Il Brutto

I wasn't sure what to expect when visiting this establishment, even though I've passed by it countless times in my neighborhood. It's in a great location, with a charming patio perfect for dining outdoors. The interior is equally impressive, featuring tasteful decor that creates a cozy yet upscale atmosphere. They offer an extensive selection of wine and other beverages, which was a highlight for me.Our server was incredibly knowledgeable and attentive, taking the time to ask thoughtful questions to ensure I had a clear understanding of the menu items. While the food did take a little longer than expected to arrive, it was absolutely worth the wait. Every dish was flavorful, well-prepared, and reasonably priced for the portions and quality we received.Overall, it was a great experience, and I'm looking forward to coming back. This is definitely a spot I'd recommend to anyone looking for great food, drinks, and a relaxing atmosphere!

Not the Valentine's Experience We Hoped ForWe were really looking forward to a special Valentine's dinner, but unfortunately, our experience didn't live up to expectations.To start, we were seated at a rented high-top table that was clearly crammed into the dining space as an afterthought. It felt awkward and out of place, making it hard to enjoy the atmosphere.Then, in the middle of dinner, the fire alarm went off--for a full 10-15 minutes...felt like an hour. It was loud, disruptive, and completely took away from any sense of a romantic evening. While we understand that things happen, there was no acknowledgment or effort from the staff to ease the situation for a good while...such a bizarre and unenjoyable experience. I'm not a yelper, but this was unacceptable for a $300 meal for two.

The pasta is handmade and super delicious. Giving it a four just because it isn't anything super special, but would go again.The service was great, never felt like I had to be chasing down the waitress and it was busy! They can also validate parking for two hours.

Stopped by on New Year's Eve evening for some drinks and appetizers. I was looking for somewhere that had espresso so I could stay up, lol.It's pricey, but the food quality and presentation are impeccable.The Heirloom Tomato ($20) featured beautifully sliced tomatoes atop a bed of burrata and savory pesto.We sat on the patio, which was beautifully lit and equipped with heaters and blankets for the cold weather.We definitely want to come back and try the pizza :)I wish we got our waiter's name because he was wonderful!

Had a wonderful time at il Brutto and the food was wonderful. If weather allows it, try to sir in the courtyard because the setting is so beautiful and romantic. The waiter was very good and gave us great advice on wine, desserts, etc

This was a great restaurant for a date. The lighting is dim, which makes it romantic and such a great vibe. The drinks were delicious. They were flavorful without being too strong. We ordered a pizza to share and then I ordered a black squid ink pasta. The pizza was really good and the pasta was just a little too salty for me. Overall I thought it was a great meal and the ambience was good enough to make me wanna come back again. The location is great because it's close to a lot of fun bars that you can go to after dinner. Our waitress was super friendly and helpful explaining the menu!

The highlight of the meal was definitely the burrata pizza. It was perfectly crispy and the San Marzano tomato sauce was delicious. It's a must-try for any pizza lover! The mussels were also quite good. It was fresh and cooked just right. However, the toast was a little hard to chew on. It would've been nice if the server asked if we wanted an additional slice of bread since I had a party of 3 and there were only 2 slices of bread. Unfortunately, the lasagna fell a bit short for me. While it was decent, it didn't stand out compared to the other dishes.They also have free parking in the garage which is a plus since it's always so busy in the area.

Came here for the first time on a Saturday night. Made the reservations and got to enjoy a table on the really beautiful outside patio. The food at Il Brutto was fantastic--definitely a highlight, with authentic flavors and beautifully presented dishes. However, the service left much to be desired. We waited far too long for each course, and getting the attention of the staff felt like a challenge. For a place that prides itself on being upscale, the slow service was disappointing and took away from what could have been a perfect dining experience.

Normally I love Il Brutto, and I always bring guests visiting town to dinner there, but this time I felt like the pizza was a little bland and didn't taste super fresh. The pasta was also not peppery enough and it may just have been the style but the sauce was not thick enough- it got stuck at the bottom of the plate, and without a spoon was hard to scoop up. The dopo otto cocktail too normally is AMAZING, and super frothy with an ombre layered look, but this time had barely any froth. Ambiance and service is always great, and maybe this was just an off day!

The spiced martini alla mela is by far one of my favorite drinks in Austin. The ambiance at Il Brutto is top tier. Cara was attentive and proactive for our table of 7. She provided great laughs, amazing service, and thoughtful suggestions.Will be back again for sure!