Costa Brava Bistro

Just back from a lovely dinner at Costa Brava. Dark, intimate setting -- surprising, given the strip mall location -- with quick, attentive, knowledgeable service. Our waiter Jesus was on the spot with wine recommendations and dining choices, and I'm hard-pressed to find fault with anything we tried.While billed as a Spanish restaurant, the overall construction leans in on the border with France, so expect rich sauces and dense platings -- though I managed to finish my duck breast entree and half the quail entree my wife had. Starters are not to be missed. The octopus is some of the best I've had anywhere. Desserts are also solid, and I highly recommend the chocolate croissant bread pudding above anything else I tasted.Prices seem wholly reasonable considering the quality. I'd go back any time.

I had an excellent experience at Costa Bta this past Friday night. My husband and I got the pre fixe option, and we loved almost all of it. We started with a palette cleaner, which was some kind of get in an olive mold. It tasted strongly of lemon and olive oil, but I couldn't quite tell what was in it. My husband didn't care for it at all. However--the rest of the meal was fantastic. We had lobster, quail, foie gras, petite filet, and a white chocolate mandarían as part of the 5 course menu, and everything was 10/10. We also got an order of the chocolate croissant bread pudding, and I loved it. We had another "olive" with some kind of palette cleansing gel in it to end the meal, and it was much better than the first. My husband also really enjoyed the cocktails he had. Overall, it was a wonderful experience. I especially loved that the chef came out and talked to us about each course--just above and beyond the typical restaurant experience. I would highly recommend this to my friends in the Houston area.

We dined for Valentine's Day and it was a meal full of love! We loved everything about our experience - from the restaurant's ambiance to the staff to the cocktails to the menu to the dishes. Every part of our dinner was superb! It's our new favorite restaurant in Houston (well it's actually in Bellaire). It is a bit pricy (entrees range from $30 - $54) but we are happy to spend a little more for such a wonderful dining experience!

Beautiful inside. Full bar nice wine list. Service was friendly and perfect. I went for the seared foie gras and it was amazing. I had a Tempranillo to start with the olives and tapenade brought to the table. After that I asked for a bubbly suggestion and was pointed towards the cava which was delicious. I had two. I had seared scallops perfectly cooked. I can't wait to go back to this lovely place!

I was working with my colleague who recently moved to the U.S. from Spain and wanted to try Costa Bravo. Her exact words after we ate were "I think the food is actually better than the food I had in Spain!" We had the toasted bread with caponata and olives, the bread was crunchy and great flavor and the olive caponata was amazing. We had the Grilled Spanish Octopus appetizer, it was some of the best Octopus that I have ever had . . . Amazing! She had the Crispy Seared Scottish Salmon which was cooked perfectly (medium) and finished everything on her plate. I enjoyed the Gulf Red Snapper with Lump Crab. The fish was cooked perfectly, the lemon Beurre Blanc was beautiful and the vegetables were so flavorful and crispy. The restaurant had a very elegant, romantic and warm setting and the staff were exceptionally pleasant and knowledgeable. This will be a spot I will visit often just to share the high praises for all the delicious food.

Coasts Brava was everything I wanted for my 60th birthday!!! Aid read the reviews and wow what a gastronomic celebration of exquisite food!!! Beginning with the Octopus and fingerling potatoes, as good as Hugo's or Caracol and even Ninfa's on Navigation!!! The Paella was deep and delicious, even by my Husband who is from Sevilla, Spain. The Arroz con leche was definitely Spanish with the hint of citrus.

I finally made a trip here and ordered the Mixed Paella earlier tonight. It was very delicious, authentic, moist in every bite and good quality. The rice itself had that wet, sticky texture kind of similar to risotto rice. It had a mild but great aroma to it and good saffron taste. The pieces of meat were tender, juicy and tasty. The seafood in the paella consisted of mussels, shrimp and squid. Each were tasty, well-cooked and fresh. They added a nice contrast with the rest of the food. This is one of the two best paellas I have ever had in TX, along with the paella from Mr. Sabor out in Friendswood, TX. The flavors, ingredients and prep made it really good and it wasn't a fake Americanized one either. The service from both bartenders, lady chef and lady owner greeting people on this first-time visit was so attentive, friendly, hospitable and efficient. I also hope to purchase a dessert next time I return. They no longer carry the flourless chocolate cake, so I might get the bread pudding or a dessert that seems to be a beloved choice matching my preference. The sangrias looked great and refreshing for some of these menu entrees, which I will be sure to remember as well.

First time in Houston, in fact first time in Texas. My 21st state visited.I was lucky enough that the new friend I was visiting with had the good judgement to book a table at Costa Brava.As I was treating her I had hoped it wouldn't turn into "Costa lot!"The lovely couple that run the bistro were so generous in their warmth to this newcomer, one in the front of the house and the other the head chef. The trouble she took to personally check on us before we ordered the Paella without crustations my friend keeps kosher, along with the sumptuous sea bass that I ordered, made the meal one to remember.

The food and service are amazing served with perfect cocktails, great wines and ambience galore!

This place is absolutely amazing. It's amust try for anyone in the Bellaire , West U area and well worth the drive for anyone else in Houston. From the starters of rotated bread with caponata and olive spread , you know you are in for a treat. We did the lunch special and it was perfect. Served with dessert that was to die for and coffee or ice tea that's included, you will get a first class dining experience and fell as if you were transported to an exquisite restaurant in Spain right here in Bellaire Texas.