Eastside Cafe

Ate there today with a friend who said, ""This is 5-star dining at a 2-star price."" I couldn't agree more. I had a lovely fresh salad within-house lemon-tarragon dressing. more

Please order Bootsie's buttermilk pie with strawberries. Wild mushroom crepes are the best. Love the huge variety of fresh grown veggies. more

We love dining at Eastside Cafe. Each experience has been wonderful. The atmosphere is charming. If you have a wait for your table, walking around the grounds and their shop next door is a great way to kill time. The food has been fresh, innovative, and delicious. Great service also. more

I had dinner a few nights ago at East Side Café with an old friend who was in town for business, and we had reservations at 6:45pm. I had previously gone many times over the years but hadn’t been back for over a year or so. Unfortunately, East Side Cafe did not live up to its reputation and prices. Although we had reservations, we were placed in not very desirable table in a far corner of the Garden Room. Worse, we were rushed the whole evening; it seemed that the server was most interested in moving the table; there was little time to rest between courses; our plates were swooped way as soon as possible--even though my friend was still eating--and the bill was presented barely after we declined dessert. Any thoughts of lingering or having coffee were dashed. What should have been a calm and relaxing spring evening had turned into a sprint. Furthermore, the food was a disappointment. The salads were fresh, and I did enjoy the side salad, but the radishes in my side dish were crudely chopped in chunks (rather than neatly sliced). Inexplicably, too, the mushroom crepes were heated up rather than freshly made--and how long does it take to make a couple of crepes? The experience left me feeling that I'd made a bad choice of to take my friend to dinner. It was neither a good experience nor a good value. more

Went for lunch, seem to always after Thankgiving every year. The food is fresh and flavorable (is that a word?) The place is homey and warm. It's not inexpensive, but you can't beat it for a treat. Table cloths and cloth napkin kind of place, not as pricey and dressed up as Green Pastures, but just as good.\r The peach oolong tea sounded better than it was. The chicken artichoke soup was to die for. Pros: Wonderful food Cons: Disappointed in the peach oolong tea. more

Initial conversation at the table went something like this:\r \r us, ""what's fresh from the garden today?""\r \r them, ""at the moment, for tonight, we have some nice herb garnishes and also fresh herbs that are an ingredient in the fish special's sauce.""\r \r us, ""so much is in season right now. you are not serving a dish from the garden?""\r \r them,... smiled more

I just got back from this place, and I have to say, it sucked. It's hard to describe how much it sucked. I just felt like it was a place that was trying to be snooty, when it had no reason to be snooty. And I honestly believe all the reviewers that gave it 5 stars, are the kind of people that like snooty places, just because they're snooty. The food was ok. I had the pecan and panko crusted chicken. It wasn't particularly flavorful, the flavors of the didn't match (jalapeno cream gravy on the chicken and soy ginger on the squash?), and the vegetables weren't all that great, just normal vegetables. The dish was kind of small for $14. Service was fine. The worst part was how quiet it was. The room we were in was full (4 tables to a room) yet is was so awkwardly quiet that you could hear every word of every conversation around you. I didn't feel comfortable speaking above a whisper. I couldn't wait to leave so I could be myself again. I will definitely never go back. Pros: It has food Cons: Everything else more

We got a gift card to this place and were so excited to try it. It was adorable! The first time we came it was 30mins before closing. I felt bad for being one of THOSE GUYS who comes in at the end. But the waitress was super nice, and talkative and you can tell had a passion for what she was serving. The mini cornbread jalepeno muffins are so yummie. I had the catfish which was also good. We also came back for brunch later that week. I had the salmon eggs benedict, my husband had the apple almond waffle w/bacon. The ingredients are fresh and tasty. The bacon was probably the best I've ever had, it was smoked. The resturant itself looks like its in a converted home with little side rooms for dining. Very intriguing. Their garden is very impressive. You can tell they know what they're doing and are doing it right! We will definitely come back. Pros: Fresh food from the garden, good $, just overall a fun place to eat Cons: Parking can be a pain, but all good things are worth the wait. more

We made reservations for 7pm at 5:45pm so no wait and sat right down. We were seated in the room directly next to the entrance. They had nice music playing at the perfect level and it was just lovely! The drink/menu service was prompt as well as the service to come. The chalk board contained the vegetable, soup and specials of the day and made the decision difficiult. We started with the Chicken/Mushroom/Artichoke soup. The Pecan/Panko encrusted Chicken and a Garden Salad with Goat Cheese for our entree's. Out came the soup with cornbread muffins. First words out of my mouth was YUM!! Then the entrees. The Chicken entree could not have been better. Large moist portion with great crust and gravy. Sides of Mashed Potatoes, Acorn Squash and Broccoli with spices that really brought out the flavors. The salad was good but could have used a tad more substance and dressing. (But still good). We got the Carrot Cake to go. It was dense. Moist and full of all the good stuff. I could almost eat the frosting by itself. Everything tasted like it was made to eat and not to sell.\r Always looking for the out of the ordinary in Austin. Can't wait to take my family and friends when they come to visit. They will enjoy. Best yet....$50 bucks for Wine, appetizer, entree's, coffee and dessert. Pros: Fresh food Cons: parking a little tight more

Good atmosphere, excellent service, and very tasty food.....best I have had in Austin in a while at the price. more

Upon entering the restaurant, i smelled the amazing aroma of pancakes and waffles. I saw many an eggs benedict and plates full of delicious migas on the way to our table. The layout of the house is so quaint and aesthetically pleasing, casual yet chic. I ordered a field green salad with grilled goat cheese, granny smith apples and homemade rasberry vinagarette...which was soo good. I also has a cup of veggie soup straight out of the garden and a jalepeno cheddar cornbread muffin...yummm. My father got a waffle, which was ok,,,but his cheese grits were delicious. A table close to ours got an order of french toast which turned out to be what i smelled when i first arrived...I know what ill be ordering next time. Love this place, plesent setting, music, people...highly recomended. Don't get the waffles, they were just ok, as waffles often are. I wouls recomend an eggs benedict, migas or the french toast...and cheese grits for sure. Pros: Fresh ingredients, lovely ambiance, unique setting, austintacious, great smelling french toast Cons: waffles only...ok more

While the food is really unique and delicious, I have had better for less money. Insert Buenos Aires Cafe here. The atmosphere is always lovely. It is super cozy and romantic. If you are lucky enough to have superb service, it can be a perfectly intimate, aphrodisiac kind of place (timing is important if you know what I mean). However, there have been times where the service was lacking - at least in relation to what I had experienced other times and in relation to what you would expect for the money. One of the things about EC is that their food is so, so fresh and much of it is made with herbs and vegetables they grow right there on site. EC as a whole is a rarity and a definite must. more

-Sesame-encrusted catfish: pretty good; Garlic mashed potatoes: amazing; Pumpkin bread with caramel: delicious with extra caramel; Great variety; Classy, homey feel; Good for a group of 4 or less Pros: menu selection, fresh veggies more

Went there the first time a few weeks ago. Cozy old house experience! Our waitress was exceptional, the food was a delight for the senses, and the prices were reasonable. I can't wait to go back :) more

I was in Austin overnight for business and Eastside had been recommended to a business associate as a nice place to eat near my hotel. Neither of us had eaten there before but the experience would definitely warrant a return visit and recommendation to others visiting Austin. The unique and eclectic menu should allow everyone to find something to meet their tastebuds. I particularly enjoyed the Shrimp and Goat Cheese Quesadillas as an appetizer. While practically everything we tried was very delicious, neither of us cared for the Stuffing, it was extremely bland and could have benefited greatly from a sauce or gravy. The wine list was also somewhat eclectic which allowed us to share a nice reasonably priced bottle. Since I travel a great deal it is nice to fine places like Eastside - a real joy after chain restuarants and room service. Pros: Food Cons: service more

My family and I are always on the look out for restaurants to go, after Sunday morning service. I suggested Eastside Cafe, as we had visited this restaurant in the past, and found it to be a nice quaint place with wholesome food. This Sunday, I was greeted at the door as if I wanted something other than a nice place to eat. The greeter stated as my 13 yr old daughter and I entered with ""how can we help ya'll"", and she said this with such a disdain look on her face, as if I were an alien visting this planet.I was quite taken aback and did not quite understand her request and had to pause for a moment, and another lady obviously understood this greeters graff, asked how many in your party and I responded with 3, gave my name and left, but after speaking with my husband, we decided we would not go to this restaurant and I called back to the restaurant to complain about the situation and the manager on duty, actually got defensive and didn't quite ""get it"". We will not ever go to this establishment again and suggest all others if they are seeking a restaurant with great service to avoid this restaurant. more

I'm addicted to this east side secret. It's easy to miss on Manor since there is a big plant that covers... more

I'm addicted to this east side secret. It's easy to miss on Manor since there is a big plant that covers the sign. Brunch: French Toast (whole ... more

I always order the same thing here - chicken, mushroom and artichoke soup, garlic masked potatoes (or acorn... more

I always order the same thing here - chicken, mushroom and artichoke soup, garlic masked potatoes (or acorn squash with soy ginger glaze) and artic... more