MAD Restaurant Reviews

Best Spanish food I've had outside Spain. Flavorful and imaginative food without getting weird. I take issue with all the El Bulli failed wannabe's, such as CEBO in Madrid, which should remain permanently closed. MAD is an example of traditional and contemporary Spanish food done right. Definitely worth a return visit!

This is one of the hottest spots in Houston. If you want an all inclusive quality dining experience like no other, this is your place. Anytime I have someone coming in from out of town, I choose MAD. It is my favorite place to come for really great cocktails, amazing Tapas and high quality service. The atmosphere is certainly their signature but they don’t lack in any department. The music is really great with live DJs almost every night. If you are into gin try their BCN gin and tonic and if you like vodka, try the “No Es”.. Trust me, you wont regret it. Also the Foie Gras Tapa is to die for!

We came here with my girlfriend and I were celebrating our year anniversary. She had been wanting to come here because of the lights in the bathroom as all her girlfriends have been talking about it. So we made the decision to go and try the place, we didnt make reservations because we got there at 6 and being a Tuesday we didnt see the need to make reservations if we were going to seat at the bar. We got there and the hostess told us that if we wanted to sit at the bar we had to make reservations which I thought was very odd, but the place looks fancy and so we didnt make a big deal. The only seats available were all the way to the back next to the kitchen. It was very hot as the ovens are right there but we manage. The drinks were very good, service was on point. We got to see how they made the food and all the plates looked delicious. We saw paellas been made all night straight out of the oven. My Grandmother was from Andalucia Spain and her Paella took hours to cook and this guys make it un 12 minutes inside an oven, rare but maybe it is good. We decided not eat there and head some where else to get a table and enjoy our dinner and we would come back to MAD and make a reservation and try the food at a different time. We order a last round, right when the cocktail runner was bringing our drinks with her cute high heels and dress she slipped right next to us because of the grease coming out of the kitchen and spilled the entire 12oz beer on my girlfriend. I am not exaggerating when I say the entire beer it was the ENTIRE beer. The waitress was so embarrassed and apologetic, she even explained it was her first day. We get it, mistakes happen and we werent MAD at all. We both own businesses and so we get it that things like these will happen. The manager came out and offer to send our stuff to the dry cleaners which was nice. The couple next to us made a joke saying, "At least the drinks are free now" my girlfriend very embarrassed just noded as she knows it wasnt the point. We then told the waitress that we wanted to close out and when she brought the check I was very surprised as nothing was comp, not even the beer that was spilled on my girlfriend. We paid the tab and left 20% gratuity as we werent MAD at the waitress but now we are definitely MAD at MAD management. After leaving the establishment we didnt even get a manager to come check on us or walk us out the door. My girlfriend is a very girly girl and she always likes to look nice, she wanted to go home shower and change. She felt gross and I understood because I have had beer spilled on me and it gets sticky. So we drove all the way to Katy to her place, she showered and got dress and by the time she was ready it was almots 9:00 pm. Needless to say we ordered sushi take out and stayed at home. So yes I am MAD because the least that they couldve done was to comp at least that one beer if not the entire tab. We werent looking for a free tab, we wanted the good experience. But all the troubles that we went, the embarrassment (the entire restaurant saw it), and our time was worth more than your $66.00 + tip that we paid. Needless to say we are not coming back again, she got her pictures at the lights hall which she will use to make her statement about what happened. Oh, please dont let staff wearing heels deliver drinks and go close to the kitchen. Is a huge liability and will cause a law suit in the future for sure. Thanks MAD for making us MAD!!

We have eaten at MADD twice over the last week. Difficult place to get a reservation. It was worth the wait. Tapas, tuna tartare, sardines, delicious side dishes and last but not least a cocktail made with frozen watermelon and gin that is so good you have to try one! Lots to look at . Great find.

While visiting my sister in Houston, she and her husband wanted to treat me to dinner at a restaurant of my choice. Because I am in the industry in NYC, they know that I am accustomed to finding unique and interesting spots. After sending a shortlist of my choices, MAD was the chosen winner, as they had also been eyeballing it from their end for a while. Upon walking in, the hostesses were attentive and super sweet. The decor was great and the vibe was excellent... my type of place was the initial impression. It was just the three of us and we were prepared to feast. It took a little long to get recognized, but once our server arrived, everything seemed to be grooving. Our server (I believe his name was Carlo) was eccentric with white-framed glasses, an elaborate suit, colorful pocket squares, and a personality to match. He certainly knew the menu well - although a bit sales-y - but I can dig that, so long as we get fed well and treated the same. We inquired about specialties of the house, his favorites, and referred to the Astronaut's Special, where the server determines the course lines. Although the latter was the direction we wanted, it seems we were steered just to select our own courses, but with his help, we were happy to do so. A couple cold tapas, a couple traditional, a couple modern, and a paella. Perfect! Due to it being a restrictive business dinner, alcohol was not going to be allowed on the main tab. This is truly unfortunate because gin is my spirit of choice, and that is also the house specialty. When I asked if I could pay for them on a separate tab, he declined and said they did not allow it. Although it sucks, I understand it and had to forego any alcohol. From that moment, everything changed. Suddenly we were no longer a commodity and the level of attention altered drastically. As many tables around us were drinking, they were also getting all the love. My take on the food: Cherry salad = delicious. Hamachi = decent. Mad's Tomato = coolest thing on the menu, good flavor. Bravas tomas = way too saucy and lukewarm. Jamon iberico = amazing. Cochinillo paella = incredible. Coulant de Manchego = not good. We received each item one at a time, which was very strange for a tapas restaurant, and left us constantly hungry and wondering when we would see food again... as well as our server. Thankfully the food runners could answer questions and the bussers kept our water glasses full. Here's the big kicker, and the biggest disappointment of the night: when it was time to receive our bill, of course we had to wait forever to gain our server's attention. But when we received it, a 20% tip with the words "large party gratuity" was already added to our tab, which we didn't approve nor did he ask for approval. No doubt it was added because we didn't consume alcohol and he thought therefore we wouldn't tip appropriately as well. Horrible decision, as I work in the industry and tip very well, but moreover because it ruined our entire experience. Deceptive and assumptive move on your part, because I left that place feeling like their NAME.

Pricey but a food tour de force Got tired of staying at home so finally decided to go out and eat a nice meal. Normally MAD has a 1 month waiting list as one of the hottest restaurants in Houston, so couldn't believe my luck snagging a spot only 2 days before. Street parking and garage parking is plentiful, just make sure to pay. The area is the new river oaks shopping complex so you can drop a few grand on clothes and then a few hundred on dinner (definitely not a cheap area). The restaurant itself is a mix of modern and Spanish influences and great for date night. Not huge, but not small either, with a large bar in the middle and a open kitchen in the back. Menu is on qr code which is a bit finnicky but works well enough once you get it (there's a front and back qr code for dinner menu and dessert). Service is great as you expect, with very knowledgeable and friendly waiters, bartenders, and hostesses. Started with complimentary amuse bouche. Then got Serranito, Gulas, and Cigala. The Serranito was great, but very heavy (almost imagine a loaded Flatbread pizza). Gulas had good flavor, but probably wouldn't get it again. And the Cigala was great, the sauce and bread were amazing. Also got the Pulpo and a wood fired angel hair with suckling pig. Pulpo was super tender and flavorful, and the suckling pig one of the most tender pigs ever tasted. Definitely recommend. Dessert had huevos Voladares, best dessert in Houston and perfect way to finish the night. Highly recommended!

The wise advice is to always start with the lees attractive offer and finish with your strong point. As soon as we enter the reception and latter sow the overall ambiance, felt drunk by the beauty and sure we had just seen the best MAD could offer...but what came after was a chain on one surprise after the other, each one better than the previous. The menu design, the attentive server - David - the overall sensation with tons of people having a great time. Solid music, very chick and Ibiza/Marbella lounge style, the food was fun and delicious and the gintonics alones are worth a visit. We had no appetite for the specialty of the house, the paellas....so hope we can get another reservation soon!!! And when we felt nothing else could surprises us, a trip to the bathroom was the ice on the cake!!! Thanks MAD for bringing this to Houston

This is definitely one of the most aesthetically pleasing restaurants in Houston! Not to mention the wonderful food and service. Depending when you are reading this review I need to make note that this is the 4th week it has been opened (June 2019). It was extremely tough to get a reservation and I was a bit annoyed when I got a reservation for the bar area but quite honestly, now that I have been there, it is probably the best view in the house! Things to know: 1) Valet parking, however there is free garage parking. 2) Located next to Ipick theatre. 3) Inside and outside dining. Bar area, tables, table tops and seating by the kitchen. 4) MAD is the airport code for Madrid. Wink wink. 5) The moon theme is because of Houston and and there is an old Madrid "saying" about the mood- I can't remember what it is. Sorry. 6) Don't called their wood roasted rice - paella. Apparently it is cooked differently than paella. 7) Do order one of their signature drinks! They taste fabulous and the presentation is out of this world! See my photos! Sitting at the bar was a plus because you get to watch the bartenders make them. 8) One thing I LOVED about MAD was that the clientele was probably 35 and up. Classy bunch! Now I am sure this will change as the restaurant gains more popularity. 9) MAD is NOT cheap, however if you want a peek inside of one of Houston's hottest and most desired restaurants then opt for an appetizer or two. 10) DJ after 10 pm. 11) Probably not the best place to take kids for dinner. 12) Do make a reservation at the bar. You get to see pretty much everything from there. Do make reservations PERIOD! What I ordered and would absolutely recommend and not: 1) Drinks - Sandia 2) Food - Esparragos rebozados, wood roasted rice patoo - duck leg confit and bok choy, buñuelos de bacalao - spanish cod fitters with ajoarriero sauce and my FAVORITE - Bravas tomás - Bar Tomás style potatoes, spicy oil, garlic alioli. I didn't enjoy the carpaccio de cigala - Norwegian lobster, caramelized onion purée, natural jus, tarragon. But 3 out of 4 aint bad. 5 Star - Service 5 Star - Decor 4 1/2 - Food 5 Star - People watching

The disappointment started with the wine list — a Spanish restaurant should have more than one bottle of wine from the Priorat region. But imagine my surprise at seeing my bill and being charged $4 for the large ice cubes for the two cocktails. I guess $26 each was not sufficient markup. As to ambiance the disco music from the DJ detracted from the meal. More of a bar vibe than a serious restaurant. As to the food — the squid croquettes were the star of the show — would order six portions and forget about other options. The baby fava beans were just OK. Same with the Habitas. The suckling pig paella was mixed — the pig was tender and full of taste. The sweet potato however resulted in the dish being sweet and I am used to a paella with more than two ingredients.

Every now and then everything is good as it gets. Great food , service , atmosphere, timing were great. David , our waiter, asked us what we liked in general and then brought our tapas with perfect timing . We had a great time . Even the trek to the restrooms was interesting.

Rushed service, bizarre ordering approach, poor service and average food. This is about as far from what Tapas is all about in Spain as I could possibly imagine. This place should be about bring friends and family together and catching up as items come out through the night. Instead it’s rush you in, order all at once, bad service, mixed food quality and get out. Could be great, unfortunately it is not. You can get better food and a better experience at a third the price. I’d give it a miss.

This place has great tapas! Highly recommended for those who want to have a fun night out and experience a high end flavor

This is the kind of food you would not know how to make at home, really, each little dish was more impressive than the next. The paella tasted special too. Attentive service. Ah, and don't forget to go to the toilet. Very expensive restaurant but totally worth it.

Gorgeous spot in river oaks , food quality was outstanding as well as the service. Planning on coming back soon!!

The people are rude and snobbish. The food was not very good and it was an unpleasant experience. I would not recommend it to anyone.

Booked a table inside for New Year’s Eve . It was necessary to pay at least $200 per person for late seating. When we enter they guided us to an outdoor table. We told them that we made a reservation for indoor . They didn’t want to help but after a while they found a table indoor. The food was ok but not worth the money. After midnight they decided to give some cheap plastic hats and blowers. When we asked the bill we found that they charged us for 260 plus per person and not $200 per person. We haven’t choose the expensive menus during reservation. The bill that included food , 2 cocktails and 3 mock tails was above $800 and this was an outstanding amount of what we got. We were sitting in a small table. I was facing to the kitchen looking the cook to cut raw wager beef and other person to grill the meat. Minimum new years decor and with this money I could eat in a 5 star hotel restaurant in New York City.

Perfect spot for tapas. The wagyu bites is a must have dish as well as the tuna tartare. The atmosphere is great for after work drinks. Has an outdoor seating that is also cozy.

I went with my family to celebrate my 2 twin daughters b-day. we arrive on time for our reservation. and the hostess told me that I only have 2.5 hours and after that time I ( We ) have to leave the place. ITS THE 1ST TIME IN MY LIFE THAT A RESTAURANT SET ME TIME TO LEAVE THE PLACE. I was about to turn around and leave the place,,,,, didn't do it because my girls really wanted to be there and was the plan. But setting time on a celebration day ( or any day ) and specially when you spend more than $100 x px. setting me time to leave. is NOT GOOD TO TREAT A CUSTOMER. Place is nice. service is good, food good, employees are very nice and friendly. but just this ""timing detail"" is a stupidity !!!

This place is incredible and unique, it’s absolutely meant for people looking for an experience, if youre just hungry and looking for somewhere to eat this isn’t the place and I imagine that’s why there’s so many bad reviews. If you’re a young adventurous foodie looking for an experience this is the place to be.

The decor throughout this restaurant is absolutely stunning, including the amazing passage towards the bathrooms! The cuisine is genuinely Spanish without Latin American influences. While the food is delicious, the portions are small, as is typical for tapas. This is not the restaurant to go to if you are seeking a big hearty meal. The wine list is impressive including some outstanding Spanish wines not normally found in Houston restaurants. There’s a variety of house drinks that look enticing. We have only sampled the sangria which is wonderful. Our service was friendly, helpful and efficient. MAD is very much the “in” place to be right now. Owing to its popularity, reservations are required well in advance, even for seats at the bar (although bar reservations are easier to get). The bar seats are recommended if you are just a couple of people since it’s easier to talk with each other over the music and general noise of a very popular restaurant. You also get a better view of this amazing restaurant and the many “beautiful people” enjoying their dinner. Although not for every day, I highly recommend this restaurant!

An absolutely incredible atmosphere, hospitable staff, stellar service, and most important- high quality, well-priced, and delicious food. The ambience at MAD is unmatched. From the artwork along the walls, to the DJ's, to the lighting and beyond- it will feel like you have been transported from Houston directly into Madrid. Everytime I dine at MAD, my server helps me find a new dish that I fall in love with- not to mention a perfect wine pairing as well. Every server I have had has been well versed in the menu and is very attentive to any allergies or accomodations. A few of my favorite dishes include the Bravas Tomas, Steak Tartare, and the Cochinillo Iberico. MAD has one of the freshest Jamon Iberico dishes I have ever had- a must have dish. One thing I find extremely unique about MAD is the build your own paella- this makes it a fun experience for the entire table! To round out your meal, I highly recommend the Huevos Voladores- not just because they are award winning, but because they will take your tastebuds to places they have never gone before. If you are looking for an elevated, unique, and delectable experience, MAD is the place to be.

Location and overall decor was great - I agree with the rest of the high mark reviews. It was my First time at MAD (by the way - lately I do pay attention to the names chosen … TERRIBLE NAME)! The Mondays “all day happy hour” tapas selection is very limited compared to the size and grandiosity of the restaurant. The PORTION SIZE of the “SHARABLE 😁 tapa plate” , such as the roasted beets, was incredibly small, COMPARED to the tapa plates served in BARCELONA. High price for small plate I’d say… and high price altogether for a “tasting”! The flavors we’re about an 8/10, and service was also on the high mark. Complementary VALE parking, however the driver works for tips.

I took my husband to MAD for his birthday. When I booked the reservation, several weeks in advance, I wrote to the restaurant indicating we had food allergies. We cannot eat gluten or dairy. We got a very nice email back from the Kitchen Manager with a list of food that we could eat without getting sick. On the big day, we brought the email with the pre-approved list of foods and placed our order. I did this so I wouldn’t be high-maintenance. We just wanted to enjoy a nice meal out without the headache of worrying if we’d get poisoned. I ordered a drink first, it was fine. They switched the alcohol from gin to vodka. The chunk of watermelon at the end of the meal was one of my favorite parts. Then, the food. Even though we had a list of “approved foods”, one item came out and had flour in it. It was too bad because it looked like the best part of the meal. We had to have two waitstaff come over. Our waiter was keen to just have us eat it saying the blue cracker the fish was displayed on was just “flour”, not gluten. When I explained that flour WAS gluten, he retreated and a waitress came over to switch out the item to something else on our pre-approved list. We got the quail eggs on the nests. They were flavorless. Don’t get them. Seriously, they had no flavor whatsoever. The liquid olives were our favorite novelty food - so much so we ordered two plates. The side order of the pickled peppers were good too. But, they really weren’t anything I couldn’t get in a glass jar at a nice grocery store. Then the “Wood fired rice”, which we’ll refer to as “burnt offerings”. (Again - this is on the list of foods we can eat —>without aioli.) We ordered it properly, but the dish shows up with blobs of aioli on four pieces of fish. When we asked the waiter about this, he tried to brush it off and say, “It’s saffron aioli.” Yes, that’s still aioli! Why would that be ok after all the discussion we’ve already had? This is precisely why I did my homework. Then, he says, “I don’t understand. I told the cooks to make sure it wasn’t on there. But, it’s really just saffron.” I know what saffron looks like and I know what aioli looks like. I’m not in the service industry, but when someone with a food allergy tells you that something is not right with a plate - it is NOT right to continue trying to convince them to eat it. In the very least, it’s unethical. After making a mini-scene - totally uncomfortable, another waitress comes out and explains to our waiter what saffron is and agrees that the dish does in fact have aioli on four pieces of fish. The waiter scoops off the fish with the blobs of aioli and says he’ll bring us four more pieces of fish without dairy on them. So, we eat the now cold “wood fired rice” with four tiny shrimps that look pre-frozen. Seriously, I know this place is tapas, but serving rice as pretty much two layers of grains burnt to a cast iron pan is absurd. The rice was so burnt to the bottom of the pan, the waiter had to scrape it up to serve it. It was not elegant, interesting or fun to watch him do this. Definitely not a Benihana moment...more like a very uncomfortable, embarrassing moment for all involved. After we finish our burnt offerings (which had potential to be flavorful if it wasn’t so over-cooked and lacking in portion), we’re served a plate with four small pieces of cold, tasteless fish that came late to the party. It was pretty pathetic. I’d be shocked if this is how the chef foresaw his food being prepared and served. Even though we sent a dish back and another main dish was completely ruined, when we paid the bill with $100 bill and a credit card, the waiter actually asked if the cash was for tip or to be added to the bill. Really? For a birthday place, MAD sucks. I couldn’t recommend it less. It’s very much about vanity presentation and not about food, flavor, or quality. It’s definitely not safe for those of us dealing with food allergies, unless you want to scrutinize every single dish because the waitstaff cannot be trusted. I’d be shocked if this place is around in two years. After we finished, we left and got a burger.

Everything we tried was delicious, so delicately prepared and we really enjoyed it. The atmosphere of the whole place is unique, impressive decoration with several unique things that makes the place wonderful!!! Service was great too, every waiter that came to us was super friendly and respectful. The type pf food is completely amazing: exquisite and I would love to return to try the rest of the menu! Don’t miss to visit the restrooms! Best choices in menu:

Incredible food! Loved everything we ordered. Everything is small portion but very tasty. The scallops were excellent. Pea soup delicious. But the most amazing dish of all is the Foie Gras. I’ve never tasted anything so good in my life. Gorgeous restaurant.

I've been wanting to try this place for awhile now and finally got around to visiting! My husband and I went for restaurant week and was amazed by the interior decor and the food! They did an awesome job with the ambiance, it has such a nice vibe, with the live music and private art piece collections from Picasso and Salvador Dalí! We've always had an appreciation for gastronomy and MAD did not disappoint! The tapas were both delicious and playful, for the main entree I highly recommend the Fire & Ice, the sweetness of the piquillo pepper sorbet mixed with the creamy spinach on top of filet mignon really added another dimension of flavor! We also tried the restaurant week cocktail pairing and were blown away by how tasty the drinks were! We had their Gin & Tonic, some kind of spicy rum drink (sorry didn't catch the name of it), and the Carajillo. The staff were very attentive and friendly, and I love how their manager Andrew came and checked in on us and took the time to tell us about the art pieces in the restaurant! Overall we had such a spectacular time and can't wait to visit again!

It is the first time in Houston that I feel like eating in a good parisian restaurant : what a culinary / visual / musical experience ! The place is amazingly decorated, very modern & lounge Spanish style, colorful, intimate. Even the waiters have a surprising animal-smile face mask, that contributes to this impression of decadent & gorgeous location. The soundtrack during the week is electro, very trendy, and perfect for giving energy without transforming the place into a nightclub. It seems that a DJ comes during the WE. The food ... what a surprise ! All the tapas are « transformed », sometimes close to molecular cooking, definitively modern but with the taste of the tradition. Great Iberico Jamon, or oysters, or ... everything : tasted lovely and presented in an unusual way. Are we really in Houston ? Felt like Paris or NewYork cooking style 😉. Wines are perfectly chooses by the waiters, that are also very attentive to customers. We even got offered Nitro-Martini-Expressos to finish the meal ... Conclusion : this is now for me the best place in Houston ... sad I took 2 years to discover it, can’t wait to see how it is during WE now !😁

Hands down the most amazing meal we have had since moving to Houston. The tapas plates are phenomenal, as was the wood fired rice duck breast. Everything was cooked to perfection. The wine list was fantastic, our server Rosie was the absolute best. It was my birthday treat and we received a couple of tasters on the house - the grilled cheese with melon soup which was a wonderful surprise, 2 flavours I would never have combined myself but which were absolutely sublime together. I selected the manchego lava cake with raspberry wine sorbet for dessert and was not disappointed. Our server was not only knowledgeable about the menu itself, but offered great insight on cocktails and wine also Expensive, but worth every penny. 10/10 would recommend. Can't wait to go back again!

The Lamb was amazing, very nice atmosphere and staff treated us so well. Definitely my new favorite date night spot! I would even recommend for a company dinner.

Lousy. Pretentious restaurant, catastrophic service and totally ordinary cuisine. The sommelier served us glasses with a bottle that had been open for 2 days!! Ashamed. All this for at least $100/person.

Short Version: A great, hip, out-of-the-ordinary place for Spanish Tapas in River Oaks. Excellent. Very satisfying experience. YES, we would go back. Longer Version: Met a local Houston client at MAD, and despite being a Wednesday night it was crowded. We had no reservations, and the tables were full, and opted to sit at one of the "kitchen view" seats, which actually were not too bad to be at. Started with a Sangria and a glass of the Scala Red Blend. Very nice on both. The wine and beer list was a pleasant change (on the better side) that your typical restaurant cocktail/wine lists. Had the Ham croquettes, "Mad N' Beef", Boca Calamares (Calamari), Cod Fritters, and the mini Lobster with sherry and lemon cream. All EXCELLENT. Very nice preparation and the flavors and textures went well with the wines/cocktails. Ana was our server and she was also Excellent - there when you needed her and great attitude to boot. Highly recommend - decor is very well done. Great job folks. Tip: Get reservations - this place is very popular.

Loved it! The service was outstanding and food inspired. The octopus and oysters were delicious. Great wine list. Dessert was very good and we enjoyed our cocktails. Very modern decor. We really enjoyed our visit and will be back. Worth the prices for sure. Enjoy!

We had an unforgettable experience at MAD, and it wouldn't have been the same without the exceptional guidance and expertise of Remington. From the moment we walked in, he made us feel warmly welcomed, creating an inviting atmosphere that set the tone for the rest of the evening. He took the time to explain each dish's ingredients, making our dining experience educational and engaging. Remington checked on us, making sure everything was to our satisfaction. His genuine interest in our dining experience made us feel valued and appreciated as customers. In addition to his impressive knowledge, his passion for the restaurant and its culinary knowledge was evident in every interaction. His enthusiasm was infectious, and it added an extra layer of enjoyment to our evening. We left with not only satisfied palates but also a newfound appreciation for Spanish cuisine and culture. We highly recommend this place to anyone seeking a memorable dining experience filled with great ambiance and delectable dishes. Five stars all the way! Bravo to Remington and the entire team for creating such a wonderful dining experience. Don't forget to order the BCN gin and tonic, and jamón ibérico. We will undoubtedly be back soon!

Extremely expensive. Wine list is so so and it felt more like a bar than a restaurant. I will probably not be going back. I had 2 glasses of wine that cost me $60 and had purchased a bottle of the same wine earlier in the day at a different restaurant for $39.00 (entire bottle).

The food is delicious and Julio was in charge of my table. He gave me great recommendations. Everything tasty. I will definitely visit again this place.

MAD is a new concept for the Houston restaurant scene. I have been coming to Houston for over 20 years and I am happy there are now many different options. The decor at MAD is 2nd to none and the food was great but needs some perfecting. Hopefully, with time they will reach the same consistency as BCN. Will be back on my next visit.

Too bad the music completely ruins the experience. My ears are still ringing this morning. From dinner. Not from a club. Not from dancing. Not from a concert. From what was supposed to be a fun dinner catching up with family and friends. Just like what it looked like everyone else in the restaurant was hoping to do. Nobody looked like they were ready to hop and dance. They were all screaming over the music trying to hear each other but failing. We finally stopped trying. The food was excellent. The service was excellent. The design was awesome. The music ruined it all. As we left, each person stated they would NEVER go back there again. I understand turning up the music around 9 if that’s the environment you want to create - even though nobody looking like they wanted it. But to have it cranked up at 7 just made for a terrible yet incredibly expensive experience that won’t be repeated by anyone in our group.

This was the most amazing experience I had for a while. Food was incredible, Service was warm, Knowledgeable and professional. The atmosphere was magical. I'LL BE BACK

It is a joke and an insult to the great cuisine from Spain. Not even a warm environment: too loud and the host was very impersonal, cold and distant. The price is ridiculous high considering the unbelievably low food size and quality.

Such a great experience, the restaurant has great ambience. My favorite item on the menu were the “huevos voladores”, they were delicious!! Maddie was our host and she did an excellent job, answered all of our questions and provided a great experience for our family. Would definitely recommend this place to everyone, 10/10 experience! Will be back!

We've been delighted with BCN, the sister restaurant for MAD, for a number of years, so we expected a true expression of the cuisine of Madrid. We didn't find it. Perhaps it is because the restaurant is trimmed down to a minimum for lunch, but we did go around 1:00 pm. The interior is trendy, metallic, with somewhat louder than expected music. It was mostly empty when we arrived, although a few tables filled up over the next hour. We had a delightful waiter: helpful, polite, unobtrusive but efficient. However, he could use some refinement: pouring for the ladies before the men; clearing the table of crumbs between courses, and other subtleties that might be too much to expect from a place like MAD. The first wine we ordered, a Rioja white, was corky. We returned it and got a second one that was fine, without any argument. A plus for the restaurant! The menu was surprisingly minimalist. We expected a list of Spanish tapas, but there were perhaps 6 choices if you include the gazpacho and the salads. The jamon iberico was perfectly sliced and tastefully arranged and served. the empanadillas were the highlight of our meal pulled pork, well seasoned, and served at the right temperature with a mango-apricot chutney. What a delight! The pulpo a la Gallega was disappointing: there were about 6 thin slices of octopus sitting over a layer of sliced potatoes, which in turn, were sitting on a thick slab of mashed potatoes. Potatoes with potatoes? Clearly a filler. The lobster roll was similarly padded: about 70% of it was bread, with 4 small chucks of lobster, and the rest the celery/mayo persillade. The Huevos al Nido was again mostly bread, with a lonely poached egg and some mushrooms in the middle. Delicious, but clearly presented to make you think it is more than what it really is. Kudos for the Torta de Santiago and the cafes. At the end of the meal, we felt disappointed. We didn't find the selection of "tapas" we came for, and with the exception of the empanadillas and the Torta de Santiago, we got more "fillers" than substance. For what we got, the place is overpriced and not representative of the cuisine of Madrid. We will return one evening to give it another chance to prove itself, but for this first visit, the score is average, to be quite generous.

This restaurant was incredible! The drinks were adventurous, the food was superb, and we loved every moment of the ambiance and service. The build your own paella program was so fun!!! I heard great things about their brunch - will have to try that next!

MAD is short for Madrid, hence that's the airport code for Madrid.. clever right? MAD's theme is gravitating around the Madrid's most popular dishes, from tapas, to seafood, and rice. My fiancé booked this place for my birthday because we have been hearing about the hype. We weren't too pleased with it being a "reservation" only restaurant. I understand you are trying to be upscale but for people who want to come and experience the drinks at the bar.. there really should be a walk in option. Our server was Dezmine, he was attentive, knowledgable, and assertive. He advised us to order our appetizer and entrees at the same time because of the kitchen time. I had ordered a Sandia and my husband ordered the Sirenita. When I had asked for the Sandia, Dezmine had said "let me see if there's any available".. First of all, how do you guys run out of a drink? Nonetheless, it was brought so on to the next topic. Food: Steak Tartar (3/5): The presentation was 5/5! The steak tartar came out wrapped in edible Houston Chronicle newspaper. It was very creative. The dish tasted a little salty. Oysters (3/5): Again, the presentation was key but the oysters were very small. I enjoyed the dry ice smoke effect! Salmon Ahumado (2/5): There wasn't anything special or memorable about this dish other than that it was salty. Sobrasada (1/5): We were recommended this dish and I will never order this again! It was doused in salt and I felt like I would get high cholesterol just tasting this dish. Bone In Ribeye (4/5): Yummy! This was definitely our most favorite meal! So juicy and melts right in your mouth. I would definitely come here again just because the ambiance is very chic and sexy. I hope they change their reservation only option because they are losing customers that way. Hopefully I get a better food experience next time I come. Kudos to the architecture of the place! 5/5 for the ambiance.

Great Scene Fabulous decor Incredible wine list Crafted cocktails Very knowledgeable waiter Super attentive staff Did I mention the food? As a frequent traveler to Madrid and Barcelona the food was prepared as expected.

MAD has to be the coolest restaurant in Houston. Amazing atmosphere, hot people, great music but the STAR of the show is the DUCK SALAD. I could eat it every day of my life and would die happy. Everything else on the menu tastes delicious too. Service is impeccable. Love this joint!

Started off HRW with a visit to MAD, a Spanish restaurant with the catchy slogan "MAD to the moon!" For good reason because our experience was out of this world! The delicious tapas were a culinary delight, bursting with flavor and creativity. The fun and imaginative cocktails, especially their Fruito Prohibido, added a unique fun twist to the experience. My guests and I were absolutely blown away by the fantastic service and hospitality. MAD is a must-visit for those seeking a memorable dining adventure and they have a stellar Houston Restaurant Week menu.

MAD made me mad. I went here to have a late lunch with my wife. Made reservations for 2 pm. When they sat us down they tried to rush us to order because “we’re closing the kitchen soon to get ready for dinner.” The last thing I want is to feel rushed to order at a restaurant I’ve never been to on a date with my wife. Maybe don’t accept 2 pm reservations if you close at 2, since we didn’t know they closed at 2. Or maybe don’t announce you’re closing the kitchen soon and need us to order quickly. Edit: I forgot to mention that since it was 2pm and they were “closing the kitchen”, there were only 2 other tables with customers but our waiter didn’t check on us for 15+ minutes. I didn’t even see him (or anyone) to wave him down for drink refills. Edit 2: Now they have replied that I’ve been dishonest. I don’t write many reviews on google because they either have to wow me or disappoint me. MAD disappointed me enough to write a review. They disappointed me enough to come back and edit my review twice. 2pm. 2:24pm. Whatever time they want to say we arrived doesn’t matter to me. We found the restaurant on google, google said it was open, we made reservations for 2pm the same day at 1pm. We arrive and “they close the kitchen at 2.” Then don’t allow reservations at 2pm. That simple. We didn’t know they closed. We didn’t need to feel rushed even if we arrived at your presumed time of 2:24 and they were “accommodating us”. We didn’t need to be ignored for 15+ minutes after we received our food. Did the wait staff also close at 2?

After waiting 4 weeks for a reservation, we were finally able to go check MAD out. I had been to BCN many times but as soon as you walk into the hostess stand, you know this is a completely different concept. From the spinning mirrors to the neon bathroom lights, no one can argue that the visuals are not there. For the food - we tried a lot of the tapas on the menu and I can say that most of them were great. Top - Serranito, Bravas Tomas, Txistorra, Pato Paella, and the Rib Eye... Needs work - Mad Tomato. Can't wait to come back!

Well I went to mad to celebrated my brother birthday and they just made his birthday bad !!! The hostess he is a young guy he doesn’t have a nice attitude to work as a hostess and we invited another friend to sit with us at the bar and they don’t let her even to go in !! I love the food in this restaurant but with this customer services I really don’t want to go back !! I just want to say thank u to Frankie the bartender for the good service he gave to us !!! But I really upset about the service

Excellent dinning experience. Service was outstanding. The variety of menu items was great, presentation of the dishes awesome and the quality of the food was amazing. Definitely I’ll go back. Plus parking is very easy n convenient.

Omg I’m so disappointed in this restaurant! Where is the Integrity! We pulled up we parked we walked in we got showed to our table. Asked our waiter is this the Tuck Room he then said “YES”..... I looked down at the menu which says MAD.... so I said did y’all change y’all name he said “YES”! I looked at my partner and he said ok this does not look like the website... I agree the cost was off and the items on the menu were not the same. This looked like a nice restaurant quality service but we were not in the mood for that type of place. So we decided to leave end up eating at another place in the same area. As we sat there eating we saw a sign for the Tuck Room. We walked over to find the REAL TUCK ROOM. Omg I’m so upset the deceit, misconceptions, the fraud!!! We might have stayed or even come back but $%?€ that! Word of mouth no one I know will ever eat here!!!! I wish I could give it negative stars!

Overall good drink and dessert for a quick stop after the movies. Service was good. Music was nice and not too loud sitting outside in the garden. Definitely one of those places that tries a bit too much to be hip and cool.

The first words out of the hostess mouth were "You have 2 hours on your reservation" This is a real breech of etiquette in Spain where you have to directly ask for a check. We do not camp out at a table to be seen. The house music was so loud I could not hear our server. This is a disappointment as we eat at BCN on a regular basis and it is a much more accommodating experience. The food however was excellent but most of that was lost in ultra-lounge vibe.

Loved the atmosphere, decor , music, everything about this place is amazing. Food is pricey but good. Don’t order Paella, it’s a disappointment for the price you pay, rice is a little sticky and textured , they scape it off the pan in front of you and the burnt bottom gets mixed up with the top something the chef is offering but it’s tasteless with just a few pieces of your choice of suckling pig ( good) or lobster ( not that good) Their sardines bruschetta are delicious, iberico ham is my #1 favorite tapas and dessert is better than the entire dinner menu and a must try. Cocktails are tempting with a colorful description and ingredients but I prefer my dirty martini instead !

Not even worth a minute for this review...food was cold, salty, bland and way over priced. This is nothing like Madrid. Service was horrible and extremely rude. I don't see this place being around very long. Atmosphere is nice, but so is the hamburger place across from it. Save your money and dine elsewhere. My wife made me take her out to dinner afterwards because the portions were so small and not worth re-ordering. 20 bucks for mediocre drinks did not help either.

Went with friends. Restaurant is pretty but, so is my backyard which is where we should have had dinner. Service was just ok. The drinks were good but expensive. Now for the food. It’s a tapas place so expect small portions but, not at the price they are asking. Maybe if the food had have been amazing I would have been less upset but the food was lack luster. They are trying to copy Jose Andres Jaleo. Well.. They missed. Not even close and Jaleo, which is an expensive restaurant but, not as expensive as MAD. Just “mad” I wasted good money on this place. Only reason I did not give them one star was drinks and venue. You have a great venue. But something needs to change. Recommend you rethink portion size, prices and retrain your chefs. If you don’t you will not last in Houston.

The River Oaks district is not a place where you find door guys...but this place decided to have one for some reason. Went there to meet a friend and the door guy made us wait in line15 minutes as he let other people in as we were just going to the bar. Next thing I know he says "It's not going to happen" in a very rude manner. Not sure why he made us wait in line, maybe to make it look like it was more happening. Then the security guys starts filming us and calls the security (which are Houston Police Officers) saying we are being a disturbance and cannot be near their sidewalk...although they share a sidewalk with about 20 other stores. Anyway, I won't spend a penny at this place as there are so many establishments here where you get great customer service and they don't threaten to call cops on people just because they think they are cool. News flash....your a door guy and it yours job to be nice to customers. Attaching a photo of the rude employees, please address their customer relation manners. I had to film the entire incident as they were getting police involved and they were the ones who were out of bounds.

We had a lovely meal here on a beautiful day and were genuinely impressed by everything: the relaxed atmosphere, the absolutely delicious food, and the impeccable service. We sat outside on the charming street terrace, surrounded by elegant historic buildings. We ordered a platter of local cheeses and cured meats, all top quality, along with a savory tart that was simply delicious. Everything was perfectly paired with a refreshing glass of white wine. Our waiter was extremely kind, attentive, and friendly, which made the experience even more enjoyable. I wholeheartedly recommend this place – for the food, the vibe, and the outstanding service! We’ll definitely come back!

We are huge fans of BCN so we were expecting more along those lines. MAD is hip and very much a place to see and be seen. Food is good but not worthy of the price tag. If you are looking for a high energy night spot then this is perhaps the place for you.

Cool-ish atmosphere, delicious tapas served by knowledgeable service minded waiters. A truly enjoyable dinner.

The Liquid Olives are fantastic! The drinks are delicious. The smokey drinks are fun too. The hostess and Service staff were so very nice. Great recommendations for drinks and food. I'd definitely will be back!!!!

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! One of the best dining experiences I have ever had! The atmosphere is wonderful. Our server, Josh, was outstanding....so fun and made great recommendations for drinks and the food. I highly recommend this place and I can't wait to go back again!

It was my daughter's birthday. She lived in Spain for a few years and was anxious to try this restaurant. And it did not disappoint! First of all it is an absolutely beautiful space and if you get the opportunity, have one of the staff explain all the art etc. One of the people in our party is vegan and the server, David, was just wonderful explaining to her how they could accomodate her. We tried 5 of the appetizers: Ultimate croqueta, Artichoke hearts (table favorite), ginger roll (beautiful presentation - yummy but a tad on the spicy side), Potatoes (don't remember what they are called but delicious!), Ultimate croqueta, and the incredible tomato appetizer. It is a work of art and definitely worth getting. A true gastro experience and what a delightful treat! OK on to our dinners. Daughter had the Grilled Pulpo (octopus) and said it was just like she remembered in Spain. We all took bites and it was wonderful. Vegan had a paella which was scrumptious and also beautifully plated. Sister and I shared the lamb chops - more than enoughfor two. They were perfectly cooked and luscious. The highlight though had to be the dessert. It is called Huevos Voladores and is out of this world. Was voted Best Dessert in Houston and I'd go back just for it!! Absolutely heavenly meal. And thanks again to David who was extremely helpful. And to Luis, the chef, who came to our table and spoke to us for a few minutes. Marvelous people and restaurant!

The service was quite good and friendly. The food was super delicious, the rice dishes were delicious, the dishes were of quality and super well served. Maybe the prices are a little higher, especially for drinks, good for everything.