Justine's has been on my list for far too long, so I finally made a reservation and went in with pretty high expectations. There's an empty lot next door for parking as well as some street parking, but both are pretty limited and hard to come by. If you can Uber, I recommend it. The outdoor tent setup is really pretty and feels like a romantic date night and the main dining experience, while the inside is much more basic, but air conditioned. We were seated indoors which was good since it had just rained and the weather was quite muggy. Our unfriendly waiter (so French) came over right away to take drink orders. Our group consisted of one beer drinker, one cocktail sipper, one soda guzzler and one water drinker. The drinks were very good. For appetizers we started with the grilled octopus and escargots, both of which were delicious and the stars of the meal. For entrees two of us ordered the steak frites, also ordered bolognese, and côte de porc. Nothing was bad at all, but nothing really stood out either. For dessert we tried the crème brûlée and chocolate ganache, which were fine to finish the meal. If you go, definitely get the grilled Spanish octopus, that was the standout dish for me. For a party of four, our bill came out to $360 plus the tip. I'm glad I finally tried it, but with the higher prices and kind of average food, I don't feel a strong urge to come back anytime soon. Maybe in good weather I would uber over for some drinks and great appetizers. read more

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Five words. OBSCENELY OVERPRICED AND ABSOLUTE SLOP. AVOID THIS PLACE!!! My rating is a NEGATIVE 10, however that choice is not available. Sam L. is correct in his review. It bears repeating. OBSCENELY OVERPRICED AND ABSOLUTE SLOP. I went there for my birthday, and I need a redo of my birthday. I cannot comprehend how ANYONE could rate this as not poison. I was sick during the night from this food. It was just awful. The only good item was the fresh baguette that was served with the escargots. The escargots were flavourless and obscenely overpriced. I requested salt. It did little to redeem them. I had the absurdly overpriced duck - $45. It was flavourless, dry as a bone, miniscule in size, served with frisée (awful), and an overabundance of roasted potatoes. $45 for this is a crime. I would not serve this to a starving stray dog. The plate was clearly designed to extract maximum profit for a tiny strip of dry duck. The fat on the duck was equivalent to to the minimal amount of protein. My dinner companion and I ordered pomme frites as a side. We imagined that it would be a reasonably sized side plate. They brought a TUB. It was a serving bowl size. We commented about this and the staff say that they like to 'make sure that people are fed'. I certainly appreciate the sentiment, but oh my, not THIS place. I had the special desert. Nope. It was an abysmal failure. It was supposed to be a coconut rice pudding with mango sauce. It was served with a flavourless piece of millefeuille on top. Pointless. The rice pudding and mango sauce were pre-cooking school level. Again I revisit the pricing on this. Criminal. I was out with a friend who was kind and generous enough to take me out for my birthday, so I put on a brave face. This place should shut down immediately. It is a revolting excuse for food. Actual excellent french food can be found in NY for FAR less than these prices. I will cook a french meal (satisfying and delicious) for any person who disagrees. This place is a trashcan. PLEASE I beg of you, do NOT waste your money! Stay home and cook, or take me up on my offer. read more

You don't have to be French to hate Justine's. Too bad to have to leave this clip joint even one star. Wait! I give it one star for the amazing gall to offer this offal up as French food! And for rolling their eyes, and their practiced Gallic condescension. Austin used to have a couple of decent French restaurant/bistros: Chez Nous was run by people from Marseilles, and Chamonix, and other parts of France. It didn't compare to French restaurants in France, but it was a decent value, and it was way better than nothing. Fabi & Rosi was probably more German than French, but with a good Euro mentality. Both Fabi & Rosi and Chez Nous died in the Covid plague. The best French resto in Austin by far was Aquarelle, which when it opened had a skilled chef in the kitchen from Aix-en-Provence. Austin probably wasn't ready for real French food at the time, and it quietly folded a few years ago. That brings us to Justine's: when it opened ca. 2009, it was a good value. The escargots were good, the onion soup was good, they served Delice de Bourgogne cheese, and the bread was good enough to mop up the garlic butter sauce. The other offerings were always meh, and the place was loud enough to remove the enamel from your teeth. I had skipped it for a few years until I got back from a trip to France, and wanted a nice French dinner. So I chose to return to Justine's. The crime and the pity of this place is that it is owned and operated by French people, and they know real French food, and they are deliberately abusing the public with their food, service, and prices. Americans generally associate French dining with arrogance, condescension. and laughable price points: if that's your expectation, then Welcome To Justine's! We ordered the radishes served with butter as an appetizer, which was not served with bread--which is sort of the whole point of eating radishes and butter. When we pointed this out, they charged us $5.00 for a half-baguette of bread to go with. Their bread! Their bread! Oo-la-la! Every French or Italian person knows that bread is firm and crusty on the outside and pillowy and delectable on the inside. What we got was the usual squishy, spongy stuff they sell at Walmart (not to cast aspersions on Walmart). THESE PEOPLE KNOW BETTER than to serve bread like this, and at this price! The rest of the meal was downhill--and EXPENSIVE, laughably overpriced, like the stereotypical snotty French dining experience. Before you eat here, do yourself the favor of reading the plethora of one-star reviews before submitting your own. And while we're here, the local food critics LOVE this place--has anybody writing these reviews ever been to France? Or Quebec? So many good restos in Austin have died, ill-served and neglected by the local 'food experts'. Let the buyer....wait: QUE L'ACHETEUR SOIT PRUDENT! THAT'S as close to France as you'll get with THIS joint. read more

Met some friends here yesterday to watch the World Cup France v Spain game. Sadly, France didn't win but we had a great time and good seats. I was lucky to get one of the last parking spots in their lot and my friends got there a bit earlier and got us chairs in front of the big screen. For a few minutes the big screen fritzed so people moved outside to look at the small screen or pulled out their phones. I enjoyed the French 75, olives, and pomme frites. They seemed to have a limited menu based on when I've been here before. Overall, the event was well run and extremely packed with people inside and out! They had a unique ordering system with little plastic numbered tents to identify tables/orders. They had wait staff that was dressed up in theme costumes and they gave everyone a free glass of sparkling wine after the game was over. Overall, a really fun experience despite the loss! read more

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This place has been on my list and made reservations for NYE early around 5pm. They have a big party with exclusive tickets later on so the table had a strict timeline of 2 hours. They had a limited menu specific to NY so that kinda impacted the overall experience, especially if your heart was set on an item. I got the Wagyu steak and it was amazing, $94 made it the most expensive thing on the menu. Sadly out of the four peeps, only two enjoyed their dishes, myself and the pork chop dish. The seafood ones left a lot to desire. Drinks were fine, had a glass of wine and our waitstaff was kind to give details on all of our questions. Even asking the kitchen to confirm. Overall decent experience and I'd like to go to try their main menu. read more

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We came here for dinner with my wife with a reservation. The food and service was excellent. 5 star restaurant. The crab salad, octopus, duck confit, grass fed steak, creme brulee and chocolate mousse were amazing. That chocolate mousse was the best I've ever had in my life. The duck was fall off the bone. We drove all the way from Pflugerville and it was worth it. We will be back! read more

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Mediocre at best. Service was little to non-existent (while kind). The food was okay. And all of that at a convenient price of $150 for 2 people. Will not recommend. Will not be back. read more

Lemon souflee: hot lemon soup in the BEST WAY!!!! AuPorve: delicious, with fries it's remenicent of poutine This was a little hidden gem but a great night cap. The vibe is lowkey and chill but the decor is full of personality. Everyone was nice and helpful, food came out in great timing. read more

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This place was all about the vibes to me. The patio is really unique and makes you feel like you're somewhere else. The service wasn't the friendliest but it was quick. The food itself was decent. I think it felt too expensive for what it was but some of it was really good. The escargot with the bread was my favorite. If I come back, I'd probably want to just have drinks and French fries at the bar outside. read more

Justine's Brasserie - Cucumber Salad De Crabe - French Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Finally made it to Justine's with some Yelp friends on NYE & what an experience it was. They were having an annual-themed NYE party (theme changed yearly) and though we didn't partake in the party we were able to see & interact with party guests/fellow diners in their amazing attire (think Marie Antoinette). The regular menu wasn't available but rather a special NYE menu that was packed with choices; mainly seafood. I opted for the Cote de Porc, a double-cut pork chop, Pommes Dauphine, crème moutarde, and herbed oil. It was absolutely delicious. The pork was so flavorful, juicy, and tender that it just melted in my mouth. And, hey, I was getting a jump start on the traditional pork on New Year's Day meal, right? The portion was honestly large enough for two people. I didn't even finish 1/4 of my plate & had it boxed up to go. The vibe, decor, and atmosphere at Justine's is sexy, bold, eclectic, and stylish. I also like that it's a late-night restaurant but reservations are a near must. All-in-all it's romantic from start to finish and a great place to go with friends or that special someone. Note: They've got a parking lot across the street by Central Machine Works as well as on-street parking. read more

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(4/5) My girlfriend and I recently visited Justine's for a date night, and overall we had a great experience. The atmosphere is charming, romantic, and has a unique East Austin vibe that makes it a perfect spot for a night out. We both ordered the Steak Frites. She chose the herb sauce, while I went with the sauce au poivre. The steaks were cooked well, flavorful, and definitely the highlight of the meal. I also enjoyed a glass of the Dacite Chilled Red Wine, which paired nicely with dinner. Service was attentive, and the ambiance alone makes this place worth visiting. While the meal wasn't quite a perfect 10/10 for me, it was still very enjoyable. I'd give the steak an 8/10 and would absolutely return to try more items from the menu. A great spot for date night, good food, and a memorable dining experience. Highly recommend checking it out if you're in East Austin. read more

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My husband and I venture out to Justine's for our anniversary on Saturday night. We arrived a few minutes after 6 (when they open), and there was already a line. Apparently you need to get there before they open to get a seat inside, because they don't take reservations for small parties. We were seated on their outdoor patio, which is cute. I was hoping we'd be inside with the AC, but I expected that might not happen with the popularity of this restaurant. As others have mentioned, service was quite slow. I was expecting a more intimate, quiet atmosphere after seeing it listed as a romantic destination. That may be on weeknights, but it was quite loud and full of groups on Saturday evening. We were still able to have a nice conversation at our table, though, so it wasn't too loud. We started with the bread and butter. The bread was very crunchy and a bit burnt on the ends, unfortunately. For our main courses, I had the French onion soup and steak frites, while my husband had the bolognese and ratatouille. The soup was the best part of my whole meal, if I'm being honest. The steak frites were fine, but I've had better steak at home, and the fries were nothing to write home about. The ratatouille was tasty, and the bolognese was a very hearty portion. They definitely don't skimp on the portion sizes here! I had my steak wrapped up to take home. We ended our meal with the chocolate mousse, which is my favorite dessert. I was quite disappointed to find that the whipped cream on top appeared to be "reddi whip" from a can, and while the mousse had a decent texture, it tasted like a pudding snack pack from the grocery store. Overall, rather unimpressed by our experience here. The setting is very cute, so I see the appeal there, but our meal was just okay. Service was fine but a bit slow (to be expected). If you have after dinner plans let your server know up front so they can get you in and out quickly. read more

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Justine's Brasserie is one of those Austin spots that feels special the second you sit down. The caviar, escargot, and tartar are absolute must-orders, classics done perfectly and full of flavor. The rest of the menu holds up just as well, but those three standouts are what I'll keep coming back for. The service is exceptional, warm, attentive, and knowledgeable without being overbearing. Pair that with the restaurant's eclectic vibe and you've got an atmosphere that's lively, a little unexpected, and totally Austin. Easily 5 stars. If you're in town and want an experience that blends great food with character, this is it. read more

Justine's Brasserie - French Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Justine's Brasserie in Austin is the kind of place that feels like you've stepped into a little pocket of Paris--moody lighting, eclectic decor, a hip crowd, and a menu that's full of bold, unapologetically French flavors. It's tucked away in one of the city's trendier corners and oozes that effortlessly cool Austin energy. Let's talk food: absolutely fantastic. For the adventurous foodies out there, this spot delivers something different. The pâté en croûte? A rare treat and beautifully done. The escargot? A whole experience in itself--earthy, garlicky, and worth the dive if you're feeling bold. But the surprise winner was the bolognaise--rich, comforting, and hands-down the best I've ever had. Yes, really. Now the not-so-great: service. This was one of those times where how things were handled left more of a mark than what was said. Despite booking a large group well in advance, we were told we couldn't push tables together and that meals would come out separately by table--which kind of crushed the whole "group dinner" vibe. To top it off, we were seated outside right after a rainstorm, and the chairs were still wet. Not exactly the warm welcome we were hoping for. Look, I understand the "cool, aloof Parisian" vibe, and part of me even respects the commitment to the aesthetic--but hospitality doesn't have to be sacrificed for ambiance. A little flexibility or kindness would have gone a long way. Bottom line: Go for the food. Go for the vibe. But if you're rolling in with more than 4-6 people, manage expectations--or maybe save it for a smaller, more intimate outing. There's a lot to love here... just don't expect it to love you back in quite the same way. read more

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Super cool space! The baguette, potatoes, and crème brûlée were my favorites. A really great vibe!! read more

Justine's Brasserie - Baguette & whipped butter - French Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Wowowow. Justine's is so great and I will definitely be coming back. I love the outside vibe with the curtains and it gives such a fancy feeling. Despite going with a large group, our service was great. The servers were very kind and helped us out (and also let us stay so late). The food was phenomenal. Really something else. I had the pork chop, and I am not lying when I say it was the BEST pork chop ever. My friends had gotten the escargot & octopus & bolognese which were also so amazing in flavor and texture. The fries were also really great - nice crisp to it. Perfect for an upscale dinner for celebrations or even just a nice night out. Next time I'm in Austin, I will definitely be returning. There is parking across the street just a little past Justine's that you can park at. There is also a busker that performs at the entrance/exit of the lot who is so talented and very kind. read more

Justine's Brasserie - Interior/exterior (technically the patio but feels enclosed) - French Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Our favorite restaurant on the East Side. I recommend getting there at 5:45 so you can get in easily without a reservation when they open at 6. Always get the baguette with butter, we like the salmon cru, of course we get the steak frites but the pork chop is better imo and the sauce & potato side are phenomenal. read more

I used to love Justine's. The service is good, food is pretty good, but the atmosphere!! I don't know why they won't listen to their many reviews mentioning how LOUD it is. It is recommended as a romantic spot. You can't hear your dining partner at all. We were yelling into each other's ears trying to have a conversation. Ridiculous and so disappointing when looking forward to a romantic dinner. read more

Service: Excellent (although our server never checked on us). Atmosphere: Excellent (aside from the seemingly dangerous fire hazard of the propane heaters inside the "tent" area). Food: Marginal and overrated at best. Had a steak tartare which was edible. My guest had the pasta which was equivalent to Chef Boyardee. For the price and the hype I wouldn't recommend. read more

Like a proper Parisian cafe - a cornerstone of the Austin Eastside (calling all sides), good for all occasions and especially the fancy ones, just-right Justine's. Chef special at the raw bar was a beautiful crudo - thinly sliced Amberjack with capers, black pepper, and Serrano, the buttery fish cut by sweet orange citrus and a champagne vinaigrette. I balanced out with my chocolate dream - a silky & milky mousse, rich & weightless, indulgent & balanced. The tent and night market scene is quintessential Justine's - lively, intriguing, sexy. Always coming back for more! read more

Justine's Brasserie - Chocolate Mousse - French Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Second time here. Have to say first time was better. Food was consistent service was not. Waitress had a weird attitude. Love the vibes of this spot though it's definitely one of the better spots in Austin. First time we went for our mains we had moules frites and my partner had steak frites. Both were great. My friend and I went this time and she got the confit canard which was kinda strange, they asked if she wanted the skin crispy. Does anyone eat duck with not crispy skin? Does that exist? I had bolognese it was great, HUGE portion. The ratatouille and the pate en croute are also yum. read more

Justine's Brasserie - Pate en croute it was yum! - French Near Me - Austin, Texas

Food was average, everything needed additional seasoning. A 22% gratuity charge is added for groups larger than 6 which is acceptable, HOWEVER, our server wasn't as attentive to the table compared to the others. The enclosed room was small and our waiter had maybe only 3 other small tables next to us when we noticed them rounding more on the others. Kind of a let down when you're spending $300+ on food and 1 round of drinks. read more

I was completely enamored by Justine's Brasserie. Of all the places that I ate and drank at in Austin, this was probably my favorite. Why? The vibes are so eclectic and the drinks and food were excellent. We opted for a resi here on our last night of my friend's bachelorette. I thought perhaps we'd have a semi chill dinner on a Sunday night but not here - this place was packed! We sat inside at a table near the bar which was totally bustling on a Sunday evening. It seems like this is a place where people enjoy having a cocktail (or three). When I had done my research about this spot, I know they are known for late night imbibing so I figured the vibe would be fun. I ordered a dirty martini for my cocktail and shared the escargot with my friend. It was delish. I also opted for steak frites as my dinner. No lie, this may have been one of the best steak frites I have ever had. It's made with Ribeye and you can choose from three different sauces to accompany it. I went all in and got all three, but the roquefort one was my absolute fave. When we finished dinner there was a night market set up with local vendors and a DJ. You could grab a drink at the outdoor bar and walk around and shop. I really liked the energy of this place, and it seems that it is a local favorite. It makes sense, because if I lived in Austin this would totally be a spot that I'd hang out at regularly. Would definitely recommend for date night, girls night, or just a fun drink at the bar solo! read more

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You really come here for the ambiance. Beautiful decor and employees get into the themes with costuming. A visual feast for one's eyes. The cocktails were fun and delicious. I had a pink glitter one and a fruity tropical drink. The names I don't remember, sorry. The food, however... I was disappointed in my black squid ink-battered soft-shell crab. I mentioned to our waiter that it wasn't my favorite when asked. He politely ignored my commentary and took it away. The Birth of Venus dessert we got was underwhelming. Based on our waiter's description, we were expecting grand and marvelous. Instead, it was just a sparkly dome resembling a part of female anatomy. It wasn't even tasty to make-up for the lack of wow factor. Two of my friends had way better dishes: The Pork Chop and the Steak. Both delicious! I was trying to pick a dish that wasn't $60 or $100. In hindsight, maybe I should have opted for no cocktails and got a better dish instead. read more

Justine's Brasserie - New Year's Eve - French Near Me - Austin, Texas

The best french onion soup in town! Also some of the best bolognese I've had in Austin. The noodles are so fresh and the vibe is immaculate for a girls night or date night. The staff is very knowledgeable and love how they change out the aesthetic every couple of months. I will definitely be back here. read more

French food is authentic and indulgent -- from perfectly crisp frites to rich, buttery entrées that feel straight out of Paris. The outdoor seating is magical -- twinkling lights, upbeat music, and an energy that feels festive yet relaxed. It's the kind of place where you want to linger all night over wine and laughter. read more

Went to the brunch on Saturday and waited 30 minutes to be seated with my family of 4 including me. Not too bad of a wait. Had a wonderful flea market behind the restaurant and enjoyed the atmosphere. Sat down for our brunch at 12 and this is where it all began. Over an hour had gone by and no food. Manager came by and said it would be up in 10 minutes. An hour and 20 minutes later, our food was not cooked to my son's request and omelette just warm for me. Although it tasted good, it was disappointing. The tea pot of water was only half filled. Our waiter seemed new and not quite energetic but more lackadaisical to our needs. It was busy but the wait times seemed extreme compared to similarly busy restaurants in Austin. When time to pay, never saw the bill just the waiter requesting the payment card to put in the handheld machine. He asked what tip I preferred to tap on and I requested no tip, I wanted to pay in cash. He hit the "no-tip" and asked me if wanted a printed receipt. I said yes please. When receiving the paper receipt I noticed an auto gratuity of 20% which was $51.00. I was just ready to hand over $60 in cash to the waiter and thank goodness I noticed the added tip. Asked for the manager and specified that the waiter either didn't know the tip was automatically put on the bill or did so anyway. Manager had no answer and gave excuses of being busy. They are always busy there so what changed? And if you have this once a year brunch you should have been prepared. She did offer us a 20% discount for our next visit when we spoke after payment but didn't offer any concessions when we complained about the late food and other issues while seated. Also, a party of 4 should not be automatically charged a gratuity. A party of 6 or more I understand plus, it is not stated on the menu or in the restaurant that an auto gratuity will be added to any menu order. Although Justine's always offers a great atmosphere and plenty of great people watching, this experience left us disappointed. Brunch is definitely not their forté. We love Justine's because it represents the eclectic Austin that is disappearing but good service shouldn't be part of that disappearance. read more

Great music and environment, unique for a classier and more expensive restaurant. Awesome hospitality. Food was delicious but it's just too pricey for me... I'm poor hehe read more

Nut Allergy warning: They are a peanut-free restaurant, but there was a caution that dishes may be subject to cross contamination and the charcuterie boards were an unknown. I was fine eating there, so this seemed to be just a warning. Order - to - Appetizer: 21 Minutes Order - to - Entree: 41 Minutes We arrived at 10:40PM on a Friday evening and were quoted a 45-60 minute wait. 32 minutes later, we got the text saying our table was ready. The first thing I noticed was that my knife was dirty. That really set the stage for the rest of the meal and was unexpected for the intimate environment. Appetizers: Escargot (3/5): I rarely eat escargot, but got it on a recommendation. It seemed to rely far too heavily on butter and garlic. Frankly, for the price, I could get mushrooms with similar texture and have it at a fraction of the cost. French Onion Soup (4.5/5): The only dish I'd order again here. The layer of conte cheese was an interesting addition that added some complexity to the soup. Pâté en Croûte (2/5): Served cold, I really didn't like the gelatinous texture. I've never had it before and probably wouldn't get it again. The side salad that came with it was better than the pastry. Bread (1.5/5): Hard bread is a style, but one that I can't appreciate here. I nibbled on it because I like bread and it was slightly better dipped in the onion soup or escargot butter. Entree: Bolognaise (2/5): Noodles were too stiff as if undercooked. The meat sauce was nothing special. Felt like I could grate better parmesan at home. Overall, service was slow and we had to flag our waitress to even get our check. I even saw someone's chair break while we were sitting there. No idea how it happened and the gentleman seemed fine, but certainly one way to ruin a dinner. I might come back to try the burger, but I wouldn't wait an hour to be here. read more

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We came back to Justine's Brasserie and opted to sit inside near the bar to soak in the hustle and bustle of a Friday night--such a lively and fun atmosphere! Since they don't take reservations and operate on a first-come, first-served basis, we made sure to be first in line before they opened at 6 PM. Parking can be a bit tricky, but we discovered a free lot across the street and a paid lot next door, plus street parking if you arrive early enough. Food-wise, we ordered the Royale with Cheese, one of their most popular dishes, and it did not disappoint. Others in our group enjoyed the special of the day pâté, pulpo (grilled octopus), pasta Bolognese, and cheesecake--all well-executed and delicious. The service is always nice and quirky, adding to the charm of this East Austin gem. Definitely one of the best brasseries in Austin and always worth a visit! read more

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I dined in last night, and honestly was not impressed. As someone who heard many good things about this place I was so excited to try it out. My friends and I were there to celebrate a birthday and it was probably one of the most horrendous experiences I've ever had. It was so awful I could find better options to eat at 6 hours away (I drove 6 hours to get to Austin) in a small town diner. First off I assume our original server did not want to deal with us and he wanted to go home or something cause it took 15 minutes for us to be greeted, and then it took another 8-10 minutes for us to get water at the table and by the time we got drink orders in/ an order of bread we were already there for around 30 minutes. During 15 of those minutes we were ignored and another server came by and stated that our original server was moved inside and that he would be taking care of us. When we finally got all of our appetizers the bread was hard as rock and it was impossible to cut into/or tear even with a steak knife (which were also pretty dull) the escargo was delicious however it was not worth the 30 minute wait. It took around 30 minutes from the time we ordered our drinks to the time it got to the table to receive them as we were pretty ignored the whole time. The French 75 was decent as well as the carajillo but they left much to be desired. The bubbles were okay as well it was just so long of a wait. And it also seemed like they were not busy at all as we were the only table on the "covered patio" and there weren't a lot of tables inside either. By the time we ordered our entrees it was about an hour into our experience and only 1 out of 5 of us liked our food. The mussels were not great. The bolognese tasted bland and lacked any flavor. The ratatouille was also the same. The pork chop was decent but it wasn't anything special. And as far as the French onion soup that was probably the best thing on the menu that any of us had. I personally got the steak frites and for being the most expensive item on the menu food wise (around $60) you'd think it would be amazing. I ordered my Ribeye Medium Rare and it came out medium well practically well done. And it was cold and bland. The fries weren't anything special either. I can make a better steak at home using actual salt and pepper. Let's talk about service now. Besides being ignored for 20 minutes at a time we were barely given any water and our server couldn't remember our order or requests. I noticed this also with other tables as well. He came up to us and forgot basic condiments we asked for as well as multiple drinks. Had to come back and verify what we wanted again because he quote "couldn't remember" and did not seem very professional at all. The way he was dressed seemed completely wrong compared to the ambiance we were in. Why was our server wearing a semi see through sports jersey and cargo shorts in a part of a restaurant that was decorated in silk beige curtains with mermaid seashells? I have no idea. I do want to say the hostesses and side staff were dressed in black and they looked nice and professional. So I'm not sure what was going on. I do want to say though the crème brûlée was pretty nice. Possibly the best experience of the night. It just took an extremely long time to get to that point. Also when we got the check it took another 15 minutes for our server to even grab the check and run it through. The tab was $400 and our server said it came with an Automatic 22% gratuity because we were a party of 6. Which ended up making it $491. Almost $500 For an automatic gratuity that amount you would think the server would be on top of things. We'd probably even leave more if it was a pleasant experience. But overall we felt ignored,disappointed, and dissatisfied. We paid the tab and left but personally we won't be back. Maybe the owners/management need to reevaluate their wait staff because personally ignoring your party/ lounging around on a table in-front of your large party laughing and talking with a coworker isn't the best thing to do. I'd hate for this to be my first review of a restaurant on here at all but it was just awful read more

The tent is a must try. It really does transport you to another place, another time. Definitely a special experience that feels like a supper club if you like that vibe. Service was great. Everyone seemed to work well as a team and would step in if our sever was busy. Everyone seemed on top of everything while being pleasant. Food was good but I didn't try that much. Loved the caviar, thought the salad was just ok but a generous size and enjoyed the very tasty frites. The French 76 was done perfectly. I"ll for sure come back when next time I am in Austin. read more

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Justines is a very eclectic spot. The front door is adorned with strings of sparkling sequins and the layout is quintessential Austin: a make shift front room, a backyard, a house converted to bar/restaurant. The atmosphere is dark and chic. One atmosphere not: the music was too loud. Sometimes hard to hear someone sitting just across from you. Ok, the most important stuff: the food. We tried: escargot, steak fries, steak tartare, and ratatouille. Mille Feuille for dessert. Overall the food was good, but too expensive for me to want to come back soon. The steak was very tender and had good flavor. Just a little sear on the exterior, juicy in the center. The kitchen staff did a nice job cooking it to medium rare. The shoestring fries were good & salty, but I didn't love the sauce, which seemed like a mayo-heavy aioli. I'm not a huge escargot fan, but if you douse anything in that much garlic butter, it's probably going to taste good. The bread served alongside wasn't worthy of a French restaurant imo. It wasn't light and airy on the interior, rather a bit more dense . And the crust wasn't crispy, instead it was chewy. The steak tartare was pretty tasty as well. But they didn't bring out any toasted bread with it at first, we had to ask for that. Personally I haven't had a tartare that didn't come with some bread or crackers, but maybe that's how the French eat it? I think I've learned ratatouille just isn't my thing. It's probably not Justine's fault, but it just had too much vegetable flavor. I like vegetables, but it was a bit overwhelming to me. Finally the mille Feuille was a fairly good way to end the night. It was very rich & creamy w/ crispy layers of pastry. Also a sight to look at! So I guess to close, I would say I'd be more likely to recommend and come back for prices maybe 30% lower. If you've got money to spend, they do have some tasty items, but personally I think there are better options for less money. read more

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Quoted a 2hr wait got in under 1. Had drink while we wait but had to fight our way to the bar. Ambiance overall was very nice. I like the dark lighting and the record player music, The food was ok. French onion was very good. I had the duck special which was severely under rendered. Drinks top notch. read more

Justine's Brasserie - Duck special - French Near Me - Austin, Texas

Probably one of the worst dining experiences I've had in quite a while, especially given the price. It's my wife's birthday, and both of us had long/busy days. Originally I had a reservation for UCHI, but decided to give Justine's a go, as we'd been meaning to try for a while. I made a reservation for 10:45 pm. As we arrived, we were seated inside of their canopy area, directly next to an open curtain with a breeze strong enough to blow the place settings around. Not a huge deal. Then when someone came over to close the curtain, they must've loosely unplugged one of the lamps, as it would continuously flicker from ambient lighting to bright as hell, but it eventually corrected itself after some strobe effects ‍ When our server finally came around, it was 11:15pm. A full half an hour after being seated. We sat there ready to order, only to then be notified that they were out of the only two dishes that my wife would eat (gnocchi or chicken dish). Don't you think that this is something guests should know in advance when you take the drink order or introduce yourself? My wife ends up just getting a French Onion Soup and some French fries, as there was nothing else on the menu that she was in the mood for. I order a French onion soup to start, and the Homard Gratine (lobster dish). They offer a salad as a courtesy to my wife, and even that took 23 minutes for the salad to even hit the table at 11:38pm. (53 minutes since we've sat). I ordered a champagne and caviar (Bump and Bubs), that took over 30 minutes! No communication from our server Chantal G whatsoever, so when I ask her where my drink is (after 30 mins), she replies that the raw bar is backed up, so it'll be a little longer. Why do I have to ask? I've worked in the service industry before, and I've always appreciated over communication than none at all. You can't leave guests guessing, especially for that long. And we were patient! Midnight. Still do not have entrees. Finally 12:04 entrees arrive. They forgot my French onion soup. So we've been here since 10:45pm, and nearly an hour and 20 minutes later, we're finally being served food. Manager comes over and says "we can't really tell people that we're out of things when they arrive, that wouldn't really lead to a good experience" So you think it leads to a better experience to make a guest wait for over a half an hour to order, and then drop that information as they've sat with their decision the entire time? She also insinuated that because we had a later reservation, we should kind of expect to be out of things on a busy weekend. And that this restaurant isn't considered a fine dining experience like Uchi (we told her we canceled that reservation to try Justine's) I'm sorry, isn't that your responsibility as the restaurant to be prepared for a busy weekend? Don't offer the reservation if that's the case, cause we're paying the same price as someone who had a 5pm reservation. And for $50 a plate, I'd expect a level of service that atleast acted like they gave a shit. Highly disappointed. Drinks were the only decent thing. My $52 lobster dish tasted like Cheesy Potato Soup with small shreds of lobster. They took $20 off the bill. We won't be giving this place another chance. read more

Justine's was delicious! They did not skimp you on the Parmesan over the Bolognese. The mussels were fresh too! A cute spot with lots of character. read more

Justine's Brasserie - Bolognaise - French Near Me - Austin, Texas

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This place serves alright food with really weird seating situation. We sat in a tent and the space was cramped, the table was tiny and the light was dim from tiny candles. It's almost like you are sitting in someone's backyard and having an semi-expensive dinner. We also waited over an hour to dine in since they dont have reservations for groups under 6. The Escargots were good and the seabass we ordered was great actually. I can't get over the seating and the ambiance of the place that is lacking considering their prices. read more

Justine's Brasserie - Loup de mer a la provencale - French Near Me - Austin, Texas

complete garbage "french" food.... 100% tasteless and over worked for the glory of their egos only. be better, ,uuuuuch better just to achieve the 1 star minimum rating. read more

Dark and moody dinner spot. We opted for the main room, which had the bar and a few tables, and a lot more decor pieces to set the tone. We ordered a couple drinks from the bar while we waited - to be honest none of the drinks were super standouts, so I'd probably skip the cocktails. Onto the food, we ordered the grilled octopus as a starter. The bread is sooooo good, crispy and chewy and charred! The octopus had a sauce that just reminded me of the Chinese Laoganma chili oil, still good tho. For the mains, the steak and frites were ok, but not worth the price in my opinion. The meat was pretty heavily salted and fatty, but the cook was perfectly pink so that's a plus. I really enjoyed the duck leg - there was a nice salad that balanced out the heavier flavors of the duck and potatoes, and dang those potatoes were the crispiest! Overall I enjoyed this as a special date night spot, and the food had some standout highlights. Just be willing to spend a bit for it. read more

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Restaurant is gorgeous. great ambience and good music. Food is all amazing and whoever was the bartender made some really good martinis! we came for my boyfriend's birthday and enjoyed our stay. I give it three stars because there were a few things we didn't like. we had a reservation at 9. when we got there to the host stand the girl pointed at our table and said "your table is right there" we were not properly seated... or greeted. no one really came over to discuss the menu or talk about any specials. we only realized there were specials after we had ordered from the main menu... our waitress was condescending and kind of rude to be honest. she seemed like she kind of just wanted to get us out of there and it felt uncomfortable. it took forever for her to check on us and ask for any refills on drinks or any appetizer's to put in. besides it not feeling very comfortable due to our waitress, it was otherwise good and i'd be willing to try it again for a date. read more