CARVE American Grille - Barton Creek — Restaurant in Austin

First off google really needs to change the $$ on the listing to $$$$, didn’t matter to me but for others it might.

Ok let’s get into this

Let’s start with the atmosphere and building, it’s pretty chill and they have tables outside. The inside had tables of a decent size so I wasn’t fighting for space with my family and the chairs were alright not the best in terms of comfort but my legs were not numb when we left so they pass that test. The table was a bit sticky when we were first sat down, this was a disappointment. The look and feel were basic, dark, and devoid of any families with kids outside of my two young ones.

Next up service, this was excellent and reflects the price you are paying for food, zero issues with our server who was extremely attentive and friendly, some of the best I have had.

The food, here is where things start to become basic and 3 level. Yes the cuts you are getting are done fresh at the location, yes the meat quality is good but does it justify the price per ounce which is how they charge…no. The NY strip I had was a log, appealing for some but not for me, the outside was very burnt while the center was rare. I had ordered a medium but with a cut of meat that thick there was no way you can have an even cook. I’m sure I could have asked and likely gotten a new cut but that would have been such a waste of food and while the center was more rare than I’m used to at least they didn’t give me a medium center with a well done outer layer. The outside was also fairly salty, I was alright with that but my wife who tried a piece said it would have been to much for her so taste being subjective if your not into salty food this might be a turn off. I got the carve add on and it didn’t really add anything to the steak in regard to experience but at least it was only $8 extra. I also got the full lobster tail at $25 and this is a bad deal. The tail was small, smaller than the tail add on you can get at Longhorn which is cheaper than Carve.

The chicken soup was decent in terms of flavor but you had better like rosemary because it’s heavy on that. The chicken in it was in huge chunks which I felt were too big. The lobster corn dog I’m on the fence about if I liked, it was done well but the flavor profile is interesting.

My wife and son got the scallop pasta which was good tasting but light on the scallops at only three but they were done well.

My daughter got the chicken and waffles and you get a lot with it in terms of chicken, my daughter prefers when it’s tenders but this was all sort of parts and she said the bones were annoying because she had to debone the chicken so she could eat the waffle + chicken stacked like she prefers.

The whipped mashed potatoes were nothing special and I didn’t like the taste of the creamed spinach and neither did anyone in my family.

The Smokey smores was very good and easily large enough for 4 people.

Comparing my steak vs. Texas Roadhouse or Longhorn there was not much difference in terms of quality and taste and in terms of thickness and cook level both Texas Roadhouse and Longhorn are better. This may surprise some people but you have to keep in mind Texas Roadhouse and Longhorn move a ton of meat everyday so you’re getting fresh cuts there as well.

My family of four was $309 before tax and tip and included zero alcohol and for that kind of spend we could have eaten like kings at Texas Roadhouse or Longhorns and gotten food of equal and in some cases better. Yes I will admit not being surrounded by a bunch of loud families was nice and not hearing birthday songs being shouted was nice but that doesn’t overcome the price vs. value of Carve. Heck the expensive Texas de Brazils we have in Pittsburgh are better and are cheaper than this place.

If you’re looking to flex with your significant other this might be the place for you but for my family we were not impressed and would not revisit. I think the high prices make people rate higher than they would normally because people equate higher price = better quality but in...

If I could give this place 4.5 stars I would. Service was amazing on the evening we attended. We had a very good waiter who was attentive, answered my many questions about the menu. I had quite a few questions as I wanted to make sure I ordered something that my kids could eat with their dietary restrictions and also something that they WOULD ACTUALLY EAT. The waiter actually went to check with the kitchen and came back to inform me. It was a busy night but the waiter definitely did well in checking in on us.

Food and drinks: Our table ordered:

Chicken soup: tasty and good according to our dinner companion.

Carrot ginger soup: delicious with some warming herbs and a hint of coconut milk I think.

Pear salad (easter menu): Delicious according to our dinner companions who shared it.

Fillet tenderloin toast: Tasty :)

Vodka dill cured salmon: Not amazing, was a little on the fishy side according to two ppl that ate it at our table.

Spaghetti squash primavera: very tasty gf and vegan option. My only complaint was that I specifically asked what veggies were in this dish as I wanted to see if I could get my kids to have more veggies... The waiter checked with kitchen came back and gave me a list of veggies that'd be using in the dish. I repeated the list back to double check that they had cauliflower in there, explaining that if they had cauli, I'd order it as my kids can pick out my cauli and have some. The dish was very tasty but no cauliflower! I would have ordered something else like steak and a side of veggies if i had known there was no cauliflower in the spaghetti squash dish.

Fillet mignon: overcooked according to our dinner companion.

Easter ham: Delicious. 3 of us tasted this and it was pretty good.

Easter prime rib with an extra side of mash: Cooked to desired done-ness but overseasoned with pepper. Mash was tasty by my palate. But our friend didn't like hers, saying she didn't like the after taste. There was a bit of pepper in it which I liked. She said there was a bacon after taste? I love bacon so I didn't find that to be an issue or even actually notice it.

White chocolate cheese cake (easter menu): so good.... :)

Mini mason jar trio for two: Now this one... The banana cream parfait was delicious with delicate flavours. Butterscotch budino. Flavour was on point but imo was not as smooth as a pudding could have been. Had a gritty texture. Smoked chocolate Kahlua pudding. Texture was good but flavour... It had an interesting after taste which two of us just didn't love.

Smoky s'mores with caramel : This was absolutely delicious but in small doses. I don't think one or even two ppl could finish this and not feel a little sick in all honesty. It's just so rich. So tasty but so rich! 4 of us had a bite each and I took multiple bites. I don't eat overly sweet things, it's just not my palate I guess. definitely tasty but too much for me :) so definitely order this but to share! The smell when they're toasting this by your table though... So soo good!

Ordered some extra fries at the end as my little one 3yo was still hungry. It was too heavily seasoned with salt and spices. He couldn't eat it. I tasted it and found it heavy on seasoning as well.

Smoky wild fashioned: They smoke the glasses by your table and the drinks were very good. Smooth and flavourful.

So overall, for the price you pay. I'd come for a special occasion but not regularly as the food just wasn't amazing. Was it good. Yes it was good -ish. Some amazing hits and some misses. Just can't justify 5 ⭐...

This place was hopping when we arrived for our 730 pm reservation through Open Table. I'm glad businesses are rebounding but it was very difficult to hear the hostess tell us that our table was not yet ready. We went to the bar where she sat and I stood because there was no stool. She had a house red and I had a Rose Manhattan. The 2 drinks were $34.10! Naturally, we nursed them because I didn't want to take out a small loan for additional drinks. At 751 pm the hostess said our table was ready outside. The atmosphere outdoors was much more pleasant than inside. It was quiet, the restaurant windows were tinted so we weren't staring awkwardly at other patrons, and the balcony was screened in. There was a nice view of the hill country and was quite serene. While still drinking my Manhattan at 804 pm, I noticed there was a rather large chip on the rim of my glass so I informed the apologetic waiter and he brought me a new one at 808 pm. He immediately took his leave and once he again approached, we ordered bread at 814 which arrived at 830. At 835 we ordered our dinner and a bottle of wine. The bread was quickly brought by another associate. At 851, we received our entrees and we reminded the waiter of our wine order; that, of which he had forgotten. At 853 he returned to tell us that there was no more of that particular wine in stock so we gave an alternative. At 859 our wine arrived. Being 8 minutes after our food arrived, it was beginning to get cold. We dove in anyway. She ordered the salmon pictured below and I ordered the wagyu meatloaf cupcakes, also pictured below. Her salmon was terrific and cooked very well but the rice was akin to something I had once receivedin the cafeteriain middle school. You'll notice it was essentially untouched and remained that way for the duration of the meal. However, as alluring as waygu beef sounds, the taste of meatloaf was quite overwhelming and the sauce provided gave it an overly-sweet taste. I detected no hint of Wagyu in the portions. The 'cupcake' was topped with charred mashed potatoes and had cutlets of carrots and peas trickled on top - maybe four or five of each. It was tasty but I've had had the same dining experience while camping. I challenge Carve to reinvest some time in this dish, as it could be profound. At 918 we were asked if everything was ok. My dinner was already complete but the temperature of her meal had thrown her appetite. We asked for boxes to package the meal up and he took them to take care of it himself. We also requested the check. At 922 he arrived with a bag and her meal packed. At 929 we received a box for the bread and finally, at 930, we received the check. An overall good experience but staffing levels could be improved to reduce a 2 hour stay at a busy restaurant. Having one associate working the entire balcony and two interior tables isn't conducive to a pleasant dining experience. Nor, should he have to apologize each time he makes contact with us because of a delay or a discrepancy with the order. If you've made it to this point in the review, I salute you. I apologize for being so long winded but I feel it's necessary as so many businesses are trying to recoup from such a long dwell out of the norm....