Bistro Lancaster @The Lancaster HotelGreat spot to grab a wonderfulGreat spot to grab a wonderful meal prior to attending a play or musical performance. Dining room is very loud, however, and tables are too close together, otherwise I'd give this experience an outstanding rating.5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMPre-show DinnerWe usually dine at The Bistro Lancaster when attending a performance in the Houston arts complex, and did so this time. We weren't disappointed as the food was delicious. We shared a goat cheesecake appetizer, and I had the shrimp with corn tamale while my wife had seared sea bass. We had a beautiful bottle of Sancerre that wasn't overpriced. The wait staff are well used to serving per-theater meals and we had plenty of time without being rushed. Plenty of others had the same idea as the restaurant was full as usual. Let's face it, the Bistro is a bit staid and dated while still being a lovely spot for a meal. We were excited to hear from the waiter that the restaurant was going to get an updating soon.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMTheatre District DinnerWe had our in-laws in town & wanted a nice dinner close to Jones Hall. The Bistro at the Lancaster Hotel has great ambiance (this is an historic hotel, after all). The food was very good, and we were all able to find something that fit with everyone's varying diet needs. Overall, I would recommend this place for a nice night out in Downtown Houston.5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMFavorite pre-theater diningOne of our favorite places to go before the Alley theater. Menu is always season and a nice balance of small and large items. Last time we went we all ordered seafood: it was all delicious except the scallops, which were mediocher. Service is pleasant and efficient without making you feel rushed, but if you are on a time schedule--to get to the theater--they take good care of you and make sure you get out on time. We also come here post theater for drinks: a great late night place. Not a big place, but the intimate enviornment is part of the charm.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMYummy dinner and excellentYummy dinner and excellent martinis. Perfect place for dinner before the theater.4/30/2013 12:00:00 AMWe really enjoyed our diningWe really enjoyed our dining experience - every course was exceptional and the service was a-one.4/28/2013 12:00:00 AMPerfect for before the theatre.Perfect for before the theatre. Excellent food and great service. Menu is not large with choices, but cover the range well and the food is spectacular. Also small choice of wine by the glass, but again covers the range and good for the price.4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food and incomparable serviceWe entertain clients often at the Lancaster Bistro prior to attending the symphony. The food and service is always excellent! We usually stop back for a drink afterward to let the traffic clear out and often meet the evening's entertainers who stay at the Lancaster. Our own "meet & greet".4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMBryanBistro Lancaster is a great place to eat before the theater. Food and service is always great.4/18/2013 12:00:00 AMThis restaurant presents veryThis restaurant presents very measured service and adequate menu and quality to meet your expectations. Sad to say, there are not an abundance of interesting restaurants within the theatre district and folks tend to gravitate to the same few restaurants and this is one of those on any given theatre night. They will get you out the door for your performance but menu needs some updating. If you go there often, nothing ever changes on the menu so very formula driven. Please give us veterans a few new items! Quality is fine, just introduce some variety.4/11/2013 12:00:00 AMWe arrived on time for a 5PMWe arrived on time for a 5PM reservation and noticed the place didn't fill up until after 6PM and even then there were at least two table available. The only reservation time slots available on your site were 5Pm and 8PM when I made my reservation. Perhaps the Lancaster only alots a few times for Open Table? I would have prefered a 5:30 or 5:45 slot, but had a great time anyway.3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMWe had reservations for dinnerWe had reservations for dinner at 8:00PM, after the pre-theatre crowd had left. We basically had the restaurant all to our selves, just a few other couples. The food was all very well prepared. The chilean sea bass was excellent and the hot chocolate cake was devine. The service was attentive enough. The wine list is a tad limited, but they made a great cosmopolitan.3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMPLEASURABLE EXPERIENCE. WONDERFULPLEASURABLE EXPERIENCE. WONDERFUL SURROUNDINGS, GREAT SERVICE. WE UNDERSTOOD FROM THE ONLINE MENU WE COULD ORDER VEGETARIAN BURGERS, HOWEVER THEY WERE NOT ON THE MENU AND WHEN WE ASKED IF WE COULD ORDER THEM WE WERE ADVISED WE COULD NOT. WE WERE TOLD THE ONLINE MENU NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. I COULD RECOMMEND THIS RESTAURANT BUT SUBJECT TO MY COMMENTS IN THE SECOND PARAGRAPH.3/10/2013 12:00:00 AMSolid fare. Creativity canSolid fare. Creativity can also occur. Wait service is very good unless they get very busy which they typically do on event nights. I strongly recommend this restaurant and find it an enjoyable experience.2/22/2013 12:00:00 AMIf you dine in the downtownIf you dine in the downtown area, no better than Bistro Lancaster. Although small, it does somehow add to the ambiance. The bartender is superb and even managed to make a perfect "cable car" though he admitted to hearing a request for that drink only on rare occasion. Wait staff was very good as was food. If any shortcoming, it was around dessert tray. Not bad but a rather common selection.12/14/2012 12:00:00 AMA Favorite before the Opera!Consistently wonderful food and service for before the theater or opera! Also nice for a drink afterwards...and/or dessert!11/2/2012 12:00:00 AM