Best spots to eat near the Domain

[Guest Lobo]

2 hours ago, Chewbacca said:

Agreed on it being more of an experience than a meal.  But we spent $1,400 on 3 people (Omakase plus all the sake) so I'm going to disagree on the not that expensive part.

I'm a bit of a wine snob, but I have zero fucking idea what's going with sake.  You could give me sake from a discount bin at Spec's or some rare 50 year old bottle and I wouldn't know the difference.  Last time at Uchiko, large group.  I chose the wine carefully so as not to gouge anybody with the bill at the end but still meet everybody's needs and wants.  Then this guy at the other end who I didn't know starts going nuts with sake bottles and I had long since given up the drink menu.  I was thinking in my head, "Okay, they're probably $100/each so at this rate, each couple will probably be expected to pick up one bottle apiece."  Holy fucking shit, his sake orders were more than all the food and wine of the table combined.  Never liked that guy.  Fun end to the night though, took a leak next to Denny Trejo and he told me I had good urinal focus and it would serve me well if I ever went to jail in Mexico.

[jimmyjazz 45957]

3 hours ago, mchookem said:

😄 touche'...we're more whiskey/cocktail drinkers so usually just do one glass of wine there, i imagine if you got into the saki that would be different lol. and we've always just had the waiter make recommendations, generally 6-7 items...we get out of there for ~$160 or so, including a very generous tip.

actually...this last time we got two free items, including dessert, b/c it was our anniversary...so maybe my stats are skewed! 😜

 

Man, that's a serious deviation in price.  $465 per person VS $80 per person?

I'm a notorious cheapskate, but I'd happily drop $160 on a date night with my wife.  Close to $1K?  I'm gonna need some promises, and I'm gonna need them in writing.

[mchookem 16336]

well...i think the difference (as Lobo illustrated) is 1) the saki consumed, and 2) i think Chewy's gropu went with the chef's specialty/selection, which by def going to cost a good penny. 

if you stick with the main menu, and tell your waitperson your general likes/dislikes (i.e., spicy or not, will eat raw, etc), and stick with a couple glasses of wine or a cheaper saki...you'll pretty easily come in sub-$200, i promise

OH! and also...the HH was awesome. at least the food...that's prolly also why we've gotten off cheaper 😉 i specifically remember shrimp skewers and fried chicken which were both fantastic.   

[ChickenSandwich 9836]

HH is the way. If you walk in at 7, 75% hours f the people seated are from the HH. Get there early. Tuesdays are easiest. 

[Chewbacca 7779]

Going for round 2 in a few weeks.  Still staying in the Domain, although not at the Archer (Archer was full, doing Lone Star Court this time).   Doing dinner for 4 nights.  We are going to Andiamo and Uchiko for sure on Wed and Thurs.  Need 2 more.  One needs to be a steakhouse (not Eddie V's) and one needs to be an American style place.  Willing to venture farther out from the Domain than I was last time, but probably don't want to go farther than 20ish minutes each way unless there is a damn good reason for doing so.  This will be on a Friday and Saturday night.  Doing Uchiko and Andiamo the first 2 nights.

 

Thinking of the following for both of those nights.  Need one steakhouse and one American style place.  Don't want 2 steakhouses because I don't like steakhouses.

• Barley Swine
• Salt & Time
• J Carvers

Any other recs?

[justhookit 4191]

13 hours ago, Chewbacca said:

Going for round 2 in a few weeks.  Still staying in the Domain, although not at the Archer (Archer was full, doing Lone Star Court this time).   Doing dinner for 4 nights.  We are going to Andiamo and Uchiko for sure on Wed and Thurs.  Need 2 more.  One needs to be a steakhouse (not Eddie V's) and one needs to be an American style place.  Willing to venture farther out from the Domain than I was last time, but probably don't want to go farther than 20ish minutes each way unless there is a damn good reason for doing so.  This will be on a Friday and Saturday night.  Doing Uchiko and Andiamo the first 2 nights.

 

Thinking of the following for both of those nights.  Need one steakhouse and one American style place.  Don't want 2 steakhouses because I don't like steakhouses.

• Barley Swine
• Salt & Time
• J Carvers

Any other recs?

J Carvers for sure. I’ve been going there most trips to Austin this year and had 2 day old leftovers from there earlier this week and it was better than the meal I had at III Forks Tuesday night. I’ve never been to Salt and Time but had a ham from there on Christmas Day that was outstanding. My favorite restaurant in Austin is still Red Ash (which is how I first learned of J Carver) but sounds like it’s not an option for you this trip.

[South Austin 52508]

13 hours ago, Chewbacca said:

Going for round 2 in a few weeks.  Still staying in the Domain, although not at the Archer (Archer was full, doing Lone Star Court this time).   Doing dinner for 4 nights.  We are going to Andiamo and Uchiko for sure on Wed and Thurs.  Need 2 more.  One needs to be a steakhouse (not Eddie V's) and one needs to be an American style place.  Willing to venture farther out from the Domain than I was last time, but probably don't want to go farther than 20ish minutes each way unless there is a damn good reason for doing so.  This will be on a Friday and Saturday night.  Doing Uchiko and Andiamo the first 2 nights.

 

Thinking of the following for both of those nights.  Need one steakhouse and one American style place.  Don't want 2 steakhouses because I don't like steakhouses.

• Barley Swine
• Salt & Time
• J Carvers

Any other recs?

Barley Swine is in my hood and is excellent. Get the chef’s tasting menu with the wine pairing.  Perry’s is a decent steakhouse and they have a location in The Domain, though I’ve only been to the one downtown. Never been to J Carvers but the menu looks fantastic.

[hornian 5219]

The new place next to Eddie Vs, Bulevar, is solid, if a bit overpriced. I’ve only been there once but liked everything we tried except for one drink. 
 

It’s interior Mexican meets high end steaks. I wanted to hate it because of the price point (and they charge for chips and salsa!), but came away impressed. 
 

 

 

Edited January 2, 2023 by hornian

[Chewbacca 7779]

How long does it take to get from the Domain to downtown around dinner time on Friday and Saturday?  Leaning towards Salt & Time and J Carvers for those 2 nights (our picky eater nixed Barley Swine), but I have no idea how much of a shit show it will be getting down there.

[CooterBrown 18012]

How long does it take to get from the Domain to downtown around dinner time on Friday and Saturday?  Leaning towards Salt & Time and J Carvers for those 2 nights (our picky eater nixed Barley Swine), but I have no idea how much of a shit show it will be getting down there.

No big deal on a normal Saturday night. Fridays will be bad if before 7.

[Chewbacca 7779]

6 minutes ago, CooterBrown said:

No big deal on a normal Saturday night. Fridays will be bad if before 7.

What is 'bad'?  Are we talking 30 minutes?  An hour?

[CooterBrown 18012]

What is 'bad'?  Are we talking 30 minutes?  An hour?

Friday before 7 I’d budget 45 minutes due to Mopac traffic. It could also just be 15 minutes if there were no accidents. Google Map time estimates are pretty accurate here based on my experience. I’d check it a few times leading up to it to gauge when to leave.

[jimmyjazz 45957]

4 hours ago, hornian said:

(and they charge for chips and salsa!)

Boo!  Boo-urns!

[jimmyjazz 45957]

32 minutes ago, CooterBrown said:

Friday before 7 I’d budget 45 minutes due to Mopac traffic. It could also just be 15 minutes if there were no accidents. Google Map time estimates are pretty accurate here based on my experience. I’d check it a few times leading up to it to gauge when to leave.

I have no data to back this up, but it seems to me that Austin traffic gets monumentally bad during the after-work rush hour roughly when daylight savings time rolls off, up to Christmas.  After that, things seem to ease up.  Could be shopping traffic, could be human nature wanting to get home because it's already dark, I don't know, but going forward I wouldn't expect Friday evening traffic to be quite as bad as it has been.

[Chewbacca 7779]

Well, fuck me.  J Carver's is more popular than I expected.  Can't get in at times that work for us on either Friday or Saturday.  Need a steakhouse again...

[Chewbacca 7779]

8 hours ago, hornian said:

The new place next to Eddie Vs, Bulevar, is solid, if a bit overpriced. I’ve only been there once but liked everything we tried except for one drink. 
 

It’s interior Mexican meets high end steaks. I wanted to hate it because of the price point (and they charge for chips and salsa!), but came away impressed. 
 

 

 

Menu definitely looks solid.

[hornian 5219]

1 minute ago, Chewbacca said:

Menu definitely looks solid.

A friend of mine has been there a couple of times, and claims the steak he had was the best steak he’s ever had from a restaurant (including steakhouses). I can’t verify that personally (I stuck to other parts of the menu), but I trust his opinion given the business he’s in (which includes a lot of client dinners where price is not really an issue). Don’t know if it will satisfy the “steakhouse” requirement but it should satisfy the “steak” at least. 

[jimmyjazz 45957]

7 minutes ago, Chewbacca said:

Well, fuck me.  J Carver's is more popular than I expected.  Can't get in at times that work for us on either Friday or Saturday.  Need a steakhouse again...

Does it have to be a classic steakhouse, or just a good restaurant where steak is an option?  There are a ton of the latter in Austin, but if it has to be MOAR MEAT then I'm not sure what will work in that area.  There are places like Estanchia and Roaring Fork nearby, but I wouldn't consider them top-flight.  Not that you can't get a good meal, but they're not as focused on best in class steaks.

[Chewbacca 7779]

24 minutes ago, jimmyjazz said:

Does it have to be a classic steakhouse, or just a good restaurant where steak is an option?  There are a ton of the latter in Austin, but if it has to be MOAR MEAT then I'm not sure what will work in that area.  There are places like Estanchia and Roaring Fork nearby, but I wouldn't consider them top-flight.  Not that you can't get a good meal, but they're not as focused on best in class steaks.

We changed some plans and are just going to do J Carvers on Friday night (early).  Everyone loved the menu and wanted to eat there, so crisis averted.  All reservations booked.  Andiamo Wed night, Uchiko Thursday, J Carvers Friday and Salt & Time Saturday.  Should be fun!  I suspect I'll gain a pound a day while I'm there.

Edited January 3, 2023 by Chewbacca

[utee94 15823]

46 minutes ago, Chewbacca said:

We changed some plans and are just going to do J Carvers on Friday night (early).  Everyone loved the menu and wanted to eat there, so crisis averted.  All reservations booked.  Andiamo Wed night, Uchiko Thursday, J Carvers Friday and Salt & Time Saturday.  Should be fun!  I suspect I'll gain a pound a day while I'm there.

That's a solid lineup.  Eat some for me.

[thrillhammer 683]

On 1/2/2023 at 6:12 PM, Chewbacca said:

Well, fuck me.  J Carver's is more popular than I expected.  Can't get in at times that work for us on either Friday or Saturday.  Need a steakhouse again...

fleming's

[royiv 9317]

1 hour ago, thrillhammer said:

fleming's

While you're at it, splurge for Outback and don't forget the bloomin' onion.

[Chewbacca 7779]

Really enjoyed all the dinners. Only downer was Salt & Time's 15% fee to, as the waiter put it, pay for health insurance and mental health. It was made clear that it was not a tip. I fucking hate that shit. Just raise your prices and leave me out of your hr bulkshit. I provide health insurance to my employees and I don't have a few on my invoices to cover it. Really put a camper on an otherwise great night. Their food is outstanding. But expecting people to pay 30-40% on top of menu prices is not ok

[jimmyjazz 45957]

I'd like to see just exactly how they use that 15% to "pay for health insurance and mental health".

[tx 3 putt 76958]

2 hours ago, Chewbacca said:

Really enjoyed all the dinners. Only downer was Salt & Time's 15% fee to, as the waiter put it, pay for health insurance and mental health. It was made clear that it was not a tip. I fucking hate that shit. Just raise your prices and leave me out of your hr bulkshit. I provide health insurance to my employees and I don't have a few on my invoices to cover it. Really put a camper on an otherwise great night. Their food is outstanding. But expecting people to pay 30-40% on top of menu prices is not ok

[Chewbacca 7779]

14 hours ago, tx 3 putt said:

Yep, I wouldn't go back until they fix that.  And they had maybe the best food of the 4 places we went.  

[royiv 9317]

On 1/29/2023 at 7:18 PM, Chewbacca said:

Really enjoyed all the dinners. Only downer was Salt & Time's 15% fee to, as the waiter put it, pay for health insurance and mental health. It was made clear that it was not a tip. I fucking hate that shit. Just raise your prices and leave me out of your hr bulkshit. I provide health insurance to my employees and I don't have a few on my invoices to cover it. Really put a camper on an otherwise great night. Their food is outstanding. But expecting people to pay 30-40% on top of menu prices is not ok

On the flip side, the service fee isn't taxable so you're not paying sales tax on that part of the bill. I see pros/cons to that type of model. Had a friend in from out of town this past weekend and he said it's becoming more and more common where he lives (Minneapolis).

[Chewbacca 7779]

3 minutes ago, royiv said:

On the flip side, the service fee isn't taxable so you're not paying sales tax on that part of the bill. I see pros/cons to that type of model. Had a friend in from out of town this past weekend and he said it's becoming more and more common where he lives (Minneapolis).

But you're expecting people to pay 30-40% over your menu prices to eat there?  Nah, just raise your prices.  Leave me out of all that.  It's becoming more common in Denver, too, but I won't eat at places like that if I know they do it.  It just really bothers me.

This is almost as bad as everyone everywhere wanting tips.  Sorry, I'm not tipping you for buying a product.  I tip for service.

[ztejas 43452]

On 1/29/2023 at 7:18 PM, Chewbacca said:

Really enjoyed all the dinners. Only downer was Salt & Time's 15% fee to, as the waiter put it, pay for health insurance and mental health. It was made clear that it was not a tip. I fucking hate that shit. Just raise your prices and leave me out of your hr bulkshit. I provide health insurance to my employees and I don't have a few on my invoices to cover it. Really put a camper on an otherwise great night. Their food is outstanding. But expecting people to pay 30-40% on top of menu prices is not ok

I haven’t seen that yet but that's fine with me if anywhere wants to do that. I'll just tip less. 

[Chewbacca 7779]

17 minutes ago, ztejas said:

I haven’t seen that yet but that's fine with me if anywhere wants to do that. I'll just tip less. 

Typically I would as well, but I think the intent is to make you feel like an asshole if you tip less (since the waiter explained the fee when he gave me the bill and explicitly told me it was not a tip).  I'll just avoid places like that.  I want to feel good about a good meal.

[royiv 9317]

2 hours ago, Chewbacca said:

But you're expecting people to pay 30-40% over your menu prices to eat there?  Nah, just raise your prices.  Leave me out of all that.  It's becoming more common in Denver, too, but I won't eat at places like that if I know they do it.  It just really bothers me.

This is almost as bad as everyone everywhere wanting tips.  Sorry, I'm not tipping you for buying a product.  I tip for service.

Totally get what you're saying. My point, that you may have missed, is that instead of raising prices 15% and then also charging sales tax on that 15%, is that the customer actually saves a buck or two. In a fine dining experience that probably doesn't matter to most. Like I said, I can see pros/cons to both sides. For me personally, I don't give a shit on how we get there. I care about the total value on the bill.

Honest question, did you feel like the total bill was unreasonable? If so, I agree with your point. If not, it just feels like quibbling over something just to make a point.

[Chewbacca 7779]

15 hours ago, royiv said:

Totally get what you're saying. My point, that you may have missed, is that instead of raising prices 15% and then also charging sales tax on that 15%, is that the customer actually saves a buck or two. In a fine dining experience that probably doesn't matter to most. Like I said, I can see pros/cons to both sides. For me personally, I don't give a shit on how we get there. I care about the total value on the bill.

Honest question, did you feel like the total bill was unreasonable? If so, I agree with your point. If not, it just feels like quibbling over something just to make a point.

I'd say they are on the high side of reasonable, before you add in the extra 15%.  Hamburger (which was great, but it's still a burger and fries) was $16.  Add 15% and it's $18.  Charcuterie board was $42.  While it was also great, would I pay $48 for it?  Probably not - I felt the $42 was already high.  I suspect this is why they don't add the 15% to their prices.

[royiv 9317]

3 hours ago, Chewbacca said:

I'd say they are on the high side of reasonable, before you add in the extra 15%.  Hamburger (which was great, but it's still a burger and fries) was $16.  Add 15% and it's $18.  Charcuterie board was $42.  While it was also great, would I pay $48 for it?  Probably not - I felt the $42 was already high.  I suspect this is why they don't add the 15% to their prices.

Agree on the burger. I have no issue paying up to $20 for a burger if it's at a nice place and it's really good. But $48 for a charcuterie plate us getting pretty spendy. 

[Blotto 23512]

On 1/29/2023 at 8:18 PM, Chewbacca said:

Really enjoyed all the dinners. Only downer was Salt & Time's 15% fee to, as the waiter put it, pay for health insurance and mental health. It was made clear that it was not a tip. I fucking hate that shit. Just raise your prices and leave me out of your hr bulkshit. I provide health insurance to my employees and I don't have a few on my invoices to cover it. Really put a camper on an otherwise great night. Their food is outstanding. But expecting people to pay 30-40% on top of menu prices is not ok

I haven't seen that bullshit yet, so I gotta ask... do they make it readily known prior to ordering (prominently displayed on menu, waiter mentions it, etc...). Surely, your bill doesn't just show up with this bullshit extra line item, right? 

[Chewbacca 7779]

3 hours ago, Blotto said:

I haven't seen that bullshit yet, so I gotta ask... do they make it readily known prior to ordering (prominently displayed on menu, waiter mentions it, etc...). Surely, your bill doesn't just show up with this bullshit extra line item, right? 

I didn't see it on the menu anywhere (although it's possible I missed it), but it is on their website.  Either way, I do not like it and would not go back because of that.

[Pam Cummings 9642]

On 1/2/2023 at 6:22 PM, hornian said:

A friend of mine has been there a couple of times, and claims the steak he had was the best steak he’s ever had from a restaurant (including steakhouses). I can’t verify that personally (I stuck to other parts of the menu), but I trust his opinion given the business he’s in (which includes a lot of client dinners where price is not really an issue). Don’t know if it will satisfy the “steakhouse” requirement but it should satisfy the “steak” at least. 

Can confirm. Ate there, had steak. Was delicious. They only do gigantic cuts and serve family style. Their smallest ribeye was 55 oz.

[tx 3 putt 76958]

any updated recs ?

[DalTxHornFan 3101]

Not sure what you are looking for, but I don't think that Dos Salsas gets enough love.  They have a store on Burnet Road right across from The Domain.  Usually pretty high energy. Very big menu and lots of solid Tex-Mex, seafood, fajitas, etc. and great Mexican Martinis.

[thrillhammer 683]

thread title is misleading.  is it best spots in the domain or near the domain?   completely different list.

[LCHorn 2620]

15 hours ago, tx 3 putt said:

any updated recs ?

I live close and eat out a lot so have been to everywhere in the Domain and most of them close by.  The restaurants in the Domain are all aggressively mediocre.  On the bright side, no place is terrible but there isn’t a standout and there isn’t a budget friendly option.  Ambiance is usually the best part of all of your options.  
 

We usually will do Flower Child or True Food because there are at least healthy options.  Outside the Domain there’s Turnstile (love their drink menu), Con Todo for tacos (also a Taco Deli is close at Gracy Farms).  Tomodachi Sushi is relatively close, as is House of Three Gorges (over praised on the Austin Reddit thread but probably the only “wow, that was great” meal I’ve had in Austin in years).

[DalTxHornFan 3101]

If this is a "in The Domain" thread, my vote is North Italia.  Yeah, I know it is a chain, but it is a pretty good one.

[South Austin 52508]

Yeah, North is always solid for a chain.

[ztejas 43452]

It's all chains. But there's nothing wrong with North, Fleming's or Paul Martins. 

There was a Blue Sushi Sake I frequented in Dallas and I always thought it was a solid sushi spot for the price. Looks like there's one at the Domain. 

If it's up to me I'm driving a half mile down Braker and getting some fucking Culver's.

[South Austin 52508]

Wife and I are going to Mia Italian Tapas & Bar on Saturday evening.  Not our preference for a date night, but it's her daughter's birthday and she wanted to have dinner with a couple of her friends in The Domain and do some shopping, so we're opting for a dinner spot close by.  And we've heard decent things about Mia.  Any reviews?

https://miatapasaustin.com/

[jimmyjazz 45957]

3 hours ago, South Austin said:

Yeah, North is always solid for a chain.

Last time we went North was charitably "mediocre".  Before that trip, we usually enjoyed it.  Haven't been back.

I used to like Salvation Pizza north of campus.  Is the Domain outlet bad?

There's always Andiamo for legit Italian at Burnet & Rutland.

[ChickenSandwich 9836]

1 minute ago, jimmyjazz said:

There's always Andiamo for legit Italian at Burnet & Rutland.

Pho spot next door is legit if still there

Edited October 24 by ChickenSandwich

[DalTxHornFan 3101]

19 minutes ago, jimmyjazz said:

There's always Andiamo for legit Italian at Burnet & Rutland.

Solid place.

[royiv 9317]

50 minutes ago, jimmyjazz said:

Last time we went North was charitably "mediocre".  Before that trip, we usually enjoyed it.  Haven't been back.

I used to like Salvation Pizza north of campus.  Is the Domain outlet bad?

There's always Andiamo for legit Italian at Burnet & Rutland.

The Fox Restaurant Concepts brands are slipping after they were acquired by Cheesecake Factory. Cheesecake just had an activist investor, led by a Pappas family member, take a position in the company with the goal of forcing them to spin the FRC brands off into a standalone public company.

[jimmyjazz 45957]

Was FRC ever public or were they private when CF acquired them?

[Mack Tripper 696]

Pappas spun off Fudrucker's the same way which blew up in their face.