Mars Restaurant & Bar

09/03/08

Best Steak in Town!

by landtroop at Citysearch

Mars is simply outstanding! My girlfriend and I love to go there. I have never had anything less than an exceptional experience there, dating back to the old location by campus. Zen the bartender and Teddy the manager always go out of their way to ensure our needs are met. I like the mixed grill; the different meats (usually duck, beef, and pork, but last time I had the salmon) are always perfectly and exquisitely cooked. The beef tenderloin is my girlfriend's favorite, and we agree that it is the best steak available in town!

• Pros: Great food and service

06/19/08

Must try this place!

by bobkelso at Citysearch

I have been to Mars a few times and I am planning on going back next week. I absolutely love this place. The people that are on here leaving negative remarks must have larger issues in life, because this place is easily one of the top 5 restaurants in Austin. If you have not been here before, go you will not be disappointed.

If you will allow me to make a suggestion, for an appetizers, try the Malanga Napoleon. I hate to say something is the best ever, however at the current moment, I can not think of any appetizer I have ever eaten that I would choose over the Malanga Napoleon.

• Pros: Wine selection
• Cons: bit pricy, but very much worth it.

05/31/08

really???

by montag451 at Citysearch

I am the chef at Mars Restaurant and I would like to point out that I indeed take pride in the food that myself and my cooks put out every day. Was the food too bland or too salty?? I am not from the Mid - Atlantic nor have i been raised on soft shell crab however I can assure you that the crab was alive before it went to the table. We do NOT marinate the lamb in beef broth but we do however serve it with lamb jus made from lamb bones. The ribs are braised for hours and are anything but dry . I would normally in this situation ask you to come back so that we could resolve any and all doubts you have in us, but instead I will ask that the next time you go out to eat anywhere that you start your dining experience with a better attitude.

04/28/08

Great deck, food, service, but can the smokers just go away?

by austexan at Citysearch

My girlfriend and I love Mars. We go at least 2-3 times a month, if not more. We love to sit outside (if it's not too hot or it's not packed with smokers; it only takes a few to ruin the smell of food). The Beef Tenderloin is not to be missed; also the Pork Tenderloin, the Wasabi Salmon, the Scallops, the Ricepaper Prawns and the Chocolate Pate. They also have a nice selection of wines by the glass (we usually don't get bottles). The servers are nice and attentive. Overall, this place is in our top 5 in Austin.

• Pros: Food, ambience, wine

04/26/08

Great food & attentive staff

by Birdle at Citysearch

I wasn't planning on leaving a review, but then read the one below and had to point out the coincidence that I was there last Sunday, sitting next to the large, disruptive table of obnoxious drunks to which the reviewer below presumably belonged to. They made a spectacle of themselves, before getting into a belligerant argument with the manager, yelling inapropriate things and stumbling out. Other than that disruption, me and my husband had a wonderful time. I was infact getting on this site to find Mars' number so that I could make a reservation to celebrate my birthday there. Fantastic food, great atmosphere, very amicable and professional staff. Highly Recommend it!

03/19/08

Great food, great choices, great place to go with your family

by Guy12 at Citysearch

I have been to Mars several times with my family and I LOVED IT! The food is great, the service is spectacular, and every time I finish dinner I am always disappointed because i don't want it to end. I loved the restaurant in the old location and i love it in the new one. The owner, Lori Simon, really knows how to run a great restaurant and take care of you when you need it. I don't live in Austin, but whenever i visit there i HAVE TO go to Mars, it is like a priority when i am visiting. It is a great restaurant with great food at an affordable price. The only negative thing that i have to say is when it is busy, the place can get really really loud and its a little annoying, but it is worth it when you try some of the food. People who have never been there before, listen to me.... GO THERE! You will love it!

• Pros: Food, Service
• Cons: noise level

03/01/08

Great Atmosphere

by DanCam at Citysearch

I have been to Mars many times and I am always amazed at how consistently great the food and service is. The atmosphere is unbelievable, both inside and out. However, my friends and I always love sitting on the patio.

02/23/08

great evening

by EddyJoe at Citysearch

After several excellant dinners at Mars in the last few months I began to wonder if I was becoming jaded by the cool atmosphere or the friendly wait staff. So on a recent weekend I decided to take some out of town guess, all admitted food-o-files, and without exception everyone was blown away.On a busy Saturday night our waiter could not have been more helpful and made us feel like we were the only people in the place. The kitchen's timing was spot on and the entrees from the thai bouilliasse, the seared flounder and the flank steak from the Tandoori oven were all big hits. My friends were also impressed by the innovative drink menu, they loved the wasabi martini. The Mars staff sure made me look good. I'll be back and so will my friends whenever they are in town.

02/23/08

Where's the best beef tenderloin? It's at Mars!

by Jetsetter666 at Citysearch

A large group of us went to Mars 2 weeks ago for my nephew's 21st and we had a great experience. Even though we had 13 folks in our party, we were seated promptly at the time we made our reservation in a very full restaurant. Appetizer samplers for the entire table really set the mood. The tender baby back ribs and delicious potstickers were right on the mark and there was much more to pick from off the sampler platter that was equally good. Plenty of food for everyone just to whet their appetite before the entrees started to arrive. I can't speak for everyone else at the table, but I will tell you things got very quiet w/ the exception of alot of oohs and aahs when the main dishes arrived due to the fact that the party goers were all consumed w/ what was in front of them. I had the beef tenderloin, which I have to say was some of the most flavorful melt in your mouth meat I have had in a long time. Simply delicious and cooked perfectly. I did get to try a bit of my wife's salmon and it also was delicious. No wonder all I got was one small bite. Dessert was right on the mark also. We all shared creme brullee that was super creamy but not too sweet and these little donuts and some home made ice cream that really finished off a perfect celebration. Even though we had a very large party our server was totally on top of things and I thought did a great job on keeping everyone happy and satisfied at the table.

• Pros: Great service, outstanding food
• Cons: Can be a little loud

02/23/08

wonderful night at mars

by mishastavis at Citysearch

went to mars the other night for the first time since their move to congress ave- loved the decor- absolutely loved the patio-sat outside while we waited for a table inside being that the night was getting colder ,but in the nicer weather would have loved to stay out- beautiful trees sitting right on congress. appetizers were great- the tuna tataki and the rice paper prawns were excellent- the place was loud but it was pretty crowded. great wine list and the server helped us along with our choice. service was good and attentive- waiter was quite humorous and fun at the table. had the tenderloin (an old favorite) and it is literally the best beef tenderloin i have ever had- my date had the venison- also excellent- dessert- chocolate pate-delicious!!!!

all in all it was a wonderful experience- can't wait till it is warm so we can check out the outdoor seating.

• Pros: ambience, good attentive service, great food
• Cons: a little on the loud side