Jennifer Y.

Review of El Meson Restaurant

This tapas/spanish restaurant is located in Rice V...

This tapas/spanish restaurant is located in Rice Village. Metered parking is available, and 2 hour free parking in one of the two garages within a block or two of the restaurant. There are a few spots that are free after 6pm but they're usually all filled up especially on the weekends.

El Meson is in an old building; when you walk inside it smells old. The carpet is a strange dark color and there is just a musty feel to the restaurant. There is a rather large private room to the side that can be requested for any reservations free of cost. It's got its own dedicated built-in bar, but again sports that same sad carpet and smell. The room also has its own doors with large windows that open up onto the patio. The patio is directly adjacent to parking and the street, though, so I'm not sure in hot Houston how often it would actually be nice to sit out there.

The food is, in short, mediocre. The highlights are 1) the drinks and 2) the dessert. But it's quite difficult to make bad dessert in my opinion.

Patatas Bravas - sour; not very flavorful. bland.

Nachos del Mar - soggy nachos. overcooked low quality shrimp.

goat cheese mashed potatoes - surprisingly very little hint of goat cheese taste.

flan - a bit too much on the sweet side.

flourless chocolate cake - can't tell that it's flourless at all; definitely recommend this one.