Parkside Austin
Austin, TX 78701
Phone: (512) 474-9898
- Price:
- $$$$
- Cross Street:
- San Jacinto Boulevard
- Specialties:
- Steak
- Hours:
- Mon-Wed 4pm-12am, Thu-Sat 11am-2am, Sun 11am-12am
Editorial Review for Parkside Austin – by Joshua Hinsdale
In Short
Bare bones in layout and design, this establishment conveys a classic yet contemporary environment not commonly found on Austin's famous party strip. White table cloths, simple lines and areas of exposed brick set the stage for a dining experience both rough and refined. Menus feature flavorful dishes such as salmon, steak and chicken, while offering tongue-in-cheek diversions that include a variety of raw oysters, sliders, steak tartar and macaroni and cheese.
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Insider Tips
When to GoIf you're not sure that Sixth Street is your scene, try the brunch promising some "hair of the dog" on weekend mornings and early afternoons.
Look GoodFood descriptions on the menu are excessively cryptic. You may have to lean on your waiter to get a better idea of what's available.
Know Before You GoAlthough sized like tiny tapas plates, the entrees are priced like very upscale dinners. Any sides, sold a la carte, add to the price.
Where to SitIf it's available and the street below hasn't gotten too loud, opt to sit outside on the upstairs deck overlooking Sixth Street.
User Reviews for Parkside Austin
08/31/2008 Posted by mwilliam
My husband and I dined here for our anniversary, and the food was spot on. We love oysters, and weren’t disappointed with the Beavertails from Rhode Island. The blond pate was delicious-I loved the addition of the strawberry garnish which perfectly balanced the rich spread. Our entrees were equally tasty-scallops for me and short ribs for him. The scallops were cooked perfectly and the corn puree added just a hint of sweetness in the background. His short ribs over polenta were savory and satisfying. We prefer smaller portions so you can try more dishes without feeling overwhelmed or wasteful. We have lived in several large cities, including Dallas, Chicago, and San Francisco and the food could compete with neighborhood restaurants in any of those places. Our only complaint about Parkside was the atmosphere-we were seated in the bar area and the large TVs playing the game mounted to the wall belied the cool minimalist atmosphere. The waitresses were knowledgeable and the service was quick, but they were dressed in comical milkmaid-like costumes which felt out of sync with the upscale food. A couple of drunk college students clogged up the bathroom while they held each other’s hair. Despite the great food and service, the sports bar-like atmosphere reminded us that Parkside is indeed on the strip. I am glad we tried it, but we wouldn’t visit it again in this location.
Pros: food
Cons: location
08/01/2008 Posted by txgrl99
My husband and I have become frequent diners at Parkside, and I can't say enough great things about the restaurant. I agree the portions are not huge, but for us, that's a good thing. It allows us to experiment and try lots of different things. The quality of the seafood is some of the best I've had anywhere. I will never eat Gulf oysters again after having their amazing, fresh and tasty oysters. We've always had excellent service. Ask for Rachelle or Scott (Kathy is great, too, but on vacation for a few weeks). They can both describe the menu perfectly and help you make choices that you'll be happy with. It is possible to eat here for a reasonable cost, but not really for me. I like to try lots of things, and it gets expensive. I think the quality you get (the freshest seafood, house cured bacon, etc) still makes the prices a good value. High quality ingredients are expensive, period. The chef/owner always circulates throughout the restaurant to ask about the food and thank people for coming (and in our case, coming back). I’ve taken about 6 different friends there, and we always have a delightful time and enjoyed the food immensely. I’ve tried just about everything on the menu – doughnut holes; sorbet; mac and cheese; salmon, fluke, scallops and oysters from the raw bar; blond pate (which my husband loves, and he doesn’t like pate at all); the chicken sandwich, ribs; goat cheese and onion tart – you get the idea. I’ve never had a dish there that wasn’t some of the best of its kind anywhere. It’s a great neighborhood place that isn’t a chain, and the staff goes out of their way to be appreciative of our business. It isn't the place to go if you want a bargain, all-you-can-eat experience. It IS the place to go if you want excellent food made with the freshest ingredients in a friendly, relaxed environment. My only criticism of the place is that it can be somewhat loud due to the acoustics, but that certainly isn't a deal breaker for me.
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