watertrade — Restaurant in Austin

We went to watertrade for my birthday and it was the BEST experience from the moment we walked in. The note in my phone about this place starts “the most incredible tasting meal of my life.” I mean it! The restaurant is intimate and dimly lit with comfy but oh so classy seating. We would have been happy at the bar, but wound up being seated at a small couch with a table that had plenty of room for the spread of food and drinks we enjoyed. The hostess and server were super informative and took such great care of us. We were greeted with a welcome toast of sake, immediately put in an order of oysters, and spent a good amount of time looking at a thoughtfully crafted drink menu. I loved that the drink menu was organized by seasons and there was a good mix of alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks that all sounded unique and special. I liked our food strategy- we went through the menu and put in an order of a bunch of things, then we went back at the end and reordered our favorites! The oysters with roe were quite possibly the best thing I’ve ever tasted… so good (bright, fresh, fun texture!) we put in another smaller order at the end of the meal so it could be the last thing we tasted, too. We ordered the Jurojin’s dram and the Yaeyama Baby! For our first drinks. Yeayama was like nothing I’ve had before, and the flavor was really satisfying…I kept stealing sips, and the shortbread that came with it was tender and a fun complement to the drink. Jurojin’s dram was a little spicy and smoky but still bright and light with citrus. After oysters, we shared the chef’s choice sushi roll which was perfectly spicy and salty with a tiny pipette of soy sauce that was more than enough for us! Next came a white fish with super delicate mandarin pieces and yellow flower petals and Ocean Trust (Ponzu, asian pear, lemon balm, frozen tomato, cucumber, cucumber weed). We wound up getting the ocean trust again because it was also the best combination of fresh flavors and textures! There was a special sushi roll for gay pride month —Spanish ham with sardines and a white sauce and vinegar dip. Yum! The Wagyu bites were smoky and melt in your mouth tender, and I’m glad we got a couple per our server’s suggestion so we could each savor our own. We ordered the Aji Sashimi twice, too! It was perfectly smoky and salty…but also sashimi, so SO fresh! I can’t remember the name of the last drink we shared, but it was sweet but balanced. The escargot did not get a big shoutout in my note, but not because it wasn’t delicious. Served with shredded carrot and potato chips, like everything else it was balanced, interesting, and so special. I didn’t see the bill, and I’m glad because, even though it was a birthday treat, I’m sure I would have felt a little guilty. Even with the variety of foods we savored, dinner was light. I would not come here starving unless you’re ready to drop a tiny fortune. Grab a snack before hand, and...

Cool Concept, Great Service – Just Missed the Welcome Toast

Visited this Japanese-style speakeasy and really enjoyed the overall vibe and service. The concept is unique and the space feels intimate, with a clear focus on creating a curated experience around both food and drink.

There’s a $10 booking fee, which is supposed to include a welcome toast from the bar—but unfortunately, we never received ours. That was a bit of a letdown, especially since it was part of the booking fee.

We were seated at the bar at first, and the bartender was super friendly, introduced himself right away, and walked us through the menu in detail. After a bit, a group sat next to us that made us feel uncomfortable, and without us even saying anything, the staff noticed and offered to move us to a table. That kind of attentiveness really stood out and was genuinely appreciated.

As for the food: Escargots – just okay, nothing memorable. Nasu fries – a bit too sour for my taste, but interesting. Maki roll with fish – decent, but there was a surprise kick of spice that wasn’t mentioned on the menu. Not sure if it came from the soy sauce or another ingredient, but a heads-up would’ve been nice. Wagyu nigiri – really good, would definitely order again. Sando dessert – a fun and tasty finish, with a churro-like twist that made it stand out.

The cocktails were well-crafted, though definitely on the pricey side. Drinks are charged by the ounce, and pricing depends on the spirit you choose for the base—so something to keep in mind if you're budgeting.

Despite the missed welcome toast, the staff was knowledgeable and attentive, clearly passionate about both the drinks and the overall experience. I’d return—now knowing exactly what I’d order and what to...

Your discreet bar is a true gem, where minimalism meets artistry. This is the third time my bride and I have visited and your warm wooden accents and intimate ten (?, twelve?) seat counter & relaxed seating area create a serene atmosphere. Every cocktail, crafted with seasonal ingredients, and each omakase dish, perfectly balanced, made our experience exceptional. The service was attentive, yet never intrusive. What truly stood out was the seamless blend of tradition and innovation. Your servers & bartenders, with their personal touch, shared insights that deepened our appreciation for each creation. The modern twists in the omakase, like the smoky take on a Negroni with wagyu nigiri & nasu frites, were delightful surprises. Thank you, Team Watertrade, for an...