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Justine's
Category: Restaurants French French [Edit]
4710 E 5th StAustin, TX 78702
Neighborhood: East Austin
(512) 385-2900
- Hours:
Mon, Wed-Sun 6 pm - 2 am
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Romantic
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
384 reviews for Justine's
Review Highlights
"For dessert we shared the chocolate pear tart."
(in 18 reviews)
"Remember my story about my favorite creme brulee."
(in 44 reviews)
"Followed by some delectable escargot wow."
(in 93 reviews)
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383 reviews in English
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Review from Jack M.
Austin, TX
2/5/2012 1 Check-in Here
I've been trying to go here for months, but the wait is always two or three hours, and no reservations meant that I kept missing out. Finally decided to skip the Super Bowl and hit this place on what was sure to be a slow night.
I forgot that hipsters don't watch football. Still had to wait 45 minutes.
There's a lot to like here and a lot I don't like.
The atmosphere is excellent and the restaurant has a very interesting vibe. ...which happens to contrast completely with the neighborhood around it. I'm not sure there are sketchier parts of Austin. I'd rather not have to worry about where I parked my car -- which is probably why there are always bunches of Car2Go cars out front.
The food was very, very good. The four of us mixed and matched everything and had appetizers and sides and everything but dessert. There was nothing that we didn't enjoy. ...but by the same token, we all agreed that there wasn't anything truly exceptional. If someone asked to go back this week, we'd probably pass, and I don't think there's anything worth waiting an hour to get.
The service was very European. Quaint. ...but sometimes inattentive. And in a restaurant this nice, expecting us to box our own food at the table is a little unexpected.
It's obviously very popular ... but that also means getting in is difficult.
In the end, I debated between three and four stars. Three seemed like too little. I really did like the place and enjoyed my meal. I don't regret the money we dropped and over time I'll look back over this restaurant with fondness. But four stars almost seems like too much. Some of my favorite places "only" get four stars from me, and there are some glaring faults with the restaurant that I'm not sure can or will be fixed anytime in the near future. In the end, the things that really matter were done really well, so four stars it is. -
Review from Leslie H.
1/27/2012
Arrived early in anticipation of crowds spilling in, only to be told that they would open 20 min. later than usual bc there was a medical emergency w a staff member. I was a bit dismayed at that, but at least the bartender acknowledged and later apologized for the additional wait time.
With that said, this was a Thursday, we were able to have a few cocktails at the bar and be seated with out having to shove our way through or wait too long. It definitely got more crowded the later it got in the evening.
4-5 stars for ambiance, 5 stars for service, 5 stars for a reasonably priced and tasty libations. The $60 Languedoc wine, I believe it was Clos de Mal or something, probably butchering it, but it was luscious if you can split the cost among friends or if you're simply a baller. They also had a delicious pear cognac called belle de brillette which I would highly recommend sipping on after dinner. It smelled like a ripe, fresh pear and was oh so delicate and good!!!!
Appetizers get 5 stars. Lovely, ample cheese plate and the escargot were moist and perfectly buttered and garlicified..lol.
As for the main entrees--3.5 stars. As other yelpers mentioned, the cooks have a heavy hand with the salt. I ordered the cassoulet which I was really looking forward to trying and comparing it with some others I've had. However, it tasted like it was cooked in heavy lard or something and the beans and meat were over the top salty. My friend who tried it also said it was salty. She had the steak frites which was just okay in her book. Another friend had the scallops which she loved.
All in all, great, romantic, cozy, French-cafe inspired vibe, good drinks and appetizers oh and the dessert too. Maybe just fill up on that stuff and skip din-din. -
Review from May N.
1/19/2012
After the multiple lauds in the Austin Chronicle's Best of 2011, I was determined to try this place out. My partner and I arrived at 6:15 on a Saturday night. There was plenty of street parking available. Good sign? We ran into a couple leaving on our way in. Bad sign? Yes. After we walked in, the hostess took our names and warned us it would be a 45 minute wait due to the kitchen. We hung out on the outdoor patio on a bench next to a heater and enjoyed the Bob Dylan playing through their speakers.
We got to our tiny table on the patio and were promptly brought a carafe of water and a couple of small glasses. They took our orders pretty quickly and we didn't have to wait too long for food. There are a few vegan/vegetarian options available - mostly limited to appetizers, sides, and the ratatouille. I enjoyed my French-style mussels in a creamy, oniony soup served with fries. Partner had the endive-walnut-blue cheese salad with a side of ratatouille.
It was a nice, cozy dinner. I can see why it tied for "Best First Date" and won "Best Intimate Dining." The tables for 2 are tiny! It's way out in east downtown Austin, but the street parking wasn't too bad early in the evening. Prices seemed fair for the quality. Would I go back? Probably would save for a special occasion. -
Review from Greg R.
Austin, TX
2/6/2012
Like this place for a number of reasons and have been 3-4 times...
Good atmosphere (yay vinyl records), great cocktails and wine selection and always something I like on the menu. Never had memorable issues with service. Surprisingly good value for a chic east side bistro.
You will wait for a table even on off nights...I would never go on a Saturday. No ding there, just the way it is.
The only thing keeping them from 5 stars is that on one or two occasions I have found the host/hostess to be a bit callous about acknowledging our arrival and letting us know when we are likely to be seated without the excuse of an overwhelming crowd in their face. I don't expect to have to be proactive about being welcomed when I go to a restaurant. Still, not always and all things considered not remotely a deal killer...just an opportunity for improvement. -
Review from Joe H.
Cedar Park, TX
1/1/2012
Justine's is formerly our favorite place in Austin. Charming atmosphere, friendly staff, incredible food.
Justine's destroyed their reputation with us and our entire group tonight with what can only be described as a cash grab. I literally feel robbed.
When you pay $130 for tickets to a New Years Eve event, you expect that you'll at least be able to move around a little, have a free drink at midnight, maybe some complimentary appetizers. There was none of that this evening. They kept cramming people into the venue until you could not stand anywhere without a crush of bodies weighing against you. This surely violated fire code. They never stopped letting people in.
To our dismay, NOTHING was complimentary. $5 per ticket for food tickets which got you meager samplings. Although tasty and well prepared, our group was starving and dry after a couple hours and at that point we had given Justine's $270.
At 11:30 we started making our way to the champagne tent. By 12:00 we had only made it about 20 feet because there were SO MANY PEOPLE. No champagne at midnight for us. Crumbs of food. Crushes of people. Depressing.
What should have been a fun evening with friends turned into a lesson about greed. Justine's robbed our group tonight. They demonstrated that they don't like us and don't care. If anyone from Justine's skims this I thoroughly expect to be laughed at.
Fine.
We'll oblige.
We'll never set foot there again. -
Review from Rik W.
Austin, TX
2/6/2012
Beautiful space, very cool vibe, very mediocre food, which is quite disappointing from former chef at Chez Nous. I don't know where Joe H. has eaten, but the food here is several notches below incredible.
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Review from Steve M.
McKinney, TX
1/23/2012
Ate there with a large group on a week night! Worst service I have ever experienced! Refused to cook my steak "medium rare+". Refused to seperate check for me, and then the waitress begins to argue with me, because I dared to complain. When I went to talk with "Pierre" the owner, he could not have cared less about the poor experience I had. To put the finishing touch on the evening, the waitress sees me talking with Pierre and comes over and starts arguing with me, because I was complaining. Unbelievable!
Food Average, Seats uncomfortable, Lighting poor, and Terrible Service! -
Review from Shalini R.
Austin, TX
12/30/2011
The website for Justine's has grainy footage of girls cavorting in a bathtub. It's fun, sexy, and cool -- exactly like the brasserie itself. Recreating the look and feel of some faraway place could have gone terribly wrong.
Justine's gets it right. The blackboards with wine and cocktail specials, dark red walls, marble-topped tables, stamped tin ceiling tiles: it's charming instead of contrived. I even liked the faux wine-stained menu.
Francophiles rave about the taste and authenticity of the food. Great charcuterie, French Onion soup, steak frites. French food isn't very veggie-friendly, so Justine's might not be at the top of a vegetarian's list. If vegetarians do come here for the ambiance or to please meat-loving friends, Justine's offers salads, grilled vegetables and a cheese plate as veggie appetizers, and (when I went) ratatouille as a main.
Food is delicious, ambiance outstanding. Waits can be very long, but they take reservations for tables of 10 or more -- you have 10 friends, don't you?
Full review of the vegetarian experience at Justine's on my blog:
http://un-granola.com/... -
Review from Joe F.
Austin, TX
1/24/2012
I have eaten here several times. What a great place! There might be a wait, but if you have a party of 6 or more they take reservations. If it's not too hot, sit outside and enjoy the lights and great jazz being played over the speakers. The fish and steak tartar are great.
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Review from Caroline M.
Austin, TX
12/19/2011
I'm one of the natives who has heard about this place for 2 years and never gone, until last night. I'm glad we did.
First impression was a solid B- when we arrived at 6:30 PM. on a Sunday night. The inside was packed to point of people over flowing to the seated area. The hostess didn't instruct us in any way to feel free to wait outside and someone would take a bar order or any type of alternative other than standing uncomfortably close to other people trying to eat dinner at tables. The bartenders were too busy to make eye contact or acknowledge anyone other than the folks seated at the bar. Fortunately a projected 30 - 45 min wait only lasted about 15 minutes.
We ordered the escargot which was excellent. It was perfectly cooked, not chewy, not too salty. We even sopped up the remaining butter with the french bread that was served with it.
We each had the butter lettuce salad which was perfectly dressed and light.
I had the pork chop that was cooked exactly the way I like it, just past pink but not over done. The scalloped potatoes served with it were cooler than room temp, but they were still good.
My bf had the steak frites with the blue cheese sauce and he ate the entire thing. The steak was medium rare, as requested.
We had the apple tart for dessert and we also shared a bottle of Cote de Rhone throughout the meal. They also got high points for having Kronenburg on tap with a cold glass.
The atmosphere was lovely (except for the older woman who arrived wearing waaaay too much sappy sweet perfume) and we fully intend to return. Our waiter was very kind and attentive. We really enjoyed Justine's. -
Review from ryan g.
Austin, TX
1/10/2012
I've been here twice and had 2 different experiences. One fair and one bad, and I really want to like this restaurant. The first time we had great service, the food was good, just way over salted. I had the steak-frites and the rib-eye was cooked to a perfect medium rare, the fries were crispy and hot, and everything was covered in so much salt it was hardly edible. My wife, on the other hand, who had ordered the same thing, had a great plate of food. We ordered ratatouille for our daughter (who was about 12 months at the time) and it was very good. It was made with squash instead of the traditional eggplant and it was seasoned to perfection. I had a hard time not eating it all myself.
The second time we went was a total bust. We were promptly sat by some dude in a one piece jumpsuit about 2 sizes too small for him (as it went deeply in his ass, the whole thing screamed of a young man's early attempt at irony). He was a bit arrogant acting, but we just moved from NYC and are used to this sort. We were sat and waited for service for about 15 minutes when I decided to go the bar and buy our drinks since no waiter had come by the table. My eventually wife went over to ask what the problem was. He held up his finger and took a cell phone call. Awesome service. Then several minutes later he came over to our table and said that the waitress in our section's car had broken down and that she would be to work in about 15 minutes because she was getting a ride. But, he said it in a way like we had fucked up by getting sat in the section with no waitress by him. We were baffled and pissed because we were going to see a movie after and were now running late. He did not offer to move us, nor any words of apology or consolation. We finished our beers and left.
If the food (with the exception for my steak) was not so great the first time and the restaurant was not so well conceived (it did remind me of a Parisian cafe), I would not be back because of the greeter. We are going back this Friday for one last try and I sincerely hope they have sorted out their issues, because as I said before, I REALLY want to like this place. I will update with and my review after. -
Review from Kristopher M.
Las Vegas, NV
12/26/2011
The one hour wait on a Friday night was worth every moment! The bartender mixed up a great Sazerac not to mention the incredible music selection.
The staff was very attentive, friendly and knowledgable. We had the recommended lamb special and it was very well prepared; the lamb, sauce and vegetables came together well and never did one component overpower another.
I'm definitely going back, hoping to try the whole menu in short time. -
Review from edward e.
Austin, TX
12/5/2011
Plenty of good reviews on this page so I'll offer a short one.
This is one of my favorite places in Austin. Good combination of great food, interesting menu and casual atmosphere. And versatile: you can go here for a date, hanging with friends or for family. -
Review from Susana L.
12/7/2011
So this place is famous in Austin? I would loooooooove to come to Justines on a Wednesday night at 12 am. Sometimes you want a decent meal, but at such a late hour you have limited options for proper food. In this case, Justine's would be a godsend.
But I wouldn't make a big night out of coming here on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday evening. My date didn't like his aperitif mixed at the bar because it was too sweet, but they had red Lillet. We had overly buttery escargot and duck confit. It's duck confit. It's pretty standard and meh. Yawn. We were more impressed with the white beans though. The menu offers are just plain boring masquerading as comfort food.
I was so bored with my food that I was glancing around the restaurant for some grasp of inspiration. Four different types of bentwood cafe chairs around cloudy marble top tables. Charmingly mismatched knickknacks. Kitschy art and etched mirrors. Water served out of wine bottles. The usual stuff.
Over all, the meal was pleasant. But it was kind of like that girl for whom you settled. Your mind will wander. -
Review from Meredith D.
Somerville, MA
11/1/2011
Holy crap, I just read Michelle C's review. It genuinely couldn't get any worse (unless fire somehow got involved). Let's hope not.
I haven't had a single bad experience and I have been here way too many times (consuming that much rich food that often canNOT be healthy - for both my body and my wallet.) To be fair, I hate lines, waiting, etc., so I think my approach to Justine's has helped.
First, I get there right as it opens. Literally. As I said, I hate lines, so I time my arrival to be when they are opening the gate and letting in the line of people waiting outside (there is ALWAYS a line). I walk in behind the line, and get seated fairly quickly. I come in knowing what I want, or decide quickly, so my order is one of the first to reach the cooks.
From there, I relax, eat, and drink my fill.
I've always only had great service and incredible food here. I love the servers - they dress as they would normally: Austin casual cool (but the slightly fancier version of it.) Always appropriate in this city. And they have always been friendly.
The food is amazing. Everything melts into buttery goodness in your mouth. Every dish I've had has been cooked and seasoned perfectly. I always recommend Justine's when people visit from out of town - Justine's has never failed to impress!
Plus, it's such a great date spot. The color and design is perfect. Very romantic. Too romantic - Nathan and I come here so often for the food and atmosphere, we can definitely place a good amount of the blame for our love handles on this place. :PListed in: Austin Eatings.
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Review from Cyrus T.
11/9/2011 4 Check-ins Here
Does Yelp delete reviews? I swear I have reviewed Justine's before. Bottom line is this is a great spot for classy food/drinks that is near downtown but totally away from everything else (far east 5th Street). They have a huge yard with seating and plenty of room to stand around and drink. They have a several tables inside with great drinks at the bar and probably one of the hottest bunch of servers/bartenders around. They serve food late weekly (make sure to call/check to make sure they're not doing a special event). Justine also throws awesome parties throughout the year....great place.
Food can range from good to great, but it almost doesn't matter. Justine's rules. -
Review from Tranquil O.
Austin, TX
1/4/2012
Great drinks, great music, great atmosphere. This place makes me happy.
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Review from Lindsay J.
Austin, TX
10/24/2011
I'm not supposed to like Justine's. I'm supposed to call it overrated, I'm supposed to call it 'meh'. I'm supposed to be turned off by how pretentious it's supposed to be and I'm supposed to be disappointed in the biggest way. Somehow, I'm not any of these things. In fact, Justine's surprised and delighted me in every way possible. From the dishes that I savored every bite of right down to the sultry decor, Justine's simply charmed me.
Server: Helpful, honest, easy-going, and playful.
Eats: Simple perfection. No surprises, but satisfying and elegant. Escargots, steak frites, porkchop, and haricots verts were all exactly what I wanted and a bit more.
Surroundings: Sexy haunted mansion in Paris, 1936. Flickering, Bates Hotel-like neon sign out front. Hearing a pop or scratch from the vinyl on the turntable was comforting and sweet to my ears. Everything from the Rolling Stones to Bill Withers. Cacophonous, once the place started to fill up, but I was in a romantic bubble for two at that point.
I was there on a Sunday night around 6:30 PM, and there was no wait for a table at all, either for inside or outside. No idea if this is the norm, but it was the case for us.
It will of course take a second outing to Justine's to determine whether or not we were in a perfect storm the night we dined there, but I will be back, no question about that. -
Review from Scott W.
Austin, TX
10/21/2011
Love the atmosphere, food, cocktails, service and pricing. However, about done with this place due to repeated d***headed treatment by the host.
When my wife travels and arrives home late on a weeknight, I pick her up at the airport and we hit Justine's for a late-night snack (drinks and a couple light plates). Has always been just what the doctor ordered.
This time, we arrived at the door at the same time as the host, who shoved his way in front of my wife and let the door close on her. After re-opening the door, we told him we'd like a table for apps and drinks. "Yeah, we don't really do that," he says, glancing around the almost-empty room (11P on a Wednesday). Right, we'd just like a table for drinks/apps exactly like we have the last six times we've been here late on a weeknight; it's really no skin off your nose, buddy. He finally consented to LET us have a table - why thank you.
Food, drinks and service were just right, as usual; but we started thinking: We had a similar treatment from this clown the last time we visited, too; why do we keep coming back?
I guess Justine's thinks of this "you're probably not cool enough to be in our restaurant" schtick as part of their 'theatre', but it's just a pain when we'd just like to stop in on a quiet night, eat/drink a bit and leave them with some of our money.
Some time ago, we stopped bringing friends here because the host's treatment has become so embarrassing. I think we're gonna bypass Justine's going forward and head over to East Side Showroom, for similar food/experience without the pretension. -
Review from Penny L.
Austin, TX
2/4/2012
I went there on a Wednesday night in November for the first time. We were told that it would be a little bit of a wait, but that we could order drinks at the bar. I had a St. Jardin- holy hell, it was delicious. The Sidecar was delicious as well, and our bartenders were very friendly. It hardly felt like a wait, since we struck up a conversation with a French couple next to us. They told us how much they loved Justine's and how it was their favorite French place in Austin. Very good sign. When we were seated, I ordered a pork chop and some delicious soup. The pork chop was one of the best I've had, and the house wine was very good. Our waitress was lovely and so sweet. It was my birthday so she bought me creme brulee, my great dessert weakness, and Justine's did not disappoint. We weren't hurried out (their kitchen is open so late!) and I left contented, albeit a little tipsy! AND their website is just gorgeous.
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Review from Stephen H.
Overland Park, KS
10/23/2011
I have to admit that I did not expect my favorite restaurant in Austin to be quite off the beaten path of Downtown or South Congress. Justine's is a magical little yard of goodness. No reservations are accepted for parties fewer than 6, so like 20 other souls who arrived at 5:45 for the 6:00pm open, we waited anxiously.
What greeted us was a charming pebbled exterior, full of the tables and chairs you might find at outdoor cafes in France. I could see for the "inside" tables, there was a warm and resonant glow, with tasteful and interesting decoration.
The weather was too nice to sit indoors, and so we dined al fresco. The food really was excellent and delicious, though our waitress wasn't attentive. But here's the thing. When you see the level of thoughtfulness put into design, décor, lighting, and the amazing blues and early jazz music we were serenaded with, when you see the huge line of people who were silly enough to come at 6:30 and "hope," and when you taste the food, you realize: this is the best restaurant in Austin.
I'm happy to be proven wrong - and as a non-resident I've only been to about 30 restaurants, and some I have failed to visit are among the city's finest - and they may yet take "the title." But for now, those in doubt should flock to Justine's. Guessing from the crowd, though, the word is already out.
PS The next time, when I come again, and I get the service that the food deserves, I'll give it that 5th star.Listed in: Austin Top 55
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Review from Hilary A.
Austin, TX
11/22/2011
Outdoor chandeliers create ambiance as vinyl records play all night long. The house white wine is awesome. I recommend the escargot and the Creme Brulee'.
Get there early to insure seating. -
Review from Mark G.
9/24/2011
We brought our appetites. We brought a happy attitude to celebrate my birthday. Who knew we should have brought a pilot to help our waitress steer her ship, the SS Hipsterling, out of the fast tide and into the bay of an enjoyable evening?
She was hardly unpleasant, but intent on the sort of pacing you expect at a cheap chinese restaurant... approaching us too quickly and impatiently to get the orders rolling. I couldn't help but feel cowed into ordering before we were ready. The food was fantastic but the pacing didn't help the vibe. It's not as if we were idly chit-chatting amidst a deep wait, either. We were just taking enough time to thoughtfully select appetizers and entrees for two to match the wine we selected.
Many respect points when the wine arrived, though. Although I ordered it, the waitress poured a taste for my better half rather than me. Whether taking cues that she was picking up the check for my birthday meal or just wanting to upend the obnoxious ritual of pouring a taste for the man only, it was the one time the waitress' style brought a smile to my face.
French onion soup was as rich, bold and delicious as I could ask for. The endive salad gave fantastic presentation but was too spare and deconstructed for it's own good, with an almost-nothing vinaigrette adding, well, almost nothing to the naked greens.
And then the entrees arrive. The ribeye did not fall short of the rave yelp reviews - this is as good a steak as either of us can remember eating - no exaggeration!
My dish was an off-menu special even the hipsterling waitress couldn't begin to pronounce. I had no problem ordering it from the description alone: Lamb and eggplant curry wrapped up inside brik pastry, and served over saffron rice. It was also fabulous.
Five stars for the food but a point off for service... -
Review from Noel K.
Abilene, TX
9/22/2011
I have mixed feelings about this place so I'm looking forward to my second visit.
First of all, the atmosphere, drinks and food were great. I ordered the duck. It was alright... I've never had it before, so if it's supposed to be sort of dryish/stringy with a really savory flavor, then it was great. The white beans and wilted spinach that it came with were my favorite part, though. I could eat a huge bowl of just those beans. My friend got the mussels, I liked his better. Perfectly cooked and they came with french fries and yummy dipping sauce.
The enfant terrible cocktail was soooo yummy. St. Germaine is my favorite liqueur. I could drink those til I died.
So here is the thing that sort of almost spoiled our visit. We sat outside, and despite pretty much the whole yard being empty, we were seated RIGHT NEXT TO this couple on a date that were talking really loud. So the whole time we were having a rough time even talking to each other because we were forced to listen to these two yuppies talk about the dumbest shit how like "getting your hair done is like flying, it's terrifying but it's just one of those things you have frequently do". i mean they went on and on about getting their hair done. Unironically referring to it as "hairapy"
KEEP THE YUPPIES OUT OF THE EAST SIDE! -
Review from J B.
Austin, TX
11/6/2011
My bf and I went here last night around midnight. First time there. We loved it. I had the snapper with green beans, anf I ate every last bite. It was amazing. He had the porkchop and he said it was good also. The service was quick, and friendly, and it was very romantic there.
I am not giving it 5 stars for 2 reasons: it was a little too pricey, and the ACDC blaring from the sound system was annoying.
Other than those things I love love loved it. I feel like I just found a secret. -
Review from Desiree M.
Austin, TX
8/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
We will use any excuse to blow all our money at this place. The house wine is perfectly adequate, but fuck it, you're at a really nice restaurant, go for the pinot noir. The bf and I try to order something new every time because their entire menu is delicious from what I can tell. We always have the escargots--my only complaint is that I wish they were in the shell, which is also what he said in his review, so clearly we're made for each other. Isn't that sweet?
Justine's has this gritty industrial elegance, and it's all dark and sexy inside. In fact, it's so dark and sexy inside that I think each waitress, upon learning she was hired, immediately ran home and watched Henry & June to figure out how to dress for work. As the bf put it after we shared several bottles of wine, "Did you notice how all the nipples have waitresses?" Yes. I did.
While this place IS expensive, I would like to argue that the food is so good it belongs in the ranks of restaurants that are even more expensive. Please don't tell them I said that, but it really is affordable considering the wonderful food. -
Review from rachel o.
San Francisco, CA
10/25/2011
Justine's...how do I begin?!
I was there, last night, and was SO impressed with how accommodating our server was. We went in, as soon as doors opened, and placed an order for drinks and escargot. We were not surprised that everything came out pretty quickly...again, we were early. Shortly after, we placed our entree order, and then......
Our friend text and was "on the way"! OH NO, we already placed our order!! I ran inside to catch the server before the food was fired. Not only did they hold our order, they waited until our friend was minutes away, so the food came out perfectly! Also, they switched the tables around, so that we had room for another...without us even asking! On top of that, we got a beautiful dessert sent out!
We sat outside, because it was beautiful, but the inside is, truly, so cute and quaint. The ambiance of Justine's., inside and out, is so special.
The only reason I did not give 5 stars is because it is a little far out, and it is not easy to get a cab, so you can't really drink unless you have a designated driver...which is not Justine's fault. -
Review from Seb c.
Dripping Springs, TX
Updated - 8/17/2011
I went back to Justines and was pretty disappointed. I never got to eat because of the ridiculous reservation system they had. I called the day before and was told since we were a party of two we should show up early to get a table. We showed up a 10mins after 6pm and were told it would be a 45min wait. What I was baffled with was after a 30min wait there was at least 5 tables of two still open since we walked in. At that point I inquired as to why we could not sit there, I was told they were taken.( no reservation hemmmm) Off to Chez Nous we went with no ponsy staff.
Sorry, but the food is here is good for brasserie food but it 'aint no French laundry oh and by the way your location is on the East side and its not a convenient drive. I glad they are busy but I'm not going back unless Its with a party of 6 and I'm not paying.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/11/2010
Great place to go, we had a table of 8 so we were able to get reservations at 7pm with a party of 6… Read more »
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Review from Rachel g.
11/15/2011 4 Check-ins Here
i am addicted to the summer salad and although i am very happy summer has ended, i hope the summer salad just gets a new name and stays on the menu year round.
after hearing about justine's for years, we finally stopped in late one night because it was one of the few spots that still had the kitchen running at midnight. on our first visit, we sat outside toward the end of august and somehow they had managed to pull a breeze into the courtyard. i don't know if it was just the fans they had going, but whatever it was, it worked, and we were able to dine al fresco. the full menu is served, not just a bar menu with snacks, late into the evening. this, along with the excellent food and great wine menu, has made justine's one of our go-to spots.
while i have yet to order one, i have tasted a few espresso martinis and they are out of this world! better than any espresso i've ever had, and i don't really like martinis. ace.
there is a lot to explore here and i look forward to it. yum.Listed in: top restaurants in austin,…, oh the places i go...
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Review from Trevor M.
Austin, TX
11/30/2011
Really good food and awesome atmosphere. I'm from Austin and was shocked this place existed when my friend brought me...I loved it!
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Review from Rachel S.
Austin, TX
11/4/2011
I would like to lobby for a half star system from Yelp. I can't quite justify a 5 star here, but I'd love to give it 4.5
We arrived pretty early in the evening for dinner and sat out front. The cocktails we had were all amazing. Our server never rushed us and gave us pretty great service. The only issue I had with the atmosphere was the music was just a little loud.
We started with the steamed artichoke and a cheese plate. The steamed artichoke was one of the best I've ever had. The cheese plate was good, but could use some more refining. The dates were a great accompaniment, but the dish could have used a mostarda to tie everything together.
I had the duck confit for my entree. It was in the top 5 duck dishes I've ever had in a restaurant. Served with wilted spinach and white beans in its own jus, the dish was nearly flawless. It could have used the slightest sweet element. I used the dates left from the cheese plate to accomplish it.
Be warned: if you're trying to look at menus in advance, their website is pretty awful. There's music that blares, and the pages are in a black/white scheme. This wouldn't be an issue, except there's a video that plays on a loop behind the menu. The overlap of the black/white video on the black/white menu means you often cannot read large portions of the menu. It's more annoying than anything else.
In my opinion, the prices are fair given the quality of the food and level of service. It's not the cheapest place, but I wouldn't expect a more fine dining experience to be. For comparison, you'd need to order three plates at Odd Duck to compare with the portion size of one entree here. The cost at Odd Duck, where the most service you get is someone bringing your food and plastic ware to you, would be about $18-24. My duck dish was about $18. -
Review from Kristina H.
Austin, TX
7/28/2011
I had waited sooooooooooo long to come here! Maybe that's why my expectations weren't met.
I had the French Onion soup, the Ratatouille and my fiancee had the Mussels. All were just "meh" in my opinion. The soup was the best part, but I've honestly had better (and not JUST in France!) so that was a little bit of a disappointment.
The atmosphere was cute. The service was great. The seats were uncomfortable. I'll probably give it a try again. Perhaps it'll be better the second time around now that my expectations are more realistic? We shall see! -
Review from Vicente L.
Austin, TX
1/10/2012
You know, the food is very good; occasionally it rises to great. But the quality of the place risks being undercut by its arty cuteness. I get the naughty, turn-of-century vibe. I get the Kohl eyeliner and fishnet stockings. But that sepia toned erotica comes off as an art student's idea of transgressive, makes the website useless, and sidelines the food. What are you trying to tell me, Justine's? That naughty people need food, too? Eat your frites or a spanking is in order? I can always eat first and watch 'The Red Shoe Diaries' on Netflix later.
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Review from Khiem L.
8/6/2011
I wanted to hug my coworker who was incessantly trying to get me to go here. It took me a while but I did finally make it. FYI, he didn't want me to hug him.
If you have to wait for a table. Do it. Just sit at the bar and have a few refreshing drinks. The Side Car was a great way to start and rejuvenate from the blistering Texas heat. Order a few appetizers to curb the hunger. We were told 45 minutes and waited maybe 30, but with food and drink who cares.
The waitress we had was phenomenal. She was very informative and knew the entire menu. She always made sure we had water and drinks if need be.
That night we ordered escargot, steak tartare, the trout, and the snapper. The escargot was sitting in a butter sauce that pairs well with the bread. The steak tartare was mixed with a quail egg and some capers. The flavors popped in my mouth like Candy Rocks. I never thought that beef served raw could be served so well. I had gone to Paris once and the restaurant I sampled didn't even serve steak tartare this good. The trout was served with greens and a light sauce. It worked perfectly well with the fish because the flaky fish wasn't dry as it sat in the sauce. Le poisson avec les haricots verts was damn good. The butter just brought everything together. We ordered a sample of the ratatouille as a side. Good different taste to complement the meal. All in all we were all pleased and couldn't eat more.
I also enjoyed the fact that they didn't rush us out despite the long line still forming. We sat, finished our drink, and let the food settle. Then we asked for the bill and it was promptly delivered.
Thanks for the great meal. -
Review from Paul H.
Austin, TX
7/25/2011
The best steak frites outside of Nice. And the charcuterie shouldn't be missed.
But don't mistake this for a stuffy French restaurant. It's more rockabilly than roquefort.
-p -
Review from Garreth W.
Austin, TX
5/17/2011
The service and drinks were outstanding. The staff were virtually partner balancing in their attempts to bend over backwards to accommodate us.
Steak frites was our choice, and it was whisked to me in a flourish and with glamor. But damn, I don't go to French restaurants for service - unless it's rude. I go for the food, and I was disappointed.
My food was salted as though it would have to remain unspoiled during a 17th Century global circumnavigation. It was almost too salty to eat. It looks like everyone else had great food there, so I'm guessing that someone must have just dropped a salt cellar on my plate by accident. -
Review from Ha N.
Austin, TX
5/9/2011
I visited Justine's as part of a business dinner party. Most of us had never tried the French cuisine in Austin and this was a great first impression.
The ambiance was really interesting-- romantic, trendy, and zany at the same time. The staff was young and upbeat, the music was classical, and the art was dark. I guess that's what happens when the French set-up in Austin. I wouldn't have it any other way.
The cheese appetizer was pretty elaborate, with at least seven different types of cheese with varying breads and other fancy-things-to-eat-with-cheese. The entree menu was a little on the short side, but I guess they spend their time perfecting the dishes that ARE on the menu. I ordered the grilled scallop St. Jacques and it was delicious, with a think cream base, asparagus and veggies on the bottom, and torched scallops on top. SO GOOD. After a while, though, I was begging for something lighter but it seems that every dish we ordered was thick, creamy, or heavy. C'est la vie.
Despite that minor set-back, I would definitely recommend Justine's for your French-food-fix. Beware, though, this place is definitely NOT college-budget friendly. That cheese appetizer was 14 bucks and the entrees range from 20-35. That's why we go as part of business parties. Just kidding. ...sort of. -
Review from Christa S.
Austin, TX
12/28/2011
I would give this a solid 4.5 stars if I could. Went here for a pre-holiday holiday celebration with Katie M., Jeff M. and Erik W. We were NOT disappointed. We were told to anticipate a 90-minute wait, so we saddled up to the crowded bar (scored two stools) and ordered a round of cocktails and a cheese plate. We probably waited about an hour and were offered two two-top tables that had been pushed together on the patio. The weather was pleasant and a heater was nearby, so we took that table. The patio was nice - felt more at ease than in the restaurant itself, which is crowded and loud. Only negative about the patio is that the house music for some reason can't be heard out there...can hear it a block or two away from the road, but we didn't really hear it on the patio. I started with the onion soup (some of the best I've had!) and then went for the steak frites (which had a great sauce to go with it and there was enough for me to take some home for lunch the next day...it was equally as good then!). I closed the meal with the apple torte, which was the icing on the cake for the meal from my perspective. I wish that this place were a little closer to other restaurants/bars in Austin as it is a hidden gem that I only hope will last. Our waitress was attentive and even suggested a good bottle of red for us to have with the meal. All in all, a great time was had by all...would not hesitate to return here.
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Review from Patricia L.
Austin, TX
7/12/2011
The restaurant is a little too "hip," so be sure to dress up when you're going there.
The food was good, but not out-of-this-world amazing. Waitstaff was friendly and attentive.
Oh, and you will probably wait 30 minutes for a table, see comment on "too hip." -
Review from A E.
Round Rock, TX
8/22/2011
I went to Justine's a few weeks ago with my mom and friends. It was recommended by a different friend. Fortunately I had done a recon mission the weekend before the dinner so I would know where I was going. It was WAY out east. Parking was plentiful, so that wasn't an issue.
We got to Justine's around 6:30ish on a Friday and took the last available table. The tables are small and the chairs a little rickety. You have to be comfortable sharing your personal space and conversations with your neighbors. With all that being said, the food was fabulous.
Due to the atmosphere, I can't say I'll be going back. I wish I could say differently since the food is great. I know this is a personal preference and most of the reviewers disagree with me, so take it with a grain of salt.
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