winkExcellent MealThe location is unpretentious, being essentially in a little strip mall, but the food and service were excellent. It is not cheap, but you definitely get what you pay for, so I would highly recommend for someone looking for high quality dining.6/14/2013 12:00:00 AMOutstandingAfter 12 years still the best in Austin for innovative, outstanding food. One of Austin's best!!6/14/2013 12:00:00 AMPerfect hidden gemOnce you know where to look, you'll love everything about it. From the personal service to the taste of the cuisine (and yes, it is cuisine which I"ll get to in moment), it's a very special experience. The atmosphere is nothing to rave about but you'll soon find yourself comfortable enough that it doesn't matter. The tables are a bit close together,
When you order food, do not be afraid of the tasting menus. Interesting combinations of flavorful proteins with unique presentations of vegetables are usually wonderfully plated and taste like more than you can imagine. The 5 tasting portions (a very healthy mea)l is followed by a lovely cheese plate and can be set to pair with wine selections, if you choose.6/14/2013 12:00:00 AMIs all about Culinary philosophy!Visited this place just yesterday and it was phenomenal. If you can super pass the location and parking lot situation you’ll enjoy a great meal. Like they say don’t judge a book by its cover. What I like about Wink is they stress innovation by using fresh ingredients and using a lot of local farmers introducing their produce into the food which it makes a justice. Love the intimacy experience by creating a daily menu + how they experiment with their culinary. Like the option that once you finish dining you can just walk across and grab a glass of wine or champagne. I'll6/13/2013 12:00:00 AMFoodies DelightThe menu is inventive and full of wonderful dishes. The ingredients are carefully and well selected and put together in imaginative ways. This was my second trip and we'll be back. This time I had the awesome gazpacho followed by the perfectly cooked sea scallops with pickled anaheim peppers, red onion, purslane, peanuts and citrus emulsion.6/13/2013 12:00:00 AMPersonalized ServiceI let the staff at Wink know ahead of time that I need gluten and dairy free options. They were extremely helpful to offer suggestions and substitutions to give me plenty of options. Also, I mentioned that this was a special occasion event and they personalized the menus specifically for us. Afterwards, they had the kitchen crew all sign the menus and sent them home with us in a clean envelope. It made a very memorable evening.6/7/2013 12:00:00 AMThis first thing I like aboutThis first thing I like about WINK is the welcome I receive from the staff that I've known for over 10 years. Immediately one feels like family and at home. The food is always superb, and its presentation a delight. As often as I can I try to treat myself to dinners there.6/6/2013 12:00:00 AMAn Austin ClassicExcellent food in an elegant but simple and unpretentious atmosphere. Friendly, helpful and professional staff. Highly talented kitchen! An authentic Austin classic. So glad it is still around, and that the focus is on great food and not "the scene".6/3/2013 12:00:00 AMFantastic food and serviceWas great from the moment we arrived tithe moment we left. We will be going back again to try the rest of the menu.5/30/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways treated like royaltyAnother fantastic night at wink. Food was excellent and service spot on. You always feel welcomed! I cannot recommend it enough.5/23/2013 12:00:00 AMNever disappointsWe had a friend in from out of town for her b'day and Wink was as accommodating as ever. They wished her a happy b'day on the menu! The food and service was outstanding as always. We all order the 5 plate chef's special with wine pairing. We were fortunate, again, to have had Debra as our server, who accommodated our wine tastes when one of the wines on the dinner was one we weren't crazy about. Everything was great and my friend really enjoyed it (it was her first time at Wink).5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMFantastic graduation celebrationMy husband, my parents and I were in Austin for my graduation ceremony and we wanted to celebrate with an upscale restaurant. We got the chef's 5 course tasting menu. Both the food and the experience were great.
One thing to consider though is: we did the wine pairing, which was an excellent idea, but I would recommend one wine pairing for 2 if you want to stay on the sober side - and if the restaurant allows it. I am on the "petite" side and the amount of wine was a little much for me - I know, nobody forced me to finish each excellent glass of wine!
If you are bringing your date to this restaurant, it is a great choice but be aware that it can get a little noisy.
Again, we had an excellent experience here! Thank you Wink!5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMLOVED WINK!Having lived here 3 years, I had one of the best meals I have had in Austin at WINK the other night! The menu changes daily but the staff was VERY accomidating of a guest in our party who needed to eat Gluten Free-saying the chef could shift anything on the menu to make it GF! Additionally the wine, appetizers and entrees were all wonderful. Our server was friendly and attentive. Best of all the desserts were AMAZING- we cleaned every plate! This was a great small restaurant to celebrate our special occasion-I highly recommend it!5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMwonderful experience!The service and food were wonderful!! The scallops and the el rey cake really stood out.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMTotally FabulousEverything about Wink was outstanding, but the "Trio" dessert brought tears of joy to my eyes. My experience there could not have been any better.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMWink!Great everything. What a pleasure to dine at Wink.5/2/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways outstandingWe are never disappointed at Wink. This was one of the few times we didn't order the chef's tasting option, but just did a starter and main course from the menu. My husband and I ordered different dishes and all 4 were wonderful. Both salads were fabulous and he had the scallops and I had the snapper. Both were excellent. Service was also excellent. This place feels like going to a friend's place for dinner. It is cozy and warm and not stuffy. The staff is quite knowledgeable about wine, as well, and can always direct you to the best choice for what you are eating.5/1/2013 12:00:00 AMWink lived up to all of theWink lived up to all of the seemingly insurmountable hype that I have heard coming up to this evening to celebrate my significant other's birthday. In fact, it was accomplished convincingly through exceptional service and delectable creations - my only wish was for the evening to go on longer. The mussels were incredibly plump and juicy with just the right amount of heat in the broth, which paired perfectly for dipping the ciabatta into. The hangar steak made for a deliciously harmonious bite with every accompanying side and the snapper was perfectly cooked. The dessert, however, made this evening especially enjoyable. Out of the trio of desserts that we had the pleasure of consuming, the lemon merengue pot was out of this world. Bravo.4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food was incredible, theThe food was incredible, the service impeccable, the location was terrible. The restaurant is hidden in a terrible little shopping area behind Whole Earth Provision Company next door to a laundry mat. The parking was sparse and tight. However, I received the VIP treatment as soon as I walked in the door. The food was delicious and the staff was more than accommodating. Once inside the doors, dinner was an event and not just a meal.
I highly recommend making a reservation and going early. By 6pm the restaurant was full.4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMDining at Wink is always aDining at Wink is always a pleasure (we go regularly), the food is always creative and served in reasonable portions, and the service is always superb!4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMHighly recommendedWonderfully creative food combinations, and friendly and attentive service. What more could you want?4/25/2013 12:00:00 AMfood was great as always,food was great as always, service the proper balance of attention while not over-done4/25/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat experience from beginningGreat experience from beginning to end. Highly recommend!4/23/2013 12:00:00 AMBrandy LeeWink was perfect fit for my special night. I made reservations on this website and was able to give special instructions. The night had to be extra special , I wanted to bring flower to be on the table when we got there, I left my husbands new wedding ring there for them to put in a glass of champagne at the end of the meal, and they did it! The night was perfect thanks to Wink. We will be going back for any occasion. LOVE the staff and the manager ! They were so helpful and sweet.4/16/2013 12:00:00 AMThe restaurant was very accommodatiThe restaurant was very accommodating to us being slightly late. Service staff was very friendly and provided good menu recommendations. Food was fantastic and portion sizes were just right.4/15/2013 12:00:00 AMDon't let its storefront foolDon't let its storefront fool you. The service was incredible, the food divine, and once we were inside, we were so cozy that we forgot that the outside (in a strip mall by a laundromat) had given us pause. They have two tasting menus, and their regular menu has a balance of foodie-worthy meat, fish, and vegetarian dishes. My sister is gluten-free and she had no problem finding dishes to try, but they were willing to work with us if we had special requests. Service was friendly and let us linger as long as we wanted. They even personalized our menus because it was my sister's birthday. I was impressed that they get their ingredients from all local farms and small businesses. Delicious, carefully-crafted, slow food that is made with love!4/15/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful food, dated ambiance.The food at Wink is creative and delicious. I was impressed by the knowledge and attentiveness of my server. She was also very friendly. Unfortunately, the decor was dated, even in disrepair, and the servers seemed a bit too disheveled for such a pricey place. Wink has been a fixture in Austin for years, so I likely had a lot of expectations for my first time there. Overall, it is very good, but an upgrade in appearance would likely make it a home run.4/12/2013 12:00:00 AMVery creative food. WonderfulVery creative food. Wonderful service. Excellent and interesting wine list with a very large selection by the glass. We really enjoyed the food. Shared the fried sweetbreads as an appetizer and then I had the rabbit confit pappardelle and my wife had the rockfish. All very well done. This is a gem.4/12/2013 12:00:00 AMThis is our favorite AustinThis is our favorite Austin restaurant. Whenever we are in Austin, our first night's
dinner is always at Wink. Wouldn't think of visiting Austin and not dining at Wink.
The chef's tasting menu is fantastic.4/12/2013 12:00:00 AMThe Wink team went above andThe Wink team went above and beyond to make my birthday dinner special. We had the 5-course with the wine pairing, and everything was prepared perfectly, presented beautifully, and delicious. They also had zero problem accommodating for gluten and shellfish allergies.4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMThe seven-course tasting menuThe seven-course tasting menu was well-balanced and made some surprising combinations work. Excellent service.3/27/2013 12:00:00 AMBirthday SurpriseWe had to delay our reservation due to car troubles and the people at Wink were completely understanding and made sure to hold a space for us. They really went the extra mile to make my fiance feel special on her birthday giving us menus that said "happy birthday" with her name on it and saving one in an envelope with all the chefs and staff signatures on it for when we left. Our food & wine selections were exquisite, the desert blew us away and the service was impeccable. I have only eaten here 2 times and both times it has been an extraordinary experience. I HIGHLY recommend this place.3/26/2013 12:00:00 AMWink is SpecialWe have been to Wink in the past and really enjoy this upscale restaurant 's food and attention to detail. Being a past customer we were greeted by name and provided a table we requested through Open Table. A great Austin dining spot. The food never disappoints.3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMFood was absolutely fantastic!Food was absolutely fantastic!
Local food, great personal service.
We have all our special occasions here.
Vegetarian and vegan friendly.3/21/2013 12:00:00 AMWe went to Winks for our anniversarWe went to Winks for our anniversary. They're always good about customizing your menu (name and event) which is a nice touch. We had the tasting menu with the wine pairing. Every part of the meal was prepared perfectly and the presentation was nice. The restaurant is low key and unpretentious. The wine pairings were very good as well. The restaurant is small so it's not great for a large group. The staff at Wink are all very personable.3/20/2013 12:00:00 AMCan't go wrong with Wink!It is a warm and wonderful restaurant with outstanding and creative food and extraordinary and friendly service. A favorite!! My friends from Canada and Washington loved it also.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMNeeds to step up the food.The service was wonderful and the wine was great. However, the food has slipped. It was not as fresh as it could have been and it was over salted. The smell of a fish market hit us as we entered. Austin has a lot of competition for good food and Wink needs to step up. We ate at Lenoir the same week and I would give Lenoir five stars for fresh food and combination of tastes and flavors.3/15/2013 12:00:00 AMEverything about our diningEverything about our dining experience was outstanding. If I were a food critic, my review would be on the front page! Enough said!3/14/2013 12:00:00 AMThe restaurant is set backThe restaurant is set back from the road and a little difficult to find but well worth searching for. The interior is casual and relaxed and the front of house staff very warm and welcoming making patrons feel instantly familiar and at home. The ambiance is calm, certainly compared to the freneticism of the SXSW festival and the menu enticing from top to bottom. A lot of the items on the menu are locally sourced and the waiting staff are very knowledgeable and eager to share their understanding of the menu. The meal itself was fantastic, genuinely interestingly prepared and presented with enthusiasm and warmth. I will come again and would urge everybody in the area to seek it out, it's well worth the effort.3/14/2013 12:00:00 AMThis was our second visitThis was our second visit to Wink. It is absolutely fabulous. We started with a glass of wine at the Wine Bar (which is seperate from the the dining room, but also has food available). The food is incredible as was our service...a true dining experience! We will definately be going back.3/13/2013 12:00:00 AMTaking home a chef-signedTaking home a chef-signed custom menu was a wonderful anniversary favor! Thanks a ton!3/13/2013 12:00:00 AMThank You Wink!Impeccable from start to finish!! One of my top ten meals EVER, foodie paradise! Small place & filled, so book in advance. Amazing all around - warm greetings, they let me customize a tasting menu, and the FOOD, wowza! Starting with a delish amuse of smoky tomato soup, taste buds awake. Then the hamachi sashimi - velvety, fresh, a great start. Next, the scallops with bacon greens - silky, harmonious. Then the most amazing foie gras I've ever had!! I wanted to cry with joy, jump, dance, & hug them. Then beef tartare with little sweet potato chips you could scoop it up with, packed a flavor punch. Then a most perfectly cooked duck. Finished with a dessert trio of OMG lemon tart, creme brulee & "Are you kidding?" sinful chocolate cake. Love!!!3/11/2013 12:00:00 AMWe were celebrating a specialWe were celebrating a special occasion - the restaurant staff went out of their way to commemorate our anniversary with a menu signed by all of the chefs! What an incredible surprise and generous welcoming!3/9/2013 12:00:00 AMA great experienceHi, my review may have been sent before I completed it. What I was saying: A marvelous restaurant that appears informal, but really is typical of very sophisticated places: even though it was our first visit, we were greeted by name as if we were well-known to the restaurant. The wait-staff was friendly and warm, but very knowledgeable and able to readily see our preferences in food and wine. The food was absolutely superb, each dish was unique, complex, but also very grounded, and all the elements meshed well. The ingredients were very fresh, delightful, really. The wines were unusual and excellent, but also quite reasonable, and made an excellent complement to the food. Thoroughly recommended!2/22/2013 12:00:00 AMWe eat at Wink often. AlwaysWe eat at Wink often. Always friendly. Always excellent.2/22/2013 12:00:00 AMLoved WinkLoved Wink. My fourth time here and every time I am impressed with the quality of the food, the attentiveness (without being overbearing) of the waitstaff and the general ambiance.1/1/0001 4:00:00 PM