Best Restaurants for Special Occasions in East Austin

This was the meal I wanted for my 30th birthday. We asked to be seated on the patio, which was quite simply, magical. The weather was perfect, and the lights and ambiance were amazing. We started with the Smokey Garlic Hummus and the Whipped Feta. They were creamy, salty, unctuous, and with fresh made pita, were a great start to our meal. We split the braised short ribs and crispy potatoes, as well as the Greek salad. The salad had fresh, delicious tomatoes with a good amount of dressing. The ribs and potatoes were both phenomenal. The ribs melted in your mouth with a sweet and savory flavor profile. The potatoes were some of the crispiest I had ever had, and so fluffy on the inside. The drinks were also great! We had the burning man and the another one I can’t remember the name of, but served frozen. Our waiter overheard that it was my birthday and brought us some frozen yogurt, which was creamy and refreshing! I can’t wait to go back.

We had been looking forward to this evening for some time as you have to be strategic with your reservation. However dinner was amazing and did not disappoint. Our server Nick was very accommodating and helpful with making sure we got the most out of each dish as we were sharing family style portions. The atmosphere was lively and yet we were able to hold conversation throughout the meal. We had tried Este prior and we were told that Suerte would be just as good; the menu just focused more on the interior point of view (land animals) and they were right the flavors were outstanding. Scratch made tortillas were some of the best I have ever tasted. Thanks for making my boyfriend's birthday a success.

What a memorable night! It was worth the wait of having to make a reservation months in advance. We dined on a Friday evening and there was such a synergy to the entire restaurant. Even the Chef on expo looked so at ease with tickets flying in, he stopped and said hi to a smiling baby. Our server Kevin made us feel welcomed and as if we were the only table he was serving, just flawless. The steak cut like butter, it was perfect and highly recommend. The gnocchi reminded me of the last time I was in Italy, just delicious fluffy pillows. Our 9 year old had the Bolognese and it was bursting with flavor which was unexpected but delightful. We also had the meatballs and garlic bread, a perfect way to start the meal. Save room for dessert, you will not be disappointed. The only criticism was that our table was by the entry door and it was drafty and cold. I had to keep my jacket on during dinner, but other than that we look forward to returning in March!

In my humble opinion, this is quite possibly the best restaurant in Austin right now. Definitely one of the best. The ambience is great, the architecture is nice, the lighting is flattering in case you're going for a date, and the food is out of this world. They are really well put together dishes that you're not gonna get somewhere else, and/or you won't get it that way somewhere else. And the bar is just as much a part of the restaurant as the kitchen is. If you love booze, definitely sit at the bar. The bartenders are so knowledgeable and you can tell they enjoy what they do and the vermouth menu is fantastic. It sounds cliche but it really is more than a restaurant it is an experience. My husband and I came here on a date, we both work outside and make very middle class wages, and so yes it is a bit expensive but you get what you pay for. I think if we were a little more well off though, these prices would seem really reasonable for the level of quality that you get. Definitely bring decently nice clothes as most of the clientele seems upscale. Do not sleep on this place! Go if you can!!!

We had an amazing dinner on Tuesday evening. They have a great selection of tequila. The wine selection is a bit pricey, we had a nice bottle for about $85. For an appetizer we had the Hamachi, which I enjoyed but my husband was not really fond of. We also had the Brussel Sprouts and Sopes as an appetizer to share for the table. They were both excellent. The Brussel Sprouts had jalapenos, which gave them a nice kick. The entrees are very large, next time I think we will share. I had the whole roasted fish, which was amazing. Lots of garlic and the sauce was very flavorful. They debone the fish and it was wonderful with the homemade tortillas. My husband had the short rib, which was also delicious. It was very tender and flavorful. Our guests had the carne asada and the El Rey and both were very pleased. We shared the sweet potatoes and corn as sides. I really loved the sweet potatoes. Our service was great, even on a busy night and the manager did come by to check on us at one point. They are very conscious of food allergies, which I greatly appreciate. The entire menu is gluten free! A great place for dinner, before a show at ACL. Reservations required as they are very busy.