Bernadine’s

Liked Hunky Dory better. Bernadine’s was a little pretentious. Prices are a bit high too.

Both of my dining experiences at the sister restaurants Bernadine’s and Hunky Dory have been ruined by the hostess inability to tell the truth. The meal was good, but not particularly memorable (3.5 stars) with the grilled oysters being the standout, but we were two people dining late and asked to be seated at one of the empty booths (at least two) or a four top next to the window. We were told that was not possible as they were reserved, as expected no one had been seated at any of those tables during our meal or after we left (~945pm+)…

Bernadine’s was an experience. Some of it was incredibly average, and parts were extraordinary.
Let’s start with the average. The rib appetizer was good, but it was really saucy. Like too much. The sauce dominated the dish so much that I feel like it kind of took away from the dish. Second, we got the chargrilled oysters. It wasn’t my thing, so take that as you will. I just wish the flavor was different, these oysters were kind of… Pesto-​y? Not really my flavor for oysters. But not bad, either.
Finally, rounding out the average was the cornbread gnocchi. This was really surprising because I really was looking forward to this. So, you couldn’t really taste the cornbread in the gnocchi. And the oxtail was. Tangy? It was an odd flavor to have in a gnocchi. Also, there were seeds in it, which gave it a crunch that I’m not sure belongs in a gnocchi dish. Of course, all of this is dependent on your tastes, but if you’re looking for a classic gnocchi dish done well, this isn’t it. This is very contemporary, very modern, and definitely not what you’re probably expecting.
Ok. Now that that’s out of the way, let’s talk about the reason they got 5 stars.
First, the service. Our waitress was *amazing*. I have never had more vivid descriptions of food. I have never had my glass refilled faster. I have never had such attentive busboys and waitstaff. If was unreal. On top of that, I had forgotten my receipt there and didn’t realize for 2 days. When I called back, the manager took her time and very kindly retrieved my receipt to send it to me. Another plus, and what pushed me to rate this 5 stars instead of 4.
Second, the pork special. This is one of the best meals I’ve had in Houston. The pork loin with bourbon pecan sauce, sweet potatoes, and pepper biscuits was absolute heaven. Even the butter, which seemed to be a sweet cream butter, was unreal. It was so, so good. And I am extremely glad I shelled out for us to have that two person dish despite already having an entrée. So worth it.
So, yeah. Some stuff is just ok. Others are good. Some are incredible. Go here, be happy.

After our poor dining experience at Bernadine’s, I was contacted by the manager and he did everything possible to resolve the experience we had. This rating is based solely on how management handled the feedback written in my review. It’s respectable for a restaurant manager to reach out to an unhappy customer and seek to rectify the issue. We’ll be giving Bernadine’s another chance :)

We just went to this place for the first time this past Friday and the food was DELICIOUS! as well as the cocktails. The only reason I didn’t give 5 stars is that the prices on a couple items were ridiculous, case in point $ 3.50/chargrilled oyster. We did order a couple just to try and of course they were delicious. The best thing they had going was the I-​10 tower, do yourself a favor and order it. This was a great sampling of seafood in a very creative way that I had never experienced, highlight of the meal. We also had the oxtail gnocchi which was great and the fried oyster salad, which was good but not as spectacular as everything else.

We had a fantastic dinner at the bar. The food was wonderful — defiant try the bbq shrimp toast with some of the housemade hot sauce! Our bar tenders, Chris and Kyle, were charming, as was the sommelier. We plan to return with family and friends. I had the snapper, and my husband had the gnocchi. ¹⁰⁄₁₀ would have again! Yum. Thanks!

Much like Bernadine’s I too have a great love for the gulf coast I-​10 corridor. I have lived no more than 5 miles off of 1 – 10 in various states for many years from Florida to Texas. So to say that I know the food of this region is an understatement.
It was my b-​day and I found this little gem on Unilocal!I had been want some oysters and this certainly looked as if it would fulfill my cravings.
When we arrived we were about 15 minutes early for our reservation (be sure to make reservations especially for a Friday night) so we headed to the bar for a cocktail. I ordered cotillion, it was light and refreshing. Really one of those cocktails that could get you into trouble because you could drink a lot of them without realizing you were having a cocktail.
We were seated promptly at our reservation time. The tables are close and the place was packed so not a super intimate dining experience if that is what you are looking for.
We started out ordering a dozen raw and half dozen chargrilled oysters. The raw were super fresh tasting and without a hint of grit, kudos to your shucker. They came with house made cocktail sauce that could use a bit more horseradish and a vinegar shallot concoction that I never understand. There is also a house made hot sauce that too lacked the heat I was looking for. The chargrilled oysters were super yummy and while not the same as Drago’s which was in another review they were grilled very well. They had not been overcooked and the garlic Parmesan topping was really tasting.
For dinner I ordered the chicken and sausage gumbo. The chicken was finely shredded, I prefer chunks of chicken and the sausage were very thin slivers of sausage, I prefer chunks of sausage this left the gumbo a bit too soupy for my personal taste but it was very delicious. The roux had not been overdone so the gumbo was a beautiful color and the seasoning was perfect.
The «sommelier» was not very helpful in her recommendations were for only the most expensive bottles wine in each category. I don’t need help picking out wine but if you are going to be there to help me pick one out I feel like it is more your job to introduce me to unexpected wines that I might not have chosen. It would already be my assumption that your most expensive bottles are your best wines.
All in all it was wonderful birthday dinner and I will definitely be back.

I am a fan of gulf coast seafood, so I decided to give Bernadine’s a try for my wife’s birthday. I made a reservation on Open Table, and we got there a little early to have a drink at the bar.
The bar service was prompt and friendly. I ordered the Sazerac. I always compare my Sazerac’s to the Sazerac Bar in New Orleans, and this one did well. It had a great flavour, and I would totally recommend it. In fact the only difference seemed to be the garnish or lack thereof.
We were seated at a nice table and were given time to look over the menu. For appetizers we had a dozen raw oysters, and a half dozen char grilled oysters. The raw oysters were fresh tasting, and the house cocktail sauce was really good. The char grilled oysters had a nice buttery garlic taste. I really liked them.
For my entrée I had crispy skin grouper I believe (not sure on which fish it was). It came on a bed of shredded butternut squash, on top of an herbed mascarpone cheese. The fish was cooked perfectly, and the herbed mascarpone cheese provided a nice contrast in both flavor and temperature. It was crazy delicious, and I highly recommend it.
For dessert we had what a small cherry pie, with poppy seed ice cream and crispy marshmallow. The poppy seed ice cream was really interesting, and the dessert was a nice way to round out the meal.
The only reason Bernadine’s lost a star is the wine list and service. The wine list does not have a lot of depth, and lacks a range of prices. For example the least expensive Cabernet Sauvignon is $ 70, and the least expensive Chardonnay is $ 60. There are two Sommeliers listed on the menu, and I believe that between the two of them they should be able to come up with good, less expensive wines. The wine list price points did not match the menu price points.
When I was ordering wine the sommelier came over and asked if I had any questions. I asked her recommendation on a Pinot Noir. She went right to the $ 95 bottle. No one needs help picking out $ 95 bottles. I can find good wines for $ 95 all day long. When I said that was too expensive she automatically went for the next most expensive at $ 70. I said that was fine, but when she brought the bottle out it was a year younger than it said on the menu. I don’t like restaurants trying to pass off newer wines for the old, so I sent this back and ordered the «Tous Ensemble.» This time the correct year was brought out. It was pretty good, although it was served cold. I know cellar temperature is the proper way to serve it, but I feel most people want their wine at room temperature.
Bernadine’s has delicious cocktails, delicious food, and wonderful service. I was truly a great meal and we will be back. Next time we will skip the wine and stick with the cocktails!

Bernadine, oh Bernadine, you had me at East Coast oysters. You kept me going with the Brined and Smoked Fish Dip with Dill and Pickled Jalapeño. You exceeded our expectations with the Oyster Mushroom Rockefeller Fettuccine and the Cornbread Gnocci, Braised Oxtail, Pepita Gremolata. But you really raised the bar with your Cochon de Lait Au Presse, Dirty Farro, Swiss Chard Salad, and Pork Chicharrone. Desert wasn’t just icing on the cake, it almost stole the show from the fabulous pork! Who knew that a schmear of lightly toasted Marshmallow Fluff could make a strawberry hand pie taste like that? And if that wasn’t enough you had to go and make your own Bananas Foster toffee candy… I can’t wait until we meet again.

Came in with a group of 3 girl friends on a Thursday night.
Ambiance is clean, light and trendy. Restaurant was full and buzzing.
We were sat promptly, ordered cocktails which were spot on including the Pendennis Club Cocktail, the Coke & Peanut Highball & several good olé dirty martinis.
We started off with the cold smoked fish dip from the raw bar and it was amazing! Really the high light of the meal.
Next we all got a salad — the cornbread cauliflower panzanella. All in all the verdict was unbalanced and over dressed. Could have been amazing but just alright.
Amongst the entrees ordered were:
The Snapper with grits– 2 thumbs up.
Oyster Mushroom Rockefeller Fettuccine — rave reviews. Delicious and decadent.
Lastly two of us went for the Cornbread Gnocchi with Braised Oxtail — When using the word Gnocchi it’s hard not to have thoughts of pillowy dough nuggets from heaven. This version was a little more clunky but the oxtail was spot on.
Dessert was great! We had the Black Bottom Pecan Pie — a must have!

Giving Bernadine’s 5 stars for the two times we have been so far.
First I will say that the prices are a little on the high side but are definitely in the range for what you would get at most places in this area of town. Most appetizers are in the $ 8 – 15 range and entrees range from $ 25 – 35. The oysters are $ 3 each which is certainly higher than average but I’ve had them twice now and both times they were excellent and of better quality than most places in Houston. Expect to spend around $ 60 – 70 per person with a few drinks.
— Oysters: as mentioned above, the oysters are excellent and far better than most of the oysters in Houston. They certainly beat Captain Toms which I personally think are disgusting. They are always fresh and have a very nice taste. Try their house made hot sauce with them for a different taste.
Steak — the steak surprised me. The quality, texture and taste were very good throughout with almost no gristle or fat. We shared this between three people after oysters and appetizers. It will definitely feed two people handily and I would go back again just for this.
On my second trip I had the catfish which was a healthy cut of fish seasoned and fried just right in a corn meal batter. I would get this again as well. My wife had the oyster mushroom pasta which was also delicious and may be one of her new favorites in Houston. I am more or a meat and potatoes type of person so it’s not my first choice but it was good. My sister in law had the snapper fillet which was a little small fraction for my taste but flavored well and perfectly portioned for her.
We’ve also tried the rib appetizer (good) and the crab salad which my wife loved.
My only complaint thus far has been the black bottom pecan pie which was over cooked on the bottom and for me personally did not pair well with the coffee ice cream. I probably would not try it again although many reviews have been positive over it.
Where I really became sold on the place was New Years Eve. We were looking for a low key early dinner and then home when we came across the Bernadine’s NYE plans with a set menu. We signed up and later received a call that they could not do the set menu. But to make it up they offered the regular menu, a dozen free oysters and glasses of champagne for everyone at the table. I thought it was a very nice gesture and a good show of customer service.
Is Bernadine’s perfect? Not quite yet but the quality of food has been pretty amazing thus far and the experience great both times we’ve been. We will definitely be going back.

Fresh & light, both in food & décor!
My husband and I had a late dinner here on a Sunday night and were very impressed. We did not think that it felt pretentious, nor think that the food was overpriced for the quality and the quantity of what you are offered. The wine list was very reasonable, and the cocktails were fun and creative (try the Cotillion for a refreshing treat). There is complementary valet as well, a nice touch to complete a great dining experience.
Service: our server was polite and friendly, delivering our meal in a timely manner and making sure that our water and wine glasses stayed full. We were disappointed that there were not any specials that evening, and none of the tables around us seemed to struggle with food or the service.
Ambiance: light, airy, with lots of low tables and dim lighting. The patio was lovely, while the bar area was sparsely decorated, but warm and inviting. We liked the overall calmness of the restaurant, it felt like a great place to go with your spouse on date night, or with a group of friends on a fun night out.
Food: The menu is not large, but it is inspired by interesting flavors and ingredient combinations, focusing on seasonality and fresh ingredients.
Gulf oysters: Huge — served with the most delicious cocktail sauce I have ever had! The in-​house made hot sauce was perfect on top — we basically used the hot sauce on everything throughout our meal it was SO good!
Gumbo: My husband said it was one of the best gumbo’s he had ever had, it was much lighter than traditional gumbo (not heavy on the roux), so the flavor of the seafood and the andouille really shined. Definitely recommend sharing a bowl or snagging one of your own before you entrée!
Cornbread Gnocchi: The waiter said that this was his favorite thing on the menu — the oxtail flavor was not hidden by too much sauce, and the fluffy gnocchi balanced perfectly with the richness of the dish. My husband said it would be hard for him not to order it again!
Grilled Snapper: The dish itself was beautifully presented, the tender snapper resting gently on a bed of roasted carrots (I asked for all carrots, no grits), swimming in a light, smoky broth and topped with two briny, pickled shrimp that offered the perfect acidity to balance the dish. It was amazing with just the right punch of smokiness and balance of fresh, light seasoning. This dish is why I want the restaurant to offer daily fresh fish choices — I want to see what other delicious creations they can come up with!
Overall we were very pleased with our experience, and will recommend to family & friends. As the menu seems seasonal, we are looking forward to seeing how it will evolve in the coming months with exciting new dishes to try.
Cheers!

Super pretentious restaurant that is good but too pretentious to be amazing like it claims to be. I mean, its tasty but way overpriced. The menu itself barely describes the food. When I asked the waitress what everything was, the waitress was so soft spoken, I couldn’t even hear her.
OYSTERS ON THE HALF SHELL (⁴⁄₅): fresh and yummy. Better than Captain Tom’s but I’d rather pay for Captain Tom’s oyster lol
HOUSE MADE RANCH DUSTED CHICHARRONES ⁴⁵⁄₅): I LOVE PORK RINDS and these were fresh and made in house. But then again, like I said with the pretentious menu, I’m sure they could’ve just said pork rind.
Cochon de Lait Au Presse, Dirty Farro, Swiss Chard Salad
Creole Mustard Vinaigrette (⁴⁄₅) — When I asked the waitress what this was, she said it was pork cooked in 3 type of ways? Or something like that. It was just super tender pork, very flavorful, on a dirty rice that taste like not like rice at all. There was a chicharrone on top which if I knew and I wouldn’t have ordered it as a snack.
BLACK BOTTOM PECAN PIE (⁴⁄₅): all the other desserts had too many words I didn’t know/​/​were all too fancy so I went with what I knew. Super yummy: D
Ok so, overall the food is good but not for the price. So as much as I liked the food, I just can’t give it more than 3 stars ;_;

I visited Bernadine’s shortly after they opened. Usually I’m skeptical of places that have recently opened, but I decided to give it a shot. After all, this isn’t Treadsack’s first rodeo so you’d think they’d have the routine down by now.
I have to admit that the service was pretty good for a place so new. They sat us down even though our whole party hadn’t arrived yet, and got us started on drinks. The service was somewhat slow but not to the point of irritation. Plus I think we went easy on them, all things considered.
My fiancé and I had already decided we needed to try the I-​10 tower and it didn’t disappoint. We were especially impressed by the vaguely named «fish dip», which I best described as a spread similar to salmon cream cheese. If you’re coming here then it’s probably a good assumption you’re a seafood fan, so go ahead and order this tower. The description makes it sound like an intimidating quantity of food but in reality, it’s not that much.
For our entrée we split the ribeye for two, which we were both disappointed in. Although displayed beautifully, it came smothered in an unnecessary amount of sauce which seemed to be compensating for a poorly cooked piece of meat (or it could have been the quality, we couldn’t decide on the culprit). Maybe we would have been better off ordering an actual seafood dish, as is their specialty. I’d be open to trying Bernadine’s again, but maybe not go with the ribeye.

Bernadine’s showed us great service for our anniversary; everyone was so hospitable and welcoming. Our waiter Gustavo was especially wonderful and didn’t mind that I asked numerous questions. He recommended the gnocchi and it was great!
I would highly recommend:
Their specialty oysters (ex: Alpine from Canada)
Spare Ribs (men’s fave)
Duck
They also keep their restaurant in great condition; each waiter was very attentive to detail and had every chair, table, and settings in such an organized fashion.

First visit — party of 4 on a Thursday. Maybe I should have followed my rule and never go to a restaurant until it is open for a month (they have been open 2 weeks)… Why so negative? I was expecting these seasoned professionals that are well funded and their publicity machine already amped up — to deliver better.
The good news — a very nice space and the food is OUTSTANDING. Maybe some of the best in town. However, some misfires and by their design — not a great experience.
First — and this is a nasty trick played by a number of restaurants — only available reservation was «6:15 or 9:15 PM» via their website reservation scheme. Well — we think — getting lots of good press, maybe they are this busy (who wants to eat at 6:15 PM and also fight traffic then?). Got there at 6:15 PM and maybe 5 tables taken. We check — 7:00 PM — 12 tables empty. 7:30 PM — 10 tables empty, 8:00 PM — 9 tables empty. A game I refuse to play with a restaurant.
Pulled into an empty lot but had to valet.
Drinks are the typical $ 10 — $ 12. All good except the bourbon, coke, and peanut («coke and peanut highball») was a sweet mess. And we ordered a frozen hurricane only to be told when the waiter brought some of the drinks — «the machine isn’t ready yet».
The wine list. Wow! $ 70 for a Scarpetta sparkling rose that can be had at Spec’s for less than $ 20, Unreasonable markup. If you must have wine — get it by the glass. Most were $ 12 — $ 14 and they have more than 20 wines by the glass.
The menu is somewhat small and definitely Gulf Coast seafood centric. Appetizers — sweet corn croquettes were excellent but at 5 smaller-​than-​golf size balls not worth $ 8; the real hurt were the chargrilled oysters at $ 3.50 EACH — very similar to oysters Rockefeller — tasty BUT the oyster was less than the size of a quarter. We needed to order a few dozen to have a decent appetizer.
OK to their saving grace — the entrees — cochon de lait au presse (one of the most creative dishes in town), Dr. Pepper glazed duck breast, fried catfish, and fish and grits — were outstanding. The BAD NEWS — although the 4 entrees were served all at once one dish was room temperature and had to be sent back — who is minding the store?
We only tried one dessert that was described as their «best» — black bottom pecan pie. Nothing memorable and the black bottom was heavy on coffee with little chocolate taste.
Damages for 4 were $ 240 + tip.
Bottom line — don’t know if we need to go back. So many more restaurants hitting it on all cylinders consistently. And their prices on wine and appetizers are outrageous. And if you really have tables available but refuse to take a reservation — why should I waste my time and money?

Overall great service with ok food and great technique. Imagine really fancy and expensive Southern food.
The menu reads like a pretentious dream. I literally had to ask the waiter to tell me what most of it was, I was thoroughly confused even after asking «what is this dish most similar to» aka be BASIC with me and ended up going with the most understandable choice.
Housemade Ranch Dusted Pork Chicharrones: 5 of 5. If you love pork rinds, this is it. If Doritos made a Cooler Ranch pork rind this would be it, but fried fresh with high end pig.
Oysters on the Half 4 of 5. All you want from Oysters appetizers. Fresh and served cold with some cocktail sauce and lemon.
Grilled Snapper: 3 of 5. I got mine with rice instead of grits. For the price I paid, this was a good safe choice. The snapper was delicious, the char was perfectly crusted with the black carcinogenic lines (good thing) yet the meat was tender and ever-​so flaky. The rice was served aldente, maybe a little undercooked. The carrots steamed crunchy. The long black things, seasonal carrots after my inquiry, were black carrots. Fancy stuff here.
Cochon de Lait Au Press: 4 of 5. Essentially this is braised, un-​pulled pork over fancy bbq beans topped with freshly fried pork rinds. The meat was very familiar but unique. Multiple cooking methods all applied to this delicious piece of pork, you could tell it wasn’t just your run of the mill bbq pulled pork. The ‘beans’ were smaller and crunchier giving a twist on your traditional bbq beans. And lets not forget that freshly fried pork rind. OMG
The MENU: Why couldn’t they just be real basic with me? I had to be this new to the club, pretentious newbie asking what this was and everything else was on the menu. Even their explanation wasn’t this simple. I asked for a «what is this most similar to» but I could tell she wasn’t gonna budge on this or anything else. Gotta maintain that high-​end factor right? Just break it down for me.
At the end of the day, the food is good and prepared excellently. However for the price I find it somewhat difficult to justify and nothing that would draw me back for more. This a good place to try, but I’m not hooked, regardless of price.
Note: I couldn’t help but the get the sense that all the employees are very nervous. Everyone spoke so softly and was incredibly gentle in their movements, moving around like ninja’s in nice clothes. But their interactions felt nervous, like first day on the job with a big client or something. Its understandable, hopefully they can loosen up a little, made me a bit nervous contributing to their nervousness!

Bernadine’s covers all the high points that you would expect from a nice restaurant. I visited the second night they were open and was not disappointed. The food is fantastic and the service is impeccable. I’m particularly impressed by the overall experience given that its newly opened and will definitely be returning.
When we arrived for our reservation the table wasn’t quite ready but we didn’t mind the wait as we were able to sample a cocktail at the bar. One downside is if the bar is full there really isn’t anywhere to congregate and wait for a table. I tried the Bloody Mary which was delicious and the mix is made in-​house.
We didn’t wait long for a table and started with a couple orders of oysters and the smoked rib appetizer. I highly recommend ordering the ribs! They are sprinkled with popcorn which adds a nice variation in texture while maintaining a smooth smoky flavor.
We ordered the Cochon de Lait Au Presse, Braised Oxtail and Gnocchi, and Dr. Pepper Glazed Duck. I’m glad there were three of us so I could have a taste of everything! Each dish had a distinct and very satisfying taste. The cochon was velvety tender, the oxtail was perfectly braised, and the Dr. Pepper duck offered an unexpected but not too sweet glaze.
For dessert we shared the Black Bottom Pecan Pie and Calas. Both were fantastic. On the pie I particularly liked the cocoa nib tuile and the calas were nicely paired with jam and buttercream.

EXCELLENT RESTAURANT… Right next door to one of my other recent FAVS… Hunky Dory!
Everything we ordered was tasty and the service like at HD… TOP NOTCH!
Appetizers…RIBS-Succulent and flavorful, Crab Claws-​on the large side and pickled deliciousness, Fish Dip-​heavenly spread on toast
Dinner…Duck-rich and well balanced, Pompano-​flaky and fabulous, Fried Catfish-​perfectly fried
It will definitely be a regular on our Houston Heights jaunts!!!

A fantastic meal at Bernadine’s! The service, food and overall experience were excellent. I’ve enjoyed all of Treadsack’s restaurants – they really know what they’re doing.
Our group tried a ton of the menu items, and we all like to share – a few of our favorites:
–Oysters on the half shell were nice and fresh – very good.
–Smoked ribs covered in popcorn were both unique and delicious. The sauce on the ribs was super sweet, and the popcorn added a nice flare. Really one of our favorite dishes of the night.
–Dr Pepper duck confit was excellent, but what was even better were the sides that came with it: shells of cabbage with pecan rice inside – so good.
–Fried catfish was super delish and surprisingly light considering the fact that it is a fried dish. Our waiter recommended this, which I especially appreciated, given that it’s one of the less expensive entrée items.
–Desserts were all fantastic. The gianduja marquise is like a parfait: layers of chocolate, cream and topped with cracker jacks – my favorite. The calas are like beignets and SO good – my second favorite dessert. The pecan pie was good but my third favorite – it comes with coffee ice cream, which I thought was overwhelming (as I’m not a coffee fan), but the rest of our party thought it enhanced the flavor (as they like coffee).
Service was great – our waiter was very nice and helpful and a little quirky, in a good way.
A couple of suggestions:
1. When we walked in with reservations, the hostess made us wait and wouldn’t seat us because the other people in our party were five minutes late. I expect this from places like Olive Garden but not super nice restaurants. BUT, the restaurant really made it up to us with flawless service throughout the rest of our meal. Maybe change this policy?
2. The desserts are fantastic, but I really couldn’t tell what they were from the menu. We initially ordered the pecan pie because it’s the only item I understood, but the other items were even better – the dessert descriptions should maybe be changed?