Tiny Boxwoods Austin — Restaurant in Austin

On a recent evening, my wife and I chose to celebrate our wedding anniversary at Tiny Boxwoods in Austin. From the moment we stepped onto the patio, we were enveloped in an enchanting ambiance, illuminated softly by the garden lighting, which cast gentle shadows and added to the intimate atmosphere. The surroundings, with green foliage and the subtle sounds of nature, created the perfect backdrop for our romantic evening.

We kicked off our culinary adventure with the Summer Burrata. The dish was a delicate balance of flavors: juicy watermelon pieces and ripe heirloom tomatoes contrasted perfectly with the creamy texture of the burrata. The pesto, aromatic and rich, added depth, while the maldon salt brought out the dish's natural flavors. The final touch of balsamic reduction drizzled over the top added a sweet and tangy contrast, making each bite a delight.

Shortly after, The Gathering Board made its appearance. This platter was a testament to the beauty of simple, high-quality ingredients. Freshly sliced Prosciutto, Salami, and Ham, each with its unique flavor profile, paired wonderfully with an array of cheeses, from the creamy Brie to the tangy Feta and the mild Baby Swiss. The olives, both green and black added a briny touch. The pickled gherkins and pimento peppers brought a refreshing tang, while the candied chestnuts and dried figs provided a sweet counterpoint. Whipped Goat Cheese, Dijon mustard butter and Jalapeño jelly offered a delightful mix of spicy and tangy dips to complement the board.

Our evening's beverages were as diverse as they were delightful. The Spring Fever, light and refreshing, combined gin with the subtle floral notes of elderflower, brightened by splashes of orange and lemon and sweetened just right with honey. The Summer's Watermelon Smash was a vibrant concoction, the sweet, fresh watermelon taste spiced up with a hint of jalapeño. The Bouldin Creek Sour and Texas Bramble, with their respective bases of bourbon and tequila, showcased the versatility of traditional spirits when combined with fruity and floral mixers. The SoCo Punch was a tropical treat, the pineapple-infused rum blending seamlessly with guava and lime.

It was the Summer Gems salad, though, that left an indelible mark. Fresh, crunchy little gems romaine lettuce was paired with slices of sweet summer peaches, toasted almonds added a nutty crunch, and smoked goat cheese delivered a hint of creaminess. The pickled red onions offered a tangy note, while the white balsamic dressing tied everything together. It's a dish so memorable that it's become my benchmark for salads.

As we neared the end of our main courses, the Featured T&H Farms Steak was served. Every bite of the farm-fresh wagyu beef was a testament to quality and preparation. Cooked to perfection, it was complemented beautifully by fresh asparagus stalks and a fluffy bed of couscous.

Before immersing ourselves in dessert, we sipped on an Espresso Martini, bold and invigorating, alongside a soothing Mocha Cappuccino. Then, the desserts: the Goat Cheese Cheesecake, a tangy twist on the classic, and the Lemon Tiramisu, light and layered with flavors.

Tiny Boxwoods, with its impeccable food, diverse drink menu, and the romantic garden setting, offered us an evening that went beyond dining—it was a memory in the making. For anyone in Austin looking for an experience, not just a meal, this is the...

Posh setting -- actually, beautifully designed(modern farmhouse, ICYC), and delicious cookies, as advertised (i remembered eating one years ago in houston, and that's what drew me in) -- and decent food, but seriously, the service is sad. After making our way through the face-lifted, pre-or-post golf game, shudder-to-think-who-they-voted-for crowd, my boyfriend and i sat at the bar to wait for our table. We waited what seemed like a tiny bit too long before the woman working behind it turned around to ask if we needed anything. She was apologetic about the wait, but from there it went downhill. We ordered drinks and a cookie. The drinks came out fairly quickly, and the cookie -- well, I was probably a bit too eager for it, and had agreed to have it warmed -- didn't appear for a while, and soon the hostess came and whisked us off to our table before cookie handover, and the wait continued. We waited.. and waited. Eventually my boo asked for menus, and we were told our waiter would be over shortly. I reminded the waiter about the cookie, and it soon appeared. Gooey, yes, delicious, yes -- but the endless waits for the most basic things were starting to kill our appetite. We ordered, and I asked how much it would be to get a side of the soup -- the waiter disappeared to find out, and didn't return for a good while -- we'd already ordered. Our food, came and we enjoyed it, but it wasn't until I was full and ready to get my food boxed and a check that someone came by with the oh-so-complicated soup. We asked for a container for it, and I raised my eyebrows when I noticed that it actually appeared on the bill. Our waiter was very over-the-top polite and fake-courteous and have-a-great-rest-of-your-weekend, but my boyfriend, usually a generous tipper, gave him a mere 10%, and I agreed w/that call. Tiny Boxwood Austin, we won't be back (though I might sneak in for a cookie at some point, please don't tell my boyfriend) -- but for the sake of your other customers, hopefully this kind of service is an exception,...

Reading the other reviews, I should have expected some issues with their customer relations.

First, I must disclose that we did not end up eating here, so my review only reflects how we were treated before getting seated.

We arrived at the restaurant as soon as they opened during the week, approximately 11:00 a.m. - and there were two parties that were seating ahead of us. One already seated outside, but then they immediately decided they wanted to be seated inside. They were immediately seated at a desirable location within the restaurant. We had a party of five in our group, and we're excited to have an amazing brunch experience. However, when we were lead into their main dining area, (of note: the restaurant was pretty empty, as it just opened), they seated us in the most undesirable location, near the noisy kitchen and work area of the waitstaff. We - immediately and reasonably - requested a different location, and the hostess gave us attitude and the heaviness could be felt as well the internal eyerolling felt. She stated she had to get "permission" from the first hostess. We waited inside, as she had to got outside and "ask permission" from the first hostess. Again, the restaurant just opened, and there was plenty of space to accommodate our requests. Needless to say, she came back and denied our request.

Bottom line: The treatment was hurtful, and customer service unacceptable.

What could have been a great experience, was just a frustrating experience that turned into a scramble to find another business that deserved out $$$. With so many options available in the city, we were able to find a place that had very good food and great...