90508 Thu May 15 01:32:06 -0700 2003 10 5 Texas 0 497304 Anyone know anything about a Belgian restaurant in the Montrose area? I ran into the owner and chef team at Spec's before Christmas and they recommended a couple good Belgian ales. What is the name of the place? Location? Is it a good place to eat? Recommended dishes? Thanks Thu May 15 01:32:06 -0700 2003 0 LazyMF 1 497306 Cafe Montrose, 1609 Westheimer, just east of Mandell. I've been hearing good things about this place for some time now and am supposed to meet some friends this weekend. Mussels are supposed to be a speciality, plus, of course, 'french' fries. I can't wait. What Belgian ales did they recommend? Thu May 15 07:14:48 -0700 2003 497304 0 hermitt4d 2 497308 The food is great and the profiteral's are even better. I can't think of a dish that isn't good but they are all fairly heavy. Bring an appetite. Thu May 15 09:57:37 -0700 2003 497306 0 John Scar 1 497313 Thanks for the prompt replies. They made so hungry I went there for lunch today with 3 friends from work. The lunch menu looked kind of weak - mostly sandwiches and salads, so we all ordered from the dinner menu. I started with the moules nantua (mussles in bisque sauce). They were excellent, as were my friend's moules escargot (mussels in escargot sauce). Went well with the dark Chimay they served cold. I had the Saumon Ostandais (grilled salmon with shrimp, mussels and mushrooms in a yellow cream sauce). It was pretty good. The best dish at the table was the chicken cordon bleu, which had a thick slice of salty, smoked ham inside instead of the bland, wimpy French jambon I expected). The frites I ate off of their plates were the best fries I've had in Houston - double fried to perfection with a tasty sea salt sprinkle. Desserts were good. I went for the crepe normand (apple crepe), which was served swimming in butter, caramelized sugar sauce and a scoop of vanilla ice cream - heart attack on a plate. The prices were very reasonable. I wish I'd known about this place when I read "A Year in Provence" a few years back - would have satisfied my cravings. I'll be back to this place about once a month. Attached is a link to their menu. P.S. I don't remember the name of the ale they recommended at Spec's, but it was not a framboise and it was in a light colored crockery-type bottle. Was very good. Link: http://cafemontrose.homestead.com/files/Menu.htm Thu May 15 18:20:17 -0700 2003 497304 0 LazyMF 2 497314 Thanks for the link. It looks like the menu has changed since I was lastr there. I need to go back soon. Thu May 15 20:46:43 -0700 2003 497313 0 John Scar 2 497316 Thanks for your report and the link. I hadn't thought to search for a website. This looks very good; I'm getting very excited about this dinner. I'm thinking of the Carbonnade a la Flamandes; I've made that at home before, but never with a good Belgian beer! Or maybe the rabbit. Or maybe I'll just close my eyes and point at the menu. The brewmaster at the late, lamented Celis Brewery in Austin was Belgian, as I recall, and he made some excellent beers and ales. I'm sure I'll be able to get a recommendation at the restaurant. Thu May 15 22:54:27 -0700 2003 497313 0 hermitt4d 3 497320 Beer is again being brewed under the Celis label...albeit in Michigan now. Apparently a brewery in Michigan bought the recipes and name and recently started brewing a couple of the beers again. And the best part? They're selling it in Houston at Central Market! I haven't had any yet, but I'm gonna have to make a special trip to Central Market just to get some Celis. I believe they're selling the Pale Bock and the Celis White...my two favorites. Fri May 16 10:48:15 -0700 2003 497316 0 likeJesseJames 4 497322 I had heard Celis was available in limited varieties in Austin, but didn't know it had made it to Houston. Pale Bock was pretty good; I'm not a fan of white or wheat beers. I can't remember all the varieties he made (was it Peter Celis - I haven't been able to recall his name?) I remember being surprised at how much I liked Lagniappe, but the one I really liked was Dubbel Ale (or was it Dubbel Bock? - hope I'm remembering correctly that was a Celis label!); it was like a meal in a bottle - so rich - like savoring a fine piece of chocolate or a fine cigar. Fri May 16 14:23:53 -0700 2003 497320 0 hermitt4d 5 497324 Just bought some celis today at central market. I wish they would brew the Grand Cru as well. Fri May 16 22:57:56 -0700 2003 497322 0 John Scar 2 497319 I may be way off here, but was the Belgian Ale that Spec's recommended called "Corsendonk"? I think that's a Belgian Ale in a crockery bottle. Fri May 16 10:45:35 -0700 2003 497313 0 likeJesseJames 2 497781 Would like to be included in Houston outings. Can someone tell me how? Thanks Sun Jun 22 22:37:28 -0700 2003 497313 0 Fran