Eleven : Eleven Restaurant & Bar

After going there a few months ago and having an amazing time, my husband and I went there last night and were terribly disappointed.
Our waiter was obviously overworked; he never came to check on us once unless we flagged him down. He seemed really flaky and bothered to work with us.
My husband’s appetizer plate stayed on the table the whole time, even though people were constantly walking by our table. When we asked what the specials are, we were told there was nothing and encouraged to hurry up and order. My first cocktail was great, but I had to send the second one back since they had mixed it wrong and it tasted awful.
We don’t get a lot of nights out, so I doubt we’ll be wasting another here.

Great little place but can’t say I would come here often. Menu is a bit limited and for someone who doesn’t eat a lot of meat it wasn’t great food wise. Drinks were good. LOVED the expressotini.

So I decided to come here to celebrate my birthday based on the reviews and I have to say I had a wonderful experience. I had a cocktail hour for my birthday during hh and then dinner at 7ish. I had their crab cake and truffle fries. Loved them both. For drinks I had a cherry limeade and navel idea they were both really good. I may have a photo to post later. The weather was really bad that night. I had reservations for 20 but several canceled due to the weather so I had to change it to 10. They had to rearrange the table but we’re able to still accommodate us upstairs in a more intimate setting. I loved it beautiful. The service was great. I had the snapper dish the presentation was very nice and the dish tasted flavorful. I will definitely be back. I tasted the bread presentation that my friend ordered it was ok. Nothing spectacular.

I had the pleasure of dining on thier nice patio on a (rare) lovely Houston evening. What a great place to have a meal outside, the food and ambiance just is fitting for a patio!
After reading many positive Unilocal reviews, I was really excited to try the oysters and one of the seafood dishes. Our server was really nice, and very knowledgeable. We decided to go with a dozen mixed oysters to start. They can do it based on size, flavor profile, or region. I am not a hardcore oyster expert, so we let him decide. We went with a medium size selection. They bring them out and explain them all to you, with the region, flavor, etc. It is pretty neat! Its almost like wine tasting. but with delicious oysters.
From there we both had the 11:11 salad, which was good and fresh. The vinaigrette was light and flavorful.
For entrees we both went seafood– with the apricot flounder and the pan seared grouper. They were both enjoyed– good flavor, good presentation, and both good sized portions. The veggies on the side and the asparagus that comes with the grouper were also good. We were both pretty full and happy!
I really enjoyed my dinner on the patio here. A solid spot for some cocktails/​wine and oysters on the patio– without a doubt.
Parking Note: Street parking here can be a nightmare, especially when the bars across the street are busy. They offer $ 5 valet though!

My friends and I decided to break our «creature of habit» tendencies and of all nights I chose my birthday dinner to check out Eleven: Eleven. So, literally I felt like I was rolling the dice at a craps table in Vegas. I was so nervous and I felt like all eyes were on me, as I was 20 questioned about how I found this restaurant. Confidently, I replied, «all of the Unilocal reviews were great» but quietly I thought to myself, «these people better not let me down — yikes!»
Well, here goes… The food was TOP notch!!! From the appetizers, to the salads, to our entrees, and dessert… It was, «finger licking good!» Chief Kevin came out to greet us, which was so nice of him to do so. This restaurant is a keeper folks… Btw, we ran into KHOU’s Ron Trevino, I guess it’s pretty good place to have dinner after all! Ya know those news people are such foodies — or so that’s what they say.

Perhaps it’s because this was my first visit and I didn’t know what to expect — therefore my expectations we not high — but these guys WoW’ed me. From start to finish everything was a «wow’. The kind of «wow» that comes from not just preparing something very well, but serving it well. Not just delivering it to the table, but delivering plates that were themselves something special. Even the cocktails looked «done.»
I should mention the food… never mind go find out for yourself. You will not be disappointed.

I came here for brunch since I was tempted by the apricot flounder and my fiancé wanted to try the 7 layers of heaven sandwich. I thought this place had a nice set up with an upstairs and patio area. We saw another couple order oysters that looked quite delicious so that was definitely on our radar to try next time.
As for the two items we ordered, the sandwich was good if not a little rich for my liking. I tried a couple of bites and knew if I ordered it, I wouldn’t be able to eat a lot of it.
As for the flounder, definitely light in comparison to the sandwich. The apricot glaze adding a nice flavor! Also must be the Asian in me, but I ended up picking clean the meat off the fish which was a little disappointing since they only glazed one side of the fish… Guess I wasn’t meant to eat the other side?
Overall good place but I was a little disappointed with both dishes.

I reserved a table for 18 people for my birthday brunch (on a Sunday), and Eleven Eleven was very accommodating. Upon arrival, my party and I were quickly seated, and the place looked pretty empty on the inside but quite full on the patio since it was a beautiful day. Also, there’s very little street parking around the restaurant, so valet is most likely your only option.
Though we were seated quickly, it took a ridiculous amount of time for our waitress to come take our orders. I don’t blame her for taking a while since, for some reason, she seemed to managing all of the tables. Clearly, she was overwhelmed. I recommend the restaurant to have more employees on hand for peak hours.
I ordered the XI Madame ($ 22) since it looked delicious on the menu, and I decided to treat myself for my birthday. My other choices would have been the Duck & Eggs Benedict and Seafood Crêpe. I have no regrets finishing my whole dish because it tasted like heaven. If it wasn’t so pricey, I’d come back for brunch every week. The happy hour menu looks great as well.
I’m not entirely sure if Eleven Eleven has any complimentary birthday treats. I thought it did since when I made my reservation, the hostess asked if it was for a special occasion (birthday), and for whom it was for (me). However, our waitress didn’t mention anything about it, and I don’t know whether it was because she was so busy she forgot or if there really wasn’t any complimentary birthday cake. I probably should’ve just asked when I made the reservation.
Regardless, everything was great except for slow (but quality) service. My table greatly appreciated our waitress splitting the tab into individual checks, which is almost unheard of for large groups these days.

I love this place! $ 5 valet. Large patio, nice scenery. Awesome menu, great food great drinks, great service. Decent bathroom. It midtown and opens on Sunday’s for brunch. I had passion fruit guava mimosa, steamed mussels, poinsettia mimosa, seafood crêpe (killer good salad with it), and michelada with stuffed olives, pickled carrot, and pickled cauliflower. So good! I’m a happy bruncher! Btw good thing we called bc Unilocal said they’re closed today but they’re actually not. (There are a couple places Unilocal said were open that were closed and vice versa. Like Blackfinn is permanently closed. So call in advance)

Eleven eleven is such a beautiful restaurant. They have the most amazing patio, and the decorations are perfect for any occasion. I came here for Sunday brunch to celebrate my friend’s birthday. I have to say, I would probably have enjoyed my experience a lot more if we didn’t have such a large group and if the restaurant wasn’t so busy.
I ordered the Duck&Eggs benedict; the eggs were very runny (yum), and the dish came with 3 egg/​duck/​muffin combinations. I think the dish itself was pretty good, but it was a bit on the bland side. The muffins also seemed to be a bit stale/​overcooked because it was impossible to chew. I also ordered their fresh-​squeezed orange juice, and it was soooo good! To be honest, I’ would give Eleven Eleven 4 stars just for their orange juice and beautiful decorations.
As for service, it was okay. They were incredibly busy, and it seemed like they were also quite under-​staffed. It took about 30 minutes before our orders were taken (even though we were a party of 14?) and then it took another 30 minutes before food arrived. I think everything was just so busy that day, but regardless, service was incredibly slow. Our waitress and hostess were really nice, when they had time to talk to us, and they were accommodating towards our large group (INDIVIDUAL SPLIT CHECK, what?!). BUT the entire process was just incredibly slow.

I have been to eleven a couple times before to enjoy oysters on the patio. They have a lonnnng list for oyster lovers. They have long picnic like tables outside that make it conducive for a large group or happy hour.
Last week I sat inside at eleven for the first time due to the polar vortex. I was happily surprised I was able to get a last minute reservation. The wine list is great and if you look hard enough you can find an affordable bottle. The fries are simple but a nice way to kick of the meal with an appetizer to share.
You can make reservations online!

I had a beautiful dining experience here on a Friday night– excellent Southern food, intimate bar, and lovely patio! SInce my experience for the most part was fabulous, I’ll start with my gripes–
1. My husband and I had a reservation at 8:30 and upon arrival we asked for a table outside. The hostess said we could wait at the bar, and she would get us when one opened up. After 25 minutes and 2 drinks later, my husband went to check on our table and got «Oh yea, it’s ready.» Wish someone had come and got us! Hope that’s not a ploy to get people to buy drinks before dinner.
2. Though the patio is beautifully furnished, try not to get stuck with a picnic table for dinner. It may be fun for groups or for brunch, but it was not ideal for my husband and I. Having no back support for a 2 hour dinner is not fun!
3. Valet is $ 5, and there is hardly any street parking.
As far as the food, everything was delicious! We ordered the beef tartare which our waiter Jeff prepared for us and it was perfect. We also got shrimp ceviche which was an off the menu appetizer, and it was SO FRESH one of the best ceviches I have had. For dinner we ordered the pozole (perfect!), a rack of ribs (literally fell of the bone), and pork chops (served with grits which were awesome). My favorite part was the dessert– FUNNEL CAKE WITH VANILLA ICE-​CREAM! I felt like I was at the rodeo! It was a good size for us to share but it was so good I wanted to order another one. I will definitely be back for dinner. Jeff was very helpful with the menu and guided us throughout. The food is definitely on point at Eleven XI!

I was able to meet up a couple of girlfriends here for HH. Since I was the first one there, I grabbed a table at the bar area and a lovely girl came and took my drink order. I asked her what she recommended from the HH menu that was fruity, and she actually recommended the Cherry Limeade (not on the HH menu), that turned out to be delicious.
She continued to check up on me until the other two girls finally arrived. We ended up getting the Charcuterie board, Ravioli and the Hamburger (on pretzel bread). Everything was very decently priced for the artisan-​quality foods they brought out. The hamburger was juicy and flavorful, but the pretzel bun was a little chewy. The ravioli was delicate and savory with a hint of sweetness from the apple. And the charcuterie board had three different types of cheeses and meats, with three crustinis. The waiter said he’d bring more, but never did. Oops! And throughout the meal, our waitress was really friendly, nice and helpful.
Overall this place is a must-​try! Their lot is valet, but when I came (Thursday at 6:00pm), there were plenty of street parking.

Judging from the exterior, this place seems to be an ordinary Montrose/​Midtown lounge bar. I was hesitated to try at first because all of them served the same food, drinks and a 30% higher than average price tag. But it turned out that Eleven have one of the best selections of oysters in H-​town. I came here for brunch twice and I was truly impressed. When I walked in, I noticed the quaint décor immediately. The atmosphere was very chilled and agreeable; it was perfect for a lazy Sunday brunch. The service was friendly and attentive. And the waiters really knew their stuff. In addition, the brunch menu reminded me of my favorite brunch restaurant in New Orleans — the savory crêpe, beef tartar, egg Benedict, etc. They were all delicious! If they put a Jazz band in the dinning room, I will go every weekend.
I heard their baked oyster is to die for. I will definitely come back and try.

At my request, the boyfriend took me here on a Friday for a belated birthday celebration. I was expecting the inside to be slightly more upscale and was surprised that it felt more cozy than fancy.
From the time we sat down, the service was excellent. Our waitress really knew her stuff and was also passionate about the food. We could tell by how her face lit up while describing the daily specials that she was clearly a fan.
I started off with the Root of All Evil cocktail, which didn’t disappoint. Made with limoncello and root liqueur, it tasted like a lemon drop but with the subtlest hint of root beer– almost like an after taste.
For appetizers we shared a half dozen of raw oysters, which we selected from an extensive raw menu, as well as an order of mussels. Both were excellent and we almost regretted not getting a full dozen of the oysters. The mussels were tart and tangy in a lemon white wine broth. We even ordered more bread so we could keep enjoying the broth.
I decided to step outside my comfort zone for the entrée and, at the advice of many Unilocal reviews, went with the whole apricot glazed flounder. I was nervous about whether or not I’d be able to pick around the bones, but it was so flaky and tender, I didn’t have any issues at all. The glaze was delicious and so flavorful. This was truly unlike anything else I’ve had. The presentation was also fabulous– the fish came scored into sections that not only looked beautiful, but made it easy to eat.
Overall Eleven Eleven was a great experience, although it’s tough to compete with so many similar restaurants in Houston. I think this is one of the best around when it comes to seafood though, so I’d highly recommend it to any and all pescatarians looking for a treat.

This review is for happy hour only. If/​when I go back for dinner, I will update my review.
I tried this place because it was recommended by a friend. I like testing out restaurants I’ve never been to with happy hour because it gives you a little taste without a huge investment. If happy hour goes well, then I’m more likely to invest in dinner on another occasion.
The staff was really friendly as soon as I walked in. At around 5:30 on a Wednesday, the bar are was not crowded at all. My friend and I got a table immediately — which is so relaxing and refreshing compared to some over-​packed happy hour spots in Houston (benjy’s, etc.).
My friend and I both had the happy hour burger and fries ($ 6!) and we shared the truffle Parmesan fries (we didn’t know the burger also came with fries… so lots of fries for us…). I tried 2 drinks off the HH menu. Unfortunately, I don’t remember their names. The first one was a mint, iced tea sort of thing; it was ok, but kind of bland. The second one was great! Some kind of whiskey cocktail… I think… with a lemon peel curl. I wish I had gotten 2 of those ($ 6 each).
The burger was good, but not amazing. You can get it on a pretzel roll or challah bun (the server recommended the pretzel roll). I still haven’t found a better HH burger than the one at Mockingbird Bistro. That is Heaven, to me.
All in all, a solid HH experience.

I’ve been here twice before and enjoyed my experience immensely each time. So I thought it would be nice to take my friend here because she needed a pick me up type of night.
We had reservations for 8:45 PM but weren’t seated until 9:00 which was fine. The people before us took forever to leave. The hostess was apologetic for the wait.
The standout of the evening was our server — Felipe — who waited on me the previous occasions. He is always friendly and prompt in taking his customers’ orders and checks on them to make sure everything is good. I highly recommend asking for Felipe when you fine here.
Now the negatives: I ordered the hen with two sides which I chose asparagus and shaved mushrooms. I didn’t care for the citrus taste of the mushrooms. It didn’t pair well with the hen. My friend’s quail was dry too. For dessert we chose the bread pudding. I was disappointed in this too. The bread part was hard. I had to really press my spoon in it to cut a piece.
Regardless I won’t let this evening’s experience deter me from coming again. I’ll just have to stick to what I ordered before — the scallops entrée which is delicious!

Man oh man, never have I been to a restaurant where both our entrees tasted blah! Here are my two cents: —
Made reservations last night for dinner. When arriving, there was a $ 5 valet parking fee, but I didn’t see that till I pulled in. There is however free parking on W. Grey, if you don’t mind walking a block or so.
When we walked in, host told us our table was taken, she offered us a table on the patio, which was fine, but then what’s the purpose of making a reservation? Big No no!
Their patio is on W. Grey, higher than street level, but occasional bus or loud car pass by, but it was quieter than indoor seating, so it worked out to our favor. Lighting is poor, electric candles would have added ambiance & needed lighting to our table.
Ordered Steamed mussels for appetizer & for cocktails Moscow mule & old fashioned, mussels & cocktails were very good! The HH menu looks great too, 4 – 7 pm M-​S, I’ll be back for sure.
Dinner was very disappointing, We ordered Scallops & Wild game Hen. The Scallops tasted old, the Hen tasted like rubber, no favor, no spices. Scallops had a weird after taste too, We should have sent them both back. Our waitress Leah did recommend getting the Hen fried, but healthy conscience deterred us from doing so.
Giving 3 stars is a bit generous but considering good location, nice appies, good cocktails & service, but I doubt I’ll eat dinner there again.

As soon as I heard that my girl crush likes this place, I was committed to try it. We came here on a whim on a Saturday night, and the dining room was 75% empty. Still, the hostess said the tables were reserved, so we grabbed seats at the bar. Major plus– they have purse hooks.
I may actually prefer dining at the bar. You get to sit close to each other for intimate conversation, service is more readily accessible, and you can people watch discreetly. We noticed that the couple next to us did not speak to each other AT ALL. Their eyes were glued to their respective phones. My iPhone is practically an extension of my body, but even I have better manners than that. At one point, the woman did massage the man’s forehead, so maybe their love language is physical touch. Just painful for me to imagine a silent meal… I love talking too much.
Our bartender was a total sweetheart. He recommended the grilled oysters topped with bacon, pecan pesto, Parmesan cheese, and pico as a starter. It tasted like pizza, which means it was scrumptious. For my main course, I chose the stuffed redfish topped with scallops and shrimp. It was probably one of the worst seafood dishes I’ve ever had. There was an unpleasant bitter aftertaste, so I left it mostly untouched. The boy ordered the pork chop entrée with sides of risotto and whipped potatoes. Perry’s has forever ruined pork chops for me– everything just pales in comparison. It wasn’t that flavorful nor juicy, and all I could think about was my next visit to Perry’s. The sides were fine.
The most anticipated part of my meal was dessert. We got the peanut butter tower, and were so eager for it to arrive. What is this? A tower for ants?! It needs to be at least… THREE TIMES BIGGER. The taste was mediocre at best– peanut butter mousse coated in chocolate ganache, topped with white chocolate shavings. Moments later, we finished it, and he looked at me in all seriousness, «should we order a second dessert?» YES. But not here. We went to Ruggles instead for some bread pudding action.
My girl crush is not at risk of losing her standing, but this place blows. Not impressed.

Since my husband is on the hunt for the best oysters in the world, he was ecstatic that I took him to Eleven XI for his birthday. He was so overwhelmed by the menu that he didn’t know what to order!
So, we began with the Sheepscott Oysters, and they were delicious (and I’m not a fan of oysters)! How did they do that?
After my husband and I agreed that this would not be our ONLY visit to ElevenXI and that we’d be back, my husband said he wanted to go for the five course menu (and said he’d get the lobster next time). I’m sure the drink pairing is a great deal, but we stuck with water (boring, I know), but we were happy to sit outside and enjoy the view from the beautiful patio.
So the courses went like this:
Course 1: Mussels in a buttery garlic sauce
So, there were about 10 – 12 mussel shells in each of our bowls! EACH! I was amazed that this was our FIRST course. Aside from finding a tiny pebble in my mussels, it was not terrible.
Course 2: Heirloom tomato salad with goat cheese
This was delicious and a great palate cleanser after the mussels — both in quality and quantity.
Course 3: Scallop on a bed of mascarpon risotto
This was amazingly delicious — — I LOVE scallops and LOVE risotto, and the fact that ElevenXI put this together made me wonder if the chef had telepathy… or just good taste, eh, probably both!
Course 4: Quail on a bed of blue corn grits
I liked how tender the quail was but I wasn’t a fan of the blue corn grits. Needless to say, my husband ate it all — — I married a vacuum. So, I passed my plate onto him. He thought I was being generous — — hah!
Final Course 5: Peanut Butter Tower
WOW! Really, wow! They told us it was cream and peanut butter mixed and emulsified. This was incredible and just so satisfying!
A great way to end the evening and go home with satisfied tummies. This is a great place for both casual events and special occasions — We really hope to return!