The Grove Wine Bar & Kitchen

With an upscale menu, reasonable prices, and terrific (indoor and outdoor) atmosphere, give this place a try next time you want to get together with friends. BTW - the ""flourless chocolate cake"" is really a wonderful ""Miles of Chocolate"" brownie - highly recommended! more

I've liked all the food I have ever ordered here. They change the menu every few months and it stays good. \r Crowded in the winter but when you can eat outsid ethe wait isn't bad. Good service and reasonable prices. Pros: Every menu item Cons: Crowded more

I love it. Simply love it. Even though it's out on Bee Caves Rd. - it is so worth it. I have been there for lunch, dinner, and just sipping wine with friends, and it is wonderful. The food is delicious. And try the salads! Pros: the place to go when you want to relax and enjoy more

Been several times and the food is always good. Great variety and lots of Pizza's to choose from if you are a Pizza lover, like me, you wont be disappointed. Try the bruchetta appetizer... its delicious as well. Service is always slow. Bar is slow, but the food makes up for the lack of service to some extent. more

A group of us girls went to teh Grove on Saturday and teh food was delicious as usual!! I think they have one of the best Caesar Salads in Austina dn I always get the Pop-eye Pizza with Mushrooms!! Service was slow and teh waitress wasn't on her game, but the food was awesome! more

I had such high hopes for this establishment as The Grove is on my home from work. It would be a perfect place to stop and get a pizza and salad, while sipping with a nice glass of wine on the lovely patio. Alas, it is not to be. On any day but Monday, the place is packed - in part I am sure because of their stupid no reservations policy for parties of less than six. Wait an hour for pizza and pasta? Are you kidding me? And with way too many bratty spoiled children running around to boot. \r \r I know! Takeout! Nope, they also have some weird rules about no takeout after 6:30 - when I am usually leaving downtown or caught in traffic. I have NEVER heard of any place that doesn't do takeout. The Palm does takeout. Seriously. Who are the people who run this place? \r \r The concept is great - reasonably priced food, with a good selection of wines. The location is tops and not much competition. The food is acceptable - pizza, pasta, bar food, although nothing which could remotely be described as cutting edge. But still it suffers from the problems so common in Austin restaurants. A reservations policy which results in absurdly long wait times for food which is frankly, not worth more than ten minutes. Service which is all over the map - indifferent to overly intrusive. Waiters who don't know the first thing about wine where wine is supposed to be big selling point. And receptionists who seem to think they are working at Uichi . Not to mention the irrational takeout policy.\r \r After 17 years of living in Houston (and waiting for a table almost never) I continue to be amazed at how retro the restaurant scene is here. Overpriced, mediocre food, bad service and long lines are the norm. Wake up Austin! The only decent food and service in town shouldn't be at chains like Sullivan's and Eddie V's. Too bad The Grove didn't break the pattern. \r \r Pros: The deck is great when screaming children aren't running around it. Wine flights are well thought out. Cons: Reservation and takeout policy; inconsistent service. more

Are these people that have given poor reviews going to the same Grove Wine Bar that I've been going to since they opened....I think not! We can concede on some points but all restaurants have rules and problems. Plus this place rocks so of course its going to be busy since it's the place happening in Westlake. They have a good solid menu that is reasonably priced and I love the wine menu. I go there so often that I pleased to see that they added new menu items and new wines. Since they opened the new coffee lounge with super yummy coffee I find myself there in the morning too. It turns into a mini grove/wine bar at night so if I don't want to do the whole dining experience its fun and easy. Don't be turned off by the grouchy reviewers. I love the Grove and obviously so do all the other regulars I see every time I go there. more

I live about a mile from this place and have been several times. There's always a wait, and it's really not worth it. They have Byzantine rules about reservations (must be 6 or more; can't be for a time later than 6:30; everyone MUST be there at the time before you can be seated) and about takeout orders (no orders after some time--I forget which on two nights, and no orders after yet ANOTHER time on two OTHER nights). You practically have to have an engineering calculator just to keep track of it all. In a community full of families with children, not offering evening takeout with flexible times (I think the cutoff is 5:30 or 6:30) is just obnoxious. Another reviewer complained about the kids in the restaurant--if they offered a decent frame of time for ordering to-go, that might not be such a problem.\r \r Service is invariably slow to nonexistent. Our last visit, a woman at our table ordered the tuna salad. It came more than one hour later, and that only after I asked twice about it. This is pretty much how it's been every time. I almost had to tackle a server on one visit just to get some water. I don't think that when one is paying pretty good sums for one's food that one should have to trail around after one's server to get it or engage in contact sports.\r \r The food itself is OK...sometimes overdone (too much thick cheese, too much salt, too much of things that are best offered in small doses). I've never had anything terribly memorable or to die for, thank goodness, because given how rarely we can actually eat out in a restaurant, I'd be dead by now because you can't order takeout after...some time...on some days...that you'd normally want to order takeout. \r \r Want a good local experience? Go to Bistro 88 or to Las Palomas or even to Chinatown, which can at least be fun, especially if you order off the menu (Singapore noodles!). But unless you're looking for a loud time, bad service, OK food, and stupid rules (hey, we're paying here!), don't go to The Grove. Pros: Um...there's a patio? Cons: bad service, mediocre food, stupid rules for takeout and reservations more

The Grove is fantastic! They have a great deck with white lights and perfect ambience. The spaghetti and meatballs are wonderful and a little spicy! Great wine selection. Pros: Great food, deck, wine Cons: Parking more

I've been three times now - all with great results! I've never had bad service. The wine selection is wonderful, but doesn't feel commercialized. The pizza is great - and gluten-free to boot! I had the shrimp and gouda grits special... yummy! The patio was well-shaded with a nice breeze - an Austin treasure! No complaints - I tell my friends about it & I love the cute coffee shop next door too for dessert! more

Sat outside and once again the service was awfu until the time the waiter was sucking up for a tip. I like the restaurant but service is always a problem, as well as, flies, and not enough bar service for the crowd. Reed obviously doesn't care because they are consistent problems every time I go. Pros: Good outside atmosphere Cons: Bad service more

I was at this WINE BAR for the 2nd time,NOT being impressed the first time around but thought I'd give it another shot. While sitting enjoying wine and dinner for a Birthday celebration with a total of 3 people, all of a sudden 3 sets of parents with their Children came in a few tables down. Then ALL their children ( 5 of them) literally started to RUN around the tables while YELLING. When I say yelling, I mean it. In between the tables. We complained twice to our waiter then got up to speak to the manager and her reply was ""OH, yeah, that's modern parenting, we can't do anything""..... I'll make sure to remember that at this WINE BAR (that's right, I didn't say I was at a Playground or even a McDonald's) they allow people to run in between tables while yelling. Not even an apology. (oh yeah! and that was after we sat down and waited 10 min. for anyone to even come to our table to take our drink order). \r First of all shame on the parents. It's not cute when your children act like that.\r Second of all management can do Anything. Next time, APOLOGIZE, then walk over the the parents and say, ""I'm going to have to ask you to keep your children seated and quiet"" if they refuse, ever so politely ask them to leave. You wouldn't let ME run and scream would you? Then why kids? There are ways to handle bad situations to make them better.\r I will never be back to The Grove. Nor will I ever take my clients. Pros: Decent Food. Cons: Service. Management. Does not cater to customers. more

My family loves their pizza (rest of the food is average). The trouble started when I called up on Friday for a big get together we were having at our house. They said no to-go orders over the phone on Friday or Saturday. What? I've got 2 young kids and have mastered the to-go order. I have never in my life been told no to-go orders. Frustrated, but ok I understand the rules now - next time I call in on a Thursday (again having some people over). They say no more to-go orders over the phone no matter what day. Wow! That's frustrating and amazing.\r \r The final straw -- by this time I fully understand the rules of no calling ahead to pay for food (i.e. give them money over the phone, without taking up any space in their restaurant) -- I walk in after work, head over to the bar (the only place to get to-go orders). I plan to sit and order a glass of wine (my new game plan to cope with the no to-go order policy). I ask for 2 large pizzas. I ask that they leave one pizza half cheese. The bartender says ""So you want a half sized pizza with just cheese?"" Uh, no. I want half of one of my pizzas with no toppings. He says, ""So you want half of the pizza with nothing on it? That would just burn."" Uh, no. I want half of it however the heck you make the other half of it, but no toppings. What's so hard about this? I feel like I'm ordering pizza in Japan (I've done it -- it's much easier). He finally says, ""Oh, I don't think we can do that."" I look at him strangely and say, ""Please ask."" He does - the manager is right behind me as he talks to him. They decide making half of the pizza without toppings just isn't possible. I leave with no pizzas, no salad. I order from Pizza Nizza on the way home.\r \r I just don't understand why they have to create rules for their business that I've never seen at any other place. It's really frustrating, and sadly, we like the pizza, but I can't take it anymore. I've never written about another place before. I promise! Pros: Pizza Cons: Service, parking more

I actually agree with missimpossible's review. I just ate at the Grove and found it to be a great concept, fresh and interesting decor, and what appears to be a great wine/food menu. However, the chef needs a serious lesson or two! I ordered simple dishes that should have been delicious, but failed miserably. Tuscan bean and pancetta bruschetta was bland and dry, and featured burned American bacon instead of pancetta; it could have easily been improved with some basic seasoning, good olive oil and garlic. The tomato/basil/mozzarella bruschetta was much better, but no better than average at any other restaurant.\r \r I will return to the Grove, but for wine and cheese only, not to eat an actual meal (light or not). At least until they get a new chef or the current chef gets some serious training. Pros: Great decor, concept, wine list, decent prices Cons: Poorly executed food more

Read her recent review of Uchi...\r \r I guess the Grove did better than Uchi according to missimpossible:\r She must be miss impossible if she bashes two of my favorite places.\r \r \r \r \r The Emperors New Sushi!\r \r 01/26/2007 Posted by missimpossible\r \r You've got to be kidding! This place is a pretentious joke! The quality of the sushi was good, but not the best I've had. I've lived in Seattle, San Francisco, and LA - heck even Atlanta had better! Their prices are outrageous - $32 for 4 postage-stamp sized bites of Toro? $28 for 5 equally tiny slices of Maguro? Ok so they beautifully displayed it on a large scoop of crushed ice and stuck an exotic flower in the bowl - kudos for presenation. Further, they have a limited selection of rolls and are not flexible- e.g., I asked if they could make me a rainbow roll - the sushi chef said, No, they dont make those. I said, you've got all the ingredients, why not? He said we just do what's on the menu! \r \r Pros: Prestigious Chef - you can say you dined at Uchi which may impress the pretentious\r \r Cons: Exhorbitant prices for good, not great sushi, and poor service\r \r \r Pros: wonderful patio, fun wine list and good food at reasonable prices more

The Grove is a great place for gathering with friends and family. The atmosphere is lively and the bartenders are friendly and knowledgeble. The menu has a variety of pizzas, salads, pastas and apps-although I wish they included simple entrees like grilled chicken or fish w/ veggies. The Grove has the potential for greatness.\r That being said, first they need to fire their Chef. What sounds good on the menu fails miserably in execution. The only upside are the cheese and meat trays.\r The tuna salad was noticably overcooked-grey tuna! Any decent chef would've caught that before it left the kitchen. \r The next time I tried a pasta-chicken w/carmelized onions, expected robust flavor, instead boring and lacking complexity. This last time we shared mussels, a pizza and ordered the house salads-how can they screw that up? First the salad dressing was a lovely asian inspired delight, however it mustve been sitting in the window for a while because being mostly spinach and shredded carrots it was totally soggy and limp- tasted ok but would benefit from some crunchy greens. The mussels were chewy and bland, the broth was flavorless. We went for the garlic chicken pizza, sounded great, but it was so salty that we didnt finish it - three people didnt finish a small pizza! \r The service also leaves something to be desired. Its generally busy when we've gone so its been difficult to get your servers attention if you need something - then once you ask it takes forever to get it. The servers have also been unhelpful when it comes to choosing wine in stark contrast to the bartenders who were great and made awesome recommendations. Our last waiter, when asking to recommend a something dry, e.g., referred to the flight menu and told us to choose from there. \r In summary, great concept, great place to hang out with friends. Order your wine at the bar or otherwise get recommendations before you sit down, stick with the cheese and sampler trays and if you can grab a bite on the way! more

A place with a pretty good wine list and OK casual food, with an attractive, upscale crowd from nearby Westlake Hills. It's got a great deck for sitting outside and having a casual Austin meal with good wine and Italian or Mediterranean food.\r \r Don't even think about sitting inside -- it's deafening. If you get an inside table, plan on shouting to your dinner partner and missing everything he or she says. They need to fix this, it's intolerable.\r \r There's a long wait on Friday nights and weekends, and this makes the inside tables even worse. Wait a long time to get a table where you can't hear anything? No thanks.\r \r more

If you like great wine and tasty affordable food, this is the place for you. The crowd is also very attractive. Check out the patio. Pros: Great wine and The Best Patio in town Cons: Didn't really experience any more

The idea of having a wine bar with a nice menu and a beautiful oak tree is fantastic. The notion of forgetting that you are in AUSTIN TEXAS,the land of friendly people casual living is rIdiculous! Dear Grove Staff; You are not in Manhattan,Los Angeles or Rome, your wine selection is good not great and the food is very good.\r So get off your high horse and ride western style or people will stop coming.I have eaten at the Grove about 4 times and all but one of those times I encountered snobbery beyond believe...GIVE ME A BREAK.\r LISAPIZZA :) Pros: AMBIENCE,WINE BAR,GOOD FOOD Cons: SNOBBY STAFF,LACK OF GREAT WINES BY THE GLASS more

The overall atmosphere at the grove is extremely welcoming and warm. The staff is very friendly, and they provide fantastic suggestions on wine and food. The food was incredible. My personal favorites were the fire in the hole pizza, calamari, brushetta, and the mussels were awesome. The restaurant is also kid friendly. IN general, the restaurant provides the perfect combination of food and people service, and I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone who likes great food and amazing people. Pros: Great service, delicious food more