Restaurants near Travis County Exposition Center

I don’t usually give reviews only if it’s really bad as in to warn people or when it’s really good. Well Este was amazing. Just felt welcomed. Our server was very knowledgeable, personable and confident. Had the sombra margarita and I can say it was the best margarita I have ever had. Smoky, not too sweet, perfect balance of flavors: a pleasure to drink. (Also am not a drinker but I love a good drink to sip over dinner) We had the Este ceviche. Amazing. Other two dishes. All were very well balanced, light, light in salt which was refreshing for a restaurant in Texas. My stomach and soul felt light and happy! Great experience.

My family and I had a belated Valentines family dinner at Colleen’s kitchen. This is a special occasion favorite with my family and our visit this time reinforced that opinion. We arrived in time to enjoy the happy hour which I believe is every day. We ordered drinks off the happy hour menu as well as their delicious deviled eggs, skillet, cornbread, and the brussels sprouts. Although we all ordered different dishes, everybody ended up with some of their wonderfully delicious grits. The family ordered shrimp and grits, fried chicken with a side of grits, the seared scallops which comes with grits, and one of the breakfast biscuits with a side of grits. All of the food was very well prepared, and everyone seemed to enjoyed it. Since I ate some of the appetizers, I took home part of my breakfast biscuit and grits, and have to say that they were wonderful as leftovers as well. The only disappointment on this visit was that even though we arrived early in the evening, they were already out of the lemon meringue pie. Although the noise level can be a little loud sometimes this is a very charming restaurant with wonderful service and an absolutely delicious menu.

Excellent night! We've attended many of the Valentine dinners and this was one of the very best. Good vibe, fun theme and really excellent menu. Well done! And glad you spread it out over a few days.

Excellent food and atmosphere. It was lively, if not a little loud. We had four items, including the ceviche, brisket tacos, flautas, and sweet potatoes. I would recommend all. They were all super flavorful. The balance of potatoes and duck in the flautas was a little off (too much potato) which made it a little bland, but the mole sauce hit the mark and helped round out the flavor. We would definitely return and try other items.

We had not been back to Red Ash since before the Pandemic. Shame on us! Now we certainly will make a new reservation as soon as possible, which will probably be a few months from now. Red Ash is so popular that it is that difficult to get a table. But the wait is certainly worth it. This evening we tried the Octopus a la Plancha at our server, Emma's suggestion. Octopus for our first time. It was wonderfully delicious and tender. For dinner we split Frutti di Mare, a wonderful selection of seafood laid on a bed of the best black and white sphagettini. Cooked perfectly! Emma was the perfect hostess and we were able to reconnect with Brand Favata, our favorite server from six years ago. It seems that very few few employees leave Red Ash. It is such a wonderful restaurant!! We'll be back very soon.