Geraldine’s

So i really wish i could give this place 3 stars but the atmosphere is what bumps it up to a 4. The service, food and prices are all a HARD 3.
We came for brunch, a group of 6, and waited 20 – 30 minutes for our drinks (a few bloody marrys, coffe and mimosa) not the server fault but the bartender did not have it together
then i ordered the omlette with no ham, the added spinach but the entire thing tasted like it was cooked in onion oil instead of onion simply inside, the omlette comes with nothing else so i added a 3 $ biscuit which was pretty decent
my friend ordered the french toast and that was actually a 5 star dish so do yourself a favor and order the tacos or the french toast. the food all came out at different times so we were all waiting and food was getting cold, very unprofessional for a small group brunch, and the place wasn’t packed, the manager asked how everything was and we admitted the service was poor so he sent over a round of rose champagne.
we stayed for the rest of the day because the rooftop pool deck area of the hotel was to die for, we ordered 2 bottles of white wine and cocktails and some pool snacks which were a tad better than the brunch food.

This place was a solid 4 stars for Brunch. We didn’t have reservations and arrived right at 11 when the music started and were just barely able to get a table, so it might be a good idea to make a reservation on their website or through open table.
Service was very friendly, but on the slower side to receive food. (about 50 minutes)
We had a bloody mary and a mimosa between us and both were well made. The patio area is nice, and the music is visible and well within earshot of the nearby indoor stage and was easy to hear, but light enough to still carry a conversation.
We ordered the Corn Skillet breakfast, the potato tot hash and the blueberry pancakes and everything was good. I actually liked the corn skillet that I ordered the least as it definitely had less flavor than both of the other two dishes, but still was nicely cooked and tasty. The pancakes where really hearty from the whole grain and not too sweet with a good splashing of the blueberry compote topping. The potato tot hash was great with crispy, and soft fried potato hash cubes and a flavorful braised pork rib.
Definitely a nice ambiance and the view from the outside patio over downtown and by the pool is nice as well.
Prices are reasonable, but keeping in mind that the plates are all pretty small servings (with the pancakes being the cheapest and most filling) its not the cheapest of brunches, and we definitely needed the 3 plates between the 2 of us to really feel satisfied.
The hotel Van Zandt itself is quite nice and worth taking a peek at before or after you come here. Nice spot.

If there was a good score the place would get a 2.5, for décor it would get a 4.5. Really nice place, but the food lacked any trace of defining flavor. I went with my girlfriend for brunch. Had the quiche, French toast, short rib potato hash. The quiche was under cooked and had no flavor. The French toast was very bland, felt like it needed nutmeg or cinnamon. The short rib was great but the portion was maybe ⁴⁄₅ bites, would need to order two of them to feel full probably.

We dropped by here early on a (not so beautiful) Sunday for brunch recently. The décor in this hotel is beautiful and decidedly Texas. It’s different from any hotel I’ve ever been into, but I loved it. Same goes for the restaurant space. Just beautifully laid out and very open. My favorite area had to be the lounge area (cocktail service in the evenings), but we were there for some food and made our way to the bar.
Now when we arrived around 10AM there were already a few tables enjoying mimosas and such, but no one was at the bar. No joke, within less than an hour the entire place was packed. Impression given that if you didn’t have a reservation, you were definitely waiting.
The service was really great! Bartenders and waitresses, even though they were busy, were still chatty but efficient. Nothing took too long to receive, meals or drinks. It was great.
For brunch we ordered the Corn Skillet Breakfast and the Fried Potato Tot Hash with a side of breakfast potatoes. We weren’t really feeling the side of potatoes, but both main dishes were fantastic. The ham and mustard greens combo in the skillet was super good, but I think my boyfriend’s braised pork rib took the cake. So perfectly cooked and seasoned, insanely flavorful.
It’s not my favorite of brunch spots, but we’ll definitely be back at some point in the future. Especially considering the rate at which restaurants close in this town …

I came here for New Years Eve. I was excited by the reviews and the speak easy style atmosphere. The view of Lady Bird Lake was great in the lounge area and we could see the fireworks from our seats. The lighting was romantic and warm.
I ordered a variety of items off the menu with my group. All of them were tasty and well seasoned. The Fermented Chile Hush Puppies, Curated Meats, Barbecued Short Rib, and Fried Chicken were all great but small.
The down side of our experience was the energy level of the bar after 10 pm. The music was slow paced the entire evening. I would have expected this during the dinner hours but the dinning area had been closed for some time. The band (Drew Davis) could have considered the environment and the evening by adding energy and festivity to the show. I was disappointed that this was our choice for NYE as I was struggling to stay awake till midnight based on the mood.

I came here for Sunday brunch. They had a wonderful band playing (a little loud but very good). The food was fantastic. What really made this a five star review was the great service. Our server, Sarah, was so kind and attentive, gave great recommendations, and accommodated our custom requests. Highly recommend this place.

Perfect dining experience. Chestnut honey with sweet potato beignet dessert was a party in my mouth with every bit.

I came here with a friend for dessert and a cocktail. The space is designed well (despite the copycat tile work which minus the color is identical to that of Bullfight’s — see side by side photo comparison). There is a nice open feel. They have a stage for bands to play, different sections for dining, an inside bar along with the outside pool bar that has a pretty good view of downtown, and a «writer’s area» which is more lounge like.
Service was attentive, the chestnut honey ganache dessert we ordered was well balanced in flavor, texture and was nicely plated. My friend’s dirty martini was good and our server made sure it was extra dirty per my friend’s request.
I would come back here and try out some of their food and perhaps take a dip in the pool.

Had Xmas dinner here and it was a good choice. Dining room is real big. Live music came on around 10pm. Gets pretty loud if you have a table close to the stage which we did, but we didn’t mind.
— hushpuppies — heavy. well done.
— farmer’s market salad was recommended by the server and was a nice contrast to the heavier items that we ordered. loved the goat cheese.
— pork ribs and short rib both tender. would consider ordering both again.
— grouper — ended up being possibly the best thing we had.
Wasn’t looking forward to Xmas dinner at a hotel restaurant but this place was a pleasant surprise. Music really adds a lot. I’d consider coming back here for a drink and an app while listening to the band.

The food, service and atmosphere were all amazing.
The waiter was very friendly when he greeted us and throughout the entire meal. He explained that the plates were small and really meant for sharing, much like tapas. He was able to give us an estimate of how many dishes we would need for our party size and offered some great suggestions. Both the food and drinks were served in a timely fashion.
All of the food we ordered was spot on and they brought it out in courses so our table wouldn’t be over crowded. My favorite dishes were definitely the tacos and the crispy ribs. Mmmm. going back for brunch later this month. Can’t wait!

Enjoyed fabulous brunch experience at Geraldine’s this morning. Lance was on top of his game and recommended several dishes that did not disappoint.
Nice atmosphere, good service, great food! Will return

Great new rooftop hotel cocktail bar on Rainey street. One of the nicer spots I’ve seen in Austin. Elegant industrial décor and crystal stemware makes this bar chic and trendy. On the weekends it’s bustling with locals as much as hotel guests. A nice touch to the new happening Austin scene.

My friends and I had brunch here — Geraldine’s inaugural brunch.
And it was delicious.
I didn’t know it was such a special occasion; the live jazz band might have given it away, but considering the restaurant is located in a place called the Van Zandt, I just thought it was a regular thing for them (and it is; they play live music all through the meal service).
I had the brioche french toast (I notice I’ve been heavy on the carbs recently; gotta watch that) and it was covered in pecans, fresh fruit, maple syrup and little nutty chunks that gave it a slightly burnt flavor, in a good way.
My companions likewise enjoyed their meals and I could see that the cooks took the time to offer excellent presentation along with the flavorful food.
Service was great; our server corrected a couple of misunderstandings with a smile and we were very satisfied. Mostly satisfied. Remember the live jazz? It was very well played, but a hair on the loud side, so we had to talk loudly, and now, in retrospect, I wonder how much of that contributed to our miscommunication?
Or was I just slurring my words from the intoxication of their wonderful maple syrup?

I came to Geraldine’s with my family and we were conflicted on our opinion of the place. I’ll split my reviews into the good and the bad and then a final verdict.
The good
— Everything tasted great and was perfectly plated and at the right temperature. Good food is the foundation of every restaurant and in this sense, Geraldine’s knocked it out of the park. The crispy ribs were probably my favorite, but the beef short ribs were great and the grouper had great bite and flavor.
— The ambiance was really neat — we sat at a really lovely live edge table with a great view of the city. The music playing wasn’t overly loud, the lighting was through old-​timey incandescents, and I was able to have intimate conversation.
The bad
— Man, the portions are small. I thought everything was supposed to be bigger in Texas but I think my family was caught off guard by the portion sizes. Our waitress did mention that the plates are for sharing but to all of us, «for sharing» means LARGE portion sizes. Like Maggianos’ portion sizes. Am I the only one who thinks this? I didn’t see any other reviews mention this fact. Our plate of roasted cauliflower, while delicious, looked like someone had eaten most of it before it got to our table. Our snapper ceviche, while perfectly done, only allowed each person to have one spoonful (we had a party of 5).
So what’s my verdict? I’m so torn because the food tasted so good. So perhaps this restaurant adheres to the adage that good things come in small packages. I can see Geraldine’s as a GREAT place to go for drinks and some tiny appetizer-​style dishes while you sip on the creative cocktails. However, as a restaurant it sort of falls short; I go to restaurants when I am hungry. When I am hungry, I like to eat. However, at Geraldine’s, the hungry will get a taste of something delicious, but stay hungry.

Beyond impressed by this place. They’ve only been open for a few weeks but you wouldn’t know it. Everything is on point. Friendly service and attentive enough but not overly so. The décor is awesome and it was definitely built with acoustics in mind which bodes well for all the music. We made reservations and sat in front of the stage. Around 10, they had live music and the band was amazing. We started with the cornbread skillet which was to-​die for and ended with the oh-​ohs which were also amazing. If you haven’t checked this place out yet, do it soon! I have a feeling it’s going to be a must-​eat in Austin shortly.

If *Basic is your business this is your place.
Hotel food. B-​team service. Chain — feel .
Maybe a nice place to have a drink by the fireplace

Geraldine’s is here and it is classy AF. The new spot inside the Hotel Van Zandt is located on the fourth floor which gives you wonderful slightly heightened views of downtown from this Rainey Street nestled local. I know a lot of people yearn for the Rainey Street of years past before places like this popped up, but I find it to be a lovely addition to the menu of options in the area. The atmosphere inside of Geraldine’s is classy but not taking itself too seriously. You can come as you are but why not dress up a little and make a night of it!
Both occasions I’ve had to experience Geraldine’s have been enjoyable. The employees were witty and playful and are clearly still riding that opening wave and newness. Chaz was manning the front greeting area and was such a treat. He is a great passion for making sure that service is the best they can provide.
On our first visit we shared in some cocktails and were impressed with the nuances and twists they’ve taken on classics. On our second visit we experiences the food offerings. Everything we grabbed was a small portion but incredibly flavorful and well plated. Once we had hit a few of the items we decided to walk around Rainey and grab some poutine at Bangers to really class us our food offerings for the eventing, ;).
But once that was said and done we needed to come back to Geraldine’s so we did and we ordered some cocktails to end the night with. I love sitting in the Writer’s Lounge area by the windows. The chairs there, I want to make them my own, seriously. Watch out. When you see a man running away with one of those chairs, that’ll be me.
We were surprised by being treated on our cocktails because the Gin rep was in town checking out the new local and was so excited that we had asked for their Gin by name that they payed for our drinks. Such a treat.
Take some time and throw on some of your classiest garbs and hit up the Writer’s Lounge area and grab a drink. You’ll thank me later.

Well this is where I landed for Thanksgiving as plan B and was not disappointed.
Tucked into Rainey Street, inside the posh brand spanking new Hotel Van Zandt on the fourth floor is Geraldine. Believe me, not your typical hotel restaurant.
This place is top shelf chic in all the right ways. Awesome views any direction you look. Whether overlooking the downtown skyline, the rooftop pool, the elegant dining room or the fully glass enclosed kitchen.
The menu is not huge but everything was so originally prepared and spot on. Quite incredible for only being open a week or two.
I won’t go on and on about the food. Look at my photos and you will understand. I can say though that the beef short rib was unequivocally the best I have ever had.
The wine list was plentiful with nice selections in all price ranges. In fact I found all prices in the restaurant to be quite reasonable.
Service was informative, attentive, helpful and just enough. The place is very comfortable in all ways.
They are very proud of this place and for good reason. An excellent addition to our restaurant scene. I’ll be back.

We went to Geraldine’s on Thu (2 days after opening) & the only thing not ready yet was the specialty frozen drinks. (I didn’t inquire, but I assume machinery not in place yet.)
Roman was our server & he was incredibly service oriented & menu savvy. He suggested things & described them to a tea.
Endive salad with blue cheese — very tasty, even though I don’t love endive.
Grilled cauliflower — perhaps the best cauliflower dish I’ve ever had.
Cured meats — interesting & tasty. The grilled bread could have had some olive oil on it.
Ceviche tacos were amazing. We got 2 which is how it should come.
The short-​rib was amazing… very tender & the sauce was great.
The strip loin presentation was stellar. Perhaps the board could have a lip… the jus/​sauce eventually ran off the board onto our table.
Chess pie & chocolate swirl dessert both tasty. The chocolate swirl could have used some ice cream or perhaps served warm with a warm sauce.
All in all — the experience was a 10. We’ll definitely be back… and since we live so close it will be easy.

We were in Austin for a quick weekend and stayed at the Hotel Van Zandt, which was wonderful! It turned cold on our last day here and so not really wanting to venture out, we decided to dine in at Geraldine’s. I’m so glad we did!
We started with the grilled corn cakes, which we both loved. It was salad greens with small, delicious corn cakes and ham-​way better than I’m making it sound. Next up, barbecued short ribs. Omg, so good! Then, the sunflower risotto. Not our favorite; on the salty side and the texture was a little off.
The salt roasted beets with goat cheese more than made up for the risotto! Lastly, the strip loin with house made tater tots and cheese fondue. Delicious.
I can’t leave out the wonderful service that we enjoyed. Micah was our server and what a sweetie he was. I highly recommend Geraldine’s and the Hotel Van Zandt.