10/22/09

Ehhh so so

by RayFoodLover

Tried Mandola's and I personally don't see paying that much money to stand in line, order at the counter, sit in a cold atmosphere and not feel every welcome at all. The Gelato was alright but wasn't out of this world.

07/04/09

Best pizza in Austin

by luludheir

The have the best pizza in Austin. It is delicious and not greasy. Their market is also great if you like to cook.

• Pros: Pizza, Market

03/22/09

Tasty

by irishindc71

Great food at reasonable prices. Love the thin pizzas and the fun little market inside.

• Pros: Food
• Cons: Parking and crowds

08/17/08

There are better places to go

by non20

I have tried this place a couple of time as well as the new place Trattoria Lisina and these places have to be the worst "Italian" food there is. I have read the other comments and am not sure if these people realize that food should have flavor. I was told that people think that a place is expensive that it is good even if they don?t like it. I am here to tell everybody that just because you pay a lot does not mean that the food is good, it should have flavor no matter how much you pay. This is well over price for what you get. Service is always slow and food tasteless.

• Cons: food, service,

04/27/08

Badass Italian Food

by austinfoodgirl

I highly recommend eating here. Ask them about their fancy restaurant in Driftwood, it's badass also. I am one picky AustinFoodGirl.

02/23/08

wine, cheese, wine and cheese, and a concrete fountain

by tuesdaythursday

Mandola's Italian Market is a delightful restaurant located in the Triangle.

Although exceptionally "fratty" (and thus a tad unbearable) on the weekends, stop by any Tuesday night and relax while little Italy envelopes you. The huge wine selection, coupled with the extensive deli of fresh cheeses, meats, and pastries, leaves me to make several suggestions:

1. try the gorgonzola dolce,

2. when trying the gorgonzola dolce, remember to eat with a freind so that you aren't responsible for eating 1/2 - 1 1/2 pounds of exquisite cheese all by yourself,

3. try the Melini Chianti Borghi D'Elsa--voted best inexpensive red wine in 2005 by the New York Daily News, and

4. take your food outside and dine under the twinkly lights beside the concrete fountain.

Mandola's is a magical place--perfect for dinner with a date you're trying to woo into believing you're actually a foodie.

ENJOY!

• Pros: True Italian Cuisine with a little taste of Austin.
• Cons: Beat the crowds--dine on a weeknight!

01/27/08

Go Once for the Experience....but avoid the weekend!

by notacheapdate

Mandola's is the place to be if you like a crowd. I went on a Saturday night, and as expected, the line was out the door. The place is definitely for wine lovers since every other person in line had a drink in hand (I wouldn't be able to rate the wine since I don't drink). The tables are pushed really close together, so I would not recommend bringing a baby stroller/carriage or to come in a group of more than 4 unless you're willing to sit outside. I tried the bruschetta, and it was heavy with garlic (to the point I was coughing after each bite) and low on olive oil. The great part about it was that they used cherry tomato halves, so it tasted fresh. I had the pesto pasta as my main meal, and it would have tasted just fine but was a little drier than recommended with the lack of sauce. Try the pizza though! Tomato sauce is not their main ingredient, so you're able to taste the fresh ingredients. If you haven't been here yet, I would definitely try it to get that city feel, but otherwise I would recommend you waiting on that sushi restaurant that will be opening up soon right across the center from them!

• Pros: Great pizza, Fresh ingredients
• Cons: Crowded, Uncomfortable chairs

01/07/08

Map is in error

by bobg12345

My Review is of this map.....1 star at best. Mandola's that is being reviewed by most reviewers here is on Lamar between 45th and 51st Streets. Map shows it down by River....Don't know what is there, but its not the market.

12/09/07

THANK YOU FOR COMING TO AUSTIN!!!

by rp4runner

The food at Mandola's market is outstanding, and their new restaurant Trattoria Lisina in Driftwood is also outstanding. It's so nice to finally have great Italian food options in Austin. I wish we had a market in SW Austin. Keep up the great work!!

• Pros: Quality of food, great for kids.
• Cons: n/a

08/19/07

would be romantic if it weren't so loud...

by dehiller

I enjoyed the attractive decor--wall murals, brick, wood--but the place is really loud...not least because they've got tables upon tables--no elbow room to speak of--and it's often really busy. The sandwiches (panini) are good, but the pasta dishes were too garlicky and not very authentic (I grew up in an Italian neighborhood in NJ and, both at home and when eating out, Italian food was the "default," so I think I know Italian food!). For what it is, the food menu is a little overpriced. The bakery selections, on the other hand, are worth it: chocolate-dipped espresso cookies are fantastic. The service is just OK, and the lines can get very long at mealtimes. We've walked out before because getting a table and our meal within 45 minutes looked hopeless. Basically, this is a quaint themed restaurant--not bad, but not all that it's cracked up to be either. Come weekdays in the mid-afternoon and try the baked goods; they are unique among Austin bakeries.

• Pros: great bakery, wifi, nice decor
• Cons: mediocre entrees, tables too close together, very loud, long lines at mealtimes