- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Cipollina
Categories: Restaurants Italian Restaurants Mediterranean Italian, Mediterranean [Edit]
1213 W Lynn StAustin, TX 78703
Neighborhood: Clarksville
(512) 477-5211
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 11 am - 10 pm
Fri-Sat 11 am - 10:30 pm
Sun 11 am - 9:30 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Romantic, Classy, Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Hey, we're not on 5th anymore! We've moved a whole block and a half to 408 Brazos (b/t 4th & 5th - that's us behind the demolished street.
131 reviews for Cipollina
Review Highlights
"I had the goat cheese, prosciutto (with rosemary."
(in 20 reviews)
"Pizza happy hour, every effing day, 330-530, with rotating..."
(in 6 reviews)
"...was perfect, if you like thin crust and I love thin crust."
(in 9 reviews)
Loading...
131 reviews in English
-
Review from Nathan I.
Austin, TX
Well, with a $25 gift certificate proverbially burning a hole in my pocket, Cipollina was the newest restaurant in my Yelp review crosshairs. As mentioned before, I was asked to write one, and possibly take some photos. Which is easy, since Yelping has become such a compulsio,n that friends and family alike sit with their hands neatly folded in their laps when their meals are placed on the table; they know not to touch before pictures. They also pray I don't spill their guts in the subsequent review, as I am wont to do. I promise nothing.
An informal Facebook status update inquiring who wanted to be my date for the experience yielded me several responses, although I'm not sure if they read the disclaimer that I usually put out on the first date, but this was an exception. The first to respond was Mani, a friend of mine who finds everything I do to be fabulous, hilarious, and pretty much close to brilliant. Naturally, I respond to this.
We made a date for Happy Hour after work; Cipollina's Happy Hour is from 5:00-6:00 on weekdays, with half-off sparkling wines and aperitifs and half-off small plates. The deals bring drinks and appetizers to a very reasonable $5-9 a piece; I only wish Happy Hour lasted a tad longer, although if you put your orders in, you will have no problem enjoying your appetizers.
As I was driving to the restaurant, I realized how little of the area I have "filled" in on my mental map of the city. Aside from a post-church brunch with the St. David's Young Adults at Zocalo across the street, I have not had the pleasure of discovering the Clarksville area as in-depth as I should.
I was greeted by a smiling hostess who reminded me a little of P!nk, except way more put together. I chose to sit at the bar and wait for Mani who was running a few minutes behind. I relaxed with a carpenè malvolti prosecco from Veneto, Italy. My server was a cute guy named Greg who--quite surprisingly--rocked a mustache...a male grooming choice I usually detest. First surprise of the day.
The space itself is modern but quaint, with a distinct urban feel. The high ceilings and large black-framed mirrors worked to make the space feel roomy, yet still intimate. The fact that the kitchen is basically out for everyone to see at the far end of the bar was also a unique touch I appreciated.
Mani showed up, and noticed I had already pressed ahead and ordered the fried squid & shrimp cracked red pepper w/ tomato aïoli. As opposed to other "small plate" offerings around town, there was plenty to share among two; the second surprise of the day. Their version of calamari was decent and seasoned well. There was so much, I actually had them box up the leftovers from this dish.
Not that we're cheap, but the clock was a-ticking so we put in our order for the p.e.i. mussels in white wine w/ capers and anchovy; the panzanella yellowfin tuna w/ cannellini beans, pickled onions and olives, and the charcuterie platter, complete with speck prosciutto, pork rillette, duck confit, and antelope pate. Greg even drew me a little legend complete with shapes and names to make sure we'd know what we were eating (and privately, so I'd remember the names for the review).
The mussels were bountiful and delicious in their buttery white wine sauce. They explained that the tuna was atop a southern Italian style salad, which I found refreshing. Personally, I enjoy the rawness of the tuna, but to Mani, this was the weakest of the four dishes. The charcuterie platter was excellent, as there's never a time I dislike duck confit or spicy prosciutto. The antelope pate was interesting, to say the least. The whole time I was eating it, I couldn't help but have James Earl Jones' booming Mufasa voice in my head:
Simba: But dad, don't we eat the antelope?
Mufasa: Yes, Simba, but let me explain. When we die, our bodies become the grass and the antelope eat the grass. And so we are all connected in the great circle of life...
...Which I always thought was a load of crap, because one animal gets violently torn to shreds, while the other gets to die on top of the food chain, and never even know they're being recycled as gentle grazing fodder. Anyways...in this circle of life, the fabulous guy eats the antelope pate, and it pretty much ends there. Suck it, antelope.
Of course it goes without saying the topics of conversation were pretty much limited to our work experiences, and talking mad smack about the people we can't stand.
Mani and I each enjoyed a glass of French famaey malbec rosé, vintage 2010, paired with an American Marlboro cigarette, vintage 'purchased-20 -minutes-ago-from-a-7-11. We sat at a little table outside the door. At some point, Mani couldn't help but call out one ginger server who was hot, but clearly hungover. It happens.
Great portions, great space, interesting culinary offerings. I'll be back.
4 Stars. -
Review from Jillian N.
Austin, TX
12/21/2011
i really like this place mainly for the ambience. It's nestled in the West Lynn neighborhood, right next to Fresh Plus. It has a really nice simple interior. it's not crazy big.
Pros: The food is pretty good for a moderate price. Last night, we got the calamari to start, and he got the sausage pasta dish and i got the snapper. The calamari was very good, particularly the shrimp. The breading was spicy and the sauce was really nice.
Cons: The biggest reason I gave this 3 instead of 4 stars was my snapper was pretty underwhelming. It was in a tomato sauce of sorts, but other than that, it was mostly tasteless. I was a bit disappointed with that, but my boyfriend's pasta was fantastic.
The service was decent and the drinks were good, although this is not the place to go for cheap drinks...For two people, an appetizer, 4 drinks (2 wine, 2 beer), our bill came up to about 80 before tip. So if you're looking for a moderately priced bistro with nice ambience, this is the place to go. Oh, and the pizza looked amazing. -
Review from Phyllis K.
Austin, TX
12/7/2011
Listen, Punk!
Don't char my pizza. Why do you feel the need to char it? To make it look rustic? When I order a pie with anchovies, olives, and capers, I know what it's going to taste like. What makes or breaks it is the texture of the crust. Charred pizza is chalky tasting. It is also too crunchy, like eating pizza toppings on a cracker. Charred things also give me cancer. I already drink alcohol. I don't need any more carcinogens.
OK, now that that's settled...your spinach salad was pretty bomb-diggity. And yes, I will be seeing you around, but not your pizza face! -
Review from kaptain a.
Austin, TX
2/2/2012
Excellent neighborhood place with friendly staff and a good atmosphere. I have come here with one or two friends and also with a large group, sat at the modest bar or a table and it has always been great. The food is excellent for the price and I like their wine and beer selection. One of my favorite things about Clarksville!
-
Review from Joel R.
Miami Beach, FL
1/11/2012
Nice neighborhood place
Great place for a low key informal but cool and nice get together -
Review from Jens B.
Updated - 7/27/2011
It's been a few years since I last reviewed this neat little restaurant. And, the reason why I even went back was the happen chance to meet the current chef Daniel Hunt. He is a friend of mines high school buddy from Bastrop. The Suzimeister is in her childhood hood, so while the cat is away the mice will play. I hooked up with my best mate Ade and off we went to enjoy a wonderful meal. The nice thing about dining here without my honey, is that I can eat all the things which she cannot. Mainly shell fish.
I started with their mussels. When they arrived I asked that they bring us some spoons. Ade looked at me puzzled and I mentioned, it was to slurp out the jus... It was a great starter. That was followed by green neck mussels with pasta and venison sausage. Awesome! We finished with an awesome cheese plate. It was a night and day difference since I first went and ate her a few years back, it is definitely the work of the new chef. Our server, can't recall his name was a little distracted, but in all he got the job done.
I'll grab the wife and head on back again to enjoy another great meal, I can see this becoming another great little hang out for us.1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
2/21/2008
Went for a quick dinner last night with a good mate of mine. Gosh this is a hard place to review.… Read more »
-
-
Review from Tray H.
Austin, TX
9/24/2011
Probably the best meal I've had in Austin yet. The mussels are AMAZING. No matter what else you order, make sure you get them. $12 for a huge bowl full of those delicous little suckers seemed like a great deal to me. We also had the "Sausage" pizza, which has sausage and goat cheese among other things. The pizza was really great. One of the better thin crusts I've had.
Good service, good food, and a nice vibe. I'll be back. -
Review from Jessica S.
Austin, TX
Updated - 6/5/2011
My super cute dinner date suggested Cipollina for my birthday dinner. We like to sample lots of various things on the menu, so we did just that.
We started with a glass of sangria. Not the best ever, but it was nice and refreshing.
We had a cheese plate--it really is all about the accouterments that go with it. They were fabulous. We also shard the cucumber soup. It was very crisp and refreshing, but even sharing it, we didn't eat all of it. I don't think I'd suggest a full cup to someone. Our third appetizer was the fried shrimp and squid. They were salty, but good. Fried vegetables were also on the plate. The aioli served with it was very tasty.
For our dinner, we shared the House Bacon Pizza. The bacon was super salty, but over all, super delicious. Thin slices of apple and arugula rounded out the pizza very nicely. The crust, as others have mentioned, was amazingly delicious.
Still unable to make final decisions, we go the creme brulee and the grapefruit trio for dessert. Both were wonderfully delicious and a nice ending to the meal.
Service was good and everything went off without a hitch.Listed in: I am NOT drinking merlot!, Birthday Season, Places that should thank…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
9/7/2010
Another restaurant that should thank Groupon. I really don't think I would have tried it had it not… Read more »
-
-
Review from Jack H.
Austin, TX
8/20/2011
Perfectly ok neighborhood restaurant but I find it always a little lacking. Specifically, the salads are always just a little wilty and warm, as if they are prepared too close to the stove. The desserts are fine but a little uncreative and uninspired and never change. The wine list only has one or two that aren't standard corporate wines available at any supermarket.
Besides that I do frequent the place because its in the neighborhood and its clean, has friendly service and does an ok pizza. The pasta is usually tasty, the meat dishes are great. -
Review from Allen W.
Pflugerville, TX
9/16/2011
I have to give this place a 4 stars for the food they served to me and for the quality of service from the staff. One star has been deducted due to the price, but it is the price you pay for a quality meal.
First of all, I placed a reservation just in case the place was going to be full of people on a Friday night. Definitely a star just for having the convenience of that option. When I arrived the restaurant was small, just as it looked from the photos on Yelp. I walked in and noticed there was virtually nobody around near 7 PM. I saw a lot of waiters/waitresses chatting. Not necessarily a BAD thing, but always kind of a concern when you do not see a whole lot more people eating.
We thought maybe it was due to ACL weekend, but shouldn't that draw more people? It could have deterred customers from wanting to get caught in the possible traffic and crowd. In a way this is good, service was very attentive.
My entree was the wood-fired quail bacon, green lentils, turnips, arugula. Ordered a romaine salad in case the meal wasn't enough to fulfill my appetite. Once I took a bite I realized how delicious the meal was, I really enjoyed it. The quail was moist and tasty, I think I've had quail a long time ago and have had "dry" tasting quail meat before.
My friends had wagyu flank & fries salsa verde, fleur de se and bacon apple, gorgonzola, arugula pizza. Everything was great and well cooked. I guess the only problem we felt was that the portion was small for the price. Don't get me wrong, we believe that the portion is actually the correct "healthy" portion, we are just spoiled (my friend said this) by all the Texas-sized portions offered everywhere else.
Either way it's not really like a place where we can afford to dine every week. This is considered more of a luxury dine out place. The place is pretty clean and the kitchen is "open" for all to see. We saw plenty of waiters/waitresses standing around so my tea glass was always refilled on time without me asking.
Definitely a place recommended to try at least once and I would suggest the wood-fired quail dish if you do not mind a smaller portion (aka, the correct HEALTHY portion!), but just add an appetizer and/or salad and you should be good to go.
We did not bother with ordering wine, even though we love drinking wine. The price is comparable to other restaurants, but I just wasn't in the mood to drink wine
Parking lot is small because they share it with other stores next door, so if the place is packed I don't see how that front parking lot area would have enough space for a lot of parking. There are probably side street parking and other back lots, but I did not look into it.
This is really a place for adults, not really designed as a place of interests for kids... meaning they might get bored easily here. -
Review from John C.
8/9/2011
We found this place on a visit to Austin this summer and honestly weren't sure what to expect.
It is located in the corner of a small shopping center adjacent a neighborhood grocery store. It was a Monday night so not too busy. We were seated at the far side of the restaurant at a semi-quiet table.
The service was excellent and our server seemed quite knowledgable. She was extremely attentive and professional while still being friendly and personable.
We started with a cold cucumber soup that was a perfect starter and quite refreshing. The salad that followed was very well assembled and quite colorful.
What followed the soup and salad was quite possibly one of the best meals I've ever eaten. The special of the night was braised oxtail tossed with handmade pasta. It was so good that I am wondering if they thought I washed the plate myself. I mopped the plate clean with their wonderful bread. The red wine suggested by our server was a perfect compliment.
Somehow we found room for creme' broulee and coffee. By this time we were buzzing from the wonderful meal we just ate so the creme broulee seemed awesome to us. A perfect end to a darn near perfect meal. The next time we are in Austin we will make a return visit. -
Review from Katie J.
Austin, TX
8/18/2011
Food- 4.5 Stars
Service- 2.5
I want to LOVE this place. I WANT to eat here every week. The Kale pizza and fresh fig appetizer were so heavenly, it made me almost want to bathe in the cheese that were in each dish. Yummm. BUT, our server was just not even giving a hoot about us. He was doing well at first, but after our entree order was placed, he must have gone on a break, because we did not see him for 45 more minutes. My friend and I were there for two hours on a Wednesday night, and we only had two glasses of wine. Let me tell you, if I'm staying at a quaint Italian cafe for two hours, I would normally be loading up on the wine. But he was nonexistent, thus the sub par rating and lack of a good buzz at the end of the night. I'll be back in hopes that we get a more together server. -
Review from Anthony D.
Austin, TX
Updated - 9/6/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Cipollina had been one of my favorite local spots, the fact that we could walk there any time made it even better. The price point was always a bit high, but the service and atmosphere made up for that. My recent visits have not been good at all and I am done treating Cipollina as a local go to place.
The Price: Usual fare is to split an entree ($18 for some Rigatoni) and have one glass of wine each. ($20). With tip, the bill is in excess of $40. Once desert or an appetizer is added, you are looking at around $50 or $60, keep in mind, this is splitting an entree ! The prices are aligned with downtown not the West Lynn neighborhood vibe.
The Service: Cippolina needs to decide if they want customers dining at the bar or not. Time and time again there is no server assigned to the bar, customers get ad hoc service from staff as they walk by on their way to help dining area customers. This makes for little to no service at all for bar customers that are paying good money.
The atmosphere is fine and for a special occasion Cipollina dining area is a decent option but gone are the days when this becomes a weekly trip. Yet another restaurant that needs to realize there are hundreds of options in Austin, take care of your customers, especially the regulars.1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
7/12/2011
One of my new favorites. Love stopping in, sitting at the bar, and getting a quality dinner with no… Read more »
-
-
Review from travis c.
Austin, TX
7/18/2011
I'll give this four stars because everything I tried was above average except for my main dish.
We started off with the watercress beets, peaches, goat cheese plate and mussels white wine, oregano, capers, anchovy plate and both were very good. The white wine sauce was amazing and it came with two slices of bread. Not everyone can do mussels well, but when I sat down I noticed that several tables had them already so it was a good sign that they were doing it correctly. They do and it was good.
My wife had the wood-fired quail w/ bacon, green lentils, turnips, arugula and it was very tasty. All of it. These little birds were nicely done and the skin was amazing.
I tried the special of the night which was Antelope with squash and some other things. I think cous cous, but I forgot to expect such a lean beast to be tough. Eventually I just got tired of chewing and trying to cut this meat and just took it home. It will probably end up in the dog food bowl. I should have just ordered off the menu because there are some amazing looking meals here.
It seems the pizza is popular as many people around us ordered them, so I'm going to try that one day.
The atmosphere was also great with lots of space between the tables and great decor and lighting. If only Barley & Swine could have a place like this. Also, there were no children here which was also great. So if you're reading and thinking of bringing yours, don't.
Had the grapefruit thing for dessert which was a biscuit in some type of cream surrounded by fresh grapefruit. Tastes better than I made it sound, but will try something else next time.
After two glasses of wine and all of this the bill was close to $100.
I'll go here again even though it's located in Clarksville. Clarksville is a neighborhood rich in history and rich in rich white people. Clarksville was first filled with emancipated slaves and named after Charles Clark, a freedman himself. Everything was fine until the City of Austin realized it's value and basically forced the blacks out and to the east by doing shitty things to them for almost 60 consecutive years. It finally worked as now it's filled with yuppies. -
Review from Jon M.
Austin, TX
7/9/2011
I'm giving this place three stars....the food is somewhere closer to four stars depending on what you order. Over half the tables were couples and the interior has a date appropriate ambiance. They have a large wine selection but no beer on tap...only bottles.
We ordered the wagyu beef carpaccio-decent but under performed for the price. Then we had the prosciutto pizza which my girlfriend thought was excellent. I thought it was decent but again not quite price appropriate-better than the carpaccio.
This place is worth trying if you eat small portions or potentially for a date otherwise I was not a huge fan. -
Review from Janice M.
Austin, TX
7/1/2011
Where do I even start?! Let's see ... My best girlfriend and I decided we needed a date night STAT! So, I decided, let's use this Groupon for a place I have never tried and honestly, never even heard of. After probably one of the longest weekends ever endured, we deserved it. We got out of work, attended a yoga class, got ready, Groupon in hand, and bolted over.
We walked in and it wasn't terribly busy, but I immediately loved the atmosphere and the set up. Cute, simple, elegant. And I am a huge fan of the open kitchen. We were then greeted quickly and seated at a great table.
Our server Jenny, to say the least, gave us pretty much one of the best dining experiences that we had had in a VERY long time, if not the best ever. She was soooo friendly, hilarious, and had the same passion for food that we both did. She graciously helped us pick out the perfect bottle of wine and even let us try a few different ones before we made our final decision.
When the wine was flowing, we decided to start reading over the menu. What I like best about this particular menu was it's simplicity. It's one page - soups and salads, small plates, large plates, pizzas! The end. The ingredients for each dish sounded so great it was definitely hard to make a decision. We decided to kinda have a taste of everything and share some apps. Sharing is caring as we all know.
They were featuring a special soup that night - Zuchini and Squash. It was in a vegetable broth and had basil and pesto in there as well. OH MY YUM is all I can say. We also shared the watercress salad that had watercress, beets, peaches, and goat cheese. WOW. Double OH MY YUM.
We then finally decided on some entrees - I went with the Grouper (I love grouper and rarely see if offered anywhere, so I was excited!) and she went with the Bacon Pizza which was topped with bacon, apple, gorgonzola, and arugula. The flavors of both dishes EXPLODED in our mouths in such different ways. We were both super duper satisfied with our selections and got tempted into desert. We decided to be bold and try something new - the grapefruit, trio shortcake, buttercream, and supremes. It was very tasty and interesting, and I am glad that we branched out.
Overall, SUCH a great night, dinner, service, atmosphere and value. I feel like the price was wayyyy less then I expected ... We ordered 2 apps (which I just remembered they split for us! So nice), 2 entrees, dessert, and a bottle of wine for $90. Not bad at all. Such a great place, I'm definately in love.
See you very soon Cipollina!! -
Review from Anh P.
7/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
I've always wanted to eat here. I've been here for drinks. So I FINALLY had the chance to go.
Whenever I try a new restaurant, I like to try new things. After reading yelp reviews (which basically said everything was good), I didn't know what to try! The waiter then mentioned the special was antelope.
Antelope?? I've seen them jumping around. Why not eat one? It was prepared with a pepper crust. Anyhow, it was delicious. It was very lean and slightly tougher than I thought it would be, but it tasted good. It came with cous cous too which I usually don't like, but it also was good. Instead of dessert, my friend and I just finished a bottle of wine. Yum. Gotta go back for the other dishes. -
Review from Brian D.
Austin, TX
7/25/2011
O Cipollina, how I love thee! My wife and I first dined here last year during Austin restaurant week and treated ourselves to their prix fixe menu, which included such delicious items as day boat scallops, antelope tartare, and red wine risotto. None of these unique dishes disappointed, and we were so impressed that we have been back several times since.
Highlights of their menu include a wonderful pork belly sandwich for lunch and the aforementioned risotto on the dinner menu. They offer a variety of pizzas for both lunch and dinner which are thin, crisp, and quite tasty. There is wine by the glass on offer as well as a nice collection of bottled craft beers. We have not worked our way through much of the dessert menu, but I can say that their tiramisu is quite delightful.
The atmosphere is classy without being too snooty. Sort of a neighborhood restaurant meets upscale bistro, if you will. I have never been there when it is overly crowded, and it has never been so noisy that I cannot carry on a conversation.
Protip: Cipollina often offers special menus for things like Valentine's Day or Austin Restaurant week. These are definitely worth your while. In particular, I ordered a bouillabaisse on New Year's Eve that absolutely blew my mind. Cipollina, if you are reading this, please make this again! -
Review from Gary K.
As some of you know the Foolish boys set out on a short local Foolish Tour on Saturday. My memory of many years ago remembered a coffee/desert place on West Lynn. Well as it turns out my memory was on the fritz. Me bad!
So we headed over to West Lynn to look for it, I remember it being near Jeffery's on the other side of the street. As it turns out it was Cipollina.
We stopped and went in; well guess what it is now a pizza place must have been too many years ago that it was something else. Bummer we talked to the wait staff about it and looked at their menu to see if any desert they had was what we were looking for. Sorry it wasn't, one of our team saw that they had crème brûlée (pronounced as creme ber-lee). We all had a laugh over it.
We all decided to leave without eating anything; we were looking for a different kind of desert. The pizza smelled good and we will return at some point to try the pizza. The wait staff was very nice and under stood why we left.
So my ratings are on atmosphere and wait staff only.
Would I go back? Yes to try the pizza. -
Review from Suzie M.
1/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
The hubster and I breezed in here recently for a lil' early dinner after one of our infamous Chelsea Fun Days (don't ask).
We sat at the counter and were promptly and cheerfully served. We were in the mood for some small plates in lieu of big dinner, so we got mixed olives and a cheese plate: Brazos valley blue, brie de meaux, and st. mary gouda. Mmmm!!! I sipped (right!) a lovely glass of Spanish temperanillo whilst contemplating how good life can be when one is exposed to so much gastronomical delight.
I loved the atmosphere; it's what I call "getting in the swirl," where there is a buzz of conversation, flatware-on-plate clinks and cool music in the background. I especially love those big mirrors above the bar, where you can watch the crowd you're listening to.
Super. I would love to go back and check out entrees. Are you listening, honey? -
Review from chris j.
Austin, TX
10/20/2011
I love the pizza here, but the steak is actually really good too.
The atmosphere is quite and romantic, and the service has always been great. I live right down the street so it's really convenient for me, but I would recommend this place to anyone looking for a good casual night out. -
Review from John W.
Austin, TX
6/27/2011
I'm giving this place three stars because my wife and I want to return and try their pizzas. Tonight, the best thing was the wine. The hostess and our waiter appeared sour-faced and in poor moods. I have had tons of friends in the service industry and understand the many bad days caused by obnoxious patrons, real life, etcetera, but seriously a friendly smile can't hurt. We had two dry watercress salads. She had the crépes, which were closer to pancakes with undercooked spring peas. I had the wild boar cutlet. Even though boar has hard fat, I thought it was dry and chewy. My mustard vinaigrette was way salty. Overall, our impression was of a bistro that wants to share the class with daddy, Jeffrey's, but misses. We both really wanted it to be so much more.
I'll update after we return. -
Review from Sara P.
Austin, TX
6/20/2011
I ate here on a Groupon this weekend.
Atmosphere: Simple, elegant, fantastic.
Service: We were seated right away, our waiter was attentive but didn't bother us.
Food: I had risotto and my date had the flatiron steak and fries. We both enjoyed it very much. Very simple plates, though, for the price. I feel like my groupon brought it down to the price it should be.
Overall a good experience, but prices are a little high for what it is. -
Review from Patrick M.
Austin, TX
2/7/2011
Just went tonight for dinner and had a great time. The place is charming and caters to a nice crowd. Tonight is Monday and the place seemed lively. The table service was there and not aggressive. Not a pretentious place at all.
We were five and most had pizzas, but two had pasta. The consensus on the pizza was good (Antelope Pizza), but aside from the central part of the pizza, it was like we were eating saltine crackers. The edges of the pizza were very dry, bubbly-crackly, and without ingredients. So in essence, I ate an 8" round pie with crackers. This lended to leave the patron with something to be desired...mainly, more ingredients spread evenly.
Dessert was delicious. We ordered the goat cheesecake, creme brule, and the brownie with ice cream - the latter being the least desirable. Coupled with espresso, the meal was a success.
My advice to Cipollina...cover the pie with equal helpings of ingredients (I understand the need to preserve the crust). I'll be back for sure...this time to try the Kale pizza. -
Review from Kathryn H.
Austin, TX
2/15/2011
My husband and I went to Cipollina on Valentine's Day 2011. We decided to order off the waitress-recommended, special, fixed menu, it was a good meal. However, we did not feel well later that night.
Addition - The manager contacted me after seeing my review on Yelp and was most gracious in working with me. He was concerned about us as much as the restaurant and assured us that they buy fresh, local (whenever they can) ingredients and keep nothing in house on a long-term basis. I'm not sure we'll be going back, but it's comforting to know they stand firmly behind their food, business and customers. -
Review from Brittany G.
Austin, TX
Updated - 1/26/2011
It's not often that you return to a restaurant/bar and find it more charming than the first time. I was literally drooling over the menu but we settled for a simple, but wonderful pizza and bottle of wine.
PROSCIUTTO PIZZA: white truffle oil, gruy ère, oregano ($15)
It was the perfect amount to split with 2 for a light but fulfilling dinner.1 Previous Review:
-
6/16/2010
I had the best thin-crust Goat Cheese and Prosciutto Pizza !
They also serve vino!
-
-
Review from Mark T.
Austin, TX
5/2/2011
After a visit during a Saturday brunch and a Saturday evening with the Spouse, I really like the place. Great food, Good service, But a very slick floor. My chair kept sliding away from the table the entire time we were there.Weird...
We will be going back, but with tennis shoes on the next time. -
Review from Jenny E.
Austin, TX
3/24/2011
Aw, Cipollina, I love you, but your slip was showing today. Where was your music? I came in at 11:00 for lunch today and ate in silence for about an hour. That should have been enough time to turn on some tunes!
I did let the waiter know that the otherwise fabulous flatbread sandwich had ash all over the outside of the bread. He looked sorry about it and though I'd just begun my meal, there was no offer to make it right. By the end, I had a pile of ashy flatbread on my plate and ate the delicious insides like a salad. The wonderful, tender chicken breast and green lettuce leaves with a nutty dressing deserved better. BTW- I look lovely with ash on my chin, lips, cheeks, pants, whatever.
I noticed that the water tasted fantastic. At least I didn't waste money on that. -
Review from moni p.
Austin, TX
1/17/2011
This place is amazing! Very NYC bistro with always amazing food. Yesterday I had my favorite butter lettuce salad and a new dish, small plate tuna with white beans and capers...so good I may go again today.
Do yourself a favor and visit this place asap. -
Review from David E.
Austin, TX
Updated - 9/15/2010
So some friends invited me out for dinner last week, or maybe I invited myself. Regardless, we ended up here. And it was tasty enough, and well-priced enough that I invited myself along again this week. And we'll probably go again next week.
With a new chef (Daniel Hunt) and a new full-service format, the dated menu and awkward pause by the door (do I seat myself, do I wait?) are gone. The menu is now full of things that I want to eat: baby octopus (10), harissa chicken (17), steak tartare (8), rabbit confit (15), antelope (16). And it's all been pretty delicious. And maybe the best crème brulée I've had since I've been in Austin. My friends, being creatures of habit, stick to the same pizzas (12-15, sharable if you have an appetizer) they've always had, and the crust is still the crispest you're likely to find, and the kitchen still has a deft hand with truffle oil.
The wine list is relatively interesting and concise, with most bottles falling in the twenty to forty dollar range, though one might want to brush up on French and Italian varietals before blindly ordering. If relatively tannic and large red wines are your thing, Cipollina has your back.
The only drawback for me is that the restaurant doesn't quite have an identity to go with its new format and menu. Perhaps because the price point is so reasonable, or perhaps because it's long been a neighborhood drop-in sort of spot, one might find oneself surrounded by four babies on a weeknight, some quieter than others, or silverware might not get re-marked on the table before the next course, and some wine questions might tax one's server. But babies and nitpickery aren't really the point here-- the food is, and so is inviting oneself along with friends for dinner. And for these things, Cipollina is great.Listed in: Clarksville-ish, Good Food
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
12/1/2009
I've been in with some frequency over the years-- usually when I want somewhere calm to dine, or… Read more »
-
-
Review from Shannon O.
Austin, TX
Updated - 11/6/2010
So... I was contacted by Cipollina last week asking me to try their place again. The person who contacted me mentioned many of the issues I had in my last review had been addressed and they would me to check them out.
I had some time during the last week and the husband and I went over to do just that.
Food: 2 stars for the sandwiches, Service: 4 to 5 stars. Verdict: 3 stars but I still think the food needs work.
There are many things to like about Cipollina but there always seems to be drawbacks as well. So, I'll just run down what I did and did not like about the place and you can take it as you may.
Service: Top Notch. The problems with the slacker staff have obviously been addressed. Our waiter was exceptional. I cannot say enough good things about him. Professional, but not in your face. He kept up with the table, but wasn't hovering. Service was the best I've ever had at Cipollina.
The Fries: Yum! They have played around with their fries again but they have succeeded in making them better. Every fry was perfectly crispy and executed well. They added an aioli with them, but imho, it was a mayo/garlic sauce with a fancy title.
The garnish on the plate: They garnish the plate with some house pickled vegetables. With a little thought, the pickled green beans could be an element to a dish in their own right. These things rock. They are amazing. I would love to see them paired with another item to highlight them.
Sandwiches. We had the steak and also the lamb sandwich. I hate to say it, but the lamb sandwich was better before they tinkered with it. Worse, the meat in both sandwiches was too chewy (overcooked is my guess though they may have cut it with the grain as well) and the bread was at least day old heading to stale. They toasted it to mask that, but it was tough and I know what not so fresh bread tastes like. In addition, when it is so tough it literally cuts the back of your mouth when you try to take a bite, it makes an impression.
The prices were a bit high for mediocre sandwiches. It would even be pricy for exceptional sandwiches and these were not.
I suspect their business is lagging and I commend them for reaching out to try to improve opinions. Keep the staff, fries, and garnish. Work on the food. If you are curious why I think business is lagging.... I was there at noon and stayed for about 30-40 minutes. The husband and I had the entire place to ourselves. *crickets*
People vote with their wallets and stomachs and Cippolina is working on it, but my guess is they need to work faster.2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
-
6/14/2010
I really want to like Cipollina. We usually wind up here every couple months because its on the way… Read more »
-
-
Review from Matt N.
Austin, TX
11/12/2010
I'm not normally one of those Austinites who talks about how everything in the city has gone to the crapper since 19-whatever-year-you-moved-here. The Dillo has been closed for 30 years, man! Get over it! ...sorry, I digress...Cipollina is probably the one instance where I fall into this category.
My friends and I used to go to Cipollina about two Friday nights per month. There was food. There was wine. There was a live band (most often the Cuban band Cienfuegos). There was dancing. There was much merriment. We all loved the neighborhood feel, the lively atmosphere, the all-around good time. But times, they are a-changin'.
Most of the food at Cipollina still garners relatively good ratings (I do miss the pizza with the crumbly sausage, though), but since they stopped having live music the atmosphere is gone. You can generally hear a pin drop as you clank your fork and knife over your pizza or salad or fries (delicious, delicious fries, btw).
We now only go there when we can't think of any place else to go or someone says, "Hey, remember when we used to go to Cipollina? That was fun. Let's try it again." But then we get in the front door and the fun is only in our memories. At a place like Cipollina, atmosphere counts just about as much as the food. Because of the imbalance, Cipollina is good, not great. -
Review from Justin H.
West Lake Hills, TX
3/31/2011
This is definitely a case where atmosphere and the company you are with make up for the food.
I had dinner with friends here yesterday night. While we all had a pleasant experience and a great time, it left a lot to be desired.
I will give it points for atmosphere, it was definitely a place that felt like I wanted to hang out with my friends and have a glass (or two, or a few) of wine.
The dinner menu is organized by Soups&Salads, Small Plates, Large Plates and Pizza. We did not try any large plates as another friend had told me previously that their pizzas were good. I started with the Romaine salad. Would I call it a caesar? No. It is exactly what it sounds like, but I did enjoy it. The anchovies served on top were not overly fishy or salty, a very mild flavor that I don't find too often on a caesar and one I enjoyed. One friend had the Mixed Green salad that she enjoyed, particularly the goat cheese, and the other had the special soup of the day, which was essentially a cucumber gazpacho. He said that after it while it grew on him. Take that how you may.
We then also shared two pizzas, the Margherita and the Prosciutto. And this is where things went downhill. They weren't bad, in fact we ate all of it. But they weren't good either. The crust was super thin to the point of being cracker like, and the ingredients were just not bountiful enough to appreciate all the true flavors that were possible.
I have given desserts up for Lent (woe is me), but I was tempted to cheat and try their crème brulee, I restrained myself though! My friend however tried the Chocolate Mousse, which she thoroughly enjoyed and thought the ginger snaps with the cream on top were the perfect accompaniment.
Service at Cipollinas is definitely up to parent restaurant Jeffrey's standards. Knowledgeable and attentive staff, yet not overbearing or annoying he was there when I needed him, and predicted my wants and needs when necessary.
Was I impressed overall? No. Did I enjoy it though? Yes. Would I give it another chance? Of course, I always do. Its only fair to give the Large Plates a try, and when Lent is over, the desserts.
Also, my friends and I all had the prosecco, they're only 187ml so you get a personal bottle. Not only is it a good prosecco, but those bottles are just so adorable too. -
Review from Solomon W.
Austin, TX
Updated - 9/15/2010
I gave this place another try because I really wanted to enjoy it. I appreciate the use of local ingredients in European style preparations, especially when the food is served in a casual atmosphere. Sadly, it did not come up to my standards the second time around.
The risotto had nice strips of non-kosher prosciutto, but the kale was boring, the sauce was a tad salty, and there were raw slices of garlic in it. Also, it was a lot like rice soup; there was no creamy consistency to it whatsoever.
The beef tartare was alright. It was tender, cut nicely, and fresh. It just lacked any sort of flavor. The egg was a nice touch, but I do not think I would return for this dish.
Actually, I probably would not come back. I like this restaurant as an Austin establishment, but it just does not come up to par in preparation and flavor, sadly. Fair pricing and good portions, but still... not a recommendation.1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
11/8/2009
Eh... I went in expecting a nice bistro, but it was a lot less refined than I thought. It's sort of… Read more »
-
-
Review from Stacey T.
1/30/2011
A quaint and classy restaurant in Clarksville. Atmosphere is laid back but service is upscale. Good vibe, intimate, and a great place to catch up with close friends over wine and candle light.
The food was pretty decent. Not the best mussels of all time--the broth just didn't really season them like it should. My bf got the broccoli soup--it looked like more of a puree and was piping hot. He had to wait a while to eat it but he did finish it all.
Our server was nice and professional. She was trying pretty hard to show us her knowledge of the menu and I appreciate that. She told us of all their specials and helped me pick an entree. The antelope was phenomenal--juicy and gamey just like lamb. They were out of the Wagyu beef.
Three of us had the special romaine salad. It really wasn't that special but it was good. Simple romaine, parmesan, croutons, and two anchovies. It could have been easily called "Ceasar" but wasn't. Nonetheless, a good way to start the meal.
We even saved room for dessert. They were out of the creme brulee so we had the goat cheesecake. Delicious. It's soft, light, and has more bite than regular cheesecake. Plus it was served with butterscotch topping. Delectable.
The other at the table seemed pleased too. They had a special dumpling pasta with beef cheek and a goose cassolet. Champagne and wine also made it special.
We closed the joint down and I'd be happy to do it again! Great place for an intimate gather among friends. Good for conversation. -
Review from Mackenzie A.
Austin, TX
10/19/2010
Went to cippolina for a late dinner this evening and everything was fantastic. It was my first time dining here, i'd been curious to try it for a while, and just decided to drop in tonight.
Really, i dont see how it could have been much better. We started with a salad and mussles. The mussels are a must-get, in a delicate preserved lime buttery broth with chunks of raw garlic (which i LOVE).
Next we shared the rissotto and the pizza with prosciutto and white truffle oil. The risotto arrived nicely presented with the perfect amount of arugula on top and plenty of lobster mushrooms. Im not one to usually order rissotto, but our waiter said it was one of his favorites, so i decided to give it a try. Have to say, it is the best risotto dish i have ever had.
Now for the pizza. I really love thin, not-oily, delicate and light pizza, (home slice's margherita pizza is my favorite in town to give you an idea) and this pizza was just perfect in my book. The truffle oil let off and amazing aroma, the prosciutto was a perfect texture, and there was just enough cheese.
I love that they use all locally sourced ingredients, everything tasted uber-fresh and just made, expecially the bread they serve, which my guest said was so good she wanted to go home and lay on it. (apparently they sell bags of the bread for $2- sweet!)
Service was on point and the the space was great. Very much like an authentic French Bistro, the ambiance was lovely.
I highly reccomend. dont be afraid to ask questions- they do have an ecclectic menu. but if you are a foodie like me, cippolina will not let you down. -
Review from Zebedee R.
Portland, OR
4/21/2011
This place was recommended to me by a coworker for its pizza. Being from Chicago, I consider myself a bit of a pizza snob so I had to try it out to set him straight. When we got there my girlfriend and I realized that this is more of an upscale eatery than a pizza joint, but we were up for the challenge. Walking in, the place was pretty busy for a Tuesday night at 8:30. I immediately liked the hip, minimalist decor and low lighting. We were wearing jeans and tee shirts but were greeted with smiles and shown to one of the few open tables. Our waiter came right over with waters and we had our wine in no time. I like that they have a big wine menu and you can buy carafes because a glass is never enough but a bottle can be a bit of a commitment.
We decided to order a bit of everything to share and it was the right choice. The tomato parmesan soup has inspired me to never again eat tomato soup without a poached egg in it! The red leaf salad was tasty and fresh, not to mention heavy on the pistachios and goat cheese. My lady and I are mussel lovers and they didn't disappoint, great white wine broth for slurping, although the bread it came with was a bit soggy. The grouper with spinach and potatoes was buttery goodness, it's my girlfriend's new favorite fish. The kale pizza was crispy and delicious, I've been a fan of kale for a long time and I'm happy to see it popping up more often on menus. Along with kale, the pizza had whole garlic cloves and chunks of ricotta over a nice pesto base. We took half of the pizza home (which I ate as soon as we got home) so that we could try the goat cheesecake (goat cheese cheesecake??? redundant?). Spectacular! fluffy and creamy, with heavenly goatiness at the end.
All in all we thoroughly enjoyed our dinner here, great service, great food, great atmosphere. It's a bit on the pricey side if you think you're going to a pizza joint, but for hip upscale "date spot" its actually pretty fair. (We dropped under a hundred before tip for an absolute feast!) We'll be back. -
Review from Julie Z.
Austin, TX
9/30/2010
Cippolina is one of my go-to restaurants, not only because it has a beautiful, quiet, inviting atmosphere, but the food is pretty darn good too!
My date and I went to Cippolina last week for Austin Restaurant Week (although we went there before...our first date actually...awwww), and had a great time. I ordered off of the Pre Fixe menu and he just ordered off of the regular dinner menu.
I started with a Tomato Soup, which was delightfully creamy and warm. He had a salad (I think just the House salad) which looked good but had a bit too much dressing for my taste. My advice would be to order the dressing on the side (if you can) and add as much as you want. Otherwise, it might be overpowering or just downright soggy. Anyways, the soup was fantastic...I think I could have made a whole meal out of that.
For the main course, my date ordered a Bacon Pizza and I got the Duck Tortellini (not the official name of the dish, but you get the picture). To be honest, I was a bit disappointed by my selection. The tortellini plate only came with 5 pieces and was sitting in a boring broth. The flavor was tender and juicy, but there was just so LITTLE of it. I ended up sneaking a piece of pizza from my boyfriend, since I was still a little hungry. The pizza was DELICIOUS. Definitely give it a try. Really, I am a huge fan of anything with bacon on it, but this was actually pretty good.
For dessert, we split the Chocolate Pot-De-Creme, which was extremely rich. I enjoyed it, very creamy, whipped texture and delicious chocolate flavor. Great for chocoholics, not so good for people that like milder dessert flavors. (It was pretty strong).
Overall, I would say it was a great experience. The server was extremely attentive, bringing us everything we needed, and there was no wait at all. I would definitely go back.
The only reason I rated this restaurant 4/5 stars, instead of 5/5 is because of the tortellini dish. For a main course, it just lacked. Otherwise, fantastic time! -
Review from Kerstin S.
Austin, TX
10/10/2011
Easily a four star restaurant but they HAVE GOT TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE NOISE!!! My family and I used to love to go here -- its fun and delicious and so European neighborhoody chic. But when the restaurant is full you literally cannot hear the people sitting right next to you. The wine selection is good, the salads are awesome (though too small for the price) and pizza is fantastic. PLEASE PUT IN SOME SOUND BAFFLING PANELS so we can enjoy our conversation over a great meal.
-
Review from Meredith C.
Austin, TX
11/30/2010
I got invited to a birthday dinner for a new friend, and couldn't pass up the opportunity to check out Cipollina. As you can imagine, it was a decent sized group, so they sat us at the big table. After everybody got to the restaurant, we decided to order a couple of bottles of wine, several pizzas and a couple of salads.
The waitress was very knowledgeable about the wine and suggested the amount of pizza to get for the group. I had checked out the menu before I got there, and all I cared about was getting a slice (or three) of the Prosciutto pizza (yes, I had to look up how to spell prosciutto).
OH MY GOD! The Prosciutto pizza was AMAZING! It melted in my mouth with each bite! And as a former contestant in the Home Slice Pizza eating competition, I feel like I've learned a lot about pizza, and this one was spectacular!
I only gave it four stars since I didn't really venture out, but I will definitely swing by Cipollina again in the near future.
