Plate by Dzintra Reviews

4.3

291 of 3,585 Restaurants in Austin


Reviews

Local Bistro is a culinary treasure!

By KarenMat117 |

This local bistro in the Shops at the Galleria in Bee Cave has an unassuming exterior but is a culinary oasis run by Executive Chef Dzinta Dzenis. Dining at Plate is like coming into Dzintra's home. The menu is thoughtful and changes weekly to capitalize on the freshest ingredients available. The portions are generous and the quality and presentation is spot on. We arrived at 7 pm on a Tuesday and the dining room was more than half full - by 7:30 the tables all had diners but there is also great seating at the bar. Be sure to make a reservation if you know you are coming. Our party of 4 enjoyed appetizers of ball of fresh mozzarella, surrounded by a flavorful pesto and baked in a puff pastry as well as the fresh twist on a Waldorf salad. My husband is NOT a salad eater and LOVED it. Entrees were a "Pocket Full of Treasure" which were HUGE buttery chunks of fresh Maine lobster and Hawaiian escolar in a puff pastry laid on top of lovely, bright Hollandaise sauce surrounded by asparagus. Our friends enjoyed the beef short rib canoli and the New Orleans Grillades and Grits - ALL plates went back to the kitchen sparkling clean. Chef Dzintra came out to visit with us and always has an amusing story and a welcoming smile. If you come to Austin, or already live here, and want to venture out of the "downtown scene" a trip to Plate in Bee Cave will be well worth it!

Delicious food and attentive service

By TravlinGal9 |

Very much enjoyed our second visit here. We were seated promptly on arrival. Server offered helpful advice and my husband and I found our appetizers, wine and our entrees to be really good. This has become one of our favorite restaurants in the area. Highly recommend.

Excellent food

By dnasmyth01 |

My husband and I have ate here on a number of occasions and this is our go to restaurant for a special occasion. The food is excellent and the menu changes each week to reflect the season. By far the best cheese cake we have ever ate. Consistently great food. Make reservations ahead of time. Small, cozy and intimate.

Best kept secret in west Austin

By VistaHost |

Just returned from Paris and food was as good or maybe better I hate to write this review as I do not want others to discover Plate. It has the best cheese cake in Austin and some of the best food in Austin always a changing menu and prices are very reasonable along with the wine price

Adequate, but Underwhelming

By br0wner56 |

My wife and I had the chance to dine with a friend at Plate recently and I must say that it was an underwhelming experience. The restaurant is located in a strip mall that is well out of town and the decor inside the facility is confusing, as if the owners could not decide what the motif or style should be. The appetizers were sized and priced too much like main courses and each of the dishes we ordered was attractively presented but could have been improved in some obvious ways (e.g., less mayonnaise in the Crab Stack, more seasoning in the Celery Soup). The fish dishes we ordered for our main courses were unevenly prepared; two of us had the same dish, which came out in very different sizes, while the other ordered the Salmon, which was surprisingly bland. Also, the food was quite expensive for what you got, although the wine list was interesting and well priced. This was certainly not a horrible meal, but we will not be in a hurry to come back again soon.

A Hidden Surprise

By CanyonJack |

We happened to be in the area and since it was our anniversary we decided to look for a lunch place that was more special than other local places. We had no knowledge of Plate and we saw it accidentally. The menu looked pretty creative so we went in. It was the perfect place, small and classy with interesting menu items. We went for one of the main seafood entrees and we loved it. The wine choices were nice also. We're hoping to go back for dinner soon. As I said its very small so reservations are wise.

Disappointed

By TK14 |

My wife and I️ love and have dined many times at The Plate but last night was very disappointing. It was not the usual great dining experience we received in the past. The halibut was undercooked and the duck confit dry. The apple pie crust was old tasting and bread pudding cool. Not sure why but not a good sign with their new location opening in January.

Extra charge to split plates

By dt95 |

First time I remember seeing a separate charge on the menu to split a plate. $4 for starter and I think $7 for a main. Wife and I like to split a salad and then have our own main. With a 40% markup on the salad to split it we skipped it instead. Scallops and risotto was very good. Pasta had a lot of seafood and the dish tasted quite good, but not sure the pasta was home made, as indicated on the menu. Had the texture of out of the box. Service was quite good. All in all a pretty nice meal but priced a little high for Bee Caves area.

Easily the best meal in the Lakeway area!

By Robert L |

After hearing about Plate from friends, we decided to give it a try. We had no difficulty booking a table for 7pm and were quickly seated upon arrival. The space is large with a bar area and dining room to the side and another dining room to the back. They also have something I’d describe as a quasi “chef’s table” - a separate table outside the kitchen that provides views through windows into the kitchen that looked to seat up to 8 or so. We started with the Hawaiian Tuna Poke - it was very good, generous portion with a nice balance of freshness and heat and a great way to start the meal. For the mains, I had the double cut pork chop served with some seasonal veggies, mashed potatoes and a mushroom cream sauce. My wife had the braised short rib in a delicious sauce also served with veggies and mashed potatoes. While the chop and the short rib were perfectly prepared, both plates could have used more veggies and half as much potatoes that were served at most. As good as the chop and short rib were, the mashed potatoes were very dense and heavy and need to be refined or eliminated. We finished the meal with a sublime chocolate fondant filled with a lighter than air ganache- terrific! Before ordering it, the Pastry Chef came to the table to explain the choices - a nice touch and it personalized it by knowing she had prepared it. Looking over the wine list, most bottles seemed to have approximately a 2X markup over retail which is pretty good considering most downtown restaurants are in the 3X+ range. However, a few outliers like a Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc for $38 was insulting when you can buy it for $11 at Costco! One thing we found out of place was both the $2 bread service charge and the plate splitting fees of $4 for a small plate and $7 for an entree. We ordered the bread service and received 2 small rolls and butter and when the bill arrived, we were charged $4. I will say the rolls were terrific and the butter had a great flavor. As well, the main course portions we really large and easily shareable by 2 people. We’ve eaten in countless restaurants around the world and have rarely seen plate sharing charges like this and bread service fees. I found it to be pretty obnoxious and would recommend they change this policy. Numerous downtown Austin restaurants are more than happy to split plates without extra charges. In fact we, like so many other people, like to share plates so we can try several things on the menu. This practice penalizes that. Overall, we enjoyed the meal at Plate. Service was attentive as we’d expect due to the meal being $100/head with wine. We didn’t eat at Plate when it was in the smaller space so we have no point of comparison but the new space certainly gives them plenty of options beyond meal service. We’ll likely return if we’re looking for a higher end meal without going into the city but will be watching to see if they remove the petty charges that have no place in Austin’s highly competitive restaurant scene. Maybe Dzintra is used to this in her previous travels but it doesn’t translate to our local market with so many other choices of cutting edge food and great ingredients. You want you customers leaving with only great memories of a terrific meal rather than “the meal was great but it was poor form to charge for bread or splitting a plate”. In summary, Plate is worth a visit!

A Wonderful Intimate Restaurant

By 867charlies |

This small restaurant in a strip mall is truly a jewel! The ambience is wonderful, the service is outstanding, and the food is superb! For appetizers, we had the shrimp toasts and the pork belly buns, both of which were delicious. Our group enjoyed the Steak Diane, sea bass, and lamb chops, all of which were extremely delectable! Because of its small size, Plate has a very quiet atmosphere where you can enjoy your meal and converstaion with your group.

The Food is Amazing

By Jamie |

We eat here often, as the food is fantastic. You always see the owner there, so you know that she cares about the food and making sure that it is right. We have had several things on the menu and they are all so good, that is why we keep coming back. They have a great menu selection and good cocktails. The service is really good and the staff is knowledgeable and friendly. If they are super busy, it can take a while to get your food, but it is always worth the wait. We have never had a bad meal here. If you are in the area, it is definitely worth eating here.

DELICIOUS, freshly prepared, curbside lunch to go - Support this Restaurant

By Steve C |

So my great friend of 25 years and I used to have a long, late lunch weekly, taking turns at several of Austin's top restaurants that served lunch. Under the restraints of the COVID-19 distancing rules, and looking for someplace convenient that we hadn't been to, he recommended Plate by Dzintra in Bee Cave. Ordering online was easy and the pickup went smoothly, delivered to my car fresh from the kitchen. With a couple of bags of food in my backseat, I hustled to the City of Bee Cave Central Park, where my friend and I secured a table and unpacked our meals. First course was a Risotto with Sea Scallops small plate offering. This was a hot, creamy, and flavorful combination that really woke up our taste buds. We followed this with a chilled Classic Wedge Salad, in a deconstructed presentation, so, with each bite, you could combine the blue cheese and bacon crumbles with the crispy lettuce and the variety of small tomatoes any way you wished. It was very fresh and really hit the spot. For our entrees, we each had Braised Beef Short Ribs with a variety of green beans, carrots and potato. The vegetables were cooked just right, not too done and not too al dente. The generous portion of boneless rib meat was incredibly tender and delicious. We accompanied our meal with various beverages which paired really well with the food. All in all this meal not only elevated the picnic concept to a new level, but also reminded us of how much we enjoy this restaurant, especially when Dzintra is in the kitchen. I highly recommend this place. It needs to be supported during these trying times.

Just ok

By rwhouse67 |

Pleasant deco and good wine. The worst excuse for escargot I have ever had. Tiny dried up dime size pieces of meat and no liquid. Every thing else was ok but nothing in the way of a stand out dish.

Phenomenal Austin TX restaurant!

By Mary K |

A little gem of a restaurant awaits you in Austin, TX. Plate by Dzintra is a small, intimate restaurant with a great menu. Owned by a female chef of Latvian heritage, the menu is creative and tasty. We really enjoyed the short ribs and also had two excellent desserts. We were there late on a Monday night and the service was very attentive. Don’t miss Plate - you won’t be disappointed.

another date night

By desertfoxxx |

Ended up being rather late to arrive for dinner. Not many tables left, we were seated very quickly. Nice interior decor. Friendly waitress but could certainly tell she was ready to get out of there for the night. She told us that the kitchen was closing soon so we ordered our small plates and a main dish. Very good poke. Lobster/crab on avocado halves was pretty good, poke was better. Ordered the tenderloin which was a very good piece of meat. Cucumber mocktail was outstanding and my date had 2 glasses of wine which she thoroughly enjoyed. Things got a bit pushy at the end of the night, understandable since they were looking to close up. Didn't offend me but my date was feeling rushed out. Expensive but hey, if you're looking for affordable, hit up Torchy's Tacos!

Fantastic food! Great service

By JGrossman_london |

If you are a meat eater the slow cooked ribs are a must! If not the scallops w risotto are to die for. Don’t skip the cheesecake...light and beautiful . Great meal!

Weak Service, Overpriced Menu

By Jdgtex |

We waited over an hour for our entree, and were underwhelmed when it arrived. The salmon was dry and overcooked sitting on top of potatoes which were cold. The waitress said they were supposed to be lukewarm, but it it did not pair well with the hot salmon. It also took a while to get our drinks and several other tables were having the same problem. This is a beautifully decorated restaurant and one of the few fine dining places in Bee Caves. I hope they can improve their service and organization, because it has great potential.

Excellent in all measures!!

By Ray K |

First class menu, quality and service. For foodie experience without the miniscule portions, come to Plate for a great meal. The food is first rate without being stuffy, and the service is equally as good. Like many high quality restaurants, the number of tables is small, so make a res and show up! You won't be disappointed. Open for lunch as well. A little pricey for the neighborhood, but not for Austin overall. I love the place.

Disappointed for the second time.

By Bruce J |

Well we gave the new location a try and what a disappointment. Hair in the appetizer, wife’s steak that was ordered medium rare came out medium well. Oh and this is a $45 filet! Significantly overpriced. After several minutes flagged down another waiter as our waitress was no where to be seen and pointed out the over cook. He apologized. We got another steak that was better. No apology no adjustment no free dessert. Service is extremely subpar. Totally suggest avoiding this disastrous place.

Anniversary Celebration

By Techxn |

Celebrated our anniversary recently. This was our first visit...we will be back. Food and service was excellent. The Hawaiian Crab Stack starter is awesome.....we could have eaten several more! My entree, beef tenderloin, was tender and tasty. Overall, very delightful evening with friends.

3.5 is a better score, but this is our first visit--we want to try them for dinner

By 1234texas |

The previous restaurant at his location failed for unknown reasons--the location is good (on the pond and at the back of the shops with ample parking. We simply have not been here since this opened. Not certain as to why. The virus situation has not helped us to get out to the new places! Although we did stop once and they were not serving lunch to walkins--it was for events. They are now open for lunch and dinner. There have been some internal changes. The big one is that they have added a bakery cafe at the front to go along with the large dining areas. They are set up for events with two bars. We were pleased with the lunch menu and the served food. The prices are reasonable. The food is good. Service is a little slow--really slow considering that there were only two other people eating at the same time.

You just can't go wrong at Dzintra's

By barretta |

Excellent small menu. Half dozen first courses, entrees, and desserts with really well chosen accompaniments. Wait staff is attentive but unobtrusive. They look to see if everything is okay, without disturbing you with questions. Tonight, Charlie was our waiter and was excellent. Dominic handles the front of the house with aplomb. You can't go wrong if you are looking for fine dining in the Bee Cave area.

BEST FOIE GRAS

By TJ S |

My husband loves foie gras. He tries it everywhere we go in the world. We were just invited to have dinner at this restaurant by some friends and were so glad we discovered this place. All of the food we ordered was very good. However, my husband was in heaven with their foie gras. A very generous size (unlike so many restaurants) and prepared to perfection. Great wine selection. Small intimate dining area where you can actually hear and have a conversation with others at the table. Service was first class.

Wonderful

By RWG2020 |

This was our third visit to Plates in the past few months and once again we were impressed. The menu had changed since our last visit with new salads and entrees. The fried goat cheese and lettuce salad was fantastic; we had the pork chops, chateaubriand and short ribs where all devoured and praised. One of the best things about Plates is that you can bring your own bottle of wine and be charged a $25 corkage fee which is rare in Austin. Plates is moving to a new nearby location after many years in the same location, it will have an expanded dining room, a market and larger demonstration space. I am sure that the great food will continue to be served.

Wow

By Carlaine47 |

Service is amazing. Food is well prepared, creative, and beautifully presented. Went for a birthday and all were treated with great care. Each of of chose a different entree and we were all thrilled. Next time we will each rotate and try something different. Beautiful new location. Incredible chef.

Plate - great name for a restaurant!

By Linda W |

We arrived at Plate early for snacks. It was lovely, the staff so friendly and fun. We had the Korean appetizer and the halibut appetizer. Both were delicious and just what we needed at 4:00! The restaurant is beautiful - sitting on a creek with outside seating as well as indoor. Plate could easily accommodate a private event - small to large. Highly recommend.

Gem

By RWG2020 |

We heard about Plates by Dzintra a few times from friends recently and tried it last week for our anniversary. We were greatly impressed. A very comfortable feeling and decor; fresh, tasty food, nice wine selection and very good service. We learned that you can also bring your own wine for a $22 service fee. The appetizers were large enough to share, both the pork belly and crab appetizers were well prepared and plated. My wife had the pork chop which was tender and juicy; I had the duck breast which was also excellent. Desserts were however disappointing. One of the best upscale dining experiences in Bee Caves!

Creative and delicious!

By Tundra |

Always can get a great meal here - lovely and creative offerings, especially the beef wellington (best anywhere!) and the fish dishes! Small, but very comfortable and calming restaurant space. For a more casual experience, you can sit at the bar. Bathrooms are very unique!

ALERT- Lakeway, Bee Cave annd Oak Hill residents- Great restaurant

By mikeparker |

Last night went to Plate with another couple- Its across 71 from the Hill Country Galleria. outstanding food and service. They even allow you to bring your own wine and charge a reasonable cork fee- very few restaurants in Austin even allow you to bring your own wine--. that said there wines were the most reasonably priced of ant restaurant I have EVER been to ( I am 64, so that's a lot) Silver Oak AV was marked up less than 20% when most other restaurants mark up 100-150%. Salmon and risotto were on the menu but not in the same dish-- no problem they customized my order - so I ate a great salmon and risotto entre. The desserts were deadly. -- this restaurant is a mush go - better than all the other in the area.

First Meal Out Since March-COVID-19

By teresamaria77 |

We decided to go for it! We really needed a good night out. 6 of us went for a birthday. The tables were spaced out not too many people. The hostesses all wore masks. We wore a mask to enter them could take it off once seated. Food was amazing everyone enticed appetizers and main courses. Desserts were fab I loved the key lime 😊 yummy. You need a reservation and there is outside seating. First class place.

Super Fresh and Delicious! Many GF options!

By Charlene R |

Ordered 4 small plates and all were exceptional! Very fresh and gluten free: Tuna nachositos, lump Crab tower, Beet and goat cheese salad, Seared mushroom salad. The tastes, textures, and presentation of all were spot on! Service was quick and friendly, too!

Great Girl’s Night Out!

By Brenda S |

Was visiting a friend in Austin so 4 of us decided to have a girls night out at Plate by Dzintra. To start, two of us ordered a Pepe Suave cocktail but as we were drinking them, we both thought they didn’t taste right, so checked the menu. Sure enough the simple sugar was missing. When we notified the waitress, she brought us tiny little pitchers of the simple sugar syrup so we could add it ourselves. From her behavior, I’m sure she thought we were nuts and just wanted super sweet drinks, but seriously - there was zero sweetness. Once we added it, it tasted much better. I was a bit surprised they didn’t take them back and remake them properly or adjust our bill. Our favorite menu items were the appetizers of escargot and ahi poke and chips. Our entrees were also good - but nothing anyone would probably crave. For the 4 of us, the total was $306 with tax and tip (4 entries, 5 alcoholic drinks, 2 appetizers). Service was good but very relaxed (i.e., not overly attentive). Overall, a bit pricey, but we enjoyed the evening. Looks like it would a great date night place too.

Best Restaurant Experience in Austin

By sambogey |

Had Dinner with friends to celebrate Mother's Day...Loved Everything!!

Horrible service ~

By GrandTour726257 |

Sadly, Dzintra cares more about decorating the space than customer service or serving quality food. Pretty ambiance. Texas heat is brutal this time of year. Hopefully, to the advantage if guests, umbrellas will be added to outside tables soon.

Only ok

By Gaylerx |

We like the area around bee cave and were excited to try this highly rated restaurant. The crab stack was excellent and they had gluten free crackers. The waiter convinced me to try the beef short ribs. They were very fatty and i have had much better. They were ok. My husband ordered the pork chops which he said were good but nothing exciting. The meal was priced like any nice downtown restaurant. Will stuck with downtown

This place is just plain the best meal in austin tx

By konikowski |

Make sure you call in for a reservation because its very busy. The meals change every week and the cooking classes are awsome. The food well to die for. I have been here to plate 3 times and every time i am just plain mesmerized by the meal. Do yourself a favor and check this place out.

Disappointed

By Hugotexas |

We continually support this place! Tonight we brought friends from IN and CA to celebrate a retirement ! They forgot the surprise, dessert took FOREVER and they tried to overcharge us by $200.00. SOOOOOO disappointed! We looked like fools since our friends bought dinner! We drove over an hour to get here! Terrible night!

Underwhelmed and Disappointed

By ksprott |

We were two couples looking to celebrate a special occasion and ready to spend a lot on a nice evening out. We made two separate calls the day before to be sure they could accommodate vegetarian meals and were assured that they could do that with 24 hr notice. We drilled down on the questioning and were assured they would make a risotto with vegetarian stock. In reality, our waitress told us once we were seated that the person who answered the phone “didn’t know what they were talking about” and unenthusiastically suggested they could do some pasta with olive oil and whatever vegetables she could think of that were in the kitchen. Overall it was an expensive evening with unexciting food. Even the appetizer took 25 minutes to arrive and there were just two other tables seated in the restaurant. The only highlight was the bartender, who is talented and provided good service. If you’re vegetarian this place is definitely not for you. But it was also the third time in a row that our friends had had poor service there. None of us will return unless perhaps just for a dink at the bar.

Wow. Incredible Place

By barretta |

Small space, intimate tables with comfortable chairs, and set up to be a teaching kitchen in off hours, all in a mall area. Quiet! So you can carry on a conversation. And you'll want to talk with your companion about how great the food all tastes, how spectacular and precise the presentation of the food, and how excellent Jordan is as your server. We were impressed for this first - but not last - visit to Plate.

Favorite Local Five Star

By rob s |

We have now dined at Plate by Dzintra six times, each is a delight. Their appetizers are over the top. Wine selection is superb, we especially like the Cakebread Chardonnay. Entrees are superb from beef tenderloin, king salmon and the freshest fish of the day.

Lovely restaurant in Lakeway

By Bob A |

I have to admit when we want a great dinner we head to downtown Austin. Well we didn’t realize we have a great place less than 5 miles from our house. We decided to stop by on a Sunday night for a quick bite to eat. We sat at the bar. Quiet in the restaurant. We understand that’s not the case on weekend nights. We had a great burger. Full bar. Nice selection of cocktails. Friendly bar service. A definite try!

Superb

By Cal E |

Plate is simply one of the best restaurants in the hill country area. So the location is a little funky, the food will more than make up for the trip. We are frequent customers and continue to be amazed at the different tastes and quality of Dzintra's creations. You can't go wrong here.

Great place to enjoy!

By pamAustin_Tx |

We loved the appetizer selection as well as the scallops and halibut entrees. Great food and perfectly prepared. We will return!

As good as it gets

By NillaTexas |

I just got home from dinner at Plate and my only regret is that they are not open for lunch. Or breakfast. Because if they were....well, it was just that good. There were four of us and we had a bit of everything. From the service to the salads, the decor to the desert, it was as good as it gets. Before we left we purchased a gift card for a couple of real foodie friends of ours. Your gonna love this place.

Delicious and pricey

By M J |

My husband and I went to Plate by Dzintra mid-week. The restaurant is small and somewhat formal. My husband and I ordered the spare ribs. That came with a delicious salad, potato and green beans with squash. The food and service was great. We had a very tasty key lime pudding for desert. The prices were somewhat high. Our waitress said they were moving to a new location in the same shopping center in late January 2018.

Incredible food

By Jon H |

We had heard of the wonderful cuisine at this restaurant and decided to give it a try to celebrate our anniversary. The menu changes weekly and this week it was a spring celebration. We had a wonderful goat cheese salad with peaches and other ingredients and a shrimp and crab mango stack that was outstanding. Though the short ribs is their signature dish and always available, we both opted for the Hawaiian sea bass and I have never tasted better. The wine list is ample and prices for less than the usual markup found in most restaurants. Desserts were tasty and we tried the Moscow midnight and the Key Lime pie. This is our new favorite restaurant. Not a big place but great service and cozy atmosphere.

Fantastic food and Covid safe

By Db B |

Really the best place I ate in the six months I was in Austin. Plus they did a fantastic job of social distancing and making us safe while my mom was in the hospital for surgery. Nice people, great food and a great environment. I’ll definitely visit again when I’m back in Austin. Thanks.

Great meal in the Shops at the Galleria...

By Debbie O |

Wonderful experience, unique menu offerings that live up to their name, fun atmosphere plus they have private rooms and Happy Hour.

Nice neighborhood spot

By tigreyez |

A small strip center restaurant with an upscale feel. Seating is minimal, but it appears they easily host large tables and groups. Wait person was attentive, not overly friendly, but available when needed. The shrimp toast app was portioned nicely for 2 or more people. We enjoyed the flavor and outer crunch appeal. The Hudson Valley Foie Gras was also nicely plated but may have been overshadowed a little too much by the apple and marmalade. Cherry Glazed Lamb Chops were OUTSTANDING and easily the star of the night! The short ribs were a tad salty, but cooked to perfection and very tender. A companions Steak Diane Ribeye - ordered rare- was not a good cut. The tender scalloped potatoes were a huge hit, as was the House Roasted Chicken and its French white wine cream sauce. While there were some "eh" moments, plate is good for casual dining near home with reliably good service and nicely prepared food.

The perfect date

By Audreykathleen2 |

We had heard about this little place hidden in a strip mall on the outskirts of downtown Austin. The chef has been featured on cooking shows and the dishes have won awards. So we thought it would be packed and stuffy. It was not! I felt like I was coming over to the home of a friend (who happens to be an amazing cook). The setting was intimate, and the food was beautiful. And, of course, wonderful and unique. I couldn't afford to eat there every day, but it's the place for a special date, for sure. Definitely a treat!

A reservation does not get you a table

By Tom J |

We made a reservation after hearing good things about Plates and were excited about having a romantic dinner at a very small restaurant. When we arrived at our reservation time, we were told that we must eat at the bar along with a dozen other diners. We left since that was not what we reserved and not our idea of a romantic dinner. So, beware that a table reservation does not mean that you will get a table.

great food and optional cooking lessons.

By M. Hope |

Want to eat well and learn tips and techniques at the same time? Have a menu in mind? Dzintra can do it. This was a great place for a small party of foodies 6 to enjoy dinner and pick up some great advice from a pro. if you choose to sit at the Bar vs a table you can learn to cook what your eating. :-) Great place, warm friendly atmosphere. The acoustics are the only issue if the place is packed it may be hard to hear.

Great Place to Enjoy

By TheTravelingSmile |

I went here with a girlfriend last night for a second time. The atmosphere was perfect for catching up with each other. The service excelled in pace and attentiveness without feeling forced. The wine recommendation met our expectations and paired well with the food we selected. Although the entree size was considerably smaller than most restaurants in Texas, it allowed us to enjoy our dessert course! Plate offers a cozy, quiet place to enjoy your dinner companions.

Hidden Gem

By lmhlite |

This is one of the best restaurants in Austin, let alone the Lake Travis area. Lovely menu that changes weekly. Small intimate dining area, great presentation and always delicious. Great decor. Been back many times for date nights as well as lunches with friends. The lunch menu is not as great as the dinner menu, but it's still good.

Fantastic!

By Marianne F |

I was invited to a family celebration at Plate and found everything from the decor and the service and, of course the food, was top of the line....everything was perfect and extra special. i do not live in Austin, but if I did I would dine here often.No complaints only praise

A Fav for us

By TK14 |

We love the unique menu and specially prepared entres Plate by Dzintra offers. It's a small romantic restaurant tucked back in shopping center across from the Texas Galleria. The Chef caters to adults wanting a relaxing dining experience with a variety of entres. Service is experienced and graciously adequate. Very crowded on weekends so make sure to get a reservation. A very nice place on the westside of Austin for a special occasion.

Zero Quality

By Nanci D |

We went with our friends, both of which eat here pretty regularly. It was my husbands first time and he's still remarking today how terrible dinner was. Service was off, the waiter was flippant and considering the restaurant was nearly empty, not attentive. The white wine was lukewarm and the food was off. My soup was decent, but the mushroom salad which I get all the time had 3 pieces of mushroom in it. All in all, I'm very disappointed as this experience will deter me from returning.

A Destination Dining Experience

By Richard H |

Dzintra Dzinis and her husband Alan have established "Plate" as one of the nicer restaurants in West Travis county. The service is excellent with personalized attention. Food is fresh, prepared from scratch and purchased locally whenever possible. Dzintra is charming, talented and has a very quick wit. This translates to excellent food and fun while dining.

Fantastic!

By Kris132 |

Four of us went out to celebrate a birthday at this new restaurant and we were not disappointed! We each had an entire: scallops, salmon, halibut and the filet. Each was beautifully plated with baby vegetables and the scallops were served over a creamy risotto. Yummy!

" PERFECT PLATE "

By James R M |

Absolutely outstanding food. We shared the crab stack appetizer. I had the short ribs and Linda had the scallop risotto. Both entrees were delicious ! Highly recommend Plate for dinner. Jim and Linda Munro Korner Kottage Bed & Breakfast Suttons Bay, MI

My new favorite place for a celebration dinner!

By EmilyinAustin |

My husband and I dined at Plate a few weeks ago for my birthday. I hadn't been in a while since it is a bit pricier than a "normal" dinner out (worth it, though) and I didn't think my husband would be a fan since the menu is a on little more adventurous than what he normally prefers. But since it was my birthday, I got to choose! Oh my! It was great! We loved the pear and parsnip soup (Dzintra recommended it as we would have never chosen it on our own). It was FABULOUS. My husband had the steak (not adventurous) with gnocchi and Gouda cream sauce and he LOVED it. I had the short rib, which was REALLY good...a bit fatty, but I think that is the intent. The atmosphere is so nice and relaxed. I'm going to have to splurge more often. It really is well worth the money.

Expensive but good

By Isil D |

Went to this place with family for my birthday. The food is quite good but perhaps slightly overpriced. They also have a good wi e selection.

Total bust

By C G |

I was expecting a gem in a strip mall…we had a terrible experience. Ordered the ahi tuna, tuna “nachos”, halibut and pork belly. Halibut was fishy. Nachos have WAY too much risotto. Ahi tuna was ok. Pork was very heavy. And the bill was ~$350!!!! Spend the gas money and go to Austin for a better experience.

Lake Travis Dinner

By houstontraveler2017 |

Started with Ahi Poke — fresh and nicely done with lemon juice avocado and an aoli. Also had the Tuna Nachositos — fried risotto with ahi tuna on top with a jalapeño — nice start to the meal. Attentive wait staff and some good cocktails. The wine list is limited but had a few decent options. Ended with the pork chop — nicely seasoned with a medley of vegetables. Regrettably they had run out of the fettuccini with crab and shrimp — maybe next time.

Charming and excellent fare in Lakeway

By TravelHoundAustin |

great environment and fantastic food. The service has always been great and the menu selection is fantastic

Bummed we are moving

By Steve P |

Received a gift card for Plate by Dzinta. Have lived in the area for 8 years and had heard of it but for some reason never tried it Wow what a mistake. Took some great friends from out of town. Everyone LOVED it! I had the pork chop, 2 had the chicken, and 1 pasta. Every dish was prepared perfectly and the server was attentive and engaging. They have a great bar area that is nice. We are moving to N. Texas in a few weeks. I am bummed that we haven't been a regular while we were here. Have a few dollars left on my gift card. Will be spending on bar apps before we go.

A nice surprise ❤️

By Joanie Morrison A |

After finding a wait at another Restrauant, we tried this new place. It looked clean, very pleasent lighting, large clean windows, a full bar. The wine list was reasonably priced, and a very nice wine collection, there did not seem to be any poor choices at all, from the less expensive to the most expensive, all were fine choices. The short ribs were great! My halibut was not hot, and made me think of banquet food, it was okay, I can not recommend the halibut. Desert, the apple pie - the best ! I would go there even for the deconstructed apple pie! Our service was great - from the manager who treated us at the door, to a wonderful waiter. Our waiter had a smile, and was as nice as - the owner came by and introduced herself. Such a nice very warm person! Dzintra was a breath of fresh air ! So caring, very interested in her guests, for being a chief in a large place Dzintra was very relaxed, and seemed sincere . I wish her well - we look forward to our next visit! Joanie

Plate continues to impress!

By rob s |

This time we brought four couples to dinner. I had the Hawaiian Sea Bass that was outstanding and dress with a fabulous light creme sauce. We even brought a friend whose native language is Latvian in hops of seeing Dzintra-she was out, but we will try again. Wonderful service and we are fortunate to have such a prize in the West Austin area.

Not A Lot of Positives

By austinbillgolfer |

We went to the new location with high expectations which became lower with each course. First the Cocktails ; my Gin Martini was good, however, the flat Gin and Tonic had by my partner was underwhelming. We then opted for the highly recommended Spicy Tuna Nachositos. The tuna was tasteless and miniscule and was overtaken by a very hard, deep fried Risotto Cake. For the main course I ordered Roasted Halibut which came out overcooked with a very hard panko crust. My partner order a Little Gem salad which came out with brown lettuce and a tasteless dressing. This was paired with a Hawaiian Crab and Avocado Inside -out Roll. This too, was tasteless at best. I do not understand why a restaurant would bring in Hawaiian Crab when there is wonderful blue crab just a few hours away. The bottom line is we have been to Plates several times and have only had one good memorable meal. This time was memorable and will be our last. We will certainly not recommend plates to any of our friends.

Good food, service, ambiance and location

By 1234texas |

It has been a while since we have been here, but there is a definite improvement--up to a "4." Even though it is in strip center (however, it is a free standing building with ample parking) that is not all that exciting, the location on the pond is most attractive. There is formal dining area and there is a very casual café/market area. We like the formal area for the views and the table service. The food is excellent and very reasonably priced. This is a good option for a nice meal in an attractive setting--inside and outside.

So last week i dropped by the new location and i did not think it could have gotten better than the baby plate delish.

By konikowski |

just tryed the new plate in new location. Everything was so delish and as alwayd plate did not dissapoint. I can still taste the meal in my mouth. Very nice inside its so nice to have a 5 star restaurant out here. Colames closed and alpenhoff steak house so nice to have an awsome place to come again.

Very comfortable restaurant

By peterm23 |

This was our first visit to Plate. We were very impressed with the ambiance of the restaurant. Loved the way it had that uncrowded feeling. The seats were the most comfortable we've experienced in some time. Overall the food was very good especially the halibut fish. The server was very friendly and efficient.

Great experience

By austinteri |

I didn't expect to be wowed by this place like I was. It was so good! My husband and I took our waiters suggestions, and were very pleased. Portion sizes were good. We split an appetizer, I had the halibut, and want it again now just thinking about it! We liked our wine selections and dessert as well. The dessert was big- a very split-able size. This quickly became a new favorite for us. Make reservations- it is a small restaurant, and they really only do one seating per night per table.

Delicious Food & Impeccable Service

By 1945garyr |

We wanted to try someplace new in Bee Cave and our neighbor recommended Plate. I had the short ribs and my wife had the halibut. Both were delicious. Our waitress was friendly, helpful and attentive. My wife ordered her dinner without pepper. When our waitress picked up the order she noticed immediately that it was wrong and had the chef make another correctly. She then told my wife about the mistake and within a few minutes brought the right order. I appreciate someone who sees a mistake and gets it corrected without being told. The atmosphere is modern and warm. We will be returning, soon.

Halibut the best ever

By Jon H |

My wife and I celebrated our Anniversary last night and wanted to try the new relocation. The old place was just okay at the end of a shopping center row of businesses. The new place is wonderful! Much bigger with views of the adjacent pond and now it looks like an upscale place. My wife had the salmon which was superb but the halibut had to be the best I have ever had. Cooked perfectly, a wonderful sauce, and excellent texture that just melted in your mouth. Can’t wait to return though now I have a dilemma because I want to try other offerings but don’t want to pass on the halibut either. 🤔 Great restaurant.

A little pricey, but the food is great - Service needs attention

By Longhorn_Frog |

I have now been to this restaurant twice - once for happy hour and once for dinner. Happy hour drink prices end at 6:00 PM - awfully early in my opinion. However, happy hour for appetizers ends at 6:30. We came in at 6:20 and were not offered or even told about the happy hour appetizers - had to ask and then only reluctantly were we given the menu from which to order. The second time was for dinner. My husband and I went for my birthday. We were seated promptly. Upon looking at the menu, we found that there were no appetizers that my husband could eat due to lactose and spicy foods issues. Since I had been to the restaurant previously, I knew that there were appetizers on the happy hour menu that he could eat so I asked if we could order from that menu and was told no despite advising the waitress of my husband's food issues. She said her computer would not allow her to place an order from the bar, in the restaurant. What???? How does that work? Would that mean that we could not order drinks either? She told me she had asked the manager and he confirmed. I asked her if I ordered it at the bar, then I could get it and she said yes. You mean I have to walk to the bar, order appetizers, pay for them and then bring my food to my own table??? We opted out of appetizers - a loss of sales for the restaurant. The other problem with the waitress's story was that 3 days earlier, my friends and I ordered appetizers in the restaurant - a mere 2 tables away from where I currently sat. Having complained it is only fair to express the positive as well. This restaurant is very nicely decorated and the food is delicious. I recommend it for special occasions based on price.

Dinner at the Plate

By SrProGolfer |

We went to the new location of Plate last Saturday the 24th. The Filet was one of if not the best that I have ever had. The service was great and everyone enjoyed their food. My better half had the Crab cake and she said it was excellent. The service was great! The downsize was that it was so noisy! It was not the fault of Plate, just a strange building demographic!

Wow, amazingly delicious dishes!

By Henriette B |

My husband and I recently moved to Austin and one of the first restaurants we tried happened to be Plate. Great atmosphere with very attentive and knowledgeable waitstaff. The dishes are just melt in your mouth flavor combinations that I would only expect from a top chef. The chef/owner, Dzintra lived in Paris for twenty years and her culinary skills are a serious taste sensation. Dzintra frequently changes her menu and uses only the freshest ingredients. A few nights ago, we loved the lobster bisque and scallops with Foie Gras. Her desserts are equally fabulous, one favorite was a raspberry sorbet with infused basil. Can't wait to go back!

Excellent!

By BethanyPLittleRock |

My husband and I ate here for dinner last night. We were really impressed with the selections. We had the Hawaiian Crab and Shrimp Stack for an appetizer--I highly recommend. I had the Sea Bass with Asparagus Risotto, and he had the Quail Tempura--both excellent. Great wine selection too!

Fabulous find in Lakeway

By Lisa S |

We loved everything about Plate. Bonus is staying out of downtown Austin. The décor and ambiance are lovely and a bit retro. Bar scene looks fun, even if not staying for dinner. Our cocktails were expertly prepared. Entrees (halibut, ribs) were excellent and the cheesecake we split for dessert was some of the best we've ever had. This place is a real winner and we will return.

Third Time Not Charming

By sambogey |

After writing an earlier stellar review, we returned for a third visit and left very disappointed. The service was spotty and actually inattentive. Serving portions were really small and really expensive. Wine choice was excellent and fairly priced but slow to arrive. May not return!

Not Up To Past

By lloyd n |

This has been a "local" go-to spot for special occasion dinners. On February 4, 2017, we went to Plates By Dzintra and we were extremely disappointed. Usually it is the place for "fine dining" with impeccable service and gourmet dinner selections. It was not the case this time. Three of us had the Pork Osso Bucco (pork shank) and it was barely warm when finally served to our table. My wife had the Giant Sea Scallop Risotto (which she usually really likes) but it was also served warm, as in not hot. I don't know if this is because our waiter disappeared out the front door for some time or the chef just didn't really give a damn about the quality that night. We also had two glasses of their house Merlot and the total bill came to $249.88 (that does include the 18% tip . . . I know, the waiter didn't deserve one but as I said, this evening just wasn't up to what we've experience there in the past) The ambiance is still good even with the bar and video screens displaying menu selections. If they start showing anything else then I'll do my "fine dining" at a Sports Bar and save $200.00. I would expect this from Fore (they're now out of business . . .Gee). I guess we will have to drive into Austin from now on and with the $$$ saved just rent a hotel room at the Hyatt Regency. (BTW, they have a really good restaurant)

Tuesdays - Jazz & Good Food

By d1621 |

We have been regular guests at Plate for a few years now. The servers, the manager, the bartenders are solid folks. With an open kitchen via windows you can appreciate the talent and how the food comes out. We have tried nearly every appetizer, small plate and entree over time. And that includes the pizza made by their Italian chef for pizza. And when you add the jazz players Tuesdays it’s hard to beat Plate.

Plate is different, expensive and eclectic. Perfect for some Austinites

By lonestarlizard |

Our friends were celebrating a birthday and we got invited to a paid dinner party so how could we refuse? Parking is plentiful as the restaurant is located in the Shops of Galleria area in Bee Cave. It was quite crowded when we arrived and we had to wait for the rest of our party before being seated. Our table was close to the bar area, well lighted and roomy. Our server was on the spot and friendly, explaining menu options and specials and taking drink orders. I had difficulty finding something that really interested me on the menu. I didn't feel good about jumping on a $45 steak since I wasn't contributing to the bill. I finally opted for the Stuffed Shells ($20). We also ordered the appetizer meatballs (beef, lamb and pork I think) and the crab cake. My pasta dish was OK but nothing to write home about. Most of our group did say they enjoyed the food and service. Talking a few weeks later with the couple that paid the bill revealed that their thoughts were similar to ours: good, if somewhat eclectic food and very expensive. The meatballs disappeared rapidly due to two 15 year old boys at our table. The crab cake, yes one cake, was good but certainly not enough to feed our table. More meatballs and cakes had to be ordered. The first meatball serving was good; the meatballs were cooked almost perfectly and browned. Subsequent servings tended to be undercooked IMHO. Most all liked the crab cakes, but again, they didn't go far in a party of 8. Cocktails were of good quality but lacking in quantity, again IMHO. I mentioned to our server to ask the BT to go a little lighter on the vermouth for my martini and the next one was pretty much vodka on the rocks which, while OK with me, it came in one of those small glasses that I dislike so much. This is not an inexpensive establishment. Most of the restaurant crowd seemed to be enjoying their food and drinks so the house is doing something right. Wife and I talked after leaving and decided that while there is potential here, Plate just isn't our type of dinner restaurant. Too expensive, too eclectic and a limited menu. We might try again and sit at the bar to try their menu, which does at least have several offerings that appeal to us.

Wonderful food

By peggydill |

We dined here during the week, without a reservation. The service was good. Food was amazing. We had seafood dishes and both were excellent. Presentation was lovely. This is a small place so if dining on the weekend, a reservation would be recommended. Food is a little pricey but quality is worth it. Would go again without hesitation.