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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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