When you walk into a restaurant and there is a line when it opens, it is either cheap food or an…read moreexperience. We were eating from out of town, from Los Angeles, and crossing our fingers! Thankfully, Red Ash was an experience! From being greeted by the hostess and accommodated by not going up the flight of stairs (bad knee), to the end with hot cream-filled doughnuts. We started with a great greeting by Jacob, our server, who was also the sommelier. So I took his recommendation for the EPC Brut Premier Cru, because I wanted bubbles and it was heavenly. My daughter's Shirley Temple was perfect with her favorite cherries! To start, we had the Hot and Crispy Country Italian Bread and the San Daniele Prosciutto and Burrata. I would be happy to eat this combination for the rest of my life! My daughter ordered the 1/2 portions of Capelletti "Bishop's Hats" and Handmade Potato Gnocchi "Gratinata" after conferring with Jacob due to her odd food allergy. The gnocchi were like eating clouds of sunshine. I had the 1/2 portion of Mezze Rigatoni Alla Campagnola, which was filled with incredible flavors with every bite. For dessert, we had the Hot Cream Filled Doughnuts even though we were full, but they were perfection with the Blackberry Marmalatta. The experience was complete and was sublime. We actually called over Peter, who was the General Manager, and complimented him on the food (homemade pasta!), staff (specifically the hostesses and Jacob), service (top-notch), and overall ambiance (industrial chic). I even said that they should have a Michelin star! We hope to be back in Austin to experience Red Ash again. Highly recommend this restaurant.

short and to the point…read more... 30 day dry aged porterhouse "la fiorentina" - amazing spaghetti alla chitarra- perfect. wood roasted beef bone marrow & wild mushroom risotto - just..:.. the absolute best thing. just get this and only this it you don't know what to get.

Want to give a shout out for: *Our service professional,…read moreRobin!! (A star) *The salted vanilla cream soda (omg) *Bucatini (so good, so corny) *the music they were playing (had to even bust out the sound hound app) Great service, lovely atmosphere, fresh and unique flavors. Wasn't *wild* about the cocktails nor the pork gnocchi but that could just be my personal taste.

One of our favorite Italian-forward spots in town. The ambience is warm and inviting, the food is…read moreconsistently tasty, and the chocolates/desserts are honestly one of the highlights of the experience. Everything feels thoughtfully done, and the staff are always friendly and welcoming. The only disappointment is that they removed our favorite potato pizza from the menu -- we still think about it and wish they'd bring it back. Aside from that, it's still a great restaurant with good food, great vibes, and a menu that's worth exploring.

Think I just died and went to heaven. I just discovered Bottomless Brunch at Juliet's and gluttony…read morehas never been more real. Every Saturday and Sunday from 11am - 3pm, you can order UNLIMITED amounts of whatever food items your heart craves for only $38/person. What's better... (or worse)-- if you order a mimosa or Bloody Mary, your first is full price and every round after is HALF OFF. The plates are smaller, which is perfect for sharing / eating more! Without a doubt *hands down* my all time favorite was the lasagna-- I hated sharing this.

"Unfortunate" is probably the best way to sum up our experience at Juliet's. When we arrived we…read morewere very pleased to see they offer free valet parking. After giving our keys away we walked into what is a beautiful outside area at Juliet's. It's a nice mix of feeling like you're in downtown Austin but also not. We went inside to request two seats outside and this is unfortunately where everything fell apart. After being seated all the way at the very corner of the restaurant near the entrance, we didn't receive water for 15 minutes. In fact, we had to ask for water, as well as silverware, from a person who was cleaning a table- not a waiter. We didn't order until about 30 minutes after being seated. We noticed that others around us who were dressed nicer for the occasion were receiving service but we were not (jeans and a nice top as opposed to a dressy outfit). This is less of an accusation and more of an observation. It took another waiter noticing that we had not been served to come over and take our order, and that was 5 minutes after we had to flag down a busser to ask for water. The flip side of that whole first part is that the food was pretty good. We got complimentary table bread (after we asked for it since it never came before our main meal) that was soft and went well with the olive oil it came with. For our entrees we got the shrimp scampi and chicken parm. The shrimp scampi was fantastic and light with creamy and bold flavors in-between. The chicken parm was maybe the largest chicken cutlet we've seen given out at a restaurant. Not only was the cutlet massive but it was delicious as well with a nice, light breading and cheese on top. The spaghetti alongside it was a nice touch but this was a true chicken parm entree as it should be. We were offered a complimentary dessert as an apology for the miscues before we ate but turned it down (still good of them to offer). Leaving was easy as the valet was very attentive and quick to get our car. We wish we could say our time at Juliet's was perfect because the setting and food are very nice and a fun change of pace from the surrounding blocks. However, it's difficult to overlook the mistakes made from the jump. We noticed that another table next to us was also experiencing bad service and looked unhappy enough to leave in the middle of their meal/ We're always open to having good food again so hopefully the next time we're here things are different. Just an unfortunate bittersweet taste to what otherwise would have been a fantastic meal.

I ate here with a bunch of colleagues and the staff was super accommodating. As someone who cannot…read moreeat dairy, there was little I could eat here but I made it work. The Pollo Alla Griglia was good but absolutely not worth the money. The salad it came with (I ordered it without tomatoes and cheese) was mediocre and not enough pepper could save it. My favorite thing was the iced tea. I went back for a refill at least 8 times because the unsweet tea was just that good...The focaccia was dangerously good as well and I'm glad I had restraint there. Pros: good for groups, focaccia, unsweet tea Cons: expensive, salad could be better, did I say expensive?

We were visiting Austin celebrating my mother-in-law's 70th birthday. We walked into Mandola's not…read moresure what to expect. We got so lucky in finding this place. Steve at the bar greeted us in such a warm and welcoming way, he made some spot-on suggestions, and just took real care of us. He made our day very special. The food was incredible, really fresh, full of flavor. The wine and desserts were on point. And the prices super reasonable for the quality. I recommend this place. I'm so grateful with Steve, he didn't know but my mother in law lost her son in April, this day was a heavy one because we would usually spend it with him and this was the first birthday without him. She was so happy after, she just wanted to have a good tasty meal with us and we got 5 start food and service. Thank you Steve and Mandola's Italian Kitchen. We will definitely visit again when we're in Austin.

I'm not entirely sure how to describe this experience. The…read moreambiance was nice, with dozens of pictures on the wall and an old-style feel. We were seated after a three-minute break, and I ordered the Joe Lioni. The chicken was very dense, and it pulled apart with barely any force. It was the texture that all chicken strives to be. The flavor was a three-way gradient: Strong lemon; to soft, heavy chicken, to a slow-building spiciness that faded quickly and painlessly. I was finished with the first piece, and about to move on to the second, but my father and sister suggested that I eat some of the spaghetti. The taste and texture can only be described as the feeling on a hike, when you come into a clearing with the sun gently filtering through the trees, and you know and enjoy that there is more to come. Very subtle and light. The pasta and chicken paired more perfectly than anything I have ever eaten before. After I finished, I got the stracciatelli cannoli, that is, the chocolate chip cannoli. I was given the cannoli, as well as a surprise bonus: the Brown Butter gelato. It was amazing. It's the next step up from custard. The cannoli was crispy, brittle, and the ricotta was smooth and rich Scraping my plate on all of these. Like a dream. Prices were somewhat steep, but worth it. 10/10

Who would have thought an Italian red sauce joint would go straight to my top tier Austin recs?…read more Place is just legendary. Sammie's has been hyped up on social media for a long time and I gotta say it's still underrated! I will gladly have Sammie's take the Pepsi challenge against red sauce joints in NYC/NJ etc. In fact, I've told friends and family that I am going to take them to Sammie's when they visit from there. We just had such a fantastic experience - everything..the vibe..the red light fixtures and the color of the booths and the floor..the service - our server was great..loved their outfits..really had an old school little italy feel to it. The food was much better than I even anticipated - as a guy who grew up on NJ diner mozzarella sticks, I have a high bar for them and these were magnificent. And seriously...taking the "everything's bigger in Texas" slogan and applying them to mozzarella sticks?! top 10 achievements of the decade. The chicken parm was perfect - well seasoned, proper amount of crisp..the basil on top...the perfect browning of the cheese. Also the lasanga was excellent..and best part - the leftovers..took it home and the next two days put them in a small cast iron and re-heated them..and the magic was right there in my hill country kitchen! Lastly and certainly not least - the cannoli...just look at the photo below.. I'll say, yes, the place is pricey but you can really easily split these entrees and then it becomes cheaper than a jersey strip center Italian joint. I haven't stopped raving about Sammie's since I've been there, and I cannot wait to return, recommend it, and take friends and family that visit.

Wow! What a treat this was. I hadn't been to North in about ten years since visiting one in…read moreSouthern California, and I had completely forgotten how incredible the food is. The truffle butter garlic bread is absolutely out of this world--an easy 10/10 and a must-order. I also had the Bolognese pasta, and it was fantastic. The pasta was cooked perfectly al dente, and the rich, flavorful meat sauce was spot on. I couldn't resist trying the short rib pasta as well. It was rich, creamy, and definitely buttery--but wow, it was absolutely outstanding. The service was excellent, and while the restaurant is a bit on the loud side, it has a fun, energetic atmosphere with a very cool vibe. I'll definitely be back!

Food was fantastic... great flavor in everything from the appetizer to the main dish to the…read moredessert. Service was amazing! A highlight. Our server, Alex W was attentive and funny, and tended to whatever we needed. Ambiance was sick, I'm a sucker for exposed brick.

Nothing typical here folks! Some of the best Italian I've had in forever.....sorry NYC! Fresh…read more bread, hand made pasta and sauces! Sangria to die for with a twist! ( I have had some of the best in Barcelona) cousin Louie's us Michelin Star folks! My fettuccine sauce was perfection and even when I cleared the plate the sauce was so creamy and thick no butter or oil in sight! OMG to die for!! My husband's family is Italian from Milan and he said (sorry Momma and Nona) was better than families!! That's a Hugh statement!! Won't disappoint Thank you for such a lovey, delicious dinning experience! Keep up the good work Louie Epic!!

Never heard of this place but got a coupon in the mail for a buy one lunch, get a free lunch…read more Decided to try it as I'm always looking for decent Italian food. As it turns out the coupon was only good during the week and it was Saturday. No big deal. I ordered a Meatball Sandwich, my friend an Italian Sandwich (after asking our excellent young waitress about it). She brought out two very tasty types of bread with olive oil for dipping. The sandwiches came with Garlic Fries. The Fries were delicious but unfortunately mine were lukewarm. I certainly could have asked for a fresh portion, but was hungry enough not to bother. That's the reason my rating wasn't 5 Star. Because the restaurant was pretty empty on this Saturday afternoon, I feel the Chef shouldn't have sent out fries that weren't piping hot. The Meatball Sandwich however was marvelous. Freshly made, tasty meatballs with sauce and cheese on their focaccia bread was a real treat. I took half home and ate the rest for dinner. All in all, I'd come back here again as the food was excellent as well as the service.

My coworkers and I got together at Artipasta to celebrate Festa della Repubblica (Italy's National…read moreDay), and it was my first time trying this place. I can honestly say it won't be my last! It's a small restaurant, but it has a cozy atmosphere that made the whole experience enjoyable. The staff was amazing, friendly, attentive, and on top of everything. I absolutely loved the Pizza "Stria," a crispy flatbread topped with EVOO, sea salt, and fresh rosemary. The bruschetta and Caprese skewers were incredible. Honestly, I could've made a meal out of just those appetizers. For my entrée, I ordered the lasagna, and let me tell you...the portion was huge! I shared it with four coworkers and still had plenty left for myself. Best of all, it was absolutely delicious. Artipasta did not disappoint. Great food, great service, and a great experience overall. I'll definitely be back!

I ordered a pasta dish via Uber Eats and was surprised when the driver handed me a very small…read morecontainer. For $21, I was sure hoping for some garlic bread or a side salad, too. Anyway, after delivery fees and tip, I spent $32 for a small container of pasta which was good, but definitely not worth $21.00.