Carillon RestaurantWhat a findNot a lot of publicity for this place. But, if you want a break from the pretentious, pack them in, very noisy, and expensive restaurants popping up in the newly minted trendy areas of Austin, head over to Carillon. Incredible menu, great wine list, and you can exhale.6/13/2013 12:00:00 AMOne of the bestThe food was some of the best I've ever had and I've eaten at all the hot spots. Watkins really takes classical concepts and adds a flare to each dish nicely. He doesn't over think it but each dish has a very memorable component. And the wine list is amazing.6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMA real culinary experience!From the great view of the chefs at work in the kitchen, to the amazing wine list, the attentive service, this restaurant was a wonderful dining experience. Oh, and the food of course, exquisite!5/31/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent, excellent, excellentThough the dinner at the restaurant was pricey (3 course meal with 3 drinks, almost $200), it was well worth it. The food was prepared in a way that your taste buds were pleased on every kind of level, and your eyes too b/c the plates were like art! Great tucked away restaurant for a special occasion indeed.5/31/2013 12:00:00 AMMagnificent Once AgainReturned to Carillon once again upon visiting Austin for the weekend and, as before, the food and service were excellent. We decided to go with the 6 course Chef's menu. Our favorite dishes were the pork belly and the crab dish, but all 6 dishes were creative and flavorful. The staff is professional and we were impressed how well they work together. Each dish brought out is described to you in detail by any one of the staff. Of the caliber of Mark's in Houston. Truly a gem in Austin.5/25/2013 12:00:00 AMUnique Menu ItemsMy daughter and I truly enjoyed our entire meal. We tried some new things, recommended by our very pleasant server; like pork belly and a fish called Mero. They were both excellent! I would definitely return!5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMExceptional gourmetThe food and presentation was exceptional & the flavors are unique but very delicious. Much of the food is marinated and cooked for hours. Get the 3 course meal for $50.
Highly recommend the crisp pork belly (get it as an entree!) & the ahi appetizer. The olive oil beef tenderloin was delicious. The lamb was good but I didn't care for the rosemary bread pudding (it was more of a dry corn bread). We had a chocolate dessert that was very good but too small of a portion - like a single piece of chocolate. We should have gone with the servers coconut dessert recommendation because all of his recommendations were our favorites. Service is exceptional (including a very thorough education of the food being served). You'll leave very satisfied.5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMHigh End SecretThe Carillon is surprising warm and friendly and serves excellent and well thought out food. Atmosphere and service were relaxing and the menu was innovative but very accessible to all tastes. Not so much of a show-off place, but more of a place to share fine food with people who understand what a true quality restaurant is all about. Plenty of space means you can wine & dine large groups of friends, family, or clients, but also a very nice place for a special night out (like we did for our anniversary). Felt like finding a true off-the-map secret.5/8/2013 12:00:00 AMGET THE KALE SALADAbsolute must. Even for the non-kale eaters. By far, one of my favorite dishes anywhere.5/7/2013 12:00:00 AMCarillon rings our bellTook my hard to please french parents to Carillon on 5/3/13. They loved the food, ambiance and service. First time I've taken them somewhere they totally enjoyed.5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMbest pork belly ive ever had;best pork belly ive ever had; highly recommend braised beef short ribs and tenderloin; everything is outstanding!!4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMMy partner and I celebratedMy partner and I celebrated our 20th anniversary here with friends. The food and service were terrific. My fish entree was a surprising medley of flavors, cooked to perfection. And the chocolate dessert was sublime. The waitstaff was knowledgeable and helpful. We look forward to a return trip. Thanks!4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMIt seemed odd to go out forIt seemed odd to go out for an anniversary dinner to a restaurant on the campus of the place we both work, but it was fabulous. The food was outstanding (and my husband is extremely picky), the restaurant was quiet (I wonder that if it weren't in a university building if the place would be packed), the ambiance was romantic, and the service was professional and attentive (perhaps too attentive for a romantic dinner). Very highly recommend!4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMAnother great trip to Carillon.Another great trip to Carillon. This is a not-well-known gem. Go and then tell others about it. Josh is inventive and artistic making the food delicious and a joy to behold.4/17/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful Dining ExperienceMade reservations for my husband's birthday, because our usual spot does not take reservations. Good, service, and atmosphere --all three were were superb. Usually we are lucky to get two out of three at other high-end restaurants.
We were a few minutes early but table was ready for us, and we were seated promptly.
Waiter took time to answer our questions, and make recommendations. He took care of us without hovering ( husband and I both hate that).
Cooking staff served us efficiently without rushing.
We liked having a view of the cooking area. Again, preparations were efficient but not hectic.
Noise level was low enough that we could carry on a conversation without shouting.
Overall a very pleasant experience.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMWe liked Carillon more thanWe liked Carillon more than we expected to. We had chosen it as we had an event to attend on UT campus. The food to be wonderful. Interesting and different selections. Nice portion sizes. I think the waiter was giving us time to enjoy the dinner early on but when we told him we had theater tickets, he moved things along and we got done in time to make the show. It's a beautiful space. Definitely would be nice for a special occasion.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMUpscale, wonderful food and serviceOur food was very interesting with impressive infusions of taste and texture. Service was outstanding with 3-4 people taking care of us~very attentive. Tables spaced better spaced than usual with an open spacious feel.4/10/2013 12:00:00 AMFive Star Dining in AustinCarillon is such a great place for a special occasion dinner. The food is interesting and fun, and beautifully prepared. The wait staff is attentive, but not overbearing. I love the way that they allow you to eat leisurely, and enjoy the evening without rushing you. I also love that the restaurant is not loud, even when it is very busy. We've been there several times now, and think of it as our new favorite restaurant in Austin.3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMOne of the best restaurantsOne of the best restaurants in Austin. Right up there with Uchi, Uchiko, and Congress. A prix fixe 3 course dinner is available for $50, so the price is reasonable considering the quality. Wine prices are similar to other top quality restaurants.3/29/2013 12:00:00 AMWe were delighted with theWe were delighted with the restaurant -- the menu was inventive and varied without being weird and outrageous, the service was attentive and pleasant but not intrusive, every dish was beautifully presented. The food was well - seasoned, but balanced and did not rely on heat for flavor. The pace of food presentation was just right.
Our group, which included two celiacs. was extremely impressed with the care and concern that the waiter and the kitchen took to be sure that those who needed GF dishes enjoyed the same beautiful presentations and interesting variations in food choices.
Having just returned from dining in some top restaurants in NYC, I feel very comfortable saying that Carillon rates right up there with the best of them.3/22/2013 12:00:00 AM