Bistro Menil, on the campus of one of Houston’s true jewels, the Menil Collection, has finally opened its doors on October 1 after much awaited anticipation
About the Cafe
Bistro Menil, the beautiful space, located in lush green surroundings, on the Menil Collection campus, was designated by its original architect 25 years ago as the perfect dining space. This bungalow was transformed into a sleek, contemporary but warm interior space with state of the art green and sustainable touches throughout. It is divided into three main dining spaces….the “Vue”, its main dining room, the “Prive” room which can be converted to private dining space and the beautifully landscaped outdoor space, which opens this weekend, just in time for the touches of Fall weather, that we Houstonians cherish when we receive it! If you’ve been there and noticed the “noise level”, it has been addressed by the owners and has been approached in a fitting “artistic manner”. Adding felt clouds on the wall, purchased locally at West Ave’s Ligne Roset, to absorb sound and carpeting is also being added to select areas of the restaurant. The Cafe is located at 1513 West Alabama and is open Wed. thru Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Sundays from 10:00 a.m till 9:00 p.m.
“We have long wanted to develop a cafe on our campus not only as a service to our visitors to Houston and around the world but a place of interaction between the museum and the community,” stated Josef Helfenstein, director of the Menil Collection.
About the Bistro Food & Beverage Team
Spearheading the dining experience is Chef Greg Martin formerly of Cafe Annie and as Beverage Director is Sean Essex. Chef Martin has drawn his inspiration for menu items that he has experienced from his extensive travel across Italy, Spain and France that speaks to a wide range of palates and styles of dining. He has partnered with Essex to provide an assortment of complimenting cask wines and craft beers, as well as a complete collection of fine dining wines, as well.
About the Menu
Open currently only for dinner, the Fall/Winter menu features an assortment of small bites, flat breads, salads, pizzas, entrees and an extensive dessert menu. The photos below are a sampling of the many menu options.
Looks great! Will have to check it out.
BTW – you always have such great content, Roz. Well done!