The Inn At Dos Brisas

We had several days planned for a prime suite here in early December, including a family dinner and a separate 40^th wedding anniversary dinner. While on the road to Texas from Pennsylvania, we received a call from a distraught reservations lady at Dos Brisas, followed by a less detailed email. She stated that the owner had arrived at the office that morning and declared that the entire establishment was to be shut down, effective immediately, for two or three months, and all reservations were to be cancelled. She also indicated in passing that the chef was to be replaced, which may or may not be related to this peculiar action.
We’ve traveled at quality establishments here and abroad for decades, and have never heard of such boorish behavior except with bankruptcy, which is not the case here — and at a Releais & Chateaux no less. No offer of a comp, no management apology, nothing but a slammed door.
Stranded on the eve of our long-​anticipated 40^th anniversary celebration, we nonetheless managed to obtain alternative lodging at the Murski Homestead B&B in nearby Brenham. It was a hugely different but nonetheless delightful experience.
Notifying guests two days in advance that their stays, agreed to weeks in advance, have been canceled on a whim speaks for itself. Needless to say, we would camp out at an EconoLodge before giving this establishment a single dollar ever again.
Before posting this, I called to check on the closure status. They indicate they expect to continue to be shut down until sometime in February.

Everything about Dos Brisas is excellent. The grounds and haciendas are beautiful, spacious, and immaculately maintained. The staff are very capable and accommodating. The food is over the top delicious. We are repeat customers and always enjoy our stay.

We have had a wonderful stay here. Dinner last night was excellent, especially the tile. The wine pairings were perfect. The casita was very nice, with a fireplace that we used since it is cold. After a nice nights sleep and a very good breakfast of eggs and fruit, my wife had a wonderful massage and I went trap shooting, both fun and relaxing. It is about time to go, but we will be back!

If you need a small or large amount of pampering this is the place. Staff greet you by your name when you arrive, no detail is left undone. Your arrival is announced by calling the hotel from the phone at the gate, security lives here. Staff do live on the property.
Pristine grounds, every need is seen to. Kat, the activities director, assists in keeping you busy, golf is near by at the Brenham Country Club, clay shooting far enough away that you won’t be pinged. There is no spa on site, but it is possible to have a massage in your room via reservation. Your golf cart will assist you in exploration, remember to keep it charged.
Plunge in the pool or hang in the outdoor shower and pinch yourself that you are in a place with no screaming children, you may bring up to two dogs for a fee, kids are not encouraged. Superior to a Sandals resort, couples only format.
Watching a sunset from your patio or sharing space with other adults, the kitchen with the butler door (so your food arrives in your room privately) like magic, combined with the swinging daybed in the sunroom coupled with architectural digest décor makes for a 5 star experience.
There are numerous wow factors, not to mention the presentation of meals, the attentiveness of the staff, the selection of wines, the list is endless. The best time to go here is of course during the week.
Eager to return, FYI, the place is sold out for Thanksgiving.
Tis pricey, and memorable.

My husband and I stayed at Inn at Dos Brisas for two nights last weekend in the Jasmin casita to celebrate our anniversary. This place was amazing, where do I begin as we certainly did not want to leave and cannot wait to go back! A little over an hour from home but felt a world away. The property is so relaxing and the staff was the epitome of hospitality. Definitely a splurge but worth every penny!
Upon check-​in to our casita we were greeted with a bottle of wine and cheese tray. We had intended to spend the afternoon lounging by the pool but could not get up from the chaise lounges on our back porch with view of the horses.
Activities:
Farm Tour: Farmer Lisa gave us a very educational and tasty farm tour, showing all the organic gardening and crops. We were even given a veggie basket to take home and enjoy.
Trail Ride & Picnic: This was my husband’s first time to ride a horse, despite being a native Texan, and Rick made him very comfortable in the saddle as we enjoyed a trail ride around the property followed by a delicious romantic picnic lunch under a shade tree near the heart pond.
The food!!!: Chef Zach and Sommelier Thomas are so talented as each dish and wine were expertly prepared and selected. The first night we had the 7 course dinner with wine pairings and the second night we had the special 12 course tasting menu with wine pairings which ended up being 16 courses b/​c Chef Zach had some many delicious items for us to try. Between the food and the wine we really felt like we had traveled the world but in reality were barely an hour from home. The 12+ course dinner was one of the best dining experiences we’ve ever had. The meals combined with farm tour was a true farm to table experience. We also thoroughly enjoyed the breakfast which was a good mix of fruit, pastries, yogurt, eggs, and bacon. And the Sunday brunch could not be beat, the perfectly appetizer portion omelette and the fantastic chicken and waffles were the perfect way to wrap up the trip. Ashley and Stephanie were also entertained us as they served our courses at various meals.

I echo Aaron below — the hacienda was luxury at its finest. The shower was as if you were bathing in a cavern, which I found very fitting w/​the ranch/​escape from Houston theme. The 7-​course meal was included in my stay, and I enjoyed every bite. Many of the dishes included unique, organic vegetables, which I tried for the first time (like romanesco). The staff was personal and clearly invested in my stay. The 7-​course meal was also very reasonably priced when compared to similar fine-​dining experiences within the city of Houston. Overall, a great place to treat a loved one.

My husband and I celebrated our first year anniversary here with brunch this morning. We agreed to take turns arranging our anniversary celebrations and the first one was mine. Taking him to Dos Brisas for brunch helped make it an amazing celebration.
Upon arrival we were offered a comfortable seat on the quiet patio with a mimosa to start. It was a beautiful way to start our meal. Not only was the view gorgeous, but the mimosa was the best I’ve had — freshly squeezed orange juice.
The service was impeccable. The staff were very attentive but we never felt hassled. Also, they were very friendly and personable.
We chose to eat inside which was also beautiful and peaceful. Although there were other people dining at the same time as us, it almost felt as though we had the place to ourselves. The tables are arranged so that you have privacy while sharing the dining space. Not something you come across very often.
The food was very good. We loved the simplicity of some of the dishes and the fact that the vegetables were organically grown on the premises. I don’t want to over-​simplify the meal and its presentation though. The plates were, in my opinion, just fussy enough without being over done. We could see and taste what we were eating rather than searching for what we ordered underneath a pool of sauces and decorations. Every single bite was delicious and we left wanting more.
Thank you for helping us make our first anniversary so special. We will definitely be back!

I must say this is the largest hidden gem in Texas. I recently went to Dos Brisas for an overnight stay. Wow, I had no idea this sort of place existed in Texas. The luxury and beautiful setting made it a perfect place to get away. The Haciendas are world class individual homes on the grounds. When I arrived, Champaigne, cheese, finger foods were all there waiting just for me. The Hacienda has a glorious layout, and it has its own private heating pool in your very own patio.
We did a little clay shooting one afternoon. Toured the grounds with a guide. Then watched some cutting horse exercises. These animals are amazing. The cowboys are the real deal. If we wanted, we could have fished, gone hunting… really anything our hearts desired. The staff is there to serve!
And for our last grand experience at Dos Brisas, the dining was beyond compare. Touting itself as the only 5 start restaurant in Texas was hard to believe until you have experienced it. This place is over the top and worth every penny it cost.
Treat yourself to luxury in a beautiful Texas nature setting. Just do it!

I have to update my review because of the way that my guests have been treated after my wedding at Dos Brisas. One of my guests felt harassed by their manager and left a honest (though not so nice) review on Trip Advisor. Instead of trying to resolve this directly with the guest as advised in Customer Service 101, they are now threatening legal action, without ever once speaking with my guest directly about the matter.
Again, food was wonderful, staff was very helpful and attentive, surroundings beautiful, but I cannot give this place the 5 stars it once had. Go for dinner, but don’t stay any longer.

I was lucky enough to share my 60^th birthday with six lady friends at the Inn recently and I couldn’t have asked for a more wonderful celebration. We were spoiled from the minute we arrived with our every wish anticipated and fulfilled. The beautiful site, skeet shooting, horseback riding and lots of extras thrown in just to make our visit unforgettable. A cutting horse demonstration, the best breakfast scones I have ever eaten, outstanding adult beverages and the food… Yikes. The level of service was to die for and given with casual grace and elegance. At this place… it’s all about the guest. I highly recommend the Inn and hope to return some day.
Marilyn E

If I could give it 6 stars, I happily would.
This is not your average restaurant… With a 5 star rating on food and service you know what to expect and they hit a grand slam every time. Each course provoked interest and thought. If your returning to Dos Brisas don’t expect the same menu. They have a rotating menu that screams freshness. The produce comes out of their garden fresh everyday. If there was a cretin dish you had here before and you are expecting the same menu you may want to call them, with enough time to adjust, and they are normally happy to make it happen for you.
I’ve read some other reviews and some people are complaining about the price, but I don’t think they have experience with these kind of restaurants. It is very fairly priced, If you consider getting the best of products going into each individual dish in a marriage of culinary perfection. The service is the best part, it complements the atmosphere and style of this gastronomes paradise, with professionalism and dignity. To those people who are intimidated by the price tag, I feel compelled to remind them, you get what you pay for, as well as world class service and meals are sooo worth it. Treat yourself.
I’ve eaten there twice now and sincerely can not wait to go back!

If it were in Europe the establishment would be 3 Michelin stars, the tasting menu was a taste sensation (although I would leave the rabbit out). Staff have excellent knowledge of their products and conducted themselves with reserve and poise

Hmm — trying to decided what stars to give. Food was pretty good. Service, while attentive, was OFF. I left annoyed and wishing for my $ 200 bucks+ per head back.
We had a group of ten — made reservations for a special dinner. Most of our party had been there before and had loved it, so I was excited for something really special. We arrived at 6:30 on a Friday night — the entire night we only saw two other customers, so it was like having the place to ourselves. We went into the bar and had some amazing cocktails. They were quite expensive, but truly some of the best drinks that you can imagine. At this point I was happy, but a little red flag went off when it was taking a really long time to get drinks and we were the only guests.
Then they shuffled us outside to a private dining room. The room was freezing. It was deathly quiet. I asked several times for some music or something to warm up the atmosphere. Although we could clearly see speakers they couldn’t figure out how to work them. They couldn’t seem to adjust the lighting, and there weren’t any candles or anything. So instead of feeling special it felt sterile and cold.
We were not allowed to choose from the menu, I guess due to the size of our party, so we all did a 7 course tasting menu. Those can be a lot of fun, as we are a bunch of foodies, but I felt that the explanations of the courses were inadequate. Some of the courses were quite good, but nothing really blew me away. And the service felt odd — there were plenty of servers, but they all seemed unwilling to actually speak to us.
We got there at 6:30 and ended up leaving at 11:00. You don’t want to be rushed on a night like that, but 4.5 hours is a bit much. It felt like a long, drawn out lesson in sterile frigidity. For $ 2,100 I am absolutely underwhelmed.

Simply the finest service, food and décor I have ever seen. If you don’t go — you will regret it. At $ 304.00 for brunch for four, it is pricey but also very memorable. Go!

It’s like Disneyland for Foodies! Can I get a 6^th star?
We live in Houston and had a nice drive through the country. When we arrived today for Brunch, two greeters were on the driveway to take the car and welcome us. I loved that Cameron shook my hand and did it in a way that I immediately felt at ease… not rushed and with genuine interest!
The brunch menu was filled with delights making it hard to choose just one from each category. As a crab cake aficionado, I am a tough critic. The crab cakes at Dos Brisas are some of the best I have ever. The blue fin tuna steak was cooked to perfection with an amazing balance of a soy sauce reduction. The berry and lemongrass sorbet was fantastic. And oh, the chocolate bread pudding… YUM!
At the end of the meal, the check had the details of our meal written in calligraphy on card stock with a personalized thank you note. WOW!
The food was spectacular. The service was exceptionally brilliant. And I would love to go back.

My boyfriend and I celebrated our anniversary at the restaurant a while back. We were staying in Brenham for the weekend, where there’s not a whole lot of fine dining to choose from.
Driving 30 minutes through the East Texas countryside to find this hidden inn was such a great change of pace and scenery. We didn’t have any idea what to expect, so when we pulled up we were pleasantly surprised by the beautiful property and valet service.
There were only a few other groups in the restaurant when we arrived, and halfway through our dinner we were the only ones left, so we had very good service. The food was absolutely delicious, and the whole experience made for the perfect romantic dinner. I’m sure we’ll be back.

Yes, the grounds and building are beautiful. The food is about an 8 out of 10. Which, for this part of Texas, would normally make this quite a find!
Unfortunately, for a 5 star restaurant and $ 100+ tasting menu, you expect the service to keep up with the reputation, view, and price.
In this case, it quite disappoints. In fact, what made it worse, is that the Inn advertises itself as being highly focused on customer’s needs, with language like «we cater to your every whim».
In my experience, at least, they catered to about 20% of our whims.
Upon arriving for our dinner, we went to the beautiful patio and pool area to have wine and enjoy the fantastic May weather. After a $ 200 wine purchase and 20 minutes, we asked if we could order a few appetizers on the patio. Answer: «No, we won’t serve any food out here. There are bugs.» We never saw a single bug and we would have liked to have been the ones to make this decision.
5 minutes later, we were told «we’d really like you to leave the patio and come inside now, since we have a large party arriving shortly, and we need to start serving you now.»
We felt rushed and unable to enjoy the amazing outdoor beauty.
And after taking our seats int he dining room, about 20 minutes later the «large party’ arrived. All 6 of them. That’s right … we were rushed into dinner and asked to forgo more amazing time on the patio, because they weren’t willing to figure out how to serve our table of 3 at the same time as another table of 6.
Later on during our meal, we had these fantastic tomato appetizers, but they only had about 3 «cherry» tomato-​sized pieces per person. My step-​mom loved this dish, and she can’t eat a whole lot of food after her cancer surgery, so I asked the waitress if my step-​mom could order another plate of the tomatoes. «No, we are running low on them.»
So, maybe some folks will still enjoy the views and food and not be bothered by the dismal, non-​customer-​focused service.
These people will unfortunately just not be me.

In case you need a primer on what 5 star restaurants are really like I encourage you to drive into the Hill Country a few miles East of Brenham to the Inn at Dos Brisas. Best I can figure, this restaurant is the only one that rates 5 stars in Texas from Mobil’s Travel Guide. No other 5 star meals in either Dallas or Houston, according to The Guide. Fearings? Pyles? Nana? French Room? All 4’s in their book.
Wow, this place is the best kept secret or what? I asked my Dallas and Houston foodie friends if they had ever been there and none had even heard of it. I got the news about this place from the guys over at Cultured Cup who have some kind of knack for all things fine. Since Mrs. G and I planned to be wandering through Hill Country bluebonnet fields over a recent April weekend I booked reservations for Sunday Brunch.
As you drive up their long driveway the landscape is almost idyllic. We saw folks lazily riding horses through fields of Indian Paint Brush and Bluebonnets. A guy who looked like a caretaker took a break from driving his lawn tractor and was fishing in their stock pond. Up by the ranch house, the large patio and gorgeous pool beckoned us. After the hour or so drive from Houston, we opted instead to rest for a few moments on the porch chairs with a couple of their signature Bloody Mary’s, a veritable vegetable garden soaked with vodka and tomato juice. It was such a beautiful view on a perfect spring day that we almost regretted going inside to their lovely dining area.
The menu for Sunday Brunch offered a few choices in each of three courses for a fixed price of $ 59, which is a steal in my opinion given the quality of food and service. For the first course Mrs. G chose duck confit while I had, if I recall correctly, a lovely lentil salad. Sorbet came between courses to cleanse the palate then for the main course we had halibut and their beef selection. Mrs. G usually skips dessert but this time she ate ever bit of hers and some of my apple caramel treat. They offered outstanding wines by the glass from several regions, so we opted to try some French choices. Our favorites were the Drouhin Burgandy and the Calvet Thunevin Cote du Roussillon Hugo. Service, as you might imagine, was exceptional. What I liked best was that everyone from the receptionist to the servers to Isabel, the proprietor, engaged with us to form a near-​perfect experience that I would call unpretentious and relaxing.
I must keep going. They have a large organic garden that is the initial home of the amazing vegetables they serve. Their website claims to have an 8,000 bottle wine cellar and I wish I had asked for a tour. We did not stay in their casitas; however, I can only imagine that staying on-​site would surely make for a magnificent weekend experience. Ok, I’ll stop now and simply dream of the next opportunity to return.