Bess BistroFantastic service & foodWe went to Bess for a birthday dinner. The restaurant has a warm , intimate
feel. Wait staff was very attentive, and knowledgable of menu and gluten free options.
We do take our children and they. Find many options they like. I had shrimp & grits it was wonderful.5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMGood Food - Good TimesMy wife and I had eaten at Bess previously but this time was special for us as we were celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary.
Our server Brian was new to the restaurant but obviously is not new to providing good customer service. Food was excellent - from the fried green tomato appetizer (you must get this!) to my pork chops and my wife's steak - all were cooked just right without too much fuss from competing sauces and spices. Bess does it right, even to the point of the valet standing out in the street, in the rain to find us a cab ride back to the hotel. For a special night or just a really good meal you should definitely give Bess Bistro a try.5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMfirst time at bess bistroI took my fiancé and her family here (all adults) for a nice birthday dinner. We chose bess bistro because we liked the menu choices (viewed online) and had not been here before. The restaurant is cute and the booths are romantic and stylish. No complaints on service or food. We ordered a really wide assortment of the menu and shared bites so I was able to taste it all. We ran up a large tab between all of our food and drinks. I have no regrets.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMFantasticOf all the places we tried during out trip to Austin, Bess Bistro had the best food. You must get the fried green tomatoes!5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMNew favorite in AustinMy wife and I grew up in Austin and come back several times a year since it is our favorite food town in the world-we love southwestern and nobody does it better than Austin. Well we tried Bess and now have a new favorite. Will put on our list with our favorite SW restaurant.
The setting is unique and well done and compliments the fantastic menu. However, the food is on a whole another level. There were five of us dinning together and each meal was a favorite. Our server was so attentive and suggestive that our choices were all perfect.
Cannot wait to come back!5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMgreat girls night out. Bess Bistro was perfect. We had a great table for 6 in a quaint semicircle room. The food was fabulous. I recommend the fried green tomatoes and the fried artichokes but the pecan tart was beyond unbelievable!5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMLovely atmosphere...Great little restaurant with a nice menu!
The dishes were all very very good!
We had the shrimp, gumbo, croque Monsieur and fish & chips...5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMExceptionalThis is an unique dining experience.
I had the Filet and it was perfect. Best I've had. Honestly didn't think it could get better. Great service.5/2/2013 12:00:00 AMBess Bistro was the choiceBess Bistro was the choice to celebrate our anniversary and it was perfect in every way. We never mentioned to our waiter it was our special day, but he picked up on the ques and wished us the best. We had the 'Date Night' special course meal and everything was perfectly prepared with great presentation.
Highly recommended5/1/2013 12:00:00 AMWe arrived late and had aWe arrived late and had a show to get to in an hour. Not only did our waiter respond quickly but our food was paced perfectly. The food was delicious and well prepared as were the drinks.4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMWent to celebrate 1 year anniversarWent to celebrate 1 year anniversary, great food, wine selection! Great service as well! Highly recommend for romantic dinner date. Prices are reasonable as well.4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMDelicious European flavorDelicious European flavor appropriate plate size and wonderful ambiance4/25/2013 12:00:00 AMFood was excellent. We'veFood was excellent. We've never had anything bad at Bess. The mussels are by far one of the most outstanding menu items. Jonathan, our server was fantastic! He was attentive but not overbearing, humorous, gave great recommendations and a terrific addition to our evening. Mark, the bartender, gave plenty of suggestions on drinks and was patient as we sorted through what we were in the mood for. An excellent evening all around! Thanks Bess!4/24/2013 12:00:00 AMDelicious BrunchBess Bistro was the perfect spot for brunch. The coffee was delicious and the Mimosas were
$1 with the buffet. The buffet itself was very good (and I'm not a buffet person). There was a nice
selection of fresh fruit, bagels, bacon, croissants and more. Made to order items are included and
I enjoyed the pork belly eggs Benedict. We would definitely return for Sunday brunch and we would
like to try Bess for dinner. Nice atmosphere and outstanding service.4/14/2013 12:00:00 AMfabulous!!!!Best food and service...above and beyond what i have ever experienced at most restaurants. Presentations were great and food was impecable. Service was amazing...best waitress ever. Knew the bar and food menu so well and made perfect recommendations for pairings.4/14/2013 12:00:00 AMwonderful experience!The food was amazing. Our service was wonderful. Overall we LOVED Bess Bistro!4/14/2013 12:00:00 AMTook my wife here on our firstTook my wife here on our first year anniversary. Can't remember what she had, but I had the scallops with the pea risotto - very delicious and she enjoyed her dish as well. Would come here again to try other things on the menu.4/14/2013 12:00:00 AMI enjoyed eating here, andI enjoyed eating here, and the table that we requested was on point, as far as "romantic vibe" goes. Our waitstaff was very friendly, food was excellent.
I will be back.4/10/2013 12:00:00 AMOur party three enjoyed aOur party three enjoyed a cocktail before dinner and we all loved our selection and food choices. would highly recommend. very filling!4/9/2013 12:00:00 AMMy partner and I went to BessMy partner and I went to Bess Bistro for the first time on a Saturday night (with a reservation). The dining room was pleasant and beautiful, and the wait staff was attentive and checked on us at regular intervals. We shared the cheese plate to start, he ordered the steak and frites, and I ordered the shrimp and grits. Everything was cooked perfectly, the portions were generous (especially the cheese plate!), and everything was flavorful. We'll be back!4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMThe ambience was great, butThe ambience was great, but it was a bit loud. We could hear the conversations of most people in our room. The food was good. The service was awesome. It was not quite what we expected, but it was a good experience over all.4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMGood ambiance/food, spotty serviceI really do like Bess. They have a good menu that covers the basics and adds in some interesting concepts. Their special is usually really good too. I have to admit that their service has been both miserable and great in the past. It was not so great on this visit. The drinks took a really long time, each time, and when we mentioned this to our server we received an apology and an excuse of a trainee bartender, but at no time did a manager come visit our table. I found this to be a fundamental failure in good management practices. A lesson should be taken from Bartletts on this.
Having said all of that, I would still come back. The prices aren't bad, the food is good, and it's a great ambiance...4/4/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat staff and nice attentionGreat staff and nice attention to detail and us. Good good but need something more for vegetarians.4/1/2013 12:00:00 AMThis is a cozy and comfortableThis is a cozy and comfortable restaurant with a well rounded menu, great food and excellent service? We will certainly make it a regular place to dine.3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMMeatPrime Rib was Tough ,Sent back ordered a Salmon instead it was superb,and the pork-chop was superb as well, Michael was very polite in taking care of us,and the chef as well..3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food, atmosphere, serviceGreat food, atmosphere, service and wine... Will be back for sure!! ;D3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMSomeone at work recommendedSomeone at work recommended this restaurant for our trip to Austin. And it was worth it. Great downstairs location, darker,cozy atmosphere with nice candles everywhere. It is a bit pricey. The service was good. The menu was quite different with its French flair. But be prepared that most items are very rich and decadent. My daughter Ahi tuna was the best she's ever eaten. Enjoy.3/28/2013 12:00:00 AMI went to Bess Bistro thisI went to Bess Bistro this past Wednesday (3/27) to celebrate a friend's birthday. I made a reservation online and the process was very easy.
Aaron was our waiter and he was great. He introduced the specials, made sure to check up on us for refills and any additional drink or food orders.
The food and drinks were great. We ordered the artichokes and crab cakes for appetizers. A friend and I shared the burger, and that was very tasty. The only cocktail I ordered was the Moscow Mule. I would definitely go back since there are still things on the menu that I want to try.3/27/2013 12:00:00 AMHighly Recommend!This is the second time to visit Bess Bistro and each was an excellent experience in all aspects. Highly recommend!3/26/2013 12:00:00 AMNew Brunch FormatThe new buffet/a la cart, fixed price format for Sunday brunch was a little awkward. The "sides" are on the buffet line but the egg dishes, pancakes and biscuits and gravy etc. are served from the kitchen a la cart. It took a few buffet line trips to get the meal organized. The roast suckling pig at the carving station seemed superfluous.3/24/2013 12:00:00 AMMy daughter & I went to BessMy daughter & I went to Bess Bistro for Sunday Brunch. They were trying something new with a Buffet and ala carte items all for one price. I had the destruct Monte Cristo sandwich from the ala carte. It was very good. The side items on the buffet were also very good; cheese grits, sweet potato hash and mac and cheese. The scones and pastry items were also great. I recommend having hot tea with the pastries.
Our waitress, Tara was very helpful. She provided our special requests with fast and efficient service.3/24/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful dinner spot!I brought my Mother here for a bite while visiting Austin. We were both very impressed. I plan to come back the next time I'm in Austin. Great for and intimate dinner, or a group. Loved the pan-roasted filet!3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMFood was outstanding and serviceFood was outstanding and service was exceptional. The place has a very high noise level and it is difficult to hear table companions when all the other tables are occupied. We had the unfortunate experience of being next toto different parties that were exceptionally noisy and that contributed to less than a really great experience.3/20/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food, no big groupsBess has a short, eclectic menu, but everything is cooked and flavored to perception. The wait staff is friendly without gushing, which is surprisingly enjoyable. Unfortunately, Bess is a popular desination for big groups. We have been there twice and both times there have been parties of 12+ that come in. With brick walls and concrete floors, the noise level from such parties really ruins much of the otherwise charming atmosphere.3/20/2013 12:00:00 AMLocal hangoutWe tried bess bistro because it was celebrity owned. I liked the ambiance best. Food was fresh and tasty with large portions.3/20/2013 12:00:00 AMOur dinner at Bess was delicious.Our dinner at Bess was delicious. The menu was varied and the prices were reasonable. Portions were perfect. Service was very good. An Austin favorite!3/19/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food is the highlight.The food is the highlight. Service was inconsistent this time.3/17/2013 12:00:00 AMIt was all very good, howeverIt was all very good, however we ordered a meal to go and unfortunately there was a hole in the container and all the sauce leaked out. Other than that, everything we had in the restaurant was delicious!3/15/2013 12:00:00 AMBess is Grandma & Foodie worthyLove Bess- it's a must on our frequent trips through Austin. Two bars, which is nice- small one in the waiting area, one in the dining room. Cocktails use creative mixology and are always a hit. Sea bass was like buttta and brushed with some sort of caramel and chile glaze-OMG deliciousness. The mac& cheese will make you want to slap your mama (or anyone else who tries to steal a bite). My only quibble is that they change their menu often-I mean A LOT. Seasonal changes are expected but with one exception I've never seen the same thing twice. My biggest disappointment was that they no longer offer their homemade cobbler-that stuff alone was worth the 200 mile drive.
Go.Drink.Eat. You'll be happy!(just don't get attached to the menu)3/15/2013 12:00:00 AMVisiting Austin for SXSW.Visiting Austin for SXSW. I went to a number of restaurants and this one was my favorite. I'm from the San Francisco Bay Area and have become accustomed to our "foodie" culture out here and "Bess" was the only restaurant that I felt lived up to the hype. Nice atmosphere, excellent service, great menu and the food was delicious.3/11/2013 12:00:00 AM