Tried the Loro x Siete: Backyard BBQ collab at Loro Asian Smokehouse & Bar and it was such a fun…read morehappy hour bar experience. Loro is an Asian smokehouse and bar featuring grilled and smoked meats with Southeast Asian and Japanese-inspired sauces, sides, and a bar that boasts craft beer, boozy slushees, and batch cocktails. Parking at this location is a bit of a challenge. They have overflow parking in the back but the spots are really small. We sat at the bar area and worked our way through cocktails, apps, and dessert. We opened a tab and the bar staff takes your order which is convenient, versus how you normally have to order by waiting in line at the bar. The bar staff was extremely busy because they have to make all the cocktails and take the line orders at the bar. They are a master of multitasking. It was $3 martini night on Tuesday, so was excited to sample the four different drink options. lychee martini, Mexican martini, and Lucky Cat cosmo martini. Lychee martini is made with new amsterdam vodka, sake, elderflower, Mexican martini with espolon blanco, olive, yuzu, lime and cosmo with vodka, blood orange, naranja, lime. The lychee was hands down my favorite of the three. We started with the Dip Sampler that included a trifecta of smoked shishito queso, smoked salmon dip and Thai green salsa with the Siete blue corn tortilla chips. We went through the chips quickly and got a second round of wonton chips which I preferred to the Siete chips. Tried the Mango Chamoy frozen Slushee with Siete Chamoy Botana Sauce & Siete Chile Lime Seasoning Rim, passionfruit, Aperol, Sake and Sparkling Wine which was refreshing. All their boozy slushies are $5 during happy hour. Ordered the oak grilled edamame from the happy hour menu and it was a flavor explosion with a dusting of serracha powder, lemon zest and white sesame. For dinner, I ordered my go-to rice bowl with coconut-scented rice, seasonal pickles, thai herbs and steak as the protein. They normally served this with Bavette, but the steak was a bit tough and chewy this time. Finished everything off with cheesecake with five spice crumble, yuzu marmalade for dessert. The vibe at the bar was relaxed and lively without feeling overwhelming, and the collab menu felt creative without trying too hard. The ingredients are very thoughtful for a fully developed flavor profile. Just what I would expect from the culinary minds of Tyson Cole and Aaron Franklin. Definitely one of the regulars in my list when craving good cocktails with a casual but elevated food menu.

Plenty of parking, lots of seating options both indoor and outdoor, no wait, easy ordering at the…read morebar, creative menu. We came here for a small late lunch during a hot day and this place checked all the boxes. Plenty of seating options and we loved the AC. Both high chairs and booster seats available for kids. The char siew pork belly was very good. Nothing like barbecue pork belly or asian char siew, but somehow they made it work. Chicken karaage was what you would expect, similar to what you get at Japanese places. Portions are big. The sesame rice noodles were highly reviewed but kinda underwhelming. Sauce was surprisingly spicy and the sesame flavor wasn't super obvious. We also tried the rendang beans and rice, which was a creative spin. I enjoyed the curried beans with the fragrant coconut rice. Nice spot to rest, relax, enjoy a meal and drinks. Enjoyed our experience.

    This was one of the best Omakase experiences we've ever had. Chef Ling is a brilliant and personable chef who treats her chefs and staff like family. Several different chefs prepared each course, and the presentation was well beyond what we expected, both visually stunning and thoughtfully composed. From the moment we walked into Ling Kitchen, the energy felt warm and intentional. The space is intimate without feeling cramped, and you immediately sense that you are about to be part of something special rather than just another dinner reservation. Chef Ling personally welcomed guests, shared the story behind the menu, and checked in throughout the evening in a way that felt genuine and never forced. Each course built on the last, with a clear progression of flavors and textures. The fish was impeccably fresh, the knife work precise, and the seasoning balanced to highlight the natural ingredients rather than overpower them. You could see the coordination among the team as different chefs stepped forward to prepare and present their dishes. It truly felt collaborative, like a small culinary orchestra. What stood out most was the creativity. Traditional techniques were honored, but there were subtle twists and unexpected combinations that kept us curious and engaged. Every plate was composed like art. The pacing was perfect, allowing time to savor each bite and appreciate the craftsmanship. Beyond the food, the hospitality elevated the entire experience. The staff was knowledgeable, attentive, and clearly proud to be part of the team. That family atmosphere Chef Ling fosters is palpable and makes the evening feel personal. If you are in Austin and looking for a memorable omakase that rivals experiences in much larger food cities, Ling Kitchen is a must. This is not just dinner, it is a curated, immersive experience. We will absolutely be back. Thank you Ling!!! You are truly one of a kind!

Very nice establishment with nice interior design touch. I went with my brother and we had a fun…read moretime talking with the people around us. For $150/head you get solid Chinese food, with nice presentation. Once you consider the $150 price point for the meal, paying simply for presentation is not enough, especially if you consider other restaurants competing at this price point. None of the dishes had any real flavor innovations past the traditional taste. You would be able to get a larger version of most dishes, with similar quality in Houston for $20. Not much innovation on the flavors for the palate, but the food had very cute visuals. Service was nice, and the Chef's energy was infectious!

First Loro experience. There are both i door and outdoor seating. The inside is lively and loud…read more The outdoor seating is quieter and more intimate. There are 2 bars (inside and out). Flavor, flavors, flavor! The 4 plates we ordered were different and felt like a solid representation of the menu. The pork belly was melt in my mouth delicious. We couldn't stop munching on the Brussel sprouts. The cold noodles were refreshing and the Sake 1/2 chicken was incredible!

Met some friends at Loro for dinner, and it was everyone's first visit. We arrived just before…read morehappy hour ended and decided to take advantage of the specials, ordering the smoked salmon dip, smash burger, wings, charred broccoli, cocktails, and a few other items to share. The biggest issue was the lack of guidance and service. When we first arrived, no one explained the ordering process, so we spent several minutes trying to figure out what we were supposed to do. Eventually, we learned we could order at the bar, but later noticed there was also table service available. A simple welcome and explanation would have made a big difference for first-time guests. The drinks were good. I enjoyed the Spicy Watermelon Margarita, and the Dragonade was refreshing. The wings were probably the standout food item of the evening, with a delicious smoky flavor that really came through. Unfortunately, the rest of the meal was hit-or-miss. The smoked salmon dip was good, but the charred broccoli was beyond charred--it was burnt. The pictures don't lie. The smash burger was decent, but not nearly as memorable as I expected given all the hype. The atmosphere was nice, and I enjoyed spending time with friends, but between the confusing service model, lack of attentiveness, and food that ranged from good to disappointing, I left feeling underwhelmed. I'm honestly undecided on whether I'll return. There were a few bright spots, especially the cocktails and wings, but not enough to make this an easy recommendation.

Camila did a great job! she had an amazing attitude, and brightened our day with her amazing humor.read more

Came here on a Sunday morning and it was empty. Which is nice but a bit concerning as a first-time…read moreguest. Parking is decently okay, my only complaint is the spaces are small and I don't have a big car, just a 4-door sedan and it barely fit in the spot. So if you have a big car or a nice one, I would recommend parking a bit further away and just walking to the restaurant. I am going to focus more on the cooked items as most people here already gave their review on the sushi. Hangover ramen, not too bad. It is like Shin Ramen Instant Noodles with a lighter flavor, nice touch with the bean sprout as it is a needed texture element. Add the gyoza into it and it makes it even better. Cucumber salad, not bad at all. It is missing a bit of spice to it. A touch of chili oil on it would kick this dish up a bit. It is refreshing and a must at the table. Truffle fries, please skip this. No salt on the fries if you are okay with it. It is just a bit of truffle oil and Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top. It is lacking in flavor. Yaki Udon, skip this as well. Not sure if it was just the day I went but the sauce was not so great. It was this sweet and sour taste but it was swimming on the bottom of the bowl like the sauce was poured on top of it at the end instead of being stir-fried into it in a wok or a pan. The first few bites are okay but the bottom half is just swimming in that sauce. Spicy Pork Bulgogi, decent size overall, not too bad. I would order like kimchi rice to eat with it next time if I come back. I do wish it was a bit more charred just to give it a bit of a textual element to it. also another thing to note, the bathroom is shared with the restaurant next door to it.

While I'm going to say that this isn't my favorite vegan pho in town, it's still better than many…read more What really keeps me coming back are the vegan eggrolls. THESE are the best imperial rolls around, mark my words; perfectly crispy, juicy inside, not greasy, and served piping hot. You must get at least one order per person. Those are the rules. They do some great things with tofu. Garlic tofu, in the banh mi, vermicelli noodle salad, and rice plate comes out nicely fried and flavorful. Many of these items aren't vegan by default, but easily adapted upon request. Speak up, they know how to help! Also, I appreciate how chill of a spot it is overall. Never crazy busy, comfortable, spacious, always fast service, and perfect for the whole family.

I've been here twice now, and this place has earned a spot on my rotation…read more I started with my standard Pho Tai, and it was excellent. The broth was perfect and authentic. On my return trip, I went for the Stone Pot Pho with fresh noodles, and it was even better. I can't go back to regular noodles after having the fresh noodles. I found the staff friendly and attentive both times. If you want authentic Vietnamese, I'd come here.

Visited Old Thousand on a day in which I was just craving a good Chinese meal, and they did not…read moredisappoint. I appreciated the quirky ambiance and unique menu combining traditional Chinese dishes with a Texan fusion flair. We ordered the hot and sour soups to start , followed by the incredible brisket fried rice, kung pao chicken, and a side of green beans. The soup was served hot and was absolutely delicious. The brisket fried rice was phenomenal and should not be missed. Kung pao chicken was okay (I didn't like that they deep fried the chicken). Green beans were flavorful. Service was good but you have to ask for utensils if you can't use chopsticks and it took them a while to get us spoons/forks to eat with. Overall a solid meal and good experience. I'll be back!

Came to Old Thousand because of the hype on social media, big mistake…read more It wasn't busy, yet we stood there waiting to be acknowledged. When a server finally came over, she walked us to a table, slammed the menus down, and walked off. Rude for no reason. Food was just as disappointing. The rangoons were good. My husband wanted orange chicken but it wasn't on their brunch menu, they were kind enough to still make it, which we appreciated. It was good, but everything else? No. The "mala fried chicken" was basically chicken nuggets with steamed rice, the menu said it had chili oil, I expected it to be drizzled over the chicken but instead was sitting at the bottom of the bowl. I didn't notice it till the end and since I thought they had forgotten it, I asked for some and got just the oil. Idk if that's the way they do it, but usually when I ask for chili oil I receive the chili flakes with the oil. Anyways, it was mid. But the brisket fried rice..... now, that had zero flavor. We barely touched it, left the whole thing behind. Between the attitude and the food, it's a no for us. Wouldn't come back.

I got here a few times and usually in the evening. The only part of going in the evening is that…read morethey can run out of food, so be careful coming later in the evening. I like that it is part convenience store and packs food ready to be served. There are even 2 small tables there if you want to just eat there as well. I had a few dishes there and they were great. I got a pork bowl before and the pork was great flavor and was tender. I am hoping to visit again and try to get other dishes to try.

I visited this shop several times during their pop-up events. Today, I called to ask about the line…read moreand whether the bread might still be available. Unfortunately, the owner wasn't very helpful and couldn't give any indication of how many bread was being sold or whether it was likely to sell out.I ended up driving about 30 minutes from Central Austin, only to find that the salted bread from the pop-up was already sold out. That was really disappointing. When I went inside the store to buy some regular items instead, the interaction with the owner was also frustrating. He seemed to misunderstand what I was asking and kept directing me to stand in the pop-up line, even though I explained multiple times that I just wanted to purchase items from the store, which didn't require waiting in that line. In the end, I bought a few small items, but three small items came out to about $20, which felt overpriced for what I received. The overall service experience was not pleasant. The owner came across as rude and unwelcoming, and it didn't feel like customers who made the effort to come support the business were being valued. I understand this is a small, local mom-and-pop shop, and I usually love supporting small businesses. However, customer service still matters--especially when people travel a long distance to visit. Because of this experience, I probably won't be returning unless it's for a pop-up event.