Cool River Cafe, Steakhouse & Southwestern Grille

04/27/2008 Posted by hughgainey

'We looked forward to returning to this place because I recalled they had very good steaks. When I arrived, I was surprised to smell cigarette and cigar smoke. The folks kindly explained they had separate A/C systems and it wouldn't be a problem. I guess some folks don't have a very sensitive nose. This is Austin. Where are the smoke nannies? The very professional and gracious waitress explained we needed to order our steaks one degree more done than usual, as they cook them rarer than most places. So I ordered medium. What I got was well done, but I took a bite and it was nevertheless very good - tender and tasty. The watchful waitress noticed and insisted on taking it back. I felt it was perfectly edible, even if it wasn't what I ordered, but she took it away, and while my friend ate, I waited. In a few minutes, out came another steak, this time accompanied with a manger and a flashlight to examine the cut steak. It was rare by any standards. Not my preference, but I accepted it. The glass of wine was not so good at $11, but ok. I paid my bill, which came to almost $70with tip. What I discovered later was that it included a 28% tip before I added more! They had included a tip for both steaks, which I guess is logical since she served me two steaks, right? As I walked to my car, the fragrance in the parking lot was not that wonderful smell of steaks cooking. It was cigar smoke. Thumbs down.

Pros: good steaks, beautiful place, gracious service

Cons: strong smell of smoke, pricey, On average they got it right - one too done and one too rare

04/05/2008 Posted by rpayneaustin

There service is always top notch. Once you have been, they always greet you by name. There food is always fresh and they provide a very diverse menu and specials! Try their prime rib!!!

01/29/2008 Posted by comeon1234

We sat at a table in the back of the bar which might explain why our server never came. Finally, I started a tab with the bar. The bill was way too high for the food and drinks, but since I don't get out much, I let it go. I'm still waiting for all the"other" charges to come off my account, since the bill that I signed has cleared the bank. The food was good. The ceasar salad caliente was good, but the chicken was bland. I shouldn't have added it. The ribs were great! The calamari with banana peppers was good. I don't think I'll be back.

12/14/2007 Posted by amp07

As a last minute decision ,and being somewhat hungry for Good food ,and due to hearing that this was a great place decided Ok let me try. A big mistake huge---(As from Pretty Woman)--My friend and I opted for eating in the Bar area,as we were hungry and didnt want to wait on table etc. After plowing through males/and females in the mating ritual we found a small area which had table we could use to eat. We ordered the Crab cakes /and Bruscetta-tenderloin- pricey but what the heck. I have eaten Crab cakes in Baltimore so I now a Crab cake when I see one--these resemble those frozen fish cakes I had as a child all filler no fish --same here all filler no Crab---Tasty but not worth the price. Then my friend tried to bite into the Bruscetta -almost lost her tooth--the Bread was stale--the bar guy tried to tell me thats how they made them Ok but stale bread is stale bread.I am european so I do now what consistency a good artisan bread is like ..this is not it. We returned the Bruscetta-replaced with the Calamari- again ok its fried cant mess that up much . We left shortly after,and we were not happy,so I decided to call them today.Perhaps they would at least offer to make things right,the manager CHRIS MARTIN took my complaint but made no offer to extend any courtesy to us if we made another trip to them . At least CHRIS MARTIN should have offered that we give them another try on them. But obviously they feel they dont need too.Well I have told many friends already and word of mouth has a huge effect ,so people go to the Domain every Restaurant so far I have been to there is wonderful. And the prices are better.

02/15/2007 Posted by irishindc71

My wife and I tried out the Cool River Cafe. Overall impressions..... it was *packed* on Thursday night, the day after Valentine's Day. A large number of waitstaff ensured that guests were very well attended to. The service was excellent on a scale I've not seen often. The steak was, to quote my non- beef eating wife...."aMAZing." THe Tuna was delicious, and much larger than I expected. All told, it was a wonderful occassion.

Pros: Waitstaff was great, food was delicious.... price is a bit high, but well worth it.. parking

02/15/2007 Posted by csh1122

We go to C R A P River Cafe about once a month needless to say I will try to stay away as much as possible. The last time we went to this establishment we had to wait 45 minutes for our food. The server never came and told us anything about how long the wait was or to even check up on us. To be objective, the food is good and the ambiance is great but if you like waiting close to an hour for your food come on a FULL stomach cause you will be waiting without anyone telling you what is going on.

Pros: Food was great and ambiance was nice

Cons: They no nothing about service

02/15/2006 Posted by john_susan_durrett

My wife and I planned a very special night out to celebrate our anniversary. We are a mature couple, near our 50s and we were properly dressed for the occasion. We arrived promptly at the restaurant for our reservation. We went into the bar area to wait for our table. After a 30 minute wait we were seated in a rear banquet room which totally lacked any ambiance. Every time the door opened the smoke and band noise came pouring in. We could barely talk with the constant thumping of music on the wall. This totally ruined our planned evening. Needless to say, our expectations of a fine dinning experience had been shattered. We got up and left the restaurant. If you are planning a nice night out to celebrate a special occasion do not go to Cool River.

Pros: Ambiance

Cons: Poor management, Poor service

12/28/2005 Posted by jfun05

I used to frequent cool river on a weekly basis, not anymore! I am very upset at the way we were treated at Cool River. Once the bartender overheard us say we were going to be safe and possibly take a cab home he said he could not serve us anymore. Just after this the manager came over to us and escorted us out of the building and as if we were completly inntoxicated. We were there for about 3 hours and had 3 drinks as well as eating at the bar and drinking water. I know that they are ultimatley held responsible for the people at the bar but we were being responsible by taking a Cab and it was clear we were just enjoying the evening and were not intoxicated enough to be excorted out. DON"T HAVE A GOOD TIME AT COOL RIVER THEY WILL KICK YOU OUT!!!!!!!!

11/04/2005 Posted by arm3030

I've frequented Cool River on a number of occasions. I have always found the wait staff, particulary in the bar area, to be friendly and helpful. Food is very good though a bit pricey. The last steak I had was the filet mignon - great. Cooked to my liking and great taste. Dining in the bar area might be even better. A little more laid back but still great atmosphere. The crowd in the bar tends to range from early 20's - 50's. A nice crowd and good blend of folks. Management came by several times to check on our evening. Nice touch.

Pros: good crowd, live music, great steaks

Cons: a bit pricey

10/25/2005 Posted by sophieagain

How the hell can a joint have bad food, bad service, be overpriced for what it has and still rate a 9.1 I'd like to know please???? My post wasn't posted and the place was DREADFUL. Are they paying Citysearch to keep their ratings clean? The ratings system sucks! :-(

Pros: Nice looking place, Parking okay

Cons: Dreadful meal, Dreadful Mgmt, Waitress bad