I was looking forward to meeting a friend here for dinner. Since I had already been to the Round…read moreRock location, I had confidence the food would be good here as well. With this place coming up on almost 500 Yelp reviews and sitting at four+ stars, that says something. It's located at a convenient location on 51st just a few blocks from I 35 and sits at the corner of Lancaster beneath three stories of apartments. There's only about six parking spaces available in front of the restaurant, otherwise you'll have to park in some other retail spaces further away. Inside it's quite small and intimate with about a dozen tables on the floor and 8 chairs at the bar. They do post some daily specials on the board when you walk in or you can stick to the menu. They do have a wine menu, but it's only limited to 22 choices at 2-3 times retail. We started off with some fried cheese ravioli and calamari. I loved the light breading on the calamari rings and no tentacles were included. My main course of chicken Parmesan was some of the best I've ever had. My guest enjoyed his entrée of shrimp and muscles. We washed it all down with a glass of their organic primativo. We then finished it all off with a dense chocolate fudge cake. You can easily spend $200 a couple for apps, entrées, wine, dessert, and tip. We showed up on a Friday evening without a reservation and there was just a few people in the restaurant, but it's best to make reservations for Valentines. If you're looking for pizza, you won't find it on the menu here. It's a place I'd come back to. Check out the informative photos.

I was less enthusiastic about this establishment than was my dining partner, Steve W…read more On a Friday night, Gino's was less than 1/5 full ... So other people might share my point of view. However, there was really only one objective thing wrong with Gino's on 51st street. Everything else was a matter of personal taste. Personal tastes can vary in what one wants to see in an American Italian restaurant. * * * The only objective fail was a fried calamari appetizer. The fry job was not good and the calamari were tough and not too tasty. People don't go to Italian restaurants just to get fried calamari, even though it is a common enough appetizer. * * * The one objective WOW WOW WOW was their chocolate cake. Steve W and I split one of these babies. It is kept in the refrigerator and served ice cold. The stuff is totally addictive. No matter how the rest of your meal goes, The chocolate cake will atone for all sins. * * * Now for the matters in dispute. The big question is do you like your American Italian tomato forward or tomato restrained? I grew up in Boston in the 1950s and 1960s where all the Italian food was tomato restrained. This included the famous Italian houses in the North End and our family's favorite, Simeone's in Cambridge. The recipes at Gino's could have come out of any those establishments. This explains Steve W's vigorous thumbs up. * * * American Italian in Philadelphia is tomato forward. Boston has evolved into a tomato forward town although exceptions do exist in particular houses. After I graduated high school and went out in the world, I discovered tomato forward. (Including, in Manhattan, a Legendary Spaghetti Caruso which was tomato forward with chicken livers. Sarah Vaughan was singing gospel to the diners. Now THAT was one meal I will never forget!) Once I discovered tomato forward, there was no going back. Whenever I cook Italian, I cook tomato forward. Whenever I encounter tomato restrained, I go "That's Nice, Dear." * * * Steve W.'s chicken parmigiana and my cioppino were both tomato restrained. I make a killer cioppino myself (although I have been bested by more than one West Coast seafood establishment.) Cioppino needs to be tomato forward all the way - and when you get down right to it, totally heavy-handed with the tomato. Needing tomato was especially important at Gino's where the seafood was on again off again. (Scallops and clams were legitimately superb. The shrimp like the calamari, not so much.) So I enjoyed part of my meal. * * * Fortunately, Steve W. is a dazzling conversationalist with a wealth of knowledge about a wide range of topics. So the dinner was marvelous, when I thought less about my food and more about the ideas he was putting forward. And there was that cake. So as a total experience, the night was five stars. * * * However, if you are going without Steve W., Then watch yourself on the menu. Something like an Alfredo or a Piccata might be a better main dish call. That - and be sure to order dessert. (Heh heh)

wandering through the side streets of Mueller Austin, I suddenly felt like those days in Modena and…read morestumbling into a neighborhood bistro just in time for a late lunch. We sat in a table outside and in the kitchen someone (not a Nona in this case) cooking these dishes theatrics aside - just focusing on flavor and confort. food hits that sweet spot between refined and homey. One standout was the agnolotti in brodo... stuffed pasta swimming in a rich, savory broth with creamy white beans and thinly sliced onions. Deep, slow-cooked flavor, but still light enough that you don't feel weighed down. Was Slightly salty, but a little funky in the best way, and super comforting. This isn't flashy Italian or "special occasion" place. It's the kind of place you keep coming back to because they cook with the in season ingredients of the week and delivers every time Would absolutely return.

Tried L'Oca d'Oro on one of their pay-what-you-will nights (they do this on Tuesdays) and had mixed…read morefeelings. The tomato salad was my favorite -- really fresh, simple, and well done. I also tried the mozzarella, which was good but fairly straightforward. Honestly, I probably would've been happier just sticking with those two dishes. Unfortunately, the pasta didn't work for me. It felt a bit dry and heavy, and just wasn't something I enjoyed or wanted to finish. I also found the payment process a bit confusing. They do provide menu pricing, but you're given a sheet to fill out what you want to pay, and I wasn't totally sure what was expected. It made the overall value feel unclear--and that's even considering I paid quite a bit less than what the meal would normally cost. That said, the atmosphere and the people were enjoyable, and I do like the idea behind offering this kind of night. It just didn't fully come together for me from a food and value standpoint.

Rocco's is a cozy little Italian spot in Austin with a warm, homey atmosphere. It was pretty packed…read morewhen I visited, but I got lucky and snagged a seat right at the bar. The service was friendly, and I absolutely loved the rigatoni. The ricotta in the center made each bite extra creamy and flavorful. I paired it with a glass of the house red, and it was the perfect dinner. I'd definitely recommend Rocco's, and if you can, try to make a reservation ahead of time since it fills up quickly.

Walked in and it smelt like a dirty diaper- even my friend said the same thing…read more I always look forward to ordering burrata, but I don't get it much because it's really expensive, but I ordered it and it was disgusting... It had pickled onions on top of the figs which were cold and pickled and that was not described on the menu and I felt like I was eating herring out of a jar. Took one bite and told the waitress I didn't like it. Ordered the fried mozzarella and even that was just meh. Got billed for both too. The entrees were okay- nothing to rave home about. And all the glasses of wine started around $18 a glass. Very pricy. Not much parking either so you have to park on a side street. Would not recommend.

this review is for cedar tavern! austin is home to happy hour heaven, and cedar tavern is…read moredefinitely one of the reasons why. basically all day $7 martinis, $10 burgers, and $5 apps all of which are delicious the mexican martini tasted like a marg with a bitter aftertaste probably due to the olive juice. the espresso martini was more impressive, balancing the vodka with espresso perfectly! definitely would get the espresso martini again the best appetizer hands down was the pommes dauphine, crispy little mashed potato balls essentially with crème fraiche. the perfect poppable bite to share the spinach artichoke dip was blended and less chunky than i'm used to - still delightfully cheesy. loved the crackers it came with fries were exactly how i like them! nice thin and a slight chew chovies - honestly the anchovies were wayyy too salty for me, but i see the vision with the radish. it helps cut through the salt. i wasn't able to finish it personally, but just my preference valet parking is definitely a plus bc otherwise this place would be a nightmare to park at

Went in on a Friday afternoon! We were able to get a table pretty quickly. There was a time limit…read moreon the table. The overall experience was good, we ordered different dishes and the food was good, the customer service was great. Parking: Valet Parking is Free

Came here for dinner with a friend and we had a great time! We came on a Wednesday night and it was…read morepretty empty for awhile which felt a little awkward but our server was super nice and the food was great! Very cute spot and decent happy hour prices.

Date night here was delish! I loved the drinks and the pizza was so good that we were silent for a…read moregood amount of time just focused on devouring vodka pizza. Service was good; I must say that the music is a bit loud lol but still had a great time

Went there just for their dessert after our sushi night at Tenten and it did not disappoint. We…read moreorder the vanilla dessert they had vanilla bean mirange. With raspberry sorbet, topped with candied lemon peel. It was very fresh, bright and light. Very unique and interesting. The service also was pretty decent and we were in and out in under 20 minutes. The restaurant also is gorgeous.

This spot is such a hidden gem! We stopped here for the 5-7 pm happy hour. The interior is…read morebeautiful, and also completely empty...I was wondering why it was so empty. The price points are high - but hey it is a classy spot. The HH ceviche and duck bao ($9.50) were great bites to start. For my entree I ordered the mussels ($22.50) - the mussels could have been larger... but that broth tastes like pepperoni pizza, in the best way possible. The crusty focaccia dipped in the broth was heaven. The HH steak and frites ($45.5) - partner said these were the best steak and frites he had ever had. The staff are super super nice :)

Fish shop has such a fantastic happy hour, we love the fish sandwich and the burger…read more We go the lobster toast this time and the clam chowder to try it out. Everything was so so good and the service is always quick and friendly. We also love that they are on inkind! They also give you a little fortune fish with your check which is the cutest addition. The decor is light and airy!

The Fish Shop is a super cute seafood restaurant in East Austin with a solid and varied menu. They…read morealso offer a fantastic happy hour, and their Filet-O-Fish-style burger is easily one of my favorite items--I've come back for it more than once. A few dishes were more hit or miss for me. The clam chowder was thinner than I prefer and had a sour, lemony flavor that didn't quite work for me. The crudo was also inconsistent, with some pieces tasting overly salty. On the other hand, most of the oysters were fresh and enjoyable, and I loved the lobster toast topped with caviar. The portion is quite small, but it's delicious. Overall, The Fish Shop can be a little inconsistent, but it's still worth trying, especially if you're open to ordering a variety of dishes and finding your favorites.

Food was sublime, and beautifully presented. The courses thoughtfully timed by Chelsea, her service…read moreimpeccable and genuine! Celebrated our anniversary here, and planning our soon return! Thanks for a memorable evening!

Restaurant François offers a French menu that blends classical French technique with a dash of…read moremodern flair. From the moment you enter through the curtains, you get the sense that you are in a Parisian-style dining venue. I started with a handcrafted cocktail, the Opera Noir. Grey Goose / Giffard's Madagascar Vanille / St. George NOLA coffee espresso/demerara/chocolate bitters. It had a hint of dark chocolate which blended well with the alcohol. Our appetizers started our dining experience with pizzazz. We ordered the Belgian Endive & Green Apple Salad with toasted hazelnuts, Roquefort, and sweet onion dressing; The Chilled Gulf Shrimp with avocado and a bright citrus French dressing; and the Pomme Frites, cooked in beef tallow and served with a black truffle aioli. Each was satiating the palate. Every entrée we ordered was presented beautifully. The Boneless Wagyu Short Ribs Bourguignon with pomme mousseline, pearl onions, bacon lardons, and mushrooms were my favorite. Lobster Thermidor Mafaldine with tender lobster, pasta, and a tarragon white wine sauce was c'est magnifique. The Gulf Red Snapper was prepared with jumbo lump crab, capers, beurre blanc, and celeriac purée and melted in your mouth. The Stuffed Lamb Tenderloin was tender and garnished with spinach, mushrooms, prosciutto, and cassis sauce, with pomme mousseline, pearl onions, bacon lardons, and mushrooms. Dessert was the perfect finale. The Dark Chocolate Mousse was rich and indulgent, beautifully balanced by the tangy crème fraîche. The handmade Pistachio Ice Cream was exceptionally creamy, intensely flavorful, and had the unmistakable taste of something truly homemade. François exceeded our expectations from start to finish. The service struck the perfect balance--professional, attentive, and never intrusive. Every member of the staff was knowledgeable and accommodating, and the elegant white uniforms added to the upscale feel without making the experience feel stuffy. One of the highlights was when the general manager stopped by our table to make sure everything was going well and even treated us to a complimentary menu item. That level of hospitality really stood out. The cuisine was beautifully executed, with thoughtful presentation and flavors that reflected classic French cooking at a very high level. If you're looking for a special occasion restaurant or simply an outstanding French dining experience, François is well worth the visit.