Taverna Austin (downtown) The Baci Room

I stopped here for a drink and a snack before doing some afternoon shopping, and I have to say, the Blood Orange Margarita (with mezcal instead of tequila) was incredible. The blood orange purée really made a difference, and the sweetness was perfectly balanced. On the other hand, the brunch bellini was cheap for a reason—there was no peach purée, and it tasted like a rather bland peach-flavored rosé. The Tagliatelle Alla Bolognese was decent but not particularly memorable. To be honest, the bolognese from Red Ash down the street definitely puts it to shame. I'd love to return for dinner, though, because some items on the menu look amazing, and I think their cocktails are worth coming back for.

I had a wonderful dinner at Taverna on Saturday night. Thankfully, we had made reservations since the place was bustling with SXSW crowds. We soon noticed that our table was located near the “back room” area of the restaurant, which had a more club-like atmosphere compared to the dining section. This didn’t bother us at all; it was just a different vibe with unique music and lighting. I ordered the Cacio e Pepe, and it was absolutely fantastic. Our server brought out a huge wheel of cheese and prepared the pasta right at our table, which was a nice touch. The focaccia, dessert (tiramisu), and cocktails (espresso martini and mandarin mule) were all delightful as well. Surprisingly, parking was quite easy for a downtown area; we found a free spot in the city hall building across the street. I can't wait to visit their Dallas location!

Overall, we had a great experience with both the food and the service. We were a bit disappointed when the staff started closing up before we had finished our meal (it was only 10 PM), but they did offer us a complimentary dessert for the table. The staff was friendly and helpful, and the food was genuinely Italian with a fun American twist.

Can’t say enough good things about this place. The atmosphere is upbeat and lively which makes it such a fun spot to enjoy brunch and the staff are all so kind and accommodating. My eggs Benedict was delicious and man do they have some good breakfast potatoes. Special shout-out to Jake and Alex for taking such good care of our group. 10/10 will be coming back!!

We celebrated a birthday dinner here, and it was absolutely fantastic. The service we received for our large group was the best we've experienced in a long time. Diana truly went above and beyond to ensure that everyone had everything they needed, and her assistance made a significant difference. Amazing experience!