Main Kitchen Reviews

I was in Houston for business and Main Kitchen was recommended. I was excited as the menu was local and southern and offered options I can not typically get on the West Coast. Trying to be "healthier" I opted against the steak and went with the fried catfish and grits. Boy did this teach me a lesson...go for the steak! The catfish was ridiculously fishy, gritty, and generally unappetizing. Upon inspection, I realized the fish roe was still in the fish, which I am sure contributed to both of my concerns. I was exhausted so did not say anything to the waitress (who actually recommended something else!). I was pleased with the corn/pepper chowder starter. I also ordered the brussell sprouts which were also recommended. The waitress forgot to put the order in....so when the correction was made, I was already "done" with my fish. They should have comped them, which did not happen. As I was in Houston for approximately 24 hours, this was my only "real meal." It goes without saying, I was very disappointed. Will likely never go back.

I work few blocks away and I came to this place for work lunches, coworker birthday lunches, etc. The menu is changing with seasons. But what has been constant and my favorite is Brussels sprouts. You gotta order it. My coworkers and I had to order 2 of these for 4 of us because we love it so much. You can make reservation online, or most of the time, we walked in and got seated immediately. Service is always courteous and professional. Managers are always walking the floor, asking tables if everything was fine. This past week, I ordered pork tacos out of lunch menu, and it was really GOOD. At the same time, during conversation we mentioned it was one of us birthday, not expecting anything. But at the end of our meal, we received complementary dessert, layered chocolate cake which was decadent and delicious. We were so grateful. We will definitely be back.

I regularly stay at the JWMarriott hotel and have eaten outside at various higher ranked restaurants than the main kitchen. I can safely say the main kitchen outperforms all these outside restaurants from both a service and food quality offering. Try it you will not be disappointed!

We didn't eat here, but will say that the drink selection at the bar is great and the bar service is outstanding! Great ambience too!

Stephanie at the bar makes the best sangria I have ever had and provides great service. I stay at many Marriott's for business and while Houston is not my favorite city, this experience was great. If I am back in Houston this is where I will stay.

If you find yourself at the JW in downtown Houston take a stop down to the bar and look for Cecilia. If your looking for a smiling face and a pleasant chat she’s the bartender for you. She knows her way around the drink menu and can keep up with the busiest crowd. If your looking for an old fashioned, a White Russian , or something creative from behind the bar she will mix it to perfection. Ask her about the Colorado bulldog which is a fantastic take on a white Russian with a splash of coke. You can’t go wrong. It’s a great hotel with a good atmosphere and very welcoming staff. I’ve spent a lot of nights in Marriotts and they always keep me coming back .

Had breakfast here a couple of times while staying at the JW Marriott and it was a mixed bag. The first day, we split a plate, and it was really nice. My partner didn't want to do the buffet, so asked if she could have just a small glass of OJ with her breakfast and the server very kindly didn't charge her for it (it was, I think $6 a glass, and she really just wanted a few sips). I thought that was classy. I point this out as it's a great contrast to our breakfast the next morning, where our grumpy waitress did charge us $6 for an inch of juice (I've had cheaper Scotch at that point!)... okay, that's fine, you can charge us if you want, that's fair she asked for it, but doing it while being grumpy, not so much. Also, that morning, the breakfast potatoes were cold. It was a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde moment: on our first morning, it was lovely, and on the second, I was pretty eager to leave. Maybe they were just having an off day. Food wise, it's a little pricey, but about what you would expect from a JW Marriott. A choice between a pretty stocked buffet and a la carte in the mornings.

most hotels don't have great restaurants, but this one does! Blown away by the food and the service!!

Spent Christmas evening having dinner with my family at the Amazon Kitchen. To be fair, the restaurant is not a 5 star eatery and the menu is limited. The problem is that the prices reflect a 5 star restaurant. With five adults, two non drinkers, our bill came to $345. The food is mediocre at best and the prices are way out of line. The service was supreme and our host helped make the evening an enjoyable one.

It's in the JWMarriott. Erin Smith is the chef. http://www.jwmarriotthotelhouston.com/main-kitchen/ I stayed at the hotel for three days. Two breakfasts; two dinners. Everything I had was perfect. Creative. Interesting. Smoked brisket pizza was to die for. Chicken sandwich was the BEST chicken sandwich I've ever had. Seriously. Get extra Sirracha sauce for it. Wonderful. Intellectuale beer on tap is great local brew.

The food was spectacular and original. The dessert was to die for... and the manager Stephen went above and beyond with Customer Service! My first time in Houston and I will definitely be back and will book a room at JW... just to see the staff... Thank you so much, Stephen and Jose!

Stayed at the JW Marriott and decided to eat at Main Kitchen before the Billy Joel concert. The management must not have checked the calendar, because there was 1 person trying to wait on everyone. The manager came over and took our drink orders. After 20 minutes, the hostess came over and tried to take our menus, when we informed her that we had not been waited on. Following this, we waited a long time for the food (appetizers). The food was good, and thus the "2", but make sure you either have a lot of time, or you see more than one person waiting on tables. Breakfast had better service, but then most people were having the buffet.

We had lunch at the Main kitchen. Our waitress, Yamile took excellent care of us. The food was exceptional, and myself , my husband and daughter were treated like VIPs even though we were just coming in for lunch during the week.

I love the food and the customer service was so awesome! I will definitely be back when I return to Houston. Thanks Hose and Steven 🥰

Well, this place is a joke. On the Friday we went for breakfast as it was inc in the room rate. Ordered OJ and a tea, these were served in a plastic sippy cup, (yes thanks I would love to drink out if a sippy cup like s child) and a paper tea cup. I asked where the glass and mugs were and the waiter told me they were using take out style due to cv19. Our breakfast was served on a normal plate with cutlery though...! Service was poor food was average, I cook a way better breakfast. Zero tip on this occasion and I am happy to say that. On the Saturday completely different, tea served with a tea pot, glass of juice etc, food was the same. Why the difference? The waiter clearly could not be bothered on the Friday. Again attention to detail lacked, serving syrup in little plastic pots and using ketchup sauce sachets etc does JW know how bad this is for the environment, this is a restaurant in a JW hotel! and the standard is far below what it should be. Awful for breakfast do not go here.

We arrived for the weekend to enjoy Houston. The Main and bar had good service and good food. The atmosphere was quiet due to the work crowd leaving downtown for the weekend.

I work close to here and i go often for the lunch. Tacos are my favorite and they are great. The Patron Margaritas are also awesome. The building is always nice and clean. It smells really good to and cool to beat the outdoor heat. My parking garage is attached to the building so its also very convenient. Staff is really friendly.

Coming from a wife of a French fry junkie...and I do mean that, the fries are delicious! Perfectly cut, seasoned and served to order...even at 2am!

I'm finding that in Texas everything has some type of pepper / spicy flavor when I don't expect it. I ordered a cheese pizza (didn't want Margarita because sometimes it's overkill on tomatoes) and it had fresh mozzarella but spicy sauce. The sauce had crushed pepper taste that didn't cook down well and at first I thought it closer to salsa rather than pasta sauce tasting. The crust was delicious though and cooked to perfectly. A great restaurant if you don't want leave the hotel. Service in the bar was excellent.

Table for 8 for lunch. The waiter was fabulous. He provided complimentary Buffalo Cauliflower and Crispy Brussel Sprouts for the table. Both were delicious! We ordered a variety of sandwiches and salads. The portions were more than ample and each dish was wonderful: Shortrib Tacos, Turkey Burger, 806 Burger, Asian Salmon Noodle Salad, Winter Cobb Salad. GREAT EXPERIENCE!!

Great food and service. Try the Brussel Sprouts. If want to go for lunch definitely make a reservation. This is a hot spot for lunch in downtown Houston.

Main Kitchen within the JW Marriott Houston Downtown offers decent breakfast and dining options with excellent cocktails. We were fortunate to find this place during our stay in Houston, and most importantly during our new year's eve celebration. Even though the restaurant was crowded in such evening, the entire team was able to socially distant everyone, and we were able to enjoy our experience to the fullest. The quality of the new year's eve dinner was top notch, and it was reasonably priced. In addition, their breakfast options were more than substantial. Finally, every staff member provided excellent customer service, making the entire experience worth it.

Before leaving the JW Marriott, we decided to have breakfast downstairs at Main Kitchen and we were glad we did. They have a breakfast menu, but we chose to do the buffet. The food was great and probably the best breakfast buffet in recent memory.

This restaurant is connected to the JW Marriott. The atmosphere is upscale, the food is a culinary delight, and the service is unmatched.

The staff was very accommodating and friendly. The food was excellent. We had 8 in our group and everyone raved about their food. Can't say enough nice things about the staff. Our server was excellent. She seemed to appear from nowhere the minute your glass was empty or she could tell you were done with your plate. they also had a good wine selection.

The staff at the Main Kitchen at the JW Marriott in Houston was just excellent. My wife and I can’t even come close to truly describing the level of service that was provided. They were very personable and catered to the needs of not only us but the large crowds because of different events that was going on. All of the food looked great. My wife and I shared the bacon burger and fries and it was not only cooked like we wanted but the seasoning was on point. Want to give a special shout out the bar staff. Bianca and Kevin and Christian were amazing and we are not sure the Name of the other young man that worked there but he made us feel not only welcomed but at home. The manager was awesome to us as well. It made our stay all the more better. Thank you all for the wonderful experience.

The servers were extremely attentive-- they went out of their way to make space for us when we arrived early, served us very attentively and brought food quickly. The decor is actually a very functional mix of 1920's and modern. They even brought us extra sliders. The wines are expensive but very good. My girlfriend ordered the Pork Chops which were flavorful. The Brussels Sprouts were also excellent tho not as crispy as we do at home. My only major complaint was that my meal (the spiced lamb meatballs) was actually so bland I could barely tell it was lamb much less spiced. I would ask for a sample if you are tempted by that because I was expecting something different.... I would have sent it back but we had to get to a concert and the service was so good. Otherwise we really enjoyed it and the service was probably the best we've ever seen.

My husband and I stayed here for two nights, primarily for the Andrea Bocelli concert. We decided to have dinner in the hotel restaurant, due to limited time before the concert. We were very pleasantly surprised at the service and the quality/presentation of the food. Wow! Beautiful! We'd stay here again and eat here again!

Main Kitchen is located inside the Marriott hotel. It is a nice location cation for a business lunch. The Brussels sprouts appetizer is tasty and nicely done. The chicken sandwich was yummy too. The tables for two are a bit small, and the environment can be active and lively near the bar.

Great place to have some quality drinks. Ricardo, the bartender served us delicious/strong drinks. You're missing out if you dont go.

Despite it being Super Bowl weekend, the service was fantastic! They have 2 menus - a bar menu and a dinner menu. The menu is short. The sliders at the bar are great. Also recommend the brussell sprouts which are crisp and seasoned well. The portion is big enough to share among 2-3 people. Also recommend the pork chops but agree with one other recent review - the lamb meatballs are bland.

Main Kitchen is in the JW Marriott. The setting is nice, and my breakfast was very good. Service was a bit slow and unfriendly. It may have been a bad day for the waitress, but the service dropped the rating a bit.

Had the honey mustard crispy chicken sandwich. To start with, sauce should be on the side. Next, the bread isn't right. To soft and too much. Husband had the BLT burger and also said the bread was weak. It's a meal but not spectacular. Waitress Rene was awesome and very hospitable.

Delayed flight into IAH and stopped for lunch here just after checking in. Comfortable, nice service and the food is really good. Took some suggestions from the server.

Every time I visit Houston, I stop at Main Kitchen for reliably good food, exceptional drinks, and amazingly friendly service. Specifically, Mike at the bar, makes the best black Manhattan that I have ever tasted. Tarsha has become a friend away from home, always there will a warm smile and exceptional service. The food never disappoints! I feel lucky to have found this gem.

Downtown Houston is building up a nice collection of restaurants and Main Kitchen at the Marriot hotel is one of the more recent ones on the scene. Mrs G and I enjoyed a quiet evening meal here on a Sunday evening and thought the food was very good. The menu isn't extensive but that's a good thing because it means that the chef can concentrate on quality. The charcuterie and cheeseboard we shared was very good and I chose the mushroom risotto for my main course which was a very tasty vegetarian option. Overall we enjoyed this meal and it was a nice change from some of the other restaurants we normally go to downtown. The only criticism I have was that the service was a bit slow. Slightly surprising as it was a Sunday evening and the place was not very busy. This is a great place to eat if you're staying at the hotel. If you're staying elsewhere in downtown and feel like eating here one word of caution - the two blocks heading southeast from the hotel on Main Street can sometimes feel a bit sketchy. The area is well policed but some people might feel a bit intimidated walking on their own.

We walked over from the newly opened Aloft for dinner and once for take out and again for breakfast over the course of our weekend. Each time my daughters 4/6 were quite pleased with the food. Comes with the territory but price not pocket book friendly for kids food if looking for a deal for the little ones. But being the JW pricing was expected and no deal breaker. I fell in love with the cozy and stylish seating they have. Breakfast made to order omelets were my fav. The buffet had a very nice variety and plentiful. Will always stop by anytime I'm downtown. Well done Main Kitchen

Perfect after a classic great Texan Dinner, this is what you need to come back at the modern great America. The place is perfect, and could remind you ... maybe NewYork ... but you're in Houston Texas, in the world's capital of Oil&Gas ! The food is really great, i had a CHICKPEA SESAME HUMMUS as starter, and a QUINOA AND AVOCADO SALAD as main course. The food was, Simple, Sophisticated, Perfect ! Enjoy !

We hosted a post wedding breakfast at Main Kitchen. They served 47 people seamlessly. The breakfast buffet was excellent quality and they were well staffed. Everyone was courteous and efficient. I would highly recommend them.

We entertained several guests one evening. The hosts, yes there were several, were wonderful. There was no repeating of orders or drinks; they got it right the first time every time. Great service without being intrusive.

My wife & I stopped in for a late morning breakfast on New Year’s Day while on a staycation at the Aloft just a couple of blocks away from the JW. We were promptly seated by the hostess and greeted shortly thereafter by our server, who was not the most personable or friendly person but was attentive nonetheless. Our food arrived in a timely manner and everything we ordered was delicious and prepared well. We’ll certainly be returning to explore additionally menu options at later dates.

Group of coworkers stopped in for coffee and a quick bite to eat, searching for pastries or something easy. The excellent staff informed us of the buffet at breakfast... Complete with an omelette bar, it was amazing. Great spread of fruits and pastries and hot items. Coffee was great too. Wonderful staff!

Staff were amazing. Skye at front was lovely and so sweet, had lovely chat with her. Tarsha Pete, our main person was so fabulous and went out of her way to make sure everything was perfect for us. Really staff like Tarsha is what makes us continue to commit to the Jw Marriott and the Marriott group as a whole when we travel.

This review is about the 806 Lounge which is part of the Main Kitchen restaurant in the lobby of the JW Marriott in downtown Houston. I used the lounge for a couple of hours. I did not order food, only drinks while waiting on family members to finish the spa. The ambiance is really good, they have a really cool light effect on projectors on one of the walls which I found mesmerizing. The service is alright, but not anywhere near the service you would expect from a 5 star establishment. All in all a very good place to escape the heat of downtown. It is a bit expensive though.

I ate breakfast here one morning while staying at the hotel, ordering the traditional American breakfast. The setting is bright and spacious. My meal was great, especially the potatoes which were nice and crispy. But the server pretty much vanished after my meal was served (and the restaurant was mostly empty). I had to flag her down to get my coffee refilled and get the check. Both definite no-nos at breakfast at any restaurant. So don't come here if you're in a hurry.

Had the house smoked chicken salad and loved it. Friend had the quinoa and avocado salad, added in shrimp. Delish.

We stayed in the other Marriott property the Hotel Icon nearby so we only experienced the bar service in this hotel which was excellent. The young, enthusiastic and efficient staff especially Taylor and Jamarcus looked after us really well.They recommended a local bar/ restaurant Sambuca where we had a fun New Year's Eve celebration. The bar food is tasty and the pizzas are great.

Had a business lunch here today. First time there. Very well attended. Modern and professional atmosphere. The tortilla soup was fantastic. Also had guacamole and chips for an appetizer. Guacamole had a few too many onions. The chicken salad, served open face was very interesting and tasty. This might be my new first choice for a lunch meeting spot in central downtown.

We came here for some drinks and dining during marathon weekend. The restaurant itself is very nice but it gets busy during parties. During a wedding the kitchen took about 30 minutes to bring out the salmon and pizza. The cheese pizza was good but a little spicy from crushed peppers in the sauce. If you are not a fan of spicy let them know. I thought the salmon and carrot sides were very AMAZING. I wasn’t a big fan of lentols but that’s just me. The staff went out of there way to make sure we were happy throughout the dining experience.

We went there for breakfast. Great coffee. Fresh squeezed oj. We did the breakfast buffet. I had an omelet and they delivered it to the table. The fruit was fresh. So here are some of my pet peeves: I don’t want to have to wait for coffee. I want a carafe on my table. They did that. I don’t want to wait for dirty dishes to be removed. Any server walking past removed dirty dishes as they went. I think it is a sign of good management that servers are not stuck in just watching their own tables. I don’t like to wait for the tab at the end. We did have to wait longer than I prefer, but the server stopped by with the tab and did not walk off - he took the payment immediately. When he came back, he asked what our plans were and he had a couple of good suggestions that we did not know about. I would absolutely eat there again!

Very elegant chic dining experience with downtown hotel pricing. The breakfast options have healthy to your more traditional style. There is a breakfast buffet although price is quite steep at $27 per person but an expanse selection. Coffee ranges at $4 per person but they continue to serve you via a craft placed on your table. Service is what would be expected, courteous professional. The views here are very nice, with window seating available to view the downtown pedestrian traffic. My meal, was a three egg omelet served with a slice of toast in home style seasoned potatoes. It was very well cooked and elegantly presented but at $18 wasn't necessarily the most reasonable priced item. The restaurant is located in the JW Marriot hotel building.

Every week e attend a networking meeting in the restaurant area. Everyone takes really good care of us, but I wanted to point out of person in particular. Beatriz has been a bright spot for me every week. She always has beaming smile and goes above and beyond to make sure myself and all her guest are well taken care of. She’s the best.

This is the restaurant at the JW Marriott downtown. I liked it a lot better than most hotel restaurants. The menu isn't all that extensive, but there should be something for everyone. I had a pizza (a rather exotic pizza which -- like all the other pizzas -- I haven't seen on the menu anywhere else). It was very good. Lots of food, and not a lot of money considering it's a downtown hotel restaurant. Service was prompt and professional. Staff knew a lot about the menu. I actually liked the ambiance of the place... it's in an old skyscraper with exposed iron work. Dark and woody. Again, a lot better than most hotel restaurants. I'm not certain I'd make a special trip to do it, but I'd eat here again.