The food was tasty but insanely overpriced. Nice service but just the level you expect. It was super dark and insanely loud in there.

What a wonderful meal! We were immediately greeted by a server and warmly welcomed. Drinks and first bites arrived soon but not so soon that we felt rushed. One thing that I really appreciated was the short but informative explanation of how each dish was cooked, sometimes with a story behind it. I felt like the servers were friends by the end of the meal. This is one I will remember! read more

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Hestia is an outstanding restaurant with excellent service. They highlight the role of fire in food, which is absolutely delicious Make sure you make reservations well in advance. We were greeted and brought to our seats. As other reviews noted, it is a classy atmosphere with attentive service. They have a good (but expensive) wine list. We got a nice red from Washington. You have a choice of a thirteen course tasting menu or ordering ala carte. If you get tasting menu, everyone at table must get it. We had just arrived in Austin and a couple were not sure about long meal, so we ordered ala carte (although we saw the tasting menu and it looked great). We started with the pan de cristal--which was a fancy name for bread. It was really good, but the star was the butter. It had kind of a caramel layer and top and might have been the best butter I have ever had. For the main course, I had the Wagyu bavettes. They were served with carrots (which were great, but they could have had a few more). The steak was beyond wonderful. The sear and seasoning were sheer perfection and it was cooked the perfect medium rare. I also tasted the halibut that was also very good. For dessert, I had the buñuelo. I cannot describe it, but it was very tasty with a mix of flavors and textures. We were very happy with our meals and I highly recommend Hestia. read more

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Hestia was a very unique experience. I went for a very special occasion and had their tasting menu. I am a true lover of food so I was very excited to experience Hestia and their unique take on fire based cooking. The tasting menu is an expensive experience, but is very filling in quantity. In full honesty, a lot of the tasting menu was not good. The amount of food cooked with grease was a turn off. They poured fat/grease onto a lot of our food which I understand is an ode to Texas, but it is not appetizing or appealing - honestly made me sick. Outside of the high quantity of greasy dishes, there were some that absolutely shined. The daikon dish with fermented carrot was truly mindblowing. I wanted to have 4 more of these. The texture was perfection, the textures that were layered was genius. Truly impressive. The next was the dry age Texas waygu with the potato foam. This was the most fun and unique way to innovate a traditional dish. This was so fun, so flavorful and really displayed the fire techniques of the kitchen. This dish was a MUST - honestly one of the best steak dishes I have had in ATX. I truly loved these two dishes but most everything else was too greasy to enjoy. I do want to come back in the future with a larger group and do dishes to share outside of a tasting menu. Cheers! read more

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Took myself out on a date here & it was a lovely experience! The restaurant has this smoky smell as soon as you enter & it's not overwhelming at all, I loved the open grill concept. I started off with the bad rabbit cocktail, had the buckwheat cookie, scallop & ended with the mushroom entree. All 3 dishes tasted great, I also appreciated that they were able to serve a single scallop for one person (usually the dish has 2). I concluded with the buenello dessert & a glass of Nebbiolo. The service was also top notch, my servers were super friendly & gave great recommendations. This is perfect for a girls night out or date! read more

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To celebrate my husbands birthday and our 1 year wedding anniversary we decided to do the tasting menu and 1 wine pairing. We were VERY impressed by the overall service, presentation and food. The pacing was great and lasted about 2.5 hours. I was very stuffed at the end, while my husband devoured the steak. My favorites were the shrimp head, steak, and mesquite bread dish. We sat by the windows and loved watching the sunset by our meal. They treated us like kings and queens! Thanks Hestia for the memories! read more

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Dining at Hestia is an experience that goes beyond the plate--it's a tribute to primal cooking elevated to fine dining. The concept of preparing every dish solely over a wood fire (with no electricity or gas) is bold and beautifully executed. You can taste the intentionality behind each bite. The tasting menu is well-curated, offering a diverse range of flavors that are deep, smoky, and satisfying without ever feeling overwhelming. It strikes that rare balance between creativity and comfort. Service is excellent--attentive, knowledgeable, and warmly professional. The staff enhances the overall experience, making the evening flow seamlessly. That said, one fair warning: you will leave smelling like you spent time near a campfire. It's part of the charm, but maybe don't wear your favorite dry-clean-only outfit. read more

This is a unique restaurant that was an awesome Find in Austin. All the food is cooked over a wood fire in an open hearth that gives a wonderful feel to the restaurant and a comforting smoky smell. The food here is exceptional. Every ingredient in the meal is well thought out, the favors are balanced, and just a pleasure to eat the food. I highly recommend the scallops which are a burst of flavor in the mouth; the halibut was also excellent as were the side dishes of mushrooms and carrots. Attention to flavor profiles is really well thought out here. Our server was knowledgeable of the menu and made some great suggestions. read more

Hestia - Kitchen - New American Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Exceptional experience here. Tasting menus are not always consistent all the way through but Hestia delivers in both food and service. And Rod Stewart was at the next table, do you know you're in the right place! read more

This is one of hubby's and mines top restaurants..we went on a week night and decided to do the tasting menu and man it did not disappoint. Service was fantastic, loved the open kitchen and laid back vide...Food was 10/10. We cannot wait to go back and try even more! read more

Hestia's aesthetic is modern with a touch of dark Scandinavian minimalism. We arrived about 15 minutes early for our 8:45 PM reservation and were offered to be seated at the bar while we wait, an offer we were happy to take. We ordered the following drinks at the bar: * Akashi ume whiskey - Delicious, crisp and reminded us of the numerous plum wines we've had in Japan * The offering cocktail - sinfully decadent & sweet At exactly 8:45 PM, we were escorted to our seats. We ordered the following: * Crème brûlée - The cheese was incredibly smooth and velvety & the ikura was a nice contrast to the richness of the cheese. Personally, I thought it tasted too much like elevated mashed potatoes while my husband loved it. We likely won't order it again because we try to order dishes we both love. * Tuna belly tostada - Incredible layers of flavor in one bite. * Scallops - I would die for these scallops. The sauce complemented the perfectly cooked scallops without overwhelming the latter. * Halibut - The texture on this halibut was absolute insanity. This might be the best cooked halibut we've ever tasted. It was juicy, delectable & tender when we've long expected halibut to have a more flaky texture. The waiter described the cooking method for this halibut and I would happily pay for this entree over and over again. * Smoked mushroom - We thoroughly enjoyed this fantastic take on mushrooms. Completely nuanced flavors that change in every bite, and I loved the variety of textures that added to the complexity of this dish * Kakigori - I'm personally more of a bingsu fan in terms of shaved ice desserts but this was alright if not a bit bland for my taste. The ice was finely milled. I wish they went all in on the flavor as it was bland and didn't really have a lot of toppings that would have made this a bit more exciting. * Mesquite cake - Absolutely delicious. Gooey, chocolatey and well-balanced bittersweetness. Not particularly noteworthy but I have no criticisms for it. * Bunuelo - Ah, my favorite dessert. It reminded me of a treat from my childhood. You know that scene in Ratatouille where the food critic eats the dish and he is brought back to when he was a child? I had that moment with these bunuelos. Incredible treat. We also ordered more drinks once we were seated: * Paranubes rum - My husband specifically requested for a particularly rum & he was quite happy with this pick! * hestia no.5 - This cocktail was Hestia's take on an old-fashioned and it was delicious! Would definitely order this again! Overall, the immaculate service, the food and the drinks make Hestia an excellent dining experience, and we are definitely going back! read more

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Really expensive really salty great cocktails fabulous service. Vibes were very elevated with amazing service. The best thing we ate was the scallops. The halibut was too salty the mushroom dish was salty, rubbery, and cold (but they took it off the bill bc I asked about the temp). My partner has never left any dessert uneaten but the sourdough ice cream was so salty he took 3 bites and gave up. Started off strong w the table side martini and scallops and kinda went downhill from there. Huge disappointment considering the Michelin star and it wasn't a cheap meal. The last 3 dishes also came out way too spaced out, we waited almost 20 minutes between a course. Not good esp bc drinks were slow to come out too, so we sat there w an empty table waiting. Would like to think it was a fluke but 3 other groups that went recently said the food was too salty as well. Thought Michelin was based on consistency... read more

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The food was great, especially the steak, the mushrooms and the chocolate mousse. However, the music was mainstream and too loud read more

Hestia - New American Near Me - Austin, Texas

New year means getting a "taste" for what's to come and one of the best places to do that is the ultra chic, yet very approachable Hestia in DT ATX. With the Goddess of the Hearth at the center of the space and their menu, doing the $195pp full 13-course chef's tasting w/wine pairing is a no-brainer!  I loved the pacing, progression, and innovative fusion of the courses. The staff did an impeccable job of keeping the meal flowing naturally, w/o making it feel rushed or with large wait times in between courses. I also really enjoyed how each course's ingredients and suggested consumption methodologies were explained. I have to say, my fav course was the quail skewers for its air of mystery at presentation and then the fun interactive feature of the timer and mini-grill. The wine-pairing (for an additional cost of $150pp) was an evocative and exquisite experience in and of itself! Each wine was presented with explanation. The pairings were perfection and a varietal viticultural journey; they did not skimp on the wines themselves either as they did a stunning 2001 Merlot library release (if you're a wine nerd, you will understand why this is special) w/the TX waygu course! Definitely an occasion that exceeded all expectations! read more

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I really did not mind the high price tag of each dish because I thought they were all very innovative, most dishes I'd never had anything like that. If you are into a very special dinner experience, I would highly recommend Hestia. It's located right downtown and right when you walk in, the room is filled with a smokiness you'll honestly leave with it on your clothes too. It's a very luxurious mature restaurant, with large floor to ceiling curtains, various rooms for intimate dining, moody and dark decor. We ordered ala carte and picked dishes we were interested in. The service was very nice and attentive. Onto the food, I most recommend the bread and halibut. Pan de cristal ($18) - really enjoyed the fresh sourdough with a whipped butter like dip with mushrooms that I could just eat straight up. I loved the orange pate spread as well. Great balance of salty and sweet. Broccolini ($15) - all the flavors blended so well together, the broccolini was perfect in texture. I enjoyed the crispy bits along with the thin skin-like toppings (really not sure what they were but loved them). Scallop ($28) - it's really quite expensive, I'm not sure it's worth it as you only get a couple bits, but I did enjoy the texture of the scallop a lot. The mushroom gelee it was in was a little pickley so could be personal preference. Halibut ($46) - the halibut was a fantastic texture of super tender, juicy, but not chewy. It truly melts in your mouth. The buttery cheesy sauce it was in was amazing, yet it stayed super fresh with the fish and the bok choy and fresh greens. Really unique flavor and made me want to try everything on the menu because I was so impressed by the complexity of the tastes. My main critiques of this dinner is I was particularly disappointed in the presentation of the desserts. Peanut butter & jelly dessert - this looked kind of small and dinky on the plate. It just didn't feel as elevated and thoughtful as the other dishes. I did like the flavor and the crunchiness, although a lot of it got stuck in my teeth. Sourdough Ice cream - again with the presentation, it just was not impressive to have this cool smokey charcoal covered ice cream in a dark bowl, you couldn't really see it. But the flavor was great, actually reminded me more of peanut butter and jelly than the other dessert because it had this strawberry jelly in the center. The texture was really fun too, it was dry and matte from the charcoal but smooth and melty from the ice cream. Fun and cool dishes! read more

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Came here for dinner with my husband and absolutely loved some dishes and some were just so so-so but overall good. Oysters: Super fresh and cleaned very well, wish it was a bit more seasoned but still tasty Crab Tart: One of the highlights, super fresh and definitely should be eaten as one-bite Scallops: Another favourite, super flavorful and highly recommend ordering Crudo: Super fresh and lightly seasoned, but wasn't a favourite of ours Red Range Chicken: This was definitely a highlight enjoyed with the parsnip purée and the chicken was cooked perfectly - very moist and super crispy skin Berkshire Pork Belly: Our least favourite of the dishes, wasn't seasoned enough and honestly the best part of the dish were the zucchinis for us Service was great, and it was a nice touch they explained all the dishes as they came out. read more

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I used to be a huge Hestia fan. I would recommend this place to everyone! At some point recently (1.5 years ago) the head chef left and this place went downhill FAST. We use to love everything on the menu and were blown away by the creativeness and unique dishes. This places feels like someone's nephew trying to run their uncles carnival without the instructions. The staff was rude when we pointed out our uncooked dishes, their service went down and the over all food quality is terrible. Stay away! Hopefully they fix the issues!! read more

It's not every day I get the chance to dine at a Michelin Star restaurant. Hestia easily delivers the goods to meet the high expectations that come with the coveted rating. The restaurant is quite beautiful though I ended up seated at the bar which was also quite nice. The bartender that served me was friendly and clearly professional. I was in between two choices and she helped me land on the Halibut. Every bite was exceptional! The textures, appearance, and flavor were quite unique in the best possible way. The roe added so much. The fish was perfectly prepared and pure joy in each bite. If I make it back I'll add the caviar next time. read more

Hestia - Halibut - New American Near Me - Austin, Texas

What a great night! The food was imaginative and made with love. The halibut was fantastic. The Wagyu was very good - but I liked the fish more. The green beans were delish.... We also tried the crab tapas... and some dessert that was like art. Just a great date night... and yes.. after taking her to dinner here... I did get lucky. read more

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We were celebrating a special occasion. Unfortunately we were seated at an area that was very loud where we could not hear each other talk. The noise was mainly coming from the other customers seated right next to us. I would have preferred a quieter area, even outside. The service was great. Food was decent compare to what we had before (we've been there 4 times prior), the halibut dish this time was too salty, not sure if it was the sauce or vegetables. The halibut itself was great. We've had the chef's tasting before but prefer a la carte, which unfortunately hasn't evolved, though I do miss the lions mane main dish. This is our fifth time dining at Hestia and probably our last sadly. read more

Hestia was an unforgettable experience. Went there recently with my wife and friends. Ambiance was unique. Restaurant was nice and modern and you could smell the smoke from the wood fired open-hearth cooking as soon as you entered. One of the things that stood out from this restaurant was the service you receive there. It was the best service I have received period. From the hosts, the servers, chefs, and even owners, everyone treats you like you are a VIP. It seemed like everyone working there truly wants to be there and that means a lot. We ordered a little bit of everything and our favorite dish was definitely the scallops cooked in beef tallow. The scallops were succulent and rich with meaty beef flavor from the tallow. Felt like you were eating a steak! Beets were delicious too and the pan de cristal was probably the best bread I've had at a restaurant. Appetizers were all 10/10 but if I had to choose one dish that really stood out it would definitely be the scallops. Entrees: we ordered the pork chops, halibut, and lions main mushrooms. Unfortunately this is where they lost a star from me personally. I know taste is subjective but I was just not impressed with the dry aged pork chops. I asked them to cook the dish how they recommended it, which was medium rare. The meat just did not have a wow factor. Maybe it was due to the dry aged process but I like my meats juicy and this fell short of my expectations. Wife ordered the lions mane mushrooms and it was almost perfect. Only thing I would ask them to change next time is to reduce the saltiness. Felt like the mushrooms really absorbed all the flavors of the dish well but it was just too salty to enjoy on its own as a main entree. Desserts: We ordered 3 different desserts and while they were all good the sour dough ice cream is a must order item. It was probably the most interesting dessert I've ever had in my life. Not saying it was the best tasting, or my favorite dessert but it really challenged your perspective on what a dessert could be. Just order it and you'll see what I mean. All in all this place is definitely a restaurant I would recommend for a special occasion or a fun night out with friends. Hats off to the staff and I thank them for an unforgettable experience. read more

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It is a rare treat when your first visit to a restaurant is 100% perfect. Tonight was one of these. The smells, atmosphere and general vibe set this restaurant apart. Walking in your senses are lit up with the lovely sell of smoke permeating the air. Then the main event comes... the food! We started with a half dozen oysters with a perfect combination of chili oil and jalapeño topping. Each bite was packed with flavor and just the right amount of heat. We then had 2 small plates. The scallops and the beets respectively. The beets were refreshing and tasty. And the scallops... these are beyond good! Perfect sear and accompanied by an amazing topper. Hats off to the server who delivered them mentioning to drink up the left over topping right from the shell. We did not let a drop get missed. We then shared the halibut. Another perfect item. I'll let the picture of this one do the talking. Finally the ice cream dessert was served in a unique way that made it a fun eat. We then moved onto t read more

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Finally came for the tasting menu here. It's definitely one of the best tastings in ATX - def top 10. Loved the lamb skewers and the pistachio honey butter. The appetizers were delicious. Even the goat cheese ice cream was delicious. The tasting was definitely much better than the a la carte. read more

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Unforgettable dining experience at Hestia, made reservations on OpenTable and seated easily. Went with group 4 which allowed us to see and taste a variety of dishes. First, this place is not for those on a budget. My total meal cost $100 and I left feeling like I would have wanted to eat more, because one- taste, and two- the portions are small. Would not go here if you have a medium to big size appetite and are on a budget. Hestia = goddess of Hearth (floor of a fireplace) aka it smells like the inside of a Smokey fireplace. We went at 6:30 and the place was dark inside. It was a bit difficult to see. Definitely added to the grey black allure of feeling like I was in the midst of smoke and burning warm wood. If you go to the bathroom, there's a recording explaining the history of the goddess playing while you try and relieve yourself. Smoked crab tart ($8): a single bite sized cracker a little bigger than a quarter that's topped with crab meat. This was surprisingly delicious and the flavors really lingered in a delightful way. It was just for the taste, definitely didn't satisfy any part of my hunger. Would get again because it tasted great. Oysters ($24) came with 6. This was good. "Shareable" in the sense there are 6 but again one slurp and bite and it's gone. I'm not sure which small plate it is, but my friend got a charred Smokey bread with fruit butter spread. She said she enjoyed but also didn't finish it. The bread makes a mess (they encourage making a mess) due to it being.. charred and Smokey. Beef tartare ($22) the cracker was massive, like half a dinner plate. The meat was cooked perfectly. The combination was stellar. Shareable. Scallop ($28) 100% get this, it was a perfect buttery, well cooked seafood dish that absolutely made me in want of more, this is not shareable. They come in single or double single scallops. Halibut ($46) the STAR of the night. Wow! I'm still dreaming of how perfect this dish was. If you enjoy fish, this is dish you need to try. I wouldn't change a thing. It's on the saltier side but was perfectly placed with the overall meal. Phenomenal. 8 oz wagyu sirloin ($65) well prepared, but they wish they got the halibut! Bunuelo ($14) fabulous dish. The gold leaf is pretty but zero taste and added nothing but flash to a dish that absolutely needed none of it. The pairing of flavors was so enjoyable and refreshing. I would get again. Sourdough ice cream ($14) single scoop of ice cream that tasted of Smokey bread. Also, there are tomatos in it. Kakigori ($20) stunning dessert. Think of Hawaiian shaved ice but on steroids. I couldn't believe how mouth watering this was while it was IN my mouth. They recommended sharing for 6 people with this dish. Tasted like the best apple sauce ive ever had in my life mixed with shaved ice, delicious cream poured over and the best horchata ice cream I have ever had in my life. This is a must!! Overall, a dining experience I'll never forget. Every dish had its own unique flavor that made you want to think and savor before swallowing. Would go again (on a not so empty stomach or when I'm rolling in cash). Location: there is no sign indicating the restaurant from the street. It's next door to Kalimotxo on the ground floor. There is a parking garage that you have to pay by phone (no tickets) that is attached to the building Hestia is in. Service was definitely top notch. My water was never more than 2/3s empty. Waiter was very knowledgeable across food and drinks and made appropriate recommendations. They prefer bringing food all at once, which means everyone has to finish their small plates all at once before they bring out the mains. Just something to keep in mind. read more

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Had been wanting to dine at Hestia since moving to atx. From several sources, Hestia was highly regarded and recommended! Well, we finally scored a reservation and got to have date night/early birthday celebration last night. Their staff was absolutely top tier and you could immediately tell. Hestia was also moody, romantic, and inviting. We ordered a la carte: scallops and beef tartare for appetizer, halibut and Wagyu ribeye entrees, and received sourdough ice cream as a treat! Ahem, what rock have we been under to not have tried Hestia... until now?? Every dish was incredible. Wish we had more room in our bellies to order other dishes!! Ruben(sp?) was our server and treated us kindly and well. We thank you for an amazing evening out. Excited to try other dishes next time! read more

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I LOVE HESTIA. If I ever have an excuse to spend money on amazing food, I always think of Hestia. This is also my go to date spot for events like anniversary or accomplishments. The best way to eat here is to order every small plate and one entree to share- it gives a very nice tapas-isque experience. I have never had a bad thing to say about anything I've tried here. Seafood- amazing Poultry- amazing Bread- amazing Cocktails- AMAZING Service- amazing Ambiance- a little dark but still amazing read more

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This was, quite frankly, the best meal my Husband and I have ever had. The best chicken we've ever had, the best scallop we've ever had, and so many things we have never tried that blew us away. The vibes were romantic, dim, comfortable, dark. Every person who worked there was friendly and made us feel really special. I highly recommend the tasting menu, but no matter what you get it will be incredible! read more

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Maîre d' James went beyond our belief for my friend's birthday. Unlike any restaurant we have experienced before. Truly loved his attention to detail to making her night memorable. Service is stellar! Like an orchestra in concert with each other. Staff didn't have to say much to one another to have the restaurant flow perfectly. Loved seeing their organization. Food was delicious. I recommend the tarts, the scallop, bread & butter with jam, and halibut. Drinks were tasty! The architecture and design of the building is beautiful. Love the trees in the background, feels like you are floating in them. The first smell you experience is the hearth and that sets the tone. This is a special occasion restaurant so expect a pricey night that is well worth it. read more

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Truly outstanding. Worth every dollar. Our party of 4 tried virtually everything on the menu (which is short and focused) and each dish (starters, sides, mains, and desserts) was outstanding. Add to that very friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable waitstaff and a great sommelier and it's a winner. Our evening started off with a very unknowledgeable and unresponsive bartender as we waited for our table (so much so that we remarked to the waitress after we were seated that we still hadn't received our drink order at the bar and she could just cancel that). The waitress instead got us the drinks, comped them, and more than made up for the poor service we'd had at the bar. This is destination-worthy dining. read more

The first time I came, I Just popped in for a quick bit on a business trip. I liked it so much that when I came back to town, I brought my husband! Both times the food was delicious and consistent. With friendly service. Here are some of my highlights from both visits: Maitake Mushroom- wow, this was an incredible dish. The parsnip sauce is a great compliment to the mushrooms. We savored every bite. If I could eat this everyday I would. It's that good. Wagyu Beef Tartar- requires a little assembly and I loved this. It is a little salty and all delicious!! Highly Scallops- comes with 2 scallops and is really savory. Highly recommend saving room for dessert. Both deserts are phenomenal- kakigori (with corn ice cream) and the sourdough ice cream! Yummm Other notes: They have gender neutral bathrooms too. read more

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I ate last week for dinner to understand why this restaurant was causing a scene amongst us Austin crowd. I started off delicate with the oysters and very flavorful and rich. The oysters were fresh and I appreciated the apple ting that accompanied the dish. It was a new take and I enjoyed it. I went for the Crudo Kampachi. It was a very rich dish and I couldn't say I enjoyed it as much. The dish felt oily, the fish was fresh with the an ocean of juice floating around in the bowl. For my entree, I decided for the king trumpet mushroom. The texture was a little odd but it was the sauce off put me. It didn't pair well with the mushroom and needed something more light and delicate. However, the sides were savory, boisterous and commanded my mouths attention. That was amazing to eat. The buñuelo was a masterpiece of a dessert. Truly ineffable. I haven't had a dessert like that in awhile and I don't think there is one chef in Austin that can match that currently. I will be back again. read more

This is probably the most upscale place I've ever been to in Austin. The vibe is pretty dark and pretty classy. Like the waiter gets support waiters lol which made the service great ofc they were all super knowledgeable on the food and recommendations. Here's what we got and what I'd recommend: Crab tart was baby but it was yummy but it didn't blow my mind Melon was fresh af and I liked it I think the only part I wasn't loving was the extremely crunch farro Scallop was delicious af the beef tallow was crazy and thick af but it was good. Scallop was cooked to perfection! Beef Tartare was good too but I think I enjoy Birdie's beef tartare more! Halibut was the best thing for sure. It was very fresh and tender. The beans in the sauce went really well with it. The sauce was the best part for sure. Creamy with a hint of herby goodness almost pesto herby. Sourdough ice cream we obvi had to try because it's so unique. It had great flavor and the tomato topping was really good and tart. The ice cream was really thick though so it was pretty heavy and we were really thirsty after. I'd love to come back and try more things!! Def get the scallop and halibut y'all! read more

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I booked an 8:15 PM table for New Year's Eve, but the experience was an absolute disaster. We arrived early, were told to wait at the bar, and were completely ignored for over 40 minutes. No one offered us drinks, updates, or even acknowledged us. My husband asked the front desk twice about the wait. The first time, the hostess said the table was on dessert and would be ready soon. After another 20+ minutes of waiting, he asked the manager, who bluntly said there was no timeline because the restaurant was backed up. It wasn't just us--many others were stuck waiting as well. Frustrated and furious, we canceled our reservation and left. This place is a disorganized mess with zero regard for its customers. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. read more

Amazing food and lots choices! Always have the best desserts and the service is the best!

Everything from beginning to end was friendly, courteous, impeccable service, and delicious! My partner and I celebrated our anniversary here and the restaurant went above and beyond to make us feel special. LGBTQ approved! Our host was so friendly and sweet that we felt like this was attending someone's dinner party rather than a pretentious establishment even though everything here is very dark and trendy. Our server and table runner ensured that our cup were always filled with water and the cherry on top was a greeting from the manager. The southern hospitality was a nice treat for us visiting Californians. Must order: raw fish in jasmine infused olive oil, scallops in tallow over shells, and the wagyu tartare! Mmmmh. The seafood were so fresh. Even though Austin isn't known for its local catch, this restaurant ensured the highest quality seafood possible. You can pass on: the Alabama oysters weren't impressive because I didn't like their smokey salsa sauce. I prefer the old fashioned lemons & horse radish style but it wasn't terrible by any means. In conclusion, we were happy to have picked this place for our special celebration and they helped created some wonderful memories for us. I picked this place based on the great Yelp reviews and the pretty photos of the food and best decision ever! My one feedback for the staff is that I did mentioned not liking a certain ingredient (raw onions/scallions) and this detail was overlooked; but it wasn't a big deal, I just delicately picked around it because it was a preference and not an allergy. read more

Hestia - Scallops - New American Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Hestia offers a unique fine dining experience with its tasting menu of artistic dishes. However, with small portions and some misses, it does not quite get 5 stars. I've visited 4 times now, trying almost all of the dishes on the menu. There are definitely some highs and low points on the Hestia menu. The "Tomato Water" starter featured juicy slices of tomato in a savory tomato water broth. While beautifully presented, the few small slices left me wanting more. The "Squab" entree with confit leg, breast, and delicious foie sausage satisfied my appetite and showed off the chef's skills in executing this fancy protein. The "Kakigōri" dessert was the highlight - the green tea shaved ice with cherry preserves and toasted herb and fig syrup was simply excellent. I'd return to Hestia just for this creative, refreshing Japanese inspired dessert. The intimate, modern atmosphere offers a front-row view into the open kitchen. Servers expertly describe each artistic course. However, the avant garde style means tiny portions that don't satisfy. I left hungry even after 7 courses! And some dishes like the tomato water fell flat. While ambition and talent shine in Hestia's menu, execution is hit or miss. Some courses left no lasting impression. But others like the squab and the unforgettable kakigōri dessert show the heights Hestia can hit when it all comes together. I'd return just for that dessert, though I'd plan to eat elsewhere afterwards. For a special occasion tasting menu, Hestia delivers a nice experience in Austin. read more

Hestia - Kakigori. Japanese shaved ice. - New American Near Me - Austin, Texas

We tried out Hestia's tasting menu for dinner. Since it was my birthday, they included a kind card at the table before arriving. Service was attentive though near the end of dinner it took longer to complete the tasting. All the dishes were good but there were a few misses for us. I think maybe try ordering from the menu and sharing will be cheaper than the tasting. I liked the smoked tomato tart and the scallops were beautifully presented. I love steak tartare and Hestia's hit the spot for me. Overall quite the innovative restaurant! read more

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I joined my best friend for dinner at Hestia and we were so impressed with the food, service, and ambiance. To start, I had their zero proof mocktail which was delicious. We then ordered a few small plates: the scallops, the beans, and the kampachi. My favorite was the scallops, it came beautifully presented and the juice at the bottom of the shell was rich and lovely. I could have eaten 10 more of these easily. For main plates, we got the halibut and the chicken. The Halibut was the star of the show by far. It was paired with a brown butter sauce that took it to the next level. I will literally dream of this dish for the rest of my life and I can't wait to come back for just that. The chicken was amazing as well. I highly recommend Hestia, it was such a wonderful experience and the staff is friendly and makes wonderful recommendations. You must end the night with the sourdough ice cream! read more

Hestia - Scallops - New American Near Me - Austin, Texas

Came to Hestia to celebrate a special occasion, and by far had the most incredible service! We were greeted with a note card signed by the staff, and were promptly seated. The interior is dark, clean, and modern. Our server was incredible! Now on to the food: Brown butter cracker & caviar: this was an excellent way to begin our dinner. The caviar went so well with the brown butter! Note that each order comes with only one bite. Scallop: I really loved how unique the dish was ". The beef tallow added a nice heavy dimension to the dish, which was help cut by the apple kosho. The scallops themselves were cooked very good. Though trying the tallow itself was quite salty. Beef tartare: this was probably our favorite dish of the night. You could tell how good the quality of the tartare was just by the color, and the avocado surprisingly paired really well with the tartare. Halibut: this dish was so beautiful.The halibut was nice though the brown butter sauce was a bit overwhelming for me at times. Berkshire pork chop: I really enjoyed the sauce that came with the pork chop, but I thought this dish was just okay. For the price tag, I think there may be other restaurants that have overall better food, though the service was absolutely incredible. read more

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Hestia is upscale, expensive and delicious! The tasting menu - was an experience, worth it. Some may say is not worth it (the most expensive tasting menu in ATX?) but imho for ATX, this is high end fine dining. A La carte has great options, vegetarian stuff too, portions seemed the regular "smaller" size. Scallops and Halibut are amazing! Cocktails are made well, something for everyone. read more