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The Good Knight - CLOSED
Categories: Nightlife Bars Lounges Restaurants Gastropubs Lounges, Gastropubs [Edit]
1300 E 6th StAustin, TX 78702
Neighborhood: East Austin
(512) 628-1250
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Late Night, Dinner
- Music:
- Juke Box
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Wed, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Hipster, Dive-y, Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
211 reviews for The Good Knight
Review Highlights
"I highly recommend the chicken pot pie."
(in 32 reviews)
"pork belly confit - crisp, tender (perfect."
(in 8 reviews)
"The fried tomatoes almost earned that fifth star back."
(in 21 reviews)
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211 reviews in English
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Review from Russell R.
Austin, TX
5/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
The cocktails are awesome, food is superb but it's fairly noisy and the service is confusing. Ordered a cheese plate, fried green tomatoes, salad and meat loaf. The entree came first?! Weird.
The food is great drinks rock, try it out! -
Review from Pam S.
1/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
When you've had a long and drawn out history with an ex, alcohol is required to hash out your quasi-relationship.
I knew coming to Austin was going to be interesting. I haven't seen the ex since the last time I was in town, where we managed to fight 99.99999% of the time I was there. Why? The whole "I'm not going to talk about my feelings" thing. Apparently it's part of the guy code. Or so he tells me.
But I digress.
The Good Knight made the night good. A little booth where we talked about anything and everything. I called him on his breaking my heart, he reminded I broke his, I got tipsy, he got drunk. The drinks kept flowing (Aviation for him, Daiquiri for me), and the bill wasn't as high as it would have been if I had been in SF. A pub-like feel.
-0.5 star for having a seat cushion that would not stay put; the person in the booth next to ours would lean back and toss me into the table.
-0.5 for only one bathroom that was exceptionally cold.
What can I say? It was a great first date with a man who I have known for 15 years. -
Review from Lisa M.
12/1/2010
"I drink when I have occasion, and sometimes when I have no occasion."
That's a quote from the great Spanish novel "Don Quixote," the main character of whom seems to be the namesake of this "gastropub". And since Yelp has labeled The Good Knight a "gastropub", perhaps I should add that I eat when I have occasion, and sometimes when I have no occasion.
But the evening I was at The Good Knight, I didn't have occasion to eat. I had lunched at the Roaring Fork and then lurched on to Viva Chocolato! I was fit to burst. (Though I did have room for a Bloody Mary at The Good Knight.) And I'll add here that GK's Bloody Mary was good (read: strong) and piquant.
The friend I was with did have occasion to eat. She had the clam chowder and ordered a shepherd's pie to take to her man back at home. She pronounced both dishes to be "rrreeeaaalllyyy ggoooodd." Best of all? Enjoying watching her enjoying her food.
And you may have heard about GK's ambiance. It's dark in there! So much so that a better name for this place might be "The Dark Knight." Not really. That wouldn't be as romantic. Or quixotic. The Good Knight is perfectly named.
And it provides a perfect setting in which to spend a very good night.Listed in: I espies the guys
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Review from Richard R.
Austin, TX
3/21/2011
We got in right before 7 on a weekday, and they had a few appetizers that were half price. I ordered two of them, the Hors d'oeuvresr plate and the fried tomatoes. Both were good, but I much preferred the Hors d'oeuvres. At half price, they're both a downright steal.
I ordered the nut and cheese loaf. I was expecting to be underwhelmed by the one vegetarian entre on the menu, but it was flipping fantastic. It wasn't gooey cheesy and didn't have offensive nuts like wallnuts. Cashews, baby.
For desert, I had a Pot de Crème. It was phenomenal. I would have never guessed that bergamot chocolate would be the bomb. It is.
Overall, it's a quirky place with some interesting and delicious food. -
Review from Eve R.
12/13/2010
I was very pleasantly surprised by this place. The interior is dimly lit with a combination of seating areas for your dining/drinking pleasure. We chose one of two booths with a canopied curtain and self-contained dimmable light. As bright (or not) as you want it. Sweet. The general feeling is that this is a bar that has food, not a restaurant with a bar. The old-timey photos add to the atmosphere.
We had a $50 coupon, so we just went wild. I had an Old Fashioned, which I've never had but was a fun drink. He had a gin & tonic which was . . . a gin and tonic. But good. For food we started with the hors d'ouvres plate. This cornucopia of goodness included tapenade, pate of the day (which was pork belly something, mighty fine), and mushroom cavier. There were also nuts, some brie wedges, and some salad greens. And some toast to spread the delectables upon. I loved this appetizer. Fun, variety, tastiness.
For our main courses, we got pork belly confit and meatloaf. But not just any meatloaf. Oh, no. This one included angus beef, bacon (on the side), a mini-mountain of mashed potato goodness and Jack Daniels gravy. Yes, please. Delicious. Tender. Not a hint of ketchup. I'm not a meatloaf fan as a rule, but this is foodie meatloaf, praise be to the foodie gods.
The pork belly was delectable - tender, crispy, with some kind of delicious coating around the edges. OMG, I know it's wrong, but it feels (and tastes) so right! The plentiful meat bits surrounded some salad greens in a lovely mustard vinaigrette (or something that tasted like that) and came with a plate of mustard and toast. I wasn't sure what to do with that, so I made a couple of mini sandwiches. Fine, but unnecessary. No mustard or toast necessary, these savory bits stood all on their own. I didn't leave a crumb - not a crumb!
We tried both of the regular desserts - a chocolate & earl grey custard (heck YEAH!) and a brulee coconut buttermilk pie with blueberry compote. And you could taste every, single ingredient - so very, very good. The custard had little bits which turned out to be chocolate microbes, melting delectably on the tongue. I'm not normally a dessert person, but both of these were terrific.
I debated whether to give a 4-star or 5-star review. But when we have a lovely evening and enjoyable experience, when I wouldn't change anything about the meal that I just devoured, and when I can't wait to go back and try everything on the menu (as well as some fun cocktail concoctions), I think a 5-star review is merited. Go forth and be Knighted! -
Review from Melissa A.
Austin, TX
6/26/2011
What? The Good Night is closed? Bummed. This was the perfect place to grab some nice comfort food and drinks before a show at East Side Drive In.
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Review from Patrick K.
Austin, TX
4/18/2011
I'm right at a solid 3.5....
This is a pretty cool, dank spot on the East Side...it's dark inside and I am not sure I'd want to see it in the light.
Service was good, perhaps a little spotty due to being busy on a Friday night but accommodating and nice as can be for a large party.
Appetizer was pretty pointless and skimpy.
I made the mistake of going with the meatloaf....whatever you do to meatloaf, you can never really make it amazing so this was no exception, it just sounded really good at the time and while it was I second guessed my choice after tasting. It was just kinda boring.
I sampled someone elses pork dish which seemed to be the real winner, it would definetly be my next choice. -
Review from Electra T.
Brooklyn, NY
4/24/2011
I dunno what it is about some of the food places in Austin. They have all the decor and mood but, not the punch of good food. That's what really counts, yah? I wish someone would tell the Good Knight that dark lighting only makes your date look better, it doesn't make the food taste any better. We only had appetizers and they were sub-par. I had the fried green tomatoes. A sumptuously rich dish make bland and skimpy by someone in the kitchen of the Good Knight.
The positives? The service was good and, the lighting was dark. My date was hot. -
Review from Mary V.
10/25/2010
This place is so precious! Coming across it for the first time is kind of like finding gold, and you just want to keep it to yourself.
My friends and I went here this past Saturday on a double date. I hadn't heard of it before, but my friends David and Kayla heard good things, so I went with their judgment.
We got there early around 6PM and the place was relatively empty. We opted for one of their two only booths that had just been cleared out. It was so quaint, adorned by drapes over the top, effecting what my boyfriend described as "a Victorian bed." If you arrive early, opt for it! It makes for a very romantic setting.
Drinks were excellent. I ordered two Pimm's Cups and didn't try anything else because I'm such a stickler about change. My boyfriend made the rookie mistake of ordering the Old Fashioned. I should've warned him beforehand after reading the other Yelp reviews, but I had no idea he was going for that one. He described it as, "All right," because it was his first Old Fashioned ever, but it definitely wasn't the best drink he ever had.
Kayla got herself a Fall Fashion, a seasonal drink, and a Mi Perro Blanco. I don't know how they tasted but she effusively approved of both. David got himself the Aviator Cocktail, which he very much liked. His only complaint was that there was a crack in the glass. Before we had received our drinks, we heard a lot of glass breaking behind the bar, which left us feeling a little uncomfortable, but it sounded like they sorted everything out later on.
We started off with a pork belly pate appetizer, which was just sumptuous in its creamy texture! However, our entrees left us waiting for what felt like 30 minutes. I'm not sure what took so long, but I imagine they were trying to get all the orders together so that we would receive them at once. David ordered the Pork Belly Confit, the boyfriend ordered the Shepherd's Pie, and the girls both ordered the meat loaf. Despite the wait, "Yum," was our consensus.
You have to love the interesting toss-up of decor they have. Old black and white picture frames lining the walls, mismatched utensil sizes and plate designs, "His" and "Her" signs marking the bathrooms... it's all so quirky, yet fashionable!
The bathrooms are singles though, so there can sometimes be a wait when the place gets full. I was in a line of three, and when the men's room cleared out, the girl behind me gestured to the vacant bathroom, suggesting that I go in. I shook my head, and she just seized the opportunity, saying, "Well, if you're not going, I'm going!" I didn't stay to see if any guy lined up near the door to see her come out, but I imagine it would've been hilarious.
I have one small confession to make though... Even after this experience, I'm a little embarrassed to admit I still don't know what a gastropub is.Listed in: Love is in the Air
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Review from Darla A.
8/22/2010 1 Check-in Here
Where am I? Somewhere in the gentrified neighborhood of East 6th street, a friend suggests we try this place out.
The walls and ceiling are darkly faux painted which provides a cavern feeling. Windows are covered with black out curtains to prevent both seeing the bars on the windows and knowing if it is day or night. Old family photos cover the walls and aside from the restaurant issue tables, the remaining furniture is mismatched chairs. The juke box was playing Willie Nelson.
Sitting down at a table next to a curtain covering the window, the chairs were like those from a men's smoking parlor and backed to the next table with less than 6 inches between the table to work at shimmying your way into (note to self... get a curtained booth or a table in the middle of the floor next time... if there is one).
The food menu, limited but affordable. Kind of like pub food met a guy that went to culinary school while reading Lord of the Rings, or something. I had the cheese burger, my friend ordered the mushroom pate. Both very good.
They had a decent wine list which included prosecco. You could even purchase a bottle of bubbles (Cristalino Rose) for $21... very affordable.
Dining in the midst of this cave with a jukebox that went from Willie and the boys to heavy metal and then dinner music... I had to ask the question. Is this a lounge or a restaurant? Believe it or not, the waiter said restaurant...
If you want an interesting, affordable lounge on the east side with an eclectic mix of jukebox music, AND happen to be hungry... this will fit the bill. The staff is friendly and attentive, the food is good, and I hear they mix some great cocktails as well.Listed in: Prosecco rules!, Mind Blowing Burgers
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Review from amber t.
Austin, TX
Updated - 7/13/2011
I'm incredibly bummed that a fetid shithole like Snack Bar is still open, and the Good Knight is closed. Mega bummer.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/21/2010
I went here a few weekends ago with my friend and boyfriend, and it kind of ruled.
The dark interior… Read more »
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Review from michella s.
Austin, TX
Updated - 3/10/2011
3.5 stars for my lastest trip.
went back during the week and the service was definitely lacking. our waitress seemed bored and kept running off so quickly. she also divided up our check really incorrectly, which was annoying. tried the pork belly and it was just okay. the food didn't really hit it out of the park for me this time. the chocolate earl grey pot de creme was really excellent though!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/4/2011
we ventured here on a cold night for a friend date. everyone really seemed to enjoy their food. we… Read more »
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Review from Jen B.
Austin, TX
9/20/2010
Needed a place that was very "east side" to take some friends for their first time, and Good Knight did not disappoint.
You walk up to a shady exterior and barred door, into dark lights, and dark wood tables, and fantastic dinner ambiance. This was a Friday night dinner, so their specialty cocktail (which we all had several) and warm comforting entrees were just what we all needed after a long work week. Do NOT pass up the pork belly confit!
Our waitress was great, attentive but not on top of us. She was able to give informed cocktail recommendations, and as we were paying our checks we all couldn't stop saying how surprisingly impressed we were by everything in this place.
May want to get their earlier than later though, there's not too much seating and if it was a secret it's not anymore!
It felt great to have everyone thank me for picking such a great place for dinner but I guess I do owe Good Knight partial credit for the success :). -
Review from April S.
12/22/2010 3 Check-ins Here
I happen to work down the street from this cool little place. Noticed they are serving lunch and popped in to see what was good. The first thing the waiter says is "We've got this amazing soup today." and I was hooked. Can't remember it exactly but it was some sort of chicken and tomato soup and a bunch of complicated additions. Either way it was exactly as he said, tasty deliciousness. I also ordered a salad and while I liked the mixed greens and the addition of dried cranberries, I felt like it had a bit too much dressing on it for my taste. Thankfully, it wasn't a pungent dressing so it didn't completely kill it and I enjoyed it.
Can't wait to come back at night and try their cocktails. -
Review from Kyle K.
Salt Lake City, UT
2/14/2011
I went there as part of a bachelor party.
It's a fine place -- drinks are all right (on the medium to pricey side, and my drink with three alcohols in it tasted like there was none--that either means they were stingy or the bartender does a great job... I think it was a mix of the two). The Wagyu steak was fantastic. The service was right in line with what you'd expect for an East 6th bar that's crowded on a Saturday night.
I give 3 stars only because of my burger. The waitstaff told me that the kitchen would not cook it cooler than medium. Fine, I suppose, but if you don't trust your hamburger source enough to cook a medium rare burger, I guess I should have rethought my order.
I got it, and it wasn't medium. It was well done. Except not well done.
For doneness, it was grey all the way through. No red, no pink, no nothing. And that'd be OK if it at least had a little char flavor, or a good rub, or any seasoning at all. It really didn't. It was just a lifeless piece of ground meat with a pretty decent bun around it. And everyone else's burger was just the same.
Get the steak; it's worth it (though you need at least an appetizer -- it's a small portion style, which is fine, but not exactly what you're expecting during a bachelor party guy-fest).
I was hoping that I could put Good Knight on my "Best Burger in Austin" list, but I most definitely cannot. But at least my order got a "best burger" discussion going. That was almost as delicious as the food could have been. -
Review from Nicole S.
Austin, TX
2/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
My fiance and I began our night drinking here. I ordered The Good Knight (a mix of bourbon, Texas lemon, and some other stuff?), my fiance had the ESB Extra special bitter by Real Ale. I think we arrived after a crowd because the bartender must have made 6 drinks before taking our order, and another 4 before making mine and getting my fiance's beer.
The atmosphere: a dive-y dark house with a sort of old feel. There are pictures of people from the "olden days" on the walls- nostalgic and kind of cool. They have two booths that can be masked with curtains, gives a cool vibe.
It is rather small, and I can honestly say if it were packed in here I would not want to be stuck in this place. The one comment my fiance made is that every time someone opened the door it smelled like urinal cake. This cracked me up, because I didn't notice and I'm usually the one with a ninja sense of smell. I can't say I'd want to eat here if I was smelling urinal cake.
Our bartender was a newb but he made a great drink and was friendly. -
Review from Tiff T.
7/15/2010
The first thing we noticed when we entered the door from the blazing summer sun was how dark it was inside. After our eyes adjusted, we located a suitable table for our party of five and ordered our first round of drinks. My strawberry caipirinha ($12) was microscopic in size, and it didn't blow me away, so I can't recommend it. But others seemed to enjoy The Good Knight cocktail ($8), and the Pimm's cup ($6) was more cost effective.
Our waitress wasn't the most attentive, and she even took away silverware after our first course and never came back with replacements. But the food quality was appreciated. The fried tomatoes (green and red, $7.50 or $3.75 during happy hour from 5-7pm) were accompanied by an aioli and some fresh salad greens were decent, and the pork belly confit ($12) was quite enjoyable. I wish they brought more bread for the pork belly, though.
The verdict: The Good Knight hasn't made it into my regular haunts list given its performance tonight. I'd much rather visit Parkside or Péché if I'm in the downtown area. -
Review from Laura T.
Austin, TX
9/30/2010
MMMM!! This is one of my favorite places to have dinner and drinks. They have a variety of foods, mostly meaty but they have some vegetarian dishes to die for! My favorite is the nut roast, served with veggie of the day, and the fried tomatoes. Their food is pricey but killer.
The drinks are exceptional. I have tried many, from wine to cocktails but their selection is great. During the summer months I like to get the watermelon margarita. So yummy!
The ambiance is really soothing. A great place for a candlelit date. But also a nice place to get a group of people together. Put something on the jukebox and sing along!
The service is awesome as well. I went once, and for some reason the electricity went out as well as the AC which was in the middle of summer by the way, but the manager completely comped our entire meal and was extremely sorry. Great service. -
Review from theda S.
Austin, TX
6/8/2011
Skip the steak and order the Shepard's Pie when you take your Honey here for a week night date night on the East side.
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Review from Chelsea P.
Chicago, IL
12/15/2010
If I were alive during the mid-twenties Prohibition era, I would have traversed shady back alleyways and speakeasies to find The Good Knight. Thankfully, the "Noble Experiment" failed and I can still go to The Good Knight! Tucked away in a small catty-corner on the Eastside with an unassuming exterior, you'll find the best Gastropub in Austin.
The Drink(s): If their award for best cocktails in 2009 from the Austin Chronicle doesn't get you through the door--their proper use of bitters will. You'll find an old-fashioned 'Old-Fashioned,' a 'Pimm's Cup' beautifully garnished with cucumber and lemon, and the perfect 'Tom Collins' (my favorite drink). Although these tipples are a little on the pricey side, you're paying for an art form--and they do NOT skimp on the booze.
The Food: The menu is small, but fulfilling. Their chicken pot pie is heavenly. Finishing the single-serving bowl of organic chicken, shiitakes, fresh vegetables, & puff pastry in a velvety cream sauce is daunting by the end of the meal (so rich & delicious). The bite of meatloaf stolen from a friend melted in my mouth (I attribute this to the use of veal). However, the cheese plate appetizer is nothing writing home about. I can match two cheeses from Wheatsville with almonds, toast, and honey--but it is the only negative on the menu that I've come across.
The Atmosphere: Some will say tiny, I say quaint. Others will say dark, I say romantically lit. Naysayers will say the old paintings on the wall are kitsch, and I agree (in a good way)!
All in all, The Good Knight has entered my regular restaurant rotation. I'll be back to try the mushroom pâté, and I'll be staying for the pot de crème. -
Review from Jay R.
Austin, TX
1/9/2011
Note: this review is of a visit back in July.
Good food, drinks are meh.
Had dinner with the lady and enjoyed overall. Meatloaf was definitely above average. Pork chop was small but still very tasty. Would go back for food again without hesitation.
Drinks were a letdown. I'm a bit of a snob. The most disappointing was the Pimm's cup my wife ordered. I know, a lot of American bars serve their Pimm's more/less this way, but it's not right. Pimm's should be over lemonade, with citrus fruits like lemon/orange as well as apples and even strawberries. If you order a Pimm's in London, that's what you get, not ginger ale and a slice of cucumber.
I forgot what the other drinks were other than an Aviation I ordered, which tasted like it was missing lemon juice. The bitterness of the drink should jump out at you, this didn't.
Bottom line: For snazzy pub food, they are a nice spot. For classic cocktails, they are good for Austin, but below-average overall. -
Review from Aaron H.
Austin, TX
4/4/2010
A group of friends and I came here after hearing it was worth it...
It really was not.
I arrived after most of my friends had already ordered (drinks and one had an entree) and I ordered my go-to drink, Vodka Gimlet.
What I got back, after 20 minutes, was a lime slushy. I should have known when I ordered (the waiter gave me a weird look and tried to say I meant a "martini.") that it was going to be rough...
After sipping it and gagging, I passed the drink around to a few of my bartender friends and they all agreed: the reason it took so long to get it was because the bartender had to Google it.
When the waiter came back around, I politely asked if I could send this drink back and just order a different drink. He told me, "No."
After a few moments of blank-staring, I asked if he would remake this drink, then. He said, "I can, but we'll have to charge you for another."
More blank stares. I then, politely, informed him that I would not be paying for this drink because it is not drinkable, and that it's no sleight to the tender cause about half of the places I order it from know of it, etc etc.
A few minutes later, the bartender comes to our table and kneels down beside my chair. "So, I hear you have a problem with my drink."
And, thus, began a great night at the Good Knight... I am sure you can imagine where it went from here, but, needless to say, none of the 10 people that were there in our group will ever go back.
(They all had their own nasty drinks and furtive glances from the waitstaff as they stood behind the safety of the bar...)
Gross place. Gross atmosphere. Rude people. -
Review from Amanda R.
Austin, TX
5/7/2010
Yarg. I really want to like this place but..
I don't like eating in the dark.
I don't like drinking in the dark.
I don't like searching for my friends in front of me.
Food sounds far better than it is.
Drinks are worthwhile.
I just want better lighting! -
Review from Martha R.
Austin, TX
2/10/2011
Very cool, seedy, dark bar with a high end feel to it. Great service with good suggestions. I had my new favorite EVER cocktail here that our server suggested to me - vodka, champagne, st germaine. My fiance had "The Bee's Knees". He loved it because it tasted like honey.
We drank a few and cuddled in a worn out velvet couch. It was super dark in there, very prohibition era atmosphere. The wait staff wear classic white button ups and ties. We didn't eat, but the people new us did and they definitely seemed to be enjoying something fried and tasty looking.
Also, the girl's bathroom was awesome and I want to copy it in my house. You just need to see it.
Good east 6th spot. Definitely will return. -
Review from Stephanie G.
Austin, TX
1/23/2011
I think the Scofflaw is my new favorite drink. Perfection.
Good food. Cozy atmosphere. Heavenly cocktails. -
Review from Scott W.
Austin, TX
12/18/2010
The meatloaf was really, really tasty. Some others in my group got the flank steak (chef's signature dish) and they were kind of happy with it. Not nearly as happy as myself and my buddy were with our meatloaf plate. Portions are not huge, but they make up for it in taste.
Cocktails are well made, delicious and a little pricey.
Certainly worth a try. -
Review from Donna P.
Austin, TX
7/9/2010
Starting out The Good Knight was kinda hip - dim lights, dark interiors, friendly staff. The June Rose was good and really strong and the Flammekueche was good, but something I imagine I could make easily at home.
Our problems came when our server decided she'd rather chat with her friend at the wait stand (3 feet away), than offer us another round or our check. I had to stare at her for 10 minutes until she'd acknowledge me. After dropping the check, she turned her back to us and kept chatting.
This place has the potential to be very cool, but definitely needs improvement on staffing . -
Review from Craig C.
Austin, TX
7/25/2010
Went last night, a Tuesday (took me a few days to post this), and thoroughly enjoyed the food and overall experience. Tried the angus meatloaf, fried red and green tomatoes and pot de creme for dessert.
Four beers on tap included Lone Star, Fireman's 4, Bell's Pale Ale and....drats...can't remember. What I DO remember is the excellent service, delicious food and unique, warm atmosphere.
Go! -
Review from Justin B.
Chicago, IL
2/8/2009 ROTD 3/21/2009
Samuel Johnson referred to the pun as "the lowest form of humor".
William Shakespeare wrote "the better part of valor is discretion."
It has also been said that subtlety is the hallmark of true wisdom.
So what does that leave for this review?
The Good Knight: a fine place that I will frequent.Listed in: Every Dog Has His Day
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Review from Jessie R.
1/23/2009 ROTD 6/3/2009
I love old fashioned cocktails that are made with care, and The Good Knight delivers like a champ on that end. Between our party of 6, I believe that we sampled almost all of the cocktails on their specialty list. My favorite was the Sazerac (big surprise...that is my drink of choice at home) and their Paris Manhattan. They also have some delightfully refreshing concoctions, one made with Pimms and the other with grapes and basil that would be absolutely wonderful on a warm summer night. Too bad they don't have a patio, because I could envision sipping those all evening long once the mercury rises a little bit more.
The food menu is also solid. The French Pizza is delicious, and if you like bacon (who doesn't???), you have to try it. The chicken pot pie was savory and perfect on a winter night. The only reason that I didn't give five stars? The cheese plate. There were only two samplings of cheese, and one of them was of the VERY stinky goat milk variety. I actually liked it, but several in our party were turned off by it, and it is unfortunate that out of two cheeses, they decided to put this one on the plate. The fried tomatoes almost earned that fifth star back. But the bitching about the cheese that I had to endure from others at our table just keeps that star out of reach.
The food portions are not huge, so while chicken pot pies and pizza sound like filling meals, they act more like apps. So don't plan on this as dinner, unless you are in the mood for a very light meal.
I wish we lived a little closer, because I could definitely see this as a go-to spot to meet up with friends for a chill evening of good food and amazing drinks. Well done. -
Review from dave a.
TX
6/20/2010
So, it's hard to give a solid rating because the service was beyond pathetic.
We had to ask other waitstaff to help as we waited over 45 min just to place an order. The waitress came over 2 times to get our drink orders - then no-showed while the water ran dry and others came in, ordered, and were served before we finally had to ask for an intervention.
We ordered an appetizer as well as the meals all together, wondering when we'd see the staff again. We asked for the appetizer right away, and the entrees arrived before the appetizer - how can it be that meatloaf is faster than mushrooms?
The drinks were interesting, the food - not so intersting. We ordered the meatloaf, it sounded good with "bacon wrapped" - reality, no "wrap", a few undercooked pieces of bacon hidden under a layer of lukewarm gravy. The overall flavor, seasoning, and texture of the loaf was low-grade.
Something may be good at the Good Knight, the service, food and overall apperance isnt on the list. -
Review from Jessica S.
Austin, TX
6/27/2009
I made the mistake of coming hungry. Really hungry. I should have paid more attention to the yelp reviews. And I tried looking at the website. ... Oh.... it's a MYSPACE page. Really? I'm sorry, people, but please, a real website that is user-friendly. I didn't like trying to read a "blog" to see the menu.
I tried some drinks I may not have otherwise tried. They were good. Interesting. I may or may not order them again. I'd order them if I were there, since I wouldn't normally order them at other places.
Yes, it's super dark in there. Seems like it'd be a good place for a cozy, cold winter night. When you're not hungry. -
Review from Amy C.
Austin, TX
Updated - 12/15/2009 ROTD 12/23/2010
I went in here last week, and I sat at the bar to eat alone (aww, poor me!). I had excellent entertainment in the form of Billy, though-- I always find it interesting to watch people work, and what he does is pretty much drinkable alchemy, so it's even more intriguing to me. There's a ton of fruits, veggies, and spices on the bar's work surface, and it's amazing to see those go from being ingredients to part of a coherent whole.
I had decided to get the chicken pot pie, and I asked him to make me a drink that would complement my meal. To help narrow it down, I let him know that I was into gin more than bourbon that evening. He asked a few questions about my feelings on fruits and spices, and then made a drink just for me (squee!) that was a variation on a Hanky Panky.
As it turns out, Mama likes Hanky Panky variations. Make of that what you will.
I barely had time to have a sip of my delightful drink before my pot pie came out. The pot pie was a delight, as usual-- flaky puff pastry top crust, rich sauce, large chunks of mushrooms and chicken... It's always so good. And my drink really was a nice complement to the food!
The best part? He gave me the drink recipe. If you ask nicely, I might share it with you!Listed in: My Neighborhood, The Places I Go Out, Top Restaurants
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/28/2009
A friend of mine was due a belated birthday celebration, so we decided to check out The Good Knight.… Read more »
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Review from Kevin N.
Bathed in a rich red, the semi-ambient hues visible via dimming but simple candleabras, the Good Knight *feels* warm upon entry. It's a deceptively simple setup, with booths hidden by drapes, a few tables, a cozy bar tucked in one corner. I haven't spent much time with the cocktail menu upon either of my trips in, but I have sampled some of the beer selections, and I've been pretty happy with the way that those turned out.
Service was friendly and quick with a pour, and as seems to be the standard in a good east side joint, the jukebox boasted a keen selection of tracks that made hanging out easy. Some nights, the experience is as rich as the accoutrements. That'll cure what ails ya.Listed in: Austin East Side
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Review from Travis W.
Austin, TX
10/31/2008
I'm sitting in a dimly lit booth at The Good Knight right now, gingerly typing this on my iPhone, temporarily sated by a most excellently complex rainbow trout pate and filling the space before my main with an old fashioned, Old Fashion that rivals any drink I can remember in the last six months. The bearded guy running the place just let me in on a secret about the food, but I'm holding it close; you know the folks who put the menu together, and so do I, and now I really can't wait to get my entrée. Here's my angus meatloaf with the whiskey sauce and potatoes, and carrots that seem to have honey and cardamom injected into their very essence. I just finished with a pot de crème in your gramma's teacup and some plummy port.
Don't come here. You won't like it. And it's better without you.Listed in: My Neighborhood
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Review from Alex M.
2/18/2009
He turned to me and said, you know, it really does feel European. Dark lighting, pictures on the wall, good beer, small portions, and your dollar doesn't go that far.
What the Good Knight lacks in a value menu they recoup in the form of ambiance. Moody, delicate, attractive, and sexy (but that was just my waiter). So please, get another round. I think I'm staying a little bit longer. -
Review from Susan H.
Austin, TX
4/29/2009
Dark and lovely, kind of Cary Granty atmosphere. Nice for a date that knows his or her old fashioned cocktails.
Drinky drink wise, I recommend the Bee's Knees (gin, honey and lemon /TRUST ME/), The Golden Nail (essentially really fantastic scotch and something or another), and a good ol' Harvey Wallbanger (petite, but knocked my socks off). The booze is all top shelf, so the (rather high) prices are warranted.
As far as the food goes, it was all delicious! Utterly delicious! ...But the portions are kitten sized. I ordered the house salad, which was about $7-$8 and could be held in it's entirety within my tiny girlish fist. The Frenchy anchovy pizza was $13-$15 (I believe, my cheapness was out the door after that lovely little scotch(s)) and was about the size of a standard slice.
Extra points for being one of the only establishments in town that can still make a fine Old Fashioned.
Great for a quality stiff drink (or several), less than great for food unless you're a Rockefeller with a stomach staple. -
Review from Steve O.
Austin, TX
9/7/2009
My first experience with The Good Knight was really good. Good food, a competent bartender, and a relaxed and kinda romantic atmosphere.
The second time I went, we asked the bartender to introduce us to an off-menu cocktail based on a couple things we liked. Ignoring all of our input, he gave us one of the 4 drinks off the menu that had none of the liquors we asked for. The glass was broken and my wife cut her lip on it with her first sip. We witnessed the waitress pour the drink back into another glass. Glass shards don't warrant a fresh drink?
We left money on the table for the drinks and left without finishing or ordering food.
Final analysis: decent food, unimaginative bartender, poor judgement. -
Review from Doryan R.
2/15/2010
Well, my search continues, and my curse of not liking places everyone else does seems to drag on as well.
I went here for a double date, since I couldn't convince my cohorts to get sushi with me. I figured it'd be busy, but a nice place to get some tapa-like food and fancy drinks in a dim-lit room.
I do like the space, but I was crammed up against a pole in the middle of the dining room. Good thing I didn't have to get up to pee or anything!
The drinks were good (mostly) but far from amazing. The only one that we all agreed was fantastic was the Lion's Tail. The Bees Knees? Decent. The chocolate martini thingy? Meh. The Sazarac? Way meh. The Paris Manhattan? Pretty good, actually, but tiny.
But the Old Fashioned was piss poor. The filled the glass with soda, so you couldn't taste a damn bit of the complexity of this drink.
Our lovely waitress kindly informed us that we should order food asap, and maybe get an app in, because it's about a 40-45 minute wait for food.
Our cheese plate came out pretty quick, but was really disappointing. Ok. If you're going to charge $9 for two cheeses or $13 for three, at least have some interesting cheese. Brie, Gruyere, and Bleu don't really count. Still, we got it because we were hungry and I wanted to see if the presentation was worth it. It wasn't. 3 servings of cheese with 5 almonds and 5 grapes drizzled with honey is not a valid presentation for a cheese plate.
Of the "entrees" we shared:
Fried tomatoes:
WAY too thick, which made them difficult to eat without the crust coming off. Plus, there was only a tiny smattering of greens and a tiny bit of aioli to give any contrast to the giant slices of tomato.
Butternut Squash Bisque:
Was really tasty, actually. Unfortunately, it was not a bisque by any stretch of the imagination. Chunky, broth-based, no thickener, no rice, no cream, none of any of the factors that anyone has ever told me goes into a bisque.
Still, tasty.
Mushroom Caviar:
Pretty darn meh. I mean, I liked it okay, but no one else at the table thought it had any flavor. Granted, I've tried mushroom paté that has had quite a bit more flavor than this, but it wasn't completely flavorless or offensive. Just not thrilling.
Shepherd's Pie:
Probably the winner of the night. I only had one bite, but it had a lovely curry flavor to it, and even though it was a little runny for my taste, I'd order it again if I really ate meat.
Flammekueche:
You can buy a really killer cheese version of this (which is likely less authentic) at some fancy supermarkets. I've always thought of it as a nice warmed cheese with some breading around it that had onions and bacon and you just heated in a pan.
This was more of an Alsatian flatbread pizza with creme fraiche and onions and bacon and very little (if any) cheese. It was small. It had the flavors I expected, and a nice smokiness, but again wasn't thrilling.
Overall, the food and drink both failed to measure up to the standards I've seen described here. Too bad. I like the look of the joint. I just left a little hungry and a bit nonplussed. -
Review from Madeline S.
Austin, TX
12/7/2010
I split the appetizer platter with a few friends, and everything I had was really tasty. The salads are also lovely. My complaint with the food here is that it's very difficult to avoid potatoes which 1) I do and 2) are less imaginative than what I'd expect from the folks at TGK. Show me a parsnip, I dare you.
The cocktails are fantastic (try the sazerac, it's just perfect on a chilly night), and their scotch list is more than decent.
The atmosphere is laid-back without feeling too casual, the bar stools are comfy for what they are, barstaff is attentive and friendly without being in-your-face and it has one of the top 5 cleanest bathrooms in Travis County.
(yeah, I totally edited because I typo-ed a to/too)Comment from Randall S. of The Good Knight 12/8/2010
I love parsnips, too! That's a great idea! I'll tell Chef… More »
