Enoteca Vespaio

Recommends

karays

Joined 7 years ago

Doesn't get much better!. This is my favorite restaurant in town (well equal to the higher priced big brother next door, Vespaio). Everything is delicious. The pasta, the pizzas, the salads...don't get me started on the french fries. It's a little cramped in there but definitely worth it!

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mcdonac

Joined 6 years ago

A little cramped, but great food!. Very cute restaurant, but the inside dining area was small and cramped, so we sat outside. The calamari panini forno was awesome -- very crispy and well seasoned. The aioli was a little plain, but the serving was very large. The lemon tart was big enough for two people, but I loved it so much I didn't share!

Recommends

cobwabo

Joined 6 years ago

JUST like in ITALY. If you want the true athmosphere of an Italian casual enoteca (wine cellar), then this is the place to go. As a person with 23 years experience of the true Italian lifestyle...the authenticity and quality of the food are excellent, the athmosphere is authentic, the service personnel is very good but not friendly (just like in Italy). Ergo, it's perfect!

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fhinner

Joined 11 years ago

The best little Italian Bistro outside of Tuscany. I love my Italian and especially enjoy Tuscany. This place reminds me of the little Enoteca?s around Lago de Como and Tuscany. Small homey with some simple delicious dishes and some more experimental dishes. The specials are a huge plus, every time fresh and always a new spin on things. I had a very, very nice cannelloni dish not made with pasta, rather with a very thin crisp crepe. The greatest is their wonderful sliced meat appetizers, salami (yeah I love that stuff and they have the best), special cheeses and dishes that are made with very fresh garden grown vegetables. If you want something light try the Caprese (best outside of Tuscany I ever had), with daily fresh made Mozzarella cheese and garden grow tomatoes. Some of the vegetables might not look picture perfect, but the taste my god. The wait staff is fantastic and adds to what makes Austin, Austin! The bar is an absolute plus and if you are going alone for dinner or lunch, there is always some nice people to chat over lunch (just like in the small European bistros).

Want an Italian vacation without the travel or just relax during lunch (taking an Italian lunch with a little wine, pasta and salami), Enoteca is THE place. Prices are much more reasonable then at Vesapio and the atmosphere is great!

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roadnate

Joined 7 years ago

Incredible food, wonderful atmosphere. I was very impressed with Enoteca. From the Antipasti to the dessert I was absolutely floored by the quality of the food. The prices are unbelievable for the food quality and the portions are perfect. I especially love the extensive antipasti menu. The stuffed peppers and pate were my favorites, but I intend on coming back often to try the rest.

Ignore the ramblings of the pompous bufoon who gave a bad rating because of the tatooed staff. Can anyone really be that ignorant? I found the staff to be courteous and very knowledgeable about the food. Each of their recommendations was perfect.

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larestaurantguy

Joined 7 years ago

Great food, Killer patio and nice servers. You can get your Vespaio fix during the day now (Vespaio, their other restaurant is next door). This is a very cool place, amazing lites and very cozy feel. If you like Vespaio and how can you not, you will not be disappointed.

Doesn't Recommend

dw11

Joined 6 years ago

Dirty and Tattooed. It was really hard to enjoy the food with what seemed to be a policy to hire only staff with tattoos and attitudes that were equally missplaced. I guess the neighborhood patrons enjoy it, but it is probably not the place for everyone. The unwashed masses will like it, but I would have to say no to my friends.

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jojobear

Joined 6 years ago

yummy. Best spinach salad I've ever had. This place is very romantic without being stuffy. I've tried one of the eggplant paninis and a seafood pasta dish and both were excellent. My husband and I also loved dessert, which I think they make in-house as well as all their own breads. It's a bit crowded and loud and you definitely don't want to take the kids in there, but I felt the dining room had a nice warm ambience. There is also a patio which seems to be closed everytime I'm there.

Doesn't Recommend

kd12l

Joined 6 years ago

Good Idea-Didn't Work. The food is good. There is no room in this closet sized cafe. The staff are not up to the service requirements even for this small venue. Talk about overrated, get carry out-avoid the attitude.

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sfgreenchile

Joined 10 years ago

I could eat the pappardelle all day long. I love Enoteca - it's one of my favorite restaurants in Austin. It's the less expensive and less fussy sister of Vespaio - I love Vespaio, too, but I prefer Enoteca for more frequent dining. It's the perfect neighborhood restaurant with a great selection of food, a friendly wait staff, and low priced desserts so that you can try several. :-) I've ordered many things, but I always go back to the spinach salad and the pappardelle (I prefer it with the arribiatta sauce over the bolognese). I only have two bits of advice: try to talk the hostess into a rectangular table if you are with 3 people because the bistro tables are too small for 3 and don't judge the restaurant solely by the wine list - it's definitely lacking. Overall, when my husband and I have an Enoteca date, I look forward to it all day!