Foreign & Domestic Reviews

Our daughter lives in the north loop and we drive by this place all the time. We had seen it on triple d but having tried 8-10 triple d places around the country and finding them woefully inadequate we were hesitant... but not anymore. This place is special. Excellent service and friendly staff and out of this world food. The popovers are a treat but the other apps are probably even better especially the cauliflower. The menu changes a lot so I won’t detail our meals but let’s just say we had 4 incredibly satisfied patrons of which two are extremely picker eaters. Eat here!!!

Little place - reservations are essential. Elegant food served in a former gas station. Enjoyed sitting next to the open kitchen and Watching the very skilled chefs. Everything was unexpected and everything was very good. Nice wine list. Good service. $400 for six people with wine and dessert. We feel it was worth it. Be adventurous and give it a try.

Not being from Austin, our family of six came here on the advice of a friend of a friend. Great choice! Excellent service throughout the meal. The server was able to answer our many questions about the food- had obviously tasted everything. The highlight of the meal was the delicious popovers. Fresh cutlery was brought after the salad plates were removed. Our entrees were freshly prepared and hot. The risotto was wonderful, also the porkchop, and the fish of the evening. The only slight glitch was that it took way too long between salad plates being removed and entrees coming out. However, our server kept topping up the water glasses, appreciated on such a hot night. Outside tables were under a tent near the street. The inside looked more intimate and fun. Highly recommend if you are in the Hyde Park neighborhood.

Visiting Austin for work and was able to catch up with my niece who wanted to show me one of her favorite spots to dine. I had a great time and meal. Excellent service. We shared some savory salads with pickled ground cherries. That was a treat. I had quail. Perfectly cooked on a bed of barley and bernaise sauce. They had local lamb. Also excellent. Kudos to this place and helping build austins reputation

My boyfriend and I stumbled upon this place while searching for a new restaurant to eat at in our neighborhood. We both enjoyed our experience and loved the food! Pros: The atmosphere of the place is very cosy and and good for a date night. The food is prepared out in the open (aka no walls between the kitchen and dining area) which I really liked because it added character to the overall vibe of the restaurant. Our waiter was excellent as well! He was very knowledgable of the menu and was able to offer us good recommendations. I ordered the bean salad to start (tasty and not too filling) then my boyfriend and I shared the "meat for 2" which was a 28 oz ribeye steak with cheesy jalepeño grits! This was the highlight for me. The grits were delicious! Perfect balance of cheese and jalepeño with the texture of the grits. I could really taste the jalepeño flavor, but it wasn't too spicy. The steak was also cooked to our liking. We had leftovers too! For dessert, we had a cherry ice cream with candies walnuts, toffee, chocolate, and pretzel. So much flavor packed in here! Each bite was different than the next, and all flavors came together to create a sweet and salty treat. Cons: The price was more than I expected, but the quality and quantity of the food is up to par. The only other con is that we ordered a bread appetizer called a popover. It was okay, but probably not worth getting. Overall, I would absolutely recommend this restaurant!

Delicious albeit carb heavy brunch. I would have preferred to end with the pancakes and delicious jam as a dessert course to not miss a bite of the flavorful vegetable egg frittata. Loved the mushrooms and onions baked inside the frittata while the pickled veggies on top surprised me. All in all delicious! The zucchini bread was a moist solid bread almost cake like when dolloped with the sweet whipped butter cream. The staff was very attentive and personable. We’ll be back.

We decided to try this place out after seeing it on food network. They are doing something different and amazing. You have to get here early as they have very limited space and also they do run out of items as it get late.

What can I say? It was an amazing experience. The food was top notch. The service was great. And the atmosphere was very comfortable.

I've eaten here a couple of times and every dish is so unique. I feel like there is a battle on my palette amongst all the ingredients in each bite, of what flavor should win. It's hard to pinpoint what makes it so great. Again, each plate is unique and so tastefully done. Pun intended;-) If you are visiting Austin, it's not a place many people will send you because it's not downtown. But venture a little north of UT and be prepared for your tastebuds to be blown away!

We had a terrific dinner at Foreign and Domestic while visiting our family in Austin. The food was outstanding and the chef shows an amazing range of skill. The menu is appropriately sized so that you know those preparing the meals can focus on doing a great job on the food they're preparing. There were six of us dining and we had several different items that ranged from "down home Texas" to elegant. Our son and granddaughter had "chicken and biscuits" which they loved. The portion size was big but not "Texas" size as the chef wants to give quality rather than quantity. The salad on their plates raised the meal to another level with its candied lemon and balsamic dressing. My wife and I had "trout" because we're diet conscious. We were served an elegantly plated wild trout or arctic char with a fine medley of exotic veggies that were perfectly cooked and delightfully sauced. This dish was the equal of those we have had in restaurants in Boston, LA, and Paris. The restaurant is very popular, relatively small and they don't take reservations. It is one of those hidden gems that you should definitely try if you visit Austin.

In Austin for business. Made trip to Hill Country and came away disappointed. Got back in town in time to get two seats at counter where we got to see the chefs work their magic. Don't let appearances fool you. Service and food were top notch. Popovers a great way to start meal. You definitely need to try the fried chicken. Highly recommend. No reservations, so get their early unless you want to sit outside to wait for table.

We arrived in the midst of Sunday brunch. The place was packed. The service was excellent. The menu is very eclectic and the food was downright yummy! We started with the popovers, as it seems everyone does, and they were fab. Hubs had steak & eggs and it was perfectly cooked. I had the chicken biscuit and it was very, very good.

We saw the Triple D show about this restaurant but this was our first time to try it. We made reservations which is good because they only have seating for about 50 inside and about 4-6 outside. Sarah, the owner and head chef greeted us and Gemma, our server was excellent. She recommended the Popovers for appetizer and they were so good we ordered more to take back to our hotel. The hamburger and the pork chop were both delicious. The apple crumble dessert had a slight taste of salt but was good nevertheless.

We heard some good things about this place, including seeing it on TV, so we went with high expectations. Unfortunately, it fell a little short. The food was just OK. No real complaints about the food quality, but I ordered a pasta dish special (they said it was new special) that was very bland. It didn't taste bad, but it really didn't have much flavor to speak of and it was certainly not memorable. We tried the Popovers and those were good. My wife and friends all liked their meals. Our biggest issues were the attitudes of the staff and the fact that that A/C was blowing right on us in the corner table when the temperature outside was cold (it was a jacket night). We almost had to get up and leave, but the waitress did manage to turn it off a couple of times. I can't say for sure, but given the location of the kitchen, it seemed like the Chef was controlling the temperature for the folks cooking at the expense of the folks dining. They get hot around the kitchen and cooling them off means freezing out the diners. Again, that's just what we inferred from the waitress' comments - she didn't seem to have any pull on the temperature decisions and the kitchen is in the restaurant itself. Regarding the attitudes, our issue was around their policy of not seating anyone until the whole party is there. We were waiting on one person, there was exactly one table full in the restaurant with nobody else waiting, and they wouldn't let us go in and even sit out of the cold. Our option was to sit in the cold or sit in the car, as we waited outside of a nearly empty restaurant. I knew about the policy before we went so I tolerated it, but the arrogance and tone of the employees about the policy simply pissed us off. They want to be a cool Austin restaurant, but they're not. They're simply inexperienced and hipsters that are falling a bit short of their target.

Went here for brunch and ordered the fried chicken biscuit and the cottage cheese pancakes. The Pancakes were AMAZING, part of the reason for this post getting 4 stars. The chicken was slightly burned, but overall was tasty. The service was interesting to say the least, as we could not figure out if the server was just a bit grouchy or just born that way :). Anyways, good food and good times! Oh, no reservations so that is to be noted.

We wanted to visit this restaurant since it got great reviews on the food network. We arrived on time (party of four) and had to wait for our table to be ready. Seating was not ideal. We were right at the entrance with the sun reflecting on the door and blinding us every time it opened. Waiter was nice but seemed to loose interest when we did not order wine. He suggested we order the appetizers and entrees at once so the meal would "flow". Got the appetizers. Very tasty but extremely small. Got entrees 15-20 minutes later. We all ordered the pork belly. Only five two bite size pieces of pork (tasty) with lots of cold corn kernels. My daughter's pork dish had mostly fat in it as if they were running out of food. We told one of the waiters and they offered to bring her a new dish. We declined so they removed one of the appetizers from the bill.??? The appetizers were fine. Not the dining experience we were expecting. Prices are too high. Not worth it. Thanks for reading.

I found the wine list and prices reasonable but thin, the food good but small portions and the service very good. Best parts of my meal were the unusual pig ear appetizer and the excellent desserts. I probably won't visit again.

The meal is exquisite. The service is great. The kitchen organization is impeccable and a day after hearing about Anthony Bourdain to enjoy a meal like that was fitting. The gruyere popovers are not to be missed. The beef tongue was also melt in your mouth good. I had the carbonera which was fabulous. The portions are good and everything is delicious. The ambience is rustic Austin but the food that hits your table is Fantastic. Not to be missed. It is tucked away in north east Austin or what I would have called middle of town. Part of the Austin that hasn’t been gentrified yet. A true treat.

Met some local friends for dinner at this place that was highly recommended. Not super busy on a Wednesday night. Even with a reservation, we ended up at the table next to the fryer, and as a result we stunk like fryer oil when we left. Had I known, I would have left my jacket in the car - now I smell like oil for business calls next day! Ick Popovers were really good. Wine selection was nice - happy hour choices were good too. I ordered lion's mane mushroom risotto and was told that the mushrooms were cooked using a method where they are cooked slowly in oil. Sounded yummy, but end result not so great. There was a drizzle of evoo on the risotto - then the mushrooms. The mushrooms oozed oil as I ate the meal. By about half way through, there was so much oil on the risotto that it was not very good any more. Then dessert - we ordered one to share. The flourless chocolate cake and blood orange ice cream. Ice cream was the highlight of the meal for me - VERY good. Chocolate cake was cold from being in refrigerator - desserts have WAY more flavor when they are room temp, so that was disappointing too. I think I would try another place next time in town.

I saw this restaurant on DDD and just had to go and try the huge popovers. Before doing that, however, I made my own for comparison. The overeall consensus between me and my husband is that mine are better. On the show, the chef stuffed the popovers with Gruyere cheese. In real life, I found myself hunting for the cheese inside the popover. There was plenty on top, but I couldn't find it inside. This review is not about the popovers though. This is a corner dive-looking place in an Austin neighborhood with the prices of a five-star restaurant and the portions to match. You know . . . small. It was actually enough for me, but my husband left hungry even after sharing some of mine. I had the fried chicken biscuit and very much enjoyed it. The sides that came with it, not so much. The "slaw" was VERY spicy and the jam was too citrusy for me. I love citrus, but this was very strong to me. My husband had the halibut, which he said was perfect, just too small. Our waitress, Erin, was awesome! We loved her. All of the staff were very polite and attentive. The atmosphere was very "neighborhoody" and comfortable. It was just a little confusing at first. Funky dive on the outside. Small with metal chairs and benches on the inside (plus a cool counter where you could sit and be within touching distance of the chef and kitchen staff. Very cool!), and a swanky, high end attitude on the menu (which was more limited than I expected). All in all I'm glad we checked it out, and I might even go there again just for the comfy vibe and to say Hi! to Erin, and maybe enjoy a Mexican Coke (which I had for the first time and really enjoyed. That's saying something considering I don't drink soda). I'd also like to check out the counter experience. If you go, just be prepared for white linen napkins and a small, pricey menu. Not at all what you'd expect from the outside.

We enjoyed an excellent meal at Foreign & Domestic. They pride themselves on farm-to-table food and have a nice selection of small plates and entrees. We started with the popovers then had grouper and pork, both of which were delicious. Next time I will try the pasta. We had a bottle of French syrah which was very nice, and finished with an excellent olive oil cake, the best feature being that it's not too sweet. The service was good, and the host accommodated our request for a quieter table than we were originallly shown. We'll definitely go back. It's a small place and sitting at the bar to watch see the kitchen activity will be a fun experience when we go again.

I decided to come to this restaurant per a friend’s recommendation for a new experience in Austin cuisine I never expect the experience to be so uncomfortable and downright demeaning…My boyfriend and I decided it was a nice evening for a bike ride for our Friday date night, so we headed on over to Foreign & Domestic to find out what this place was all about;since my friend had raved about it. We arrive to the restaurant around 6:30pm on Friday and were greeting by very friendly hosts that asked if we had a reservation, which we told that we did not. She then stated that they had one free table towards the back of the restaurant near the server’s station and asked if the table would be ok. We opted to take the table at the table we were greeted by a nice server that took our drink order and informed us that our server would be with us shortly. We took a few mins to look over the menu and since it was our first time there we decided we would talk over what we would be ordering over our first beer…. No need to be in a hurry right …1. It was Friday, 2. It’s our first time here, 3. All menu items seem to be good so it was a bit hard to decide on our first meal experience. While taking it over, our sever Grover arrived at our table shortly after getting out beer and he asked if we were ready to order. We replied “Not yet not sure what we are doing yet.” Well to our surprise Grover replies in a very disappointed tone “So you are NOT ordering food today?” To which we again stated “We are not sure what are going to do yet!” He then walked about 3 feet way (this place is pretty small) near the kitchen and proceeded to chat with other staff members (who then began to glance over to at our table) about us not ordering food. He then goes to the host to (I guess) ask why she sat us in his section. The host looks over at us confused, he walks off and goes to speak with who I THINK might have been a manager (white shirt, looked in charge) about us not ordering food. Remind you we are sitting at the back of the restaurant 3 FEET AWAY while all this is going on….Again, we NEVER said we were not ordering food, ever! We stated that we were not sure what we doing; we had only been there tops 5mins before he came over to take an order. So while Grover continued with his tantrum I decided to pull out my cell open up my Yelp App and proceeded to start this review. After a few servers noticed that is writing a review word got around to Grover; he then consulted with manager looking guy and then came back over to our table and asked if everything was ok. I remained silent as the place was too small to address the issue and not disturb other patrons. (Truth, I was pissed off!) My boyfriend told him all was good and asked for the check. Grover with his persistence then addressed me directly and said “you seem upset are you ok?” to which replied “please get our check.” Needless to say, we did not order dinner after all…. Would you? I’m all about giving places a second chance but not sure this will be one of them! Reasons I would NEVER recommend Foreign & Domestic to anyone: 1. The obvious: the server, Grover was unprofessional, rude and proceeded to throw a tantrum over something that was never said IN FRONT of his clients….this attitude gives your entire staff a bad rap! 2. The Manager: Not sure if there was on there….One NEVER showed face to find out what is going on and address the issue before it got to the point that it did. The place would have gain some respect back if some sort of management would have come over and simply asked if all was ok, don’t send the server that is clearly upset address your clients. 3. Service based on the amount of money I plan on spending: I would never recommend a place where the STAFF makes you feel so uncomfortable and humiliated due to what you order or DON’T order, no one should treated in this manner period; whether it’s your first visit or your 100th visit. I was really looking forward to experiencing this place for the first time, sadly I didn't get to even enjoy by beer or even taste their cuisine. If you decide this is the place for you, I hope you have a better experience. Cheers, MO

F&D has become one of our go-to restaurants in Austin - when the paradox of choice becomes too much to bear, we pretty much just check-out, and head over there. The cuisine is, well, classic upscale Austin, which pretty much never fails to delight. The service is excellent, and the opposite of impersonal (they pretty much start recognizing you after your second visit). The bottom line - go there, and enjoy. Note - the wine list is small, but exceptional. Note2 - get the gougeres, if available...

This was one of the most interesting dining experiences I have ever had. First let me start with the things I liked about this restaurant. I liked how it had that hole in the wall feel to it. The design was simple and I liked how it was bright inside with the windows. I also liked the simple menu. When we went there were about 5 appetizers, 7 entrees, and 3 desserts to choose from. Just 2 cocktails as well as a few wines and beers as well. My family was already planning on vacationing in Texas when we saw this restaurant on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives just a week before going, so we decided it looked good and we could check it out. The dessert was really good even though it was small and very expensive for the amount, but this would be expected at any gourmet-foodee restaurant. Also, the manager was very friendly and was going out of his way to check on each table throughout the night. However, this restaurant is not NEARLY as great as they made it sound on TV. While I can appreciate the charm of how the couple who own it met in culinary school, the charm stops there because it's not that couple who is serving you (which I obviously didn't expect). If you are planning on applying for a job here, make sure you have at least 3 of the following: a body covered in tattoos, gauges in your ears, tons of piercings, black rimmed glasses, and red lipstick for ladies. Our server was rude, and not only that, he was training someone... who was also unfriendly. We did see other servers who appeared more friendly, it's just too bad we ended up with this one. My dad asked for ketchup to go with his burger and onion rings, and while I can appreciate the chefs pride in making food too good for condiments, the server didn't have to respond so rudely by smirking and almost rolling his eyes and saying "we don't have ketchup" and just turning around and walking away without even a "Sorry, sir." The popovers were good but not anything amazing and the bottoms were burnt and left a bitter flavor. I think I could make almost the exact same thing at home with pillsbury crescent rolls with gruyere in the middle haha. The salmon and succotash was okay and the burger and onion rings were good. The chicken and biscuit was really good, but way too fattening! The shellfish pasta dish that they made on the show was what I ordered, because if they share the recipe on TV like that, it should be amazing, right? The noodles were really undercooked, it only came with 5 shellfish, one of which hadn't opened so really it was only 4, and the portion was 1/2 the size of the one on TV. On top of all this is was super salty and had a really off/weird taste to it. I could only eat about 4 bites. I also ordered the cucumber cocktail, which was about 4 oz. and not at all what the menu described it as. It was not served with ice, so it wasn't refreshing on a July day in TX at all! I couldn't taste any pineapple or cucumber. All in all, I would rather go to a restaurant in the city where I could get better/more food with excellent service and a classier atmosphere, but if you are a total hipster who wouldn't annoy the servers and are into overpriced hole in the wall kinds of places, then this restaurant would be great for you. I also want to add that the restaurant was very busy and wasn't sure if it was always like that or because the episode featuring them was just aired a week beforehand and suddenly everyone wanted to try it. Also, if my previous theory is correct, they should have thought about how annoyed they would be by having middle aged tourists intrude on their hipster vibe before agreeing to make a show about it on national television... it comes with the territory.

Anytime I'm in town, I make it a point to stop in and eat at this Oasis of culinary perfection. The food, and the service never disappoint. If you're looking for one of those white tablecloth, quiet, hoity toity restaurants, this is not the place. It's loud, racious, and very Lively. Even on a Tuesday night. Again I had the nose-to-tail tasting menu, and true to their culinary skills everything was a 10. But this time I substituted the steak tartare for the pasta, not that I don't like it just because I was giving up carbs for a little while. Each dish was paired perfectly with a glass of wine, if I had any complaints it would be that I didn't have enough room in my stomach to eat more. Love this restaurant love the staff, lovely ownership.

Great food served with a smile. Everything ordered was brought out at one time, which is my only complaint. The oysters were fresh and delicious. Along with the sides in The Whole Shebang.

My wife and I attended a group dinner where we had the entire restaurant for the evening with a preset menu. A good time!

Interesting menu and all super fresh, prepared before your eyes. Not sure they seat more than 30 people overall, including 6 or 8 at the food preparation counter. Chef prepares interesting dishes like Clams and Soft Egg, which was beautiful and very sumptuous. Wine list was very good and super prices, so don't worry about BYO. The place is cool, and a great venue to take friends who want something a little different.

Had dinner for three. Excellent wine, Excellent service. We had 3 appetizers and 3 entrees. I had the quail, my son had the pork belly and we also ordered the squid spaghetti. Plus we had both desserts. Great food!!

We had dinner here last night with our great server Max. Food is fantastic, great flavors and portions that leave you satisfied but not stuffed. Awesome wine list. Can’t wait to try again soon.

We had an amazing Sunday brunch here. Friendly service and very interesting food. Can’t wait to go back.

You won't wait the full hour for a table without falling in love with the smell of the popovers. Just order them. My GF sister chose stomachache over being left out of the popovers. You're likely to wait for a table but never fear-there's a waiting area waiter to bring drinks! I had the liquid carrot app and seafood entree and sorbet. All were perfection.

We tried F&D for the first time, venturing waaaaay across town. Service -- excellent. Ambience - Austin plain. Food -- very good. We tried the popovers - great, the beef cheeks - also great. Not too thrilled with the potato pappardelle. Interesting 'raw potato chip' crunch. Risotto was also very good. Buttermilk strawberry pie was a nice finish. We'll go back.

In Austin for work trip, I decided to try Foreign and Domestic based on reviews I read. What a wonderful experience. I sat at the bar table that allowed me to watch all of the food being prepared. That in itself was a treat to watch,but eating the food was an even better experience. The burritos salad was a refreshing salad, the salmon was delicious and served with black garlic and corn puree. The Napoleon for dessert was so light and refreshing, served with watermelon sorbet. You have to try this restaurant.

We went here for brunch. I was not impressed. I saw this on Diners, Drive ins, and Dives. Not very good at all. The biscuits were old and the food was overcooked. Coffee was not very good. May I suggest Magnolia Cafe?

This will be simple. When you are in Austin you have to eat here. The food was delicious. Service impeccable. Even though we stupidly didn't have a reservation they fit us in. Not only do they serve incredible food with outstanding service they take care of their people with health insurance. This is worth getting behind.

Love the chef's revolving seasonal menu using local ingredients and his creative twist. Wish we had been informed about the off the menu special that restaurant insiders seem to know about but we didn't as we watched the table next to us receive "special gifts from the chef." An eclectic wine list. Where were the Spanish selections we saw on the website wine list???Prefer stemware wine classes and not bulky Riedel wine cups.

Not much in north Austin that's personal, but this place is chef-driven with an eclectic menu and great service. My wife and I got there just before the 9:30pm cutoff of seating on a Thursday night, and we loved the bavette steak, burrata with peaches and ham, melon with chilis and goat cheese. It was all great and our server was just the tops. Wine list is reasonable.

Foreign & Domestic is hands down my favorite place to eat in Austin, TX. It is one of the places that continually avails itself of what is fresh and local. The food is creative and the atmosphere is not over powering. Ned and Jodi Elliott are the best! No reservations, but it is worth the wait (usually short).

Wife and I were really excited about this place and, after going there for dinner, all we could say was "wow". Great service and great food, amazing wine menu. Small and unique and not too pricey, as someone else stated, and the small part means it can be noisy too (people, right?). I went for the tasting menu, and even though they did not have a vegetarian one for my partner, they were able to adapt and have dishes coming at the same time. I would only suggest a wine-pairing option for the tasting menu. Definitely the best we went to in Austin.

Very creative, original dishes and combinations, made mostly from the best local products, well prepared and presented. A good wine list, but servings of wine by the glass are scanty - hence 4 stars instead of 5.

If this were in NYC you would say to yourself, "THIS is why I love flying to NYC!" Small, unique and not too pricey though they are not going to over-stuff you like the Olive Garden either.

My family of 6 (all foodies) loved it! We started with the popovers which were light, airy and full of flavor. Three of my family had the Fried Chicken Biscuit. Luckily, they let the other 3 have a bite. We all agreed it was one of the best that any of us have ever had. My husband and I split the 12 oz Wagyu Burger. It was HUGE and full of flavor. (it is cooked medium rare) I loved that the bun was an English muffin. A regular bun could not hold up to all of the juicy flavors. One of my family members had the braised pork belly. It was also good. Opens at 5:30 pm. Entrees average around $20. Local beer and a decent wine list. Great service!

We held a Sunday brunch meeting here and ordered a variety of dishes. Cinnamon roll starter was only so-so because it had cardamom and no cream cheese frosting. The pancakes were perfect with crispy edges. (IHOP is much cheaper, tho). The burger was small and unseasoned. (WhatABurger is better). Frittata was good, chicken biscuit, too. The best we’re cheddar/black pepper biscuits.

Our waiter was not good...he seemed to be preoccupied with securing social engagements with other patrons and kept disappearing around the corner, only to come back with a mouthful of food. I ordered the fish which had changed during the course of the evening and arrived "rare." When I asked if it could be cooked through, the response was "this is how we prepare halibut!" ( which was actually trout). So, after getting my TROUT cooked, the food was good. With so many good restaurants in Austin, the service should be impeccable....they missed the mark.

My companions have been here several times. We ended up at the chef's counter, so we were able to see the work going on in the open kitchen. The food combinations are wonderful, with interesting combinations. Don't be timid here! And save room for dessert -- even if you share it. It's all worth the calories!

The place is small, the food is great! The menu changes periodically, so the food is always fresh and amazing. The short rib was my personal favorite!

This is definitely a top restaurant in Austin in my book. We sat at the counter and had an awesome experience watching and chatting with the chefs as they prepared our meals. The gruyere popovers are an absolute MUST! I really enjoyed the squash risotto - perfect balance between flavor, heartiness, and lightness at all once. All meals looked amazing so I don’t think you can make a wrong choice here. The menu changes regularly so we will definitely be back!

We went on a Saturday evening about 630. There was an hour wait for a table and 20 for the counter. We chose the counter so we could see them prepare the food. Drinks were served outside while we waited and it was surprisingly comfortable for 93 degrees. The fans and drinks made it nice. We only waited about 15 minutes.We ordered the popovers and a salmon appetizer. both were great. The cheesy popovers were the best. The waiter had several suggestions about the menu and was well educated about the food he served. We order the wagyu burger, chicken biscuit and braised beef tenderloin. This was a family dinner, so we shared. The burger was the best I've ever eaten. It's served on an english muffin which absorbs all the juice from the burger. Maytag Blue cheese was on the burger which only made it better. The chicken biscuit was unreal. Sausage red eye gravy on a fried chicken thigh served on a great biscuit. Need i say more? The braised beef was even good cold the next day for breakfast.

My husband and I came here to celebrate an anniversary. We had such a lovely experience. The food was delicious and the portions were a good size. I'm not sure what people are complaining about... they aren't supersized (which is not a bad thing!) but we were definitely full. The restaurant is small and cozy and the staff were so great. We had the popovers (yum), a divine soup, the oxtail risotto and beef ribs. We enjoyed each bite. The prices were appropriate (again, wth are people complaining about?). I will definitely return soon.

What I love about this place is that it feels like you are a guest in a chef's home kitchen. It is a bit noisy but the place is small so that is hard to avoid. The staff is always friendly.

The food is excellent and on par with Barley Swine and the late counter 357. I got the tasting menu and every dish was unique and excellent. Service was attentive and had some nice wine also. If I had a criticism it would be that the place is sorta loud and the could have a better wine list. I'll definitely be back. They will now be in my regular rotation of Austin's best restaurants.

Went to this place as a single diner, choosing to sit and the Chef's bar. I was able to walk right in with no wait. I started out with the Black pepper and gruyere pop overs, which did not dissapoint. Although being by myself two pop overs was a bit much but I did my very best to devour both of them. My entree was the waygu beef burger. This thing was 3/4lb with fried portk belly on top. Holy smokes I had every intention of not eating the whole thing after the pop over debacle but in the end there was nothing left on my plate and I needed a nap. The soux chefs were friendly and had a great conversation with them when they could afford the distraction.

Go for the Saturday Bake Sale. Get in line no later than 9:15AM. There are savory and sweet options with generous portions and unusual ingredients. Well worth the trip.

Excellent service and fantastic food. The venue is so cute and really authentic old Austin type place. We had a wonderful evening and plan to return as soon as we can get another reservation!

Small restaurant with mostly excellent small plates. Try to sit at the bar if you want to survey all that's going on. Also, you get the best service. Definitely ask for the popovers. I went last night for the crispy soft-shell crab brought in from Carolina. Nice wine list. Happy hour specials before 6:30pm. Again, service is outstanding!

We had brunch here a party of 11 heading to the airport and they absolutely accommodated all of us so we could get to the airport on time. Thank you!

Fresh and delicious! The food tastes better than any description! Had the pasta, risotto, gnocchi and salads. All wonderful! The desserts should not be skipped! And they are a reasonable size to enjoy more than one. Going back for the burger!

Went solo to try it out, menu is small and well managed. It was packed for a Thursday night, small place! parking is limited in the front and extra parking across the street after 5pm. Had a beer the pork belly was excellent the chilly sauce was perfect. You have to try the popovers. The staff was very nice and inviting. Will be back to try the other dishes. I am new to Austin, but they made me feel like a local. Thanks

LOVE their cheese popovers! ;-) There is always something new and it's always consistently good and LOCAL! Ned and the other chefs are fantastic entertainers at the bar as they show their skills while you eat. Sometimes, they'll treat you with something they're trying out to see if you like it. I don't mind being a guinea pig when it's coming from them! The atmosphere is great - you might feel like you're at a chic uptown NY bar.

This is a very trendy and extremely well done foodies treat. We're thrilled we found it during our short visit to Austin. Started with the Salad Lyonnaise & Terrine of the Moment that three of us shared. Both were perfect - wonderful blends of flavors. The House Pasta a la Cacia e Pepe with shaved truffles was one off the best dishes we've ever eaten! NY Strip and Texas Redfish was prepared and done to perfection. This place would not disappoint the most discriminating diner.

Have wanted too try Foreign and Domestic and finally made a reservation. Arrived on time and we were promptly seated. Our waiters arrived promptly and gave us an overview of the menu and his favorites. We ordered a bottle of Prosecco, the Terrine of the Day as a shared appetizer, and the pork belly, and creamed morels as entrees. The presentation was consistently wonderful and the dishes had special touches but struggled to be much more than good. The Terrine was very firm and bland and the pickled veggie garnish were the highlight of the dish. The pork belly was warm but the veggie relish was strangely cool and there were too many flavors. The creamed morels were the best plate and rated a solid four stars. Plating consistently trumped flavor. We finished with a fsirly average panna cotta. Very good service. Interesting concept. But the overall experience failed to excel in our opinion. And prices are on the high side for what you get.

Stopped in to F&D for dinner and sat at the counter. Started with their black pepper and Greyer cheese popover. I believe this is a signature dish for them. The popovers were OK but not knock your socks off. Not much pepper and the Gruyere cheese was just sprinkled on top (not even a hint of melt). It was crispy but for $9.00 not sure I would try that one again. Fortunately the rest of the meal went uphill from there WAY uphill. Stone fruit salad with Goat cheese mouse: Outstanding and very refreshing. Fried eggs and ramps with pastrami pork belly and morels. Scrape the plate delicious. Magret Duck: combo of some confit and roasted breast on a curry cream sauce also lick the plate great. OK I was too full for dessert but if they have the Pavlova available next time I am there I will try that. I really like it when chefs take old school stuff like that and update it a bit.

It was a stormy night and Foreign & Domestic was welcoming and warm. I really enjoyed my meal and my server was terrific. I had steak which was prepared perfectly and the frites which had a delicious garlic aioli that I couldn't get enough of.

This is the best of the nose to tail movement. We had the opportunity to sit at the "Chef's Table" which is basically a bar looking over the kitchen. That is a real treat. While we had the squash, it any not be on the menu since the menu changes regularly. Next time we've got to be more adventurous and get the tongue or heart or jowls! Great service too.

We'd booked a table for four people for 9pm. When we arrived, the table wasn't ready and we were taking to a waiting area, outside the restaurant where some white garden plastic chairs had been positioned. We stayed in this "parking lot" (hot, no A/C etc) for more than 35 minutes. Initially, the hostess was pleasant and kept apologising : they were waiting for a table to leave ("but they'd ordered the check already"). Then around 9:20PM a waitress arrived to take our drinks order. We sent her away with a message that we weren't planning to pay for drinks since this was their screw up. Finally at 9:35PM the hostess took us into the restaurant where we were sat at the bar, facing the open-plan kitchen. When the Manager arrived, that's when things got really interested. He showed my the wine list and suggested a white wine, which I accepted. However, he then suggested it would be "cheaper" to buy the bottle. I told him that we expected the wine to be complimentary. He went absolutely crazy, returned and slammed down in front of us the (fragile) wine glasses onto the metal bar (four times, one per glass) and the bottle and served the wine with a foul temper. Just so we're clear, this is a small restaurant with just a couple of tables that can be used for a party of four people. By 9:40PM we were in the ridiculous situation of having no table for four whilst there were about 6 tables for 2 persons free. I suggested to the Manager that he pushed two together, he refused. He also refused to tell the people on the "leaving table" that there was another party waiting. By 10PM, we'd given up and decided to eat at the bar. This whole scene played out in front of the kitchen staff and the (guessing) Head Chef was very sympathetic and offered us additional appetisers. This was a very nice touch but frankly who can eat more than one meal? Around 10:15PM the only other table for four (with two people on it!) had become free. That "leaving table" were still there. We re-sited to the table and, thankfully, the rest of the meal went without any issue. Normally restaurant Managers are there to resolve issues, not create them. I cannot express how angry we were at being treated like this. Firstly, knowing that they had an incoming booking for four people, they should have assigned the party of two to any table but the option of the table for four. Error. Secondly, if you are going to take reservations, you need to allocate a time for that table. A good Manager would have told the departing table that there was a party waiting for the table and maybe offered them a complimentary coffee at the bar, this guy just refused to do so. The food was awesomely good and our waitress was super pleasant. Thanks to her, the food and the attentive Head Chef, the evening was completed pleasantly. British readers will know about Fawlty Towers - believe me, the Manager of this restaurant was 100% Basil Fawlty.

We went here on with another married couple - we're omnivores, but the other party was vegan/vegetarian. This place had wonderful meal options for all parties. Bright salads, hearty meats - something for everyone.

Our friends saw this place on TV before meeting us in Austin so they made a reservation for Sunday brunch. Everything we had was very freshly cooked and super quality. I had the blackberry crepes filled with ricotta which was super smooth and delicious. The zucchini bread was moist and light as a feather. Very reasonable prices - mimosas were $6 great size portions - about 15 minute drive from downtown but well worth it on a lazy Sunday.

Great place and very minimal. Loved sitting at the bar. Very limited wine selection but good wines and almost all by the glass. Crispy beef tongue was to die for. Popovers are a must too. Barrata summer salad was exceptional with chili sauce, candied melon, tomatoes, and basil oil !! Do that again. The only disappointment was the braised goat with a corn something? The goat was tough and stringy. They agreed and took it back no problem, took it off the bill and sent over two desserts. Can not wait to try again.

Excellent service, I sat at the chefs' bar which is my favorite place to sit anywhere it is an option so I can watch them making the food. The food was out fast and delicious, very nice little cafe. Parking was a hiccup but I figured it out quickly and only had to walk a block.

My wife waited in line for this weekend's bake sale (I was otherwise occupied), and ended up purchasing almost $100 worth of baked goods. She took an approach of testing just about everything that was offered, and I am glad that she did. My request was for the 'meat and cheese' items and I can attest that these are very good to excellent, perhaps better than any I have had in Austin. I also had a taste of the chocolate and pecan pie, which was delicious. We are still eating our way through the goodies, but it is clear that we will be back. Just wish this would occur more often, if it could be done without sacrificing quality. PS they were taping for the Unique Sweets show this weekend.

Small hole in the wall with world class food. As many kitchen workers as there are tables. Small menu allowed us to sample almost everything. And everything was perfect.

Friends in from Washington DC had heard about this place from the Food Network channel so we drove up from San Antonio to sample their cuisine. Reservations are a must because seating is very limited! Fortunately, we were able to get on a wait list for a table. Restaurant has a pleasant waiting area just outside with chairs and cold water. Their wait staff also comes around for drink orders as well. Recommend Circle Hop Overboard Pale Ale while waiting. We had about an hour wait but it was worth it. I had their Fried Chicken Biscuit with Red Eye Sausage Cream Gravy, Fried Egg, Lemon Confit, and Slaw. My wife had their Carolina Gold Rice Crispy Gnocchi with Torpedo Onions, Baby Leeks, Yogurt, and Tomato Curry. Our friends had the Fried Chicken Biscuit and a Buttermilk Biscuit Stuffed Quail, Peach Gastrique, Tomatoes, and Blackberries. For dessert three of us shared a Butterscotch Blondie of Peach Jam, Candied Pecans, and Goat Cheese Ice Cream. Price with drinks, tax, and tip: $33/person. Overall, it was a real treat dining here and well worth the wait.

My wife and I had dinner at F&D last night. Our waiter suggested the pork shoulder paired with bloody butcher grits and it was one of the most memorable meals I have had in a long time. Truly delicious. My wife had the tomato tart and onion soup, both of which were very good, but the pork was clearly the star. Service was prompt and friendly, but not hurried. Our waiter was great - engaging, knowledgeable and very comfortable in his role. He was professional, but also conversational when appropriate. Lovely dining experience. The only thing we might have tweaked was the decibel level. This is undoubtedly a product of patrons enjoying themselves in the local neighborhood atmosphere and the building having been converted from an auto repair establishment. We had a wonderful time and will certainly return soon.

I saw this BIG little restaurant on the Food Channel 3 months ago and I told my wife we had to go to Austin and try this place. We only came to Austin to check it out and it was worth our trip from Houston. Service is supreme and the food Ay Ay Ay Bien Sabrosa. We will come back again and again

When I visit Austin, this is the first restaurant I visit, and the last restaurant I visit. It has been a few years since I have eaten here, and knowing that there had been an ownership change, I was a little skeptical as to whether the food and quality was up to original standards. All my fears have been alleviated. The food, the staff, and ownership has remained if not improved. This is one of my favorite restaurants in the US. And will continue to be. I indulged myself with their nose-to-tail tasting menu. And from the veal sweetbread roulade to the foie gras mousse my palate was the happiest it has been in months. Go here and choose anything on the menu and it will not disappoint. Cannot wait to eat here again.

I went to this restaurant last night with a group oh women. The service was very good but the entree was very small and we all left hungry. It was also very expensive for what you get. I had the portobello steak and it was very good but again, I could have eaten 2 of them as there was really nothing with it, just a few peas. Also, one in our group got violently ill about an hour after we left. I will not be back.

Short wait, great service but lousy food, rare trout? really?? Unfriendly management. So many great places in Austin. Once was enough.

Got this recommendation from Eater Austin. I ordered the frittata. It was absolutely delicious. The mushrooms were awesome. The frittata had lots of veggies - all of which were tasty. The mimosa was very good too. I was here for Sunday brunch. I had a popover too - it was just ok. I will go back to try some other menu items.

Make your reservation today! One of the best meals we have ever had. This restaurant is an absolute gem. We started with a fig tart which had the perfect texture along with a harmonious blend of sweet, savory and salt. I had the duck confit which I devoured. The duck was complex in flavor, moist, tender and sat in a bed of the best fried spaetzle I have ever had. My husband had the bavette with fingerling potatoes which again was prepared to perfection. We enjoyed a bottle of red wine and finished the meal with French pressed coffee and a saffron infused ice cream. Our server was fabulous and we never felt rushed or ignored. He was attentive, informative and professional. And because it’s Austin, there is not a hint of pretentious attitudes. It’s laid back, come as you are and be yourself. If you are in Austin and love food do not miss visiting this neighborhood gem!

The food was good and the service was acceptable. A bit slow at times which wasn't an issue since we were not in a hurry. However, they did ask us to move at the end of the night because another reservation was waiting. Well, if you had been on top of things, we would have been gone already. But the most inexcusable part of the experience were the acoustics. All hard surfaces and no sound dampening. I could not hear my friends 2 feet away because of the way the sound reflected off of all hard surfaces. Please cover the entire ceiling with GIK Acoustics panels to dampen the sound! My ears are still ringing.

I lived in Austin for 5 years and never made it here. Back in town for a bit and figured I would give it a try. Holy cow! Everything I tried was excellent. From the popovers to the duckfat fries and burger to the dessert. The wine list was eclectic which is refreshing as well. Chef Sarah and her team were on point. The service was top notch as well. Highly, highly recommend!!!!!

No reservations, so be prepared to wait and enjoy your time together with friends. A hopping place when we went on a Saturday night. Sat at the bar, talked to other customers who always have this on their list to hit when they're in Austin. Menu is unique and fresh. The smoked pumpkin soup for app was awesome. Saw many table get the popovers which looked amazing also (gluten allergy prevented us.) Another app that is a must try is the venison tartar - termendous flavor! Definitely come back again.

First time there. The menu was interesting. The popovers were good but the salads are pretty amazing. Try the pear salad. My friend had the burger and raved about it. With drinks and dinner our bill for 2 was only $70. Atmosphere inside is quaint and comfortable. Service good.

Loved the food, atmosphere and staff. Pooovers are really worth the effort to go- pork chop and steak was amazing and desserts (sampled 2) were totally yummy

F&D features a constantly changing menu that will strongly appeal the the more adventurous diner. There's always a vegitarian main course, which is ofter the best item on the menu. The cooks (in an open kitchen) really know their business. It's very loud inside and the chairs are Ikea.

The food was delightfully fresh and interesting - not huge portions, but very high quality. If you're hungry, recommend ordering some sides (the gingered bok choy was very good). Also worth having dessert - and if your server recommends that you could share the chocolate-caramel-crisp dessert, they're probably right (unless you have a serious capacity for rich and sweet.) Also a big A+ to the waitstaff for recommendations, attentive but not intrusive service, and general charm. Note: it's a small place and only takes limited reservations. We made ours for 6 pm and it worked out very well, but it got crowded quickly.

What a treat. This restaurant was featured on Diners, Drive Ins, and Drives with Guy Fieri. It is on the expensive side but WOW is it worth it. Definitely need a reservation as it is a small off the beaten track restaurant in the North Loop area of Austin. The food was great, the service was exceptional, and the atmosphere was relaxed. If you are in the area stop by; you won't be disappointed!

Yes. This is the place from food network. I was finally able to come here, but can't see me returning. Food portions were way too small for the cost.

A wonderful exprerience sitting at the Chef's bar. Innovative cuisine combinations, the black peeper and gruiyere turnovers were killer, the burger awesome, the service tremendous and overall a fun foodie establishment. It is great to see younger folks working very hard to bring their vision and concepts to the fore, and Austin is a difficult town to do so. Example Tuesday night Packed to the outside seating in the reformed garage, go, you will enjoy, relax its meant to be fun!

This little eclectic gem in NE Austin is quite amazing. The food is amazing. Three of us shared the Crispy Beef Tongue for an appetizer, which was great, then I had the braised goat (unbelievably tender0, the wife had the Fried Chicken Biscuit, and my brother had the Bone In Ribeye. Being family and all, we shared our entrees with each other and I must say that I tasted nothing I wouldn't have again. The Popovers as noted by other reviewers is a MUST. (incredibly light and fluffy) Just a hint for those of you who decide to give Foreign and Domestic a whirl, get there early. We got there at 6:15 and had a 45 minute wait. Still, it was worth it!

My first dining experience at Foreign and Domestic was a taste bud vacation! I ordered the six snack plate special because they ran out Oysters that night. I was disappointed that I missed the infamous dollar oysters, but the alternative did not disappoint at all. Each snack plate had its own wonderful, delicious personality and within each dish was layers of memorable flavor. My favorite was the summer tomatoe salad! It was so fresh, and the dressing that had ground toasted pistachios, Dijon mustard, vinegar and lime was so sublime -- no pun intended. This truly is a must stop for Austin foodies!

These flavor pairings are why I rate this one of the best meals. It's tough to find small, locally sourced meals that are so incredibly unusual yet flavorful. Who ever heard of dill syrup on a coconut sorbet…but it works. Our server knew every tiny ingredient in everything on the sparse menu…a real plus in my book. Service was prompt and efficient. This menu is printed on a single sheet of paper. Single sided. Six entrees, six appetizers, two desserts. It looks like the menu changes at the whim of the chef or the availability of new things. If you enjoy experimenting with flavors and trust the chef to know what works, go with the flow here and you probably won't be disappointed.

F&D is a small, lively, and a little noisy "joint" with an open kitchen. Knowledgeable and helpful waitstaff made great recommendations for us. The savory popovers with the pepper butter smear were divine. Each dish has a distinct unique flavor. Our waitress recommended the gnocchi- and they were out of this world delicious. My friend and I ordered and shared multiple plates. Portions are a bit small, but we left thoroughly satisfied. Casual, a few tables outside- where you can take your pet. Definitely will go back.

Went with friends for before show supper tonite, my first time going to F&D. As it turned out, Tuesday night is $2 beer nite, $4 wine nite, and oyster nite. We were immediately seated at the bar area so we could watch the chefs preparing meals, our drink/appetizer orders were taken, and they were brought to us very quickly. The timing on our main courses was perfect, finishing salads and oysters, plates cleared, main course brought. I had lamb shoulder roast, perfectly cooked, tender, flavorful. My wife had the trout which they serve medium rare, medium would have been better, but still very good. Portions were generous and our server was very attentive. If any negative exists, it is the noise level. Small restaurant that could use some sound insulation. Conversing is a little difficult. I will not recommend this restaurant as I don't want it to get too crowded. We will definitely be returning, often.

Excellent meal. We had a frittata and steak and eggs. The apple cake was a special and it was delicious. The service was a little slow, but that was OK. The good food made up for it.

Been reading about it since it opened, was skeptical, was taken there for dinner on my birthday, it was truly amazing. Sat at the small "bar" area, which really just looks right down on the sous-chef area, so we could hear our order being placed and watch it being assembled. Great wine selection, reasonably price, unique selections.

A friend visiting from out of town really wanted to try Foreign & Domestic, so we made a point of arriving before 5:30pm to ensure we got a table without having a long wait, as they do not take reservations. There were a few others waiting when we arrived, but even with everyone who had been waiting seated, there were still tables available until about 6:15pm. It is a very very small place. The kitchen is open to the dining area and it too is very very small. It's really amazing that such wonderful food comes from such a small space. The tables are very close together, and even with a not-quite-full room, it's noisy. It was difficult to carry on a conversation, and this certainly isn't a place to linger over the meal. In fact, there is a request at the bottom of the menu that diners be respectful of others who are waitng for tables. Basically, telling you to eat and then leave. I get it, I really do, but I much prefer the ability to linger and savor a good meal. Service here also doesn't provide an incentive to linger. It's efficient. We were served drinks and food quickly, but our server was best described as aloof. When asked for a wine recommendation from the list of unrecognized options, he simply pointed and "That's a good one." I don't need a server to be my new best friend, but just a little interaction and exposition is good, especially when presented with eclectic wine and food options. The reason to deal with the cramped dining area and aloof service is of course the food, which is wonderful. We started with popovers, which are listed on the menu as having limited availability, and they were heavenly. Dark and crusty on the outside (and covered with shredded gruyere), and light and airy on the inside. They come two to an order, and could easily be shared among four people. We were just two, so we each had one and found it very filling. For a main, my friend ordered the fried chicken biscuit, which is also under the limited availability heading on the menu. It's a large biscuit with fried chicken and a fried egg on top. She loved the chicken, which was a bit spicy, and enjoyed the dish overall. I ordered mustard bucatini with a goat ragu and bottarga. I was so intrigued by the idea of bottarga, which I have not seen on any other menu in Austin, that I didn't even really look at the rest of the menu. (The menu changes fairly regularly, so I'm not sure there are many consistencies, except for the popovers and the fried chicken biscuit.) I wasn't sure how the gamey goat would pair with salty sea flavors of bottarga, but it ended up being an excellent flavor combination. The mustard flavor of the pasta was subtle, but present, and it all come together wonderfully. I think if one goes to Foreign & Domestic with the proper expectations, it's definitely worth a visit. Despite some of the other reviews I read, I found the portions to be really generous, and the prices were reasonable considering the quality of the food. It's all about the food though, not a complete dining experience.

WOW. The absolute best place we ate at on our 2 week TX trip. I found it on the Food Channel "Diner, Drive-In & Dives" web site, but this place in not typical of the types of places Guy frequents. It’s a very chic place, with a real class operation going on with a VERY unique menu. We tried the Fish (bass) and Pork shoulder, and they were awesome. We split the crispy beef tongue appetizer, and have never had a tastier tongue in our life. This is a real ‘eating experience’ that you should enjoy soon if you’re in Austin. Like other reviewers have said, make reservations as it is not a large place.

Being a regular watcher of Diners Drive ins and Dives, I was excited to eat here. While the pop overs were stellar, our dinner for four was inconsistent. My risotto was great, but my friend's trout, while seared properly was raw in the middle indicating that the had been put on the grill while frozen. When my friend pointed out that the fish was raw, she was told that this was how the chef served it - rare. It was raw not rare. The staff did offer to cook it more or bring her something else, but by this time, she had lost her appetite so it was simply sent back. We were determined to have a good time, having ordered both cocktails and 2 bottles of wine. But I should have known something was up when the waitor pushed to take our food order with our drink order. I was exceedingly disappointed with both the service and managements attitude that they had the right to take our money and then rush us out so they could turn the table. Even as we paying the check (and finishing our wine) we were asked to hurry because people were waiting (tho there was another open table for 4) . When we talked to the owner he didn't feel this was inappropriate, in fact, it was done at his direction. Needless to say, we will not be going back or recommending it to our friends

We've been on a march through the highly rated restaurants in Austin. After dining here last night, my advice: march past this one! On the fairly positive side, the food and service were good, but not great. Choices around our table were the quail, amberjack, and the vegetarian dish. All were ok, but none was memorable. But the rest of our experience was so poor we'll never return. Upon arrival, we were told it would be a 50 minute wait, that we might go to a nearby place for drinks and appetizers and would be called in 50 minutes to get our table. Fair enough. That was cool. We liked that idea. But here's what happened: just as we were settling in with our drinks, we got an early call and were told if we got back in two minutes, we could get a table. We said that was not possible and were told we'd still be ok if we got back in around 30 or 40 minutes. We did just that, and guess what: we had to wait another 20 minutes. Sigh. I'm more than fine with some noise in restaurants. Some very good ones have this trait. Yet, this restaurant takes noise to a new level. I realize that the group next to us was into a particular version of shrieking, but, I thought, as their shrieking subsided a bit for a moment, the noise level in the place was still unpleasantly high. OK (but with with these problems) isn't good enough these days in Austin. There are too many places that are far better than this.

Start to finish, this was the best meal we have eaten in years. Don't let the restaurant facade fool you: this is excellent dining. Food was seasoned perfectly. From the artichoke hearts and blue crab salad to the salmon and risotto, this was a wonderful meal. The waitstaff was attentive and knowledgable, with recommendations when asked. My husband and I enjoyed every bite. While the menu may seem a bit limited (4-5 appetizers and the same in entrees) the flavors were exceptional. We will definitely be back, and hopefully, this neighborhood gem will continue for years to come.

Excellent service, open kitchen diner-Ish atmosphere and food that was absolutely the best we have had in a very long time. The four of us tried almost everything and highly recommend ... the Black pepper Popovers, fried oyster tartine , wild mushroom risotto, pork chops (melt in your mouth) and gnocchi. Hubby had the most flavorful and tender wagyu beef with a side of the fingerling potatoes cooked in duck fat for the table - not one missed note or flavor in each appetizer or entree. Only disappointment- dessert. Molasses pie and flourless chocolate cake. Neither to our liking but who cares after that meal! Cheers to the chef and staff. We will be back!

My husband and I visited Foreign and Domestic during F1 weekend after seeing it on many lists for Austin. We started with a local craft beer and orange wine. We also had the Gruyère popovers at the recommendation of our Uber driver, and the peaches and greens salad. Amazing! For our entrees we had the Berkshire pork chop and the bavette. The flavors of the corn soubise with the peaches were wonderful with the pork. The wait staff was so attentive and helpful. We will be back on our next trip to Austin!

We went here after seeing the segment on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. It's a small restaurant, with only a few tables, but pretty inside, despite being a tiny hole-in-the wall. We tried the Gruyere popovers which were OK. Certainly nothing to rave about. We had a special tuna appetizer which was also just OK, and very small. For entrees we had the Stew of Scallops, Mussels & Clams, Lardons, Saffron, and Poached Celery which was delicious, but tiny. More like an appetizer. The other entree we had was featured on the TV program. That was the Fried Chicken Biscuit with Fried Egg, Black Pepper-Cheddar Biscuit, Romaine Slaw, and Lemon Jam. This was a very interesting dish, more reasonable size (a little small for an entree, but I'll look past it for this one). What was totally absurd was the size of the wine pours. They couldn't have poured more than about 2 or at most 3 ounces for each glass of wine. We had chosen nice wines, but didn't order a second glass, as we were so furious at being so blatantly ripped off. So all in all, an OK experience, though it left us with a bad taste in our mouths. I can't imagine we'll go back.

My wife and I had the tasting menu plus a few other items and really enjoyed everything. It was great value considering the care and attention that goes into the preparation. Still dreaming about the fois gras desert. I'd like to see a bigger wine selection as they only have a few options by the glass and not much more by the bottle.

I am at a lost to describe how wonderful the meal was at Foreign and Domestic. The waitstaff was attentive and helpful in our selections. The food was absolutely delicious- a wonderful blend of tastes that complemented the salmon. Desert was also tasty. We felt the portion sizes were not too big, not too small-just right! Highly recommend to all traveling to Austin. Short walk from Hyde Park area. Can't wait to go back!

We went at 5:30 the Friday immediately before Memorial Day and were the first people there. Rain falling very hard. We're 2 men, 1 age 55 and the other 53. Server was very good, we were never rushed. The place was busy when we left but never full, I suspect due to the rain and they don't really have a very large indoor area to wait. Tried the pop overs which were ok but I don't quite understand why so many raves. They are huge though. Several tables ordered a goat cheese appetizer I think I would liked more. I had trout, partner ordered duck. Both very good, the trout was hardly raw. It was cooked perfectly. Each of us had a drink before dinner and shared a bottle of house wine. If I remember correctly the total check was approx. $100. We had no complaints and would return.

The second best thing about Foreign & Domestic is the intimacy, especially if you're able to sit at the chef's bar. Talk to the chef's; talk to the other guests. Enjoy being a foodies. Of course the very best thing is the food itself. We had popovers, chicken biscuit, and the burger. All outstanding. Onion rings were the best I've ever had (and I've had more than my fair share.) Think crunchy Krispy Kreme doughnut fresh off the line with no sugar and an onion ring inside. The dough melts in your mouth as you crunch into it. My rings were over salted, but that was quickly overlooked. Burger was fantastic with blue cheese butter and pork belly. I would have left off the lettuce, but it did look nice. The red eye gravy on the biscuit was a tad heavy, but tasted great. Again, easily overlooked. Certainly, on our list to visit again.

I’ve been wanting to eat here for years but every time I visited my daughter the schedule did not work out. Tonight I had an amazing dining experience. The staff was superb and willing to give many recommendations. Everything we ate from starters to dessert was fabulous. I highly recommend this place for food lovers!

This is a place that will suprise you. Some of the best food I have ever eaten, all made in-house. Don't be afraid to get recommendations on somethine new because it will most likely blow your mind!

I'll start by saying I too learned about this restaurant on tv and decided to try it out. The atmosphere was nice, crammed, but for such a small building, not too bad. When I looked over the limited menu, nothing really jumped out at us. I asked the waiter for a recommendation to which he said a dish with octopus, pork, and something else. Sounded interesting and I really felt like some pork. I also ordered the conway oysters at the waiters advice, which were "plump and juicy" compared to others. The oysters were extremely thin, and 18 were served with one lemon and a tablespoon of cocktail sauce. The main dish came out and to my surprise was a soup base type dish. I really wish I knew this from the beginning as that was the last thing I wanted. The one thing I do give to this place however is the chunks of meat were pretty good, and the popovers, which I was tricked into getting when I asked for a side of bread, were good as well. Bottom line, make sure you have the waiter explain exactly what the dish is since it really isn't listed, and if you're really hungry, try it another time.

Brent, our waiter and Steve the Chef are exemplary! Our dining experience was amazing. Steve's crazy combinations of flavors that Brent knowledgeably paired with excellent wine choices were memorable and worthy of praise. We highly recommend this off-the-beat, neighborhood gem. They use lots of locally sourced ingredients in their entrées and their east coast oysters are fresh and reasonably priced. Service is outstanding. Atmosphere is casual. Reservations recommended.

I will start by saying that I'm a firm believer that I believe there should be a direct correlation between Price Point and Taste. And while I did not find any of the items we ate bad... I didn't any of the dishes great either. Good yes.. Solid yes... but when I'm paying $25 to $30 for a dish it really should be something special and I feel that I was let down in this department somewhat. I truly don't care that you are 'hot new thing', you should be backing that up by delivering excellent food Ouside food the service was excellent, attentive, and fun... we really enjoyed our server. The venue is small but not so small that you feel squished in. The Kitchen is open so you can see the chefs working the food. The Wine Menu is small and contains some real gems and really pushed us to try something new... We weren't disappointed in either bottle of wine we had. At the end of the evening we were glad we tried a new place.. but all four of us decided that F&D would go into our "Don't need to try again" bucket unless their price point comes down.

Tonight was the first evening of their spring menu. I had the risotto, very yummy!!! I would definitely come back.

We tried a bite of Foreign and Domestic and the Austin Food and Wine festival and could not wait to dine her. IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT. This place is terrific. The menu is not huge so what they do they do terrific. Popovers, TO DIE FOR, amazing flavor better than hyped. The staff is friendly, works together to create a wonderful experience. The dishes are creative and well done. More ingredients than I am used to but they nail each dish with so much diverse flavor. I love that the kitchen is in the middle of the restaurant. This will not be our last visit to Foreign and Domestic.

We really enjoyed our dinner here earlier this month. We had Pork Belly, Scallops, Squid ink Spaghetti and Quail. They were all delicious. Price was high but it was worth.

Food was Ok, but I’ll not pay any surcharge. I don’t want restaurants I visit to make political statements. If the owners want to do this then add 4% to the prices. Does the restaurant add a surcharge for refuse removal? Electricity surcharge? Gas surcharge? Linen surcharge? Nope. These are the costs of doing business. Employee benefits are the same. By increasing prices 4% to cover benefits this restaurant would be taking care of employees without “virtue signaling.” I’ll not return until they stop this practice.

Nice, small, unique menu. Pigs ears & shishito peppers very good; popovers over-rated. My branzino was delicious; family liked their risotto and gnocchi and eggs & mushrooms. Desserts looked good, but we had a cake waiting, so maybe next time...

Having read other reviews, I was a bit concerned about noise level and whether we would feel rushed eating here early in the evening. The service was very efficient and fast, but no one in our party of four felt like we were being rushed through the meal. The food is something you would enjoy most on a cold evening (a bit on the heavier side - no microscopic stuff here) and they use some interesting ingredients (pig's ears, tongue). We would go back, preferably on a cold night. Since they do allow us to bring wine for a corkage fee, our price point wasn't too bad.

Brunch was incredible. By far the best meal I ate in Austin. Had the Pork and grits and it was to die for. The popovers are so unique and impossible to replicate

Yeah, definitely sit at the counter and watch some pros at work. Very inventive and flavorful food that is worth the hike to 53rd St. If I lived in Austin it would be a weekly event and if there's a wait I certainly wouldn't mind walking down the street and having a few at Drinkwell.

Had reservations for a month When we arrived the place was full. We waited forever a while but no one was leaving. We were offered a table by the door. Might as well been in the door. Chilly windy jammed up. We Waited again for a while. There were people just sitting, meals over and no one asked them to give up their place. We knew it was a lost cause. Good riddance is my message. Can’t manage reservations place is small and noisy Adios Quick call and we headed to Emmer and Rye. Salvation.

A friend and I visiting Austin had heard of Foreign and Domestic on Food Network. It didn't disappoint! I was a little nervous about the neighborhood, but we had no issues. The food was fantastic! We tried the oysters, ceviche, and scallops as recommended by our waiter! Amazing choice! We loved it all! I wouldn't hesitate to visit again and would highly recommend!

This place is not in a typical restaurant area, and looks unassuming from the outside. OK to be honest is looks like a Diner from the outside. Which is probably why it was featured on Dinner, Drive ins and Dives :-) They have only a few tables so reservation is required. The food was very good. Note the plates are big but the servings are small as in the finest European restaurants. Without Wine we ended up paying $60 per person.

My wife and I had tickets to "Visiting chefs week" at Foreign and Domestic - a week when the owner brings in a bunch of chefs from around the country (everyone knows everyone in the restaurant trade), and each one prepares one or two signature dishes. The result was a multi-course feast that was simply fabulous. Adding to our particular experience was the fact that we had seats at the counter, where we were able to watch the food being cooked and plated, and to interact with the chefs and commis. My wife being a recent graduate from culinary school herself, found this particularly wonderful, and even I found that it added a nice level of involvement to the whole experience. Can't wait for the next one!

Round 2 of my side kick's bday celebration. We woke up early thinking that if we get there at 10a.m. When the doors open, we can browse the baked goods before they are all gone. We were wrong. We opened the door and there was already a line and I missed out on a yummy pastry. BUT...we came home with tiramisu, cinnamon roll, gruyere pop over, and other yummy pastries I can't even remember. Lol.

Stopped in a few months back with a few locals, and have been dreaming of the food ever since.Yes this is a hole-in-the-wall concept, and yes the service could be better(it is Austin you know) and yes the menu is small but, the offering of locally sourced, unique and quality products is hard to beat. I ordered the pop overs, venison heart tartare with egg yolk confit and squid ink fettuccine with wild boar ragu. Like I said, I've been dreaming of it ever since. The venison heart was fresh, clean and came with a few deep fried pigs ears and crispy beef tongue. I could eat this morning, noon and night. Then came the fettuccine, which was a good size portion for an entree, the pasta was cooked perfectly and had plenty of tender and juicy chunks of wild bore. Half way through I was full, but then I discovered the peanut sauce that came with a friends entree, that was the kicker, finished, done.

My daughter and her fiancé took us here for dinner while visiting Austin. I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 based on; We were told a 45 min wait and it was more like 1 1/2 hrs, Their wine selection was limited to dry whites, would have liked to se a pinot grigio on the list and the sides, while interesting, were not as good as the main course. The rib eye had a thick fat running through it rather than marbled. All in all still very good flavor and cooked to perfection. They have a large patio that serves as their 'bar area'.

We came here for dinner during Happy Hour. Happy Hour prices on drinks, some great small plates, and $1 oysters the day we were there. Great vibe. Good food. Excellent service. Will definitely go back when in the neighborhood.

My wife, daughter and I dined here tonight and it was an outstanding meal with excellent service from Nat--- F. The popovers are delicious and at the happy hour price of $4 an excellent value. The peach salad was very good and a bargain at the $6 happy hour price. My wife and I both had burgers that were also delicious. She had fries that very very good while I had the buttermilk onion rings. We both preferred the fries over the onion rings but both are good. My burger with bacon at happy hour price was $11 and the onion rings were $4 sop both were of high value. My wife's burger and fries were $13 so also an excellent value. My daughter had the Gnocchi and it wasn't quite the taste she was looking for. At regular menu price of $14 it was a fair value. We all had ice creme at $3 a scoop as desert and the Peach Leaf ice creme is divine! Parking is a little odd but you can find it if you work at it. The place is small so you'll need a reservation if you want to dine indoors. Try the counter, it was fun watching the kitchen operate, Definitely a well trained team there.

If you're tired of going to restaurants whose menus sound amazing but whose food tastes bland, then try Foreign and Domestic! Note: a reservation is HIGHLY recommended as seating is very limited. The Good: The food is superb. You actually enjoy the quality of the food and its preparation. We had a large party so we had a chance to sample lots of things on the menu: The Tarte Flambee, Le Burger w/ fries, Braised Duck Leg with Wild Mushroom Risotto, Short Rib of Beef, The Trout, the Mille Crepe Cake and the Butterscotch Pot de Creme were all very good. I have very high risotto standards and F&D met all of my expectations. Most risottos taste like boiled rice without richness, complexity of flavor or texture, but this risotto was perfect. (Just needed more duck! (see below)). Service was also very good which is needed because 1/2 of the menu items I'd never heard of before and you definitely need a translator! The Bad: The portion sizes are definitely smaller than you'd expect. My dad had the beef short rib and it is just as it says....a....rib...Not 2, not 3, just 1 rib. The way to compensate for this is to order the risotto (good size) and appreciate the quality of the meal despite the size. Parking: F&D has reserved parking catercorner to the restaurant but it's a tight squeeze so bring a small car if possible (we actually carpooled and that made the trip more fun) Overall-great place to try at least once

First very nice service. Brent was excellent. Seating of hard wood chair/bench and table not as nice. Food of puréed corn in soup and pear in entree more fitting a nursing facility than a nice restaurant. The scallops were perfectly cooked. Prices too high for a not so perfect meal experience. We were hoping to get some of the dishes shown on the food network, but dishes turn over each week. Too much of a crap shoot to recommend. Thanks for reading. The Bike Chaplain

I was looking forward to try their popovers but circumstances did not bring us there until Sunday around 1pm for their brunch menu. Still, the bacon and potatoes were excellent and I would definitely go back when I'm in Austin again.