The Bravermans’ less-than-stellar evening at Monarch during Houston Restaurant Weeks spurred several readers to share their stories.
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Among them were Constance W. Rieger, who writes:

“After reading about the Bravermans’ odyssey at the Monarch Restaurant I felt compelled to tell you about our experience at Perry’s in Memorial City for Houston Restaurant Weeks.
“My husband, Mark, and I joined three other couples for a reservation at 7:30 p.m. Friday. When we arrived, part of our group was already seated in one of the dining rooms off the main area. This Perry’s is cavernous. I had no idea what to expect, but we were given the HRW menu, which offered three salad choices, three entrées (pork chop, chicken or filet) and three desserts. Our very nice waiter Zach had no problem with four separate checks, and we all ordered our meals after appetizers and cocktails.
“I was shocked at the size of the portions — I had the pear and pecan salad, which was huge. The Wedge Salad was a third of a head of iceberg lettuce. For the entrée, I had the Chicken Oscar and my husband ordered the pork chop. Again, amazement — I received two grilled chicken breasts topped with lump crab meat and béarnaise sauce. The pork chop was massive — fully 4 inches thick and, when served, it was separated into the loin, ribs and a third portion. The desserts were also wonderful, including my choice of the trio selection: a truffle, crème brûlée and a tiny cheesecake. The Bananas Foster Mark ordered was prepared table side and also spectacular in itself.
“For $35, it was amazing and wonderful meal and worth much more. I suggest the Bravermans try Perry’s next summer for HRW.”

Perry's Steakhouse: 9827 Katy Freeway, 832-358-9000

Jesse Duvall writes:

“Michelle Braverman has perhaps been reminded that hotel dining is rarely high quality. The Monarch restaurant in the Hotel ZaZa sounds like a typical hotel clip joint. The best place to dine is a restaurant, not a hotel that plans on having a captive audience from guests.
When you first walk into a restaurant, if you don’t like the vibe or if the surroundings or staff are not welcoming, it is best to walk right back out.
“If I go to a restaurant for the first time and the place looks OK, but the chef is grossly obese, I walk right back out. I don’t dine where the food is unhealthy. Healthy food and cleanliness are always requirements.
“Michelle should stick with the restaurants that are consistently very good and stop going to new places that may soon fade away. Being a loyal, regular patron of a restaurant brings you extra-good service. And generous tips will increase your dining pleasure at your favorite places.”

Audrey Middlebrooke writes:

“Although my husband and I don’t go out to eat often, I read the Whine + Dine column as a matter of interest (and entertainment). In my opinion, the response of Matthew Nuss about the diner’s experience at Monarch Restaurant was woefully lacking. Nowhere was there evidence of an apology for the Bravermans’ bad experience. It was as if it was their fault for not realizing the type of eating place they had chosen.
“If the Monarch Restaurant is a bistro, then change the name on the door.”