Ember Kitchen — Restaurant in Austin

Review for Ember - Austin, Texas

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

My husband and I recently had the pleasure of dining at Ember during our visit to Austin, Texas, and I can confidently say that our experience was nothing short of spectacular! Coming from the Hamptons, where five-star dining is the norm, we have high expectations for our culinary adventures, and Ember exceeded them in every way.

From the moment we walked in, we were welcomed by a vibrant atmosphere that set the stage for an unforgettable meal. Our server, Cameron, was the highlight of our evening. His infectious enthusiasm for the menu and friendly demeanor made us feel right at home. As a delightful surprise, he offered us complimentary shots of limonada de muerto, a specialty from the chef, which was a thoughtful touch that truly enhanced our dining experience.

We kicked off our meal with an appetizer of fresh chicharrones drizzled with freshly squeezed lime juice, which was a perfect balance of texture and flavor. The small plate of “shrimp scampi,” featuring four jumbo shrimp in a rich buttery sauce accompanied by freshly made pita bread, was absolutely phenomenal. My husband raved about the octopus appetizer, noting its incredible freshness and vibrant flavors.

For my entrée, I chose the halibut served in a creamy yellow tomato sauce, and it was simply divine. Cameron’s recommendations were spot on, and I appreciated his insight into the menu. We also decided to indulge in the Beef Fat Potatoes as our side—let me tell you, they were worth every calorie! While I typically aim to eat more vegetables, I have no regrets about this delicious splurge.

To cap off our meal, we ordered dessert, and I couldn’t resist the cardamom meringue ice cream served over roasted pecans. The sweet and salty combination was the perfect ending to a fantastic meal.

What truly set our experience apart was Cameron’s exceptional attention to detail. He cleared our table after each course, provided fresh silverware, and even presented a selection of sharper knives for my husband’s entrée in a charming picture frame tray. His attentiveness and genuine care for our dining experience made us feel valued and well taken care of throughout the evening.

In a city full of culinary options, Ember stands out as a must-visit destination. We enjoyed our experience so much that we’re already planning to return before the end of our trip. If you’re looking for a restaurant that combines incredible food, a lively atmosphere, and outstanding service, look no further than Ember. It truly is a hidden...

Ember is a lovely place to dine. I brought my boyfriend here after watching a TikTok that highlighted the colorful, fire cooked dishes, chic decor, and crafted cocktails. You can’t taste through a phone but it was most definitely a treat for the eyes.

With his birthday just a few days away, I made the reservation. Upon arrival, we were greeted by a warm host that recommended the Subterranean bar that sits below the restaurant.

The bar was full of velvet, wood and metal textures. We thoroughly enjoyed just being in the space. The bartender was welcoming and personable, the DJ played chill music that added to the atmosphere without hindering conversation. The drinks were creative and pretty. I especially appreciated that the non-alcoholic cocktails 🍹 had just as much thought put into them as the top shelf mixes he was dishing out to the friendly crowd.

Once our table was ready, we moved upstairs and our waitress, Presley, made us feel like regulars on our first visit. The care she took going over the night’s selection helped us create a beautiful canvas and sweet, savory, sour, spicy, and umami.

We ordered the pulpo and crudo to start. The octopus was tender and well balanced with the garnishments. The first bite was like that scene in ratatouille. You know the one with the musical notes 🎶 and synesthesia. The crudo was truly exciting, never had I thought to mix berries and fish, but oh my goodness was that a delight. It was so light and summery. Like a day on the beach. The presentation of both plates made the night feel truly special.

For our main course, we ordered the wagyu and the chicken. I thought the wagyu would be the star but the blend of flavors on the chicken blew our minds. Hats off to the chef. The wagyu was tender and paired well with the onions, fennel, sauce, and tortillas. But that chicken! Not even just the chicken, the tomatoes that come with it were like an explosion of flavor. You have to try them. We complemented the proteins with the the broccolini and it help to cut through some of the proteins of the night. A great side dish to add.

For dessert, we indulged in the hibiscus sorbet and the chocolate flan. the sorbet was light not too sweet and the perfect palate cleanser before the final dish. The chocolate flan was moist, rich, and the perfect dessert to celebrate the day.

Thank you to Presley and the entire crew at Ember for helping us have such a...

Honestly the first time I’ve been upset I couldn’t add in more stars. Legit, 6/5 on the Chris scale.

Ya’ll, let me tell you about this food. Each dish we ordered was composed impeccably. You take a bite and it’s delicious, but then you try it with the sauce, and the topper and have it all together and it’s like, what happened? this is incredible. also, i’m a sauce fanatic and we ate family style (i was there with my sister, so, very appropriate). I think what bumped this all the way up to 6 was getting to mix and match a bite of this with the sauce from that, and then another bite with a bit of something from another plate.

appetizers: The crab cake came with a little salad and a butter sauce, it had big delicious chunks of crab but also corn and poblano which added a bit of heat.

The salmon crudo was out of this world. served on a bed of miso cream sauce and chili oil and topped with microgreens and crispy fried leeks. My description can’t do it justice, so I won’t. It was wow.

mains: the chicken was also served with a salad. i think it was the same that came with the crab cake, greens lightly dressed in a vinaigrette with cherry tomatoes that were fresh, but also stewed(?). i’m not clear on what magic they used, but it was simple yet delicious. The chicken was well seasoned with a dry rub. The waitress mentioned it was marinated in orange juice, and I’m not sure i could taste it, but it was freaking great, super juicy and tender, smoky with an earthy spice.

the scallops were served on one side with like a corn soup and on the other side with a roasted corn. pro-tip, the salmon was best with the salmon crudo sauce and the herb cream cheese that came with the carrots. mix and match has never been more satisfying. the corn served with the scallops was really great with the chicken 😂

sides: grilled glazed carrots served with chili oil and herbed cream cheese crispy potatoes were served on a lightly smoky cream sauce broccolini was topped with these roasted peppers that reminded me of ratatouille and served on top of this almond garlic sauce, which is maybe the only thing i’d change. not sure what i’d swap it for though (note, do not construe this as an indicator that i would not recommend the broccolini. i would sell my left foot for just one bite)

honestly, everything was phenomenal. i will be coming back. it was a truly special experience. i dined at the table of a...