Blackbird and Henry

Called it. All hail Via 313

Gourmet lunch meat slices on a plate with overcooked vegetables — $ 20. (On the menu: «Pork Loin»)
It’s so dark in the restaurant that people have to use their cellphone flashlights to see the menu.
There was no one at the reception desk when we walked in.
Blackbird & Henry is another Austin restaurant trying too hard to be «trendy» when they can hardly get the basics right. There are better places to impress a date.

Huge fail today. I drove from Southwest Parkway to meet my wife for lunch, really looking forward to trying what appeared to be from the pictures an amazing menu. We arrived to a printed sign taped to the doors that said they now opened at 5PM, so no lunch. Big disappointment as their website and Unilocal says they open at 11 on Wednesdays.

We’ve become regulars at Blackbird and Henry. Why?
Three Key Reasons:
a) The chef is a genius, he can take any dish dish, put his spin on it and it still tastes authentic & heavenly.
b)The quality of the ingredients they use are superior.
c)Thirdly, the food is always consistent.
d) Last but not the least, the staff is knowledgeable and friendly.
Instead of saying what not try, I’d say try every dish on their menu. You can’t go wrong with whatever you order.
If you don’t like how something is made or want to change an ingredient, just make a request and they will happily do it for you.
We wish Blackbird & Henry a long & successful tenure!

We have eaten at Blackbird and Henry’s several times in the past year, and we are always impressed and delighted with the food and service. The menu is diverse, fresh and innovative. They have a great beer and wine selection, as well as a creative cocktail menu. We prefer to sit at the bar when we dine and always receive extremely professional and friendly service. There are an infinite number of dining choices in
this town, but we will be keeping Blackbird and Henry’s high on our list.

Modern décor, quality American grill, great service and exquisitely crafted cocktails all while keeping that neighborhood feel to it. This sums up my experience at B&H. The only food item I had was a very creative ceasar (quality not quantity) salad that was delicious. But I really came because one of my fb friends posted a picture from B&H of this tiki style cocktail (jolly boy). I had to try and three cocktails later, we were feeling great. Andrew is a bartenders bartender and quite competent in his crafting skills as you can see from the pics. We had two jolly boys and an old fashioned ‘dealers choice’ with luxardo cherries. I’ll certainly be back for the rest of the menu cocktails. If you wanna impress a date with great food and drinks to match, do what I did and sit at the bar ask for Andrew and let him do the rest.

I loved the menu & the food was very good.
Biscuits & creamed chicken — to die for!!!
Loved the pork belly & baked beans.
Super cute place. Needs more brunch drink specials. Service was marginal at best. Hope this place makes it — lots of potential.

Father’s Day Fail: My young daughter and I took my husband to Blackbird and Henry for Father’s Day brunch. We had eaten there twice before and our experiences were great. Today, however, was different. Soon after we were seated, a small ROACH emerged from under the table and ran straight for me. I jumped up and it ran the other way and fell on our five-year-old’s lap. My husband brushed it away and stomped on it. This was just the beginning.
We then tried to flag down a waiter, but ours had disappeared. We notified the next server who came along; she didn’t say anything and gave us a look like «So? What do expect me to do about it?» Then, nothing. It was raining, and we made the dubious decision to stay.
I went to the hostess stand, told them what happened, and asked them to be moved. Again: Blank stares. No apologies, no look of shock. They reluctantly moved us, but not to the table of our choice. After we were reseated, we were not offered menus, and still had no drinks.
After 15 more minutes, I flagged down a waiter and asked to talk to a manager. He looked surprised and asked if we had been helped. (Seriously?) He introduced himself and said he would wait on us. We finally put in a drink order. He returned with menus. He then went off and MADE our drinks at the bar (no bartender at the bar; cocktail menu boldly printed on the menu). After 10 more minutes, he brought our drinks and asked if we were ready to place our order. (Seriously?! We’d been there 40 minutes!
We ordered, wait some more, ate. My smoked trout salad with endive was a sad, wet mess of a wanna-​be nicoise with grocery-​store greens and no endive. My daughter and husband enjoyed their meals more than I (lots of fried food with gravy).
Net/​net: We were never approached by a manager. No one apologized for the ROACH. No apologies for the poor service. No accommodations were made for the entire ridiculous ordeal. Our bill was served. $ 82 (we had two cocktails). It was the only time we’ve never left a tip after 20 years of dining in Austin. The service (or lack thereof) was abhorrent. Needless to say, we won’t return.

They continue to rock with the rye based draft cocktails. Have had three different ones so far and all were great.
Oyster roast is really good appetizer. Toast, gently cooked oysters and a rich creamy broth. Could eat that all day.
Scallop app — risotto the scallops rest on is just bursting with great flavor. Deliciousness in every bite. Unfortunately the scallops didn’t have much of a sear, were a tad over cooked and didn’t seem as fresh as I’d like. It was still a very good dish, but could have been amazing.
Sunday evening ½ price oysters is the bomb. Working our way to being Sunday regulars.

I too was puzzled by the negative reviews, and can only assume that management listened. We ate at B&H last night, and loved it. It struck a good balance for me, sort of a neighborhood feel, but with a more sophisticated menu. We had the crab and shrimp cocktail, the salmon rillettes, and split the quail, and pretty much cleaned every plate. The salmon and quail were particularly good, and the service was attentive and helpful. I’d be a regular if I lived in Austin.

Pretty surprised at all the negative reviews about brunch here, I thought it was pretty swell.
First swell part: $ 20 for a bottle of champagne and juice. Not the cheapest mimosa option, but also not the most expensive. Pleasantly happy with this option.
Second swell part: parking. There’s a whole parking garage. What more could you want.
More swellness: There was no wait, the place was pretty dead. My husband and I both liked the food, no it wasn’t mind blowing, but it also wasn’t offensive. For a place we’ve never been before, we both agreed we would return.
Our server was excellent, she was at that perfect line of always being there without being overbearing.
The only real downer I would say is the lack of people. And lack of people equals lack of atmosphere. Kind of takes the fun out of the goodness that is brunch.
Either way, we’ll probably be back, especially when we don’t want to bother with a long wait.

I’m not sure why this place doesn’t have better reviews? It’s obviously not the most amazing thing, when you compare it to all the yumminess around town, but I would give this restaurant a solid 4 stars. Good location, PARKING!, cute décor and ambiance, good service, decent food, ok drinks.
I didn’t get to try a lot of dishes, but my kale duck confit salad was delicious. Lots of tender kale (raw, but probably seasoned) with I think cranberries and some farro or other grains and lots of chunks of duck. I would definitely recommend that.
For my cocktail, I ordered a Super Mario, which was nothing impressive and a little too sweet for my tastes.

New B&H Fangirl in da house! I LOVED this place! My husband and I have different favorite restaurant styles. I love small plate concept restaurants where they make interesting farm to table experimental combinations like sweet potato marshmallows on top of pig jowl compotes (you get my drift) while he likes scratch, expertly prepared large portion high quality joints. B&H is the perfect marriage between the two! You leave full but you’ve had a quality, new and different experimental leaning food.
It was the end of a long week and we came with another couple so we ordered A LOT. My favorite dishes of the night were the hot and crunchy trout and the chicken (surprisingly enough!) The way B&H prepares vegetables is expert. I ate all the kale off my fish first, it was that good. What? How is devouring your kale first a thing? The lamb and ribs were outstanding and the beans that accompanied the ribs were FANtastic!
I am of the opinion that a dessert without chocolate is not dessert. But like a dessert playing dress up. I know you’re not a doctor or a princess, you dessert poser. Well then along comes Café 909 Parfait to change my damn mind. WOW! Leans toward a savory side with all the pistachios but what a knock out! One of the most surprisingly delicious desserts I’ve had in a while. While I loved the cheesecake with the blueberry compote and gingersnap cookies, the parfait was a clear winner!
I can not forget their cocktails. Between the table we tried over half the cocktail menu and each was truly outstanding. And what I LOVED about them is that they were around $ 8. I am so over $ 12 – 15 dollar craft cocktails. B&H having reasonable craft cocktails pushed them all the way to five stars for me.
We left full and happy. I can’t wait to come back with a big group and sit at the large communal table in the bar. Great place, you’ll love it!

The name alone, Blackbird and Henry, brings back memories of similar named British neighborhood pubs. However, a peek inside the door brings to mind a bright modern grown up spacious wine bar. The menu combines the tastes of the British with those of the sophisticated Texan. I think that is what makes Blackbird and Henry unique, it is a successful pairing of Brit meets Austin. Which makes sense after learning more about Chef Schmidt who has cooked successfully in Texas, but has a British upbringing. As most Austin establishments B&H focuses on local and fresh suppliers. They are focused on «neighborhood dining», and highlight curry and pint night Tuesdays, half off oyster Sundays, and Saturday & Sunday Brunches (11 am-​3pm).
I am holding back one star as I have only eaten here for brunch. My friends and I have a monthly brunch club, and this place is now in our top five Austin brunch list. We loved the unique offerings, something besides just waffles and pancakes! Between us we tasted the Pain Perdue, Biscuits and Creamed Chicken, Lamb Leg Grilled Cheese, Crispy Redfish hash with a side of Bacon and Grits. Everything was amazing, even the bacon was noteworthy. One of our brunch friends is from the south, and has been in search of «true» grits and biscuits in Austin. I wish I could have photographed her first bite, she was enraptured. Needless to say, these passed her test. They have a raw bar that you can select from, as well as a great brunch cocktail list (not just boring mimosas). Our drinks were all very well made, except the bloody marry was a bit too spicy and like BBQ sauce for our taste buds, but I know that is a certain style others like. The service was flawless and friendly. No complaints. The prices are also decent. I look forward to venturing back to try something from their dinner menu.

I recently ventured to Blackbird and Henry for a going away dinner. We had a large group and the waitstaff was extremely attentive and wonderful. Our drinks were always full and we were never waiting on service.
We shared a variety of appetizers — oysters and the pork belly ranked top on the list.
For cocktails, I had the «ashford». It’s a bourbon blend with chamomile liquer and bitters. I liked it, but it could have used a little less of the bitters. They have an excellent wine selection as well.
My favorite entrée of the night was my neighbors :) — Steak with bernaise sauce and fries. The steak was cooked to perfection — just the right amount of pink.
I’ll definitely be back to try out their brunch.

Perhaps it was because UT is on break, but we had no issues dining here for Saturday Brunch.
Our waitress was very outstanding and pleasant throughout our visit, and didn’t bat an eye when we asked to split a «Main» as a starter. She even brought us extra plates to help facilitate our splitting of a dish intended for a single diner.
Smoked Salmon and Egg Bruschetta: Served on grilled sourdough bread with spears of asparagus. This main dish we split as a starter. The grilled sourdough was topped with a cooked egg and salmon mixture and topped with spears of asparagus. On the side were seasoned potatoes and onions.
When I didn’t see any pure, leafy veggie salad on the menu, I asked the waitress if the kitchen could throw me something together. I ended up with a light and delicious salad garnished with cubes of cooked butternut squash that made me very very happy.
We finished our meal with coffee served in big Blackbird and Henry logoed mugs. The coffee was fresh and easy to drink without any added sugar or cream.

As the boy rightfully points out, they took their time seating us (I think they just didn’t notice we were there) and the restaurant was dead. There was only one other table occupied.
However, we really enjoyed the place! The Cuban sandwich was fantastic, as in, vastly better than I expected. Delightfully crunchy with a tangy vinegar snap from the pickles and a savory meatiness made for a journey for my senses. The boy’s grilled cheese (with lamb) was quite good, if a bit greasy. He didn’t like the sauteed onions on it but I found them a nice contrast to the powerful flavors of lamb and cheese.
We ordered a half-​dozen oysters on the half shell and were moderately disappointed. The Malpeque oysters were certainly fresh and firm, but they lacked that crispness that Malpeques are so famous for, and the boy found the ocean flavor a little overpowering. In all, not bad, but we’ve had better. Their mignonette, however, was rather tasty, and I’m normally the guy who gets upset if there’s more than a few drops of lemon juice on my oysters.
Their beer list is small but quality, as is their wine list. They featured several local beers that I enjoy and a few I didn’t recognize, and their bar setup looked like the kind of place a quality cocktail would be produced. I wouldn’t know, as the boy had champagne and I had a beer, but it *looked* like it, anyway.
The location is convenient for us — there’s a parking garage behind the building — and the prices are quite reasonable.
We’ll definitely be back.

Blackbird and Henry is branded as an upscale dining experience, but that seems to hold true for price rather than food or service.
Brunch features non-​traditional fare like Black Pudding and Eggs and Egg Masala. As much as I appreciated the «exotic-​ness» of these choices, what I ordered (Fried Quail and Grits) felt tasty for the wrong reasons. The grits were overly buttery and you had to put in some effort to distinguish the taste of the fried quail from fried chicken. I wish the flavor out could have been brought out a little differently, but if you want to be adventurous with a limited taste palette, this might be a good place for you.
Parking situation is fantastic — free lot across the street.
As a whole, the environment just doesn’t seem to fit the intended ambiance. It’s possible I feel this way because B&H is located in the former location of Another Broken Egg Café or even because I paid a brunch visit rather than a dinner visit, but as of now I feel B&H’s upscale intentions are mostly manifested in misplaced pretension.

Blackbird and Henry is just a delightful little spot. Located at the base of a larger complex, it’s casual while being upscale and has free parking. It’s the kind of place you could take a date, your parents or your buddies.
We enjoyed everything we had — the grilled romaine salad, the oysters (half price on Sunday) and the blue cheese savory dessert. We spoke to the owner about his hopes for a Curry & a Pint night and it looks like they’re doing them on Wednesdays.
The four stars instead of price is based on how pricey it was. It’s hard to get out of there for a reasonable amount. Redfish for $ 28, Salmon for $ 25, Ribeye for $ 31. Your meal with appetizers and wine will run you $ 60 a person. It’s just a little rich for my blood — but like I said, if daddy warbucks is paying, it’s a nice spot.

It seems like every time I pass this space, it’s something new. I remember the previous business being Another Broken Egg Café; I still have a card for a free entrée in my wallet. Either the space is cursed or all of those other businesses were not that great, but Blackbird and Henry is totally turning that around.
What they’ve done with the interior is beautiful. I wasn’t really a fan of the decorating from the other businesses, but I really like the atmosphere B&H has created. It’s intimate without being stuffy and it’s upscale without feeling pretentious. It’s a perfect setting for a wide variety of occasions, such as a date or a celebratory dinner.
And then there’s the food. As far as appetizers go, you must try the Cockle and Black Pudding Risotto. Don’t even think about it — just order. It is delicious; all of the flavors go so well together and I could easily make a meal out of just this one dish. There is plenty to share between two people, but I’ll totally understand if you just want to eat it all by yourself. The Fish and Chips are also tasty — they don’t serve the usual Atlantic cod and I like their take on it. The presentation is cute, too — the dish is served in a take-​out box on a plate.
I went with the Cast Iron Texas Redfish for dinner; when someone mentioned that it was like a deconstructed gumbo, I knew I had to try it. The presentation was lovely and it smelled wonderful; anything that smells like gumbo can’t be too bad, right? The fish was tender and flaky and cooked very well. Paired with the oysters, the andouille sausage, and flavors reminiscent of my grandmother’s gumbo, this dish was amazing. It was just the right amount of everything; I was full, but not uncomfortably so.
My dining partner ordered the Porchetta. Let me just tell you about this dish — I don’t even like pork. I try to avoid all things pork because I am just not that big of a fan, but this dish made a believer out of me. The meat was melt in your mouth amazing and I would definitely consider ordering that for myself next time.
Of course, you have to try dessert. The frozen pistachio parfait is now my second favorite dessert in Austin. Again, the presentation was gorgeous. The dessert itself is light and creamy and is perfect if you found you forgot to save room. The pistachio flavor is great without being artificial and the burnt honey caramel is fantastic. As with the other dishes, I was sad when this one was finished. It really was the perfect ending to the meal — not too sweet, not too heavy, and it leaves a nice flavor in your mouth.
I was really impressed by Blackbird and Henry. The service was wonderful and, though I did not try any of the cocktails, quite a few of them sounded like they would be great. I’m really excited for this business and I sincerely hope they succeed. I’m honestly surprised more people don’t know about it!
I feel, of all the businesses I’ve seen trying to make it in that location, that Blackbird and Henry has the best chance of succeeding. They are doing so many things right and I highly encourage anyone and everyone to check them out. I don’t always have faith, but when I do, it’s not in God.