I've been here twice now, once for a full sit-down dinner in the dining room with a friend and more recently enjoyed happy hour in the bar with my girlfriends. The food presentation was incredible both times, and all of the dishes were as delicious as they were beautiful. I've enjoyed all of my wine selections as well. My friend had a very good carrot vodka cocktail but otherwise I haven't tried their liquor drinks. The service has been good, the atmosphere is really beautiful, it is fun just to sit in that gorgeous dining room. I love that Austin finally has a restaurant that really showcases vegetables in a formal dinner format. The carrots, whipped chicken fat fingerling potatoes, chicken skin, and seasonal tomato pasta with mushrooms were definitely drool-worthy! The hearty biscuit with seeds and butter was surprisingly delicious as well, it looked very humble but I loved it. I've been dreaming about that luscious homemade tomato pasta, it's so much more amazing than the description, please try it while you can!
(5)
Art M.
We tried Gardner recently and had a great experience. The tasting menu is reasonably priced. The cocktails are interesting, though the bar does not have a big stock. The tasting menu is vegan friendly. It has at least two vegan options for each course. Our meal was small, but the taste combinations were excellent. There was a lot of attention to the presentation. We will definitely return to this restaurant.
(5)
Aaron P.
Voted in the top 10 for Bon Apetit's Best New American Restaurants. At first you had my curiosity But now you have my attention! Top tip: Mid-week is the time to go. $28 per person for a 4 course dinner service. A great deal for some top notch food. This place is enchanting, modern, and very welcoming. It's like stepping into an ikea catalog in the best way possible. The bar is small, concise, and well appointed. An educated barkeep can pour you a proper cocktail and add some friendly conversation while you wait for your table. The signature drinks are also delicious and very complex (we tried them all). This was a unique dining experience with a menu that was comprised of a lot of delicious and forward thinking dishes. As a group of four, we were able to each pick a different option for each course and try just about everything. With each dish we tried, it was very apparent that the chef wanted to make the main ingredient the focal point. To put it in the spotlight and have everything support, balance and add depth to the flavor. Food that makes you think about what you're tasting and appreciate the vibrancy and freshness of food. This was sourced, foraged, a new experience for me. I was really impressed. The standouts for me: Beef Tartare, Tomato Pasta, and the Ribeye. The service was all around was great. Our server was friendly, very attentive, and accommodating. With food like this, it can sometimes feel a bit intimidating to ask questions but our server was well educated and took the time to explain everything we ordered. I'd definitely recommend checking out this new shining example of the culinary heights you can find here in Austin. Don't forget to tip your servers!
(5)
Darren B.
*Disclaimer: This review is based on 2 cocktails only and not a full dining experience. I suggested this place for a friend and me to try out about a month or so ago. Knowing that my friend is a pescatarian, I thought this would be a good choice after hearing that their concentration is veggie forward. I also like Contigo and was interested in trying their owner's newest restaurant. The space is really nice and clean. We sat outside which has a lay back lounge type feel to it. I liked their water pitcher too which our server said was made for them by a local artist. That is about the height of where it got for me. We ordered a couple of cocktails that neither of us liked. They fell flat and had little to no flavor. We each had different ones, but felt the same. I remember liking the drinks at Contigo, but I also understand this is not Contigo and they have their own cocktail program going on here. We tried looking over the menu to see if anything drew us in and it just didn't. I can't think of another time when a menu seemed so uninspiring. Plus, it was not vegetable forward at all. Yes, they had some vegetable dishes, but no more than many other places in town would have. In fact, I can think of a few restaurants in town that have a longer list of vegetable dishes than they do here and they aren't vegetarian restaurants either. We left after the cocktails and had a great meal somewhere else. I might come back at some point in the future, but it's not on the top of my list. It would most likely be the result of a friend recommending I give them another shot after they had a much better experience.
(2)
Armando F.
The brunch menu is a must have and delicious from start to finish. Typical of my family & friends, we eat everything that captures our attention and that would be everything on the menu. The ribs, eggs and hollandaise was sinfully good; as was the bourbon horchata. I can go on, but ultimately you need to just go and enjoy for yourself. The staff is the best and I am in love with Gardner.
(5)
Becca F.
The good: We went on a Monday which is apparently the day they have a pre-fixed menu for $27 (additional $9 if you want the ribeye and $7 for fish). Not to bad of a deal. I was please with my picks. Got the shrimp, cabbage (can't tell you how much I LoVED that dish), rib eye (make sure to order medium rare) and chocolate. The Bad: as most small dish locations the dishes are tiny tiny and price is large large. This place wasn't toooo bad compared to most places but I don't plan to be back often because of the prices. If I was a vegetarian looking for high end restaurants though this place will be a frequent stop.
(4)
Cass K.
Elegant. Modern. Vegetable Forward. The first thing I noticed upon entering Gardner was the aesthetic of the dining room. Clean modern lines, smooth concrete floor, light colored wood tables, white glazed water pitchers, heavy weight flatware, and a calm atmosphere prevailing over it all. I love the vegetable forward concept of Gardner. While there is plenty on the menu that would work for a vegan or vegetarian, some dishes are meat based, and others have meat products as a component or garnish. I love this concept, and wish I could find more of it. However, if you are vegan or vegetarian, be sure to ask your waiter exactly what is in any dish that you are interested in ordering, since menu descriptions are minimalist. Everything that we ordered was wonderful. Brussels Sprouts - 3 or 4 brussels sprouts gilled and served with green garlic and almonds and a miso broth. Great flavor and texture combination. Cauliflower - a puree on the bottom of the dish holds artfully arrayed slices of cauliflower flavored with golden raisins and basil. Delicious. Carrot - the carrots were slightly cooked , and garnished with carrot tops, halved grapes and a dusting of shaved dried beef heart. The dish was good, but I personally might not order again, because I had carrots almost every day as a kid and unless the carrots have a lot of additional flavors, I'm bored with them. This preparation let the carrots shine as what they are, and that just isn't for me. Beets - the picture makes it hard to see that there are beets. They are there, under a nice roof of pine nut bark garnished with mint. Brassicas - every item they had from the Brassicaceae family they had that day: cauliflower, brussels sprouts, rapini, and baby cabbage leaves. This was topped with toasted grains that added crunch, and a broth was poured over the veggies at the table as the dish was served. This dish gave depth to the flavor of all the veggies, and felt healthy and pure, and the veggies remained crisp but without sogginess, since the broth was added just prior to consuming. Striped bass - As the dish was placed on the table the server poured rouille over the fish. This dish was light and flavorful, and quite decorative with fish skin artfully placed on the fish. Japanese Pumpkin - flavored with kumquat, birch beer and blood orange, this dish has none of the flavor profile that most pumpkin desserts have. There was no cinnamon/ginger/nutmeg/allspice flavor as is typical for anything pumpkin. This dessert was light and refreshing with creamy and crispy textures. Milk chocolate - was actually all about the beets. Somehow the chefs at Gardner have managed to create a cake crumble texture out of just beets. On top of the "cake" crumble, sorbet, and chocolate pieces was a fruit leather. It was apparently so delicious that my husband had both pieces of the fruit leather without letting me taste it. I'm not sure how Gardner will fare in this steak-loving town, but it fit my tastes perfectly, and I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Donna S.
Sadly, like most new restaurants these days, prices are SKY HIGH ($100 per couple with ONE drink each!?), sound levels are deafening, portions are COMICALLY small and food is, mostly, nothing to write home about. (Cauliflower app & Gnuddi "second" we're only 2 dishes that stood out, but so small you couldn't give tastes or you had nothing left!) And, after spending that much, we were still hungry. We went elsewhere for dessert. They only had a couple choices & none sounded good. The only good thing they have going for them, in my opinion, is the staff -- who were, I have to say, amazing. Friendly, helpful & prompt without being smothering. Interior was beautiful, but I didn't like the fact that there's a wall blocking the natural (GORGEOUS) evening light!? It's dark in there when it's still daylight outside -- hard to read menu (look how dark pics are!) I saw many tables resorting to using cell phones for light. :( Great if you're a vampire; not my cup of tea.
(2)
L M.
Love Gardner, probably my favorite restaurant in Austin. Everytime I've been, there's something new to try and it is always fresh and of the season. Cocktails are up to par as well and again, mesh with seasons. Staff is fast paced and willing to answer off-beat questions with passion and love for what they do and serve. Wine recommendations never fail me here either, and I can look forward to a little bit of an education about my options with them as well. What I find most interesting, however, is that no matter what you decide to put in your mouth here, their love and respect of food is the first thing you taste. ... :)
(5)
Crystal S.
The chefs from Contigo have done it again! Gardner is a great spot on the east side with simple yet elegant design. They are serving a summer menu now and our favorite dishes were the summer vegetables, shrimp, okra, squash with mussels, rib eye dish, and all of the desserts! Highly recommend this place for a date night, dinner with friends, or a place to impress the parents!!
(5)
Joe D.
My wife and I went on Friday night and had an incredible experience. The vibe is on point - minimal and intentional. Drinks are completely authentic (and delicious). The food is the focus though. My bride had the tomato pasta and said it was the best she'd ever tasted. We'll be back!
(5)
Sam B.
expectations were high and they were exceeded. the four course meal for $38 is worth every cent. I started with the Sea Bream (some of the best fish I've ever eaten), then the Okra (perfection), a very rare Ribeye (flawless), and then the chocolate dessert (good but not as incredible as the rest of the meal). the rum cocktail improved once I made sure to sip it with the orange peel at the rim of the glass as I drank it. service was lovely. restaurant is beautifully designed but the acoustics not so much (thanks to a very loud table not far from us). minor quibbles aside, this is a place Austin is lucky to have and I look forward to going back.
(5)
Brett C.
Let's start with this, Monday night is totally the night to go to Gardner. $28 for a 4 course meal at one of Bon Apetit's 10 best new restaurants in America? I literally don't think you're going to be able to beat that. The Ambiance was absolutely incredible. They did a wonderful job decorating the space and it was just a great feeling walking in and sitting down. Everything was very calm, my date and I used the word 'zen' more than once. Colin was our server and he did a wonderful job. Vegetable forward menus are not my strong suit, and I appreciated him being open with his favorites and very objective in his overview. He was very attentive and patient with two people who were new to the restaurant, I felt very well taken care of. There were definitely some incredible dishes we had, and some that though still quite delicious didn't stack up to the high standards they set with some of their dishes. First course - we ordered the Tomato and the Shrimp. 100% get this tomato, it was the incredibly prepared and garnished, maybe the best tomato I've ever had. The Shrimp was one of our least favorite of the night, a little on the bland side and next to the tomato it just fell short. Second course - Okra and Watermelon were the two we chose. The Okra was outstanding, incredibly cooked and the flavors were out of this world. My date really liked the combination of the peanut, watermelon, and apple flavors and would recommend it to anyone interested, but I didn't love it. Third course - The red blooded male in me went straight for the Ribeye, my date chose an out of the box option for both of us in the Panisse dish. For a restaurant so focused on vegetables this was absolutely insane. Probably the second best piece of meat I've ever eaten in Austin (falling just a hair short of Qui's ribeye, which I don't think I'll ever be able to top). The panisse was a little too outside of the box, good flavor, interesting texture, but just not the best we had. Dessert - We coursed out the Red Hawk cheese dish and the Corn dessert. The cheese dish seemed relatively simple, not outstanding but still delicious. The Corn dish was phenomenal, I almost asked for a second helping. The cornbread with the corn ice cream and the blueberry was just exquisite. Overall I went higher than lower based on Colin's service, the ambiance, and the price. My date and I had a wonderful time and I can't imagine I won't be back on another Monday to see what creative things I can try next time. 5 stars.
(5)
Shane S.
The design and vibe here is incredible. Clean, beautiful and modern. The menu follows suit. I enjoyed my meal but wasn't wowed. $38 for four courses, including dessert, is a pretty reasonable price. The sea bream was clean and seemed reminiscent of a dish at uchi. However the flavors lacked the complexity to really shine. The start of the night was the okra. Not even sure what was on the plate because the menu just randomly lists part of the ingredient. Hate that. Dessert was good too but same that you might find at 15 other Austin places. I left full but not excited. For that price point. I want more.
(3)
Kimi J.
My mouth was thoroughly entertained the whole time. Interesting and delicious food combinations. Highly recommend the beef tartare, cabbage (this is a MUST), and red fish. Just a heads up, the chocolate dessert with buttermilk ice cream might cause convulsions. One bite had my eyes rolling back in my head. I might have grunted a few times. It was embarrassing but I saved myself by hiding insidious smirks and laughter behind a napkin. I will definitely be back and I'll bring some kind of mask to wear for the last course. My report card: Culinary Creativity= A+ Atmosphere= A+ Quality of food= A+ DESSERT= A++++++++ Service= A+ Drinks= A (we had the bourbon cocktail) Date= A+ (Stellar conversationalist who didn't judge me for making a scene over buttermilk ice cream)
(5)
Liv W.
Best preview brunch! Short rib is out of this world. It's a bold statement but true! Smaller portioned plates but quality is off the charts! So good!
(5)
Richard M.
What a treat! A restaurant with great food and impeccable service! The menu requires a few questions of the waiter but are smartly answered. The wait service is the best I have seen in years: smooth, without being "in your face" and no stupid questions like, "You guys still working on it?" There is a serenity and elegance to Gardner that is both inviting and euphoric. The dishes: shrimp, okra, panisse, trout, carolina gold rice, red fish were uniformly a treat for the eyes and very satisfying to the taste, We will be back often!
(4)
Justin R.
The service is friendly, attentive, out of the way, and unpretentious and Susanna was a rock star. I'm going to be critical in the next paragraph but I'm NITPICKING. This place is amazing! I had the miso brussels sprouts which blew my mind, amazing combination of the cabbage with the rich miso. For second I and the cauliflower which had a nice citrus zip to it. Main was the beef with sweet potato three ways which was excellent thought the cook on one end of the cut could have been more mid-rare than rare as it was. Overall the beef was just a couple dollars over priced. Last I had the sweet potato dessert which was a cocoanut ice cream with fired sweet potato, rice cracker and a basmati horchata. I was grinning ear to ear as I ate this. It's delicious and cerebral. I would definitely go back here, and I hope you pay them a visit too!
(5)
Alex K.
One of my favorite spots in Austin- although it is a bit pricey - especially for the neighborhood! The portions are a bit small for Texas appetites (especially on the proteins as stated by others), but it's still a fairly unique dining experience in Austin. You also get the sense that they are using superior ingredients, if that helps any. Gardner reminds me of Barley Swine before they got a bit pretentious, and the space is much cooler- which you wouldn't expect, as it shares a wall with a US Post Office. Inventive food and cocktails, although the menu is quite small in terms of variety. Nothing comes out quite like you expect it to look, but they don't over-complicate things either. Both times I've been, the staff was very knowledgeable and helpful. I've never posted about dessert, and usually only take a bite or two. But this place consistently has the best desserts I've had in recent memory. If you can make a green pea dessert that everyone agrees is amazing... well then you're probably doing something right!! Really can't argue with the cost complaint.. but you're in a good neighborhood to make it up on cheap drinks after dinner!
(5)
Kris U.
Have you heard the fable "The Emperor's New Clothes"? Well, this is how I feel about Gardner and its uncanny ability to draw in an enthusiastic clientele (myself included), more than willing to overpay for food that is ingeniously marketed. It is a wanna-be 3 star Michelin restaurant and is priced accordingly, but it's not. Hands down I will say the service was the best I've had in Austin; the entire staff was flawless. Also the interior design is eye-dropping gorgeous, right down to the stunning artist's earthenware and dishes. The problem is the food value. If the appetizers were a once-in-a-lifetime 5-star taste experience.....maybe it would be a different story. But I've had plenty of flavorful dishes of brussels sprouts (averaging $8 for a dozen+) in restaurants. At Gardner you pay $3 for two tiny brussels sprouts. Folks get out your calculators, at Gardner that same dozen works out to $18. Similarly it was $3 for a single petite cauliflower floret. I was looking for the hidden camera with the "gotcha ya!" but I think they are serious. Maybe brussels sprouts and cauliflower have really gone up in price. For "mains" we ordered the Gnudi ($20) and the Celery Root ($25). The Gnudi was tasty, with a smoky flavor, an interesting mix of mushrooms, some seared pearl onions, arugula and fried ricotta cheese balls. I liked it better than the Celery Root dish that was artfully displayed with turnip-like root disks, sprinkled with pink peppercorn, over a smear of creamy rice. Interestingly, the desserts were decent sized proportions. I tried the Japanese Pumpkin because I like kumquats and blood oranges, and the mousse-like substance with the tad of foam was good, but the cheese whiz colored swirls tasted strange and the crispy "shell" was too salty for the subtlety of a dessert. The Milk Chocolate dessert was the better choice. At the end of our meal we ended up laughing at our overall experience; after all we followed the hype and were very excited to try out this new place. It's hard not feel a bit foolish after spending $45 each (sans alcohol) and leaving hungry. Although the food was good, I'd rather get my money's worth at the nearby Eastside Cafe, which also specializes in delicious locally sourced products and they even have their own actual garden.
(3)
Dr T.
After reading the high & low reviews, we still decided to give Gardner a try. We did and it will be our last. The atmosphere is nice, stark/modern, service was okay. The food and cocktails were not so great. The menu sounded interesting, but the execution was lacking. Didn't mind the rather high prices, but the food did not deliver. The grilled cabbage was the best of our small plates, but to say it contained halibut was ridiculous, there was perhaps a teaspoon on the bottom of the dish! The beef tartare should be renamed, because the amount of grain in it overwhelmed the minuscule amount of raw meat we were seeking. The sparse tequila coconut cocktail, lacked taste and was similar to a cheap watery tasteless sugar water.
(1)
Jules S.
We were there for the Brunch Test Run. It was excellent! The short ribs and duck egg salad were delicious! And the pastries...sooo good. The short ribs were cooked perfectly. They were served with the softest, creamiest scrambled eggs and a delicious hollandaise sauce. The duck egg salad was served sunny-side-up over avocados and crispy bread to dip it in. Wonderful! I really hope that they make brunch a regular thing. PS...Andrea our server was adorable!
(5)
Rocky B.
Less a restaurant than an art gallery in which food is the medium. The dishes are truly innovative. The presentations were unlike any I'd ever seen, which was pleasing and exciting. Unfortunately, the tastes and textures were not as carefully considered. I found the tastes of the dishes to all be a bit imbalanced and many of the textures made the physical experience of eating a bit awkward. It was very much form over function. I don't want to say we had a poor experience -- we found the setting and decor, like the food, rather pleasing and otherworldly -- but, at $50 per person (without drinks) we left hungry. I would try this restaurant again sometime, but I would love to see the substance of the food live up to its appearance.
(3)
Colin K.
The dishes were innovative but they were reaching so far that they ignored the main reason for going to a restaurant is to eat a meal. These were fancy snacks. These snacks cost too much money. The staff was excellent and the space was designed well. I wouldn't go back - there are so many other places to have a satisfying meal.
(3)
Rae G.
Wins - Build out is modern, open and inviting - Creative delicious cocktails - Service is spot on - Plating is beautiful and creative - Most dishes were wonderful - Mostly vegetarian/vegan, but they do have an excellent steak Opportunities - Portions are small and most people will leave hungry (have a snack before you go!) - Be prepared to order several courses per person - I enjoyed my experience, but I think it may be challenging for them to gain traction in a market that has so many wonderful options
(4)
TW L.
Okay this place is awesome. Not only was it the best meal we had in Austin, it's the best one we've had in recent memory. And we like to eat. We try to do it every day. The menu shifts often because of seasonality, but everything we ordered was awesome. And it's great to know that next time we come back we'll get something brand new from the kitchen. Just go, have an open mind and trust what your server recommends. You'll have a fantastic meal.
Impressed with service, price ($28 on Mondays) and general nature. A good meal, but I'm not sure I'd hasten to return.
(4)
Tom B.
For me, it's almost like they opened this place on a dare. I could see the conversation going something like "I bet I can get people to pay a hundred dollars for 2 dollars worth of produce!" "you're on!!!" - I bet we can do it but we'll need a good name. Let's call it Gardener without the E. The hipsters will love it!!! We tried the cod roe starter, cauliflower, beets, squash, cabbage and the root vegetable entree. All of them were OK but nothing really blew us away. What blew us away was how small every single portion was. 21 dollars for an entree (root vegetable) that is smaller than pretty much any starter salad I've ever had? We routinely found ourselves shaking our heads during our meal. The wines were also disappointing, darn it. We tried the monastral, syrah and beaujolais and none of them were worthy of the decor in this place. Seriously, Gardner is BEAUTIFUL and it would be very nice if they had some really good wine to boot. If they get the food right Gardner could easily be Uchi for vegetarians in Austin. Every single interaction we had from the hostess to the bartender to the waitstaff was flawless. Really great staff. For now, 3 stars and I'll come back in a few months to try again. I'm definitely rooting for them. (pun intended)
(3)
Jonathan R.
I'm a huge fan of meat. That said - I am completely dumbfounded by just how much I enjoyed my meal at Gardner last night. The flavors are unlike any I've had anywhere. Our party of 4 sampled about 40% of the available menu and we were all tasting what the others were having. I'm not kidding. It was amazing. So amazing that this morning, when I woke up, the first thing that I though of was how amazing the flavors of my meal were last night. It's a special place, and not a place to go if you're wanting a full-belly full kind of feeling. Rather, it's a place to enjoy food - as art. It's not only the presentation, and the attentive servers that seem to know every bit of how the food is prepared, it's the decor, the smell when you walk in, the custom steel work, etc. It's an experience, and a special place that I can't wait to return to (when the wallet is ripe). i HIGHLY recommend the Parsnip entree. The beef was very tasty as well, and prepared perfectly. Beets, Spanish Mackerel, and brussels sprout and the cabbage w/ duck stand out as highlights. If you go, don't miss the apple dessert. It's made with hay. Yes, ..hay. And it's delicious! They also had some great beers on tap that I've never seen elsewhere.
(5)
JB B.
After reading some of the "I don't get it" reviews and the "it's so small" or "We're still hungry"... I'm a little concerned that maybe those people "don't get it" because they don't understand why this place is special, and one of kind. We are not only lucky to have a gem like Gardner in this town, we may not be all that deserving. We've eaten almost everything on this menu and it's really brilliant and so humble. The care given to each dish is apparent, and I hope that Wiseheart and his staff get as much praise as they can. The raw beef on the bites dish is something we literally look forward to every time we're there - dare I say it could be the perfect bite ever. They've made me love cabbage in a whole different way, and holy wow that panisse is a life changer...and that's only the beginning...so many surprises on this menu... Maybe it's Austin's too big for it's britches attitude, but if you dropped Gardner in a big city like Chicago, NYC, or Atlanta...they'd have a wait for months ahead. $28 prix fixe is a total steal on Mondays and they carry some of the most unique wines around... Amestoi Txakolina was such an amazingly pleasant surprise. Y'all deserve so much. From BOH to FOH, it's a true pleasure every time we come.
(5)
Alanah M.
Meh pretty much sums up my feeling for Gardner after last night's visit. The space is beautiful as others have said and our service was also excellent. We got there around 6:30 so we were able to catch the last 30 minutes of their happy hour which is $2 of glasses of wine and certain patio snacks. We ordered the potato chips which were an interesting puffed take on potato chips with a goat cheese dip and a jalapeno dip. The dips were good - especially the jalapeno dip which was full of flavor without any of the heat. But the chips were too thin and delicate to dip into the thick dips. Knives required. No big deal, just a note. The steak and eggs was a weird take on the dish. Chopped up steak which was tender, flavorful and perfectly cooked with a side of weird runny scrambly "whipped" eggs meant to be spread on toast... the flavor was good (a little salty) but texture was hard to get past. Served with a side of ciabatta. Fermented potato bread was delicious but the house made ricotta was nothing to write home about. Whipped chicken fat was just like solidified fat that melts in your mouth... Smashed, fried fingerling potatoes were good and the hot sauce was average. Hanger steak used the same steak that was used in the steak and eggs so that was probably the best part of the meal. The salad portion of the plate was good too. The beef tartare was another highlight - very flavorful and fresh. Served by itself but the waitress offered us some house made wheat thins which we declined because we still had plenty of ciabatta leftover from the steak and eggs dish. The shrimp dish was cooked well but again nothing spectacular. They also had a bacon special which we ordered - bacon was incredibly flavorful, almost too intense and salty but overall very well prepared. Funny that the majority of what we ordered was meat heavy considering this is a "vegetable focused" restaurant - meat lovers rest assured there's plenty here for you too. For dessert the strawberry dish was ordered but I only took a small bite so I can't speak to it. Overall, $160 for this and 7 glasses of wine (4 of which were on happy hour) and 3 of the dishes were on happy hour also. As others have said, the portions are small. Nothing that we ordered was one bite - we were able to share everything between 3-4 people with each person (all women) having one bite. I don't think anyone left hungry but no one left satisfied. I wasn't impressed... nothing stood out. I didn't find myself gushing oh my god this is amazing. I'd definitely be back for a glass of wine on the patio during happy hour as their wine menu is very good.... But for dinner, I wouldn't return. Also the food looks better than the photos on yelp - some of the photos of the food on yelp look downright, um, not good...
(3)
Carmela O.
I understand why some people complain about the portion sizes. For the same price at Applebees, you can probably get all-you-can eat something. But ultimately, for four people, we shared 3 appetizers, each had our own entree, and shared the cheese plate and 3 desserts. There was nothing leftover as waste and we were all full. Not roll me out in wheelbarrow full, but normal, satisfied full. Nothing tasted bad, everything was interesting and unique, and the service was just absolutely exceptional. Everything in the restaurant is stripped (even the waitresses didn't seem to wear makeup) so that all the focus could be on the food. The cocktails were also very unique and satisfying. It's a dining experience you can feel proud of afterwards.
(4)
K C.
We had an incredible meal, made even better by the fact that it was the Monday $28 four-course prix fixe. (In New York you'd be thrilled by the bargain you got at twice the price.) Here's the thing: yes, yes, they're small courses. There's not huge hunks of meat (or at least we didn't have any in our dishes). This is food as art, in serving sizes and proportions that would make a nutritionist happy but with flavors to please a foodie. Our standout dishes were the ethereal gnudi, "naked" ricotta ravioli; the beautifully composed okra, and the savory beef-and-grain tartare. I was so happy to eat in a restaurant and walk out comfortably full, and not at all guilty about my two glasses of wine. (Bonus: had enough room to eat my whole scrumptious blackberry semifreddo for dessert.) Service was friendly and enthusiastic. The setting is sleek and gently subterranean, as if the underground world had been designed by a Scandinavian modernist with a penchant for pale wood and skylights. We will definitely be going back.
(5)
terra w.
Superb! Great combination of favors. Felt wowed with every bite. Haven't had a meal like this in a while. And $38 for 4 courses is quite reasonable. My favorites were the cabbage/fish and shrimp/corn dishes.
(5)
Ashlyn G.
I really wanted to love this place. I decided to take my team and their spouses here for a nice dinner for our holiday party. We are all foodies, so we were excited to try Gardner since it's all over the food blogs and magazines these days. We also love Contigo. The ambiance is great. Modern but not overly done. Our service was wonderful and although I stuck to wine- the cocktails seemed to be a crowd pleaser. Then the food came. It was really good, don't get me wrong. All totally delicious BUT I felt like a lot of the dishes were something I could have made in my own kitchen. And obviously for a much less price. And I'm not one to care about price- we eat at expensive restaurants all the time, it's my "splurge" instead of shoes or purses. I just don't think this one hit the nail for me. Luckily Via 313 Pizza was close by because we were all hungry!
(3)
Cameron C.
I'm in love with this place. Brought my boyfriend's parents here for their last night in Austin. We loved the minimalist decor. I'm not one to be hokey like this, but it genuinely allowed us to focus on the food presentation, taste, and quality as well as our conversation. It's not a loud environment either, so it was extremely enjoyable from the minute we sat down. I moved to Austin from the Bay Area, so I'm an avid Napa wine drinker. I have to say, their wine selection is expansive and our server knew wines better than I did. The cocktails were also extremely creative and well made. I'm not a big tequila drinker, but the cocktail was delicious.... buttery and floral. My bourbon drink was also a refreshing first course for my meal. Portions are decent and priced on the higher side. When selecting an entree, go for a protein if you can (who wouldn't?). The pork loin and the sea bass were both generous. Seriously, don't skip on the dessert. It was great! So far, best restaurant I've been to in Austin.
(5)
Shannon M.
In the words of Tom Hanks in the 1988 fantasy comedy "Big", "I don't get it." I tried almost everything on the menu and, honestly, there were maybe three dishes that really stood out to me. The Age Dry Steak was stellar; the Brussels sprouts were delicious; the fried cheese (Gnudi) was... out of place but damn good. My main complaints are that the portions are extraordinarily small and the flavors, while very interesting, are a little too rustic for my liking (burnt hay, any one?).
(3)
Chris P.
It's not cheap, but it's real good. The raw beef bite is incredible. The presentations are all so beautiful. The sour Flemish beer is so good. Every garnish and sprinkle is curated so well. If you're looking for a deal, go on Monday nights for the prix fixe and enjoy a full 4 course evening.
(5)
Francisca C.
Fantastic food. Perfect service. Beautiful ambiance. Portions were NOT as small as I had heard, we actually had trouble finishing our dishes because there are several courses in the prix fixe menu. Congratulations!! Hats off to Roberto, the GM... Such a kind welcoming gentleman.
(5)
Alisha C.
Hands down, the best dining experience I've ever had. Reminiscent of fine dining in Copenhagen in terms of their creative use of seasonal ingredients as well as the understated yet warm Danish design of the interior. The staff is very knowledgable, accommodating, and friendly. My husband and I made reservations online and simply noted that we were celebrating our wedding anniversary. We were pleasantly surprised as we were offered a small celebratory (and complimentary) glass of champagne upon our arrival and a peak into the kitchen at the end of our meal. Swoon. The food is almost indescribable. I would recommend ordering one of everything! The portions are small yet bursting with flavor and complexity. A unique and surprising combination of ingredients and textures made each dish an exciting adventure. Although many of the offerings were vegetarian, they did not fall short on richness and satisfaction. I cannot speak more highly of the quality, beauty, and creative zest that Gardner exudes. Brilliant!
(5)
Yvonne A.
Everything about my dining experience was excellent. Every detail, from the service and decor to the portion sizing, felt thought through and intentional. It is a very carefully curated experience which makes it a special one. Highly recommend: Crispy Chicken Skins Broccoli Gnudi Bourbon cocktail Obviously, don't go here expecting Cheesecake Factory sized portions.
(5)
Caitlin P.
Really sexy...Had awesome sweet potatoes on the patio happy hour. The inside is a cool overload of sleek wood and unique plants. We ordered every small plate on the menu and it was super fun to try everything. The staff is all calm and quick. Love it. I want to go back in a couple months.
(5)
takeshi H.
First time to be in Austin but must come back again for this place. decent service, great food with artistic presentation. Price isn't so expensive. Every single piece of this restaurant is cool and beautiful.
(5)
Sara P.
Creative dishes that take advantage of the foods natural characteristics. Clean and fresh. Desserts were though the roof! Lovely ambiance.
(4)
Kimberly L.
We went to Gardner on their second day of being open for business. Wow! The execution, service, and food for a brand new restaurant was impressive. The Scandinavian ambiance is versatile; it was perfect for the cool, rainy evening, but it would also be great on a hot summer night. The restaurant's interior is clean and elegant without pretension and without distracting from the eating experience. The decor feels unique for an Austin restaurant. Food was delivered to the table promptly. Presentation was acceptable, but not remarkable, with the exception of the carrot dessert. It was delivered on a wood dish with a variety of textures and shapes. The taste was just like a fresh, deconstructed carrot cake (and gluten-free!). My other favorite dish was the root vegetables with a delectable and unique mushroom broth that I would like to sip from a mug every day. I learned that you should choose the combination of dishes carefully... make sure to ask for a recommendation for a hearty dish. Since the menu items are centered around produce (but not necessarily vegetarian), if you order incorrectly, you can spend a lot of money and leave without feeling full. After the combo that we ordered, I was tempted to stop at a barbecue restaurant on the way home! However, if we had ordered the buckwheat pasta, beef, or Cornish game hen entrees, then I think I would have a different perspective. Some dishes seemed to be crowd-pleasers, like the okra and Brussels sprouts. They were delicious, go-to items that will not disappoint the eater, but they were not particularly imaginative. The beet dish was a bit too one-dimensional in texture and flavor, even though the urfa mayo is a unique ingredient. It's a great menu for the health conscious. Decadent ingredients like cheese and meat are used sparingly and wisely; they are an accent to the produce instead of the focus. Overall, I am very impressed with Gardner. As a nurse and dietitian, I love to see the innovative focus on vegetables without being strictly vegetarian or vegan. In my opinion, this is the way a balanced diet for people who love food should be executed. I look forward to going back for more.
(5)
Phillip W.
Perfect Mother's Day Brunch - set menu meant something for everyone, no choices, and the staff was very accommodating of our vegetarians. Service is always wonderful, atmosphere is beautiful and tranquil at the same time. The food was great - family favorites were the English muffins and the short rib. Very nice experience.
Tried Gardner last night for the first time and while we were expecting it to be good, we had no idea it was going to be as good as it was, and as innovative. Started with the bite of cauliflower and the bite of brussel sprouts. Both were excellent. The preparation of the vegetables was perfect, and the sauce and other items with it literally transformed each vegetable into something unlike anything we had ever tried. These bites are cheap - just $3, but as noted in other reviews, it is literally 2 mouthfuls. I wish they would charge more and give more food! Maybe next time we'll just order double of the bites! We then shared the "first" course, which we went with the broccoli. Hands down the best broccoli we've ever had. Who says that about broccoli, right? But again, the preparation and the sauce and the nuts - it transformed it into something exquisite. I dad say even George Herbert Bush would like this broccoli! We then ordered the celery root and the dry aged beef for our "second" dish. Both were outstanding. The celery root was served over rice that was similar to a risotto, but different. I don't know exactly what it was, but the flavor of the rice was different - and of course the creaminess of a risotto. My husband's dry aged beef was the best steak he's ever eaten. It was served with a sweet potato that was amazing. The restaurant was also quite beautiful and the service was excellent. Plus, there was easy parking, which can sometimes be a challenge on E. 6th! This restaurant is expensive - with tip we spent almost $100, and had no drinks or dessert. Plus we split a "first" dish, and they recommend each person get their own of each course. the portions are very small - you are not going to get stuffed eating here. But when we left, while I wasn't full per se, I also didn't feel hungry. I think the challenge is when the food is so good, and the prices so high, it would be nice to have a bit more on the plate.
(5)
Rachael A.
Really lovely first visit! Happy hour small plates were substantial and delish, especially the dips for the chips and steak and eggs. The chicken thigh with coconut forbidden rice was to die for but the real treat was the "dessert" of fennel, apple, and cheddar with Cava which pretty much blew every dessert I've had out of the water. Very innovative and simply amazing.The bartender was also charming and informative and the space is gorgeous. Portion sizes were great, especially for the price which wasn't nearly as high as some other fine dining joints in town. I was stuffed from two shared bar plates and my (I'll stab you with a fork if you try to eat my) entree. I'll be back to try the carrots next time.
(5)
Kelly E.
Came here for happy hour. Service was good, wine was good, decor was cool, food was seriously lacking in flavor. We ordered the crispy sweet potatoes and steak and eggs. Sweet potatoes were tasteless for the most part. Steak was good but nothing memorable.
(2)
Jackson D.
Another Home Run from The Contigo Team! By far one of the best dining experiences I've had in Austin. The design of the restaurant is super clean and down to earth. We went way overboard on the ordering, but I guess that is what you do at a place like this one. The SNACKS were a great way to kickstart the meal. Bite sized portions that are not really meant to be shared. The amount of detail that has been put into these veggie creations is insane. My favorite items on the FIRSTS portion of the menu had to be either the okra or the Brussels sprouts. Both were excellent. I will be back in the near future!
(5)
Matti V.
Gardner is a restaurant that is vegetable centric, but does not pretend to be a vegetarian restaurant; any meat or animal fat is used in a dish is used as an accent. They give the vegetable the center stage, elevate it to star status, and pull it off flawlessly. Everything we had was outstanding. Before the meal even begins, Gardner treats guests with with stunning design and very, very professional staff. The service was warm, gracious, and attentive; just about everybody in the restaurant knew it was our anniversary. They actually read the reservation notes from the website. As vegetarians, we were limited to certain choices on the menu, and I think we tried them all. The waitress was able to guide us through the menu, and provided us a few options for things that could be modified to be true vegetarian. We defaulted to the chef's vision on everything, and had the items that needed no modification, but it is nice to know that the option is there. Each dish was rich with flavors and textures; melding just enough to compliment each other, but still retaining the individual character of the ingredients. The fermented mushroom broth served with the root vegetables was the perfect concentration of earthy and salty. The orange miso broth served with the buckwheat noodles is the subtle, elusive flavor that one will dream about long after the meal is finished, and it was such a wonderful balance to the spiciness of the turnips. Oh! And the deserts! Quite possibly the show stealer. The subtle creativity that was evident in each dish thus far was absolutely poured into the deserts with wanton abandon. I'm still attempting to wrap my head around what happened at desert. Hay ice cream in the apple/hay was the perfect accent to the honeycrisp apples, transporting me back to my 8 yr old self, eating apples straight off the tree at the orchard. And the carrot was what carrot cake has forever strived for, only in hypercolor. It was art. Our bill came out to $150, including a bottle of wine, and both of us left absolutely satisfied. Hands down the best dining experience I've had in Austin.
(5)
Lauren S.
Came here for a ladies' night and had a great time! The waitstaff was patient - one of our group was running late and we stayed for quite some time to chat; no pressure, even on a Friday night! On the "bites" menu, I thought the brussels sprouts were overpriced for what is a pretty standard Austin dish, although their preparation was much lighter (read: not fried) in comparison to what you see most other places. We also got the raw beef, which was a fantastic little flavor bomb that could be better described on the menu. I was expecting something like carpaccio but got something way better. For the "first", I got broccoli - SLAM DUNK, loved the texture on the veg paired with nice citrus. For the main, I got steak (which I rarely do) on our server's recommendation and was pleased. We tried one of each of the desserts, which were in the same vein as an Uchiko-style-dessert (variations on a flavor theme with lots of different textures) but it didn't resonate as much as Uchiko's desserts for me. I have very distinct memories of the "Uchiko tobacco creme experience of 2012", but can't really remember much about the apple, chocolate, or pumpkin themed desserts from Gardner 5 days ago. They're still worth it, but not life changing. I'd go again, but probably focus on the first courses and skip the bites and wine.
(4)
Gabriel G.
Totally didn't see these guys coming. Open @ 3 weeks. 'Thought the nice folks from Contigo were going to do a veggie equivalent to their first, wonderful, beer-garden-like shrine to carne and instead they roll in with the radiant spawn of Noma and Blue Hill at a fraction of the price for dinner at either. Build-out/space is elegant, spare, special. Bar is cozy and nicely separated from dining room. Staff is to-a-person gifted, intelligent, friendly. Food is delicate, thoughtful, beautiful to the senses, with finely edited wine and beer lists. 'Let the house choose dinner (omakase-style) and was delighted with each bite of each plate -- cod roe, roasted spagetti squash, beets, makerel, blue cheese -- as well as cremant de bourgogne and rhône syrah that accompanied. Eager to go back on quiet weeknight and see it with a little lower amateur diner quotient (why, oh, why, do we ever go out on weekends?!). With the opening of Gardner, Olamaie, and Dai Due, the Austin food halo may well have reached a critical mass, as they join Lenoir, Foreign&Domestic, Salt&Time (yes, I know, it's a butcher shop, but, one that portends greatness for the city that supports it along with chef who is a recently-returned Slow Food Italy fellow) and Qui (along with at least 40, other strong kitchens) to take the city ahead of LA (for sure) and, in many ways (spirit, innovation, coolness) in a class of its own when compared with the usual chow capitals.
(5)
Dan A.
Ignore the bad reviews on here. They seem to be from people who are unaccustomed to fine dining. I think to get the best experience, maybe each person should order one each of the bites, first, and second courses and split a dessert or two for the table. Atmosphere was gorgeous. Service was attentive yet unobtrusive. Food was AMAZING... Farm to table with a focus on peak seasonal ingredients. Vegetable centric but not too much so... plenty of fish and meat options. Execution spot on with interesting combinations and flawless technical execution. Plating and presentation some of the best I've seen in Austin. Based on my experience tonight, this restaurant would be Michelin starred if it were in a Michelin city. Certainly better than many 1 Michelin places I've eaten in SF or NYC. We had a table of six so got to sample much of the menu. Everything exceeded expectations and a handful of the dishes were next level. Wine menu was well curated. These folks know what they are doing, This just jumped into my top 5 in Austin. If you are interested in gigantic portions, then maybe you should head over to The Olive Garden for a never ending pasta bowl.
(5)
Will S.
More than any other restaurant in Austin, this place transported me. Combines modern and earthy aesthetics with timeless tracks for a distinctive, memorable ambiance. They absence of windows facilitates your ability to forget where you are. I don't take pictures of food, but this restaurant was the exception - the dishes are exquisitely and evocatively arranged, and feature unusual but delicious flavors.
(5)
Solomon W.
Gardner was a little funky, but I can appreciate what they are doing. Located on the East Side, they are playing right into every foodies' trending desire by offering a vegetable-centric excuse to venture over to the deep East Sixth for dinner. The snacks (one bite) span the vegetable kingdom, from the sought after sunchokes to cauliflower. The sunchoke custard provides unctuous notes, while the stalk of cauliflower lends itself to more sweet and straightforward savory flavors. I enjoy the fact that they aren't playing up modernist cuisine too much here, despite the one bite, well decorated plates. Oh, the serving ware comes from a number of potters, the most prestigious being the Austin local Keith Kreeger. Fun shapes and sizes, with a tendency towards organic. The ambiance itself is a little sterile, which doesn't specifically appeal to me. Some individuals might find it to be his or her jam. To close, we had their root veggie pasta. About half of their vegetables have some sort of beef product in them, so read closely! The pasta had a orange accent, which gave the winter pasta a nice burst of zest. Overall, not a bad main course. This new spot would not be my first recommendation in town, but it is worth trying out if you are looking for a sleek spot with a pretty simple menu, focused on using meats as flavors, not the main attraction.
(3)
Shannon K.
An absolutely delightful dining experience, from start to finish. I've eaten at a lot of "New American" restaurants in Austin, and this one takes the cake! The atmosphere is modern casual, sleek, and inviting. The snacks are small, yes, but I've never tasted so much flavor in one bite (recommend cauliflower, broccoli and squash snacks). The entrees are of normal size and can definitely fill a single stomach. The flavor profiles are unique yet they WORK. The chef is clearly trying, but not trying too hard (as you often find in New American type restaurants in Austin). Even the vegetarian selection I tried (Gnocchi) was phenomenal. Our server took the time to review his favorite items on the menu, provided recommendations on how much we should order, and checked up on us only frequently enough to keep us well taken care of. This restaurant is a must-try - I know I'll be back.
(5)
K M.
I had a lovely experience at Gardner. The food was deliciously prepared and flavored. I loved how all the vegetables were not over cooked and mushy or bitter. I had the pork tenderloin which I will go back for very soon. My friends and I shared the cabbage, excellently charred and served atop a green sauce,the onion served with zucchini and the shrimp that was topped with chicken cracklings. It was a fantastic way to start the meal. The desert was savory and sweet and I finished it with a great cup of coffee. As stated previously, the staff was very professional and I was thrilled to not be attended to by a hipster with a cool mustache and a bad attitude. Every entree that was placed down was beautifully plated and tasted even better. I'm looking forward to returning. Also, they have parking!
(5)
Ryley W.
Had dinner here last night and thought it was amazing! The vegetables were all prepared in such a creative way, my palate never got bored. The snacks are just meant for one person but they are so full of flavor. Honestly, the perfect bite. I had the broccoli and cauliflower and I would highly recommend both. The first plates are bigger and can be shared. The okra is prepared 2 different ways, lightly breaded and fried and then also pickled. The brussels were warm and charred with a yummy bone marrow broth topped with cheese. Both were awesome! For the second I had the dry aged beef. Delicious and charred on the outside and tender on the inside. For dessert I had the apple and hay. Such an interesting dessert full of different flavors and hay prepared 3 different ways. It was a great end to a great meal! Loved the service and ambiance of the restaurant. Across the street is Whisler's to grab a drink before or after.
(5)
Susan M.
This is definitely my new favorite restaurant in Austin! They decor was perfect! The finishes were fresh, smooth and cool to the senses. The designer blended stark modern with warmth very beautifully! The food was put together perfectly. It was so nice to be able to eat such crafted flavors on mostly vegetables! I get so sick of meat always being the focus. For someone with food allergies I could eat just about everything on the menu and not be limited to 3 items. The tequila and coconut cocktail was delightful and smooth and the service was on top and pleasant. Austin needed this type of upscale restaurant with this atmosphere. I loved it!
(5)
Amelia T.
We went for the four course prix fix menu, and every single bite was amazing. All the wine pairings were spot on. The food, service, and space were all worthy of five stars. We felt the price was really reasonable for the quality of the experience. My husband can't stop thinking about his aged beef and I can't stop thinking about the gnocchi. We will definitely be back (with all our friends).
(5)
Mackenzie H.
Incredible!! Such a great atmosphere and the best food I have had in a very long time! GREAT service!
(5)
Trinity M.
Decided to try Gardner for HH. A girlfriend and I arrive as soon as they opened and there were a few other patrons already there. Good sign. The decor and restaurant itself is modern. We walked in and didn't realize that the bar entrance is through the outdoor patio to the back until after we were seated in the main dining area. A little mixed up but still interesting. The bar area is small and intimate but can get a little hot with all the windows in the summer. The special for HH was a Dr Pepper Sangria with Crispy Sweet Potatoes. Thank goodness I asked to taste the Sangria before I ordered it. I'm not a fan of DP in the first place but I do love Sangrias. This drink was not for me. Sweet Potatoes were great. Crispy and light with a soft sweet potato filling. I ordered the Fermented Potato Bread by mistake and sent it back. Bread was a little burnt and the red fish rillette with green bean miso was unappetizing. Ended with WATERMELON celery root, fermented peanut, beet dish that was amazing. Very light and crisp with wonderful flavors. Great summer snack. Had a glass of Rose and it was perfect
(3)
Ingrid H.
Great spot. As many others have mentioned, the interior of the restaurant is striking; simultaneously modern and warm. Basically, it's sexy as hell. It's the restaurant equivalent of Barry White's Greatest Hits. I went here the other night for a dinner with my parents, and no one was disappointed. Highlights include the broccoli, the cabbage, the root vegetables, and the gracious, intelligent staff. It's worth noting that the portions are pretty small, and not in the small plate/tapas way that's typical of most trendy restaurants. The three of us ordered twelve of the fifteen available dishes (excluding the dessert options), and left about two bites away from satisfied. For a family so small we often get mistaken for a colony of gnomes, leaving a restaurant less than stuffed was unusual. This isn't to say the meal wasn't amazing, I'd just suggest this spot for a date (preferably one that ends with a movie/giant bucket of popcorn), and not a large group outing. Anyway, A++, I'm so happy to see a delicious, veggie-centric option in Austin!
(5)
Simon C.
I don't allow my girlfriend to eat so she stays slender and hot. Jackpot! Portions are tiny and tasty, impeccable service, cool architecture and contemporary decor. Everyone goes home happy (albeit still hungry).
(2)
I l.
PROS: Food: Gnocchi, Gnudi, Cabbage, and the Milk Chocolate with beets and rose. OMG! Parking - great Ambiance - Nice architecture but just a tad too bland. Something is missing. Maybe something on the wall that is pleasing to the eye? Waitstaff - So friendly and down to earth. Really nice girls! CONS: The Bar - 4 chairs? It's so tiny! Wish you could extend and not just have the couch area.
(4)
Joy S.
The vegetarian options were interesting, but simply not as good as those at Qui, Uchiko, and Wink. It was an experience that we are glad we had, but not one that we care to repeat.
(3)
Kelly P.
Checked out this place on a Thursday night and surprisingly it was only about half full. My friend and I started with a couple of cocktails - they are very creative with their cocktails - I had their take on a Manhattan, and it was pretty good...definitely interesting. The plates start off very small and get larger as you move right across the menu. We each had a raw beef bite and shared the chicken skins. The raw beef bite was just that - a bite, so don't plan on sharing. Next, we had the brussel sprouts, and we could have shared that but we each had an order. Finally we had the Gnudi and Dry Aged Beef. The Gnudi was good, but the beef was really excellent and perfectly cooked. We complimented the meal with a bottle of Cabernet Franc which went well. Great ambiance, great service. I recommend it.
(4)
David C.
Make sure you eat before you go because it will bankrupt you to get full here. I thought I was on a Saturday Night Live skit as increasingly smaller and smaller portions were brought out with increasingly ridiculous sauce smears on the plates. My entree was $35 and I could have fit the entire portion in the palm of one hand and I don't have large hands. The food that I had was well prepared and tasted good, but the minuscule amounts were almost hilarious.
(2)
carole p.
Pricey, pretentious but pretty. Food wasn't hot, food wasn't filling, surroundings are gorgeous in a taupe kind of way. A very small amount of food indeed, we had to move one dish off the table as the fermented broth smelled so bad. Tasty cabbage with smallest amount of duck confit ever...1 piece of broccoli for $3 ....a parsnip as a main dish...come on...you clearly can cook beautifully...so don't try so hard to be so damn Austin hip, cool and offer some great vegetables at a proper price with generosity...then I will come back., if you promise to heat up my food...it would have enhanced those buckwheat noodles if they hadn't been lukewarm and had more than 2 tablespoons of broth! came home and had a banana and toast....after a meal costing $30 a head!
(2)
Mason R.
I love food. I love trying to restaurants. For some reason this place did not catch me the way that some others at my table were taken with it. Disclaimer! First, I hate the menu. I love the minimalist presentation Apple gives us, but with food it irritates me greatly. I never knew what I was getting. Even when asking the servers, I got vague responses on the preparations and details of the dishes. Blah! For this price, I want details, people. For the snacks, I had the broccoli which was pretty amazing. Lots of flavor. I might like a bit more vinegar flavor, personally, but it was tasty. I tried the sunchoke. I loved it as a menu option - who has this?? - but it was somewhat bland. I prefer to do some citrus in there to bring out the flavor a bit. Salt alone doesn't seem to do it. For firsts, I ordered the brussels sprouts. The marrow was almost crispy... different. I was hoping for something more tender and slow cooked (or less cooked?). The marrow seemed the highlight of the dish, but was the lowlight. :-( Tried the Beets and Cabbage from others at the table. They were pretty darn good! The cabbage felt a bit too much cabbage and too little of the sauce/extras, though. I did like how it was cooked! So, for the seconds, the dry aged beef was awesome! For $38, though? There are better options in town, I feel, so I was left a bit disappointed. (Based on quantity, cost, quality...) Also tried the Root Veggies, Squash, and Gnocchi. Wow! None are cheap, but some of the best prep I've ever had for these guys. Kudos to Gardner!! Tried a couple of the end courses like the Carrot, but was unimpressed. I generally do not like dessert items, so feel free to ignore me here. So, that's the food. What about the shack they serve this all in? Holy wowsers?! I love the restaurant!!! It's in the old post office if I understand correctly. They've done some really cool things. I love that you are either in the entry, in the bar, or in the restaurant. It does not flow together. They clearly did that intentionally and I love it. Leave the different experiences for themselves. Now, the dining room felt a bit "Apple Genius Bar" and that was not off-putting to me, but was not welcoming either. In the end, my bill was among the highest I've been handed in Austin, TX and felt it wasn't a place I'd place in that class. ... 3-stars, guys.
(3)
Elena G.
Hmmm... A lot of potential here, and how exciting to have an upscale, vegetable-centric restaurant in Austin! Came in ready to be blown away, walked away feeling a little mixed. I loved the decor, the simple Scandinavian-style interior with exquisite details throughout the restaurant. The seating area does not feel cramped, though noise level is cacophonous - but that's typical for a popular busy restaurant. Staff is friendly, attentive and polite. The hostess was gracious, our server went over most items, made suggestions for substitution, etc. The food was quite delicious. I can't say that it was standout amazing, but it was good, 4-star food, complex flavors, unexpected ingredients, lovely presentation, etc. My biggest beef is the price. I am taking a star off for value. Portions are small, which is fine, I appreciate smaller portions, but the prices should reflect that. One shared app, 2 entrees, 2 glasses of wine, and our bill came to $105. The dry aged beef is $38 for a 6(?)oz portion. My husband who is a big steak fan said it was solid, but not great, and not worth $38. I enjoyed my vegetable entree, and I'll be back for more creative veggie dishes, but this will be relegated to a once-in-a-blue-moon, special occasion place, rather than a trusty go-to, which is what I was hoping it would be.
(3)
Michael B.
Sleek and stylishish restaurant that makes you feel like a top chief judge. I went here on New year's eve and it was a good experience. We had a reservation and were seated promptly. We were offered both sparkling and regular water right from the start. The menues were pre-set with your choice of vegetarian or regular. As a table we shared items so I had a bit of both. Everything tasted great but expect the portions sizes to be small. On regular nights, you can order from the regular menu, which I plan to come back and explore. This is a great place for a date, night out with out-of-town guests, or to satisfy that one vegetarian friend that you always have to accomadate to. You all will have a good experience here. Highly recommended.
(4)
Rosemary w.
Yummy! Although the portions are small the food is amazing and the services was great as well. Although the menu just states the ingredients and not the preparation our server was happy to explain the dishes to us and also to recommend his favorites to us as well. We liked everything we had and hope to be back soon!
(5)
Jessie F.
One of the most inspired dinners I have had in Austin. The flavors with each dish were delightfully surprising with each bite. I have a feeling I will be back on a weekly basis.
(5)
Christine O.
The service was a tad slow, but everything we tried was amazing. They also gave us a free dessert but it took forever to get the check. Our waiter was very nice, but we were there entirely too long. Side note: when they say "bites" on the menu, they aren't joking. You get 2-3 bites out of each one. Overall very good and we are likely to return.
(4)
Richard K.
Gorgeous interior and impeccable service, as noted by others. The unique aspect of the food is the intensity of the flavors that the chef instilled in every dish that we sampled. Bland is the norm in predominantly vegetarian fare but Gardner manages to enhance the fundamental flavors in each vegetable (and the fish and beef dishes were also excellently prepared). The presentations are varied and very rich, which is why the portion sizes were not an issue for us. We ordered a number of dishes, spent less than $80 per person with drinks and wine and were satisfied to the point that we declined the desserts (which also looked intriguing on the menu). If you want a heaping plate, try Golden Corral; Gardner is more properly focused on the balance of tastes in a dish and the flavor progression of a fine meal. We'll be back soon.
(4)
A T.
I'm so excited that a restaurant of this degree has made its way to Austin. Great design, friendly staff and amazing food that was executed perfectly. The dishes were amazing and well thought out. I loved the beets, the okra, cabbage and all the snacks are a must try. There was three of us at the table and though the snacks are meant as a bite we all had a nibble. Great way to be able to order one of everything on the menu! I highly recommend ordering a bottle of the Gammy. It was the perfect addition to the dinner! Well done!!!! Looking forward to going back.
(5)
Marshall T.
This place is worth a visit even if it may not be worth repeat attention. It is an admirable concept well executed and a pretty entertaining experience. Extra credit for bringing a vegetable-centric fancy-pants restaurant in a city that can't move beyond the whole brisket/burgers/bacon scene. Try the funky vegetable cocktails!
(4)
Louis L.
I heard about the Gardener while enjoying some tapas over at Contigo about five months ago, and I have already returned three times. You will not find more interesting and delicious bites than you find here. Every plate I've tried since I've been (and the menu recently changed) has been complex and delicious. I've never been to a place that focuses so well on the vegetables without being vegetarian. The proteins act as almost an accoutrement to the vegetables, like shaving beef heart over carrots or a hint of halibut with cabbage. The portions are small, but each bite is so complex. I highly recommend going with a date with whom you can enjoy sharing plates because you want to try as many separate dishes as possible. They say to share the first courses and get your own entree but I think you should split the entrees too, because trust me, you'll want to try as much as you can! I'm literally getting hungry just thinking about it. The decor is simple and refined, allowing you to focus on the food and wine. Every server has always been incredible, and the GM as well, which I only expressly say because their enthusiasm in describing the food is contagious. I have to get whoever I am with to shut up because I want to know every detail about what is going into the plate in front of me. Don't come here on nights you feel like good ol Texas brisket or traditional Apple Pie, but when with someone who can really savor complex and delicious bites, eat here. It's awesome. And now they have pre fixed menus? I'm going back for a fourth time soon.
(5)
Rossi H.
The restaurant starts by making a beautiful statement with it's design. The place is simple with an elegance that complements the cuisine. My family of 6 ordered the entire menu minus the beef. There was not one dish that was disliked. My favorites were the Mackerel, Sunchoke Custard, and Butternut Squash. We as well enjoyed every desert as well as the cheese plate. The entire menu is simple in flavor and strong in technique. It allowed for the food to do the work.
(5)
jeff s.
subtle creative perfection and the perfect combination of kitchen + front-of-house comfortable exceptional experience.
(5)
Carcyn M.
This definitely wasn't for me. It's not that I don't "get it." I get it, and what I got was bad. Uninspiring. And expensive. As many people have said, a bite is really a bite. I got five sugar snap peas. I love hominy, so I thought that would be exciting. Somehow they made hominy terrible. But, the peas were good. We had an asparagus dish after that. The stalk was good, but the shaved asparagus on top was really bitter. It came with eggs. I thought it would be actual eggs, but it was an egg fluff. Not terrible, but not the best thing I've eaten. Then came the gnudi. The dish was good, but really small. Maybe four pieces? And that was over $20. Everything I ate up until this point was forgettable. Which is sad. I do need to take a minute and talk about the service. The hostess was amazing. Great service from her and the people in the side bar. Our server wasn't my favorite. I paid cash, and she didn't bring me any change, and didn't ask if I needed change. That made her tip 30%. I don't skimp on tipping people, and didn't appreciate that. Then came dessert. We had Apple. Don't have Apple. Seriously, DO.NOT.HAVE.APPLE. It was, quite possibly, the worst thing I've ever eaten. Ever. And, I have nieces and nephews who make stuff for me, or give me food that I don't exactly know where it comes from. I'd take a fuzzy gummi bear over that dessert any day. Hay ice cream and Hay cake. Just no. NOOOOO. Don't be drawn in by the hazelnut mousse. Not a drop of sweetener in there. Hazelnuts aren't really bitter by themselves, but this was bitter. If you feel the need to order it, just call me. I'll save you $9 and just come over and punch you in the face. I promise, the punch will be more enjoyable than the dessert. I don't mind when people get creative with food. I think it's interesting to see what people come up with. But, if you are going to get creative, and get expensive ($230 bill- 3 people ate and we had seven total drinks), then the food needs to be outstanding. I will only remember this meal because it wasn't.
(1)
Pearl S.
I'm still hungry. If you want to prepare for a red carpet appearance this is your place. Bites = One bite. $28 for butternut squash = hee hee
(1)
Alex C.
I already eat like a bird so I been told, the first time I ever finish my plate. I took a picture to prove to it. I fancy a nice restaurant and can accept tiny portions, but this is rubbish, first 2 bites $3 for 4 halves of Brussels spouts and $3 one cauliflower bud cut into 3 sections with some toasted coconut. This is the perfect place for your anorexic friend, but not for a normal person.
(2)
Pink P.
Pros: the build-out and furniture is beautiful. You'd think you're in Manhattan. Very Scandinavian-themed. Wait staff are forced to dress like rustic film-extras in a fantasy land whose primary color is white and beige. There isn't a space like this in Austin. Go just to look at the architecture, cutlery, and furnishings. Cons: a very expensive and rather bland "health-conscious" and "experimental-looking" meal awaits. Plan to set fire to $100 cash per head. The portions are terribly small and the ingredients simple (root vegetables). So profit margin is huge. I wouldn't have minded, but for the fact that the dishes don't even taste good. Dishes range from bland to alarmingly over-salted. For this reason alone, this concept might fail in a foodie town like Austin, where folks expect their food to be comfortable, well-priced and delicious. The overall effect is fancy and experimental, you're the guinea pig with your hard-earned dollars. As if this wasn't enough, you are forced to sit on very hard chairs to remind yourself that you're not here to eat, but to worship. The worst thing was they can't tell you very much about the wine options, and the overpriced bottle we bought was very bland. They need a sommelier at their fancy price point. Conclusion: there are other places to burn your cash in Austin. If you really want to eat like this, and since - presumably - you can splurge at this type of place, you're better off flying to California and dining at Chez Panisse. It's much more bang for your buck. **TIP** They will try to sell you the wine list listing expensive whole bottles. PLEASE NOTE that a separate, cheaper listing of table wine whole bottles also appear hidden on the main menu itself, at much lower prices. Why would anyone do this? We were completely tricked. If you miss that, and you're just looking for table wine, you'll end up forking over for an unknown bottle of expensive wine that turns out to be completely mediocre.
Broccoli starter is a must and for a vegetable oriented restaurant the steak was out of this world!
(5)
Sharmon B.
Really! I gave Gardner two stars because of the excellent wait staff! The location is fine, plenty of parking. The seating area is not large but has an appropriate number of tables for the space. The night we were there, the noise level was a bit loud so we had to almost shout to be heard (4 people @ table). Now here comes the good part: The food here is "trendy", locally grown, mostly vegetables in varying combinations and presented beautifully. The four people at our table ordered a variety of the selections from the extremely limited menu. Bring your glasses and a flash light because the menu is in tiny, tiny, tiny print. All the food is served on small plates and in teeny tiny portions. Yes, you get one bite (that's right, one bite) of raw meat for $8. A beet dish (one beet) was $12. Now I'm thinking that this is probably meant to be "high class", posh or maybe, just a very cool thing to do, but really? I have eaten at lovely restaurants all over the world (NYC, Paris, Rome, etc) and this is just "silly"! I had enough money to pay for this dinner, but I wish I had had enough sense not to do it! Table of four: $305 (three glasses of wine included). This is Austin! We have plenty of places with excellent service and great food at a respectable price. Try one of those.
(2)
Kristen F.
Excellent service, beautiful, simple design elements, water poured out of pottery, an obvious commitment to local, organic farms and grass fed, local meats (meat and fish are accent; this is a vegetable-centric restaurant), but the price keeps it from being 5 stars. I cook a lot myself and don't mind paying $30-50 every few months for a very nice dining experience, but I wish I could have walked away with a fuller stomach and more concrete 'new' things to try. Granted, perhaps by ordering the brussel sprout bite and the broccoli first and the monkfish entree, I didn't branch out far enough. My friends got the aged beef and beet appetizer, which was very good. I also liked that the dining room was quiet enough to really enjoy conversation. I hope they make it, but I hope they lower their prices a tad and keep the menu seasonally up to date.
(4)
Scott W.
Let me just start by saying that I'm pretty critical when it comes to dining experiences and this was by far one of the absolute best. There is NOTHING to complain about, it was simply amazing. I'm still daydreaming about how amazing the evening was. Fit for any very special occasion or if you just love trying new things. The service: the perfect balance of being attentive (never had to ask for anything, fresh water, new silverware, etc. always brought to table) and not interrupting too much. The staff was so friendly and of service - they truly enjoyed making sure you were having the best time possible. The General Manager brought several dishes herself to the table to see what we thought about the food and tell us about it. And trust me, the flavors and tastes that you experience...you want to know more about where it came from and how it's prepared - unlike anything you've had before probably. We were celebrating a birthday and my friend was also going to culinary school. I made a note when I made the reservation and they were so sweet when we arrived and told him happy birthday and made fun conversation with him, he was excited. They took the time to talk about their business with him and even gave us a peek into the kitchen after our meal and an introduction to the chef. He was over the moon and had such an experience. Even the kitchen was just as gorgeous as the dining room - everything in its place, a low-stress environment (which is unheard of for a kitchen), and a team that worked like a well-oiled machine. These people know what they're doing. To be so open about their process and take so much pride in it...the food could alone keep this place at the top but the people just make it that much more amazing. You could tell they truly enjoyed what they do and care about what you think about the food - they want to hear your feedback. They want to hear what you experience. They keep it fresh, trying new things. The food: where to begin. I'm sure Yelp will cut me off. Let me just say I've never had anything that good in my life and I've been out a lot and to several nice places across Austin. Plan to spend some $. Don't come here thinking you'll get a cheap meal - you get what you pay for. And you get the best here. Don't expect buffet-size portions. It's not about that here; it's about the unique and creative food creations. Try at least 2-3 things off the menu. We had several and the Gnudi, Raw Beef (I was skeptical about that one but it was incredible), Broccoli, Celery Root...just impeccable. I did not know food could taste like this, honestly. I can't stress enough how great the service was. I could go on but I think I got the point across. I don't use Yelp to write reviews as often as I should but I made it a point after leaving the Gardner last night. Go there. You'll not only not regret it but be incredibly thankful you did!
(5)
A L.
When you want the evening to be about the food, Gardner is a perfect choice. When you want to eat innovative vegetable dishes, Gardner is the best Austin has to offer. Of course, I went prepared. I read at least a dozen reviews before setting foot in the place. I knew the portions were small and the menu focused on seasonal vegetables. Nonetheless, it wasn't until I was half way through my entree that I understood the reasoning behind the menu. The "bites" section is literally a serving size of one to two forkfuls. This is just to peak your curiosity while you are studying the remainder of the menu. The appetizer section offers dishes that have intensely flavored combinations of veggies--so intense that you would not want more than an appetizer size portion. Don't miss the brocoli. It was one of the top two dishes of the evening. The entree is an appropriately larger serving and I, actually, would have preferred sharing my "aged beef" with someone. Since I was so wowed by the brussel sprouts, cauliflower and broccoli dishes, I knew when the steak bits arrived, I wanted to save room for dessert. The pumpkin dessert was so different and creative that I can't possibly describe it. I can only say that I shared it with my friend and I could not have eaten a whole one. It was so brightly flavored and so satisfying that I recommend it without reservation. The evening was a Foodie's delight. If you are not that interested in creative dishes and you are looking for comfort food, or more conventional Texas cooking, this is not a good place to go. The other reasons that I think this is paradise for Foodies: the unique pottery that they use for serving dishes and the high level of service make this place different. I can't wait for next season's menu. It will be great to see what this innovative place comes up with as the seasons change.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Intimate, Romantic, Classy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Leia D.
I've been here twice now, once for a full sit-down dinner in the dining room with a friend and more recently enjoyed happy hour in the bar with my girlfriends. The food presentation was incredible both times, and all of the dishes were as delicious as they were beautiful. I've enjoyed all of my wine selections as well. My friend had a very good carrot vodka cocktail but otherwise I haven't tried their liquor drinks. The service has been good, the atmosphere is really beautiful, it is fun just to sit in that gorgeous dining room. I love that Austin finally has a restaurant that really showcases vegetables in a formal dinner format. The carrots, whipped chicken fat fingerling potatoes, chicken skin, and seasonal tomato pasta with mushrooms were definitely drool-worthy! The hearty biscuit with seeds and butter was surprisingly delicious as well, it looked very humble but I loved it. I've been dreaming about that luscious homemade tomato pasta, it's so much more amazing than the description, please try it while you can!
(5)Art M.
We tried Gardner recently and had a great experience. The tasting menu is reasonably priced. The cocktails are interesting, though the bar does not have a big stock. The tasting menu is vegan friendly. It has at least two vegan options for each course. Our meal was small, but the taste combinations were excellent. There was a lot of attention to the presentation. We will definitely return to this restaurant.
(5)Aaron P.
Voted in the top 10 for Bon Apetit's Best New American Restaurants. At first you had my curiosity But now you have my attention! Top tip: Mid-week is the time to go. $28 per person for a 4 course dinner service. A great deal for some top notch food. This place is enchanting, modern, and very welcoming. It's like stepping into an ikea catalog in the best way possible. The bar is small, concise, and well appointed. An educated barkeep can pour you a proper cocktail and add some friendly conversation while you wait for your table. The signature drinks are also delicious and very complex (we tried them all). This was a unique dining experience with a menu that was comprised of a lot of delicious and forward thinking dishes. As a group of four, we were able to each pick a different option for each course and try just about everything. With each dish we tried, it was very apparent that the chef wanted to make the main ingredient the focal point. To put it in the spotlight and have everything support, balance and add depth to the flavor. Food that makes you think about what you're tasting and appreciate the vibrancy and freshness of food. This was sourced, foraged, a new experience for me. I was really impressed. The standouts for me: Beef Tartare, Tomato Pasta, and the Ribeye. The service was all around was great. Our server was friendly, very attentive, and accommodating. With food like this, it can sometimes feel a bit intimidating to ask questions but our server was well educated and took the time to explain everything we ordered. I'd definitely recommend checking out this new shining example of the culinary heights you can find here in Austin. Don't forget to tip your servers!
(5)Darren B.
*Disclaimer: This review is based on 2 cocktails only and not a full dining experience. I suggested this place for a friend and me to try out about a month or so ago. Knowing that my friend is a pescatarian, I thought this would be a good choice after hearing that their concentration is veggie forward. I also like Contigo and was interested in trying their owner's newest restaurant. The space is really nice and clean. We sat outside which has a lay back lounge type feel to it. I liked their water pitcher too which our server said was made for them by a local artist. That is about the height of where it got for me. We ordered a couple of cocktails that neither of us liked. They fell flat and had little to no flavor. We each had different ones, but felt the same. I remember liking the drinks at Contigo, but I also understand this is not Contigo and they have their own cocktail program going on here. We tried looking over the menu to see if anything drew us in and it just didn't. I can't think of another time when a menu seemed so uninspiring. Plus, it was not vegetable forward at all. Yes, they had some vegetable dishes, but no more than many other places in town would have. In fact, I can think of a few restaurants in town that have a longer list of vegetable dishes than they do here and they aren't vegetarian restaurants either. We left after the cocktails and had a great meal somewhere else. I might come back at some point in the future, but it's not on the top of my list. It would most likely be the result of a friend recommending I give them another shot after they had a much better experience.
(2)Armando F.
The brunch menu is a must have and delicious from start to finish. Typical of my family & friends, we eat everything that captures our attention and that would be everything on the menu. The ribs, eggs and hollandaise was sinfully good; as was the bourbon horchata. I can go on, but ultimately you need to just go and enjoy for yourself. The staff is the best and I am in love with Gardner.
(5)Becca F.
The good: We went on a Monday which is apparently the day they have a pre-fixed menu for $27 (additional $9 if you want the ribeye and $7 for fish). Not to bad of a deal. I was please with my picks. Got the shrimp, cabbage (can't tell you how much I LoVED that dish), rib eye (make sure to order medium rare) and chocolate. The Bad: as most small dish locations the dishes are tiny tiny and price is large large. This place wasn't toooo bad compared to most places but I don't plan to be back often because of the prices. If I was a vegetarian looking for high end restaurants though this place will be a frequent stop.
(4)Cass K.
Elegant. Modern. Vegetable Forward. The first thing I noticed upon entering Gardner was the aesthetic of the dining room. Clean modern lines, smooth concrete floor, light colored wood tables, white glazed water pitchers, heavy weight flatware, and a calm atmosphere prevailing over it all. I love the vegetable forward concept of Gardner. While there is plenty on the menu that would work for a vegan or vegetarian, some dishes are meat based, and others have meat products as a component or garnish. I love this concept, and wish I could find more of it. However, if you are vegan or vegetarian, be sure to ask your waiter exactly what is in any dish that you are interested in ordering, since menu descriptions are minimalist. Everything that we ordered was wonderful. Brussels Sprouts - 3 or 4 brussels sprouts gilled and served with green garlic and almonds and a miso broth. Great flavor and texture combination. Cauliflower - a puree on the bottom of the dish holds artfully arrayed slices of cauliflower flavored with golden raisins and basil. Delicious. Carrot - the carrots were slightly cooked , and garnished with carrot tops, halved grapes and a dusting of shaved dried beef heart. The dish was good, but I personally might not order again, because I had carrots almost every day as a kid and unless the carrots have a lot of additional flavors, I'm bored with them. This preparation let the carrots shine as what they are, and that just isn't for me. Beets - the picture makes it hard to see that there are beets. They are there, under a nice roof of pine nut bark garnished with mint. Brassicas - every item they had from the Brassicaceae family they had that day: cauliflower, brussels sprouts, rapini, and baby cabbage leaves. This was topped with toasted grains that added crunch, and a broth was poured over the veggies at the table as the dish was served. This dish gave depth to the flavor of all the veggies, and felt healthy and pure, and the veggies remained crisp but without sogginess, since the broth was added just prior to consuming. Striped bass - As the dish was placed on the table the server poured rouille over the fish. This dish was light and flavorful, and quite decorative with fish skin artfully placed on the fish. Japanese Pumpkin - flavored with kumquat, birch beer and blood orange, this dish has none of the flavor profile that most pumpkin desserts have. There was no cinnamon/ginger/nutmeg/allspice flavor as is typical for anything pumpkin. This dessert was light and refreshing with creamy and crispy textures. Milk chocolate - was actually all about the beets. Somehow the chefs at Gardner have managed to create a cake crumble texture out of just beets. On top of the "cake" crumble, sorbet, and chocolate pieces was a fruit leather. It was apparently so delicious that my husband had both pieces of the fruit leather without letting me taste it. I'm not sure how Gardner will fare in this steak-loving town, but it fit my tastes perfectly, and I can't wait to go back.
(5)Donna S.
Sadly, like most new restaurants these days, prices are SKY HIGH ($100 per couple with ONE drink each!?), sound levels are deafening, portions are COMICALLY small and food is, mostly, nothing to write home about. (Cauliflower app & Gnuddi "second" we're only 2 dishes that stood out, but so small you couldn't give tastes or you had nothing left!) And, after spending that much, we were still hungry. We went elsewhere for dessert. They only had a couple choices & none sounded good. The only good thing they have going for them, in my opinion, is the staff -- who were, I have to say, amazing. Friendly, helpful & prompt without being smothering. Interior was beautiful, but I didn't like the fact that there's a wall blocking the natural (GORGEOUS) evening light!? It's dark in there when it's still daylight outside -- hard to read menu (look how dark pics are!) I saw many tables resorting to using cell phones for light. :( Great if you're a vampire; not my cup of tea.
(2)L M.
Love Gardner, probably my favorite restaurant in Austin. Everytime I've been, there's something new to try and it is always fresh and of the season. Cocktails are up to par as well and again, mesh with seasons. Staff is fast paced and willing to answer off-beat questions with passion and love for what they do and serve. Wine recommendations never fail me here either, and I can look forward to a little bit of an education about my options with them as well. What I find most interesting, however, is that no matter what you decide to put in your mouth here, their love and respect of food is the first thing you taste. ... :)
(5)Crystal S.
The chefs from Contigo have done it again! Gardner is a great spot on the east side with simple yet elegant design. They are serving a summer menu now and our favorite dishes were the summer vegetables, shrimp, okra, squash with mussels, rib eye dish, and all of the desserts! Highly recommend this place for a date night, dinner with friends, or a place to impress the parents!!
(5)Joe D.
My wife and I went on Friday night and had an incredible experience. The vibe is on point - minimal and intentional. Drinks are completely authentic (and delicious). The food is the focus though. My bride had the tomato pasta and said it was the best she'd ever tasted. We'll be back!
(5)Sam B.
expectations were high and they were exceeded. the four course meal for $38 is worth every cent. I started with the Sea Bream (some of the best fish I've ever eaten), then the Okra (perfection), a very rare Ribeye (flawless), and then the chocolate dessert (good but not as incredible as the rest of the meal). the rum cocktail improved once I made sure to sip it with the orange peel at the rim of the glass as I drank it. service was lovely. restaurant is beautifully designed but the acoustics not so much (thanks to a very loud table not far from us). minor quibbles aside, this is a place Austin is lucky to have and I look forward to going back.
(5)Brett C.
Let's start with this, Monday night is totally the night to go to Gardner. $28 for a 4 course meal at one of Bon Apetit's 10 best new restaurants in America? I literally don't think you're going to be able to beat that. The Ambiance was absolutely incredible. They did a wonderful job decorating the space and it was just a great feeling walking in and sitting down. Everything was very calm, my date and I used the word 'zen' more than once. Colin was our server and he did a wonderful job. Vegetable forward menus are not my strong suit, and I appreciated him being open with his favorites and very objective in his overview. He was very attentive and patient with two people who were new to the restaurant, I felt very well taken care of. There were definitely some incredible dishes we had, and some that though still quite delicious didn't stack up to the high standards they set with some of their dishes. First course - we ordered the Tomato and the Shrimp. 100% get this tomato, it was the incredibly prepared and garnished, maybe the best tomato I've ever had. The Shrimp was one of our least favorite of the night, a little on the bland side and next to the tomato it just fell short. Second course - Okra and Watermelon were the two we chose. The Okra was outstanding, incredibly cooked and the flavors were out of this world. My date really liked the combination of the peanut, watermelon, and apple flavors and would recommend it to anyone interested, but I didn't love it. Third course - The red blooded male in me went straight for the Ribeye, my date chose an out of the box option for both of us in the Panisse dish. For a restaurant so focused on vegetables this was absolutely insane. Probably the second best piece of meat I've ever eaten in Austin (falling just a hair short of Qui's ribeye, which I don't think I'll ever be able to top). The panisse was a little too outside of the box, good flavor, interesting texture, but just not the best we had. Dessert - We coursed out the Red Hawk cheese dish and the Corn dessert. The cheese dish seemed relatively simple, not outstanding but still delicious. The Corn dish was phenomenal, I almost asked for a second helping. The cornbread with the corn ice cream and the blueberry was just exquisite. Overall I went higher than lower based on Colin's service, the ambiance, and the price. My date and I had a wonderful time and I can't imagine I won't be back on another Monday to see what creative things I can try next time. 5 stars.
(5)Shane S.
The design and vibe here is incredible. Clean, beautiful and modern. The menu follows suit. I enjoyed my meal but wasn't wowed. $38 for four courses, including dessert, is a pretty reasonable price. The sea bream was clean and seemed reminiscent of a dish at uchi. However the flavors lacked the complexity to really shine. The start of the night was the okra. Not even sure what was on the plate because the menu just randomly lists part of the ingredient. Hate that. Dessert was good too but same that you might find at 15 other Austin places. I left full but not excited. For that price point. I want more.
(3)Kimi J.
My mouth was thoroughly entertained the whole time. Interesting and delicious food combinations. Highly recommend the beef tartare, cabbage (this is a MUST), and red fish. Just a heads up, the chocolate dessert with buttermilk ice cream might cause convulsions. One bite had my eyes rolling back in my head. I might have grunted a few times. It was embarrassing but I saved myself by hiding insidious smirks and laughter behind a napkin. I will definitely be back and I'll bring some kind of mask to wear for the last course. My report card: Culinary Creativity= A+ Atmosphere= A+ Quality of food= A+ DESSERT= A++++++++ Service= A+ Drinks= A (we had the bourbon cocktail) Date= A+ (Stellar conversationalist who didn't judge me for making a scene over buttermilk ice cream)
(5)Liv W.
Best preview brunch! Short rib is out of this world. It's a bold statement but true! Smaller portioned plates but quality is off the charts! So good!
(5)Richard M.
What a treat! A restaurant with great food and impeccable service! The menu requires a few questions of the waiter but are smartly answered. The wait service is the best I have seen in years: smooth, without being "in your face" and no stupid questions like, "You guys still working on it?" There is a serenity and elegance to Gardner that is both inviting and euphoric. The dishes: shrimp, okra, panisse, trout, carolina gold rice, red fish were uniformly a treat for the eyes and very satisfying to the taste, We will be back often!
(4)Justin R.
The service is friendly, attentive, out of the way, and unpretentious and Susanna was a rock star. I'm going to be critical in the next paragraph but I'm NITPICKING. This place is amazing! I had the miso brussels sprouts which blew my mind, amazing combination of the cabbage with the rich miso. For second I and the cauliflower which had a nice citrus zip to it. Main was the beef with sweet potato three ways which was excellent thought the cook on one end of the cut could have been more mid-rare than rare as it was. Overall the beef was just a couple dollars over priced. Last I had the sweet potato dessert which was a cocoanut ice cream with fired sweet potato, rice cracker and a basmati horchata. I was grinning ear to ear as I ate this. It's delicious and cerebral. I would definitely go back here, and I hope you pay them a visit too!
(5)Alex K.
One of my favorite spots in Austin- although it is a bit pricey - especially for the neighborhood! The portions are a bit small for Texas appetites (especially on the proteins as stated by others), but it's still a fairly unique dining experience in Austin. You also get the sense that they are using superior ingredients, if that helps any. Gardner reminds me of Barley Swine before they got a bit pretentious, and the space is much cooler- which you wouldn't expect, as it shares a wall with a US Post Office. Inventive food and cocktails, although the menu is quite small in terms of variety. Nothing comes out quite like you expect it to look, but they don't over-complicate things either. Both times I've been, the staff was very knowledgeable and helpful. I've never posted about dessert, and usually only take a bite or two. But this place consistently has the best desserts I've had in recent memory. If you can make a green pea dessert that everyone agrees is amazing... well then you're probably doing something right!! Really can't argue with the cost complaint.. but you're in a good neighborhood to make it up on cheap drinks after dinner!
(5)Kris U.
Have you heard the fable "The Emperor's New Clothes"? Well, this is how I feel about Gardner and its uncanny ability to draw in an enthusiastic clientele (myself included), more than willing to overpay for food that is ingeniously marketed. It is a wanna-be 3 star Michelin restaurant and is priced accordingly, but it's not. Hands down I will say the service was the best I've had in Austin; the entire staff was flawless. Also the interior design is eye-dropping gorgeous, right down to the stunning artist's earthenware and dishes. The problem is the food value. If the appetizers were a once-in-a-lifetime 5-star taste experience.....maybe it would be a different story. But I've had plenty of flavorful dishes of brussels sprouts (averaging $8 for a dozen+) in restaurants. At Gardner you pay $3 for two tiny brussels sprouts. Folks get out your calculators, at Gardner that same dozen works out to $18. Similarly it was $3 for a single petite cauliflower floret. I was looking for the hidden camera with the "gotcha ya!" but I think they are serious. Maybe brussels sprouts and cauliflower have really gone up in price. For "mains" we ordered the Gnudi ($20) and the Celery Root ($25). The Gnudi was tasty, with a smoky flavor, an interesting mix of mushrooms, some seared pearl onions, arugula and fried ricotta cheese balls. I liked it better than the Celery Root dish that was artfully displayed with turnip-like root disks, sprinkled with pink peppercorn, over a smear of creamy rice. Interestingly, the desserts were decent sized proportions. I tried the Japanese Pumpkin because I like kumquats and blood oranges, and the mousse-like substance with the tad of foam was good, but the cheese whiz colored swirls tasted strange and the crispy "shell" was too salty for the subtlety of a dessert. The Milk Chocolate dessert was the better choice. At the end of our meal we ended up laughing at our overall experience; after all we followed the hype and were very excited to try out this new place. It's hard not feel a bit foolish after spending $45 each (sans alcohol) and leaving hungry. Although the food was good, I'd rather get my money's worth at the nearby Eastside Cafe, which also specializes in delicious locally sourced products and they even have their own actual garden.
(3)Dr T.
After reading the high & low reviews, we still decided to give Gardner a try. We did and it will be our last. The atmosphere is nice, stark/modern, service was okay. The food and cocktails were not so great. The menu sounded interesting, but the execution was lacking. Didn't mind the rather high prices, but the food did not deliver. The grilled cabbage was the best of our small plates, but to say it contained halibut was ridiculous, there was perhaps a teaspoon on the bottom of the dish! The beef tartare should be renamed, because the amount of grain in it overwhelmed the minuscule amount of raw meat we were seeking. The sparse tequila coconut cocktail, lacked taste and was similar to a cheap watery tasteless sugar water.
(1)Jules S.
We were there for the Brunch Test Run. It was excellent! The short ribs and duck egg salad were delicious! And the pastries...sooo good. The short ribs were cooked perfectly. They were served with the softest, creamiest scrambled eggs and a delicious hollandaise sauce. The duck egg salad was served sunny-side-up over avocados and crispy bread to dip it in. Wonderful! I really hope that they make brunch a regular thing. PS...Andrea our server was adorable!
(5)Rocky B.
Less a restaurant than an art gallery in which food is the medium. The dishes are truly innovative. The presentations were unlike any I'd ever seen, which was pleasing and exciting. Unfortunately, the tastes and textures were not as carefully considered. I found the tastes of the dishes to all be a bit imbalanced and many of the textures made the physical experience of eating a bit awkward. It was very much form over function. I don't want to say we had a poor experience -- we found the setting and decor, like the food, rather pleasing and otherworldly -- but, at $50 per person (without drinks) we left hungry. I would try this restaurant again sometime, but I would love to see the substance of the food live up to its appearance.
(3)Colin K.
The dishes were innovative but they were reaching so far that they ignored the main reason for going to a restaurant is to eat a meal. These were fancy snacks. These snacks cost too much money. The staff was excellent and the space was designed well. I wouldn't go back - there are so many other places to have a satisfying meal.
(3)Rae G.
Wins - Build out is modern, open and inviting - Creative delicious cocktails - Service is spot on - Plating is beautiful and creative - Most dishes were wonderful - Mostly vegetarian/vegan, but they do have an excellent steak Opportunities - Portions are small and most people will leave hungry (have a snack before you go!) - Be prepared to order several courses per person - I enjoyed my experience, but I think it may be challenging for them to gain traction in a market that has so many wonderful options
(4)TW L.
Okay this place is awesome. Not only was it the best meal we had in Austin, it's the best one we've had in recent memory. And we like to eat. We try to do it every day. The menu shifts often because of seasonality, but everything we ordered was awesome. And it's great to know that next time we come back we'll get something brand new from the kitchen. Just go, have an open mind and trust what your server recommends. You'll have a fantastic meal.
(5)Clara H.
My husband and I were pleasantly surprised by our meal at Gardner- esp since I'm not a huge fan on Contigo (love the vibe, disappointed in their food). We ordered the chicken skin (yum), crudité (ok) and the raw beef (will get again) to start. Their bites are definitely bite sized so don't expect to share. For the first course the broccoli stood out the most. It had a nice char on it! We both likes the gnudi and the bass. We tried each of the desserts which were all interesting and not too sweet. I liked it but didn't LOVE it. Overall, I was impressed by the food, decor, and service. I like the simplicity of the food and the strong flavors.
(4)Travis M.
Impressed with service, price ($28 on Mondays) and general nature. A good meal, but I'm not sure I'd hasten to return.
(4)Tom B.
For me, it's almost like they opened this place on a dare. I could see the conversation going something like "I bet I can get people to pay a hundred dollars for 2 dollars worth of produce!" "you're on!!!" - I bet we can do it but we'll need a good name. Let's call it Gardener without the E. The hipsters will love it!!! We tried the cod roe starter, cauliflower, beets, squash, cabbage and the root vegetable entree. All of them were OK but nothing really blew us away. What blew us away was how small every single portion was. 21 dollars for an entree (root vegetable) that is smaller than pretty much any starter salad I've ever had? We routinely found ourselves shaking our heads during our meal. The wines were also disappointing, darn it. We tried the monastral, syrah and beaujolais and none of them were worthy of the decor in this place. Seriously, Gardner is BEAUTIFUL and it would be very nice if they had some really good wine to boot. If they get the food right Gardner could easily be Uchi for vegetarians in Austin. Every single interaction we had from the hostess to the bartender to the waitstaff was flawless. Really great staff. For now, 3 stars and I'll come back in a few months to try again. I'm definitely rooting for them. (pun intended)
(3)Jonathan R.
I'm a huge fan of meat. That said - I am completely dumbfounded by just how much I enjoyed my meal at Gardner last night. The flavors are unlike any I've had anywhere. Our party of 4 sampled about 40% of the available menu and we were all tasting what the others were having. I'm not kidding. It was amazing. So amazing that this morning, when I woke up, the first thing that I though of was how amazing the flavors of my meal were last night. It's a special place, and not a place to go if you're wanting a full-belly full kind of feeling. Rather, it's a place to enjoy food - as art. It's not only the presentation, and the attentive servers that seem to know every bit of how the food is prepared, it's the decor, the smell when you walk in, the custom steel work, etc. It's an experience, and a special place that I can't wait to return to (when the wallet is ripe). i HIGHLY recommend the Parsnip entree. The beef was very tasty as well, and prepared perfectly. Beets, Spanish Mackerel, and brussels sprout and the cabbage w/ duck stand out as highlights. If you go, don't miss the apple dessert. It's made with hay. Yes, ..hay. And it's delicious! They also had some great beers on tap that I've never seen elsewhere.
(5)JB B.
After reading some of the "I don't get it" reviews and the "it's so small" or "We're still hungry"... I'm a little concerned that maybe those people "don't get it" because they don't understand why this place is special, and one of kind. We are not only lucky to have a gem like Gardner in this town, we may not be all that deserving. We've eaten almost everything on this menu and it's really brilliant and so humble. The care given to each dish is apparent, and I hope that Wiseheart and his staff get as much praise as they can. The raw beef on the bites dish is something we literally look forward to every time we're there - dare I say it could be the perfect bite ever. They've made me love cabbage in a whole different way, and holy wow that panisse is a life changer...and that's only the beginning...so many surprises on this menu... Maybe it's Austin's too big for it's britches attitude, but if you dropped Gardner in a big city like Chicago, NYC, or Atlanta...they'd have a wait for months ahead. $28 prix fixe is a total steal on Mondays and they carry some of the most unique wines around... Amestoi Txakolina was such an amazingly pleasant surprise. Y'all deserve so much. From BOH to FOH, it's a true pleasure every time we come.
(5)Alanah M.
Meh pretty much sums up my feeling for Gardner after last night's visit. The space is beautiful as others have said and our service was also excellent. We got there around 6:30 so we were able to catch the last 30 minutes of their happy hour which is $2 of glasses of wine and certain patio snacks. We ordered the potato chips which were an interesting puffed take on potato chips with a goat cheese dip and a jalapeno dip. The dips were good - especially the jalapeno dip which was full of flavor without any of the heat. But the chips were too thin and delicate to dip into the thick dips. Knives required. No big deal, just a note. The steak and eggs was a weird take on the dish. Chopped up steak which was tender, flavorful and perfectly cooked with a side of weird runny scrambly "whipped" eggs meant to be spread on toast... the flavor was good (a little salty) but texture was hard to get past. Served with a side of ciabatta. Fermented potato bread was delicious but the house made ricotta was nothing to write home about. Whipped chicken fat was just like solidified fat that melts in your mouth... Smashed, fried fingerling potatoes were good and the hot sauce was average. Hanger steak used the same steak that was used in the steak and eggs so that was probably the best part of the meal. The salad portion of the plate was good too. The beef tartare was another highlight - very flavorful and fresh. Served by itself but the waitress offered us some house made wheat thins which we declined because we still had plenty of ciabatta leftover from the steak and eggs dish. The shrimp dish was cooked well but again nothing spectacular. They also had a bacon special which we ordered - bacon was incredibly flavorful, almost too intense and salty but overall very well prepared. Funny that the majority of what we ordered was meat heavy considering this is a "vegetable focused" restaurant - meat lovers rest assured there's plenty here for you too. For dessert the strawberry dish was ordered but I only took a small bite so I can't speak to it. Overall, $160 for this and 7 glasses of wine (4 of which were on happy hour) and 3 of the dishes were on happy hour also. As others have said, the portions are small. Nothing that we ordered was one bite - we were able to share everything between 3-4 people with each person (all women) having one bite. I don't think anyone left hungry but no one left satisfied. I wasn't impressed... nothing stood out. I didn't find myself gushing oh my god this is amazing. I'd definitely be back for a glass of wine on the patio during happy hour as their wine menu is very good.... But for dinner, I wouldn't return. Also the food looks better than the photos on yelp - some of the photos of the food on yelp look downright, um, not good...
(3)Carmela O.
I understand why some people complain about the portion sizes. For the same price at Applebees, you can probably get all-you-can eat something. But ultimately, for four people, we shared 3 appetizers, each had our own entree, and shared the cheese plate and 3 desserts. There was nothing leftover as waste and we were all full. Not roll me out in wheelbarrow full, but normal, satisfied full. Nothing tasted bad, everything was interesting and unique, and the service was just absolutely exceptional. Everything in the restaurant is stripped (even the waitresses didn't seem to wear makeup) so that all the focus could be on the food. The cocktails were also very unique and satisfying. It's a dining experience you can feel proud of afterwards.
(4)K C.
We had an incredible meal, made even better by the fact that it was the Monday $28 four-course prix fixe. (In New York you'd be thrilled by the bargain you got at twice the price.) Here's the thing: yes, yes, they're small courses. There's not huge hunks of meat (or at least we didn't have any in our dishes). This is food as art, in serving sizes and proportions that would make a nutritionist happy but with flavors to please a foodie. Our standout dishes were the ethereal gnudi, "naked" ricotta ravioli; the beautifully composed okra, and the savory beef-and-grain tartare. I was so happy to eat in a restaurant and walk out comfortably full, and not at all guilty about my two glasses of wine. (Bonus: had enough room to eat my whole scrumptious blackberry semifreddo for dessert.) Service was friendly and enthusiastic. The setting is sleek and gently subterranean, as if the underground world had been designed by a Scandinavian modernist with a penchant for pale wood and skylights. We will definitely be going back.
(5)terra w.
Superb! Great combination of favors. Felt wowed with every bite. Haven't had a meal like this in a while. And $38 for 4 courses is quite reasonable. My favorites were the cabbage/fish and shrimp/corn dishes.
(5)Ashlyn G.
I really wanted to love this place. I decided to take my team and their spouses here for a nice dinner for our holiday party. We are all foodies, so we were excited to try Gardner since it's all over the food blogs and magazines these days. We also love Contigo. The ambiance is great. Modern but not overly done. Our service was wonderful and although I stuck to wine- the cocktails seemed to be a crowd pleaser. Then the food came. It was really good, don't get me wrong. All totally delicious BUT I felt like a lot of the dishes were something I could have made in my own kitchen. And obviously for a much less price. And I'm not one to care about price- we eat at expensive restaurants all the time, it's my "splurge" instead of shoes or purses. I just don't think this one hit the nail for me. Luckily Via 313 Pizza was close by because we were all hungry!
(3)Cameron C.
I'm in love with this place. Brought my boyfriend's parents here for their last night in Austin. We loved the minimalist decor. I'm not one to be hokey like this, but it genuinely allowed us to focus on the food presentation, taste, and quality as well as our conversation. It's not a loud environment either, so it was extremely enjoyable from the minute we sat down. I moved to Austin from the Bay Area, so I'm an avid Napa wine drinker. I have to say, their wine selection is expansive and our server knew wines better than I did. The cocktails were also extremely creative and well made. I'm not a big tequila drinker, but the cocktail was delicious.... buttery and floral. My bourbon drink was also a refreshing first course for my meal. Portions are decent and priced on the higher side. When selecting an entree, go for a protein if you can (who wouldn't?). The pork loin and the sea bass were both generous. Seriously, don't skip on the dessert. It was great! So far, best restaurant I've been to in Austin.
(5)Shannon M.
In the words of Tom Hanks in the 1988 fantasy comedy "Big", "I don't get it." I tried almost everything on the menu and, honestly, there were maybe three dishes that really stood out to me. The Age Dry Steak was stellar; the Brussels sprouts were delicious; the fried cheese (Gnudi) was... out of place but damn good. My main complaints are that the portions are extraordinarily small and the flavors, while very interesting, are a little too rustic for my liking (burnt hay, any one?).
(3)Chris P.
It's not cheap, but it's real good. The raw beef bite is incredible. The presentations are all so beautiful. The sour Flemish beer is so good. Every garnish and sprinkle is curated so well. If you're looking for a deal, go on Monday nights for the prix fixe and enjoy a full 4 course evening.
(5)Francisca C.
Fantastic food. Perfect service. Beautiful ambiance. Portions were NOT as small as I had heard, we actually had trouble finishing our dishes because there are several courses in the prix fixe menu. Congratulations!! Hats off to Roberto, the GM... Such a kind welcoming gentleman.
(5)Alisha C.
Hands down, the best dining experience I've ever had. Reminiscent of fine dining in Copenhagen in terms of their creative use of seasonal ingredients as well as the understated yet warm Danish design of the interior. The staff is very knowledgable, accommodating, and friendly. My husband and I made reservations online and simply noted that we were celebrating our wedding anniversary. We were pleasantly surprised as we were offered a small celebratory (and complimentary) glass of champagne upon our arrival and a peak into the kitchen at the end of our meal. Swoon. The food is almost indescribable. I would recommend ordering one of everything! The portions are small yet bursting with flavor and complexity. A unique and surprising combination of ingredients and textures made each dish an exciting adventure. Although many of the offerings were vegetarian, they did not fall short on richness and satisfaction. I cannot speak more highly of the quality, beauty, and creative zest that Gardner exudes. Brilliant!
(5)Yvonne A.
Everything about my dining experience was excellent. Every detail, from the service and decor to the portion sizing, felt thought through and intentional. It is a very carefully curated experience which makes it a special one. Highly recommend: Crispy Chicken Skins Broccoli Gnudi Bourbon cocktail Obviously, don't go here expecting Cheesecake Factory sized portions.
(5)Caitlin P.
Really sexy...Had awesome sweet potatoes on the patio happy hour. The inside is a cool overload of sleek wood and unique plants. We ordered every small plate on the menu and it was super fun to try everything. The staff is all calm and quick. Love it. I want to go back in a couple months.
(5)takeshi H.
First time to be in Austin but must come back again for this place. decent service, great food with artistic presentation. Price isn't so expensive. Every single piece of this restaurant is cool and beautiful.
(5)Sara P.
Creative dishes that take advantage of the foods natural characteristics. Clean and fresh. Desserts were though the roof! Lovely ambiance.
(4)Kimberly L.
We went to Gardner on their second day of being open for business. Wow! The execution, service, and food for a brand new restaurant was impressive. The Scandinavian ambiance is versatile; it was perfect for the cool, rainy evening, but it would also be great on a hot summer night. The restaurant's interior is clean and elegant without pretension and without distracting from the eating experience. The decor feels unique for an Austin restaurant. Food was delivered to the table promptly. Presentation was acceptable, but not remarkable, with the exception of the carrot dessert. It was delivered on a wood dish with a variety of textures and shapes. The taste was just like a fresh, deconstructed carrot cake (and gluten-free!). My other favorite dish was the root vegetables with a delectable and unique mushroom broth that I would like to sip from a mug every day. I learned that you should choose the combination of dishes carefully... make sure to ask for a recommendation for a hearty dish. Since the menu items are centered around produce (but not necessarily vegetarian), if you order incorrectly, you can spend a lot of money and leave without feeling full. After the combo that we ordered, I was tempted to stop at a barbecue restaurant on the way home! However, if we had ordered the buckwheat pasta, beef, or Cornish game hen entrees, then I think I would have a different perspective. Some dishes seemed to be crowd-pleasers, like the okra and Brussels sprouts. They were delicious, go-to items that will not disappoint the eater, but they were not particularly imaginative. The beet dish was a bit too one-dimensional in texture and flavor, even though the urfa mayo is a unique ingredient. It's a great menu for the health conscious. Decadent ingredients like cheese and meat are used sparingly and wisely; they are an accent to the produce instead of the focus. Overall, I am very impressed with Gardner. As a nurse and dietitian, I love to see the innovative focus on vegetables without being strictly vegetarian or vegan. In my opinion, this is the way a balanced diet for people who love food should be executed. I look forward to going back for more.
(5)Phillip W.
Perfect Mother's Day Brunch - set menu meant something for everyone, no choices, and the staff was very accommodating of our vegetarians. Service is always wonderful, atmosphere is beautiful and tranquil at the same time. The food was great - family favorites were the English muffins and the short rib. Very nice experience.
(5)Jayme M.
This was a fine culinary experience! We live in the neighborhood and were totally unaware that this somewhat-stealth restaurant has been in this location for seven months. The main dining area was rather noisy, with very little to absorb the noise of many guests, so we sat in the (quiet) bar area. Each dish had its unique character and blend of tastes and was served on a pottery plate or in a pottery bowl, with fine silver. The waitstaff was extremely helpful in explaining the culinary details of numerous dishes. We were left with the impression that the menu is always changing, but that it always features several delectable dishes. We enjoyed a wedge of seared cabbage atop a savory halibut filet, the crispy sweet potatoes with urfa mayonnaise, the hanger steak with seared kale & romaine, and the chicken thigh, which was discovered under forbidden rice & greens. We were very pleased with each. Our meal climaxed with corn ice cream served with cornbread crumbles, blueberry/ginger granité, and crème fresh infused with corn juice. Pure deliciousness! We can imagine ourselves returning to this place!
(5)Sabrina B.
Tried Gardner last night for the first time and while we were expecting it to be good, we had no idea it was going to be as good as it was, and as innovative. Started with the bite of cauliflower and the bite of brussel sprouts. Both were excellent. The preparation of the vegetables was perfect, and the sauce and other items with it literally transformed each vegetable into something unlike anything we had ever tried. These bites are cheap - just $3, but as noted in other reviews, it is literally 2 mouthfuls. I wish they would charge more and give more food! Maybe next time we'll just order double of the bites! We then shared the "first" course, which we went with the broccoli. Hands down the best broccoli we've ever had. Who says that about broccoli, right? But again, the preparation and the sauce and the nuts - it transformed it into something exquisite. I dad say even George Herbert Bush would like this broccoli! We then ordered the celery root and the dry aged beef for our "second" dish. Both were outstanding. The celery root was served over rice that was similar to a risotto, but different. I don't know exactly what it was, but the flavor of the rice was different - and of course the creaminess of a risotto. My husband's dry aged beef was the best steak he's ever eaten. It was served with a sweet potato that was amazing. The restaurant was also quite beautiful and the service was excellent. Plus, there was easy parking, which can sometimes be a challenge on E. 6th! This restaurant is expensive - with tip we spent almost $100, and had no drinks or dessert. Plus we split a "first" dish, and they recommend each person get their own of each course. the portions are very small - you are not going to get stuffed eating here. But when we left, while I wasn't full per se, I also didn't feel hungry. I think the challenge is when the food is so good, and the prices so high, it would be nice to have a bit more on the plate.
(5)Rachael A.
Really lovely first visit! Happy hour small plates were substantial and delish, especially the dips for the chips and steak and eggs. The chicken thigh with coconut forbidden rice was to die for but the real treat was the "dessert" of fennel, apple, and cheddar with Cava which pretty much blew every dessert I've had out of the water. Very innovative and simply amazing.The bartender was also charming and informative and the space is gorgeous. Portion sizes were great, especially for the price which wasn't nearly as high as some other fine dining joints in town. I was stuffed from two shared bar plates and my (I'll stab you with a fork if you try to eat my) entree. I'll be back to try the carrots next time.
(5)Kelly E.
Came here for happy hour. Service was good, wine was good, decor was cool, food was seriously lacking in flavor. We ordered the crispy sweet potatoes and steak and eggs. Sweet potatoes were tasteless for the most part. Steak was good but nothing memorable.
(2)Jackson D.
Another Home Run from The Contigo Team! By far one of the best dining experiences I've had in Austin. The design of the restaurant is super clean and down to earth. We went way overboard on the ordering, but I guess that is what you do at a place like this one. The SNACKS were a great way to kickstart the meal. Bite sized portions that are not really meant to be shared. The amount of detail that has been put into these veggie creations is insane. My favorite items on the FIRSTS portion of the menu had to be either the okra or the Brussels sprouts. Both were excellent. I will be back in the near future!
(5)Matti V.
Gardner is a restaurant that is vegetable centric, but does not pretend to be a vegetarian restaurant; any meat or animal fat is used in a dish is used as an accent. They give the vegetable the center stage, elevate it to star status, and pull it off flawlessly. Everything we had was outstanding. Before the meal even begins, Gardner treats guests with with stunning design and very, very professional staff. The service was warm, gracious, and attentive; just about everybody in the restaurant knew it was our anniversary. They actually read the reservation notes from the website. As vegetarians, we were limited to certain choices on the menu, and I think we tried them all. The waitress was able to guide us through the menu, and provided us a few options for things that could be modified to be true vegetarian. We defaulted to the chef's vision on everything, and had the items that needed no modification, but it is nice to know that the option is there. Each dish was rich with flavors and textures; melding just enough to compliment each other, but still retaining the individual character of the ingredients. The fermented mushroom broth served with the root vegetables was the perfect concentration of earthy and salty. The orange miso broth served with the buckwheat noodles is the subtle, elusive flavor that one will dream about long after the meal is finished, and it was such a wonderful balance to the spiciness of the turnips. Oh! And the deserts! Quite possibly the show stealer. The subtle creativity that was evident in each dish thus far was absolutely poured into the deserts with wanton abandon. I'm still attempting to wrap my head around what happened at desert. Hay ice cream in the apple/hay was the perfect accent to the honeycrisp apples, transporting me back to my 8 yr old self, eating apples straight off the tree at the orchard. And the carrot was what carrot cake has forever strived for, only in hypercolor. It was art. Our bill came out to $150, including a bottle of wine, and both of us left absolutely satisfied. Hands down the best dining experience I've had in Austin.
(5)Lauren S.
Came here for a ladies' night and had a great time! The waitstaff was patient - one of our group was running late and we stayed for quite some time to chat; no pressure, even on a Friday night! On the "bites" menu, I thought the brussels sprouts were overpriced for what is a pretty standard Austin dish, although their preparation was much lighter (read: not fried) in comparison to what you see most other places. We also got the raw beef, which was a fantastic little flavor bomb that could be better described on the menu. I was expecting something like carpaccio but got something way better. For the "first", I got broccoli - SLAM DUNK, loved the texture on the veg paired with nice citrus. For the main, I got steak (which I rarely do) on our server's recommendation and was pleased. We tried one of each of the desserts, which were in the same vein as an Uchiko-style-dessert (variations on a flavor theme with lots of different textures) but it didn't resonate as much as Uchiko's desserts for me. I have very distinct memories of the "Uchiko tobacco creme experience of 2012", but can't really remember much about the apple, chocolate, or pumpkin themed desserts from Gardner 5 days ago. They're still worth it, but not life changing. I'd go again, but probably focus on the first courses and skip the bites and wine.
(4)Gabriel G.
Totally didn't see these guys coming. Open @ 3 weeks. 'Thought the nice folks from Contigo were going to do a veggie equivalent to their first, wonderful, beer-garden-like shrine to carne and instead they roll in with the radiant spawn of Noma and Blue Hill at a fraction of the price for dinner at either. Build-out/space is elegant, spare, special. Bar is cozy and nicely separated from dining room. Staff is to-a-person gifted, intelligent, friendly. Food is delicate, thoughtful, beautiful to the senses, with finely edited wine and beer lists. 'Let the house choose dinner (omakase-style) and was delighted with each bite of each plate -- cod roe, roasted spagetti squash, beets, makerel, blue cheese -- as well as cremant de bourgogne and rhône syrah that accompanied. Eager to go back on quiet weeknight and see it with a little lower amateur diner quotient (why, oh, why, do we ever go out on weekends?!). With the opening of Gardner, Olamaie, and Dai Due, the Austin food halo may well have reached a critical mass, as they join Lenoir, Foreign&Domestic, Salt&Time (yes, I know, it's a butcher shop, but, one that portends greatness for the city that supports it along with chef who is a recently-returned Slow Food Italy fellow) and Qui (along with at least 40, other strong kitchens) to take the city ahead of LA (for sure) and, in many ways (spirit, innovation, coolness) in a class of its own when compared with the usual chow capitals.
(5)Dan A.
Ignore the bad reviews on here. They seem to be from people who are unaccustomed to fine dining. I think to get the best experience, maybe each person should order one each of the bites, first, and second courses and split a dessert or two for the table. Atmosphere was gorgeous. Service was attentive yet unobtrusive. Food was AMAZING... Farm to table with a focus on peak seasonal ingredients. Vegetable centric but not too much so... plenty of fish and meat options. Execution spot on with interesting combinations and flawless technical execution. Plating and presentation some of the best I've seen in Austin. Based on my experience tonight, this restaurant would be Michelin starred if it were in a Michelin city. Certainly better than many 1 Michelin places I've eaten in SF or NYC. We had a table of six so got to sample much of the menu. Everything exceeded expectations and a handful of the dishes were next level. Wine menu was well curated. These folks know what they are doing, This just jumped into my top 5 in Austin. If you are interested in gigantic portions, then maybe you should head over to The Olive Garden for a never ending pasta bowl.
(5)Will S.
More than any other restaurant in Austin, this place transported me. Combines modern and earthy aesthetics with timeless tracks for a distinctive, memorable ambiance. They absence of windows facilitates your ability to forget where you are. I don't take pictures of food, but this restaurant was the exception - the dishes are exquisitely and evocatively arranged, and feature unusual but delicious flavors.
(5)Solomon W.
Gardner was a little funky, but I can appreciate what they are doing. Located on the East Side, they are playing right into every foodies' trending desire by offering a vegetable-centric excuse to venture over to the deep East Sixth for dinner. The snacks (one bite) span the vegetable kingdom, from the sought after sunchokes to cauliflower. The sunchoke custard provides unctuous notes, while the stalk of cauliflower lends itself to more sweet and straightforward savory flavors. I enjoy the fact that they aren't playing up modernist cuisine too much here, despite the one bite, well decorated plates. Oh, the serving ware comes from a number of potters, the most prestigious being the Austin local Keith Kreeger. Fun shapes and sizes, with a tendency towards organic. The ambiance itself is a little sterile, which doesn't specifically appeal to me. Some individuals might find it to be his or her jam. To close, we had their root veggie pasta. About half of their vegetables have some sort of beef product in them, so read closely! The pasta had a orange accent, which gave the winter pasta a nice burst of zest. Overall, not a bad main course. This new spot would not be my first recommendation in town, but it is worth trying out if you are looking for a sleek spot with a pretty simple menu, focused on using meats as flavors, not the main attraction.
(3)Shannon K.
An absolutely delightful dining experience, from start to finish. I've eaten at a lot of "New American" restaurants in Austin, and this one takes the cake! The atmosphere is modern casual, sleek, and inviting. The snacks are small, yes, but I've never tasted so much flavor in one bite (recommend cauliflower, broccoli and squash snacks). The entrees are of normal size and can definitely fill a single stomach. The flavor profiles are unique yet they WORK. The chef is clearly trying, but not trying too hard (as you often find in New American type restaurants in Austin). Even the vegetarian selection I tried (Gnocchi) was phenomenal. Our server took the time to review his favorite items on the menu, provided recommendations on how much we should order, and checked up on us only frequently enough to keep us well taken care of. This restaurant is a must-try - I know I'll be back.
(5)K M.
I had a lovely experience at Gardner. The food was deliciously prepared and flavored. I loved how all the vegetables were not over cooked and mushy or bitter. I had the pork tenderloin which I will go back for very soon. My friends and I shared the cabbage, excellently charred and served atop a green sauce,the onion served with zucchini and the shrimp that was topped with chicken cracklings. It was a fantastic way to start the meal. The desert was savory and sweet and I finished it with a great cup of coffee. As stated previously, the staff was very professional and I was thrilled to not be attended to by a hipster with a cool mustache and a bad attitude. Every entree that was placed down was beautifully plated and tasted even better. I'm looking forward to returning. Also, they have parking!
(5)Ryley W.
Had dinner here last night and thought it was amazing! The vegetables were all prepared in such a creative way, my palate never got bored. The snacks are just meant for one person but they are so full of flavor. Honestly, the perfect bite. I had the broccoli and cauliflower and I would highly recommend both. The first plates are bigger and can be shared. The okra is prepared 2 different ways, lightly breaded and fried and then also pickled. The brussels were warm and charred with a yummy bone marrow broth topped with cheese. Both were awesome! For the second I had the dry aged beef. Delicious and charred on the outside and tender on the inside. For dessert I had the apple and hay. Such an interesting dessert full of different flavors and hay prepared 3 different ways. It was a great end to a great meal! Loved the service and ambiance of the restaurant. Across the street is Whisler's to grab a drink before or after.
(5)Susan M.
This is definitely my new favorite restaurant in Austin! They decor was perfect! The finishes were fresh, smooth and cool to the senses. The designer blended stark modern with warmth very beautifully! The food was put together perfectly. It was so nice to be able to eat such crafted flavors on mostly vegetables! I get so sick of meat always being the focus. For someone with food allergies I could eat just about everything on the menu and not be limited to 3 items. The tequila and coconut cocktail was delightful and smooth and the service was on top and pleasant. Austin needed this type of upscale restaurant with this atmosphere. I loved it!
(5)Amelia T.
We went for the four course prix fix menu, and every single bite was amazing. All the wine pairings were spot on. The food, service, and space were all worthy of five stars. We felt the price was really reasonable for the quality of the experience. My husband can't stop thinking about his aged beef and I can't stop thinking about the gnocchi. We will definitely be back (with all our friends).
(5)Mackenzie H.
Incredible!! Such a great atmosphere and the best food I have had in a very long time! GREAT service!
(5)Trinity M.
Decided to try Gardner for HH. A girlfriend and I arrive as soon as they opened and there were a few other patrons already there. Good sign. The decor and restaurant itself is modern. We walked in and didn't realize that the bar entrance is through the outdoor patio to the back until after we were seated in the main dining area. A little mixed up but still interesting. The bar area is small and intimate but can get a little hot with all the windows in the summer. The special for HH was a Dr Pepper Sangria with Crispy Sweet Potatoes. Thank goodness I asked to taste the Sangria before I ordered it. I'm not a fan of DP in the first place but I do love Sangrias. This drink was not for me. Sweet Potatoes were great. Crispy and light with a soft sweet potato filling. I ordered the Fermented Potato Bread by mistake and sent it back. Bread was a little burnt and the red fish rillette with green bean miso was unappetizing. Ended with WATERMELON celery root, fermented peanut, beet dish that was amazing. Very light and crisp with wonderful flavors. Great summer snack. Had a glass of Rose and it was perfect
(3)Ingrid H.
Great spot. As many others have mentioned, the interior of the restaurant is striking; simultaneously modern and warm. Basically, it's sexy as hell. It's the restaurant equivalent of Barry White's Greatest Hits. I went here the other night for a dinner with my parents, and no one was disappointed. Highlights include the broccoli, the cabbage, the root vegetables, and the gracious, intelligent staff. It's worth noting that the portions are pretty small, and not in the small plate/tapas way that's typical of most trendy restaurants. The three of us ordered twelve of the fifteen available dishes (excluding the dessert options), and left about two bites away from satisfied. For a family so small we often get mistaken for a colony of gnomes, leaving a restaurant less than stuffed was unusual. This isn't to say the meal wasn't amazing, I'd just suggest this spot for a date (preferably one that ends with a movie/giant bucket of popcorn), and not a large group outing. Anyway, A++, I'm so happy to see a delicious, veggie-centric option in Austin!
(5)Simon C.
I don't allow my girlfriend to eat so she stays slender and hot. Jackpot! Portions are tiny and tasty, impeccable service, cool architecture and contemporary decor. Everyone goes home happy (albeit still hungry).
(2)I l.
PROS: Food: Gnocchi, Gnudi, Cabbage, and the Milk Chocolate with beets and rose. OMG! Parking - great Ambiance - Nice architecture but just a tad too bland. Something is missing. Maybe something on the wall that is pleasing to the eye? Waitstaff - So friendly and down to earth. Really nice girls! CONS: The Bar - 4 chairs? It's so tiny! Wish you could extend and not just have the couch area.
(4)Joy S.
The vegetarian options were interesting, but simply not as good as those at Qui, Uchiko, and Wink. It was an experience that we are glad we had, but not one that we care to repeat.
(3)Kelly P.
Checked out this place on a Thursday night and surprisingly it was only about half full. My friend and I started with a couple of cocktails - they are very creative with their cocktails - I had their take on a Manhattan, and it was pretty good...definitely interesting. The plates start off very small and get larger as you move right across the menu. We each had a raw beef bite and shared the chicken skins. The raw beef bite was just that - a bite, so don't plan on sharing. Next, we had the brussel sprouts, and we could have shared that but we each had an order. Finally we had the Gnudi and Dry Aged Beef. The Gnudi was good, but the beef was really excellent and perfectly cooked. We complimented the meal with a bottle of Cabernet Franc which went well. Great ambiance, great service. I recommend it.
(4)David C.
Make sure you eat before you go because it will bankrupt you to get full here. I thought I was on a Saturday Night Live skit as increasingly smaller and smaller portions were brought out with increasingly ridiculous sauce smears on the plates. My entree was $35 and I could have fit the entire portion in the palm of one hand and I don't have large hands. The food that I had was well prepared and tasted good, but the minuscule amounts were almost hilarious.
(2)carole p.
Pricey, pretentious but pretty. Food wasn't hot, food wasn't filling, surroundings are gorgeous in a taupe kind of way. A very small amount of food indeed, we had to move one dish off the table as the fermented broth smelled so bad. Tasty cabbage with smallest amount of duck confit ever...1 piece of broccoli for $3 ....a parsnip as a main dish...come on...you clearly can cook beautifully...so don't try so hard to be so damn Austin hip, cool and offer some great vegetables at a proper price with generosity...then I will come back., if you promise to heat up my food...it would have enhanced those buckwheat noodles if they hadn't been lukewarm and had more than 2 tablespoons of broth! came home and had a banana and toast....after a meal costing $30 a head!
(2)Mason R.
I love food. I love trying to restaurants. For some reason this place did not catch me the way that some others at my table were taken with it. Disclaimer! First, I hate the menu. I love the minimalist presentation Apple gives us, but with food it irritates me greatly. I never knew what I was getting. Even when asking the servers, I got vague responses on the preparations and details of the dishes. Blah! For this price, I want details, people. For the snacks, I had the broccoli which was pretty amazing. Lots of flavor. I might like a bit more vinegar flavor, personally, but it was tasty. I tried the sunchoke. I loved it as a menu option - who has this?? - but it was somewhat bland. I prefer to do some citrus in there to bring out the flavor a bit. Salt alone doesn't seem to do it. For firsts, I ordered the brussels sprouts. The marrow was almost crispy... different. I was hoping for something more tender and slow cooked (or less cooked?). The marrow seemed the highlight of the dish, but was the lowlight. :-( Tried the Beets and Cabbage from others at the table. They were pretty darn good! The cabbage felt a bit too much cabbage and too little of the sauce/extras, though. I did like how it was cooked! So, for the seconds, the dry aged beef was awesome! For $38, though? There are better options in town, I feel, so I was left a bit disappointed. (Based on quantity, cost, quality...) Also tried the Root Veggies, Squash, and Gnocchi. Wow! None are cheap, but some of the best prep I've ever had for these guys. Kudos to Gardner!! Tried a couple of the end courses like the Carrot, but was unimpressed. I generally do not like dessert items, so feel free to ignore me here. So, that's the food. What about the shack they serve this all in? Holy wowsers?! I love the restaurant!!! It's in the old post office if I understand correctly. They've done some really cool things. I love that you are either in the entry, in the bar, or in the restaurant. It does not flow together. They clearly did that intentionally and I love it. Leave the different experiences for themselves. Now, the dining room felt a bit "Apple Genius Bar" and that was not off-putting to me, but was not welcoming either. In the end, my bill was among the highest I've been handed in Austin, TX and felt it wasn't a place I'd place in that class. ... 3-stars, guys.
(3)Elena G.
Hmmm... A lot of potential here, and how exciting to have an upscale, vegetable-centric restaurant in Austin! Came in ready to be blown away, walked away feeling a little mixed. I loved the decor, the simple Scandinavian-style interior with exquisite details throughout the restaurant. The seating area does not feel cramped, though noise level is cacophonous - but that's typical for a popular busy restaurant. Staff is friendly, attentive and polite. The hostess was gracious, our server went over most items, made suggestions for substitution, etc. The food was quite delicious. I can't say that it was standout amazing, but it was good, 4-star food, complex flavors, unexpected ingredients, lovely presentation, etc. My biggest beef is the price. I am taking a star off for value. Portions are small, which is fine, I appreciate smaller portions, but the prices should reflect that. One shared app, 2 entrees, 2 glasses of wine, and our bill came to $105. The dry aged beef is $38 for a 6(?)oz portion. My husband who is a big steak fan said it was solid, but not great, and not worth $38. I enjoyed my vegetable entree, and I'll be back for more creative veggie dishes, but this will be relegated to a once-in-a-blue-moon, special occasion place, rather than a trusty go-to, which is what I was hoping it would be.
(3)Michael B.
Sleek and stylishish restaurant that makes you feel like a top chief judge. I went here on New year's eve and it was a good experience. We had a reservation and were seated promptly. We were offered both sparkling and regular water right from the start. The menues were pre-set with your choice of vegetarian or regular. As a table we shared items so I had a bit of both. Everything tasted great but expect the portions sizes to be small. On regular nights, you can order from the regular menu, which I plan to come back and explore. This is a great place for a date, night out with out-of-town guests, or to satisfy that one vegetarian friend that you always have to accomadate to. You all will have a good experience here. Highly recommended.
(4)Rosemary w.
Yummy! Although the portions are small the food is amazing and the services was great as well. Although the menu just states the ingredients and not the preparation our server was happy to explain the dishes to us and also to recommend his favorites to us as well. We liked everything we had and hope to be back soon!
(5)Jessie F.
One of the most inspired dinners I have had in Austin. The flavors with each dish were delightfully surprising with each bite. I have a feeling I will be back on a weekly basis.
(5)Christine O.
The service was a tad slow, but everything we tried was amazing. They also gave us a free dessert but it took forever to get the check. Our waiter was very nice, but we were there entirely too long. Side note: when they say "bites" on the menu, they aren't joking. You get 2-3 bites out of each one. Overall very good and we are likely to return.
(4)Richard K.
Gorgeous interior and impeccable service, as noted by others. The unique aspect of the food is the intensity of the flavors that the chef instilled in every dish that we sampled. Bland is the norm in predominantly vegetarian fare but Gardner manages to enhance the fundamental flavors in each vegetable (and the fish and beef dishes were also excellently prepared). The presentations are varied and very rich, which is why the portion sizes were not an issue for us. We ordered a number of dishes, spent less than $80 per person with drinks and wine and were satisfied to the point that we declined the desserts (which also looked intriguing on the menu). If you want a heaping plate, try Golden Corral; Gardner is more properly focused on the balance of tastes in a dish and the flavor progression of a fine meal. We'll be back soon.
(4)A T.
I'm so excited that a restaurant of this degree has made its way to Austin. Great design, friendly staff and amazing food that was executed perfectly. The dishes were amazing and well thought out. I loved the beets, the okra, cabbage and all the snacks are a must try. There was three of us at the table and though the snacks are meant as a bite we all had a nibble. Great way to be able to order one of everything on the menu! I highly recommend ordering a bottle of the Gammy. It was the perfect addition to the dinner! Well done!!!! Looking forward to going back.
(5)Marshall T.
This place is worth a visit even if it may not be worth repeat attention. It is an admirable concept well executed and a pretty entertaining experience. Extra credit for bringing a vegetable-centric fancy-pants restaurant in a city that can't move beyond the whole brisket/burgers/bacon scene. Try the funky vegetable cocktails!
(4)Louis L.
I heard about the Gardener while enjoying some tapas over at Contigo about five months ago, and I have already returned three times. You will not find more interesting and delicious bites than you find here. Every plate I've tried since I've been (and the menu recently changed) has been complex and delicious. I've never been to a place that focuses so well on the vegetables without being vegetarian. The proteins act as almost an accoutrement to the vegetables, like shaving beef heart over carrots or a hint of halibut with cabbage. The portions are small, but each bite is so complex. I highly recommend going with a date with whom you can enjoy sharing plates because you want to try as many separate dishes as possible. They say to share the first courses and get your own entree but I think you should split the entrees too, because trust me, you'll want to try as much as you can! I'm literally getting hungry just thinking about it. The decor is simple and refined, allowing you to focus on the food and wine. Every server has always been incredible, and the GM as well, which I only expressly say because their enthusiasm in describing the food is contagious. I have to get whoever I am with to shut up because I want to know every detail about what is going into the plate in front of me. Don't come here on nights you feel like good ol Texas brisket or traditional Apple Pie, but when with someone who can really savor complex and delicious bites, eat here. It's awesome. And now they have pre fixed menus? I'm going back for a fourth time soon.
(5)Rossi H.
The restaurant starts by making a beautiful statement with it's design. The place is simple with an elegance that complements the cuisine. My family of 6 ordered the entire menu minus the beef. There was not one dish that was disliked. My favorites were the Mackerel, Sunchoke Custard, and Butternut Squash. We as well enjoyed every desert as well as the cheese plate. The entire menu is simple in flavor and strong in technique. It allowed for the food to do the work.
(5)jeff s.
subtle creative perfection and the perfect combination of kitchen + front-of-house comfortable exceptional experience.
(5)Carcyn M.
This definitely wasn't for me. It's not that I don't "get it." I get it, and what I got was bad. Uninspiring. And expensive. As many people have said, a bite is really a bite. I got five sugar snap peas. I love hominy, so I thought that would be exciting. Somehow they made hominy terrible. But, the peas were good. We had an asparagus dish after that. The stalk was good, but the shaved asparagus on top was really bitter. It came with eggs. I thought it would be actual eggs, but it was an egg fluff. Not terrible, but not the best thing I've eaten. Then came the gnudi. The dish was good, but really small. Maybe four pieces? And that was over $20. Everything I ate up until this point was forgettable. Which is sad. I do need to take a minute and talk about the service. The hostess was amazing. Great service from her and the people in the side bar. Our server wasn't my favorite. I paid cash, and she didn't bring me any change, and didn't ask if I needed change. That made her tip 30%. I don't skimp on tipping people, and didn't appreciate that. Then came dessert. We had Apple. Don't have Apple. Seriously, DO.NOT.HAVE.APPLE. It was, quite possibly, the worst thing I've ever eaten. Ever. And, I have nieces and nephews who make stuff for me, or give me food that I don't exactly know where it comes from. I'd take a fuzzy gummi bear over that dessert any day. Hay ice cream and Hay cake. Just no. NOOOOO. Don't be drawn in by the hazelnut mousse. Not a drop of sweetener in there. Hazelnuts aren't really bitter by themselves, but this was bitter. If you feel the need to order it, just call me. I'll save you $9 and just come over and punch you in the face. I promise, the punch will be more enjoyable than the dessert. I don't mind when people get creative with food. I think it's interesting to see what people come up with. But, if you are going to get creative, and get expensive ($230 bill- 3 people ate and we had seven total drinks), then the food needs to be outstanding. I will only remember this meal because it wasn't.
(1)Pearl S.
I'm still hungry. If you want to prepare for a red carpet appearance this is your place. Bites = One bite. $28 for butternut squash = hee hee
(1)Alex C.
I already eat like a bird so I been told, the first time I ever finish my plate. I took a picture to prove to it. I fancy a nice restaurant and can accept tiny portions, but this is rubbish, first 2 bites $3 for 4 halves of Brussels spouts and $3 one cauliflower bud cut into 3 sections with some toasted coconut. This is the perfect place for your anorexic friend, but not for a normal person.
(2)Pink P.
Pros: the build-out and furniture is beautiful. You'd think you're in Manhattan. Very Scandinavian-themed. Wait staff are forced to dress like rustic film-extras in a fantasy land whose primary color is white and beige. There isn't a space like this in Austin. Go just to look at the architecture, cutlery, and furnishings. Cons: a very expensive and rather bland "health-conscious" and "experimental-looking" meal awaits. Plan to set fire to $100 cash per head. The portions are terribly small and the ingredients simple (root vegetables). So profit margin is huge. I wouldn't have minded, but for the fact that the dishes don't even taste good. Dishes range from bland to alarmingly over-salted. For this reason alone, this concept might fail in a foodie town like Austin, where folks expect their food to be comfortable, well-priced and delicious. The overall effect is fancy and experimental, you're the guinea pig with your hard-earned dollars. As if this wasn't enough, you are forced to sit on very hard chairs to remind yourself that you're not here to eat, but to worship. The worst thing was they can't tell you very much about the wine options, and the overpriced bottle we bought was very bland. They need a sommelier at their fancy price point. Conclusion: there are other places to burn your cash in Austin. If you really want to eat like this, and since - presumably - you can splurge at this type of place, you're better off flying to California and dining at Chez Panisse. It's much more bang for your buck. **TIP** They will try to sell you the wine list listing expensive whole bottles. PLEASE NOTE that a separate, cheaper listing of table wine whole bottles also appear hidden on the main menu itself, at much lower prices. Why would anyone do this? We were completely tricked. If you miss that, and you're just looking for table wine, you'll end up forking over for an unknown bottle of expensive wine that turns out to be completely mediocre.
(2)Tress P.
First time at Gardner last night and it was truly one of my favorite Austin restaurant experiences to date. The interior is simple and beautiful, all clean lines and surfaces, with no art on the walls to muddy up the nearly Japanese aesthetic. When we were first seated, Robert (formerly of Congress), came by the table to welcome us. I knew it was going to be a good meal, as Robert is my favorite Austin server yet, with both food and wine knowledge to spare. My husband and I started out with snacks of cauliflower and yellow squash, both small plates, as intended, but both packed with flavor. Then I had the mackerel with huckleberries. It was so bright and fresh. My husband had the cabbage with duck confit. Wow, I wish I knew how to make that at home! Then, we shared the root vegetable entrée with fermented mushroom broth, so hearty for a cold evening. We finished the meal off with the apple dessert with hay and hazelnut. No, that is not a typo. I said hay. I'm not sure where the hay came in, but that was one of the most interesting and delicious desserts I have ever had. I am a meat eater and celebrate animal proteins at every meal, so I wasn't quite sure how a menu showcasing vegetables would work for me. Well, it worked. I loved it and will be back.
(5)Tom W.
Broccoli starter is a must and for a vegetable oriented restaurant the steak was out of this world!
(5)Sharmon B.
Really! I gave Gardner two stars because of the excellent wait staff! The location is fine, plenty of parking. The seating area is not large but has an appropriate number of tables for the space. The night we were there, the noise level was a bit loud so we had to almost shout to be heard (4 people @ table). Now here comes the good part: The food here is "trendy", locally grown, mostly vegetables in varying combinations and presented beautifully. The four people at our table ordered a variety of the selections from the extremely limited menu. Bring your glasses and a flash light because the menu is in tiny, tiny, tiny print. All the food is served on small plates and in teeny tiny portions. Yes, you get one bite (that's right, one bite) of raw meat for $8. A beet dish (one beet) was $12. Now I'm thinking that this is probably meant to be "high class", posh or maybe, just a very cool thing to do, but really? I have eaten at lovely restaurants all over the world (NYC, Paris, Rome, etc) and this is just "silly"! I had enough money to pay for this dinner, but I wish I had had enough sense not to do it! Table of four: $305 (three glasses of wine included). This is Austin! We have plenty of places with excellent service and great food at a respectable price. Try one of those.
(2)Kristen F.
Excellent service, beautiful, simple design elements, water poured out of pottery, an obvious commitment to local, organic farms and grass fed, local meats (meat and fish are accent; this is a vegetable-centric restaurant), but the price keeps it from being 5 stars. I cook a lot myself and don't mind paying $30-50 every few months for a very nice dining experience, but I wish I could have walked away with a fuller stomach and more concrete 'new' things to try. Granted, perhaps by ordering the brussel sprout bite and the broccoli first and the monkfish entree, I didn't branch out far enough. My friends got the aged beef and beet appetizer, which was very good. I also liked that the dining room was quiet enough to really enjoy conversation. I hope they make it, but I hope they lower their prices a tad and keep the menu seasonally up to date.
(4)Scott W.
Let me just start by saying that I'm pretty critical when it comes to dining experiences and this was by far one of the absolute best. There is NOTHING to complain about, it was simply amazing. I'm still daydreaming about how amazing the evening was. Fit for any very special occasion or if you just love trying new things. The service: the perfect balance of being attentive (never had to ask for anything, fresh water, new silverware, etc. always brought to table) and not interrupting too much. The staff was so friendly and of service - they truly enjoyed making sure you were having the best time possible. The General Manager brought several dishes herself to the table to see what we thought about the food and tell us about it. And trust me, the flavors and tastes that you experience...you want to know more about where it came from and how it's prepared - unlike anything you've had before probably. We were celebrating a birthday and my friend was also going to culinary school. I made a note when I made the reservation and they were so sweet when we arrived and told him happy birthday and made fun conversation with him, he was excited. They took the time to talk about their business with him and even gave us a peek into the kitchen after our meal and an introduction to the chef. He was over the moon and had such an experience. Even the kitchen was just as gorgeous as the dining room - everything in its place, a low-stress environment (which is unheard of for a kitchen), and a team that worked like a well-oiled machine. These people know what they're doing. To be so open about their process and take so much pride in it...the food could alone keep this place at the top but the people just make it that much more amazing. You could tell they truly enjoyed what they do and care about what you think about the food - they want to hear your feedback. They want to hear what you experience. They keep it fresh, trying new things. The food: where to begin. I'm sure Yelp will cut me off. Let me just say I've never had anything that good in my life and I've been out a lot and to several nice places across Austin. Plan to spend some $. Don't come here thinking you'll get a cheap meal - you get what you pay for. And you get the best here. Don't expect buffet-size portions. It's not about that here; it's about the unique and creative food creations. Try at least 2-3 things off the menu. We had several and the Gnudi, Raw Beef (I was skeptical about that one but it was incredible), Broccoli, Celery Root...just impeccable. I did not know food could taste like this, honestly. I can't stress enough how great the service was. I could go on but I think I got the point across. I don't use Yelp to write reviews as often as I should but I made it a point after leaving the Gardner last night. Go there. You'll not only not regret it but be incredibly thankful you did!
(5)A L.
When you want the evening to be about the food, Gardner is a perfect choice. When you want to eat innovative vegetable dishes, Gardner is the best Austin has to offer. Of course, I went prepared. I read at least a dozen reviews before setting foot in the place. I knew the portions were small and the menu focused on seasonal vegetables. Nonetheless, it wasn't until I was half way through my entree that I understood the reasoning behind the menu. The "bites" section is literally a serving size of one to two forkfuls. This is just to peak your curiosity while you are studying the remainder of the menu. The appetizer section offers dishes that have intensely flavored combinations of veggies--so intense that you would not want more than an appetizer size portion. Don't miss the brocoli. It was one of the top two dishes of the evening. The entree is an appropriately larger serving and I, actually, would have preferred sharing my "aged beef" with someone. Since I was so wowed by the brussel sprouts, cauliflower and broccoli dishes, I knew when the steak bits arrived, I wanted to save room for dessert. The pumpkin dessert was so different and creative that I can't possibly describe it. I can only say that I shared it with my friend and I could not have eaten a whole one. It was so brightly flavored and so satisfying that I recommend it without reservation. The evening was a Foodie's delight. If you are not that interested in creative dishes and you are looking for comfort food, or more conventional Texas cooking, this is not a good place to go. The other reasons that I think this is paradise for Foodies: the unique pottery that they use for serving dishes and the high level of service make this place different. I can't wait for next season's menu. It will be great to see what this innovative place comes up with as the seasons change.
(5)