My first visit to The Grove was absolutely worth it, and I'll definitely be back! I had the…read moreHangover Burger and it hit every craving I walked in with..... juicy, seasoned to perfection, and just flat out delicious. It came with homemade chips that were so good I honestly wish they sold them by the bag because I'd buy them immediately! My cousin ordered the French toast and it was phenomenal too. The atmosphere was chill with great vibes all around, and the wait staff was amazing and super welcoming. Overall, such a great experience from start to finish. Highly recommend checking out The Grove!

You have to try their bruschetta!!!! Omg they have delicious…read morechoices to add to it. I also had the bacon wrapped quail, so very nice! Beautiful place to fo for lunch, but especially dinner. Very open and spacious with a long list of wines to pair your food. I love the ambiance and with the nice weather every now and then, (even in winter) it's great to have a patio dinner with your date or friends. The cocktails are delicious and you can't go wrong having an espresso after your meal. I've been to the cedar park location, but this one is also very nice and central.

This was the best birthday celebration I can recall having in years. It was over 100 degrees…read moreoutside so we were a bit worried about our reservations on the lake and the tavern being a hot day, but that was totally unnecessary. My group was given two boats for a very roomy experience with canopies for lots of shade if desired (but these were pulled back at night to enjoy the stars), there was even shaded areas on the lake (if you want to sip a cocktail with the boat shading you) on a lillypad to float if desired. The lake breeze and the wind as the boats cruised make it completely cool both on the lake and on the floating tavern. A rental of time at Floating Tavern is completely an experience that feels like you are out of the United States. It is so exotic! They cater your day totally to what you want to do. Want jet skis? Fine. Want to go cliff diving? Fine. Want to just cruise the lake or take a trip with music? That works too. Just chill out sipping a cocktail on a lillypad or floating? Go for it. Once your water time and cruise time is completed, the real fun begins. With expert captains having given us a great lake tour, we pulled up to the floating tavern and that was just incredible. I brought electric candles for the table to level up the experience a bit but they did it all so well with or without them and it was so roomy even for our large group! They had dimmed lights for ambiance, a mixologist squeezing fresh juices for us for amazing drinks she made with the alcohol we brought, (their alcohol package may be easier next time as it is very affordable) and we had two chefs creating small bites for us hot and cooked right there on the tavern as the sun set and we were surrounded only by lake and stars, docked right there in the middle of the lake. The service was exemplary and far beyond our expectations of fun and being catered to. You can bring some of your own food too to make a full party if desired. The communication leading up to the event was exceptional and I'll be honest, I would much rather book this experience with friends a few times a year then ever buy a boat. It is the best lake experience and lake dining you will ever have and the hosts are a huge part of the fun of the day. True experts at what they do and we are a group of well traveled, well dined foodies (including two professional chefs) and we were completely wowed at our evening. It's the vibe that gets you. You will completely shake off all stress spending an evening this way!

From the owner: Known for creating an intimate atmosphere, the Floating Tavern is a unique combination of cuisine,…read morelive entertainment and boat life. Only accessible by boat, our captains will navigate you to the Floating Tavern with options to visit any of the Lake Travis Northshore attractions along the way. Once arriving at the tiki tavern, patrons enjoy, dinner, drinks and a live show in the most unique setting.

Incredibly tasty happy hour! Not a single bad bite in everything we ate and we ate a lot! I'd say…read moreexpect them to be small bites as its tapas style but the burger is a nice touch to fill you up. The basque cheesecake was decadent and so tasty. I got the kalimotxo (wine+coke) which was nice but not as tasty as their tinto de verano (which was my personal fave when I was in Spain). They make their own chips too! They were so light and fluffy and felt like they melted in my mouth....being topped by jamon was just the pièce de résistance Service was great, the spot was decorated beautifully, and I enjoyed my visit. We only expected to get a few bites but everything just sounded so yummy and they do have valet which was nice (considering how hard it is to find street parking on the east side).

Definitely my new favorite tapas restaurant. Definitely make your own reservation because it was…read morefull when we went. When we arrived, they were still getting ready our table so we did wait a little bit. But the hostess was so nice and then our waiter was amazing. I love how they explained each dish and knew what to recommend. And when I ordered our wine, I loved that the person that brought it out was like a huge enthusiast on it and explained to us all about it, which is so cool. I was so excited to know that they had real hormone ego from Spain. It was pricey, but that's just because of the import, but it was amazing. I was so happy it felt like I was back in Spain eating this cause it's literally my favorite thing to eat. We also got the Popeyes bravos, which was delicious the sauce and it was so good. We did order other things that I didn't post here but let me tell you everything we got was delicious. Everything is for sharing so you do need to go with that mentality about it. And as for the wine we asked for it to be in that special bottle because we wanted to do the whole thing of where we poured in our mouth which was really cute lol. The place is really cute. Has good music nice date night vibes or even go with your best friend vibes.

Great experience at Red Ash, what a lovely meal. They really know how to make you feel special for…read morejust a normal Thursday night meal. Our waiter knew how to work the menu based on our recommendations. The ambiance is always strong at Red Ash. Tall ceilings, big beautiful wine selection and wrap up booths that are decorated well.

Wanted to love red ash Had to wait like 2 months for a…read morereservation Nothing was bad or anything, I just didn't think anything was worth waiting 2 months for I thought the dry age strip was a little chewy but that might just be bc I usually get a ribeye Server was un memorable. Not the most attentive but didn't mess anything up so, like, whatever The best thing we got was that chocolate dessert. Genuinely so good. The restaurant was also super loud, as soon as we walked in I couldn't hear shit. Idk what it's like upstairs but downstairs is crazy noisy

Another amazing stop at Garbo's. I ordered the seasonal lobster roll - Hatch Chili Lobster Roll…read more Simply fabulous fusion of creamy hatch chili butter and succulent lobster. The salad with champagne vinaigrette was fresh and fantastic. Had to save room for the number 1 of all time key lime pie. As usual the service was 5 stars. Barkley is the role model of an efficient, friendly and caring waitress. Already planning my next trip to Garbo's!

Dropped back into Garbo for an early dinner before driving a while. Although I didn't partake in…read morethe Happy Hour ($5 off select appetizers), I went for the OG Fish Burrito (Mahi Mahi). I know last time I got the clam chowder but hey, it was 102° outside! One thing that never ceases to amaze me is the cleanliness of the restaurant. It's wasn't too busy but the music was on the loud side. Maybe a touch lower please? The burrito was really nice. I thought that maybe my Mahi Mahi would be a little thicker? The fish seemed slim in comparison to the whole of the "Maines" entree. Jalapeño slices accompanied for some pizzazz. The sauce was flavorful and left no shortage of drips. I chose the side of fries. Perfectly made and absolutely screams fresh cut & fried. There's only one problem with them. They tasted fishy. That's because they fry them in the same fryer as the fish is fried. Not my kind of expectation with perfectly golden crisps. I would advise using a stand alone fryer for potatoes only please. Knox my server was very kind and hospitable & we enjoyed talking about the best hot sauce in the world which is found here, Belize's Marie Sharp's. That's a real winner to accompany your meal. Garbo's is classy but to get lobster which is what they're known for, you're going to have to pay for it. It was unfortunately a higher ticket item than I was willing to go for. Definitely improved in value from last time, thank you Garbo's. It's a nice place to dine & I hope to continue getting a superb value when I'm able to visit there again.

W XYZ Bar is quietly tucked into the nightlife scene at The Domain shopping complex. While most…read morevisitors gravitate toward the energy of Rock Rose Avenue, this hidden gem sits just one street over, inside the lobby of the Aloft Hotel. If you don't know it's there, it's easy to miss. Stepping inside feels like walking into a stylish, oversized living room. A sleek bar lines one side of the space, while comfortable modern living room furniture occupies the center of the room. The atmosphere strikes a perfect balance between chic sophistication and laid-back fun, with clean architectural lines, modern décor, and dim lighting that creates an inviting ambiance. During our visit, we learned that the longtime bartender had recently moved on and been replaced by Sydney, who was absolutely delightful. When she discovered we were celebrating my friend's birthday, she rallied everyone at the bar and throughout the lounge area to sing "Happy Birthday." The gesture was unexpected, heartfelt, and instantly made the evening feel special. As fate would have it, another guest was celebrating a birthday as well, so the entire group enthusiastically sang for her too. The bar clearly has a loyal following, as several regulars were gathered throughout the evening...a testament to the welcoming atmosphere that keeps people coming back. Syndey crafted custom cocktails for both my friend and me, working with only two instructions: tequila for her and vodka for me. The results were refreshing, creative, and expertly crafted. What could have been just another night out became a memorable birthday celebration thanks to the warmth, hospitality, and personal touches at W XYZ Bar. For that, I'm truly grateful.

My friend and I were looking for a place to grab a nightcap after having dinner nearby. We weren't…read morereally feeling the bars on Rock Rose. After browsing nearby bars, we saw that W XYX was within walking distance so we decided to give it a try. W XYZ is in the lobby of the Aloft Hotel. The hotel has a contemporary modern feel which is also reflected in the bar. When we first arrived, it wasn't too busy, but it picked up as the night went on. Chris was behind the bar that evening. He provided some good recommendations on cocktails. I was surprised to see the number of cocktails on the menu. I decided to go with the Freshen Up while my friend went with the Thin Mint Cookie. My drink had cucumber syrup in it. I'm a sucker for cucumber so I decided to give it a try. Unfortunately, I didn't care for this drink. It was so mint forward from the creme de mint that it over powered the drink. I felt like I was drinking mouthwash. My friend enjoyed her drink and said it tasted like a Thin Mint Girl Scout cookie in a glass. Though I didn't care for my cocktail, it wouldn't stop me from returning to try a different drink. I'll be sure to avoid any cocktails with creme de mint in the future.

Emmer & Rye was such a good dining experience. We met up with friends for their dinner event…read morefeaturing visiting chef Rockman, and I'm so glad we did because everything was delicious. A quick parking tip: street parking was hard to find. We ended up parking in a garage, and I was shocked when my husband told me it cost $28. In hindsight, we should have just used the valet for $20. We had reservations and were seated immediately, which was a great start to the evening. The restaurant was busy and lively. The noise level was definitely on the higher side, but we could still carry on a conversation without having to shout across the table. Service was attentive, and the drinks were excellent. We started with the bread, and I don't say this lightly, it was the best bread I've ever had. It was a beautiful brioche stuffed with whipped ricotta and topped with candied pecans. I actually had to force myself to quit eating it so I'd have room for the rest of the meal. We also tried the Johnny Cakes, which were good, but they didn't stand out compared to everything else we ate. For our shared entrees, the Cacio e Pepe was outstanding. I've had this dish at a lot of restaurants, and I honestly can't remember having a better version. The Texas Akaushi Wagyu was very good as well. The tortelloni was another great choice, and the pappardelle was equally delicious. By the end of the meal, we were completely stuffed and couldn't even consider dessert, which is probably the best compliment I can give. Between the food, drinks, service, and overall experience, this was a memorable meal and one I'd happily repeat.

A little pasta deep dive because the grain is what's special here. Their homemade pasta is made…read morewith emmer and rye (hence the name), which gives it a more rustic, grain-forward texture. It tasted less glutenous and chewy, alittle more earthy than your traditional pasta the dishes were fresh and delicately made but i'll be honest....I had high expectations going in and it just didn't hit the mark for me. The food was good but I was waiting for the WOW effect and it never came. Maybe its the special pasta grain texture, it just wasn't for me! our fav dish was the rigatoni! we were told the johnny cakes were a must-get. Sure, the dipping sauce was creamy and good, it wasn't to-die-for! Yes!! I do have very high expectations for food

I met some friends for an early dinner at Gracia Mediterranean this past weekend. Since we were…read morethere early, the place was pretty empty so we were seated at a nice booth/table near the bar. Our server gave us great suggestions and helped us make yummy choices. My friends had mocktails and I had the beet cocktail with alcohol. My friends forgot I like to take photos for my reviews so some of the photos of the items we ordered we started eating before I took them so they show as half eaten in the photos I shared (haha)...must have been good! I was also happy to discover they are on the InKind app so I was able to use some credits I had available to help pay the bill. I look forward to going back again to try more items!

This is a tapas restaurant so the plates are smaller and meant to be shared. It is on the pricier…read moreend but the food is really good. They have happy hour 5-6 pm and we got the hummus half off! The hummus was so good. I love the pepper oil on top that gives it a little kick. It comes with pita bread but if you order more, it's an extra $3. We also got croquetas (ham and cheese fritters). There are four of them and they are sooo delicious!! This is a must get especially if you love warm and creamy stuff. The outside is nicely fried and if you never had it, it's similar to Japanese takoyaki. Although I love it a lot, the portion was just right for sharing because it really fills you up. We also got the potatoes (nice, but nothing that blew my mind) and chicken empanadas that I thought had a strange, sour taste. I wouldn't get that again. I highly recommend getting different tapas instead of the main courses so you can try different things. We were completely satisfied with the meal after getting these but still made room for the orange almond cake!! This was extraordinarily good!! Not too sweet and the cake has a nice moist texture-not dry. It took a while for food to arrive so service was a bit slow. You can also sit outside if you want but we sat indoors since it was chilly. It's a smaller restaurant so it's nice for an intimate meal or date. They have a bar. There's parking in the back, which is where the entrance is. Btw, this is also on inKind so I got to claim $25 off $50.

Pretty darn good!…read more The hamburger was what you would expect from a hotel bar, but the brussel sprouts and the turkey club were very good!!

Two words. Girl dinner. Espresso martinis and truffle fries…read more 10/10 absolutely you need to try both immediately. I've gone two years in a row for a work conference and the way I plan time around those espresso martinis and truffle fries. I'm not even kidding. It's reasonably priced, nicely laid out, and a great location if you are doing anything near the capitol building.

I love Space Cowboy! Whenever I come to Austin, I always make a stop here for dinner. They're…read morealways able to accommodate small or large parties, but I tend to make a reservation every time. There's a pretty big lot in the front for parking as well! This time our experience wasn't the same as past times I've been because it seemed like only 2 robots were working. Nonetheless, the food came out quickly. They offer lots of mocktails here which is nice! My favorites to always get are the stardust fries, the corn ribs with hummus, and the short ribs! The fries are perfectly seasoned and crispy. The corn ribs with the chili oil crunch are phenomenal! They only come with 2~ per dish so plan accordingly when ordering! The sliders are always surprisingly good! I think the crudo and the baba ghanoush can be a skip -- a lot of our table felt the crudo was a bit too fishy and the flatbread was almost crumbly! For dessert, we tried their new pear tart and it is phenomenal! It is flaky and has a nice smoky caramel flavor to it! We also always get the chocolate ganache and banana ice cream. They also gave us a free cotton candy for the table!

Space Cowboy has been a place I wanted to try for a little while. I finally got a chance to musk up…read morethe courage to fight traffic to venture downtown Austin to try this place out. First impression from the outside. There is very limited parking in the restaurant lot. Luckily I had planned ahead and booked a Resy for 4pm (when they open) Saturday. We had gotten there there a few minutes earlier to make sure we were able to get parking. Parking is free if you are dining at Space Cowboy. When we got there, there's already people waiting in the parking lot for the restaurant to open to come inside. Upon entering, we were transported to another galaxy. There's a space vibe here and all the decor is very fitting for the name Space Cowboy. Moon floors, cactus , artwork for sale, cloud lights, moon lights, & upper scale seats and table. There's dividers on the table walls so you can get some privacy. I love that they had a small table for the ladies to put their purse on by their table. Vibe check is a pass! What we ordered: Space balls- $16.75- 2/5 This dish was highly recommended by the waiter because it's one of their top seller. Unfortunately I really wanted to enjoy this dish but it was simply super salty. I love the puri balls and the texture was great with the salmon but it was heavy on the salt. According to my family member they told us we should have went on a weekday and that the food is better because they had the Space balls and it wasn't salty. :/ .. very strange. Torched crispy rice trio- 16.75- 3/5: It came with 3 pieces of crispy rice topped with salmon, steak, and tuna. The salmon was super salty. The steak had an Asian flavor and was interesting. Steak was tender. Overall, not the best crispy rice I've ever had but it's decent. Crispy rice was super crispy. Just wish they were not heavy handed with the salt. Steak tartare $18.75- 4/5: this dish was the best dish out of the 5 dishes. The steak tartare was cut not minced like how other steak tartare I had. It was unique with the fact the steak was cut in smaller chucks. The steak was super soft and melt in your mouth. The flavor overall is balanced. They serve along with it a cup of different chips (sweet potatoes & taro chips) and bread. I think my favorite was the Taro chips because it was wider in size so when scooping the steak tartare chunks it was easier to eat. The sweet potato chips was too small and the steak tartare was falling off of it when trying to eat. It was a battle to get the sweet potato chip with tartare in your mouth before chunks of tartare falls off. I gave up and use a fork to scoop the tartare and then stick the potato chip in my mouth which I think it takes away from the dish appropriate eating experience. The bread they could done without because it did not complement with the tartare in any way. The soft and chewy texture of the bread made the dish subpar. I appreciate the variety but the taro chip pair well the tartare and I wish there was more than two pieces of taro. Roasted octopus $24.95- 2/5: Beautiful dish. I wish the dish tasted as good as it looks. The octopus had some pieces that were tender and other pieces that were super chewy which indicates overly cooked. This dish is actually pretty bland. There were different types of sauces but none complimented the octopus and puree well. This dish needed acid and the potato needed to be cooked 1 minute more. It was still pretty firm . Cowboy duo sliders 17.95 - 3/5: meaty and the meat was juicy. Love the texture of the fried onions in the sliders. It was tiny but mighty. A very straight forward slider but wasn't anything that stood out. Even though the description states steak but the meat was grounded up for a meat patty. Ordering process: Your waiter will take your order but all of your food and drinks will come out on the train. The trail trails are right next to your table. Once the train stops you will need to grab your food out. If you somehow missed your train, don't panic. Your waiter will bring it to your table. We didn't miss any 4 of train drop offs. Service was ok. It wasn't anything personable or stood out. Staff wasn't cheery and it was transactional . The restaurant was toasty temperature inside and we got pretty hot. Do I recommend this place? Honestly I am torn because I like the vibes but only 1/5 dish was good. The food wasn't anything memorable and was salty. Over hyped? Not sure if I went on a bad day or if the Chefs were salty but I felt the staff was salty including the host. Based on my personal experience I can't recommend this place. It might be a place for the experience of the train rather than the food.