Hudson's on the Bend

After hearing so much about this place, my wife and I thought we would try it for our anniversary dinner. Overall we were both diappointed in the food. The sauces seemed to run together and tasted all like bbq sauce.. The food was not distinctive...at all. My wife had the American Bison and I had the Prime Tenderloin with Lobster Tail. The portions were extremely small, and the meats were very salty. The Duck Diablo was okay, but slightly over done. Our service was excellant, very prompt and couteous. For the price, this place is well overated. We have eaten in many fine resturants...in the US and around the world. I will not be returning or recommend this establishment to any friends. Pros: Service Cons: Food preparation and quality more

Wow. this place has the best food I've eaten in a long time. However, if you like ""traditional"" food, i.e. cow, chicken, etc, this isn't the place to go. We had pheasant, elk, duck, lamb, and boar. it was amazing. No gaminess whatsoever in any of the meals. \r \r I highly recommend it to anyone who wants something out of the ordinary. Pros: excellent food Cons: not enough parking...get their early more

My huband and I recently went to Hudson's On The Bend for our Anniversary. I was really excited because I had always wanted to go there and so he surprised me. Well the only surprise I received that night was how on earth this place is getting 4 or 5 stars. The waiter was a total snob, completely ignored us and when it came time for the check there was no ""happy anniversary"" or even an ""it was a pleasure having you dine at our restaurant"". It took 20 minutes to get our drinks and another 45 to get our entrees (and that's not an exaggeration!!) They tasted alright, nothing spacial. We've had much better steaks and fish at Ruth's Chris. We are very easy to please and always have fun going out together, but this place took our special occasion and ruined it. Needless to say we will never visit this place and will share our experience with others. Pros: nice views Cons: horrible service, you don't get what you pay for more

We've been to Hudson's numerous times, and always enjoy the 'Austinian' quirkiness and sense of adventure matched with first-class execution of their food. It's a sort of paradox: they take their product very seriously, but they don't take themselves too seriously - which is great, and what makes Hudson's a lasting Austin institution. I rarely find the presentation and service 'stuffy' - but almost always professional.\r \r That said, I feel compelled to write a review hoping they can improve their wine areas. Though extensive, I don't feel like it matches the 'spirit' of the restaurant, especially becoming less and less so, it seems. Among 4/5-star establishments across the country, it's fairly standard; the price is comparable, too - perhaps a bit more expensive than what it is. It lacks creativity and adventure. Part of it is pairing suggestions as well. The service (read the reviews below, too) also didn't match the food service: it was seldom poured, and spilled when it was (hey, I paid for that!). More/better training here, perhaps. And even for a usually-non-beer-drinker like myself, the beer list is pitiful.\r \r Anyway, I hope Hudson's takes this into account in moving forward. They are fantastic now, but they could soar (above the rest). Pros: Food, Service in general Cons: Wines more

My husband and I have been there five times in three months. This is a great place. We have taken family there too. I recommend the tasting menu paired with the wines, it makes for a lovely culinary evening. They do have a lot of spicy items on the menu. The fresh bread that is served at the beginning with the three different choices of spreads (one being a lovey roasted garlic) is just the start of an amazing meal and experience..................... Pros: Food, service, plenty of parking. Cons: None. Really a great place. more

I've been wanting to try this place for a long time, so we decided on the spur of the moment to go there this last friday night. It was suprisingly empty, but it was still early yet. Pretty pricey menu but that was expected.\r I started off with a simple vodka and soda. Small and weak, nothing special.\r We decided to get one Carmelized Pear and Hopelessly Blue Cheese Arugula Salad With fig chutney, port vinaigrette and spicy pecans. $13.00. \r That was good, even though the blue cheese was very mild. I really couldn't taste the sauce due to my allergy.\r I had the Grilled Pheasant Breast ...Stuffed with cilantro pesto atop a rich San Luis Hole Mole Sauce served with a pheasant confit tamale and a white chocolate tomatillo sauce. $32.00\r The pheasant was on the dry side but the mole sauce was good. I liked the grilled variety veggie mix, they were more tender than the pheasant. The tamale was tasteless with mostly masa and very little filling. yuk\r My husband had the Pecan Smoked Duck Breast Shingled with seared diver scallops nestled in cabrito sweet potato hash and a cranberry chipotle sauce. $36.00\r The duck was very good and the cranberry chipolte BBQ sauce was scrumptious, but it was a BBQ sauce nothing more. However, that brick of cabrito and sweet potato hash was inedible and greasy. It tasted like maybe the duck was laying atop when it was cooked and then added it to the plate, grease and all. It was awful.\r The waitress was nice enough, I explained I was allergic to wine and to alert me if I am ordering any in a sauce. She was very gracious and complied. We probably should have said something about that greasy hash but didn't really want to make a fuss. We were trying to keep the evening special.\r All in all we enjoyed the lights on the patio and the rather unpleasant busy table right by the door as we watched everyone come in as if we were at a bar in the airport. \r We probably won't go back. I'd rather spend 120 bucks at Uchis uchiaustin dot com Pros: paintings Cons: Riding on it's reputation, not a good value, parking, mediocre food more

Went there on a week night with friends. It wasn't full, but there was a meeting going on in another room. We couldn't hear them, but we could see them. It was on diabetes - we could read the slides - it was interesting. Now the food: they have some choices that are too ""wild"" to my liking, but my husband and loves all that stuff. I stuck to my regular French fare: pan seared foie gras, and ris-de-veau or sweetbreads. They were both out of this world with great sauces and just enough food to satisfy you. The wine list is pretty impressive and you can fidn a great match with what you are eating. Our waiter was very friendly, knowledgable and attentive. He knew all the ingredients in the dishes. A great dining experience. I find the dining room a bit stark and bleak, though. Pros: Great food, great wine list, friendly staff Cons: Can be expensive. Does not have "warm" atmosphere. more

Three of us went, tried 3 different things, none of us liked what we had or what the other person had, extremely expensive, food looks good, great presentation, but taste is not to my likes. Service poor, to la de da for me, and we eat out a lot. Will not go back. Cons: Pricey, but that is expeced at a place like this more

The place was dead on a Friday night. The food portions were unusally large. Either they don't want to waste the food so they are giving extra large portions or are trying to bring people in by offering huge portions. The flavors profiles were way off the mark. No one liked their food at our table of 6. My husband's main course was not edible (by anyone..we all tried it) and could not eat it. Server didn't even offer to re-make or take it off the bill. What a waste of time & money. Very disappointing. Pros: cute , semi romantic Cons: food, wine list, overpriced more

The food is good, but for the price I paid, I expected a lot more. Although the service is impecable, the atmosphere is fun, and the location is great (close to the lake) but I think this place would be better off as a bar rather than a resturant. If you have a lot of money, and don't know what to do with it... go here. Pros: Service Cons: Price, Food more

Nothing boring or regular here, an ambitious menu that will keep your tastebuds up at night. My wife and I have been to the Bend four times, and we have received prompt and attentive service with exceptional food. If you are a bit adventurous and tired of the same old same old, the folks at Hudson's won't let you down. Bon Appetit! more

Although it was recommended by several people as a special occasion, we were very disappointed. Mostly exotic game selection, but even with the presentation which was nice, we were not impressed. We sat waiting for our table in an ackward room and decor. Our table was small and it was so loud we couldn't hear each other speak nor would we move without bumping into other guests. Our waitress was inexperienced and brought us the wrong wine. Food was just okay, NOT worth the price ($182 for two). Way overrated & priced! Romantic? NOT! We went, we ate, we'll pass! more

Exciting menu that lives up to its creative promise. More than worth the 30 minute drive from Austin. Incredibly tender cuts of elk, venison, and lamb; delicious sauces that were well matched to each selection; and top notch service. The cooking is as sophisticated as it's web site, and the cook books let you take home the recipies for many of the dishes. Pros: Unusual offerings, tender meats more

Went there for my fiance's birthday a few months back. The waitress never came to check on the food quality (one of my lamb chops was overdone & tough). The wine was never poured. The hostess constantly ignored us (no communication beyond handing us the wine initially) while she talked up the couple on the next table very courteously. I regret tipping at all. The food was delicious, yes, but this was not an experience I would want to relive. Not sure if they were simply rude people, or disliked me for bringing down the average whiteness of the place. Wrote an email to the proprietor after my dinner there & he didn't even bother to reply. Oh well. Definitely would not recommend going here. Pros: Food Cons: Rude, Indifferent more

My wife and I decided to try Hudsons this fourth of July weekend before joining friends to celebrate fireworks with. It was perfect for a casual fourth of July with a hint of comfort. The food was tasty but it was difficult to decipher between the different types of meat as the bar-b-que flavor overwhelmed it, maybe a nice sauce to compliment the different meats would have helped. The restaurant was loud almost to a point of chaos so anything romantic would have to wait till after dinner and our tables legs were uneven so we had to balance our plates accordingly. It was funny, and we enjoyed it and it was a place we've wanted to try for a long time so we're glad we did. Pros: no wait Cons: food tasted alike more

We have been dining at Hudson's for years and wish I had more money to dine there more often. The menu is creative, yet keeps our favorites like the trout and the mixed game plate. Service has always been attentive, yet not overbearing or stuffy. Great job retaining their Austin hill country charm. I love that we can get dressed up for a special night out or come off a day at the lake and feel comfortable either way. Weekends are busy and loud at times. Best time to experience Hudson's charms are Sunday's and weeknights. Also, be sure to make reservations as they may close before their posted hours if there are no late reservations. Definitely an Austin must. Pros: creative menu, attentive service, unique to austin Cons: expensive, weekends busy, lou more

I had the Chilian bass (was their special at the time) and it was excellent. Also tried the rattlesnake appetizer, which was surprisingly good. My friend had the pheasant breast, which was mediocre. The service was decent, but the noise was a little on the high side. I probably wouldn't go again because it's too expensive. Expect to spend at least $40/person. Add onto that if you want wine, appetizer, or dessert. I would recommend this restaurant only to friends who have the money to spend. Pros: food, decor more

I took my wife there for our Anniversary and I was very dissappointed. I feel when you spend $100 on dinner they should wait on you hand and foot. But, this was not the case. The food is very overpriced for the portions you get. $7.50 for a martini glass of fruit? I enjoyed my dinner, the wild game mixed grill. But, I would not recommend this restaurant to my friends and I will never go back. Cons: , service, portions more

Sorry fans, but this restaurant is over-rated. In my recent visit the meal was merely acceptable--the duck was not well prepared and it was tough, although the flavors were quite nice. The lack of ambiance that disappointed even more. The manager was a snoot--and not wearing a tie or jacket on a Saturday night. His wine service ""etiquette"" was inept, and he didn't handle a problem with any diplomacy (a worm on the plate!), although others did their best to overcome his lack of charm. There was a distracting level of activity and confusion between various staff members regarding decisions about where other diners should be seated. (Other diners should not have to be privy to these myriad decisions.) Overall, I am not likely to visit this restaurant again. The ""Entertainment Card"" crowd might find Hudson's impressive, but those who are looking for a true fine-dining experience will be disappointed. more

This place is nothing short of fantastic, really top notch, this has got to be one of the best places in Austin...but, even if I had the money to go here, I doubt that I could even eat here once a month. The food is so rich, and so are the prices. If you are into great food and wine, you gotta go! BUT bring a coupon from the Entertainment book, because the minimum meal is about $30 and wines start at $40-50 a bottle. Dinner for 2 is about $100-150, depending upon your taste for wine. I highly recommend the mixed grille, included squab, rabit, venison and buffalo...incredible. We ate early, and the ambiance was much better before 7pm, less noise and less people; however, if you are looking to get a glimpse of the chef, you will probably only see him after 7pm. Pros: food, paintings, wine selection Cons: price, beer selection, noise level more