• Advertise
  • Donate
  • Write
  • Intern
  • Events
  • About
  • Contact

The Austinot

Discover Austin Texas! An Austin blog with hundreds of unique articles.

  • Things To Do
    • Things To Do This Weekend
    • Things To Do This Week
    • Things To Do This Weekend With Kids
  • Discoveries
    • Austinot Loves
    • Activities
    • Day Trips
    • Local Business
  • Food & Drink
    • Food
    • Drink
  • Entertainment
    • Events
    • Film
    • Music
    • Nightlife
    • Theatre
  • Culture
    • Arts
    • History
    • Museums
  • Et Cetera
    • Non-Profits
    • Podcast
    • Archives

5 Reasons You Can’t Get Reservations to Eat at Juniper

November 27, 2015 by Mathis Kennington 1 Comment

Juniper Restaurant East Austin

Juniper in East Austin (Credit: Robert Lerma)

Juniper is East Austin’s newest upscale restaurant. This dining destination on Cesar Chavez combines old-world kitchen style with Texas Hill Country ingredients, so it’s no wonder that it’s next to impossible to get a weekend reservation.

I’m not doing you any favors by writing this article. By the time you’re done, you’ll be reaching for your phone, hoping to get a table in Juniper’s intimate dining area. Good luck. I was barely able to snag a spot at the chef’s counter.

Here are my top five reasons why reservations go so fast.

#1 Puffy Potatoes

Juniper Restaurant Puffy Potatoes Appetizer

Puffy Potatoes at Juniper

Juniper’s potatoes taste like your fondest memory of your favorite childhood comfort food. Lightly fried with the perfect mix of salt and cilantro, these puffy potatoes are just enough to whet your appetite. Don’t be surprised if you order a few more bowls. You know, for your friends coming later.

I’d like to call myself a foodie, but I eat breakfast tacos on a daily basis. Maybe that makes me an Austin foodie. Regardless, I was not prepared for the amount of flavor that hit my palette when I took a bite out of these little gems. Don’t be fooled by their modest size. These guys pack a punch big enough to keep the reservation lines busy.

Plus, they’re called puffy potatoes. Enough said.

#2 Craft Cocktails

Rye Cocktail at Juniper in Austin

Rye cocktail at the chef’s counter

I’m a big fan of rye whiskey. I’m also a fan of any chef willing to put not one, not two, but three rye whiskey cocktails on the menu. Both my wife and I were more than impressed by Juniper’s drink selection. Nic Vascocu heads up the beverage department at Juniper, and he couldn’t hit the nail on the head any better.

You might be surprised by the cocktail options at Juniper, but don’t let that deter you. The mix of classic ingredients with unexpected ones, like rye whiskey instead of bourbon, gives just enough intrigue to make happy hour a fresh experience or add spice to your dinner choice.

#3 Chef’s Counter

Juniper Entree in Austin

Gulf Shrimp

I don’t know why y0u’d ever settle for a dining table. But that’s just me. There was something about hearing Chef Nicholas Yanes–a man who has spent his professional life all over the United States learning his craft–call out orders while the kitchen hustled to fulfill them.

Sitting at the counter is probably also one of the best ways to keep the kitchen staff busy. In my case, it was hard not to interrupt them as they busied themselves over every single dish I wanted.

Yes, I wanted all of them.

I’m sure the folks working behind the chef’s counter didn’t mind at all each time I leaned just a little too far and asked, “What’s that?!” The entire staff was friendly and approachable. They gave me a fancy feel without any of the snobbiness.

Juniper is what Austin fine dining should be.

#4 Ambiance

Interior Juniper Restaurant Austin

Juniper’s interior (Credit: Robert Lerma)

Juniper is locally-designed, as well as being a carefully crafted culinary venture. I know it may seem strange to go on about the ambiance of a restaurant when I could spend an entire article raving about each dish we enjoyed, but Juniper’s design is a story unto itself.

Chef Yanes spent time in Northern Italy to study the style of Italian cuisine. Although Juniper is not an Italian restaurant, the disciplined attention to detail–from decor to dishes–reminds me of a proud Italian family sharing their favorite meal.

The smaller-than-expected dining area is dimly lit with a glow just bright enough to enjoy your surroundings, designed with a mix of contemporary and classic.

Local interior designer Mark Cravotta joined with local architect Christopher Sanders to bring this dream to life.

#5 Milk and Honey

Milk and Honey Dessert at Juniper

Milk and honey dessert (Credit: Adrienne Dever)

What would a delicious meal be without an equally delicious dessert selection? Much like the choice of traditional small plates, we couldn’t decide on just one. Our favorite was the milk and honey, a delicious cream topped with dollops of caramel and chocolate, prepared right in front of us.

This dessert is subtle, yet it still manages to smack you in the face with deliciousness. If you haven’t been fully seduced by Juniper’s ambiance, drinks, view or food, then the milk and honey should do the trick.

Don’t wait to get your chance at a table. These seats are going fast.

2400 E. Cesar Chavez St. – Website

 

@ATXtherapist wants to know:

What is your favorite fine dining dish in Austin?

Filed Under: Food, Food & Drink Tagged With: cesar chavez, eastside

Best of The Austinot

We always have unique content on The Austinot and we love to give things away. You know, like concert tickets, gift cards, and other cool stuff. We only send out our “Best of the Austinot” newsletter twice a month. It’s where we give you a recap of our best articles and give stuff away. Interested? Subscribe to Best of The Austinot here!

Subscribe
Login
Notify of
guest
guest
1 Comment
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
ATX dog
ATX dog
7 years ago

I agree on points 1 – 3. I have not sat at the bar nor had the milk and honey. The cocktails are great. The place is gorgeous. The service is excellent. Unfortunately the food was disappointing. The puffy potatoes are very good. I would think they were special if I had them in a gastropub, but not in a high end restaurant like Juniper. Sadly, my cocktail was the only thing I ordered that I would consider to be special.

0
Reply

Connect with Us

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Things to do

Things to do in Austin this week of May 29 | Ascension Seton CapTex Tri

10 Fun Things to do in Austin this week of May 29 include Ascension Seton CapTex Tri, Josh Gates Live, and more!

Our top choices for things to do in Austin this Week of May 29, 2023, include Ascension Seton CapTex Tri, Josh Gates Live, Memorial Day: Remember and Honor Event, and more! Austin is now among the fastest-growing metroplexes in the US! Keeping up with the growth, luckily, there’s plenty going on in Austin all days of the […]

Things to do in Austin with kids this weekend of May 26 | Bluey's Big Play The Stage Show

Top 10 things to do in Austin with kids this weekend of May 26, 2023 include Bluey’s Big Play The Stage Show, Dripping Springs Fair & Rodeo, & more!

If there’s one thing about this city, it’s that there is always something going on. So, if you’re looking for fun things to do in Austin with kids this weekend of May 26, 2023, there’s plenty of fun to be had, including Bluey’s Big Play The Stage Show, Dripping Springs Fair & Rodeo, Woodland Faerie Trail Opening […]

Things to do in Austin this weekend of May 26 | Hot Luck Fest

11 Fun Things to do in Austin this weekend of May 26, 2023 include Hot Luck Fest, 14th Annual Lone Star Jam, and More!

There are plenty of fun things to do in Austin this Weekend of May 26 which include Hot Luck Fest, 14th Annual Lone Star Jam, Dripping Springs Fair & Rodeo on Memorial Day Weekend, and more! Whether you’re planning a date or having fun with friends, these events and things to do in Austin this weekend may […]

Memorial Day events in Austin 2023 - celebrations & fun things to do near you this weekend include ceremonies & more!

Memorial Day events in Austin 2023 – celebrations & fun things to do near you this weekend include ceremonies & more!

Get ready to make this Austin Memorial Day weekend unforgettable! Whether you are looking forward to Memorial Day fireworks 2023 Austin or Memorial Day weekend concerts, there are a number of things to do on Memorial Day weekend Austin. Here are some fun Memorial Day festivals 2023 events to help you make the most of […]

Mother's Day Specials in Austin 2023 - 40+ Verified Discounts and Freebies Near You!

Mother’s Day Specials in Austin 2023 – 40+ Verified Discounts and Freebies Near You!

Welcome to our ultimate guide to Mother’s Day specials in Austin 2023! It’s time to show the extraordinary moms in our lives just how much we adore them. To make this year’s celebration truly unforgettable, we’ve scoured through the city’s top shops and stores to compile an extraordinary list of 125 awesome deals and promos! […]

Recent Posts

  • 10 Fun Things to do in Austin this week of May 29 include Ascension Seton CapTex Tri, Josh Gates Live, and more!
  • Graduation gift ideas Austin – over 40 verified graduation sale, freebies & discounts from local restaurants & stores near you!
  • Top 10 things to do in Austin with kids this weekend of May 26, 2023 include Bluey’s Big Play The Stage Show, Dripping Springs Fair & Rodeo, & more!
  • 11 Fun Things to do in Austin this weekend of May 26, 2023 include Hot Luck Fest, 14th Annual Lone Star Jam, and More!
  • Memorial Day events in Austin 2023 – celebrations & fun things to do near you this weekend include ceremonies & more!

Welcome to The Austinot

We are all about Austin: the vibe, the people and the uniqueness of the city. We love to explore. Get to know us! We’ll respond if you comment. Heck, we’ll probably invite you to come and hang out with us!

Follow along to help support and learn more about local businesses, artists, and events.

-The Austinot Team

Privacy Policy

Trending Posts

  • 11 Fun Things to do in Austin this weekend of May 26, 2023 include Hot Luck Fest, 14th Annual Lone Star Jam, and More!
  • Top 10 things to do in Austin with kids this weekend of May 26, 2023 include Bluey’s Big Play The Stage Show, Dripping Springs Fair & Rodeo, & more!
  • Austin’s Speakeasy Secrets (Shhh): Floppy Disk Repair Co.
  • Memorial Day events in Austin 2023 – celebrations & fun things to do near you this weekend include ceremonies & more!
  • Guide to Austin’s Dirty Sixth Street

Copyright © 2023 · Log in

wpDiscuz
x
x