08/22/09

Unfriendly Service

by therins

According to our waitress and the manager, the policy of this establishment is that if you order a bottle of wine, there is no service. They will open the bottle, re-cork it, and leave it at your table. Do not expect water, ice in your water, or to be checked on.

• Cons: horrible service

03/10/09

I love this place

by JimTremoz

I really enjoy The Blue Dahlia. It's a warm, inviting place to grab breakfast or lunch... or just a coffee and a pastry.

The staff is always very friendly and pleasant. You really get a sense that they care about the place, the customers and the quality of food.

The outside area in the back is really nice too.

• Pros: Great atmosphere, great food, great service

01/10/09

Delicious, fresh & healthy

by HoboBunny

Not being from Austin and having the impression of Texas eateries being limited to barbeque joints and Pappas chains, we didn't have high expectations of the evening meal. On a tip from local, we decided to try this place. The atmosphere was immediately inviting with heavy wood farm tables dappled with lit candles, soft chatter from families or groups of friends, and a charming back-garden warmed by heat lamps and a roaring chiminea. The food was equally amazing. I see why the owners chose to have family-style seating: you can't help but covet your neighbors meal while magnanimously also wanting to share your own. Between the three of us, we had, loved and devoured the: butternut squash risotto (hands-down the best risotto ever...exciting and still subtly flavorful); some sort of pumpkin spicy soup; and two pasta dishes. Fresh pesto, perfectly al dente, not drowning in sauce, perfectly sized portions. We had appetizers, a glass of wine, entrees and two desserts...all for under $70. This gave me hope that Texas restaurants may be finding their nirvana and no longer following the fat-ball trends of oversized and over-sauced options. Kudos!

• Pros: delicious, relatively healthy food & great atmosphere
• Cons: the neighborhood made my mom a little nervous (but its fine)

12/24/08

Eastside Gem!

by user41

With a small and inviting garden like setting out back, additional outdoor seating in front and an indoor dining room, this looks-to-be former house is a great find. I have been a couple of times and my only reservations would be that the service can be slow and they do not have equal for ice tea (byoe). Blue Dahlia offers good food at reasonable prices that appears attractive when served.

This could be a nice alternative to hanging out at a coffee house or the like with your lap top or book (they have wi-fi). You may want to look elsewhere though if you are in a time crunch though.

• Pros: Outdoor seating, food, wi-fi available
• Cons: Location, sometimes slow service

10/24/08

Beautiful Cheese Plate, Intimate setting

by calteg

I had the cheese plate which was absolutely fantastic. The only complaint was that the brie wasn't room temp so it was a little stiff to cut into and I wish the bread was warmed a little. Overall generous portions, perfectly ripe fruit accompaniments, great variety, the service was good too. The cheese plate was so large my husband and I had a hard time finishing it! Can't wait to try more stuff off their menu!

06/19/08

I could go every day - So fresh and tasty!!

by curlsz

I literally could hang out here just about every day - there menu has so many choices and it's all so fresh and great - I never leave feeling stuffed but always leave feeling satisfied. I highly recommend the brie and preserves and the bread pudding.

• Pros: Food is so fresh and presented so well.
• Cons: Unless you live near East Austin it's a little out of the way.

03/15/08

Yummy food - Beautiful landscaping!

by jewlzzz

Wow - what a great place for breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert!! The courtyard in the back is gorgeous! At night, with the live candles, it's a beautiful palce for dates or other gatherings. (Exception: We went one night when it was cold, but it did not have the heater lamps -- so it was cold and unpleasant and we had to rush out.) The waitstaff is nice, and the bathrooms are pretty, and the entrees are fresh-looking and super tasty. Prices are average. Definitely worth checking out! Also very Austin "green, granola, and organic" feeling. But watch out if you ask for bottled water -- one staff was super snide to me and said "We don't believe in plastic bottles here!" So - I wasn't able to get any water to go.

• Pros: beautiful setting
• Cons: not many warm entrees

03/11/08

My new favorite restaurant in Austin

by maddi108

Amazing food....healthy, beautiful, and tasty. Environmentally conscious. Amiable and respectful service without being pretentious. European attitude and comfortable atmosphere. Great experience. I'm planning to go back for breakfast tomorrow.

• Pros: Better than the most expensive restaurants in Austin. Everything
• Cons: none

02/16/08

So delicious!!!

by carlandbeth

My Husband and I just ate at the Blue Dahlia Bistro for the first time today and it was DELICIOUS! He had the hummus/sprouts/avocado sandwich with sharp white cheddar cheese...I had the mushroom soup & bread. The sandwich came open-face, looking like art, on a wooden cutting board. Both were incredibly tasty and you can tell they use fresh, organic ingredients - just like they advertise. We almost ordered the pasta until we read that it's only served after 5pm (we went for lunch). The atmosphere was charming and quaint and the acoustic mandolin music they were playing was a nice touch. And to top it all off, since we just drank water, our bill was only $11! We'll definitely be going back!

• Pros: Healthy delicious organic food, charming atmosphere, great prices
• Cons: No dessert menu, entrees only served after 5pm

10/26/07

Cozy atmosphere

by amgu

We tried the Blue Dahlia Bistro last night and were not disappointed. The restaurant definitely has a french feeling with the large wooden tables and wood beamed ceiling. The warm painted walls and candlelight helps you to step back from the everyday and take an hour or two to relax. The waitstaff was the perfect combination of the attentive but not so involved that you couldn't relax and enjoy the conversation. The wine list isn't huge but they have several different types available by the bottle or the glass. Our waiter seemed knowledgable about the wine - my Shiraz was exactly like he described it. We split the cheese tray and one of their European salads. The cheese plate comes with several types of cheese, fruit and some of the best olives that I have ever had. Not to mention the large basket of assorted bread - something for everyone. The salad was large and the vegetables on it must have just come from the farm they were so fresh. We will definitely go back - it is the perfect place to have great food and wine.

• Pros: Recommend the cheese plate!
• Cons: Nothing!