Wow! That's how I'd describe my meal here. I was in town for the MotoGP races and was in search of a quality meal. I saw this place on Yelp and found it easily just off of 6th. There was a wait but the hostess offered to give us a call when our table was ready. Ok! So we walked 6th and checked out the local music scene. We eventually made our way back and were called shortly thereafter. We each got wine and settled on the escargot appetizer. They were buttery with button mushrooms and for someone that just doesn't do mushrooms...delicious - I ate every one. We then ordered - scallops for me (again with the mushrooms!) and bass for the hubs. My scallops were so good, mushrooms and all, that I am still talking about them a month later. Hubs was very impressed as well, although we both agree my scallops were better. Dessert was Creme Brulee for him and Iles Flottantes (meringues etc.) for me. To die for, if I must say. I am so glad I went outside of my box, enjoyed every last bite and wishing for more of Chez Nous.
(5)
Eric A.
Always on the money - Never disappoints. Can't help but have a great time...plates go back to the kitchen CLEANED....wine is always excellent, service is always attentive and the price is right. This is one of my go-to's...
(5)
Brian G.
Meh sums this place up for me. After hearing so much hype about this place from various friends, my wife and I finally tried this place and while it wasn't bad, I was definitely underwhelmed. I went here with my wife and we probably won't go back soon. The atmosphere definitely screams 40+ and the food is pretty expensive based on the portion size in my opinion. The best way I can describe this place is that if you're under 40, the only business you have coming here is to impress people with how cultured you are and how much you want to be European. I ordered the some bread with goat cheese which is called something else but that's exactly what it is for $9, a Salad for $9 and a steak of some sort for $38 dollars that, although it delivered three delicious little bites, is better described as a medallion than a steak. Again, not terrible, but for me it was WAAAAAYYYY overhyped.
(2)
Tommy N.
i sat down, was like OOh bread and butter. Wanted to eat the butter by itself b/c it tasted that good. little did i know the entree's were mouth watering. I had the steak with veggies and the funny thing is the veggies didn't taste like veggies but something beyond that level that i can't describe. I'd call it veggies that can be tolerable by ANYONE. It was simply delicious. The steak was moist and perfect. Pro: portions sized so you can't overeat lol Con: price
(5)
L L.
Chez Nous is a keeper, no question. First off, they have some of the best pate I've had outside of France, with around six options made in-house. Delectable. Second, the prix-fixe menu is a steal at $25.50. Amazing choices (all good!), perfect portions, and you can even throw in an extra $2 to choose whichever dessert suits your fancy (of just get one of the three included options in the nightly menu). My only (mild) caution is to remember that they only serve beer and wine, so no cocktails...but my wine was delicious! Highly recommend. Beautiful place.
(5)
Jessica M.
Note: This is strictly a service review, we didn't even dine here. After reading all the great reviews for this place, I was incredibly disappointed (and somewhat embarrassed) when walking into this place Sunday night. First, let me say that we called ahead beforehand, asking if we needed a reservation or if they expected to be busy (since it was Mother's Day) and we were assured that a table for two would be no problem. This is how it went: We walk into the restaurant, they seem to be busy, but not slammed. Probably four or five empty tables. Server/Host/Manager: Table for two? Me: Yes please. Him: We have a table for you right here. (He points to the table directly to his right, right in the aisle/doorway/kitchen/worse table in the restaurant.) Me: Is that the only table you have available? Him: Yes, that's the only table I have for you. Me: We can't sit at that table? Or that one? (As I point to various other empty tables) Him: This is the only table I have for you. And that's when we left. I think it was his emphasis on the "for you," maybe we weren't dressed to the nines? Maybe waiting for a better table is unacceptable or not an option since he didn't offer it? Maybe we somehow insulted him? I don't know, but we are definitely never returning here after this and his rude behavior. Maybe if he explained to us why we couldn't sit at the other empty tables, or said we could wait for another table to open up... but he didn't say any of this, so I guess I am going to miss out on the great food.
(1)
Marybeth B.
One of the best restaurants in Austin, hands down. This is the place I want to go when I want to treat myself or when I have out of town guests who are paying! Everything I've had here is amazing. The duck liver pate is pure heaven. Oh, and you really won't regret the profiteroles. Seriously. Order them.
(5)
David f.
I am loathe to dole out five stars, but Chez Nous is fully deserving on all accounts: service, food, ambience. This little french place has a long history in Austin and the quality of food here is at a par with, or superior to, fine french cuisine anywhere in the US. I am surprised that I haven't reviewed it because I go there at least 6 times a year. The pate is fresh and often very creative. It's always good. I have enjoyed the sweetbreads, which the chef makes differently every night it seems, any of the fish, specifically, the trout. A sinful and absolutely fantastic dish is the beef cheek. They have a three course fixed price for under $30. Unbelievable. Some of their little sides, which they change, merit some attention so dont take them for granted. I have always enjoyed the great service and being treated like a special customer, which, lets face it, I am. I bring my mother here quite a bit and she loves the place. Oh, don't overlook the wine list. Not extensive but really very good. Only issue is parking because it's downtown so you have to be creative sometime. Writing this review is making my mouth water and looking forward to my next visit.
(5)
Kristen C.
Having been unable to avoid stellar reviews of the quaint restaurant, I had to take a night to indulge in it myself. I called ahead and was told the wait time was over an hour (around 8:30PM on a Saturday night). I headed there anyway and was seated within 15 minutes when I showed up around 9:30PM. They did mention they usually call your cell phone - which is a great idea - but since the wait wasn't that long they wouldn't need to. Fresh bread and butter quickly arrived at the back corner table I was seated at, which gave a splendid view of the very dim-lit restaurant. The atmosphere is cozy, with walls plastered in vintage French posters and advertisements. The key is to order off the fixed price menu. I compiled a delicious meal consisting of white wine, salad, salmon & vegetables, and chocolate mousse (which was fantastic). One of the staff is fluent in French, which I found delightful. Having been a french maid for Halloween - I was curious as to what the phrase "je vous veux" meant, as my friends told me I should just repeat it since I needed to pretend to speak french. The waiter smirked when I asked him - "je vous veux? That means 'I want you'". Ha! So that is what I was telling everyone that night. But back to the subject - the loveliness of Chez Nous. There were couples there on a romantic date, small groups of friends enjoying a night out, older children out with their parents, and one large group out celebrating a birthday. Even though it was packed, you never felt rushed to finish your meal and move out. Long conversations almost seemed encouraged. Now that I know what it has to offer, I look forward to venturing off the fixed price menu into some even more delectable territory. Oh Chez Nous, je vous veux.
(5)
Sebastian G.
Chez Nous reminds me of the small restaurants you would find in an auberge in the Alps. It is small and comfortable, with a very friendly staff and very authentic French food. On arrival the restaurant was packed, but with only a 20 minute wait. Were offered a place at the bar to wait, or asked if we wanted to go to explore the neighborhood and leave a cell phone number to be called when the table is ready. We chose the bar, but that was very cool of them to offer. The wine list is fairly small, but very nice, and they have some French beers, as well. While we were at the bar we overheard lots of French being spoken in the kitchen and front-of-house, so I was hoping the food would be as authentic as the look and feel of the restaurant. The menu was very authentic and reminded me of being in France and Switzerland. The food was fresh, and according to the waiter, locally sourced. I ordered the day's special, a salmon dish with fried leeks and a Salade Lyonaisse to start. My gf ordered the Salade de Tomates and the Coquilles St. Jacques (scallops). The salads were nice, but one bite into our dishes and we were in heaven. We closed the meal with chocolate mousse and the bouche noire (a chocolate and hazelnut torte) and some espresso and cafe au lait; which was excellent. It took about nine years for me to make my first visit to Chez Nous and now I have a lot of eating to make up for!
(4)
Vivian W.
MMM mmm.. If I had to use one word to describe this restaurant, it would be: CUTE. It's small and homey, and more casual than I expected. It's true, they have bout 3 to 4 different people that serve as your waiter/waitress instead of one single person as your waiter the entire time. I came on a Sunday evening around 7PM and waited about 5 minutes for a table. My date and I ordered the "Menu du Jour" which is an excellent deal for a simple 3-course for 25.50. He had the soup of the day and I the Salad Lyonnaise. Both were enjoyable. Then came the entrees: my date ordered the steak and I had the salmon with crab meat on top in a blackerry type sauce. The sauce was awesome for both; and both also came with a little side of 3 perfectly boiled carrots, a tomatoe with a garlicky concoction on top, and 2 pommes dauphines (balls stuffed with potato in an interesting texture). After that we STILL had one course left to go and we were both getting pretty full. Unfortunately they were out of creme caramel so I went for the blackberry bread pudding and my date got the profiterolles. Both desserts were okay..we should have probably went with previous yelpers and tried the chocolate mousse..damnit. The bread pudding wasn't what I expected; it was a cakey like mold of barely flavored blackberrieness, until I reached an actual blackberry that was in the pudding. For around 80 bucks, we were stuffed and happy. The only bad thing about the place was that it got pretty loud at times, but I think that's in part due to it's small size. At times, it got so loud that I was yelling at my date in order to talk to him, which is why I had to knock off a star off the rating. Overall, the restaurant was very enjoyable and I see myself coming back here a lot.
(4)
Mercedes P.
Oh my goodness, it was fantastic. The seafood was wonderfully cooked and deliciously seasoned. The bread was re-freaking-diculous. The only problem I would have to say that it can be loud and crowded. But if you go a bit later and wait for the crowd to clear away, the ambience is calm and romantic. I got the ruby red trout and the rainbow trout. fantastic. totally recommend those. avoid creme caramel unless you like flan. i wish i got the chocolate thing :c
(5)
Shannon M.
Impecable food, service and atmosphere! Chez Nous it the restaurant by which I compare all other restaurants in Austin. If you are a restaurant owner, or are in any way affiliated with fine dining in Austin, PLEASE pay close attention to what they do at Chez Nous. Often times when my girlfriend and I eat at a new place in Austin, her evaluation is, "well it's not Chez Nous". A breath of fresh air for people who truly care.
(5)
Keri B.
Bff took me here for my bday last nite. Well, actually, it's two weeks after my bday so we called it "You ain't got to pay day" instead. It was my choice based on all the glowing Yelp reviews about their prix fixe menu for $25. I didn't want to break bff's bank. One disclaimer tho, whenever bff and I are together we "see the world thru rose-tinted glasses" as Mom would say. Everything is funnier, prettier, and tastier with the glaring exception of the movie we watched also yesterday, "New Moon"**. I guess one half naked hot boy + bad acting + bad dialogue + bad makeup/wigs does not a good movie make (unless we're talking porn). But I think I'm legit when I say the food here was realistically great! I had the Lyonnaise salad with a perfectly poached egg that gushed when I cut into it, causing me to gasp with pleasure. Bff got the duck liver pate that was a monster slab which is great if you're into that sort of thing, and he is. The bad/good news of the evening was they were out of salmon (there was a choice of lamb, beef or trout/salmon), but they substituted that for scallops and sea bass which was a no-brainer for me. The sea bass literally melted when it hit my tongue, and the scallops! These are the scallops by which all others shall be judged! Bff and I thought our eyes were gonna get stuck in the back of our heads. I told him we'd discovered Sting's secret to an hour long climax. It was truly tantric. The sides (squash, hush puppies?, and a cooked tomato) were just a means to prolong the entree and to keep me from sliding outta my seat in pleasure. This is not quantity food for sure. There were only two good sized scallops and perhaps a 2-3 oz fillet of fish. But a meal like this encourages slow, meditative eating, and next thing you know you're sated. My only disappointment was the caramel custard. Looking almost flan-like, the top and sauce were very caramelly, but the actual custard had no flavor. Kinda like eating tofu. Bff really enjoyed his huge chunk of brie and apples tho for dessert. The service was outstanding and if I can get those scallops/sea bass again (I would hope they're on the regular menu), I would be guaranteed to go back multiple times for multiple O's! **Btw, I am definitely on Team Jacob! I would much rather cuddle up to a warm (108 degrees!), virile, hunky guy who could turn into a dog and keep my feet warm at night! Think of how cute our pupbies would be! As opposed to snuggling with a cold, clammy, heroin-chic, pasty dead person (I mean is "everything" dead??). We'd have to hock our first born to pay for his Ulta makeup bill!
(4)
David W.
Great little French restaurant off east 6th. The whole meal was great from app to dessert. Also, the very reasonable wine list is a great plus. The quality of the meal surpasses the prices paid. Appetizers: Pate (duck + cherries) - This was very delicious. We don't have a lot of pate but I would order it every time from here. Escargot - The snails come with a large amount of mushrooms, all coated with butter and garlic. We almost licked the bowl. Main Course: Veal Scallopini - This was cooked in some sort of magical buttery grease. The top of veal was puffy, flaky, deliciousness. The meat was tender inside, and the bottom was juicy with lots of flavor. Veal Sweetbreads - This were cooked extremely well. The sweetbreads were tender and juicy. The flavor was great, mixture of onions and peppers (not spicy). Dessert: Profiterolles - Any time you mix a dessert with Amy's vanilla ice cream you're doing something right. The chocolate sauce + the ice cream all sandwiched between pastries was heavenly. There is some good quality chocolate being melted down for this thing. Highly recommended!
(5)
Lisa B.
Dear Boyfriend, How you wooed me when you surprised me with Chez Nous! As we were seated at the candlelit table next to checkered curtains, I knew that tonight was going to be special. The aroma of warm, fresh bread made me feel immediately comfortable. As the buttery, tender escargot slipped through my lips, I felt my heart start pounding. While we romantically fed eachother bites of scallops glazed in a perfect cream sauce, I wondered if I left earth. Even the perfectly cooked vegetables melted in my mouth and melted my heart. I loved sharing our pate and soup. Could anything be so silky and delicious? Only your kiss. The sweet, perfectly cooked creme brulee could never compare to my sweet love. Bisous.
(5)
Jasmine D.
This restaurant is absolutely fantastic. Such a great feel, very casual, and the FOOD. Oh dear. The Menu du Jour is such a great deal for what you are getting. I was raised partially by my native French godparents and my mother happens to be a fantastic chef but if there was one meal I would choose before imminent death, it would be from here. The Salmon was delicious, I couldn't stop making noises of enjoyment. Never thought it would be this fun to masticate heehee.
(5)
Chris S.
The evening started trying to get into Peche on 4th ave, believe it or not, but since that restaurant was booked for a private party, the owner kindly stepped outside and directed me to a competitor, chez nous. Location is an un-prepossessing single story building, but the food is authentic French Provincial, which means, yes, fairly rich food. I had the duck liver pate appetizer, then the Bar au Citron with a glass of Corbieres. The meal finished with chocolate mousse and a desert aperitif of baynuls, which tastes slightly of almonds / avocado but which is really a twice distilled Grenache wine. I liked Chez Nous enough that I went t back for lunch the next day, and it was delightful. This time I had the tomato salad and duck with cherries. The next table was a couple of lawyers who brought in with them a bottle of Vosne Romanee Beau Mont 2002 and offered to share some. It was delicious with a cheese plate for dessert of gruyere and blue cheese. I recommend this place if you are comfortable with French provincial cooking.
(4)
Elizabeth H.
Fantastic authentic French restaurant! Cute atmosphere and great staff! The 3 course meals are the way to go for the price.
(5)
Enoch L.
I've been here 3 times now and every time I forget how good this place is! First brownie point is loading us up with delicious bread and real butter. We downed that so fast that they refilled it within 5 minutes. Chez Nous uses simple, fresh ingredients and cooks them to perfection. We've always gone with the prix-fixe menu and it has always been good. This time around I got the potato-leak soup, the steak medallions and for dessert, a chocolate mousse. Go treat yourself out to a delicious french meal minus the pretentiousness.
(5)
Sonia V.
SPEC-BLOODY-TACULAR. It's so fabulous I'm hesitant to even put up a review, because I don't want people flooding the restaurant and making it impossible for me to get a table. Food, service, ambiance... all of it, spectacular. Just go. Thank me later.
(5)
Nicole G.
I fell in love all over again at Chez Nous... in love with the intimate atmosphere that transports you to another time and place (a casual street cafe in Paris), the service (warm, friendly, and knowledgeable), the perfect bottle of white and every delicious bite that we savored. For starters we had the escargots sauteed with button mushrooms and a traditional garlic and parsley butter. This was the best preparation of escargot I've ever experienced (no tricky shell, though I was sad to miss out on a potential Julia Roberts/Pretty Woman moment) and the butter was sinfully delicious. Mmmm. Next was the baked goat cheese. The texture was delicate and creamy, seasoned with crushed black pepper and highlighted with a splash of their excellent extra virgin olive oil. The salade de tomates was fresh, flavorful and perfect to balance out the richness of the hors d'oeuvres. I was leaning toward the sea bass for an entree, but when I asked our server his opinion he lead me to the barneget day boat scallops which he said were ESPECIALLY good and not regularly available on the menu. Definitely can't call that boy a liar because my heart skipped a beat upon first tasting them. They were crispy and golden on top/bottom and moist and tender in the middle, topped with a cider cream reduction and sauteed wild mushrooms. I just sighed reliving it. okaaay, moving on... my lovely dinner companion ordered the entrecote with bearnaise sauce, a damn good steak expertly prepared medium rare. Mine was better =P For dessert were profiterolles, or as we affectionately called them, chocolate balls. Two sweet pastry puffs filled with vanilla ice cream and topped with chocolate sauce. It actually reminded me (in a good way) of blue bell vanilla ice cream with hershey's chocolate syrup poured on top. Walking home I felt a euphoric buzz, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't the wine... Chez Nous, je t'aime xoxo
(5)
Stuart M.
I just love this place...the only thing wrong with it is that I don't get to go often enough! Truly...quality food, and in such a "country French" atmosphere. Not stuffy, just delightful. Yum.
(5)
Matt V.
This place was a disappointment especially considering all the other great reviews. The ambiance is nice, kind of a small farm house type feel but the food really fell short and was unimaginative. For example I had the duck and it was literally just two duck legs thrown on a plate. The lamb is also presented in a similar fashion. This isn't to say the food is bad per se it's just what i would term average and the presentation is very much below average.
(2)
David A.
Incredible. Vincent Pouilly Fuisse 2009 chardonnay. Nice, comfortable french food. Great ambience. Reasonably priced. I've been back three times since I found this place a few months back.
(5)
Pat O.
Get over yourself Chez Nous. Have you people never feasted on the gastronomic genius that emanates along La Rue de La Prefecture dans Le Vieux Nice? The good point was the duck confit (crispy and well presented). Beyond that, the pate was as bland as the service, the Kobe beef was undercooked, the creme caramele might have been good the first few hours it sat out in the kitchen. Above all, the self importance of the staff left us longing for a trip back to the old Nice we love.
(2)
Jim L.
Good French food for the money. Good atmosphere..very independently owned feeling. The best value is probably the menu du jour - a choice of an app, entree, and dessert. The portions are probably a bit smaller than ordering off the menu, but that's ok because the plates leave you wanting nothing more. At this visit, I had the duck liver mousse, lamb, and the creme caramel. The mousee was very smooth, but a little to dependent on the butter for flavor to flow forward. The lamb, however, was perfectly cooked, seasoned, presented, and portioned. I will probably be back just for this entree. While we shared the creme caramel and the mousse, I favored the creme caramel. I usually don't care for this dish, but maybe Chez Nous is making me a creme caramel convert! Two menus du jour, four glasses of wine, and a coffee, with tip was about an even $100.
(3)
O K.
Love Chez Nous, have been dining there since the 80's, but had not eaten there for several years. Escargot, very very good with sauteed mushrooms, garlic. Sop up the sauce with the bread. My daughters filet mignon with marsala/demi-glace was excellent ( she let me try it), my ribeye was very good, but I should have gotten the filet. The pommes dauphine were excellent as usual, lightly fried. Creme brulee was wonderful. What kept this meal from a 5 star was the vegetable offering. The meal came with a small ramakin with what I gathered were pureed cauliflower. No flavor, a little runny. My wifes sea bass had a section she could not cut through, that was a little weird. Other than that, as usual a wonderful meal at Chez Nous.
(4)
Eric O.
Sweet Jeeezus...hands down some of the most authentic French food I've had in the states. I left this place thinking two things: 1.) How in the world did I miss this place the first 3 times I went to Austin? 2.) That meal was totally worth getting harassed by about 17 hobos on the 4-block walk through 6th St. as we made our way there (seriously, Austin really has to get a grip on its homeless population) Not one thing was wrong with our meal. The bread was excellent and the butter was flawless. Steak was perfect and was served with a few fried potato balls that were really unique. We also ordered pork pate and I remember the lamb was just ridiculously good. For dessert we had chocolate mouse, also perfect. Even the latte I had was good. Btw, we did the $25 3-course menu...what a great value. The atmosphere here was cozy - it's a very small restaurant and that made everything feel more intimate and made us feel like we had a lot of attention from the authentic french wait staff. They do take reservations, but only for parties of 6 or more.
(5)
Shelley M.
Prix Fix Menu was good for us first timers. We both started out with mushroom soup which was delicious. For main course my husband got lamb and I got the trout. His lamb dish was very good. Perfectly cooked, portion was on the smaller side, but that was good for my husband. I don't usually like lamb, but I was surprised that I enjoyed it. My trout was little bit overcooked, but the sauce made it all better. Side of zucchini, potatoe puffs and tomatoe were complimentary side dish. For dessert, we had chocolate mousse and creme caramel. They were both excellent. We will probably return to this place again an would recommend it.
(4)
Jodi B.
One of my favorite special occasion restaurants in town, Chez Nous, offers a $25 price fixe all the time. It comes with a choice of Soupe Du Jour or Salade Lyonnaise or Pate Maison; One of 3 entrees changing daily; Either Crème Caramel or Mousse Au Chocolat or Brie. The moment you close the door behind you and step into Chez Nous, you're transported to a cozy bistro in Paris. Chez Nous has been serving lick your lips amazing classic french food at reasonable prices for over 25 years. The restaurant is tiny and only takes reservations for parties of six or more but if you show up and there is a wait (as there often is), they will call your cell when a table opens up. Meals at Chez Nous always come with a side of grilled tomato, squash, and a couple of pomme dauphine, a mashed potato formed into a ball and then covered in pastry and deep fried. A nice benefit of a wonderful evening at Chez Nous -- the happiness continues when the check comes. Everything is priced really reasonably -- especially if you go for the daily menu. Our bottle of wine was $30 and it wasn't even the least expensive on the list. I can't wait for my next visit to Chez Nous for an evening of wine, rich food, and laughter.
(4)
Anthony R.
Chez Nous has nightly specials written on a sign hanging from their door. The quaint building is very charming and the French accents being heard around you take you out of Austin. The menu is small but every salad, entree, pastry, wine... everything on it is divine. You will struggle to decide what you're having but rest assured it will keep you coming back. This actually may be my favorite restaurant in the world. The boeuf au poivre is a favorite, and of course the escargot.
(5)
Kelty G.
It's been said before, but I think it bears repeating - MENU DU JOUR. Let me spell it out for you - three delicious courses for $25 is thrice as nice. I've dropped more than that on one bad entree. The Menu du Jour consists of a starter (like soup or salad), an entree (like steak or fish), and a dessert (like crepes or creme brulee). What is genius about this deal is that it makes you want to spend your extra money on a bottle of wine or an appetizer, or both. In other words, they are still getting their money and I still go home fat and happy. We started with a charcuterie platter (not part of the special) that included not one, but TWO, kinds of pate and all kinds of meats, along with pickles and olives. We moved on to butternut squash soup and then the main event(s) - one order of steak and an order of trout with VANILLA SAUCE that was amazing. For dessert we ordered a crepe and creme brulee. Really, what's not to love? I simply cannot believe that I have spent all of these years in Austin, and I have never tried Chez Nous. I will definitely be back. In the mean time, I am trying to make sure that no one else waits as long as I did because, like lost sleep, I will never get that time back. Trust me, you will be glad if you go and said if you wait. Seize the day and get yourself to Chez Nous.
(5)
El Mack K.
*as i take a long drag off my cigarette and the smoke wafts in sensual curls through the stale night air* Wi Wi Madame. I then uncross my legs, take of my beret, lean across the table and pour more wine. I say "has anyone ever told you that the fog in the back of your purple eyes has remindes me of months sailing the cote de azur in my early twenties". There is a long pause as she cuts the water poached egg in her salad nicoise and lets the thick yellow yolk run all over the fresh mixed greens. She suddenly drops her fork with a crash, leans over the table, grabs me by my shirt and says "kiss me you French bastard". With one fail swoop I clear the table, pushing the delicious housemade rabbit countrystyle pate and delicately juicy canard al orange to the ground and in front of everyone in the restaurant throw her down onto the table, mount her and begin to passionately kiss this mysterious young flower of a woman.........But wait!............ ................Out of the corner of my eye, I can see the juicy confited duckleg shimmering in the candlelight, still steaming and bubbling from the cooking. The tempation is too much. I throw my lover aside and fall to my knees gripping the duckleg with both hands ravaging it between my teeth like a starved caveman. I cannot get enough of their succulent duck and I have no more time for the siren calls of woman. I am deaf and blind to anything else in the room that is not steaming and of avian variety. The beast has awoken in me and I soon turn on the pot de creme lying on the ground next to me............. As I scoop it billowing decadence out of the bowl with my trembling index finger I can think of nothing more fitting than to lie down amongst the wreckage and light another cigarette in satisfaction of the kingly feast.
(4)
Amanda M.
Chez Nous will go down on the books as my favorite restaurant in Austin. Period. End of Story. The food is authentic, gorgeous and exquisite. There are two ways to enjoy Chez Nous: (1) The Menu De Jour - French Fine Dining the Affordable Way. Your choice of soup, salad or pate starter, then your choice of one of 3 different entrees, followed by your choice of 2 different desserts. Always a hit! (2) The Glutton Within - Order whatever you want from the simple, classic and yet not in the least bit disappointing menu. Go all out. Savor every morsel. Live life to it's fullest. I've been a fan of Chez Nous since the original owner, and was scared and sad when he passed years ago (tragic). However, his legacy lives on in the manager and head waitress taking over. It's space and decor lends itself to the classic French environment. You simply *must* try the accompanying Pomme Dauphin and roasted tomatoes. I dream of these French potato puffs and seasoned tomatoes at night. . .
(5)
Rick M.
Went for lunch, overall a very good meal. Charcuturie plate: Very good, though a couple of the meats were a bit "challenging" for my palette. Croque Madame: Very good, nothing different, but executed well Salad Lyonaise w/ Lardons: Great, what's better than a good salad with pork fat everywhere? Bread & Butter: Maybe the best part of simple french bistro dining, ate WAY too much of it.
(4)
Susan S.
This is my absolute fav restaurant in Austin! I have been coming here for over 20 years and have never been disappointed...well until today...but s*&% happens. My 19 year old and I came for lunch today. The service was as usual tres bien! Drinks constantly filled, friendly staff...I don't remember our waiters name but he is awesome. Omg...on to the food: Complimentary French bread (I agree with others it is nothing special) but with the sweet creamy butter...ooh la la! My son and I split the Lyonnaise salad...one of my favs of all time. Crisp greens, sweet cherry tomatoes, chives, red bell pepper (which neither of us care for...but pick em out...easy enough) with a to die for dijon vineagrette...topped with a perfectly poached egg. I know that sounds strange to some...but when you cut the egg and the yolk oozes over the salad...mix it up...heaven! Use bread to sop up the excess egg and dressing...k I'll stop...getting all hot n bothered. We agreed to split the trout and seafood crepes. Trout was perfectly cooked with a simple sauce of butter, lemon and parsley. Crepes were very good...shrimp, crab and scallops with a creme sherry sauce...only downside was the crepes were a little too thick for my taste. Quite frankly I can make better...lighter and thinner...but it was still delicious. Now...here is my disappointment...and it almost cost a star...but the way the waiter handled was the epitome of customer service. Most entrees come with a side dish of sauted squash, zuchinni, carrots, onions with a delicious garlic roasted tomato and the pas de resistance...the pomme dauphines...potato fritters with pillowy insides and crispy fried outsides...I salivate thinking of them. Well...when our entrees came there was zuchinni and squash with onions...but wait...where are my lovely pomme dauphines? Waiter informs me their batch for the day were substandard so they decided to not serve them....gasp!!...no...I must have them!! I almost cried. Waiter...with very sad face...responds "madame...I am truly sorry, but I am sure you will agree zees better to not serve zem to you at all versus giving you an inferior product". Um...ok your right *sigh* (son is looking at me like I've lost my mind) Fast forward to the check presentation: said awesome waiter is with another table, so hostess brings check and apologizes "Your waiter sends his apologies for the disappointment...he took $5 off your bill (with tax!) and please accept this coupon (good for $5 off next lunch)." Really!? How cool is that? I've had horrible food, horrible customer service at many places who even managers are like...oh well. I was so shocked I didn't even get upset when we got to sons car and had a parking ticket (I was so excited to eat I forgot to pay meter) Chez Nous...I love you...oui oui!
(5)
Brittany N.
This is one of the best meals I have ever had! Chez Nous is a very intimate french gem! Great romantic date place! You must try the escargot if you go! Expect to have a 2+hour dinner! The service is slow and relaxed!
I love Chez Nous. My wife and I went for her birthday, and it was great. We had a short wait, but you could sense the staff rooting for someone to leave so they could get us a table. The food was fantastic--my wife made the best choices, as usual. The duck was ridiculous, it was so tender and tasty. The lamb was good, but not as good as the duck. The creme brulee was the best desert, I had a chocolate something with fruit that was decent but overly rich. Oh, but the escargot was awesome, some of the best ever. I'll order more than six next time. Their wine selection is limited, but good. I had a couple of reds (Cotes du Rhone and something else, can't remember) and both were fantastic. Though my wife had a Boujoulais that was terrible. I mean really really bad. But most Boujoulais is, in my opinion, so I wasn't surprised. I'd warned her, but you live and learn. She only wanted a tiny bit of wine anyway, so no harm done. I just love the cozy atmosphere, and as much as it might help if they took reservations, that might ruin the friendly atmostphere. And why not wait a bit with a glass of wine? Nothing wrong with that. One of the best places in Austin for a romantic dinner out, maybe the best. But yeah, it's expensive. But worth it.
(5)
Martha A.
I have lived here for over 15 years and had never been. We had some out of town people from work and they decided on Chez Nous after reading some reviews. Love trying new food, so I was down. We got rockstar parking right in front, I must have had good parking karma this day and we went in, sat down and no wait. The service was wonderful and we even had a person at the table that needed glasses to read the menu. The waitress overheard this and offered to find reading glasses for the guy! Now that is service. I had the filet and it was perfectly cooked and seasoned. The sides were not memorable, but overall everyone enjoyed their food. My only nit is that this place seems so old school in decoration. It's like every French cliche in the book in one place. They just need to update it a bit, but the food was really good. They got all of our orders right and never let a water glass get empty.
(4)
Ann S.
This place is one of my goto favorites. Their menu du jour makes eating there fairly affordable and it always has a seafood dish for me and a steak dish for my husband that we both enjoy. Two items that I think that they have the best of in town: 1. The creme caramel (which is like flan) because it has a great smooth texture with a pleasant sweetness. 2. The escargot app. Nice and garlicky with cremini mushrooms in the sauce. Also a great date night place. It does make you feel like you are in France. The only negative is they are a bit slow and the wait can be quite long because the restaurant is so small but I haven't had that problem recently due to the downturn in the economy.
(4)
Mindy R.
Oh, Chez Nous. I will give you a couple of stars because you have a really good house red on the menu. Malbec = yum. But, I have had a better steak at a non-profit event held at a chain hotel. And how can you mess up Brie? I realize that cheap cheese tastes better room temp - but this cheese was left out so long that it was rubbery. I do like this restaurant. It just needs to stop taking its patrons for granted and put more effort into the food and presentation.
(2)
Amie H.
Went to Austin for the weekend, and decided to try Chez Nous. We don't normally eat French Food, and thought this would be great for something different. Wow, I have been missing out on so much! For starters, I had the salad Lyonnaise, delicious. Lovely greens perfecly dressed with a poached egg on top. My husband had the cream of mushroom soup and said it was very good. For dinner, I had the trout, he had the steak. When they first bought out the entrees, I had some remorse for not ordering the steak, it looked superb, thick steak perfectly crusted on the outside and a soft dark red in the middle, with a nice roquefort sauce. However, the tide quickly turned once I tried the trout and both my husband and I agreed the this was the hands down favorite. The fish was perfectly cooked with a delicate meaty texture and an addicting orange butter sauce that was very light and melded excellently with the fish flavor. If I were at home I seriously may have licked the plate when I was done. :) For dessert, the chocolate mousse was just ok. However, the profiterolles were amazing. How can you go wrong with fried pastry filled with vanilla ice cream and swimming in a dense chocolate sauce, YUM. Oh, also had a fantastic bottle of wine for $40. I am very jealouse of Austin-ites, I would love to try a few more items & wine at this place.
(4)
Andrea S.
Went here for a birthday dinner this past weekend. The food was stellar, as was the ambiance and their tolerance for a group of girls that wanted to gab over wine! Service was good, a bit slow at times, not bad.. but as we were a large party, we were an automatic gratuity, however the bill was not very legible and I wouldn't have known it was on there had I not asked. But I could have just eaten the bread and butter for dinner. The Menu Du Jour is the way to go if you ask me. Everything was well prepared, and I was stuffed by the time I left!
(4)
Aimee W.
I manage to go to Chez Nous about once every three years and always wish I did it more often. The menu is fabulous and the waitstaff expertly skilled, friendly but not intrusive. The ambience is intimate yet alive and vibrant. My most recent trip was two Sundays ago, and the duck liver mousse pate du maison was divine, followed by an exquisitely crispy-yet-juicy confits de canard aux cerises. My dining companion was somewhat new to French cuisine and worried that he couldn't get a steak, and the Menu du Jour proved to be just the ticket. "Amazing," he declared. "Fabulous!" I couldn't agree more.
(5)
Lynn L.
There is only one reason why we haven't eaten here before. We always seem to manage to think of this place on Mondays. And they are always closed on Mondays. So imagine our surprise when we came up with the bright idea of french food on a Thursday. We were planning to catch a friend's performance downtown and had to think of what was nearby. Oui, oui...Chez Nous it shall be! As soon as we were seated, the BF declared that it reminded him of home. He's from Belgium...the Flemish side...but no matter. It was homey and cozy and old-worldish...as much as Austin can be...especially since the sign proudly declared that it was established in 1982. Not 1882...or even 1282 as some signs read in his hometown of Brugge. Chez Nous is perfect in its simplicity. The ONLY reason I am knocking it down a star is because they don't have foie gras. I've been craving foie gras since I returned from vacation in France a month ago. When I go to a French restaurant, I want foie gras. To all you PETA-people out there I say...if you can catch me and force feed me until my liver is perfectly delectable, have at it. Until then, I am at or damn near at the top of the food chain. If I can catch, trap, shoot or farm you, I'm probably gonna eat you. This is why I stay as far away from lions, tigers and bears...and the rare tribe that may still enjoy cannibalism...they can and will catch and eat me. We devoured the prix fixe menu ($26 pp): Duck pate - close enough. Yummy! Served with gherkins and olives. Salad Lyonnaise - the egg was poached to perfection and the vinaigrette was flavorful and not overwhelming Salmon with crab meat - medium-rare and seared just right with a fabulous slight crunch. Crab was a teeny bit dry, but the beurre blanc was phenomenal Steak - BF let me have a bite. It was a decent cut of meat, seasoned well and perfectly medium rare. I think it was still moo-ing when it got to the table. Both entrees were served with fresh veggies and croquettes...I think they called them pommes dauphines. The fresh veggies were zucchini and squash. They were a tiny bit too squishy for my taste, but well-seasoned and buttery. For dessert we opted for the chocolate mousse and Crepe Normande. The chocolate mousse was short on presentation. When topped with my sprig of mint from the crepe, it spruced it up for a minute. Only for a minute because the BF inhaled it shortly after I played dress-up with it. It was marvelously fluffy, chocolaty, rich and light all at the same time. The crepe was filled with cooked apples and served with caramel sauce and creme frache. I stupidly attempted to deconstruct it so that I could taste the flavors separately. Not a smart move, but when eaten the way I am sure the chef envisioned, it was perfect! The service was classically French...unobtrusive and efficient. Inclusive of our strong enough for the European BF espressos and a glass of wine, the bill came to about $70 before tip. We've have way less impressive meals in this town for more than that. We will definitely return...for both the food and the whistling Frenchman with cornrows. à bientôt!!!
(4)
elizabeth w.
this is one of my favorite little austin restaurants. It's so cozy and comforting. The staff is so friendly and has so much knowledge on the product. I have eaten there several times and loved everything i've ever had. I usually go for the set 3 course meal. I had excellent pate and i can't say enough about the desserts. It can be a little pricey...but well worth it!! This city is lucky to have it!!
(5)
PepperMint P.
The food was good. We ordered the Prix Fixe menu which got us a salad/soup , and entree and a dessert. I was expecting a more upscale ambiance to this restaurant considering that the bill was approx 38$ per person. The restaurant had more of a cafe feel to it. Had gone here for anniversary dinner and expected to have a quiet romantic dinner, however all tables were really close to each other. There was this group of 7 - 8 people who were seated close to us and were very loud. With all their jokes and laughing in the end we just felt that we ate at a very expensive cafe. Hence not really sure if the food was worth the $$ I would probably recommend this place for lunch rather than dinner.
(3)
Heather W.
This is a regular date night spot. The food and service are good. The interior could use some updating, but it is a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. I generally see an older crowd there. I've been several times and have never been disappointed with anything I have ordered.
(4)
Jim C.
Not much has changed here, except, sadly, there doesn't seem to be foie gras on the menu any more... how sad and strange, a French restaurant without foie gras... Otherwise, it remains the same wonderful restaurant - a true French bistro, except with great service. On our visit tonight we started with the cheese plate and escargot - both were delicious. For our main courses we had the baked rainbow trout with a dijonnaise sauce and lump crab meat (very good) and the coquilles St. Jacques with wild mushrooms (likewise). We finished up with the profiterolles (OK) and bouche noir (not bad). The food, though good, reminded me of why I don't visit this place more often... it's true French cooking, meaning it's very heavy. I felt my waistline expand with every bite. It's worthwhile to visit occasionally, but there are many other lighter cuisines out there.
(4)
Les M.
Fabulous meal - particularly the menu du jour, which gives you soup or salad, an entree, and dessert for $27.50. Love the ambiance, the servers were nice and helpful, and the wine list looked like it had something for everyone (even half bottles). The tomato bisque and fish entree were spectacular, with some delicious sides like carrots and a few little fried potato balls. My one complaint is the dessert course, which didn't live up at all to the expectations set by the rest of the food. We got the chocolate mousse and creme caramel, and all of us stopped after a few bites because the selections were bland and sort of felt like something you'd get at cheap cafeteria. Skip dessert, but definitely try this place!
(4)
L C.
OK...there is another one I love. Chez Nous... A client treated me here for a dinner as a thank you gift. While being seated to our table, my company leaned into me and said "I thought this place would allow you to feel at home". My family is French-Italian you see and, even though I grew up mostly on Italian cuisine, I do enjoy French. This dining experience was a delight and just as my client had hoped, I was taken on a journey over seas where my heart still holds the beats to Sicily. I've only been back to Chez Nous once since then - looking forward to the next! Avec amour, L'
(4)
Zoia W.
The trout is amazing. Loved the pate maison and the mushroom egg custard.
(4)
Lindsay J.
Even I don't quite understand why I'm so enamored with the French lifestyle and culture, but I am. Here in Austin, just South of the frat daddies and miniskirts on 6th Street lies Chez Nous, a whimsical little French bistro with a heart of gold. For now, my Francophile urges have been sated. The minute I stepped inside, I was greeted by smiling staff and quickly ushered to the standing-room bar where I sipped my first Kir Royale in years (why isn't this concoction more popular in a town infested with wine lovers?). As soon as a table opened up, the mister and I were swept to candlelight and pork pate, and escargot. I had the prix fixe menu ($25.50) with a luscious Lyonnaise salad, lamb tenderloin in mint sauce, and finally a chocolate mousse that I finished in a lightning speed. Throughout the meal we were tended to by no less than three staff members, but each blended with the other, and there were no mix-ups when the check arrived. Plain and simple, Chez Nous is an exceedingly romantic little place with authenticity to spare.
(4)
Shane R.
Another little Austin landmark, this restaurant stands out in my mind as the first place I ever had venison and actually enjoyed it. There are better qualified people to talk to you about the wine and etc. What I know is that it was delicious and amazing and a very new experience for me. Thanks Chez Nous for being one of the more memorable little hangouts I have ever stumbled into.
(5)
Lydiana J.
Chez Nous was good...but not mind-blowing. I've had mind-blowing, melt my heart, French cuisine, but Chez Nous did not bring me to my knees. Don't misunderstand me, I enjoyed the food and casual atmosphere. On today's lunch menu was croque monsieur with side salad and beef steak with potatoes fried french style, dessert was chocolate mousse. The bread and butter was lovely, fresh, and tasty. The butter was memorably good, though not made on site. Thirty-five minutes (and two bread baskets) later our lunch arrived. I ordered my steak medium, and it was closer to well than medium, but I was hungry for protein! It was surprisingly tender for being well cooked, and the sauce was tart, tangy, and a nice addition. The fries were authentic and fresh....not frozen fast food style. They reminded me of grandma's kitchen...where fresh fries were on the daily menu. Nothing on my plate needed seasoning...which is interesting considering potatoes tend to be over or under seasoned. Bravo Chez Nous! On my husband's plate was a croque monsieur. It was cheesy, warm, and tasty. I make my own croque monsieur's at home and I should start charging nine dollars for my sandwiches.....Chez Nous does it and mine are just as tasty. :) The side salad was fresh...but nothing outstanding. The chocolate mousse was a hefty bowl of creamy yumminess. No wimpy servings in dainty glass dishes were set before me. The espresso was very good and very strong. The restaurant is cute bistro-style and quaint with French prints depicting French entertainment consisting of scantily clad women. The staff is friendly and very casual, which I really enjoyed. Last, but not by any means least, their ladies room was the cleanest bathroom I've ever seen in restaurant. I was so impressed that I just had to mention it! I strongly believe that a restaurant's bath facilities reflect the cleanliness of it's staff and kitchen...and I've not seen better. :) Thank you Chez Nous for a lovely French lunch!
(4)
Aaron B.
This is a go-to spot. Perfect, time and time again. Want to impress a date? Check. Want to take your wife out on a 5th year anniversary? Check. Want to take hipsters from out-of-town just in for SXSW? Check. What an atmosphere-- rustic French in the best sense of an overused phrase. Order the prixe fixe because it is genuinely good. The fried potato balls keep me coming. The authentic French staff is key. If you think of some wonderful meal-- bright, cheery, exuberant, not-too-fancy, hearty-- then think of this place. Tons of character and joyful vibe. And it's right downtown! (PS order the profiteroles for dessert. Puff pastries, vanilla ice cream, and a legitimately dark chocolate).
(5)
Husejin D.
I have two clear favorite restaurants in Austin. Chez Nous is one of them. For the 20+ years that I have known and gone to Chez Nouz I have always left the restaurant with a satiated stomach and a longing to head back to Europe. How can you not love this place?! The food is exceptional and the wine list perfect. I love to read reviews of Austin's other finer restaurants (actual or supposed) in comparison; especially those places where diners suffer under forced pretence and condescension as they try and have a good meal. There is none of that here. This place was hopping! And if you know how intimate this space is you can appreciate that there is little room for mistakes of any kind. Yet everything ran as smoothly as a well oiled machine. No frantic staff. Food delivered in an appropriate amount of time. Wine recommendations, stopping by to check on things, while not doting on you. Even a little friendly banter. Basically, they rock, albeit in a way only the French can do. And the people kept coming, and coming, and coming..... We had two stellar dishes: first we split the salade du marche: a spinach salad with verts, shaved fennel, grape tomatoes, pine nuts, and Roquefort cheese. It was dressed with a delicate vinaigrette. Very nice! I had the halibut, which seemed to be poached and served on a delicate sauce with fennel. It was topped with shaved celery root. I never knew fish could have that texture. It was so je ne sais qua! My wife had the crispy duck leg confit that was served on a sauce accompanied with cherries. What a pairing. Total taste explosion. The recommended wine was a Sauvignon Blanc from Bordeaux that seemed made for our dishes. As much as we wanted to opt for a desert, we did not want to ruin the way we felt after this meal. Even though the preparation was simple, where the food is identifiable, that simplicity lends to its elegance. I do not have enough superlatives to shower on this gem. Chez Nous - another good reason to live in Austin.
Chez Nous is most likely the best kept secret in town. this casual little French bistro has cranked out great French fare in a fun, relaxing and comfortable atmosphere since 1982 without ever missing a beat. It alone reminds me of great French jazz. One step in to Chez Nous and you know you were meant to be there, one word from the staff and you know it's French through and through. FOOD: The food is simple but yet very complex in flavors. It always tastes fresh made with great ingredients. The salads are perfectly dressed with crisp lettuces. The daily pate's and terrines are right out of Paris and Provence and proteins are cooked to perfection. My personal favorite is the sweetbread entree changed daily by the chef or prepared to your liking. Try the orange sauteed sweetbreads and a glass of Beaujolais. Pro tips: Salad Lyonnaise, daily assortment of pates, escargot bourgogne, canard confit. WINE: My favorite wine list in Austin for what it is, not what it is not. They only serve French wines on the menu and only serve the best they can source for the money from each region making food and wine paring almost fool-proof. I actually preferred the older menu when the name of the winery was not even listed leaving your trust in their very capable hands.
(5)
Molly U.
I guess I shouldn't have been surprised because I mean, the reviews are glooOoOwing but I guess somehow I was expecting less than those glowing reviews. Not sure why. I'm an enigma to myself. So when we put our name down at 7:30 for a party of four and they said 45 min, they said they'd call us, so we went over to grab drinks at the Hilton. Weeelllll.....an hour later they hadn't called, and when we called, they said another 30 min. Methinks they forgot. Only a little annoying..... We decided to roll in anyway and even at 9pm it was PACKED. I mean, people came in after us. There were a couple of empty little tables and the waitress/host let us sit there on a two-top and peruse the menu/order drinks. When the table next to us left (finally. lol) she pushed the two together so we weren't in each others' laps. We ordered escargots (12) and thankfully our friends were not grossed out by snails....and holy crap. They. were. amazing. Sauteed, not baked in cheese/garlic like what I'm used to but it was so daaaamn delicious. We practically slapped the waitress's hand away when she tried to take the leftover sauce away. :P Oh yes, soak up the entire thing with bread, people. My husband and I ordered the Menu du Jour ($27.50 and still a good deal) while our friends ordered a steak and scallops. Hubby ordered the pate.....yummmm....like butta......and I ordered the salad. The salad was fine, with a poached egg, but it was kinda boring. He then chose the trout......amaaaaaaaazing! and I ordered the lamb......deeelish!! For one neither was overcooked. Nothing ruins a dish like overcooked fish/meat. You should be allowed to call meat protective services for those establishments, honestly. We got to try our friend's scallop and I think they were the best I've ever had. I mean large, firm, cooked to perfection fresh scallop....again like butta. It was SO GOOD. Hubby chose creme caramel and I chose chocolate mousse. The creme caramel was better, in my opinion, and the mousse was good - airy and chocolatey, but I wanted it a little bit more creamy I guess. Just personal taste. THeir desserts were nothing to write home about though. I loved it, but I think between the wait time and no reservations and no waiting area it may take awhile for me to come back. It's highly recommended to come at least once, though!!
(4)
Brent W.
Wow - this place was fantastic. We went for dinner, during midweek, we called ahead and were told they had plenty of tables. The restaurant was more than half full and the atmosphere was very pleasant, just as you would imagine a French bistro. We both got the fixed menu which was a great value ($27 for 3 courses, individual entrees around $20 as I recall). For the appetizer we had smoked pork pate which was pretty good (chunky pieces of tasty pork) and creamy onion soup which was delicious. For entree we had braised short ribs which were beyond delicious and texas steak which was flavorful but somewhat chewy (it was a skirt steak so chewiness was to be expected). For dessert we had creme caramel which was as expected and profiteroles which were very decadent (cream puff drenched in delicious chocolate syrup; the puff was sligtly too hard/dry for my taste, but that's the only fault I could find). Resonably priced wines and complimetrary bread basket with generous portion of sweet creamy butter rounded out the meal. There were several servers are they were all very pleasant and efficient.
(5)
Chad J.
By far, our favorite French cuisine in town. J'adore le mousse au chocolat!
(5)
Omar Z.
This much sexy can not, by the laws of nature, occupy such a small space. Therefore Chez Nous can not exist. Chez Nous is more like a fantasy. A place where the mind and body can be instantly transported to a rue'd chausse locale in some obscure Parisian neighborhood for a couple of hours. That is to say, Parisian without the abusive attitude! Everything inside, from the decor, to the kindly French accents to the architecture is what you need for your evening vacation. The waitstaff is just SO DAMN FUN to look at and interact with. One of my favorite moments was when one of the waitresses (I won't say who) greeted my wife and I with: "Hello, Lovers!". I knew it was going to be a good night. But, honestly, every time I go it's like that. Men and Women alike will find themselves swooning and practically falling into their seats, knees weakened. Now that you're seated, let's talk food. These fine folks have their formula down and they don't jack with it. Thus, the quality is high consistently. From their bread (crunchy/soft) and butter (creamy rich) to their house pates, you will start well and in comfort. Their rotating Menu Du Jour is a highly recommended and great value. For $25.50 you get a tasty full 3 course meal. Seriously hard to beat. I've had a lot of excellent entrees here over the years: From a buttery (I mean BUTTERY) chateau steak to sea scallops, to halibut with fennel sauce (I love that you can actually TASTE the fennel), to sweat breads (for the adventurous!). They don't get distracted or mix things up so it always comes up well. The accompanying veggies are always the same and tasty: grilled half tomato, various zucchini and their tasty pomme dauphine (look it up). Great soup selections. They know not to serve it up too hot. Great traditional desserts. Price: Low end of "Spendy" depending on the quantity of wine consumed, though it's very possible to get a great meal in the "Moderate" range, especially taking the Menu Du Jour route. The predictability may be an issue for some, but believe me, you will want to make at least 10 trips to get the whole menu sampled. And that can take you through a lot of life. I first came here for a Valentine's date 10 years ago. Then, later, for an anniversary, and most recently with a baby. All with the same girl, I might add! And it has worked beautifully for all occasions. Timeless, French Comfort, air fare included.
(4)
Sean M.
This is one of my favorite restaurants on the planet. I've been here every time I've ever been to Austin, except on my last trip when I didn't have time. It's not that it has the best food, service, ambiance, or wine list that you will ever see, but the combination of everything here just seems to work perfectly. And, there's something very Austin-like about a quaint little French bistro located right next to a sex shop, and two doors down from a head shop. Be sure to save room for the Crepe Normande. It's the best dessert I've ever had and I get it every time.
(5)
Megan C.
Chez Nous is our go-to place for a long, romantic dinner or with a close group of friends for an equally intimate time. The atmosphere encourages long, intense yet laughable conversations. The staff doesn't mind if you stick around for 2+ hours. The bread and butter, pure delight, flows freely. I've always enjoyed my food. My staple is whatever beef is on the menu de jour. Divine. Also, if you don't get the chocolate mousse, you're not alive. Go!
(5)
Julia P.
This place is absolutely amazing especially for the price! My girlfriends and I dined here last weekend for girl's night and since there were 8 of us, we were lucky enough to get a reservation (they only make reservations for parties of 6 or more). Unfortunately, about half of us were more than 30 minutes late to the dinner, but instead of getting annoyed and giving us attitude, they were extremely attentive and friendly to our table. They gave us a great recommendation on some bottles of Pinot Grigio and Pinot Noir and we left the restaurant extremely buzzed to say the least. I had started off with the duck liver pate which was rich and creamy as expected and ordered the lamb chops for my entree which was equally delicious. However, the best part was the creme brulee I had ordered for dessert. This is one of the best creme brulees I've had in Austin. The restaurant itself is very cute. Having been to Paris just recently, it reminded me of the local Parisian family restaurants I dined at during my trip. If you're looking for some fancy French, this is the place for you!
(5)
Lucy R.
Went here for dinner on a trip to Austin. Our meal was excellent! Our food was perfectly cooked, and so delicious. I don't think my husband and I said a word to each other besides Mmmm and you got to try mine; while we were eating. The look of the place is not swanky or anything special but the food is what you come for. Plus, BYOB which is always nice.
(5)
Erin P.
I love this place. The fact that my husband hasn't taken me here yet is grounds for divorce, in my humble opinion.
(5)
Billie P.
GREAT Food! I ordered the scallops, absolutely the best scallops I have ever had. And HUGE too. Good wine choices, Pate as wonderful, quaint small location, but the home cooked quality and atmosphere is as good as it gets. Will visit again. Was recommended by a good friend and this hit perfect.
(5)
Lacey W.
As if Chez Nous needs another review. But just in case you're late to the party, like I was, here are the highlights: Service: Awesome. Not in-your-face, and not super-fast, but steady. Our server checked on us throughout the meal, suggested things appropriately, but didn't upsell too hard. We also got the check in a reasonable amount of time-- not so fast we felt like we were being kicked out, and not so slow we were annoyed. Food: The bread and butter is a totally decent quality, and is essentially unlimited. Since the food is a little slow to come out, it's nice to have this to munch on while you wait. The cheese plate is pleasantly adventurous! Not for those who only want some Gouda and to call it a day. In a plate of four cheeses, two of them were strongly stinky and difficult, which I enjoyed. The other two were more mellow, but one of those still had a very distinct and interesting flavor. On the con side, it seems the sliced apples had been stored next to the minced garlic in the kitchen, as they had a strong and unpleasant garlicky flavor. Hot Boyfriend really enjoyed his lamb terrine, which I was too intimidated to try. The scallops with mushrooms in cream sauce... oh my god. I've died and gone to heaven. The scallops were perfectly cooked: seared with a nice crust on the outside, and barely done on the inside. The cream sauce was an indulgent, savory, fabulous thing. I sopped up all of it, unashamedly. And they use fancy mushrooms! Hot Boyfriend ordered some sort of steak, cooked "blue," and was thoroughly impressed that it was indeed cooked that rare. We both enjoyed our sides, but those fried potato dumplings were something else. And the herbs on the roasted tomatoes have a nice, surprising tang. The final flourish: creme brulee. Would you believe me if I said I'd never had creme brulee? I didn't know it was served cool, though that makes sense when you think about how it would be prepared. Not knowing anything about creme brulee, all I can say is I was full to bursting, and ate every bite. And I'm a small woman. And for a restaurant with such a fancy menu, I was surprised at how comfortable I felt in a sundress, with a man dressed in jeans and a button-down. It's completely without pretension.
(4)
Christopher K.
Good food with respectable prices. I enjoyed the duck confit. The steak was delicious and cooked perfectly, although the Bearnaise wasn't the best I've ever had. I didn't particularly care for the pate. Also, they opened about 10 minutes late, so we were harassed by homeless people for 10 minutes while waiting to go in.
(4)
ashley s.
I have been emotionally scarred by this place... and I have a new perspective on the French since my horrid experience. I ordered fried green tomatoes as served with goat cheese and a file mignon with a side of goat cheese (its SO delicious!). The waiter gave me some grief and then the chef came out from the kitchen to make a scene in front of a packed restaurant. He yelled at me something like, "You don't like my menu?! You think you can put together a better menu than me?!" I was appalled! I could not believe it! It was embarrassing, insulting and ridiculous. I will never go back.
(1)
Ann J.
Always excellent food and service-every time! The fixed price menu for early dinner is a deal. I love their soups, all delicious. Fish entrees are always cooked perfectly with a light hand on the sauce. Great vegetable sides. Crazy for the profiteroles! The atmosphere feels very cozy, relaxed, and welcoming. Parking can be a challenge. Get there early because it fills up.
(5)
tim b.
This is not a five star restaunt but rather a five star execution of the french bistro transplanted to Texas. When you step through the door, slow down your thought process, turn down the phone and be prepared to make an ambling journey through provicial france. The wine list upon first blush seems to be extremely limited - until you realize how well it matches with the food. Who needs choice when the default is perfect already? We grazed our way across the menu ordering three apps and a fish dish. We started with Pate and the Cheese plate - which were right on target. You also have complimentary baggettes at your table (insert lame joke here about the bread saying nice things to me) - especially appreicated with the Pate. We decided to toss in one more app before the main course and were rewarded richly with the baked goat cheese with a cracked pepper crust. For our main course, we ordered the Atlantic Salmon and the prepartion is so decidely french in style - I would not have been surprised to have it come to the talbe wearing a beret and sounding like Maurice Chevelier. We were a bit to full at that point to order our own dessert - so we decided to share.... two... hmmm... i don't think the math worked out exactly as planned. The choco mousse was excellent - no more nor no less than it should be. The crepe Normande was amazing but it actually suffered a bit in its grandeur. Perhaps i need to stop in one day to give it another try on its own with a glass of port when i can block out all the other french tunes that are being sung by the other dishes.
(5)
Hannah P.
Love this place!!! It's a diamond in the rough and gritty east 6th street area but it's worth getting over there. My sister and I were not necessarily looking for french cuisine but she had heard good things so we decided to check it out and I'm so glad we did! Although I was with my sister, the whole experience felt so romantic! Dim lighting, euro-bistro decor, small intimate tables, and all the while feeling very casual and effortless. We had great service the whole time, too! The hostess was very helpful and nice and our waiter was attentive and knew we liked to order slow. We had the 6 escargot for an appetizer and it was amazing, finishing it with bread in the sauce. Then I had the cup of soup and my sister had a small house salad, both very good. Our main dish was the duck, which we spilt (perfect to spilt). It blew my mind! It was served with these really delicious pototoe cheese things, almost like hashbrowns and berries. Each bite had a little bit of each on my fork and it was like a party in my mouth! Throughout the meal we had a bottle of their house champagne and it was the perfect touch. The whole experience was perfect. I can't wait to go back. **The only thing that happened, out of the restaurants control, was the table next to us listening to our entire conversation! I guess they couldn't tear their attention away from my sisters run-down of the movie 'something borrowed'. ;)
(5)
Alan M.
A very nice country pate, very good fish and steak entrees. The bread was strangely pathetic. Also, no reservations (for groups under 6) + late opening time + minimal parking are too many inconveniences together.
(4)
Aishah A.
Casual, romantic and intimate- this unassuming cafe was the perfect place for us to celebrate our first wedding anniversary. We indulged in two appetizers, a classic selection of duck pate and escargot. The pate was smooth, buttery- the perfect topping on the complimentary baguettes. The escargot was tender and gently enveloped in an earthy butter and mushroom/garlic sauce. My scallop entree was divine and the hub's peppered beef tenderloin was just scrumptious. I savored every bite of my hazelnut chocolate dessert, paired perfectly with a cup of cafe au lait. Jim's creme brulee was tasty too. Service was impeccable without being overly stuffy. Water glasses were refilled with undetectable, ninja-like skill. Love this place! However, be warned, the place is small. So try to snag a table before 7pm to avoid the wait.
(5)
laura w.
If you're looking for a relaxed casual atmosphere and simply divine French country food, this place never fails. I've been going to this restaurant since the year they opened (1982) and have never been disappointed. Talk about seriously consistency! Take advantage of the knowledgeable staff (many of whom are part owners) --they can recommend wines, beers, and drinks and of course tell you about any of the dishes. For the adventerous and budget conscicous, along with their usual menu, they offer a fixed price menu consisting of an appetizer, main entree, and dessert--these change nightly. I can't count how many occasions my family has celebrated in this restaurant over the years. I hope there will be many more to come......
(5)
J D.
Quaint little dining room just off 6th street. Service was friendly and the food was excellent. No complaints, I will return.
(4)
K D.
My husband and I ate at Chez Nous for my birthday. I ordered a kir royale while we waited to be seated. I enjoyed the kir royale. It was made with the perfect amount of cassis. For dinner I ordered the french onion soup and salmon with crab. The french onion soup was delicious. The sauce on the main dish perfectly complimented the salmon. Service was friendly although a bit slow. I will definitely be back to try other dishes.
(4)
Max B.
The significant other writes: "This is a great spot that was just perfect for an outing with my fam. I just love the veggies the serve on the side, feels like a generous portion where some French resto's skimp on veggies. The fixed menu is just the perfect amount of food. Only one thing I would change: on the fixed price menu (such a deal) I saw Chilean Seabass which, notoriously, are severely overfished. Most Chilean seabass in the U.S. market come from boats that are fishing illegally, according to Monterey Bay Aquarium: montereybayaquarium.org/… To avoid! I appreciate chefs and menus that do a bit more research on sustainable foods."
(4)
Shannon O.
I thought this place was okay, but not great. The main course was extremely well done, but the rest of the meal was just eh. The place was busy, and it had a pretty strong bistro vibe. The husband and I both got the menu du jour. I had the salmon rillette, rainbow trout and chocolate mousse for dessert. The husband got the pork rillette, pork chop, and caramel creme (aka flan). After spending the winter in a french speaking country, we got pretty spoiled by the bread. We were rather disappointed by the bread because it was very boring... no crisp crust...frankly, it tasted store bought. The appetizer was not attractively presented. The salmon was a scoop on a plate. After we left, I told my husband the presentation reminded me of the Fancy Feast commercial. You know... the one where the cat food is served on a plate. yeah. you get the idea. The major saving grace of the meal was the protein. The fish was pretty much perfect. The sauce complemented it and it was executed. The fish was work the price of the meal. The husband's pork chop was also good, but the sauce was very sweet. The biggest disappointment of the meal were the vegetables served with the main course. If they were served in a Home Ec 101 class, I'd give them a C-. A sad looking roasted piece of squash and a broiled tomato half. They were poorly prepared and depressing to look at on the plate. I was pretty shocked they were served at a professional restaurant. The chocolate mousse was nice, but it had a skin on it from sitting in the back waaaay too long. The caramel creme had a thick skin on it too from waiting around for a while. In truth, the caramel creme's skin was more off putting than the mousse. The staff was very nice and friendly. I may try this place again for lunch sometime (because I live about a block away). The meal did have a high point (fish), but it had so many misses that were obviously dialed in. Honestly, there are too many choices nearby to wander here again soon.
(3)
Christine M.
When I think of food in Texas, I usually picture thick, juicy steaks, baby back ribs falling right off the bone, spicy hot sausages, melt-in-your-mouth pulled pork, and tender beef brisket, all covered in top secret barbecue sauce. This meal couldn't possibly get messier, meatier, or manlier unless you threw in several kegs of beer, a high profile football game, and perhaps a stash of light artillery. So how did I find myself in a French restaurant in Texas? Pure, dumb, Yelp-guided luck. If you know me, you know I have a not-so-small obsession with lamb. After my life-altering Bottega lamb chop experience, I've been searching far and wide for something to rival that dish, and only Chez Nous has ever come close. The lamb chops ("Cotes d'agneau Manon") were well-seasoned and cooked to tender perfection. I could probably wax poetic about them for the next five paragraphs (wait, don't recoil in terror yet--I promise I don't do poetry), but I wouldn't be able to do them justice. I came to this place for lunch during a conference--the conference center is, conveniently, only two blocks away--and wow, was that ever a great idea. It wasn't too crowded, and the service was prompt, attentive, and authentic; some members of the staff were speaking flawless French, not just faking French accents. The only drawback? The portions were juuust right, meaning you'll probably finish your meal satisfied, without feeling like an overstuffed pinata, so you can't overdose on your favorite dish. Ah, such wonderfully healthy European sensibilities. Or maybe just cheap American business tactics? I don't know, but I prefer to be optimistic here. If I lived in Austin, I'd be coming regularly to try all of Chez Nous's dishes, because for one thing, I love French food, and for another, my meal was a clear indicator that the chefs have serious talent. Their full dinner menu simply looks mouthwatering; the Menu du Jour looks like a series of happy surprises I wouldn't mind unwrapping every week. I don't know when I'll be back in Austin, but if I ever get the chance, this will be the FIRST place I'll revisit.
(5)
Dober J.
Amazing food and ambiance! Great spot for a romantic dinner.
(5)
Ben O.
Just updating for 2010. Had another great dining experience here; some of the items we enjoyed were: * Rainbow Trout: cooked beautifully, great fennel cream sauce * Lamb Tenderloin: crisp sear on the outside, tender/rare on the inside, melts in your mouth * Chocolate Mousse: healthy portion of the best mousse I've ever had.
I have visited this lovely spot on a few occasions and it does not disappoint. Nice wine list, creative specials and solidly good menu that is very reminiscent of some neighborhood places in Paris. It is small and cozy and I love that about a restaurant. There is a very small bar (standing only) where you can wait for a table....they don't take reservations, so weekends at peak time usually mean a wait. However, if you eat late, like a Parisian, you will be fine. The atmosphere is relaxed and comfortable and the staff make you feel as if you are eating in their home rather than at work. The wait staff are very knowledgeable about the wine selections and the menu and can direct you as needed. Not that you need much direction. Blindfold yourself and point at the menu and you will still end up with something fantastic. We usually opt for some openers and an entree with rarely room for more, but I have tasted their dessert fare and it does not disappoint. I love duck confit and usually order this as it is fabulous. I have tasted several other dishes and they also are fabulous. I love their daily selections of pates for an opening dish and this is great to share with the table. They also have a cheese selection and it sounds yummy (no dairy for me, so we don't order it, but I am tempted) They do have a prix fixe menu that is a good value. You should definitely go and go soon! Savor, delight, enjoy......I know I will again and again!
(4)
Aaron S.
If only I could afford to eat here every day.. it's that good. I have not had authentic French food like this anywhere outside of Europe. Chez Nous really does a five star job all along the way from sourcing the best ingredients, to expert execution and delivery, with impeccable teamwork and service. Chez Nous has been open in Austin since February 1982, that's nearly 30 years! They survived the U.S. Recessions of 1980-1982, the early 90's and the Great Recession (2007-present!); impressive, and while just about everything else on the 6th Street strip has turned into something else over the years, Chez Nous is one of the few that is still there, keeping up their old school quality and tradition of fine French dining. ~30 years of stability says a lot about the quality and satisfaction that this restaurant delivers to its customers. For fine European cuisine, this is my favorite restaurant in the Austin area. Great for that perfect dinner when you're in the mood or a special occasion. For dinner, the menu du jour is a fine deal with a three course meal for $26.50, described as: 1) CHOICE OF SOUPE DU JOUR OR SALADE LYONNAISE OR PATE MAISON 2) CHOOSE AMONG 3 ENTREES CHANGING DAILY (they also include a side plate of the most delicious grilled vegetables and potato croquettes I've ever eaten.) 3 CHOICE OF CREME CARAMEL OR MOUSSE AU CHOCOLAT OR BRIE ($2 more and you can choose from their full desert menu) The wine list is nice and priced fairly, and they offer delicious, crisp and cold Kronenbourg 1664 (a 5.5% pale lager that is the leading beer in France) for $4 each. They also have an espresso machine to perk you up after the meal, which would go great with any of their deserts. You start off with the complimentary bread and butter, a basic and an essential, and it couldn't be tastier. Each course seems to be better than the last, while nothing is lacking. The portions are perfect, you will leave happily full and will enjoy a nice walk back to your car, your down town residence, or to a nearby pub. If you work in the area you may want to check them out for lunch. Don't forget, like many restaurants in town, Chez Nous is closed on Mondays. Chez Nous: I love what you offer to Austin. Here's to another ~30 years. Cheers!
(5)
Patricia H.
This place is amazing! Very cute decor. I really enjoy their trout (comes with mixed vegetables), pate, and escargot appetizer.
(4)
Erik W.
I do not understand the 4 and 5 star reviews. I've been dining in Austin for about 8 years and this is one of the worst service experiences I have ever had. Previous reviews explain my experience: confusing "team" waiter service and general lack of attention. At one point, we went 30 minutes with no one stopping by until the hostess graciously offered to get us another bottle of wine. Depending on your perspective, the space is either charming or resembles a 70s interstate tavern. It was about 85 degrees in there as well. Steak was significantly overcooked. Food is worthy of about 3 stars. Service is about a 1.
(2)
Ryan S.
IT'S TERRIBLE.... how much I don't want anymore of you to go here, so I can hoard this place all for myself. I CAN'T BELIEVE WHY YOU'D EVER GO...unless you like having good French food. STAY AWAY!!! and do me a real favor, because I feel like never having to wait to get in here, and you might be that table that'd make me wait. I will frown at you fervently. DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE...well, ok, you can, it's good. Prix fixe is now $26.50, but otherwise, still awesome.
(5)
Dee K.
I can rave about the food here for next 5000 words but the conclusion will be same. Great place- good looking waitresses ( so my husband was happy too) and great ambiance. All in all a perfect date night choice.
Great prix fixe menu in a homey, quaint setting. I am no French cuisine connoisseur, but i enjoyed this dining experience, but it could have been better. The company I was with made the evening memorable, but to be honest, the food was forgettable. Everything was really rich and buttery, though beautifully displayed.
(3)
Elle C.
I'm a dissenter on this one. To me, it felt shabby inside, somewhat like dining in an old trailer with popcorn ceilings. Maybe it was the smallness of the place that also made it incredibly noisy. The food was just okay, not nearly impressive enough to justify the high price. I really wanted to go to The Nutcracker, but the good seats were too expensive, so this was my husband's Christmas gift to me instead. After the disappointing experience, I really wished we had gone to The Nutcracker. Also, how can a supposedly high-class place list "expresso" on the menu? Were it one small typo, it would be cringe-worthy but forgivable, yet the "double expresso" listed next demonstrates that they really think it is called that. [Okay, I looked it up, and supposedly "expresso" is an uncommon variant, but it still looks silly.] Avoid this place unless you want to say, "Zut!" at your mistake.
(2)
Antoinette P.
Small, intimate, friendly, great food. I love bringing out of town guests here when they are up for trying something unique, personal, and high quality. No one is ever disappointed. Lunch menu is more veg-friendly, but don't expect much selection in terms of ready-made vegan. Even eating vegetarian on the dinner menu means salad. But every guest I've brought here is a meat-eater, and a couple of them worldly foodies, and they proclaim the food at this restaurant authentically French. If only that one French server could work every shift, every table. Oui.
(5)
Linday C.
Sexy french vacation right off 6th Street. Every person working here looked, talked, and acted sexy Frenchy. We ordered a delicious $20 bottle of Merlot~*Muah*, savored every sip and then chomped down on the fixed menu: Butter & freshly cut bread (R-E-A-L butter is so fun to spread & eat) Salad (perfectly poached egg, I need to learn to make you) Duck liver patte (so decadent and creamy) Trout (cooked perfect with great sauce) Steak (lamb was so tender and juicy and savored with every bite) Tomato (very flavorful, hit the spot) Desert (ice cream with pastries and really rich chocolate sauce) Conclusion: Excellent sexy french vacation, great service, great prices, decadent foods. Happily full boozy face $80 for 2 people before tip.
(4)
Brian H.
This is the gourmet version of French country cuisine and it is fantastic! Expect extraordinary cooking in an upbeat and friendly atmosphere. We arrived about 6:30 on Friday evening and were easily seated, and the room filled up to capacity by about 7:30. The servers were friendly and helpful. What I mostly remember is having a great time with my girlfriend and family, drinking tasty wine, dining on bread and roasted duck, and leaving with big grins! The duck was AMAZING. It deserves all caps. I tried some of the other dishes as well and they were all cooked perfectly. I suggest the apple pastry desert if you have the opportunity. If you have some cash to spend and want a dining experience to break up the regular Austin scene, this is the place to go. I also didn't mind seeing an attractive girl in a french country dress. That's just a bonus. Don't pretend you don't notice things like that! lol
(5)
Mike W.
So the wine and food were great. I really like the appropriate portions. The staff was Ok , but the place was HOT. I mean we were there in August and it was blazing in the place. Don't plan on vegan or vega meals; even the salad has a egg on it. the bread was average. but it is the only french choice in town
(3)
Kelly S.
Roses are red, violets are blue, Chez Nous, PUT IT IN MY FACE. Wow, that didn't go how I expected it to. We had lamb, we had fresh bread, we had escargot, we had ribeye, we had salads with egg on it, we had french onion, we had veal, we had a bottle of wine, we had creme brulee, we had some more wine, we had chocolate mousse. What we had was a major case of stuffmyfaceitis. We spent two hours soaking up the food and the dim lights and the french guy with the cornrows and everything that makes french food and people sexy. Definitely go, Spend some time and actually enjoy yourself over a meal. This place fills up my senses, to quote the inimitable John Denver.
(5)
Sofy G.
Ok, I'm already hungry.. I Went to Austin with my family to spend the weekend, I have to say that my dad is a very picky eater, he doesn't eat fish,he always eat pasta,he likes the steak well well well done,etc... He is the kind of person who never ever will eat in a restaurant located in a old building... We were so hungry and I decided to try this place ( my mom and I love French food) my dad was skeptical at the beginning and kind of in bad mood, you know ths place is cozy but for him was small, for me was almost vintage, he thought everything was old hahahaha and then when the appetizer came everything started to changed because it was so delicious. Our entrees were perfect,perfect,perfect everything was cooked perfect. My salmon was delicious so soft and full of flavor I wish i had ad a bigger salmon lol. Desserts were incredible too. Service so friendly :) My parents and I spent such a great time here! We weren't disappointed :) I plan t go back this time with my hubby :)
(5)
samantha j.
I've had french food in New York, San Francisco, and Paris. This experience was incredible. The food was unbeatable. I had the duck and the escargot. The tables are a little close together, like in Paris, but just try not to be too nosy! Crazy little place with no reservations, but as dependable as the day they opened I assume.
(5)
Jinhee J.
Came in on a weekday around 7:30. Not very packed. Adorable interior- apparently looks exactly like French restaurants minus an outdoor patio. Took a few minutes for anyone to greet us. Finally a man told us to wait so that he could clean a table which was in the way back corner of the restaurant. He came back up to us, pointed at the table in the back and said that's where our seat was...LOL. Started off with the baked goat cheese plate which was delectable. Then we got the salad layonaise? (Poached egg and a tasty bacon). I ordered the lamb chops and was shockingly disappointed with the taste. it was cooked perfectly ( I like it rare) but all I could taste was salt. It was kind of bland? Mi hubby ordered the scallops which was divine! I would definitely order those over the lamb chops. There is a side of vegetables that comes out with main entrees- I don't care if you don't like tomatoes...you have got to put it in your mouth (That's what he said)! Finished off with the creme brulee which would have been absolutely scrumptious had a quarter of the top caramelized part weren't burnt. (Every place has its good day or bad day I supposed). Took off two stars because the presentation of the food was really plain. Being french food lovers we were expecting an enticing presentation but that was an epic fail. The food itself gets a 4.5! The wine list was sub par..kind or surprised there weren't more choices. Service was actually confusing since 3 different servers came to the table throughout the night. Food took forever too..we were there for 2 hours on a weekday? Also the restaurant gets loud and there isn't that much space between you and the table next to you. By the end of the two hours I was ready to get out of there. I'd still come back to try some other items on the menu..least i'd know what to expect.
(3)
Octar I.
Classic, laid back French bistro downtown serving food just like I had in Paris. It manages to be romantical and unpretentious in a part of town not known for either.The portions are not huge so you'll have room for dessert and trust me, you want to have dessert.
(5)
Keran C.
A friend of mine treated me to dinner here for my 25th B-day. I would redo that evening 100 times over because it was just perfect. Service was amazing and the food was unforgettable. It is on the high end side. However, after eating there, I can say that I would even pay more! Fresh. Bold flavors. Rich. The experience was absolutely romantic: perfect company with the perfect foods.
(5)
joseph b.
What a great place for a date! While it doesn't rate among the best french cuisine i've had, the staff and atmosphere really are spectacular. There is such a great sense of intimacy and concurrence. For desert, i took my woman up the street to pound town.
(4)
Jim E.
Look no further for great authentic Parisian food in downtown Austin. With it's quaint charm, great service and a fantastic chef, Chez Nous is the place to go!
(4)
Peter G.
Excellent service, delicious food, cozy decor.
(5)
Carla S.
I've been derelict in my Yelp duties as of late. I was here 2 weeks ago and I have yet to rave on about them. First of all, I'd like to point out they are on Neches and not Nueces. Most of you will not have a problem distinguishing this. Others (me) will get so excited that it's "so close to my house" , that "there is a big, open parking lot right by it", and "it was so easy to park" only to be completely confused when "it SHOULD be RIGHT THERE" and even get the poor parking lot attendant in on your game of mass confusion. Anyway, I finally consulted Yelp and learned of my mistake and got my $7 back from the guy (shout out to the parking lot attendant at 5th & Nueces). Now to Chez Nous (who it would ROCK if they had valet service). I was greeted by the hostess and she was delightful (I have a girl crush on her that I cannot discuss). We were seated almost immediately which was amazing because we had reservations for 6 (the smallest group they take reservations for) and we lost 2 people so we sort of lost our res but not really. She had us covered. So we sat down, and I have to say I don't think I've seen a more attentive wait staff. I think every person who worked there checked on us at least once and some more than that. What did I eat? I shan't disappoint. I had the tenderloin. Yeah, raw foods took a night off. Ohhhhh, it was good. So good. One of the best I've had in town. I'll have it a again for sure. I skipped on the appetizer because it was enough that I was doing entree and dessert. The dessert was amazing too, the bouche noir, I believe. I don't think you can go wrong no matter what you order. Every dish I saw, I wanted. The entire experience that night was delightful from the food, to the staff (especially, Girl Crush). I declare it as my 2nd favorite restaurant in Austin (Paggi is still my #1)
(5)
Daniel M.
This place is my favorite place in Austin!! My wife and I have been here 4 or 5 times and I have never left disappointed. It is a nice quiet place, love the lighting, the seating and atmosphere...perfect for a romantic date. The staff have always been polite, friendly, and courteous, they check in just enough to make sure your okay, which is perfect. I have tried several of their menu items and loved them all. I have to recommend the bread and cheese appetizer because it was so good. Their entrees are incredible, my wife loves the Lamb tenderloin they have and was disappointed they were not on the menu last time we went (seasonal). The food has always been consistently cooked good. I honestly don't think they have an entree I would not recommend...it is all so good. The deserts are also great, I have tried them all, I love the mousse but that's just me. They may be a little on the pricey side but it is worth every penny I promise!! It is really reasonable considering the quality you are getting. What else can I say? Try this place, you won't regret! My understanding on reservations is they will take them for large groups but not for two...kind of a bummer but I have never had I problem walking in and being seated. Bon Appetit!!
(5)
Brent W.
Quaint, relaxed French bistro. Waitress are dressed casually in jeans , green converses. Lamb chops $33 and over-cooked. The veal medallion special was good, but with very minute portions of meat. The duck confit with cherries was exceptional. Veal sweetbreads were good. Overall, the place is a bit pricey on the food, but the drink prices seemed very reasonable. We tried the deserts were great. Profiteroles, chocolate mouse.
(4)
Fabricio d.
P-E-R-F-E-C-T-I-O-N......that's what Chez Nous is!!! If I have to pick a last meal in any restaurant in any of the cities or countries I've lived in, this is where the meal is coming from. The interior is small and quaint, yet very intimate (4-stars). The wine selection is good for Austin (4-stars). The wait staff is so-so friendly (3-stars). But, the reason you go to Chez Nous is for the food (1M-stars), and that's where they are the King of Austin. Eating there, it's easy for Americans to see why French women are so skinny, b/c the food is so good, you stop between each bit to discuss the food. A 30 minute meal ends up taking 2 hours, just b/c you spend an hour talking about how good everything tastes. Go. Eat. Enjoy! ~ Fabricio
(5)
Dim S.
Always love going here, cozy little place, great food, lovely people.
(5)
Robert H.
I've been here twice great for dates fantastic Classic French food. I really liked the friendliness of the staff and the environment of the restaurant.
(5)
Jenny P.
All I have to say is, I fall in love with the food, the wine, and the man I love all over again every time we go here! It's FANTASTIC, and romantic, in a very European, take-your-time-and-enjoy kind of way.
(5)
Pamela M.
This place had such good reviews that when I came to Austin for the weekend over the 4th my man and I had to try. Needless to say, we were VERY impressed. As other yelpers have said, the atmosphere is something to be desired, but the excellent service and outstanding meal trumps anything else. We started out with escargots and gazpacho, and I got the scallops and he the veal scallopini. We ended with coffee and profiteroles. SO GOOD. Seriously, not one complaint about the food. They were constantly refilling our bread and butter, our water, and were always asking if we needed anything. This place opens at 6, and by 6:20 all of the tables were filled. Small place, so make sure you go on time if you don't want to wait. All in all one of my favorite places in Austin!!
(5)
Ashley H.
We only came in for a cappuccino and some after dinner dessert. We had the creme brulee and it was fabulous. We will def be back for dinner, since everyone always seems to enjoy the French dinner menu. The atmosphere was great - I love intimate settings, many conversations at the same time, and cute decor to match the ambiance. I know on the weekends it gets really busy so call ahead/make reservations or get there early. We tried to go one night and couldn't get a table because it was so packed! But we enjoyed our dessert and we will be back for dinner.
(5)
Jeannette E.
Prepare to cry... Not what you think. It's not too spicy or too expensive. It'll make you curse the day you were born outside of the sphere of French cuisine and it will make you realize that mother doesn't do it best. The food served here will give your tongue an idea of culinary heaven and it will make any culinary art seem like a witches brew. Prepare to be disappointed with the world and expect to be wishing never to eat any profane concoction again... It'll only last until you are close to starvation, but you might be lucky and might have forgotten about the brilliance of Chez Nous by then. The price? Well worth it! Never measure true art by assigning a price tag to it!
(5)
Vicki G.
It has been more than twenty years since I last visited Chez Nous, but I have always wanted to return. I am happy to report that my fond memories were upheld. It was a lovely evening -- a Christmas dinner for a small office -- and I was a lucky invitee. Since I don't eat pate and such, I can't speak to that, other than to say that some guests loved it so much that they ordered another personal portion instead of a soup or salad. The cheese plate -- well, cheese is such a personal thing. I don't know what was included, but the sliced cheese was amazing. The stinky cheese wasn't to my liking, but that's a personal preference. The bread is NOT outstanding. I suppose it's a French baguette type, but the crust is meager and the crumb is airy. Not what I want with a fine dinner. Salads were fine -- fresh, not overdressed, simple. But the word "sublime" gets kicked around once we arrive at the entree. I ordered the sea bass, which was accompanied by some sort of Pernod sauce and fennel. I was a bit apprehensive, since I dislike licorice intensely, but the fish absolutely melted in my mouth. It was incredibly wonderful. The sides were fun -- a little spinach terrine, some pommes Dauphine, a yummy broiled tomato half. My compatriot ordered the steak with pepper and bearnaise. My taste was delicious, and he cleaned his plate. For dessert we ordered the chocolate mousse, and while it was good, I don't think we reached atmospheric heights of delight. On the other hand, we ate the whole thing. One of the best things about Chez Nous is the aroma of butter that permeates the place. You know you're in for some good cooking and eating. Interesting place, exceptional food. I will return, and I won't wait so long.
Just fantastic. Ambiance, presentation, food, service, etc. I could not have asked for a better experience. I highly recommend the menu du jour to anyone, but especially for first-timers. The food was rich and flavorful. Everything was exceptional, from the soup all the way down to the dessert. Among my favorites of the evening were the carrot ginger soup, pate, trout, chocolate mousse, and the crepe Normande. I will be returning to this place often.
(5)
Mark A.
Mmmm mmm...the lamb chops were gorgeous, among the best I have ever enjoyed.! Chez Nous is a charming little bistro and I will be sure to return.
(5)
Rosemary H.
Ever since I moved to Austin over 23 years ago, I've wanted to try Chez Nous and would always think to myself, 'next time.' Tonight was next time. Our rating: Le goût exquis, beau vin, les ventres pleins. My husband had the evening special ... a flank of some sort and I had the pepper-crusted beef tenderloin and we shared a bottle of Chateau Les Hauts Conseillants (a bordeaux). I do not know what was in those French sauces they served on the entrees but oh mon dieu. So superfabutastic. For dessert we had a chocolate mousse which was better than an American mousse (less dense) but was no comparison to the Profiterolles which were pastry puffs filled with vanilla ice cream and warm chocolate sauce heavily draped on top (none of the skinny drippings you see in most restaurants). If you've always wanted to try a French restaurant, go! If you've been and didn't like it, then French food is not for you! I just cannot imagine anything on their menu being anything less than superb. The 4 rating and not a 5 rating is only because the atmosphere was lacking somehow ... perhaps a little too dinky for a French bistro aura. For anyone who has been to Paris, you'll know what I mean.
(4)
Cassi P.
I was on my way to Naan Sense but they are apparently closed on Tuesdays. That's what I call naansense! On my way back to the office I saw Chez Nous out of the corner of my eye and decided to give the menu a glance. I'm glad I did. The restaurant feels almost diner-ish on the inside. Though I generally prefer modern decor, there's something comforting about this place. There were also a lot of old people in here so that was kinda cute. Service was great. Very friendly, very prompt. You can easily do a 30-minute lunch here. With EXCELLENT food. I started off with the soup du jour, a cream based concoction with carrot and curry. Not something I'd expect from a French restaurant but I love those ingredients so I thought I'd give it a try. It was delicious and the portion match the $6.50 price tag, so much so that it was impossible for me to finish my crepe! I had the Crêpes aux Epinards with buckwheat flour and chicken. Delicious! Large portion (enough to take half home) and a really delicious bechamel sauce that complimented the spinach and mushrooms well. For $20 and in less than 30 minutes I enjoyed what I would consider to be an upscale meal in a very comfortable environment.
(5)
Seon B.
I took my wife here and we loved it. I had the entree with the duck legs. It was delicious. I love the cozy and romantic setting. Watch your step using the bathroom and beware where we sat the floor was uneven. However back to what counts. The service was good, when we went it was packed so it took a while to get served and attended to. The ambience is great. The wines are good I got to taste a few. The price isn't bad either. I did wish my entree had 3 duck legs instead of 2 but it is my understanding told to me from wife that French cuisine doesn't come Texas sized! The food is good, I'm not giving it 5 stars, because I won't go out of my way to eat here
(4)
Tom M.
There was a 25 year lapse between visits, but I will not allow that to happen again. Everything was perfect and the wait staff recommendations were spot on.
(5)
Scott C.
Finally got to eat at Chez Nous for New Years Eve 2012 and the experience was a top 5 dinner in Austin. The restaurant's exterior is quaint and unassuming, hard to believe it is flanked by Coyote Ugly and the Thirsty Nickel. Our server was extremely attentive but not overbearing and his recommendations were honest and forthright. Every dish he brought out was very well prepared and true to the Country French form. My beef tenderloin with Foie Gras was decadent and amazing and my wife's Duck Breast was cooked perfectly and tasted delightful. The veal pate was quite good and their selection of wine is impressive, even more so because they don't price gouge on their selection of French reds. The desert sampler we tried was all delectable and was a wonderful finish to an amazing meal. Chez Nous truly hung the moon and we look forward to our next chance to dine there.
I really wanted to have a full meal here, but we were still full from a late lunch, so I settled for some dessert and coffee. We had the profiterolles and a couple espressos. The coffee was quite good, but I have to be honest that I did not really care for the dessert. It tasted like it came out of the freezer not too long ago and had that overly sweet and preserved quality about it. Nonetheless, the service was extremely nice and attentive, five stars for that. The restaurant is romantic and cozy. And they were playing Ethiopian Jazz which was so random and awesome!! I'd really like to come back here sometime and have a full meal and give this place another chance.
(3)
Shell R.
We chose Chez Nous for Valentine's Day and it did not disappoint. A revised holiday menu provided some tasty selections. The wine was excellent and the chocolate dessert was amazing!!! The service was very good despite the entire restaurant sitting town when they opened their doors. Great job Chez Nous on a crazy night!!!
(5)
Azamat K.
Very nice restaurant, waiters were extremely friendly and were pretty fast. At the end, the restaurant's host, who is French, came by our table to have a little chat, ask how we liked the food and restaurant. Austin is famous for a variety of good local restaurants, and "Chez nous" is definitely one of the best. You should definitely try their ribeye steaks and grilled fish (white halibuts and scalops),they serveall of their entrees with special vegetable side, i liked it too. Not too noisy. A lot of young couples. Would recommend having a date there.
(4)
Debbie P.
Tres bon...sorry, can't type the accent in tres. I especially enjoy the house pate. I enjoy comparing chez nous to some of my favorite restaurants in France, and the comparison is always favorable.
(5)
Sarah J.
Waiters who know how to serve you with class. An owner who tastes the dishes before they go out. Fresh food, perfect flavors. Hands down the most consistent restaurant in Austin. A real pleasure.
(5)
Tracey S.
This restaurant was my first-ever experience at a French restaurant. From the moment you step inside, you feel like you're not in America (due to the way the interior is decorated and the waiters speaking French). It was nice to have a quiet and cozy restaurant like this in the middle of all the rowdy bars and entertainment places on Sixth Street. I really liked the restaurant decor--come see it for yourself! The interior was brightly lit from the windows facing Neches St. The waiters and waitresses are very polite, soft-spoken, and attentive. I tend to drink water fast and they refilled my glass frequently. The service was great. The food was also delicious. I ordered from the Menu du Jour, which was a fixed-price three-course dinner at $25.50. They also bring bread to you with European butter at the beginning of the meal. The bread is refilled if you finish it. There were many items from the menu that I was curious about and hope to order in future trips here. Saturday evening dinner lasted about 1.5 hours. They open from 6 pm to 10:30 pm on weekends (which seemed a little strange to me). There was a small crowd of people gathered there at 6 pm on Saturday waiting for them to open. Here are their hours from their website: Lunch: Tuesday - Friday; 11:45am - 2:00pm Dinner: Tuesday - Sunday 6:00pm - 10:30pm Closed Mondays There were a lot of two-person tables and at least one six-person table that I saw (I'm sure there was at least one more on the other side of the restaurant). The wine seemed very expensive at $17 for only two or three glasses. If I recall from the menu correctly, they don't split checks. I felt a little guilty entering this restaurant wearing sneakers because some other patrons were dressed nicely. Chez Nous is located on the Southwest corner of 6th and Neches. It faces Neches. It is quite possibly my favorite restaurant in Austin now.
I took two years of Spanish in high school. I cannot speak a word. Coincidentally, I cannot speak a word of French either. But if I were to guess, I would think "Chez Nous" means "yummy fish" in French. No wonder they call it the romance language...
(5)
Meg C.
The Lynnoaise salad and the salmon pate were both great, I loved the dressing especially and the bread was a needed compliment to both. The trout was melt-in-your-mouth,perfect flavor deliciousness, my boyfriend said his steak was done just right and the wine selection was lovely. The desserts were ok, he had chocolate mousse that was light and fluffy but could have used a hint of something else. Maybe I'm just not that big a fan of chocolate. The creme caramel was good as well, but again, needed just a hint of something else to make it great. All in all, I loved it and I will be back!
(4)
Meera A.
A lot of European restaurants like to have a little snobbery going on to make themselves feel exclusive. I've been to Chez Nous twice, and I'm glad to say it is good food with good attitude. The host chatted with us about the wines and food and made us feel welcome. The service was good the entire time and the food was worth our time and money. We wanted a relaxed, lip-smacking experience, and that's exactly what we got. I went for the Menu du Jour because I wanted a bit of everything. It was a tough choice between their Pate Maison (don't know how to do accent symbols in Yelp) appetizer and their daily soup special, but I chose their chilled cucumber soup. Delicious! Light, summery, with a touch of mint (this theme will repeat in dessert). The man had the tomato bisque with roasted red bells and found t delicious too. For the main course I had their Truit au piment fume, and the man had their charcuterie plate (from the appetizer menu). This worked out very well for me because I didn't have to miss out on eating pate :) The trout was roasted perfectly and flaked off the skin with no effort. The creamy paprika sauce was delicious, and the trout was neatly topped with a nest of fried julienned leek. On the side were carrots and a roasted half-tomato. The charcuterie plate was well put together, with several styles of pate and sliced meat. I didn't taste enough to review it since my fish was so filling and excellent. While the prix fixe menu only offers Creme Caramel (yay for flan without the cinnamon!) and Mousse au Chocolat, you can upgrade to any of their other desserts for the difference in price between the mousse and what you want. The hostess sold me on their dessert special. I forgot its name, but she described it as two meringues in a bed of creme anglaise vanilla sauce, topped with almonds and caramel. The description itself didn't sound too special and I was imagining two crunchy cookie islands on a custard ocean, but I took a chance. And THANK GOODNESS I DID! First off, they weren't crunchy meringue cookies. They were soft, fluffy and airy, with a freshly whipped sheen on them. The custard sauce was light in texture and sweetness, offset brilliantly by a beautifully amber caramel sauce which balanced its sweetness with a hint of bitterness (not yet bitter though). If I had to change anything, I would cut back on the sliced almonds, but that's only because I only eat almonds if they've been roasted and salted. Much like my chilled soup, this dessert was light and summery, yes, with a touch of mint :) So is there a downside to all this deliciousness? Just one - the man ate so much that he had to excuse himself and take a short walk while I finished dessert. Sounded like he needed to ward of an imminent food coma. You still need a reason to go eat French food here? How about the fact that they don't have a website that makes you embarrassed when you try to look up the menu from work?
(5)
Adriana H.
This is by far our favorite restaurant in Austin. It's not cheap but worth it every penny!!! Even my daughter, that's a extremely picky, loved it. Awesome food and service!!!!
(5)
Thu N.
I went to go eat dinner w/a friend at Chez Nous on a Tuesday night and I feel happy just thinking about it. Atmosphere is very cozy, dim-lighting, sweet decorum. Service was great. The waitress was so helpful w/the menu and recommendations. Bread and butter is so scrumptious! We both ordered menu du jour (entrees change daily) I ordered the ruby trout w/oyster mushrooms. Ugh, it's soooo good. Creamy but not heavy sauce. Lemon slice to squeeze over and the mushrooms were yummy. The vegetables that come along w/it were no excuse- they don't taste like vegetables. It must be drenched with butter. My friend doesn't usually like roasted tomato but even he was enjoying it. We cleaned off both of our plates. For dessert I had the Profiteroles and even though they weren't on the menu du jour, if you want a different dessert, it's just an extra $2! Glass of wine, (2) menu du jour [includes 3 courses], and coffee came to ~ $75. French-dining at its finest
(5)
Jeannine T.
As a french woman, I was embarrassed...I felt I was eating in an old cafe in the suburbs of Paris! Everything looks so,old, so cheap....table, chairs, carpet(ugly blue)...even tables have a plastic tablecloth ! I couldn't believe it! The waiter, waitresses don't have any style...... The food is well overpriced for what they serve... We had escargots au beurre (swimming in a sauce?) I had the poisson du jour (ok but not exceptional)...sides...you get a ridiculous pomme dauphine (from the freezer to the oven!) a half of tomate provencale etc, etc.... Don't wait for 45 min. go to an Italian restaurant and ask for just pasta! Probably less expensive at least!
(2)
Marcia O.
3 course meal for less than $30!? Any fish with their vanilla beurre blanc sauce; garlicky escargot with mushrooms (not apart of the course menu) with their French baguette; and their decent, "not a small portion" chocolate mousse.....YUMMO!! Love their Rose wine too to help wash it all down...crisp, dry, and fruity! I love French wine and food!!
(4)
Alex F.
Highlight dinner of our trip to Austin. Fantastic food, service, atmosphere, and crowd for a quiet & romantic evening with the wife. If we lived in the area, we would be regulars.
(5)
Pete L.
Delicious! Prix Fixe (I had to look it up...) All courses were excellent. I went out of my comfort zone and got fish. Tremendous. The dessert? Flawless, effervescent and beautiful. I love the decor and for fine(r)dining, this is a great deal.
(5)
JED H.
Words cannot express how wonderful Chez Nous is. As soon as you walk in, you feel immediately transported to a neighborhood French bistro. I have had almost every birthday and anniversary dinner here for the past 15 years. It's intimate and romantic. The staff always remembers us even if we only go there a couple times a year. The service is impeccable. They have well chosen and affordable wines. The soups are exquisite. Amazing Charcuterie. Perfect steak and fish entrees. It is possibly the best and most consistent restaurant in Austin. There is nothing flashy or trendy about Chez Nous, just great atmosphere, service, and most importantly, food!
I can't say enough good things about Chez Nous. We found this place on our first trip to Austin over a year ago and now that we live here it's become our new go-to when planning a date night downtown. The service has always been impeccable each and every time. And the FOOD! I could go on for days about the food. I highly recommend the menu du jour as it gives you a choice of soup, entree and dessert all for around the same price you'd pay for your entree alone. Get the cucumber mint soup and the rainbow trout if they're on the menu when you visit! You won't regret it!
(5)
Teresa S.
Let's start with wonderful to walk in to bon swa!!! We were a party of 14! the service was great, the wine selection superb, thanks DB, and my halibut was sheer melt in your mouth! Veggies on the side were perfect! Thanks for a great dinner!
(4)
Linda s.
One of my favorite resturants.. it is like leaving the country..!!
(5)
Cody K.
This review has been a long time coming. I've been visiting Chez Nous for years, and you know what? This is French bistro dining at its best. Every time I come back, it's like I'm back in Paris. There has never been a single dish that was unsatisfactory. Not a single one: appetizer, soup, salad, entree, prix fixe menu...ALL were spectacular, and cooked perfectly. If you have never tried sweetbreads, try them here. They are, quite literally, mind-blowing. One of the best flavors this side of foie gras. A current offering, the Wagyu flank steak, was delicious. I usually go with the ribeye when I get steak here, but their meat purveyor is top-notch, and this was the real deal (I was, of course, skeptical of any claim of true Wagyu beef). The duck confit melts off the bone, and the sauce is divine. I noticed a switch from escargot to mussels, and it was noted by the staff that the usual escargot provider ran out, and the owner "couldn't find any that he approved of yet." A true food artisan knows when supply is not good enough for his craft, and I very much appreciated this straightforward reply. The mussels, by the way, were perfect -- tender and garlicky. The bread has been panned (ha, see what I did there?) by others as "not authentic," but I believe that the bread, served room temperature, is exactly how the French serve it. The butter is creamy, delicate, and NOT the standard Land-o-lakes oversalted crap you find in the grocery store. Soups are always beautifully prepared and very obviously blended by hand with care in a blender (which is a painstaking process, but produces the best textures). The one I just recently had, cream of mushroom, was earthy and almost pillowy in texture -- marvelous! I hesitate to talk about it (because it might sell out even faster), but...the duck liver mousse is one of the best pates I've ever had in my entire life. This usually sells out by Wednesday or Thursday night, so make sure you go for lunch to get it, or dinner Saturday or Sunday. Desserts are always fantastic, and because I eat so much food I usually end up going with something light, like the chocolate mousse...although I'd hardly consider it "light" by usual standards. It's such a perfect chocolate flavor that I can only eat several spoonfuls before I have to throw in the towel and waddle back to the car. I find it difficult to believe that the dollar rating here is $$$, because it's more like $$ depending on what you order (the prix fixe is VERY, VERY reasonable). I've seen "more upscale" (but not necessarily *better*) French places that are way beyond $$$$, but don't have the charm or family-feel that Chez Nous does. One of the best restaurants *ever*. Bon appetit!
(5)
Keith F.
I've had two perfect dining experiences at Chez Nous. The simple elegance of the food, the pace and ambiance, and the level of service are all superb. The virtue of the entrees is not in fancy sauces or reductions, unusual plating, etc. It's just perfectly cooked food, which is an unfortunately rare thing in Austin. When you order a steak, it's not a "passable" warm steak with a pink center that you get, it's a cut of beef served hot with a visibly browned, crispy skin and a rich red center. I especially love the side dishes: potatoes dauphine, sauteed zucchini, roasted tomatoes. The food is not flashy, or fusion-minded, or avant-garde. It's just fully realized, very respectable French cuisine with an aim for perfection. I love the atmosphere too. It's comfortably dim and very sophisticated; easily one of the classiest places in Austin.
(5)
Jacqueline P.
It's dark enough to try the snails;)
(4)
Ardie S.
French without pretense. I dined with three friends and fellow Yelpers at Chez Nous for the first time last night. The kind hostess at Chez Nous graciously took care of our party of four with immediate seating upon arrival just before 8 PM, even though half of our party were still a few short steps away from the door. As busy as Chez Nous was at the time, they could have easily insisted on a complete party and did not. Kudos for grace under pressure. Chez Nous appears much larger from the outside than it is on the inside due to the expanse of street frontage on Neches that it occupies. Nevertheless, the environ inside more resembles cozy than cramped, and, although the interior can be a bit loud at times for easy conversation, it is not nearly as noisy as, say, Wink. The wine list, while not extensive, is more than adequate. I was well served by a glass of their house Chardonnay, which, proved quite up to complementing the seafood dinner that I knew was to follow. After looking over the menu (both in advance online and again at the restaurant), I chose to go with the Menu du Jour, which is a prix fixe for three courses including appetizer, entree and dessert. It's a steal at a restaurant of this caliber for only $26.50. I started with a Salade Lyonnaise, which was served with a poached egg atop; spectacular and tasty. That was followed by a Truite meunière that was out of this world; best Rainbow trout I think I've ever had, buttery and lemony without being overly so in either right. The accompanying sides were pommes dauphines, carrots, and a tomato, each a work of culinary art in its own right. For dessert, choices were tough, but I went with a Mousse au Chocolat, which lived up to its billing. One of the things that I must point out about Chez Nous that made the evening was the service and staff. I couldn't have imagined a more pleasant troupe of waiters and waitresses, and everyone pitched in to make our total experience a fantastic one. A water glass never went empty, and I was constantly amazed at how unobtrusive the service actually was with such intense attention. I honestly think we were served through the course of the evening by nearly everyone working there. Expect a casual 90+ minute dinner here. For the sake of pacing, I highly recommend three courses rather than two. Also, bring along some good company and scintillating conversation. It's a French tradition for dinner with friends to be enjoyed all evening. I'll be back soon, Chez Nous.
(5)
Chloe T.
This food is so authentic! The meal of the day is set up just like in France and the food tastes just like real French food (I've had my fair share of meals while in France!)- LOVE this place! Yelp recommended it and I don't regret it! The ambiance was kinda funky but overall worth it! Salmon cooked to perfection!
(5)
Carmen H.
Authentic feel in the heart of downtown. Great service and food scrumptious.
(4)
Jason E.
Very good, knowledgeable, and attentive staff with a nice, relaxed french cafe atmosphere, and seating for about 75-80. Not very loud on the Tuesday evening we visited, but packed almost the whole time. The food was very well prepared, with above average ingredients. If you are curious about any dish or wine, we found the staff was very well versed in not only the menu, but had good suggestions for wine pairings.
(4)
Meghan K.
I warn you do not go to this place expecting a fancy stereotypical french restaurant. Chez Nous portrays a low-key french bistro. For the lunch, the menu mainly consisted of soups, sandwiches/salads, and a few heavy dishes. I had the Croque Monsieur, and it just melted in your mouth. I'm not a ham person, but the french ham tasted amazing. The ham, Gruyere and Bechamel sauce all went together so well and super rich! I couldn't finish it, but I still enjoyed what I could eat. The owner came out and asked if we wanted dessert. The creme brulee and Profiterolles were their big hit. With creme brulee each place makes it differently. I enjoyed this creme brulee. It was creamy and not too sweet, and they use real vanilla, not just extract , which made the creme brulee have some flavor, not just a sugary taste. Do not let the design of the place get you down because it's the food you are going for, which explains some of the lower ratings. It is truly a hidden jewel that every tourist should visit.
(5)
Terry F.
Reasonably priced for the quality of food. The escargot was in a very strong garlic butter, which some may not enjoy, but I loved every bite. The french onion soup was sweet, but not salty like many other less tasty soups elsewhere. Will return.
(4)
Javier G.
Is good to start Yelping with my favorite restaurant in Austin. By the moment you enter Chez Nous you feel like your in France. The food is very well prepared and with a great taste. The waitstaff is very friendly. I like the simple and casual atmosphere that makes you feel at home. No noisy trendy chic etc. Just real good people and food. Thats it. We have pate, cheeses, duck and lamb (all delicius) And a botle of excelent Bugundy Wine (Givry) Just please please please make you own baguette . The food is like in France but the bread must be made by Chez Nous Chef. Merci !!!
(5)
Russell L.
Sub standard wine list for a regular restaraunt, HORRIBLE wine list for a french restaraunt. No nitrogen tap or anything to prevent ethelacitate, and a general lack of knowledge. In France, food is designed around the wines to accompany them for every course. To top that, the wine is served luke warm, in the wrong glass...because they don't have the right ones. As far as atmosphere, its pretty loud, but quaint and warm; welcoming for the most part. The food was presented poorly, but the flavors and texture made up for everything. Great food. If you're looking for great taste and can look past what I mentioned above, chez nous is the place.
(3)
Jen G.
We stumbled upon this place because the wait is not as long as other restaurants on the 6th street. The atmosphere was very French (the owner speaks French and so were several customers). The portions were small. Some dishes were good (Salmon) while most dishes are average (Steak, Pate, Salad, Trout and cream caramel). They got my bill wrong but pretty nice about fixing it right away. Unfortunately, the final amount on my credit card bill is still incorrect ($1 more than I gave them).
(3)
Toby M.
All right people, I'm about to say the most scathing thing I've ever said about any restaurant I've ever reviewed. Chez Nous is BORING. Yes, I said it, BORING. I went there for the reviews on here and left disappointed. I've not only made better myself ( especially the mains ) but I've been served better, and had far tastier for MUCH cheaper. I left wondering if what I had was good or was I just wishing it was good so I could justify the price tag. So, lets break it down, the starters. Escargot, well prepared and worth it, salmon rilette, for the price and the taste, I would've preferred two slices of salmon nigiri. Soup! This they did very well, both soups were very well made and tasted how I wish the rest of the meal did. Mains, I had steak in some sauce with a "hint" of cognac. Yeah, hint is right and while the meat was cooked well it was very plain, very, very plain. My partner had salmon in another sauce, with dill, and again, while prepared well it wasn't the least bit interesting. Oh and in case you're wondering, their salmon is obviously farm raised as it was so lightly pink as to almost be white. As for veggies, come on guys a few twigs of asparagus or some haircot vert wouldn't kill you. But you insult my pocket book with a few thin carrot slices, some deep fried potato puff things and a half of a small tomato with a bit of garlic and olive oil that just happened to fall under a broiler for a bit. Dessert, oh boy, now here is where we should get some impressiveness, but no. The custard was the consistency of a cold hard boiled egg with caramel sauce. The custard itself wasn't flavorful and left it all up to the caramel which itself wasn't that flavorful either. The chocolate mousse was firm, but may as well have been chocolate folded into cool whip, it wasn't really that interesting nor that good. Now, the sum total for all of this, with no wine ( and that's another thing, talk about a shallow and over priced wine menu ( and to hell with a $20 cork fee! )) was not only more than it should be, but was far more than completely sensible. I feel positively FLEECED of my money after going here. Prix Fixe is under $30/person but not by much and yet I've had a better service experience and much better food PLUS a bottle of wine for damn near half that price per person. So, my fellow Yelpers, I feel fleeced, bored, and stupefied. If you think this is good French bistro food then by gods you need a palette check. This was dull, uninspired and I frankly won't go back. The food wasn't poor, the service wasn't poor, and the restaurant sure as hell isn't poor ( $8.00 for creme caramel are you serious? ). But for what I was charged I want some inspiration, interestingness, and a dining experience. This appears to be one of those "Austin institutions" that people are unwilling to speak out against, so let me be the first. DON'T BOTHER. Addendum: parking, oh god the awful parking. On the street, no valet, and no validation for any of the parking garages. Come on now if you're going to steal my cash at least give me some place to park!
(2)
Margaret J.
Good foods, and we are old fans of Chez Nous for several years. Their country pate is good and also I like their fillet mignon and duck dish. I am a vege-lover but I hope someday they change their side dishes with something new. Menu du Jour is good deal but wish more choices than one steak or salmon. My husband complaint about the dish portion is small but for me it was about right. Their wine list is good and the server's suggestion usually works for us.
(4)
Steve H.
We got a gift certificate for Chez Nous at Christmas and decided to use it when I was in Austin for Valentine's Day. This is a small restaurant - about 40 people total seating. It has the requisite French posters that all such restaurants. Other than that, don't expect a lot of atmosphere, vinyl tablecloths, and all. Having said that, this is a nice place for a special dinner. We both had the prix fixe menu at $25, but added an extra appetizer and of course wine. Our total bill was about $120; this could easily have been a $200 dinner at many other French restaurants, it was that good. The pate sampler plate was a great start, followed by an excellent Lyonnaise salad. The salmon was grilled perfectly medium rare and was complemented by beautifully balanced cream sauce. I chose the cheese plate for dessert; my husband had the creme caramel, which was good but unremarkable. All in all, a great choice.
(4)
Greg G.
My wife and I ate here last night and what a meal!! Do yourself a favor and take your favorite person with you for a great French dinner. We had the scallops and the tenderloin. The scallops were mouth candy, the best I've ever had, really. My wife's tenderloin was absolutely melt in your mouth deliciousness. All I can say is you need to go to Chez Nous whether or not you are a foodie. Sooooo goooood.
(5)
Vincent N.
This place is where I had the best soup in my life - creamy spinach. Menu du jour is great and they have a great selection of wine. Also the staff is just lovely. I dig this place, try it out!
(5)
Garreth W.
Simply put, the food is delicious, blowing my socks off with flavor. I had the entrecote bernaise, while Mary enjoyed some kind of French BLT. We followed up with something which seemed to be called "Black gob" if my schoolboy language lessons serve me right. So this is what occupied my attention the whole time I was there. Was our waiter pretending to be French or not? Seriously, there was no question about how the food or exquisite desserts could have been better. They were parfait. In more ways than one. Well the waiter came back with a snippy "No!" when Mary asked for something not on the menu. That was fairly representative of my tourist experiences of Paris waiters. Who can blame them. But then, he came back with a "well we can do that, but we don't make a habit of it" which was half way towards Texan. He spoke briskly. He was efficient. He pronounced the dish names with a flourish. I really couldn't make out an accent in his English. So. Mystery. Good food. Everything you need for a posh lunch.
(5)
Mark L.
Despite it's less than desirable location in the heart of the 6th. Street entertainment district, Chez Nous never disappoints. This is not the heavy French cuisine that many are familiar with - this is more French country bistro style. It's also more affordable too! Go for the three course prix fixe menu for $25.00. This includes a salad or nightly pate + an entree (they differ nightly but a trout dish is pretty standard) + Creme Caramel or Mousse. Lunch is great as well and they have some very nice crepes and salads to choose from beyond the entree selections.
(5)
Courtney J.
Chez Nous' cozy atmosphere and French cuisine takes you to a place far from the neon lights of Austin's 6th St. to a bustling French bistro. Want the best deal in the house? Order from the Menu du Jour and choose a soup/salad, an entree, and a dessert for $25.50. At a French restaurant, you expect one thing to be foolproof: the bread. With such wonderful food, how did Chez Nous overlook a key element of French cuisine and substitute an unexciting soft loaf in its place? Where was the iconic, crunchy-on-the-outside and doughy-on-the-inside French baguette that can be found in every Paris bakery? Herein lies the reason for the 4 out of 5 stars that I have given Chez Nous. Chez Nous, I am going to forget about that detail. If anyone asks me where I would like to eat for dinner, I'll say, "Chez Nous, s'il vou plait."
(4)
Lady R.
We would recommend fewer tables for how expensive this place is. This place really does rip you off and kind of really ruined our night. They try to fit way too many tables in a very small space. We were very close to leaving as soon as we saw inside but we thought we would give it a try. We were sat, but had to get up and move because we were so close to the group next to us and could here every single word each of them were saying as if they were talking right in your ear. i am sure they weren't trying to be as loud as they were, but it was WAY too loud, we couldn't hear ourselves talking. The hostess greeted us, but wasn't smiling or didn't really look at us. She had a very strong repugnant smell, but I guess that is how she likes to smell. It is not romantic, it actually feels cheap and dirty here. Music is no where near romantic and the people here are not romantic. Cheap chairs, cheap candle light, dirty utensils, (we had to wipe ours because there was still food or something dried on our forks), We wanted to like the place so badly, but just couldn't. Don't take your girlfriend or boyfriend here. Not a romantic place. They will think you are cheap. REALLY. I am saying it again. In a nut shell, the food was basically fish and veggies with melted butter all over them. You cannot see anything here. This place is WAY too dim. It's very hard to see anything. It's the darkest restaurant we have ever been to. We were not offered any free samples of wine however, the much older group of people that were being seated immediately got asked and had samples. I guess that is alright since the restaurant knows they have more money, but we didn't feel like we were getting any kind of special treatment. If anything the lady gave us attitude for wanting to move from the noise. The restrooms are REALLY small. Small toilet, very small sink. We got the menu de jour with was a total of 56 dollars for two people plus tip and let me tell you, it wasn't worth it! Don't make the same mistake! Don't get it! The salad was honestly so small and was tossed in too much oil and had a total of one small cherry tomato slices, some greens, and a poached egg, the cup of soup (tomato basil) was WAY too salty, the trout was OK just it was swimming in butter and was mostly skin, the crayfish tails we were suppose to get were extremely small (we got four little tails) and covered with butter, the salmon had a really heavy sauce that stays in your mouth for hours and was of course swimming in butter, and finally the dessert: creme caramel and chocolate mousse. The mousse comes in a small shallow bowl and is not well presented. It's just a flat layer of mouse in a flat small bowl. The creme caramel is Mexican FLAN. It's FLAN that is priced at 7 bucks. Go buy the exact same thing at the grocery store for a dollar. They taste exactly the same and are as equally as terrible to eat. While your at the grocery store go get the canned tomato basil soup for a dollar. Bon appetite. We felt like the hostesses were dressed too casually for the price of everything else. No need to dress up if you are coming here. Everyone wears casual clothes. We went to go to eat tacos after the "three course meal" because we weren't filled at all. That is pretty sad. I probably felt hungrier after eating at this place and felt guilty for consuming that much better and fat. If you're going to eat this much fat it should be TASTY. This place had no taste. The tacos were so much more satisfying, filled with tons of taste and we were completely happy with the price we paid for them. The slices banquettes you get look fantastic, but that was about it. Really hard, no softness as all. No taste at all. Better off eating paper. They were playing Indian music while we were there... ??? If I was just rating the French server who later served us I would give him a five: super nice, big smile, quick on his feet, spoke French to us, super cool guy. The other two ladies a three: no smiling, super casual clothes, and just not happy people. And the food: a one. The environment: a one. Sorry this place was just a big disappointment. : / I would not recommend this place to anyone. Food is so cheaply made and has way too much butter.
(1)
Tina L.
Went almost two weeks ago, and I'm still thinking about their steak. It was so tender and juicy and the sauce was absolutely perfect with it. The creme caramel was also pretty freaking amazing - creamy and just the right amount of sweet...I almost just drooled at the thought. The fish was only okay; too buttery for my taste. And the chocolate mousse was really enjoyable, although the serving is HUGE. I think if they're going to give that much mousse, a glass of milk should be complimentary to help it go down. Atmosphere was cute, a lot smaller than I expected, but the waiter was very French and very nice, and I liked that the music wasn't some cheesy business - just instrumental stuff that made you feel like you were actually in a cafe in Paris. Also, I really liked the bathroom. It was just really adorable.
(4)
M B.
This intimate, casual restaurant just off 6th Street is about as close to a French bistro as you will find in Austin. When you walk in, if you squint a little, you could be in Paris. (Not that I've ever actually been to France - but I have seen Ratatouille, and it looked a lot like that.) Food is excellent - simple in execution, high in flavor (and fat, but what do you want - it's French). The complimentary bread is excellent - fresh plain baguette with just a bit of chewiness. A small but sufficient selection of wines by the glass. The "menu du jour" is an excellent bargain for the price - $25.50 for an appetizer, main course (usually something grilled plain with a lovely side sauce), and dessert. If you add two glasses of wine, coffee and tip, you will still stay under $100. A very good deal for such good food. Clientele is almost exclusively older couples and silver-haired groups of friends. This is exactly the kind of place where you would expect to run across your former UT sociology professor in sensible pumps and her retired lawyer husband dressed in a sweater vest. This is by no means a criticism - I enjoy the company of older folks very much - just want to set the right expectation on atmosphere. This is not a good place to go if you and a bunch of rowdy friends want to get loaded and loud. Waiters are brisk, slightly haughty but cordial, just like you'd expect in France, except that they were cordial. Again, note caveat that I've never been to France, but from what I've heard from other people, cordial is not a characteristic you can expect from waiters there. Business on a Sunday night was good, but never a full house. A good night to go if you don't want to wait. A very nice place indeed.
(4)
Bill W.
This is a quaint, quiet place that serves as a respite from the wild abandon on nearby 6th Street. This is real French food -- the owners are French, and the service is excellent. My one and only complaint? The menu on the website is outdated, so use it only as a guide to the type of food and wine offered here. Chez Nous opened in 1982 and the decor still looks like it. It's not bad, but you know that you're not in a "trendy" restaurant -- you're in a place that cares about the food and the customers more than keeping up with the Joneses. There is a mural on the wall painted in 1982 by a friend of the owners. He comes over from France occasionally to touch it up. You have to love this type of dedication to food and friends. The prix fixe menu is a bargain. I had pork rilette (pate), steak with roquefort sauce, and chocolate mousse. The steak was *perfectly* cooked to medium and the entire menu was delicious. The chocolate mousse is served without frills, but I imagined how it might have tasted with a blackberry-pepper reduction. I cleaned the bowl nonetheless! The bread is plain -- it's the light and airy type that serves only to transport the cold butter to your mouth, not the hearty, crusty type. Try the picpoul de pinet from the white wine list. It's one of my favorite varietals and a nice find here.
(5)
Kevin C.
this is what justine's wishes they could be. every time i go, the wait staff is friendly and helpful without being overbearing, and the food is wonderful.
(5)
Tracie C.
I was disappointed with the staff, and don't know if I can get over it. My boyfriend called them the day before we went to see if he needed to make a reservation, and was told that they do not take reservations for parties of less than 6 people. So the next day (Friday), we went in at 6:47pm (47 minutes after they had opened for dinner). The hostess told us it would be 45 minutes which we did not have a problem with because the restaurant was small and busy. The hostess took my boyfriend's cell number and said she would call us when our table was ready. All good up to this point. We took a 40 minute walk around downtown, and it is from here that I have decided that I will not return to this restaurant. Upon our return, we went to the bar which was missing a bartender to serve anyone, and noticed that everyone was still early in their main courses. Once we reached the 50 minutes waiting point, I sent the bf up to ask the hostess how it was looking. He worked as a soux chef through college, and has a better appreciation of how restaurants work, hence why he is my ambassador! The hostess said probably only 15 more minutes, however they had to sit a party of 12 that had a reservation first. Disappointments: Hostess knew she had a party of 12 with reservations coming in at 8pm, and was being unrealistic in her "wait time" estimate. Everyone in the restaurant were still working on and enjoying their main courses. After 50 minutes, the two couples who were on the list before us were still on the list and, like us, waiting for tables despite the hostess ever optimistic hope of only 15 more minutes. We and one couple before us and two couples behind us on the list left and went elsewhere that night.
(1)
Lauren W.
We ate here last night after there was a 2 hour wait at Moonshine (also a good eat!). As a visitor, I'd walked by Chez Nous before and thought it looked out of place for the just-off-sixth street location, but a local friend said that it's really good. AND It is. We all got the menu d'jour prixe fixe and loved it. On the first course, we had two pate's -- pork rillette was delicious, and the lyonnaise salad had a perfectly poached egg on top. Everyone liked the entrees they selected. I got the steak and it was done perfectly - lots of butter. The roasted tomato on the veggie side dish was to die for. I loved that for dessert you could upgrade to a different one if you wanted. I love myself a cheese plate and the brie did not disappoint! This was also one of the basic dessert options. The wine list is extensive and there are quite a few picks for by the glass. The hubs was tickled pink to see a french beer he loves: the Fischer Amber. Ambience was great - it was casual and cozy, which was perfect for an evening of catching up with an old friend. The owner stopped by at each course to check on how we were doing, but we had no complaints or issues!
(5)
Cristina Z.
Delicious food & great service! Complicated wine list if you aren't a wine expert or French. Portions are much more European size rather than American. (Small for our taste lol) However if you order salad, appetizer, entree and dessert, you will leave full. A bit pricey but either range as most french cuisine restaurants.
(4)
Pamela B.
First time here and I want to go back! Went right as they opened on Saturday night, even managed to find parking across the street. We went with regulars so they offered some advice on options. The service was very good, never had an empty water glass. We all ordered from the Prix Fixe menu. Salade Lyonnaise request the lardones with it, how do you go wrong with bacon? For my entree, I ordered the Truite auz champign - roasted ruby trout with white wine cream, truffle oil and oyster mushrooms. It was wonderful! For dessert I had the Creme caramel (flan), it was good but I would have enjoyed a stronger caramel flavor. Two of our group had the beef option, very good. My daughter had the salmon and it was also amazing. They were very good at answering questions regarding gluten free options (seem like most of the menu is). No gluten free bread option but who wants to fill up on bread with this amazing menu? I've noted it's good for groups but.... you would not want to have one more than about 8. This is a small restaurant, intimate with no glaring conversation noises like other places with high ceilings and large open areas.
(5)
cara b.
It's not the quaint little bistro in Paris with the cute little couple holding hands over in the corner and the most amazing salmon roulade that transposes you to a layer of heaven you've never imagined. But that's Paris. And this is Austin. The food is consistently delicious, the staff is friendly (listen to their recommendations), the other diners are funny, and it calls itself a bistro, not haute cuisine. I celebrate here, starting the evening out with a kir royale, ordering off the daily specials (with a bottle of recommended wine), ending with coffee and chocolate mousse, and I've always walked out thinking "totally worth it".
(5)
Samantha W.
This is the only place in Texas I've eaten at that is actually French. So French actually that it is scary. From waiting at the standing only wine bar to being served complimentary cornichons, olives and cheese bread to hearing all the staff explain the specials in French accents-- it was an authentic experience. I studied french for 7 years and have been to France twice. Chez Nous out of many American bistros that strive to be Francophone probably gets the highest marks for authenticity I've seen in awhile. Well done CN. Food + Service + Ambiance was all excellent. The best way to describe this place is "casual elegance". They don't try too hard in their decor or presentation but it feels fancy in its own way. Desert: Profiteroles. Don't even think about ordering anything else. Cheese + Fruit Plate: So taste. Much yum. Wow. Bonus for Vegetarians: Their salads are actually amazing. They don't just throw leaves in a bowl and pile oil on them. They are artfully crafted and show intention. Sometimes ordering a salad at a nice restaurant is a disappointment, you pay for the plating. Chez Nous does not skimp on the greenery. Its also affordable. For 2 people our bill was $100 (4 glasses of wine, cheese plate, two entrees and dessert). Seems quite reasonable considering what a nice time we had. This place has been open since 1982 and I'm happy they're reviewed at nearly a 5 star level. They deserve it!
(5)
Morgan N.
We had dinner here the night of the super bowl. It wasn't very busy, which was the idea. It is quite small inside so if it was full I could imagine it would be very loud/stuffy. The staff was VERY attentive and helpful. The food selection was nice. We ordered from the pre-fixe menu since it was pretty much the same price as all the entrees. The food was tasty. All in all it was a very nice dinner and the food was yummy but it was just overpriced for what it was. I have had very similar (or even better) meals for less in Austin. I am glad I went but I probably wouldn't go again.
(3)
Ann M.
Oh my god I ended up here two nights in a row because of business and it didn't even matter. It's small, with great atmosphere and amazing food. Had the menu du jour, and I cannot recommend the roasted cauliflower cheese soup enough. If they mention it is the soup, you must have it!!! It's a great place to talk with friends or do dinner with business colleagues. Small and comfortable. The waitstaff don't bug you and it's actually not crazy formal like you might think a French restaurant would be. Nice change from your 6th street craziness. Also - eat the profiteroles. You will not regret it.
(5)
Josh R.
Amazing amazing amazing! Wife ordered a movie to the wrong alamo drafthouse so we were stuck with nowhere to go on a Saturday evening. I called Chez Nous and the guy told me to rush over. We got there got in and beat the rush. The decor is elegant but casual. The wine was fantastic, the food was authentic and truly the best I have ever had from a French restaurant. A must go for French food lovers. Go!
(5)
Gus G.
Been coming here forever. Consistently great food. Wonderful little spot and super staff.
It's incredibly refreshing to visit a French bistro whose cup does not runneth over with pretension. Very quaint (I say this in a purely objective sense, it's provincial, like diner-in-a-small-town-in-Virgina provincial), very cute, and super friendly waitstaff . ** We both got the steak prix fixe with salmon pate and soup appetizers, both were pretty standard. The steak itself was pretty mediocre, think: Wedding banquet steak. Satisfying, but with a weird texture and generic flavor. I definitely will go back to try some of the regular entrees, but I will also expect a lot more flavor-wise. Overall though, 27 bucks that cover app, entree, and dessert is not a bad deal. ** I love an attentive waitstaff! Rare find!
(3)
Cate M.
This place definitely goes on the list of "treat yourself" digs. Made the mistake of going on a Friday night at 8:00 o'clock without calling first, but no worries with a nice glass of wine and general chattery at the bar with attentive and knowledgeable barstaff- only complaint, don't wear heels ladies- standing room only. Or you can wait on the street and amuse yourself watching the crowd across the way at Coyote Ugly...strange juxtaposition there. Sat down to a heavenly combo of the best pate I've ever tasted -duck liver with cranberries, the salade verte with delicious champagne/dijon vinaigrette and the Soul ;) ...I mean Sole Veronique- melts in your mouth literally. So good. Can't wait to try it again!
(4)
Erin O.
Let Me Preface this Review by saying that I LOVE Chez Nous. It has been a favourite restaurant of mine for the 10 years I've lived in Austin. That said....Last Friday, I had a supremely disappointing experience there. Normally - If I were to have a bad experience somewhere for the first time in 10 years I wouldn't necessarily give it a bad review. In fact, this is my very first time to even use Yelp to post a negative review. Chez Nous - you have driven me to do this & I would love for you to contact me personally so that I can continue to feel good about coming to your restaurant. My Husband & I are not regulars at Chez Nous - we spend time there for Special Occasions about 4x a year...and when I say spend time, I also mean that we spend money...a lot of money. We have celebrated many anniversaries, birthdays & the like there, and Chez Nous holds a sentimental place in our hearts. Last Friday was our anniversary. Chez Nous was busy as usual but we were seated promptly & sat down to enjoy what should have been a wonderful meal. The first sign that all was not well was that we were not greeted or offered anything other than water for at least 10 minutes, They were busy,,,we understood. We flagged a waiter down & ordered appetizers & entrees from the menu. The appetizers were fabulous. However, when our entrees arrived...they were not. We ordered Veal Sweetbreads & Sea Bass. Both were extremely overcooked. To add insult to injury our vegetables were stone cold. We ate a couple of bites, and waited patiently for someone to ask about our food. Two people came by & asked us if they could box it up. We said no & before we could say anything else - they were off to other tables. We finally decided to wave someone down. We are not waivers. Once we explained the situation to someone - they sent the manager or hostess (couldn't tell) over to talk to us. She explained to us that our entrees were pan sauteed...twice. Now I don't want to get haughty or anything but my husband & I have prepared both of these dishes on our own and know a little something about French cooking techniques. Let's just say that if Julia Child were alive, we would stalk her. We told the manager/hostess that we understood that cooking technique and asked that she literally touch our food so that she could see that both dishes were inedible. At that point, she took both plates away & put them in the window (I assume the dish window) and suggested we move on to dessert. She was kind enough to offer a "discount" on our food. We moved onto dessert and another glass of wine and all was well until we got the bill. Her idea of a discount was $10. We decided to write a note on the back of the bill to explain to her that this was "laughable" since we paid $25+ for each entree and had not eaten them. She saw us writing the note and came over to our table. This is where it gets interesting folks. I explained that I was "in the industry" and understood mistakes & busy nights. She asked me what I would have done in this situation. I said that I would have comped the food & at least brought the situation to the attention to the chef. She said that the Chef was busy and that they couldn't just go around comping everyone's food. That said...my husband & I were done. We paid our $150 bill and tipped out the nose as usual. After all..it wasn't really the waiter's fault. Oh Chez Nous. I heard you were going downhill but really??? Has it come to this?? Please bring back your great service & amazing food. I already miss it!
My girlfriend and I celebrated our 3 year anniversary at Chez Nous. We had a good night! The pre-fix menu is definitely worth the money. There's a nice selection for the appetizer, entree, and dessert. I found the duck pate to be flavorful and satisfying, but there was so much of it. Was I not supposed to finish it? Their fish dishes are fantastic, and that night, I ordered trout (I think), which came with oyster mushrooms! I only gaze at those things from a far when I'm at Central Market, so I was excited to try them out. The fish was cooked perfectly, and I'd recommend it to anyone. I'd love to try their salmon if I get another chance. The downer was the dessert. My girlfirend's caramel flan was underwhelming. My chocolate mousse was good; however, similar to the pate, there was just too much. This isn't really a knock on Chez Nous, but after having dessert at other establishments, I expect more complexity to the dishes. In hindsight, I can appreciate the simplicity and elegance with the desserts (and all of the dishes in general), but I figure that French food may not be my thing.. The bread's fantastic, and the drink menu is affordable for what it is. The waitress gave us a great suggestion on a champagne. I expected the ambiance to be a little more romantic, but the dim lights and serenity of Chez Nous are a huge draw. Overall, we enjoyed Chez Nous. I'd definitely recommend coming out here, and I think it was a nice change of pace from the food scene we frequent. Chez Nous keeps things simple and does those things well.
(4)
Dillar S.
Best little date spot in town. My friends took my partner and I here on a double date. We all ordered the prix fixe menu with different entrees and 5 stars goes to each plate! For only $25 you can choose one of the appetizers, an entree, and a dessert. I find the options to vary and plenty to choose from. The wait staff is always friendly and eager to explain whats going on. Each of them are also very knowledgeable with wine pairings. I was impressed with the short wait on a packed Saturday night. The hostess even offered to take our phone number and call us when our table was ready in case we wanted to walk down the block for a drink. The second time we ate here was a party of 8, once again - all the food was delicious, the wait staff was on their game, no wait for a table, and an amazing atmosphere for us to sit and chat. I love this little French restaurant in the midst of downtown.
(5)
ZOrina G.
*i am giving it a one star because I believe this place needs to stop having such a high rating on Yelp. This network has become well known and its star ratings are indeed the sole reason why me and numerous other individuals decide to try a spot. My views are the same as many other yelpers: food is if not bad just average and the service is ridiculous, which for me consistent of a group of 3 snotty girls that make you feel intimidated if you can't pronounce the French names of EVERYTHING that's on the menu. The price is too high for what you get.
(1)
Wei C.
I wasn't sure if their foods are really authentic French, since we've had better duck confit in France. The trout tastes pleasant, particularly with the fried skin.
(4)
Lesley C.
Cute little French restaurant in downtown serving up great affordable cuisine. I went with several people so I was able to try most of the items on the menu. The selections on the pre fix menu were just as good as their regular items. I had the wagyu beef medallion which was perfectly cooked and my husband had the scallops which were some if the best I ever had. Can not wait to go back.
(5)
Deborah P.
Three of us, all middle-class people of color, arrived for lunch and were treated with aggressive rudeness and unmitigated hostility and were run out of the restaurant by the staff in less than three minutes. I have lived all over the country and have traveled abroad and have never been treated with such blatant disregard. I will never set foot in this restaurant again and would strongly recommend that any non-white patrons avoid this place.
(1)
Tamara S.
Best sandwhich I've ever had. It was a steak sandwhich and came with a side salad: the bread was lightly toasted with a garlicy taste and tenderloin steak. The salad was a fresh mix with a strong vinagrette. I couldn't believe my taste buds. So rich yet light. Steak was so tender!! Owners were so great!! And the service was impeccable!
You cannot go wrong here. I had a salad, condin entre, and brie with port for dessert. The food was so perfectly delicious and beautiful. The restaurant itself is super charming. Downtown, between 5th and 6th street, stepping into this place is like stepping off the street into a different dimension... a french dimension perhaps (I've never been so I can't really say). But I loved the lighting, the seating, the service, and highly highly recommend this place for a date or a low-key special night.
(5)
Jessie R.
THIS is what I was craving when I tried and was disappointed by Justine's several months ago. Chez Nous delivers wonderfully simple and delicious French fare without pretense. My salad and rainbow trout were perfect, but the star of the night came at dessert in the form of île flottante. Airy islands of meringue floating in a pool of creme anglaise arrived in front of me, and my world changed. The meringue was light and not too sweet, and (as it should) melted in my mouth like little bites of heaven. If I recall, the dessert was on special, so don't be surprised if you don't see it on the menu. Just pray that the dessert gods are smiling on you and it is on special, too.
I thought I'd love you. Or at least I wanted to like you. I really did. Instead, I spent $140 and you severely disappointed. Hubs took me here for an early birthday dinner on Saturday. It was between Chez Nous or Barley- I wish I had picked Barley. The place was packed by 6:45, and there were 5 servers waiting on everyone...and I mean everyone. No one had assigned sections and they seemed to all be working as a "team." Bad idea. Who does that? All it did was lead to confusion. 1.5 stars for service. More on that later. Overall, I would give the food a 3.5-4. The duck pate was just like any other pate- nothing special. The escargots were disappointing- Shearn's escargots (in Galveston) kicked Chez Nous' ass. My tenderloin was good but again nothing special. If I'm ordering the most expensive thing on the menu, I expect it to be freaking delicious. Hubs' scallops were by far the best thing. The creme brulee was tasty, but honestly, you'd have to try really hard to mess up creme brulee. Now back to service: it was the most awful service I've had in foreverrrr. The staff was friendly enough (some were more professional than others- ahem, guy that smacked my menu with a pen multiple times while making recommendations). However, we ordered our entrees before the table next to us ordered theirs. Since the tables are so damn close, I could hear that they ordered the same steak as me- cooked the same way- and the trout dish. They were almost done eating by the time we got our food! There's no way Hubs' scallops could've taken 15-20 minutes longer than the trout took to cook! No one ever came by to ask if my steak was cooked to my liking. In case you're wondering, it wasn't. I ordered medium rare, and what I got was more of a medium well. OHHH, maybe THAT's what took so long! I didn't bother sending it back because I was starving and figured that it'd take forever for them to remake it. After the table next to us was done with entrees and requested the check, 3 different servers came by to ask if they wanted a dessert menu. "Umm no, we're getting dessert elsewhere. Just the check please," they had to repeat and repeat. In the meantime, what were we waiting for? The damn dessert menu! Jeez, just turn around and you could've seen that I was waiting. My table was only 2 feet away! As much as I glared, no eye contact was ever made. We had to wait another 10 or so minutes before someone came over to us. What a shitty early birthday dinner. Thanks a bunch, Chez Nous.
(2)
Shannon J.
We tried to dine there yesterday (Feb 15th). After being seated, we waited for some time for our waiter to arrive (long enough where I was ready to go to the bar myself to get a drink) to greet us and take our order. The busboy was also quite slow and we did not get water or bread until 15 minutes after being seated (a few minutes after being acknowledged by our waiter). We ordered the Menu du Jour, as we figured given the place was very busy, the orders would come out fairly quickly if we ordered from that selection. In addition, I got a glass of wine and escargot, while my husband got water as they did not have iced tea or soda (he doesn't drink). The escargot was delicious. I flagged down the waiter for a second glass of wine. After another half hour (we had now been seated for an hour), we noticed that tables who were seated after us were getting their main course. Our waiter had disappeared and we had to get another staff person to take care of us. Since we had plans at 9:30, we didn't want to place our order again and did not want to have to wolf down our salad, main course and dessert in 20 minutes, so we asked for our check. They did give my husband the onion soup and me the salad comped, as aside from the small escargot and the bread, we had nothing else to eat and the point of going there was dinner. The salad and soup were tasty, as much as we could enjoy it as we were now in a hurry. We had to pay for two glasses of wine and the escargot and were given a $10 certificate for the next visit which considering they completely screwed our special dinner was more of a slap in the face. The original waiter never stopped by to apologize. No, we did not leave a tip. We made a point to make it clear that the zero tip was not an oversight. Later that evening we got gyros at one of the stands since we were still hungry.
(1)
Jana E.
Excellent food and ambiance. I would come here any time. This is a magnificent place for a date.
(5)
Susan G.
I had not been to Chez Nous in 20 years, for some ridiculous reason every time we chose to try a new restaurant, we chose "new" restaurants. I had company in town last week that wanted an authentic French meal, we tried Chez Nous. It is now my favorite restaurant in Austin. They have a wonderful fixed price menu, which includes an appetizer, main course, and dessert, for $36.00. You won't find better food anywhere in Austin!
(5)
Jessica S.
My answer: "Amazing. Amaaaazing. Amazing." Her question: "How are the scallops?" And they really were. Been a long time since I had scallops, which is sad, because really, they are one of my favorites of the sea-dwellers. Our server said she was not normally a scallop person, but these changed her mind. The sauce with the mushrooms and the scallops combined for a lot of delicious. We started with a glass of the lovely house champagne. The goat cheese rounds were tasty. I tried a bite of pate. ... It's still not my thing. There was more wine. And more bread. And profiteroles were a nice way to end the evening, topped with a cup of cappuccino. It's a cute little date spot. And if you've got good ju-ju like I do, you'll get rockstar parking (right by the door!!) like we did.
(5)
Larry C.
If you think Matt's El Rancho is Mexican Food, Torchy's $4 tacos are street food, and Carmelo's is Italian, then you'll no doubt buy into the other Austin legen that Chez Nous is a nice French restaurant. There are several restaurants located on Sixth Street that serve average food but at this place you can get average food at high prices, including poor service. It had been several years since I had been to Chez Nous (there is a reason it was forgettable) so we decided to visit this place again for a nice, long lunch. The restaurant was only ¼ full the day we visited for lunch (about 1:00), so the waiter told us to sit anywhere we wanted. Upon seating at a four-top table, he immediately came over and chastised us for not choosing to sit at a smaller table, "since we are not busy today", he sniffed, "I will let you sit there." The wild mushroom soup we ordered was better than expected: rich, creamy with a wonderful blend of spices, but it was a lone standout. The sad salad was prepared with lettuce greens, a couple of lonely grape tomatoes and a bland, watery vinegar and oil dressing, suitable to be served at a hospital or nursing home. The seafood crepes were overwhelmed by the strong taste of alcohol from the cooking sherry. The spinach crepes were okay, but nothing different from the crepes you can get for much cheaper at dozens of other restaurants in town. The tea, water and coffee glasses sat empty throughout most of the meal. Toward the end of finishing our entrees, we did see our waiter again, reeking from cigarette smoke, who was dismayed when we asked to see a dessert menu. The house chocolate mousse was somewhat stiff and not very fluffy. The profiterolles were okay but this dish, like the others we had, was not memorable by any means and no specific words come to mind to describe it. The ambiance of the place is best suited for night time dining, the "wear and tear" of the furniture, stained tablecloths and drab interior are less noticeable. The expensive lunch was about $65 and I left wanting to call the police to report this mugging. By reading some of the other reviews, it appears that Chez Nous has a select, strong following. I suppose if you are part of this select group, you may receive better service and better food as for the rest of us, I urge you not to believe in urban legends.
(2)
Curt F.
Our favorite place in Austin. Staff is friendly , food is excellent and reasonably Priced. Pre-fix menu a great buy. Best French fries in Austin : Profiteroles "are to die for". Only issue is the noise at tables close to the door. It hard to carry on a conversation with groups of four or more. I would like to see them offer reservations and the bar is very small.
(5)
Tom H.
Pros: - The entrees & sides that came with them were absolutely delish. - Wine was very good, and considering the cost of the entrees, actually pretty reasonably priced. - Ambiance was pleasant & homey Cons: - Service was odd (had a waiter recommend something then un-recommend it a moment later, had a hostess/waitress who semi-helped but didn't know much about the menu) - this isn't necessarily a "con" but was confusing. - They added 17% gratuity for our group of 5, and did it on the hand-written receipt, not the printed one. That's just sleazy. - Hot & cold soups (as the first course) were just ok. Nothing to write home about. The $$$ price tag of this place will deter me from returning, but I knew that going into it. Very authentic French food, if that's what you're hankering for (Justine's is also a great option, with a slightly lower price tag & same quality/vibe).
The most authentic Parisian-style cafe/bistro in Austin. Other the the somewhat drab exterior (and location) and slightly Americanized service, the interior, atmosphere, and food are very reminiscent of many cafes and restaurants in central Paris (I-X Arrondissements). The best value by far is the prix fixe menu du jour (wine not included), which changes daily. The prix fixe portion sizes are a bit smaller than if you order ala carte, but they are just the right size to make it through all the courses. Good beef, salmon, and duck specials are authentically and expertly prepared. On steaks, you can even ask for the French-style preparations ("bleu","saignant",etc.). Good salads and very well done mousse au chocolat and creme caramel. Note: the accompanying vegetable portions also tend to be a bit small, almost to the point of being an afterthought. One can definitely order a la carte, if one is in a splurging mood There are good but a limited set of entrees as only the prix fix menu change. Tip: Arrive and/or eat early for best selection and availability. Good wine selection to match the meals and to date, you are allowed to bring in your own wine with a corking charge. However, be prepared for strange looks from the waitstaff should you bring in a non-French wine to have with your meal. I only wish that they could would offer real foie gras with the appetizers/starters, but I guess they disdain from doing so out of animal rights concerns. Obviously, this is not an issue in France where foie gras is regarded as a "significant part of French gastronomy and culture". The only issues I see with the place is the slightly off 6th street location. Parking can be a real hassle in this part of town. Additionally, the seating can definitely be seen as a bit cramped by American standards, but this type of tight seating is very common in Paris. And I, at times, have felt a bit rushed by the waitstaff, as sometimes there is a noticeable push/attempt to get a 2nd (or 3rd) seating out of their dinner hours. This is perhaps one of the biggest differences between France and the US. Waitstaff in French restaurants in France usually tend to be a bit more discreet (some may argue slow) than those in the US. Overall, I would rate Chez Nous very highly with it's good and authentic food. Pricewise in comparison with the other French cuisine restaurants in town, it is definitely the best value as well. 4/5 stars.
(4)
Rachel K.
Quite possibly the best date restaurant ever. My date and I managed to arrive right as the first dinner rush was ending, so we only had to stand at the bar for about five minutes before a table was ready. The bartender kindly offered us water while we waited, which I greatly appreciated since we walked here from the UT area. Ever experienced the agonizing indecision of not knowing what to order? You have too many delicious things to choose from, or have to examine each item's price first so as not to overspend, or you must make sure not to copy what your date gets because you suspect he has better taste than you... Here, the $25 fixed-price menu gives you a choice of pate, soup, or salad, choice of two entrees, and choice of three desserts. This virtually eliminates all menu-related concerns since they're all guaranteed to be amazing. My boyfriend's salmon pate was delicate, my chilled cucumber soup was excellent, but the star of the meal was definitely our main course of steak. When it first arrived, topped with herbed butter, I thought it was a surprisingly small portion. But the steak was so thick and perfectly-cooked that ended up being quite filling. The green beans on the side were the best I've ever had, and not dreadfully overcooked and squishy (as green beans tend to be). By the time we got to dessert - creme caramel and a chocolate mousse - I was stuffed and could barely finish half of mine, but it was still quite good. The only downside - and I literally mean the only downside to this place - was that the restaurant was so small that the tables were pretty close together, and it got noisy. Despite having to speak up a bit to converse, the lovely dimly-lit romantic atmosphere still persisted. I expect to return.
(5)
Rodney T.
Very expensive for my budget but we went for our anniversary so it was justified. Not exactly an intimate setting for romantic night out due to close seating and other people's conversations. However, excellent food and service. Manager was exceptionally gracious. I will definitely return.
(5)
Mona R.
Really good food! Be prepared for dated decor and humble feel. Great service-everyone helps out, not just one server. The duck was amazing, as was the filet. Just remember, they cook meat on the rare side. Open eating area, so a tad on the loud side.
(4)
Lb Y.
Great ambiance--dim, romantic lighting with flowers at every table. nice embroidered curtains on the windows. great location next to 6th street. food had such great presentation. delicious sun dried tomatoes. we had lamb chops and duck legs which were very evenly tender, thoroughly marinated (however they did it). the food melts in your mouth into many flavors. definitely will come back when i visit Austin again.
(5)
Julie H.
Still one of my all-time favorites...no one in town makes better sauces. I love everything about this place, including that I can there in shorts or a nice dress and it makes no difference. They have wonderful wines and I think the markup is super reasonable. I've never had anything but a wonderful meal here. It really reminds me of places we've eaten in rural France (versus Paris).
(5)
Ali B.
Chez Nous is probably my favorite restaurant in Austin (and that's really saying something, since Austin has so many fine dining establishments!) My partner took me there for my birthday. So far I've been there for two birthdays, a Mother's day, and a Valentine's Day, as well as once, just because I wanted French food. Every time I go, I find something else I adore. My favorite item on the menu is Duck Liver Mousse Pate. Earthy and smooth, served with crudite (I usually spread it on the sliced baguette they keep bringing with butter) it's definitely an appetizer worth eating! I usually get the dinner special. For about $25 you choose from three appetizers (Your choice of three pates; pork, duck, or salmon, or the soup du jour, or a third option, which I don't remember.) I invariably get the duck pate. Closely followed by an entree, the menu offers three choices, which change daily. Most recently I had Truitt buerre rough (Trout in a red wine butter sauce). I swear, the Sous Chef deserves a raise! The sauce was was delicate and savory, with a subtle fruitiness. My partner had lamb medallions stewed in a wine sauce, and I tasted his plate, which was also excellent. I didn't have Order Envy, though, because I was so happy with my trout. Dessert is a choice of Creme Caramel, Chocolate Mousse or Brie with fruit and candied walnuts. The menu doesn't specify the walnuts, so I had to ask for some fruit that had not touched the Fatal Tree Nuts. Last time the fruit had been grapes and berries, this time is was crisp Granny Smith apples, artfully sliced and decoratively presented. Everything I've ever ordered from Chez Nous has been asthetic to the eye as well as the pallet. I wish more drink choices were offered, I always end up with Orangina, the only soft drink offered. Tap water... no thank you... comes whether ordered or not or overpriced pellagrino is an option, but otherwise only alcoholic choices, but there is a broad selection of wines and spirits. (I'm not allowed to drink in public, however... not since The Incident...) My partner had a rich red wine, which I tasted. It was pleasant and full-bodied, with a very oaky timber. The service is always prompt and almost too solicitous. At least five different people kept asking if our meal was all right, and could they offer us anything else. Always my favorite for more elegant dining, I do love Chez Nous.
My wife and I went here for our anniversary this year. The food was absolutely fantastic and the service was excellent. The prices are actually quite reasonable for the quality and ingredients used. The only problem we had was that the wait was quite long being that it was New Years Eve. Unfortunately they only take reservations for parties of 6 or more even on a night as busy as NYE. I would highly recommend for authentic French fare in the heart of Austin.
(5)
Maria S.
Magnificent food, joyous proprietor, cozy unpretentious atmosphere, meteoric sauces, wine that would make a rock cry, and creme caramel to write an opera for....what more can I say?
(5)
Mark K.
So one of the issues of working downtown is what to eat and where. Today I just walked down sixth and had no place in mind and I saw what seemed to be an out of place restaurant amongst the bars and dives well known to Austin-ites. I looked at the menu from the outside and was immediately impressed by the simple yet foreign selections. Who knew that Ham, Cheese and Egg sandwich could sound so sophisticated as grilled ham, with Grueyere, with Bechamel sauce in a crepe with an egg on top. Too divine of words for someone who typically has a slice of peperoni or a chicken burrito. In any case I didn't feel uncomfortable when I walked in and the waiter said Sava, and I responded Sava bien. He probably was more surprised, but my french ended there. I decided on ordering that fancy ham and swiss entree and the soup dujour (Cream of Tomato and fennel). It was served at the perfect temperature and it tasted far better than any place else that claims to make it from scratch. Perfect amount of sourness, and saltiness. The best part was when I got to the bottom of the soup bowl. It was so creamy that there were little sand bars of tomato cream. Rather than scooping it all up I felt compelled to leave it at that as if I created a piece of art at the bottom of my white bowl. The main course came out and it was like looking at a french post card with a sunny side egg on top. I cut into it and the cheese was perfectly melted so that it stretched from the plate to my chin on the way into my mouth. It was so rich in taste I felt a bit overwhelmed. I truly enjoyed the whole meal. Total cost was about $15 which I felt was fair for just the experience alone, but the food was great so it was a bonus. Definitely not a daily lunch affair, but when you feel like there's a need for a change and willing to try something different feel free to visit that little french cafe Chez Nous.
(5)
NYhorn B.
My wife and I had dinner at Chez Nous for the first time. We recently moved to Austin from New York and consider ourselves "foodies." We have been to over 50 restaurants in the Austin area during the past year of very different cuisines and ambience. Chez Nous is now a top 3 choice on our list. The menu does not appear to be only unconventional or nouveau French cuisine but contains many classic dishes such as duck confit, a fish muniere,, escargot, pate, entrecote, veal sweat bread, ,etc. The menu was sufficiently diverse without being overwhelming. We decided to focus our attention on their meat dishes. The execution was superb. The classic appetizers -- escargot and pate--were generous portions and tasty. The server also toasted our bread on request which made the experience of eating those two plates even better--the butter sauce from the escargot and spreading the smooth & rich pate. The flank stank my wife ordered was cooked to her ask, tender and well seasoned. I ordered the lamb/veal ragout over French style gnocchi which was made of a lightly fried dough (not potato like the Italian gnocchi). It was bursting with flavor and did not leave me with heavy feeling. The service, although in a more casual-bistro type setting, rivaled a more formal restaurant. Our head waiter was friendly, welcoming and exceptionally knowledgeable about the menu. She recommended two excellent glasses of French wine (red and rose), which went very well with our courses. Lastly, the timing of each of our courses was well spaced, as we neither felt rushed nor forgotten. We shall return!
(5)
Jeremy K.
Went here for the first time for dinner last Saturday. There was no wait at about 7:30pm, although the restaurant was very close to full. I ordered the escargots and the beef tenderloin. The escargots were excellent -- served in a bowl with lots of firm mushrooms. The beef tenderloin was similarly cooked very well. Service was attentive and helpful, and the wine list was very reasonable. At $25, the prix fixe menu looked like a much better deal than buying a la carte, but the dishes just didn't appeal to me compared to what I ordered. The restaurant wasn't quite what I expected, though. It's small and "quaint" as many have noted here, but it's also quite bright, and very loud for the size. I really dislike loud restaurants, and Chez Nous isn't as bad as say Z Tejas, but given that it has 1/5 of the customers, it's way loud. I wouldn't recommend this place for a quiet date night -- probably better for a group of 4. It would be a 5-star place for me if it wasn't for the loudness.
(4)
Katy H.
Chez Nous is a wonderful French restaurant right off of 6th street. As it is one big room, it's very intimate, and has a cozy atmosphere. Although the food and wine is 5 star quality, I love that the staff are not snobby. In fact, I went with my boyfriend last Friday and our waitress moved us to the back corner because she didn't want us seated "next to a group of loud girls all night." The food is rich, traditional French food. I suggest getting the fix pris so that you get a little bit of everything--pate, main course, dessert, and of course go for that bottle of wine. I will definitely be back again.
(4)
Doryan R.
Meh. I can't remember if I've written this review already, but I don't see it anywhere, so I guess I never got around to it. So, I went with my mother for lunch to Chex Nous the other day. And it was pretty much meh. Our service from the one server in the place was actually good. White wines were tasty. Bread wasn't really exciting, but was decent. She ordered a quiche of the day, which was pretty tasty. Maybe I should've gotten that. I ordered (at the server's suggestion) the spinach mushroom crepe. Ok. We have some serious salt issues here, people. The spinach was okay. The mushrooms were cut a little too big for my taste. I like to taste them more than feel their spongy texture. And the whole mixture was rather soggy. The bechamel sauce that covered the crepes was pretty blah as well. Call me crazy, but I think crepes need cheese to really be complete. I might go back and try something else, but it didn't look like they had much in the way of interesting veggie options. Some seafood, but it didn't grab my attention. So, three stars. Service goood, Wine good. Quiche good. Crepes...meh.
(3)
Liz F.
Our favorite place in town. We have bene coming here since 1997 and really love it. Most of the staff have been here since then and they are so wonderful. We come here for every Christmas Eve dinner we are in town and anytime we want an excellent dinner! The fixed price menu is a deal and all delicious. Never had a bag thing there! Tres Bon!
(5)
Rob F.
There's not a lot more to say about Chez Nous that hasn't already been said, nevertheless I'd like to throw in my two cents (my first on yelp). I've been to Chez Nous more than almost any other restaurant; it is in fact one of my favorite restaurants anywhere. It's where my wife & I go not only for special occasions (in slacks & a jacket) with groups our just the two of us but also for a casual night out (in jeans). It's the whole package: the interior & ambiance transports you a neighborhood bistro in Paris; the staff is always friendly & welcoming not to mention efficient, attentive & knowledgeable; the food is fresh & consistently spot-on, all together classic, simple, elegant & unpretentious. On our most recent visit, my wife & I along with two friends, my dad, and my mother in law went there as usual on Christmas eve this year and as always had a fantastic experience. A bustling night, we had beverages at the bar while we waited for our table: the ladies had kir royals and the gentlemen drank Maredsous Belgian ales. The regular menu is magnificent but this night we all ordered from the prix-fixe... Started with pates & one salad: pork rilette, duck liver mousse, country pate, and salade Lyonnaise. Then entrees: ruby trout, salmon & shrimp, and lamb tenderloin. Then finished with desserts: crème caramel, crème brulee, profiteroles, and a round of espressos. We brought in two bottles of lovely 05 Gevrey-Chambertin Burgundies though their wine list had several great selections we would have chosen from otherwise. I can't wait to go back to Chez Nous again, and again, and again... Cheers!
(5)
mindy b.
Gotta throw in my two cents. This has been my favorite romantic spot for years: We used to put our name on the list on busy weekend nights, then go play pool and have a drink at the Ritz until Chez Nous called us to claim our table! I've never had anything but fantastic, charming, relaxed service and amazing, finely prepared meals. The price and the rich fare at Chez Nous make this about a once-a-quarter experience, but one not to be missed. Added bonus: This wins the prize for least-likely-to-feel-rushed. You could easily linger over a 2-3 hour meal here and never feel hurried along. A note: The size and intimacy of the spot make it less ideal for big groups or celebrations. I'd stick to small gatherings, romantic outings, and dinner with the folks (whose snobbish and/or hearty tastes will not be disappointed.)
(5)
Nancy A.
Have loved this restaurant every time we come into Austin to visit my cousin. Good service, good food! I'm sold.
(5)
Glen F.
An awesome place that's strangely near the stumbling frat party that is 6th Street. I've eaten here twice and both times were excellent. As other Yelpers have noted, the atmosphere is very relaxed -- this is not at all the stereotypical snobby Continental restaurant. It's comfortable and quiet (but not too quiet -- dead silence can kill a date). And the staff is very friendly and attentive. The owners are French (you can hear it spoken here) and one (or the manager) always comes by during a meal to make sure things are going well. But the real point is the food, and it was excellent both times. Chez Nous does have one of the most interesting bathroom situations I've seen at a nice restaurant -- but that just adds to the charm.
(5)
Kris U.
This place was great. I loved the quaint atmosphere and French decor (mainly replica vintage posters, product labels, etc.). The dainty vases of fresh flowers on each table were a nice touch. They have a good selection of wines by the glass and I liked the uncomplicated menu selections. We both chose the special dinner for the $25 fixed price. I had the pate of the day, a delicious ruby red trout dish, and a caramel desert (basically flan). My companion had a salad (simple, with a delicious dressing), the chicken dish, and chocolate mousse. My fish was the better dish of the two, but everything was quite good. Afterwards we went across the street to Coyote Ugly (as I've always wanted to see what that place was all about) and landed 2 seats right up at the bar. As it turns out, we ended up sitting next to an "older" couple that recognized us from the restaurant. I say older in quotes because they were definitely young at heart. They said they had been going to Chez Nous regularly for 25 years! When I asked if this was their first time at Coyote Ugly she laughed and he smiled and said "no, we usually come on over here after dinner." Then the wife proceeded to buy me a body shot!....good times. The only negative about this place is they don't take reservations except for parties of 6+ and the only indoor waiting option is the length of the crowded bar, which offers no seating. So it is best to come early if you don't want to wait too long.
(4)
Wendy W.
We went here on a whim with some friends - though it's more of an 'occasion' kind of place for the dollars. We all got the fixed Menu De Jour and were all thrilled with our food. The place is quite cozy and romantic with a relaxed vibe. Great service. Outside of UCHI or sushi restaurants, this is the best meal I have had in 15 years of living in the ATX.... granted I eat at a lot of cheapy asian places. (-5 points for the wine bottle lamp... LOL, but +5 for the most perfect looking waitress to be working in a French restaurant!)
(5)
MJ H.
Best French brasserie restaurant I've ever been to in the U.S. 5*! I love it. The owner is very friendly. Staff is awesome. Authentic French food. It felt like we had traveled to France for the night. I strongly recommend this place. I will definitely go back, and I bet you will too. MY CHOICE: Pate de Campagne et Onglet aux echalottes. Desserts are exquisite. 'Menu du Jour' is also a good option ;)
(5)
Jen P.
Chez Nous is such a charming little spot to have a laid back but great meal. I think Chez Nous (or rather the chef) knows how to cook meat well. One of my faves was the duck because they always rendered the fat to leave an amazingly crisp skin but also perfectly moist meat. That's saying something. I also love it because it's not and doesn't try to be trendy, elitist, challenging, nor experimental. It IS consistent, well cooked, well seasoned, and a place to return to time and time again.
(5)
Kelly L.
If I only had 5 stars to give, I would give them all to Chez Nous. We love love love this place, and come here every year around Valentine's with two other couples that we also love love love. Always a treat, and the price is very low for the high quality food.
(5)
M. C.
Excellent French-style restaurant. Great food and cozy ambiance, but there aren't many choices on the menu, and they don't serve soda!
(4)
Alex L.
I'll start off by saying that I've been frequenting Chez Nous for about 10 years, and it is my favorite restaurant in Austin. Here's why... 1. The food is consistently excellent. I've never had a bad meal there, and though there are a number of restaurants that are higher up the totem pole in terms of quality (e.g. Wink, Jeffrey's, etc), there are none that are as high up in the other criteria that I measure a restaurant by (see below). In fact, I love the food here so much that I usually will order 2 appetizers along with my entree because I can never choose between their wonderful pork and salmon rillettes, or their soups. 2. The atmosphere is wonderful. Whether it be the shabby chic decor, plastic tablecloths, and background music that remind me of excellent meals I've had at cafes in the French countryside, or the way that the owners and staff welcome and make us feel at home each time we visit, there are few restaurants that compare. 3. The service is excellent. The staff are not only friendly, but attentive... but not overly so. Chez Nous doesn't do the conventional one staff member to an area of tables, rather everyone seems to help on every table. It's a wonderful arrangement, and also allows us to catch up with everyone since our last visit. I have seen very little turnover in their staff over the past 10 years, which is because they are like one big, happy family. A couple of other points, worth bearing in mind. Parking in the area is extremely limited (they have none themselves), and I don't think they do valet parking any more. We usually park on the street nearby (if we're lucky) or at a lot on Neches, just north of 6th Street. Friday and Saturday nights can get busy at peak times, and they do not take reservations. However, when it does get really busy, they'll take your cell phone number, you can go and have a drink on 6th Street, and they'll call you when your table is ready. After about 8.30 p.m you'll get a table pretty quickly though, if not straight away. Attire is relatively casual. You will see some dressed formally, and some dressed (what I consider) a little too informally. I usually dress in something like jeans and a dress shirt to find a happy medium. I highly recommend the Menu du Jour, for first-timers. It is an excellent introduction to their menu. These days, It think it's about $25 per person for a starter, entree, and dessert... which is excellent value for money.
(5)
Allison P.
I was really concerned that I was going to be under-dressed for dinner at Chez Nous last night in my jeans, but as soon as I walked into the quaint French restaurant, I felt perfectly comfortable. We arrived at 8:45 on a Saturday night and were seated immediately. The service was stellar, although, we had 4 different waiters throughout the night. It seemed organized and the pacing between each course was perfectly timed. I had the price fixe dinner, which consisted of appetizer, entree and dessert for a reasonable $25. Our waiter also recommended a really nice glass of wine to accompany my meal. Now, it s a little too pricey to eat here regularly, but it's definitely going to be on the top of my 'special occasion' restaurant list.
(5)
Kevin N.
I'll Chez this for Chez Nous, they know what they're doing. It's a fairly incomplex arrangement, at least on the surface, but the things that people really care about they know in spades. There's loads bubbling just beneath the surface. And it all starts with the food. They do a very fine job of taking what can be the creative experiment that is ordering in a French restaurant and boiling things down into a palatable continuous experience. The wines are carefully selected, the brews complimentary of the entrees available. And the entrees and appetizers themselves appear to be pretty amazing in their own right. The carrot ginger soup I sampled was nothing short of terrific, and the trout entree was both light and the perfect complement to the dinner's preamble. One thing that was initially weird but ultimately satisfying: we had something in the neighborhood of five servers. Seriously. But, to their credit, someone was always on point and on time, and to the ends that we never once felt neglected, whether they were each the same person ultimately didn't matter. We'll be back, and we can't wait.
(5)
c t.
The waitstaff here are great and I loved that nearly all the staff waited on me at one point or another. I wouldn't do the trout again (waitress had warned me about the skin), but would def come back for another prix fixe menu. Food was tasty and fresh.
(5)
David R.
As a gourmet cook myself, this is my go to for fine food. Be aware, there is nothing under a heat lamp waiting for you to order it. This means you need at least a couple hours as it is made from scratch for you. Order a bottle of wine. Start with a tomato salad, next up, a duck liver pate. they will keep the bread coming and ask for some whole grain mustard. Next up your duck breast in a red wine sherry reduction sauce. Please, go again and again. This is by far the best place in Austin.
(5)
Raquel C.
I have been to Chez Nouz several times. It has always been a nice culinary experience. Some things are really impressive, like the chocolate mousse, best one that I have tried so far. Fluffy, delicate, and just the right amount of sugar. The salmon: great flavor, they know how to cook it with re right temperature and to the right point, such that is not overlooked but crispy on the outside. The vegetables: delicate flavor, nice textures. The meat: great flavor and texture as well. The attention is great, but I am giving them 4 stars because the bread is kind of disappointing. I think that the bread should be the first window to the amount of care that a place puts into their details. It's kind of strange that they also use plastic tablecloths instead of linen. For the price that they charge on their food, I would expect those kinds of details to be part of the experience. I have to say though, the flowers on each table are real at least. Thank you Chez Nouz. It was good overall.
(4)
Emily L.
There are so many truly wonderful new places to eat in Austin, that sometimes it's easy to forget about the long standing familiar faces. Chez Nous is a treasure. A sweet little French bistro just of 6th downtown. They were making their own pates before the chaucuterie trend hit town, and their country pate is one of the best in Austin. They make a fresh soup daily and it's delicious. I'm amazed they aren't busier at lunch. Wonderful downtown location with great soups, salads, sandwiches, crepes, etc. Their Prix Fix menu is a beloved value and a great opportunity to try some of their best items. Very delicious, totally sweet, charming place. An Austin treasure.
(5)
Allison H.
I dined here last night with a group of friends/coworkers last night. It was perfect! We were tired from a long work day so we wanted to dine near the Hilton. The 5 of us were quickly seated. The service the whole night was wonderful. Efficient and friendly. The noise level low so we were able to talk during our leisurely meal. They had a very nice French-oriented wine list. I had the ratatouille which was excellent. My friends raved about their salmon, trout, and veal dishes. I love coming to Austin and indulging in Tex-Mex. but sometimes you need a break and a French bistro with fresh fare hit the spot.
(5)
Tea B.
Everything we had here was amazing but what really stood out was the duck pate and duck confit. Get both. By far, the best duck I've ever had. The trout was cooked to perfection as well and the flavors were on point. The waiter had excellent recommendations for wine pairings.
(5)
Sharon M.
My coworker recommended this place and we went there for lunch. Oh boy, the food was delicious. I had the seafood crepe and it had a very nice lingering taste to it. If you want dessert, do not forget to order their creme brulee.
(5)
Emily A.
My husband & I were visiting Austin for the weekend and stumbled upon this lovely restaurant. The inside atmosphere felt more like a family owned establishment than a fancy French restaurant, which we liked. Their lamb was incredible and their choice of Brie (Belletoile) was delicious! My only recommendation would be to add a little more (fruit, crackers, etc) to their cheese plate. Otherwise, it was a wonderful experience.
Went here with friends for a bachelorette party dinner. We had no problem getting seated on a Saturday night. The ambiance is very typical sidewalk casual french cafe. It's not particularly nice looking. We all ordered the prix fixe menu for $35 a person. Most of us ordered the steak or the salmon. I had the steak with the soup du jour and chocolate mousse. The steak was flavored well, but not the most tender. Definitely nothing to rave about and far from amazing. Soup was really good and we all scarfed it down. I think it was the cauliflower soup. My friends who ordered the salmon loved it and thought it was one of the best prepared salmon they've had. I'm not particularly fond of cooked salmon, so I didn't care to taste it. For dessert, we all had the chocolate mousse. Again, my friends loved it and scarfed it down. It was too rich for me though and I could only handle few bites. If you aren't in love with dark rich chocolate, I'd opt for a different dessert. The chocolate mousse definitely isn't for the chocolate faint of heart. The service was alright, but nothing special. Overall, not sure if I'll go back again. It's pretty pricey for the portion size and I didn't leave super satisfied.
Hands down the best French cuisine I've had in my life. I felt like I was transported back to Paris for a few hours. And we all know Paris has the best cuisine ever. Go!
This place was a little strange, since the experience of dining here seems to need a polar opposite effect for it to work. Such as: - High price tag for meal vs. chintz curtains and oilcloth table covers. - Snooty french waiters vs. really helpful hostess(?) that kind of just shows up at your table. - Rich and fatty courses vs. just slapping a slab of duck pate on a plate. - Cheap menus and cafe tables vs. flies in the restaurant. I guess I ran out of pros to go with the cons. I can safely say I'm not interested in dining here again if given the option.
(2)
Joy C.
Chez Nous I love you! My love affair with Chez Nous began about 9 years ago. I had a lunch date with a dear friend and she suggested we go. Ever since then it has become our place to have long lunches filled with wine, french food, and gossip. I have never been to Chez Nous for dinner. This is the place I spend my time with my girls at lunch. It's a small quaint restaurant. You step inside and forget for a moment you are still in downtown Austin. The service is always friendly. The pate selection is always outstanding. I can never say no to the duck liver mousse...oh my. The steak with the Bearnaise is divine...get an extra side of the Bearnaise for the fries. You can never go wrong with the crepes or even the sandwiches. My last visit I had the sandwich of the day - thick cut bacon, roasted tomatoes, and goat cheese...oh man, that was heaven. Although my friend has moved to DC she still comes for frequent visits. I still look forward to text messages that read, "Friday, noon - the usual spot?" I still look forward to long boozy lunches with my friends catching up. Maybe one night I'll surprise my hubby with dinner here. He's never eaten at Chez Nous, I always felt like I would be cheating on my girls....we'll see...
(5)
David D.
This one gets bookmarked for another visit when I return to Austin. Chez Nous manages to blend a charming decor with attentive and engaged staff and a truly exceptional menu of classic French bistro fare and some locally influenced additions. The portions are generous and a well curated wine list is well balanced between high value and modestly priced selections. The owner is very knowledgeable about his choices, and is happy to offer his thoughts and recommendations. Our grand cru Saint-Emilion complemented the meal quite well and was a very good value for the quality. We had the prix fixe, selecting different pate' and desert choices, both of which were exceptionally well prepared and plated. The steak entree was also delightful with a good selection of fresh vegetables hat were nicely caramelized and still crisp, no small feat. All in all, this was a thoroughly delightful experience.
(5)
Stetson G.
Great food; traditional and well done. The space is a bit odd. A bit pricy compared to other restaurants of this calibre.
(4)
Rosalie R.
I am visiting from Paris and missing food from home. A friend recommended this place for dinner and I'm so happy she did. Amazing dinner at Chez nous! Chez nous is by far my favorite restaurant in Austin. Good food and cozy, warm ambience. Well rounded menu and very nice team. I highly recommend this place for authentic beautiful french food. So happy to feel at home.
(5)
j m.
This place is fantastic. The food and service are both great. That duck confit is to die for. Definitely recommended!
(4)
Jeremiah Z.
My girlfriend and I visited Chez Nous (510 Neches St Austin, TX 78701) the evening of January 3, 2015. I had never been to Chez Nous and my girlfriend always wanted to go, so while we were in the area, we decided to go on a whim. The place was small and almost filled to capacity, but didn't seem overly busy as far as restaurants go. We didn't wait too long for a table, and one of the bus boys gave us our water as soon as we sat down! However, that's as far as the "service" we got at Chez Nous went. It took an extremely long time for any server to check-in on us (despite our table being right next to the exit area to the kitchen); we actually had to flag down a passing by server to go get us a server to take our order. The server we got (whom I'm guessing was the floor boss for the night by the way she dressed differently than everyone else) was very pretentious to us. My girlfriend simply wanted to know what their pate maison consisted of, protein wise, and she gave us an attitude as if we didn't know what pate was supposed to look like. When we finally got our pate, it literally looked like shredded pork you can get from any barbecue food truck--very disappointed in the pate. The rest of our meal was what you would expect from a "three-dollar sign" restaurant. I had the beef flank off the prix fixe menu and it was ok. We didn't take any pictures of our food, but there's plenty to look at off the Yelp Chez Nous website anyway. We had finished our main course and passing by servers quickly cleared our tables. And then we waited. Again. The servers again took a long time to come by and take our dessert orders. We had already mentioned to our server (still the floor boss looking individual) that we wanted the prix fixe option, but she still tried to be a used-car salesperson and sell us desserts that were more expensive. We put in our dessert orders and they were adequate--I had the mousse au chocolat, and it tasted like chocolate fluff or chocolate space ice cream. The floor boss person server saw we were complete with our meal and left the bill on our table. That was it. No "is there anything else I can get you?" or "how was the meal?" Nothing! I would expect a three-dollar sign restaurant to provide a little more service than my local Whataburger, but it looks like these servers could learn a thing or two from THEM! Oh, but if you know the workers, like this family group of 6 I saw at least two workers, including the floor boss worker, hugging as they came in, you'll be treated like family. Must be nice.
(1)
Eleni V.
Gracious service, delicious food. We had the escargot, duck legs & steak. Potatoe leek soup fantastic texture & flavor. Duck cooked to perfection. Finished with the crepes normandie. Really wonderful spot. warm inviting, casual atmosphere.
(4)
Allie O.
Salmon was best I've ever had. The sauce makes it perfect. Creme brulee was also fabulous even though I'm not a huge fan of the dessert. Had the squash soup and liked it, but didn't love it. I didn't love the steak, but the husband did. The bread isn't great, but everything else made up for it. Overall, will definitely come back! Highly recommend.
(5)
Robert G.
I ate at Chez Nous years ago and was happy with my meal then and was happy as well today. One of the things I enjoy is that Chez captures a sense of high end cuisine but I walked in wearing jeans and sandals. No one looks at me oddly and for Austin it still holds onto a relaxed feel that should make anyone hesitant to try French food to try the place out. My wife and friend shared the chevre on baguette that was served warm over a light set of greens tossed in light dressing with a few grape tomatos. I had the halibut which I believe was poached then possibly roasted. It was topped with fried matchsticks of celeriac that had a wonderful crispy texture to contrast the soft fish and light cream based sauce at the bottom. Very happy with the fish. For dessert I finished with chocolate mousse and again, very happy with our food quality, the service (we had at least 3 waitstaff fill our water classes no less than every ten minutes the entire time we dined) and the overall ambiance is nice. Thanks for the staff for giving us such a good time in south Austin.
(4)
M D.
A friend and I went here for dinner a few weeks ago and it was phenomenal! We both ordered from the Prix Fixe menus - he had Spinach Soup, Beef Flank and Mousse and I had the Duck Pate, Salmon and Brie. Wow, wow, wow! We both loved it and savored every bite:) My fave French place in Austin.
(5)
Beth J.
I have been coming to Chez Nous for about 20 years. The owners are the same and so is a lot of the staff. They are wonderful people who know French food. The owners are French and often you will overhear patrons speaking French. It has such an amazing feel to it, very comfortable, unpretentious, and homey. The food is AMAZING. I almost always get the escargot, some form of pate, and the salade lyonaisse. I have had most of the menu but my favorite is always fish. And each meal comes with yummy pomme frittes. Definitely give it a try. They only take reservations for larger parties, so if it's just dinner for two, arrive a little earlier, or have drinks at the bar.
(5)
Blair M.
We had the Charcuterie plate, duck confit, and the puff pastry dessert. Every bite was incredible. Perfect service with friendly and helpful wait staff. We were able to snag a table for a late date night around 9pm on Saturday and we had a fantastic evening tucked in a corner seat.
(5)
Joe B.
Avoid this cheap "want to be French bistro" at all costs. I read these reviews and was so looking for a wonderful French meal. The menu is classic French bistro that you would find on any street corner in Paris, but that is where it ends. Old 1990's decor... Cheap... Vinyl table cloths sticky as well... Cheap flat ware, cheap libby glass wear... Cheap old chairs and small tables. We ordered a bottle with anticipation but the first course came with very small pate. I had to ask for Dijon, the Pate was ok but the bread was horrible store bought tasteless not crispy or warm. For mains I got the sweetbreads. Usually my favourite dish at any bistro. But this was disgusting. This was not weighted down or cooked correctly at all. I still have a taste of raw flour in my mouth. It was paired with "spa" veg that was a joke for $27.95. My dinner companion had entrecôte but it came out as a rib eye with cold fries. We passed on the desserts and could not get out of that dump fast enough.
Good atmosphere, good food, big portions. Nice, quiet, and intimate. It feels like an authentic French bistro that you would find in France. The pate is deceivingly filling. Came with two other people. We all got the fixed, three course meal plus escargot. With tax and tip it was a little over $150. Angus beef and salmon on the fixed menu were excellent. The salmon was delicious, cooked medium-rare, and had a crispy skin. The escargot are a nice sharing appetizer. The desserts we had, chocolate mousse and creme caramel, were nothing special but very large. Not worth saving stomach room. I would not get the salmon pate again but the duck liver was very good.
(5)
Kai N.
This used to be our favorite French restaurant here in Austin, I don't know what happened, but the service and food has gone down hill. My partner and I had a pretty bad meal there on valentine's day, but we thought it was a fluke, that they were busy, the kitchen was off etc. We didn't want to think that the place we love to come for a romantic meal had taken such a wrong turn. So.. When my parents came into town, (one of who is a retired chef who has owned sever restaurants and worked as the personal chef to a governor), we decided to take them to chez for a great meal. Well, the food was worse the second time and the staff was insulting. I got the rib-eye with the bearnaise, my father got the sweet breads and my partner got the halibut. The halibut was served with a heavy sauce, as was the sweet breads - both have a very delicate flavor and the pairings ruined them. As for the rib-eye, it was served with a cold ramekin of what tasted like tartar sauce. I was convinced that this had to be a mistake and asked the waitress who rudely told me with a "don't you know attitude," that it was right and that bearnaise and mayonnaise were basically the same thing. So much for French sauces.... Wow... I know we weren't the only ones disappointed with our meals. A couple in their 80's enjoying what looked to be their anniversary were also rudely told that the coquilles st jauques are not served in a shell... I'm sorry... Doesn't coquilles mean shells? Sorry for the long rant, but we truly loved this place once... Sad.
(1)
Lisa P.
The food was lovely and homey. The decor is horribly appropriate! I love how it hasnt been updated in like FOREVER. Feels very authentic as if you are in a small village in France. Service could be slightly faster and would like better bread and wine glasses... WE will be back!
(5)
Sarah M.
Chez Nous, thank you for the most amazing date I have had in a long time! The ambiance immediately set the mood for an intimate, comfortable evening. Every single employee was courteous, friendly, and concerned that my boyfriend and I were enjoying all aspects of our meal. My boyfriend had the veal scallopini - "it deserved every penny. Good blend of flavors. Very rich. Easy to tell that this restaurant cares about their quality of ingredients and salt content in each dish. What I appreciated most was how well the waiter did with helping us find a good wine and gave us several options to taste and made sure we had the right choice to suit our dinner. I was surprised to find this quality of French cuisine to be about $50 less than I was expecting for everything that we indulged in." I had scallops- they were tender, flavorful, and buttery smooth. I've never had a scallop where the weight of the fork cut it right down the middle. Exceptionally cooked.
(5)
Beth J.
Very expensive -- three of us each ordered from the Prix Fixe menu and shared a bottle of $30 wine. Came to about $50 a piece minus tips. But it was probably one of the best meals I've ever had. I will probably go there again. The place itself is tiny and cozy and on this night was kind of loud and busy. Staff was attentive, though I didn't understand having a different waitperson each time they came around. But that must be how they do it. We went here on a whim, it was a place my Super Shuttle drove by on the way to the hotel. So we just tried it. We were quite pleased!
Really great food and at a realistically affordable price. I am generally reluctant to try out "fancy" restaurants on a student budget, but am so glad I was introduced to this place. Try them for lunch! The crepes are phenomenal! Also, I cannot stay away from the creme brulee.
(5)
Austin A.
Fantastic! The food was great as was the service. Although the waitstaff was running around like mad men, they took very good care of us and made sure we had everything we needed/desired.
(5)
Ian L.
I was disappointed. Probably my most disappointing 4.5 star experience. Yelpers I feel you let me down. Value for money, 4. Quality 3. Service 4.5. I had high hopes for a 4.5 rated place. Unfortunately the food was not quite up to 4 star even. It was good enough, but I just can't give it 4. The Spinach crepe- spinach wasn't as fresh as it could have been, was a little too salty. There are excellent crepe places in NYC and even Chicago, which puts this one to shame. It's by no means bad, just inferior. Duck leg was a little too salty also. Still, was decent and good value. Service is excellent and very attentive; perhaps the dinner Prix fixe would be better.
(3)
William B.
Watch out for the added gratuity! The gratuity is added to EVERY order. Furthermore, the bill is handwritten, to make it more authentic, I'm guessing. However, this makes it easy to overlook the added gratuity, which -- shame on me -- I did. I can only say the wait staff is well remunerated if others make the same mistake I did. No wonder they're so friendly The fare is the sort of fare you would expect at this sort of place. Consistently good, but not stellar; decent quality French cuisine in a provincial American city. For me, the cost exceeds the quality by a tad, but many seem to think it fully worthwhile. You pays your money and you makes your choice, comme on dit. Just make sure you know what you're paying for. I, for one, will not choose Chez Nous again, where the business practices are more subtle than the flavors.
A nice little place... we went for lunch. It isn't a showy place with the energy of say Justine's; it is much more quaint, and fairly inexpensive (at least for lunch). While I liked the place, the food I ordered--at least for lunch (a seafood crepe)--didn't blow me away; although the chocolate mousse was pretty awesome, as well as the wine I had. I'd likely give the place 3.5 stars if possible since it was pretty overall good and had a unique atmosphere. Once I try the place for dinner, I will see if we can't bump it up.
I really wanted to like this place, but it's not as great as the reviews make it out to be. I went last night with my boyfriend, and the service was awful. There was no one to seat us so we had to stand their awkwardly for a while. We finally flagged someone down and were seated. Then we waited a good 15 minutes for someone to come take our orders. The restaurant is tiny and was not super busy, so we should not have waited that long. Finally got to order, and the waitress was horrible. I asked to explain some of the wines and what some of the things on the menu were, and she was pretty rude about it. I felt like she was looking down on me for not knowing how they prepared their food. If you are going to charge so much for food, make sure your staff is courteous to the customers. Finally ordered our food. By the way, took almost an hour to get it. We did the Fixed Price menu, and let me tell you, it is NOT worth $32 dollars. I ordered Pate, and I am not sure what I got but that was NOT traditional Pate. I am from Europe and that's a common dish we eat with out bread. So not sure what they were serving. My boyfriend got the flank steak, which was super chewy and very hard to swallow without choking. Worst quality meat. My salmon tasted very fishy so I just didn't eat it. I get salmon a lot, and this place can not cook their fish very well. The waitress would not let us order our deserts at the same time we ordered our food. She literally said "You can order that later" even though we already KNEW what we wanted! When we ordered our desert later, she tried really hard to make us get something that was not included on the Fixed Price menu so she could charge us more. I got a little upset and said "No, we are sticking with the Fixed Price options." We ordered Flan and Mousse. Again, not worth the money. The Flan tasted very eggy and the mouse tasted like normal chocolate pudding. This was the worst meal at a so called "Romantic and Fancy" restaurant I have EVER had. And trust me, I go out to restaurants A LOT. I've gotten better service at food trucks. Safe to say, I will NOT be back. Learn how to treat your customers please.
(1)
Marty D.
Ate here on a Thursday. We were sat right away, but it took a while for the appetizers and drinks order to be taken. Overall the food was outstanding, I would definitely go back again. Service is the only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars. If I'm paying $100.13 plus tip for a meal, I'd like to not wait too long for my order to be taken.
(4)
Josh F.
Food is 5 stars, service is 4.5 stars. Atmosphere is 4 stars. Foods all that matters so please go here with a loved one and enjoy yourself. By the, price is 3.5 star.
(4)
Nathalie M.
This had to have been THE (not "one of the") worst diner I have EVER had! The food was cold, the bread was barely to the level of fresh wonder bread, the wine pours was definitely a French pour, which there is nothing wrong with that, but then adjust your price! There is nothing French about Chez Nous other than the name! The service was horrible! And when you are excited when clients sit down and do not stay just don't scream out loud "Yeah" That sums it up!
(1)
G K.
Lovely staff and atmosphere, food was not worth almost $40 a plate. Scallops had good flavor but came out slightly cold in the center, boyfriend's duck had very thick, chewy skin that detracted from the deliciousness of the rest.
(3)
Jen H.
We were here for lunch, so crepes seemed like a no brainer. I got the ham and cheese crepe with an egg. It was delightful and perfectly cooked. My lunch partner got the seafood crepe with cream and I coveted her order when it arrived. It had great seafood in it (it would have been sad if it was mostly filler fish). The crab and salmon were tasty and fresh. The restaurant could use some updating but it doesn't need it as long as the food stays authentic.
(4)
Deb E.
My boyfriend took me here on a whim and it was great. But, unfortunately I can't give it 5 stars...it was lacking somewhere and neither him nor I could put our finger on it, but "something" was definitely missing. The taste of the food was great, but maybe it was the lack of any sides with the pricey main dishes? Cute little place, nice staff, but I don't see us returning. Especially with the abundance of places to choose from, that offer a bit more with a meal.
(3)
Jye T.
I have been here 4 times now. Each meal has been equally amazing. I've tasted most of the menu now and it really is all great. There are low cost wine options too that are great.
(5)
Marie-Amelie L.
Cameron at Chez Nous finally did get back to us, refund the extra tip, and apologize nicely. Thanks!
One of my favorite restaurants in Austin. Food has been consistently good. Love the prix fixe menu.
(5)
Michael H.
I'm a 30 year fan of this fantastic restaurant. It's as close to the authentic French feel as any restaurant in Austin. It's cozy, quiet, and the food is delicious. It's my "go to" favorite for a restaurant that invites leisurely conversation enjoyed over excellent food and drink. If you're in a rush, you've probably come to the wrong place. I love the fact that I can take all the time in world and enjoy a two hour meal in the French style. The fixed price 3 course meal is always perfect. And when I want a slightly upscale lunch and have a little time, that's also pretty special. I've enjoyed 3 decades of meals with no poor experiences and no surprises and I'm an obvious fan. The portions are sensible in a French kind of way. The courses are delivered at just the right pace and given the irresistible French bread and butter, I'm always satisfied and then some. (And stuffed if I get the escargot.) The wait staff is casual, unfussy, but always dependable in my experience. Perfect French bistro really. And, all things considered, easily my restaurant in Austin.
(5)
jack d.
Just went tonight for dinner. Looked at Yelp earlier today and found two reviews from two days ago noting the service was poor. We found service was great, very attentive, so maybe they read the reviews too! Food was tasty, escargot and warm goat cheese on bagets. My wife had the scallops and they were outstanding with a wonderful sauce. I had the salmon and it was good. The profiteroles for dessert was great....haven't have that since my last trip to paris about 8 years ago. We will definitely go again.
We just happened to walk up upon this restaurant while looking for a place to eat dinner. Jackpot! This place had delicious food! My meal started off with white bean with bacon soup then my entree was a beef flank steak. Don't know how they cooked the flank steak but it was cooked to perfection. Flank steak can be a tough meat but the way they cooked made it surprisingly tender. At our table, one person had sweetbreads, another the filet, and another the lamb chops. We all loved our dishes and had nothing but positives things to say. Also very pleased with the service! They are extremely attentive but not overbearing at all! Nothing is worse than being at a restaurant and asking for something and the response is "Let get your waiter/waitress." Loved how their servers just walk around and see how they can help people and aren't territorial to tables.
Consistently great food, and for fine dining... pretty darn affordable. We brought three of our own wines and paid the corkage fee. For four people, the bill came to $258. Service was pleasant and unobtrusive. There are a few bad reviews, but maybe they went on a bad night. I will say that I've come here several times and never had a bad experience. Great restaurant. Seriously, this is a Woohoo! As good as it gets!
(5)
Sunil R.
Was excited to eat here after seeing the great reviews. The area itself is a little shady with some questionable folks hanging around outside. But once you get that and into the restaurant, it is really cozy and homey. Service seemed a little inconsistent. Looked like they were playing zone defense and 3 different waiters served our table which was a little confusing. Our primary guy was French and nice. I got the Menu Du Jour. The bread and fresh butter was good. The gazpacho was really good and ended up scraping the bottom of the bowl to make sure I got it all. The steak was a disappointment, it was a tough and I did not finish it. The sides that came with it good. The chocolate mousse was OK. Looked like most of the customers are regulars based on the hugs they got from the employees. Got to listen to some interesting conversations at the next table which involved millions of dollars abroad and tax shelters etc. Don't think I will be back, there are too many other restaurants in Austin that I need to try out when I visit.
(3)
Jo M.
I love this restaurant. This is one of the best in Austin. if you love French food, this is the place to go. Quality wine, food is guaranteed. The ambiance is a like a small, quaint restaurant in Paris.
(5)
Mel W.
Adorable, quaint little romantic restaurant in the middle of hectic downtown. Great place for a french cuisine with one person or a group(if the group is more than four call ahead). Slow paced like any good European establishment. Food was great! At first I thought I am going to be starving after this meal because the portions looked super small but they were just the right size. Each dish has wonderful taste and not over seasoned. And they have awesome creme brulee. And the service was delightful!
(5)
Melinda L.
Chez Nous is by far my favorite restaurant in Austin. I can seriously say that I've never had better food in my entire life! I recently spoke to my sister about this restaurant - unfortunately, I couldn't remember the name because it's French; well, she immediately said the name and said she's never had anything better in her entire life either. It's absolutely orgasmic!
(5)
Gracie E.
Yummy food, the snails were bomb.
(4)
Courtney S.
What a charming little down-to-earth but elegant place! We came here on a Sunday night for my husband's 30th birthday dinner. It was a wonderful spot for a romantic dinner. We got the prix-fixe menu and at $25 a person it was WELL worth it! The salad I had as a starter was great, my husband's salmon pate was excellent, the mains of beef and trout were excellent and oh yum, the desserts divine! It's not Spago, but then it doesn't pretend to be, and the food is still wonderful. We asked for a wine recommendation and were guided to something exactly like we'd described for only $30! It was really good, too. Including our wine and meals (but not tip) it was under $100! Woot! Our service was kind of spotty, albeit friendly. Most embarrassing for me was when I noted that the music in the background sounded like NPR's "The World" and two of the staff (one of our servers and a hostess) said "it's not just you-- this IS the music they use!" We had a good laugh about that! Our server(s) had a good rapport with us, even if we weren't sure who was coming to serve us when! All in all, highly recommend this place for a nice but not super fancy romantic dinner.
(4)
Carina J.
I went here with my mom for her birthday dinner. The restaurant itself was quant and I like that it had a casual feel. The bread and butter they bring out to the table - delicious! My mom and I both got the Menu du Jour. You get a soup, salad, or pate with an entree of your choice (three different ones to choose from) and a dessert for $27.50. The food itself? It was comme ci comme ça. I really enjoyed the soup of the day. It was a cream of corn soup. It was so tasty! I had the pork chop for my entree. I wasn't so impressed with it. It was just average, a bit small, and too pink for my taste. I had the creme caramel for dessert. It was alright. All in all I'd say this restaurant is alright, but for the price of the food I was expecting something fantastic.
(3)
Mimich W.
I love Chez Nous, this pleasant little French Bistro! It's one of my favorite restaurant in Austin! I've been there about 8 times. The perfect place to celebrate an intimate birthday, a first anniversary or just to get together with your friends. You get in and you can feel the "chaleureux" and romantic ambiance right away! The staff is always smiling, polite and very knowledgeable. Ask for Jacques the wine guy. And Clementine is such a kind waitress. Pierre will make you laugh with his good humour! It's a small place. As soon as they open at 6pm, the place is filled. The next service is around 8h30. You can make a reservation for a 6 people party and +. Make sure you get there a little earlier to find a parking Everytime I go there I order the escargot. Delicious! The Prix Fix Menu is very affordable! For 25$ you get an appetizer, an entre and a desert. Try the souffl au cholocat! Don't leave without having a glass of wine! They have a great wine selection. This French restaurant is definitely amazing! Very constant and always satisfy when I leave... And they speach French!!! Bon appetit mon ami!
(5)
Catherine Y.
Lovely, simply lovely!! I fell in love with this place once I stepped in. Pierre (friend told me he is the owner) was giving us the best service you could get in town. We had 3 plates of different Pate (one of them is on the house) and plenty of good wine to share. If you go there with an empty stomach try to get the Menu Du Jour, it is a 3 course meal for $25 and that, my friend, it is pretty darn good for downtown dining. Another note is the Escargots cooked with herbs and mushroom. Don't miss that. You will be speechless once you have a couple of them. End the meal with a cup of delicious Espresso, it's heavenly.
(5)
Carolyn S.
Hubby & I chose Chez Nous to celebrate our 24th Anniversary. Arrived on Saturday evening, just before 6pm opening, so no wait. From the moment you enter, you are welcomed by just about all the staff. Everyone is friendly and polite. Pricing is fair for the quality & presentation of the food. We got the "daily special", where you get 3 courses for @ $25. Everything was well prepared. The sauce with the salmon was amazing!! We will definitely be back! Thanks for a memorable anniversary dinner!
(5)
DONNA V.
Their appetizer, entree and dessert combo was excellent! The chef came to visit us after the entree and described where the recipe originated and how everything was cooked. The service was excellent and afterward they gave us a $10 gift card towards our next visit.
(5)
Alon B.
Austin is VERY lucky to have this little gem in downtown. I've been coming to Chez Nous for years and every single meal I have had there has been amazing. Not only that, but for the quality of the food and the wines the price is VERY reasonable. A lot of nicer restaurants will make sure that you can't get a decent bottle of wine for less than $120 or so, but CN has many wonderful wines, especially Bordeaux, that can be bought for $45-60 a bottle. I love this place for lunch, a date, or any time you really want a great meal. I know that inevitable comparisons will be drawn to Aquarelle so I will save you some questions: * If you want to really impress your date Aquarelle is a better spot. The ambiance is incredible, its very romantic, and the service is first rate. * If you just want a great meal with superior food, go to Chez Nous. The feel is more relaxed and less formal.
(5)
laura G.
Disclaimer: I have a picture of Julia Child inside one of my kitchen cabinets for inspiration. Thus, I am inclined to enjoy an unpretentious, hearty French meal in a restaurant that makes you feel as if every table in it is beside the hearth. Lucky for me, Austin has just that restaurant in Chez Nous. Chez Nous offers authentic French food presented in a straightforward manner with an accessible wine list. The staff is helpful, but keeps a distance so that food and your company is the focus of the evening, not them. Though when asked, they are extremely helpful. I've been several times and I will say that the lamb is absolutely outstanding - the second best I've ever had (York St. in Dallas hold the number one spot). Why 4 instead of 5 stars? One waitress was slightly rude to my father (I sensed it, not sure he did- silly him, he asked a question). I realize this contradicts the earlier "unpretentious" remark, but I think it's a fluke. Nonetheless, for my father I must knock one star off. Also, the dessert menu could fare a tad bit better. What makes Chez Nous special are the little touches: carrying your bar tab over to the table; pate prepared in-house; consistently good food and a $25 price fixed menu option. Enjoy!
(4)
Ashley A.
Chez Nous has a whole lot going for it. It's a haven of French accents and country charm on an otherwise Tex-Mex-and-beer-soaked stretch of 6th Street. Its warm, wood interior with kind but slightly-inattentive staff is, in fact, a near-perfect replica of a French countryside auberge---right down to the hand-printed wine-by-the-glass list, the astoundingly affordable daily menu, and the hum of a full (but not too full) dining room of content patrons. But the food. How should I say? Je ne l'aime pas. Now, I think it's hard-to-impossible to distinguish food from ambiance in some circumstances---and French countryside auberges, even this fake one, are certainly in that category. I was in love with the place from the moment I saw four---yes, four---different types of pate on the menu. But although French style is consistent, there is a distinct lack of stereotypically French culinary care: the pate sounds delectable but is in fact dry; the fish is greviously overcooked; the sauces are a bit thin. It was the bread, though, that really jolted me back to reality from my Loire-valley daydream. The bread at Chez Nous is an embarassment to the baguette: a bland, cottony, crust-less close-cousin of Wonderbread. And although I've long since given up on finding a great baguette in Austin, the poor one at Chez Nous pierced me through the heart---representing a total lack of attention to the perfect execution of simple food and, thereby, exemplifying all that is deeply un-French about Chez Nous.
(3)
Marco F.
There are three reasons to go out to eat: For great ambiance........check For great service.....check plus For great food.....Double check 6th street is not the place you usually go to feel at home but this place breaks the mold. There's something to be said for a restaurant to have made it this long in the turn and burn frat mecca that is 6th. For me to brave the ball caps and khaki shorts to go out on the town you must put forth something extra-ordinary and they do. In 10 years I have never had a single bad experience here,that's rare considering we ate here every Sunday for quite sometime. As good as the food is, and it is exquisite, the atmosphere tops it. Many restaurants put tons into producing a feel or a look but to naturally exude this is rare. The decor, the staff, the food make for a quaint humble restaurant worth every penny. Go, trust me you will be treated like a regular and your 3 or 4 course meal will hit the spot and then some.
(5)
Jaye B.
I adore French food, however, I don't eat it often as it's so rich. But, when I want a good bistro meal, Chez Nous is the place to go. For pate fans, Chez Nous makes some beautiful country pates. If you like escargot, I'd have to say these are some of the best I've eaten, and the bread is wonderful as well. Some people on Chowhound complain about the snootiness of the staff, but I've yet to encounter anything like that from Chez Nous. Like Jen says, it doesn't try to be anything it's not. It's a straight-up, very reasonably priced French bistro, something I actually wish we had more of in Austin.
(5)
chiwowow r.
Cher Chez Nous, Je t'adore...aujourd'hui, hier, et demain...toujours. Bisouxxx, Chi
(5)
John C.
I feel like it is my duty to lower the rating of this restaurant. This restaurant is probably one of the most over-rated places I have eaten. I went on a Friday night and it was half empty. I got the 3 course meal and so did my girlfriend so I was able to try 2 appetizers, 2 entries, and 2 desserts. This was the first French restaurant I've been to. I have heard great things about French food. While eating the food there, I often thought to myself... what would Gordon Ramsay say about this dish and if his food actually taste like the food I'm tasting. I would have to say he would be disappointed. Here's what I tried: Appetizer: Some cold soup - Eh... nothing special Pate maison - I realized I hate pate Dinner: Pork loin with raspberry chutney sauce - Eh.. kind of plain. Meat was cooked nicely though Squab with some other kind of sauce - Nothing special. Sauce was some sort of tomato based sauce. Wasn't that great. Dessert: Chocolate Mousse - Had better. Tastes like traditional mousse Creme Caramel - Pretty good. I enjoyed this For $26.50x2 + tip + tax... I expected a lot more than this. I expected the food to blow me away. The food was so so. Too expensive for how it tastes. Maybe I just ordered the wrong dishes, but their food is NOTHING special.
(2)
Jenna R.
Went here with the boyfriend for date night and it was amazing! The food was absolutely perfect and the atmosphere reminded us of Paris. I wish we could afford to come here more often.
(5)
Sebastian P.
I really love this place and have always enjoyed dining here. Chez Nous has an ambience that is authentically French; Small yet cozy with a tastefully understated decor and knowledgeable waitstaff, giving it a relaxed yet elegant character. I am always pleased with the menu and the consistent care and creativity that goes into each dish. The waitstaff is generally pleasant and helpful and I have yet to experience the stereotypical "snooty French waiter" at Chez Nous. I did however have the unfortunate experience of coming across a genuinely unhappy and condescending manager here after politely expressing my disappointment over a substandard dish. Her confrontational tone and judgemental manner were highly uncharactaristic of an otherwise exceptional restaurant. Once her coworkers righted the situation the artificial smile she flashed me for the rest of the evening was unfortunately bona fide American trash. She cost Chez Nous a couple of stars but I will certainly be back!
(3)
Cheryl C.
I chose the prix fixe menu the last two times I went and while I cannot recall the entrees I ordered (must have not been anything remarkable), I do remember the pate maison and the chocolate mouse being quite good. It's a little expensive, but a nice place to go if you want classic french cuisine.
Went here looking specifically for beef tri tip and fries. They happened to have chateauloin on the price fix menu and were happy to make me some fries, so all was perfect. Also had tea instead of wine, and I really couldn't get enough. It was terrific and they were very accommodating. I go here often and will continue with such amazing food and service.
(5)
Sara K.
My fiance and I share a wonderful memory of Chez Nous. This restaurant is just lovely. The atmosphere reminds me of a cute little bistro I visited in Paris. The food is excellent. However, be aware that it is French = on the heavier, buttery side - something I LOVE. My fiance and I loved everything from the bread starter to the desserts. One downside is that it is a smaller restaurant with an intimate atmosphere and many people stay for long meals (reminiscent of European meals) so there can be a wait.
(5)
Harry B.
If you like a romantic French atmosphere, this is the place to go. The food is great, the service is good, and like in France, you can take your titme after dinner before you leave without being bothered.
(5)
Nadia D.
Went for my husband's birthday and we both got the fixed price menu. The pate was average, my steak was fine, hubby's fish was pretty good, chocolate mousse left a lot to be desired, but the caramel dessert was delicious. Out waitress had horrible french pronunciation which kind of took away from the authentic feel I was hoping to get. Overall, I think it's a good deal but the dining experience felt more automated bordering on sloppy as opposed to unique and extraordinary. Guess that's our own fault for going for the fixed price. Don't get me wrong, we'll be back but maybe at the rate of once every couple of years. The interior did remind me of being in Paris however which makes it fully enjoyable on its own.
Lovely intimate place. Tasty food, great service, and I love that the waiter is from New Mexico, or some deserty place. Nothing seems stuffy, just relaxed, like a very nice, well-made, antique chair.
(4)
Angelos P.
We have been dining here for years and we have never been disappointed. Great combination of: atmosphere + tasty food + friendly service + reasonable pricing = Great Value.
(5)
Molly W.
I took my boyfriend here for a birthday dinner, and we both had a delightful experience. Because they don't take reservations for parties under 5, we assumed the wait wouldn't take too long (we should've expected it as it was on a Saturday night). We thought we'd pass the time by enjoying a cocktail at the bar. The wait was nearly 20 minutes, and this wouldn't have bothered me if there were stools by the bar. We felt awkward standing in front of the room, and since the aisle between the bar and tables was very narrow, we felt like we were in the way of the hustle and bustle. However, when the bartender, who I believe was the owner, greeted us with thick French accent and poured us two glasses of Kir Royale (Crème de Cassis and Champagne), I found myself feeling far more relaxed. Everything that followed can only be described as a blur from which I emerged fulfilled in all dimensions--physical, emotional, and spiritual. My only disappointment was the Escargot which, to my surprise, already shelled when it reached our table. Some may actually prefer this, but as a seafood purist and an adventurous eater, half of the fun is removing the shells yourself and sucking the juices out. Oh well. While I complained about the wait earlier, I did very much appreciate the longer than usual wait between courses. There is an endless supply of bread and butter to fuel the conversation, which naturally happens when there is enough time between courses for you to process and discuss the experience with your dinner companion. If you are going for the first time, try the pre-fixed menu (3 courses for just $25) for a sample of their creativity and quality.
(4)
carla c.
Why this place continues to fall off my radar, I'll never know. I went with friends to celebrate a Bastille Day birthday last night, after not having been for at least 3 years. We went early, expecting a Bastille Day crowd, and got right in. I had worked myself up to ordering off of their regular menu, the Salade Lyonnaise and Trout Meuniere, but they had a special menu for the holiday, and no prix fixe. (The prix fixe is highly affordable, especially considering the outstanding quality of the food.) One in my party ordered the Duck, a combo of preparations, leg confit and breast. The duck was perfect. The birthday girl ordered the Sole stuffed with mushrooms in a Cremant Buerre Blanc. It was outstanding. I ordered the Filet and it was beyond perfect. We shared all around so we could taste everything, and were all quite happy. The vegetables are the same with each entree, carrots, a tomato something stuffed into a zuchinni tower, and baby carrots. Not memorable, but also not really necessary. Birthday girl had the Pavlova for dessert and liked it, I didn't taste it. The service was decidedly French, which we expected and the atmosphere hasn't changed since I first went to Chez Nous years ago. Comfortable, casual and charming as ever.
(5)
craig b.
I had the prix fixe menu; it seemed to be a good value. The cold soups were amazing. I was not blown away by the wine selection. We will return.
(4)
randall s.
My wife and I have been going to Chez Nous for years, even before we were married. It's still our go-to for any special occasion or just when we need a little "mini vacation." The ambience is real and real cute and real romantic. The staff is some of the nicest in town. And the food is, well, fantastic. If you're new, try the price-fixed menu with the app, entree and dessert all for one price. It usually includes a steak, and a couple of fish offerings, plus a soup, salad, or pate and mousse or creme brulee. But sometime, you must have the escalopes de veau panees or the steak bearnaise or au poivre. (Steak bearnaise comes with fries at lunch and they are the best fries in town!) Great wine list too. And if you are ever there when they have cheesecake as a dessert special, GET IT!!!
(5)
Lizzie C.
I went there for the first time on May 28, 2008. There was no wait, we went on a Wednesday evening at around 7:30pm and we were promptly seated. We did had to wait a while for someone to stop by and help us out with the menu and to bring us our wine. But after that, they were pretty prompt about their service. We had their prix fixe menu and had their special of the day, which was grilled salmon that was draped with a cream based sauce made from crab. It was quite delicious, I split it with my boyfriend and we were both pretty full. We also ordered their appetizers. We had something that was similar to bruschetta. We had their salad with a light vingarette dressing on it. Oh my gosh, it was absolutely delicious! :) It was one of the best salad Ive had in a while! :) Their desserts was really good, we had the chocolate truffle, and it came with coffee and espresso. I do love the atmosphere of it, very cozy and definitely very romantic. My boyfriend and I came on our anniversary. For college students like ourselves, that place is a bit over-priced for the amount of food that was being served.
(4)
Happy O.
I went there with a friend who knew the owner so suffice to say we did have really really good service. I had the filet medallions and I sorry to say that I have no idea what my friend had because I was so engrossed in my dinner. The place has an interesting decor and while some people want to say the inside did not remind me of being in France. But with that being said the service was good, the food was great and I left this place not feeling hungry at all. If you want a place that is upbeat, with solid cooking then make this place part if your list. It is a bit pricey so if you are on a budget make this a place for a special occasion.
(3)
lauren F.
A place I like to go when I just want a good simple meal, simple service, and vino. I love that the pre fixe is only $25 bucks 3 courses. I really liked the shrimp and crab dish with large perfectly cooked shrimp, and some fresh crab in a burre blanc! Other faves are the salad lyonaise great for lunch. Or the Trout with parsley butter. I have not had any thing bad here ever. Very Consistent.
(5)
Ryan B.
Went on a Sunday nite and was able to get street parking nearby--always a bonus. Opted for the 3-course menu de jour which had a choice of a peppercorn beef tendorloin (with a lamb substitute option), a lemon butter trout and a snapper with lump crab meat and cream sauce. A fresh bauguette was cut up and brought to our table along with a very creamy butter. Ordered the baked goat cheese appetizer ($9.50) and it was good, but a lil on the pricy side for 4-crostini's. The salads were served next with a light dressing. The field greens looked to be very fresh which is more than i can say for alot of places. We split the beef tenderloin and trout entrees. I think the beef is probly the better of the two. Steak was seared well on the outside and cooked to specification (i'm always surprised when that happens). Peppercorn rub was tasty...slightly on the salty side, but I'm a fan of sodium. The trout in the white cream sauce was a little bland for me. no other herbs visible. It tasted fine, but i would probly opt for something else next time. The sides were the same for all the entrees: sauteed green beans, potato gallette type things, and pan seared tomato. Sides were average I'd say. But all the ingredients were very fresh. Dessert was caramel custard and a crepe with apple filling. I thought the custard was really good...served cold and it had a very flavorful caramel taste but wasn't overly sweet. Overall, i think for the price, it's a good deal. The ingredients were fresh and the place is very cozy. I'll take casual french over any snooty cousins anyday.
(4)
Dan K.
Love it. Great brasserie feel. Food is excellent. Service is nice.
(5)
chiu t.
To me it is pretty traditional French restaurant. Nothing is very exciting to me. The food was okay.
(3)
Eric H.
This place has been one of my favorites for more than a decade. While I really like the food here (duck pate, rustic pork pate, salade lyonnaise, the prix fixe menu, the profiterole), it's the service and the atmosphere that transport me. The small tables are close together, but somehow the space seems convivial rather than crowded; the waitstaff is uber-friendly and always attentive (some are even French); the bread (not the best as other reviewers will tell you) perfect for the enormous slab of French butter they dish up--I've just decided that's the point since decent baguette is rare in this town. We always feel welcomed and warmed by this place--both of our first experiences with French food. Since those early days we have had some fabulous meals across France, but nothing feels as "a la maison" to me.
(5)
Stacy F.
Wow. I can't believe I had lived in Austin for 6 years before finding this great place. Chez Nous is now one of my favorite places in Austin and a great place for a date night or a casual meal. I like to get the prix fixe at around 26 dollars it is a pretty good deal. I like not feeling ripped off. Everyone that I have come into contact with that works there has been really sweet and helpful. Creme brulee is great. The steak is great. MMm the pate is awesome. This restaurant feels like Austin 10-15 years ago did...real people, not pretentious. Great.
(4)
Mike M.
I've been eating here for over 25 years and it's still my favorite restaurant in Austin. Unpretentious, but honest and very good French bistro food. A decent, if not terribly ambitious wine list. But the place just reeks of personal care, pride, and authenticity. The only reason I wouldn't give it five stars is that the food, while very, very good for bistro food, is ultimately bistro food. It is not haute cusine or anything terribly creative or intellectually challenging. But i'ts great filling, soul stirring chow. What more could you ask for at this price point.
(4)
Dave C.
Nice French bistro setting. Friendly and efficient service. The salmon was very delicious. Highly recommended for authentic French cuisines.
(5)
Meghan L.
If I want to give myself a treat I will eat or should I say escape at Chez Nous. What is there not to love. The atmosphere, the service and did I mention the food...melting slowly in my mouth I find that I have an out of body experience when tasting the superb creations. My mouth is spoiled since the day it tasted the wonders that are created in the kitchen of Chez Nous.
(5)
Hugo S.
This is fine for French in Austin. I havent gone in a year, last time I got sick from the venison. Doubt I'll go back.
(2)
Douglas P.
Hands down one of the best French restaurants in Texas. Inside is not overly pretentious and makes you feels like your in southern France. Food is always spectacular. One of the top restaurants in Austin.
(5)
Karen S.
I loved the salad with poached egg on top, salmon, and yummy deserts. My friends tomato basil soup was amazing and his trout spectacular. Great service in a relaxed family atmosphere!
(5)
Heidi L.
I know everybody else thinks this restaurant is so great, but the one and only time I went there, I had a horrible experience. I was greatly disappointed. First of all, they don't take reservations for parties smaller than 6, so we waited one and a half hours to be seated. When we finally got a table, it took at least five minutes before we even got water or any other kind of attention from waitstaff. 20 minutes later, we finally got to order. Although we got some really delicious French bread to munch on while we waited, it took over an hour (I am really not exaggerating here) to get our food. I kept flagging down waitstaff to see why it was taking so long, but all I got was "Your order is the next ticket" about 5 times. Meanwhile, everybody else in the restaurant (including people that got there after us) was enjoying their meals. Maybe since I'm a vegetarian I should have known not to go to Chez Nous, but the "vegetable plate" that I ordered was no more than a couple of sauteed pieces of squash with some butter on them and some potato/biscuit thingies. It was not a good meal, it was not good service, it was very expensive, and it was NOT worth the wait.
(1)
Amy B.
One of the better restaurants in Austin- it has great food, it is quaint, it is reasonably priced and is a great date spot. I can't think of a better place for French food.
(5)
minnie p.
I ain't gonna lie. This place was a wee bit intimidating from the moment i walked in. I mean I'm no food or wine connoisseur and the waitstaff just seemed like they were. But that's all they were: knowledgeable about the menu, honest, and friendly....no hint of pretention whatsoever. In addition, they were very encouraging of any questions. In fact, I inquired about a dish of veal sweetbreads and the waiter was nice enough to admit that it was "for the adventurous". I didn't receive some sort of generalized answer like "it's good", and that kind of honesty is hard to find from a waiter. I love that this restaurant is in a dingy nook off of 6th street but you'd never know it from the inside. Fresh flowers on the table: plus. Maybe it's a girl thing. French waiters: plus. Again, girl thing. The food is quite scrumptious, although some dishes are a bit heavy for my taste. Their fixed price three-course option is pretty much the best idea ever. An appetizer, entree, and dessert for $25 is a steal at such a classy joint, in my opinion. I highly recommend the Trout in Rose sauce. Melts in yr mouth. Salmon Pate on crusty bread was unexpectedly delightful. Don't even get me started on the Chocolate Mousse. Much as you would expect, you're highly encouraged to eat and drink the day away without being bothered. It's nice to just sit and chat without worrying about the next place you're going right? And they understand that. However if you are in a hurry, make sure to let someone know you're ready for the check because they'd let you sit there forever just to keep from being impolite. Can't wait to go back.
(5)
B H.
I love Chez Nous. It's not real "Austin" but it's a REAL GOOD French restaurant, not formal or pretentious, but rather homey and soothing.
(5)
Kenna T.
i feel bad for not being able to give this more stars, because the yelpers seem to love this place, but this was just ok to me. i feel like the service was slow and we had a different wait person for each delivery/removal, and while i do appreciate not being rushed i feel like we were simply ignored. the side show of the couple making out and holding each other's heads in their hands was bizarre. i think they were doing it for a reaction. not sure if they wanted laughter, but that's what they got from me and my date. odd that.
(3)
Donya S.
I LOVE this place! It is my favorite restaurant in town for a romantic evening or a fun dinner with a small group of friends. The food is always incredible. The staff is friendly and attentive. The ambiance is beautiful and casual and wonderful! And, they have a great wine list! And lunch, too! I cannot say enough about how wonderful Chez Nous is.
(5)
Mike D.
While not the most amazing meal I've had, or even close, I'm not sure if I've ever paid so little for good, sincere French food. $25 got me a an embarassing amount of bread, potato leek soup, steak frites, some roasted tomatoes and a creme caramel. All of it was quite good.
(4)
Tanya P.
Love this place. Perfect for date night. Romantic, great food, good service. Five stars for sure.
(5)
V C.
Really amazing food and good service. I dine here on special occasions and it helps make the occasion memorable. Every dish I've had here was top quality. Some things were well done but didn't suit my tastes such as their duck pâte. Their desserts are very delicious and the wine is reasonably priced for a restaurant. They will not rush you out the door so you can take your time eating and conversing. Only bad thing is the place is really small and gets crowded and noisy. Come early or be prepared to wait a while.
(5)
Isabelle K.
I heard a lot of good things about Chez Nous. But the dishes are too bland to me.
(3)
David D.
It's almost too nice to call it a bistro. This casual French restaurant with fair prices is very refreshing. The interior is most certainly French-themed, but not noticably tied to a specific era. They have a nice, though small wine list. I would have preferred it if the wine were just a few degrees cooler, but it was good. The prix fixe menu is a really good deal. The entrees were moderately sized and the salad was generous. The ruby trout was great. I thought the bread was pretty good and they keep it full. The pate maison turned out to be a choice of three styles. We tried the mousse and it, too, was generous. Service was very attentive, but not in your face. The ambiance is wonderful and it's hard to believe you are so close to 6th street. I like this place a lot. It's a great find, unpretentious, cozy, moderately priced and with excellent food. They are open until 10:30 PM, but closed on Monday.
(5)
EvaClaire A.
Amazing restraunt, but not enough vegetarian food for me.
(3)
Therese T.
Came here to celebrate my bf's mom's birthday. We had watched Julie and Julia the night before, so in maintaining the tradition came here. Alas there was no boeuf bourginone. Whatever: we had fun anyway. Some of us got the set menu, while I tried the duck pate and duck confit. The pate was delicious, the confit with cranberries and walnuts a bit too-Thanksgiving-esque for me. At home, my mom would have had the confit fried to a crisp and shredded, over rice and plum sauce: a Chinese take on it. Moving on. Bf's scallops with a cream sauce were amazing, and his dad's rack of lamb with mint jelly was amazing, too. For dessert, take note that creme de caramel is FLAN. Profiteroles were amazing--speaking as a non-profiterole lover; chocolate mousse was too intense for this chocoholic, actually just boring as there was no contrast! Bf's dessert of the apple crepe with Calvados was SCRUMPTIOUS; his sister also liked my creme brulee, although I found it lackluster. Ah well. This restaurant I can take or leave.
(3)
Marcy S.
I've always been a little bit afraid of French restaurants, mainly because what we know about the French but also because I'm a former vegetarian and finding non-animal entrees can be tres difficil (how do you fake write French). But now I'm embracing fish and let up on hidden meat so it was time to check out Chez Nous. I had heard about the relatively cheap pre fixe ($24) where you get 3 courses and though, the courses are small, they are delightful and very filling thanks to the butter. I had a rich red pepper bisque, sea bass with 2 big shrimp and a giant desert. Of course, wine is extra but when is it not? The place is homey, very casual, no reservations or need to look pretty. (although I like dress up places). At first, I thought Chez Nous is a great place to take parents (classy but not expensive) but then I remembered it is a French place. I would love to take someone else's parents there, though.
(4)
Amy H.
I've only been to Chez Nous twice, but both times were wonderful, so I just have to review it. This is a great place for a more expensive but not too expensive date, followed by a night on the town. My favorite thing about Chez Nous is the fixed price menu. You can get your choice of appetizer, soup or salad, a choice of entree, and a choice of dessert for $25. And the good thing is that each portion is not huge, so can you can actually consume all this food without making yourself sick. They also allow you to bring your own bottles of wine for a corking fee of $15 per bottle. This seems a little high to me, but I haven't been to a restaurant in Austin that charges less than $15 per bottle, so oh well. At least you can bring your own wine! For this particular visit, almost all of us had the fixed price menu, including my sister's boyfriend who is from France and thought the place was fantastic. The service was also very attentive - they were constantly filling us up with water and bread. If you like French food, this place is not to be missed in Austin!
(5)
Jamie F.
A friend took me here the day before my birthday. Every time we wandered down 6th I always said that I would like to try that place sometime. We called ahead of time, but they said that they didn't accept reservations, not a big deal right? The staff was pretty nice. They said the wait would be about 45 mins to and hour. I was cool with that and said we would just sit and drink wine at the bar, which we found had no bar stools so we stood. It was super crowded and noisy. So we waited and hour, then an hour and a half, and then 2 hours!! I could have been drunk by now if I drank faster. We were finally seated and ordered a second glass of wine. It never came though, so I had to get up and speak to the bartender. The food was alright. Not entirely worth the price in my opinion. The creme caramel was kind of tough and the trout totally looked and tasted like salmon. Chez Nous, you are not my type so I don't think you should ask me for a second date.
(3)
Tara H.
The Dinner and Drinks Club (7-8 of my closest girlfriends meet every month at a different restaurant) had an amazing time here a few weeks ago. The place was quaint, dark, crowded, but so chic and inviting. As hard as it was for me not to do my my rendition of the candlestick in Beauty and the Beast, I was able to refrain. My faux French would not have gone over well in such an authentic establishment. The staff was kind, patient, and more than willing to explain the menu as well as make recommendations. One particular server was French, and recommended two bottles of wine that were to die for. Four bottles later, after we devoured the decadent escargot, and had eaten off of each others plates, we were full, satisfied, and realized that almost 3 hours had passed. This was definitely a relaxed dining experience, perfect for catch up with friends or cuddling with a loved one. The fixed menu was really a steal. You get a choice of soup, salad, or pate, entree, and then a choice of dessert. The chocolate lover will die over the mousse. Believe me I did.
(5)
Carol L.
Definitely a great romantic spot. They have a great $25 dinner deal with 3 courses. It was absolutely amazing. Their salad had a touch of pouched egg and their bisque was creamy to perfection. The dessert was perfectly done. If you want a nice quiet dinner for two, the place is definitely it. The service is so wonderful and the food unforgettable for the price.
(5)
John G.
One the the truly great meals I've ever eaten in Austin. I cannot wait to go back.
(5)
Mark P.
My favorite restaurant! Quaint. Unpretentious. Delicious. The food is always prepared perfectly. The meat and seafood from the venison to the salmon is cooked with such an attention to detail that a friend of mine wanted to eat here everyday. If you order the creme brulee it will have the perfect caramelized crust. Finally, the French owners never serve a bad wine, so don't feel inferior by ordering a bottle of the superior table wine.
(5)
gray v.
veal in tarragon sauce. again. i don't know what it is about austin, but vive la bourgeoisie!
(4)
Kate L.
Chez Nous is a quaint, remarkably authentic little french restaurant, surprising nestled among the more raucous 6th street strip. Their prix fixe menu makes sampling every course affordable. For $23 you can choose from salad Lyonnaise, soup, or pates maisons, followed by a option of three entrees, usually with a few fish dishes and a veal or pork. I had the Ruby Trout with raspberry sauce and it literally melted in my mouth. The fresh baguettes that kept magically appearing at my side made sure not a drop of sauce was left on the plate. Then when you think you can't eat any more, you must choose again between a rich creamy chocolate mousse, silky creme caramel, or the uber-french wedge of brie for dessert. Owned by long time French expats, who don't make you feel too terrible for mispronouncing everything on the menu, it's atmosphere is very laid back for easily the best French food I've eaten. Bon apetit.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : No Attire : Casual Ambience : Intimate Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Alison N.
Wow! That's how I'd describe my meal here. I was in town for the MotoGP races and was in search of a quality meal. I saw this place on Yelp and found it easily just off of 6th. There was a wait but the hostess offered to give us a call when our table was ready. Ok! So we walked 6th and checked out the local music scene. We eventually made our way back and were called shortly thereafter. We each got wine and settled on the escargot appetizer. They were buttery with button mushrooms and for someone that just doesn't do mushrooms...delicious - I ate every one. We then ordered - scallops for me (again with the mushrooms!) and bass for the hubs. My scallops were so good, mushrooms and all, that I am still talking about them a month later. Hubs was very impressed as well, although we both agree my scallops were better. Dessert was Creme Brulee for him and Iles Flottantes (meringues etc.) for me. To die for, if I must say. I am so glad I went outside of my box, enjoyed every last bite and wishing for more of Chez Nous.
(5)Eric A.
Always on the money - Never disappoints. Can't help but have a great time...plates go back to the kitchen CLEANED....wine is always excellent, service is always attentive and the price is right. This is one of my go-to's...
(5)Brian G.
Meh sums this place up for me. After hearing so much hype about this place from various friends, my wife and I finally tried this place and while it wasn't bad, I was definitely underwhelmed. I went here with my wife and we probably won't go back soon. The atmosphere definitely screams 40+ and the food is pretty expensive based on the portion size in my opinion. The best way I can describe this place is that if you're under 40, the only business you have coming here is to impress people with how cultured you are and how much you want to be European. I ordered the some bread with goat cheese which is called something else but that's exactly what it is for $9, a Salad for $9 and a steak of some sort for $38 dollars that, although it delivered three delicious little bites, is better described as a medallion than a steak. Again, not terrible, but for me it was WAAAAAYYYY overhyped.
(2)Tommy N.
i sat down, was like OOh bread and butter. Wanted to eat the butter by itself b/c it tasted that good. little did i know the entree's were mouth watering. I had the steak with veggies and the funny thing is the veggies didn't taste like veggies but something beyond that level that i can't describe. I'd call it veggies that can be tolerable by ANYONE. It was simply delicious. The steak was moist and perfect. Pro: portions sized so you can't overeat lol Con: price
(5)L L.
Chez Nous is a keeper, no question. First off, they have some of the best pate I've had outside of France, with around six options made in-house. Delectable. Second, the prix-fixe menu is a steal at $25.50. Amazing choices (all good!), perfect portions, and you can even throw in an extra $2 to choose whichever dessert suits your fancy (of just get one of the three included options in the nightly menu). My only (mild) caution is to remember that they only serve beer and wine, so no cocktails...but my wine was delicious! Highly recommend. Beautiful place.
(5)Jessica M.
Note: This is strictly a service review, we didn't even dine here. After reading all the great reviews for this place, I was incredibly disappointed (and somewhat embarrassed) when walking into this place Sunday night. First, let me say that we called ahead beforehand, asking if we needed a reservation or if they expected to be busy (since it was Mother's Day) and we were assured that a table for two would be no problem. This is how it went: We walk into the restaurant, they seem to be busy, but not slammed. Probably four or five empty tables. Server/Host/Manager: Table for two? Me: Yes please. Him: We have a table for you right here. (He points to the table directly to his right, right in the aisle/doorway/kitchen/worse table in the restaurant.) Me: Is that the only table you have available? Him: Yes, that's the only table I have for you. Me: We can't sit at that table? Or that one? (As I point to various other empty tables) Him: This is the only table I have for you. And that's when we left. I think it was his emphasis on the "for you," maybe we weren't dressed to the nines? Maybe waiting for a better table is unacceptable or not an option since he didn't offer it? Maybe we somehow insulted him? I don't know, but we are definitely never returning here after this and his rude behavior. Maybe if he explained to us why we couldn't sit at the other empty tables, or said we could wait for another table to open up... but he didn't say any of this, so I guess I am going to miss out on the great food.
(1)Marybeth B.
One of the best restaurants in Austin, hands down. This is the place I want to go when I want to treat myself or when I have out of town guests who are paying! Everything I've had here is amazing. The duck liver pate is pure heaven. Oh, and you really won't regret the profiteroles. Seriously. Order them.
(5)David f.
I am loathe to dole out five stars, but Chez Nous is fully deserving on all accounts: service, food, ambience. This little french place has a long history in Austin and the quality of food here is at a par with, or superior to, fine french cuisine anywhere in the US. I am surprised that I haven't reviewed it because I go there at least 6 times a year. The pate is fresh and often very creative. It's always good. I have enjoyed the sweetbreads, which the chef makes differently every night it seems, any of the fish, specifically, the trout. A sinful and absolutely fantastic dish is the beef cheek. They have a three course fixed price for under $30. Unbelievable. Some of their little sides, which they change, merit some attention so dont take them for granted. I have always enjoyed the great service and being treated like a special customer, which, lets face it, I am. I bring my mother here quite a bit and she loves the place. Oh, don't overlook the wine list. Not extensive but really very good. Only issue is parking because it's downtown so you have to be creative sometime. Writing this review is making my mouth water and looking forward to my next visit.
(5)Kristen C.
Having been unable to avoid stellar reviews of the quaint restaurant, I had to take a night to indulge in it myself. I called ahead and was told the wait time was over an hour (around 8:30PM on a Saturday night). I headed there anyway and was seated within 15 minutes when I showed up around 9:30PM. They did mention they usually call your cell phone - which is a great idea - but since the wait wasn't that long they wouldn't need to. Fresh bread and butter quickly arrived at the back corner table I was seated at, which gave a splendid view of the very dim-lit restaurant. The atmosphere is cozy, with walls plastered in vintage French posters and advertisements. The key is to order off the fixed price menu. I compiled a delicious meal consisting of white wine, salad, salmon & vegetables, and chocolate mousse (which was fantastic). One of the staff is fluent in French, which I found delightful. Having been a french maid for Halloween - I was curious as to what the phrase "je vous veux" meant, as my friends told me I should just repeat it since I needed to pretend to speak french. The waiter smirked when I asked him - "je vous veux? That means 'I want you'". Ha! So that is what I was telling everyone that night. But back to the subject - the loveliness of Chez Nous. There were couples there on a romantic date, small groups of friends enjoying a night out, older children out with their parents, and one large group out celebrating a birthday. Even though it was packed, you never felt rushed to finish your meal and move out. Long conversations almost seemed encouraged. Now that I know what it has to offer, I look forward to venturing off the fixed price menu into some even more delectable territory. Oh Chez Nous, je vous veux.
(5)Sebastian G.
Chez Nous reminds me of the small restaurants you would find in an auberge in the Alps. It is small and comfortable, with a very friendly staff and very authentic French food. On arrival the restaurant was packed, but with only a 20 minute wait. Were offered a place at the bar to wait, or asked if we wanted to go to explore the neighborhood and leave a cell phone number to be called when the table is ready. We chose the bar, but that was very cool of them to offer. The wine list is fairly small, but very nice, and they have some French beers, as well. While we were at the bar we overheard lots of French being spoken in the kitchen and front-of-house, so I was hoping the food would be as authentic as the look and feel of the restaurant. The menu was very authentic and reminded me of being in France and Switzerland. The food was fresh, and according to the waiter, locally sourced. I ordered the day's special, a salmon dish with fried leeks and a Salade Lyonaisse to start. My gf ordered the Salade de Tomates and the Coquilles St. Jacques (scallops). The salads were nice, but one bite into our dishes and we were in heaven. We closed the meal with chocolate mousse and the bouche noire (a chocolate and hazelnut torte) and some espresso and cafe au lait; which was excellent. It took about nine years for me to make my first visit to Chez Nous and now I have a lot of eating to make up for!
(4)Vivian W.
MMM mmm.. If I had to use one word to describe this restaurant, it would be: CUTE. It's small and homey, and more casual than I expected. It's true, they have bout 3 to 4 different people that serve as your waiter/waitress instead of one single person as your waiter the entire time. I came on a Sunday evening around 7PM and waited about 5 minutes for a table. My date and I ordered the "Menu du Jour" which is an excellent deal for a simple 3-course for 25.50. He had the soup of the day and I the Salad Lyonnaise. Both were enjoyable. Then came the entrees: my date ordered the steak and I had the salmon with crab meat on top in a blackerry type sauce. The sauce was awesome for both; and both also came with a little side of 3 perfectly boiled carrots, a tomatoe with a garlicky concoction on top, and 2 pommes dauphines (balls stuffed with potato in an interesting texture). After that we STILL had one course left to go and we were both getting pretty full. Unfortunately they were out of creme caramel so I went for the blackberry bread pudding and my date got the profiterolles. Both desserts were okay..we should have probably went with previous yelpers and tried the chocolate mousse..damnit. The bread pudding wasn't what I expected; it was a cakey like mold of barely flavored blackberrieness, until I reached an actual blackberry that was in the pudding. For around 80 bucks, we were stuffed and happy. The only bad thing about the place was that it got pretty loud at times, but I think that's in part due to it's small size. At times, it got so loud that I was yelling at my date in order to talk to him, which is why I had to knock off a star off the rating. Overall, the restaurant was very enjoyable and I see myself coming back here a lot.
(4)Mercedes P.
Oh my goodness, it was fantastic. The seafood was wonderfully cooked and deliciously seasoned. The bread was re-freaking-diculous. The only problem I would have to say that it can be loud and crowded. But if you go a bit later and wait for the crowd to clear away, the ambience is calm and romantic. I got the ruby red trout and the rainbow trout. fantastic. totally recommend those. avoid creme caramel unless you like flan. i wish i got the chocolate thing :c
(5)Shannon M.
Impecable food, service and atmosphere! Chez Nous it the restaurant by which I compare all other restaurants in Austin. If you are a restaurant owner, or are in any way affiliated with fine dining in Austin, PLEASE pay close attention to what they do at Chez Nous. Often times when my girlfriend and I eat at a new place in Austin, her evaluation is, "well it's not Chez Nous". A breath of fresh air for people who truly care.
(5)Keri B.
Bff took me here for my bday last nite. Well, actually, it's two weeks after my bday so we called it "You ain't got to pay day" instead. It was my choice based on all the glowing Yelp reviews about their prix fixe menu for $25. I didn't want to break bff's bank. One disclaimer tho, whenever bff and I are together we "see the world thru rose-tinted glasses" as Mom would say. Everything is funnier, prettier, and tastier with the glaring exception of the movie we watched also yesterday, "New Moon"**. I guess one half naked hot boy + bad acting + bad dialogue + bad makeup/wigs does not a good movie make (unless we're talking porn). But I think I'm legit when I say the food here was realistically great! I had the Lyonnaise salad with a perfectly poached egg that gushed when I cut into it, causing me to gasp with pleasure. Bff got the duck liver pate that was a monster slab which is great if you're into that sort of thing, and he is. The bad/good news of the evening was they were out of salmon (there was a choice of lamb, beef or trout/salmon), but they substituted that for scallops and sea bass which was a no-brainer for me. The sea bass literally melted when it hit my tongue, and the scallops! These are the scallops by which all others shall be judged! Bff and I thought our eyes were gonna get stuck in the back of our heads. I told him we'd discovered Sting's secret to an hour long climax. It was truly tantric. The sides (squash, hush puppies?, and a cooked tomato) were just a means to prolong the entree and to keep me from sliding outta my seat in pleasure. This is not quantity food for sure. There were only two good sized scallops and perhaps a 2-3 oz fillet of fish. But a meal like this encourages slow, meditative eating, and next thing you know you're sated. My only disappointment was the caramel custard. Looking almost flan-like, the top and sauce were very caramelly, but the actual custard had no flavor. Kinda like eating tofu. Bff really enjoyed his huge chunk of brie and apples tho for dessert. The service was outstanding and if I can get those scallops/sea bass again (I would hope they're on the regular menu), I would be guaranteed to go back multiple times for multiple O's! **Btw, I am definitely on Team Jacob! I would much rather cuddle up to a warm (108 degrees!), virile, hunky guy who could turn into a dog and keep my feet warm at night! Think of how cute our pupbies would be! As opposed to snuggling with a cold, clammy, heroin-chic, pasty dead person (I mean is "everything" dead??). We'd have to hock our first born to pay for his Ulta makeup bill!
(4)David W.
Great little French restaurant off east 6th. The whole meal was great from app to dessert. Also, the very reasonable wine list is a great plus. The quality of the meal surpasses the prices paid. Appetizers: Pate (duck + cherries) - This was very delicious. We don't have a lot of pate but I would order it every time from here. Escargot - The snails come with a large amount of mushrooms, all coated with butter and garlic. We almost licked the bowl. Main Course: Veal Scallopini - This was cooked in some sort of magical buttery grease. The top of veal was puffy, flaky, deliciousness. The meat was tender inside, and the bottom was juicy with lots of flavor. Veal Sweetbreads - This were cooked extremely well. The sweetbreads were tender and juicy. The flavor was great, mixture of onions and peppers (not spicy). Dessert: Profiterolles - Any time you mix a dessert with Amy's vanilla ice cream you're doing something right. The chocolate sauce + the ice cream all sandwiched between pastries was heavenly. There is some good quality chocolate being melted down for this thing. Highly recommended!
(5)Lisa B.
Dear Boyfriend, How you wooed me when you surprised me with Chez Nous! As we were seated at the candlelit table next to checkered curtains, I knew that tonight was going to be special. The aroma of warm, fresh bread made me feel immediately comfortable. As the buttery, tender escargot slipped through my lips, I felt my heart start pounding. While we romantically fed eachother bites of scallops glazed in a perfect cream sauce, I wondered if I left earth. Even the perfectly cooked vegetables melted in my mouth and melted my heart. I loved sharing our pate and soup. Could anything be so silky and delicious? Only your kiss. The sweet, perfectly cooked creme brulee could never compare to my sweet love. Bisous.
(5)Jasmine D.
This restaurant is absolutely fantastic. Such a great feel, very casual, and the FOOD. Oh dear. The Menu du Jour is such a great deal for what you are getting. I was raised partially by my native French godparents and my mother happens to be a fantastic chef but if there was one meal I would choose before imminent death, it would be from here. The Salmon was delicious, I couldn't stop making noises of enjoyment. Never thought it would be this fun to masticate heehee.
(5)Chris S.
The evening started trying to get into Peche on 4th ave, believe it or not, but since that restaurant was booked for a private party, the owner kindly stepped outside and directed me to a competitor, chez nous. Location is an un-prepossessing single story building, but the food is authentic French Provincial, which means, yes, fairly rich food. I had the duck liver pate appetizer, then the Bar au Citron with a glass of Corbieres. The meal finished with chocolate mousse and a desert aperitif of baynuls, which tastes slightly of almonds / avocado but which is really a twice distilled Grenache wine. I liked Chez Nous enough that I went t back for lunch the next day, and it was delightful. This time I had the tomato salad and duck with cherries. The next table was a couple of lawyers who brought in with them a bottle of Vosne Romanee Beau Mont 2002 and offered to share some. It was delicious with a cheese plate for dessert of gruyere and blue cheese. I recommend this place if you are comfortable with French provincial cooking.
(4)Elizabeth H.
Fantastic authentic French restaurant! Cute atmosphere and great staff! The 3 course meals are the way to go for the price.
(5)Enoch L.
I've been here 3 times now and every time I forget how good this place is! First brownie point is loading us up with delicious bread and real butter. We downed that so fast that they refilled it within 5 minutes. Chez Nous uses simple, fresh ingredients and cooks them to perfection. We've always gone with the prix-fixe menu and it has always been good. This time around I got the potato-leak soup, the steak medallions and for dessert, a chocolate mousse. Go treat yourself out to a delicious french meal minus the pretentiousness.
(5)Sonia V.
SPEC-BLOODY-TACULAR. It's so fabulous I'm hesitant to even put up a review, because I don't want people flooding the restaurant and making it impossible for me to get a table. Food, service, ambiance... all of it, spectacular. Just go. Thank me later.
(5)Nicole G.
I fell in love all over again at Chez Nous... in love with the intimate atmosphere that transports you to another time and place (a casual street cafe in Paris), the service (warm, friendly, and knowledgeable), the perfect bottle of white and every delicious bite that we savored. For starters we had the escargots sauteed with button mushrooms and a traditional garlic and parsley butter. This was the best preparation of escargot I've ever experienced (no tricky shell, though I was sad to miss out on a potential Julia Roberts/Pretty Woman moment) and the butter was sinfully delicious. Mmmm. Next was the baked goat cheese. The texture was delicate and creamy, seasoned with crushed black pepper and highlighted with a splash of their excellent extra virgin olive oil. The salade de tomates was fresh, flavorful and perfect to balance out the richness of the hors d'oeuvres. I was leaning toward the sea bass for an entree, but when I asked our server his opinion he lead me to the barneget day boat scallops which he said were ESPECIALLY good and not regularly available on the menu. Definitely can't call that boy a liar because my heart skipped a beat upon first tasting them. They were crispy and golden on top/bottom and moist and tender in the middle, topped with a cider cream reduction and sauteed wild mushrooms. I just sighed reliving it. okaaay, moving on... my lovely dinner companion ordered the entrecote with bearnaise sauce, a damn good steak expertly prepared medium rare. Mine was better =P For dessert were profiterolles, or as we affectionately called them, chocolate balls. Two sweet pastry puffs filled with vanilla ice cream and topped with chocolate sauce. It actually reminded me (in a good way) of blue bell vanilla ice cream with hershey's chocolate syrup poured on top. Walking home I felt a euphoric buzz, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't the wine... Chez Nous, je t'aime xoxo
(5)Stuart M.
I just love this place...the only thing wrong with it is that I don't get to go often enough! Truly...quality food, and in such a "country French" atmosphere. Not stuffy, just delightful. Yum.
(5)Matt V.
This place was a disappointment especially considering all the other great reviews. The ambiance is nice, kind of a small farm house type feel but the food really fell short and was unimaginative. For example I had the duck and it was literally just two duck legs thrown on a plate. The lamb is also presented in a similar fashion. This isn't to say the food is bad per se it's just what i would term average and the presentation is very much below average.
(2)David A.
Incredible. Vincent Pouilly Fuisse 2009 chardonnay. Nice, comfortable french food. Great ambience. Reasonably priced. I've been back three times since I found this place a few months back.
(5)Pat O.
Get over yourself Chez Nous. Have you people never feasted on the gastronomic genius that emanates along La Rue de La Prefecture dans Le Vieux Nice? The good point was the duck confit (crispy and well presented). Beyond that, the pate was as bland as the service, the Kobe beef was undercooked, the creme caramele might have been good the first few hours it sat out in the kitchen. Above all, the self importance of the staff left us longing for a trip back to the old Nice we love.
(2)Jim L.
Good French food for the money. Good atmosphere..very independently owned feeling. The best value is probably the menu du jour - a choice of an app, entree, and dessert. The portions are probably a bit smaller than ordering off the menu, but that's ok because the plates leave you wanting nothing more. At this visit, I had the duck liver mousse, lamb, and the creme caramel. The mousee was very smooth, but a little to dependent on the butter for flavor to flow forward. The lamb, however, was perfectly cooked, seasoned, presented, and portioned. I will probably be back just for this entree. While we shared the creme caramel and the mousse, I favored the creme caramel. I usually don't care for this dish, but maybe Chez Nous is making me a creme caramel convert! Two menus du jour, four glasses of wine, and a coffee, with tip was about an even $100.
(3)O K.
Love Chez Nous, have been dining there since the 80's, but had not eaten there for several years. Escargot, very very good with sauteed mushrooms, garlic. Sop up the sauce with the bread. My daughters filet mignon with marsala/demi-glace was excellent ( she let me try it), my ribeye was very good, but I should have gotten the filet. The pommes dauphine were excellent as usual, lightly fried. Creme brulee was wonderful. What kept this meal from a 5 star was the vegetable offering. The meal came with a small ramakin with what I gathered were pureed cauliflower. No flavor, a little runny. My wifes sea bass had a section she could not cut through, that was a little weird. Other than that, as usual a wonderful meal at Chez Nous.
(4)Eric O.
Sweet Jeeezus...hands down some of the most authentic French food I've had in the states. I left this place thinking two things: 1.) How in the world did I miss this place the first 3 times I went to Austin? 2.) That meal was totally worth getting harassed by about 17 hobos on the 4-block walk through 6th St. as we made our way there (seriously, Austin really has to get a grip on its homeless population) Not one thing was wrong with our meal. The bread was excellent and the butter was flawless. Steak was perfect and was served with a few fried potato balls that were really unique. We also ordered pork pate and I remember the lamb was just ridiculously good. For dessert we had chocolate mouse, also perfect. Even the latte I had was good. Btw, we did the $25 3-course menu...what a great value. The atmosphere here was cozy - it's a very small restaurant and that made everything feel more intimate and made us feel like we had a lot of attention from the authentic french wait staff. They do take reservations, but only for parties of 6 or more.
(5)Shelley M.
Prix Fix Menu was good for us first timers. We both started out with mushroom soup which was delicious. For main course my husband got lamb and I got the trout. His lamb dish was very good. Perfectly cooked, portion was on the smaller side, but that was good for my husband. I don't usually like lamb, but I was surprised that I enjoyed it. My trout was little bit overcooked, but the sauce made it all better. Side of zucchini, potatoe puffs and tomatoe were complimentary side dish. For dessert, we had chocolate mousse and creme caramel. They were both excellent. We will probably return to this place again an would recommend it.
(4)Jodi B.
One of my favorite special occasion restaurants in town, Chez Nous, offers a $25 price fixe all the time. It comes with a choice of Soupe Du Jour or Salade Lyonnaise or Pate Maison; One of 3 entrees changing daily; Either Crème Caramel or Mousse Au Chocolat or Brie. The moment you close the door behind you and step into Chez Nous, you're transported to a cozy bistro in Paris. Chez Nous has been serving lick your lips amazing classic french food at reasonable prices for over 25 years. The restaurant is tiny and only takes reservations for parties of six or more but if you show up and there is a wait (as there often is), they will call your cell when a table opens up. Meals at Chez Nous always come with a side of grilled tomato, squash, and a couple of pomme dauphine, a mashed potato formed into a ball and then covered in pastry and deep fried. A nice benefit of a wonderful evening at Chez Nous -- the happiness continues when the check comes. Everything is priced really reasonably -- especially if you go for the daily menu. Our bottle of wine was $30 and it wasn't even the least expensive on the list. I can't wait for my next visit to Chez Nous for an evening of wine, rich food, and laughter.
(4)Anthony R.
Chez Nous has nightly specials written on a sign hanging from their door. The quaint building is very charming and the French accents being heard around you take you out of Austin. The menu is small but every salad, entree, pastry, wine... everything on it is divine. You will struggle to decide what you're having but rest assured it will keep you coming back. This actually may be my favorite restaurant in the world. The boeuf au poivre is a favorite, and of course the escargot.
(5)Kelty G.
It's been said before, but I think it bears repeating - MENU DU JOUR. Let me spell it out for you - three delicious courses for $25 is thrice as nice. I've dropped more than that on one bad entree. The Menu du Jour consists of a starter (like soup or salad), an entree (like steak or fish), and a dessert (like crepes or creme brulee). What is genius about this deal is that it makes you want to spend your extra money on a bottle of wine or an appetizer, or both. In other words, they are still getting their money and I still go home fat and happy. We started with a charcuterie platter (not part of the special) that included not one, but TWO, kinds of pate and all kinds of meats, along with pickles and olives. We moved on to butternut squash soup and then the main event(s) - one order of steak and an order of trout with VANILLA SAUCE that was amazing. For dessert we ordered a crepe and creme brulee. Really, what's not to love? I simply cannot believe that I have spent all of these years in Austin, and I have never tried Chez Nous. I will definitely be back. In the mean time, I am trying to make sure that no one else waits as long as I did because, like lost sleep, I will never get that time back. Trust me, you will be glad if you go and said if you wait. Seize the day and get yourself to Chez Nous.
(5)El Mack K.
*as i take a long drag off my cigarette and the smoke wafts in sensual curls through the stale night air* Wi Wi Madame. I then uncross my legs, take of my beret, lean across the table and pour more wine. I say "has anyone ever told you that the fog in the back of your purple eyes has remindes me of months sailing the cote de azur in my early twenties". There is a long pause as she cuts the water poached egg in her salad nicoise and lets the thick yellow yolk run all over the fresh mixed greens. She suddenly drops her fork with a crash, leans over the table, grabs me by my shirt and says "kiss me you French bastard". With one fail swoop I clear the table, pushing the delicious housemade rabbit countrystyle pate and delicately juicy canard al orange to the ground and in front of everyone in the restaurant throw her down onto the table, mount her and begin to passionately kiss this mysterious young flower of a woman.........But wait!............ ................Out of the corner of my eye, I can see the juicy confited duckleg shimmering in the candlelight, still steaming and bubbling from the cooking. The tempation is too much. I throw my lover aside and fall to my knees gripping the duckleg with both hands ravaging it between my teeth like a starved caveman. I cannot get enough of their succulent duck and I have no more time for the siren calls of woman. I am deaf and blind to anything else in the room that is not steaming and of avian variety. The beast has awoken in me and I soon turn on the pot de creme lying on the ground next to me............. As I scoop it billowing decadence out of the bowl with my trembling index finger I can think of nothing more fitting than to lie down amongst the wreckage and light another cigarette in satisfaction of the kingly feast.
(4)Amanda M.
Chez Nous will go down on the books as my favorite restaurant in Austin. Period. End of Story. The food is authentic, gorgeous and exquisite. There are two ways to enjoy Chez Nous: (1) The Menu De Jour - French Fine Dining the Affordable Way. Your choice of soup, salad or pate starter, then your choice of one of 3 different entrees, followed by your choice of 2 different desserts. Always a hit! (2) The Glutton Within - Order whatever you want from the simple, classic and yet not in the least bit disappointing menu. Go all out. Savor every morsel. Live life to it's fullest. I've been a fan of Chez Nous since the original owner, and was scared and sad when he passed years ago (tragic). However, his legacy lives on in the manager and head waitress taking over. It's space and decor lends itself to the classic French environment. You simply *must* try the accompanying Pomme Dauphin and roasted tomatoes. I dream of these French potato puffs and seasoned tomatoes at night. . .
(5)Rick M.
Went for lunch, overall a very good meal. Charcuturie plate: Very good, though a couple of the meats were a bit "challenging" for my palette. Croque Madame: Very good, nothing different, but executed well Salad Lyonaise w/ Lardons: Great, what's better than a good salad with pork fat everywhere? Bread & Butter: Maybe the best part of simple french bistro dining, ate WAY too much of it.
(4)Susan S.
This is my absolute fav restaurant in Austin! I have been coming here for over 20 years and have never been disappointed...well until today...but s*&% happens. My 19 year old and I came for lunch today. The service was as usual tres bien! Drinks constantly filled, friendly staff...I don't remember our waiters name but he is awesome. Omg...on to the food: Complimentary French bread (I agree with others it is nothing special) but with the sweet creamy butter...ooh la la! My son and I split the Lyonnaise salad...one of my favs of all time. Crisp greens, sweet cherry tomatoes, chives, red bell pepper (which neither of us care for...but pick em out...easy enough) with a to die for dijon vineagrette...topped with a perfectly poached egg. I know that sounds strange to some...but when you cut the egg and the yolk oozes over the salad...mix it up...heaven! Use bread to sop up the excess egg and dressing...k I'll stop...getting all hot n bothered. We agreed to split the trout and seafood crepes. Trout was perfectly cooked with a simple sauce of butter, lemon and parsley. Crepes were very good...shrimp, crab and scallops with a creme sherry sauce...only downside was the crepes were a little too thick for my taste. Quite frankly I can make better...lighter and thinner...but it was still delicious. Now...here is my disappointment...and it almost cost a star...but the way the waiter handled was the epitome of customer service. Most entrees come with a side dish of sauted squash, zuchinni, carrots, onions with a delicious garlic roasted tomato and the pas de resistance...the pomme dauphines...potato fritters with pillowy insides and crispy fried outsides...I salivate thinking of them. Well...when our entrees came there was zuchinni and squash with onions...but wait...where are my lovely pomme dauphines? Waiter informs me their batch for the day were substandard so they decided to not serve them....gasp!!...no...I must have them!! I almost cried. Waiter...with very sad face...responds "madame...I am truly sorry, but I am sure you will agree zees better to not serve zem to you at all versus giving you an inferior product". Um...ok your right *sigh* (son is looking at me like I've lost my mind) Fast forward to the check presentation: said awesome waiter is with another table, so hostess brings check and apologizes "Your waiter sends his apologies for the disappointment...he took $5 off your bill (with tax!) and please accept this coupon (good for $5 off next lunch)." Really!? How cool is that? I've had horrible food, horrible customer service at many places who even managers are like...oh well. I was so shocked I didn't even get upset when we got to sons car and had a parking ticket (I was so excited to eat I forgot to pay meter) Chez Nous...I love you...oui oui!
(5)Brittany N.
This is one of the best meals I have ever had! Chez Nous is a very intimate french gem! Great romantic date place! You must try the escargot if you go! Expect to have a 2+hour dinner! The service is slow and relaxed!
(5)Daniel H.
Love this place. Amazing food, great service (unlike in France), and the menu du jour is a 3 course delight for around $25.00. The pate is great, and the soup of the day tends to be uniquely tasty. Overall a great experience every time I have walked in the place. The bread is tasty. The wine recommendations are great. No cocktails are served, but you won't miss them. I highly recommend the Menu du jour with the steak. Or try the salmon if you prefer the fish route. Buvez jusqu'à ce que vous réjouissez-vous!
(5)Greg M.
I love Chez Nous. My wife and I went for her birthday, and it was great. We had a short wait, but you could sense the staff rooting for someone to leave so they could get us a table. The food was fantastic--my wife made the best choices, as usual. The duck was ridiculous, it was so tender and tasty. The lamb was good, but not as good as the duck. The creme brulee was the best desert, I had a chocolate something with fruit that was decent but overly rich. Oh, but the escargot was awesome, some of the best ever. I'll order more than six next time. Their wine selection is limited, but good. I had a couple of reds (Cotes du Rhone and something else, can't remember) and both were fantastic. Though my wife had a Boujoulais that was terrible. I mean really really bad. But most Boujoulais is, in my opinion, so I wasn't surprised. I'd warned her, but you live and learn. She only wanted a tiny bit of wine anyway, so no harm done. I just love the cozy atmosphere, and as much as it might help if they took reservations, that might ruin the friendly atmostphere. And why not wait a bit with a glass of wine? Nothing wrong with that. One of the best places in Austin for a romantic dinner out, maybe the best. But yeah, it's expensive. But worth it.
(5)Martha A.
I have lived here for over 15 years and had never been. We had some out of town people from work and they decided on Chez Nous after reading some reviews. Love trying new food, so I was down. We got rockstar parking right in front, I must have had good parking karma this day and we went in, sat down and no wait. The service was wonderful and we even had a person at the table that needed glasses to read the menu. The waitress overheard this and offered to find reading glasses for the guy! Now that is service. I had the filet and it was perfectly cooked and seasoned. The sides were not memorable, but overall everyone enjoyed their food. My only nit is that this place seems so old school in decoration. It's like every French cliche in the book in one place. They just need to update it a bit, but the food was really good. They got all of our orders right and never let a water glass get empty.
(4)Ann S.
This place is one of my goto favorites. Their menu du jour makes eating there fairly affordable and it always has a seafood dish for me and a steak dish for my husband that we both enjoy. Two items that I think that they have the best of in town: 1. The creme caramel (which is like flan) because it has a great smooth texture with a pleasant sweetness. 2. The escargot app. Nice and garlicky with cremini mushrooms in the sauce. Also a great date night place. It does make you feel like you are in France. The only negative is they are a bit slow and the wait can be quite long because the restaurant is so small but I haven't had that problem recently due to the downturn in the economy.
(4)Mindy R.
Oh, Chez Nous. I will give you a couple of stars because you have a really good house red on the menu. Malbec = yum. But, I have had a better steak at a non-profit event held at a chain hotel. And how can you mess up Brie? I realize that cheap cheese tastes better room temp - but this cheese was left out so long that it was rubbery. I do like this restaurant. It just needs to stop taking its patrons for granted and put more effort into the food and presentation.
(2)Amie H.
Went to Austin for the weekend, and decided to try Chez Nous. We don't normally eat French Food, and thought this would be great for something different. Wow, I have been missing out on so much! For starters, I had the salad Lyonnaise, delicious. Lovely greens perfecly dressed with a poached egg on top. My husband had the cream of mushroom soup and said it was very good. For dinner, I had the trout, he had the steak. When they first bought out the entrees, I had some remorse for not ordering the steak, it looked superb, thick steak perfectly crusted on the outside and a soft dark red in the middle, with a nice roquefort sauce. However, the tide quickly turned once I tried the trout and both my husband and I agreed the this was the hands down favorite. The fish was perfectly cooked with a delicate meaty texture and an addicting orange butter sauce that was very light and melded excellently with the fish flavor. If I were at home I seriously may have licked the plate when I was done. :) For dessert, the chocolate mousse was just ok. However, the profiterolles were amazing. How can you go wrong with fried pastry filled with vanilla ice cream and swimming in a dense chocolate sauce, YUM. Oh, also had a fantastic bottle of wine for $40. I am very jealouse of Austin-ites, I would love to try a few more items & wine at this place.
(4)Andrea S.
Went here for a birthday dinner this past weekend. The food was stellar, as was the ambiance and their tolerance for a group of girls that wanted to gab over wine! Service was good, a bit slow at times, not bad.. but as we were a large party, we were an automatic gratuity, however the bill was not very legible and I wouldn't have known it was on there had I not asked. But I could have just eaten the bread and butter for dinner. The Menu Du Jour is the way to go if you ask me. Everything was well prepared, and I was stuffed by the time I left!
(4)Aimee W.
I manage to go to Chez Nous about once every three years and always wish I did it more often. The menu is fabulous and the waitstaff expertly skilled, friendly but not intrusive. The ambience is intimate yet alive and vibrant. My most recent trip was two Sundays ago, and the duck liver mousse pate du maison was divine, followed by an exquisitely crispy-yet-juicy confits de canard aux cerises. My dining companion was somewhat new to French cuisine and worried that he couldn't get a steak, and the Menu du Jour proved to be just the ticket. "Amazing," he declared. "Fabulous!" I couldn't agree more.
(5)Lynn L.
There is only one reason why we haven't eaten here before. We always seem to manage to think of this place on Mondays. And they are always closed on Mondays. So imagine our surprise when we came up with the bright idea of french food on a Thursday. We were planning to catch a friend's performance downtown and had to think of what was nearby. Oui, oui...Chez Nous it shall be! As soon as we were seated, the BF declared that it reminded him of home. He's from Belgium...the Flemish side...but no matter. It was homey and cozy and old-worldish...as much as Austin can be...especially since the sign proudly declared that it was established in 1982. Not 1882...or even 1282 as some signs read in his hometown of Brugge. Chez Nous is perfect in its simplicity. The ONLY reason I am knocking it down a star is because they don't have foie gras. I've been craving foie gras since I returned from vacation in France a month ago. When I go to a French restaurant, I want foie gras. To all you PETA-people out there I say...if you can catch me and force feed me until my liver is perfectly delectable, have at it. Until then, I am at or damn near at the top of the food chain. If I can catch, trap, shoot or farm you, I'm probably gonna eat you. This is why I stay as far away from lions, tigers and bears...and the rare tribe that may still enjoy cannibalism...they can and will catch and eat me. We devoured the prix fixe menu ($26 pp): Duck pate - close enough. Yummy! Served with gherkins and olives. Salad Lyonnaise - the egg was poached to perfection and the vinaigrette was flavorful and not overwhelming Salmon with crab meat - medium-rare and seared just right with a fabulous slight crunch. Crab was a teeny bit dry, but the beurre blanc was phenomenal Steak - BF let me have a bite. It was a decent cut of meat, seasoned well and perfectly medium rare. I think it was still moo-ing when it got to the table. Both entrees were served with fresh veggies and croquettes...I think they called them pommes dauphines. The fresh veggies were zucchini and squash. They were a tiny bit too squishy for my taste, but well-seasoned and buttery. For dessert we opted for the chocolate mousse and Crepe Normande. The chocolate mousse was short on presentation. When topped with my sprig of mint from the crepe, it spruced it up for a minute. Only for a minute because the BF inhaled it shortly after I played dress-up with it. It was marvelously fluffy, chocolaty, rich and light all at the same time. The crepe was filled with cooked apples and served with caramel sauce and creme frache. I stupidly attempted to deconstruct it so that I could taste the flavors separately. Not a smart move, but when eaten the way I am sure the chef envisioned, it was perfect! The service was classically French...unobtrusive and efficient. Inclusive of our strong enough for the European BF espressos and a glass of wine, the bill came to about $70 before tip. We've have way less impressive meals in this town for more than that. We will definitely return...for both the food and the whistling Frenchman with cornrows. à bientôt!!!
(4)elizabeth w.
this is one of my favorite little austin restaurants. It's so cozy and comforting. The staff is so friendly and has so much knowledge on the product. I have eaten there several times and loved everything i've ever had. I usually go for the set 3 course meal. I had excellent pate and i can't say enough about the desserts. It can be a little pricey...but well worth it!! This city is lucky to have it!!
(5)PepperMint P.
The food was good. We ordered the Prix Fixe menu which got us a salad/soup , and entree and a dessert. I was expecting a more upscale ambiance to this restaurant considering that the bill was approx 38$ per person. The restaurant had more of a cafe feel to it. Had gone here for anniversary dinner and expected to have a quiet romantic dinner, however all tables were really close to each other. There was this group of 7 - 8 people who were seated close to us and were very loud. With all their jokes and laughing in the end we just felt that we ate at a very expensive cafe. Hence not really sure if the food was worth the $$ I would probably recommend this place for lunch rather than dinner.
(3)Heather W.
This is a regular date night spot. The food and service are good. The interior could use some updating, but it is a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. I generally see an older crowd there. I've been several times and have never been disappointed with anything I have ordered.
(4)Jim C.
Not much has changed here, except, sadly, there doesn't seem to be foie gras on the menu any more... how sad and strange, a French restaurant without foie gras... Otherwise, it remains the same wonderful restaurant - a true French bistro, except with great service. On our visit tonight we started with the cheese plate and escargot - both were delicious. For our main courses we had the baked rainbow trout with a dijonnaise sauce and lump crab meat (very good) and the coquilles St. Jacques with wild mushrooms (likewise). We finished up with the profiterolles (OK) and bouche noir (not bad). The food, though good, reminded me of why I don't visit this place more often... it's true French cooking, meaning it's very heavy. I felt my waistline expand with every bite. It's worthwhile to visit occasionally, but there are many other lighter cuisines out there.
(4)Les M.
Fabulous meal - particularly the menu du jour, which gives you soup or salad, an entree, and dessert for $27.50. Love the ambiance, the servers were nice and helpful, and the wine list looked like it had something for everyone (even half bottles). The tomato bisque and fish entree were spectacular, with some delicious sides like carrots and a few little fried potato balls. My one complaint is the dessert course, which didn't live up at all to the expectations set by the rest of the food. We got the chocolate mousse and creme caramel, and all of us stopped after a few bites because the selections were bland and sort of felt like something you'd get at cheap cafeteria. Skip dessert, but definitely try this place!
(4)L C.
OK...there is another one I love. Chez Nous... A client treated me here for a dinner as a thank you gift. While being seated to our table, my company leaned into me and said "I thought this place would allow you to feel at home". My family is French-Italian you see and, even though I grew up mostly on Italian cuisine, I do enjoy French. This dining experience was a delight and just as my client had hoped, I was taken on a journey over seas where my heart still holds the beats to Sicily. I've only been back to Chez Nous once since then - looking forward to the next! Avec amour, L'
(4)Zoia W.
The trout is amazing. Loved the pate maison and the mushroom egg custard.
(4)Lindsay J.
Even I don't quite understand why I'm so enamored with the French lifestyle and culture, but I am. Here in Austin, just South of the frat daddies and miniskirts on 6th Street lies Chez Nous, a whimsical little French bistro with a heart of gold. For now, my Francophile urges have been sated. The minute I stepped inside, I was greeted by smiling staff and quickly ushered to the standing-room bar where I sipped my first Kir Royale in years (why isn't this concoction more popular in a town infested with wine lovers?). As soon as a table opened up, the mister and I were swept to candlelight and pork pate, and escargot. I had the prix fixe menu ($25.50) with a luscious Lyonnaise salad, lamb tenderloin in mint sauce, and finally a chocolate mousse that I finished in a lightning speed. Throughout the meal we were tended to by no less than three staff members, but each blended with the other, and there were no mix-ups when the check arrived. Plain and simple, Chez Nous is an exceedingly romantic little place with authenticity to spare.
(4)Shane R.
Another little Austin landmark, this restaurant stands out in my mind as the first place I ever had venison and actually enjoyed it. There are better qualified people to talk to you about the wine and etc. What I know is that it was delicious and amazing and a very new experience for me. Thanks Chez Nous for being one of the more memorable little hangouts I have ever stumbled into.
(5)Lydiana J.
Chez Nous was good...but not mind-blowing. I've had mind-blowing, melt my heart, French cuisine, but Chez Nous did not bring me to my knees. Don't misunderstand me, I enjoyed the food and casual atmosphere. On today's lunch menu was croque monsieur with side salad and beef steak with potatoes fried french style, dessert was chocolate mousse. The bread and butter was lovely, fresh, and tasty. The butter was memorably good, though not made on site. Thirty-five minutes (and two bread baskets) later our lunch arrived. I ordered my steak medium, and it was closer to well than medium, but I was hungry for protein! It was surprisingly tender for being well cooked, and the sauce was tart, tangy, and a nice addition. The fries were authentic and fresh....not frozen fast food style. They reminded me of grandma's kitchen...where fresh fries were on the daily menu. Nothing on my plate needed seasoning...which is interesting considering potatoes tend to be over or under seasoned. Bravo Chez Nous! On my husband's plate was a croque monsieur. It was cheesy, warm, and tasty. I make my own croque monsieur's at home and I should start charging nine dollars for my sandwiches.....Chez Nous does it and mine are just as tasty. :) The side salad was fresh...but nothing outstanding. The chocolate mousse was a hefty bowl of creamy yumminess. No wimpy servings in dainty glass dishes were set before me. The espresso was very good and very strong. The restaurant is cute bistro-style and quaint with French prints depicting French entertainment consisting of scantily clad women. The staff is friendly and very casual, which I really enjoyed. Last, but not by any means least, their ladies room was the cleanest bathroom I've ever seen in restaurant. I was so impressed that I just had to mention it! I strongly believe that a restaurant's bath facilities reflect the cleanliness of it's staff and kitchen...and I've not seen better. :) Thank you Chez Nous for a lovely French lunch!
(4)Aaron B.
This is a go-to spot. Perfect, time and time again. Want to impress a date? Check. Want to take your wife out on a 5th year anniversary? Check. Want to take hipsters from out-of-town just in for SXSW? Check. What an atmosphere-- rustic French in the best sense of an overused phrase. Order the prixe fixe because it is genuinely good. The fried potato balls keep me coming. The authentic French staff is key. If you think of some wonderful meal-- bright, cheery, exuberant, not-too-fancy, hearty-- then think of this place. Tons of character and joyful vibe. And it's right downtown! (PS order the profiteroles for dessert. Puff pastries, vanilla ice cream, and a legitimately dark chocolate).
(5)Husejin D.
I have two clear favorite restaurants in Austin. Chez Nous is one of them. For the 20+ years that I have known and gone to Chez Nouz I have always left the restaurant with a satiated stomach and a longing to head back to Europe. How can you not love this place?! The food is exceptional and the wine list perfect. I love to read reviews of Austin's other finer restaurants (actual or supposed) in comparison; especially those places where diners suffer under forced pretence and condescension as they try and have a good meal. There is none of that here. This place was hopping! And if you know how intimate this space is you can appreciate that there is little room for mistakes of any kind. Yet everything ran as smoothly as a well oiled machine. No frantic staff. Food delivered in an appropriate amount of time. Wine recommendations, stopping by to check on things, while not doting on you. Even a little friendly banter. Basically, they rock, albeit in a way only the French can do. And the people kept coming, and coming, and coming..... We had two stellar dishes: first we split the salade du marche: a spinach salad with verts, shaved fennel, grape tomatoes, pine nuts, and Roquefort cheese. It was dressed with a delicate vinaigrette. Very nice! I had the halibut, which seemed to be poached and served on a delicate sauce with fennel. It was topped with shaved celery root. I never knew fish could have that texture. It was so je ne sais qua! My wife had the crispy duck leg confit that was served on a sauce accompanied with cherries. What a pairing. Total taste explosion. The recommended wine was a Sauvignon Blanc from Bordeaux that seemed made for our dishes. As much as we wanted to opt for a desert, we did not want to ruin the way we felt after this meal. Even though the preparation was simple, where the food is identifiable, that simplicity lends to its elegance. I do not have enough superlatives to shower on this gem. Chez Nous - another good reason to live in Austin.
(5)K W.
I can't get edible escargot in the little town I currently live in, so anytime I'm in Austin I head straight to Chez Nous and gorge on snails usually accompanied by the Chèvre chaud sur canapé! It gets really busy for dinner on the weekends, so I would call ahead to be safe. They can also be rather slow, too, but I personally don't mind leisurely dinners, so no biggie.
(4)Marshall J.
Chez Nous is most likely the best kept secret in town. this casual little French bistro has cranked out great French fare in a fun, relaxing and comfortable atmosphere since 1982 without ever missing a beat. It alone reminds me of great French jazz. One step in to Chez Nous and you know you were meant to be there, one word from the staff and you know it's French through and through. FOOD: The food is simple but yet very complex in flavors. It always tastes fresh made with great ingredients. The salads are perfectly dressed with crisp lettuces. The daily pate's and terrines are right out of Paris and Provence and proteins are cooked to perfection. My personal favorite is the sweetbread entree changed daily by the chef or prepared to your liking. Try the orange sauteed sweetbreads and a glass of Beaujolais. Pro tips: Salad Lyonnaise, daily assortment of pates, escargot bourgogne, canard confit. WINE: My favorite wine list in Austin for what it is, not what it is not. They only serve French wines on the menu and only serve the best they can source for the money from each region making food and wine paring almost fool-proof. I actually preferred the older menu when the name of the winery was not even listed leaving your trust in their very capable hands.
(5)Molly U.
I guess I shouldn't have been surprised because I mean, the reviews are glooOoOwing but I guess somehow I was expecting less than those glowing reviews. Not sure why. I'm an enigma to myself. So when we put our name down at 7:30 for a party of four and they said 45 min, they said they'd call us, so we went over to grab drinks at the Hilton. Weeelllll.....an hour later they hadn't called, and when we called, they said another 30 min. Methinks they forgot. Only a little annoying..... We decided to roll in anyway and even at 9pm it was PACKED. I mean, people came in after us. There were a couple of empty little tables and the waitress/host let us sit there on a two-top and peruse the menu/order drinks. When the table next to us left (finally. lol) she pushed the two together so we weren't in each others' laps. We ordered escargots (12) and thankfully our friends were not grossed out by snails....and holy crap. They. were. amazing. Sauteed, not baked in cheese/garlic like what I'm used to but it was so daaaamn delicious. We practically slapped the waitress's hand away when she tried to take the leftover sauce away. :P Oh yes, soak up the entire thing with bread, people. My husband and I ordered the Menu du Jour ($27.50 and still a good deal) while our friends ordered a steak and scallops. Hubby ordered the pate.....yummmm....like butta......and I ordered the salad. The salad was fine, with a poached egg, but it was kinda boring. He then chose the trout......amaaaaaaaazing! and I ordered the lamb......deeelish!! For one neither was overcooked. Nothing ruins a dish like overcooked fish/meat. You should be allowed to call meat protective services for those establishments, honestly. We got to try our friend's scallop and I think they were the best I've ever had. I mean large, firm, cooked to perfection fresh scallop....again like butta. It was SO GOOD. Hubby chose creme caramel and I chose chocolate mousse. The creme caramel was better, in my opinion, and the mousse was good - airy and chocolatey, but I wanted it a little bit more creamy I guess. Just personal taste. THeir desserts were nothing to write home about though. I loved it, but I think between the wait time and no reservations and no waiting area it may take awhile for me to come back. It's highly recommended to come at least once, though!!
(4)Brent W.
Wow - this place was fantastic. We went for dinner, during midweek, we called ahead and were told they had plenty of tables. The restaurant was more than half full and the atmosphere was very pleasant, just as you would imagine a French bistro. We both got the fixed menu which was a great value ($27 for 3 courses, individual entrees around $20 as I recall). For the appetizer we had smoked pork pate which was pretty good (chunky pieces of tasty pork) and creamy onion soup which was delicious. For entree we had braised short ribs which were beyond delicious and texas steak which was flavorful but somewhat chewy (it was a skirt steak so chewiness was to be expected). For dessert we had creme caramel which was as expected and profiteroles which were very decadent (cream puff drenched in delicious chocolate syrup; the puff was sligtly too hard/dry for my taste, but that's the only fault I could find). Resonably priced wines and complimetrary bread basket with generous portion of sweet creamy butter rounded out the meal. There were several servers are they were all very pleasant and efficient.
(5)Chad J.
By far, our favorite French cuisine in town. J'adore le mousse au chocolat!
(5)Omar Z.
This much sexy can not, by the laws of nature, occupy such a small space. Therefore Chez Nous can not exist. Chez Nous is more like a fantasy. A place where the mind and body can be instantly transported to a rue'd chausse locale in some obscure Parisian neighborhood for a couple of hours. That is to say, Parisian without the abusive attitude! Everything inside, from the decor, to the kindly French accents to the architecture is what you need for your evening vacation. The waitstaff is just SO DAMN FUN to look at and interact with. One of my favorite moments was when one of the waitresses (I won't say who) greeted my wife and I with: "Hello, Lovers!". I knew it was going to be a good night. But, honestly, every time I go it's like that. Men and Women alike will find themselves swooning and practically falling into their seats, knees weakened. Now that you're seated, let's talk food. These fine folks have their formula down and they don't jack with it. Thus, the quality is high consistently. From their bread (crunchy/soft) and butter (creamy rich) to their house pates, you will start well and in comfort. Their rotating Menu Du Jour is a highly recommended and great value. For $25.50 you get a tasty full 3 course meal. Seriously hard to beat. I've had a lot of excellent entrees here over the years: From a buttery (I mean BUTTERY) chateau steak to sea scallops, to halibut with fennel sauce (I love that you can actually TASTE the fennel), to sweat breads (for the adventurous!). They don't get distracted or mix things up so it always comes up well. The accompanying veggies are always the same and tasty: grilled half tomato, various zucchini and their tasty pomme dauphine (look it up). Great soup selections. They know not to serve it up too hot. Great traditional desserts. Price: Low end of "Spendy" depending on the quantity of wine consumed, though it's very possible to get a great meal in the "Moderate" range, especially taking the Menu Du Jour route. The predictability may be an issue for some, but believe me, you will want to make at least 10 trips to get the whole menu sampled. And that can take you through a lot of life. I first came here for a Valentine's date 10 years ago. Then, later, for an anniversary, and most recently with a baby. All with the same girl, I might add! And it has worked beautifully for all occasions. Timeless, French Comfort, air fare included.
(4)Sean M.
This is one of my favorite restaurants on the planet. I've been here every time I've ever been to Austin, except on my last trip when I didn't have time. It's not that it has the best food, service, ambiance, or wine list that you will ever see, but the combination of everything here just seems to work perfectly. And, there's something very Austin-like about a quaint little French bistro located right next to a sex shop, and two doors down from a head shop. Be sure to save room for the Crepe Normande. It's the best dessert I've ever had and I get it every time.
(5)Megan C.
Chez Nous is our go-to place for a long, romantic dinner or with a close group of friends for an equally intimate time. The atmosphere encourages long, intense yet laughable conversations. The staff doesn't mind if you stick around for 2+ hours. The bread and butter, pure delight, flows freely. I've always enjoyed my food. My staple is whatever beef is on the menu de jour. Divine. Also, if you don't get the chocolate mousse, you're not alive. Go!
(5)Julia P.
This place is absolutely amazing especially for the price! My girlfriends and I dined here last weekend for girl's night and since there were 8 of us, we were lucky enough to get a reservation (they only make reservations for parties of 6 or more). Unfortunately, about half of us were more than 30 minutes late to the dinner, but instead of getting annoyed and giving us attitude, they were extremely attentive and friendly to our table. They gave us a great recommendation on some bottles of Pinot Grigio and Pinot Noir and we left the restaurant extremely buzzed to say the least. I had started off with the duck liver pate which was rich and creamy as expected and ordered the lamb chops for my entree which was equally delicious. However, the best part was the creme brulee I had ordered for dessert. This is one of the best creme brulees I've had in Austin. The restaurant itself is very cute. Having been to Paris just recently, it reminded me of the local Parisian family restaurants I dined at during my trip. If you're looking for some fancy French, this is the place for you!
(5)Lucy R.
Went here for dinner on a trip to Austin. Our meal was excellent! Our food was perfectly cooked, and so delicious. I don't think my husband and I said a word to each other besides Mmmm and you got to try mine; while we were eating. The look of the place is not swanky or anything special but the food is what you come for. Plus, BYOB which is always nice.
(5)Erin P.
I love this place. The fact that my husband hasn't taken me here yet is grounds for divorce, in my humble opinion.
(5)Billie P.
GREAT Food! I ordered the scallops, absolutely the best scallops I have ever had. And HUGE too. Good wine choices, Pate as wonderful, quaint small location, but the home cooked quality and atmosphere is as good as it gets. Will visit again. Was recommended by a good friend and this hit perfect.
(5)Lacey W.
As if Chez Nous needs another review. But just in case you're late to the party, like I was, here are the highlights: Service: Awesome. Not in-your-face, and not super-fast, but steady. Our server checked on us throughout the meal, suggested things appropriately, but didn't upsell too hard. We also got the check in a reasonable amount of time-- not so fast we felt like we were being kicked out, and not so slow we were annoyed. Food: The bread and butter is a totally decent quality, and is essentially unlimited. Since the food is a little slow to come out, it's nice to have this to munch on while you wait. The cheese plate is pleasantly adventurous! Not for those who only want some Gouda and to call it a day. In a plate of four cheeses, two of them were strongly stinky and difficult, which I enjoyed. The other two were more mellow, but one of those still had a very distinct and interesting flavor. On the con side, it seems the sliced apples had been stored next to the minced garlic in the kitchen, as they had a strong and unpleasant garlicky flavor. Hot Boyfriend really enjoyed his lamb terrine, which I was too intimidated to try. The scallops with mushrooms in cream sauce... oh my god. I've died and gone to heaven. The scallops were perfectly cooked: seared with a nice crust on the outside, and barely done on the inside. The cream sauce was an indulgent, savory, fabulous thing. I sopped up all of it, unashamedly. And they use fancy mushrooms! Hot Boyfriend ordered some sort of steak, cooked "blue," and was thoroughly impressed that it was indeed cooked that rare. We both enjoyed our sides, but those fried potato dumplings were something else. And the herbs on the roasted tomatoes have a nice, surprising tang. The final flourish: creme brulee. Would you believe me if I said I'd never had creme brulee? I didn't know it was served cool, though that makes sense when you think about how it would be prepared. Not knowing anything about creme brulee, all I can say is I was full to bursting, and ate every bite. And I'm a small woman. And for a restaurant with such a fancy menu, I was surprised at how comfortable I felt in a sundress, with a man dressed in jeans and a button-down. It's completely without pretension.
(4)Christopher K.
Good food with respectable prices. I enjoyed the duck confit. The steak was delicious and cooked perfectly, although the Bearnaise wasn't the best I've ever had. I didn't particularly care for the pate. Also, they opened about 10 minutes late, so we were harassed by homeless people for 10 minutes while waiting to go in.
(4)ashley s.
I have been emotionally scarred by this place... and I have a new perspective on the French since my horrid experience. I ordered fried green tomatoes as served with goat cheese and a file mignon with a side of goat cheese (its SO delicious!). The waiter gave me some grief and then the chef came out from the kitchen to make a scene in front of a packed restaurant. He yelled at me something like, "You don't like my menu?! You think you can put together a better menu than me?!" I was appalled! I could not believe it! It was embarrassing, insulting and ridiculous. I will never go back.
(1)Ann J.
Always excellent food and service-every time! The fixed price menu for early dinner is a deal. I love their soups, all delicious. Fish entrees are always cooked perfectly with a light hand on the sauce. Great vegetable sides. Crazy for the profiteroles! The atmosphere feels very cozy, relaxed, and welcoming. Parking can be a challenge. Get there early because it fills up.
(5)tim b.
This is not a five star restaunt but rather a five star execution of the french bistro transplanted to Texas. When you step through the door, slow down your thought process, turn down the phone and be prepared to make an ambling journey through provicial france. The wine list upon first blush seems to be extremely limited - until you realize how well it matches with the food. Who needs choice when the default is perfect already? We grazed our way across the menu ordering three apps and a fish dish. We started with Pate and the Cheese plate - which were right on target. You also have complimentary baggettes at your table (insert lame joke here about the bread saying nice things to me) - especially appreicated with the Pate. We decided to toss in one more app before the main course and were rewarded richly with the baked goat cheese with a cracked pepper crust. For our main course, we ordered the Atlantic Salmon and the prepartion is so decidely french in style - I would not have been surprised to have it come to the talbe wearing a beret and sounding like Maurice Chevelier. We were a bit to full at that point to order our own dessert - so we decided to share.... two... hmmm... i don't think the math worked out exactly as planned. The choco mousse was excellent - no more nor no less than it should be. The crepe Normande was amazing but it actually suffered a bit in its grandeur. Perhaps i need to stop in one day to give it another try on its own with a glass of port when i can block out all the other french tunes that are being sung by the other dishes.
(5)Hannah P.
Love this place!!! It's a diamond in the rough and gritty east 6th street area but it's worth getting over there. My sister and I were not necessarily looking for french cuisine but she had heard good things so we decided to check it out and I'm so glad we did! Although I was with my sister, the whole experience felt so romantic! Dim lighting, euro-bistro decor, small intimate tables, and all the while feeling very casual and effortless. We had great service the whole time, too! The hostess was very helpful and nice and our waiter was attentive and knew we liked to order slow. We had the 6 escargot for an appetizer and it was amazing, finishing it with bread in the sauce. Then I had the cup of soup and my sister had a small house salad, both very good. Our main dish was the duck, which we spilt (perfect to spilt). It blew my mind! It was served with these really delicious pototoe cheese things, almost like hashbrowns and berries. Each bite had a little bit of each on my fork and it was like a party in my mouth! Throughout the meal we had a bottle of their house champagne and it was the perfect touch. The whole experience was perfect. I can't wait to go back. **The only thing that happened, out of the restaurants control, was the table next to us listening to our entire conversation! I guess they couldn't tear their attention away from my sisters run-down of the movie 'something borrowed'. ;)
(5)Alan M.
A very nice country pate, very good fish and steak entrees. The bread was strangely pathetic. Also, no reservations (for groups under 6) + late opening time + minimal parking are too many inconveniences together.
(4)Aishah A.
Casual, romantic and intimate- this unassuming cafe was the perfect place for us to celebrate our first wedding anniversary. We indulged in two appetizers, a classic selection of duck pate and escargot. The pate was smooth, buttery- the perfect topping on the complimentary baguettes. The escargot was tender and gently enveloped in an earthy butter and mushroom/garlic sauce. My scallop entree was divine and the hub's peppered beef tenderloin was just scrumptious. I savored every bite of my hazelnut chocolate dessert, paired perfectly with a cup of cafe au lait. Jim's creme brulee was tasty too. Service was impeccable without being overly stuffy. Water glasses were refilled with undetectable, ninja-like skill. Love this place! However, be warned, the place is small. So try to snag a table before 7pm to avoid the wait.
(5)laura w.
If you're looking for a relaxed casual atmosphere and simply divine French country food, this place never fails. I've been going to this restaurant since the year they opened (1982) and have never been disappointed. Talk about seriously consistency! Take advantage of the knowledgeable staff (many of whom are part owners) --they can recommend wines, beers, and drinks and of course tell you about any of the dishes. For the adventerous and budget conscicous, along with their usual menu, they offer a fixed price menu consisting of an appetizer, main entree, and dessert--these change nightly. I can't count how many occasions my family has celebrated in this restaurant over the years. I hope there will be many more to come......
(5)J D.
Quaint little dining room just off 6th street. Service was friendly and the food was excellent. No complaints, I will return.
(4)K D.
My husband and I ate at Chez Nous for my birthday. I ordered a kir royale while we waited to be seated. I enjoyed the kir royale. It was made with the perfect amount of cassis. For dinner I ordered the french onion soup and salmon with crab. The french onion soup was delicious. The sauce on the main dish perfectly complimented the salmon. Service was friendly although a bit slow. I will definitely be back to try other dishes.
(4)Max B.
The significant other writes: "This is a great spot that was just perfect for an outing with my fam. I just love the veggies the serve on the side, feels like a generous portion where some French resto's skimp on veggies. The fixed menu is just the perfect amount of food. Only one thing I would change: on the fixed price menu (such a deal) I saw Chilean Seabass which, notoriously, are severely overfished. Most Chilean seabass in the U.S. market come from boats that are fishing illegally, according to Monterey Bay Aquarium: montereybayaquarium.org/… To avoid! I appreciate chefs and menus that do a bit more research on sustainable foods."
(4)Shannon O.
I thought this place was okay, but not great. The main course was extremely well done, but the rest of the meal was just eh. The place was busy, and it had a pretty strong bistro vibe. The husband and I both got the menu du jour. I had the salmon rillette, rainbow trout and chocolate mousse for dessert. The husband got the pork rillette, pork chop, and caramel creme (aka flan). After spending the winter in a french speaking country, we got pretty spoiled by the bread. We were rather disappointed by the bread because it was very boring... no crisp crust...frankly, it tasted store bought. The appetizer was not attractively presented. The salmon was a scoop on a plate. After we left, I told my husband the presentation reminded me of the Fancy Feast commercial. You know... the one where the cat food is served on a plate. yeah. you get the idea. The major saving grace of the meal was the protein. The fish was pretty much perfect. The sauce complemented it and it was executed. The fish was work the price of the meal. The husband's pork chop was also good, but the sauce was very sweet. The biggest disappointment of the meal were the vegetables served with the main course. If they were served in a Home Ec 101 class, I'd give them a C-. A sad looking roasted piece of squash and a broiled tomato half. They were poorly prepared and depressing to look at on the plate. I was pretty shocked they were served at a professional restaurant. The chocolate mousse was nice, but it had a skin on it from sitting in the back waaaay too long. The caramel creme had a thick skin on it too from waiting around for a while. In truth, the caramel creme's skin was more off putting than the mousse. The staff was very nice and friendly. I may try this place again for lunch sometime (because I live about a block away). The meal did have a high point (fish), but it had so many misses that were obviously dialed in. Honestly, there are too many choices nearby to wander here again soon.
(3)Christine M.
When I think of food in Texas, I usually picture thick, juicy steaks, baby back ribs falling right off the bone, spicy hot sausages, melt-in-your-mouth pulled pork, and tender beef brisket, all covered in top secret barbecue sauce. This meal couldn't possibly get messier, meatier, or manlier unless you threw in several kegs of beer, a high profile football game, and perhaps a stash of light artillery. So how did I find myself in a French restaurant in Texas? Pure, dumb, Yelp-guided luck. If you know me, you know I have a not-so-small obsession with lamb. After my life-altering Bottega lamb chop experience, I've been searching far and wide for something to rival that dish, and only Chez Nous has ever come close. The lamb chops ("Cotes d'agneau Manon") were well-seasoned and cooked to tender perfection. I could probably wax poetic about them for the next five paragraphs (wait, don't recoil in terror yet--I promise I don't do poetry), but I wouldn't be able to do them justice. I came to this place for lunch during a conference--the conference center is, conveniently, only two blocks away--and wow, was that ever a great idea. It wasn't too crowded, and the service was prompt, attentive, and authentic; some members of the staff were speaking flawless French, not just faking French accents. The only drawback? The portions were juuust right, meaning you'll probably finish your meal satisfied, without feeling like an overstuffed pinata, so you can't overdose on your favorite dish. Ah, such wonderfully healthy European sensibilities. Or maybe just cheap American business tactics? I don't know, but I prefer to be optimistic here. If I lived in Austin, I'd be coming regularly to try all of Chez Nous's dishes, because for one thing, I love French food, and for another, my meal was a clear indicator that the chefs have serious talent. Their full dinner menu simply looks mouthwatering; the Menu du Jour looks like a series of happy surprises I wouldn't mind unwrapping every week. I don't know when I'll be back in Austin, but if I ever get the chance, this will be the FIRST place I'll revisit.
(5)Dober J.
Amazing food and ambiance! Great spot for a romantic dinner.
(5)Ben O.
Just updating for 2010. Had another great dining experience here; some of the items we enjoyed were: * Rainbow Trout: cooked beautifully, great fennel cream sauce * Lamb Tenderloin: crisp sear on the outside, tender/rare on the inside, melts in your mouth * Chocolate Mousse: healthy portion of the best mousse I've ever had.
(5)Jennifer F.
I usually love Chez Nous but either it is an off night or the chef has changed. Staff was friendly as usual but the food was not as good as it usually is. They have changed their escargot into a pile of mushrooms and pre-shelled snails. They presented mushroom flan- eh:/. And my creme brûlée came out burnt. Sorry Che's Nous but Justine's just got my next french food crave night.
(3)Lisa T.
I have visited this lovely spot on a few occasions and it does not disappoint. Nice wine list, creative specials and solidly good menu that is very reminiscent of some neighborhood places in Paris. It is small and cozy and I love that about a restaurant. There is a very small bar (standing only) where you can wait for a table....they don't take reservations, so weekends at peak time usually mean a wait. However, if you eat late, like a Parisian, you will be fine. The atmosphere is relaxed and comfortable and the staff make you feel as if you are eating in their home rather than at work. The wait staff are very knowledgeable about the wine selections and the menu and can direct you as needed. Not that you need much direction. Blindfold yourself and point at the menu and you will still end up with something fantastic. We usually opt for some openers and an entree with rarely room for more, but I have tasted their dessert fare and it does not disappoint. I love duck confit and usually order this as it is fabulous. I have tasted several other dishes and they also are fabulous. I love their daily selections of pates for an opening dish and this is great to share with the table. They also have a cheese selection and it sounds yummy (no dairy for me, so we don't order it, but I am tempted) They do have a prix fixe menu that is a good value. You should definitely go and go soon! Savor, delight, enjoy......I know I will again and again!
(4)Aaron S.
If only I could afford to eat here every day.. it's that good. I have not had authentic French food like this anywhere outside of Europe. Chez Nous really does a five star job all along the way from sourcing the best ingredients, to expert execution and delivery, with impeccable teamwork and service. Chez Nous has been open in Austin since February 1982, that's nearly 30 years! They survived the U.S. Recessions of 1980-1982, the early 90's and the Great Recession (2007-present!); impressive, and while just about everything else on the 6th Street strip has turned into something else over the years, Chez Nous is one of the few that is still there, keeping up their old school quality and tradition of fine French dining. ~30 years of stability says a lot about the quality and satisfaction that this restaurant delivers to its customers. For fine European cuisine, this is my favorite restaurant in the Austin area. Great for that perfect dinner when you're in the mood or a special occasion. For dinner, the menu du jour is a fine deal with a three course meal for $26.50, described as: 1) CHOICE OF SOUPE DU JOUR OR SALADE LYONNAISE OR PATE MAISON 2) CHOOSE AMONG 3 ENTREES CHANGING DAILY (they also include a side plate of the most delicious grilled vegetables and potato croquettes I've ever eaten.) 3 CHOICE OF CREME CARAMEL OR MOUSSE AU CHOCOLAT OR BRIE ($2 more and you can choose from their full desert menu) The wine list is nice and priced fairly, and they offer delicious, crisp and cold Kronenbourg 1664 (a 5.5% pale lager that is the leading beer in France) for $4 each. They also have an espresso machine to perk you up after the meal, which would go great with any of their deserts. You start off with the complimentary bread and butter, a basic and an essential, and it couldn't be tastier. Each course seems to be better than the last, while nothing is lacking. The portions are perfect, you will leave happily full and will enjoy a nice walk back to your car, your down town residence, or to a nearby pub. If you work in the area you may want to check them out for lunch. Don't forget, like many restaurants in town, Chez Nous is closed on Mondays. Chez Nous: I love what you offer to Austin. Here's to another ~30 years. Cheers!
(5)Patricia H.
This place is amazing! Very cute decor. I really enjoy their trout (comes with mixed vegetables), pate, and escargot appetizer.
(4)Erik W.
I do not understand the 4 and 5 star reviews. I've been dining in Austin for about 8 years and this is one of the worst service experiences I have ever had. Previous reviews explain my experience: confusing "team" waiter service and general lack of attention. At one point, we went 30 minutes with no one stopping by until the hostess graciously offered to get us another bottle of wine. Depending on your perspective, the space is either charming or resembles a 70s interstate tavern. It was about 85 degrees in there as well. Steak was significantly overcooked. Food is worthy of about 3 stars. Service is about a 1.
(2)Ryan S.
IT'S TERRIBLE.... how much I don't want anymore of you to go here, so I can hoard this place all for myself. I CAN'T BELIEVE WHY YOU'D EVER GO...unless you like having good French food. STAY AWAY!!! and do me a real favor, because I feel like never having to wait to get in here, and you might be that table that'd make me wait. I will frown at you fervently. DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE...well, ok, you can, it's good. Prix fixe is now $26.50, but otherwise, still awesome.
(5)Dee K.
I can rave about the food here for next 5000 words but the conclusion will be same. Great place- good looking waitresses ( so my husband was happy too) and great ambiance. All in all a perfect date night choice.
(5)Rachel M.
Great for late night dessert! We wanted a quick sweet and coffee and this was a perfect place to go! Got the creme brûlée and puff pastry with vanilla ice cream and chocolate. Yum! The server was extremely attentive and really seemed to care. It is great when all of the people that are serving you and the owners that are native to the country of the food they are serving. They know what they are doing!
(4)Robin B.
Great prix fixe menu in a homey, quaint setting. I am no French cuisine connoisseur, but i enjoyed this dining experience, but it could have been better. The company I was with made the evening memorable, but to be honest, the food was forgettable. Everything was really rich and buttery, though beautifully displayed.
(3)Elle C.
I'm a dissenter on this one. To me, it felt shabby inside, somewhat like dining in an old trailer with popcorn ceilings. Maybe it was the smallness of the place that also made it incredibly noisy. The food was just okay, not nearly impressive enough to justify the high price. I really wanted to go to The Nutcracker, but the good seats were too expensive, so this was my husband's Christmas gift to me instead. After the disappointing experience, I really wished we had gone to The Nutcracker. Also, how can a supposedly high-class place list "expresso" on the menu? Were it one small typo, it would be cringe-worthy but forgivable, yet the "double expresso" listed next demonstrates that they really think it is called that. [Okay, I looked it up, and supposedly "expresso" is an uncommon variant, but it still looks silly.] Avoid this place unless you want to say, "Zut!" at your mistake.
(2)Antoinette P.
Small, intimate, friendly, great food. I love bringing out of town guests here when they are up for trying something unique, personal, and high quality. No one is ever disappointed. Lunch menu is more veg-friendly, but don't expect much selection in terms of ready-made vegan. Even eating vegetarian on the dinner menu means salad. But every guest I've brought here is a meat-eater, and a couple of them worldly foodies, and they proclaim the food at this restaurant authentically French. If only that one French server could work every shift, every table. Oui.
(5)Linday C.
Sexy french vacation right off 6th Street. Every person working here looked, talked, and acted sexy Frenchy. We ordered a delicious $20 bottle of Merlot~*Muah*, savored every sip and then chomped down on the fixed menu: Butter & freshly cut bread (R-E-A-L butter is so fun to spread & eat) Salad (perfectly poached egg, I need to learn to make you) Duck liver patte (so decadent and creamy) Trout (cooked perfect with great sauce) Steak (lamb was so tender and juicy and savored with every bite) Tomato (very flavorful, hit the spot) Desert (ice cream with pastries and really rich chocolate sauce) Conclusion: Excellent sexy french vacation, great service, great prices, decadent foods. Happily full boozy face $80 for 2 people before tip.
(4)Brian H.
This is the gourmet version of French country cuisine and it is fantastic! Expect extraordinary cooking in an upbeat and friendly atmosphere. We arrived about 6:30 on Friday evening and were easily seated, and the room filled up to capacity by about 7:30. The servers were friendly and helpful. What I mostly remember is having a great time with my girlfriend and family, drinking tasty wine, dining on bread and roasted duck, and leaving with big grins! The duck was AMAZING. It deserves all caps. I tried some of the other dishes as well and they were all cooked perfectly. I suggest the apple pastry desert if you have the opportunity. If you have some cash to spend and want a dining experience to break up the regular Austin scene, this is the place to go. I also didn't mind seeing an attractive girl in a french country dress. That's just a bonus. Don't pretend you don't notice things like that! lol
(5)Mike W.
So the wine and food were great. I really like the appropriate portions. The staff was Ok , but the place was HOT. I mean we were there in August and it was blazing in the place. Don't plan on vegan or vega meals; even the salad has a egg on it. the bread was average. but it is the only french choice in town
(3)Kelly S.
Roses are red, violets are blue, Chez Nous, PUT IT IN MY FACE. Wow, that didn't go how I expected it to. We had lamb, we had fresh bread, we had escargot, we had ribeye, we had salads with egg on it, we had french onion, we had veal, we had a bottle of wine, we had creme brulee, we had some more wine, we had chocolate mousse. What we had was a major case of stuffmyfaceitis. We spent two hours soaking up the food and the dim lights and the french guy with the cornrows and everything that makes french food and people sexy. Definitely go, Spend some time and actually enjoy yourself over a meal. This place fills up my senses, to quote the inimitable John Denver.
(5)Sofy G.
Ok, I'm already hungry.. I Went to Austin with my family to spend the weekend, I have to say that my dad is a very picky eater, he doesn't eat fish,he always eat pasta,he likes the steak well well well done,etc... He is the kind of person who never ever will eat in a restaurant located in a old building... We were so hungry and I decided to try this place ( my mom and I love French food) my dad was skeptical at the beginning and kind of in bad mood, you know ths place is cozy but for him was small, for me was almost vintage, he thought everything was old hahahaha and then when the appetizer came everything started to changed because it was so delicious. Our entrees were perfect,perfect,perfect everything was cooked perfect. My salmon was delicious so soft and full of flavor I wish i had ad a bigger salmon lol. Desserts were incredible too. Service so friendly :) My parents and I spent such a great time here! We weren't disappointed :) I plan t go back this time with my hubby :)
(5)samantha j.
I've had french food in New York, San Francisco, and Paris. This experience was incredible. The food was unbeatable. I had the duck and the escargot. The tables are a little close together, like in Paris, but just try not to be too nosy! Crazy little place with no reservations, but as dependable as the day they opened I assume.
(5)Jinhee J.
Came in on a weekday around 7:30. Not very packed. Adorable interior- apparently looks exactly like French restaurants minus an outdoor patio. Took a few minutes for anyone to greet us. Finally a man told us to wait so that he could clean a table which was in the way back corner of the restaurant. He came back up to us, pointed at the table in the back and said that's where our seat was...LOL. Started off with the baked goat cheese plate which was delectable. Then we got the salad layonaise? (Poached egg and a tasty bacon). I ordered the lamb chops and was shockingly disappointed with the taste. it was cooked perfectly ( I like it rare) but all I could taste was salt. It was kind of bland? Mi hubby ordered the scallops which was divine! I would definitely order those over the lamb chops. There is a side of vegetables that comes out with main entrees- I don't care if you don't like tomatoes...you have got to put it in your mouth (That's what he said)! Finished off with the creme brulee which would have been absolutely scrumptious had a quarter of the top caramelized part weren't burnt. (Every place has its good day or bad day I supposed). Took off two stars because the presentation of the food was really plain. Being french food lovers we were expecting an enticing presentation but that was an epic fail. The food itself gets a 4.5! The wine list was sub par..kind or surprised there weren't more choices. Service was actually confusing since 3 different servers came to the table throughout the night. Food took forever too..we were there for 2 hours on a weekday? Also the restaurant gets loud and there isn't that much space between you and the table next to you. By the end of the two hours I was ready to get out of there. I'd still come back to try some other items on the menu..least i'd know what to expect.
(3)Octar I.
Classic, laid back French bistro downtown serving food just like I had in Paris. It manages to be romantical and unpretentious in a part of town not known for either.The portions are not huge so you'll have room for dessert and trust me, you want to have dessert.
(5)Keran C.
A friend of mine treated me to dinner here for my 25th B-day. I would redo that evening 100 times over because it was just perfect. Service was amazing and the food was unforgettable. It is on the high end side. However, after eating there, I can say that I would even pay more! Fresh. Bold flavors. Rich. The experience was absolutely romantic: perfect company with the perfect foods.
(5)joseph b.
What a great place for a date! While it doesn't rate among the best french cuisine i've had, the staff and atmosphere really are spectacular. There is such a great sense of intimacy and concurrence. For desert, i took my woman up the street to pound town.
(4)Jim E.
Look no further for great authentic Parisian food in downtown Austin. With it's quaint charm, great service and a fantastic chef, Chez Nous is the place to go!
(4)Peter G.
Excellent service, delicious food, cozy decor.
(5)Carla S.
I've been derelict in my Yelp duties as of late. I was here 2 weeks ago and I have yet to rave on about them. First of all, I'd like to point out they are on Neches and not Nueces. Most of you will not have a problem distinguishing this. Others (me) will get so excited that it's "so close to my house" , that "there is a big, open parking lot right by it", and "it was so easy to park" only to be completely confused when "it SHOULD be RIGHT THERE" and even get the poor parking lot attendant in on your game of mass confusion. Anyway, I finally consulted Yelp and learned of my mistake and got my $7 back from the guy (shout out to the parking lot attendant at 5th & Nueces). Now to Chez Nous (who it would ROCK if they had valet service). I was greeted by the hostess and she was delightful (I have a girl crush on her that I cannot discuss). We were seated almost immediately which was amazing because we had reservations for 6 (the smallest group they take reservations for) and we lost 2 people so we sort of lost our res but not really. She had us covered. So we sat down, and I have to say I don't think I've seen a more attentive wait staff. I think every person who worked there checked on us at least once and some more than that. What did I eat? I shan't disappoint. I had the tenderloin. Yeah, raw foods took a night off. Ohhhhh, it was good. So good. One of the best I've had in town. I'll have it a again for sure. I skipped on the appetizer because it was enough that I was doing entree and dessert. The dessert was amazing too, the bouche noir, I believe. I don't think you can go wrong no matter what you order. Every dish I saw, I wanted. The entire experience that night was delightful from the food, to the staff (especially, Girl Crush). I declare it as my 2nd favorite restaurant in Austin (Paggi is still my #1)
(5)Daniel M.
This place is my favorite place in Austin!! My wife and I have been here 4 or 5 times and I have never left disappointed. It is a nice quiet place, love the lighting, the seating and atmosphere...perfect for a romantic date. The staff have always been polite, friendly, and courteous, they check in just enough to make sure your okay, which is perfect. I have tried several of their menu items and loved them all. I have to recommend the bread and cheese appetizer because it was so good. Their entrees are incredible, my wife loves the Lamb tenderloin they have and was disappointed they were not on the menu last time we went (seasonal). The food has always been consistently cooked good. I honestly don't think they have an entree I would not recommend...it is all so good. The deserts are also great, I have tried them all, I love the mousse but that's just me. They may be a little on the pricey side but it is worth every penny I promise!! It is really reasonable considering the quality you are getting. What else can I say? Try this place, you won't regret! My understanding on reservations is they will take them for large groups but not for two...kind of a bummer but I have never had I problem walking in and being seated. Bon Appetit!!
(5)Brent W.
Quaint, relaxed French bistro. Waitress are dressed casually in jeans , green converses. Lamb chops $33 and over-cooked. The veal medallion special was good, but with very minute portions of meat. The duck confit with cherries was exceptional. Veal sweetbreads were good. Overall, the place is a bit pricey on the food, but the drink prices seemed very reasonable. We tried the deserts were great. Profiteroles, chocolate mouse.
(4)Fabricio d.
P-E-R-F-E-C-T-I-O-N......that's what Chez Nous is!!! If I have to pick a last meal in any restaurant in any of the cities or countries I've lived in, this is where the meal is coming from. The interior is small and quaint, yet very intimate (4-stars). The wine selection is good for Austin (4-stars). The wait staff is so-so friendly (3-stars). But, the reason you go to Chez Nous is for the food (1M-stars), and that's where they are the King of Austin. Eating there, it's easy for Americans to see why French women are so skinny, b/c the food is so good, you stop between each bit to discuss the food. A 30 minute meal ends up taking 2 hours, just b/c you spend an hour talking about how good everything tastes. Go. Eat. Enjoy! ~ Fabricio
(5)Dim S.
Always love going here, cozy little place, great food, lovely people.
(5)Robert H.
I've been here twice great for dates fantastic Classic French food. I really liked the friendliness of the staff and the environment of the restaurant.
(5)Jenny P.
All I have to say is, I fall in love with the food, the wine, and the man I love all over again every time we go here! It's FANTASTIC, and romantic, in a very European, take-your-time-and-enjoy kind of way.
(5)Pamela M.
This place had such good reviews that when I came to Austin for the weekend over the 4th my man and I had to try. Needless to say, we were VERY impressed. As other yelpers have said, the atmosphere is something to be desired, but the excellent service and outstanding meal trumps anything else. We started out with escargots and gazpacho, and I got the scallops and he the veal scallopini. We ended with coffee and profiteroles. SO GOOD. Seriously, not one complaint about the food. They were constantly refilling our bread and butter, our water, and were always asking if we needed anything. This place opens at 6, and by 6:20 all of the tables were filled. Small place, so make sure you go on time if you don't want to wait. All in all one of my favorite places in Austin!!
(5)Ashley H.
We only came in for a cappuccino and some after dinner dessert. We had the creme brulee and it was fabulous. We will def be back for dinner, since everyone always seems to enjoy the French dinner menu. The atmosphere was great - I love intimate settings, many conversations at the same time, and cute decor to match the ambiance. I know on the weekends it gets really busy so call ahead/make reservations or get there early. We tried to go one night and couldn't get a table because it was so packed! But we enjoyed our dessert and we will be back for dinner.
(5)Jeannette E.
Prepare to cry... Not what you think. It's not too spicy or too expensive. It'll make you curse the day you were born outside of the sphere of French cuisine and it will make you realize that mother doesn't do it best. The food served here will give your tongue an idea of culinary heaven and it will make any culinary art seem like a witches brew. Prepare to be disappointed with the world and expect to be wishing never to eat any profane concoction again... It'll only last until you are close to starvation, but you might be lucky and might have forgotten about the brilliance of Chez Nous by then. The price? Well worth it! Never measure true art by assigning a price tag to it!
(5)Vicki G.
It has been more than twenty years since I last visited Chez Nous, but I have always wanted to return. I am happy to report that my fond memories were upheld. It was a lovely evening -- a Christmas dinner for a small office -- and I was a lucky invitee. Since I don't eat pate and such, I can't speak to that, other than to say that some guests loved it so much that they ordered another personal portion instead of a soup or salad. The cheese plate -- well, cheese is such a personal thing. I don't know what was included, but the sliced cheese was amazing. The stinky cheese wasn't to my liking, but that's a personal preference. The bread is NOT outstanding. I suppose it's a French baguette type, but the crust is meager and the crumb is airy. Not what I want with a fine dinner. Salads were fine -- fresh, not overdressed, simple. But the word "sublime" gets kicked around once we arrive at the entree. I ordered the sea bass, which was accompanied by some sort of Pernod sauce and fennel. I was a bit apprehensive, since I dislike licorice intensely, but the fish absolutely melted in my mouth. It was incredibly wonderful. The sides were fun -- a little spinach terrine, some pommes Dauphine, a yummy broiled tomato half. My compatriot ordered the steak with pepper and bearnaise. My taste was delicious, and he cleaned his plate. For dessert we ordered the chocolate mousse, and while it was good, I don't think we reached atmospheric heights of delight. On the other hand, we ate the whole thing. One of the best things about Chez Nous is the aroma of butter that permeates the place. You know you're in for some good cooking and eating. Interesting place, exceptional food. I will return, and I won't wait so long.
(4)Kat A.
A friend and I tend to stop in at Chez Nous at least once a month, usually twice. It's a bit of a drive, as I live in North Austin, but it is absolutely worth it. Their escargot is a must - It's served in a shallow bowl rather than the standard escargot-specific dishes, with not only garlic and butter, but also with mushrooms. Since it's in a more "open" dish, you end up with more of the sauce, as well as mushrooms to put on the delicious french bread they bring you. I'm not overly fond of pâté, but the selection they have tends to have all the right flavours. Their crème brûlée actually has a somewhat grainy consistency, but it is still very delicious. I admit that I haven't tried any of their other desserts. Every entree I've had from here has been delicious, but the duck confit is probably one of my favourites. Chez Nous is by far my favourite place to get escargot in Austin.
(4)Briea D.
Just fantastic. Ambiance, presentation, food, service, etc. I could not have asked for a better experience. I highly recommend the menu du jour to anyone, but especially for first-timers. The food was rich and flavorful. Everything was exceptional, from the soup all the way down to the dessert. Among my favorites of the evening were the carrot ginger soup, pate, trout, chocolate mousse, and the crepe Normande. I will be returning to this place often.
(5)Mark A.
Mmmm mmm...the lamb chops were gorgeous, among the best I have ever enjoyed.! Chez Nous is a charming little bistro and I will be sure to return.
(5)Rosemary H.
Ever since I moved to Austin over 23 years ago, I've wanted to try Chez Nous and would always think to myself, 'next time.' Tonight was next time. Our rating: Le goût exquis, beau vin, les ventres pleins. My husband had the evening special ... a flank of some sort and I had the pepper-crusted beef tenderloin and we shared a bottle of Chateau Les Hauts Conseillants (a bordeaux). I do not know what was in those French sauces they served on the entrees but oh mon dieu. So superfabutastic. For dessert we had a chocolate mousse which was better than an American mousse (less dense) but was no comparison to the Profiterolles which were pastry puffs filled with vanilla ice cream and warm chocolate sauce heavily draped on top (none of the skinny drippings you see in most restaurants). If you've always wanted to try a French restaurant, go! If you've been and didn't like it, then French food is not for you! I just cannot imagine anything on their menu being anything less than superb. The 4 rating and not a 5 rating is only because the atmosphere was lacking somehow ... perhaps a little too dinky for a French bistro aura. For anyone who has been to Paris, you'll know what I mean.
(4)Cassi P.
I was on my way to Naan Sense but they are apparently closed on Tuesdays. That's what I call naansense! On my way back to the office I saw Chez Nous out of the corner of my eye and decided to give the menu a glance. I'm glad I did. The restaurant feels almost diner-ish on the inside. Though I generally prefer modern decor, there's something comforting about this place. There were also a lot of old people in here so that was kinda cute. Service was great. Very friendly, very prompt. You can easily do a 30-minute lunch here. With EXCELLENT food. I started off with the soup du jour, a cream based concoction with carrot and curry. Not something I'd expect from a French restaurant but I love those ingredients so I thought I'd give it a try. It was delicious and the portion match the $6.50 price tag, so much so that it was impossible for me to finish my crepe! I had the Crêpes aux Epinards with buckwheat flour and chicken. Delicious! Large portion (enough to take half home) and a really delicious bechamel sauce that complimented the spinach and mushrooms well. For $20 and in less than 30 minutes I enjoyed what I would consider to be an upscale meal in a very comfortable environment.
(5)Seon B.
I took my wife here and we loved it. I had the entree with the duck legs. It was delicious. I love the cozy and romantic setting. Watch your step using the bathroom and beware where we sat the floor was uneven. However back to what counts. The service was good, when we went it was packed so it took a while to get served and attended to. The ambience is great. The wines are good I got to taste a few. The price isn't bad either. I did wish my entree had 3 duck legs instead of 2 but it is my understanding told to me from wife that French cuisine doesn't come Texas sized! The food is good, I'm not giving it 5 stars, because I won't go out of my way to eat here
(4)Tom M.
There was a 25 year lapse between visits, but I will not allow that to happen again. Everything was perfect and the wait staff recommendations were spot on.
(5)Scott C.
Finally got to eat at Chez Nous for New Years Eve 2012 and the experience was a top 5 dinner in Austin. The restaurant's exterior is quaint and unassuming, hard to believe it is flanked by Coyote Ugly and the Thirsty Nickel. Our server was extremely attentive but not overbearing and his recommendations were honest and forthright. Every dish he brought out was very well prepared and true to the Country French form. My beef tenderloin with Foie Gras was decadent and amazing and my wife's Duck Breast was cooked perfectly and tasted delightful. The veal pate was quite good and their selection of wine is impressive, even more so because they don't price gouge on their selection of French reds. The desert sampler we tried was all delectable and was a wonderful finish to an amazing meal. Chez Nous truly hung the moon and we look forward to our next chance to dine there.
(5)Liz R.
I cannot put into words how phenomenal and authentic this place is. The food is impeccable, the waitstaff are courteous and professional, the atmosphere is quiet and the decor is modest. If you are looking for a great place to have a romantic dinner, Chez Nous is it. Be prepared to spend a pretty penny - TOTALLY WORTH IT. P.S. Try the pâté.
(5)C K.
I really wanted to have a full meal here, but we were still full from a late lunch, so I settled for some dessert and coffee. We had the profiterolles and a couple espressos. The coffee was quite good, but I have to be honest that I did not really care for the dessert. It tasted like it came out of the freezer not too long ago and had that overly sweet and preserved quality about it. Nonetheless, the service was extremely nice and attentive, five stars for that. The restaurant is romantic and cozy. And they were playing Ethiopian Jazz which was so random and awesome!! I'd really like to come back here sometime and have a full meal and give this place another chance.
(3)Shell R.
We chose Chez Nous for Valentine's Day and it did not disappoint. A revised holiday menu provided some tasty selections. The wine was excellent and the chocolate dessert was amazing!!! The service was very good despite the entire restaurant sitting town when they opened their doors. Great job Chez Nous on a crazy night!!!
(5)Azamat K.
Very nice restaurant, waiters were extremely friendly and were pretty fast. At the end, the restaurant's host, who is French, came by our table to have a little chat, ask how we liked the food and restaurant. Austin is famous for a variety of good local restaurants, and "Chez nous" is definitely one of the best. You should definitely try their ribeye steaks and grilled fish (white halibuts and scalops),they serveall of their entrees with special vegetable side, i liked it too. Not too noisy. A lot of young couples. Would recommend having a date there.
(4)Debbie P.
Tres bon...sorry, can't type the accent in tres. I especially enjoy the house pate. I enjoy comparing chez nous to some of my favorite restaurants in France, and the comparison is always favorable.
(5)Sarah J.
Waiters who know how to serve you with class. An owner who tastes the dishes before they go out. Fresh food, perfect flavors. Hands down the most consistent restaurant in Austin. A real pleasure.
(5)Tracey S.
This restaurant was my first-ever experience at a French restaurant. From the moment you step inside, you feel like you're not in America (due to the way the interior is decorated and the waiters speaking French). It was nice to have a quiet and cozy restaurant like this in the middle of all the rowdy bars and entertainment places on Sixth Street. I really liked the restaurant decor--come see it for yourself! The interior was brightly lit from the windows facing Neches St. The waiters and waitresses are very polite, soft-spoken, and attentive. I tend to drink water fast and they refilled my glass frequently. The service was great. The food was also delicious. I ordered from the Menu du Jour, which was a fixed-price three-course dinner at $25.50. They also bring bread to you with European butter at the beginning of the meal. The bread is refilled if you finish it. There were many items from the menu that I was curious about and hope to order in future trips here. Saturday evening dinner lasted about 1.5 hours. They open from 6 pm to 10:30 pm on weekends (which seemed a little strange to me). There was a small crowd of people gathered there at 6 pm on Saturday waiting for them to open. Here are their hours from their website: Lunch: Tuesday - Friday; 11:45am - 2:00pm Dinner: Tuesday - Sunday 6:00pm - 10:30pm Closed Mondays There were a lot of two-person tables and at least one six-person table that I saw (I'm sure there was at least one more on the other side of the restaurant). The wine seemed very expensive at $17 for only two or three glasses. If I recall from the menu correctly, they don't split checks. I felt a little guilty entering this restaurant wearing sneakers because some other patrons were dressed nicely. Chez Nous is located on the Southwest corner of 6th and Neches. It faces Neches. It is quite possibly my favorite restaurant in Austin now.
(5)Lauren B.
Spectacular ambiance, food is divine, and the pace is perfect. We had the duck pâté, baked goat cheese, scallops, and duck con fit... Best duck I've ever had and the scallops... So so Good... I had a "moment" with the scallops. My husband and I will definitely be going back!
(5)Kerry G.
I took two years of Spanish in high school. I cannot speak a word. Coincidentally, I cannot speak a word of French either. But if I were to guess, I would think "Chez Nous" means "yummy fish" in French. No wonder they call it the romance language...
(5)Meg C.
The Lynnoaise salad and the salmon pate were both great, I loved the dressing especially and the bread was a needed compliment to both. The trout was melt-in-your-mouth,perfect flavor deliciousness, my boyfriend said his steak was done just right and the wine selection was lovely. The desserts were ok, he had chocolate mousse that was light and fluffy but could have used a hint of something else. Maybe I'm just not that big a fan of chocolate. The creme caramel was good as well, but again, needed just a hint of something else to make it great. All in all, I loved it and I will be back!
(4)Meera A.
A lot of European restaurants like to have a little snobbery going on to make themselves feel exclusive. I've been to Chez Nous twice, and I'm glad to say it is good food with good attitude. The host chatted with us about the wines and food and made us feel welcome. The service was good the entire time and the food was worth our time and money. We wanted a relaxed, lip-smacking experience, and that's exactly what we got. I went for the Menu du Jour because I wanted a bit of everything. It was a tough choice between their Pate Maison (don't know how to do accent symbols in Yelp) appetizer and their daily soup special, but I chose their chilled cucumber soup. Delicious! Light, summery, with a touch of mint (this theme will repeat in dessert). The man had the tomato bisque with roasted red bells and found t delicious too. For the main course I had their Truit au piment fume, and the man had their charcuterie plate (from the appetizer menu). This worked out very well for me because I didn't have to miss out on eating pate :) The trout was roasted perfectly and flaked off the skin with no effort. The creamy paprika sauce was delicious, and the trout was neatly topped with a nest of fried julienned leek. On the side were carrots and a roasted half-tomato. The charcuterie plate was well put together, with several styles of pate and sliced meat. I didn't taste enough to review it since my fish was so filling and excellent. While the prix fixe menu only offers Creme Caramel (yay for flan without the cinnamon!) and Mousse au Chocolat, you can upgrade to any of their other desserts for the difference in price between the mousse and what you want. The hostess sold me on their dessert special. I forgot its name, but she described it as two meringues in a bed of creme anglaise vanilla sauce, topped with almonds and caramel. The description itself didn't sound too special and I was imagining two crunchy cookie islands on a custard ocean, but I took a chance. And THANK GOODNESS I DID! First off, they weren't crunchy meringue cookies. They were soft, fluffy and airy, with a freshly whipped sheen on them. The custard sauce was light in texture and sweetness, offset brilliantly by a beautifully amber caramel sauce which balanced its sweetness with a hint of bitterness (not yet bitter though). If I had to change anything, I would cut back on the sliced almonds, but that's only because I only eat almonds if they've been roasted and salted. Much like my chilled soup, this dessert was light and summery, yes, with a touch of mint :) So is there a downside to all this deliciousness? Just one - the man ate so much that he had to excuse himself and take a short walk while I finished dessert. Sounded like he needed to ward of an imminent food coma. You still need a reason to go eat French food here? How about the fact that they don't have a website that makes you embarrassed when you try to look up the menu from work?
(5)Adriana H.
This is by far our favorite restaurant in Austin. It's not cheap but worth it every penny!!! Even my daughter, that's a extremely picky, loved it. Awesome food and service!!!!
(5)Thu N.
I went to go eat dinner w/a friend at Chez Nous on a Tuesday night and I feel happy just thinking about it. Atmosphere is very cozy, dim-lighting, sweet decorum. Service was great. The waitress was so helpful w/the menu and recommendations. Bread and butter is so scrumptious! We both ordered menu du jour (entrees change daily) I ordered the ruby trout w/oyster mushrooms. Ugh, it's soooo good. Creamy but not heavy sauce. Lemon slice to squeeze over and the mushrooms were yummy. The vegetables that come along w/it were no excuse- they don't taste like vegetables. It must be drenched with butter. My friend doesn't usually like roasted tomato but even he was enjoying it. We cleaned off both of our plates. For dessert I had the Profiteroles and even though they weren't on the menu du jour, if you want a different dessert, it's just an extra $2! Glass of wine, (2) menu du jour [includes 3 courses], and coffee came to ~ $75. French-dining at its finest
(5)Jeannine T.
As a french woman, I was embarrassed...I felt I was eating in an old cafe in the suburbs of Paris! Everything looks so,old, so cheap....table, chairs, carpet(ugly blue)...even tables have a plastic tablecloth ! I couldn't believe it! The waiter, waitresses don't have any style...... The food is well overpriced for what they serve... We had escargots au beurre (swimming in a sauce?) I had the poisson du jour (ok but not exceptional)...sides...you get a ridiculous pomme dauphine (from the freezer to the oven!) a half of tomate provencale etc, etc.... Don't wait for 45 min. go to an Italian restaurant and ask for just pasta! Probably less expensive at least!
(2)Marcia O.
3 course meal for less than $30!? Any fish with their vanilla beurre blanc sauce; garlicky escargot with mushrooms (not apart of the course menu) with their French baguette; and their decent, "not a small portion" chocolate mousse.....YUMMO!! Love their Rose wine too to help wash it all down...crisp, dry, and fruity! I love French wine and food!!
(4)Alex F.
Highlight dinner of our trip to Austin. Fantastic food, service, atmosphere, and crowd for a quiet & romantic evening with the wife. If we lived in the area, we would be regulars.
(5)Pete L.
Delicious! Prix Fixe (I had to look it up...) All courses were excellent. I went out of my comfort zone and got fish. Tremendous. The dessert? Flawless, effervescent and beautiful. I love the decor and for fine(r)dining, this is a great deal.
(5)JED H.
Words cannot express how wonderful Chez Nous is. As soon as you walk in, you feel immediately transported to a neighborhood French bistro. I have had almost every birthday and anniversary dinner here for the past 15 years. It's intimate and romantic. The staff always remembers us even if we only go there a couple times a year. The service is impeccable. They have well chosen and affordable wines. The soups are exquisite. Amazing Charcuterie. Perfect steak and fish entrees. It is possibly the best and most consistent restaurant in Austin. There is nothing flashy or trendy about Chez Nous, just great atmosphere, service, and most importantly, food!
(5)Kaydee B.
For our anniversary, we wanted something that screamed romance, so what better place than a candlelit French bistro? We came on a Friday evening and although the restaurant was bustling, we were seated promptly. Immediately, we were brought a basket of French bread and it was kept full for the evening, as were our water glasses. Not sure who our waiter was, it seems everyone on staff waited on us and they were all very friendly; not a snooty one among them! I dared my fiancé to try escargot and he loved them, though the parsley was a bit heavy for me. Also, I've only ever had snails cooked inside the mushroom, so was a little hesitant at them being fully exposed. But after one taste of their buttery, garlicky goodness, I quickly got over their slimy snail attire. We both did the more affordable menu du jour, which came with a salad or soup, an entrée and dessert for $29.50. My Salad Lyonnaisse was delightful and perfectly dressed. He tried the Cream of Cauliflower soup and said it was fair, but not stupendous. For our entrees, I had the trout and he had the beef. My trout was excellent and I wanted a giant bowl of the cream sauce that topped it! I would go back just for that sauce! His steak, which he'd asked to be cooked medium, came out rare, so I made sure he also got some of my trout, because the portion was too big for me. Dessert was ok. He had the crepe stuffed with apples and I had the crème brulee. Maybe we were just too full, but dessert was only fair. The noise level of the place was very loud and it was hard to hear each other. Also, it is a little cramped and you can only reach the restrooms by climbing a short staircase, so diners with mobility issues or wheelchairs may want to reconsider dining here. Or just know that you won't be able to pee here. Overall it was a pleasant experience, but I feel like butter will be coming out of my pores for the next two weeks!
(4)Adrianna H.
I can't say enough good things about Chez Nous. We found this place on our first trip to Austin over a year ago and now that we live here it's become our new go-to when planning a date night downtown. The service has always been impeccable each and every time. And the FOOD! I could go on for days about the food. I highly recommend the menu du jour as it gives you a choice of soup, entree and dessert all for around the same price you'd pay for your entree alone. Get the cucumber mint soup and the rainbow trout if they're on the menu when you visit! You won't regret it!
(5)Teresa S.
Let's start with wonderful to walk in to bon swa!!! We were a party of 14! the service was great, the wine selection superb, thanks DB, and my halibut was sheer melt in your mouth! Veggies on the side were perfect! Thanks for a great dinner!
(4)Linda s.
One of my favorite resturants.. it is like leaving the country..!!
(5)Cody K.
This review has been a long time coming. I've been visiting Chez Nous for years, and you know what? This is French bistro dining at its best. Every time I come back, it's like I'm back in Paris. There has never been a single dish that was unsatisfactory. Not a single one: appetizer, soup, salad, entree, prix fixe menu...ALL were spectacular, and cooked perfectly. If you have never tried sweetbreads, try them here. They are, quite literally, mind-blowing. One of the best flavors this side of foie gras. A current offering, the Wagyu flank steak, was delicious. I usually go with the ribeye when I get steak here, but their meat purveyor is top-notch, and this was the real deal (I was, of course, skeptical of any claim of true Wagyu beef). The duck confit melts off the bone, and the sauce is divine. I noticed a switch from escargot to mussels, and it was noted by the staff that the usual escargot provider ran out, and the owner "couldn't find any that he approved of yet." A true food artisan knows when supply is not good enough for his craft, and I very much appreciated this straightforward reply. The mussels, by the way, were perfect -- tender and garlicky. The bread has been panned (ha, see what I did there?) by others as "not authentic," but I believe that the bread, served room temperature, is exactly how the French serve it. The butter is creamy, delicate, and NOT the standard Land-o-lakes oversalted crap you find in the grocery store. Soups are always beautifully prepared and very obviously blended by hand with care in a blender (which is a painstaking process, but produces the best textures). The one I just recently had, cream of mushroom, was earthy and almost pillowy in texture -- marvelous! I hesitate to talk about it (because it might sell out even faster), but...the duck liver mousse is one of the best pates I've ever had in my entire life. This usually sells out by Wednesday or Thursday night, so make sure you go for lunch to get it, or dinner Saturday or Sunday. Desserts are always fantastic, and because I eat so much food I usually end up going with something light, like the chocolate mousse...although I'd hardly consider it "light" by usual standards. It's such a perfect chocolate flavor that I can only eat several spoonfuls before I have to throw in the towel and waddle back to the car. I find it difficult to believe that the dollar rating here is $$$, because it's more like $$ depending on what you order (the prix fixe is VERY, VERY reasonable). I've seen "more upscale" (but not necessarily *better*) French places that are way beyond $$$$, but don't have the charm or family-feel that Chez Nous does. One of the best restaurants *ever*. Bon appetit!
(5)Keith F.
I've had two perfect dining experiences at Chez Nous. The simple elegance of the food, the pace and ambiance, and the level of service are all superb. The virtue of the entrees is not in fancy sauces or reductions, unusual plating, etc. It's just perfectly cooked food, which is an unfortunately rare thing in Austin. When you order a steak, it's not a "passable" warm steak with a pink center that you get, it's a cut of beef served hot with a visibly browned, crispy skin and a rich red center. I especially love the side dishes: potatoes dauphine, sauteed zucchini, roasted tomatoes. The food is not flashy, or fusion-minded, or avant-garde. It's just fully realized, very respectable French cuisine with an aim for perfection. I love the atmosphere too. It's comfortably dim and very sophisticated; easily one of the classiest places in Austin.
(5)Jacqueline P.
It's dark enough to try the snails;)
(4)Ardie S.
French without pretense. I dined with three friends and fellow Yelpers at Chez Nous for the first time last night. The kind hostess at Chez Nous graciously took care of our party of four with immediate seating upon arrival just before 8 PM, even though half of our party were still a few short steps away from the door. As busy as Chez Nous was at the time, they could have easily insisted on a complete party and did not. Kudos for grace under pressure. Chez Nous appears much larger from the outside than it is on the inside due to the expanse of street frontage on Neches that it occupies. Nevertheless, the environ inside more resembles cozy than cramped, and, although the interior can be a bit loud at times for easy conversation, it is not nearly as noisy as, say, Wink. The wine list, while not extensive, is more than adequate. I was well served by a glass of their house Chardonnay, which, proved quite up to complementing the seafood dinner that I knew was to follow. After looking over the menu (both in advance online and again at the restaurant), I chose to go with the Menu du Jour, which is a prix fixe for three courses including appetizer, entree and dessert. It's a steal at a restaurant of this caliber for only $26.50. I started with a Salade Lyonnaise, which was served with a poached egg atop; spectacular and tasty. That was followed by a Truite meunière that was out of this world; best Rainbow trout I think I've ever had, buttery and lemony without being overly so in either right. The accompanying sides were pommes dauphines, carrots, and a tomato, each a work of culinary art in its own right. For dessert, choices were tough, but I went with a Mousse au Chocolat, which lived up to its billing. One of the things that I must point out about Chez Nous that made the evening was the service and staff. I couldn't have imagined a more pleasant troupe of waiters and waitresses, and everyone pitched in to make our total experience a fantastic one. A water glass never went empty, and I was constantly amazed at how unobtrusive the service actually was with such intense attention. I honestly think we were served through the course of the evening by nearly everyone working there. Expect a casual 90+ minute dinner here. For the sake of pacing, I highly recommend three courses rather than two. Also, bring along some good company and scintillating conversation. It's a French tradition for dinner with friends to be enjoyed all evening. I'll be back soon, Chez Nous.
(5)Chloe T.
This food is so authentic! The meal of the day is set up just like in France and the food tastes just like real French food (I've had my fair share of meals while in France!)- LOVE this place! Yelp recommended it and I don't regret it! The ambiance was kinda funky but overall worth it! Salmon cooked to perfection!
(5)Carmen H.
Authentic feel in the heart of downtown. Great service and food scrumptious.
(4)Jason E.
Very good, knowledgeable, and attentive staff with a nice, relaxed french cafe atmosphere, and seating for about 75-80. Not very loud on the Tuesday evening we visited, but packed almost the whole time. The food was very well prepared, with above average ingredients. If you are curious about any dish or wine, we found the staff was very well versed in not only the menu, but had good suggestions for wine pairings.
(4)Meghan K.
I warn you do not go to this place expecting a fancy stereotypical french restaurant. Chez Nous portrays a low-key french bistro. For the lunch, the menu mainly consisted of soups, sandwiches/salads, and a few heavy dishes. I had the Croque Monsieur, and it just melted in your mouth. I'm not a ham person, but the french ham tasted amazing. The ham, Gruyere and Bechamel sauce all went together so well and super rich! I couldn't finish it, but I still enjoyed what I could eat. The owner came out and asked if we wanted dessert. The creme brulee and Profiterolles were their big hit. With creme brulee each place makes it differently. I enjoyed this creme brulee. It was creamy and not too sweet, and they use real vanilla, not just extract , which made the creme brulee have some flavor, not just a sugary taste. Do not let the design of the place get you down because it's the food you are going for, which explains some of the lower ratings. It is truly a hidden jewel that every tourist should visit.
(5)Terry F.
Reasonably priced for the quality of food. The escargot was in a very strong garlic butter, which some may not enjoy, but I loved every bite. The french onion soup was sweet, but not salty like many other less tasty soups elsewhere. Will return.
(4)Javier G.
Is good to start Yelping with my favorite restaurant in Austin. By the moment you enter Chez Nous you feel like your in France. The food is very well prepared and with a great taste. The waitstaff is very friendly. I like the simple and casual atmosphere that makes you feel at home. No noisy trendy chic etc. Just real good people and food. Thats it. We have pate, cheeses, duck and lamb (all delicius) And a botle of excelent Bugundy Wine (Givry) Just please please please make you own baguette . The food is like in France but the bread must be made by Chez Nous Chef. Merci !!!
(5)Russell L.
Sub standard wine list for a regular restaraunt, HORRIBLE wine list for a french restaraunt. No nitrogen tap or anything to prevent ethelacitate, and a general lack of knowledge. In France, food is designed around the wines to accompany them for every course. To top that, the wine is served luke warm, in the wrong glass...because they don't have the right ones. As far as atmosphere, its pretty loud, but quaint and warm; welcoming for the most part. The food was presented poorly, but the flavors and texture made up for everything. Great food. If you're looking for great taste and can look past what I mentioned above, chez nous is the place.
(3)Jen G.
We stumbled upon this place because the wait is not as long as other restaurants on the 6th street. The atmosphere was very French (the owner speaks French and so were several customers). The portions were small. Some dishes were good (Salmon) while most dishes are average (Steak, Pate, Salad, Trout and cream caramel). They got my bill wrong but pretty nice about fixing it right away. Unfortunately, the final amount on my credit card bill is still incorrect ($1 more than I gave them).
(3)Toby M.
All right people, I'm about to say the most scathing thing I've ever said about any restaurant I've ever reviewed. Chez Nous is BORING. Yes, I said it, BORING. I went there for the reviews on here and left disappointed. I've not only made better myself ( especially the mains ) but I've been served better, and had far tastier for MUCH cheaper. I left wondering if what I had was good or was I just wishing it was good so I could justify the price tag. So, lets break it down, the starters. Escargot, well prepared and worth it, salmon rilette, for the price and the taste, I would've preferred two slices of salmon nigiri. Soup! This they did very well, both soups were very well made and tasted how I wish the rest of the meal did. Mains, I had steak in some sauce with a "hint" of cognac. Yeah, hint is right and while the meat was cooked well it was very plain, very, very plain. My partner had salmon in another sauce, with dill, and again, while prepared well it wasn't the least bit interesting. Oh and in case you're wondering, their salmon is obviously farm raised as it was so lightly pink as to almost be white. As for veggies, come on guys a few twigs of asparagus or some haircot vert wouldn't kill you. But you insult my pocket book with a few thin carrot slices, some deep fried potato puff things and a half of a small tomato with a bit of garlic and olive oil that just happened to fall under a broiler for a bit. Dessert, oh boy, now here is where we should get some impressiveness, but no. The custard was the consistency of a cold hard boiled egg with caramel sauce. The custard itself wasn't flavorful and left it all up to the caramel which itself wasn't that flavorful either. The chocolate mousse was firm, but may as well have been chocolate folded into cool whip, it wasn't really that interesting nor that good. Now, the sum total for all of this, with no wine ( and that's another thing, talk about a shallow and over priced wine menu ( and to hell with a $20 cork fee! )) was not only more than it should be, but was far more than completely sensible. I feel positively FLEECED of my money after going here. Prix Fixe is under $30/person but not by much and yet I've had a better service experience and much better food PLUS a bottle of wine for damn near half that price per person. So, my fellow Yelpers, I feel fleeced, bored, and stupefied. If you think this is good French bistro food then by gods you need a palette check. This was dull, uninspired and I frankly won't go back. The food wasn't poor, the service wasn't poor, and the restaurant sure as hell isn't poor ( $8.00 for creme caramel are you serious? ). But for what I was charged I want some inspiration, interestingness, and a dining experience. This appears to be one of those "Austin institutions" that people are unwilling to speak out against, so let me be the first. DON'T BOTHER. Addendum: parking, oh god the awful parking. On the street, no valet, and no validation for any of the parking garages. Come on now if you're going to steal my cash at least give me some place to park!
(2)Margaret J.
Good foods, and we are old fans of Chez Nous for several years. Their country pate is good and also I like their fillet mignon and duck dish. I am a vege-lover but I hope someday they change their side dishes with something new. Menu du Jour is good deal but wish more choices than one steak or salmon. My husband complaint about the dish portion is small but for me it was about right. Their wine list is good and the server's suggestion usually works for us.
(4)Steve H.
We got a gift certificate for Chez Nous at Christmas and decided to use it when I was in Austin for Valentine's Day. This is a small restaurant - about 40 people total seating. It has the requisite French posters that all such restaurants. Other than that, don't expect a lot of atmosphere, vinyl tablecloths, and all. Having said that, this is a nice place for a special dinner. We both had the prix fixe menu at $25, but added an extra appetizer and of course wine. Our total bill was about $120; this could easily have been a $200 dinner at many other French restaurants, it was that good. The pate sampler plate was a great start, followed by an excellent Lyonnaise salad. The salmon was grilled perfectly medium rare and was complemented by beautifully balanced cream sauce. I chose the cheese plate for dessert; my husband had the creme caramel, which was good but unremarkable. All in all, a great choice.
(4)Greg G.
My wife and I ate here last night and what a meal!! Do yourself a favor and take your favorite person with you for a great French dinner. We had the scallops and the tenderloin. The scallops were mouth candy, the best I've ever had, really. My wife's tenderloin was absolutely melt in your mouth deliciousness. All I can say is you need to go to Chez Nous whether or not you are a foodie. Sooooo goooood.
(5)Vincent N.
This place is where I had the best soup in my life - creamy spinach. Menu du jour is great and they have a great selection of wine. Also the staff is just lovely. I dig this place, try it out!
(5)Garreth W.
Simply put, the food is delicious, blowing my socks off with flavor. I had the entrecote bernaise, while Mary enjoyed some kind of French BLT. We followed up with something which seemed to be called "Black gob" if my schoolboy language lessons serve me right. So this is what occupied my attention the whole time I was there. Was our waiter pretending to be French or not? Seriously, there was no question about how the food or exquisite desserts could have been better. They were parfait. In more ways than one. Well the waiter came back with a snippy "No!" when Mary asked for something not on the menu. That was fairly representative of my tourist experiences of Paris waiters. Who can blame them. But then, he came back with a "well we can do that, but we don't make a habit of it" which was half way towards Texan. He spoke briskly. He was efficient. He pronounced the dish names with a flourish. I really couldn't make out an accent in his English. So. Mystery. Good food. Everything you need for a posh lunch.
(5)Mark L.
Despite it's less than desirable location in the heart of the 6th. Street entertainment district, Chez Nous never disappoints. This is not the heavy French cuisine that many are familiar with - this is more French country bistro style. It's also more affordable too! Go for the three course prix fixe menu for $25.00. This includes a salad or nightly pate + an entree (they differ nightly but a trout dish is pretty standard) + Creme Caramel or Mousse. Lunch is great as well and they have some very nice crepes and salads to choose from beyond the entree selections.
(5)Courtney J.
Chez Nous' cozy atmosphere and French cuisine takes you to a place far from the neon lights of Austin's 6th St. to a bustling French bistro. Want the best deal in the house? Order from the Menu du Jour and choose a soup/salad, an entree, and a dessert for $25.50. At a French restaurant, you expect one thing to be foolproof: the bread. With such wonderful food, how did Chez Nous overlook a key element of French cuisine and substitute an unexciting soft loaf in its place? Where was the iconic, crunchy-on-the-outside and doughy-on-the-inside French baguette that can be found in every Paris bakery? Herein lies the reason for the 4 out of 5 stars that I have given Chez Nous. Chez Nous, I am going to forget about that detail. If anyone asks me where I would like to eat for dinner, I'll say, "Chez Nous, s'il vou plait."
(4)Lady R.
We would recommend fewer tables for how expensive this place is. This place really does rip you off and kind of really ruined our night. They try to fit way too many tables in a very small space. We were very close to leaving as soon as we saw inside but we thought we would give it a try. We were sat, but had to get up and move because we were so close to the group next to us and could here every single word each of them were saying as if they were talking right in your ear. i am sure they weren't trying to be as loud as they were, but it was WAY too loud, we couldn't hear ourselves talking. The hostess greeted us, but wasn't smiling or didn't really look at us. She had a very strong repugnant smell, but I guess that is how she likes to smell. It is not romantic, it actually feels cheap and dirty here. Music is no where near romantic and the people here are not romantic. Cheap chairs, cheap candle light, dirty utensils, (we had to wipe ours because there was still food or something dried on our forks), We wanted to like the place so badly, but just couldn't. Don't take your girlfriend or boyfriend here. Not a romantic place. They will think you are cheap. REALLY. I am saying it again. In a nut shell, the food was basically fish and veggies with melted butter all over them. You cannot see anything here. This place is WAY too dim. It's very hard to see anything. It's the darkest restaurant we have ever been to. We were not offered any free samples of wine however, the much older group of people that were being seated immediately got asked and had samples. I guess that is alright since the restaurant knows they have more money, but we didn't feel like we were getting any kind of special treatment. If anything the lady gave us attitude for wanting to move from the noise. The restrooms are REALLY small. Small toilet, very small sink. We got the menu de jour with was a total of 56 dollars for two people plus tip and let me tell you, it wasn't worth it! Don't make the same mistake! Don't get it! The salad was honestly so small and was tossed in too much oil and had a total of one small cherry tomato slices, some greens, and a poached egg, the cup of soup (tomato basil) was WAY too salty, the trout was OK just it was swimming in butter and was mostly skin, the crayfish tails we were suppose to get were extremely small (we got four little tails) and covered with butter, the salmon had a really heavy sauce that stays in your mouth for hours and was of course swimming in butter, and finally the dessert: creme caramel and chocolate mousse. The mousse comes in a small shallow bowl and is not well presented. It's just a flat layer of mouse in a flat small bowl. The creme caramel is Mexican FLAN. It's FLAN that is priced at 7 bucks. Go buy the exact same thing at the grocery store for a dollar. They taste exactly the same and are as equally as terrible to eat. While your at the grocery store go get the canned tomato basil soup for a dollar. Bon appetite. We felt like the hostesses were dressed too casually for the price of everything else. No need to dress up if you are coming here. Everyone wears casual clothes. We went to go to eat tacos after the "three course meal" because we weren't filled at all. That is pretty sad. I probably felt hungrier after eating at this place and felt guilty for consuming that much better and fat. If you're going to eat this much fat it should be TASTY. This place had no taste. The tacos were so much more satisfying, filled with tons of taste and we were completely happy with the price we paid for them. The slices banquettes you get look fantastic, but that was about it. Really hard, no softness as all. No taste at all. Better off eating paper. They were playing Indian music while we were there... ??? If I was just rating the French server who later served us I would give him a five: super nice, big smile, quick on his feet, spoke French to us, super cool guy. The other two ladies a three: no smiling, super casual clothes, and just not happy people. And the food: a one. The environment: a one. Sorry this place was just a big disappointment. : / I would not recommend this place to anyone. Food is so cheaply made and has way too much butter.
(1)Tina L.
Went almost two weeks ago, and I'm still thinking about their steak. It was so tender and juicy and the sauce was absolutely perfect with it. The creme caramel was also pretty freaking amazing - creamy and just the right amount of sweet...I almost just drooled at the thought. The fish was only okay; too buttery for my taste. And the chocolate mousse was really enjoyable, although the serving is HUGE. I think if they're going to give that much mousse, a glass of milk should be complimentary to help it go down. Atmosphere was cute, a lot smaller than I expected, but the waiter was very French and very nice, and I liked that the music wasn't some cheesy business - just instrumental stuff that made you feel like you were actually in a cafe in Paris. Also, I really liked the bathroom. It was just really adorable.
(4)M B.
This intimate, casual restaurant just off 6th Street is about as close to a French bistro as you will find in Austin. When you walk in, if you squint a little, you could be in Paris. (Not that I've ever actually been to France - but I have seen Ratatouille, and it looked a lot like that.) Food is excellent - simple in execution, high in flavor (and fat, but what do you want - it's French). The complimentary bread is excellent - fresh plain baguette with just a bit of chewiness. A small but sufficient selection of wines by the glass. The "menu du jour" is an excellent bargain for the price - $25.50 for an appetizer, main course (usually something grilled plain with a lovely side sauce), and dessert. If you add two glasses of wine, coffee and tip, you will still stay under $100. A very good deal for such good food. Clientele is almost exclusively older couples and silver-haired groups of friends. This is exactly the kind of place where you would expect to run across your former UT sociology professor in sensible pumps and her retired lawyer husband dressed in a sweater vest. This is by no means a criticism - I enjoy the company of older folks very much - just want to set the right expectation on atmosphere. This is not a good place to go if you and a bunch of rowdy friends want to get loaded and loud. Waiters are brisk, slightly haughty but cordial, just like you'd expect in France, except that they were cordial. Again, note caveat that I've never been to France, but from what I've heard from other people, cordial is not a characteristic you can expect from waiters there. Business on a Sunday night was good, but never a full house. A good night to go if you don't want to wait. A very nice place indeed.
(4)Bill W.
This is a quaint, quiet place that serves as a respite from the wild abandon on nearby 6th Street. This is real French food -- the owners are French, and the service is excellent. My one and only complaint? The menu on the website is outdated, so use it only as a guide to the type of food and wine offered here. Chez Nous opened in 1982 and the decor still looks like it. It's not bad, but you know that you're not in a "trendy" restaurant -- you're in a place that cares about the food and the customers more than keeping up with the Joneses. There is a mural on the wall painted in 1982 by a friend of the owners. He comes over from France occasionally to touch it up. You have to love this type of dedication to food and friends. The prix fixe menu is a bargain. I had pork rilette (pate), steak with roquefort sauce, and chocolate mousse. The steak was *perfectly* cooked to medium and the entire menu was delicious. The chocolate mousse is served without frills, but I imagined how it might have tasted with a blackberry-pepper reduction. I cleaned the bowl nonetheless! The bread is plain -- it's the light and airy type that serves only to transport the cold butter to your mouth, not the hearty, crusty type. Try the picpoul de pinet from the white wine list. It's one of my favorite varietals and a nice find here.
(5)Kevin C.
this is what justine's wishes they could be. every time i go, the wait staff is friendly and helpful without being overbearing, and the food is wonderful.
(5)Tracie C.
I was disappointed with the staff, and don't know if I can get over it. My boyfriend called them the day before we went to see if he needed to make a reservation, and was told that they do not take reservations for parties of less than 6 people. So the next day (Friday), we went in at 6:47pm (47 minutes after they had opened for dinner). The hostess told us it would be 45 minutes which we did not have a problem with because the restaurant was small and busy. The hostess took my boyfriend's cell number and said she would call us when our table was ready. All good up to this point. We took a 40 minute walk around downtown, and it is from here that I have decided that I will not return to this restaurant. Upon our return, we went to the bar which was missing a bartender to serve anyone, and noticed that everyone was still early in their main courses. Once we reached the 50 minutes waiting point, I sent the bf up to ask the hostess how it was looking. He worked as a soux chef through college, and has a better appreciation of how restaurants work, hence why he is my ambassador! The hostess said probably only 15 more minutes, however they had to sit a party of 12 that had a reservation first. Disappointments: Hostess knew she had a party of 12 with reservations coming in at 8pm, and was being unrealistic in her "wait time" estimate. Everyone in the restaurant were still working on and enjoying their main courses. After 50 minutes, the two couples who were on the list before us were still on the list and, like us, waiting for tables despite the hostess ever optimistic hope of only 15 more minutes. We and one couple before us and two couples behind us on the list left and went elsewhere that night.
(1)Lauren W.
We ate here last night after there was a 2 hour wait at Moonshine (also a good eat!). As a visitor, I'd walked by Chez Nous before and thought it looked out of place for the just-off-sixth street location, but a local friend said that it's really good. AND It is. We all got the menu d'jour prixe fixe and loved it. On the first course, we had two pate's -- pork rillette was delicious, and the lyonnaise salad had a perfectly poached egg on top. Everyone liked the entrees they selected. I got the steak and it was done perfectly - lots of butter. The roasted tomato on the veggie side dish was to die for. I loved that for dessert you could upgrade to a different one if you wanted. I love myself a cheese plate and the brie did not disappoint! This was also one of the basic dessert options. The wine list is extensive and there are quite a few picks for by the glass. The hubs was tickled pink to see a french beer he loves: the Fischer Amber. Ambience was great - it was casual and cozy, which was perfect for an evening of catching up with an old friend. The owner stopped by at each course to check on how we were doing, but we had no complaints or issues!
(5)Cristina Z.
Delicious food & great service! Complicated wine list if you aren't a wine expert or French. Portions are much more European size rather than American. (Small for our taste lol) However if you order salad, appetizer, entree and dessert, you will leave full. A bit pricey but either range as most french cuisine restaurants.
(4)Pamela B.
First time here and I want to go back! Went right as they opened on Saturday night, even managed to find parking across the street. We went with regulars so they offered some advice on options. The service was very good, never had an empty water glass. We all ordered from the Prix Fixe menu. Salade Lyonnaise request the lardones with it, how do you go wrong with bacon? For my entree, I ordered the Truite auz champign - roasted ruby trout with white wine cream, truffle oil and oyster mushrooms. It was wonderful! For dessert I had the Creme caramel (flan), it was good but I would have enjoyed a stronger caramel flavor. Two of our group had the beef option, very good. My daughter had the salmon and it was also amazing. They were very good at answering questions regarding gluten free options (seem like most of the menu is). No gluten free bread option but who wants to fill up on bread with this amazing menu? I've noted it's good for groups but.... you would not want to have one more than about 8. This is a small restaurant, intimate with no glaring conversation noises like other places with high ceilings and large open areas.
(5)cara b.
It's not the quaint little bistro in Paris with the cute little couple holding hands over in the corner and the most amazing salmon roulade that transposes you to a layer of heaven you've never imagined. But that's Paris. And this is Austin. The food is consistently delicious, the staff is friendly (listen to their recommendations), the other diners are funny, and it calls itself a bistro, not haute cuisine. I celebrate here, starting the evening out with a kir royale, ordering off the daily specials (with a bottle of recommended wine), ending with coffee and chocolate mousse, and I've always walked out thinking "totally worth it".
(5)Samantha W.
This is the only place in Texas I've eaten at that is actually French. So French actually that it is scary. From waiting at the standing only wine bar to being served complimentary cornichons, olives and cheese bread to hearing all the staff explain the specials in French accents-- it was an authentic experience. I studied french for 7 years and have been to France twice. Chez Nous out of many American bistros that strive to be Francophone probably gets the highest marks for authenticity I've seen in awhile. Well done CN. Food + Service + Ambiance was all excellent. The best way to describe this place is "casual elegance". They don't try too hard in their decor or presentation but it feels fancy in its own way. Desert: Profiteroles. Don't even think about ordering anything else. Cheese + Fruit Plate: So taste. Much yum. Wow. Bonus for Vegetarians: Their salads are actually amazing. They don't just throw leaves in a bowl and pile oil on them. They are artfully crafted and show intention. Sometimes ordering a salad at a nice restaurant is a disappointment, you pay for the plating. Chez Nous does not skimp on the greenery. Its also affordable. For 2 people our bill was $100 (4 glasses of wine, cheese plate, two entrees and dessert). Seems quite reasonable considering what a nice time we had. This place has been open since 1982 and I'm happy they're reviewed at nearly a 5 star level. They deserve it!
(5)Morgan N.
We had dinner here the night of the super bowl. It wasn't very busy, which was the idea. It is quite small inside so if it was full I could imagine it would be very loud/stuffy. The staff was VERY attentive and helpful. The food selection was nice. We ordered from the pre-fixe menu since it was pretty much the same price as all the entrees. The food was tasty. All in all it was a very nice dinner and the food was yummy but it was just overpriced for what it was. I have had very similar (or even better) meals for less in Austin. I am glad I went but I probably wouldn't go again.
(3)Ann M.
Oh my god I ended up here two nights in a row because of business and it didn't even matter. It's small, with great atmosphere and amazing food. Had the menu du jour, and I cannot recommend the roasted cauliflower cheese soup enough. If they mention it is the soup, you must have it!!! It's a great place to talk with friends or do dinner with business colleagues. Small and comfortable. The waitstaff don't bug you and it's actually not crazy formal like you might think a French restaurant would be. Nice change from your 6th street craziness. Also - eat the profiteroles. You will not regret it.
(5)Josh R.
Amazing amazing amazing! Wife ordered a movie to the wrong alamo drafthouse so we were stuck with nowhere to go on a Saturday evening. I called Chez Nous and the guy told me to rush over. We got there got in and beat the rush. The decor is elegant but casual. The wine was fantastic, the food was authentic and truly the best I have ever had from a French restaurant. A must go for French food lovers. Go!
(5)Gus G.
Been coming here forever. Consistently great food. Wonderful little spot and super staff.
(5)Mer S.
Holy shit. Just. Holy shit. After coming back from France for two weeks, the first thing I found myself missing was the food. I never thought I'd eat something that matched the deliciousness I consumed every night in the small French towns in the countryside. But dammit, Chez Nous proved me wrong. I came here for my birthday dinner with my family because they wanted me to relive my France experience with them. (What an awesome family right?) We got the sampler of pâtés and cheeses. The pâtés were amazing. The cheeses were, for the most part, a tad strong for me. But hey, that's French cheese. For my entree I ordered the confit of duck and it was amazing. They grilled the skin crisp and served it with a cherry compote, I believe. It was fantastic and I loved it. It was tender, juicy, flavorful, and just fabulous. I can't get over how good it was! Love love love. It reminded me of the duck confit I had in France. My dad ordered the scallops, and they were just absolutely freaking amazing. Flavorful, plump, nicely seared. Nothing not to like. My sister ordered the pan seared steak with a butter and shallot pan sauce I think. It was amazing. Tender, nice even crust on the outside. Just fantastically flavorful. Each entree came with a plate of sides, including a roasted tomato, some carrots, and potato fritters. All very good. We paired our meal with some fancy-ass champagne that my dad picked out and that was freaking delicious. Sorry I don't know the name, wine-lovers. It was amazing though! Service in French restaurants is SLOW. Just freaking slow. It's how they roll. Meals last 2 hours or more if you get 3 courses. Expect to wait, but enjoy yourself! Service isn't incredibly attentive, but if you get the waiter/waitress' attention, they'll be happy to help you. It's a different kind of dining experience, and it's pretty authentically French here. Slow, easy going, and fabulous food. But I'll tell you what, one thing about this place that is definitely NOT French... The noise level. Good god the other diners were LOUD. But eh, that's not in the restaurant's control. Summary: OH EM GEE FRENCH FOOD
(5)Phyllis K.
It's incredibly refreshing to visit a French bistro whose cup does not runneth over with pretension. Very quaint (I say this in a purely objective sense, it's provincial, like diner-in-a-small-town-in-Virgina provincial), very cute, and super friendly waitstaff . ** We both got the steak prix fixe with salmon pate and soup appetizers, both were pretty standard. The steak itself was pretty mediocre, think: Wedding banquet steak. Satisfying, but with a weird texture and generic flavor. I definitely will go back to try some of the regular entrees, but I will also expect a lot more flavor-wise. Overall though, 27 bucks that cover app, entree, and dessert is not a bad deal. ** I love an attentive waitstaff! Rare find!
(3)Cate M.
This place definitely goes on the list of "treat yourself" digs. Made the mistake of going on a Friday night at 8:00 o'clock without calling first, but no worries with a nice glass of wine and general chattery at the bar with attentive and knowledgeable barstaff- only complaint, don't wear heels ladies- standing room only. Or you can wait on the street and amuse yourself watching the crowd across the way at Coyote Ugly...strange juxtaposition there. Sat down to a heavenly combo of the best pate I've ever tasted -duck liver with cranberries, the salade verte with delicious champagne/dijon vinaigrette and the Soul ;) ...I mean Sole Veronique- melts in your mouth literally. So good. Can't wait to try it again!
(4)Erin O.
Let Me Preface this Review by saying that I LOVE Chez Nous. It has been a favourite restaurant of mine for the 10 years I've lived in Austin. That said....Last Friday, I had a supremely disappointing experience there. Normally - If I were to have a bad experience somewhere for the first time in 10 years I wouldn't necessarily give it a bad review. In fact, this is my very first time to even use Yelp to post a negative review. Chez Nous - you have driven me to do this & I would love for you to contact me personally so that I can continue to feel good about coming to your restaurant. My Husband & I are not regulars at Chez Nous - we spend time there for Special Occasions about 4x a year...and when I say spend time, I also mean that we spend money...a lot of money. We have celebrated many anniversaries, birthdays & the like there, and Chez Nous holds a sentimental place in our hearts. Last Friday was our anniversary. Chez Nous was busy as usual but we were seated promptly & sat down to enjoy what should have been a wonderful meal. The first sign that all was not well was that we were not greeted or offered anything other than water for at least 10 minutes, They were busy,,,we understood. We flagged a waiter down & ordered appetizers & entrees from the menu. The appetizers were fabulous. However, when our entrees arrived...they were not. We ordered Veal Sweetbreads & Sea Bass. Both were extremely overcooked. To add insult to injury our vegetables were stone cold. We ate a couple of bites, and waited patiently for someone to ask about our food. Two people came by & asked us if they could box it up. We said no & before we could say anything else - they were off to other tables. We finally decided to wave someone down. We are not waivers. Once we explained the situation to someone - they sent the manager or hostess (couldn't tell) over to talk to us. She explained to us that our entrees were pan sauteed...twice. Now I don't want to get haughty or anything but my husband & I have prepared both of these dishes on our own and know a little something about French cooking techniques. Let's just say that if Julia Child were alive, we would stalk her. We told the manager/hostess that we understood that cooking technique and asked that she literally touch our food so that she could see that both dishes were inedible. At that point, she took both plates away & put them in the window (I assume the dish window) and suggested we move on to dessert. She was kind enough to offer a "discount" on our food. We moved onto dessert and another glass of wine and all was well until we got the bill. Her idea of a discount was $10. We decided to write a note on the back of the bill to explain to her that this was "laughable" since we paid $25+ for each entree and had not eaten them. She saw us writing the note and came over to our table. This is where it gets interesting folks. I explained that I was "in the industry" and understood mistakes & busy nights. She asked me what I would have done in this situation. I said that I would have comped the food & at least brought the situation to the attention to the chef. She said that the Chef was busy and that they couldn't just go around comping everyone's food. That said...my husband & I were done. We paid our $150 bill and tipped out the nose as usual. After all..it wasn't really the waiter's fault. Oh Chez Nous. I heard you were going downhill but really??? Has it come to this?? Please bring back your great service & amazing food. I already miss it!
(1)Daniel T.
Chez Nous is easily one of my favorite restaurants in Austin and scores 5 stars across the board. It is located in between 5th and 6th on Neches in a small, quaint building, so it is best to get reservations! They have a wonderful dinner prix fix menu for $30 that is well worth it. I went here last Friday night to celebrate my graduation from UT with my family and I'm so glad I chose to go to this place. The service is excellent and the staff is very friendly and helpful. There were 6 of us and we had a reservation right at 6 PM, when they open for dinner. We started off with a delicious Cabernet and bread and butter. We ordered a cheese plate as an appetizer and it was absolutely delicious. I highly recommend it! We all decided to do the 3 course prix fix menu and you get a choice of soup, salad, or pate for the first course. I went with the soup, which was a potato leak, and I tried some of the pate, which was delicious! The salads looked excellent as well and came with an egg on top. For the main course you could choose between hangar steak, fish, and another type of protein. Our entire table chose the hangar steak and it was absolutely delicious. It was accompanied by a garlic butter sauce, fried crispy shallots, and a cauliflower soufflé, that was out of this world. The steak was cooked perfectly and had wonderful flavor. For dessert you could choose between chocolate mousse, custard, profiteroles, or pay $2 more and get anything else off the dessert menu. I decided to go with the creme brûlée, which was an excellent choice. We finished off the dinner with another bottle of Cabernet and coffee, making for a very wonderful dinner and it is a perfect place for a fun and classy atmosphere in downtown Austin. I highly recommend this place and will definitely be going back very soon!
(5)Marco C.
My girlfriend and I celebrated our 3 year anniversary at Chez Nous. We had a good night! The pre-fix menu is definitely worth the money. There's a nice selection for the appetizer, entree, and dessert. I found the duck pate to be flavorful and satisfying, but there was so much of it. Was I not supposed to finish it? Their fish dishes are fantastic, and that night, I ordered trout (I think), which came with oyster mushrooms! I only gaze at those things from a far when I'm at Central Market, so I was excited to try them out. The fish was cooked perfectly, and I'd recommend it to anyone. I'd love to try their salmon if I get another chance. The downer was the dessert. My girlfirend's caramel flan was underwhelming. My chocolate mousse was good; however, similar to the pate, there was just too much. This isn't really a knock on Chez Nous, but after having dessert at other establishments, I expect more complexity to the dishes. In hindsight, I can appreciate the simplicity and elegance with the desserts (and all of the dishes in general), but I figure that French food may not be my thing.. The bread's fantastic, and the drink menu is affordable for what it is. The waitress gave us a great suggestion on a champagne. I expected the ambiance to be a little more romantic, but the dim lights and serenity of Chez Nous are a huge draw. Overall, we enjoyed Chez Nous. I'd definitely recommend coming out here, and I think it was a nice change of pace from the food scene we frequent. Chez Nous keeps things simple and does those things well.
(4)Dillar S.
Best little date spot in town. My friends took my partner and I here on a double date. We all ordered the prix fixe menu with different entrees and 5 stars goes to each plate! For only $25 you can choose one of the appetizers, an entree, and a dessert. I find the options to vary and plenty to choose from. The wait staff is always friendly and eager to explain whats going on. Each of them are also very knowledgeable with wine pairings. I was impressed with the short wait on a packed Saturday night. The hostess even offered to take our phone number and call us when our table was ready in case we wanted to walk down the block for a drink. The second time we ate here was a party of 8, once again - all the food was delicious, the wait staff was on their game, no wait for a table, and an amazing atmosphere for us to sit and chat. I love this little French restaurant in the midst of downtown.
(5)ZOrina G.
*i am giving it a one star because I believe this place needs to stop having such a high rating on Yelp. This network has become well known and its star ratings are indeed the sole reason why me and numerous other individuals decide to try a spot. My views are the same as many other yelpers: food is if not bad just average and the service is ridiculous, which for me consistent of a group of 3 snotty girls that make you feel intimidated if you can't pronounce the French names of EVERYTHING that's on the menu. The price is too high for what you get.
(1)Wei C.
I wasn't sure if their foods are really authentic French, since we've had better duck confit in France. The trout tastes pleasant, particularly with the fried skin.
(4)Lesley C.
Cute little French restaurant in downtown serving up great affordable cuisine. I went with several people so I was able to try most of the items on the menu. The selections on the pre fix menu were just as good as their regular items. I had the wagyu beef medallion which was perfectly cooked and my husband had the scallops which were some if the best I ever had. Can not wait to go back.
(5)Deborah P.
Three of us, all middle-class people of color, arrived for lunch and were treated with aggressive rudeness and unmitigated hostility and were run out of the restaurant by the staff in less than three minutes. I have lived all over the country and have traveled abroad and have never been treated with such blatant disregard. I will never set foot in this restaurant again and would strongly recommend that any non-white patrons avoid this place.
(1)Tamara S.
Best sandwhich I've ever had. It was a steak sandwhich and came with a side salad: the bread was lightly toasted with a garlicy taste and tenderloin steak. The salad was a fresh mix with a strong vinagrette. I couldn't believe my taste buds. So rich yet light. Steak was so tender!! Owners were so great!! And the service was impeccable!
(5)Nathan I.
Let me just preface the following with this: when I update a review, you know a place has made a serious impression. In this case, I never thought I'd be updating a restaurant like Chez Nous, which has already proven to be such a fabulous establishment. But, this one is certainly well deserved. On a Friday afternoon, I discovered that Chez Nous was actually open for lunch, and I figured a nice, long, sumptuous afternoon lunch never hurt anyone. I enjoy the ambiance in the daytime almost as much as in the evening, and even though it's the middle of the day and they're blasting Disturbed's "Down With The Sickness" across the street at Coyote Ugly (don't worry, you can only hear it outside), the interior retains its sense of calm--and even a little bit of its romantic flare--as it boasts during dinner service. Originally I had planned to have the escargot I love so much, but decided to start with the pâté maison, of which there were three choices and I chose the duck. It was as incredibly rich as I had remembered, and an excellent start to the meal. There was a gathering of work associates at the table behind me (I could tell because it was definitely a motley crew, with a bunch of different people you'd NEVER see actually hanging out together in the real world), and one lady revealed they were off to do one of those downtown duck tours as part of a workplace "team building" excursion. It sounded perfectly awful. But what didn't sound awful was the special the waiter announced to them, and for which most of them opted. By the time he got to me, I knew I wanted the sandwich du jour, too: Bacon, goat cheese, and tomato on lightly toasted French bread. It hit the spot and was the perfect option to balance out the more decadent appetizer. In fact, it was light enough to leave room for dessert. When I glanced at the dessert menu and saw the word "profiteroles", I knew that I was dead in the water and that my diet would have to take a backseat for the day. The puff pastries were filled with vanilla Amy's Ice Cream (nice to see the local Austin integration), and topped with warm chocolate sauce. A+ for the powdered sugar presentation. Once again, I'm finding myself loving these more "summer time" desserts, and the profiteroles were no exception. Now I know that not only can I have an amazing dinner at Chez Nous (Yvette, I think the time has rolled around again for one of our dinner dates), but I can have a charming, delightful lunch as well. 5 Stars...again!
(5)Margo C.
You cannot go wrong here. I had a salad, condin entre, and brie with port for dessert. The food was so perfectly delicious and beautiful. The restaurant itself is super charming. Downtown, between 5th and 6th street, stepping into this place is like stepping off the street into a different dimension... a french dimension perhaps (I've never been so I can't really say). But I loved the lighting, the seating, the service, and highly highly recommend this place for a date or a low-key special night.
(5)Jessie R.
THIS is what I was craving when I tried and was disappointed by Justine's several months ago. Chez Nous delivers wonderfully simple and delicious French fare without pretense. My salad and rainbow trout were perfect, but the star of the night came at dessert in the form of île flottante. Airy islands of meringue floating in a pool of creme anglaise arrived in front of me, and my world changed. The meringue was light and not too sweet, and (as it should) melted in my mouth like little bites of heaven. If I recall, the dessert was on special, so don't be surprised if you don't see it on the menu. Just pray that the dessert gods are smiling on you and it is on special, too.
(4)Robert J.
We were in Austin for the Inaugural Formula 1 United States Grand Prix in Austin in 2012. We visited Chez Nous after walking the city of Austin looking for a place to eat near the Omni Hotel. After what seemed like a good hour checking out places, avoiding the land mines of puke on 6th St, we ended up at Chez Nous. It seemed like a nice sedate place to have a nice quiet dinner. It seemed homey. It seemed like our kind of place just looking in the window. My wife noticed that they had a paté du jour. We realized that we had found exactly what we needed at that moment in time. It was all simple French Bistro stuff. Honestly, I don't remember the details. We had a lovely paté. We enjoyed the sweetbreads. It has been so long that I don't remember what else we had, but it was all wonderful, as were the wines that were suggested to us. We very much enjoyed Chez Nous as a "mature" alternative to the other places we walked by. We think that the owner of the restaurant really appreciated how much we appreciated his product. He seemed to look at us, thinking, "These people understand what's good." He took care of us accordingly. We'll be back if we're ever in Austin again.
(4)Ann S.
I thought I'd love you. Or at least I wanted to like you. I really did. Instead, I spent $140 and you severely disappointed. Hubs took me here for an early birthday dinner on Saturday. It was between Chez Nous or Barley- I wish I had picked Barley. The place was packed by 6:45, and there were 5 servers waiting on everyone...and I mean everyone. No one had assigned sections and they seemed to all be working as a "team." Bad idea. Who does that? All it did was lead to confusion. 1.5 stars for service. More on that later. Overall, I would give the food a 3.5-4. The duck pate was just like any other pate- nothing special. The escargots were disappointing- Shearn's escargots (in Galveston) kicked Chez Nous' ass. My tenderloin was good but again nothing special. If I'm ordering the most expensive thing on the menu, I expect it to be freaking delicious. Hubs' scallops were by far the best thing. The creme brulee was tasty, but honestly, you'd have to try really hard to mess up creme brulee. Now back to service: it was the most awful service I've had in foreverrrr. The staff was friendly enough (some were more professional than others- ahem, guy that smacked my menu with a pen multiple times while making recommendations). However, we ordered our entrees before the table next to us ordered theirs. Since the tables are so damn close, I could hear that they ordered the same steak as me- cooked the same way- and the trout dish. They were almost done eating by the time we got our food! There's no way Hubs' scallops could've taken 15-20 minutes longer than the trout took to cook! No one ever came by to ask if my steak was cooked to my liking. In case you're wondering, it wasn't. I ordered medium rare, and what I got was more of a medium well. OHHH, maybe THAT's what took so long! I didn't bother sending it back because I was starving and figured that it'd take forever for them to remake it. After the table next to us was done with entrees and requested the check, 3 different servers came by to ask if they wanted a dessert menu. "Umm no, we're getting dessert elsewhere. Just the check please," they had to repeat and repeat. In the meantime, what were we waiting for? The damn dessert menu! Jeez, just turn around and you could've seen that I was waiting. My table was only 2 feet away! As much as I glared, no eye contact was ever made. We had to wait another 10 or so minutes before someone came over to us. What a shitty early birthday dinner. Thanks a bunch, Chez Nous.
(2)Shannon J.
We tried to dine there yesterday (Feb 15th). After being seated, we waited for some time for our waiter to arrive (long enough where I was ready to go to the bar myself to get a drink) to greet us and take our order. The busboy was also quite slow and we did not get water or bread until 15 minutes after being seated (a few minutes after being acknowledged by our waiter). We ordered the Menu du Jour, as we figured given the place was very busy, the orders would come out fairly quickly if we ordered from that selection. In addition, I got a glass of wine and escargot, while my husband got water as they did not have iced tea or soda (he doesn't drink). The escargot was delicious. I flagged down the waiter for a second glass of wine. After another half hour (we had now been seated for an hour), we noticed that tables who were seated after us were getting their main course. Our waiter had disappeared and we had to get another staff person to take care of us. Since we had plans at 9:30, we didn't want to place our order again and did not want to have to wolf down our salad, main course and dessert in 20 minutes, so we asked for our check. They did give my husband the onion soup and me the salad comped, as aside from the small escargot and the bread, we had nothing else to eat and the point of going there was dinner. The salad and soup were tasty, as much as we could enjoy it as we were now in a hurry. We had to pay for two glasses of wine and the escargot and were given a $10 certificate for the next visit which considering they completely screwed our special dinner was more of a slap in the face. The original waiter never stopped by to apologize. No, we did not leave a tip. We made a point to make it clear that the zero tip was not an oversight. Later that evening we got gyros at one of the stands since we were still hungry.
(1)Jana E.
Excellent food and ambiance. I would come here any time. This is a magnificent place for a date.
(5)Susan G.
I had not been to Chez Nous in 20 years, for some ridiculous reason every time we chose to try a new restaurant, we chose "new" restaurants. I had company in town last week that wanted an authentic French meal, we tried Chez Nous. It is now my favorite restaurant in Austin. They have a wonderful fixed price menu, which includes an appetizer, main course, and dessert, for $36.00. You won't find better food anywhere in Austin!
(5)Jessica S.
My answer: "Amazing. Amaaaazing. Amazing." Her question: "How are the scallops?" And they really were. Been a long time since I had scallops, which is sad, because really, they are one of my favorites of the sea-dwellers. Our server said she was not normally a scallop person, but these changed her mind. The sauce with the mushrooms and the scallops combined for a lot of delicious. We started with a glass of the lovely house champagne. The goat cheese rounds were tasty. I tried a bite of pate. ... It's still not my thing. There was more wine. And more bread. And profiteroles were a nice way to end the evening, topped with a cup of cappuccino. It's a cute little date spot. And if you've got good ju-ju like I do, you'll get rockstar parking (right by the door!!) like we did.
(5)Larry C.
If you think Matt's El Rancho is Mexican Food, Torchy's $4 tacos are street food, and Carmelo's is Italian, then you'll no doubt buy into the other Austin legen that Chez Nous is a nice French restaurant. There are several restaurants located on Sixth Street that serve average food but at this place you can get average food at high prices, including poor service. It had been several years since I had been to Chez Nous (there is a reason it was forgettable) so we decided to visit this place again for a nice, long lunch. The restaurant was only ¼ full the day we visited for lunch (about 1:00), so the waiter told us to sit anywhere we wanted. Upon seating at a four-top table, he immediately came over and chastised us for not choosing to sit at a smaller table, "since we are not busy today", he sniffed, "I will let you sit there." The wild mushroom soup we ordered was better than expected: rich, creamy with a wonderful blend of spices, but it was a lone standout. The sad salad was prepared with lettuce greens, a couple of lonely grape tomatoes and a bland, watery vinegar and oil dressing, suitable to be served at a hospital or nursing home. The seafood crepes were overwhelmed by the strong taste of alcohol from the cooking sherry. The spinach crepes were okay, but nothing different from the crepes you can get for much cheaper at dozens of other restaurants in town. The tea, water and coffee glasses sat empty throughout most of the meal. Toward the end of finishing our entrees, we did see our waiter again, reeking from cigarette smoke, who was dismayed when we asked to see a dessert menu. The house chocolate mousse was somewhat stiff and not very fluffy. The profiterolles were okay but this dish, like the others we had, was not memorable by any means and no specific words come to mind to describe it. The ambiance of the place is best suited for night time dining, the "wear and tear" of the furniture, stained tablecloths and drab interior are less noticeable. The expensive lunch was about $65 and I left wanting to call the police to report this mugging. By reading some of the other reviews, it appears that Chez Nous has a select, strong following. I suppose if you are part of this select group, you may receive better service and better food as for the rest of us, I urge you not to believe in urban legends.
(2)Curt F.
Our favorite place in Austin. Staff is friendly , food is excellent and reasonably Priced. Pre-fix menu a great buy. Best French fries in Austin : Profiteroles "are to die for". Only issue is the noise at tables close to the door. It hard to carry on a conversation with groups of four or more. I would like to see them offer reservations and the bar is very small.
(5)Tom H.
Pros: - The entrees & sides that came with them were absolutely delish. - Wine was very good, and considering the cost of the entrees, actually pretty reasonably priced. - Ambiance was pleasant & homey Cons: - Service was odd (had a waiter recommend something then un-recommend it a moment later, had a hostess/waitress who semi-helped but didn't know much about the menu) - this isn't necessarily a "con" but was confusing. - They added 17% gratuity for our group of 5, and did it on the hand-written receipt, not the printed one. That's just sleazy. - Hot & cold soups (as the first course) were just ok. Nothing to write home about. The $$$ price tag of this place will deter me from returning, but I knew that going into it. Very authentic French food, if that's what you're hankering for (Justine's is also a great option, with a slightly lower price tag & same quality/vibe).
(3)Tom S.
I went recently there on a Sunday night & I just waltzed right in. If you want to go on a weekend then call ahead and make a reservation. As soon as you sit down, a loaf of tasty French bread and butter arrives. I got the 3 course Prix Fixe special - choice of soup or salad, or paté maison, choice of salmon or beef or and finally a choice of 3 different deserts for $25.. If you would prefer to order a different dessert then you can & they only charge a couple of bucks extra. My entire meal was excellent - the salmon was very tasty. I got the crepes with berries. Yumm. The wait staff are all very friendly. You don't really have one person that waits on you but all the wait staff waits on you. Since the staff is attentive, it works out well (or at least it did for me). I really love this place. The service, food, wine selection,unpretentious atmosphere are all wonderful. I'll be back soon.
(5)Michael Y.
The most authentic Parisian-style cafe/bistro in Austin. Other the the somewhat drab exterior (and location) and slightly Americanized service, the interior, atmosphere, and food are very reminiscent of many cafes and restaurants in central Paris (I-X Arrondissements). The best value by far is the prix fixe menu du jour (wine not included), which changes daily. The prix fixe portion sizes are a bit smaller than if you order ala carte, but they are just the right size to make it through all the courses. Good beef, salmon, and duck specials are authentically and expertly prepared. On steaks, you can even ask for the French-style preparations ("bleu","saignant",etc.). Good salads and very well done mousse au chocolat and creme caramel. Note: the accompanying vegetable portions also tend to be a bit small, almost to the point of being an afterthought. One can definitely order a la carte, if one is in a splurging mood There are good but a limited set of entrees as only the prix fix menu change. Tip: Arrive and/or eat early for best selection and availability. Good wine selection to match the meals and to date, you are allowed to bring in your own wine with a corking charge. However, be prepared for strange looks from the waitstaff should you bring in a non-French wine to have with your meal. I only wish that they could would offer real foie gras with the appetizers/starters, but I guess they disdain from doing so out of animal rights concerns. Obviously, this is not an issue in France where foie gras is regarded as a "significant part of French gastronomy and culture". The only issues I see with the place is the slightly off 6th street location. Parking can be a real hassle in this part of town. Additionally, the seating can definitely be seen as a bit cramped by American standards, but this type of tight seating is very common in Paris. And I, at times, have felt a bit rushed by the waitstaff, as sometimes there is a noticeable push/attempt to get a 2nd (or 3rd) seating out of their dinner hours. This is perhaps one of the biggest differences between France and the US. Waitstaff in French restaurants in France usually tend to be a bit more discreet (some may argue slow) than those in the US. Overall, I would rate Chez Nous very highly with it's good and authentic food. Pricewise in comparison with the other French cuisine restaurants in town, it is definitely the best value as well. 4/5 stars.
(4)Rachel K.
Quite possibly the best date restaurant ever. My date and I managed to arrive right as the first dinner rush was ending, so we only had to stand at the bar for about five minutes before a table was ready. The bartender kindly offered us water while we waited, which I greatly appreciated since we walked here from the UT area. Ever experienced the agonizing indecision of not knowing what to order? You have too many delicious things to choose from, or have to examine each item's price first so as not to overspend, or you must make sure not to copy what your date gets because you suspect he has better taste than you... Here, the $25 fixed-price menu gives you a choice of pate, soup, or salad, choice of two entrees, and choice of three desserts. This virtually eliminates all menu-related concerns since they're all guaranteed to be amazing. My boyfriend's salmon pate was delicate, my chilled cucumber soup was excellent, but the star of the meal was definitely our main course of steak. When it first arrived, topped with herbed butter, I thought it was a surprisingly small portion. But the steak was so thick and perfectly-cooked that ended up being quite filling. The green beans on the side were the best I've ever had, and not dreadfully overcooked and squishy (as green beans tend to be). By the time we got to dessert - creme caramel and a chocolate mousse - I was stuffed and could barely finish half of mine, but it was still quite good. The only downside - and I literally mean the only downside to this place - was that the restaurant was so small that the tables were pretty close together, and it got noisy. Despite having to speak up a bit to converse, the lovely dimly-lit romantic atmosphere still persisted. I expect to return.
(5)Rodney T.
Very expensive for my budget but we went for our anniversary so it was justified. Not exactly an intimate setting for romantic night out due to close seating and other people's conversations. However, excellent food and service. Manager was exceptionally gracious. I will definitely return.
(5)Mona R.
Really good food! Be prepared for dated decor and humble feel. Great service-everyone helps out, not just one server. The duck was amazing, as was the filet. Just remember, they cook meat on the rare side. Open eating area, so a tad on the loud side.
(4)Lb Y.
Great ambiance--dim, romantic lighting with flowers at every table. nice embroidered curtains on the windows. great location next to 6th street. food had such great presentation. delicious sun dried tomatoes. we had lamb chops and duck legs which were very evenly tender, thoroughly marinated (however they did it). the food melts in your mouth into many flavors. definitely will come back when i visit Austin again.
(5)Julie H.
Still one of my all-time favorites...no one in town makes better sauces. I love everything about this place, including that I can there in shorts or a nice dress and it makes no difference. They have wonderful wines and I think the markup is super reasonable. I've never had anything but a wonderful meal here. It really reminds me of places we've eaten in rural France (versus Paris).
(5)Ali B.
Chez Nous is probably my favorite restaurant in Austin (and that's really saying something, since Austin has so many fine dining establishments!) My partner took me there for my birthday. So far I've been there for two birthdays, a Mother's day, and a Valentine's Day, as well as once, just because I wanted French food. Every time I go, I find something else I adore. My favorite item on the menu is Duck Liver Mousse Pate. Earthy and smooth, served with crudite (I usually spread it on the sliced baguette they keep bringing with butter) it's definitely an appetizer worth eating! I usually get the dinner special. For about $25 you choose from three appetizers (Your choice of three pates; pork, duck, or salmon, or the soup du jour, or a third option, which I don't remember.) I invariably get the duck pate. Closely followed by an entree, the menu offers three choices, which change daily. Most recently I had Truitt buerre rough (Trout in a red wine butter sauce). I swear, the Sous Chef deserves a raise! The sauce was was delicate and savory, with a subtle fruitiness. My partner had lamb medallions stewed in a wine sauce, and I tasted his plate, which was also excellent. I didn't have Order Envy, though, because I was so happy with my trout. Dessert is a choice of Creme Caramel, Chocolate Mousse or Brie with fruit and candied walnuts. The menu doesn't specify the walnuts, so I had to ask for some fruit that had not touched the Fatal Tree Nuts. Last time the fruit had been grapes and berries, this time is was crisp Granny Smith apples, artfully sliced and decoratively presented. Everything I've ever ordered from Chez Nous has been asthetic to the eye as well as the pallet. I wish more drink choices were offered, I always end up with Orangina, the only soft drink offered. Tap water... no thank you... comes whether ordered or not or overpriced pellagrino is an option, but otherwise only alcoholic choices, but there is a broad selection of wines and spirits. (I'm not allowed to drink in public, however... not since The Incident...) My partner had a rich red wine, which I tasted. It was pleasant and full-bodied, with a very oaky timber. The service is always prompt and almost too solicitous. At least five different people kept asking if our meal was all right, and could they offer us anything else. Always my favorite for more elegant dining, I do love Chez Nous.
(5)Rachel T.
Je vous aime, Chez Nous!!! This is pretty much our go-to place for celebrating special occasions. They never miss. I love everything about it. The handwritten list of specialty wines, the real butter, the pâté, the pommes dauphines, the tiny tables with flowers and candles. It doesn't at all feel like it's tucked away right off of Dirty 6th, right across from Coyote Ugly (ugh)... it really feels authentic. Love, love, love.
(5)Kevin d.
My wife and I went here for our anniversary this year. The food was absolutely fantastic and the service was excellent. The prices are actually quite reasonable for the quality and ingredients used. The only problem we had was that the wait was quite long being that it was New Years Eve. Unfortunately they only take reservations for parties of 6 or more even on a night as busy as NYE. I would highly recommend for authentic French fare in the heart of Austin.
(5)Maria S.
Magnificent food, joyous proprietor, cozy unpretentious atmosphere, meteoric sauces, wine that would make a rock cry, and creme caramel to write an opera for....what more can I say?
(5)Mark K.
So one of the issues of working downtown is what to eat and where. Today I just walked down sixth and had no place in mind and I saw what seemed to be an out of place restaurant amongst the bars and dives well known to Austin-ites. I looked at the menu from the outside and was immediately impressed by the simple yet foreign selections. Who knew that Ham, Cheese and Egg sandwich could sound so sophisticated as grilled ham, with Grueyere, with Bechamel sauce in a crepe with an egg on top. Too divine of words for someone who typically has a slice of peperoni or a chicken burrito. In any case I didn't feel uncomfortable when I walked in and the waiter said Sava, and I responded Sava bien. He probably was more surprised, but my french ended there. I decided on ordering that fancy ham and swiss entree and the soup dujour (Cream of Tomato and fennel). It was served at the perfect temperature and it tasted far better than any place else that claims to make it from scratch. Perfect amount of sourness, and saltiness. The best part was when I got to the bottom of the soup bowl. It was so creamy that there were little sand bars of tomato cream. Rather than scooping it all up I felt compelled to leave it at that as if I created a piece of art at the bottom of my white bowl. The main course came out and it was like looking at a french post card with a sunny side egg on top. I cut into it and the cheese was perfectly melted so that it stretched from the plate to my chin on the way into my mouth. It was so rich in taste I felt a bit overwhelmed. I truly enjoyed the whole meal. Total cost was about $15 which I felt was fair for just the experience alone, but the food was great so it was a bonus. Definitely not a daily lunch affair, but when you feel like there's a need for a change and willing to try something different feel free to visit that little french cafe Chez Nous.
(5)NYhorn B.
My wife and I had dinner at Chez Nous for the first time. We recently moved to Austin from New York and consider ourselves "foodies." We have been to over 50 restaurants in the Austin area during the past year of very different cuisines and ambience. Chez Nous is now a top 3 choice on our list. The menu does not appear to be only unconventional or nouveau French cuisine but contains many classic dishes such as duck confit, a fish muniere,, escargot, pate, entrecote, veal sweat bread, ,etc. The menu was sufficiently diverse without being overwhelming. We decided to focus our attention on their meat dishes. The execution was superb. The classic appetizers -- escargot and pate--were generous portions and tasty. The server also toasted our bread on request which made the experience of eating those two plates even better--the butter sauce from the escargot and spreading the smooth & rich pate. The flank stank my wife ordered was cooked to her ask, tender and well seasoned. I ordered the lamb/veal ragout over French style gnocchi which was made of a lightly fried dough (not potato like the Italian gnocchi). It was bursting with flavor and did not leave me with heavy feeling. The service, although in a more casual-bistro type setting, rivaled a more formal restaurant. Our head waiter was friendly, welcoming and exceptionally knowledgeable about the menu. She recommended two excellent glasses of French wine (red and rose), which went very well with our courses. Lastly, the timing of each of our courses was well spaced, as we neither felt rushed nor forgotten. We shall return!
(5)Jeremy K.
Went here for the first time for dinner last Saturday. There was no wait at about 7:30pm, although the restaurant was very close to full. I ordered the escargots and the beef tenderloin. The escargots were excellent -- served in a bowl with lots of firm mushrooms. The beef tenderloin was similarly cooked very well. Service was attentive and helpful, and the wine list was very reasonable. At $25, the prix fixe menu looked like a much better deal than buying a la carte, but the dishes just didn't appeal to me compared to what I ordered. The restaurant wasn't quite what I expected, though. It's small and "quaint" as many have noted here, but it's also quite bright, and very loud for the size. I really dislike loud restaurants, and Chez Nous isn't as bad as say Z Tejas, but given that it has 1/5 of the customers, it's way loud. I wouldn't recommend this place for a quiet date night -- probably better for a group of 4. It would be a 5-star place for me if it wasn't for the loudness.
(4)Katy H.
Chez Nous is a wonderful French restaurant right off of 6th street. As it is one big room, it's very intimate, and has a cozy atmosphere. Although the food and wine is 5 star quality, I love that the staff are not snobby. In fact, I went with my boyfriend last Friday and our waitress moved us to the back corner because she didn't want us seated "next to a group of loud girls all night." The food is rich, traditional French food. I suggest getting the fix pris so that you get a little bit of everything--pate, main course, dessert, and of course go for that bottle of wine. I will definitely be back again.
(4)Doryan R.
Meh. I can't remember if I've written this review already, but I don't see it anywhere, so I guess I never got around to it. So, I went with my mother for lunch to Chex Nous the other day. And it was pretty much meh. Our service from the one server in the place was actually good. White wines were tasty. Bread wasn't really exciting, but was decent. She ordered a quiche of the day, which was pretty tasty. Maybe I should've gotten that. I ordered (at the server's suggestion) the spinach mushroom crepe. Ok. We have some serious salt issues here, people. The spinach was okay. The mushrooms were cut a little too big for my taste. I like to taste them more than feel their spongy texture. And the whole mixture was rather soggy. The bechamel sauce that covered the crepes was pretty blah as well. Call me crazy, but I think crepes need cheese to really be complete. I might go back and try something else, but it didn't look like they had much in the way of interesting veggie options. Some seafood, but it didn't grab my attention. So, three stars. Service goood, Wine good. Quiche good. Crepes...meh.
(3)Liz F.
Our favorite place in town. We have bene coming here since 1997 and really love it. Most of the staff have been here since then and they are so wonderful. We come here for every Christmas Eve dinner we are in town and anytime we want an excellent dinner! The fixed price menu is a deal and all delicious. Never had a bag thing there! Tres Bon!
(5)Rob F.
There's not a lot more to say about Chez Nous that hasn't already been said, nevertheless I'd like to throw in my two cents (my first on yelp). I've been to Chez Nous more than almost any other restaurant; it is in fact one of my favorite restaurants anywhere. It's where my wife & I go not only for special occasions (in slacks & a jacket) with groups our just the two of us but also for a casual night out (in jeans). It's the whole package: the interior & ambiance transports you a neighborhood bistro in Paris; the staff is always friendly & welcoming not to mention efficient, attentive & knowledgeable; the food is fresh & consistently spot-on, all together classic, simple, elegant & unpretentious. On our most recent visit, my wife & I along with two friends, my dad, and my mother in law went there as usual on Christmas eve this year and as always had a fantastic experience. A bustling night, we had beverages at the bar while we waited for our table: the ladies had kir royals and the gentlemen drank Maredsous Belgian ales. The regular menu is magnificent but this night we all ordered from the prix-fixe... Started with pates & one salad: pork rilette, duck liver mousse, country pate, and salade Lyonnaise. Then entrees: ruby trout, salmon & shrimp, and lamb tenderloin. Then finished with desserts: crème caramel, crème brulee, profiteroles, and a round of espressos. We brought in two bottles of lovely 05 Gevrey-Chambertin Burgundies though their wine list had several great selections we would have chosen from otherwise. I can't wait to go back to Chez Nous again, and again, and again... Cheers!
(5)mindy b.
Gotta throw in my two cents. This has been my favorite romantic spot for years: We used to put our name on the list on busy weekend nights, then go play pool and have a drink at the Ritz until Chez Nous called us to claim our table! I've never had anything but fantastic, charming, relaxed service and amazing, finely prepared meals. The price and the rich fare at Chez Nous make this about a once-a-quarter experience, but one not to be missed. Added bonus: This wins the prize for least-likely-to-feel-rushed. You could easily linger over a 2-3 hour meal here and never feel hurried along. A note: The size and intimacy of the spot make it less ideal for big groups or celebrations. I'd stick to small gatherings, romantic outings, and dinner with the folks (whose snobbish and/or hearty tastes will not be disappointed.)
(5)Nancy A.
Have loved this restaurant every time we come into Austin to visit my cousin. Good service, good food! I'm sold.
(5)Glen F.
An awesome place that's strangely near the stumbling frat party that is 6th Street. I've eaten here twice and both times were excellent. As other Yelpers have noted, the atmosphere is very relaxed -- this is not at all the stereotypical snobby Continental restaurant. It's comfortable and quiet (but not too quiet -- dead silence can kill a date). And the staff is very friendly and attentive. The owners are French (you can hear it spoken here) and one (or the manager) always comes by during a meal to make sure things are going well. But the real point is the food, and it was excellent both times. Chez Nous does have one of the most interesting bathroom situations I've seen at a nice restaurant -- but that just adds to the charm.
(5)Kris U.
This place was great. I loved the quaint atmosphere and French decor (mainly replica vintage posters, product labels, etc.). The dainty vases of fresh flowers on each table were a nice touch. They have a good selection of wines by the glass and I liked the uncomplicated menu selections. We both chose the special dinner for the $25 fixed price. I had the pate of the day, a delicious ruby red trout dish, and a caramel desert (basically flan). My companion had a salad (simple, with a delicious dressing), the chicken dish, and chocolate mousse. My fish was the better dish of the two, but everything was quite good. Afterwards we went across the street to Coyote Ugly (as I've always wanted to see what that place was all about) and landed 2 seats right up at the bar. As it turns out, we ended up sitting next to an "older" couple that recognized us from the restaurant. I say older in quotes because they were definitely young at heart. They said they had been going to Chez Nous regularly for 25 years! When I asked if this was their first time at Coyote Ugly she laughed and he smiled and said "no, we usually come on over here after dinner." Then the wife proceeded to buy me a body shot!....good times. The only negative about this place is they don't take reservations except for parties of 6+ and the only indoor waiting option is the length of the crowded bar, which offers no seating. So it is best to come early if you don't want to wait too long.
(4)Wendy W.
We went here on a whim with some friends - though it's more of an 'occasion' kind of place for the dollars. We all got the fixed Menu De Jour and were all thrilled with our food. The place is quite cozy and romantic with a relaxed vibe. Great service. Outside of UCHI or sushi restaurants, this is the best meal I have had in 15 years of living in the ATX.... granted I eat at a lot of cheapy asian places. (-5 points for the wine bottle lamp... LOL, but +5 for the most perfect looking waitress to be working in a French restaurant!)
(5)MJ H.
Best French brasserie restaurant I've ever been to in the U.S. 5*! I love it. The owner is very friendly. Staff is awesome. Authentic French food. It felt like we had traveled to France for the night. I strongly recommend this place. I will definitely go back, and I bet you will too. MY CHOICE: Pate de Campagne et Onglet aux echalottes. Desserts are exquisite. 'Menu du Jour' is also a good option ;)
(5)Jen P.
Chez Nous is such a charming little spot to have a laid back but great meal. I think Chez Nous (or rather the chef) knows how to cook meat well. One of my faves was the duck because they always rendered the fat to leave an amazingly crisp skin but also perfectly moist meat. That's saying something. I also love it because it's not and doesn't try to be trendy, elitist, challenging, nor experimental. It IS consistent, well cooked, well seasoned, and a place to return to time and time again.
(5)Kelly L.
If I only had 5 stars to give, I would give them all to Chez Nous. We love love love this place, and come here every year around Valentine's with two other couples that we also love love love. Always a treat, and the price is very low for the high quality food.
(5)M. C.
Excellent French-style restaurant. Great food and cozy ambiance, but there aren't many choices on the menu, and they don't serve soda!
(4)Alex L.
I'll start off by saying that I've been frequenting Chez Nous for about 10 years, and it is my favorite restaurant in Austin. Here's why... 1. The food is consistently excellent. I've never had a bad meal there, and though there are a number of restaurants that are higher up the totem pole in terms of quality (e.g. Wink, Jeffrey's, etc), there are none that are as high up in the other criteria that I measure a restaurant by (see below). In fact, I love the food here so much that I usually will order 2 appetizers along with my entree because I can never choose between their wonderful pork and salmon rillettes, or their soups. 2. The atmosphere is wonderful. Whether it be the shabby chic decor, plastic tablecloths, and background music that remind me of excellent meals I've had at cafes in the French countryside, or the way that the owners and staff welcome and make us feel at home each time we visit, there are few restaurants that compare. 3. The service is excellent. The staff are not only friendly, but attentive... but not overly so. Chez Nous doesn't do the conventional one staff member to an area of tables, rather everyone seems to help on every table. It's a wonderful arrangement, and also allows us to catch up with everyone since our last visit. I have seen very little turnover in their staff over the past 10 years, which is because they are like one big, happy family. A couple of other points, worth bearing in mind. Parking in the area is extremely limited (they have none themselves), and I don't think they do valet parking any more. We usually park on the street nearby (if we're lucky) or at a lot on Neches, just north of 6th Street. Friday and Saturday nights can get busy at peak times, and they do not take reservations. However, when it does get really busy, they'll take your cell phone number, you can go and have a drink on 6th Street, and they'll call you when your table is ready. After about 8.30 p.m you'll get a table pretty quickly though, if not straight away. Attire is relatively casual. You will see some dressed formally, and some dressed (what I consider) a little too informally. I usually dress in something like jeans and a dress shirt to find a happy medium. I highly recommend the Menu du Jour, for first-timers. It is an excellent introduction to their menu. These days, It think it's about $25 per person for a starter, entree, and dessert... which is excellent value for money.
(5)Allison P.
I was really concerned that I was going to be under-dressed for dinner at Chez Nous last night in my jeans, but as soon as I walked into the quaint French restaurant, I felt perfectly comfortable. We arrived at 8:45 on a Saturday night and were seated immediately. The service was stellar, although, we had 4 different waiters throughout the night. It seemed organized and the pacing between each course was perfectly timed. I had the price fixe dinner, which consisted of appetizer, entree and dessert for a reasonable $25. Our waiter also recommended a really nice glass of wine to accompany my meal. Now, it s a little too pricey to eat here regularly, but it's definitely going to be on the top of my 'special occasion' restaurant list.
(5)Kevin N.
I'll Chez this for Chez Nous, they know what they're doing. It's a fairly incomplex arrangement, at least on the surface, but the things that people really care about they know in spades. There's loads bubbling just beneath the surface. And it all starts with the food. They do a very fine job of taking what can be the creative experiment that is ordering in a French restaurant and boiling things down into a palatable continuous experience. The wines are carefully selected, the brews complimentary of the entrees available. And the entrees and appetizers themselves appear to be pretty amazing in their own right. The carrot ginger soup I sampled was nothing short of terrific, and the trout entree was both light and the perfect complement to the dinner's preamble. One thing that was initially weird but ultimately satisfying: we had something in the neighborhood of five servers. Seriously. But, to their credit, someone was always on point and on time, and to the ends that we never once felt neglected, whether they were each the same person ultimately didn't matter. We'll be back, and we can't wait.
(5)c t.
The waitstaff here are great and I loved that nearly all the staff waited on me at one point or another. I wouldn't do the trout again (waitress had warned me about the skin), but would def come back for another prix fixe menu. Food was tasty and fresh.
(5)David R.
As a gourmet cook myself, this is my go to for fine food. Be aware, there is nothing under a heat lamp waiting for you to order it. This means you need at least a couple hours as it is made from scratch for you. Order a bottle of wine. Start with a tomato salad, next up, a duck liver pate. they will keep the bread coming and ask for some whole grain mustard. Next up your duck breast in a red wine sherry reduction sauce. Please, go again and again. This is by far the best place in Austin.
(5)Raquel C.
I have been to Chez Nouz several times. It has always been a nice culinary experience. Some things are really impressive, like the chocolate mousse, best one that I have tried so far. Fluffy, delicate, and just the right amount of sugar. The salmon: great flavor, they know how to cook it with re right temperature and to the right point, such that is not overlooked but crispy on the outside. The vegetables: delicate flavor, nice textures. The meat: great flavor and texture as well. The attention is great, but I am giving them 4 stars because the bread is kind of disappointing. I think that the bread should be the first window to the amount of care that a place puts into their details. It's kind of strange that they also use plastic tablecloths instead of linen. For the price that they charge on their food, I would expect those kinds of details to be part of the experience. I have to say though, the flowers on each table are real at least. Thank you Chez Nouz. It was good overall.
(4)Emily L.
There are so many truly wonderful new places to eat in Austin, that sometimes it's easy to forget about the long standing familiar faces. Chez Nous is a treasure. A sweet little French bistro just of 6th downtown. They were making their own pates before the chaucuterie trend hit town, and their country pate is one of the best in Austin. They make a fresh soup daily and it's delicious. I'm amazed they aren't busier at lunch. Wonderful downtown location with great soups, salads, sandwiches, crepes, etc. Their Prix Fix menu is a beloved value and a great opportunity to try some of their best items. Very delicious, totally sweet, charming place. An Austin treasure.
(5)Allison H.
I dined here last night with a group of friends/coworkers last night. It was perfect! We were tired from a long work day so we wanted to dine near the Hilton. The 5 of us were quickly seated. The service the whole night was wonderful. Efficient and friendly. The noise level low so we were able to talk during our leisurely meal. They had a very nice French-oriented wine list. I had the ratatouille which was excellent. My friends raved about their salmon, trout, and veal dishes. I love coming to Austin and indulging in Tex-Mex. but sometimes you need a break and a French bistro with fresh fare hit the spot.
(5)Tea B.
Everything we had here was amazing but what really stood out was the duck pate and duck confit. Get both. By far, the best duck I've ever had. The trout was cooked to perfection as well and the flavors were on point. The waiter had excellent recommendations for wine pairings.
(5)Sharon M.
My coworker recommended this place and we went there for lunch. Oh boy, the food was delicious. I had the seafood crepe and it had a very nice lingering taste to it. If you want dessert, do not forget to order their creme brulee.
(5)Emily A.
My husband & I were visiting Austin for the weekend and stumbled upon this lovely restaurant. The inside atmosphere felt more like a family owned establishment than a fancy French restaurant, which we liked. Their lamb was incredible and their choice of Brie (Belletoile) was delicious! My only recommendation would be to add a little more (fruit, crackers, etc) to their cheese plate. Otherwise, it was a wonderful experience.
(4)Laura R.
I absolutely love Chez Nous! Ignore its curb appeal, which is seriously stuck in the 1980s, because the food here is what it's all about. The interior décor isn't much better, it's stuck back at least 20 or 30 years, although somehow it's still cozy and romantic. Every time I've been, it's been a wonderful, slightly magical evening. To offer a crude comparison, this restaurant isn't the hot, flashy couple out dancing in NYC, it's the steady, older couple holding hands walking on a country lane. The service is great. The staff is friendly and attentive. The meal is timed just right so that you enjoy yourself and have a nice conversation without waiting too long between courses. I think they do need to retrain some of their staff on proper wine and champagne pouring techniques though...both times I've been they were a little rusty. On to what you really care about, the food! For appetizers, the assiette de fromages is good. The plate offers lots of variety, but for someone who isn't crazy about strong cheeses I really just enjoyed the brie. Too bad they don't offer just a small brie plate to start (rather than as a desert). The bread they bring out is also good and they are happy to replenish it. Unlike most of the high end restaurants in downtown Austin, I appreciate that they have larger serving sizes. I hate ordering an appetizer to share with a few people that looks like it can barely be split by two. For the main courses, I recommend the prix fixe menu. It's a great way to try a few different dishes while keeping down costs and you will leave satisfied, and very full. To start, the Salad Lyonnaise is amazing. I have never had egg like that before, let alone on top of a bed of fresh vegetables. I absolutely love the Saumon au crabe - such delicious salmon, very succulent. The sides are always delicious whether it's baked mushroom or summer squash. For dessert, I absolutely must recommend the Mousse au chocolat. The portions are huge and this chocolate mousse is rich without being overpoweringly sweet. The Crème caramel lacks something to be desired, it's a rather bland flan if you're into that sort of thing. They drizzle it in a great caramel syrup but it's nearly impossible to get it on your spoon from the plate and the flan soaks nothing up. For those who'd prefer to skip the sweets, just go straight to the brie (since you can't have it as a standalone appetizer...). The Profiterolles also look delicious, but I have not sampled them, simply seen. In conclusion, for the price this place is really worth it. Lots of great French food, a nice ambiance, a relaxed/comfortable yet intimate meal, and attentive staff.
(5)Melissa M.
Went here with friends for a bachelorette party dinner. We had no problem getting seated on a Saturday night. The ambiance is very typical sidewalk casual french cafe. It's not particularly nice looking. We all ordered the prix fixe menu for $35 a person. Most of us ordered the steak or the salmon. I had the steak with the soup du jour and chocolate mousse. The steak was flavored well, but not the most tender. Definitely nothing to rave about and far from amazing. Soup was really good and we all scarfed it down. I think it was the cauliflower soup. My friends who ordered the salmon loved it and thought it was one of the best prepared salmon they've had. I'm not particularly fond of cooked salmon, so I didn't care to taste it. For dessert, we all had the chocolate mousse. Again, my friends loved it and scarfed it down. It was too rich for me though and I could only handle few bites. If you aren't in love with dark rich chocolate, I'd opt for a different dessert. The chocolate mousse definitely isn't for the chocolate faint of heart. The service was alright, but nothing special. Overall, not sure if I'll go back again. It's pretty pricey for the portion size and I didn't leave super satisfied.
(3)Riley L.
Chez Nous is such a great experience. It's tucked away near everything between 6th and 5th, but it feels like you're miles away from it all. It's tiny and lively and the food is just outstanding. The fixed price menu is fantastic and I don't think you can go wrong ordering anything off the menu. I had duck påté, the trout, and crème brûlée, and it was one of my favorite meals of all time. The restaurant itself is very quirky and has the strangest bathrooms in Texas, but it all adds up to one great, memorable experience.
(5)Grant K.
Hands down the best French cuisine I've had in my life. I felt like I was transported back to Paris for a few hours. And we all know Paris has the best cuisine ever. Go!
(5)Leila W.
Chez Nous is a very cool place. The service was great, food was incredible, and the environment was sweet. To start, i ordered the Pâté maison. It was delicous, despite the fact that i have never been a fan of pâté. To follow I orderd the Soupe du jour which was awesome! It was a wild mushroom soup, SO good. My grandmother ordered the chilled avacodo soup. I tried it and loved it! For dessert i had the crème brulée. It was so freaking good, and a huge amount too! Over all it was a very pleasant experience. I will definitely go back!
(5)Rhianna B.
This place was a little strange, since the experience of dining here seems to need a polar opposite effect for it to work. Such as: - High price tag for meal vs. chintz curtains and oilcloth table covers. - Snooty french waiters vs. really helpful hostess(?) that kind of just shows up at your table. - Rich and fatty courses vs. just slapping a slab of duck pate on a plate. - Cheap menus and cafe tables vs. flies in the restaurant. I guess I ran out of pros to go with the cons. I can safely say I'm not interested in dining here again if given the option.
(2)Joy C.
Chez Nous I love you! My love affair with Chez Nous began about 9 years ago. I had a lunch date with a dear friend and she suggested we go. Ever since then it has become our place to have long lunches filled with wine, french food, and gossip. I have never been to Chez Nous for dinner. This is the place I spend my time with my girls at lunch. It's a small quaint restaurant. You step inside and forget for a moment you are still in downtown Austin. The service is always friendly. The pate selection is always outstanding. I can never say no to the duck liver mousse...oh my. The steak with the Bearnaise is divine...get an extra side of the Bearnaise for the fries. You can never go wrong with the crepes or even the sandwiches. My last visit I had the sandwich of the day - thick cut bacon, roasted tomatoes, and goat cheese...oh man, that was heaven. Although my friend has moved to DC she still comes for frequent visits. I still look forward to text messages that read, "Friday, noon - the usual spot?" I still look forward to long boozy lunches with my friends catching up. Maybe one night I'll surprise my hubby with dinner here. He's never eaten at Chez Nous, I always felt like I would be cheating on my girls....we'll see...
(5)David D.
This one gets bookmarked for another visit when I return to Austin. Chez Nous manages to blend a charming decor with attentive and engaged staff and a truly exceptional menu of classic French bistro fare and some locally influenced additions. The portions are generous and a well curated wine list is well balanced between high value and modestly priced selections. The owner is very knowledgeable about his choices, and is happy to offer his thoughts and recommendations. Our grand cru Saint-Emilion complemented the meal quite well and was a very good value for the quality. We had the prix fixe, selecting different pate' and desert choices, both of which were exceptionally well prepared and plated. The steak entree was also delightful with a good selection of fresh vegetables hat were nicely caramelized and still crisp, no small feat. All in all, this was a thoroughly delightful experience.
(5)Stetson G.
Great food; traditional and well done. The space is a bit odd. A bit pricy compared to other restaurants of this calibre.
(4)Rosalie R.
I am visiting from Paris and missing food from home. A friend recommended this place for dinner and I'm so happy she did. Amazing dinner at Chez nous! Chez nous is by far my favorite restaurant in Austin. Good food and cozy, warm ambience. Well rounded menu and very nice team. I highly recommend this place for authentic beautiful french food. So happy to feel at home.
(5)j m.
This place is fantastic. The food and service are both great. That duck confit is to die for. Definitely recommended!
(4)Jeremiah Z.
My girlfriend and I visited Chez Nous (510 Neches St Austin, TX 78701) the evening of January 3, 2015. I had never been to Chez Nous and my girlfriend always wanted to go, so while we were in the area, we decided to go on a whim. The place was small and almost filled to capacity, but didn't seem overly busy as far as restaurants go. We didn't wait too long for a table, and one of the bus boys gave us our water as soon as we sat down! However, that's as far as the "service" we got at Chez Nous went. It took an extremely long time for any server to check-in on us (despite our table being right next to the exit area to the kitchen); we actually had to flag down a passing by server to go get us a server to take our order. The server we got (whom I'm guessing was the floor boss for the night by the way she dressed differently than everyone else) was very pretentious to us. My girlfriend simply wanted to know what their pate maison consisted of, protein wise, and she gave us an attitude as if we didn't know what pate was supposed to look like. When we finally got our pate, it literally looked like shredded pork you can get from any barbecue food truck--very disappointed in the pate. The rest of our meal was what you would expect from a "three-dollar sign" restaurant. I had the beef flank off the prix fixe menu and it was ok. We didn't take any pictures of our food, but there's plenty to look at off the Yelp Chez Nous website anyway. We had finished our main course and passing by servers quickly cleared our tables. And then we waited. Again. The servers again took a long time to come by and take our dessert orders. We had already mentioned to our server (still the floor boss looking individual) that we wanted the prix fixe option, but she still tried to be a used-car salesperson and sell us desserts that were more expensive. We put in our dessert orders and they were adequate--I had the mousse au chocolat, and it tasted like chocolate fluff or chocolate space ice cream. The floor boss person server saw we were complete with our meal and left the bill on our table. That was it. No "is there anything else I can get you?" or "how was the meal?" Nothing! I would expect a three-dollar sign restaurant to provide a little more service than my local Whataburger, but it looks like these servers could learn a thing or two from THEM! Oh, but if you know the workers, like this family group of 6 I saw at least two workers, including the floor boss worker, hugging as they came in, you'll be treated like family. Must be nice.
(1)Eleni V.
Gracious service, delicious food. We had the escargot, duck legs & steak. Potatoe leek soup fantastic texture & flavor. Duck cooked to perfection. Finished with the crepes normandie. Really wonderful spot. warm inviting, casual atmosphere.
(4)Allie O.
Salmon was best I've ever had. The sauce makes it perfect. Creme brulee was also fabulous even though I'm not a huge fan of the dessert. Had the squash soup and liked it, but didn't love it. I didn't love the steak, but the husband did. The bread isn't great, but everything else made up for it. Overall, will definitely come back! Highly recommend.
(5)Robert G.
I ate at Chez Nous years ago and was happy with my meal then and was happy as well today. One of the things I enjoy is that Chez captures a sense of high end cuisine but I walked in wearing jeans and sandals. No one looks at me oddly and for Austin it still holds onto a relaxed feel that should make anyone hesitant to try French food to try the place out. My wife and friend shared the chevre on baguette that was served warm over a light set of greens tossed in light dressing with a few grape tomatos. I had the halibut which I believe was poached then possibly roasted. It was topped with fried matchsticks of celeriac that had a wonderful crispy texture to contrast the soft fish and light cream based sauce at the bottom. Very happy with the fish. For dessert I finished with chocolate mousse and again, very happy with our food quality, the service (we had at least 3 waitstaff fill our water classes no less than every ten minutes the entire time we dined) and the overall ambiance is nice. Thanks for the staff for giving us such a good time in south Austin.
(4)M D.
A friend and I went here for dinner a few weeks ago and it was phenomenal! We both ordered from the Prix Fixe menus - he had Spinach Soup, Beef Flank and Mousse and I had the Duck Pate, Salmon and Brie. Wow, wow, wow! We both loved it and savored every bite:) My fave French place in Austin.
(5)Beth J.
I have been coming to Chez Nous for about 20 years. The owners are the same and so is a lot of the staff. They are wonderful people who know French food. The owners are French and often you will overhear patrons speaking French. It has such an amazing feel to it, very comfortable, unpretentious, and homey. The food is AMAZING. I almost always get the escargot, some form of pate, and the salade lyonaisse. I have had most of the menu but my favorite is always fish. And each meal comes with yummy pomme frittes. Definitely give it a try. They only take reservations for larger parties, so if it's just dinner for two, arrive a little earlier, or have drinks at the bar.
(5)Blair M.
We had the Charcuterie plate, duck confit, and the puff pastry dessert. Every bite was incredible. Perfect service with friendly and helpful wait staff. We were able to snag a table for a late date night around 9pm on Saturday and we had a fantastic evening tucked in a corner seat.
(5)Joe B.
Avoid this cheap "want to be French bistro" at all costs. I read these reviews and was so looking for a wonderful French meal. The menu is classic French bistro that you would find on any street corner in Paris, but that is where it ends. Old 1990's decor... Cheap... Vinyl table cloths sticky as well... Cheap flat ware, cheap libby glass wear... Cheap old chairs and small tables. We ordered a bottle with anticipation but the first course came with very small pate. I had to ask for Dijon, the Pate was ok but the bread was horrible store bought tasteless not crispy or warm. For mains I got the sweetbreads. Usually my favourite dish at any bistro. But this was disgusting. This was not weighted down or cooked correctly at all. I still have a taste of raw flour in my mouth. It was paired with "spa" veg that was a joke for $27.95. My dinner companion had entrecôte but it came out as a rib eye with cold fries. We passed on the desserts and could not get out of that dump fast enough.
(1)Thomas L.
BOMB ASS FRENCH FOOD. The GF took me out to Chez Nous for Valentine's Day and it was awesome. The atmosphere was actually surprisingly low-key for high end French food. Just a nice casual ambiance. We had both looked online at their menu and had walked in expecting to each order the Prix Fixe dinner menu, which comes with an appetizer, entree and dessert ($29.50). I ordered the pate while the GF got the salad and added on lardons ($1). The pate was not my cup of tea; while it tasted okay, I probably wouldn't order it again. The salad with the crispy bacon was very very good however. For our entrees, we ordered the Saumon au crabe (grilled Atlantic salmon, smoked paprika beurre blanc, crab remoulade) and Bavette aux échalotes (Grilled Texas wagyu beef flank, pernod butter, fried shallots). Yeah, I just copied and pasted those entree names from their online menu. French food is very difficult to spell... The salmon was by far the best piece of salmon I have ever ingested. Perfectly cooked, seasoned, and it also has the most ridiculously crispy/delicious skin on a fish I have ever come across. It was so damn crispy. I'm still amazed. The beurre blanc served with the fish was a perfect complement. It let the fish shine without being overpowering. The Steak entree was equally as bomb. The meat was perfectly cooked as expected, the butter was a great component that let the quality of the meat stand out, and the crispy shallots served on the steak was a nice textural contrast. They both were served with this potato fritter type of thing that was really good as well. For dessert, we had the Creme Caramel and the Crêpe Normande ($2 upcharge, totally worth it). The creme caramel was good, but not amazing. I thought it tasted like a basic flan that was pretty good. The GF liked it alot though. The dessert crepe we had was filled with caramelized apples and accompanied with a nice caramel sauce. It was awesome. Definitely worth the $2 upcharge IMO. Our second visit was for lunch today. I ordered the steak frites ($19.50) and the GF ordered the Croque Madame ($8.50). While the steak was on the smaller side (they do give house bread out to all the tables at least?), the taste was amazing. Served with a great butter/sauce thing. The fries were unique; guess I've never had "real" french fries before but it was very good. Needless to say, the steak was perfectly cooked. The croque madame was very very good as well. And very reasonably priced. $30 after tax for this awesome lunch? That's some great value right there. All in all, Chez Nous comes through in every way. GREAT food, decently priced, low-key atmosphere and competent wait staff.
(5)Dave H.
Please, please go to Chez Nous, please try the crepe, and the creme brûlée. This place is the best. For a moment you think you are in Paris or a little French village eating the most delicious French food ever. Delicious. Will keep coming back.
(5)Emerson H.
Good atmosphere, good food, big portions. Nice, quiet, and intimate. It feels like an authentic French bistro that you would find in France. The pate is deceivingly filling. Came with two other people. We all got the fixed, three course meal plus escargot. With tax and tip it was a little over $150. Angus beef and salmon on the fixed menu were excellent. The salmon was delicious, cooked medium-rare, and had a crispy skin. The escargot are a nice sharing appetizer. The desserts we had, chocolate mousse and creme caramel, were nothing special but very large. Not worth saving stomach room. I would not get the salmon pate again but the duck liver was very good.
(5)Kai N.
This used to be our favorite French restaurant here in Austin, I don't know what happened, but the service and food has gone down hill. My partner and I had a pretty bad meal there on valentine's day, but we thought it was a fluke, that they were busy, the kitchen was off etc. We didn't want to think that the place we love to come for a romantic meal had taken such a wrong turn. So.. When my parents came into town, (one of who is a retired chef who has owned sever restaurants and worked as the personal chef to a governor), we decided to take them to chez for a great meal. Well, the food was worse the second time and the staff was insulting. I got the rib-eye with the bearnaise, my father got the sweet breads and my partner got the halibut. The halibut was served with a heavy sauce, as was the sweet breads - both have a very delicate flavor and the pairings ruined them. As for the rib-eye, it was served with a cold ramekin of what tasted like tartar sauce. I was convinced that this had to be a mistake and asked the waitress who rudely told me with a "don't you know attitude," that it was right and that bearnaise and mayonnaise were basically the same thing. So much for French sauces.... Wow... I know we weren't the only ones disappointed with our meals. A couple in their 80's enjoying what looked to be their anniversary were also rudely told that the coquilles st jauques are not served in a shell... I'm sorry... Doesn't coquilles mean shells? Sorry for the long rant, but we truly loved this place once... Sad.
(1)Lisa P.
The food was lovely and homey. The decor is horribly appropriate! I love how it hasnt been updated in like FOREVER. Feels very authentic as if you are in a small village in France. Service could be slightly faster and would like better bread and wine glasses... WE will be back!
(5)Sarah M.
Chez Nous, thank you for the most amazing date I have had in a long time! The ambiance immediately set the mood for an intimate, comfortable evening. Every single employee was courteous, friendly, and concerned that my boyfriend and I were enjoying all aspects of our meal. My boyfriend had the veal scallopini - "it deserved every penny. Good blend of flavors. Very rich. Easy to tell that this restaurant cares about their quality of ingredients and salt content in each dish. What I appreciated most was how well the waiter did with helping us find a good wine and gave us several options to taste and made sure we had the right choice to suit our dinner. I was surprised to find this quality of French cuisine to be about $50 less than I was expecting for everything that we indulged in." I had scallops- they were tender, flavorful, and buttery smooth. I've never had a scallop where the weight of the fork cut it right down the middle. Exceptionally cooked.
(5)Beth J.
Very expensive -- three of us each ordered from the Prix Fixe menu and shared a bottle of $30 wine. Came to about $50 a piece minus tips. But it was probably one of the best meals I've ever had. I will probably go there again. The place itself is tiny and cozy and on this night was kind of loud and busy. Staff was attentive, though I didn't understand having a different waitperson each time they came around. But that must be how they do it. We went here on a whim, it was a place my Super Shuttle drove by on the way to the hotel. So we just tried it. We were quite pleased!
(5)Mike S.
Great food, service, ambience and price. We went to Chez Nous on our 23rd anniversary. It's a very quaint, charming place, particularly surprising for its proximity to 6th Street. We were disappointed that there was no valet parking as it can be hard to find a parking place in this area. They don't take reservations for parties under 6 but we had no wait on a Sunday at about 7 pm. The service was very friendly and told us all about the wine and food. We ordered a bottle of one of the French red wines on the Specials menu. It was excellent and reasonably priced at $40. My wife and I both had the menu (choose from 3 options each of appetizers, main courses and desserts). We started with the pork rillet and duck liver pate. The rillet was very good. The pate was amazing. Buttery smooth and full of complex flavors. Reminded me of the foie gras I've had in France. For main course, my wife had the Saumon au crabe (salmon topped with crab), which also included scallops the evening we were there. It was excellent. I had the Bavette aux échalotes (Grilled Texas wagyu beef flank). Also excellent, perfectly cooked medium rare. For dessert, my wife had the chocolate mousse (a generous and tasty serving) and I upgraded (extra $2 because it's not on the fixed menu) to the Crêpe Normande (crepe filled with apples stewed in Calvados liquor, with caramel sauce). It was delicious and a not-too-sweet ending to a great meal. At $100 (+ tip) including a bottle of wine, this was a bargain price for a wonderful meal. We will definitely come back to Chez Nous in the future!
(5)Margaret Y.
Wentr to chez nous for a Friday dinner. The place is quaint and romantic. They had very good service. We ordered the Bavette aux échalotes (steak from prix fixe menu) and Filet de boeuf au poivre. Filet de boeuf au poivre (BEEF TENDERLOIN) from regular dinner menu was very delicious. however the steak from the prix fixe menu, we ordered with medium and it'was a little bit too dry and chewy. The dessert was absolutely wonderful. Overall, I think it's a great quaint french restaurant.
(4)Sara M.
Really great food and at a realistically affordable price. I am generally reluctant to try out "fancy" restaurants on a student budget, but am so glad I was introduced to this place. Try them for lunch! The crepes are phenomenal! Also, I cannot stay away from the creme brulee.
(5)Austin A.
Fantastic! The food was great as was the service. Although the waitstaff was running around like mad men, they took very good care of us and made sure we had everything we needed/desired.
(5)Ian L.
I was disappointed. Probably my most disappointing 4.5 star experience. Yelpers I feel you let me down. Value for money, 4. Quality 3. Service 4.5. I had high hopes for a 4.5 rated place. Unfortunately the food was not quite up to 4 star even. It was good enough, but I just can't give it 4. The Spinach crepe- spinach wasn't as fresh as it could have been, was a little too salty. There are excellent crepe places in NYC and even Chicago, which puts this one to shame. It's by no means bad, just inferior. Duck leg was a little too salty also. Still, was decent and good value. Service is excellent and very attentive; perhaps the dinner Prix fixe would be better.
(3)William B.
Watch out for the added gratuity! The gratuity is added to EVERY order. Furthermore, the bill is handwritten, to make it more authentic, I'm guessing. However, this makes it easy to overlook the added gratuity, which -- shame on me -- I did. I can only say the wait staff is well remunerated if others make the same mistake I did. No wonder they're so friendly The fare is the sort of fare you would expect at this sort of place. Consistently good, but not stellar; decent quality French cuisine in a provincial American city. For me, the cost exceeds the quality by a tad, but many seem to think it fully worthwhile. You pays your money and you makes your choice, comme on dit. Just make sure you know what you're paying for. I, for one, will not choose Chez Nous again, where the business practices are more subtle than the flavors.
(2)Virginia G.
The service was really great and very attentive. I ordered the scallops which were a bit fishy smelling but very very tasty. We also ordered crème brûlée which was also delicious !
(5)Justin A.
A nice little place... we went for lunch. It isn't a showy place with the energy of say Justine's; it is much more quaint, and fairly inexpensive (at least for lunch). While I liked the place, the food I ordered--at least for lunch (a seafood crepe)--didn't blow me away; although the chocolate mousse was pretty awesome, as well as the wine I had. I'd likely give the place 3.5 stars if possible since it was pretty overall good and had a unique atmosphere. Once I try the place for dinner, I will see if we can't bump it up.
(3)Matt K.
PRIX FIXE AT CHEZ NOUS Tonight, the stars aligned above our heads; the mural of constellations behind her candle lit silhouette. A smiling waiter with an above average beard explained the five Pâtés whilst pouring us more than generous helpings of wine. "Everyone gets bread," he said, easing the anxiety of my carbohydrate hungry date. She had the salmon; spread like butter on buttered baguette. I forked a chunkier Pâté, as I crunched down on coarse green peppercorns. We shared both, but preferred our own. Then, of course it was time for the main course. We both ordered roasted ruby trout. "Oh my god," she said. "Stop. Don't take a bite of fish. Just taste the sauce first." I did and oh my god. That rosemary chevre cream creeping over my tongue was enough to make me believe in whatever God the French surrender to in all the kitchens of the world. Beneath the stars; beneath that mural, we had the most wonderful conversations, seldom interrupted by an outstanding staff, quietly refilling glasses, as we gazed into one another's eyes behind our own thick lensed glasses. Crème Brulée satisfied us both, although we couldn't agree on who got the third blueberry. Naturally, she did. I insisted. Soon, we'd both be leaving Austin, but not without indulging in the best meal with the best company either of us could have imagined and neither of us could have gone without.
(5)Jessica B.
I really wanted to like this place, but it's not as great as the reviews make it out to be. I went last night with my boyfriend, and the service was awful. There was no one to seat us so we had to stand their awkwardly for a while. We finally flagged someone down and were seated. Then we waited a good 15 minutes for someone to come take our orders. The restaurant is tiny and was not super busy, so we should not have waited that long. Finally got to order, and the waitress was horrible. I asked to explain some of the wines and what some of the things on the menu were, and she was pretty rude about it. I felt like she was looking down on me for not knowing how they prepared their food. If you are going to charge so much for food, make sure your staff is courteous to the customers. Finally ordered our food. By the way, took almost an hour to get it. We did the Fixed Price menu, and let me tell you, it is NOT worth $32 dollars. I ordered Pate, and I am not sure what I got but that was NOT traditional Pate. I am from Europe and that's a common dish we eat with out bread. So not sure what they were serving. My boyfriend got the flank steak, which was super chewy and very hard to swallow without choking. Worst quality meat. My salmon tasted very fishy so I just didn't eat it. I get salmon a lot, and this place can not cook their fish very well. The waitress would not let us order our deserts at the same time we ordered our food. She literally said "You can order that later" even though we already KNEW what we wanted! When we ordered our desert later, she tried really hard to make us get something that was not included on the Fixed Price menu so she could charge us more. I got a little upset and said "No, we are sticking with the Fixed Price options." We ordered Flan and Mousse. Again, not worth the money. The Flan tasted very eggy and the mouse tasted like normal chocolate pudding. This was the worst meal at a so called "Romantic and Fancy" restaurant I have EVER had. And trust me, I go out to restaurants A LOT. I've gotten better service at food trucks. Safe to say, I will NOT be back. Learn how to treat your customers please.
(1)Marty D.
Ate here on a Thursday. We were sat right away, but it took a while for the appetizers and drinks order to be taken. Overall the food was outstanding, I would definitely go back again. Service is the only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars. If I'm paying $100.13 plus tip for a meal, I'd like to not wait too long for my order to be taken.
(4)Josh F.
Food is 5 stars, service is 4.5 stars. Atmosphere is 4 stars. Foods all that matters so please go here with a loved one and enjoy yourself. By the, price is 3.5 star.
(4)Nathalie M.
This had to have been THE (not "one of the") worst diner I have EVER had! The food was cold, the bread was barely to the level of fresh wonder bread, the wine pours was definitely a French pour, which there is nothing wrong with that, but then adjust your price! There is nothing French about Chez Nous other than the name! The service was horrible! And when you are excited when clients sit down and do not stay just don't scream out loud "Yeah" That sums it up!
(1)G K.
Lovely staff and atmosphere, food was not worth almost $40 a plate. Scallops had good flavor but came out slightly cold in the center, boyfriend's duck had very thick, chewy skin that detracted from the deliciousness of the rest.
(3)Jen H.
We were here for lunch, so crepes seemed like a no brainer. I got the ham and cheese crepe with an egg. It was delightful and perfectly cooked. My lunch partner got the seafood crepe with cream and I coveted her order when it arrived. It had great seafood in it (it would have been sad if it was mostly filler fish). The crab and salmon were tasty and fresh. The restaurant could use some updating but it doesn't need it as long as the food stays authentic.
(4)Deb E.
My boyfriend took me here on a whim and it was great. But, unfortunately I can't give it 5 stars...it was lacking somewhere and neither him nor I could put our finger on it, but "something" was definitely missing. The taste of the food was great, but maybe it was the lack of any sides with the pricey main dishes? Cute little place, nice staff, but I don't see us returning. Especially with the abundance of places to choose from, that offer a bit more with a meal.
(3)Jye T.
I have been here 4 times now. Each meal has been equally amazing. I've tasted most of the menu now and it really is all great. There are low cost wine options too that are great.
(5)Marie-Amelie L.
Cameron at Chez Nous finally did get back to us, refund the extra tip, and apologize nicely. Thanks!
(4)Onno K.
We ordered the fish (halibut) the waiter recommended and it was bland and kinda rubbery. The entrée salad was okay at best. The carrot Ginger soup was the best dish of the night, and even that was a 3 out of five. I don't know how this place got so many good reviews ... I'd say skip it!
(2)Thomas O.
After the longest spring semester ever, a seemingly never-ending advertising competition, and in celebration of a fabulous per diem, we decided to splurge on a fine French meal here at Chez Nous. We deserved it. We also were hungry. And it was fucking amazing. Pardon my French. The bread was FAF Fresh as F.... Creamy butter? PUT IT ALL OVER ME NOW. Filet de boeuf au poivre - $37.50 beef tenderloin cooked medium and served in this tres tres tres riche brandy reduction and cream sauce. J'étais dans le ciel. it's served with pommes dauphines and fresh veggies which are fancy names for a garlic-covered roasted beefsteak tomato, green beans, and something like corn cakes. All fucking delicious! Pardon my French, once again! What more can I say. Paired with a fab glass of cab, this meal was the perfect way to cap our final step as District 13 presenters in the NSAC in Austin. We felt like winners, so we most definitely ate like winners. And you know what, that MAKES us winners!
(5)Taft C.
One of my favorite restaurants in Austin. Food has been consistently good. Love the prix fixe menu.
(5)Michael H.
I'm a 30 year fan of this fantastic restaurant. It's as close to the authentic French feel as any restaurant in Austin. It's cozy, quiet, and the food is delicious. It's my "go to" favorite for a restaurant that invites leisurely conversation enjoyed over excellent food and drink. If you're in a rush, you've probably come to the wrong place. I love the fact that I can take all the time in world and enjoy a two hour meal in the French style. The fixed price 3 course meal is always perfect. And when I want a slightly upscale lunch and have a little time, that's also pretty special. I've enjoyed 3 decades of meals with no poor experiences and no surprises and I'm an obvious fan. The portions are sensible in a French kind of way. The courses are delivered at just the right pace and given the irresistible French bread and butter, I'm always satisfied and then some. (And stuffed if I get the escargot.) The wait staff is casual, unfussy, but always dependable in my experience. Perfect French bistro really. And, all things considered, easily my restaurant in Austin.
(5)jack d.
Just went tonight for dinner. Looked at Yelp earlier today and found two reviews from two days ago noting the service was poor. We found service was great, very attentive, so maybe they read the reviews too! Food was tasty, escargot and warm goat cheese on bagets. My wife had the scallops and they were outstanding with a wonderful sauce. I had the salmon and it was good. The profiteroles for dessert was great....haven't have that since my last trip to paris about 8 years ago. We will definitely go again.
(5)Tiffany L.
What a cozy place that I would've never thought to walk into myself. Thanks Yelpers! Upon entering, you don't think all that much of the restaurant. It's small and dimly lit, but who cares because the food was delicious! How much more authentic could this place get? All the waiters have French accents (which I joke about to my bf wondering if it's all an act). Go with whatever wine the waiter recommends. Ours was tasty. My bf started with the escargot. Now, i'm not a fan of eating anything that crawls on the ground leaving an oozing trail behind it. Call me ignorant, I don't care. He said the escargot was some of the best he's had. Not chewy or tough. I opted to start with the paté which was a little crumbly, but good. It's all made in house, so you know it's fresh! For our entrees, we had the lamb and the duck confit. My bf said the lamb was good. Not game-y at all but was a tad chewy. My duck confit was like an explosion of crispy skin and juices! I was so stuffed but kept eating every last morsel, not wanting to let the duck's life go to waste ;) Great, quaint place. Would definitely visit again.
(4)Kristen S.
We just happened to walk up upon this restaurant while looking for a place to eat dinner. Jackpot! This place had delicious food! My meal started off with white bean with bacon soup then my entree was a beef flank steak. Don't know how they cooked the flank steak but it was cooked to perfection. Flank steak can be a tough meat but the way they cooked made it surprisingly tender. At our table, one person had sweetbreads, another the filet, and another the lamb chops. We all loved our dishes and had nothing but positives things to say. Also very pleased with the service! They are extremely attentive but not overbearing at all! Nothing is worse than being at a restaurant and asking for something and the response is "Let get your waiter/waitress." Loved how their servers just walk around and see how they can help people and aren't territorial to tables.
(5)Elisa S.
Amazing. Dinner with 5 friends we were all very happy with our meals. And lucky for me I was able to try everyone's entree. We started with goat cheese on bread and country pate, French fries and and Pommes Dauphine (mash potato puffs) i recommend all of them! I went for the prix fixed dinner which was, starter was soup of the day, a clear vegetable broth with leeks and other veggies and a lovely poached egg, delicious! My entree was grilled ruby trout with mushrooms and brussel sprouts. The fish was prepared perfectly, and my dessert - dark chocolate mousse was phenomenal. My best friend had the rainbow trout with lemon and green beans- so tasty! Her boyfriend had the duck confit the best duck I have ever had in my life. The creme brûlée And creme caramel were divine! If you are new to French or from France I highly suggest this place. The owners are from South of France and it is just clean fresh delicious food.
(5)Keren W.
Top French restaurant in Austin
(4)Jezzy P.
Consistently great food, and for fine dining... pretty darn affordable. We brought three of our own wines and paid the corkage fee. For four people, the bill came to $258. Service was pleasant and unobtrusive. There are a few bad reviews, but maybe they went on a bad night. I will say that I've come here several times and never had a bad experience. Great restaurant. Seriously, this is a Woohoo! As good as it gets!
(5)Sunil R.
Was excited to eat here after seeing the great reviews. The area itself is a little shady with some questionable folks hanging around outside. But once you get that and into the restaurant, it is really cozy and homey. Service seemed a little inconsistent. Looked like they were playing zone defense and 3 different waiters served our table which was a little confusing. Our primary guy was French and nice. I got the Menu Du Jour. The bread and fresh butter was good. The gazpacho was really good and ended up scraping the bottom of the bowl to make sure I got it all. The steak was a disappointment, it was a tough and I did not finish it. The sides that came with it good. The chocolate mousse was OK. Looked like most of the customers are regulars based on the hugs they got from the employees. Got to listen to some interesting conversations at the next table which involved millions of dollars abroad and tax shelters etc. Don't think I will be back, there are too many other restaurants in Austin that I need to try out when I visit.
(3)Jo M.
I love this restaurant. This is one of the best in Austin. if you love French food, this is the place to go. Quality wine, food is guaranteed. The ambiance is a like a small, quaint restaurant in Paris.
(5)Mel W.
Adorable, quaint little romantic restaurant in the middle of hectic downtown. Great place for a french cuisine with one person or a group(if the group is more than four call ahead). Slow paced like any good European establishment. Food was great! At first I thought I am going to be starving after this meal because the portions looked super small but they were just the right size. Each dish has wonderful taste and not over seasoned. And they have awesome creme brulee. And the service was delightful!
(5)Melinda L.
Chez Nous is by far my favorite restaurant in Austin. I can seriously say that I've never had better food in my entire life! I recently spoke to my sister about this restaurant - unfortunately, I couldn't remember the name because it's French; well, she immediately said the name and said she's never had anything better in her entire life either. It's absolutely orgasmic!
(5)Gracie E.
Yummy food, the snails were bomb.
(4)Courtney S.
What a charming little down-to-earth but elegant place! We came here on a Sunday night for my husband's 30th birthday dinner. It was a wonderful spot for a romantic dinner. We got the prix-fixe menu and at $25 a person it was WELL worth it! The salad I had as a starter was great, my husband's salmon pate was excellent, the mains of beef and trout were excellent and oh yum, the desserts divine! It's not Spago, but then it doesn't pretend to be, and the food is still wonderful. We asked for a wine recommendation and were guided to something exactly like we'd described for only $30! It was really good, too. Including our wine and meals (but not tip) it was under $100! Woot! Our service was kind of spotty, albeit friendly. Most embarrassing for me was when I noted that the music in the background sounded like NPR's "The World" and two of the staff (one of our servers and a hostess) said "it's not just you-- this IS the music they use!" We had a good laugh about that! Our server(s) had a good rapport with us, even if we weren't sure who was coming to serve us when! All in all, highly recommend this place for a nice but not super fancy romantic dinner.
(4)Carina J.
I went here with my mom for her birthday dinner. The restaurant itself was quant and I like that it had a casual feel. The bread and butter they bring out to the table - delicious! My mom and I both got the Menu du Jour. You get a soup, salad, or pate with an entree of your choice (three different ones to choose from) and a dessert for $27.50. The food itself? It was comme ci comme ça. I really enjoyed the soup of the day. It was a cream of corn soup. It was so tasty! I had the pork chop for my entree. I wasn't so impressed with it. It was just average, a bit small, and too pink for my taste. I had the creme caramel for dessert. It was alright. All in all I'd say this restaurant is alright, but for the price of the food I was expecting something fantastic.
(3)Mimich W.
I love Chez Nous, this pleasant little French Bistro! It's one of my favorite restaurant in Austin! I've been there about 8 times. The perfect place to celebrate an intimate birthday, a first anniversary or just to get together with your friends. You get in and you can feel the "chaleureux" and romantic ambiance right away! The staff is always smiling, polite and very knowledgeable. Ask for Jacques the wine guy. And Clementine is such a kind waitress. Pierre will make you laugh with his good humour! It's a small place. As soon as they open at 6pm, the place is filled. The next service is around 8h30. You can make a reservation for a 6 people party and +. Make sure you get there a little earlier to find a parking Everytime I go there I order the escargot. Delicious! The Prix Fix Menu is very affordable! For 25$ you get an appetizer, an entre and a desert. Try the souffl au cholocat! Don't leave without having a glass of wine! They have a great wine selection. This French restaurant is definitely amazing! Very constant and always satisfy when I leave... And they speach French!!! Bon appetit mon ami!
(5)Catherine Y.
Lovely, simply lovely!! I fell in love with this place once I stepped in. Pierre (friend told me he is the owner) was giving us the best service you could get in town. We had 3 plates of different Pate (one of them is on the house) and plenty of good wine to share. If you go there with an empty stomach try to get the Menu Du Jour, it is a 3 course meal for $25 and that, my friend, it is pretty darn good for downtown dining. Another note is the Escargots cooked with herbs and mushroom. Don't miss that. You will be speechless once you have a couple of them. End the meal with a cup of delicious Espresso, it's heavenly.
(5)Carolyn S.
Hubby & I chose Chez Nous to celebrate our 24th Anniversary. Arrived on Saturday evening, just before 6pm opening, so no wait. From the moment you enter, you are welcomed by just about all the staff. Everyone is friendly and polite. Pricing is fair for the quality & presentation of the food. We got the "daily special", where you get 3 courses for @ $25. Everything was well prepared. The sauce with the salmon was amazing!! We will definitely be back! Thanks for a memorable anniversary dinner!
(5)DONNA V.
Their appetizer, entree and dessert combo was excellent! The chef came to visit us after the entree and described where the recipe originated and how everything was cooked. The service was excellent and afterward they gave us a $10 gift card towards our next visit.
(5)Alon B.
Austin is VERY lucky to have this little gem in downtown. I've been coming to Chez Nous for years and every single meal I have had there has been amazing. Not only that, but for the quality of the food and the wines the price is VERY reasonable. A lot of nicer restaurants will make sure that you can't get a decent bottle of wine for less than $120 or so, but CN has many wonderful wines, especially Bordeaux, that can be bought for $45-60 a bottle. I love this place for lunch, a date, or any time you really want a great meal. I know that inevitable comparisons will be drawn to Aquarelle so I will save you some questions: * If you want to really impress your date Aquarelle is a better spot. The ambiance is incredible, its very romantic, and the service is first rate. * If you just want a great meal with superior food, go to Chez Nous. The feel is more relaxed and less formal.
(5)laura G.
Disclaimer: I have a picture of Julia Child inside one of my kitchen cabinets for inspiration. Thus, I am inclined to enjoy an unpretentious, hearty French meal in a restaurant that makes you feel as if every table in it is beside the hearth. Lucky for me, Austin has just that restaurant in Chez Nous. Chez Nous offers authentic French food presented in a straightforward manner with an accessible wine list. The staff is helpful, but keeps a distance so that food and your company is the focus of the evening, not them. Though when asked, they are extremely helpful. I've been several times and I will say that the lamb is absolutely outstanding - the second best I've ever had (York St. in Dallas hold the number one spot). Why 4 instead of 5 stars? One waitress was slightly rude to my father (I sensed it, not sure he did- silly him, he asked a question). I realize this contradicts the earlier "unpretentious" remark, but I think it's a fluke. Nonetheless, for my father I must knock one star off. Also, the dessert menu could fare a tad bit better. What makes Chez Nous special are the little touches: carrying your bar tab over to the table; pate prepared in-house; consistently good food and a $25 price fixed menu option. Enjoy!
(4)Ashley A.
Chez Nous has a whole lot going for it. It's a haven of French accents and country charm on an otherwise Tex-Mex-and-beer-soaked stretch of 6th Street. Its warm, wood interior with kind but slightly-inattentive staff is, in fact, a near-perfect replica of a French countryside auberge---right down to the hand-printed wine-by-the-glass list, the astoundingly affordable daily menu, and the hum of a full (but not too full) dining room of content patrons. But the food. How should I say? Je ne l'aime pas. Now, I think it's hard-to-impossible to distinguish food from ambiance in some circumstances---and French countryside auberges, even this fake one, are certainly in that category. I was in love with the place from the moment I saw four---yes, four---different types of pate on the menu. But although French style is consistent, there is a distinct lack of stereotypically French culinary care: the pate sounds delectable but is in fact dry; the fish is greviously overcooked; the sauces are a bit thin. It was the bread, though, that really jolted me back to reality from my Loire-valley daydream. The bread at Chez Nous is an embarassment to the baguette: a bland, cottony, crust-less close-cousin of Wonderbread. And although I've long since given up on finding a great baguette in Austin, the poor one at Chez Nous pierced me through the heart---representing a total lack of attention to the perfect execution of simple food and, thereby, exemplifying all that is deeply un-French about Chez Nous.
(3)Marco F.
There are three reasons to go out to eat: For great ambiance........check For great service.....check plus For great food.....Double check 6th street is not the place you usually go to feel at home but this place breaks the mold. There's something to be said for a restaurant to have made it this long in the turn and burn frat mecca that is 6th. For me to brave the ball caps and khaki shorts to go out on the town you must put forth something extra-ordinary and they do. In 10 years I have never had a single bad experience here,that's rare considering we ate here every Sunday for quite sometime. As good as the food is, and it is exquisite, the atmosphere tops it. Many restaurants put tons into producing a feel or a look but to naturally exude this is rare. The decor, the staff, the food make for a quaint humble restaurant worth every penny. Go, trust me you will be treated like a regular and your 3 or 4 course meal will hit the spot and then some.
(5)Jaye B.
I adore French food, however, I don't eat it often as it's so rich. But, when I want a good bistro meal, Chez Nous is the place to go. For pate fans, Chez Nous makes some beautiful country pates. If you like escargot, I'd have to say these are some of the best I've eaten, and the bread is wonderful as well. Some people on Chowhound complain about the snootiness of the staff, but I've yet to encounter anything like that from Chez Nous. Like Jen says, it doesn't try to be anything it's not. It's a straight-up, very reasonably priced French bistro, something I actually wish we had more of in Austin.
(5)chiwowow r.
Cher Chez Nous, Je t'adore...aujourd'hui, hier, et demain...toujours. Bisouxxx, Chi
(5)John C.
I feel like it is my duty to lower the rating of this restaurant. This restaurant is probably one of the most over-rated places I have eaten. I went on a Friday night and it was half empty. I got the 3 course meal and so did my girlfriend so I was able to try 2 appetizers, 2 entries, and 2 desserts. This was the first French restaurant I've been to. I have heard great things about French food. While eating the food there, I often thought to myself... what would Gordon Ramsay say about this dish and if his food actually taste like the food I'm tasting. I would have to say he would be disappointed. Here's what I tried: Appetizer: Some cold soup - Eh... nothing special Pate maison - I realized I hate pate Dinner: Pork loin with raspberry chutney sauce - Eh.. kind of plain. Meat was cooked nicely though Squab with some other kind of sauce - Nothing special. Sauce was some sort of tomato based sauce. Wasn't that great. Dessert: Chocolate Mousse - Had better. Tastes like traditional mousse Creme Caramel - Pretty good. I enjoyed this For $26.50x2 + tip + tax... I expected a lot more than this. I expected the food to blow me away. The food was so so. Too expensive for how it tastes. Maybe I just ordered the wrong dishes, but their food is NOTHING special.
(2)Jenna R.
Went here with the boyfriend for date night and it was amazing! The food was absolutely perfect and the atmosphere reminded us of Paris. I wish we could afford to come here more often.
(5)Sebastian P.
I really love this place and have always enjoyed dining here. Chez Nous has an ambience that is authentically French; Small yet cozy with a tastefully understated decor and knowledgeable waitstaff, giving it a relaxed yet elegant character. I am always pleased with the menu and the consistent care and creativity that goes into each dish. The waitstaff is generally pleasant and helpful and I have yet to experience the stereotypical "snooty French waiter" at Chez Nous. I did however have the unfortunate experience of coming across a genuinely unhappy and condescending manager here after politely expressing my disappointment over a substandard dish. Her confrontational tone and judgemental manner were highly uncharactaristic of an otherwise exceptional restaurant. Once her coworkers righted the situation the artificial smile she flashed me for the rest of the evening was unfortunately bona fide American trash. She cost Chez Nous a couple of stars but I will certainly be back!
(3)Cheryl C.
I chose the prix fixe menu the last two times I went and while I cannot recall the entrees I ordered (must have not been anything remarkable), I do remember the pate maison and the chocolate mouse being quite good. It's a little expensive, but a nice place to go if you want classic french cuisine.
(3)Elias K.
Visiting Chez Nous is like a trip to France, without the airfare or the annoying waiting around in airports. Not France like the Champs Elysees, or the Eiffel Tower, but the real France. Chez Nous would fit perfectly as a local bistro in any French neighborhood, except the food is probably better than almost all of them. This was the best meal we've had in more than two years, since moving from San Francisco. We had the Entrecôte béarnaise, and the Côtes d'agneau Manon. My wife, who is a big fan of Bearnaise sauce, called this the best she's ever tasted. The steak was tender, juicy, cooked to absolute perfection. The lamb chops were perfectly done also, and half the chefs of Provence would kill for the secret of their seasoning. The accompanying vegetables were worth a special mention, delightfully seasoned and cooked. We recommend the pâtés. We tried a couple of different ones, and they were wonderful. A perfect starter for the meal. The space is a little crowded, and the atmosphere is casual, comfortable, and noisy. Again, think neighborhood bistro. I can totally see myself here, whiling the evening away with some good friends and a glass of wine. Chez Nous doesn't need my recommendation here. But they get it. This is a place well worth visiting.
(5)Judd C.
Went here looking specifically for beef tri tip and fries. They happened to have chateauloin on the price fix menu and were happy to make me some fries, so all was perfect. Also had tea instead of wine, and I really couldn't get enough. It was terrific and they were very accommodating. I go here often and will continue with such amazing food and service.
(5)Sara K.
My fiance and I share a wonderful memory of Chez Nous. This restaurant is just lovely. The atmosphere reminds me of a cute little bistro I visited in Paris. The food is excellent. However, be aware that it is French = on the heavier, buttery side - something I LOVE. My fiance and I loved everything from the bread starter to the desserts. One downside is that it is a smaller restaurant with an intimate atmosphere and many people stay for long meals (reminiscent of European meals) so there can be a wait.
(5)Harry B.
If you like a romantic French atmosphere, this is the place to go. The food is great, the service is good, and like in France, you can take your titme after dinner before you leave without being bothered.
(5)Nadia D.
Went for my husband's birthday and we both got the fixed price menu. The pate was average, my steak was fine, hubby's fish was pretty good, chocolate mousse left a lot to be desired, but the caramel dessert was delicious. Out waitress had horrible french pronunciation which kind of took away from the authentic feel I was hoping to get. Overall, I think it's a good deal but the dining experience felt more automated bordering on sloppy as opposed to unique and extraordinary. Guess that's our own fault for going for the fixed price. Don't get me wrong, we'll be back but maybe at the rate of once every couple of years. The interior did remind me of being in Paris however which makes it fully enjoyable on its own.
(4)Epicurean V.
This French guy I knew who went to UT was probably the biggest snob I have ever met. Talk about PICKY, the guy would even set the table French style with the fork facing down (because facing up is soooo tacky). Anyway, my point is, this picky French dude had a weekly affair with Chez Nous, so I figured, if he liked it, it must be pretty damn good. The setting is simple, small, cozy, romantic, and very country French...regional food, you know? We were greeted by a woman with the most beautiful french accent, our table surrounded by French speaking families, ugh so perfect. A little wine, and we were good to try the appetizer: Pâté maison. Homemade pate with cornichons and olives. I'm telling you, it's the simple things in life. Yum! Italianini (whose French isn't too shabby) had the Escalopes de veau en papillote. Basically your Veal cordon bleu. Veal scallopini with mandrange ham and gruyere with white wine tarragon cream sauce. It was delicious. So creamy, yet poignant. Perfect. I had Poisson rôti à l'anis. Halibut roasted on shaved fennel with pastis, fumet, creme fraiche, and fried celeriac. You know how much I love fennel and celeriac. I was in heaven. Super light but full of flavor. Delish! We skipped dessert, but I can't wait to go back and try them all! All I know is that 27 years of French and Austin regulars can't be wrong.
(5)Stacey G.
Lovely intimate place. Tasty food, great service, and I love that the waiter is from New Mexico, or some deserty place. Nothing seems stuffy, just relaxed, like a very nice, well-made, antique chair.
(4)Angelos P.
We have been dining here for years and we have never been disappointed. Great combination of: atmosphere + tasty food + friendly service + reasonable pricing = Great Value.
(5)Molly W.
I took my boyfriend here for a birthday dinner, and we both had a delightful experience. Because they don't take reservations for parties under 5, we assumed the wait wouldn't take too long (we should've expected it as it was on a Saturday night). We thought we'd pass the time by enjoying a cocktail at the bar. The wait was nearly 20 minutes, and this wouldn't have bothered me if there were stools by the bar. We felt awkward standing in front of the room, and since the aisle between the bar and tables was very narrow, we felt like we were in the way of the hustle and bustle. However, when the bartender, who I believe was the owner, greeted us with thick French accent and poured us two glasses of Kir Royale (Crème de Cassis and Champagne), I found myself feeling far more relaxed. Everything that followed can only be described as a blur from which I emerged fulfilled in all dimensions--physical, emotional, and spiritual. My only disappointment was the Escargot which, to my surprise, already shelled when it reached our table. Some may actually prefer this, but as a seafood purist and an adventurous eater, half of the fun is removing the shells yourself and sucking the juices out. Oh well. While I complained about the wait earlier, I did very much appreciate the longer than usual wait between courses. There is an endless supply of bread and butter to fuel the conversation, which naturally happens when there is enough time between courses for you to process and discuss the experience with your dinner companion. If you are going for the first time, try the pre-fixed menu (3 courses for just $25) for a sample of their creativity and quality.
(4)carla c.
Why this place continues to fall off my radar, I'll never know. I went with friends to celebrate a Bastille Day birthday last night, after not having been for at least 3 years. We went early, expecting a Bastille Day crowd, and got right in. I had worked myself up to ordering off of their regular menu, the Salade Lyonnaise and Trout Meuniere, but they had a special menu for the holiday, and no prix fixe. (The prix fixe is highly affordable, especially considering the outstanding quality of the food.) One in my party ordered the Duck, a combo of preparations, leg confit and breast. The duck was perfect. The birthday girl ordered the Sole stuffed with mushrooms in a Cremant Buerre Blanc. It was outstanding. I ordered the Filet and it was beyond perfect. We shared all around so we could taste everything, and were all quite happy. The vegetables are the same with each entree, carrots, a tomato something stuffed into a zuchinni tower, and baby carrots. Not memorable, but also not really necessary. Birthday girl had the Pavlova for dessert and liked it, I didn't taste it. The service was decidedly French, which we expected and the atmosphere hasn't changed since I first went to Chez Nous years ago. Comfortable, casual and charming as ever.
(5)craig b.
I had the prix fixe menu; it seemed to be a good value. The cold soups were amazing. I was not blown away by the wine selection. We will return.
(4)randall s.
My wife and I have been going to Chez Nous for years, even before we were married. It's still our go-to for any special occasion or just when we need a little "mini vacation." The ambience is real and real cute and real romantic. The staff is some of the nicest in town. And the food is, well, fantastic. If you're new, try the price-fixed menu with the app, entree and dessert all for one price. It usually includes a steak, and a couple of fish offerings, plus a soup, salad, or pate and mousse or creme brulee. But sometime, you must have the escalopes de veau panees or the steak bearnaise or au poivre. (Steak bearnaise comes with fries at lunch and they are the best fries in town!) Great wine list too. And if you are ever there when they have cheesecake as a dessert special, GET IT!!!
(5)Lizzie C.
I went there for the first time on May 28, 2008. There was no wait, we went on a Wednesday evening at around 7:30pm and we were promptly seated. We did had to wait a while for someone to stop by and help us out with the menu and to bring us our wine. But after that, they were pretty prompt about their service. We had their prix fixe menu and had their special of the day, which was grilled salmon that was draped with a cream based sauce made from crab. It was quite delicious, I split it with my boyfriend and we were both pretty full. We also ordered their appetizers. We had something that was similar to bruschetta. We had their salad with a light vingarette dressing on it. Oh my gosh, it was absolutely delicious! :) It was one of the best salad Ive had in a while! :) Their desserts was really good, we had the chocolate truffle, and it came with coffee and espresso. I do love the atmosphere of it, very cozy and definitely very romantic. My boyfriend and I came on our anniversary. For college students like ourselves, that place is a bit over-priced for the amount of food that was being served.
(4)Happy O.
I went there with a friend who knew the owner so suffice to say we did have really really good service. I had the filet medallions and I sorry to say that I have no idea what my friend had because I was so engrossed in my dinner. The place has an interesting decor and while some people want to say the inside did not remind me of being in France. But with that being said the service was good, the food was great and I left this place not feeling hungry at all. If you want a place that is upbeat, with solid cooking then make this place part if your list. It is a bit pricey so if you are on a budget make this a place for a special occasion.
(3)lauren F.
A place I like to go when I just want a good simple meal, simple service, and vino. I love that the pre fixe is only $25 bucks 3 courses. I really liked the shrimp and crab dish with large perfectly cooked shrimp, and some fresh crab in a burre blanc! Other faves are the salad lyonaise great for lunch. Or the Trout with parsley butter. I have not had any thing bad here ever. Very Consistent.
(5)Ryan B.
Went on a Sunday nite and was able to get street parking nearby--always a bonus. Opted for the 3-course menu de jour which had a choice of a peppercorn beef tendorloin (with a lamb substitute option), a lemon butter trout and a snapper with lump crab meat and cream sauce. A fresh bauguette was cut up and brought to our table along with a very creamy butter. Ordered the baked goat cheese appetizer ($9.50) and it was good, but a lil on the pricy side for 4-crostini's. The salads were served next with a light dressing. The field greens looked to be very fresh which is more than i can say for alot of places. We split the beef tenderloin and trout entrees. I think the beef is probly the better of the two. Steak was seared well on the outside and cooked to specification (i'm always surprised when that happens). Peppercorn rub was tasty...slightly on the salty side, but I'm a fan of sodium. The trout in the white cream sauce was a little bland for me. no other herbs visible. It tasted fine, but i would probly opt for something else next time. The sides were the same for all the entrees: sauteed green beans, potato gallette type things, and pan seared tomato. Sides were average I'd say. But all the ingredients were very fresh. Dessert was caramel custard and a crepe with apple filling. I thought the custard was really good...served cold and it had a very flavorful caramel taste but wasn't overly sweet. Overall, i think for the price, it's a good deal. The ingredients were fresh and the place is very cozy. I'll take casual french over any snooty cousins anyday.
(4)Dan K.
Love it. Great brasserie feel. Food is excellent. Service is nice.
(5)chiu t.
To me it is pretty traditional French restaurant. Nothing is very exciting to me. The food was okay.
(3)Eric H.
This place has been one of my favorites for more than a decade. While I really like the food here (duck pate, rustic pork pate, salade lyonnaise, the prix fixe menu, the profiterole), it's the service and the atmosphere that transport me. The small tables are close together, but somehow the space seems convivial rather than crowded; the waitstaff is uber-friendly and always attentive (some are even French); the bread (not the best as other reviewers will tell you) perfect for the enormous slab of French butter they dish up--I've just decided that's the point since decent baguette is rare in this town. We always feel welcomed and warmed by this place--both of our first experiences with French food. Since those early days we have had some fabulous meals across France, but nothing feels as "a la maison" to me.
(5)Stacy F.
Wow. I can't believe I had lived in Austin for 6 years before finding this great place. Chez Nous is now one of my favorite places in Austin and a great place for a date night or a casual meal. I like to get the prix fixe at around 26 dollars it is a pretty good deal. I like not feeling ripped off. Everyone that I have come into contact with that works there has been really sweet and helpful. Creme brulee is great. The steak is great. MMm the pate is awesome. This restaurant feels like Austin 10-15 years ago did...real people, not pretentious. Great.
(4)Mike M.
I've been eating here for over 25 years and it's still my favorite restaurant in Austin. Unpretentious, but honest and very good French bistro food. A decent, if not terribly ambitious wine list. But the place just reeks of personal care, pride, and authenticity. The only reason I wouldn't give it five stars is that the food, while very, very good for bistro food, is ultimately bistro food. It is not haute cusine or anything terribly creative or intellectually challenging. But i'ts great filling, soul stirring chow. What more could you ask for at this price point.
(4)Dave C.
Nice French bistro setting. Friendly and efficient service. The salmon was very delicious. Highly recommended for authentic French cuisines.
(5)Meghan L.
If I want to give myself a treat I will eat or should I say escape at Chez Nous. What is there not to love. The atmosphere, the service and did I mention the food...melting slowly in my mouth I find that I have an out of body experience when tasting the superb creations. My mouth is spoiled since the day it tasted the wonders that are created in the kitchen of Chez Nous.
(5)Hugo S.
This is fine for French in Austin. I havent gone in a year, last time I got sick from the venison. Doubt I'll go back.
(2)Douglas P.
Hands down one of the best French restaurants in Texas. Inside is not overly pretentious and makes you feels like your in southern France. Food is always spectacular. One of the top restaurants in Austin.
(5)Karen S.
I loved the salad with poached egg on top, salmon, and yummy deserts. My friends tomato basil soup was amazing and his trout spectacular. Great service in a relaxed family atmosphere!
(5)Heidi L.
I know everybody else thinks this restaurant is so great, but the one and only time I went there, I had a horrible experience. I was greatly disappointed. First of all, they don't take reservations for parties smaller than 6, so we waited one and a half hours to be seated. When we finally got a table, it took at least five minutes before we even got water or any other kind of attention from waitstaff. 20 minutes later, we finally got to order. Although we got some really delicious French bread to munch on while we waited, it took over an hour (I am really not exaggerating here) to get our food. I kept flagging down waitstaff to see why it was taking so long, but all I got was "Your order is the next ticket" about 5 times. Meanwhile, everybody else in the restaurant (including people that got there after us) was enjoying their meals. Maybe since I'm a vegetarian I should have known not to go to Chez Nous, but the "vegetable plate" that I ordered was no more than a couple of sauteed pieces of squash with some butter on them and some potato/biscuit thingies. It was not a good meal, it was not good service, it was very expensive, and it was NOT worth the wait.
(1)Amy B.
One of the better restaurants in Austin- it has great food, it is quaint, it is reasonably priced and is a great date spot. I can't think of a better place for French food.
(5)minnie p.
I ain't gonna lie. This place was a wee bit intimidating from the moment i walked in. I mean I'm no food or wine connoisseur and the waitstaff just seemed like they were. But that's all they were: knowledgeable about the menu, honest, and friendly....no hint of pretention whatsoever. In addition, they were very encouraging of any questions. In fact, I inquired about a dish of veal sweetbreads and the waiter was nice enough to admit that it was "for the adventurous". I didn't receive some sort of generalized answer like "it's good", and that kind of honesty is hard to find from a waiter. I love that this restaurant is in a dingy nook off of 6th street but you'd never know it from the inside. Fresh flowers on the table: plus. Maybe it's a girl thing. French waiters: plus. Again, girl thing. The food is quite scrumptious, although some dishes are a bit heavy for my taste. Their fixed price three-course option is pretty much the best idea ever. An appetizer, entree, and dessert for $25 is a steal at such a classy joint, in my opinion. I highly recommend the Trout in Rose sauce. Melts in yr mouth. Salmon Pate on crusty bread was unexpectedly delightful. Don't even get me started on the Chocolate Mousse. Much as you would expect, you're highly encouraged to eat and drink the day away without being bothered. It's nice to just sit and chat without worrying about the next place you're going right? And they understand that. However if you are in a hurry, make sure to let someone know you're ready for the check because they'd let you sit there forever just to keep from being impolite. Can't wait to go back.
(5)B H.
I love Chez Nous. It's not real "Austin" but it's a REAL GOOD French restaurant, not formal or pretentious, but rather homey and soothing.
(5)Kenna T.
i feel bad for not being able to give this more stars, because the yelpers seem to love this place, but this was just ok to me. i feel like the service was slow and we had a different wait person for each delivery/removal, and while i do appreciate not being rushed i feel like we were simply ignored. the side show of the couple making out and holding each other's heads in their hands was bizarre. i think they were doing it for a reaction. not sure if they wanted laughter, but that's what they got from me and my date. odd that.
(3)Donya S.
I LOVE this place! It is my favorite restaurant in town for a romantic evening or a fun dinner with a small group of friends. The food is always incredible. The staff is friendly and attentive. The ambiance is beautiful and casual and wonderful! And, they have a great wine list! And lunch, too! I cannot say enough about how wonderful Chez Nous is.
(5)Mike D.
While not the most amazing meal I've had, or even close, I'm not sure if I've ever paid so little for good, sincere French food. $25 got me a an embarassing amount of bread, potato leek soup, steak frites, some roasted tomatoes and a creme caramel. All of it was quite good.
(4)Tanya P.
Love this place. Perfect for date night. Romantic, great food, good service. Five stars for sure.
(5)V C.
Really amazing food and good service. I dine here on special occasions and it helps make the occasion memorable. Every dish I've had here was top quality. Some things were well done but didn't suit my tastes such as their duck pâte. Their desserts are very delicious and the wine is reasonably priced for a restaurant. They will not rush you out the door so you can take your time eating and conversing. Only bad thing is the place is really small and gets crowded and noisy. Come early or be prepared to wait a while.
(5)Isabelle K.
I heard a lot of good things about Chez Nous. But the dishes are too bland to me.
(3)David D.
It's almost too nice to call it a bistro. This casual French restaurant with fair prices is very refreshing. The interior is most certainly French-themed, but not noticably tied to a specific era. They have a nice, though small wine list. I would have preferred it if the wine were just a few degrees cooler, but it was good. The prix fixe menu is a really good deal. The entrees were moderately sized and the salad was generous. The ruby trout was great. I thought the bread was pretty good and they keep it full. The pate maison turned out to be a choice of three styles. We tried the mousse and it, too, was generous. Service was very attentive, but not in your face. The ambiance is wonderful and it's hard to believe you are so close to 6th street. I like this place a lot. It's a great find, unpretentious, cozy, moderately priced and with excellent food. They are open until 10:30 PM, but closed on Monday.
(5)EvaClaire A.
Amazing restraunt, but not enough vegetarian food for me.
(3)Therese T.
Came here to celebrate my bf's mom's birthday. We had watched Julie and Julia the night before, so in maintaining the tradition came here. Alas there was no boeuf bourginone. Whatever: we had fun anyway. Some of us got the set menu, while I tried the duck pate and duck confit. The pate was delicious, the confit with cranberries and walnuts a bit too-Thanksgiving-esque for me. At home, my mom would have had the confit fried to a crisp and shredded, over rice and plum sauce: a Chinese take on it. Moving on. Bf's scallops with a cream sauce were amazing, and his dad's rack of lamb with mint jelly was amazing, too. For dessert, take note that creme de caramel is FLAN. Profiteroles were amazing--speaking as a non-profiterole lover; chocolate mousse was too intense for this chocoholic, actually just boring as there was no contrast! Bf's dessert of the apple crepe with Calvados was SCRUMPTIOUS; his sister also liked my creme brulee, although I found it lackluster. Ah well. This restaurant I can take or leave.
(3)Marcy S.
I've always been a little bit afraid of French restaurants, mainly because what we know about the French but also because I'm a former vegetarian and finding non-animal entrees can be tres difficil (how do you fake write French). But now I'm embracing fish and let up on hidden meat so it was time to check out Chez Nous. I had heard about the relatively cheap pre fixe ($24) where you get 3 courses and though, the courses are small, they are delightful and very filling thanks to the butter. I had a rich red pepper bisque, sea bass with 2 big shrimp and a giant desert. Of course, wine is extra but when is it not? The place is homey, very casual, no reservations or need to look pretty. (although I like dress up places). At first, I thought Chez Nous is a great place to take parents (classy but not expensive) but then I remembered it is a French place. I would love to take someone else's parents there, though.
(4)Amy H.
I've only been to Chez Nous twice, but both times were wonderful, so I just have to review it. This is a great place for a more expensive but not too expensive date, followed by a night on the town. My favorite thing about Chez Nous is the fixed price menu. You can get your choice of appetizer, soup or salad, a choice of entree, and a choice of dessert for $25. And the good thing is that each portion is not huge, so can you can actually consume all this food without making yourself sick. They also allow you to bring your own bottles of wine for a corking fee of $15 per bottle. This seems a little high to me, but I haven't been to a restaurant in Austin that charges less than $15 per bottle, so oh well. At least you can bring your own wine! For this particular visit, almost all of us had the fixed price menu, including my sister's boyfriend who is from France and thought the place was fantastic. The service was also very attentive - they were constantly filling us up with water and bread. If you like French food, this place is not to be missed in Austin!
(5)Jamie F.
A friend took me here the day before my birthday. Every time we wandered down 6th I always said that I would like to try that place sometime. We called ahead of time, but they said that they didn't accept reservations, not a big deal right? The staff was pretty nice. They said the wait would be about 45 mins to and hour. I was cool with that and said we would just sit and drink wine at the bar, which we found had no bar stools so we stood. It was super crowded and noisy. So we waited and hour, then an hour and a half, and then 2 hours!! I could have been drunk by now if I drank faster. We were finally seated and ordered a second glass of wine. It never came though, so I had to get up and speak to the bartender. The food was alright. Not entirely worth the price in my opinion. The creme caramel was kind of tough and the trout totally looked and tasted like salmon. Chez Nous, you are not my type so I don't think you should ask me for a second date.
(3)Tara H.
The Dinner and Drinks Club (7-8 of my closest girlfriends meet every month at a different restaurant) had an amazing time here a few weeks ago. The place was quaint, dark, crowded, but so chic and inviting. As hard as it was for me not to do my my rendition of the candlestick in Beauty and the Beast, I was able to refrain. My faux French would not have gone over well in such an authentic establishment. The staff was kind, patient, and more than willing to explain the menu as well as make recommendations. One particular server was French, and recommended two bottles of wine that were to die for. Four bottles later, after we devoured the decadent escargot, and had eaten off of each others plates, we were full, satisfied, and realized that almost 3 hours had passed. This was definitely a relaxed dining experience, perfect for catch up with friends or cuddling with a loved one. The fixed menu was really a steal. You get a choice of soup, salad, or pate, entree, and then a choice of dessert. The chocolate lover will die over the mousse. Believe me I did.
(5)Carol L.
Definitely a great romantic spot. They have a great $25 dinner deal with 3 courses. It was absolutely amazing. Their salad had a touch of pouched egg and their bisque was creamy to perfection. The dessert was perfectly done. If you want a nice quiet dinner for two, the place is definitely it. The service is so wonderful and the food unforgettable for the price.
(5)John G.
One the the truly great meals I've ever eaten in Austin. I cannot wait to go back.
(5)Mark P.
My favorite restaurant! Quaint. Unpretentious. Delicious. The food is always prepared perfectly. The meat and seafood from the venison to the salmon is cooked with such an attention to detail that a friend of mine wanted to eat here everyday. If you order the creme brulee it will have the perfect caramelized crust. Finally, the French owners never serve a bad wine, so don't feel inferior by ordering a bottle of the superior table wine.
(5)gray v.
veal in tarragon sauce. again. i don't know what it is about austin, but vive la bourgeoisie!
(4)Kate L.
Chez Nous is a quaint, remarkably authentic little french restaurant, surprising nestled among the more raucous 6th street strip. Their prix fixe menu makes sampling every course affordable. For $23 you can choose from salad Lyonnaise, soup, or pates maisons, followed by a option of three entrees, usually with a few fish dishes and a veal or pork. I had the Ruby Trout with raspberry sauce and it literally melted in my mouth. The fresh baguettes that kept magically appearing at my side made sure not a drop of sauce was left on the plate. Then when you think you can't eat any more, you must choose again between a rich creamy chocolate mousse, silky creme caramel, or the uber-french wedge of brie for dessert. Owned by long time French expats, who don't make you feel too terrible for mispronouncing everything on the menu, it's atmosphere is very laid back for easily the best French food I've eaten. Bon apetit.
(5)