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.

Amazing happy hour…read more All day Sunday!! $6 drinks - we tried the Rosa Luna cocktail - delicious!! Loved this Also pomme frites and escargot both on happy hour menu We loved both - super good and we would get this again!! We sat at the bar but the booths are really cute Decor and building is definitely antique Service was great - bartenders are always available

Cool downtown French spot - great cocktails and drink selections! I think I like the drinks better…read morethan the food here, but they have a lot of good classic French fare on the menu. Food: Came here specifically to try bouillabaisse since it's pretty much the only restaurant in Austin that makes it. Large portion of seafood and very filling from the bread! The soup was a bit salty, but probably expected from the seafood. Also ordered the quail dish - this one was a bit underwhelming, decent but nothing special about it. I would say the drinks are really nice here - they have a large variety of absinthe and comes with a very cool water drip vessel. Service: Great service - came to check in often and offered some good insight into the different absinthe drinks. Vibe: Dark and moody - a bit on the rustic/industrial side but still a nice place for a date or a group. We could hear some music playing from the venues nearby which added to the ambiance.

Wow what a fantastic experience. We came here for a friends birthday dinner and loved it…read more It's a small but can't-go-wrong menu. Here's what we ordered: 1. Smoked gulf oysters - delicious! 2. Tomatoes & peach salad - refreshing and a delicious unique dressing 3. Sourdough bread - amazing freshly churned butter and cheese spread 4. Cacio e Pepe - perfectly made all around 5. Rigatoni - this was the only dish I didn't really care for 6. Gulf fish - light and perfectly cooked 7. Blue corn empanada - (complimentary for our birthday girl!). It was vegan and you'd never know! 8. PB blackberry dessert - literally the best dessert I think I've ever had. I would come back just to eat that over and over again. What an incredibly made dessert with so many different flavors and textures. Amazinggggg! Our server was amazing too so just all around a great experience!

This was one of the BEST meal experiences I have had in Austin from start to finish! Emmer & Rye…read morehas been on my list to try for 5 years now aid it exceeded my expectations... fantastic service, phenomenal flavors, and beautiful presentation. This is the perfect spot for a special occasion and I highly recommend the chef's counter if you can get a reservation for it! NOTES: - Reservations: Use OpenTable - Parking: Valet is available for $12 (best option because Rainey St is crowded so street parking is hard to find and the garages nearby are expensive) - Menu changes based on what's available THE HIGHS: - Sitting at the chef's counter: If you have the option to reserve these seats, DO IT! Sitting directly in front of the open kitchen adds to the overall experience (and it helps you decide what to order as you see different dishes coming out) - Fantastic service: We were celebrating my husband's birthday and there was a signed birthday card at our seats. Multiple workers wished him a happy birthday and we were even brought non-alcoholic drinks to celebrate Shea gave us personalized attention and even asked what my husband's favorite color was for the candle next to the dessert. All of the interactions felt genuine and their overall hospitality is next level. - Flavors: There are so many unique ingredients and methods used in the dishes like fried egg foam, smoked peach honey, and persimmon gravy. It all works and every dish is incredibly balanced. - Meal pacing; You order everything at once but the kitchen does a great job of pacing the different dishes throughout the meal. - Presentation: Every dish was plated beautifully and garnished well but you still get a great portion size. THE LOWS: - The end of the meal... seriously, I have no complaints other than being sad when it was over! - It can be hard to get a reservation if you don't plan ahead. THE PRICE: The total was $159.14 after tax ($12.14) but before tip for: - Sourdough Bread ($15) - Johnny Cakes ($16) - Cacio e Pepe ($20) - Caramelle ($23) - Pappardelle ($24) - Lamb & Pork Carnitas ($36) - PB & J ($14) It's obviously a pricier restaurant but I was pleasantly surprised by the portion size... I was so impressed by the flavors in everything we ordered that I didn't even think twice abut the price. BEST BITES: - Johnny Cakes: The fried egg foam is INSANE and the shishito pepper relish at the bottom adds so much flavor (the order comes with 6 but you can do a half order of 3) - Caramelle: This was a new addition to the menu and they hit it out of the park! The pasta is so thin and the smoked house ricotta inside is incredibly soft so it feels like you're biting into a little pillow. - Lamb & Pork Carnitas: You definitely taste the pork more than the lamb but the textures are fantastic because the outside is crispy but it's so moist and tender inside. The sauerkraut adds the perfect acidity, the persimmon gravy is rich and flavorful, and the spaetzle on the side is delicious! THE VERDICT: Emmer & Rye is a must-try for locals or anyone visiting who wants a gourmet dinning experience without breaking the bank. Plan ahead and make a reservation because it's definitely a popular place. I've also dined at their sister restaurant Hestia and loved my meal there as well but I think I personally enjoyed the menu offerings at Emmer & Rye a little more. I recommend sharing the dishes so you can try more things and definitely save room for dessert because the PB & J is delicious!

I visited Serenade at the W before a show with my partner. The restaurant is clean and open and has…read morea high end feel to the atmosphere. We were seated quickly and there were not many people eating this evening. We ordered drinks that came quick and were tasty. I had a tea and my partner had a cosmo. The waitress took our order and we enjoyed the drinks while waiting for the food. I ordered the burger and fries and my partner ordered the salad with chicken breast. The food arrived and I feel like the portions were fair. My partner enjoyed her salad and said the chicken breast was tasty. My burger had a soft fresh bun and the fries were good. The burger itself was ok and for 25$ I expected a little better burger for the price. I give this place 4 stars and would probably come back.

Following the renovation of the W hotel, serenade has opened. It replaced the previous restaurant…read morethat was in the lobby of the W, and the three stars are because I think the previous iteration of the restaurant was better. There was almost no one in the restaurant and yet it was extremely slow. We waited almost 40 minutes for a salad with grilled chicken and a hamburger. The cocktail was delicious, and the salad was good. As I continued eating, I felt like the chicken breast was not fully cooked, and did not eat it. My bf enjoyed the hamburger but didn't think it was anything special. It is lovely inside and the staff were nice. Because of the number of shows we see at Moody, I'm sure we will be back and will hope it is better next time.

This place was perfect for date night! We had the lobster ravioli shareable (2 ravioli) and it was…read morepretty good. It needed salt in my opinion. The chicken piccata was fantastic and the chicken was so tender. Service was fantastic and she checked on us just the right amount. She also made suggestions

Easy to find, off Lamar, a Main Street. Covered parking was convenient and the service was great…read more I stopped in, hoping to find a nice Italian place to enjoy a glass of red wine and light dinner. The food was great- I had the scallops with spaghettini in a lemon garlic sauce -delicious! Affogato vanilla ice cream made a pleasant ending. Definitely stop by!

July's menu is $79 per person and soooo worth it. This is our second time at birdies and it's one…read moreof our favorite places to have celebratory dinners. Service is always great and the staff is so knowledgeable. They explain the dishes as they bring them out in case you don't have the menu on hand. It's fun to try new dishes here. You can sit inside or outside. This time we dined outside on the patio which is dog friendly. They had fans going since it was warm out but still very enjoyable. The food has always been delicious. We can't wait to come back.

They did their "favorites" menu, so the best over the years!…read more Menu: Chickpea panisse- a classic, easy starter Focaccia - annoying $15 addition, good but I've had better. The house ricotta saves this Gazpacho - surprisingly a hit, a nice tang Beef tartare - a MUST every visit, I don't care if it adds $$ on a different menu.. I will say it tasted better before though Spaghetti - perfectly cooked noodles, good flavor, this threw off the balance of the meal portion wise Halibut - sauce was sweet, overcooked Minute steak (add $$)- great sauce, great veg, good cook, but potatoes were sad? Desserts - sweet corn soft serve was cornbread in a cup and I hate that, cookie was delicious (not $9 delicious), olive oil cake won by far Overall thoughts: I'm being nitpicky, but overall a good meal still. Tracy and Arjav run a pretty tight ship, so I was more surprised with the iffy parts. They handle reservations better than the walk-in line. I liked it better when they allowed you to pick vs the set menu bc I know what I like there and portion sizing on a set menu tends to be too much for me.