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Chez Nous
Category: Restaurants French French [Edit]
510 Neches StAustin, TX 78701
Neighborhood: Downtown
(512) 473-2413
- Hours:
Tue-Fri 12 pm - 2 pm
Tue-Sun 6 pm - 10:30 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Romantic, Intimate
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
218 reviews for Chez Nous
Review Highlights
"The steak on the Menu du jour is absolutely amazing."
(in 25 reviews)
"The chocolate mousse was short on presentation."
(in 29 reviews)
"For dessert, we had chocolate mousse and creme caramel."
(in 22 reviews)
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218 reviews in English
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Review from Dober J.
Austin, TX
12/27/2011
Amazing food and ambiance!
Great spot for a romantic dinner. -
Review from Molly U.
Austin, TX
2/1/2012
I guess I shouldn't have been surprised because I mean, the reviews are glooOoOwing but I guess somehow I was expecting less than those glowing reviews. Not sure why. I'm an enigma to myself.
So when we put our name down at 7:30 for a party of four and they said 45 min, they said they'd call us, so we went over to grab drinks at the Hilton. Weeelllll.....an hour later they hadn't called, and when we called, they said another 30 min. Methinks they forgot. Only a little annoying.....
We decided to roll in anyway and even at 9pm it was PACKED. I mean, people came in after us. There were a couple of empty little tables and the waitress/host let us sit there on a two-top and peruse the menu/order drinks. When the table next to us left (finally. lol) she pushed the two together so we weren't in each others' laps.
We ordered escargots (12) and thankfully our friends were not grossed out by snails....and holy crap. They. were. amazing. Sauteed, not baked in cheese/garlic like what I'm used to but it was so daaaamn delicious. We practically slapped the waitress's hand away when she tried to take the leftover sauce away. :P Oh yes, soak up the entire thing with bread, people.
My husband and I ordered the Menu du Jour ($27.50 and still a good deal) while our friends ordered a steak and scallops. Hubby ordered the pate.....yummmm....like butta......and I ordered the salad. The salad was fine, with a poached egg, but it was kinda boring. He then chose the trout......amaaaaaaaazing! and I ordered the lamb......deeelish!! For one neither was overcooked. Nothing ruins a dish like overcooked fish/meat. You should be allowed to call meat protective services for those establishments, honestly.
We got to try our friend's scallop and I think they were the best I've ever had. I mean large, firm, cooked to perfection fresh scallop....again like butta. It was SO GOOD.
Hubby chose creme caramel and I chose chocolate mousse. The creme caramel was better, in my opinion, and the mousse was good - airy and chocolatey, but I wanted it a little bit more creamy I guess. Just personal taste. THeir desserts were nothing to write home about though.
I loved it, but I think between the wait time and no reservations and no waiting area it may take awhile for me to come back. It's highly recommended to come at least once, though!! -
Review from Alan M.
Austin, TX
1/21/2012
A very nice country pate, very good fish and steak entrees. The bread was strangely pathetic.
Also, no reservations (for groups under 6) + late opening time + minimal parking are too many inconveniences together. -
Review from Christopher K.
San Diego, CA
1/17/2012 1 Check-in Here
Good food with respectable prices. I enjoyed the duck confit. The steak was delicious and cooked perfectly, although the Bearnaise wasn't the best I've ever had.
I didn't particularly care for the pate. Also, they opened about 10 minutes late, so we were harassed by homeless people for 10 minutes while waiting to go in. -
Review from Elle C.
Austin, TX
1/9/2012
I'm a dissenter on this one. To me, it felt shabby inside, somewhat like dining in an old trailer with popcorn ceilings. Maybe it was the smallness of the place that also made it incredibly noisy. The food was just okay, not nearly impressive enough to justify the high price. I really wanted to go to The Nutcracker, but the good seats were too expensive, so this was my husband's Christmas gift to me instead. After the disappointing experience, I really wished we had gone to The Nutcracker.
Also, how can a supposedly high-class place list "expresso" on the menu? Were it one small typo, it would be cringe-worthy but forgivable, yet the "double expresso" listed next demonstrates that they really think it is called that. [Okay, I looked it up, and supposedly "expresso" is an uncommon variant, but it still looks silly.]
Avoid this place unless you want to say, "Zut!" at your mistake. -
Review from Jessica S.
Austin, TX
12/18/2011
My answer: "Amazing. Amaaaazing. Amazing."
Her question: "How are the scallops?"
And they really were. Been a long time since I had scallops, which is sad, because really, they are one of my favorites of the sea-dwellers. Our server said she was not normally a scallop person, but these changed her mind. The sauce with the mushrooms and the scallops combined for a lot of delicious.
We started with a glass of the lovely house champagne. The goat cheese rounds were tasty. I tried a bite of pate. ... It's still not my thing.
There was more wine. And more bread. And profiteroles were a nice way to end the evening, topped with a cup of cappuccino.
It's a cute little date spot. And if you've got good ju-ju like I do, you'll get rockstar parking (right by the door!!) like we did. -
Review from Dillar S.
Austin, TX
Best little date spot in town. My friends took my partner and I here on a double date. We all ordered the prix fixe menu with different entrees and 5 stars goes to each plate!
For only $25 you can choose one of the appetizers, an entree, and a dessert. I find the options to vary and plenty to choose from. The wait staff is always friendly and eager to explain whats going on. Each of them are also very knowledgeable with wine pairings. I was impressed with the short wait on a packed Saturday night. The hostess even offered to take our phone number and call us when our table was ready in case we wanted to walk down the block for a drink.
The second time we ate here was a party of 8, once again - all the food was delicious, the wait staff was on their game, no wait for a table, and an amazing atmosphere for us to sit and chat.
I love this little French restaurant in the midst of downtown.Listed in: Places for Love Points
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Review from Marshall J.
Austin, TX
12/1/2011
Chez Nous is most likely the best kept secret in town. this casual little French bistro has cranked out great French fare in a fun, relaxing and comfortable atmosphere since 1982 without ever missing a beat. It alone reminds me of great French jazz. One step in to Chez Nous and you know you were meant to be there, one word from the staff and you know it's French through and through.
FOOD: The food is simple but yet very complex in flavors. It always tastes fresh made with great ingredients. The salads are perfectly dressed with crisp lettuces. The daily pate's and terrines are right out of Paris and Provence and proteins are cooked to perfection. My personal favorite is the sweetbread entree changed daily by the chef or prepared to your liking. Try the orange sauteed sweetbreads and a glass of Beaujolais. Pro tips: Salad Lyonnaise, daily assortment of pates, escargot bourgogne, canard confit.
WINE: My favorite wine list in Austin for what it is, not what it is not. They only serve French wines on the menu and only serve the best they can source for the money from each region making food and wine paring almost fool-proof. I actually preferred the older menu when the name of the winery was not even listed leaving your trust in their very capable hands. -
Review from Daniel M.
Austin, TX
11/20/2011
This place is my favorite place in Austin!! My wife and I have been here 4 or 5 times and I have never left disappointed. It is a nice quiet place, love the lighting, the seating and atmosphere...perfect for a romantic date. The staff have always been polite, friendly, and courteous, they check in just enough to make sure your okay, which is perfect.
I have tried several of their menu items and loved them all. I have to recommend the bread and cheese appetizer because it was so good. Their entrees are incredible, my wife loves the Lamb tenderloin they have and was disappointed they were not on the menu last time we went (seasonal). The food has always been consistently cooked good. I honestly don't think they have an entree I would not recommend...it is all so good. The deserts are also great, I have tried them all, I love the mousse but that's just me.
They may be a little on the pricey side but it is worth every penny I promise!! It is really reasonable considering the quality you are getting. What else can I say? Try this place, you won't regret! My understanding on reservations is they will take them for large groups but not for two...kind of a bummer but I have never had I problem walking in and being seated.
Bon Appetit!! -
Review from Nathan I.
Austin, TX
OMD! (Oh Mon Dieu!) I simply adore this place.
Yvette and I were 4 for 4 on consecutive weekend hangouts, so we were aiming for five. It began as a casual suggestion during a spirited driving game at Pinballz that we do lunch at Chez Nous soon. Yvette had ranked their escargot above Justine's, so we both felt I needed to have my say in the matter. Eventually, the suggestion morphed into an intense craving for it on our parts, and after a flurry of scheduling conflicts and flaky babysitters, her husband Jason eventually stepped in to watch their adorable little boy so we could have some quality face time on a Friday night.
We met around 6:30. Yvette arrived just minutes before me, and had wisely snagged a cute table for two by the window overlooking the outside. Before the first course came out, it was apparent this cute, intimate little place fills up quickly.
I had been here before 11 years ago. For my prom. I recognized the mural on the far wall immediately, as that's where our group sat. Ha, prom. I don't remember much, but I remember the restaurant and I'm confident my date knew I was a homo even though I made no grand declaration. Once or twice I glanced over at that same spot and tried to imagine the teenager who was sitting over there so long ago, in his all-black Perry Ellis tuxedo and square toed shoes, completely un-jaded by the world. And then Yvette would say something hilarious and I'd be snapped back to my reality of being jaded and bitchy, but totally fabulous. Ah, c'est la vie.
Yvette started off by ordering both of us a glass of a robust red malbec wine. A glass? I arched my eyebrow as if to silently ask "Who do you think you're kidding?", and she immediately laughed and changed it to a bottle. I mean come on, honey...
We began with an order of a dozen Escargots de Bourgogne, served with button mushrooms and swimming in melted butter, garlic cloves, and parsley. They came in a single serving dish, unlike Justine's which has a special escargot platter. Yvette said the best way to eat them was to have a bite of snail and mushroom together, and she was right. The escargot were meatier and the sauce more delectable than Justine's. In fact, not a drop of sauce was left after we'd sopped it up with our bread. Delicious.
We both adored the prix fixe menu, where for $27.50 you get an appetizer, entree, and a dessert. I ordered the pate maison (I chose duck liver mousse) and veal dumplings; Yvette opted for salad Lyonnaise and the rainbow trout. Dessert we'd choose later.
Over the incredibly rich and flavorful pate and what looked to be a delicious appetizer salad, we talked food, friends, and came to know each other better in a nice, quiet atmosphere like Chez Nous without the rigmarole of parties or Katy Perry concerts. She's really a very beautiful person; all our mutual friends had already told me so, it was just nice to discover it myself over this last month. And I liked being around someone who's on the same page with me, knowing full well that the amount of wine in the bottle and dirty talk will always be inversely proportional, no matter where we happen to be.
Entrees: The veal dumplings were more accurately described as round veal sausages in a wine sauce surrounding a puff pastry in the middle. The presentation wasn't too pretty, but the taste was OK. I'll be honest: Yvette and I both agreed this particular preparation was a little odd, as a veal cutlet would have been much more appropriate. Her trout, on the other hand, was one hell of a piece of fish. With the accompanying sauce, it was a simple, yet delightfully fresh dish. I posted her entree on my mobile upload because it was so pretty, and she immediately commented "You know you like eating my trout." Ha! I really should have ordered the fish. (N.B. the sides of grilled vegetables really helped cut the richness of all the food by offering me another food group.)
I was all set to have the chocolate mousse when the waiter informed us of two dessert specials: a "three islands" meringue, or peach melba. Having *just* seen Anthony Bourdain rave about seeing such an old-school dish like peach melba on a menu in NYC, I didn't hesitate to order it. Yvette had the meringue. Both were sweet, yet light--perfect summertime desserts. My peach was a little hard to cut with the spoon, but it blended beautifully with the creamy vanilla ice cream. We'd been chatting non-stop since I arrived, but when the only sound at our table was of our spoons clanging against the dishes, Yvette couldn't help but state: "Well, looks like dessert finally shut us up." We died laughing.
This was one of the best, most well-rounded meals I have had in a while. It was in a restaurant that effortlessly balances true elegance with Austin-style casualness. Actually, come to think of it...the restaurant mirrors my friend Yvette perfectly. 100 stars for the company, to be sure.
And 5 Stars for Chez Nous.Listed in: The Creme de la Creme
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Review from Hannah P.
Austin, TX
9/12/2011
Love this place!!! It's a diamond in the rough and gritty east 6th street area but it's worth getting over there.
My sister and I were not necessarily looking for french cuisine but she had heard good things so we decided to check it out and I'm so glad we did!
Although I was with my sister, the whole experience felt so romantic! Dim lighting, euro-bistro decor, small intimate tables, and all the while feeling very casual and effortless.
We had great service the whole time, too! The hostess was very helpful and nice and our waiter was attentive and knew we liked to order slow.
We had the 6 escargot for an appetizer and it was amazing, finishing it with bread in the sauce. Then I had the cup of soup and my sister had a small house salad, both very good. Our main dish was the duck, which we spilt (perfect to spilt). It blew my mind! It was served with these really delicious pototoe cheese things, almost like hashbrowns and berries. Each bite had a little bit of each on my fork and it was like a party in my mouth! Throughout the meal we had a bottle of their house champagne and it was the perfect touch. The whole experience was perfect. I can't wait to go back.
**The only thing that happened, out of the restaurants control, was the table next to us listening to our entire conversation! I guess they couldn't tear their attention away from my sisters run-down of the movie 'something borrowed'. ;) -
Review from Shannon O.
Austin, TX
9/9/2011
I thought this place was okay, but not great.
The main course was extremely well done, but the rest of the meal was just eh. The place was busy, and it had a pretty strong bistro vibe.
The husband and I both got the menu du jour. I had the salmon rillette, rainbow trout and chocolate mousse for dessert. The husband got the pork rillette, pork chop, and caramel creme (aka flan).
After spending the winter in a french speaking country, we got pretty spoiled by the bread. We were rather disappointed by the bread because it was very boring... no crisp crust...frankly, it tasted store bought.
The appetizer was not attractively presented. The salmon was a scoop on a plate. After we left, I told my husband the presentation reminded me of the Fancy Feast commercial. You know... the one where the cat food is served on a plate. yeah. you get the idea.
The major saving grace of the meal was the protein. The fish was pretty much perfect. The sauce complemented it and it was executed. The fish was work the price of the meal. The husband's pork chop was also good, but the sauce was very sweet.
The biggest disappointment of the meal were the vegetables served with the main course. If they were served in a Home Ec 101 class, I'd give them a C-. A sad looking roasted piece of squash and a broiled tomato half. They were poorly prepared and depressing to look at on the plate. I was pretty shocked they were served at a professional restaurant.
The chocolate mousse was nice, but it had a skin on it from sitting in the back waaaay too long. The caramel creme had a thick skin on it too from waiting around for a while. In truth, the caramel creme's skin was more off putting than the mousse.
The staff was very nice and friendly. I may try this place again for lunch sometime (because I live about a block away). The meal did have a high point (fish), but it had so many misses that were obviously dialed in. Honestly, there are too many choices nearby to wander here again soon. -
Review from Julia P.
7/18/2011
This place is absolutely amazing especially for the price!
My girlfriends and I dined here last weekend for girl's night and since there were 8 of us, we were lucky enough to get a reservation (they only make reservations for parties of 6 or more). Unfortunately, about half of us were more than 30 minutes late to the dinner, but instead of getting annoyed and giving us attitude, they were extremely attentive and friendly to our table. They gave us a great recommendation on some bottles of Pinot Grigio and Pinot Noir and we left the restaurant extremely buzzed to say the least.
I had started off with the duck liver pate which was rich and creamy as expected and ordered the lamb chops for my entree which was equally delicious. However, the best part was the creme brulee I had ordered for dessert. This is one of the best creme brulees I've had in Austin.
The restaurant itself is very cute. Having been to Paris just recently, it reminded me of the local Parisian family restaurants I dined at during my trip. If you're looking for some fancy French, this is the place for you! -
Review from Meera A.
Austin, TX
7/28/2011
A lot of European restaurants like to have a little snobbery going on to make themselves feel exclusive. I've been to Chez Nous twice, and I'm glad to say it is good food with good attitude. The host chatted with us about the wines and food and made us feel welcome. The service was good the entire time and the food was worth our time and money. We wanted a relaxed, lip-smacking experience, and that's exactly what we got.
I went for the Menu du Jour because I wanted a bit of everything. It was a tough choice between their Pate Maison (don't know how to do accent symbols in Yelp) appetizer and their daily soup special, but I chose their chilled cucumber soup. Delicious! Light, summery, with a touch of mint (this theme will repeat in dessert). The man had the tomato bisque with roasted red bells and found t delicious too.
For the main course I had their Truit au piment fume, and the man had their charcuterie plate (from the appetizer menu). This worked out very well for me because I didn't have to miss out on eating pate :)
The trout was roasted perfectly and flaked off the skin with no effort. The creamy paprika sauce was delicious, and the trout was neatly topped with a nest of fried julienned leek. On the side were carrots and a roasted half-tomato.
The charcuterie plate was well put together, with several styles of pate and sliced meat. I didn't taste enough to review it since my fish was so filling and excellent.
While the prix fixe menu only offers Creme Caramel (yay for flan without the cinnamon!) and Mousse au Chocolat, you can upgrade to any of their other desserts for the difference in price between the mousse and what you want. The hostess sold me on their dessert special. I forgot its name, but she described it as two meringues in a bed of creme anglaise vanilla sauce, topped with almonds and caramel. The description itself didn't sound too special and I was imagining two crunchy cookie islands on a custard ocean, but I took a chance. And THANK GOODNESS I DID!
First off, they weren't crunchy meringue cookies. They were soft, fluffy and airy, with a freshly whipped sheen on them. The custard sauce was light in texture and sweetness, offset brilliantly by a beautifully amber caramel sauce which balanced its sweetness with a hint of bitterness (not yet bitter though). If I had to change anything, I would cut back on the sliced almonds, but that's only because I only eat almonds if they've been roasted and salted. Much like my chilled soup, this dessert was light and summery, yes, with a touch of mint :)
So is there a downside to all this deliciousness? Just one - the man ate so much that he had to excuse himself and take a short walk while I finished dessert. Sounded like he needed to ward of an imminent food coma.
You still need a reason to go eat French food here? How about the fact that they don't have a website that makes you embarrassed when you try to look up the menu from work? -
Review from Harry B.
Brooklyn, NY
1/14/2012
If you like a romantic French atmosphere, this is the place to go. The food is great, the service is good, and like in France, you can take your titme after dinner before you leave without being bothered.
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Review from Brent W.
Helotes, TX
9/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
Quaint, relaxed French bistro.
Waitress are dressed casually in jeans , green converses.
Lamb chops $33 and over-cooked.
The veal medallion special was good, but with very minute portions of meat. The duck confit with cherries was exceptional. Veal sweetbreads were good. Overall, the place is a bit pricey on the food, but the drink prices seemed very reasonable. We tried the deserts were great. Profiteroles, chocolate mouse. -
Review from Aishah A.
Austin, TX
7/19/2011
Casual, romantic and intimate- this unassuming cafe was the perfect place for us to celebrate our first wedding anniversary.
We indulged in two appetizers, a classic selection of duck pate and escargot. The pate was smooth, buttery- the perfect topping on the complimentary baguettes. The escargot was tender and gently enveloped in an earthy butter and mushroom/garlic sauce.
My scallop entree was divine and the hub's peppered beef tenderloin was just scrumptious.
I savored every bite of my hazelnut chocolate dessert, paired perfectly with a cup of cafe au lait. Jim's creme brulee was tasty too.
Service was impeccable without being overly stuffy. Water glasses were refilled with undetectable, ninja-like skill.
Love this place! However, be warned, the place is small. So try to snag a table before 7pm to avoid the wait. -
Review from Lacey W.
5/17/2011 ROTD 11/26/2011
As if Chez Nous needs another review.
But just in case you're late to the party, like I was, here are the highlights:
Service: Awesome. Not in-your-face, and not super-fast, but steady. Our server checked on us throughout the meal, suggested things appropriately, but didn't upsell too hard. We also got the check in a reasonable amount of time-- not so fast we felt like we were being kicked out, and not so slow we were annoyed.
Food:
The bread and butter is a totally decent quality, and is essentially unlimited. Since the food is a little slow to come out, it's nice to have this to munch on while you wait.
The cheese plate is pleasantly adventurous! Not for those who only want some Gouda and to call it a day. In a plate of four cheeses, two of them were strongly stinky and difficult, which I enjoyed. The other two were more mellow, but one of those still had a very distinct and interesting flavor. On the con side, it seems the sliced apples had been stored next to the minced garlic in the kitchen, as they had a strong and unpleasant garlicky flavor.
Hot Boyfriend really enjoyed his lamb terrine, which I was too intimidated to try.
The scallops with mushrooms in cream sauce... oh my god. I've died and gone to heaven. The scallops were perfectly cooked: seared with a nice crust on the outside, and barely done on the inside. The cream sauce was an indulgent, savory, fabulous thing. I sopped up all of it, unashamedly. And they use fancy mushrooms!
Hot Boyfriend ordered some sort of steak, cooked "blue," and was thoroughly impressed that it was indeed cooked that rare. We both enjoyed our sides, but those fried potato dumplings were something else. And the herbs on the roasted tomatoes have a nice, surprising tang.
The final flourish: creme brulee. Would you believe me if I said I'd never had creme brulee? I didn't know it was served cool, though that makes sense when you think about how it would be prepared. Not knowing anything about creme brulee, all I can say is I was full to bursting, and ate every bite. And I'm a small woman.
And for a restaurant with such a fancy menu, I was surprised at how comfortable I felt in a sundress, with a man dressed in jeans and a button-down. It's completely without pretension. -
Review from tim b.
Cedar Park, TX
6/27/2011
This is not a five star restaunt but rather a five star execution of the french bistro transplanted to Texas.
When you step through the door, slow down your thought process, turn down the phone and be prepared to make an ambling journey through provicial france.
The wine list upon first blush seems to be extremely limited - until you realize how well it matches with the food. Who needs choice when the default is perfect already?
We grazed our way across the menu ordering three apps and a fish dish. We started with Pate and the Cheese plate - which were right on target. You also have complimentary baggettes at your table (insert lame joke here about the bread saying nice things to me) - especially appreicated with the Pate. We decided to toss in one more app before the main course and were rewarded richly with the baked goat cheese with a cracked pepper crust.
For our main course, we ordered the Atlantic Salmon and the prepartion is so decidely french in style - I would not have been surprised to have it come to the talbe wearing a beret and sounding like Maurice Chevelier.
We were a bit to full at that point to order our own dessert - so we decided to share.... two... hmmm... i don't think the math worked out exactly as planned. The choco mousse was excellent - no more nor no less than it should be. The crepe Normande was amazing but it actually suffered a bit in its grandeur. Perhaps i need to stop in one day to give it another try on its own with a glass of port when i can block out all the other french tunes that are being sung by the other dishes. -
Review from joseph b.
Austin, TX
8/4/2011
What a great place for a date!
While it doesn't rate among the best french cuisine i've had, the staff and atmosphere really are spectacular. There is such a great sense of intimacy and concurrence.
For desert, i took my woman up the street to pound town. -
Review from Lydiana J.
Boise, ID
11/1/2011
Chez Nous was good...but not mind-blowing.
I've had mind-blowing, melt my heart, French cuisine, but Chez Nous did not bring me to my knees. Don't misunderstand me, I enjoyed the food and casual atmosphere. On today's lunch menu was croque monsieur with side salad and beef steak with potatoes fried french style, dessert was chocolate mousse.
The bread and butter was lovely, fresh, and tasty. The butter was memorably good, though not made on site. Thirty-five minutes (and two bread baskets) later our lunch arrived. I ordered my steak medium, and it was closer to well than medium, but I was hungry for protein! It was surprisingly tender for being well cooked, and the sauce was tart, tangy, and a nice addition. The fries were authentic and fresh....not frozen fast food style. They reminded me of grandma's kitchen...where fresh fries were on the daily menu. Nothing on my plate needed seasoning...which is interesting considering potatoes tend to be over or under seasoned. Bravo Chez Nous!
On my husband's plate was a croque monsieur. It was cheesy, warm, and tasty. I make my own croque monsieur's at home and I should start charging nine dollars for my sandwiches.....Chez Nous does it and mine are just as tasty. :) The side salad was fresh...but nothing outstanding.
The chocolate mousse was a hefty bowl of creamy yumminess. No wimpy servings in dainty glass dishes were set before me. The espresso was very good and very strong.
The restaurant is cute bistro-style and quaint with French prints depicting French entertainment consisting of scantily clad women. The staff is friendly and very casual, which I really enjoyed.
Last, but not by any means least, their ladies room was the cleanest bathroom I've ever seen in restaurant. I was so impressed that I just had to mention it! I strongly believe that a restaurant's bath facilities reflect the cleanliness of it's staff and kitchen...and I've not seen better. :)
Thank you Chez Nous for a lovely French lunch! -
Review from Patricia L.
Austin, TX
7/12/2011
This place is amazing! Very cute decor.
I really enjoy their trout (comes with mixed vegetables), pate, and escargot appetizer. -
Review from ashley s.
Austin, TX
4/5/2011
I have been emotionally scarred by this place... and I have a new perspective on the French since my horrid experience.
I ordered fried green tomatoes as served with goat cheese and a file mignon with a side of goat cheese (its SO delicious!). The waiter gave me some grief and then the chef came out from the kitchen to make a scene in front of a packed restaurant. He yelled at me something like, "You don't like my menu?! You think you can put together a better menu than me?!" I was appalled! I could not believe it! It was embarrassing, insulting and ridiculous. I will never go back. -
Review from Jinhee J.
Los Angeles, CA
7/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
Came in on a weekday around 7:30. Not very packed. Adorable interior- apparently looks exactly like French restaurants minus an outdoor patio.
Took a few minutes for anyone to greet us. Finally a man told us to wait so that he could clean a table which was in the way back corner of the restaurant. He came back up to us, pointed at the table in the back and said that's where our seat was...LOL.
Started off with the baked goat cheese plate which was delectable. Then we got the salad layonaise? (Poached egg and a tasty bacon). I ordered the lamb chops and was shockingly disappointed with the taste. it was cooked perfectly ( I like it rare) but all I could taste was salt. It was kind of bland? Mi hubby ordered the scallops which was divine! I would definitely order those over the lamb chops. There is a side of vegetables that comes out with main entrees- I don't care if you don't like tomatoes...you have got to put it in your mouth (That's what he said)! Finished off with the creme brulee which would have been absolutely scrumptious had a quarter of the top caramelized part weren't burnt. (Every place has its good day or bad day I supposed).
Took off two stars because the presentation of the food was really plain. Being french food lovers we were expecting an enticing presentation but that was an epic fail. The food itself gets a 4.5! The wine list was sub par..kind or surprised there weren't more choices. Service was actually confusing since 3 different servers came to the table throughout the night. Food took forever too..we were there for 2 hours on a weekday? Also the restaurant gets loud and there isn't that much space between you and the table next to you. By the end of the two hours I was ready to get out of there.
I'd still come back to try some other items on the menu..least i'd know what to expect. -
Review from Katy H.
Austin, TX
11/16/2011
Chez Nous is a wonderful French restaurant right off of 6th street. As it is one big room, it's very intimate, and has a cozy atmosphere. Although the food and wine is 5 star quality, I love that the staff are not snobby. In fact, I went with my boyfriend last Friday and our waitress moved us to the back corner because she didn't want us seated "next to a group of loud girls all night." The food is rich, traditional French food. I suggest getting the fix pris so that you get a little bit of everything--pate, main course, dessert, and of course go for that bottle of wine. I will definitely be back again.
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Review from Pamela M.
7/21/2011
This place had such good reviews that when I came to Austin for the weekend over the 4th my man and I had to try.
Needless to say, we were VERY impressed. As other yelpers have said, the atmosphere is something to be desired, but the excellent service and outstanding meal trumps anything else. We started out with escargots and gazpacho, and I got the scallops and he the veal scallopini. We ended with coffee and profiteroles. SO GOOD. Seriously, not one complaint about the food. They were constantly refilling our bread and butter, our water, and were always asking if we needed anything. This place opens at 6, and by 6:20 all of the tables were filled. Small place, so make sure you go on time if you don't want to wait. All in all one of my favorite places in Austin!! -
Review from Fabricio d.
Austin, TX
7/9/2011
P-E-R-F-E-C-T-I-O-N......that's what Chez Nous is!!! If I have to pick a last meal in any restaurant in any of the cities or countries I've lived in, this is where the meal is coming from.
The interior is small and quaint, yet very intimate (4-stars). The wine selection is good for Austin (4-stars). The wait staff is so-so friendly (3-stars). But, the reason you go to Chez Nous is for the food (1M-stars), and that's where they are the King of Austin. Eating there, it's easy for Americans to see why French women are so skinny, b/c the food is so good, you stop between each bit to discuss the food. A 30 minute meal ends up taking 2 hours, just b/c you spend an hour talking about how good everything tastes.
Go. Eat. Enjoy!
~ Fabricio -
Review from Matt V.
Carlsbad, CA
7/1/2011
This place was a disappointment especially considering all the other great reviews. The ambiance is nice, kind of a small farm house type feel but the food really fell short and was unimaginative. For example I had the duck and it was literally just two duck legs thrown on a plate. The lamb is also presented in a similar fashion.
This isn't to say the food is bad per se it's just what i would term average and the presentation is very much below average. -
Review from Christine M.
San Jose, CA
2/4/2011
When I think of food in Texas, I usually picture thick, juicy steaks, baby back ribs falling right off the bone, spicy hot sausages, melt-in-your-mouth pulled pork, and tender beef brisket, all covered in top secret barbecue sauce. This meal couldn't possibly get messier, meatier, or manlier unless you threw in several kegs of beer, a high profile football game, and perhaps a stash of light artillery.
So how did I find myself in a French restaurant in Texas? Pure, dumb, Yelp-guided luck.
If you know me, you know I have a not-so-small obsession with lamb. After my life-altering Bottega lamb chop experience, I've been searching far and wide for something to rival that dish, and only Chez Nous has ever come close.
The lamb chops ("Cotes d'agneau Manon") were well-seasoned and cooked to tender perfection. I could probably wax poetic about them for the next five paragraphs (wait, don't recoil in terror yet--I promise I don't do poetry), but I wouldn't be able to do them justice.
I came to this place for lunch during a conference--the conference center is, conveniently, only two blocks away--and wow, was that ever a great idea. It wasn't too crowded, and the service was prompt, attentive, and authentic; some members of the staff were speaking flawless French, not just faking French accents.
The only drawback? The portions were juuust right, meaning you'll probably finish your meal satisfied, without feeling like an overstuffed pinata, so you can't overdose on your favorite dish. Ah, such wonderfully healthy European sensibilities. Or maybe just cheap American business tactics? I don't know, but I prefer to be optimistic here.
If I lived in Austin, I'd be coming regularly to try all of Chez Nous's dishes, because for one thing, I love French food, and for another, my meal was a clear indicator that the chefs have serious talent. Their full dinner menu simply looks mouthwatering; the Menu du Jour looks like a series of happy surprises I wouldn't mind unwrapping every week.
I don't know when I'll be back in Austin, but if I ever get the chance, this will be the FIRST place I'll revisit. -
Review from CJ A.
Oklahoma City, OK
3/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
I loved the atmosphere. The staff was so friendly and over the top in their service. We had to wait but it was well worth it!
I went with two of my closest friends and we each ordered someone different and then sampled from each of the plates.
Everything was simply divine. -
Review from Jeannette E.
Killeen, TX
4/11/2011
Prepare to cry... Not what you think.
It's not too spicy or too expensive.
It'll make you curse the day you were born outside of the sphere of French cuisine and it will make you realize that mother doesn't do it best.
The food served here will give your tongue an idea of culinary heaven and it will make any culinary art seem like a witches brew.
Prepare to be disappointed with the world and expect to be wishing never to eat any profane concoction again... It'll only last until you are close to starvation, but you might be lucky and might have forgotten about the brilliance of Chez Nous by then.
The price? Well worth it! Never measure true art by assigning a price tag to it! -
Review from Aaron S.
Austin, TX
10/18/2010
If only I could afford to eat here every day.. it's that good. I have not had authentic French food like this anywhere outside of Europe. Chez Nous really does a five star job all along the way from sourcing the best ingredients, to expert execution and delivery, with impeccable teamwork and service.
Chez Nous has been open in Austin since February 1982, that's nearly 30 years! They survived the U.S. Recessions of 1980-1982, the early 90's and the Great Recession (2007-present!); impressive, and while just about everything else on the 6th Street strip has turned into something else over the years, Chez Nous is one of the few that is still there, keeping up their old school quality and tradition of fine French dining. ~30 years of stability says a lot about the quality and satisfaction that this restaurant delivers to its customers. For fine European cuisine, this is my favorite restaurant in the Austin area. Great for that perfect dinner when you're in the mood or a special occasion.
For dinner, the menu du jour is a fine deal with a three course meal for $26.50, described as:
1) CHOICE OF SOUPE DU JOUR OR SALADE LYONNAISE OR PATE MAISON
2) CHOOSE AMONG 3 ENTREES CHANGING DAILY (they also include a side plate of the most delicious grilled vegetables and potato croquettes I've ever eaten.)
3 CHOICE OF CREME CARAMEL OR MOUSSE AU CHOCOLAT OR BRIE ($2 more and you can choose from their full desert menu)
The wine list is nice and priced fairly, and they offer delicious, crisp and cold Kronenbourg 1664 (a 5.5% pale lager that is the leading beer in France) for $4 each. They also have an espresso machine to perk you up after the meal, which would go great with any of their deserts.
You start off with the complimentary bread and butter, a basic and an essential, and it couldn't be tastier. Each course seems to be better than the last, while nothing is lacking. The portions are perfect, you will leave happily full and will enjoy a nice walk back to your car, your down town residence, or to a nearby pub.
If you work in the area you may want to check them out for lunch. Don't forget, like many restaurants in town, Chez Nous is closed on Mondays.
Chez Nous: I love what you offer to Austin. Here's to another ~30 years. Cheers! -
Review from Max B.
Seattle, WA
12/29/2010
The significant other writes:
"This is a great spot that was just perfect for an outing with my fam. I just love the veggies the serve on the side, feels like a generous portion where some French resto's skimp on veggies. The fixed menu is just the perfect amount of food. Only one thing I would change: on the fixed price menu (such a deal) I saw Chilean Seabass which, notoriously, are severely overfished. Most Chilean seabass in the U.S. market come from boats that are fishing illegally, according to Monterey Bay Aquarium:
http://www.montereybay...
To avoid! I appreciate chefs and menus that do a bit more research on sustainable foods." -
Review from Keran C.
Berkeley, CA
11/29/2010
A friend of mine treated me to dinner here for my 25th B-day. I would redo that evening 100 times over because it was just perfect. Service was amazing and the food was unforgettable.
It is on the high end side. However, after eating there, I can say that I would even pay more! Fresh. Bold flavors. Rich. The experience was absolutely romantic: perfect company with the perfect foods. -
Review from Heather W.
Milwood, Austin, TX
11/5/2011
This is my favorite date night spot. The food and service are good. The atmosphere is relaxed and cozy. The food and wine are reasonably priced. It's not about being a hipster hang out. I always have a great experience here.
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Review from Eric A.
Austin, TX
2/17/2011
Always on the money - Never disappoints.
Can't help but have a great time...plates go back to the kitchen CLEANED....wine is always excellent, service is always attentive and the price is right.
This is one of my go-to's... -
Review from Sebastian G.
Austin, TX
2/27/2011
Chez Nous reminds me of the small restaurants you would find in an auberge in the Alps. It is small and comfortable, with a very friendly staff and very authentic French food.
On arrival the restaurant was packed, but with only a 20 minute wait. Were offered a place at the bar to wait, or asked if we wanted to go to explore the neighborhood and leave a cell phone number to be called when the table is ready. We chose the bar, but that was very cool of them to offer. The wine list is fairly small, but very nice, and they have some French beers, as well. While we were at the bar we overheard lots of French being spoken in the kitchen and front-of-house, so I was hoping the food would be as authentic as the look and feel of the restaurant.
The menu was very authentic and reminded me of being in France and Switzerland. The food was fresh, and according to the waiter, locally sourced. I ordered the day's special, a salmon dish with fried leeks and a Salade Lyonaisse to start. My gf ordered the Salade de Tomates and the Coquilles St. Jacques (scallops). The salads were nice, but one bite into our dishes and we were in heaven. We closed the meal with chocolate mousse and the bouche noire (a chocolate and hazelnut torte) and some espresso and cafe au lait; which was excellent.
It took about nine years for me to make my first visit to Chez Nous and now I have a lot of eating to make up for! -
Review from Joni H.
Arlington, MA
11/1/2011
This is just a cute place. I'm normally not into French restaurants, but this one was very laid back, the food was fantastic, and the servers and owner were very sweet. I went with a group and we had a nice, relaxed meal there.
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Review from Carla S.
7/5/2010 ROTD 1/8/2011
I've been derelict in my Yelp duties as of late. I was here 2 weeks ago and I have yet to rave on about them.
First of all, I'd like to point out they are on Neches and not Nueces. Most of you will not have a problem distinguishing this. Others (me) will get so excited that it's "so close to my house" , that "there is a big, open parking lot right by it", and "it was so easy to park" only to be completely confused when "it SHOULD be RIGHT THERE" and even get the poor parking lot attendant in on your game of mass confusion. Anyway, I finally consulted Yelp and learned of my mistake and got my $7 back from the guy (shout out to the parking lot attendant at 5th & Nueces).
Now to Chez Nous (who it would ROCK if they had valet service). I was greeted by the hostess and she was delightful (I have a girl crush on her that I cannot discuss). We were seated almost immediately which was amazing because we had reservations for 6 (the smallest group they take reservations for) and we lost 2 people so we sort of lost our res but not really. She had us covered.
So we sat down, and I have to say I don't think I've seen a more attentive wait staff. I think every person who worked there checked on us at least once and some more than that.
What did I eat? I shan't disappoint. I had the tenderloin. Yeah, raw foods took a night off. Ohhhhh, it was good. So good. One of the best I've had in town. I'll have it a again for sure. I skipped on the appetizer because it was enough that I was doing entree and dessert. The dessert was amazing too, the bouche noir, I believe. I don't think you can go wrong no matter what you order. Every dish I saw, I wanted.
The entire experience that night was delightful from the food, to the staff (especially, Girl Crush). I declare it as my 2nd favorite restaurant in Austin (Paggi is still my #1)Listed in: Don't Mind If I Do, My Minor's in English
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Review from Ardie S.
6/20/2010 ROTD 4/18/2011
French without pretense.
I dined with three friends and fellow Yelpers at Chez Nous for the first time last night. The kind hostess at Chez Nous graciously took care of our party of four with immediate seating upon arrival just before 8 PM, even though half of our party were still a few short steps away from the door. As busy as Chez Nous was at the time, they could have easily insisted on a complete party and did not. Kudos for grace under pressure.
Chez Nous appears much larger from the outside than it is on the inside due to the expanse of street frontage on Neches that it occupies. Nevertheless, the environ inside more resembles cozy than cramped, and, although the interior can be a bit loud at times for easy conversation, it is not nearly as noisy as, say, Wink.
The wine list, while not extensive, is more than adequate. I was well served by a glass of their house Chardonnay, which, proved quite up to complementing the seafood dinner that I knew was to follow.
After looking over the menu (both in advance online and again at the restaurant), I chose to go with the Menu du Jour, which is a prix fixe for three courses including appetizer, entree and dessert. It's a steal at a restaurant of this caliber for only $26.50. I started with a Salade Lyonnaise, which was served with a poached egg atop; spectacular and tasty. That was followed by a Truite meunière that was out of this world; best Rainbow trout I think I've ever had, buttery and lemony without being overly so in either right. The accompanying sides were pommes dauphines, carrots, and a tomato, each a work of culinary art in its own right. For dessert, choices were tough, but I went with a Mousse au Chocolat, which lived up to its billing.
One of the things that I must point out about Chez Nous that made the evening was the service and staff. I couldn't have imagined a more pleasant troupe of waiters and waitresses, and everyone pitched in to make our total experience a fantastic one. A water glass never went empty, and I was constantly amazed at how unobtrusive the service actually was with such intense attention. I honestly think we were served through the course of the evening by nearly everyone working there.
Expect a casual 90+ minute dinner here. For the sake of pacing, I highly recommend three courses rather than two. Also, bring along some good company and scintillating conversation. It's a French tradition for dinner with friends to be enjoyed all evening.
I'll be back soon, Chez Nous.Listed in: Three Chicks, Polar Bear Cool, R"ecord"D's Greatest Hits
