Emilia's Restaurant

Recommends

Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

First-rate New American cuisine in an elegant, refined setting.. The Scene
Emilia's has pulled out all the stops to create a rarefied dining experience. The space preserves the integrity of the 1850s limestone structure, while updating it with an exquisitely simple design: wide swaths of satiny drapes, curvy upholstered chairs and burnished oak floors. Damask linens and fresh orchids arranged in silver vases raise the bar another notch. Service is impeccable, the waiters reserved but attentive.

The Food
Emilia's recently abandoned an à la carte menu in favor of a nightly tasting menu, which varies with the seasons and Chef Chris Lanier's whim. An appetizer of cassoulet combines a seasoned blend of duck, sausage and tiny rice beans, crested with breadcrumbs. Stewed leg of lamb is perfectly succulent, resting atop a bed of creamy pumpkin risotto tossed with wild mushrooms. Peanut butter mousse cake steals the show, with a malt ice cream counterpoint and a banana bread muffin to top it off.

Recommends

WillA70

Joined 10 years ago

Perfect Pairing. I've never been to any restaurant that presents the food and wine like Emilia's does. Besides the food being outstanding and the wines terrific, the sommelier and the waiters explain each course. It adds a whole new dimension to fine dining.

Recommends

kellyann03

Joined 10 years ago

Wonderful Restaurant. We had such a delightful experience last night. The food at Emilia's is divine and compared to other 5 Star restaurants in Austin or elsewhere the price was moderate. The service and the atmosphere was great and the restaurant is beautiful.

Recommends

scottchandler

Joined 10 years ago

Great Restaurant. My wife and i visited Emilia's for an office Christmas party. The food was fantastic, the ambience was great, and the service was the best we've ever enjoyed. We would rate this our top Austin restaurant.

Recommends

gary8here

Joined 11 years ago

Yummy. The food is as good as it gets and the cool sommelier matched the wines perfectly. The atmosphere in the old building is great. Best night out I've had in years.

Recommends

foodforthought

Joined 11 years ago

First Rate. As good as many "Big City" restaurants I have dined in. Very enjoyable and stylish without being overbearing. Attention to detail in every aspect. Food was super.

Recommends

max02

Joined 11 years ago

Expertly Done. We had dinner here on a busy Saturday night and my guests are very hard to impress but the entire experience was super. The service was smooth, the food was mouth watering, and the wine pairings were perfect. My hard to please friends said this was one of the best restaurants they had ever been to.

Recommends

robertdon

Joined 11 years ago

very enjoyable. I took my wife here for her birthday and we had an excellent dinner. The restaurant all in all is true class. We'll be back real soon.

Recommends

jim60

Joined 11 years ago

Hidden Treasure. When I found out y'all had rated Emilia's as one of the best restaurants in the country I was amazed. I live in Austin and had never heard of it until some friends took me in there Friday for one of the best meals I've ever had. We all ate the five course special menu and we saved the dishwasher any extra work because there wasn't a morsel left on the plates. Then we got a tour of the old underground wine cellar. Talk about well kept secrets. Everything from beginning to end was great.

Recommends

Lolabe

Joined 11 years ago

Better and Better. I live in the Bay Area so I'm spoiled by the best but Emilia's is my home away from home. I keep coming back and enjoying it more every time. It's got such great charm and the food is divine. Top notch all the way.