping sauce. The Corn Smoked Crab Fingers are served with yucca cake with red pepper lemon butter. Don't be afraid to use and lick your fingers after trying these dishes. -
Review from Ana S.
Houston, TX
5/13/2012
Took my mother for Mothers Day here today. Disgusting food. FRIED dishes. Over packed. I felt like I was in the middle of thousands and thousands of people. The price is NOT worth the masses. NEVER going back! Another Latin place gone to waste. The only good thing? The staff are so nice. Veery nice. And to top it off, my mother got a broken water glass! I almost died!!! And the biggest mistake? Buffet service!!! It's mother's day, not a $5.99 all you can eat!!! Oh the food was hoooorrible! Maybe on regular days, its different but I am NEVER coming back.
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Review from Nicole S.
My mom and I stopped by here late one weeknight to find the place somewhat empty. However, this turned out not to be indicative of the food and service. We started out with a ceviche that was yummy and fresh. My mom had the fish and I had a steak. We were both very happy with our selections. The flambe tres leches was topped with a meringue, which was very creamy, was a nice way to finish the meal. Overall with the prices, this place isn't somewhere I can visit often, but the experience and food are well worthy of a special treat.
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Review from Ty D.
4/18/2012
I was having a conversation about Americas the other day, and we were all in agreement: this is one of those places where it's almost impossible to have a bad meal. Americas delivers on every course (in particular the ceviche, cubana soup, and parilla entrees), service is generally good, and it's a fun place for groups. For whatever reason, I don't get here as much as I should, but it's never disappointed.
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Review from Juvie C.
Houston, TX
3/5/2012
Celebrated my birthday here with a large group and the manager was very helpful and accommodating. When we were reserving the room for my birthday dinner, the hostess took pictures of the room we reserved for me on her personal cell phone and sent them to me so I could visualize the event. During the event, the wait staff were amazing and made us feel like we were the only party in the room. They even gave my boyfriend and I glasses of champagne at the end of the evening. And that is just the customer service! The food is amazing. The mango ceviche is drool-worthy as is the surf and turf combo. I always order the churrosco steak here, so I can't speak to other items on the menu. LOVE LOVE LOVE this place. Highly recommended.
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Review from Macy B.
Houston, TX
4/2/2012
I've been a huge fan of America's for years. Then I had the great pleasure of meeting and knowing members of the Cordua family. Their Nicaraguan roots and deep commitment to fine food are evident in every experience I've had at every Cordua restaurant in town.
While I miss the Post Oak location, the River Oaks establishment continues to deliver the same awesome cuisine in a quirky setting. Ladies, visit the restroom even if you don't need to, just to check out the mirrored fun house and private, creatively decorated stalls.
On to the food. Everything is amazing, especially the seafood. Try the ceviche flight for a real refreshing treat. And I'm addicted to the smoked crab fingers. And the lobster corn dogs. And the salmon. On top of all the deliciousness here, the fried plantains with fresh chimichurri sauce delivered to the table upon arrival continue to be my favorite munchie in the world.
They also offer a Sauvignon Blanc and Malbec made just for the restaurant that are not to be missed. Mmmm. -
Review from Jaire Q.
11/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
I am very sad to say that this America's was a complete disappointment. My white Sangria was pretty much disgusting. I sent it back and the second one was a little "less bad" but I just kept it instead of returning it twice. The food was super greasy and definitely not what I expected. I even got a little sick after. The service was OK, nothing stood out.
The place is dim and if not for the overly decorated walls, would be beautiful. I am sorry, but I do not recommend this place and I am really sad that the one in the Galleria area closed, that one had better food.
One positive was the complimentary valet parking. -
Review from Wesley G.
Houston, TX
12/27/2011
The steak Churrasco is excellent! Tequila bread pudding with cinnamon ice cream is an unexpected major hit. We will be getting it again. We also love the mixed greens salad with the cilantro dressing. Everything we have tried here is very good or excellent.
Houston Restaurant Week here is a great deal. We went there twice for HRW this year and will be looking to take advantage of it next year. My girlfriend ordered a grilled meat sampler entree for the 2nd course that normally alone cost more than the three course HRW dinner. What a great deal and a great way to get back to dining at an excellent restaurant that we had let slip off our list.
Excellent service is one of the reasons to go here and only once have I had sub par service which after we expressed our dissatisfaction the manager came to our table and apologized very sincerely and went beyond the call of duty to make sure that everything was resolved. We really appreciate the sincere concern. Otherwise this is a very friendly place with top notch service and everyone will go out of their way to make sure you have a great time.
Easy parking is a major bonus since we prefer to not valet our cars and will only do so when there is no other option. -
Review from carla f.
Bellaire, TX
10/24/2011
I LOVE how this restaurant has turned out. I had the crab & shrimp ceviche, bacon wrapped quail, lobster corndogs, and the empanadas. While the food is amazing, it's not why I go. I normally sit at the bar area as it is more casual than the main dining room, and the bartenders are really nice.
Cordua's amazing design gets me every time! The little details from the sign for the restrooms to how the booths are shaped to the art he has on the walls.. he has really thought everything through. He doesn't limit a restaurants experience to smell and taste, but really captures all your senses. I know this sounds really corny, trust me, but before you judge, you need to go! -
Review from Taylor O.
Houston, TX
11/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
Went here last Sunday for my mom's birthday celebration.
Location: Wonderful
Ambiance: Enchanting
Host(s)/Hostess: Excellent; took us right to our reservation table even though only 4 of my party's 13 were on time.
Waiter: The best! (Tall-PR gentleman. He accommodated everyone at my table to no end, and was tipped beyond very well. That is service; when you don't have to ask).
Food: Great. The majority of my party had the brunch ($35). All i can say is the bread pudding was to die for, and the huge assortment of food on the brunch buffet: just as grand.
Price: $$$$ (but it's well worth it).
Had a blast Amêricas! Thanks for making my mom's day so wonderful, and memorable. One day, i will return. -
Review from HoustonMidtownGirl M.
Houston, TX
12/14/2011
5 stars for food, 2 stars for service.
Food was terrific. Everything including the salads was delicious. We even sampled some of the desserts which were amazing. Churrasco meat is still my favorite, and I love the veggie plate sampler they bring.
Service was slow. At the bar, it took about 10 minutes to be acknowledged (during lunchtime, when most of the bar was empty). When we were seated, we were ignored for about 10-15 minutes; when the waiter finally came over, he pulled out his pad and said, "Are you ready to order?" No greeting, nothing. The entire time we were there it was a similar situation.
The atmosphere is really cool, just like the original Americas. -
Review from Roosevelt C.
Houston, TX
11/24/2011
Went to Americas for Thanksgiving brunch. Opted for the buffet, with all you can eat and bottomless mimosas, champagne or bloody mary's. Price: $45 per person.
I felt like a kid in a candy store. The buffet offers so many delicious options to choose from. My favorites: the tender roast beef, the empanadas filled with cheesy and wonderfully seasoned beef ("juicy meat pockets", says my friend), the crepes (I had plantain and strawberries with raspberry sauce in mine, and the paella. Yum! Also, quite a selection of deserts. I ended up selecting a chocolate fudge treat that almost made me cry it was so good.
And, the ambiance and service are really good - not astoundingly great, but really good. Valet is complimentary, and that's refreshing since even seedy places charge for that service here. Bottom line, when I have a good appetite and I want to treat myself, I have a new go-to place. -
Review from Edward M.
Houston, TX
2/18/2012
Took my Valentine here for Valentines Day. The carnitas were the great. Loved the atmosphere of the place. Wife and I had a great time. We are looking forward to returning again with some guests. Just simply amazing from the service to the desert and everything in between.
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Review from Kayley N.
8/15/2011
My husband and I ventured here for Houston Restaurant Weeks and left with us both looking like we were 5 months pregnant.
The first thing that I really like about Americas is that I don't have to valet my car like every other single place between here and Dallas. Thank you, large parking garage. Now I don't feel like people are judging me because I don't drive a Benz.
Although we had a reservation, there were no tables available so we were asked to wait at the bar, except the bar was completely full. Because I am sporting a lovely ankle brace compliments of the Army's crap physical fitness program, I badly wanted to sit down but instead was left milling around getting in everyone's way. The Husband and I didn't even bother ordering a drink because we couldn't even be seen by the bartenders. Boo #1.
After about 15 minutes of literally being told I was in the way, we were seated...right by the kitchen entrance. Boo #2. Waiters were walking by constantly when I had really hoped that I could enjoy my date night with my husband. This was also frustrating because when I shell out over $100 for dinner, I don't expect to wait for a table and then be seated at the worst one in the entire place.
Our waiter came by and introduced himself and took our drink orders but when we asked him what he preferred, he said he had never had any of them and we should just go with what sounded good. Ummm, okay. I ended up with the Brazilian Fizz, which I couldn't finish and wouldn't recommend. The Husband got a Mojito which was very good and was not all rum with a splash of mint and lime.
After taking our drink order, the waiter dived right into our menu but neither of us had a chance to look it over. We both ordered on the spot and were both kind of perplexed and being so rushed. We never saw that waiter again as he disappeared and was replaced with someone else.
For the first course, I ordered the trio of calamari, ceviche, and lobster lollipops. The Husband ordered the Cubano Soup. The ceviche turned out to be my favorite item of the night, it was so fresh! I just wish there had been more of it. The calamari went to the Husband because it was fried along with the lobster lollipops (I have digestive issues that don't allow for fried foods). I tried the Husband's Cubano soup and it was nothing special, just a basic black been soup in a gigantic bread bowl.
We had barely finished our appetizers when our main course came out. No waiting here, folks! I ordered the swordfish and the Hubs got the steak Churrasco. My swordfish was rather dry but still edible. The pico de gallo helped. It came with a quinoa and queso side but the queso was so overpowering. It was like America's version of man 'n' cheese and it was a no-go. The Hubs loved his steak and declared it "melt in your mouth". It came with a fried potato cake but the Husband passed noting that a lot of food seemed to be fried instead of fresh.
Literally as our plates were being taken away our desserts were in front of us. I had the tres leches cake and the Hubs had the chocolate ganache creation. Ummm, I would go here for the desserts alone. The tres leches was some the best I've had outside of Mexico. I also tried the Hub's chocolate ganache cake and it was crazy rich, which means I loved it.
With our drinks and gratuity added to the $70, our meal came out to around $120. Was it worth it? No. The ceviche was fantastic as were the desserts (and the steak if we count my Husband's review) but the rest of the food was okay and tended to be fried. I was not impressed with how we were forced to wait for a table even with a reservation and then rushed through our meal. -
Review from Lorna G.
1/8/2012 1 Check-in Here
Totally bizarre place! Popcorn decor, oh-so-comfortable seating and a great menu! The appetizer towers are excellent with the ceviche being the highlight for me. Others really enjoyed the lobster corn dogs and the chicken things with blue cheese goodness. The main courses were excellent, the staff is superb. Overall a great place for a nice business meal and would definitely come back with friends!
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Review from Janna L.
8/12/2011
I went to Americas on a Tuesday night with a group of 12 friends for Houston Restaurant Weeks. As soon as I stepped inside, I was in love with the trippy decor. It reminded me of Alice in Wonderland. Even the fully mirrored bathrooms threw me off- in a good way. Everybody had an opinion on the design though. Some of my friends thought it was tacky, some thought it was over-the-top, and some loved it. Different strokes for different folks right?
It took the waiter a little too long to take our orders, I felt. I thought the service was disappointing and everything continued to lag throughout the night. Since we placed our orders for all the courses at one time, I expected everything to come out quickly. There was still a significant wait between courses though and the waiter rarely checked on us.
I started with the mixed greens salad, which I wasn't impressed with. It consisted of mixed greens, two small triangles of cheese, and two pieces of crostini. Seriously, you guys couldn't have thrown in some olives? Tomatoes? Anything else, at all? The dressing was too heavy and I ended up not finishing this course. I tried one of my friend's lobster corndogs, and felt he summed it up best when he noted that it "tastes like a corndog". For the main course I ordered the Churrasco. It was tender, juicy, and cooked perfectly. The yuca on the side was just the right size and was a nice complement to the steak. I got the tres leches for dessert and aside from having slightly too much frosting for my liking, the overall consistency was light and moist.
Americas is a nice restaurant that serves a good quality steak. I don't think everything here is flawless, but it's worth a try when you want a funkier atmosphere that's out of the ordinary. -
Review from SimplyOrgasmic A.
Houston, TX
2/16/2012
My bf and I went here for Valentine's and we really fell in love! Here are the reasons why:
1) IT'S VERY BEAUTIFULLY DECORATED. It's a fusion of Central and South America with red, hard felt decor on the walls, really cool looking booths (very artsy and grand), a romantic and comfortable atmosphere. I went to Americas almost 2 years ago on Post Oak but apparently they closed and moved here. No wonder I had nothing looked familiar when I walked in.
2) THE FOOD IS AMAZING! Yes, it is a swanky restaurant the prices are high ($20+ for entrees and the teens for appetizers and salads). I had an off-menu item that night that consisted of a combo plate of lobster tail, steak (filet mignon), salmon with corn, and I think it's like a crab ball with potatoes. The entire plate ($42) was amazing!!! My bf had the steak Currasco (rated by Esquire magazine to be the best) and LOVED it!
3) THE SERVICE IS AMAZING! Our waiter was very helpful and knowledgeable in the menu and also wine collection. My bf is not a wine guy at all, but I think he finally found a wine he actually really likes. :) Thanks, Mario! (I'm pretty sure that was his name).
4) It's a romantic place with an open and welcoming feel at the same time. I saw families there, too, so that could also work. Definitely know that you're going to be shelling out some dough though. :) As a college student, I'd probably go here like maybe once a year when I feel more generous with my wallet. -
Review from Jeff G.
Houston, TX
10/21/2011
Amazing!
The service is warm and attentive. The menu is creative. The food out of this world, especially if you like Plantains! -
Review from Martha H.
Houston, TX
2/2/2012
This place was a wonderful surprise! Dined there for lunch and had delicious crab and shrimp ceviche, quail breast wrapped in bacon tacos and a grilled chicken breast with an avocado puree. The food was some of the best I've had in Houston so far. We will add this to some of our favorite spots!
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Review from Jennifer S.
Dallas, TX
11/24/2011
I love this place! The decor is so cool...very, very memorable! The food is delicious...just like I remembered at Churrascos and Aritsta! The Executive Lunch is the way to go and such a good value for the money. I would have given Americas a 5 star review, but the service was pretty slow even though they weren't very busy.
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Review from Krystle P.
Houston, TX
8/23/2011
AMAZING! From the minute we arrived to the minute we left everything was spectacular. I am in LOVE with the decor and the ambiance which set the tone the minute you walk in the door! We went for Sunday Brunch which was absolutely delish! I love brunch spots and frequent them all over the city and this one is on my list of faves! The passion fruit mimosa was mouth watering and all of the food was presented exquisitely and tasted fantastic!
You wont be disappointed when dining here! GREAT restaurant! :=) -
Review from Katherine R.
Houston, TX
11/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
I came here to celebrate my mother's birthday because she loves Americas. The location is unique in that it's upstairs but does have an elevator. It's conveniently located near the Barnes and Noble so you can always look at some books before or after your delicious meal.
My mother ordered the white sangria and she said it was good but I beg to differ. It was too carbonated for me. I ordered the empanadas with a side of the achiote shrimp and let's just say that I was quite impressed with the sauces for the empanadas! My boyfriend ordered a soup, I think it was a black bean type, that came in a bread bowl but it wasn't enough for him so if you're a gentleman with a hungry appetite who wants soup then also order a side dish or two to fill you up. My father ordered a salmon dish that looked very appetizing and must've been because my dad practically licked the plate clean. I forget what my mother ordered but she seemed to enjoy her dish except not the yuca fries- they were alright but not completely up my alley. We ordered the tres leche cake to eat at the restaurant to continue celebrating my mother's birthday but since my mother loves chocolate probably more than my father, we also ordered a chocolate dessert to-go.
The service was very friendly and knowledgeable but our server did take a little longer than expected to take our order and bring us the check. The decor is very chic and unique but open to have conversations with your party. They have a good list of wines but very few are offered for a glass price, mostly bottles. -
Review from hunnniii b.
Pearland, TX
1/18/2012
Love the decor, the scene, the trendy artsy furniture and walls! The food is amazing! Perfect for a birthday or anniversary dinner! The service is GREAT.....I can't complain about anything1 The food is delicious...I've tried several things on the menu and I have always been impressed! I will def. keep coming back for more!
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Review from Victor S.
Houston, TX
8/14/2011
Damn that was some tasty food! 4 stars because I'll have to try other dishes before dishing out a 5 star. Had the Churrasco as my entree and tres leches cake, both outstanding.
Now the decor was very trendy, a lil over the top for my taste but not a deal killer. -
Review from JIMMY N.
Houston, TX
1/24/2011
I came here for a business lunch one day and was pleasantly satisfied with my dining experience. Granted, the menu is pretty much the same as the Galleria location. However, this place is better suited for lunch on weekdays. You'll notice a cocktail of businessmen, office-types, casual diners, and well-heeled wives having their daily pow-wows here.
Like the Original Americas, their sister restaurant is also amazingly designed. Decor is lively and unique. Lighting is interestingly covered with draped cloths, seemingly similar to restaurant table cloths. Funky modern art adorn the walls. Huge comfortable chairs and booths are perfectly positioned across the restaurant... leaving cozy areas for romantic dinners and people watching.
Our server was polite, quick, efficient and unobtrusive. Near flawless service during our lunch. My sales rep got all her important points across w/o once being interrupted.
I had the executive business lunch special (available only on M-F) for $18. It consists of a soup or salad, entree and choice of dessert. I started off with a mixed green salad tossed in a cilantro-type dressing. Bacon wrapped beef tenderloin & shrimp brochette sitting on a bed of ajillo rice. The flavor was delicious. Very tender and juicy. It was also accompanied with a side of grilled veggies and plaintain for our table to share. For dessert, one cannot come here w/o having the tres leches. Like always... the cake was rich and decadent.
Being that it's only a few minutes from my home, I'll be back again for dinner. Hopefully the experience will be another 5 stars! -
Review from Yvonne B.
Houston, TX
12/18/2011
THIS IS A BRUNCH BUFFET REVIEW!!!! The food was amazing!!!!! But I will warn you it is more lunch than breakfast. You have a chance to sample their great items off the main menu. Some of my favorite things are the hot coco. BEST hot coco I have ever had. Someone told me they use Mexican chocolate, whatever that is. They also have desert. Their tres leche is great. And last but not least, the customer service is amazing. I have been here twice and managed to get free desert each time. The second time it was my birthday :) It is a little pricey at $35 per person but well worth it and I will go back and have gone back.
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Review from Tom W.
Houston, TX
I just went to brunch here. MMMMM. Still dreaming.
The restaurant is on the corner of Post Oak and S. Shepherd. A pretty ritzy neighborhood, as evidenced by the Rolls Royce and the Lamborhini outside. A second floor restaurant with an elevator by the complimentary valet, it remains to be seen if the allure of a Cordua Restaurant will overcome the curse of failure that accompanies second floor restaurants.
Upon arrival on the second floor, you walk a long hallway past the bar to the hostess stand. Beyond this, the restaurant is a fantasy of red, brown and black. Richly toned and textured, the chairs are made of a dark solid black wood with a tan leather top and the handsome wood tables accent the rooms.
(Pause for nap. Lunch overload)
I do not like buffet meals, which is how their brunch is served; instead, we asked to order off of the regular menu and they quickly accomodated.
I ordered the Soft Shelled Crispy Crawfish Taquitos and the Shrimp Bisque as an entree. The taquitos came two to an order and were on miniature homemade flour tortillas and topped with one softshelled crawfish, shredded cabbage garnish (like a fish taco), but the cabbage had been dressed with a little sesame oil and hoisin sauce. It was like a party going on in my mouth! Could have used a little chili, but then, what couldn't?
The Soup (Chupe de Longosta) was simply spectacular. A LARGE hot bowl is placed in front of you, filled with charred corn, very finely diced raw octopus, shrimp and smoked crab claws and then the waiter pours a very hot and rich bisque into the bowl, immediately cooking the octopus and warming the corn and other seafood. This large bowl is $14.00 and can easily serve as a meal. It might be the best soup in the city.
We skipped the desserts - the famous tres leches, the key lime parfait served in an oversized brandy snifter - and simply ordered espressos. And a plate of the little tiny, sinfully rich alefores - Argentine butter/shortbread cookies filled with dulce de leche - a rich cajeta/caramel. Whatever you do, don't leave without sampling 1 (or 10) of these little gems.
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Note, since I began this review (from the time of the Big Nap), I have returned 3 times and all 3 times, I can't be coaxed from having the soup. It is really that good. -
Review from Doris K.
1/8/2011
Solid steak. I was able to arrange a 16 person birthday party here that went flawlessly. The staff was very accommodating.
The party ordered a variety of dishes - sea bass, cerviche, steak, but the group consensus was that the steak was really good. It was a little thin but very tender and had great flavors. The hubby and I really wish that we would have ordered a larger steak since we were sharing one of the specials of the night, surf and turf.
The decor is interesting. When you arrive there is a large 3D painting that we couldn't figure out - sperm or teardrops? The chairs are uncomfortable even though they are very unique.
DO NOT LEAVE this place without trying the alfajores. These melt in your mouth bite size cookies will leave you wanting more. We have tried making these at home with Michael Cordua's recipe but they don't come out the same. Michael, what's the secret ingredient?? -
Review from Jonathan J.
Houston, TX
12/16/2010
As a surprise dinner for my 30th birthday, my leading lady took me to a place that I'd never been to before, America's in River Oaks. Since living very close in midtown, America's location is great, just off the corner of West Grey and Shepard, on the second floor of a small strip mall. Upon opening the large metal entrance doors, using an oddly shaped bronze handle, you enter the curved shaped hallway where the restaurants waiting area resides. You could immediately sense, from the yellow shaped plastic art and velvety hanging wall lamps, that this restaurant was going to be different from other restaurants that I have encountered.
Having checked in with our reservations, the hostess leads us into the main dinning area, with large leather wrapped free-flowing table area dividers, and large velvety covered hanging lamps. The theme of the restaurant was made further clear as that of a flower garden, from the art spanning a nearby wall depicting scenes with large plastic beans occupying many sex positions, chronicling the labor of love ranging from the classic missionary to a three-some. The restaurant atmosphere and seating areas expressed both a loose but contained sense of privacy and that overwhelming feeling that I was actually in a cartoon, which immediately put me into good spirits.
The pre-meal freebie was baked plantains accompanied with dipping sauces, the olive-oil/garlic sauce was great. For dinner we ordered the 'Asado de Tira', which is beef short rib cooked 48 hrs and comes with mashed potato, green beans, malbec reduction, for $26, and 'Arroz Paella', grilled market catch, chorizo, shrimp, scallop, calamari, saffron rice, for $28.
They both were excellent, the paella had a nice selection of seafood, what seemed like smoked crap claws (part of it), scallops, and the mussels with their accompanying cooking juices coupled with the rice was truly delicious. The Asado de Tira was one of the most tender meats that I have eaten, it melts in your mouth literally, and you only need a butter knife to cut the pieces, but dipping a small piece of beef in the malbec reduction is like crack to your taste buds. This came with green beans and mashed potato that were also excellent.
Their remains not much to say about this place besides, "I want to try much more of their food!!!". The overall atmosphere is fun and creative, while the food can easily stand by itself, but the pairing and the price really makes this a powerhouse restaurant. -
Review from J.R. P.
Madison, WI
5/31/2011
Delicious Mexican cuisine. As a group of four friends, we came on a recommendation. The service was exceptional. The plantain snacks where delicious. And, we all enjoyed our meals.
I had the sea bass special with scallops. Superbly prepared. -
Review from Georgia S.
Houston, TX
Updated - 5/10/2011
Tuesday 5PM Happy Hour is great to find awesome seats at the bar!
We tried everything on the bar menu:
1) capirinha - good, strong
2) favorites included:
-ceviche sampler for its freshness, quantity, and amusing juxtoposition with popcorn
-lobster corn dogs - who would've have come up with something so inventive!
-grilled lamb chops with bbq sauce, today was very juicy
-tres leches, moist, ethereal, hard to resist
Good value - $100/4 people, 2 mixed drinks, 2 cokes
Great service.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/18/2011
We came for happy hour on a Friday and got the last two open seats. We were impressed with the… Read more »
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Review from Susan S.
Houston, TX
5/20/2011
I love both of the Americas restaurants! I usually get one of the steak options and have never been disappointed. The things that would make me choose America's for a steak over some place else are very simple:
(1) I like plantain chips (before the meal) and (2) every table gets a platter of freshly grilled mixed vegetables with their meal. You don't order it, it just arrives. It has every vegetable you could ever want, fresh off the grill - awesome!!! -
Review from Shefali M.
Houston, TX
Updated - 8/21/2011 7 Check-ins Here
I am upset. Upset that one of my favorite restaurants in Houston has to be dropped from "The List".
My husband and I stopped in here for brunch around 2pm. As expected there was a wait, but we didn't mind and walked on over to the bar to grab a drink. As we were handed our drinks, the bartender took our credit card and immediately closed out our tab. As soon as my husband tipped and signed the slip, our buzzer rang and we got up from our bar stools to be seated. What happened next blew my mind....
As I got up from my bar stool, I picked up my Brazilian Fizz from the bar and began to walk toward the hostess. Less than a second after I picked up the glass, the bottom part of the glass separated from the top, soaking both my husband and I in the sticky liquid. As I stood there in shock with the broken glass still in my hand, bystanders rushed in to see if I needed any help. At the same moment, the hostess walked by to seat us, saw the commotion and asked us what happened. As we told her the story, she signaled the manager to come over and resolve the situation. The manager *seemed* nice, asked us both if we were okay and told us he would immediately replace the drink. When we reemerged from the restroom, still damp from the spill, the hostess took us to the table. As we walked she said, "I'm so sorry that happened, I'm sure the manager will take care of it." I'm not really sure what she meant by that, but when the waiter came around he seemed completely oblivious of the situation. Only after my husband explained what happened did he ever go to the bar to fetch me a replacement drink. When he finally brought me the drink, already halfway through our meal, he made an off-color joke warning me not to "break anymore of their glasses". My jaw dropped at the GALL of this waiter. I wanted to walk our right then, but my husband convinced me to calm down and enjoy the rest of our meal.
As soon as I took the last bite of dessert, the check was dropped off without much of a word. We glanced at the check and noticed that nothing had been comped. Now, normally if there had been just a small error on the restaurant's behalf, I would have just brushed off the incident and enjoyed the rest of the experience. But the fact that I have to A) walk out of there with TWO dry cleaning bills and B) deal with the waiter's passive aggressive sense of humor left me with a bad taste in my mouth. I understand accidents happen, but a DECENT manager would make every effort to fix them. Especially for frequent diners (as evidenced by my Yelp check-ins here, which doesn't include the numerous times I've forgotten to check in). I left the manager a nice little note on our receipt, and vowed never to come back.
As a side note, they've increased the price of brunch from $25 to $35. Definitely not worth it, so if you DO go, I advice you order off the menu.
P.S.- Just like you're never supposed to rinse a hot coffee pot with cold water, you should never put a cold drink into a glass straight from the dishwasher. The glass could crack and dump sticky liquid all over a customer. Just a tip for America's in the future...Listed in: Liquid Diets, When Doody Calls
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/12/2011
It's taken me too long to write this review...I've been here more times than I can even remember!… Read more »
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Review from Alex M.
Houston, TX
5/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
I went with my a large group of friends. All 16 of us had a great time. Food was great of course. Black bean soup was a delicious starter. Also served one of the best Tres Leches I've ever had.
The staff took good care of us. Made sure to check on us and kept our glasses full. They knew the appropriate times to check up on us because some wait staff just checks too much. Gets annoying when other restaurants refill your glass after each sip.
My only problem was with valet. Took forever and they left half of our group hanging while they served other cars for people that finished after us.
Overall: great experience. My girlfriend and I will definitely be back. -
Review from Lauren K.
10/22/2011
The decor is still extravagant but not as beautiful as the old Post Oak location. Luckily the food is every bit as good. Their empanada appetizers are flaky with great fillings. The cilantro salad dressing has a kick to dress up their salads. The chicken bahia I always order is exceedingly tender with a great mix of flavors to top it off - it never gets old! The South American cocktails complement the meals nicely. This is definitely a great place for a business lunch or a romantic date.
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Review from kelly m.
Houston, TX
4/9/2011
Would definitely not return for brunch. I came here last weekend with a party of four, and decided to do the brunch buffet only because the other three were going for it, and after hearing such great things about America's, I was surprisingly disappointed.
The GOODS: Fried shrimp were delish! But can anything fried really be bad? and the empanadas were incredible, except when you remembered that you can probably get two dozen for the same price at a taco truck down the street. The tres leches was incredible, just as good as Artista and Churrascos...
The BADS: The eggs benedict things had definitely sat out for way too long before being served. Most of the carving bar tastes really fatty. Salads were fine, most desserts (other than tres leches) looked awesome but were were surprisingly mediocre and not worth the calories. Also, the decor was more dinner than breakfast, and the rest of my party was sort of freaked out by the excessive amount of leather (which I liked, but agreed was a bit over the top).
The UGLIES: Way TOO MUCH SODIUM. It took two bottles of water and a gatorade to bring myself back to normal levels. And, yes, I realize that gatorade is full of electrolytes. It was that much sodium.
Overall, I love the green sauce (like the tres leches, it's the same as Artista and Churrascos), but I would definitely not come back for the buffet. -
Review from David N.
10/1/2010 ROTD 9/14/2011
Last night a group of friends wanted to grab a bite and a drink and one of them suggested the new Americas.
I was taken aback because I didn't even realize there was a new Americas, since there had not been any reviews of yelp, my main source of hot spots in Houston.
So I was uber excited since I was going to be a person who passes on the news instead of just receiving it.
This location is smack dab in the middle of river oaks, so I already like it better since I try to avoid the Galleria area like the plague. I used to love coming to the original location of Americas since they have the best banana chips around. So a new location was something that was a great discovery.
We came at night so there was plenty of parking right in front of the place, I would imagine during the day it might be a bit more trouble. Americas is located on the 2nd floor of this complex and has plenty of tables outside.
Once inside you are introduced to marvelous decor from floor to ceiling. This night we just grabbed a table in the bar area and were warmly welcomed by the head chef, David. He personally recommended the taquitos. There was 4 different types of taquitos and a sampler plate. Of course I wanted to try them all so I grabbed the sampler version of the taquitos.
It came with a shrimp, a beef, a quail, and a crawfish taquito. My favorite was the crawfish which David explained was Asian inspired, with a hint of hoison sauce. My friend ordered lobster corndogs, yes I know it sounds good but OMG it was sooooo good. Corndogs are already amazing, but instead of a hotdog, you bite into LOBSTER!!!
As far as our drinks went I tried the red sangria and my friend had the white sangria. Both were superb. The white is a bit sweeter, and both have melon balls in them.
I will be back many more times for a small bite and a night of classy drinking!Listed in: Best Tex-Mex, My ROTDs!
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Review from Sarah C.
Houston, TX
12/5/2010
The new Americas location definitely has wow factor. I wouldn't say that I loved the decor so much as the decor was really interesting and made for a fun experience.
Service was exceptional -- very attentive without being smothering. There were too many fantastic-looking menu selections to count (and a wide range of prices -- dinner could end up being very spendy or not so pricey, depending on what you order). I ended up going for ye olde churrasco, medium rare (of course), and it was fab. Also highly recommend the spinach & corn empanada! I did not love the cocktail I ordered (the Ruby Smash -- not exactly too sweet, but just not very flavorful), but had a really nice glass of red following (a Cab-something blend, from the "Interesting Wines" section of the wine list).
This location is very River Oaks-y, and I mean that in the absolute best, the people watching was fantastic, kind of way. There actually was a wide variety of patrons (dressed up, dressed down, families, couples, friends out for cocktails, etc.), which gave the place a great energy. Highly recommend checking this place out!
