Restaurants near Blue Hole Regional Park

We happened upon the Valentine’s Day menu which was apparently a smaller version of their regular menu. My husband got the chocolate Manhattan which was not nearly as sweet as he was afraid it would be- it was just a hint of chocolate. Perfect. We shared the fried olives, which are crave worthy. The Valentine’s Day entree was duck in a cherry port reduction with a chive mashed potato cake and spiraled zucchini. The duck was perfect, the sauce was divine. (Potatoes and zucchini are hard to mess up but were delicious. My husband got the steak which arrived perfectly medium rare, as ordered. His sides were asparagus and a potato dish as well. All yummy. We had no room for dessert. If we are in this neck of the woods again, we will definitely come back.

This was a very pleasant surprise. We started our meal with the beet salad and the ceviche and both were amazing !! The ingredients were sooo fresh and the combination of flavors were wonderful. The ceviche had many surprising ingredients, and all went well together. The salad had a slice of toast at the bottom which enhance the flavors. We followed with the Niman Ranch Babette and the red fish and decided to share both, and honestly the stake was prepared to perfection !! The fish was absolutely delish with a crust that sealed the juiciness of the fish. For dessert we had the chocolate cake, and the combination of candied pecans with blackberries, chocolate cake and chocolate muse were just the icing on the cake. We travel quite a bit and have tried mayny places, this place absolutely deserves 5 stars. The ambiance was perfect, no noise and the service was wonderful.

My recent visit to Tillie’s in Dripping Springs for a Valentine's Day dinner, facilitated seamlessly through OpenTable, was nothing short of exceptional. This charming gem, nestled in the picturesque Texas Hill Country, boasts not only an outstanding culinary experience but also an atmosphere that invites relaxation and intimate conversation. The restaurant itself is striking in both its design and thoughtfully curated ambiance. From the sweeping, open spaces to the carefully chosen design elements, the restaurant feels well crafted, making it easy to see why it was featured as “Top 50 Most Beautiful Restaurants in America” by OpenTable. Despite being a popular choice for the holiday, it was far from overcrowded, providing a peaceful and inviting environment. The volume was just right, offering an intimate setting where conversations flow freely without the intrusion of noise. What truly elevates the experience, however, is the staff. From the moment we arrived, the team was attentive and engaging, ensuring that every need was met promptly and professionally. The seamless service, paired with their warm hospitality, made us feel like guests in a home, not customers in a restaurant. For the occasion (Valentine’s Day prefixed menu), each course was expertly prepared, beautifully presented, and perfectly portioned. Table setting was impeccable, featuring two real candles that added a soft, romantic glow to the evening, further enhancing the atmosphere. The drink menu stood out with its unique, seasonal cocktails. They were crafted in a simple and beautiful way. Drinks arrived quickly, and each sip was a delightful blend of flavors. Our four cocktails, along with Pellegrino water and a double espresso to end the meal, complemented the dishes wonderfully. At a final price of $389.70 for two people, the quality of the food, service, and overall experience made the cost feel more than reasonable. I look forward to returning to Tillie's to explore their standard menu.

2nd time eating here and again not disappointed. Food (gulf oysters and flounder) were excellent. Fish plus the Cobbler for dessert were amazing. Good drinks and our waitress Chastity couldn’t have been better. Nice to have a restaurant like this close & where you don’t have to put with Austin traffic! Only negative is that they are booked! So plan accordingly. We’ll be dining here again soon.

We had not been back to Red Ash since before the Pandemic. Shame on us! Now we certainly will make a new reservation as soon as possible, which will probably be a few months from now. Red Ash is so popular that it is that difficult to get a table. But the wait is certainly worth it. This evening we tried the Octopus a la Plancha at our server, Emma's suggestion. Octopus for our first time. It was wonderfully delicious and tender. For dinner we split Frutti di Mare, a wonderful selection of seafood laid on a bed of the best black and white sphagettini. Cooked perfectly! Emma was the perfect hostess and we were able to reconnect with Brand Favata, our favorite server from six years ago. It seems that very few few employees leave Red Ash. It is such a wonderful restaurant!! We'll be back very soon.