Lenoir Restaurant

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Address:
1807 S 1st St
Austin, TX 78704

Neighborhood:
South Austin

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Cuisine:
Contemporary American

Price: $50 and over

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Lenoir Restaurant Details

Dining Style: Casual Elegant
Website: http://www.lenoirrestaurant.com
Email: lenoir.restaurant@gmail.com
Phone: (512) 215-9778
Hours of Operation:
Dinner: Tuesday - Saturday: 5:00 pm - 10:30 pm; Sunday: 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Payment Options: AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Cuisine: Contemporary American, Wine Bar
Executive Chef: Todd Duplechan
Dress Code: Smart Casual
Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
Additional Details: Bar Dining, Beer, Entertainment, Farm to Table, Gluten-free Menu, Happy Hour, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Personal wines welcome, Personal wines welcome (corkage fee applies), Wheelchair Access, Wine, Wine Bar
Private Party Facilities: Private dining option in our backyard wine garden. Limited set menu required. Deposit required. Call for details.
Private Party Contact: Jessica Maher (512) 215-9778
Entertainment: Small, acoustic bands play from time to time. Check out our Facebook page for more details.
Special Events & Promotions: We are happy to discuss Special Events, please call LENOIR Restaurant directly for more information.

Getting there

Cross Street: Annie / Mary
Parking: Private Lot
Parking Details: Limited parking available, with some available street parking in the surrounding neighborhood. Special attention should be paid to the neighbors needs, though.

A word from Lenoir Restaurant

LENOIR is a small neighborhood restaurant run by a husband and wife team dedicated to creating inspired dishes using the best of Central Texas' produce, meat & cheeses and Gulf seafood. We have a fabulous, thoughtful wine and beer list that pairs well with the menu. Our dining room is casually… intimate, perfect for date night, friendly get-togethers and business dinners, and our backyard wine garden is private and magical, boasting some of Austin's oldest live oak trees. The food is great, the service friendly and we are located in the cool & fast-expanding Bouldin Creek neighborhood on South First Street.Continued

Foodspotting photos

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Awards voted by OpenTable diners

Diners' Choice WinnerBest Overall
Diners' Choice WinnerBest Ambiance
Diners' Choice WinnerBest Food

Diner Reviews

"Brought out of town friends to Lenoir for the first time. Everyone loved it. This was our first time coming on a Sunday with their new 4-course Prix Fix chef's choice dinner. It was wonderful. Great, innovative food at a fair price. The waitstaff is always friendly, and knowledgeable. Who could ask for more?"
Dined on 4/6/2014
"Not the same as during the rest of the week. Fixed menu is 'chef's choice' which is another term for repurposing the leftovers from the week with too heavy a salt hand and no fresh veggies. Service felt the same...meh"
Dined on 4/13/2014
"Great place to discover in Austin. Book in advance."
Dined on 3/15/2014
"We had heard that the restaurant was small and "intimate," but we were surprised to be so snug next to a few people at the bar. After a drink and a damn good plate of food, you get cozy and comfortable. Our server was Chris, the sommelier, who had excellent recommendations for drinks and was so knowledgeable about the whole menu...it was great. Every course outdid the last, which made for a wonderful time. The wine bar outside is beautiful, we didn't get to sit, but we so wanted to. It's surrounded by beautiful trees and they have a modest offering of small plates and their great wine list."
Dined on 4/12/2014
"Everything was perfect. We arrived about 30 minutes early and weren't rushed to our seats, the sweet hostess let us sit outside and enjoy your wine, even though our table was ready. Once seated we were greeted by the waiter who was like an old friend and made spot on recommendations for one of the best meals we've had all year long. Each delicious course came out giving us plenty of time to talk and enjoy the night. It's a great place to go to reconnect and enjoy an amazing dinner."
Dined on 4/4/2014
"We had an amazing meal at Lenoir. The 3-course prix fixe menu was inspired, with 3 delicious sounding dishes in each category. Our waiter was friendly and extremely knowledgeable. The wine list had some really interesting choices from around the world and we ended up drinking 2 delicious bottles. The food was exceptional and unique to Lenoir. These recipes are not being made anywhere else. A final note about pricing: this is the most affordable fine dining experience we've ever had. $38 for three courses."
Dined on 4/4/2014
"My lamb entree contained approx. 3 small medallions of meat - for an entree, it was a joke. My arugala/escargot salad was way too salty. For a party of 4, we ordered bread. We were served 1 piece of a nan type bread - enough for one. A remarkably disappointing dining experience!"
Dined on 3/29/2014
"We loved every part of our dining at Lenoir - the presentation and taste of the three courses, great wine, and excellent service."
Dined on 3/14/2014
"I consider myself a foodie and have been to most of the "hot" restaurants in town. Lenior was the best meal I've had in a while. In fact, I went home and made another reservation that night. I can't wait to go back! So amazingly good and innovative."
Dined on 3/23/2014
"I took my significant other there for this birthday and we had a wonderful time! The food was surprising and unique. The waitstaff was very knowledgeable and courteous. I plan on going back at least once a season!"
Dined on 3/22/2014
"It was our anniversary and I had been told that Lenoir was on the top 10 most romantic French restaurants in town list. I booked my reservation 2 months in advance and let them know it was a special occasion. We waited 20 minutes to be seated and were placed next to a loud party of 10. When we got our menu, we were surprised that there weren't any French items on the menu. We paid $5 extra for bread hoping for a nice crusty loaf of French bread and they brought out naan. The plates we ordered were good but not what we had hoped. There are lots of other quiet romantic restaurants around. This one should be taken off the list."
Dined on 3/22/2014
"The interior is intimate with a balance of edgy dark walls with white tables/chairs and ample chandelier lighting. There seemed to be a nice mix of folks; family with young children at the communal table and couples at the tables lining the walls and bar. Highlight dishes for us included the nishiki risotto and poha crusted drum. The service was stellar and Chris answered all of our questions and made recommendations. We decided to do a wine pairing and leave it up to Chris to make the selections. He chose well and it was fun to guess his choice and then have him explain his reason for selecting it. We had an enjoyable meal and would definitely return."
Dined on 3/21/2014
"In this case the best food is served in a small restaurant. Don't be misled by the diminutive size of this restaurant. They are serving world class dishes with flair and confidence. The staff is extremely friendly, they play their customers like fine instruments knowing when and how to engage, we sat at the bar, the waiter was a gentleman. Meanwhile, sheer genius is happening in the kitchen preparing antelope with matzo balls, hemp soup, a unique pork terrine, a carrot salad with a piped flan and honey accompaniment. I'm a foodie from out of town, came to Austin to explore and I found the best, seriously. The decor is clever shabby shic. It seats only 32 people, you may end up talking to other patrons which adds to the enjoyment"
Dined on 3/21/2014
"Lenoir was all we expected it to be. It reminded us of Chez Panisse in Berkeley, CA, which specializes in locally sourced foods and has a prix fixe nightly menu. The food was exceptional across the board - three of us had 10 dishes and all were wonderful. Very imaginative pairings of vegetables, herbs and meats. The dishes look small but after 3 courses we left feeling perfectly satisfied. There was an imaginative international selection of wines to go with the meal. I look forward to returning."
Dined on 3/19/2014
"...if you don't want to eat at the bar, or at the communal table. Excellent night out overall. Wine pairings were superb."
Dined on 3/16/2014
"had to eat here from a recommendation. Saw reviews both sides. First, YES, the place is ADORABLE!! I feel marketing is the forte here. Not very many Small, artsy plating restaurants in Austin so I can see the Allure. WIsh I didn't do the prixFix plate on SUnday. Too experimental. 1 plate was the BEst. I watched others' confused faces on the 1st plate..funny. THey didn't know how to react and nodded their heads with furrowed brows. (Hemp, raw sprout seeds, poached egg). Would have rather attended with a normal menu. Wine list is $$ but a good pour. Worth a ONCE try but save on money the next day at a small eatery. (this place is $$)"
Dined on 3/16/2014
"This is my favorite spot in Austin. Not only is the food spectacular but its a place that feeds by heart and soul."
Dined on 3/13/2014
"Creative dishes. Types of food you probably have never had. Jimmy kimmel was also there so that was neat."
Dined on 3/12/2014
"Creative food with great flavor profiles. Loves the goat and especially the cardamom custard. I just wished there was more of the custard; just a table spoon. Vermouth selection v interesting."
Dined on 3/12/2014
"My boyfriend and I have gone to Lenoir since it opened. He has a hearing problem so I request a certain table so he can hear me. This past time I gave a two tables option. When we arrived on time, not only did we find out we were not getting either table, but that we had to wait for a table to open up. We waited over a half hour outside under the canopy in the rain and then moved to the bench inside between both restrooms. When we finally got to our table my boyfriend could barely hear me for our two hour dinner. We are hoping this issue never happens again. We will go back, but if this happens again Lenoir's good food won't be worth it."
Dined on 3/8/2014
"Lenoir is an Austin gem. Jessica and Todd have the most wonderful cozy little restaurant that has outstanding and innovative food without the stuffiness of many 'foodie' places. Lenoir is also a great value. With an ever changing menu and serving local and fresh food, you will not be disappointed. They serve small but filling portions and the three courses always leave us satisfied. We took a friend this trip who had never been and she just loved it. Our server, Clinton, was great - knowledgeable, fun and attentive. I highly recommend Lenoir to anyone who loves fine food and is willing to experiment on preparations that are innovative."
Dined on 3/7/2014
"We tried the restaurant for the first time. The waiter was helpful and the wine list was nice. But the food was too salty to the point that the salt overrode any other tastes. Would not recommend"
Dined on 3/7/2014
"The title explains it! Each entree ordered at our table (and there were four of them) were culinary delights, works of art in taste and presentation. If you are looking for bulk - this is not your place. If you like to experience unique combinations of foods then Lenoir is your place."
Dined on 3/6/2014
"This place has great ambience. Wine selection is decent and every course was terrific. I wasn't crazy about the pound cake dessert. I usually stay vegetarian, but the menu had no main entree that was vegetarian. They had 2 wonderful salads."
Dined on 3/5/2014
"We liked the place and the pick any 3 concept, but paying $75 each, including 2 drinks, for thin chewy antelope was "unfortunate". I had a bite with a chunk of gristle that I had to dispose of 'discreetly'."
Dined on 3/5/2014
"The interior of Lenoir is lovely and makes you feel like you've stepped into the pages of some Victorian novel, with walls draped with white lace and low-slung lamps throwing warm light. The service was terrific, too. A friend and I went there to check out their $38-for-3-courses prix fixe menu. We ordered 6 different plates, and I'd say only 2 of those actually made us go: "oh, that's really good." The carrot dish was bitter for some reason, the escargot (and I love escargot) was totally bland, etc. etc. Lots of different things on each plate, so each one looked beautiful, but the taste just wasn't there. Please spruce up the flavors, Lenoir. I really wanted to love this restaurant, but was really disappointed by the food."
Dined on 3/4/2014
"my husband & i dined at Lenoir and tried the Sunday night prix fixe menu. the dishes were tasty but you may want to plan on making a reservation at a different restaurant before or after your Lenoir meal (or double your order). we devoured a couple doughnuts from Gordough after our four course meal if that is any indication of how little food you get. After two nice appetizer-ish plates, the main course was antelope- be prepared for three thin dollar coin sized slices- all delicious, all the more so because there's so little of it to go around. the service was meh- the waitress was polite but standoffish. we've eaten here a few times before- we like the place but the dishes are whimsically tiny. just know that you won't leave full."
Dined on 3/2/2014
"Wow, what a disappointment from my first visit. The food, while on the edge just didn't satisfy. The experience left me saying, let's get something to eat. Many of the items were dry and/or lacked symphony. Dishes almost seemed incomplete and way to incumbent on the diner to have a food explosion on the palate. My guest never said "ooh" or "mmm". The carrot salad, while kind of interesting left you wanting a better synthesis of cold vegetables with the sauce; it just didn't totally work. My friends broccoli salad seemed sparse and flat. The sunny side oysters on the bed of risotto were nice. The goat confit was good although dry, seemed deep fried yet somewhat satisfied. The dessert with in-house blue cheese good but very dry. Bye Lenoir."
Dined on 2/27/2014
"We thoroughly enjoyed everything about Lenoir. The service was truly special and the food was awesome. Lots of very interesting preparations. The chef and the wait staff deserve very high marks for going out of their way to accommodate our special dietary needs. Foodies have got to love this place!"
Dined on 2/26/2014
"I dine all over the world and this is now one of my favorite places! Wow, simply excellent. Loved the decor, loved the foo, loved the service, loved it ALL!"
Dined on 2/26/2014
"Went here on a foodie friend's recommendation. Couldn't have been happier. The stuffed quail, the antelope pho, the goat - it was all to die for. Great place, great service, A+ experience. Bartender overheard me toasting my wife's birthday so they added a candle to our dessert plate."
Dined on 2/21/2014
"We love this restaurant! They change the menu with whatever's fresh and the owner comes up with the most creative and delicious dishes that my mouth savors in every bite! We also love the service and ask for Clinton-he's our guy!! :) Go there, tonight! You will be amazed at the great tasting food!! Since it is a small restaurant, make sure you either come early and definitely make reservations!!"
Dined on 2/21/2014
"Our table was finally ready 30 minutes after our reservation time, which wasn't nice. The maitre'd later apologized and send a complimentary dish to the table, which was a nice touch. The place is too cozy, meaning very small and crowded, it seemd that they need to inject some more air or ventilation. On the good side, the chef's and kitchen staff effort, interest and dedication to provide good to great food in a very reasonable prix fix menu, and aplying a number of techniques and presentation that are now the standard of the major restaurant jewels around the world, deserves a clap and the chance to try it. Been there, done that for me, but even Austin, and any major city, needs much more places like Lenoir."
Dined on 2/21/2014
"Honestly, eating at Lenoir was the best food experience I've had thus far. We went on the recommendation of several friends and expected a great time but I had no idea that it would be so amazing. Definitely for foodies, some may not appreciate the variety of flavors. Not for picky eaters. The service was top notch."
Dined on 2/19/2014
"Our dining experience at Lenoir was perfection. We went on a week night, got there early, so it was very quiet. The setting is "shabby chic" and just lovely. We sat at the bar and our server was Kelly, who was a delight. She was very knowledgeable about the food and the wine, and a great conversationalist. We enjoyed her immensely. She gave us suggestions and they were spot on. The portions are perfect - not too small and not Cheesecake Factory immense. Just right. Everything was delicious and memorable and I cannot wait to go back."
Dined on 2/18/2014
"Atmosphere was simple but elegant. Food was delicious, healthy and creatively prepared. Will definitely go again."
Dined on 2/12/2014
"Food was just okay, combined with awful service, Lenoir was not worth the time or money. We took a couple of friends who were visiting Austin to dine here their first night in town and were embarrassed of our decision to take them here."
Dined on 2/14/2014
"Service attentive and knowledgeable , described food expertly, recommended alternatives, very enjoyable evening"
Dined on 2/15/2014
"My boyfriend and I visited on Valentine's Day--we had made the reservation for 9:45p about three weeks before. The menu was a four-course prix-fixe with an optional wine pairing, which we got (the wines were perfect). We were able to choose between two dishes for each course, and being the avaricious eaters we are, we ordered one of each type of dish so we could try everything. The food was FANTASTIC and interesting--no flavors were one-note. The plating was pleasing and our server explained all of the dishes in detail. Speaking of, the service was attentive and friendly in all areas of the restaurant (bartender, hostess, server). We sat at the center table which is the best seat in the house!"
Dined on 2/14/2014
"I had to travel on Valentine's Day on late notice and quickly had to find reservations for the night before. Lenoir's had one spot at 10pm and we jumped at it. Not only was the food amazing, the wine list provided an excellent choice for every taste and the service was great. The waitressed guessed it was an early Valentine's and was wonderful, we sat late but were never rushed and were able to linger over all of the great dishes without anything but kind smiles from the staff who never made us feel as though we were keeping them. Having both worked in hospitality, we knew that can be irritating but everyone was very genuine."
Dined on 2/13/2014

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