Marks American Cuisine, Houston

Finally had dinner at Mark's with some friends last night as I've been wanting to try it for a long time. The evening was pleasant enough although not the best food or service I've experienced but I was glad to have gone until the bill came. There were 5 of us and the waiter had added a more than 20% tip in his own handwriting to our bill. Even though everyone in my party is always quite generous, we were not happy at the presumption and lack of class shown by our waiter. We split the check with 3 credit cards, leaving the tip out of the total amount split, so we could each tip at our own individual discretion. When the waiter brought our credit card slips out to us, he had charged the amounts requested and then had hand written in his tip on the tip line and totaled out the amount at the bottom. In all of my dining experiences at 4 and 5 star restaurants, I have never experienced such an inappropriate display of poor etiquette. When we brought this to the manager's attention, he said our waiter was just following restaurant policy. I have never had more than an 18% included gratuity and it was always added in by the cashier's system, never in the waiter's own handwriting, and NEVER presumptuously (and almost illegally) written into my credit card slip. Marks needs to be reminded that gratuity is still an act of discretionary freedom and insulting its customers is not the way to do business. I will never go back and will not recommend it to anyone.

Had dinner with friends there this Saturday. Food was excellent. The service was the worst I've experienced from any restaurant in recent memory. This is the second time service was off at Mark's. Despite specific, clearly articulated instructions, we sent back the steak my wife ordered 3 times because it was not cooked to specification; it came back scorched the second time. She ordered an iced tea later in the meal; we had to ask several times before the wait staff brought it. I ordered dessert, and the waiter forgot the order. Ate it later after everyone else had finished theirs. The food is very good. The service was an embarrassment. The waiter did comp the steak my wife ordered and gave a terse apology. The horrendous service, however, ruined the evening. I would have gladly paid for the steak rather than endure such shoddy service. Sorry Mark, but you won't see us again. Maybe the decrease in traffic will help your waitstaff focus on the patrons that do come in.

Average at best. The Colorado lamb was fairly bland, and the duck was bland and somewhat dry. The menu is unexciting, with the usual blend of main courses and some imaginative appetizers. A discussion with the wine steward was curt: as I was only interested in bottles in the $90 range, she seemed to have limited time to discuss things. I said I liked Bordeaux but she steered me to Rhone style wines. Ended up with a nice Harel Syrah, but she never bothered to come back round to see how we were enjoying it. While I understand the need to charge for top ingredients and have no complaints about the price, $9,50 for a double espresso is out of line. Very warm setting, if only the people reflected the same spirit. There are plenty of other good restaurants in Houston but if you want to impress rather than enjoy spectacular food, this is the place.

Excellent restaurant. Blend of flavors and ingredients are top notch. I had the lobster salad and New Zealand sea bass. Drinks and wine selection are superb. You definitely get what you pay for. $10-$30 price range is severely underestimated. Plan on at least double that. Business casual dress code appears to be a minimum requirement.

This is the best restaurant! The food is remarkable and very well prepared. These are definitely expert chefs. The meat is so tender, flavorful and juicy. You can cut the tenderloin steaks with a butter knife. No kidding. The sauces are incredible. Everything was perfect. Desert melted in my mouth. The best creme brulee I have ever tasted. If it wasn't for the classy enviornment, I would have dug into my food like I was at home. You will not be able to put down your fork. Every bite leaves you wanting more. Even if you're full, this food will make you over-endulge because of its great taste and wonderful preparation. I wish I could eat here everyday.

The waiter is so nice and friendly. The food is good, I ordered lamb last time, it is so tender!! A beautiful restaurant, good for romantic dinner, anniversary, celebration!!

Have been in the restaraunt business for may years. Have been and even set Shinn Dinners. By far Marks place is outstanding. From the time you walk in the door till you leave. Service and food was great.