Vespaio

Cute little Italian restaurant. It's a hipper kind of Italian place that is great for lunch. It's a little... more

Cute little Italian restaurant. It's a hipper kind of Italian place that is great for lunch. It's a little casual than it's big brother restaurant ... more

This is definitely NOT the best restaurant in Austin. (I've heard many people claim that it is.) Atmosphere is OK ... service was OK ... food was tasty, but far from 5-star.\r \r Suburbia has better choices for top-notch Italian, including Bellagio.\r \r I'd give Vespaio a look if you're curious. It is in a neat part of town. However, be prepared to spend a few dollars. more

I love my Italian and especially enjoy Tuscany. This place reminds me of the little Enoteca?s around Lago de Como and Tuscany. Small homey with some simple delicious dishes and some more experimental dishes. The specials are a huge plus, every time fresh and always a new spin on things. I had a very, very nice cannelloni dish not made with pasta, rather with a very thin crisp crepe. The greatest is their wonderful sliced meat appetizers, salami (yeah I love that stuff and they have the best), special cheeses and dishes that are made with very fresh garden grown vegetables. If you want something light try the Caprese (best outside of Tuscany I ever had), with daily fresh made Mozzarella cheese and garden grow tomatoes. Some of the vegetables might not look picture perfect, but the taste my god. The wait staff is fantastic and adds to what makes Austin, Austin! The bar is an absolute plus and if you are going alone for dinner or lunch, there is always some nice people to chat over lunch (just like in the small European bistros). \r Want an Italian vacation without the travel or just relax during lunch (taking an Italian lunch with a little wine, pasta and salami), Enoteca is THE place. Prices are much more reasonable then at Vesapio and the atmosphere is great!\r Pros: The bar, the food, the service (like visiting friends), the salami Cons: Parking can be a challenge, to many people know about this little secret... more

I was very impressed with Enoteca. From the Antipasti to the dessert I was absolutely floored by the quality of the food. The prices are unbelievable for the food quality and the portions are perfect. I especially love the extensive antipasti menu. The stuffed peppers and pate were my favorites, but I intend on coming back often to try the rest. \r Ignore the ramblings of the pompous bufoon who gave a bad rating because of the tatooed staff. Can anyone really be that ignorant? I found the staff to be courteous and very knowledgeable about the food. Each of their recommendations was perfect. Pros: Food quality and flavor, ambience, value Cons: It can be a bit loud more

My husband and I love Vespaio, especially the bar for our date night. We always seem to get a couple of chairs without too much wait, maybe 10 minutes. We go during the week, after 7pm. We love the ahi tuna appetizer which has delicous tuna , endive, capers, fabulous & unique bread . etc. They serve a complimentary appetizer with bread, I think it was humus, but better than what you buy at the store. Their pizza is exactly how we like it; super thin, crunchy, and an outstanding flavor. They have traditional cannolli's for desert with pistatios, great! The veal marsala and garlic sauteed spinach is out of this world. It's loud inside, (people who having hearing issues may not be happy there) and has a great romantic ambience for adults; but do not bring the kids. Instead, take the kids a pizza when you leave. The staff is very busy, like the restaurant, so smile, enjoy, and be patient. It's worth it! Go when you can spend a couple of hours there.. Great for 2-4 people. Not great for a large group. Wonderful wine list. Pros: parking's good except Thurs in the summer. Excellent food. Fun atmosphere! Cons: Loud, an hour wait or more for the dining area most of the time. more

I don't like in general Pastas, but to be honest far away the best restaurant experience. Great Food 10+++++++ more

You can get your Vespaio fix during the day now (Vespaio, their other restaurant is next door). This is a very cool place, amazing lites and very cozy feel. If you like Vespaio and how can you not, you will not be disappointed. Pros: Great atmosphere, cool staff and yummy dishes Cons: Didn't see any more

Let's just hope this spot doesn't become a popular date spot, with proms, des, sororities and the uninitated. It's food that counts. Anouther sign that success can *ill even the fatted calf. Pros: Pasta, gravy, and anti plates Cons: Too many hipsters as of late more

It was really hard to enjoy the food with what seemed to be a policy to hire only staff with tattoos and attitudes that were equally missplaced. I guess the neighborhood patrons enjoy it, but it is probably not the place for everyone. The unwashed masses will like it, but I would have to say no to my friends. Pros: Some good items Cons: Staff, dirty, tattoos more

My husband and i went there on a reccomendation from our b&b and we were sooooo glad we went! I was surprised to see that there is such a long wait alot of the times as we walked right in. I guess it was a sunday night around 8pm though!! The caesar does not have alot of dressing true but the 2 pastas we had were AMAZING. my hubby had a special spare rib ravioli and i had the papparadelle pasta with mushrooms from the regular menu-SOOO tasty. We had a hilarious waiter too- Mallory..what a great job he did..we were laughing everytime he came to the table! It's also quaint and cozy, great for a date with your sweetheart. Pros: Cozy atmosphere, fun waiter, great pasta Cons: caesar was different than most-but still good more

My wife and I had dinner for Valentine's Day last night and had the following experience. My wife asked for a Bellini and was promptly told that they had no frozen drinks or anything like a Bellini at their bar. So, she opted for a Manhattan instead, and she said it was pretty tasty. We decided to split the $10 Ceasar salad for an appetizer. My wife literally freaked out when she discovered a 2- inch long, brown, ugly, rubberlike anchovy hiding under one of the salad leaves. I removed it from the plate, but it really gave an overwhelming fishy taste to the salad, unlike any other Ceasar we have had. In addition, we had to send the salad back because it tasted like there was NO SALAD DRESSING on it at all. When another one came, it also tasted like there was no salad dressing. My veal stuffed ravioli tasted great, but her spaghetti pomodoro tasted like any ordinary spaghetti with a tomato-based sauce, nothing special about it at all. more

Best spinach salad I've ever had. This place is very romantic without being stuffy. I've tried one of the eggplant paninis and a seafood pasta dish and both were excellent. My husband and I also loved dessert, which I think they make in-house as well as all their own breads. It's a bit crowded and loud and you definitely don't want to take the kids in there, but I felt the dining room had a nice warm ambience. There is also a patio which seems to be closed everytime I'm there. Pros: delicious food and drinks Cons: might feel too crowded to some people more

The food is good. There is no room in this closet sized cafe. The staff are not up to the service requirements even for this small venue. Talk about overrated, get carry out-avoid the attitude. Pros: Good Food Cons: Service and Dining Area Fail! more

Yes, they have a great reputation. But that day may have passed. If you want to feel like your going to the in spot, go for it. But the crowd in the past few visits has turned to a bit of the ""I need to impress"" types. And the wait staff has taken on the airs to match.\r While the menu and food are still holding on, we are seeing signs of a tired chef. Yes, its a tough job but when your quality suffers-consider a break. I pulling for you but want to see something better than average. Pros: Great reputation and good food Cons: They've lost what made Vespaio very good, staff and service is waning more

I love Enoteca - it's one of my favorite restaurants in Austin. It's the less expensive and less fussy sister of Vespaio - I love Vespaio, too, but I prefer Enoteca for more frequent dining. It's the perfect neighborhood restaurant with a great selection of food, a friendly wait staff, and low priced desserts so that you can try several. :-) I've ordered many things, but I always go back to the spinach salad and the pappardelle (I prefer it with the arribiatta sauce over the bolognese). I only have two bits of advice: try to talk the hostess into a rectangular table if you are with 3 people because the bistro tables are too small for 3 and don't judge the restaurant solely by the wine list - it's definitely lacking. Overall, when my husband and I have an Enoteca date, I look forward to it all day! Pros: Delicious homemade pasta, huge dessert selection, great staff Cons: Wine list could be improved, bistro tables can feel clastrophobic more

My husband and I have eaten here several times and tried many different dishes; all have been very good to excellent. The quality is on the same level as that of the sister restaurant, Vespaio, but at more affordable prices. I highly recommend their gnocchi, it is one of the best gnocchi dishes in Austin. Noodles for the pasta dishes have never been overcooked in our experience. The pizza is great; it has a thin and crisp crust, and the toppings are quite flavorful. We've also enjoyed desserts, including cannelloni and a chocolate lasagna, all have been wonderful. The service is friendly and prompt. They don't automatically provide bread at the start of the meal, but if you request it, they will. That is just the kind of place this is! Pros: Food, service, value more

We love this place !\r Chef Lazarus is an incredible culinarian Austin is thankful to have. Three Star Food, Service and Location.\r The Chef/Owner cares about ever aspect of his the food and service and it's obvious as soon as you walk in the door. Enjoy and WELCOME TO AUSTIN. Pros: EVERYTHING Cons: not one con more

Some friends took us to Enoteca when we were visiting Austin and we loved it so much we got hooked! Both the dinners and lunches are excellent and the wine list is extensive and interesting and affordable. We tried pastas, salads, appetizers, and the pomme frites... whoa. So good! I'm not a big pasta person, with all the carbs and white flour and such, but I nearly licked my plate of mushroom tagliatelle. So savory! Why can't we get pasta like this in Seattle?!? Also, I'm a kind of spinach salad afficianado and order them whenever I can and this one is one of the best I've ever had (despite the bagged spinach used). And it's Texas-sized, so get the small even if you are sharing!\r \r Another big bonus is the terrific ambience and good service--not the world's greatest service but good enough that you're not terribly neglected. My big regret is what I didn't eat and do: the pizzas, which look fabulous; the Sunday brunch, which we were told was stellar; and the outdoor patio, which the weather didn't allow for. \r \r There are a ton of great restaurants in Austin but if I stay on Congress I'll go back here again and again. Highly recommended! Pros: rich, savory Italian food Cons: none! more

Let me tell you this place is not to be missed, huge tasty portions and great service. Try the nightly specials as they are amazing usually and the veal ravioli also rocks. You can sit and eat at the bar if you want as many do. I ate there two nights in a row a few months back if that tells you anything. A 10. Pros: Freshest seafood and best nightly specials Cons: Wait is worth it or eat at the bar more