Sugar Pine — Restaurant in Austin

Since they’ve opened, they’ve always been a little bit overrated for what it is but today they just went down to stars. In my opinion I’m here’s why. First off I was served hot tea, which wasn’t strong enough Japanese day and that was nice that they gave me a second portion, but it was weak. Then when ordering I heard this weird sound in the back like a bowling like a ping-pong ball like a video game and I asked what it was and they said oh that’s the sound it makes when an order goes through very annoying.

I was waiting for a friend and when she arrived, she said oh no, you shouldn’t have paid for your order and she wanted to pay for my order when I went to the counter to get a refund. They said oh no, we can’t refund you! What? Why not oh we have to call the manager and he has to come in here directly and put in a code. That is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard in my life. Every restaurant can offer a refund on the spot but nope not here. Then my pork Katsu came. Way too thin and the breading was falling off, so not good and the sauce was gross. They mix some kind of teriyaki sauce with a real Katsu sauce, but the teriyaki sauce wasn’t really teriyaki because the color was orange. It was not good. I had to return the rice because they gave me old rice which was stale and cold and I said to the guy at the register, please give me hot fresh rice and then he proceeded to go and give me a bowl of hot fresh rice Is it worth the price? Absolutely not. I can get a delish katsu at Kome for less than the $19.00 they charge here with twice the thickness where the breading does NOT slip...

I am so thrilled to write a review for this wonderful new restaurant. It is located on the access road, just a little ways before you hit Charles maund Toyota dealership. It has a few parking spots, but there is parking within the neighborhoods behind the restaurant as well. This area of town really really needs a wonderful restaurant like this, I spoke to a local person who was explaining to me about how when the elevated freeway was built, it just changed the charm and the warmth of this formerly wonderful area of Austin. The local people, as well as I, who spend a lot of time looking for healthy growth and positive changes in Austin, are very thankful that sugar pine has taken up residence here. Now for the food, it is served in a fabulous atmosphere and served in the manner of food you might expect to get in Japan. It is served in beautiful small vessels, and on a gorgeous tray. The salmon comes with a salad, soup, bowl of rice, sauce, and a delightful almond cookie too. For dessert, ice cream is absolutely gourmet. The flavors are amazing, I chose the Caramell swirl Miso ice cream. It was fabulous. I chose this ice cream based on a recommendation from a local person who lives within walking distance. Although the restaurant has only been open a short while, this person had already visited the restaurant three times for the ice cream. I think I'll be back many more times as well for the ice cream. I hope you will give...

Came in at lunch time, it was dead which was weird because the place was SHARP. Cleanest Japanese place I’ve been to in a while. I think the person working was an owner or manager because she was also charismatic and totally on top of things.

Got the chicken curry katsu and it came with a ton of stuff. All of which was meticulously presented and tasted amazing. It looked as well presented as something you’d see in a photoshoot or something. Also got a cold brew which tasted good and not acidic or anything.

This place needs more marketing or something because it’s doing everything right. Definitely want to try some of their ice creams or onigiri next time I come. The owners definitely really care about the image of this place and I’ll be telling friends about this one. Don’t usually give out 100% 5 stars but this place deserves that.

One note: I wouldn’t have guessed from the sign that it was a full service Japanese place. Comes off just a random dessert place. Since they’re right across from an Asian shopping center maybe it’d help to do more on that front? But maybe they’re happy with what they’re doing and that’s fine too of course!

Edit: the woman working even ran out to my car to give me my AirPods case back mere seconds after I left, she is absolutely nailing it. Wish I got her name but it seems she’s the one in a lot of the...