Duo Modern @ Market Hill — Restaurant in Round Top

Duo has a tremendous atmosphere and venue. If you are just there for a cocktail or wine, then you will be fine. If you are hungry, other options are available. We arrived Saturday early evening (530) to a half-filled restaurant. Seating was not an issue; sit where you feel comfortable. It's all good there. The service staff is very attentive using a team approach. Drink orders were filled promptly; refills a plenty without issue. Watchful service that is not overbearing. After our orders were taken and turned in is when I began noticing the kitchen staff does not work as a team. The kitchen lacks leadership and the expeditor is not in control. We ordered the Parmesan Truffle Fries, Margherita Pizza, Arugula salad, and Asparagus / Corn Risotto. Grilled bread was delivered promptly with a dish of butter...quite delicious. French fries came out of the fryer and went into a stainless bowl and began their wait under the heat lamp. The arugula salad then arrived in the window a few seconds later and began its wait. I noticed one of the cooks pulling a prefab pizza crust from the freezer and putting it into the oven. While it was baking, the risotto landed in the window. The pizza crust baked for approximately five minutes and came out for preparation. Sauce, cheese, and fresh tomatoes were added and back into the oven for another five minutes. During this time the fries, salad, and risotto continued to be held under their respective heat lamps - the salad simply sitting waiting for service. The pizza was removed from the oven, sliced, and plated. The cook standing guard over the fries removed their limp beings from the stainless bowl into a service bowl where fresh Parmesan was grated over the top to awaken them. Unfortunately, truffles never got invited to the party. Needless to say, the fries were limp, warming lamp warm, and void of flavor. The risotto had not received enough Italian loving. It was cooked, but not developed. The individual grains were still individuals...they had not been given the opportunity to come together as a team. Very disappointing because there is a tremendous amount of potential here. The pizza...the prefab crust is a total deal killer here. Totinos doesn't have much to worry about. The arugula salad was good. The dressing was in balance with the greens and fruit. It was fine for a salad. Meanwhile, another 10+ minutes had elapsed and another order of fries came into the kitchen. Ditto the process. Limp fries put into service, Parmesan grated over the top, and served. Service of these fries was some 20 minutes after their cooking. Another pizza order came in. Freezer opened, dough disc removed and placed in oven, and you know the rest. I told our server the quality needed greater attention to detail. After paying the bill I requested our server to return to recap. Sadly he chose not to return. It was an unfortunate visit. Duo is a great place to recoup after a day of activity. The bar / wine list is full scale. The menu has great selections. The kitchen is where the wheels come off as the creation of a great meal falls significantly short due to lack of leadership and...

Read previous reviews and decided to stop for lunch on our visit to Round Top. The restaurant is unusual in that it is located inside the Paul Michael Company antiques/home furnishings building. Tables and chairs one sits on are actually for sale, food is cooked behind a diner counter (location previously served as a PM Company cafeteria). Menu varies daily and is displayed on an electronic board. Flat rate $16 fetched one a house salad and an entree. We ordered the Kobe Burger with fries, chicken quesadilla, and vegetarian and mixed meat El Norte Taco plates. Portions were more than generous. Initially we were a bit skeptical as service related to drinks and the offerings themselves were a bit under par - later learned the restaurant is new and still settling in. And looking at the menu, wondered if we had made a mistake - “Tex-Mex” at $16 an entree? However, once the food arrived and we tasted it, our opinions changed drastically for the better! Food was nothing like the Tex-Mex we were used to in Houston…it was modern Mexican in character and composition; fresh, incredibly tasty, and unusual with welcome touches such as beautifully spiced fries, great dressing on the wonderfully tasty dishes, and superb homemade spicy habanero salsa (bought two quarts to take home). Service was friendly and superb…subsequently went over to compliment the Executive Chef/owner, Gino Llanes, and had a great chat with him about his background (he was head chef at Caracol in Houston) and his/his partner, Nate’s journey to the present location. A wonderfully bold experiment by Gino and Nate, hoping it will thrive/prosper - restaurant has been open for 3 months and as things settle down, it should progress as a local landmark! Best wishes to Gino, Nate and the staff at Duo Modern! P.S. Squeaky clean and welcoming...

If you've been to Round Top, you've most likely been to the amazing Paul Michael Company store, Market Hill or been to the Holiday House in the back (if you haven't, go). Duo is the restaurant on site and provides a great option for dining for folks who are out and about shopping and locals alike. Due to the size of the dinner I was planning for Round Top Film Festival Duo provided a beautiful option for an elevated private dinner. I went through all the pictures online to find menu items from Duo and asked if they could be an option for the menu. Jake and Chef Gino were able to accommodate. The plating was beautiful and I'm sorry, I can't seem to find a photo of the main course which was tenderloin to share, but guests said everything was delicious. The group was large, over 130 and the Duo team were gracious enough to move the tables around a few times to make sure we could fit everyone comfortably. The service staff, small, but might worked the room and worked together to make sure drinks were in hands and courses were delivered. It was an exceptional night and so thankful for Jake, Chef Gino, the entire kitchen and service team, Paul, Elizabeth, and Debra for making this event happen. It was truly a team effort. If you get a chance to dine at Duo either for lite fare, lunch, dinner or a private event, you are in good...