Restaurant Jezebel

Last night at Jezebel I had a lackluster experience. The service was REALLY slow although they smiled (apologetically) whenever we managed to flag them down (who presents wine then leaves the cork in the bottle for 10 minutes--we had to ask for it to be opened!?!). The food was underwhelming to say the least--the gnocchi was similar to soggy polenta and served cold while the steak was not seasoned. That being said, the chicken was good but not good enough for the caliber of restaurant Jezebel is reputed to be. It is not romantic nor it is ideal for special occasions unless you don't want to talk with the others in your party (I am hoarse from shouting to be heard the entire two-plus hours we were there). Aside from the chicken the wine was nice though they did not have the second bottle we ordered so they suggested something in the ""same"" price range as a substitute (""same"" being within $25). We intended to get dessert and coffee but decided to move on since the restaurant was so hot (there is an open kitchen right across from the astroturfed bathrooms). And the service was slow. And the food was below par. And the acoustics were poor. We still had a fun evening but that was due to the company in our party, not Jezebel herself . The experience left us with something to laugh about (life is too short to get upset about a disappointing meal). With so many other restaurants to choose from in Austin we will not be returning to Jezebel. I would like to point out that we choose Jezebel due to the reviews on Citysearch so I wanted to leave an honest review about our experience so no one else goes in expecting an amazing dining experience... Pros: Location Cons: Ambiance, food, service more

We ate here on June 19th to celebrate our anniversary, and enjoyed our visit a great deal. The food was fantastic, as was the presentation during the entire meal. Our waitress was attentive without being clingy, and the prices were reasonable for fine dining in Austin. The only small negative I could throw out would be the somewhat risque' choices for the paintings, but, hey, Keep Austin Weird, right? \r \r We'll be back! Pros: Food, service, value Cons: ""Nekkid lady"" paintings, depending upon your sensitivity to such things more

Let me tell ya, I have been in Austin now for 10 months and have been looking for a resturant that impressed me. Untill now it just has not happened. My family owns a 4 star in Sothern California and yes may be a little partial but also very critical of other resturants. \r \r This by far was a great ambiance, food and, service. There is always something to critique and the little there was to critique was not bothersome at all more of a recomendation. It is all al lacarte and that was a little odd seeing there is usualy something that comes with any meal. The spread of silverware indicated a 7 cource meal but in fact you have to order all seperately. Dont get me wrong it is always nice to peice your order together just different I guess. \r \r The food was spactacular and not your usual run of the mill preperation it is their own style and flavor. I had the main lobster, Calamari (tastey) and the palm heart salad. All even better than expected!!! \r \r I have eaten at every high dollar resturant in Los Angeles, this would not only hang but flourish downtown. Pros: Ambience, great food and huge wine list. Cons: Curb appeal dose not do it justice, Television showing Chef cooking has got to go. more

I was searching for a place to celebrate a late V-Day with my boyfriend last night, and I came across this place on citysearch. The ambiance in this place was wonderful! Great Art, awesome music, perfect candlelight. It almost reminded me of being back in Europe. The food was simply delightful. From Olives & Bread and Appetizers to Desserts, we were both very impressed. The service was just right. The staff was friendly & available, and didn't interrupt us in the middle of conversations to over-check on us. We didn't feel like we were rushed out of the place so they could free up a spot - like most American restaurants (yes, even some fine dining establishments do this). We had so much food! So we felt the prices were quite appropriate. There was so much to choose from on the menu and almost everything sounded so good! It was a perfect dining experience and I can't wait to do it again! Pros: Food is great, music wasn't boring/usual Cons: It got a little loud when it was crowded, but it was the diners, not the restaurant or staff more

This was my 4th time enjoying a wonderful dinner at Restaurant Jezebel. Only this time I noticed something pleasently different.....NO SMOKE!!! My only complaint about Jezebel in the past was that as soon as it began to get busy, the room became increasingly smokey - Not this time! I had the slow cooked lamb shank (for the second time), and it was as good as I had remembered. The service was top notch as always, and in my humble opinion, this should be voted best new restaurant in Austin. more

Just got back from our valentines dinner here. It was great. atmosphere was awsome food was good. service was exellent. Arrived and was promptly seated to a candle light table. Took them a second to get us our waters at first but after that everything went smooth.. from the appetiser ( scallops) to our dinners ( lamb chop and sea bass) to dessert ( chocolate something i forget lol) everything was great. food presentation was great. I would recommend this place to anyone on a date.. its a good place to go. Only one bad thing i saw is the kitchen is open to the resturant so you can smell the food as soon as you walk in. i was afraid i would smell like food when i walked out.. but i didnt. so it was cool Pros: Great Service and Ambience and Date spot Cons: Need to get better kitchen vent. more

Four of us tried out Jezebel for dinner last weekend and really enjoyed it. The food was fantastic! We tried the fois gras w/ thai sauce (my boyfriend favorably compared it to a truly over-the-top fois gras dish he had at Bocuse) and scallops as appetizers -- seriously good. But they missed a tendon on a scallop, which wasn't so nice.\r \r The entrees were fabulous. I took the server's recommendation and went w/ the delicious pork chop, and thanks to friendly co-eaters also got to try the veal chop (topped w/ fois gras), the marlin special, and the lamb shank. Everything was perfect. We chose a tasty Pinot Noir and were all very happy with our meals. Sadly, the server forgot to bring back my leftovers at the end of the meal... I'm still rather wishing I had the rest of that enormous pork chop to nibble on.\r \r We liked the desserts, too. I don't typically allow bananas near me, but the Bananas Foster might make a believer out of me. Thumbs up for the creme brulee and chocolate mousse, too. \r \r So all in all, a wonderful evening marred only slightly by a server that a) didn't know white wine and b) didn't realize how much I needed my leftovers, and a whole lotta smoke in the room from the open kitchen. I think we'll wait a few months in hopes that the ventilation problem is being fixed, but we'll definitely be back. And this time I'm going to guard my leftovers with my life. ;-) Pros: delicious and interesting food, friendly service Cons: poor kitchen ventilation more

After reading other reviews I felt that the true excellence of this restaurant was overlooked. Every restaurant has a few bumpy nights for different circumstances. Having said that, I want to say this is truly one of my favorites. The food is amazing, i especially like seeing sashimi and foie gras on the menu (foie gras even for dessert!). I had the luxury of dining with a group and getting to taste a few different dishes. The lamb shank is juicy and tender, the salmon with chocolate is a surprisingly amazing combination, and the portobello mushroom entree is very rich and satisfying. I am also happy to report that they now have a wine list! There is a great range of selections, price points, and styles. Very impressive. Beyond the food, the atmosphere is elegant but fun. Waitstaff was knowledgable, friendly, and eager to make us comfortable. The great thing about this place is attention to detail. the staff wears plastic gloves to replace silverware, purse holders are handed out to women, and truffles are given with the check. i really enjoyed the experience because the food was out of this world, the surroundings were stylish, and none of my needs were overlooked Pros: menu, wine list, an overall experience Cons: parking more

We went on the same night as Ann P (review below). I'm nearly positive we were two tables over. Yes, smoke and service were an issue that night. Turns out the smoke was due to a fan malfunction and service was due to new staff. How do I know this? The owner called us the next day (number was on our reservation), apologized for problems and credited us back for our dinner. I thought both the call and credit were nice gestures. He obviously cares.\r \r Speaking with him (twice now), I do not get the idea that he's egotistical, as one review suggested. I think the kitchen cams are probably driven more by a desire to do something different, not to show-off. That said, I'd lose them. Not only are they bright, they're unviewable from many parts of the room (detail is too small). \r \r We did not end-up having much, for a variety of reasons, but what we had was good (lamb shank and hearts of palm salad). My only criticism would be that the arugula on the salad came completely undressed (the rest was dressed)...The goat cheese truffle on the salad was tiny (marble sized), but really good and really truffle-y. Generally, the appetizers are big and the entree's we saw were good sized.\r \r The wine list was very broad and reasonably priced with many interesting wines I had not had before. You can order anything under $40 a bottle, by the glass. We did and tried four different wines. All were very good. \r \r We're going back on what is hopefully a 'normal' night and will review again. I'm giving it an average for now as there were several ups and downs besides the issues of the night, but it seems promising. Pros: Wine List, Appetizer Size Cons: Service, Music Volume (sometimes...), 'Chef Cams' more

A find for those in the know! Restaurant Jezebel is clearly an amazing restaurant because it addresses and then supersedes the reasons why people dine at restaurants in the first place. What I enjoyed the most about our dinning experience was that the chef was not trying to impress me with his culinary talent which of course is quite impressive - you'll see when you taste the cuisine, but rather he was creating an experience for my wife and I that we haven't had at other restaurants. We are both travel critiques and have lived in Europe and Asia (Japan/Thailand) and have dined at numerous Michelin star rated restaurants. However, the focus at such places was always on them rather than on us. Contrast that with the experience you get at Jezebel and you?ll see what I mean. The chef himself is an affable gentleman in the traditional sense and genuinely seems to care about his dining guests. Despite how busy the restaurant was he made time to check on various patrons throughout the night to see how he could make their night even more enjoyable. My wife and I had an excellent evening ? and over the course of several repeat visits when we?ve been in Austin, Restaurant Jezebel has become one of our all time favourite restaurants. Pros: Excellent Ambiance more

After reading the reviews, I was excited to try the place. After being seated, we waited around for 10 minutes for a server to come by. My husband had to get up and ask a server if we could order. We were then suprised that they didn't have any beer. I was already going to have wine, but my husband enjoys a beer. \r \r The appetizers came and they were fine. I portion of foie gras on crostini was larger than I expected. The crab cake was ok (not anything great) and I felt the sauce overpowered it a bit. We ran out of water and after servers walked by our table several times, we finally had to ask for it. \r \r Then they turned on very loud music. It is already loud in the restaurant due to the concrete walls and it just got louder with the music. I felt like I was at a Chili's. The table beside us was very disturbed by the noise and they complained and left quickly. Then the smoke started to fill the restaurant. Imagine searing food in a small kitchen without ventilation and that is how it felt. My eyes started to tear up and my husband started coughing. We then asked for them to hold our entrees because we could not enjoy it in that atmosphere. It was unfortunate because the food did look good. Our waiter then came by and took our glasses mumbling thanks for coming out (at least I thought that was all he said). We sat around for another 10 minutes waiting for the bill before he finally came back and asked if we needed anything else. I said we wanted our bill and he said that he already told us there was no bill for us. I appreciate the concession but I felt it could have been communicated better.\r \r Overall, did not feel like I should be paying +$30 an entree. The ambiance was terrible. Servers were highly disappointing. I left smelling like food and smoke. The only reason I am not rating this as 'Not Recommended"" is because the food looked like it might have been good. more

I was recently in Austin on business and my clients recommended Restaurant Jezebel for dinner. It was an excellent choice. The food was first rate and the service was efficient yet personable. I have been singing the restaurant's praises back home in Los Angeles. Next time I am in Austin, I will definitely be back. more

Okay, I get it. Great Chef comes to great City and tries to wow everyone with Indian Fusion inspired cuisine. The food is good, if you know how to decipher the menu. Head away from unfamiliar stuff. Stick with the Pork chop. Be careful that you don't ask the waitstaff too many questions, they give you that deer in the head lights look and then make up an answer. The food is cooked perfectly, in terms of technique. The only problem is the choice and usage of spices. Also, forget dessert. These desserts are so ego driven that I expected them to be explained by soemone with an unfamiliar accent and then thrown at me, rather enjoyed. Further, if I wanted an amuse bouche sized portion of dessert...I would go to Charlie Trotter's, the king of ego. My only stance, eat here once, then post your own review. They need more feedback from the locals. I think once the staff learns what the Chef intends, the food will come to its full potential. Be sure to tell the staff what you don't like. Oh, bring your own wine. Pinot goes well with what is on the menu... Pros: different Cons: parking, value more

Restaurant Jezebel is simply spectacular at every level. From the ambiance to the cuisine, they are truly a great new addition to Austin. The staff is exceptionally friendly. I have to imagine they are very dedicated to the restaurant as I believe many if not all relocated with the restaurant when it moved from New Mexico to Austin. Our dinner was Friday night, the dining room does not have many tables so this place will be a tough one to get into once the word is out, but the room was only about half full on this night. The staff takes care of everything for you, all the way down to a purse holder for the ladies. Many things make Jez unique, from the artwork on the walls to the sculptures on the tables. Televisions on the wall showing the kitchen at work add a unique twist. Reading the other reviews about Jez perked our interests and they were well rewarded with a dinner that will not soon be forgotten. Can not stress how nice it is to enjoy dinner at a restaurant that caters to you at every possible opportunity and that allows you to soak it all in and relish every step of the dining experience. No rush no hurries. The sea bass off the regular menu was outstanding, as well as the crab cake appetizer. The restaurant does not have a liquor license yet, so bring your own bottle of choice, and as the staff pointed out, they do not have a corkage fee. That should be resolved by the end of September, but I would inquire when you call to make a reservation, and I do recommend a reservation. Austin has been blessed with another truly great restaurant. Pros: Everything more

We went there last night for a birthday celebration. The atmosphere is great. Love the paintings and the music. The candlelight and table settings are perfect. The service was perfect and the food delicious. We started with sauteed calamari.....fabulous, so tasty. They brought wam calmata olives and calmata olive bread tht was wonderful. We had a hearts of palm salad next and then the main entrees. I had the ahi tuna which was cooked perfectly and my date had the salmon. He loved the seared outside and melt in your mouth inside. We topped this off with french press coffee and key lime pie with mango, yummm. We spoke with the chef and complimented him on the great meal. I love the small atmosphere of this place and will definately return. We brought a bottle of wine with us and enjoyed it with our meal since they don't have their liquor license yet. Not a draw back at all. Pros: plenty of staff, service perfect, ambience for nice more

Excellent, exquisite and international food.\r Don't be in a hurry. Simply enjoy the meal and the service.\r Parind is a wonderful chef - creative, meticulous. Excellent place to enjoy a calm, romantic and sofisticated meal.\r You don't feel pressured and nobody will bring you the bill until you ask for it.\r One of the very few places in town with fine cuisine which stays open until pretty late, including on weekdays. A truly, gourmet experience. A delight for true connaisseurs and epicureans!\r more

I live in Ruidoso and Restaurant Jezebel moved from there (now there is no good food there).\r \r It is even better here...The ambiance is great, the service stellar and Parind still cooks great. My boyfriend and I had another great meal at ""jezebel""\r Just wish we had them to ourselves back in Ruidoso Pros: everything Cons: not in Ruidoso anymore more

ALL I CAN SAY IS WOW! I have been hearing a lot of buzz about this place and let me tell you. 100% true. The owner is the chef who cares about the details and it shows from our amuse of great warm, marinated olives to our final chocolate truffles at the end to the nice touches like purse holders and extra reading glasses. Overall I felt we got a lot more than we paid for. We had Tuna, and the Lobster. The food was fantastic, with interesting flavor combinations and amazing intensity. The lobster was 1 1/2 pound Maine lobster, fedexed overnight and served totally out of it's shell with a lemon caper sauce. he ate it with a knife and fork! All the portions were HUGE and included the sides (read no $6.00 creamed spinach). Also, They use real china and crystal. My ahi was fantastic, it was served with a gastrique (a sauce thicked with sugar; I asked as I did not know; it annoys me when people dont know something and order it then complain about it afterwords...like the other reviewer). it had the perfect amount of sweetness balanced by soy and rice wine vinegar. All of us in our party ordered apps, entrees and dessert and we were served our food on a different pattern of china. I havent seen this since Charlie Trotters and the food their was not nearly this good. The wine glasses are great, big crystal glasses, also they are BYOB now but DO NOT CHARGE A corkage! The service was professional and not snooty at all (one of my pet peeves).Very European. The atmosphere is unbelievabley beautiful. It felt like you are in a great superlative restaurant in Europe that only the locals know about. They have flat TV's showing kitchen-cam, way cool. There is no sound so it was not at all disruptive to our dining experience. The music is great Brazilian and European Jazz. And the art, My God! Huge and very tasteful and elegant nudes, all original and lots of them...must have been 30 or so; it was like eating in an art gallery. Worth every damn penny and then some. Pros: great food, atomsphere, service Cons: only open for dinner more

THE FOOD\r The halibut was of very high quality. Perfectly cooked throughout, and flaked away in firm, delicious pieces. The bed of mashed taters under the halibut was delicious, soaking in the juices from the fish above. The stuffed squid was of ideal texture - a challenge for anyone who has experience cooking this animal. The greens were fresh and crisp. The lamb shank, I would have to say, is their flag-ship dish. Delicous, and worthy of the time it takes to cook it. The owner clearly gets his fish from dependable, reputable vendors. Very very good quality lapsang-encrusted ahi, that was delicious, save for the saccarine honey glaze that was puddled atop it.\r \r The spices, sadly, were raw, rather than roasted, so there were fribrous, woody bits sprinkled throughout the salads and entrées. Understanding that roasting spices can take a bit of time, I would recommend that the chef of Jezebel mandate a daily dry-chonk (spice-roast) en masse, since the prices on the menu would lead the patron to believe that the dishes are painstakingly prepared with an eye for both detail and quality.\r \r The chef apparently has a fixation on cloying, fruity sauces and glazes - whether it's tamarind, strawberry, mango, or grenadine - and proceeds to cover virtually everything with them. After having a stuffed squid salad that was overlain with a zebra-striping of red and orange fruity drizzles, I was dismayed to find that my halibut was covered in the very same glaze. Allow the food to speak for itself, and you will find that it doesn't need these sickly-sweet sauces to enhance flavor or stimulate tastebuds. Leave the cloying sauces for Amy's Ice Cream. Pros: Quality ingredients, brazilian music Cons: Hasty preparation, bad atmosphere, televisions more