Poetes

Alexandre Carisey

We went there today for the first time. As a French, I tend to be super picky about these "French" places that are popping all over Houston. This one is really awesome! The food menu is creative and really tempting, we tried two tartines (prosciutto and avocado) and they were both delicious. Pretty large portions so the price/quantity ratio is good too. We tried the brie quiche and that was special because it reminded me exactly of the taste of home food. The decoration of the place is a bit too French for me hahaha but it is pleasant and my American friend loved it. Service has to be mentioned as well: both waiters and the couple that owns the place were all very attentive and spent time at all tables to make sure everyone was satisfied. Excellent service that reminds me of French hospitality and attention to details. TL;DR: Cool place, good food, go there already.

Natalie

Absolutely delightful café in Midtown that exudes the essence of France! Precious decor, rustic furniture, charming cutlery/dishes, and a large full book shelf! My fiancé and I met 3 of our family members here around noon on a Friday - we had the entire café to ourselves actually! We tried a couple food items from the La Carte lunch/brunch menu: - The savory chicken “eclair salé” ($14) - marinated chicken + herbs/lemon/balsamic served on a choux pastry bun. It came with a mixed green salad. DELISH! - Beet & goat cheese ($14) mixed green salad with caramelized pecans and balsamic dressing - also yummy! For drinks, we tried the: - Butterfly Mimosa ($9) - gorgeous purple color cocktail: champagne, lemonade & sweet pea infusion - Fleur de Poêtes ($12, would say the price point could drop down to $9 like the other cocktails) - champagne, elderberry, sparkling water, lemon FYI from 2:30-4:30pm daily, afternoon tea with a set menu is served and is *reservation only* at $36 per person. We met who we believed was the owner - quintessentially fabulously French! The waitress we had was also super sweet. I will say it took quite some time for the food and drinks to come out, so I would plan on relaxing / not being in a rush when you come! Would love to come back to try some of the delicious-sounding brunch, dinner and pastry items!

Annie Rupani

Cafe Poetes is a quaint, charming Parisian café that has been thoughtfully crafted from the decor, furniture, ambience, and menu. As a French cuisine lover, there's nothing better than a well executed eclair with the perfect flakiness of the choux balanced by the savory filling of mushrooms, ham, and gruyere. We also tried the beet gazpacho which seems a bit too thick to be considered a soup, but the mingling flavors of the beets, tomatoes, balsamic, and goat cheese were classically delicious. One thing I will note is that we went at the end of September and the Spring menu had not been updated so there were multiple things on the menu that were not available like the traditional quiche Lorraine, which was disappointing. Other than that, I can't wait to come back to try their Afternoon Tea!