Absolutely incredible dining experience! Went last night with the husband and the night from start to finish was amazing. The entire team was wonderful, from the extremely personable and friendly host for the night (I believe his name was Kavian) to all the chefs, staff and a great surprise was meeting Chef Ling herself!The courses were to die for and the portions were perfect. We can't wait to come back and share the experience with some friends!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Chris Laconte
If I could do 6 stars for arrive and atmosphere I would! Great staff and an exceptional host that made the night special.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wendy Pursch
Wonderful unique dining experience! Highly recommend for a special occasion. Each course was inventive, gorgeous and absolutely delicious. Favorites included the dumpling trio, lamb tartare and thai curry. Chef Ling herself was there but demurred being introduced or publicly lauded. She humbly served dishes and chatted with us individually, giving all the attention to her staff. You eat at a table for about 20 guests created by pushing together stainless steel work tables in their commissary working kitchen. It's not a super glamorous atmosphere but they made the table really lovely and it was so fun being in the kitchen while the dishes are prepared. Kudos to Chef Ling's whole staff for a truly memorable evening!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Erin Elan
Amazing dining experience, I literally cant think of one way it could have been better. The food was incredible, presentation on par with the best served meals I've had. Every member of the team was warm, personable, and generous with their stories and selves. I was full, I was happily buzzed, and it was such a reasonable cost for what it was. I've been to many other small table dining experiences, and they are expensive. You're paying for the intimacy of one small seating opportunity and a bunch of people's time. When you think about that, the cost is worth it.) I'm so grateful to have chef Ling providing Austin with such yumminess, and I can't wait to try the newest addition to her restaurants in that place. You know, that place...
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Racquel Cuevas
Such a beautiful dining experience. The entire team curated a perfect meal and Cavion and Dennis made the night especially memorable. The setting was as intimate and warm as it gets, with 8 diners at a communal table. We can’t wait for the season to change so we can return for a new menu.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kelly Gray
INCREDIBLE! This is a rare, unique, & high quality dining experience. The omakase set up took place in the Ling Kitchen - it was very intimate and each course was michelin star quality. The vibe & personalization of the staff made it extra special. It was a really heartfelt experience. The plating was also stellar and added to the overall experience. This was a treasured experience - highly recommend! Such good people.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ben J.
Unreal presentation and flavor. Service was outstanding and they made you feel special. We will definitely be back
Zach S.
This is a special place! Dinner at the chef's table with one of the most talented and special hearts in the business. The genius behind Lin and all of her other Austin spots has curated an amazing 5 star experience. All of the food was electric and a tasty journey. I would recommend for any special occasion or just a foodie night out.
Quan D.
I did send two emails at [email protected]. Initial one and a follow up email. Dated 10/15 and 10/19. Never heard back. Cavion actually reached out and said he was going to leave his number but never did. Tried calling back 512-953-8192 and no answer. Tried texting that number and invalid for messages.
Charles Sanford
Incredible, intimate, beautiful dining experience. I would like to try to go every season.
There's a lot of thought put in at Ling Kitchen. However, personally, it did fall short in meeting the bar for an elevated, Chinese dining experience. I appreciated the crafted chef's table experience and warmness provided by the staff. They were welcoming from the get go, providing warm tea, hot napkins, and lovely introductions. The dishware and chopsticks selections were also fabulous. I was so excited to see the next set of chopsticks per course. There was also finesse with the dumpling trio course; they were stunning to look at and incredibly designed. The details in these little things are not going unseen. However, I will never let these aspects outweigh the tasting experience. There, it fell short for me. The pros:There were expectedly good dishes for the price point, like the refreshing meal opener: salmon and kanpachi crudo, the seared seabass with crispy skin, the pork wraps. There were absolute standouts, like the mushroom soup, which had immense flavor and unforgettable savory earthiness. The ox tail curry was also delicious, easily an item I would order again and again elsewhere. The dessert was also very tasty; it had a great citrusy and sweet balance. The cons:The rest of the food tasted quite forgettable. I'm not positive if it is due to growing up with Chinese food, but I wanted wows. While the dumpling trio was cute, none of them stood out in my mouth except for the ox, whose outer shell felt like it was fried too long and sat too thick; it was leaving sores in my mouth from trying to break it apart and chew it. The skin of the crispy shrimp was unpleasant to break apart for my friend and I; I've eaten shrimp shell in other instances that were more pleasant to chew while still remaining flavorful. Their take on Peking duck was something to look forward to. It was dressed up with fois gras and caviar, but the duck itself was just alright. The cute, poo looking lobster cream egg, also just okay. It was a couple bites I would've been fine not taking. Another thing I notice in some tasting menus is an ingredient theme that floats throughout the courses. Funnily enough, theirs was charcoal for our experience. It was infused in everything... lol. May not a bad thing, just interesting is all. Overall, the effort put into the dinner experience is to be fully acknowledged. I'm glad to hear that many others have thoroughly enjoyed the tastings, though personally I could not justify a better rating for the price point.
Landraa
What a fun experience, loved it. Fantastic menu, intimate setting.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
weyl-59
An exceptional, unique and unusual dining experience -- a ten-course meal served at a common table with twenty people mostly not connected with teach other. Varied dishes typically small bites and dumplings, eaten either with chopsticks or with fingers. Cuisine was well-designed for a special evening meal -- we sat closest to the cooking area. Service was excellent with a good wine list -- most wines from California and running more than a $100 per bottle. We had a very enjoyable time.
Laura Duggan, Austin, TX Realtor
Chef Ling does it again! Wow! Field and prep kitchen for Lin’s Asian Bar during the week becomes one of the best culinary experiences we’ve ever had in Austin. A very private and so unexpected dining experience, you are warmly welcomed into the back door of the commercial kitchen as the group of 20 gathers promptly at 6:00. Beautifully served at the communal table, each course of the preset tasting menu is served with a story from the creative culinary staff. Just a magical experience. The menu changes seasonally. Reservations for Thursday, Friday and Saturday night seatings fill within minutes on the 1st of each month at noon.Vegetarian options: Although a set tasting menu, they accommodate dietary restrictions.Kid-friendliness: Not for kids.Parking: Parking behind a secure private gate
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sea Cucumber
Lew Loatman
Incredible dinning experience from start to finish! Each dish was a phenomenal display of creativity, with unique flavors and personal touch from the kitchen staff. Peeking duck with the kaluga caviar OMG!? Thank you Chef Lin, Cavione and the crew for an unforgettable experience!!
Absolutely incredible dining experience! Went last night with the husband and the night from start to finish was amazing. The entire team was wonderful, from the extremely personable and friendly host for the night (I believe his name was Kavian) to all the chefs, staff and a great surprise was meeting Chef Ling herself!The courses were to die for and the portions were perfect. We can't wait to come back and share the experience with some friends!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
If I could do 6 stars for arrive and atmosphere I would! Great staff and an exceptional host that made the night special.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wonderful unique dining experience! Highly recommend for a special occasion. Each course was inventive, gorgeous and absolutely delicious. Favorites included the dumpling trio, lamb tartare and thai curry. Chef Ling herself was there but demurred being introduced or publicly lauded. She humbly served dishes and chatted with us individually, giving all the attention to her staff. You eat at a table for about 20 guests created by pushing together stainless steel work tables in their commissary working kitchen. It's not a super glamorous atmosphere but they made the table really lovely and it was so fun being in the kitchen while the dishes are prepared. Kudos to Chef Ling's whole staff for a truly memorable evening!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing dining experience, I literally cant think of one way it could have been better. The food was incredible, presentation on par with the best served meals I've had. Every member of the team was warm, personable, and generous with their stories and selves. I was full, I was happily buzzed, and it was such a reasonable cost for what it was. I've been to many other small table dining experiences, and they are expensive. You're paying for the intimacy of one small seating opportunity and a bunch of people's time. When you think about that, the cost is worth it.) I'm so grateful to have chef Ling providing Austin with such yumminess, and I can't wait to try the newest addition to her restaurants in that place. You know, that place...
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Such a beautiful dining experience. The entire team curated a perfect meal and Cavion and Dennis made the night especially memorable. The setting was as intimate and warm as it gets, with 8 diners at a communal table. We can’t wait for the season to change so we can return for a new menu.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
INCREDIBLE! This is a rare, unique, & high quality dining experience. The omakase set up took place in the Ling Kitchen - it was very intimate and each course was michelin star quality. The vibe & personalization of the staff made it extra special. It was a really heartfelt experience. The plating was also stellar and added to the overall experience. This was a treasured experience - highly recommend! Such good people.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Unreal presentation and flavor. Service was outstanding and they made you feel special. We will definitely be back
This is a special place! Dinner at the chef's table with one of the most talented and special hearts in the business. The genius behind Lin and all of her other Austin spots has curated an amazing 5 star experience. All of the food was electric and a tasty journey. I would recommend for any special occasion or just a foodie night out.
I did send two emails at [email protected]. Initial one and a follow up email. Dated 10/15 and 10/19. Never heard back. Cavion actually reached out and said he was going to leave his number but never did. Tried calling back 512-953-8192 and no answer. Tried texting that number and invalid for messages.
Incredible, intimate, beautiful dining experience. I would like to try to go every season.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
There's a lot of thought put in at Ling Kitchen. However, personally, it did fall short in meeting the bar for an elevated, Chinese dining experience. I appreciated the crafted chef's table experience and warmness provided by the staff. They were welcoming from the get go, providing warm tea, hot napkins, and lovely introductions. The dishware and chopsticks selections were also fabulous. I was so excited to see the next set of chopsticks per course. There was also finesse with the dumpling trio course; they were stunning to look at and incredibly designed. The details in these little things are not going unseen. However, I will never let these aspects outweigh the tasting experience. There, it fell short for me. The pros:There were expectedly good dishes for the price point, like the refreshing meal opener: salmon and kanpachi crudo, the seared seabass with crispy skin, the pork wraps. There were absolute standouts, like the mushroom soup, which had immense flavor and unforgettable savory earthiness. The ox tail curry was also delicious, easily an item I would order again and again elsewhere. The dessert was also very tasty; it had a great citrusy and sweet balance. The cons:The rest of the food tasted quite forgettable. I'm not positive if it is due to growing up with Chinese food, but I wanted wows. While the dumpling trio was cute, none of them stood out in my mouth except for the ox, whose outer shell felt like it was fried too long and sat too thick; it was leaving sores in my mouth from trying to break it apart and chew it. The skin of the crispy shrimp was unpleasant to break apart for my friend and I; I've eaten shrimp shell in other instances that were more pleasant to chew while still remaining flavorful. Their take on Peking duck was something to look forward to. It was dressed up with fois gras and caviar, but the duck itself was just alright. The cute, poo looking lobster cream egg, also just okay. It was a couple bites I would've been fine not taking. Another thing I notice in some tasting menus is an ingredient theme that floats throughout the courses. Funnily enough, theirs was charcoal for our experience. It was infused in everything... lol. May not a bad thing, just interesting is all. Overall, the effort put into the dinner experience is to be fully acknowledged. I'm glad to hear that many others have thoroughly enjoyed the tastings, though personally I could not justify a better rating for the price point.
What a fun experience, loved it. Fantastic menu, intimate setting.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
An exceptional, unique and unusual dining experience -- a ten-course meal served at a common table with twenty people mostly not connected with teach other. Varied dishes typically small bites and dumplings, eaten either with chopsticks or with fingers. Cuisine was well-designed for a special evening meal -- we sat closest to the cooking area. Service was excellent with a good wine list -- most wines from California and running more than a $100 per bottle. We had a very enjoyable time.
Chef Ling does it again! Wow! Field and prep kitchen for Lin’s Asian Bar during the week becomes one of the best culinary experiences we’ve ever had in Austin. A very private and so unexpected dining experience, you are warmly welcomed into the back door of the commercial kitchen as the group of 20 gathers promptly at 6:00. Beautifully served at the communal table, each course of the preset tasting menu is served with a story from the creative culinary staff. Just a magical experience. The menu changes seasonally. Reservations for Thursday, Friday and Saturday night seatings fill within minutes on the 1st of each month at noon.Vegetarian options: Although a set tasting menu, they accommodate dietary restrictions.Kid-friendliness: Not for kids.Parking: Parking behind a secure private gate
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sea Cucumber
Incredible dinning experience from start to finish! Each dish was a phenomenal display of creativity, with unique flavors and personal touch from the kitchen staff. Peeking duck with the kaluga caviar OMG!? Thank you Chef Lin, Cavione and the crew for an unforgettable experience!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Peking Duck