Blind Salamander Kitchen & Bar

I really hate writing bad reviews, especially for this place since I’ve been a long-time member of the club. But here goes… Overall, the food was just bland, and in a few cases, downright unpleasant. Shrimp Cocktail The shrimp tasted like it came straight out of a frozen bag - practically icy, rubbery, and with that unpleasant “ocean” taste no one wants. The cocktail sauce tasted fermented, and the smell was so strong my guests asked for it to be taken away immediately. I can’t believe I put that in my mouth. Lamb Cutlets They arrived almost cold. I honestly questioned whether they were even cooked fully or just reheated. No flavor at all. The sauce was gamey in a bad way, and the vegetables were strange and unappetizing. Easily one of the most disappointing lamb dishes I’ve had. Other Steaks The steaks at the table were about as average as it gets - the kind of thing you’d expect from a basic chain restaurant, not a high-end resort dining room. Minimal seasoning, nothing memorable, and definitely not worth the premium price tag. For what they charge, the steaks should be miles better. Kids’ Food Not great. Kids are honest food critics - if it’s good, they eat it. None of it was touched. This place desperately needs someone to step in and actually care. It feels like they rely on the nonstop flow of resort guests who eat here once and move on, so there’s no pressure to deliver consistent quality. It’s sad, because the location is incredible and the view is one of the best in Austin. But the food? It’s bad. This was my second time giving it a chance, and now I remember exactly why I didn’t go back sooner. And the price? $600 for four adults and four kids. For food this mediocre, that’s a joke. Wouldn’t recommend - and it genuinely pains me to say that

Quite place inside the Omni Hotel Resort. Nice atmosphere and quiet. The food is very tasty and good and well presented. Not all the plates are in the pictures…. Lamp chop was good and a good portion size. Recommend if you stay in the resort.

Excellent meal at the Blind Salamander! First, the service was top notch. Will was so attentive and made our dining experience even better. The cocktails were fresh and delicious. Oysters were amazing and bread was so good. Our mains were the evening special which was a fish with homemade pasta, it was phenomenal, and the filet which was also fantastic. Overall highly recommended this place for delicious food, service and great views.

The Good: Just about everything. Probably my favorite meal I have had since moving to Austin. Period. Fun, inventive, and flavorful. And our server was so attentive and pleasant. Afterwards we got to go out and roast marshmallows which was so much fun. The Meh: I mean can you even say "price" at a place like this? You know what you're getting into in any hotel restaurant. So yes it was a shock when the bill came, but yes, we expected it. Definitely worth it for a special date night.

This restaurant is wonderful- located inside the Omni resort with fantastic views of the valley and outdoors. The bar is fabulous and the food we had for the birthday party was delicious. The attendants were all very attentive. Highly recommended!

We went to celebrate an anniversary and Martin at the bar was absolutely the best part of the experience. He had FANTASTIC energy, amazing recommendations and made us feel so warm and welcome. If you come to the Blind Salamander… ask for Martin at the bar!!!!

The service was fantastic. From the moment I arrived, without a reservation the exemplary service was poured out on me. The hostess was very personable. She even remembered my name when I left.. Barry, my server was excellent. He took the time to describe the dishes and most ingredients. He ensured my meal was cooked per my request. The food was great. I had the salmon, carrots, and the reimagined peach Melba. The views were spectacular. I was given the choice of indoor dining or outdoor dining. It was dusk and just incredible. I recommend this restaurant.

This review won't be able to do the restaurant and service justice, but here we go. We were treated with amazing service as soon as we arrived at the check-in stand with Michael, who led us to our table. Our server Will was absolutely incredible, and very knowledgeable on all the cocktails and wine. He recommended a few different drinks which were all extremely tasty. Will let us know the specials of the day and you could tell he knew the menus and ingredients. We ended up ordering the oysters of the day, shrimp cocktail, ahi tartare, tomato bisque, burrata, carrots and salmon dip which we shared family style. Our eyes were bigger than our stomachs, but it was worth every single bite! Chef Francisco came out and personally checked in with us to see how we were liking everything and he sent out a couple desserts which were so delicious! Do not sleep on the creme brûlée! We ended the night with some tasty champagne, I can't wait for my next visit!

It's a lovely restaurant and the hostess was a gem; greeting us with a genuine smile. While I think a poor staff encounter can tarnish an otherwise amazing experience, even the most amazing people cannot make up for bland food - which unfortunately was part of my experience on this evening. I was surprised how flavorless my salmon dish tasted. For a simple dish, I was left dissatisfied with both the overcooked texture and bland flavor. Others at the table felt their food was better - they tried mine and agreed - not good. High general ratings & my friend's experience will lead me to try this spot again. If I do, I'll avoid the salmon.

Food, drinks and service were all very good. I enjoyed the harissa crusted redfish and the twice cooked potatoes were excellent. Friendly helpful service. Overall a very good experience.

This restaurant has some puts and takes. It wants to be high end but falls short. The hostess brought my fried and I to a two-top in an awkward place. We inquired about three neighboring for-tops that were open. Hostess said "this is all I have right now, but if we don't get another party of four I'll move you." Right. Two four-tops remained open the entire time we were here. Hostess ghotess. For the food. The oysters were good. Tuna was darn near tasteless. My friends filet was cooked properly. I had pastrami seasoned duck. Two problems. Can't taste pastrami and two SMALL slices of du k breast. For $49. Other issues: ordered manhattan. Waiter walked away before I could specify spirit. No bueno. Did not ask if I wanted another glass of wine. Yeah. Go here if you're trapped at this hotel. Otherwise, pass.

Came here with my in-laws who were staying at the Omni BC for a weekend of golf and this was definitely one of the better dining options on site. It's a clean, open space with trendy decor and lots of light. The bar area looked cool too. You are also able to eat out on the balcony area. Our server was super nice and attentive. He ensured my allergies were noted and accommodated properly, letting me know what could be made safely and well. He was on it! And there was a decent amount of gluten and dairy free options. I had some oysters and ceviche which were both good! My main was a gf df version of the saffron risotto which made for a somewhat bland and not as great meal without the dairy. But at least they tried. Everyone else in my party seemed to enjoy their food. The drinks were especially good and made well!

What a beautiful, extraordinary dining experience! The atmosphere at the restaurant is lovely and very stylish. We were so pleased with the amazing service - the whole team is wonderful, so welcoming and helpful. We especially love Caroline! She is so smart, thoughtful, and kind. Caroline always greets us with her beautiful smile and serves us with kindness and thoughtfulness. The food is excellent - the Chef is absolutely phenomenal! Always introducing fabulous, superb, innovative dishes!! Last night we had the tomato/onion dip as a starter and is a must-try. The butternut squash salad is one of the best and tastiest salads I have ever tried. The main dishes are super tasty and delicious and each one of them deserves a recognition!!! The desserts are pieces of art, especially the Tiramisu. We loved the berry vegan cheesecake as well! The dessert Chef deserves a medal, honestly! The view overlooking the gorgeous hillside is breathtaking. We highly recommend this place!!

I came here for the 2022 Thanksgiving Dinner with my mom and little sister. Whenever I'm at buffet type meals I get intimidated because I worry I'll overeat. I liked that this meal wasn't too extensive so there were only a few dishes you could choose from. I got all of the familiar elements of the Thanksgiving plate and went back for my favorites for seconds. I definitely liked the mac and cheese, salmon, and sweet potatoes the most. The three of us also collectively loved the a la carte scallops. Also, I did end up eating too much but it was all worth it.

I thought this place was going to be amazing, but the food was just eh. I got the salmon which was good. The chowder made it a little weird. Then I got the twice baked potato's. That was not good. I never dislike potato's either, but I think the flavor profile was a little off. The Ceasar salad was good and loved the dressing. The staff was really nice! Overall, the food was just meh

Blind salamander is one of our absolutely favorite places to dine at. It is located inside of the Omni at Barton Creek. From the ambience, to the food, to the service everything is five star. The staff is quick to your needs, the food is prepared, beautifully and seasoned very well, and the views are fantastic!

This review won't be able to do the restaurant and service justice, but here we go. We were treated with amazing service as soon as we arrived at the check-in table, our server Will was incredible. Will let us know the specials of the day and you could tell he knew the menus. He recommended a few different drinks which were all extremely tasty. We ended up ordering the oysters of the day, shrimp, ahi tartare, tomato bisque, burrata, carrots and salmon dip which we shared family style. Our eyes were bigger than our stomachs, but it was worth every single bite! The chef came out and personally checked in with us to see how we were liking everything and he sent out a couple desserts which were so delicious! Do not sleep on the creme brulee! We ended the night with some tasty champagne, I can't wait for my next visit!

We came to Austin for a spa day and stayed at the Omni. The Blind Salamander was a great choice in dining. We sat outside on the patio and was able to enjoy the beautiful weather. The service was impeccable. The drinks were delicious, as were the oysters, halibut, red fish, and crab mac and cheese. The Caesar salad and scallops were too salty. Also - get desserts. The death by chocolate was divine!

I had never thought of having salmon with a curry sauce until I had it here and I'm impressed! The food is amazing, perfectly cooked and so elegantly presented. Not pictured here is the strawberry peppercorn gin and tonic which I 10/10 recommend for a fruity twist on a gin and tonic. I loved their drink chart to help you choose, it was super helpful in narrowing down my options. This is the perfect spot for a romantic dinner!

I almost don't want to review this. I'd rather have this place all to myself.... but then again, driving business to them will keep it open. The struggles real here. One of the best meals hands down I've ever had in Austin. There, I said it. That damn Beef Short Rib deserves a medal. The Caesar Salad, can we say Cheese?! (Malted potato chips in it) Salmon... cooked to perfection. The Cauliflower Fried Rice, I could eat buckets full of it. Get your staycation on at the Omni Barton Creek resort and book this spot ASAP! Pro Tip - Call and confirm hours since they sometimes change rapidly. V-Day weekend open, then closing again till March. Enjoy! Oh, and ORDER THE SHORT RIB!!

Good restaurant located within the Omni Barton Creek hotel; outdoor seating has a nice view of the grounds. The food here is reliably good. I particularly liked the ahi tartare, which tasted super fresh, and my own saffron risotto with wild mushrooms. Dessert is also a must-order here. The warm manjari chocolate malted cake with bourbon caramel, candied pecans, and vanilla ice cream was a delicious medley of textures; the yuzu cheesecake was also very refreshing and citrusy. Service was attentive and friendly. Dined: August 18, 2022

The Blind Salamander is located inside the Omni Barton Creek Resort. They have free parking inside the parking garage. We came here for Thanksgiving lunch and the service was excellent. The turkey entree was $42. They didn't offer gluten free stuffing and the turkey wasn't as good as my mother in law's deep fried turkey. They didn't offer any gluten or dairy free desserts such as sorbet. The only thing that was inconsistent was that our waiter told a member of our party that gratuity was not included in the bill. She almost tipped him 40% until I pointed out the 20% service charge itemized on her receipt. We had separate checks. Some members of our party were not charged an automatic 20% service charge while others were. Nonetheless, this was a delicious option for Thanksgiving and everyone was thankful not having to wash dishes.

Service was excellent For appetizer we ordered raw oysters and they were fresh and delicious with just the right amount of brine. We also ordered the crab cake upon our waitress' recommendation; 10/10- large "cake" that could be shared between two ppl and the crab to breading ratio was basically all crab! Would def. recommend. My husband ordered the wagyu short rib entree and said it was tender. I ordered the Redfish with corn and corn purée. Yum! The portion size of fish is generous and I had to give the remaining fish to my husband to help me finish the meal. Our favorite was the dessert at the end of our meal. We loved the molten chocolate cake with caramel macchiato ice cream. So so so decadent and the perfect way to finish our meal.

Great seafood right in the Barton Creek hotel. Nice wine selection. Delicious food. Had the octopus. Salmon dip was a little different. It had salmon roe. Added some saltinesses to it. Service was excellent- warm and friendly. Happy we did not have to drive into Austin for nice meal.

I was looking around for something special to do for my wife's birthday and I stumbled upon Blind Salamander. It was a little out of the way but looked quite nice. I had never been to the resort but new that it had just re opened so we wanted to give it a try. We came in on a Friday night around 7. The place was half full but laid out quite nicely, over looking a fantastic view. We ordered the lobster Mac, salmon and chocolate moose cake (I believe that's what it was). The mac was filled with lobster. A restaurant instantly earns a positive note from me when they don't skimp on the lobster. The Salomon was perfectly cooked and you could tell it was marinated well before prep. To end off the night, they wrote a nice card for my wife, wishing her happy birthday. All around a great evening.

We had a great time at the Blind Salamander. The ambiance is fresh and beautiful with views of the rolling hills. The food is fantastic and fresh also. We opted for the special of the night, a pan seared halibut in miso broth with shiitake and shishito peppers. AMAZING. If you go, the STAR OF THE SHOW is the crab Mac and cheese. They get the crust of it just right and there is plenty of crab. Highly recommend, just a little pricey.

The Blind Salamander is a luxurious restaurant nestled and this spacious high-end spa Austin. The service was five stars. The food was a unique take on the Texas American cuisine. This secluded restaurant is located on top of the mountain. We drove through the winding roads in the dark. Then we were given an option to either valet Park our car or park in the parking garage. Golf cart speed by tooth fairy those who have parked further away. The Blind Salamander is located on the lower level of this massive luxury spa. The lounge area for the spa what is equivalent to 5 living rooms of a home in New York. On the first floor there was a 50 ft long fireplace, just for ambience. When we arrived, the hostess have remembered our name and could pronounce it correctly. We were escorted to our marble top table. We opted to share the whitefish dip, oysters, seared yellowfin tuna, blackened Texas redfish and creme brulee. We opted for the sides of the lobster mac and cheese and grilled asparagus. The service team ran like clockwork. Out of the corner of my eye, they stood ready. At a drop of a pin they woupd dash into refill our Waters, take away our plates and make sure if we needed anything else. The chef came and started us with a salmon amuse bouche. The salmon bits for medium-rare with citrus flavored caviar and an buttery fluffy foam. It was a delightful start to the meal. The oysters were Briny buttery cold. They were flown in from Maine Canada and Prince Edward island. Accompaniments were mignonette, horseradish, and Texas homemadehot sauce. The whitefish dip came with cedar smoke in a glass jar with pork rinds as chips. This was amazing appetizer. The smoke smell really enhanced the whitefish and was so appetizing. The yellowfin tuna was perfectly seared and rare topped with blackened sesame seeds. Asparagus was grills to tender perfection. It was served with a infused butter. The lobster mac and cheese was creamy and had multiple bits of tender lobster. They ran out of peach cobbler so we opted for the creme brulee topped with fruit. I love the crackle of the creme brulee as it hit my spoon. The custard with velvety and the fruit was soaked and mint syrup. We felt so well taken care of. This is truly a five star experience. The service felt akin to some one Michelin star restaurants. I would reorder the whitefish dip the oysters and the tuna. I would love to return to try the peach cobbler.

I had a FANTASTIC meal here. From the service, to the food, to the space- it was perfect! I was blown away by the salmon dip and lobster Mac and cheese which is the BEST Mac and cheese I have ever had at a restaurant. The salmon was also stellar- the flavors were creative yet delicious. My only complaint is that my stomach wasn't big enough for seconds! :)

The Blind Salamander provided an exceptional experience for our 4th wedding anniversary celebration. The service was outstanding, the food was amazing and cooked to perfection, and the restaurant offered a beautiful view. The only suggestion we had was for the chef to serve the filet mignon whole instead of cut. Overall, we highly recommend the Blind Salamander for a remarkable dining experience.

Amazing dinner on property last night at Barton Creek Spa & Resort - Warm Gluten Free Bread ( best ever) -Grilled Octopus Appetizer - Scallops with sweet corn grits and bacon jam -Oro King Salmon from New Zealand( best salmon I have eaten.. This place was a big surprise!! Head Chef Eric Bass came over to the table!! Definitely for the locals in Austin I would recommend coming out and trying this place!! ***Request Barry as your server***

I would give it 4 1/2 stars if that rating was available. Overall great food and service. My only negative is my halibut was only OK, and what they charge for it should have knocked my socks off. I would not recommend that dish. My wife got the salmon, which was outstanding and some of the best ever tasted. The salads, soups and deserts were also outstanding.

We had the most wonderful brunch, with service from Barry- who made our morning! He was engaging and accommodating, and the food was great. After Barrys service we were excited to eat here again-however, once we went to our dinner reservation it was a different story. We sat for nearly 20 minutes without anyone coming to our table- once our server finally came to our table the food was subpar and we only saw him twice after that. Half empty plates sat at our lap for 20 minutes. All of this is not the worst service I've ever had- but when paying this price I would expect MUCH more. I'm not sure if this restaurant was understaffed or we looked like we were not a priority due to our age- either way I would not ever eat here again. The second star was solely for Barry and the bar staff.

No pictures because we are so fast and it was excellent! 1. Roasted Carrots: 10/10 I would have eaten this entire plate as my entree, but was so excited to try the rest of our dinner! Carrots were flavored well, with a crunch from pistachios and a yogurt based with fresh herbs. 2. Red Fish: 10/10 This was a special (not on menu). It was order again good! 3. Crab Mac and Cheese: 6/10 Although, my husband was a 10/10. For me, I felt like it was very heavy in cream and wanted my "calories" to come from the fish and carrots. Overall, would come here again, swap the mac and cheese for something else. Staff was fabulous! Oh and the rolls with salted butter 10/10.

I have eaten here a few times now. Honestly, extremely happy with this place and the fact that it is close to my home. Staff is friendly and well educated on their products. Food is flavorful and of good quality. Drinks are good as well. The sound can be loud if packed but on Christmas Eve our waitress stated they were working on that. I see this place being our go to for awhile. My favorite is the short ribs. They fall off the bone and are very very very flavorful. I enjoy the food is not overly salty which a lot of restaurant food can be. This place is not understaffed. Your water glass will barely get below half full. If you go early you could be out numbered by staff to customers. Thank you Omni for the remodel and this addition to the area.

We were in town staying at the Omni for a weekend trip with friends. While we love the resort this restaurant fell very short of expectations. First, our waitress took quite a while to greet us and when she did she was less than personable or helpful. A table one over had a different server who was full of personality, telling them about specials, helping pick out entrees, suggesting wines, etc. Ours was basically, "what do you want". No personality whatsoever. Fair enough, not everyone is outgoing. We ordered the redfish, tuna tartare, 2 filets and crab Mac and cheese. When the filets were delivered, it was 2 pieces of tenderloin, not a filet, presented like a prime rib or medallions of tenderloin. Most shocking, this $54 entree was to come with a twice baked potato and tomato/ herb garnish. When they served it, there was a small bowl of cold, flavorless French fries in the place of the twice baked potato with a "we ran out of twice baked potatoes, so you get fries". A very small order of cold, sad French fries. No, "hey, sorry guys we ran out of potatoes, what other side can I offer you?" Nothing, just here is your cold fries, deal with it. I assume the Crab Mac and Cheese was supposed to have crab in it, but there was maybe 2 pieces of crab. Our waitress did not return to our table after entrees were delivered to check to see if they were prepared correctly. So, we had to track down another server to get help because one of the steaks ordered medium was served very rare and had to be sent back. No manager stopped by to apologize for the errors even though he walked past many times. Needless to say, we will not be returning. This was an expensive disappointment.

Amazing filet mignon and creamy crab Mac and cheese. The creme brûlée is top notch full of sweetness and fruits. We were sat outside on the patio and enjoyed the amazing view. Caroline was a great server and was so patient with us. Would definitely come back again!

My wife and I were celebrating our 10 year wedding anniversary and we requested a special meal. Oh boy did they not disappoint. The chef prepared a special 7 course meal just for us!! With a special menu! And man the food was absolutely fantastic!! In addition, the drinks were superb and paired really well with the food. Service was top notch and very well attended, Stephen is phenomenal! We're both fans and will surely be back :-)

AMAZING!!! Loved the cocktails! Creative and fun. Dinner was so surprising! Baratta and crudo appetizer was delicious. My hubby had the Redfish and I had the burger- both were so good! Wine selection was great. Thank you for a good evening!

This restaurant has completely wow'ed me with hospitality both times my husband and I have eaten here. It has some of the highest quality seafood I've had in Austin, and one of the most beautiful atmospheres. Do yourself a favor and sit outside! Gorgeous and peaceful views (and comfy chairs!!). I'm pregnant and the team both times I've visited went above and beyond to create a special mocktail suited to my taste preferences- so incredibly sweet of them, and truly the best mocktails I've had. My husband loved the cocktail menu as well. On our most recent visit, we sat outside and the temperature dropped 20 degrees in a matter of minutes- hey, that's Texas for ya. Without having to say a word, the team at the restaurant jumped into action- the GM came out and turned up the space heaters for all the guests and moved them closer to the table, and the hostesses came out and provided blankets to any guests who wanted them. Highly, highly recommend coming here for a special occasion or just a little oasis. We are foodies who have lived in Austin since 2008, and this is quickly becoming one of our favorite restaurants.

Everything our server Will recommended was great. The oysters were very fresh. The special for the day Halibut was tasty. We tried the lamb shank as well and it was fall of the bone tenter and very flavorful. Hats of to the Chef! Great job!

Food was a 5/10, atmosphere was fun and loud! Wouldn't suggest going here for dinner but for a night out for sure. Drinks were also good, tasted my friends watermelon frozen marg & couldn't taste the alcohol at all. That's what i consider a good drink‍

Stopped in for dinner and drinks during our stay. Lobster Mac was incredible! The bartender made us a very refreshing drink with goose and champagne. The manager was great. She stopped by a few times!

Found Blind Salamander while looking for a place to go for seafood for my birthday. Was very pleasantly surprised with one of the best meals I've had in Austin. Oysters were excellent. The tuna and lobster mac and cheese were delicious and the cobbler was perfect. They do an amazing job mixing flavors. The service was great and the ambiance was really relaxing.

Last year was a significant birthday year for my wife, which we had to forego celebrating appropriately due to Covid. This year, on her birthday this past Saturday, we made reservations at Blind Salamander and I can honestly say, it was by far the best dining experience I have had since moving to Texas over 2 years ago! Everything, from the excellent service and expert recommendations from our server, Barry, to the incomparable talent of Chef Eric, who happened to come over to our table and personally wish my wife a very Happy Birthday. Having spent a lot of time traveling to NYC and dining at some of the world's finest restaurants, Chef Eric can hold his own with the best of them! His oversight on the quality of food he and his staff serve are of the highest level, just experiencing the fresh, sweetness of the raw oysters, not to mention the crab, shrimp and other delicacies we enjoyed during the appetizer rounds. If you are looking for a truly memorable and special experience, go to Blind Salamander and put your culinary desires in the most capable hands of Chef Eric! I can't wait to go back and have another special meal! Thank you, Blind Salamander team, for making my wife's birthday so incredible!