08/16/09

Terrible service and food

by KM26

we went to celebrate a friends birthday at the Taverns. here are a couple of things i did not like

- food was very very small portion and very expensive

- their margarita pizza is nothing but a cheese pizza. no sliced tomatoes like margarita pizza would have

- My husband asked for a soda which they forgot to bring, and we had to remind them again after 10 mins.

- we asked for crushed pepper, which never came.

- Pretty much you need to re-ask everything, else they forget

- food was very salty but that might be my taste buds...who knows

the only good thing i would say, we were a party of 12, and the attendant volunteered to break down the bill per couple. Ambiance was good.

• Pros: Good Ambience
• Cons: bad food and bad service

Upscale Italian resto masters wood-fired pizza and pasta.

by Alexandra Richmond

Being located on the ground floor of one of Austin's newer skyscrapers adds to the big-city hustle and bustle in this large dining room. Diners come for Italian food; comforting, cheesy, saucy and preferably with lots of wine. Traditional favorites can be enjoyed on the killer sidewalk patio, or inside as the open kitchen cranks out dishes. The bar is filled with people waiting for tables, and during brunch can be a fast-moving scene as the dollar mimosas flow and patrons jockey for prime people-watching spots. Quickly enough, they are seated, and digging into house-made pasta, soup and salads takes priority.

04/12/09

Miserable Experience

by Galghaidhil

We went to Taverna for years and always had a good meal; then about two years ago the portions began shrinking - we had to eat at home afterwards to feel like we'd had a satisfying meal. Easter brunch 2009 pushed us over the top and out the door - forever. Three of us were crammed into a tiny bistro table for two; looking around, other parties were treated the same (profits over comfortable patrons!). The service was lousy - no bread on the table until 30 seconds before our meals appeared (after a lengthy wait), waitress inattentive (never told us the specials, asked if there was anything we needed as we were finishing the meal - duuuh), meal was lukewarm when served, tea was watered-down bottled tea (awful), and then there were the minuscule English muffins for eggs Benedict - I didn't know they made 'em that small; tiny little eggs, too. Cramped table, lousy service, cold small portions of food (the Hollandaise sauce was tasteless) - so why bother? I know we never will again. Too bad - it used to be a lovely place for a comfortable, relaxing (and enjoyable) dinner. Big double thumbs down. Spend your money where you'll be treated like a valuable patron, rather than someone to be fleeced and treated like one of a herd.

• Cons: Cramped seating at tables, stinko service, tiny portions

03/07/09

Favorite Brunch Location in Austin

by jezziesmizzle

So this is my first time writing a review on city search. I felt I HAD to after reading all the awful slams about this place. Bad Service? FAARRR from it. Poor Food Quality? What are these people talking about?! I have been enjoying brunch here for the past year and my brunch crew and I try to make it out at least once a month together. WE absolutely LOVE it. What do we love? 1) The service is always great. Yes, it is usually busy, so be reasonable and considerate with your server. We don't always get everything we ask for in under ten seconds, but we do get it in a reasonable fashion--and always with a smile. 2) Food Quality. Its always hot, prompt, and deliciously tasty. 3) Ambiance. If you like a nice breeze like we do, sit outside. My group and I love the sights, sounds, and people watching of downtown.

Taverna is the best! ****TIP: if you don't want to wait to be sat, MAKE A RESERVATION! Just call and speak with one of the lovely hosts.

• Pros: Service, Food, Ambiance, Our last server Jem
• Cons: none

12/07/08

Best Italian Brunch in Austin

by dlsomers

This place is spectacular. The brunch here on Sundays is unbeatable. From the $1 Mimosas, to the wide menu, you cannot go wrong. Try the lasagna, its not a traditional lasagna ,truly delicious and a belly buster. The risotto is second to none at this place.

The ambiance at this place is great, it really has a light European feel to it, especially if you sit in front of the restaurant. Our server was friendly and attentive.

Highly recommended.

• Pros: Great brunch, drinks, ambiance, service
• Cons: None really

12/06/08

THIS PLACE IS GREAT!

by austexgirl

MY FAMILY AND I WENT HERE FOR MY HUSBAND'S BIRTHDAY AND THEY WERE ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE 10 OF US VERY LAST MINUTE. EVERYONE ENJOYED THEIR ENTREE, APPETIZER AND DESSERT...... EXCEPT THE PIZZA, IT WASN'T BAD, JUST WASNT ANYTHING SPECIAL. WE WILL DEFINITELY BE GOING BACK!

• Pros: GREAT GNOCCI AND I LOVE THE AMBIENCE!
• Cons: PARKING COULD BE BETTER

11/03/08

I agree with the last two reviews

by LynnKaye

I went to Taverna for a late lunch and waited what seemed like an eternity to get my entree. I had to remind my waitress to bring the complimentary bread and had to request that my iced tea be refilled (which she only did once). It's like she forgot I was there. She took my knife before my entree arrived and didn't bring a replacement. I got the risotto with chicken, and the chicken was cold, and the risotto tasted like cheesy rice (which I guess to some extent it is). Vespaio this place is NOT. Too bad Vespaio isn't open for lunch - they know how to do risotto right.

• Pros: Outdoor seating
• Cons: Service is bad; food is average

11/03/08

Worst service EVER!

by tc12

A friend and I went here for lunch today and had a horrible experience. We were given very poor service from the moment we sat down and waited for approximately 40 minutes for our food to come out. The waitress never apologized or gave us an update on the status of our food. She was completely unattentive. When our food finally arrived, it was cold and I found a piece of tinfoil in the risotto. We immediately asked for our check upon receiving our food as we were in a hurry to get back. She brought the check, but then completely abandonded us again. She was definitely not busy as the restaurant was almost empty. When she finally came back to colect our payment, I showed her the tinfoil in the risotto and she responded, "Okay". There was no apology or additional acknowledgement. I will definitely not be returning to Taverna EVER.

• Pros: Cute restaurant with good location.
• Cons: HORRIBLE SERVICE

07/26/08

Horrific service

by austinite1010

We arrived at 6:30 so that we'd have time to get to an 8:00 pm show at AMH.

The waitress was horrible. She brought ice tea and didn't put sugar on the table. It took about 10 minutes to get her attention for the sugar. She then served soup with no spoon. Another 5 minutes, while the soup became lukewarm. We waited at minimum 45 minutes for our entrees, while many others around us came and went. The waitress never once came to our table to let us know the status of our order or even to 'take our temperature.' By 10 minutes until 8 we asked for our check because our entrees never arrived.

We will NEVER go back and have made it a point to write this review to warn others! There are just too many other restaurant choices in Austin to go back to a place that treated us like this.

• Pros: It's Downtown
• Cons: The service is awful.

05/25/08

lukewarm mimosas, shotty service if you don't fit "the look"

by rubyrockit

we went to this place for one reason, bottomless mimosas with entrees. They were luke warm , the service was awful, and because we weren't "yuppies" were were stared at and treated as if we were somehow going to harm the place. I am a hairstylist.. I have blue hair... I also make a lot of money and like to eat out... so maybe consider that before you sit us under a leak in the roof, give us the crankiest bartender, and treat us like we're gonna rip you off.

never again.

• Cons: no parking, bad service,lukewarm mimosas