Comedor — Restaurant in Austin

My fist visit and surely not my last at Comedor!

My sister was in town visiting and we were in the mood for drinks and bites while catching up. It was raining and Monday, and finding parking downtown is always a challenge. The adjacent garage with valet parking was perfect. ($12).

I’m glad I was with my sister, who’s son works there and had been before or I might have missed the entrance. The matte black metal door tucked into a corner is subtle and easy to miss.

Once inside, the focus is the back wall; incredible selection of spirits; tequilas and mezcals. Behind the liquor shelving, a glass brick wall obscures the street view but allows natural light through. I found it really relaxing watching the light change as the sun set, the staff placing small candles along the shelves creating an intimate feel. The bar runs nearly the length of the long, rectangular seating area, the seating was solid and comfortable, and even with a large group of maybe 18 folks behind us, my sister and I could converse without yelling.

The room has tons of natural light thanks to the wall of floor to ceiling (a very high ceiling too!) windows looking out to an atrium for outdoor seating. It would be really fun to have a it booked for a private party.

Our bar server Mason, was adorable, very professional, and made the best margaritas! We both picked the same one, The Comedor margarita and I enjoyed watching him expertly shake them to perfection. I could have enjoyed a few more but had a long drive ahead so I focused on the food instead.

Oh what incredible food! Everything is served small plate style for sharing, artfully presented with enough per order to enjoy but not be bored by the last bite. The unique recipes created with incredibly fresh ingredients made each bite memorable.

We had the oysters on the half shell (2 per order), not something I normally would order but was glad I tried. So fresh, with a hint of brine and savory flavors.

Then we had an unusual dish; several pieces of (seaweed?) lightly fried earthyness, hiding two each of delicately prepared sushi style fish that melted in the mouth, all swirled in an incredible (watermelon?) smooth salsa sauce that if there had been bread I’d have mopped the bowl clean.

Next we feasted on the bone marrow tacos….oh yes please! The most tender red corn tortillas served along with two large beef bones atop lightly dressed and warmed kale, garnished with red onion. This was outstanding! I’ve made bone marrow before and this was expertly prepared and not something to miss.

We also had (3 large) the taquito style taco plate,(3 per) served with another sauce that we couldn’t get enough. Very delicious!

Slowing down,an order of the mild yet soothing hot lemongrass and ginger tea was perfect with our two desserts.

Dessert one: A very large cup of rich cafe de Olla, topped with a creamy, lightly sweet dulce de lecha whipped (mouse?) concoction (I’d take a bowl of that, please!) and finished with a stout churro nestled inside the rim of the cup. I’ll admit the churro was a challenge to break apart for sharing. Being sturdy enough to require more than a spoon, it floated on the cream; not absorbing the hot coffee below, remaining crispy. I ended up taking it home, and every last cinnamon sugar coated morsel was consumed. The gorgeous, creamy Dulce de leche was the star of that dessert in my opinion.

Dessert 2; Two unassuming spheres, approx 2” in diameter. One coated in a colorful mix of sesame seeds artfully protecting the extraordinary fresh churned Carmel ice cream beneath. TIP: Scoop the ice cream onto your spoon then scoop some from the other sphere; a super dark, barely sweetened, rich, dense, chocolate fudge meets a brownie type confection with a warm Carmel surprise center. Combing the three flavors onto one spoonful was a delicious experience and lovely way to end the meal. Thank...

Meh. At the best, meh. At the worst, disappointing, a wee bit pretentious and very not worth it. We scheudled a work dinner here, with the idea of a wonderful treat for our colleagues and a couple clients; a group of 9 people, so not huge. Please see pics of the food as it is pretty food, good quality ingredients and what seems to be thoughtful preparation. But here is the thing - it doesnt taste that good. The exception to that and two DELICIOUS items were the papas frites and the queasdilla = those were so so good and the first things to come out so I thought we were in for a good meal. I will also say the "Beet Happening" with some tequila was SUCH A GOOD DRINK!!! But the fish tacos are GROSS, dry fish, dry hard shells, a sad piece of odd flavord cabbage - nope. The bone marrow tacos were also disappointing as there was a surpirising lack of flavor. The cabbage mushroom dish was so oddly flavored and the poor oyster mushrooms in the dish had been tortured as part of the prep,,,they were bouncy and chewy and weird tasting. We also had two desserts - a molten cake/ice cream balls dessert that was legit offputting and a pavlova dessert that had a small portion under it that was kinda good but it was just not something you really wanted to eat. The kicker for me may have been the service...or the chef, i am not sure where the root of the problem is. The service was SO SLOW and when we requested things, they were not accomodating. The server was almost argumentatively pretentious. We had someone at the table that wasnt into the "para la table" items coming out (Which may i note, very little to any of the food listed MATCHED the descriptions?!?!) so we reqeusted to please bring him a filet so he could eat with us. And the servers argued with us "The Chef prefers everyone at the table eat at the same time the same things" - do what? We said please just bring him a steak and ONE HOUR LATER, they brought out TWO 46 oz steaks for the table. Again, do what? The chef prefers to force us to buy two giant steaks??? Everyone left the meal extremely disatisfied and feeling a little robbed...there was SO MUCH STEAK brought out, that we had it packaged up and gave it away to a homeless person because the waste was gross. And the cost was grosser. The atmosphere is very neat and the look is cool. It was REALLY REALLY cold in the restaraunt and near the end, everyone was uncomfortable. Maybe heaters or blankets? To another reviewers note, the building is black, the door is black, the sign is black, so it is very easy to miss. Not well thought out in that regard, or maybe just more pretention. Regardless, I will never be back here - there are too many way better places in Austin to eat. I also took the liberty of sharing with the mutliple conference groups we have as Austin is a regular conference place to make note to avoid this spot for any dinners with clients - poor expereience all around, you do NOT want to take...

Comedor in downtown Austin is an absolute gem. As a frequent visitor, I can confidently say that this restaurant has something for everyone, and it never disappoints. The ambiance is simply stunning, making it an ideal spot for any occasion, whether it’s a date night, a business meeting, a solo dinner at the bar, or a lovely evening out with the family.

One of my favorite places to sit is at the bar, especially when Toby, Seth, and TK are working. These bartenders are not just skilled in their craft; they are also fun, knowledgeable, and incredibly welcoming. They always make my visits enjoyable and memorable.

Comedor's menu is impressive, catering to a wide range of tastes and preferences. I find it phenomenal that everything is gluten-free, except for one dessert item—the churro. This means I'm not limited to only a few menu items, which is fantastic since I personally have to eat gluten-free. Additionally, they source only the finest ingredients from local farms, which is why their menu changes often, keeping things fresh and exciting.

For those who prefer non-alcoholic beverages, the selection is excellent. I love their creative non-alcoholic cocktails; they're unique and delicious. During my last visit, I enjoyed a non-alcoholic bottle of sparkling rosé. It was awesome to enjoy a wine-like experience with dinner, especially since I was dining with my kids and had to drive half an hour home. Their cocktails are also not to be missed if you're in the mood for a drink—each one crafted to perfection.

Although Comedor might not be specifically designed for kids, the dishes are versatile and can easily be enjoyed by younger diners, especially if you have the toppings held or served on the side to suit your child’s preferences. My kids, for instance, love the fish tacos, the chicken, and the papas (fried potatoes). These dishes, with their simple and delicious flavors, are always a hit. They also always enjoy the aguas frescas.

As for my personal favorites, they tend to evolve as the menu changes, but currently, I can't get enough of the avocado tostada, the quesadilla, the chicken, the potatoes, and the pavlova. These are my favorite dishes from the current offerings, and every one of them is exceptional. The chicken is a standout—a true sleeper hit that I highly recommend. Most dishes are designed to share, but I recommend getting your own pavlova for dessert. It's the perfect end to a delightful dinner and I find myself always wishing I had ordered one just for myself, as I'm scraping every last bit from the bowl.

Overall, everything at Comedor is delicious, and the space is beautiful. Whether you're looking for a relaxed solo dinner at the bar or a delightful family outing, Comedor in downtown Austin is the...