Aquarelle
(512) 479-8117
606 Rio Grande St
Austin,
TX
78701
30.2701
-97.7496
Neighborhood: Downtown
What People Are Saying About Aquarelle
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
In Short
A well-tended garden flanks the entry to this gracious yellow cottage with neat white trim. Inside, the small dining rooms feature long wood-planked floors, tall ceilings and vases of garden-picked flowers on the tables. A decidedly upscale clientele of older couples and businessfolk dominates the space. The soft shell crab is a hearty appetizer, covered with Japanese bread crumbs. The beef tenderloin is seared and shrouded in stout blue cheese, button mushrooms and walnut persillade.
User Reviews
nataliegray
December 22, 2007
This place has got to be the farthest thing from French there is. I wouldn't recommend it unless you want to eat mediocre cooking for big bucks.
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rzwood
November 04, 2007
Please do yourself a favor and go somewhere else if you are really in the mood for authentic French food. Aquarelle seems to be stuck in an eighties mentality where the only place to get Arugula salad and chicken with goat chesse is a pricey French restaurant. Hello People... this is 2007, I can get this stuff prepackaged at the Whole Foods cafeteria for a chepear price and more authentic taste. I'm serious, this what we got for our menu rapide (set menu)!! The appetizer was arugula salad sprinkled with some walnuts and a couple slices of canned apricot. The entree consisted of chunks of chicken with a whole drum stick thrown in with some goat cheese. What's so french about that? I could have gotten this at any Austin Cafe. The shells in our profiterole dessert tasted dry and old. Maybe this place used to be good 5 years ago, but now it is simply horrible. Has it changed ownership? management? It just feels like they are trying to squeeze every drop from a long-gone good reputation. Aqarelle is americana food with a french price tag. Stay Away.
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mediums
September 02, 2007
The food here is exceptional, interesting, creative, flawlessly prepared and presented. I tasted the dishes of every member of my party and so had the opportunity to sample many of the menu items. With the exception of the foie gras ice cream, which I found a bit too odd, I was impressed with every morsel. The service, however, was plain annoying. Time after time, a server would snatch one of our plates before we were finished eating. Sometimes there was just a bite or two left, but we would have enjoyed being able to savor it, but instead it was whisked away without our permission before we could protest. The same was true of the drinks. With the prices of some of the wines, we would have appreciated the opportunity to finish the glass. Every member of our party found the service offputting, completely unconducive to a relaxed and leisurely meal.
read full reviewThe Details on Aquarelle
Parking:
Aquarelle has a parking lot, but it's limited in size. Leave yourself plenty of time to find parking in case the lot is full.
Know Before You Go:
In the way of the French, a meal here is meant to be lingered over. The staff allows each course to be enjoyed for longer than some Americans are used to. Sit back, relax and enjoy.
Category:
Payment Methods:
American Express, Carte Blanche, Discover, Visa, Diners Club, MasterCard
Restaurant Special Features:
Romantic Dining, Special Occasion Dining, Fine Dining, People Watching, Online Reservations, Prix Fixe Menu
Cuisine:
Smoking Permitted:
No
