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- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Music:
- Background
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- Yes
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Romantic, Classy, Upscale, Intimate
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
81 reviews for Aquarelle
Review Highlights
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"The foie gras is the best I've ever had, perfectly balanced..." In 10 reviews -
"Such a cute little house." In 8 reviews -
"I had the sea bass, and my wife had the red snapper." In 6 reviews
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81 reviews in English
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Review from Brian V.
Los Angeles, CA
10/26/2011
Didn't go to the actual restaurant. I had the steak frite sandwich from the booth set up at the ACL Festival. So my score is based just on the food (and to a certain extent, the price).
The bread was good and the steak was great. Some steak sandwiches have tough steak and require you to pull the steak from your mouth, lest you want to eat the entire steak in one bite.
The sauce they used in the sandwich was also tasty and complimented the sandwich vs. overpowering it. It also served as a great dipping sauce to the fries that were in the sandwich. I found myself picking off some of the fries and dipping it into the sauce as if they were a side.
This sandwich was like an entire meal in a container! Perfect. -
Review from Bill S.
Austin, TX
7/12/2011
The plan was to see "Midnight in Paris" at the Violet Crown Cinema followed by dinner somewhere downtown. To be honest, my first choice was Chez Nous. Unfortunately, we were a party of 2, my wife and I wanted to eat at 8pm on Saturday night, and Chez Nous doesn't take reservations for parties smaller than 6. No hard feelings, but our dinner dates don't happen that often, and I didn't want to spoil this one with an hour wait for a table. Aquarelle takes reservations for smaller parties, so they moved to the top of the list.
I like the atmosphere at Aquarelle. It's in an old house in an old part of Austin. The house has wood floors and tall ceilings. The interior walls in our room were painted dark green. There was nine-inch, wood moulding painted white, and what appear to be the original 1930's wood windows, also white.
I wanted to get up early in the morning so I didn't want to order an entire bottle of wine. There weren't many wines by the glass. We ended up ordering some champagne by the glass, and it was quite good.
You can order a la carte but we opted for prix fixe. The whole menu is on their website so I won't bother reciting ingredients. We both had the Terrine of Pressed Salmon for the first course. I thought it was good but the split pea sauce was a little bland. My wife thought the sauce was good.
I had the Pan-Seared Day Boat Scallops for the second course. It was wonderful. I would never have thought to pair scallops with sauteed pear, but it was great.
My dessert, the brule du jour, was crispy on top and sweet on the inside.
We ended up spending $140 before the tip. This seems like a great place to go on your wedding anniversary or to impress someone special. If you're looking for an elegant meal, this could be it. If you're looking for French atmosphere and maybe a smaller check, I'd still opt for Chez Nous. -
Review from Meggen D.
I've been sitting on this review for a while, awaiting an attitude adjustment that will allow me to justify the ridiculous amount of money that was spent on my meal and not fill my entire review with a rant on bang for your buck. Well, it seems I didn't wait long enough. Ah hell, here goes nothing.
The house itself that Aquarelle inhabits is truly amazing. Its historic beauty has been retained, though the interior and exterior have been upgraded and repainted. You almost wouldn't recognize the place as a restaurant when stumbling past after a rowdy night on West Sixth, I know I never did. What drew us to this place initially were the Yelp reviews and the delicious steak frites served up at ACL.
Walking through the front door of the place is weird. You see a hostess table with a phone and a list of reservations (and you may even see your name on said list), but you won't see the hostess. If you're like me, you'll awkwardly stare at the beautiful artwork hanging on the walls, talk a little louder than normal (to hopefully get the attention of the elusive hostess), and then give up and sit on the very inviting antique bench in the entry way. The hostess will eventually come, and without apologies of any kind, she will seat your party in the intimate, dimly-lit (mood lighting, of course) dining room.
French food is pretentious. Let's be real. The French are notorious for taking themselves, and their food, entirely too seriously. Aquarelle is no exception. The waiters are kind, but not friendly. Your water glass will be refilled about 80 times while you're there. And my personal favorite: On any given night, there are 3 different menu options: A La Carte, Menu Rapide (appetizer and fish, quick), and Menu Marche (3-course tasting menu). I'm not sure that it's necessary, but whatever. Who's going to change their minds?
The gf and I decided to treat ourselves to a 3-course A La Carte meal. We each started with the Smoked Duck Salad. I had the Gulf Red Snapper with a Chorizo Romesco Sauce, and she had the Roast Lamb with Lamb Jus. Then we finished with the Chocolate Souffle Cake and Almond and Plum Clafoutis.
Overall, the food was delicious. I can't complain about any of it. The meats were cooked perfectly, and the sauces were amazing (as you would expect). I'm not a dessert person, so I can't offer much there except to say that I really need to find a good souffle in Austin. The "souffle cake" didn't quite do it for me.
This may sound silly, but I feel the need to say it. The bread and butter that was regulargly replenished throughout the meal was outstanding! I've read mixed reviews about it because the bread arrives to the table at room temp, but I think cold bread is another French quirk. It's delightfully crusty on the outside with a soft, chewy center. Umm...and I could bathe in that European butter!
If you really want to spoil your sweetie or show your bank account who's boss, go to Aquarelle. It's expensive, and the experience may not be entirely worth it, but it's some of the best French food that Austin's got to offer (after Chez Nous, of course). -
Review from Jeff C. J.
Emeryville, CA
8/6/2011
Brilliant food, elegant ambiance, and spot-on service. Aquarelle is true to French cuisine. This was THE BEST dining experience I have had in Austin.
We walked in for a dinner for two, having bailed on a nearby gastropub with a mediocre menu. We were seated immediately, and were pleased with the menu. The Menu Maché offers a good selection for a great value (three courses plus two amuse-bouche) for $45. Wine is reasonably priced.
The foie gras is the best I've ever had, perfectly balanced sweet and savory. It absolutely melts in your mouth. The quail was perhaps a bit on the dry side, but otherwise very nice. My date tried the scallops and was very happy. The deserts (we split the frommage plate and the chocolate and home-made ice cream) were lovely, and paired well with a tawny port. Dish presentations were elegant.
The service was spot-on, they did not hover, kept the table clear, wine glasses full, and they kept the kitchen open well after closing hours. We could not have asked for anything more from our servers.
I recommend they by-the-glass wine pairings to their Menu Rapide and Menu Marché. -
Review from Sarah S.
This past weekend, my special someone, treated me to a beautiful dinner at Aquarelle. Perfect for a date night, Aquarelle offers tasty French cuisine in a cute, Victorian style home, complete with hard wood floors, mosaic art work, large windows, romantic lighting.
We were first served a tiny tasting of couscous in grape seed oil. It was delicious, we both wished we could have had more. The grape seed oil had a very unique and slightly strong taste, but when combined with the toast points, it was fabulous. Next, appetizers. He went with the Sauteed Escargot - I was impressed. It featured perfectly sautéed escargot, with a buttery herb cream sauce. The sauce truly tied it all together for me. I had the Onion Custard, a risky choice for me as I generally do not like large amounts of onions. My appetizer include mushrooms, that seemed to have been battered and fried. Whatever the case, they were extremely tasty and went well with a touch of the herb cream sauce from the other appetizer. The onion custard featured gently soften onion slices in a creamy custard like sauce.
For my main course - Beef Tenderloin, complete with mashed potatoes, a savory, sweet sauce, and sprinkle of blue cheese. The beef was cooked perfectly, melted in my mouth. The sweetness of the sauce added a tiny explosion of taste. My mashed potatoes were creamy, but pretty basic. I truly enjoyed my entree, although I would have preferred it sans blue cheese.
Before dessert, we were served a mini scoop of mango sorbet. I could have eaten an entire bowl, it was very refreshing and a nice way to cleanse my palate. My chocolate souffle was fabulous! A nice moist cake on the outside, with deliciously melted, and warm chocolate inside. A fresh strawberry and a few scoops of vanilla ice cream, pulled it all together. Just thinking about it right now, is making me hungry!
Overall, it was a fantastic evening, and a great place to go on a romantic date!Listed in: So Romantical
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Review from Rebecca L.
Austin, TX
12/20/2010
How do you say "This is effing delicious" in French?
My boyfriend treated me to a nice dinner at Aquarelle Tuesday night, and both of us really enjoyed what Aquarelle had to offer. We started off with the fois gras trio (he had totally been looking forward to trying fois gras), and it was quite possibly the best thing I've ever tasted. I could try to describe it, but I don't think my words could do it justice. The apple chutney complemented it very well. I ordered the red snapper for my entree, and he ordered the lamb. The waiter brought us some bread and butter, and the bread was cold and hard. I'm not sure if that's how the French eat their bread or if it had been sitting out for a while, but seeing as how that wasn't an integral part of the meal, I'm not going to take off stars for it.
The snapper was cooked nicely, and the saffron sauce it was sitting in imparted a sophisticated flavor to the fish. The bf's lamb was more rare than medium-rare, but still tasty. Both portions were very generous. We had the brulee of the day for dessert (lime) and it was superb.
Service was consistent. Our waiter(s) were not intrusive at all, but were there at all the right times. Our water glasses never got below half empty, which is always a good indicator of quality service.
The decor was quaint, lots of floral patterns. Something your hip grandma would have at her house. French food isn't for everybody, but if you're a Francophile, you might give Aquarelle a shot.
Only cons I can think of besides the cold bread is parking. They don't have a private lot or valet so you're on your own. Street or paid parking.Listed in: Around the World, Treat Yo Self
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Review from Eric P.
Austin, TX
5/18/2011
I think I've been to maybe one French restaurant before Aquarelle, so I'm by no means an authority on the cuisine, but I enjoyed the heck out of Aquarelle. It's pricey but you can get a pair of three-course meals and some wine for under $100, so it's good for a date night.
My date and I made a reservation online, hunted down a parking spot, approached the charming old cottage, were greeted by a hostess, were seated immediately and tended to by a friendly, helpful server. We opted for the three course tastings (one priced at $35 and the other at $45). Mine included escargot, caramelized scallops, a bite of strawberry sorbet and the brulle of the day. My date's was an asparagus bisque of some type, red snapper and a pastry covered in chocolate sauce for dessert. All of it was fantastic. Small-ish portions but more than enough to leave one satisfied.
Here's where I get to my one gripe with Aquarelle: the clientele.
This isn't Aquarelle's fault. They're a fine-dining establishment that tends to attract the semi-wealthy d-bag crowd. Some round- and red-faced jerk in a $100 polo shirt behind me asked the waiter, "Where is this lamb from?" / The waiter said, "I believe it's from New Zealand, but I'm not certain. I can ask the che..." / "I thought so," the man said. "I tastes like it was from New Zealand."
Stifling my laughter here was difficult, but I managed. Then, as I went to eat the mint with my dessert (I'm a fan of eating the garnish and even referred to etiquette peeps via Google to confirm this is acceptable) my date noticed that the fat man's wife stared at me in disgust as I ingested the tiny leaf.
That's probably enough to keep me from going back -- I don't need to get judged by some ostentatious housewife who wants to play tea party for the night -- but I'd recommend everyone experience it at least once.
Make sure you eat that mint. -
Review from Lisa L.
Austin, TX
1/16/2011
My fiancee and I went to Aquarelle on a Saturday night for happy hour. Yes, happy hour on a Saturday night (it's from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.). The hh special is half-off appetizers. We tried four of the seven offerings: the fromage plate ($7.50); beef carpaccio ($5); pan-seared scallop ($4.50); and croque monsieur ($2.50). I know, 2 freakin' dollars and fifty cents for a very tasty ham and cheese sandwich. You can't get a cheaper deal at McDonald's. Everything was very good, especially the scallop. It was huge and flavorful, and was seared perfectly. We had four glasses of wine between us and the four appetizers, and our total came out to $50. You can't do much better than that.
Although we found the food to be very good and the specials outrageous, what I really want to mention is the service. We were the only ones in the bar area for the majority of our stay, so we sat near the bartender, Ashton. His service was outstanding; he was very friendly; and we enjoyed talking with him. He really made our experience memorable.
We can't wait to go back again.Listed in: Best Happy Hour
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Review from Tonya T.
2/23/2011
I'll start with the food, because if the rating was for food alone it would be five stars. I started with the French Onion Soup. This version is what all French Onion Soup should aspire to be - a hearty topping of cheese, perfectly flavored broth, and plenty of croutons. Husband had the duck breast salad, which he enjoyed. My entree was beef tenderloin with some sort of almond and date paste, accompanied by mashed potatoes. The sweetness of the almonds and dates was a perfect complement to the savory beef. It was fantastic. Husband took a gamble on the Gulf Snapper. I was worried a stream of hot BP oil would gush out, but it was all good. After a palate-cleansing apple sorbet we enjoyed the chocolate souffle cake with homemade ice cream. It is even better than it sounds. So the food is top-notch and well worth the somewhat hefty price tag.
But there were a few minor inconveniences. We showed up for our reservation right on time but the hostess informed us that our reservation was for half an hour earlier and they had given away our table. The reservation was made online and I don't know if it was a quirk of the system, but we had double checked the confirmation email numerous times and we were definitely on time. Thankfully, another hostess on the scene apparently decided it wasn't worth arguing about and seated us. I was a little peeved to see that the restaurant was pretty empty at that time (it was an early dinner), so I didn't understand why the first hostess gave us a hard time.
The service was good, but one person took our app order, someone else took our entree order, yet another person took our dessert order, and our various courses were all brought out by someone different. So we didn't develop any kind of "rapport" with our waiter, if that makes any sense.
Then there was the wait. Now I know that fine dining often moves at a slower pace than more casual restaurants. This isn't the Chilli's 30 minute lunch special - I get that. But the time between courses was excessive. I think the kitchen may have been backed up or something, because they had people circulating with bread baskets and no one around us seemed to be eating either. I would have appreciated an update from our server or some sort of reassurance that they hadn't forgotten to put in our order. But the lack of server continuity probably contributed to that. Of course all was forgiven once the food arrived, but be sure to set a good chunk of time aside for your Aquarelle experience.
Weird aside: someone came around to refill our water glasses probably about every five minutes during the interval when we were waiting for our entrees. At one point, I really didn't need any more water so I politely said "No, thank you" when the server came by. In a low voice she said, "Sorry, but I have to refill this. If they see me not filling your glass I'll get in trouble." So it seems like they run a tight ship! -
Review from James S.
Santa Cruz, CA
3/22/2007 ROTD 6/10/2007
For my ladyfriend's birthday and our one-year anniversary, we decided to roll big with the dinner. I wanted something with a little more ambiance than Chez Nous and Austin Land and Cattle and fewer Californians than Uchi. We decided on Aquarelle, and it was a very good choice.
The locale is a little hard to find. It's tucked away off Rio Grande, near Katz's. It's a little house, and if you didn't know it was a restaurant, you'd either pity or envy the people you imagined living inside. There's not much in the way of parking, and apparently there are some parking rules you have to follow (explained when they call you back to confirm the reservation), but drop the people in high heels off at the door and park on the street around the corner.
The restaurant is an old house. Wood floors, lots of windows, and low lighting. One thing I really dug about this place was the combination of the food and the "old house" smell. Not stinky, crazy-person-lives-here, old house smell, but that kind of earthy smell that is comforting.
There are few tables, so reservations are a must. But if you're rolling on a $150+ dinner, you should want to make reservations. Well, it makes me feel like a grown-up, so I enjoyed pretending I was some big shot when they called me back.
Luckily for us all, the management decided on accommodating fewer clientele, so you're not going to be packed in here. In fact, you probably won't hear anyone else's conversation, which is awesome for creating that special vibe to get the after-dinner romance a meal at this price commands.
Our server was excellent. She told us about the place, what the chefs were thinking when they put together the menu, and recommended a couple of apps and wine pairings. Yes, this place is all about the wine pairings. But it's good wine and not ridiculously overpriced for a restaurant.
As with most French restaurants, you can order the prix fixe or the a la carte. I suggest the prix fixe if your head doesn't explode at seeing the price. I had to keep telling myself that it was a double-duty dinner (birthday and anniversary; yes, I'm stupid for asking my girlfriend out for the first time on her birthday).
The menu is seasonal, so it won't be the same as what we ordered, but I can tell you what we had was amazing. The seafood was fresh and delicious, and my steak was one of the best cuts of beef I've ever eaten. Perfectly marbled, perfectly cooked.
Between courses the chef would send out little treats. We got a cauliflower mousse. Usually, I hate cauliflower. Hate it. But I liked it this time. The people behind us got more of these treats, but I think they were rolling a LOT larger than we were ($800 bill for a table of four, I think---I'm pretty sure one of them was going to die at midnight; at least that's the only reason I could justify spending $200 on dinner for one of my friends).
Dessert was the only disappointment. During dinner, I had suavely excused myself and asked our server if she wouldn't mind putting "Happy Birthday" on the plate. She agreed. When she came back and cleared our dinner plates, she asked if we needed anything else. I smiled and winked, because I am so suave, and she nodded and left. And then brought little dishes of gelatto (another chef treat) and the bill. I guess I over-suaved her and gave her temporary amnesia.
Disappointed, I paid the bill, gave an 8% tip, wrote a quick note, and we went out for dessert. Well, the next day I get a call from my server. She apologized profusely and asked us to come back. AND THEN COMPED THE RETURN MEAL!!! How awesome is that? We dropped a total of $40 for wine and the tip and had our victory lap meal. And for dessert this time, the pastry chef went effing crazy. Chocolate cake, chocolate flakes, chocolate sprinkles, chocolate sauce. He spelled out my ladyfriend's name, wrote some crazy shit in French, and sent it out with a big voila!
If you did something really dumb, dinner at Aquarelle will make up for it. If you want to celebrate something important, this is a good place for that. It was stellar, and one of those indulgences you should afford yourself once a year or so. -
Review from Bob R.
Austin, TX
8/14/2007
I very much wanted to give out five stars, but I can't. To earn five stars, the dining experience must be exquisite or the restaurant must throw a punch way more powerful than its fighting weight. Aquarelle does neither, but it is very, very good. Four and a half stars, but here's why not five: Every redeeming feature has a slight knick to take the edge off. Examples:
1. Beautiful old world home intimately arranged for whispered dining. BUT, the romance falters with a faint smell reminiscent of a near death grandparent.
2. Lovely wines with thought put into the array. BUT, they were out of my favorite one and if a martini was my back-up, well they never exist.
3. Unique dishes and sophisticated preparation. BUT an over-reliance on breaded items, at least the last time I was there.
4. Better than the classic french restaurant where the portion size makes you wonder if you should stop for a bite on the way home. BUT not as robust a meal as say at Jeffreys.
5. Occasion-based pricing. BUT $200 for two people. -
Review from Rukaiya K.
New York, NY
5/28/2008
I wish I could agree with the other yelpers and say this restaurant was amazing, but the food was definitely not.
I took my boyfriend here for a romantic dinner and we both did the tasting menu. The amuse bouche, which is supposed to whet our appetites, did exactly the opposite. It didn't impart much flavor and was a reflection of the food to come.
I'm not sure if it is just the tasting menu with the issues, but we dropped a cool $300 on this meal, and it was definitely not worth. The Driskill has a fabulous tasting menu, and I wish we had gone there. C'est la vie! -
Review from Patrick L.
Dallas, TX
12/11/2009 1 photo
I had the pleasure of dining here during Austin's Restaurant Week. We came for an early dinner so it was relatively empty. They sat us at a nice corner table in front of a lovely fireplace.
The service was superb, even though we were obviously college students, they treated us very well, which really surprised me because usually service quality decreases after they size you up.
The quality of food was very good, although the portions rather small. My first course was called Veloute of Zuccini, made up of corn compote, crème fraiche, pinenuts, cilantro. It was a very unique tasting soup. It had a tangy yet still strong zucchini flavor. The main course I chose was the Lamb Chops with Mint Gnocchi. The Lamb had so much flavor, I was begging for more. The Mint Gnocchi was pretty good although not my favorite. The mint was a little bit overpowering for me. My friend ordered the quail breast which nice and moist. We finished with Creme Brulee topped with Sable cookies, a superb finish to an excellent meal.
All in all, a very good stop at a place we wouldn't usually get to eat. Definitely recommended to try if you enjoy French cuisine -
Review from Jaye B.
Austin, TX
5/16/2007
I've only been to Aquarelle once, but I'd go back in a heartbeat. The atmosphere was really great. It's in a small house that's been converted into a restaurant. It's been a while since I've been here, but I do remember that I had halibut that was in a type of buerre blanc sauce. I'm sure my date had fish as well, but I can't remember what his was.
The service was the classic French restaurant service--be helpful and disappear when needed. I love when the servers appear out of nowhere and know exactly the right time to do so. The server is just as important to me as the experience, sometimes more so. Aquarelle has it down.
If you're looking for a setting where you're going to eat, talk and drink some wine with another person, this is the place to do it. As much as I love Uchi, it's not a great place for a more "intimate" dinner as it's pretty loud. Aquarelle is the opposite and I want to go back again.Listed in: AustinLand (tm) in Waiting
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Review from jenn c.
Austin, TX
10/15/2007
This review is going to sound a lot like Carrie C.'s, because we were in the same party. I'll go ahead and repeat her here just to be complete.
1. We were seated almost an hour late.
2. The ambience in the wine bar would have been great, if they could move the prep work somewhere else.
3. Once we were seated, it took a long time for anyone to approach us. Our server did apologize for this, and it wouldn't have been much of an issue had we gotten better service throughout the evening. Through the meal it was impossible to get anyone's attention when we did need anything (like napkins or un-burnt rolls).
4. They didn't have what my mother and sister ordered and they had to reorder.
5. The wine menu wasn't updated (not that big of a deal but I'll still mention it).
6. My food was really bad. I ordered the Chilean sea bass and it was so fishy tasting it was almost inedible. If my younger sister hadn't planned the evening I would have sent it back and I don't send things back very often. As it was I just didn't eat it (and given that we were getting our food almost 2 hours after our original reservation I was pretty hungry!). It was overcooked, rubbery and covered in oil. In fact, the entire plate was dripping in oil. The potato side was dried out and tasted like it was stale. On the up side, the grilled onions that hadn't been invaded by the seeping fish oil had a very good flavor.
7. We actually had two different servers. My sister asked the one we saw the most about a dessert wine pairing and the guy looked at her like she was crazy. This is the same guy that proclaimed (very loudly) "YOU SNOOZE YOU LOSE! EAT IT UP LADIES!" when one of the party members was in the restroom when dessert was delivered. The second one did have a suggestion and seemed very knowledgeable about the menu. Unfortunately we did not see him very often. The first guy seemed like he was trying to be friendly, but it did not come across well and was just really out of place in a small French restaurant.
8. We had a gift certificate for a portion of the meal that was accepted at the beginning of the dinner. When the check came it was nowhere to be found. After another round of trying to get someones attention we were able to get the check corrected.
9. The restroom was out of hand towels and toilet paper.
Overall I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone for dinner. I do think the wine bar might be fun for a few drinks, but I was definitely not impressed with the food or the service.
We ended up having a fun night, but this restaurant had nothing to do with it. -
Review from Shanna P.
6/12/2007
I went here on my birthday two years ago and it was a special night. I went back to a blog I'd written and I'd called it the fanciest meal I'd ever had. That's probably still true. Plus the ambiance is really cool. A neat little old house, that totally felt haunted (maybe because the dim light fixtures kept flickering)... here's what I wrote about it then:
Our dinner consisted of five courses with wine pairings... For starters, a cracker with cauliflower puree, then a goat cheese torte (so, so good!) with arugula and sun-dried tomatoes with Riesling, a salad with walnuts and pears, salmon with apple-bacon and champagne (yum!), steak with mushrooms and spinach with pinot noir, then complimentary port, mimosa sorbet, then dessert--pastries with vanilla ice cream and nuts and chocolate with cappuccino....then the server got wind of my birthday and brought out little cookies with meringue and a little candle. It was awesome.Listed in: Eat, Take me here...
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Review from Stephanie S.
Austin, TX
7/3/2009
This was a very lovely meal, beginning to end. Aquarelle is actually in a converted house, with tables in each room. You feel like you are eating in someone's home, with granny's tableware. Service is knowledgeble and attentive.
I had the small prix fixe meal which is a very good deal for the quality of the food. I had a nice arugula salad with toasted walnuts, an entree of grilled artic char which was served on a bed of very lemony and delicious couscous with a large chocolate profiterolle for dessert. This was all for $30. I loved my entree. The smells of lemon that came wafting off that dish were just ethereal.
We were surprised with an amuse bouche of a little tomato/cheesy quenelle to start and some intensely flavored lemon sorbet/ice between the entree and dessert. A steady stream of home made french rolls and soft butter that tasted somehow "better than butter" came with the meal.
Great meal. Sweet surroundings, right off 6th street. Other members of our dining group had a hard time parking but I found a little $3 lot right around the corner.
Oh, by the way, I loved having Arctic char as an entree not only because it is a tasty fish, but The Monterey Bay Aquarium "Seafood Watch" program has recently added farmed Arctic char as an environmentally sustainable Best Choice for consumers, stating: "Arctic char use only a moderate amount of marine resources for feed. In addition, Arctic char are farmed in land-based, closed systems that minimize the risk of escape into the wild."
I liked that a traditional restaurant uses a sustainable product. Hopefully they will do more of this. -
Review from Jamieson M.
Austin, TX
5/1/2008
It's a great mix of the traditional and the unexpected. Since the place is unabashedly French, having foie gras on the menu is a given - but serving it in a trio as ice cream, seared, and (my personal favorite) a brulee makes for a nice twist.
From apps to desserts, everything was top-notch, and the wine list had a great selection of good drinks for under $50 a bottle. The atmosphere is a little fussy, but the service is warm and professional. As good as it gets in Austin for fine dining - and that's NOT a backhanded compliment. -
Review from Carrie S.
10/14/2007
Good -
1. The food was excellent.
2. The wine list had good choices under $40.
Bad-
1. Our reservations were for 8:00 and we weren't seated until 8:50.
2. The wine bar's ambiance is kind of tarnished by the dish stacking/polishing work being done at the back.
3. When the last person in our group went to the restroom, it was out of toilet paper and hand towels.
4. The room was LOUD. I could easily hear the person next to me speaking but often couldn't hear the person across from me.
5. They gave one of our party a totally burned roll and we had to ask them to replace it.
6. Our table wasn't set with napkins and we had to go find someone to ask for them.
The other reviews seem to indicate that maybe we were just there on an off night, but I was not impressed. If I'm going to spend this much money on dinner, I'd rather go to Eddie V's. Or spend less and go to Mars :)
PS - The wine bar also has a musty, moldy kind of smell. It's not overpowering, it's just something you catch on the breeze every so often. It's kind of like the smell in the women's dress section in Dillard's at Barton Creek Mall. Not pleasant. -
Review from floyd g.
Austin, TX
1/5/2011
Hip, happening location. Charming old house, we loved the vibe.
Prior to our meal we had a very nice, complimentary, lite salad and bread. For an Entre, my friend and I really enjoyed the beef tenderloin while my partner absolutely loved the lamb chops. Afterwards, we were served a delicious, complimentary, grapefruit sorbet. Finally, while I do not recall exactly what the desserts were called, one was a pumpkin cake and the other a kind of chocolate souffle'. ..both were wonderful with the coffee!
Helpful staff and friendly service. Great for special occasions. Can't wait to return. -
Review from Christine M.
8/10/2007
I love Aquarelle - we've gone for special occasions and it's great. Now - a word to the wise - the bread is cold. It's something about being French... but they'll warm it up if you ask! I love me some warm bread with soft butta...
The souffle is the best that I've ever had. YUMMM... it's got the perfect balance of cake & goopy chocolate.
They've recently opened their bar/patio and they serve small plates. It's a great place to sample some of their gourmet treats without emptying your wallet. Who doesn't like munchies with a glass of wine after a hard day at work? -
Review from Vicky H.
Austin, TX
10/27/2008
Aquarelle definitely deserves to be ranked among Austin's best restaurants. The cuisine leans more towards traditional French than sophisticated fusion, but I adore it nonetheless.
The trio of foie gras and softshell crab are complete standouts among appetizers. Each preparation of foie gras highlights its flavor and texture in a unique way, and the way in which the crab is prepared (delicately fried in panko breadcrumbs with a Meyer lemon beurre blanc) complements, not overshadows, the flavor of the crab. The scallops are fantastic, the beef tenderloin with Forme d'Ambert cheese is beautifully rich but not overwhelming, and the lamb (especially served rare) was particularly memorable-- possibly the most well-prepared cut of lamb I've ever enjoyed.
The service is impeccable. The "talky Texan" service mentioned in a previous review didn't bother me... I actually really liked him as a server. The servers will reset the silverware between courses and typically serve an amuse-bouche before the meal (and other small bites between courses). They absolutely know service here. The atmosphere is very cozy and even romantic; it will be more of a quiet dining experience, though, especially since the restaurant is located in a converted house.
The only suggestion I could make is for the addition of a more extensive, all-encompassing tasting menu; at the moment, they just have the Menu Rapide and the Menu Gourmand, but I feel that if they had an option that really showcased all they have to offer, we could be pleasantly surprised.
If you ever go to New Orleans, I would recommend going to Stella if you like Aquarelle; beautiful tasting menu, excellent wine selection, perfect dining experience. That was the best meal I've ever had; my meals at Aquarelle fall just short of that standard, but for Austin, Aquarelle is divine. -
Review from Katie C.
Saint Louis, MO
3/13/2009
I went with friends during restaurant week and had the best meal I've had in a long time.
The butter lettuce salad was a perfect balance of sweet (gorgonzola) and salty (lardons and walnuts.) I don't know what was in the dressing, but let's just say I could have eaten only this salad and gone home happy.
Thank God I didn't though, because next came the filet of beef with potato gorgonzola pancake...at this point I wasn't even talking to my friends anymore because I didn't want to stop putting this food in my mouth. The meat was tender and doused with a rich port reduction and the potato cake was mmmmm. For dessert, profiteroles, puff pastries stuffed with strawberry ice cream and drizzled with chocolate sauce. Yes please. I don't remember what we drank but it was red, smooth, and I downed two glasses.
The atmosphere was quiet and romantically lit, the service was prompt, and I would dine here weekly if only I had the cash. -
Review from Isabelle K.
Austin, TX
7/23/2007
It looks like a house from outside. People all say it's a romantic restaurant. My boyfriend and I went there. I didn't feel anything romantic. Food is French style. But doesn't taste anything special or interesting. Only price is high.
Maybe because my boyfriend ordered several beers, not wine at all. It doesn't looke that right in a French restaurant. -
Review from Colleen L.
Austin, TX
5/20/2010
This is the type of restaurant to wear your fancy shoes and manners and have a nice classy evening using phrases such as "exquisite darling", "scrumptious dish", and " faint notes of citrus in this beauduex". Everything from the wood floors in this old house, to the white linens and black-vested waiters screams classy.
My boyfriend and I came here, and enjoyed the prix fixe menu with wine pairings. The food was rich without being too filling, and the textures seemed to blend well together on the plate. I loved the arugula salad to start and the palette cleansing sorbet (ah yesh, classy).
Dining here is a nice fancy experience, and feels like the type of place people with butlers would go. Oh you don't have a butler? you lose.Listed in: Foux De Fa Fa!
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Review from alexander B.
Austin, TX
12/22/2008
Terrific service and excellent food. We really liked the interior and the wait staff were pleasant and concise with timing and presentation. We ordered the fixed menu and were really quite satisfied. I do think this is as good as it gets. There were also a few nice perks, like the free juice/triple sec shot that they throw in before one of the dishes, and the bottomless french bread and fine butter. I strongly recommend the foi gras in sparkling wine. Interesting, and a nice appetite stimulant, surprisingly. The lamb chops were succulent and robustly earthly flavored.
The EC here has talent and is running a fine business as far as we can tell.
Highly recommended. -
Review from Shelley B.
Austin, TX
8/31/2009
I am giving it 5 stars. My only real complaints is that they left our forks after the amuse bouche to use for our first course and that they didn't refill our water for quite awhile (water restrictions?). But otherwise the food and service was excellent.
The 3 course prix fixe menu is a steal for $45, which is what my husband ordered. The salmon tartare with creme fraiche was great, his lamb chops were very good, and the cheese plate was ample. I had the foie gras (may not be PC but just melts in your mouth...), the duck breast & confit (we both agreed my entree was better) and chocolate souffle for dessert. You just can't go wrong with any type of souffle in my mind. If a restaurant has it on their menu, I order it.
The waitress wished me a happy birthday. The chef even wrote happy birthday on the plate and included a candle. Always a sweet touch. Hadn't been here in years and wasn't disappointed in this trip. Happy Birthday to me! -
Review from Aditi W.
Austin, TX
11/1/2009
Let me put a disclaimer out front before I get started - Aquarelle is prohibitively expensive for 'regular' folks like my husband and me. But... that's why we so welcome visits from his parents! And that's how we found ourselves there last weekend.
As far as the ambience goes, it's located in a charming house very near Whole Foods on 6th Street. As we walked in, we spied someone from the kitchen staff clipping fresh herbs from their little garden out front. So that was a good sign!
I haven't really had much experience with French food prior to this visit - so I made sure to google foi gras before leaving... just to know what I could be eating! However, I'm a little too faint hearted for that! The menu didn't really make much sense to me... a lot of it was using fancy french sounding names... but my eyes stopped scanning the menu when they reached the bit about Bay Scallops wrapped in Prosciutto!!!
My husband and I shared a small serving of Salmon Tartare - and oh, was it divine! The chef got out a fennel pie sampling for each of us and it was so delightfully flavorful. And the scallops was to die for! They were just delicious! I had a bite of the Sea Bass that the husband ordered and it was nice too... but not quite as exotic as the scallops. And for dessert, we had chocolate profiteroles... which was alright... but the in-laws had a scrumptious coffee creme brulee. Oh, and they made us sample apple sorbet too... which was quite refreshing.
All in all, it was a lovely evening. And the small portions (and some of them were quite small!) ensure that you don't feel stuffed at the end of it - which is one way of looking at it! I did find it quite expensive... even when someone else was paying, so that's saying something! But in no way did I find the food lacking! -
Review from Yolanda G.
Austin, TX
2/23/2010
The restaurant is set in a cute old house, which I'm a sucker for this type of setting. However, they do have the tendency to lead to bad acoustics with all of the wooden floors and walls.
Met up with one of my Meet Up groups for HH on a Saturday in the wine bar. Charming little section of the house as you take three steps down to the left when you first enter the front door of the restaurant.
It's difficult to give an accurate assessment on the service when you have reservations for a party of 30 as two servers were strictly designated to our group. Our servers were very attentive but take it for what it's worth when you bring 30 people which demand a lot of attention.
Apps were really cheap ranging from $2.50- $5.00. I'm not going to feel pressured to tout the food just because it's a fine dining French restaurant, because there was honestly nothing orgasmic to scream over.
Soft shell crab was a joke as it tasted like deep fried flaky croissant. The deep fried pork sausage tasted like a ball of deep fried Italian sausage with bread crumbs. The only two items that are worthy ordering are the mussels and warm roasted new potato. Just make sure you don't come with an appetite as it won't be satisfied here. Our party was given complementary banana and chocolate moose parfaits which was a nice touch. The banana had a funky taste but the chocolate was a silky cream that left you begging for more.
To top of the mediocre appetizers, my Sauvignon Blanc wasn't very good, and came upon recommendation by the server. Glad that my sparkling rosette made up for it though.
It wasn't quite the experience I was expecting but for only spending $22, I wasn't super disappointed and at least tried a new place. -
Review from Lana C.
Austin, TX
12/30/2009
This place is worth a try.
We used to live in New Orleans so we still enjoy restaurants in old houses where the hardwood floor creaks as you walk to your table and the French cuisines are divine.
We dined here three times this year (not during restaurant week).
We enjoyed our experience, our ambiance, our dinner and service.
We would return here with out of town guests.
I appreciate a small plate the chef suggest you start off with-
to cleanse your palette. I think that is important because there are lots of flavors going on in each plate.
I think you can't go wrong on what you order, they have a little of everything. (Skate, halibut, chicken, beef...) It depends on your mood.
Don't forget to pair your dish with wine otherwise you won't enjoy it as much. -
Review from Clay C.
Austin, TX
11/7/2010
I use to frequent this restaurant over the years. Despite rumors of the quality diminishing I brought my girlfriend here for her birthday. The food was okay at best, certainly not the quality I would expect from Aquarelle.
I'd suggest looking elsewhere, the quality isn't there and portions are ridiculous. -
Review from Chris B.
Austin, TX
7/2/2009
La nourriture était bonne, la conversation a été mieux. Le restaurant était vide. C'est la vie!
And no, I'm not one of those snotty French speaking mofos. -
Review from Jean L.
Redmond, WA
7/24/2011
I've waited years to write this review. In planning for a trip to Texas in the 6 months I'm hoping to get back here.
5 years ago I was treated a surprise dinner at Aquarelle. Parking was a bit challenging due to its location in Austin. If you don't mind walking a block you're perfectly fine. The historic home was beautiful from the floors to the fixtures and still being updated. We were promptly greeted and the door opened. The rooms of the home we're converted to dining areas, navigating through the neighboring tables was a bit challenging but well worth it. The menu was amazing and very well laid out for easy choosing. Unfortunately the chef has planned a menu of everything I don't eat or can't due to allergies. Luckily my date thought well ahead and called earlier that day to inform them of my allergies and confirm that they would be able to cater to my needs (i.e. assuring that no utensils or pans would come in contact with his seafood menu). Expecting there to be a complication they simply checked with the chef who took the phone call and made an on the spot alternative up. Upon being seated we were promptly greeted by the chef who explained to me his changes and reassurance all protection measures would be taken.
He prepared a wonderful chopped beet salad others enjoyed and wowed over the crab cakes. I enjoyed a medium fillet Mignon while other enjoyed snapper. I was amazed at how it simply melted in my mouth. Dessert was a variety mini chocolate cakes with raspberry dressings and fresh berries. The chef made sure to check in with us quite often, thinking back I wonder if the potential of an allergic reaction just scared him that much.
This is a wonderful place for a romantic date before hitting Austin's bar scene. -
Review from Brad S.
3/3/2010
Austin Restaurant Week, and this was my pick ...
I'm not disappointed as it was rather affordable during ARW.
They took our entire order at the beginning, leaving us a slave to the kitchens timing, though they did an excellent job, we weren't overly rushed, but they could have let us sit a little longer between main course and dessert.
The waitstaff was pretty good, they left us alone, but that also meant that we were passed three times by three different people without a fillup of wine, they my water never hit 1/3 a glass so I'm in-between on this.
The wine was excellent (we picked a french wine, it seemed fitting for the occasion.) and the food was interesting, the rabbit and venison were prepared very well, though the sauce on the deer was a little vinegary for my taste. My wife's tuna was really heavy on the avocado as well, they could have backed off on that a little. As for portion sizes, while you don't have to wear stretchy pants it will fill you up (if you aren't a really big eater)
Overall it is an alright place, but seriously for this price, if I want a wine bar I'm going to Paggi House, the overall experience is SO much better. -
Review from Revlynn L.
Austin, TX
Updated - 9/27/2009
I hope that my disappointment this time around was due to Restaurant Week. When we got there, it seems that our table wasn't quite ready, which was fine. But then it wasn't ready for another half an hour. However, we were entertained in the bar area by a woman who claimed to be from Paris talking to 2 older gentlemen. Now I have been to France and my French ain't bad. The BF is Belgian, albeit Flemish, but fluent in French as well. That heffa was from Paris as much as I am. Her French wasn't bad, but her accent was horrible. But she had the gentlemen fooled so I guess that's all that mattered.
The menu for ARW was a big OK, but since this had previously been one of our favorite restaurants in town, we wanted to go again during ARW to support a wonderful cause. I got the escargot, shrimp and mussels pasta and the mousse. BF ordered escargot, lamb chops and profiteroles.
The escargot was fine. In a light creamy sauce that tasted suspiciously like Boursin herb spread. My pasta was fine as well. BF thought the lamb was OK too. I tasted them and yes, they were good and perfectly medium rare. My mousse was lovely and light, just as it should have been. The profiterole (there was only one unlike the plural profiteroles on the menu) was a whole 'nother story. The dough was stale or previously frozen...it was pretty bad.
The servers must have been the "during the week" second or third stringers. Not good at all. While nice, she was not as smooth or polished as our previous servers were in other visits. The service was awkward and stilted at times. She had to ask us twice what we ordered for our appetizers.
We were disappointed overall, but again...it was for a great cause.Listed in: Downgraded
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2/12/2008
My boyfriend took me for my birthday in January 2008. Overall, an excellent experience. Was it the… Read more »
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Review from Miriam H.
Austin, TX
4/28/2010
The little house this is in and the nice clean decor is very comforting. Their menu is quality, and the staff is knowledgeable and friendly. I love their escargo, fois gras, the lamb was divine, their scallops are tasty. I have never been disappointed when going here. EVEN after my first visit when I was enjoying my salmon tartar and I found a rubber band in it. NORMALLY this means one star, if they had 0 stars it would be that but alas, not an option. I let my waiter know, quietly, his face said it all. I did not want to be the chef in the kitchen that let that happen. They were absolutely mortified, after that the waiter comped the bill without telling us (we did not ask for it) and when I have gone back I have still received excellent service and food, minus rubber bands in my tartar.
I feel that if you can put a rubber band in my delicious salmon tartar and I still give you five stars, says they are doing something very right. -
Review from Juanita F.
Austin, TX
6/26/2010
Recently dined outside for dinner and was fortunate enough to experience the Tour De France Provencal menu.I chose the Ensalado De Roquette, Capoun de cabro. The goat cheese was amazing with a spicy hint of cumin and pepper. For the main entree my husband had the rabbit which he had never had before but loved. I picked the quail with a honey glaze and was so happy I did. The staff is very attentive but they do not hover.
The finale for me was the lemon custard with fresh fruit which was the perfect finish to an excellent meal. I will be back for sure. -
Review from catarina s.
Austin, TX
9/18/2010
Excellent meal here recently to entertain friends from out of town. I was so proud and impressed with the low-key ambiance, delicious food and spot-on service.
I also appreciate that Aquarelle is participating with the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians Benefit Day this Tues, 9/21, by donating a portion of sales. Make this your day to try this fantastic restaurant and say 'I'm with the band'! -
Review from Christine L.
Houston, TX
10/28/2009
I really wanted to like you, Aquarelle. There were so many positive reviews I'd read about you. Such a cute little house. I was disappointed by the experience to say the least.
I came for Restaurant Week. Granted, I know that is a busy time to judge, but I usually try to fit in 3-4 restaurants with that event. No excuses. I booked an early dinner for a Sunday night. The dining room was sparse. I'm talking my table of 2 and one other couple. Service was still questionable. Just not there. For a shi-shi restaurant, you lose major points for that. No excuse for that either. By the time our dinner was finished, the dining room and adjacent rooms were filled to capacity and staff was whizzing everywhere. Tsk tsk, Aquarelle.
I had the beef medallions and my friend had the scallops. Neither were to the caliber we were expecting. Ok, not horrible or warranting a complaint, but they just were NOT impressive whatsoever. I've not had French food anywhere else, but I have been to France. I can eat their food fine [I won't tell you about a meat plate starter I had that could put some hair on your chest], but this just.... didn't do it for me.
I would like to try again sometime so let's make up soon? -
Review from Travis G.
Austin, TX
3/2/2009
We had a really good pastry-encrusted goat cheese salad, and, surprisingly, the bread and butter was also awesome. Beyond that, the food was of the 'I could make something comparable at home' variety.
The service was weird - their stark informality clashed with the formal ambience in the restaurant, like when our server explained to another guest that a bleu cheese potato cake is 'uh...sorta like a hash brown'. Also, the menus were all jacked up and ratty, which wasn't befitting a place that charges as much as they do. These types of complaints are atypical for me.
Overall, I wouldn't go back there.
