Sparrow Bar + Cookshop - Permanently Closed

Sparrow Bar + Cookshop - Permanently Closed reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

1. N

   Neighborhoodfoodie VIP

   Houston24 reviews

   4.0

   Dined on February 28, 2016

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   Enjoyed the meal. Ordered the scallops and also had the pate as an appetizer. Scallops were fresh and not overcooked. Husband ordered the stroganoff and if hit the spot after his 5 hour bike ride. Good flavored meal
   

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2. MM

   MikeM

   Houston37 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on February 27, 2016

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Good food and just a short walk from the MATCH. Don't bother with the wines by the glass as the prices are high. Just buy a bottle.
   

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3. LA

   LindsayA

   Austin22 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on February 21, 2016

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Sparrow was a fortunate find. We were looking for a sustainable restaurant, local/seasonal foods, and we decided on Sparrow. It was the best decision we've ever made. I would chalk this up as my favorite meal in Houston ever. Each course was delicious. We had something from each part of the menu and not one morsel was outshined. I bought a gift card because I can't wait for my local friends to try the place and I can't wait to come back in town to go back there. I know I won't be able to have thget exact same meal because the chef changes the menu daily, but I know whatever he decides to prepare that day will be just as amazing. I miss it already.
   

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4. BM

   BrettM VIP

   Houston1 review

   5.0

   Dined on February 21, 2016

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Attentive and informative service, delicious appetizers and entrées, and a belly too full for dessert. We will have to make another run at dessert next visit.
   

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5. LL

   LadiesLunch

   Houston4 reviews

   3.0

   Dined on February 14, 2016

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   We were fans of Sparrow Bar for years, but hadn't been in about a year and a half. Something has changed. The food portions are MUCH smaller, and the quality of the food was WAY down. Monica Pope has always had ingenious, tasty, and interesting food. I have always had a good experience - until this past visit. The portions were very small, a noticeable difference from past experieces. I had the squash soup, that was supposed to have spicey cashews...it was very bland. To me, it tasted like blended squash with nothing else in the soup. For a main course, I had the vegan Chick Pea dish - can't remember more specifics. It tasted like mush with a lot of sweet yellow curry powder. I ate about 5 bites, and that was all I could stomache. My husband had the flat chicken - said he did like it. Our friends had the hang steak, and thought it was good, but WAY overpriced for the cut of meat that it was. For dessert, I had a vanilla cake. It was so dense that it tasted pastey. It had a lemon zest sauce - but it was too strong on the zest. I felt like I was eating lemon peel with a bit of sugary jam. I hate to write a bad review, but I hope something changes before people quit going to Sparrow. Monica is always so creative.
   

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6. AA

   3AussiesinAustin

   Houston4 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on February 14, 2016

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   We loved everything but especially the beignets filled with Gruyere
   

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7. t

   tpowell

   Houston6 reviews

   1.0

   Dined on February 14, 2016

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 1

   Went here for dinner the night before Valentine's Day. I've been going to Monica Pope's restaurants since Boulevard Bistro and have always had good experiences at Sparrow Bar + Cookshop until last night..... We sat outside, it was a bit chilly and asked if someone could turn on the outside floor heaters. Staff tried - got one to work and it went out shortly after. Was told no propane. Not a big deal. We sipped on our cocktails and chatted. Our meals were served, I ordered lamb porterhouse which was a good deal fat and some meat. While we were eating the staff came out and started dismantling the patio furniture and bringing tables and chairs and place settings upstairs for a private event I am gathering was the following day. Loud - tables banging, chairs dragging across floor as we are eating our dinner. We were the only ones sitting outside, and it felt like if we didn't finish soon they would take our table as well. It was a weird experience and not at all what I expected from this restaurant based on my past experiences. On the plus side, our waiter was very nice and apologetic for the noise and weirdness of the whole patio dismantling. There are so many good restaurants in town to chose from, I don't think I'll be returning to Sparrow Bar + Cookshop and can't say I can recommend to my friends.
   

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8. TC

   TimothyC

   San Francisco21 reviews

   2.0

   Dined on February 13, 2016

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   Shiitake mushroom dumplings were only warm; they were good but could have been warmer. This is not the first time an appetizer was not fully heated. Lamb porterhouse was one small lamb chop and grits, and nothing to get excited about. We've had good experiences at Sparrow, but this was not one.
   

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9. AS

   AmelieS

   Houston3 reviews

   4.0

   Dined on February 7, 2016

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 5

   We went in on a Saturday and were quickly sat. There was a party upstairs, so although the restaurant didn't appear busy, the staff was certainly hustling! Service at first was a bit slow, but our server was on point once we got past our appetizers, which sadly were a little underwhelming. However, by the main course, the tables had turned...our entrees were scrumptious...sidenote - order the brussel sprouts...seriously! The lemon curd cheesecake was delightful! I liked the fact that our waiter was well versed in his wine selections and was able to persuade me to try a white pinot noir...extra kudos for the Oregon wine option! We'll be back. Thanks!
   

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10. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Houston4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on January 31, 2016

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5

    Creative and beautifully executed dishes, flavorful cocktails with a dash of whimsy, warm and attentive service - a much enjoyed and much needed date night we loved at a Houston gem.
    

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