Flour and Vine

3.5 stars. Went for dinner last night before seeing a show at Zach. In all honesty, there's nothing wrong with this place. Good food, good ambience, good drinks, good service. There simply wasn't a whole lot memorable about it, or anything that would inspire me to rush back. I will definitely return if I want to grab a bite before a show because it's super convenient, perfectly enjoyable, and who wants to have to park twice?

I did really enjoy their list of original cocktails, and I understand that on some evenings they have a live vocalist with piano accompanying. If I were in the area, I'd gladly pop in for a drink and a listen.

We recently dined here and had a very nice experience. We had both their traditional drinks and their hand crafted drinks. I had the Jefe Austin which was a combination of mescal and ginger beer that was terrific. The Capitol flatbread appetizer was really nice and could have been a meal in itself. The Cesar salad had a nice crisp Parmesan wrap around it which was very unique and good. I had the ruby trout and my wife had the shrimp and grits and they were terrific. Our wait staff had proper knowledgeable about the hand crafted drinks and the menu items. The bar looks terrific. It also looks like they have a nice happy hour. This restaurant would be a great start to the Zachary Scott Theater and events in nearby Zilker Park.

Reading the other reviews, I wonder if they were just having an off night?  Either that or the other reviewers were paid to post raving tales of positive, memorable experiences.

My girlfriends and I decided to try Flour and Vine for the first time last night.  The hostess sat us next to an elderly couple even though the entire restaurant was empty.  After she showed us to our table, she asked if we needed menus...ummm, yes please?  It took her several minutes to return with menus and even longer for our waiter to 1. greet us 2. take our drink orders and 3. return with said drinks.

I originally ordered chicken lettuce wraps, but they were out.  Out on a slow day?  Maybe the kitchen manager is still working on inventory levels?  I'll give you the benefit of the doubt on that one, Flour and Vine.  Instead, I ordered the beet salad - there were two small crumbs of goat cheese, a handful of beet chunks, a skimpy portion of arugula blended with a plethora of frisee salad.  Frisee is fun, but not when it is the majority of the plate.

We ordered dessert....it took 15-20 minutes to bring out something that should have taken 2 minutes.  Dinner ended with DRY chocolate cake paired with a sad ball of whipped cream.  What on earth are you doing serving inexcusably dry chocolate cake to a table of girls?  Meh.

It took another 20 minutes to pay out.  During our wait, we all collectively decided that, even though the food was decent, we won't be going back.

This is Austin - Flour and Vine either needs to step it up or they will be shut down.