Austin has become a hotspot for new restaurants making their mark on the industry, and rightly so. We have some excellent eateries, cocktail lounges, and taquerias that deserve much respect and love.
Michelin is even coming to Texas to finally rank the best places to dine out in the capital city, as well as Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio. But what makes a great restaurant? As an investor in a local taco spot with the best margaritas in town, which is taking this city by storm (IYKYK), I have some insight into this question.
First and foremost, it’s about hospitality and providing the same level of service to all guests throughout their visit. From the moment they enter the establishment until they leave, staff should make them feel welcome and like a part of the family. Warmth and grace are essential.
Food and beverage must be exceptional, but more importantly, exceptionally consistent. There can’t be off nights of preparation and presentation. Plates must look and taste the same way, service after service. The bar program should also adhere to this motto. Quality mixed drinks that pack a punch and a well-curated wine and beer list will always bring people back for more. Lastly, ambiance and atmosphere are critical to creating the perfect prohibition-style after-hours lounge.
This brings me to my most recent dining experience–one I was particularly excited about. Former French Laundry executive chef Matt Peters brings his imagination and creativity to the newest cocktail bar west of downtown.
Dragan Milivojevic heads Prélude’s cocktail program and brings years of experience. The ever-evolving bar menu also features thoughtful spirit-free drinks, wines by the bottle and glass, and beers. Chef Peters and his team curated the canape menu of elevated small bites.
What Did I Love?
What did I love about Prélude? As we walked up the front lawn of the renovated historical home turned lounge, we were greeted by large oak trees wrapped in twinkling white lights and a grand reflective front door with a gray-striped awning. The establishment is painted a dark charcoal gray with black accents, providing so much glam and intrigue. What waited just beyond those doors was beautiful.
Upon entrance, guests are met by a larger-than-life original Simon Berger artwork mounted above a working fireplace. As their eyes scan the room, they see other classic Salvador Dali artwork and a sculpture by Jeff Koons. If you don’t know Berger’s work, he is a Swiss artist who creates stunning pieces by breaking safety glass into a million little pieces. His artwork consists mostly of women’s faces but occasionally of animals. They’re absolutely stunning!
Prélude partnered with a local art gallery, West Chelsea Contemporary, which happens to be a favorite of mine and my husband’s. They are known for their urban meets contemporary exhibits, and fabulous VIP parties.
As we rounded the corner, the host led us to a high-top table tucked into a corner near the fabulous gold-embellished bar with a magnificent statement-piece chandelier. The marble table tops with gold legs and the deep green velvet chair cushions were elegant, sleek, and perfectly executed decor.
My only complaint about this seating arrangement was that getting the chair out far enough for me to sit down was difficult. Because I was wearing a long dress with heels, I couldn’t easily maneuver the high-backed chair away from the wall enough to gracefully take a seat. My husband had to switch sides with me, which meant I was now in the seat that stuck out partly into the corridor between the main area and the bar.
Reconfiguration of this area might be a necessity. I’m sure I’m not the only guest who has struggled with the arrangement.
Dreamy Cocktails
Upon being seated, our server approached us with a huge smile and just the right amount of information to get us started. She shared her favorite cocktails and allowed us a chance to peruse the offered libations.
I chose the Plum Sour, which is similar to a whiskey sour but has a rich flavor of plums and cherries. We watched the bartenders make this delightful cocktail with a smoky, rich bourbon and topped off with a cloud of frothy egg white. I could’ve easily had three more; it was that delicious. My husband ordered Stolpman’s Sauvignon Blanc, one of his favorites.
However, the server mistakenly brought champagne when he ordered a second glass of wine, a Wollfer Estate Rosé. Unfortunately, we didn’t get the name of it, but it was excellent. I liked it so much that I asked for a second glass to be brought to me when I finished my cocktail.
Elevated Canapés– Hit and a Miss
If you’re looking for a full sit-down dinner, Prélude is not the place for you. It is strictly a prélude to your evening or the perfect, sexy lounge to end with a nightcap. In fact, I highly recommend coming here after dinner one evening and having one more cocktail and a delicious dessert of handmade miniature cookies from Cookie Rich (Chef Peter’s wife is the owner).
That said, the canapés were delicious—at least most of them were. I’ll start with our favorites.
Shrimp Toast
This little dreamboat of a bite was divine. The chefs topped perfectly toasted pieces of thick, buttery toast with a spicy shrimp blend, refreshing cucumbers, and micro greens. This is a two-bite morsel unless you have a really big mouth.
However, my only complaint about the food presentation is that they need to provide silverware or extra plates. Without either, you can put the whole bite in your mouth, take one bite and hold the rest of the canapé in your hand, or place it back on the shared serving plate—neither of which is ideal.
Chicken Nuggets
The take on the classic children’s finger foods is a fun idea, but is it $16.00 for four pieces worth it? The short answer is No, but they were yummy nuggets that came with slices of pickled green tomatoes, yet no serving utensils, so you had to pick up a wet piece of food with your fingers. Their take on the creme fresh was delicious, though, and my husband appreciated the miniature bottle of hot sauce that was provided.
Sweet Pea Croquettes
For $26.00, you can enjoy six bite-size sweet pea croquettes that include Iberico ham, Meyer lemon, and mint labneh. They were delectable, and the ham was melt-in-your-mouth, but I didn’t leave the table craving more.
Masa Gougeres
You can skip these altogether. The serving platter the gougeres were presented in was more fabulous than how they tasted. Devoid of flavor and a texture that can only be described as mush, this option is worth less than $12.00 for four bites.
Atmosphere
Overall, Prélude is a much-needed venue in Austin that adds a touch of glam meets sophisticated, old-world charm. The music pumping through the speakers was lively without being obnoxiously loud. And the wallpaper in the bathroom was magnificent!
And as I mentioned before, the artwork adorning the walls was fabulous. I loved seeing the famous graffiti artist Risk Rock’s Rolling Stones neon light artwork and local artist Ash Almonte throughout the space.
All the employees who came to our table were friendly, attentive, and charming despite being ghosted several times. But it was a relatively busy Friday night, so I got it!
Austin still has a long way to go before it can rival New York City in the restaurant/bar/lounge scene, but it’s on its way, baby.
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