Backstreet Cafe
1103 South Shepherd Drive
River Oaks
Houston
Texas 77019
United States Of America
1201 South Shepherd Drive
River Oaks
Houston
Texas 77019
United States Of America
https://www.backstreetcafe.net/
Gulf Shrimp And Stone-Ground Cheese Grits (USD $32) |
One For The Road, Thanks For The Memories
(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 8
Ambience & Setting: 7
Food & Beverage: 9
Service: 9
Value for Money: 8
Spent about USD $63 / SGD $84 per person.
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I was not aware that Backstreet Cafe would be temporarily closing just 5 days after my visit in December 2024, as they're moving to new location a few steps away, expected to re-open a year later in December 2025. Backstreet Cafe is a seasonal American bistro and dining institution, having served the community since 1983, helmed by wife-husband team owner-restaurateur Tracy Vaught and award-winning executive chef Hugo Ortega, with their daughter Sophia Ortega slated to take over the business in the coming years.
The former ambience at Backstreet Cafe is quaint, housed as they were in a restored 1930s cottage. Spanning 2 floors, the warm and low lit dining space featured comfortable sturdy furnishings, dressed neatly with tablecloths. The interior had intimate banquette seating and a marble-topped bar, while the exterior New Orleans style patio had flowering shrubbery and relaxing al-fresco outdoor vibes.
The former service at Backstreet Cafe was attentive and personalised. Staff were quick to greet and seat guests, and demonstrated good product knowledge on the menu, taking orders professionally and offering recommendations. I noted staff cleaned up quickly when diners left. The valet was efficient, helping to park and retrieve cars quickly. During their temporary closure, the Backstreet Cafe staff were deployed to the other 4 restaurants owned by the family (Hugo’s, Caracol, Xochi, and URBE).
The former food at Backstreet Cafe was American cuisine, featuring award-winning seasonal dishes made with fresh ingredients. Under the expert hand of Chef, the kitchen serves up premium renditions of Southern comfort food, consistently executed as evident by their loyal following. Portions were large for individuals. Prices commanded a premium as befitting a bistro, we spent about USD $63 / SGD $84 per person.
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Backstreet Cafe Exterior |
Backstreet Cafe Interior |
Backstreet Cafe Menu |
Backstreet Cafe Menu |
The Beer Southern Star Buried Hatchet Stout (USD $8) is brewed by the Southern Star Brewing Company in Conroe, Montgomery County, Texas, United States Of America. It has a charcoal black colour with a thin white foam head, with aromas and tastes of roasted coffee beans, dark chocolate, toffee, and barley. The body is creamy, balanced, and smooth, with toasty earthy bitter grainy savoury sweet flavour, with a short finish.
Beer Southern Star Buried Hatchet Stout (USD $8) |
Beer Southern Star Buried Hatchet Stout |
Beer Southern Star Buried Hatchet Stout |
Loved the Gulf Shrimp And Stone-Ground Cheese Grits (USD $32). This features a base of coarse stone-ground white corn infused with cheddar cheese, lumpy with a chunky creamy texture and mild grainy sweet savoury cheesy salty flavour. The fully deshelled gulf shrimp / prawns are large and fresh, coated in a light spiced flour batter, bouncy and crunchy in texture with bright smoky sweet savoury salty spice flavour. Completed with lemon juice and fresh green onions, lending a crisp bite and vegetal sweet herbal zesty sour tangy flavour. So addictive. Highly recommended!
Gulf Shrimp And Stone-Ground Cheese Grits (USD $32) |
Gulf Shrimp And Stone-Ground Cheese Grits |
The Peach And Blueberry Cobbler (USD $12) is warm and comforting, the biscuit crust having crumbly firm grainy texture with biscuity sweet spice flavour. Within, the juicy tender sticky filling of peaches and blueberries carries warm fruity sour sweet flavour. Completed with a large scoop of creamy smooth vanilla ice cream with floral milky sweet flavour. So yummy. Highly recommended!
Peach And Blueberry Cobbler (USD $12) |
Peach And Blueberry Cobbler |
Peach And Blueberry Cobbler |
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CONVERSATION