Restaurant Week. Stop No.1 : Aquarelle

Italianini and I were on a mission. The day he finally got his hands on a Restaurant Week map we went through the list and picked four we would tackle (conflicting schedules you know, work, class, life).

First stop- Aquarelle. This French place, is really for special occasions and when you really want to treat yourself since their regular menu is pretty pricey.
Consider this: Foie Gras = $20
The Restaurant Week Menu = $35/person for a three course meal.
We had to go.

 Let me just tell you that the French are very particular about their dinner tables. For example, a very cultured (from an uber wealthy family) French  man once taught me that the fork must ALWAYS face down when you set the table...'It's so tacky to have it facing up' ---excuse me while I stick my nose in the air and lift my pinky! Anyway, this French place is no exception, the fork was facing down.

Amuse Bouche: coliflower mousse--- bland... the only exciting part was the toast!

Wild Burgundy Escargot: Pretty tasty (no shell).
Tomato concasse, herbs de Provence cream, persillade brochette
Marinated Raw Beet Salad: So yummy! How can something so simple, make me so happy? I know, it's raw beets, but I love them!
Animal farm’s arrugula, pure luck goats cheese vinaigrette

The Italianini went with P.E.I. Mussels and TX Gulf Shrimp: Fettuccine, duo of sauces, roasted tomato butter and saffron butter. Very good.
I had the Pan Roasted Lamb Chops: Mint gnocchi, spicy melting onions, swiss char, lamb jus.  The lamb was "medium rare" but just toooo rare. Gave me the heebe jeebes, parisian gnocchi? it was o.k...can't say it was something to write home about.

Sweets? Oh yes!

I had the Profiteroles: More like profiterole...a very small one.Pastry with rum coffee ice cream and chocolate---yummy.

Italianini had the Frangelica Crème Brulee: Sable cookies, chocolate covered espresso beans-- nice surprise! not your typical  blueberry. 

The ambiance is fancy, low lighting, super cozy, but it's almost intimidating to talk in there---The wood floors, how small the dining room actually is and considering the table next to us was practically on top of us, made it difficult to have a private conversation.

Overall it's good and the service is good but I'm just not super excited about it. 

Not sure if the reason it left me feeling 'whateverish'  was the Restaurant Week Menu limitations...

You should eat there at least once when you're in Austin... and if you live here, take your time, just be sure to make a stop there before you're 80.