La Frite Belgian Bistro
| Address: | 728 S Alamo St, San Antonio, TX 78205, USA |
| Phone: | +1 210-224-7555 |
| Site: | lafritesa.com |
| Rating: | 4.1 |
| Working: | Closed 11:30AM–2PM 11:30AM–2PM 11:30AM–2PM 11:30AM–2PM 6–10PM Closed |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 6
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A Private User
Im not one to complain about places online usually, but our experience last night was worth noting especially since it was a special occasion. We had a group of 6 people and there were only 4 other tables with guests in the restaurant. We ordered apps/salads and they came out quite promptly along with very nice French bread slices and everyone thought they were great—then the meal turned downhill. There was a 30 minute wait between our first and second courses, making my Blanche de Bruxelles beer a horrible idea to have ordered at the beginning of the meal with my intentions of enjoying it still chilly with the mussels Id ordered. The waitress came by to check on us a few times during the lapse, but all we wanted was our entrees. It was even more painful to see patrons that arrived after us receiving their entrees before us and being taken care of better than us because they spoke French. Not even acceptable. I cant speak for everyone elses plate overall quality, but I was very disappointed in the mussels (tiny, slightly tough, and cold— the wine sauce was very tasty despite being cold and the portion of mussels was really good, I will say) and the frites were totally forgettable (will say the aioli that was served with them was pretty tasty), which is sad because its in the name of the restaurant. Im totally willing to work for my mussels and its expected, but the tiny size (seriously, Ive gotten bigger ones in fried rice at Asian restaurants) made it completely not worth it, and an even bigger bummer since Id been looking forward to the meal for almost a week. Our waitress also had to be reminded of my side order of veggies that shed forgotten to bring with the rest of our plates. Most everyone else at the table got room temp to cold food, I do know. We informed the waitress of the problems, yet no manager was sent, no apologies made, and no discount on the check was given. This was not our first trip to this restaurant, and unfortunately, something has gone wrong each time (last time, wed waited 20 minutes at our table with no one even checking on us until we were at the point of walking out and leaving). Needless to say, we wont be returning anytime soon—even if every other restaurant in Southtown is packed full and especially not for a special occasion meal. And P.S.— best fries/frites Ive had in SA (been here all my 28 years) can be had at Bin 555 for the same price with superior service.
BR
Brad Seehawer
I didnt get the chance to visit La Frite while it was still a part of Vatel Group, but even under the new ownership it looks to be carrying its tradition of good eats well. I ordered from the specials of the day, beginning with white bean soup that had a nice mirepoix base and bacon providing support to the beans. I found it a little under-salted, possibly due to a compensation for the bacon which never materialized. Nevertheless, enjoyable. The restaurant prides itself on the fresh seafood. The tuna was what was on hand for the day, lending itself both to the tuna salad sandwich sandwich I ordered, as well as the Niçoise salad. Given the fresh fish, I would have liked my fillet to have been cooked a little less than the medium I received, but oh well. The fillets were served on a couple of toasted slices of their complementary fresh bread - which provided a tougher crust than I would have liked. It was augmented with a traditional coleslaw, which made it to be more like a deconstructed tuna salad, but I had no problems with this given the nice fillets. The sandwich arrived with a side of greens and their famous frites. Despite the name, the homeland of the fry is Belgium, so any restaurant claiming this origin must have some top-notch fries. Even more so when you name the place after the foodstuff. The fries I received were up there with the best of them, cooked well and dusted with a light sprinkling of kosher salt. The Donnellys may not have any previous experience running a restaurant, but when you maintain the high standards of food quality and reasonably-priced atmosphere, it doesnt really matter where you come from.
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Angela Martinez
I love the atmosphere of this restaurant and the staff is very nice. However, this place is not very good for vegetarians. On my last visit, I specifically told the waiter I was a vegetarian and he pointed out that my only options were a salad or the tart. At his recommendation, I ordered the tart. After the first bite, I realized I was eating something covered in a meat gravy! The time before that, we went on an evening that only had a $60 a plate, prix-fixe menu. When I made the reservation, I explained that I was a vegetarian and asked if this would be a problem. The person taking the reservation ensured me that it would not be a problem and that they would prepare a vegetarian plate for me. However, it turned out to be a big issue, first to the waiter and then to the kitchen. They served me an all-starch plate: rice and two different kinds of potatoes, and it was overall a very unsatisfactory meal. I think this is a lovely restaurant that I would like to support, but is very UNfriendly to vegetarians.
JO
Joe Chodash
I love this restaurant - I really do. Always a great meal and good service (sometimes a little slow). But I really cant go back. We were there last week. Something is not right with the ventilation system. I knew it right away but we were ready for a meal so I didnt bother to say anything. We had gone out for a nice evening, fresh outfits, etc and we left there reeking of the smells of the restaurant. I mean bad. We walked around for a bit and I kept smelling myself. We later went to meet friends for a nightcap. "Man, where did you go? You stink!!!", "Hey youre making me hungry!", and "You smell like bunuelos" was what I had to listen to for the rest of the evening. No amount of airing out or hanging out could lessen the smell on my clothes. I eventually gave up and drycleaned everything again. I think the ventilation system needs to be checked and repaired.......
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Alicia Ladd
The food was amazing! Be sure to dress your best here or the hostess staff will treat you like garbage (if there is a dress code here I couldnt see it outside the establishment or in their website) she literally acted exasperated and stamped her foot when our waiter told her to seat us. Our waiter who was a nice man and the chef who made excellent food made up for the rude hostess. He was courteous, efficient, and exactly what a waiter should be. My husband and I ordered the muscles which were cooked to perfection and the fries that came with it were fresh and filling. Overall I would go back, but dont go if youre wearing tourist gear. Im not sorry we walked 2 miles to get there, but the hostess experience was enough to earn this easily 5 star experience without her 4 stars.
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A Private User
This place is a gem! Big surprise here for San Antonio Moules mariniere = EXCELLENT. sauce had body and was superb, which could be tasted on the mussel ... not a pathetic little watery pool at the bottom of the bowl like in other palces. Moules provencal = GOOD. strongly flavored. had a good acid-peppery punch but i thought mariniere was much better. Frites = EXCELLENT! i could have preferred that the fries were slightly more crispy but otherwise good texture in the body (wonder what kind of potatoes they used?). the accompanying sauces were good. Enjoyed the muscadet pairing. And coffees (nespresso) was terrific. Nice little outdoor seating too.
