Was so incredibly disappointed. La Calamar is new and I had heard such great things. With so many fantastic places in Austin, it is hard to stand out-however, it wouldn't have taken much! Yo begin, I booked the reservation at least a month in advance. I eat out often and we were celebrating a birthday-I was hoping for a nice table. We got an ordinary table in the middle of the main row. The server never introduced herself or refilled our water (except one time with just one bottle). They don't have any diet soda (and when you don't drink-it is nice to able to have something)-no problem I ordered a bottle of sparking water. Never to be asked if I would like another drink or another bottle of water. The food was great. But when you pay for quality, the service should be quality too. But this was the big bummer. They don't serve coffee or espresso with dessert. The server told us they “don't have room”. Although they have a HUGE entry!! It is completely empty!!! I have never been to a high end restaurant with coffee or tea service. So-needless to say-I don't think I will go back. Maybe for an expensive casual dinner. But I wouldn't go for a celebration.
Maria
The kitchen was backed up and our food took forever to arrive. The staff tried their best to help even with offering a free drink, but we were starving. We ordered the Fixed menu and every single item arrived late . The food was ok, nothing special for the price we paid for. It is indeed overpriced. The staff mentioned they were backed up due to a kitchen person been sick but restaurants usually plan ahead for this type of issue. We will not be coming back and we do not recommend this place.
Khoury
I was recommended by a friend to take my company here for Christmas dinner and they did not disappoint! We did the pre fixe menu with wine pairings. I love that each course had many things to taste unlike some pre fixes where you get one plate per course. The flavors were spot on with a Texas meets French flare! I was so happy with our experience and everyone at the table would agree, it was a meal to remember! Make sure you dine with them. They are wonderful!
Jovita
The mushroom was the best thing I have eaten in a while. The rest of the food was solid, but the overall experience was brought down by the service. Our waiter wasn't super busy, but we would often have a delay on our drinks. We had to check in on drink orders several times, which at times ruined the vibe and flow of service.
Emily
The already incredible food somehow gets even better each time we visit and so many gluten free options.
Thomas
This was our second visit and was as good as the first, our group of 5 had a variety of entrees all were very good. Wines by the glass offered a good number of choices.
Lewis
Good Vibe Good Service Pricey Skimpy White Wine Pour Enjoyed Both Courses & Sides Hard Managing Parking Garage Will Uber Next Time
Heath
We had high hopes for Le Calamar, but unfortunately we left incredibly disappointed. The moment we sat down, the table was very wobbly and we had to ask twice for assistance to stabilize it so things wouldn't fall over. The servers were overall aloof and took a long time to wait on us. Their odd timing of serving drinks without the paired course was frustrating, as well as their "no pouring water policy" for their guests (according to the co-owner, Claudia, who we asked to speak with before leaving). The food was delicious, once they got our order right. With so many other amazing restaurants to choose from, we will not be wasting our time or money going to Le Calamar.
Jonathan
Hate to write this, because Le Calamar is at the end of my block, and I really, really want to like it. Unfortunately, I don't. I don't hate it, but at its price point, and for what it's aspiring to be, it misses. Service was not great. My wife was condescended to when she asked about an item on the menu, my son's order (flatiron steak and tallow fries) was brought out in two pieces, at least five minutes apart, and while the waiter was attentive, I got the strong impression he had better things to be doing. Don't get me wrong, I've waited tables myself, and I often felt that way. But a big part of your skillset is that you don't let the customer know that. And the food - mediocre. The tallow fries were an exception - delicious. I ordered sea bass. The fish was well-cooked, the sauce was well executed, and they absolutely didn't go together. Sauce overwhelmed the fish, and was applied in such a way that the nicely crisped skin was saturated and chewy. My wife's crudo was interesting in terms of palate, hazelnut forward in a good way, but the fish itself was, well, rubbery. Too long in citrus? Mostly, though, these missteps would be forgiven if the place felt like the neighborhood bistro it's says it's trying to be. Didn't feel particularly neighborly. Didn't feel particularly anything, actually. Checking boxes without much heart. I will give it another chance, for sure (this was the second time I've been), but only because it's so close, and I so want to like it. But three strikes are three strikes.
Hallie
the pan roasted chicken was one of the best entrees I have had in a minute! Don't skip on the fries and the salade de laitue. all 3 together were a triple threat. Service was warm and conversational. Great wines BTG. super stoked to see the space since Underdog- a testament to the rebuilding of a concept while keeping its original heart. Can't wait to come back and try the chicken liver and the steak.
We will return!!!!!!!!!!!!! They do have some kinks in their reservation system that we are sure they will work out. This spot is high on our list................
sean
Great service great food beautiful looking place a nice mix of French cuisine with an Austin look
Michael
Our dishes were not well presented! I will never go for The Pri fixe again! The appetizers were great, but the entrees were underwhelming and the dessert was OKAY....service was just adequate. Charged for essentially $12 for a hash brown and $2.50 for extra garlic aiolis(basically a mayonnaise)...
Dave
Our first visit, but won't be our last. One of best dining experiences we had in a long time. The atmosphere is very welcoming and our server Morgan was informative and on point the whole evening. Our group had the Fish crudo and Chicken liver pate to start... both were outstanding. Followed by The chicken and steak entrees which didn't disappoint. The wine list also had some great choices. Can't wait to go back and try some other dishes.
Laura
We had an all-around exceptional experience dining at Le Calamar. Fantastic service, and each dish was delicious, well-balanced, and beautiful. We especially loved the skirt steak - perfectly seasoned, perfect temperature. Great wine list, too. Love the vibe of the place and can't wait to go back!
Was so incredibly disappointed. La Calamar is new and I had heard such great things. With so many fantastic places in Austin, it is hard to stand out-however, it wouldn't have taken much! Yo begin, I booked the reservation at least a month in advance. I eat out often and we were celebrating a birthday-I was hoping for a nice table. We got an ordinary table in the middle of the main row. The server never introduced herself or refilled our water (except one time with just one bottle). They don't have any diet soda (and when you don't drink-it is nice to able to have something)-no problem I ordered a bottle of sparking water. Never to be asked if I would like another drink or another bottle of water. The food was great. But when you pay for quality, the service should be quality too. But this was the big bummer. They don't serve coffee or espresso with dessert. The server told us they “don't have room”. Although they have a HUGE entry!! It is completely empty!!! I have never been to a high end restaurant with coffee or tea service. So-needless to say-I don't think I will go back. Maybe for an expensive casual dinner. But I wouldn't go for a celebration.
The kitchen was backed up and our food took forever to arrive. The staff tried their best to help even with offering a free drink, but we were starving. We ordered the Fixed menu and every single item arrived late . The food was ok, nothing special for the price we paid for. It is indeed overpriced. The staff mentioned they were backed up due to a kitchen person been sick but restaurants usually plan ahead for this type of issue. We will not be coming back and we do not recommend this place.
I was recommended by a friend to take my company here for Christmas dinner and they did not disappoint! We did the pre fixe menu with wine pairings. I love that each course had many things to taste unlike some pre fixes where you get one plate per course. The flavors were spot on with a Texas meets French flare! I was so happy with our experience and everyone at the table would agree, it was a meal to remember! Make sure you dine with them. They are wonderful!
The mushroom was the best thing I have eaten in a while. The rest of the food was solid, but the overall experience was brought down by the service. Our waiter wasn't super busy, but we would often have a delay on our drinks. We had to check in on drink orders several times, which at times ruined the vibe and flow of service.
The already incredible food somehow gets even better each time we visit and so many gluten free options.
This was our second visit and was as good as the first, our group of 5 had a variety of entrees all were very good. Wines by the glass offered a good number of choices.
Good Vibe Good Service Pricey Skimpy White Wine Pour Enjoyed Both Courses & Sides Hard Managing Parking Garage Will Uber Next Time
We had high hopes for Le Calamar, but unfortunately we left incredibly disappointed. The moment we sat down, the table was very wobbly and we had to ask twice for assistance to stabilize it so things wouldn't fall over. The servers were overall aloof and took a long time to wait on us. Their odd timing of serving drinks without the paired course was frustrating, as well as their "no pouring water policy" for their guests (according to the co-owner, Claudia, who we asked to speak with before leaving). The food was delicious, once they got our order right. With so many other amazing restaurants to choose from, we will not be wasting our time or money going to Le Calamar.
Hate to write this, because Le Calamar is at the end of my block, and I really, really want to like it. Unfortunately, I don't. I don't hate it, but at its price point, and for what it's aspiring to be, it misses. Service was not great. My wife was condescended to when she asked about an item on the menu, my son's order (flatiron steak and tallow fries) was brought out in two pieces, at least five minutes apart, and while the waiter was attentive, I got the strong impression he had better things to be doing. Don't get me wrong, I've waited tables myself, and I often felt that way. But a big part of your skillset is that you don't let the customer know that. And the food - mediocre. The tallow fries were an exception - delicious. I ordered sea bass. The fish was well-cooked, the sauce was well executed, and they absolutely didn't go together. Sauce overwhelmed the fish, and was applied in such a way that the nicely crisped skin was saturated and chewy. My wife's crudo was interesting in terms of palate, hazelnut forward in a good way, but the fish itself was, well, rubbery. Too long in citrus? Mostly, though, these missteps would be forgiven if the place felt like the neighborhood bistro it's says it's trying to be. Didn't feel particularly neighborly. Didn't feel particularly anything, actually. Checking boxes without much heart. I will give it another chance, for sure (this was the second time I've been), but only because it's so close, and I so want to like it. But three strikes are three strikes.
the pan roasted chicken was one of the best entrees I have had in a minute! Don't skip on the fries and the salade de laitue. all 3 together were a triple threat. Service was warm and conversational. Great wines BTG. super stoked to see the space since Underdog- a testament to the rebuilding of a concept while keeping its original heart. Can't wait to come back and try the chicken liver and the steak.
Restaurantji Recommends
We will return!!!!!!!!!!!!! They do have some kinks in their reservation system that we are sure they will work out. This spot is high on our list................
Great service great food beautiful looking place a nice mix of French cuisine with an Austin look
Our dishes were not well presented! I will never go for The Pri fixe again! The appetizers were great, but the entrees were underwhelming and the dessert was OKAY....service was just adequate. Charged for essentially $12 for a hash brown and $2.50 for extra garlic aiolis(basically a mayonnaise)...
Our first visit, but won't be our last. One of best dining experiences we had in a long time. The atmosphere is very welcoming and our server Morgan was informative and on point the whole evening. Our group had the Fish crudo and Chicken liver pate to start... both were outstanding. Followed by The chicken and steak entrees which didn't disappoint. The wine list also had some great choices. Can't wait to go back and try some other dishes.
We had an all-around exceptional experience dining at Le Calamar. Fantastic service, and each dish was delicious, well-balanced, and beautiful. We especially loved the skirt steak - perfectly seasoned, perfect temperature. Great wine list, too. Love the vibe of the place and can't wait to go back!
Loading...