District Kitchen + Cocktails — Restaurant in Austin

The Austin Chronicle brought me to District Kitchen + Cocktails thanks to their article, 100 Restaurants Defining Austin Dining. We arrived at around 2:30pm and the parking lot was empty, no one was on the patio and there were only a few tables full of patrons. When we sat down, we were greeted by a server who asked us if we wanted lunch or brunch since brunch was about to end, we said lunch. We didn’t see this server for about 15 minutes after that encounter. Maybe he was waiting for brunch to end? Not too sure what happened there but eventually he came back with a lunch menu. At this time, I realized that this place was owned by the same gentleman (Amir Hajimaleki) who owns one of my favorite restaurants in the Austin area, Oasthouse Kitchen + Bar (the place that introduced me to the Woodford Julep). Oasthouse operates as a tightly run ship, always has the best customer service and friendly faces along with some incredible dishes, so to say that I was excited to eat at a sister restaurant, is an understatement. I decided to order a drink and since Oasthouse introduced me to the Woodford Julep, I made the assumption that this place would also provide me with a wonderful julep experience… I was gravely mistaken. I made sure to ask, “Can the bartender make me a mint julep?” because I don’t want to be a guinea pig for the bartender’s first attempt at a drink. The server replied with a yes and I specified that I wanted it made with Woodford. Twenty minutes later, I see a silver cup coming my way, which a mint julep is typically served in, but with a lime slice on the side and a very watery consistency of a drink. After taking my first sip, I was shocked by lime juice, tequila, bourbon and sweetness. After searching “mint julep” online I noticed there was a “mint julep margarita” and I think the bartender went with that recipe because he clearly didn’t know what a mint julep was. On to the food, I ordered the Spring Pasta [$13] with a side of blackened shrimp [Additional $8]. The pasta at Oasthouse is freshly made from scratch, so I had the same expectations from District. My expectations were a mistake because the pasta was kind of thin and soggy met with a bland sauce and shrimp that weren’t exactly “blackened.” Unfortunately, this wasn’t a $21 dish... well, I paid that much but I don’t believe I received that in worth. My fiance ordered the Happy Hour portion of Street Tacos [HH: $6/Regular: $12] and King Crab + Avocado [$18] which he was delighted by both of these dishes. The tacos came with three tacos, a choice of chicken or pulled pork on corn tortillas and the king crab + avocado was in a yuzu aioli with avocado, cucumber, celery and masago. The tacos were a lot for only six dollars and the crab and avocado was almost like a ceviche, very refreshing. Final Thoughts: Overall, I was shocked to find out that District was older than Oasthouse, so it sounds like they need a refresh and revamp in order to match Oasthouse’s incredible dining experience. I’m hoping that I came in on an off-day because I’ve seen the great reviews online but I believe that they could pay more attention to detail by improving their customer service, match the quality of food with Oasthouse and not be afraid to tell a customer that they do not know what a particular drink is and start a conversation to build rapport with the patron. When the temperature cools down, hanging out on the patio might be more enticing along with ordering one of their signature drinks that they’ve done hundreds of times instead of something not on the menu. They've got a great Happy Hour menu, I suggest coming here during those hours if you make it here.

Bianca D....

Steak arrived 90% raw, fries were lukewarm. Steak went back to kitchen, fries returned a couple minutes later. stone cold. Steak returned, too salty to eat. We shared 2 bottles of wine with company who ate other meals, neither great. Zero comp until requested, then only a percentage comp. This kitchen has zero ability to cook a $60 steak frites and serve it correctly cooked and hot. This kitchen has NO pride. Shame on you, change! Neally - what on earth are you thinking to argue with a customer that zero salt was added to the steak? Too salty to eat! Am I lying? Are you lying?

I'm not there to argue with you about your over salted steak! You then say no salt was added after it was sent back? What, like I even tasted your RAW meat before sending it back? What on earth is wrong with District? I once had one of the best steak frites there, and that was clearly in different times. Shame on the current kitchen. I hate your food, and I'm certain others will be complaining and probably have been, and there are 10 who don't for each of us who do.

Good god y'all. You think a partial comp on this is fair? Like we'd have ordered two bottles of wine just to NOT eat a steak dinner? Jesus. I imbibed nothing but water as my other friends somewhat enjoyed the meal.

What a waste. What's more, the only reason to request a comp is to see if you have any shame at all. Very little, as it turns out. Take responsibility for your woefully RAW steak and COLD fries. And talk to each other. The complaint you heard was that the steak was over-cooked? I think you have communication problems as well as untrained cooks on the grill. ON STEAK NIGHT NO LESS.

Think it's enough to ask the table if the food is ok? It isn't. A kitchen at your price point should KNOW they are sending out hot fries at the very least.

The steak? I fear for the untrained palates who eat that crap. And it was once good. Good enough I came back...

I'd probably give this place at least four stars if it hadn't been for a rude surprise when we paid. My husband and I attended a jolly Happy Hour event on their patio last weekend -- a going away gathering for friends. The place was mobbed, but comfortable in spite of the searing heat, thanks to the numerous misters and fans scattered around the space.

I had checked the menu before we left and noticed wine was featured at Happy Hour for $5 per glass. My husband and I both ordered wine, chardonnay for me, Cabernet for him. The wine was delicious, as was the variety of Happy Hour nibbles that appeared on a table.

The rude surprise came with our check for $22+. I should have questioned it, but did not want to make a fuss. When we got home, we did check. Yes, I was right. $5 wine IS on the menu. So is Chardonnay for $8 or $13 a glass, and cabernet for $8 or $12. The server did not ask which we wanted, she just nodded and soon appeared with two glasses.

The wine was delicious, and we're not complaining about the price. But it was not what we intended to order, and there were choices. She did not ask which one we wanted. So we ended up with the $8 Chardonnay and the $12 Cabernet. I'm surprised I didn't get the $13 Chardonnay. Granted, if I'd been all the way on the ball, I would have noticed TWO selections listed under the Happy Hour price and known not to glibly order Chardonnay. So I can't place 100% of the misunderstanding on the super busy server. Even so, she should have clarified choices of what we did order. She wasn't THAT busy.

Hopefully, this was a fluke and not policy, but it did not leave us eager to return to a restaurant after this single visit. I'd let them know directly about this, but they don't have a Contact Us form, and I don't want to bother calling and waiting...