10/23/08

Austin Deserves the Best and we now have "TRIO"

by Mythster

Sometimes when the usual or "same-o" just won't do, I head over to "TRIO" at the Four Seasons for a real "Fine Dining" experience. Starting with the look of the place, the atmosphere and the amazing menu- everything sets me up for a great evening. The friendly but never overbearing waitstaff make it easy and fun and the food offerings almost beg for an algorithm to make decisions. In fact, my only criticism would be that making decisions about what to order can be very difficult. Sometimes I just have three appetizers and come back a week later for my main course to simplify the process. The wine list is just right, with a wide and intriguing list of some old friends and new names that beg for an introduction. The somelier aka "wine steward" is very knowledgeable and a great communicator and his love for his work makes it a real delight to select a bottle or a "flight" from his list. The wine "flights" are a great opportunity to taste and compare different but related wine selections, usually three small glasses of a wines in a specific category. After you've done the flight, you can order a bottle of the wine you prefer or- take another "flight"

Everything they serve at TRIO is of truly exceptional quality and if you're not sure about something on the menu, the waiter or one of the managers will be quick to help.

So next time "same-o" just won't cut it, cut out to "TRIO"

• Pros: Ambience, cuisine, wine list, Service

10/10/08

Great place to get away!

by anatom

If you are thinking about getting away, Trio is a great place to enjoy your evening. The food and service was remarkable!

10/07/08

Best service in Austin!!!

by tina1856

We were greeted by some of the friendliest host/hostesses of any place I've ever been. That was the beginning of a very good experience. The atmosphere was divine. The view of the bats- what can I say!!!! Friendly service from all that we came in contact with. The desserts are to die for!!!! Very professional from the second we walked in, to the last minute that we walked out. IF you've never been to the TRIO then you are missing out on one good time!!!!

• Pros: Service is beyond any thing I've experienced. The view you gotta see!!!!
• Cons: none!!!

09/19/08

Best downtown restaurant

by waitsfield

TRIO is definitely on my list of favorites. I've been there 3 or 4 times and each visit I've thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere, food and the wine. Ah - the wine. They have a very extensive, well priced wine list and their sommelier, Mark, is fantastic. Really personable and obviously enjoys his craft. On to the food....my two favorite appetizers are the crab fondue and the kampachii with watermelon and pepper frozen yogurt - amazing. For entrees, I'd have to say it's always a toss up between the dover sole, the bone-in tenderloin or the halibut. Their desserts have changed a bit since the first time I went and it's always a tough choice. If you like chocolate (who doesn't?) trust me, you won't be disappointed.

So...if you're looking for a relaxing meal mid-week or dinner with a group of friends - I highly recommend TRIO.

09/17/08

Awesome Service, Wonderful Food, Cool Atmosphere!!!

by hulawaitress

Alright, so this is NOT just a special occasion restaurant, this is an at least once a week destination for me now.

I went to the wine bar and then got a table for dinner with a couple of my girlfriends. TRIO's award-winning Sommelier, Mark, was able to find me a perfect glass of Pinot Noir to start my evening, even though I knew nothing about wine. (But I definitely learned a lot from chatting with him before my meal and left with some knowledge about the wine that I like.) They have over 60 wines by the glass!! I think the wine bar is a great spot for happy hour, and far less noisy than the lobby lounge upstairs, so it served as a perfect location for chatting with the girls.

Ok, on to dinner. We selected a lake-view table on the terrace to get a view of the bats around dusk and were greeted by what was to become the most charming waiter I've met in Austin, Bill. Their are some low couches on the terrace as well that we saw other groups having cocktails at (kinda made me wish we'd started there, but then we might have missed the Sommelier).

As a group, we decided not to get appetizers because we thought we wouldn't be hungry enough, but our thoughtful waiter took care of us and sent out a couple of appetizers, "Compliments of the Chef" and they were to die for. We received some Cheve Ravioli (butternut squash and goat cheese topped with chantrel mushrooms and giner sugar) Oh my gosh, what heaven, and also an order of Kampachi with compressed watermelon and pepper frozen yogurt! Wow!!! (I'm salivating this very moment). And the apps were FREE!!

I ordered the Dover Sole for dinner, and I love sole, and this one was OUT OF THIS WORLD good. My friends both had prime steaks and said they were amazing. Side dishes are shared and we ordered TRUFFLE ROSEMARY FRIES, Squash Papperdelle with some amazing lemon juice sauce, and a Sweet corn brulee. Wow, Sinful.!

Skipped the dessert, and went straight for the dessert wine trio taste! A steal only $10

• Pros: awesome wine bar, charming service, mouth-watering food
• Cons: None

07/19/08

I Don't Get It!!

by lgbb

We went with great expectations, and left very disappointed. We made reservations for 18 people for a birthday gathering, and were provided with ONE waiter. We are a young group that enjoy a cocktail hour prior to dinner. The poor waiter could not keep up with the drink orders, much less the appetizers we ordered at the same time. After complaining twice to a host, we were told that they would get us a different waiter. We explained that the waiter was fine, he just needed help. As for the dinner, my hiusband and I both had steaks - mine medium rare, my husband's rare. Needless to say they were both overcooked and flavorless. The sides were fine, but nothing to write home about. And the final ticket came to $300.00 per couple.

Fine seafood and steak entrees are served with Four Seasons flair at this deep-hued, upscale restaurant overlooking Lady Bird Lake.

by Joshua Hinsdale

In Short
Vivid reds, pinks and oranges dominate in this modern dining room that was reportedly inspired by the sunset. Subdued mahogany tables, natural wood floors and large fabric panels provide a balance to energetic colors. Located downstairs from the downtown hotel's main lobby, the windows look out over the outdoor terrace and the grassy hillside sloping down to the lake. Hotel guests and well-to-do Austinites dine on classic meals flavored with seasonal sides and local garnishes.

01/29/08

Stick with the basics

by ndskarin

I took my husband there for his birthday, and I was disappointed to say the least. We started off with the hamachi sashimi (which had a VERY strange, rubbery texture) and the shrimp trio (the ceviche was great, but the other two items were underwhelming). I had the Kansas City Strip, which was pretty good, and my husband had the monkfish wrapped in pancetta. I honestly don't know how he finished it. It was overcooked and stringy. The sides dishes were good. The best part of the meal was dessert. We had the pear trio, and it was superb. All of the ice cream is made in house, and it's unreal. Wine list is extensive, but there's a 3x markup.

• Pros: Ambiance, service, great basics
• Cons: More creative food really suffers

09/19/06

Straight Up

by labradoodle

I just got back from Austin and had been looking forward to eating here for brunch. Citysearch implied that it's a reasonably priced meal. $48 for a buffet brunch (which included crab legas and champagne) isn't a reasonable price to me in comparison to other places in Austin. Not sure if there's a cap on the champagne or the crab legs for that matter. If you want a good priced buffet brunch, Moonshine is only a few blocks away. The food was delicious and it was only 1/3 the price.

• Pros: They seemed to offer high end food
• Cons: Citysearch should be more accurate in describing pricing

07/17/06

Try the patio!

by bloom1004

This elegant restaurant also offers outdoor dining. The patio faces the lake, so you can watch the eerie but beautiful bats! There were people having a picnic on the lawn as well when we were there. Cool experience, beautiful sunset.

• Pros: view, valet parking, celebrity sightings
• Cons: quiet, not really the "in" scene (unless you're a Wilson)