CARVE American Grille - Central Austin — Restaurant in Austin

I struggle to explain exactly how confusing our experience was. It started with making a reservation, as suggested by their website. We were early and the restaurant was... empty. Maybe 7 total tables occupied, two of which were crowded and with children. For some reason, despite a reservation and a mostly empty dining area, we were seated directly in the middle of the two loudest tables in the seating area. It should be mentioned that the hostess who directed us did so with the most standoffish attitude and unfriendly demeanour you can imagine. How she was front of house is beyond me. After quietly asking our waiter if we could maybe reposition somewhere quieter and confirming that it wouldn't interfere with his section for his shift, host lady walks up and LOUDLY says, "DID YOU WANT TO BE MOVED?" Sure, lady, thanks for the discretion.

Now, the reason I didn't want to mess with our server, Mr. Curtis', section is that this gentleman was AMAZING. Knew the menu, knew the restaurant, super polite, friendly, attentive, and not overbearing at all. Seriously, I'd love to rate him separately and he's the sole reason CARVE got two stars and not one. The 5 star rating I gave is in spite of host lady's immediately off-putting attitude, not inclusive of it.

The food. Yeesh, this needs a standalone in what NOT to do. The salad was okay. The burger was requested medium and arrived well done. A common mistake, but for what CARVE purports itself to be, was unexpected. The ribs... oh, boy. The ribs. After waiting for around 25min after we ordered, they arrived. Cold. Not lukewarm, not room temperature, cold. I'm typically hesitant to send food back for any reason at all since I've worked in the restaurant industry, but these may have come straight from the fridge and spent a couple of minutes under a heat lamp before they made it to my table. Curtis was on the job and handled it professionally, taking the plate back to the kitchen where it was subsequently immediately tossed in the microwave and returned on the same plate. So, now I have a plate full of chewy, slightly-warmer-than-they-were-before ribs. Honestly, I laughed. For all the expectations I had of CARVE, this was so hilariously BAD that I couldn't help but see the humour.

To their credit, we were offered a comped dessert, which wasn't terrible, as compensation. The torched chocolate probably could have been more "charred" and less "burned to ash," but free is free. The lemon tart was definitely tart and not for everyone, but I enjoyed it. The banana creme was decent and worth getting if you enjoy sweet desserts, but stick with the sampler size.

Overall, it seems they maintain their reputation through self-created word of mouth and clever marketing whilst being in a prime location. Your money would be better spent on better food that's made...

Carve American Grille – Austin: Where Butcher-Fresh Meets Fire-Grilled Perfection

Carve American Grille redefines the modern steakhouse with bold flavors, live-fire cooking, and an upscale yet approachable atmosphere. From hand-cut steaks to creative takes on comfort food, this spot delivers a standout experience for both casual diners and steakhouse purists.

Atmosphere & Ambiance

Carve impresses with its sleek yet warm design. The spacious bar, complete with an eye-catching hanging light fixture, sets the tone for an upscale dining experience. A glass display of premium cuts of meat teases the quality of what's to come, and the open kitchen adds a sense of excitement to the meal.

The Food

Signature Wagyu Meatloaf Cupcakes – A creative take on a comfort classic. The meatloaf is rich, smoky, and topped with beautifully piped mashed potatoes that are torched for a perfect char.

Lobster Corn Dogs – A playful yet refined appetizer. Crispy cornmeal batter gives way to succulent lobster, served over a fresh slaw with a drizzle of tangy sauce.

22 oz. Bone-In Cowboy Ribeye – The star of the show. Cooked to perfection with a great sear, juicy interior, and finished with Carve’s signature steak butter.

Pork Belly with Braised Red Cabbage – A perfect balance of richness and acidity. The crispy, caramelized edges of the pork belly contrast beautifully with the tangy braised cabbage and fresh apple slices.

Truffle Mac & Cheese – Smoky, cheesy, and elevated with the right amount of truffle essence.

Chicken Fried Steak – Massive in size and crispy perfection, smothered in a flavorful mushroom gravy that doesn't overpower the crunch.

Final Thoughts

Carve delivers an outstanding steakhouse experience without the pretense. Their mix of traditional and playful dishes, high-quality meats, and attention to detail make this a must-visit for anyone looking for a top-tier meal in Austin. Whether you're in for a steak, inventive appetizers, or a bold take on a classic, Carve proves it’s more than just another steakhouse—it’s a true...

My friend and I visited Carve hoping for an enjoyable and memorable dining experience. While it was indeed memorable, it was unfortunately for all the wrong reasons.

We dined here nearly two weeks ago, and I initially hesitated to write this review because I didn’t want to come across as overly critical. However, after discussing my experience with friends who have also eaten at Carve and hearing similar accounts, I felt it was worth sharing my thoughts.

The biggest issue was the service. It was, at best, very slow, and at worst, left us feeling like unwelcome guests. While I understand that restaurants can have off nights, the level of service we received was disappointing enough to impact our overall experience.

That said, the food itself was a quite good. Everything we ordered was well-prepared and beautifully presented. The bar drinks were yummy as well.

We started with the spinach artichoke dip appetizer, which was delicious—the dip was creamy, and the chips were crisp and perfectly salted. My friend opted for the three-for-$39 meal, which included chef’s chicken soup, fireworks chicken, and smashed potatoes. While I didn’t taste the soup, it had a homemade aroma, and my friend, who typically doesn’t enjoy brothy soups, found it very flavorful. The fireworks chicken was moist and well-seasoned. However, the smashed potatoes were underwhelming and lacked flavor.

I ordered the Hawaiian ribeye, which was nicely seasoned and enjoyable despite being slightly undercooked. I paired it with the Brussels sprouts, which were cooked to perfection—crisp, caramelized, and full of flavor.

Unfortunately, the poor service overshadowed our meal to the extent that we decided to skip dessert and a nice glass of port, opting instead to have desert elsewhere.

In summary, Carve has potential as a great spot for takeout or maybe sit at the bar, but I wouldn’t recommend it for a full dining experience—at least not based on my visit. If the service improves, it could be a restaurant worth revisiting, but as it stands, I can’t confidently...