Enoteca Reviews

Awful food. Overpriced. Their chicken Parmesan is easy to replicate. Take a chicken breast, bread it, burn it in a pan (yes. Extra crispy), throw a can of tomato paste on it (generic can damaged from multiple floor drops) over cheese the top, add some spaghetti on the sides (like 1/2 the normal side portion), and BAMM—you saved 24 bucks. Oh...make sure you have TUMS for the blowback later that night. Mic drop!

We have been to several restaurants on South Congress. This one has the most atmosphere. When you walk in, you leave the carnival of South Congress behind. We had a wonderful meal.

By strolling though the SOCO area, we stopped by this place for great bread and dipping sauce while we were waiting on our pizza. We ordered a sausage / meat pizza and it was so delicious. We also ordered some wine and we ate and drank every bite of our lunch. The prices were very reasonable and the service was very impressive.

The worst thing about this restaurant is that at some point you realize your meal is going to be consumed soon and it makes you a bit sad. The food is IMHO some of the best Italian in Austin. I actually like this restaurant more than its sister, Vespiao, next door. My favorite is the Misto Mare and the Carbonara is also delightful. Our appetizer today was "Cozze Clams" and we always ask that the broth be left so we soak bread it it. Today was no exception and we consumed it all. There Calamari is always excellent also. It is a bit pricey and they do apply a mandatory 20% Gratuity to the bill. The service is always good and today was no exception.

You are in the heart of Texas when you are in the city of Austin. Many things to see and do and many great places to eat and drink.

Assuming you are there on a good (quieter) night -- this is a fabulous find. The service is outstanding -- the wait staff really knows the wine list and can help you choose just the right meal from the menu. The food is spectacular. I'm pretty picky when it comes to Italian food because it's my family's heritage and it's tough to compete with my grandma, but their food is really wonderful. The menu has lots of options and everything smells, tastes and looks homemade. I've tried several of the dishes and never been disappointed. My grandma would be proud! The ambiance can be a bit hit or miss -- this is a small restaurant. When it's mostly adults, it is intimate and charming. If there is a table of children, the noise can be a bit much. There really isn't a place to escape to, if it's too crowded or packed with families. Parking can also be a challenge (very small lot) but they have valet parking most nights of the week so it's usually not an issue. This is one of my go to Austin restaurants! You will not be disappointed and you will not be a one-time visitor.

For all the hype about SoCo, we were underwhelmed by the coffee provision. We chose this cafe because it is Italian and they seemed to have nice cakes. We had a pleasant table outdoors and the staff were attentive and polite. Overall a good experience.

No reservations and a 4 year old grandson we got takeout. Delicious!!! We ordered the following: Appetizer Suppli - crispy risotto balls filled w/ fontina cheese served w/ arrabbiata Entree Rigatoni con Polpette - rigatoni w/ pork meatballs, arrabbiata, pecorino romano & melted fresh mozzarella

Frequent this restaurant and have for years but WILL NEVER RETURN! While we were in the middle of our lunch (not an inexpensive restaurant) a homeless man in a wheelchair appeared and long story short, spent at least 30 minutes in the restroom (acknowledged the hostess and waitstaff) wheeled back and was served. I called when I got home and asked if this was a regular practice to allow homeless into their restaurant to beg, bathe and eat? I was told yes and if I didn’t like it not t come back! So, that’s that!

Very friendly reception. Short wait without reservations. Lively and warm ambiance. Bar and table seating. Excellent menu. Outstanding Manicotti and Capresse. Tiramisu was good not great. We would return.

I've been to Vespaio ( tons ) and Enoteca maybe 10 times. Must be new owners/staff. Probably old news to many? Had a reservation - news to them. No ice tea - just did not get around to the super difficult task of making tea that day. The kitchen's remedy for lack of skill is excess of salt. I ordered the Prosciutto Pizza - supposed to have arugula and an egg...neither...but is was wall-to-wall cheese....I guess that fixed it. My friend had to pick around the sauce/salt to eat what he could. First in at 12:00....last to get food at 1:00. Manager said they were busy today. Kind enough to drop $10 bucks off the bill - because they knew it was a disaster. So after discount - $60 including tip for an inedible pizza ( we left 1/2 sitting there...did not want to take it home ) and one other lunch enter. What a shame - Vespiao/Enoteca used to be good. It would been so much better to walk one block to any other place.

I've dined at Enoteca many times over the years and I've never had a disappointing meal here. Tucked away into one of the tiny shopping centers on South Congress, Enoteca offers a cozy, intimate setting that is perfect for a date night or a quiet meal with a friend. The food is homemade, handcrafted, and truly delicious. Most of the entrees range between $17-20 dollar and are worth every penny. My favorite appetizer here is the suppli which are deep fried risotto balls stuffed with cheese. The suppli is accompanied by an amazing arrabiata sauce. I have to resist the urge to lick the plate every time! My favorite entrees are the creamy spaghetti carbonara and the rigatoni con polpette...best meatballs in town. Note: If you're not a garlic lover, Enoteca's tomato sauces may not be for you. If you have a hankering for amazing Italian for a reasonable price, Enoteca should be #1 on your list when visiting Austin.

Really friendly and efficient sever. Nice outdoor patio space. The menu has plenty to choose from salads, pizza, pasta and specialty entrees. We shared a Caesar salad and I’m glad we did because it was a pretty good size for one person to finish on their own. The charcuterie plates looked fabulous but we didn’t have one. We both had a pasta dish – I had the rigatoni and it was wonderful. Lots and lots of flavor going on. It’s also huge – could easily be shared among 2-3 people or plenty to take home for lunch the next day. My husband had the spaghetti Carbonara which was good but not quite as big in portion as my dish. Great neighborhood spot for a casual dinner.

Once I discovered this small Italian food restaurant I knew it was a keeper. The pasta dishes and pizza are great. The atmosphere is casual and friendly but with a lot of class.

If you happen to be on South Congress St. I would recommend this restaurant if you need a break from bbq, etc. It is a nice Italian restaurant, moderately priced, good atmostphere & good food.

As you need food to come through the day, it was time to have lunch. As we parked on the parking lot of this restaurant we decided to have lunch here... How things work in your favor, great menu, lovely priced, friendly staff... and the portions...

I loved my lasagna at Vespaio so decided to try their sister restaurant next door. At least I think it’s a sister restaurant - it sometimes is known as Enoteca Vespaio in articles I’ve read. Service at the bar was very good and the food was decent. I had the Caesar salad (should have declined the anchovies) and the rigatoni with arrabiata sauce and pork meatballs. The menus were very similar. I just preferred my meal and the cozy ambiance at Vespaio next door.

Busy place - and that is understandable - the food is very good! I picked my favorite of Italian food: Melanzane parmigiana - and it was delicious ... mmmmmmmmmmm ..........

We were strolling along Congress, checking out shops & needed to find somewhere for a snack & potty break. We found Enoteca and Oh. My. Deliciousness!! We had the Suppli (risotto balls), Calamari fritate and Papate Fritate. It was all amazing. My cousin also tried the Coconut 23 (adult beverage) and enjoyed it. We had the macaroon of the day, a lemon & chamomile delight. My water glass was never empty and our server was super friendly, fast & helpful. You definitely don’t want to pass this place by.

Very nice, upscale restaurant. Very good food, nice wines (needless to say from the name), fine service.

We love traveling in Italy and Enoteca always reminds us of why we love it. This is a very popular (always is crowded), warm and friendly place with great food. The small space is so similar to many "local" spots in Italy. Our topic of conservation is the fun we have had in Italy! South Congress is a "wild and crazy" place where you see the reason there is a "keep Austin weird" movement. There are a number of people that bring out clothing, tattoos, and hair dos that defy description. It is a people watching paradise! Most importantly, they do not seem to find there way into Encoteca. The crowd is well behaved and civilized--enjoying the good food and nice wine. There are good places to eat on South Congress (think Pearl), but this is one we seem to like the best for many different reasons. They have never let us down! Parking (which is critical here) is right behind the restaurant. There is a guard to make certain you are going to the restaurant.

In SOCO sat morning needed a cappuccino & found this place. Nice vibe great coffee & very nice cheesecake. Around $10 Tip : get a seat outside to experience the vibe. Food looked good as well

Great italian menu with a plethora of wine choices that you can't go wrong with. Food, Drinks, and Ambiance were excellent.

Stopped in for lunch as we walked Congress Av. Service a little slow but the pizzas were very very good and tasty

This is the casual cafe next door to, and owned by Vespaio (shared kitchen). We ate outside on their small patio adjoining the side street. It was a beautiful evening, but there isn't much shade until late afternoon. We've been to both Vespaio and Enoteca several times in the past. They never fail to deliver excellent food and service. As has been the case in the past, our server was excellent (Jessie)! We split a Caesar Salad ($9), had two glasses of Ripasso Cesari Italian red ($12 ea), the Chicken Ravioli ($15), and the Spaghetti & Meatballs ($17). With a well bourbon ($7), the bill totaled $78 before tip. I highly recommend all that we had - and this clean cafe with excellent service. I preferred the Spaghetti & Meatballs, but it was with a lovely red sauce, my preference to the Chicken Ravioli which was in a light cream sauce. We passed on the desserts, but not because there weren't a lot of really tempting choices!

At lunch, I had duck confit salad - absolutely perfect. A glass of wine - what an unexpected, wonderful meal. I will definitely return if I visit Austin again.

After a stroll on South Congress the perfect place to drink a glass of wine, sample some italian apetizers and finish with Espresso and cookies. Frienliest service, good food, inexpensive and pleasent ambiance. We loved it !

I live near here so I'm having lunch/dinner at least once a week. Italian with great seafood, classic Italian and daily specials that are delicious. Reasonable prices, friendly staff and parking on site (that's a big deal on South Congress). Actually I'm sitting at the bar having wine and cheese right now.

My wife and I love Italian food had a delicious dinner. There was great variety and everything was fresh and authentic. The crispy risotto balls are a must have! As an entree the lobster ravioli was the perfect complement to the risotto ball first course. The service was pleasant but a bit slow and the hostess seemed a little aloof. However, the quaint and charming atmosphere and ability to sit inside or on the patio was nice. I should have taken a photo of my meal but trust me it was delicious. The desert options looked especially yummy but we were to full to partake.

Arrived quite late but no problem. Got a seat at the bar and all the staff were friendly so had some good conversations. Interesting cocktails which were all good. Then ordered the Wagyu Lasagne which was just superb! Excellent restaurant with a fabulous atmosphere - definitely recommend

My husband and I have eaten several times at Enoteca. Great trendy Italian cuisine; chefs use fresh ingredients. The service was great without being overly intrusive. Water glasses were always filled.

We dined out on the patio at Enoteca-- so nice in the Spring ! Our waitress was attentive, helped us select a nice bottle of wine by offering multiple samples. Everyone's food came out quickly and the portions were large. I just wish I could have tried more menu items. There were 4 in our party and everyone enjoyed their dinner.

What a gem! Wonderful food, expertly prepared. Friendly staff. Packed on a Sunday night - but that is to be expected, The food is so good I'd be surprised if it wasn't packed EVERY night,. I compare every Italian restaurant to the amazing great establishments in New Haven, Connecticut around Wooster Square (Delmonico's, etc.). Enoteca compares well with any of these old, established gems. Some unexpected delights (such as green garlic soup). Will definitely return.

We were looking for a simple place to eat and just happened to stop at Enoteca. The staff was fantastic, the food was very tasty and the prices were reasonable for the area. We enjoyed it so much that we went there for a second dinner.

While visiting Austin, went to dinner with friends ,who are locals, they really love this restaurant. Everything was wonderful from the wine, appetizer and main dishes. Fresh pasta and sauces. Ordered the Pollo Parmigiano, sauce wasn’t over bearing but had a great flavor. The side pasta dish was great. Tasted my friends entrees, they were all amazing.

Great location with lots of restaurants and shops. Very busy on a Sunday morning. Service was slow. Prices were high but good quality.

The cheese plate is worth the visit. They have an artisan fig jam that is well...too good for words. The brunch features Benedict dishes that are absolutely transcendent. The crab..my God the crab. But be aware that the wait staff are inexperienced and inattentive. They seem to be more interested in flirting among themselves than actually helping guests.There is an overall attitude of "you should be glad I'm even bringing you food." That being said, if you can ignore frustratingly poor and aloof service, the food is delicious. Breathe deeply and lavish an almond croissant.

Two friends and I happened on Enoteca as we were exploring the area. Nice decor, person at front desk very helpful in finding a table, we had maybe a 10 minute wait, they were very busy. Nice aroma on entering. Our server was quite good and was attentive. I ordered the Pappardelle bolognese which was excellent. One of my friends chose the caprese salad and the other duck confit. Both were very well pleased with their salads. The bread was also very good. We each had a glass of wine and thoroughly enjoyed our meal. The atmosphere is inviting and warm. Prices are reasonable and servings are large. If back in the area would definitely return.

Great food- rated one of the best Italian restaurants in Austin, and I would agree. Moderately priced. Excellent service.

Great spot for some cured meat and prosciutto a la Italiano! This charming Italian Cafe serves great brunch and has a great wait-team accommodating and with a drive to share some of their dishes. Their duck liver mousse is really to die for and freshly made in house. A lot of their meat comes directly from Italy and some of the salamis from Brooklyn. Their daily Gelato is also delicious. They also offer some awesome charcuterie board and Egg Benedicte that are really Yummy! So really a great place for Sunday brunch! At $5 a champagne indulge yourself with some Brunch Bellinis! Location is also great on one of the most vibrant part of South Congress Avenue!

I’ve been a customer for many years. In fact, my fiancé and I were contemplating Enoteca for our pre-wedding party. We were actually free yesterday evening and decided to stop by for dinner around 6pm. It was early and we were taken to a table right away. We then realized there was open seating at the bar and were more than thrilled to switch since we hadn’t yet been seated. We enjoy the more relaxed atmosphere and wanted to try different wine and menu options. The bartender was rude and obviously annoyed we were ordering dinner. I’m not sure whether he was having an off day but he completely ruined our rare night out experience. Never greeted us, was rude when we simple asked for bread and ignored us mostly. When I asked to be switched to a table, the staff was accommodating but the manager appeared annoyed that we made the request. I’ve never had this experience from this restaurant. Didn’t even receive an apology. This will be our last visit. With so many wonderful restaurants in Austin there is no need to tolerate bad service. I tipped my normal 30 percent as a courtesy to new waitress who attended us.

This has always been one of our favorite restaurants in Austin. The last visit was disappointing with both food and service. Will try again once more, then on to find another favorite Italian place.

Great quality Italian dishes, with an extensive wine list. The staff were very knowledgeable and helpful when it came to choosing good wines. Excellent service.

Warm setting. Cold staff. Food very oily especially the fennel sausage pizza and meatball spaghetti. Wine by the glass the only redeeming feature

This is one of our favorite restaurants downtown. My fave is the eggplant parmesean. Cute, crowded, bustling. Great desserts.

I have very well prepared ravioli. The service was arm and friendly and the ambience very nice. Food is very good as well.

Really enjoyed dinner here, we sat at the bar and full menu is offered there. I have food allergies and having knowledgeable staff that is also friendly was a double bonus. We will be back.

The ambiance and service at Enoteca are always good and this visit was no exception. We started with the spinach salad, a light and delicious blend of the greens served with house-made candied walnuts, a lemon vinaigrette, thinly sliced mushrooms and tender, fresh spinach. We followed that up with the cassoulet special. This was a little strong in flavor from the high percentage of lamb sausage and severe lack of beans. It was not a strong dish and I hope they rework it to make it closer to a French version. Service was not as good as usual but business was slow and easy to get their attention at that off time.

We went on a Monday night so it wasn't to busy, sat at bar. Had calamari not bad, could have been cooked longer. Pork saltimbocca was very good served with spinach. Bill was $50 without any drinks!

This was a big surprise! It was a recommendation from a nearby hotel employee. Risotto balls - The Best! Talked about them for 2 days!! Lobster Ravioli - Perfect! Spaghetti with veal Meatballs - Amazing! Can't wait to return to Austin and eat here again. The patio seating was also very lovely.

The more casual and les expensive sister to Vespaio next door, Enoteca live up to its name of "wine library." Great wine selection and good food in a casual atmosphere.

Enoteca is a lovely Italian cafe in the popular South Congress area of Austin. I realize that chefs think each of their creations are pretty special, but I also know that successful businesses make customer service their priority. When one person in my party asked if her manicotti could be served in a white sauce instead of red, our server said, "We'd rather not." Her tone of voice said far more than the words themselves. After letting her know that in the white sauce, "It would be heavy, with lots of dairy," the server did place the order in that way. The white sauce manicotti was delicious, and just what my friend wanted. Her husband ordered the manicotti as described on the menu, and loved it, too. The spaghetti ($17) was mediocre and made with angel hair pasta, not spaghetti. I had gnocchi in arrabbiatta sauce. It was also mediocre. I had previously only eaten gnocchi in buttery Parmesan or Alfredo sauce, but wasn't about to ask for white sauce on gnocchi at Enoteca! The food was pricey, the portions generous, the service average. So many choices in Austin - we won't be recommending Enoteca as we sing the praises of this exciting city.

My friend and I thought we were stopping in for a quick, light (and cheap) snack before going back out to wander the streets of Austin. We were drawn in by the meat boards on offer, and asked our waitress if they had any charcuterie options. We both wanted meat and cheese, you see. The waitress had to go to the back to check our answer to her question of, "what is a charcuterie?" She came back to tell us that they could build something for us. She then had to go back to get an answer to our question of, "what meats and cheeses would be included in said platter?" She then had to go back one more time to ask the kitchen about their cheese variety and availability. In the end - after much back and forth and not nearly enough alcohol - she assured us the kitchen would make a platter that a) contained the types of meats and cheeses we'd previously discussed - you know, the things we knew we like to eat; and 2) wouldn't cost an arm and a leg. Wrong on both counts! We'd asked for 3 different meats and 3 different cheeses. We'd asked for soft cheeses, as my friend isn't a fan of the harder versions. We'd asked for no bread (she has Celiac) and we'd asked to include honeycomb, which she assured us they had. And the bill? For two people not even eating an entire meal? Almost $85, with two drinks included in that total. We left feeling upset and somehow wronged. And still hungry, which was the biggest crime in this whole story.

Stopped by Enoteca for lunch to temporarily escape the Thanksgiving fare to come. Wonderful breads, sauces, cheeses and pasta. Friendly little shop on south Congress a few miles from downtown that is also a coffee and ice cream place. Casual and friendly.

Few places will keep me coming back to a city...add this one! The sugo is to die for, and great staff. When you walk in, get a whiff of the kitchen smell, it’s over! Garlic and butter are in the air, and you have to give in!

A little loud and the service seemed a little chaotic when we were there, but the food was good - especially the polenta - best ever. Bloody Mary was not. Coffee and desserts delightful.

Fell into this wonderful Italian enoteca/cafe/restaurant when we came to Austin for a family wedding. You must have the fries with aioli, the Margherita pizza is to die for! Salads. Pasta. Desserts. Service was excellent. Everyone in our party loved their dishes.

Enoteca is a well run good quality restaurant in a buzzing area of Austin. Friendly and helpful staff, good quality food and a pleasant atmosphere - so why only three stars? The problem was my main course: pork Saltimbocca with parma ham and spinach. The ingredients were excellent and the food had been well cooked - apart from one thing. It was horribly over-salted. It was just so frustrating because of course you can add salt but you can't take it out. I just don't think any self-respecting chef should assume that a diner would want to have their food prepared in this way. Bit like a driving test - you can do everything really well but if you forget to signal before turning right at a roundabout that is an automatic fail. I mentioned it to the server at the end of the meal and I have to say I thought her response was not what I would have expected at all. She smilingly dismissed my comment saying that yes there is a lot of salt but that is what you should expect in America. Fair enough, when in Rome and all that but I think a restaurant, which I assume is aiming to meet international standards of cuisine, is really letting itself down by failing to see the importance of not over salting food. I think a more appropriate response from the server would have been to express regret that the meal had not been to my liking and say that she would report my comments to chef. I suggest that chef should put a modest amount of salt in food when it is being prepared and leave it to diners to make any adjustments they feel to be appropriate. By the way, Enoteca, in case you are not aware of it, routinely over salting food is bad for your health.

We loved this Italian restaurant. It's casual, servers are very gracious and the food is phenomenal. Prices are very reasonable and they offer a vast array of of options in their wine list and their menu. Loved the outdoors patio. Absolutely recommend this restaurant to both locals and visitors. A must.

I love their main restaurant Vespaio, but this is a great alternative for lunch. Had a fabulous Caesar salad, its huge and I eat the whole thing!! Lots of choices, from light to heavy all good. Gets busy and they don't take reservation, but enjoy

We ate last night at Enoteca on S Congress..Excellent service, food and wine. 6 friends who LOVE GREAT food; Self acclaimed chefs at home had 3 apps fabulous, Grilled oysters, Frittes, Calamari and 5 different menu items. We loved it ALL! . Enoteca is sweet cozy seating small restaurant ~ reminds my of NYC Little Italy.. where I eat annually when visiting family. It is real tomatoes & veggies and spices sauce on everything. Killer portions and flavorful at old school prices. I am dairy free and found something wonderful to eat! We had two bottles of well price”great wines” both Italian and only $40 each. No desert but it looked yummy. Don’t miss this Old ATX jewel..

We enjoyed our meal and the service was excellent. I had the tagliatelle con fungi. The calamari appetizer wasn’t great but my daughter and wife really enjoyed the risotto balls. My daughter was put off that her Caesar salad actually had an anchovie on it as a Caesar salad is intended. I thought it was kind of cool as most places skip that. The gnocchi in Arabia ya sauce was good. Most unpleasant was when an elderly homeless man wandered into the restaurant wreaking of BO and the street then proceeded to eat at the bar. We could smell him on the other side of the restaurant. If he wants to comp meals to homeless folks at least give them a to go. It isn’t fair to paying customers. I’d go back if it weren’t for that.

so many delicious and thoughtful menu choices and a fantastic wine selection. the service was outstanding, too. don't miss it!!

I've eaten at Enoteca three times, and every time I have been very happy with the meal. I usually start with the steamed mussels or fried zucchini. The spinach, chopped and caprese salads are great. I have tried the cheese and spinach manicotti; the fennel-pork sausage pizza with roasted red bell peppers; the eggplant, zucchini and rooted pepper panini; and my fave, the linguine misto mare, with clams, shrimp and calamari; all were excellent. They also have an ample charcuterie and antipasti. HINT: No reservations - it is first come, first served.

We enjoyed our lunch here. The décor was amazing and the staff was courteous and helpful. Entrees were very large.

Nice place to have fresh pasta and Italian food. The service is ok, but the food is great! I would go back!

I truly enjoyed this restaurant until a group of homeless people came through at lunchtime. They were filthy and proceeded to ask patrons for money, they then used the bathroom, bellied up to the bar and started asking for food etc... As a patron, I expect any establishment that I frequent to keep the premises sanitary and pleasant. Apparently this is a common practice and if you don't like it, the management recommends that you don't come back. So we will not be returning nor will we recommend them again. My advice is if you really want to help volunteer, give them a clean place to live and a job, donate to a shelter, give food to loaves and fishes. This homeless thing has gotten out of control. Law abiding paying customers and taxpayers are now at the bottom of the totem pole.

Loved it. It was our first time. All the 5 dishes we ordered had great presentation and tasted good. Polenta was delicious. Spinach egg Benedict were awesome, too.

Fabulous Happy Hour with many choices and great pricing. The food was so delicious! Our server Ana was the best-very attentive and friendly. It was a great choice while on our vacation.

It was threatening rain and Enoteca was the closest restaurant open. What a wonderful bonus for escaping the rain. I had the meatball panini sandwich. The meatballs are just like my Italian husband used to make (delicious). Calamari was tender and tasty. Service was outstanding. I can't wait to go,back,again!

Enoteca / Vespaio is my favorite Italian restaurant and where I take out of town guests for Italian. You can’t go wrong here. They are located at 1610 South Congress. They share the same kitchen. Enoteca is the casual side open for lunch and dinner. Vespaio is the more elegant and is open for dinner. Enoteca’s menu is not as extensive as Vespaio’s and there is no lunch menu so the prices are the same day or night. Enoteca has a patio but it gets full sun and can be hotter than you know where. Big bonus, they have their own parking in the back. They have a wonderful selection of Antipasti and Charcuterie to start with. I like the Calamari Fritti served with lemon aioli ($13) and Muscovy Duck Liver Pate, it’s smooth as butter and served with toast ($8). The wine selection is huge so there is something perfect for you. They have some wonderful Panini and wood fired Pizza but I always go straight to the pasta. The Spaghetti Carbonara (pancetta, parmigiano reggiano and cream $16) wonderfully rich and my favorite, the Maiale Saltimbocca (pork scaloppine, prosciutto, sautéed spinach in a lemon butter sage sauce $19) positively divine. When you enter you will see the dessert case full of mouth water delights. It is hard to choose sometimes because everything is wonderful. I guess my favorites are the Salted Caramel Chocolate Tort, the Chocolate Hazelnut Mousse Cake (both great with a glass of Port) or the Tiramisu (with a glass of Disaronno). Always a great choice for lunch or dinner. I promise you will be happy!

This casual restaurant is connected to the more formal Vespaia Restaurant; they share a kitchen (and therefore a chef). So this was a perfect place to have an early dinner when we had tickets for Esther's Follies later that evening. It was a good happy hour with lots of "small plates" and $5 glasses of wine. There were good choices among the small plates, though one of the ones I ordered, Arctic char, came with creme fraiche. I asked them to serve that separately because I am lactose intolerant. They did so, but neither the waiter nor the menu mentioned that it was served more like a paste which had cream cheese in it. One taste told me that was the case. The waiter offered me a replacement, which I took (caprese salad because I actually can eat mozzarella cheese). It was very good. My husband finished the Arctic char dish. They charged us for both but because they had offered the replacement to me, they took the char off the bill, as we thought they should. For my main course, I ordered linguini with seafood in arrabbiata sauce, which was delicious. It was so big that I couldn't finish it. Others with us ordered a lasagna made with veal to split, plus several small plates, and they loved it all. The $5 wine was really quite good! I would definitely recommend this restaurant. It is small and charming with a warm ambiance.

Four of us ate here in December 2018 on a week night and all 4 of us LOVED the food (a miracle for us). I'll cut right to the food: Our favorites= MAIALE SALTIMBOCCA (pork scaloppine, prosciutto, sautéed spinach, lemon-butter sage sauce) and RAVIOLINI CON ARAGOSTA (Maine lobster meat filled raviolini, tomato crema, arugula). For an idea of prices, each cost $19; there were many less expensive choices. For $16, add as an appetizer their delicious DUCK CONFIT (crispy duck leg confit, watercress, frisee, grapefruit-agave nectar vinaigrette, chevre crostini). The dessert list had some Italian classics, including cannoli and Italian Cream Cake. We were very happy with our 2 indulgent choices: Salted caramel chocolate tart ($4.75) and Chocolate hazelnut mousse cake ($5). We just missed Happy Hour: MON-FRI 4-6PM HALF OFF ANTIPASTI & CHARCUTERIE HALF OFF BOTTLES OF WINE $2 OFF SPECIALTY COCKTAILS $1 OFF BEERS There is also a delicious-looking Sunday Brunch menu from 10am-3pm which we have not yet tried. This is a small and very popular SO-CO place to eat, so call ahead to get a sense of the crowd. We had to wait 25 minutes on a Friday night (not bad for any Austin eatery). Our solution was to stop by, leave our name and then so some window shopping in the unique shops nearby til time to eat. What looked like a typical crowd was pretty low-key, so it was not very noisy for so small a place. Every staff member, from the front door greeting through paying the tab, was pleasant, professional and helpful to suggest options for waiting and eating. Valet parking in back was very reasonable. The bistro's full name is Enoteca Vespaio; do not confuse it with Vespaio, its highly rated sister restaurant next door (excellent but food costs 3-4 times more). I plan to go back for more excellent dining and highly recommend Enoteca to all!

We loved the food and the service. Had to try both restaurants. Outside seating is great if the weather is not too hot.

While in Austin for a 5 day trip, Enoteca was the only restaurant we visited twice. It was hot, and their chopped salad hit the spot with high-quality ingredients. Very filling as well. I also had the fried eggplant and zucchini with a side of the homemade pasta. Yum!

South Congress Street in Austin is a happening place, and Enoteca is a restaurant you will enjoy if you're in the area. Great Italian food, excellent service, some great wines priced reasonably. We took the grandkids there for dinner and they loved their food and the atmosphere. When we were there, we were able to dine outdoors, which the kids really loved. In addition to good children's offerings, my wife had a vegetarian pasta dish and I had a very good pizza. All in all a great dining experience, and additional kudos if coming as a family with children.

The great thing about Enoteca Vespaio is simply, they are open during the day while the big sista next door is open at night. It was on a nice sunny SOCO day that we wondered in a decade of so ago. Upon the suggestion of the bartender we got a bottle of Prosecco, instead of some champagne. It changed our lives when it come to fizzy wine choices. It was that one moment which made us realize we had found something new, inexpensive and delicious. We polished off our bottle and had a few small bites. Their menus has changed over the years, but you cannot go wrong with their calamari, risotto balls, or the PEI Mussels. All are yummy and if you have a larger appetite then they are great panini's. I really love the feel and smell of this little place. It reminds me greatly of a French or Italian bistro from my days living in Europe. The tile surrounding and inside the restaurant, the close seating and expansive wood bar and most of all the deli. You can grab some great cakes, Prosciutto, olives, stuffed peppers, pate and cheeses. Cozy up and grab a pair of friends for their brunch or kick back outside on their petite patio for bubbles during the afternoon.

Next to Vespaio and owned by the same people Vespaio has great cafe Italian food. Their chicken Parmesan is some of the best you will ever have and the wine and cocktail selection will not let you down. Also the Spuli is fulll of classy cheese and surrounded by crispy Polenta. The ceaser salad is made with real anchovies and includes some on the side but al of their salads are great. the pizza is also made in a brick oven and is excellent italian style pizza. The brunch is very unique and very good. we eat there at least once a month and have never been disappointed -a very specila little place with outdoor patio seating.