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Ambrosia - CLOSED
Categories: Restaurants Gluten-Free Restaurants Live/Raw Food Restaurants Vegan Gluten-Free, Live/Raw Food, Vegan [Edit]
1221 W 6th StAustin, TX 78703
(512) 828-7404
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
41 reviews for Ambrosia
Review Highlights
41 reviews in English
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Review from Caitlin H.
Round Rock, TX
12/8/2010
Ambrosia is great. I cannot believe how well priced this place is. My only complaint is that they are not open 24/7 so I can go grab something whenever I want :). But I suppose a place like this is nothing like 7-11 so I shouldn't expect it to be open all the time.
It's incredibly delicious, vegan-friendly, mostly raw food is incredibly delicious. It's healthfood so you always go in with a sort of expectation that it won't taste as good. But it does. I really enjoyed the carrot/ginger/coconut soup, and the raw sushi. They also make their own Kombucha which is totally amazing.
I'm a bit of a Kombucha snob, so I can't say it's the best I've ever had, but it's up there.
The owner is a super cool guy, with lots of nutritional knowledge. You can tell he really cares about the health and well-being of others, and I feel that THAT is the reason why he opened this restaurant in the first place.
I HIGHLY recommend this place. -
Review from Rebecca L.
Austin, TX
12/19/2010
This was kind of an interesting experience for me. I bought a Groupon for Ambrosia, and tried to go there 2 times without success, due to their extremely limited and inconvenient (at least for me) operating hours. Third time's the charm. Finally, I had the chance to go to Ambrosia with my boyfriend and have a late lunch/dinner. I called ahead to see if they had parking, and was informed that they had a private lot. (When I called, the person who answered just said 'hello' and not the usual 'this is blah blah, thanks for calling Ambrosia, so I was a little put off by the super casualness.) When I arrived, I was suprised by how small the space was. The owner/manager had set up a table for us. Note: there are only 3 tables in the whole place. It is tiny. I think it is smaller than my apartment. I orderd the 'rawsagna', and the bf ordered the living pizza.
The rawsagna tasted amazing, and if I had been eating blindfolded, I would not have guessed it was made from raw foods. The pizza was pretty good too, and the presentation was beautiful. For dessert, we ordered a blondie and some chocolate. It was all great.
What I didn't get was that the owner/manager/waiter was a table over from us, on his laptop the whole time we were eating our meal. While I understand Ambrosia is a pretty casual cafe, I think this crosses the boundaries of professionalism. If you work there, act like you work there, and not like a patron.
5 stars for making vegetables taste good, minus one star for being unprofessional. -
Review from Gabriel H.
Austin, TX
9/16/2010
The name changing schizophrenia aside, this place is pretty decent for the whole raw food movement.
I decided to go with the new non raw (gasp!) tuna fish sandwich and the raw-sanga.
The sandwich was meh overall, I certainly have put together better tuna fish style sandwiches within the domain of my 3 "michelleren" kitchen.
Now the real treat was this lasagna that everyone raves about so much, and I will be the first to say that it was not only visually striking, but also kicked my taste buds right in the ass.
The construction of this cashew dressing and vegetable monstrosity is certainly worthy of an degree in architecture, or at least some bullshit nutrition certification.
But its lavish appearances aside, it tasted pretty damn good. Just the right balance of veggies and sauce, not to mention the layering of specific vegetables was clearly planned so one could actually cut into it with a fork, you know, like a slice of real fucking lasagna.
The lasagna deserves a 4, but the sandwich was el weak-sauce so they get a 3.
Will I be back? Overall I would rather continue my cravings for red meat and not look like I have swords coming out of my elbows while riding my bike.
Need more calories
Gabriel -
Review from Kelly S.
From the crazy cool counter to the entitled cashier girl, this place was like stepping into hipster heaven. The restaurant is intimate -- meaning small -- but its got a good vibe, clean and well lit with very sexy silverware.
The food was amazing. My first "living/raw" foods experience and I didnt know what to expect. I had the fajitas (veggies, cabbage) and was blown away. The flavor was delectable, great sauces, juicy and delish. Another friend had the pizza and that was actually really good as well. The cheesecake tasted like cheesecake and they put chocolate sauce on it which is always a winner in my book. Five star raw food -- crazy huh?
Being not of the hipster persuasion - mostly because my birthing hips preclude skinny jeans - I didn't exactly fit the mold of the dedicated raw customer. As a result, the cashier was sneery (word?) and about 5 percent helpful. She looked at me totally askance when I had questions about foods on the menu and I felt major omnivore awkwardness. This kind of eating is so outside my box that I would have appreciated a welcoming attitude and some education rather than feeling like I was in the naked dream.
All in all, an excellent adventure. New foods that were healthy, delicious and reasonably priced. Next time, I'll just borrow some plaid and make vague conversation about how I wish Beirut would come to Austin. Then perhaps that extra star will just fall into place. -
Review from Kyle S.
Austin, TX
5/18/2009
For those who value nutrition as well as taste, here's a wonderful new eatery offering both. Borboleta is the second raw foods restaurant to open in Austin recently, and they should also enjoy the success that the Daily Juice Cafe is now justifiably experiencing.
Borboleta deserves it, for the food is indeed both gourmet yummy and also far healthier than almost any other place in town. Everything is organic, which is incredibly commendable and no mean feat. To some that means little but to those who understand and value how many small family farmers this helps, it means a whole lot. Plus, it just tastes so much better!
The highlights were the curry collard wraps with sweet and sour vegetables and the strawberry cheesecake, but we look forward to trying everything they serve. There is so much flavor in each bite, and those scared of raw food will quickly change their minds when they eat this stuff.
[Two months later: having been a few times now, I can say without reservation that their lasagna is one of the tastiest things I've eaten in Austin this year. And every time it's great in a slightly different way, a bonus of using fresh ingredients from different farms etc. The lasagna alone is worth going for.]
Considering that every ingredient is organic and how much care it takes to make this fine food, the prices offer value, especially as you know that your money is going entirely to people who walk the sustainable talk.
Wouldn't it be nice if the next food "fad" was raw food, and Austin led the way? Homo sap is the only animal that has ever cooked or altered its food from the way nature made it, so in fact it's no fad. It's simply eating the way our bodies were designed to. And when it tastes this good and makes you feel this alive and vibrant, it just makes sense.
They also have fresh juices, take-out, wi-fi, various other amenities including a sweet central location, and use locally-grown produce whenever possible. Nothing but positives, basically.
Here's wishing Borboleta much success. -
Review from Brian S.
Austin, TX
10/27/2009 1 Check-in Here
Well now that I've been to Borboleta lucky number seven times I feel I can accurately and heartily recommend it. Delight. Pure and winsome. Here's the easiest way to say it: I just feel GOOD when I eat here:
-the food is fantastic: artfully and skillfully prepared
-I know I'm leeching the funk out of my body from the most recent obligatory "take the out-of-towners to TX BBQ" run
-I know that I'm supporting local, sustainable farming
The ladies that work the magic in the central kitchen are sweet as stevia, they'll chat about the goings-on on that strip de 6th or what inspired their freshest creation. Everything on the menu has probiotically roughaged through my digestive tract but I will most gluten-freely recommend the lasagna. Awesome, awesome. The recent spaghetti-meatballs addition was also wholly amazing.
No lie, on my second visit I bought one of their gift cards...for myself. Yes, I love me and I was just thinking of me and all but a better reason was that you can buy a $100 gift card and get $125 worth of naturally grown good god greatness FOR YOURSELF. For those of you matheys, that's essentially 20% off.
I realize this review has been (vegan) cheesy so stop reading, start going. Rawk on. -
Review from Mason A.
Austin, TX
6/22/2009
Somehow, Virginia had the whole city talking about this place before it even opened. Well, she definitely lived up to the hype.
The location is a little hard to see when driving by, but if you look for the butterfly you should be able to catch it and parking is after the cafe so it's easy enough to get to once you see it.
I love the ambiance. Dark woods and something about being connected to a salon makes it more fun. There's a window where you can see people getting their hair done.
Everything we've tried there has been amazing. Which is important for a raw restaurant. It's a new enough concept that it's unlikely you've ever tried any of it before. One bad dish and you may be afraid to try others. But here you can order care-free cause it all rocks!
The lasagna is so incredible. It tastes like lasagna, except fresh. It doesn't weigh you down. You can eat it and feel better after eating it than before. Amazing.
And the yogurt I had to stare at the ingredients for a few minutes to convince myself it wasn't actually yogurt.
Of course the fudge is amazing. I mean really amazing.
So, everything about it is awesome and Virginia has that glow that makes you want to come back every day to see her.
Oh, and they buy produce from Greenling, so you know it's the best in the city (of course I'm biased....but it's still true) -
Review from Carla S.
Updated - 5/29/2010
***NOTE: It's now called Ambrosia and it's still AMAZING!!!
"How do they do that", I believe were the words of my dining companion as she tasted the mock tuna. That's how I feel too. It's incredible how great the food is here. I had the pizza and raw brownie w ice cream today. A couple weeks ago I had the rawsagna. I'm in love.
Everything is made fresh as you order it. If you read my prior review (back when it was Borboletta), you'll get a sense of how big a change this is from my old eating habits. I find the experience of eating here to be unlike my experiences at other restaurants. I feel like I'm healing myself. Everything is so green and vital. I love it.
I'm transitioning into a predominately raw food diet so having Talkhouse just a few streets away is a blessing. If you think, "Oh, I don't like rabbit food..." you need to just try it once. Have the rawsagna. You'll love it. If you are already, committed to a healthy lifestyle try it, because we need places like this around. For real. Because I don't know how to not cook with fire yet. (That's the next project).Listed in: How do I know? You said I'm…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/7/2010
I'm Carla: Queen of the Carnivores so what was I doing in this place?
Well you see Queen Carla has… Read more »
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Review from Bernard N.
Borboleta. Talkhouse. Ambrosia.
Okay, so I think the owner is trying to find a name that sticks. But what I love about this place is the friendly people behind the counter.
I had dinner here tonight (6/29/10). Now if you know me, you know I love meat. After all, the culture I come from has a very meat-heavy cuisine. However, I also do love to try out new things, and I am very glad I tried this place.
For starters, I had a creamy asparagus soup. It's made with the aforementioned veggie, as well as almonds and cashews and other spices, topped with some fresh herbs. It was very thick and delicious, and actually could rival any soup that has meat. I love the color green on anything, and well, this soup was green. Very green.
Next, I had a plate of salad with a balsamic dressing and half a sandwich on their homemade "bread" with lots of veggies, both fresh and pickled, and a nut-based cheese, from what I guessed. It was all a delicious melange of flavors, and for someone that needs meat with at least 2 meals of the day, I was very satiated! Oh, I forgot to mention that this was the special o' the day, so I got the soup, salad, and half sandwich for $10.
Now, on to the pièce de résistance, which is the raw and vegan German chocolate cake. If you've ever had the typical German chocolate cake, it's a gooey, very artificial-tasting, but oh-so-good mess. You know what I am talking about! Well, this cake here was anything but! It was presented beautifully on a plate with some reduced palm-sugar syrup, raw chocolate (carob?) syrup, blackberries, and the cake itself. Although I only had half a slice, it was more than enough. It was so rich and flavorful.
I sat and lingered and listened in on an intense conversation about water filters, and what dayya know, I learned something new tonight! I learned all about a brand of water filter systems called "Berkey Water Filters." Just google it! Anyway, I found it fascinating that people could be so passionate about their water! I thought I was pretty good, with my water refills at WFM, but these folks are FOR REAL SERIOUS about their clean water!
Which brings me to the people. So, as I've mentioned in my other reviews, if the people are nice, friendly, humble, and just plain good folks, I'm willing to forgive just about anything. And these folks are! I met the chef-de-cuisine (Clark?), the manager, and I guess the sous chef...ok, there's only three of them, so I don't want to make it sound like it's a lot of people. But they were all very lovely and nice and VERY welcoming. My questions were always answered, and they really are passionate about the food that they are preparing and serving. You know I hate pretension in all its ugly forms. Thank goodness there's none of that here!
So, people.... please go and patronize this place. I was one of two patrons tonight, from 6:30pm-closing (about 8:00pm). I didn't ask how business was going, but the chef-de-cuisine mentioned that they might expand their hours if demand was there. Let's support this local business, especially since they're so nice here!
One last thing... I was really stuffed when I left. Don't let the vegan/raw/vegetarian thing turn you away. Try this place!! Ciao!
PS. Enjoy my photos of my dinner! -
Review from Dawna W.
Austin, TX
9/25/2010
My recent Harvest Moon dining experience was at Ambrosia. The small, light-filled cafe is big on flavor and service. Jeffrey and I began the meal with fresh, organic, raw, sparkling kombucha. Kombucha, a fermented probiotic beverage, is the replacement to dinner wine for raw, organic foodies. The tangerine kombucha was zingy and refreshing, my favorite is the chamomile flavored beverage.
Based on recommendations, we ordered and enjoyed the delicate flavors of the Thai noodles and the robust, hearty lasagna. With a lively conversation and delicious food, Jeffrey and I ended the dinner with vegan chocolate cake, chocolate ice cream, and blueberry tart. It was a seductively healthy and satisfying meal. Yum!
I will return regularly to receive the down-home warmth and to taste the freshly prepared, mouth-watering treats.
John Wegman, restaurant owner and living foods entrepreneur, is passionate about serving nutritional and delicious foods. Ambrosia is his offer to keep you feeling and looking great - one dish at a time. -
Review from Lauren E.
Austin, TX
10/9/2009
Since most of these reviews are five stars anyway, I probably don't need to drive that point home again. Yet the food was so excellent and the service so personable that I feel compelled to rate this place.
Borboleta was delicious, and the fact that everything was organic, raw and healthy makes this (in my opinion) pretty darn impressive. I'm trying out the whole vegan thing (stop laughing), and didn't really understand how people did it. Let me just say: if everyone ate at Borboleta, I would venture to say there would be a few more vegans in this town.
If you go with a friend, get the sampler platter. It's $20 and more than enough food for two hungry people. My Mom was in town and we ordered the sampler, then proceeded to spend about 90% of the meal talking about how we could not believe the food was so damn good. Literally. I don't think we talked about much of anything else.
Oh, and Virginia (the owner) is so adorable. She's really passionate about what she does, and it shows.
Borboleta=freaking awesome. -
Review from Michele D.
Austin, TX
8/6/2009 1 photo
This place is "A-okay," and it's GREAT that they serve raw food and try to use locally grown organic. Just those things alone are 5-star for sure!
But I am rating by the GOURMET part of their name. The food is good. It is incredibly creative if you are fairly new to raw foods but really just pretty normal stuff me and my friend agree we both could pretty easily have made at home with a fairly rudimentary understanding of raw food preparation, a mandolin and a spiral slicer (a $20 plastic kitchen gadget that can turn zucchini, carrots and firm cucumbers into raw grain-free noodles).
We tried the Tasting Platter which unfortunately we assumed would be half the cost it was (I think it was $18 or $20) and also split the lasagna because so many people on Yelp raved about the lasagna.
It was OKAY, even GOOD, lasagna. Not $11 good in my opinion, but good. Me and my friend both tried the lasagna, "fajita," KO salad, "pizza" and "sloppy joe." We both liked the SLOPPY JOE the best. The fajita in my opinion has the wrong name. It was good but NOTHING about it reminded me of a fajita in any manner. Same with the pizza. It was okay but was less like a pizza than most of the raw pizzas I have ever had (granted, I have eaten raw food on and off for 20 years so I have had quite a wide variety). The KO Salad was perhaps the most underwhelming of the foods we tried.
I enjoyed the actual setting and decor and it is NOT "inside" the Bella beauty salon because you do NOT have to come into the salon in order to get into the cafe. It has its own 6th Street door. There is a door inside the cafe that connects the salon so you CAN get to the cafe through the salon but there is no reason to do that unless you just got your hair done. There is a clear-window sort of glass wall giving a view of people getting their hair done, but in an understated way to where I almost didn't even notice the salon...! I just don't "get it" why anyone would be bothered by a hair salon being next to it unless they have salon "issues." Haha.
Because of one of the reviews I read here I thought I was supposed to open the refrigerator to select a plate. NOT. That's just their storage and you actually are supposed to order and they bring the food to you at your table. I thought the wait was a bit long for the simplicity of the foods and had assumed they would have some of the dishes made in advance, but we were there late in the day and maybe they were just out.
I feel sad to give this restaurant only 3 stars because it had been built up so much that I was SO ready for something incredible. And it IS good, even great in its way, but not incredible. Not when five different dishes almost look alike and almost taste alike.
All that said I probably WILL eat there again. I'll order the Sloppy Joes -- or something else I have not yet tried. The other stuff I will not get again with one caveat: the lasagna I think is good psychologically for people who feel some primal need for a meat-like dish. Not that it tastes like meat. Not at all. However the visuals and texture and thickness of the Portabello mushrooms do create their own magic. If you take a meat eater there they might like that, but I still have to recommend the Sloppy Joes over the Lasagna! There is some way that was flavored that is was the only dish that did NOT taste just like all the others we tried. Neither of us had dessert, (we were too full of vegetables), and we shared a bottle of Mountain Valley Spring water. The tab was about $40.
Oh, and by the way, it's on the SOUTH side of the street on W. Sixth Street. -
Review from Rachel G.
6/12/2009
WRITTEN WHEN THIS WAS CALLED BORBOLETA:
i'm in love with this place and its yummy, healthy, flavorful food! if it were closer to my house, i would be in serious (delicious) trouble because i would want to eat at least one meal a day there, if not more.
i have been treating myself to a meal here twice a week after my chiropractor appointments in south austin. i've been dealing with a C5-C6 disc herniation and it's been so nice to spoil myself with pure nutrients. i feel wonderful for hours afterward.
the lasagna is AMAZING. i've had it several times and i want it right now! the alfredo pasta with veggies is SO yummy. the sauce they use instead of alfredo is wonderful. i think it's a macadamia nut "cheese". you totally forget you are eating vegetables that resemble noodles, they are nicely sliced and make a lovely plate of noodles. try the pizza. trust me. try the pasta and meatballs. yes, meatballs. i haven't had a real meatball in over 10 years. the borboleta version took me back and reminded me of that meatball flavor, but it's so much better for you! brilliant.
the raw fudge? um, yes please. you have to try it. along with a nice cup of coconut water.
it's a lovely date place, but i've also sat there for a couple of hours reading the informative books they have on hand for guests to peruse.
the music is always pleasant. i think i've heard ladytron, stereolab, sigur ros, velvet underground, and even luscious jackson!
after having eaten raw food in nyc and san francisco for years, it's wonderful to have a place like this in austin. i've been craving it for ages.
hands down one of my favourite new places to open in austin in a long time. pure quality. -
Review from Kristina H.
Austin, TX
2/2/2010 2 photos
I went here for the first time tonight and ohmagawd. I had no idea raw food could taste so amazing.
We had: Curry soup (soooooo good), Lasagna, Cabbage Fajitas and Chocolate Cake. Each rocked my world in unimaginable ways. I might just dream about this place tonight and then immediately go there for lunch tomorrow.
Yes yes and more yes. -
Review from Mr G.
TX
10/8/2010
went to this place because of the reviews. Rude staff, and the owner was around... he was indifferent and had a stick up his ass about something I ordered.
I donno. I like the idea of this cafe, but apparently you have to pass some test to eat here. who gives a crap when BEETS is 2 blocks away? Blows Ambrosia out of the water.. -
Review from Ellen C.
9/20/2010 2 photos
*Wait, this place closed?! DANGIT! I cry cry cry!!!*
The reviews don't lie. Ambrosia is amaaazing. Like I feel a sense of profound sadness that there's not one in Houston. How do I go on . . . like this?
We came here for lunch and yes, it's a rather small cafe-like establishment, but there was only another couple present, so we weren't too concerned. After a bit of mulling deliberation - we settled on the lasagna and Thai noodles.
Bear in mind that they do make everything fresh, as a good raw restaurant should - so the wait time is rather prolonged and when you're hungry - it's like an eternity. But there's tons of vegan, raw, etc. reading available for your perusal and if you happen to need some salon servicing - Bella next door seems to have some sort of partnership with Ambrosia (you'll have to use Bella's restrooms if nature calls because Ambrosia is not equipped with its own).
Can I say there's nothing quite as satisfying as gobbling up a completely raw, deliciously decadent entree - knowing it wasn't fried with tons of oil and injected in lord-knows-what to extend its shelf life. The nut-based creamy cheese sauce in the lasagna was absolutely phenomenal - seriously the stuff that dreams are made of. The lasagna itself was perfectly fresh and the various layers sliced delicately to balance the flavors and consistency - I wish I was more of a creative writer so I can truly convey how freaking delicious the raw lasagna was. The Thai noodles paled in comparison, but were still darn tootin' great - the Thai influence was definitely adequately conveyed - really yum!
The best thing about this lunch is that it really did satiate me completely and wholly until dinner. I had no reservations about eating nearly everything on my plate (can't imagine Ambrosia leftovers would be that great) and it was enough fueling for my harried day until dinner.
I totally and completely would recommend this to anyone and everyone. I'm willing to bet that even the most fervent of meat-eaters could easily become enamored with the lasagna - as long as they're somewhat open-minded.Listed in: Austin - Vegan and Vegetarian
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Review from Mark G.
10/23/2009
Oh, so close to another five-star review! Yes, it was vegan food good enough to satisfy an omnivore with an appetite for big flavors. My "pasta and meatballs" consisted of zucchini ribbon "pasta" and tomato-and-nut blend "meatballs," complemented by heirloom tomatoes and microgreens, and topped with a light pesto and nut-based parmesan. It was delicious, as was the lemon "cheesecake" with strawberry drizzle. As someone wary of second-rate mock-dairy desserts, the cheesecake did not disappoint in the least. No, it did not have the exact consistency of cheesecake, but the texture and creaminess stood on their own merits.
I'm a confirmed omnivore these days, but if food of this quality were readily available, I doubt I would miss meat or dairy. Alas, the problem here seems self-evident: The amount of care and preparation put in to assemble these dishes is obvious. I just could not muster the dedication to prepare food like this on my own, nor spend the money to eat at Borboleta every day. But I digress.
I would have loved to add to the five-star chorus, but a couple of hiccups in my dining experience stand in the way. It happened when nature called, and I was sent through the maze that is the adjacent hair salon, sheepishly passing salon patrons in my quest for the right door. Unfortunately, the salon is too hip to put any signage on the restroom doors, much less indicate (even with some cleverly arcane symbol) which was the men's and which was the women's. Fortunately, the woman inside was not bothered when my first try proved to be the ladies room. No, this doesn't take anything away from the fantastic food, and Borboleta is by all means a small place with some restroom realities that are largely forgivable.
Also mildly disappointing is the lack of any freshly-brewed iced teas - a bottled tea beverage just did not seem fitting accompaniment for such a hyper-fresh meal. Five stars means no caveats, and though these are small, they bear mention.
I eagerly look forward to going back. I'll just try to make sure I've answered the call of nature first! -
Review from Kerry G.
Austin, TX
9/18/2009
Great staff who are sooooo passionate about what they do. I took my daughters there and they were very accommodating. We got the sampler platter and all was amazing. Rich, flavorful meal with lots of fresh herbs and amazing textures. Try the fajitas, my personal fave.
So glad Borboleta is in Austin! -
Review from Solomon W.
Austin, TX
3/12/2010
I've been being a good Austinite in trying to branch out and try different raw food places, and I have been pleased for the most part by most of the non-cooked trend.
Borboleta recently got a makeover, and the management is very inviting, and the establishment is well-run. Also, prices are not too steep, as usually raw food can get up there.
I tried out the sampler with mock tuna, the daily special-stir fry, the sunburger, and the lasagna. Sadly, the pizza wasn't available, so I opted for the tuna.
Mock Tuna-a bit chunky for my taste, so the pureed nuts didn't really give the tuna feel, though the "tuna flavor" was definitely present
Stir-fry-tender and thick with a unique zesty sauce
Sunburger-very nutty, a bit dense, good white and tomato sauce on top
Lasagna-thin zucchini slices layered with a nice thick tomato sauce and some other veggies, and nice salty olives on top
So, obviously I couldn't tell what a lot of the components were inside of the foods, but they were very tasty. Was not blown away, but I was definitely impressed. Solid raw food, so definitely check out this revamped place. -
Review from Amber G.
Austin, TX
7/12/2009
Most Austinites are familiar with the raw food movement in some fashion, but many of these same Austinites still don't "get it." The reality is, most people like their meals cooked. Can't say I blame you if you think it's a bit weird, but I will say this - the "living cuisine" movement is super healthy, and when done well, actually pretty delicious. And downtown dwellers are very fortunate to have a living cuisine restaurant right in the neighborhood (well, technically Clarksville, but RIGHT on the edge of downtown Austin). The name of the place is Borboleta Gourmet.
Borboleta's food is organic, vegetarian, dairy-free, gluten-free, kosher, soy-free, and trans-fat free. Sounds like everything a true southerner would hate, right? Well, I'm here to tell you - it's really good. I found out about the restaurant through an E-mail campaign from the restaurant , and I was intrigued enough to stop by. I took the 'Dillo to Whole Foods, and walked west 4 blocks. Borboleta Gourmet is actually inside Bella Hair Salon (although the entities are not related, I'm told).
You walk in, and the atmosphere is quaint, but polished. It's a small cafe setting, with only about 6 tables. There are two large commercial refrigerators that house most of the food. I think they are still in the process of "figuring" out the service, but when I ordered, I simply grabbed the covered plate of food I wanted from the refrigerator, gave it to the cashier (who prepped it and touched up the presentation), paid, and chose my seat. The food was delivered only moments later. Easy and quick! And so good.
I like the atmosphere of the place, the fact that it's raw, vegan, soy-free, etc etc, and that the menu rotates weekly (so it's consistently different and interesting). You can also order brewed coffee, so it's not only a good place to eat lunch, but also just chill and read the paper.
Borboleta is the type of unique/eclectic small, local business that I want to see more of in and near downtown Austin. It offers a unique food experience, is convenient, and supports the local economy with a function that a wide-array of folks can enjoy. And it's just NEAT. I don't know of another place like it in Austin (with the possible exception of Casa de Luz, but Borboleta is really pretty different from the Casa de Luz concept and vibe, as well). I think downtown Austin residents are lucky to have these kinds of fun and different choices at their disposal and should support them accordingly.
Contact Info: 1221 W Sixth St, Austin, TX 78703, (512) 828-7404, http://www.borboletago... -
Review from Amelia V.
Austin, TX
5/19/2009
Today I stopped in for lunch and had the lasagna, which was very delicious. The produce was so fresh and crisp and the sauces were just perfect. There were tons of veggies in this dish: squash, mushroom, eggplant, tomato, basil and a few others. I'm still full several hours later!
I'm very happy to support a place that has good organic produce and locally sourced items (while I was eating several local farmers/distributors were there delivering their wares).
This place is fancy! The decor was very charming and I'm such a sucker for cloth napkins. I think I'll have my next fancy outing at this place! -
Review from Brianna M.
Austin, TX
6/20/2009
(Just FYI, the following review is for the original incarnation, Borboleta. I have not been back since it has changed hands.)
Visited for the first time today and everything was so good (had the lasagna, the pasta w/ caprese salad and the cheesecake w/ blueberries--all exceptional).
My dining partner's view of the world of vegetables was pretty much limited to, literally, a handful of items and I suspected we would be making a stop somewhere after so he could have lunch as well. But not only did he like it, he said he'd be back. So don't be afraid to take your doubting friends!
Everything was extremely and appropriately flavorful. Great to look at too.
We had a good time just trying to figure out how things were prepared. It really shows some talent to be able to come up with these recipes and execute them perfectly. I can definitely see this on my list of places I visit regularly. -
Review from Kathy C.
Shreveport, LA
10/23/2010
My husband was looking for gluten free and came across this little place. We realized it was not only gluten free but vegan and raw but decided to give it a try. Nice quaint place with great service. The owner came over and spoke to us too. The rawsagna was excellent with a flavorful mariners sauce. My husband was less smallest with his Thai noodles made of zucchini. Good but lacking a bit of zing.
Overall a good experience, unique and food was good. Word of warning, if not vegan or raw be prepared to have gas and be hungry shortly! We ended up at a Mexican restaurant two hours later for queso and dessert. -
Review from Jason O.
Round Rock, TX
2/14/2010
Keep one thing in mind, this is a specialty café. In other words, don't go there for fried chicken, mashed potatoes and apple pie.
With that said, I have been here several times and firmly give my seal of approval.
It is s small place Siamese joined with a salon. Seating can be scarce at times, but that should tell you it is enjoyed by many.
The food has always been delicious and the service has always been with a smile. The Raspberry cheesecake makes this non cheesecake preferring person forget his staid preferences.
Recommended for the one who likes something different and something tasty. I will say that some of the textures encountered were... different, but not in a bad way at all.
I really like the place. -
Review from smriti k.
Los Angeles, CA
6/6/2010
Another raw food place in Austin. I came here for lunch to meet one of my new raw food friend.The place is pretty tiny and its attached to the salon.I can imagine people getting their hair done and come here and drink their yummy Kombucha or eat their Raw fruit balls,there were ladies who just got up mid way through their hair styling and got a bottle of Kombucha!
I ordered the mock tuna salad with a side of Vegetable blended bread and my friend ordered a small slice of pizza with Cesar salad.Well,the mock tuna was ok but it was made up of fresh cold sauce and i just had to eat it without thinking and the salad didn't have much flavor so i had to not eat it.But i do like their vegetable blended cracker,it had a solid tangy taste.My friend's salad was pretty simple and good enough.
The people here were really friendly and as we looked at the huge display of raw desserts, i went up to the counter and looked at them with my greedy eyes and picked up the coconut date mix and the cocoa coconut raw bar and it was too good.Wish i had taken just a plate of that for lunch.They also gave us a free tasting of their newly made Kambucha which had a strong vinegary taste and i loved it.
As is said,this place is pretty small ,but its a great place to just sit by yourself or come here after getting your hair done right next door.Talkhouse people are pretty talkative (in a good way) and they did let me show the Mother of Kombucha , that was pretty cool!! But i do hope their salad had more flavor and they had better seating;the seating was kinda old and dusty.
Overall, it is a friendly place with good kombucha and woo they do have a counter which has all kinds of junk enclosed in a glass top which is interesting ,but you would probably get distracted looking at the raw deserts on top of it!!!
Talk it out in Talkhouse and be ready to do some cha cha after drinking their Kombucha!
-SmritiListed in: Munch Munch....BRUNCH!, GO GREEN!!!
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Review from Amanda W.
6/22/2010
We were there for lunch on a weekday. We had salad (Caesar or garden), rawsagna, and pizza (didn't look like pizza but sure tasted like it - maybe the spices??). It was all delicious, perfectly portioned, and well-presented.
Upsides: gluten-free, fresh, satisfying, all-natural food; convenient location; clean, attractive atmosphere; creative, delicious dishes
Downsides: only one person working during lunch, so we waited a long time; no off-street parking (maybe there was some, we didn't see it); somewhat pricey - $25 for two entrees and a drink -
Review from Betsy H.
Austin, TX
10/25/2010
After visiting Ambrosia Saturday, I was relatively pleased with my overall experience. My boyfriend ordered the pizza, and I the Nori Roll. I loved the taste of the pizza, most certainly, but had slight difficult chewing the nori - it was a bit frustrating, and I ended up eating the vegetables and rice inside the roll instead. The garden salad was great, and the entire concept is exciting and cutting edge. I would love to go back and try and Rawsagna, as I've heard great things... it's worth at least ONE visit, whether you enjoy the idea of raw food or not - how do you know unless you try?
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Review from Andrew C.
Austin, TX
1/23/2011
Bought a lunch deal coupon for this restaurant a while back. Within a few days of the deal expiring I figured I should probably stop in and redeem it. So I headed over there all to find out that they were closed that day and the next, the day the deal expired. That seemed pretty off to me so I filled out their contact form on their website to see if they would honor it the next day they were open...no response. Don't have a contact form if you don't intend on emailing your patrons back. There are plenty of other establishments in town that care about making customers happy.
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Review from laura c.
Austin, TX
6/24/2009
I went here today and had the "yogurt" parfait. It's not real yogurt b/c it's a raw foods restaurant. It was really good, and the homemade raw granola on top was very tasty, a little sweet, but not overpowering.
They have free wifi, so I was able to camp out for a little bit. The one downside is they don't have plugs for your computer, so bring your computer fully charged. The environment was nice and so were all the people who work there. They honor the go local card: Mondays 10% off everything, Tues-Fri $1 off when you spend $15 or more.
This place is really committed to organic and local. It is a personal passion of Victoria the owner. I saw her at the Sustainable Foods Policy board meeting. You should check it out. -
Review from Ann L.
Houston, TX
11/20/2010
During the weekend of Austin City Limits, I took a trip to this restaurant to experience what Austin had to offer for live/raw food. Walking in is kind of confusing because it is connected to the hair salon right next door. The places is reallllyy intimate, and you can choose to see how the food is prepared if you sit in the front. After seating, a lady who was just cutting hair and using hair spray walked in and started making food! (I'm not sure if she washed her hands or not) This kind of grossed me out, even if she did wash her hands.
I ordered the "tuna" sandwich -$6.50. I thought that this was a really great deal because it came with a small bitter greens salad with hemp seeds. They had gluten free bread but I opted for the flax bread that they had a huge container of. During my 20+ minute waiting time, another couple was really irritated that they had been waiting so long for their food to be prepared, that they rejected free macaroons and coffee, and stormed out because it wasn't done yet. The owner didn't do anything about it even though he was right there.
The presentation was really nice, and the "sandwich" tasted amazing! It was some sort of sunflower pate (when the hostess tried to explain it to me she was really timid and awkward and not engaged or friendly) I really hated the flax bread though, I wish they would have made an effort for a like-real wheat bread that was pliable, chewy, and not a crunchy, gelly-flax, hard bread that kind of made the sandwich hard to eat since you have to chew it so much. I loved that the mustard was a chickpea miso, and not soy.
The owner, and cashier/hostess were both really awkward it was kind of weird. When I went to pay, I was kind of confused as to why I was charged $7.50 for my sandwich so i asked if it was because i opted for raw and not GF bread. She then said it was a "glitch in the system" -so they apparently knew about it and have been charging everyone an extra dollar than what they advertise. A dollar is no big deal, but the fact that she was about to charge me extra money for something that they knew was wrong was really annoying. She did offer me a free macaroon for compensation. ($2 for a two bite dessert is a rip off)
They also have you clean your own plate and throw away trash, which I think is really weird for such a freaking small restaurant...is it really that big of a deal for one of the 5 people in the hair salon/kitchen to do that if I'm tipping?
All in all, the food was pretty good and i recommend the sandwiches if you opt for GF bread or like hard, flax-gell-in-your-mouth-bites of bread. Just make sure that you're getting charged the right amount. -
Review from Greg K.
Austin, TX
1/21/2010
Tonight was the first time any of the four of us had experienced Borboleta. We ordered two sampler platters, which was more than enough food. From the curry soup to the "lasagna", everything was excellent. Another first time patron was so enamored with the key lime pie that he bought one for our table. He just couldn't stand the thought of us leaving without trying it. When we tasted it, we understood why.
Throughout the dinner our two waitresses managed that perfect balance between being laid back and attentive. Our 1-year-old daughter was along with us, and the waitresses were friendly and helpful in accommodating her. We ordered without ever seeing a menu, but didn't get sticker shock when the bill finally came. Very reasonable.
If we could change one thing, we would ask them to add fresh juices to the menu. If they have them, we weren't made aware of them, or of any other beverages besides water, for that matter.
Unfortunately for the restaurant, we were the only diners there for most of our meal. We don't want this restaurant to go the way of so many great vegetarian restaurants in Austin in recent years. We'll be back to do our part. I hope that you'll check it out too. -
Review from sas l.
Sunol, CA
10/14/2009
Absolutely unbelievable. Go. Now. Eating here was a religious experience. The lasagna was awesome, as was the mocha cheesecake. My husband and I both felt incredibly lucky to have found this place while visiting Austin. We initially went because it is gluten free, but it was so much more than just a gluten free meal. The owner talked with us about what I could eat with all my food allergies and we had, hands down, the best meal our entire time in Austin.
Do not miss this place. You do not have to be raw, vegan, or gluten free to enjoy this place. My husband is a born and bred meat and potatoes Texan and he could not stop raving about this place.
The only thing that wasn't awesome was that there was some live music being played while we were there and it seemed too loud. We practically had to shout at each other over the music. -
Review from Daniel M.
Austin, TX
8/10/2010
Excellent vegan and raw fare. 5 stars. Had the lasagna and caesar salad. Both fantastic. Great employees as well.
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Review from Tanna A.
Austin, TX
1/31/2010
Amazing!!
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Review from Rachel W.
Austin, TX
11/26/2009
It's nice to go to a place where everything is gluten free. We went for dinner on a Saturday night around 7pm. They were out of a lot of things and we were told it's because they premake things and they aren't open on Sundays and Mondays so Saturday is the tail end of the premade food. I don't know, when I go out for dinner I want my food made that day... They also seemed annoyed that we were there. Hopefully it was an off night. The food we had was good (though a bit over priced). I think I'll stick to the raw food station at Whole Foods.
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Review from Rebecca D.
Brooklyn, NY
3/28/2010
Borboleta is a neat little raw/vegan place on West Sixth. We sat outside because it was such a nice day and also the inside was kind of cramped and crowded (it's a pretty tiny restaurant) The waiter there was pretty awkward, but nice as hell. He explained dishes and recommended items to us and even brought my friend a sample of the mock tuna. The portions are small and so I thought a bit overpriced with the amount of food I got. However, the whole meal was presented beautifully, was tasty and surprisingly filling, and its so nice to eat at a place where pretty much whatever you order, it's going to be decently healthy. I had the "pizza", which actually isn't really like a pizza at all, but it was delicious! I also had a juice, I believe it was the orange-carrot-ginger, which was alright but the ginger really overpowered the other flavors. My friend thoroughly enjoyed her mock tuna (I wish I knew how to make that- I know its nuts and seasoning but what seasonings??). I would go back here for sure if I were craving a healthy and unique lunch. They do take out also, which I just make take advantage of.
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Review from Dr. Ron B.
Austin, TX
8/27/2010
Wow raw lasagna, sounds gross right it's missing everything lasagna should be warm , cheesy etc. It is phenominal. They have made huge changes since opening and they are contiually getting better.
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Review from Kristi M.
Austin, TX
10/26/2010
Finally made it to Ambrosia today as I am always looking for delicious, fresh vegatarian/vegan food that is prepared with care. I am very impressed with the Thai Noodle Bowl that I had. Made of spaghetti-like zuchini strips tossed with a delicious sauce and hints of fresh basil and cilantro coming through. Topped with fresh avocado. cucumber and tomato. Divine for my taste buds today! The Green smoothie was also delicious and not overly sweet like so many smoothies tend to be. I will be back! Yum!
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Review from Alexander G.
Austin, TX
3/4/2010
Completely amazing. As far as I know, the only organic restaurant in town and well worth the prices which were comparable to non-organic restaurants. The food makes you feel great after eating it!
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Review from Robert L.
Austin, TX
9/14/2009
Good place for raw foods in Austin. The atmosphere is cosy and the menu has many items made from locally sourced veggies.
