Hudson's on the Bend

The meats were way too smoky with a bitter creosote taste. The fettuccine Alfredo pasta part of my dish was good but the chicken was mealy and so overly smoked that I feel sick from it. The place was not very busy for a Friday night but service was slow. I do have to say that the staff were all very friendly.

Highly recommend this fine dining restaurant. Carly was our waitress for a Friday Family dinner while all of my 5 children are on college break and home. We plan to request Carly if possible for future family dinners! Service was excellent. The pickled watermelon 🍉 balls to cleanse your pallet were a lot of fun. Thinkin the chef has an excellent sense of humor along with his vast culinary talents 😉. Steaks 🥩 were cooked to perfection, salmon 🍣 and chicken had the most amazing flavors as this 100 year old local restaurant has a 100 year old SMOKER that Daniel invited us to tour sometime. There was ample bar area seating and indoor as well as outdoor seating options. Save room for dessert and in house made Limoncello 🍋 ...so refreshing in this August Texas heat. Having said that their AC is working and their gardens are green and producing herbs etc. For now they are open Thursday to Sunday ...possibilities are endless after our experience and the local buzz ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ for sure

Outstanding dinner. Get the elk. You will not regret it. So tender and flavorful. I wish I could get seconds. The foie gras and tartate app were both excellently done. The restaurant has a nice charm and the service was very personable and great. Live music was cool, too. Elk elk elk. If I could simplify this review it would be that: yes, the elk was worth it. Elk elk elk

HUDSONS IS BACK!!! The menu is outstanding but there are now more options! They have a brunch menu now for Saturday and Sunday. They are also coming out with a lunch menu (open Friday's only) and a new happy hour menu. The new owners are great as is the staff!!

Hudson’s is back, baby!! And better than ever!! Currently open Th-Sun for dinner and weekend brunch. We came for brunch and blown away. So happy to have a quality restaurant in Hudson Bend!

Our second visit to Hudson's and, while not perfect, it was a great experience. The owners have decorated extensively for Christmas which makes the entire restaurant feel like a festive farmhouse; a uniquely special atmosphere. Quail starter was a miss with very little meat and undercooked. The elk was incredible, perhaps the best piece of meat I have had this year. Even better than the smoked prime rib, which is also incredible. My wife's salmon was delicious and perfectly cooked. Wine list getting better and, in general, you really get a sense that this place is a labor of love. Get there and support the effort.

We had an AMAZING dinner here recently. Food was outstanding, and the service was amazing. Two of the co-owners who work the front of the house were so engaging and passionate about the restaurant, it’s history, and ensuring it’s future success with homage to its true and successful past. The chef, who is the other co-owner, is doing an incredible job. Wide variety of options, beautiful presentation, and everything we had was incredible. Go go go and support them, it’s going to be an amazing restaurant (again)!

Hudson’s on the Bend just reopened 4 weeks ago. We had a fantastic dinner! A beautiful atmosphere and great Sevice! We’ll come back for brunch!!!!

Nice upscale place with a beautifully lit patio. The parking lot close to entrance is small but there's additional parking available towards the back of th restaurant. The food is an innovative take on traditional dishes. I was glad to find several vegetarian options and ended up choosing quinoa sweet potato cakes with a side of crispy brussel sprouts. The plate was very well presented. We also received watermelon apricot amuse bouche before our meal, compliments of the chef. Our server was wonderful and very attentive. Thoroughly enjoyed the dining experience.

Overall very good. Could use a few details but we enjoyed our dinner. It's still not back at it's 90s heyday but getting closer. The building is still great and creates an ambiance both inside and out. The service was great with lots of attentive waitstaff. The short rib special was fabulous. Well seasoned, falling apart in the best way. The horseradish mashed potatoes were exquisite. The duck ravioli was rich and yummy. The sourdough bread was not what we hoped for- too soft, didn't have the crunch and flake you'd want with a sourdough but the butter made up for it. Smoky and garlicky. The "crab" cakes were mostly very tasty vegetables and crispy breading. I had one chunk of crab in the whole cake. The beet and burrata salad was tasty but the beets were so underdone- it was hard to eat. We love beets but they were more of an uncooked carrot consistency- only harder. No pics were taken of the creme brûlée but that was standard. Our drinks were great and we would return. The only caveat is for the price we would prefer for everything to be on point. There's still a little work to do.

We went to the Sunday Brunch. It was awesome!. I had the Egg Benedict, and my wife had the Salmon avocado toast. We also ordered biscuits and Gravy. The wait staff truly works hard to ensure that your every need is addressed. In addition there was live music that made our visit special. This is a new owner, their efforts show well.

My husband and I stumbled on this place on a weekend trip to Lakeway and it did not disappoint. We had such a nice dinner, tartar and crispy avocado were great, along with our main which was also very good. Service was good, attentive and helpful. We liked it so much we went back the next day for brunch. Really such a hidden gem. There is live music and a nice atmosphere, 10/10 recommend.

Overpriced food. Nice staff but the Desserts are very basic and limited. Plus the owners are begging for money. Not open in the mornings and not open all the time.

Great food and atmosphere. The biscuits were great and the eggs Benedict were delicious!

I'm awarding the memory of Hudson's five stars because of what it stands for and not for what it currently is. I ate here in 1994 for the first time. I ate there several times through the years and I ended up being their only resident musician for a few years until the restaurant was sold for the first time. The original owners Jeff and Sarah were amazing; Jeff is a genius with food and Sarah was the glue that held that place together. The OG staff was great. I ate many pre-shift family meals and I used the kitchen bathroom(even though it looked like a set from a Saw movie) so I wouldn't have to pee next rich guys pretending to be cowboys. They original owners were ready to retire and they sold the restaurant to a restaurant group that ended up being horrible and had no idea what they were doing. They sold the restaurant within like two years to some rich guy. He had no idea what he was doing with a restaurant, he tried, but it was another disaster. He sold it to someone else who I think sold it to someone else and blah blah blah, here we are. It will never be what it was throughout the 80s, 90s, 00s and early 10s. It's time to let it go before the memory of its original greatness is further tarnished. That place WAS Jeff and Sarah and without them it's like the Matrix sequels--riding on the coattails of and trying to re-live something that was once great.

Our experience was underwhelming. Though the prices say fine dining, the food, service, and ambiance do not. I wrote a lot more but apparently I was at twice the limit of a Yelp review so had to edit a bunch out. It took quite a bit of time from the time we were sat until someone finally brought us some water. Near the end of our meal, a table of 6 was seated behind us, and I witnessed it take at least 15 minutes for them to be greeted and get some water. It was certainly not the level of service you expect when you are paying $30 or more per plate. The server was not knowledgeable about the menu, and with the style of menu they have (one where the menu just lists the ingredients of the dish) it is incumbent that the servers know the ins and outs and every detail of how the dish is prepared and plated. It took some time for us to be checked on throughout our meal, and then the waitress got caught at the "big" table that had also ended up being without water, or even a hello for far too long, so getting our check and cashing out took longer than it should. We ordered the crab dip. I am interested to know where these crabs came from, because I don't think they come out of Lake Travis, so I am guessing they must have come from the Gulf...not exactly farm to table but....I don't eat shellfish, but my girlfriend does. She said that it was good and had large chunks of crab. The crackers that were served with it were excellent. They were a multi-seed cracker, fresh baked in house and served hot. The consistency was so good, I ate them with the butter that was served with the bread. The Caprese salad was very tasty. It was cut cherry tomatoes, with cubed mozzarella, and a basil chiffonade, presented as a chopped salad. We asked our server about the dish, but she did not explain it to us so that we would understand how it would be served. The balsamic reduction was great, not too sweet, and not too vinegary. The Buffalo Mozzarella had a sharp flavor that really paired well with the tomatoes and the balsamic reduction. The Gnocchi was the best item we tried. This is probably the only dish on the menu, that we tried, that I would go back for. The smoked duck ravioli had a nice flavor. They were handmade, and was actually a nice portion, between 8-10 raviolis. The filling was ground, like a ground sausage, rather than shredded duck. The sauce was a simple butter sauce. I assume this was chosen not to overpower the subtleties of the duck filling. It was tasty, but not something I would rush back for. Scampi with angel hair pasta. The chef was very accommodating and had no problem substituting chicken for shrimp. I thought the chicken breast was very tasty and cooked well, it had great caramelization and there were nice uniform medallions and a nice thin cutlet. The noodles were a little over cooked, not al dente. I didn't love the scampi sauce. It was a bit sweet. Tasted like it had too much wine and not enough butter, and definitely not enough garlic and herbs. I ate all of the chicken and packed the pasta up to take home and fix. Lastly was the dish they called "Layered Polenta Cakes", and this one was big miss. I think they really need to rethink this entire dish except for the beets they served with it. The beets were the highlight of this dish; one of the best things we ate that evening. I DO NOT like beets. These beets were awesome. It was like eating roasted potatoes. The rest of this dish was entirely unimpressive. While I expect the inside of a polenta cake to be soft, the outsides should have a crispness to them, and these did not. The "layered vegetables" were a hodgepodge with the majority of it being a huge slice of red onion. There were some pieces of mushroom, and maybe some sort of squash or zucchini, but it just didn't have much flavor, was plated unappetizingly, and the tomato sauce that was put on top was very bland without much flavor. I would not order this again. The dessert menu was quite underwhelming. At that point we had been there for a while, and the 6 top behind us was finally getting some service, so between the underwhelming dessert options, and the slow service, we decided it was best to just grab the check and go for dessert somewhere else. Overall, as far as the food goes, I do not feel that it lives up to the moniker of "fine dining", nor the price points on their menu. At this price point, I would much rather go to places like Canji, Suerte, J. Carver, or J Prime. I just don't think this place was worth the drive or the money. If you live out in Lakeway or Bee Caves and don't have a lot of options, but have so much money you don't care about how you spend it, then this place will be just fine for you. However, if you are thinking about making the drive from Austin, or want a true fine dining experience when you spend $200 for two people, I think there are much better options and would not recommend heading out to Hudson's on the Bend.

This location gets some of the best food in Texas. Wish they all would stay. This time we have an amazing prime rib fois gras etc great staff and great food. Let's keep them around!!

Although, all I've eaten here so far is the Sunday Brunch. Very good. I've had the prime rib eggs Benedict , and my wife has the poached avocado with egg. Under new ownership and management, they are doing a fine job. I'm looking forward to going for dinner! The Sunday brunch live music is also very nice and pleasant for a Sunday morning.

We had the privilege of dining here this evening and let me tell you it was one of the best meals I've had all year! The passion and love that went into this meal was phenomenal. The new owners and new chef are incredible! Farm to table and nothing processed! The patio are is so perfect for this time of year. I will be dreaming of the FOIE GRAS & PEAR TOAST POINTS and elk for a long time! Don't sleep on Hudson's on the bend! Service and food are phenomenal

Always good. We had Sunday brunch today, and it was top flight. Total shout out to the chef on the Eggs Benedict. Not sure how he did the breakfast.potatoes but they were a work of art.

DON'T FORGET "HUDSON'S ON THE BEND"! Great food and Happy Hour Thursday- Sunday 4-6. Great friendly service and ambiance. We will go back soon...

Head waiter- Austin was a baller, shot caller, host. He puts the "bend" in Hudson. When we stopped in for dinner, Austin was new hire training a young waitress. He is an amazing waiter and I left there comforted knowing his legacy would live on forever through his little (literally tiny) server protégés he's bringing up through the ranks. I'd definitely come back and eat at HOB again but only if I was guaranteed a seat in Austin's "party" section. If you stop in, definitely ask him about the "secret off menu" selections that are sometimes offered to their VIP diners l8ke myself. Thanks for being awesome amigo.

Awful chef and manager. Mostly closed Basic menu. Chef started doing recipes with variations that dont

Service was good and looks nice. Unfortunately the meal wasn't good. The plates have to be heated for steaks... They don't do that. Every high end restaurant does this. Should replace the mushrooms with more normal steak mushrooms. Was not good. Mashed potatoes seemed to be from flakes. I feel that the drinks are emphasized and probably most customers don't notice much else after a few. My expectations are high because the prices are high. I really liked the old restaurant and hope they can get back to that someday.

Came here for brunch and the food was amazing. Rich Smokey flavor cooked to perfection. Britney was our waitress and she was just awesome. I am definitely coming here again.

Great food, service and atmosphere. We ate tapas style and ordered all the appetizers ( party of four); all were delicious! We also split a prime rib. Nice wine selection. Great evening out!

The food was amazing. The Foie gras was incredible. The grilled Caesar salad was perfect. We had a ribeye and beef Wellington. Both were perfectly cooked and accompanied by amazing sides. We will definitely be back again!!

Went there about a month ago. The food was amazing as was the service. It was a little noisy but still a nice experience.

TWO REVIEWS - HAPPY HOUR & DINNER: HH = 5 stars!: A really nice way to get to try Hudson's without breaking the bank. Still about a $60 HH for two with food and drinks, but not a $250 dinner tab. HH in bar area and beautiful, massive outdoor patio/courtyard (weather permitting, of course) surrounded by HOTBs beautiful herb garden and draped with dazzling little white lights. 25% off all cocktails, beers, and wines. A really nice assortment of each to choose from. 1/2 off all apps featured on bar menu. Average regular app price $15 a plate, so about $7.50-$8 each during HH - BUT you're not getting fried cheese or chicken wings here. The Smoked Duck Diablos wrapped in bacon are to die for! Comes with a fantastic dipping sauce. Wild Boar Quesadillas are the bomb. And, please, don't pass on the Almond Crusted Crab cake. 90% crab, 10% breading. Nice and fluffy. Yummy! DINNER=4.4 stars (I know, I'm breaking the rules. It's just better than a "I am a fan!" but not an absolute "As good as it gets!" but pretty darn close): Waited 10+ minutes for hostess when we arrived, despite the fact that several servers saw us. Can order individual entrées, or 3 or 5 course chef tasting menus. Menu changes often. My husband and I enjoy the 3 course. The perfect meal. Very filling. Can't imagine ever being able to finish the 5 course! 3 course comes with choice of 1 of 2 appetizer, entrée, and dessert. $55 or $75 p/p with wine pairing for each course. Even though Hudson's is very fine dining, it has a very homey, warm ambiance. You will see men in suit and tie here as well as some wearing baseball caps. Same diversity with women's attire. It is not pretentious at all. Just a great place to have one of those rare 2+ hour relaxing meals with 5 star service (ask for Kevin - the best!) and food. Speaking of the food...recent 3 course: Appetizers: Husband and I both opted for Baby Green Salad with sugar crusted pecans, baby heirloom tomatoes, raspberry vinaigrette, with a wonderful ball of fried goat cheese on top. Dressed to perfection and all flavors blended well. Entrees: Of course the hubby and had to share a bite of one another's plate.:) I ordered the Smoked Beef Tenderloin with Jalapeño Hollandaise. Ask for med rare, came out BLUE so had to be sent back...only took a few moments. One of the most tender steaks I've ever had and hollandaise was a nice accompaniment-no heat, just very subtle jalapeño flavor. Husband had the Pecan Smoked Duck Breast with a sweet Red Chile Glaze. Cooked to perfection and the sauce was amazing! Again, no chile heat but great! Both entrees were served with a side of well-cooked mixed veggies. Desserts: For me, the Jicama Carrot cake with Cream Cheese and White Chocolate. I'm not really a dessert person. The cake was nice, a tad dry and crumbly. My husband had the Wild Turtle Pie dipped in Belgian Chocolate - basically a piece of pecan pie entirely dipped and encased in chocolate. Wow! Very innovative. I didn't have any, but my hubby really seemed to enjoy. He didn't leave a crumb on the plate. Overall, a great place to visit for happy hour, go with a group of friends, any special occasion, of just a great date night! If you're going for romance, ask for the table in front of the converted fireplace that is filled with tons of pillar candles. In my opinion, the best seat in the house. Cheers!

In this unassuming location lies a great restaurant that will take your taste buds on a trip to explore wild game. We were promptly greeted and shown to the table. I took the time to notice the fireplace lit with candles and rustic decor. We ordered ice tea and when the waiter returned I noticed something I don't normally see. Could it be.... my ice tea was filled with tea ice cubes. I know it sounds like a little thing but being southern and taking my tea drinking seriously It was a welcomed sight. At this point we decided to order from the tasting menu. Do not be silly like I was and assume a 'tasting" means small portions. The 3 course tasting was a completely meal, here lies my issue. I did say MY issue not the restaurant. I ordered the Hudson's Mixed Grill in addition to the tasting for my date and I to share. This was a little bit of a mistake since we ended up with way more food then we needed. I will say this mistake allowed us to taste many of the wild game selections and I must say that each and everything we had was delicious. Like I said before we ordered off the Three Course Chef Tasting Menu. Here is a list of the items I picked. *greens tossed in a creamy lemon basil dressing topped with a crunchy carrot and jicama slaw and marinated tomatillos *Hudson's famous hot & crunchy ruby trout atop a mango jalapeno aioli finished with an ancho paint *Texas peach and blackberry cobbler with vanilla ice cream I enjoyed it all and I know that is a bit of a blanket statement but its true. I will say that the stand out in this meal was the trout. I've never been a big fan of trout but the finishing ancho"paint" sounded interesting. I loved it and when I return I know I will order it again. In the middle of this meal arrived our Hudson's Mixed Grilled. The presentable is wonderful and the taste was even better. We were served venison & rabbit tenders, smoked quail with a lime cilantro ginger glaze, spicy game Sausage, buffalo all served with a trio of Hudson Signature Sauces. I expected rabbit to be my favorite but strangely it wasn't I much preferred the quail and game sausage. My date and I extended our dining time to talk and to see just how much of this meal we could finish. Which brings me to another point, the staff is amazing. They are professional and take what they do seriously. They did not miss a beat bringing me a black table napkin so I wouldn't mess up my black skirt, to filling my ice tea glass with the tea cubes after the others had melted, to combing the table to remove crumbs and lastly offering coffee to accompany our dessert. We walked away having had a great experience and a yearning to return soon. P.S. We did not order wine but I did happen to look at the list and I would say they have a robust selection.

Special occasions call for special places, and this is one of those. Special enough that it might be worth making up a special occasion just to have an excuse to eat there more than once or twice a year (and yeah, I've done just that). The menu is definitely a delight for the adventurous foodie, concentrating on wild game and presenting it in fresh, creative ways that are flavorful without being overblown. They grow many of their own herbs and some vegetables out back, and the rest taste home grown. I have never had a meal there that I didn't love. If you can catch one of the recent Groupons for the tasting menu for two, it will save you $50 on the bill (which can run about $150 for two if you order conservatively) and give you a chance to try out the restaurant. Other times, if you check the menu online first, you can plan out what you want ahead of time, and see when the menus change. They do allow dish splitting/sharing, so it's easy to try out a variety of tastes that way, as well. The restaurant itself is lodge-like, with the inside feeling like someone's home, consisting of a series of rooms adjacent to one another. The walls are painted stark white, and feature bright, splashy art. Spacing of tables allows for private conversation. Last time my husband and I went, we sat by the fireplace on a freezing cold night. Cozy and romantic. In warmer weather, the outdoor patio is equally romantic. In the past, they've offered holiday packages that sound fun, though I've never tried one of those. I recommend making reservations earlier in the evening for the best parking and table choice. The place seems pretty full around 8 pm.

Is newer always better? We certainly have a cult of technology that votes "yes" every time Apple churns out a slightly different product. I'd argue a decisive "maybe." Until a few years ago, I refused to own a car made after the year 2000. These old vehicles are simplistic, less flashy, they have a bespoke character that's lacking in the modern automobile. And so it is with the newly refurnished Hudsons. After chef Jeff Blank left, selling Hudsons to new management, they did the customary remodel. Ceilings were raised, floor plans were remodeled, steel and glass abounds. Is it sleeker? Certainly. Is it better? Ehhhhhhhh... I'm no native Austinite, but I mis-spent quite a bit of the late 80s and early 90s in Austin. At least part of that time was spent at Lake Travis. Afterwards, we would spit in death's eye and dare the two-lane road on top of Mansfield dam to arrive at Hudsons on the Bend. I remember what it used to be, what Austin used to be. Truth be told, I miss the slightly unsettling rustic artwork, the uneven, rough-hewn steps that led up and down from each dining area, the floorboards that tilted at funhouse angles. It was charming, in it's own way. You could sit at your table and easily pick out the first timers. They were the ones bumbling and tripping everywhere. Or perhaps they were just drunk. This is a requiem for my nostalgia, I suppose. Time marches on, and the new Hudsons is just fine. The revamped menu stays mostly true to the original vision (where are my rattlesnake cakes?!?!), and even improves on it in some ways (venison tartare). They're hyper focused on wine now, which will go over well with the Lakeway set. But the real secret is the happy hour, 4:30-6:30, Tues-Fri. The half off drinks and apps means you can pop in, eat and drink very well, and be out the door for $30 with a little moderation. They make a mean Blood & Sand, the sazerac is decent, but they could pour a little heavier. For $5, I won't complain...too much. The outdoor patio has been redone to great effect. Much better seating, much better lighting, even if the high deck does give you a superb view directly into neighboring 827 Ray's. It's a fine place to enjoy our upcoming two weeks of Spring. If I have any real contention, it's with parking. I can't definitively say that the parking lot got smaller (did they expand their on-site garden?), but it feels smaller. The wife and I arrived early to take advantage of happy hour, and as we pull in there's a valet desk, front and center. I stop and chat with the young man. Peering over his shoulder, there's one other car in the parking lot. One. I hand over the keys and watch him drive 10 feet. When we come out, the process is reversed. Tipping him $.10/ft irked me, I won't lie. Hudson's seems to be in good hands. Sleeker, more modern, but still true to its roots. And, strangely enough, less expensive, provided you can stay away from the wine.

First time back since new ownership & remodeling. I am so proud of the outcome, the transitions from each space are so smooth and streamlined. Gone are all the awkward pathways and hidden trip hazards. The food could not have been any better...we started with the delicate carrot salad and comforting chicken thigh. I had the wagyu zabutan steak, prepared perfectly & my date had the roasted halibut freshly flown in. Without question everything was expertly prepared with all the attention to detail. I had no room for dessert, thankfully so! Otherwise I might not have stumbled into the best selection of port wines I have ever had the pleasure of sampling. We will revisit continually, until I have tried everything on the menu... twice!

Wow. Food coma. I've gotta say, after visiting Lonesome Dove in Ft. Worth a couple weeks ago, I'd much rather hit up Hudson's on the Bend (minus the whole Tim Love thing). I bought the Groupon for this place, consisting of the three course chefs tasting menu for two people. AMAZING really sums it all up. The service was fantastic, but not invasive at all. We were seated as soon as we arrived, even though we were 15 minutes early for our reservation. The Chambord chocolate mousse with legs of fudge made me forget that I had a full glass of wine in front of me. That being said, their sommelier is great. The pairings were perfect with each of the courses, complimenting the food, exquisitely. And, again, the food was amazing. All of it. Except the edible flower. It tasted like, well, a flower. Looking forward to coming back (maybe with a date) and, hey, its closer and better than a drive to Ft. Worth! I like commas, apparently.

I'm glad I put up with my hubby for 21 years so we could have a first date anniversary here last nite. Seriously. It's that good. It's a faaaa...aaaaar cry from our first date meal of pork chops and mashed taters. We've come a long way, baby! All that was missing was a showing of "Bull Durham", which is a perfect first date movie if you intend on getting laid that nite. Kevin Costner and Susan Sarandon sloshing around in a tub??? Foreplay. Nope, instead we had just our fun selves to entertain us last nite. And the food. I had wisely bought the www.livingsocial.com deal of half off the 3 course tasting menu (normally $40 each), so all we had to pay for was our wine and tip. The menu has two options per course and we decided we'd just get one of each so we can try everything. After 21 yrs we've got this teamwork thing down! The menu also offers a wine pairing option but once I settled on the chill, refreshing Torrontes, I had no desire to try anything else. For apps, we had a green salad with tart tomatillos and lobster bisque, and I have to agree with Ms KK about there not being near enough lobster in the bowl. Altho the broth was most lobstery tasting, one tiny morsel of succulent flesh won't do. It'll only arouse my appetite without beddin her down, as Everett Ulysses Mcgill would say. Hubby also could not pass up on ordering the wild boar enchiladas which were extra but so worth it. They are covered in a mole sauce from some Mexican region the chef hailed from. His grandmother's recipe according to the waiter. And here, I just want to also say how great Tim, our waiter, was. He presented each dish like a work of art, explaining the sauces and gave us some insight on the interestingly shaped dishes we were served from. He really knew his stuffing! Anyhoo, at this point we were presented with an amuse bouche: a "shot" of chilled juice, containing guava (?) and coconut and chile powder. As Tim explained, it's called a shot and served in a precious little shot glass, but we shouldn't treat it as such. Hubby, who after 21 yrs has still NOT perfected the art of listening, downed it in one gulp. Sigh. Twenty-one years. I, on the other hand savored it and discerned every refreshing flavor, including the spicy kick of pepper at the end. For our entrees, I had the pecan crusted snapper and hubby got the pecan smoked venison (I'm saddened for those who are allergic to nuts!). Both dishes were superb. The snapper's crust was crunchy and flavored well and the filet sat on a bed of yummy corn pudding. Hubby's venison was super tender and smoky in flavor, not at all resembling the gamey, dry deer meat my dad foisted on us as children.** Finally, for desert I had the flambeed berries on ice cream (served in a martini glass) and hubby got the chocolate mousse with "legs of fudge" (meaning apparantly that the fudge was on the bottom of the glass and also dribbled up the sides. Who wouldn't want legs of fudge?? Probably wouldn't do too well in this climate but even so, I don't think my legs of fudge would make it to summer. I'd learn some yoga fast, get bendy, and eat my knees!). Both deserts were super rich, but my only disappointment for the evening was the flambeed berries just had an overall strong taste of orange zest and orange liquer, completely overpowering any other flavors. I assume that's what they fire em up with, but wish they could tone that down a bit. I'd rather just have plain fresh berries with the s'cream then. The food along with the beautiful ranch house ambiance and including the royal treatment service made for a very fine romantic dinner. Go meet someone and check this place out in 21 yrs. I'm sure it'll still be there. **I took Dad here many yrs ago, very excited to see what he'd order as he prides himself on eating anything and everything, subjecting us kids to venison, rabbit, dove, and even squirrel (not to mention sardines, pickled pigs feet, and hogs-head cheese) during our formative eating years. What would he choose amongst the venison, elk, ostrich, kangaroo or rattlesnake on their menu??? An effin steak. That's what. Dad, I'm so disappointed in you.**

Oh, how brilliant! The Chefs have added a delicious, moist Pecan Smoked Duck Breast prepared over a sweet red chili glaze with a bed of green rice to the Three Course Tasting Menu. It made me want to quack out loud! Whenever Hubs sees this Groupon, he snags one. Only $55.00 for two to dine in a fantastic setting, with wonderful service and superb food. I love knowing that any child who misbehaves will be given espresso and a free puppy when dining here. It makes my meal so much more enjoyable.

Bf and I bought the groupon for a 3 course meal for our half anniversary... WOOO! I was super duper excited, can you tell? Being super duper excited before a meal is always a little scary, because sometimes I get my hopes too high. NOT THIS TIME BABY!!! Anyway, we decided to go all out and arrive early for their happy hour. I had never been here before and I was very impressed with the beautiful decor in the back. There are sweet little tables and chairs under hanging lights. There is also a bar outside accompanied by large fans and beautiful seating. Their happy hour menu is pretty awesome- half off several nice cocktails and half off appetizers. Dining for HH at the bar was nice because we could enjoy being outside(ish) and it was also a nice temperature thanks to the fans. I ordered the burning pear martini. It was the glass plus the extra in an adorable little glass of ice! Dawww, too cute. The martini was yummy, strong, and just what I wanted. We shared the duck, jicama, and jalapeno wrapped in bacon bites. They were very yummy, but the BBQ sauce was a bit too strong. After our happy time outside for happy hour we walked into the lovely Hudson's on the Bend Restaurant. The place is beautiful. I absolutely love the artwork on the walls and the multiple medium sized rooms. It feels like you're at a super nice dinner party in an awesome mansion. I loved it! Anyway, we had the wine pairings with our meal and decided to order one of each (we had a choice of two options for each course). Before the soup/salad we were sent a complimentary olive with chorizo filling and mango jalapeno sauce. Where did this magical ball of goodness come from? Thanks chef! I just so happen to love olives and everything about this tiny little thing. It was really yummy. The lobster bisque was ok. It was a little more bitter than I would have liked, with a sharp nutty taste, but it was ok. I liked the salad much more- garden greens with a lemon basil dressing. It was nice, yummy, and light. The main courses were simply wonderful. This is random, but I've always been very sad that Kyoto (sushi restaurant on Congress) closed down, because my absolutely favorite roll, the longhorn roll, was lost! The crispy trout tasted just like the longhorn roll, and it was amazing. The crispiness of the trout was fantastic and the mango jalapeno aioli complimented it so well! Sweet and spicy! I really have to go to Mighty Cone to see if I can indulge in a less expensive meal similar to my favorite from Kyoto. The trout is probably one of my most favorite dishes EVER at the moment. :) The pecan smoked rosemary rubbed beef was very yummy. It was quite rare and very soft, but the flavor was very nice. It was topped with jalapeno hollandaise but I definitely didn't taste the jalapeno. I loved the veggies with both dishes, very well seasoned. Both desserts were super insanely sweet- my kind of dessert. The turtle pie dipped in Belgian chocolate was yummy, nutty, chewy and incredible. The peach and blackberry cobbler was also fantastic. It was gooey, warm, fruity and melt in your mouth. I don't know much about wine, but it tasted fine with the meal. I've had other meals with wine pairings where I could REALLY tell that the wine complimented the food and vise versa, but this time not too much. It was definitely good though. To finish things off I ordered the Prickly Pear Margarita. I couldn't help myself. It was very yummy with a nice sweet and sour bite to it. Something else that I take for granted when I have multiple courses is the timing. I don't know how they timed everything PERFECTLY, but they did. It's always really sad when they bring plates when you're not ready for them. Our waitress was wonderful and patient with my many questions and giggles of excitement.

Another anniversary, and it's always my job to pick the place... I try and pick a place that will give us a different experience than we can replicate at home. I can probably select and grill a steak better than most steakhouses. I left things a little last-second this year, which ruled out a few options. And my wife is gluten-free, which rules out a few more. So I thought about Hudson's. I called the evening before to check into the menu. My first call went to the answering machine. By the time I called back, it was pretty much closing time. However, this time, Sara answered the phone. I explained our needs, and she very patiently went through the menu, saying what substitutions could be made for my wife, what could not be made gluten free, and what was safe without modification. She was very patient with my possibly dumb questions. Turns out, that was the restaurant manager, and co-author of one of their books, who didn't seem to mind my inane 15 minute call for a party of two. Reservation secured. Now, it's a good trek out there, esp. on a work night, which makes it harder to "surprise" the wife. Now, for what can be a pricy meal, the dress code, as confirmed by "Sara", is not fancy. Folks in business suits can be next to kids dressed for prom, next to a couple in jeans. Even moreso than your average Austin venue. But being underdressed always stresses out my wife. I was hoping to just go in our work clothes, but she quickly jumped into jeans because she didn't know I actually had anything booked (sometimes we wait for the weekend). I did convince her to switch back to "business casual". Good call, for her comfort's sake. That's just her thing. If I could remove 1/4 of a star, it would be for the parking lot. If you're not lucky, it involves a climb up a hill, and I'm not a fan of leaving my wife at the door while I fetch a car because I don't want her turning an ankle in the dark. But, "country charm", and whatnot. The greeter was friendly as can be. We were seated immediately at a quiet corner table near the fireplace (but not right in front of it). This isn't the most romantic place in the world, if you're into booths and privacy. But it's obvious we were put in that table on purpose. The waitress was again very patient with our questions, confirmed a couple things with the kitchen, and worked a couple wine options for us. We went all out, apps first. The "Pumpkin risotto with fresh Maine lobster and maple glazed pumpkin" was ok, but really cooled (too?) quickly. And we decided maybe we just don't "get" risotto. Do folks love it because they know it's so hard to get right? To me, a fairly decent risotto is often only slightly better than a good rice-a-roni. But I REALLY love a good rice-a-roni! The "Coca Cola baby back ribs with chipotle BBQ sauce and mango jalapeno cole slaw": home run, tender and tasty. The wife chose the "Pecan smoked duck breast shingled with seared diver scallops nestled in wild boar sweet potato hash and a cranberry chipotle sauce". Another home run. The sweet potato hash was unreal. Probably her favorite part of the night. No knock on the duck, which had just the right amount of smoke. I did the "man" thing, and got the "mixed grill". The venison, quail, and buffalo were amazing. The sausage was "ok", and the rabbit tenders: eh. But it was fun to try so many different things... We were pretty full when the discussion of dessert came around. I did feel like we were being slightly pressured to order something, and later found out why. To be fair, they had way more choices than the usual gluten free options we hear at other places: "We have sorbet". Yeah, thanks. My wife was intrigued by the Meyer lemon panna cotta from one of the tasting menus. Being part of a tasting, it's not as large as one from the regular dessert menu. Which was really just fine for us. I expected not to be able to get it, but they didn't give us grief about it being from the tasting menu. Then when it arrived, we saw the plate it was set on had "Happy Anniversary" written in chocolate, which was obviously only because of a note made on our reservation. Nice touch. All in all, a really pleasant experience: 2+ unrushed hours. Per Sara's advice the day before, they did happily accept a restaurant.com (yes, I'm "that guy")coupon (and slightly bent the rules to our benefit), which made it insanely cheap (for what it was). So, even on the pre-discount price, the server got a pretty good tip. We left both commenting that it just seemed that everyone front of house seemed to enjoy their job, and, even if it was just acting, seemed concerned with the dining experience. Service: 5* Food: 4 1/2* Parking lot: 3* Overall: 4+* Cheers to Sara, et al.

We believed the hype! Hudson's on the Bend was a wonderful dining experience during our time in Austin. Rustic and cozy. Not much to look at from the outside, but the dining room decor was really cool. After settling in with a nice glass of Malbec, we decided to split the venison wrapped scallops for our appetizer (I love me some venison). We also split a salad with avocado, strawberries, and honey-glazed pistachios over tender bibb lettuce. It sounds weird, but it was incredible. For our entree, my friend tried the 7 oz mixed grill (venison, quail, rabbit tenders, spicy game sausage, and buffalo) and I tried the smoked elk (backstrap topped with jumbo lump crabmeat). All we could say was "wow". Everything was incredible. Even the cornbread stuffing was awesome. Our only gripe was that the portions were on the small side. I could have eaten twice as much elk (and I'm not just saying that because I am a fatty). Our shared dessert was the peach and blackberry cobbler complete with vanilla ice cream. It was a small serving but it was just enough to satisfy our sweet tooth without putting us over the edge. Service was spot-on and our water glasses were readily filled. I should mention that the parking situation is not good at Hudson's. We had to park on a dirt lot next door to the restaurant due to the main lot being full. It made for a super creepzilla walk back to the car in the dark. There were no lights and we were hearing a lot of creepy animals and/or insects along the winding path. Proceed with caution!

Last night was my 3rd time dining at Hudson's on the Bend and I must say the service and food quality are consistently great. If you arrive early there are two things you must do: 1. Check out the beautiful grounds laced with herbs they use in their dishes 2. Grab a seat in the bar area and take advantage of their happy hour which runs until 7pm. They have a wonderful wine list and happy hour offers 25% off wines by the glass. I have ordered once a la carte and twice with their 3 course tasting menu. The three course gives you a variety of first, mains and desserts to choose from. If you are looking for game and poultry on the menu look no further. Last night Dawn H. and I met up for dinner and I ordered the salad for the first course and the duck breast for my main. The delightful salad had a creamy pecan crusted goat cheese with local mixed greens and blackberry balsamic vinaigrette. Simple and delicious. The pecan wood smoked duck breast was on top of a red chili glaze and served with fresh vegetables. I would recommend Hudson's for a celebratory/romantic dinner, happy hour or a girls night out.

Hudsons on the Bend. Is it anything other than a fan freaking tastic experience? Sure, the drive is a huge PITA but the food and the service are just so worth it. The best thing to do is coerce a friend who likes to drive to go with you. Then just enjoy the windy roads and the mouth watering anticipation of the goodness to come. We had a certificate for a tasting menu that included lobster bisque, steak and a rich chocolate dessert. First though, a reasonably priced bottle of wine to make things a little more golden and hazy. We chatted amiably before our food arrived. Then it was like chumming for sharks. That lobster bisque was rich and delicate, poured out of a beautiful gravy boat looking apparatus into a huge bowl with lumps of lobster just floating around like happy people in a pool. I'm pretty sure I embarrassed myself by being heads down, mainlining the lobster bisque into my mouth. I was moments away from licking the plate but then the steak arrived. Perfectly done, beautifully presented and atop a bed of garlic mashed potatoes that made my eyes cross. Our server may have barely cracked a smile but that dude knew what he was doing. Everything was exceptionally timed and served with aplomb. I'll make that damn drive any day and now that I know of their amazing happy hour, you may find me there once a week, looking like gollum with his precious.

Hudson's on the Bend these days is much better than I remember. I came in for a three course dinner a few weeks ago and was thoroughly impressed. We had reservations and were seated immediately. The service here is great. The courses were timed perfectly and our needs were taken care of before we had to ask. We ordered the scallop on a wooden plank appetizer. The appetizer, although very visually appealing (the scallop is delivered on a burning wooden plank), the smoke from burning wood left a horribly bitter residue on the scallop. From the three course menu, some of the memorable dishes were the chipotle lobster bisque and trout. This broth was full of seafood flavour and the chipotle added an unexpected kick. The trout had a perfectly crispy exterior and the sweet and savory sauces gave the trout some depth. The Fredericksburg peach and blackberry cobbler was a delicious summer dessert. My only suggestion for the restaurant is to keep the temperature a bit cooler in the dining room and serve the wines at a lower temperature. Both our red and white wines were served too warm so I couldn't appreciate the aromas in the wines. Overall, I love Hudson's on the Bend's Texas twist on traditional Southern food. This restaurant is uniquely Texas.

Had dinner here with group of friends. Got there in time for our reservation, but they were running a tad behind. No worries though, our group enjoyed free cocktails while we waited for our table to be prepared. Awesome! After being seated and looking at the menu, we decided to go with the three course chef's tasting menu ($65 per head, including wine pairings). First thing to come out was the bread basket, containing big slices of hot ciabatta bread and two types of compound butter: a chipotle butter and a herb butter. The chipotle was my favorite. The amuse was a shot of watermelon gazpacho with chunks of fresh onion, cucumber, and other diced veggies with a squirt of creme fresh on top. Very fine. First course was a choice of a salad with candied almonds and marinated tomatillos or a chipotle lobster bisque. I opted for the bisque which was fantastic. Rich lobster flavor and a good amount of lobster meat. Some people might find this soup too sweet, but I loved it. One of my friends said it was the best soup she had ever eaten, and she doesn't really enjoy lobster that much. The wine was a 2006 August Kessler riesling, which was a perfect pairing. Second course was a surf and turf, which consisted of smoked elk topped with crabmeat served with a chile lime sauce, the "hot and crunchy trout" which I believe was served with a mango aioli, mashed potatoes, corn pudding, and a medley of lightly sauteed veggies. I went for the elk first (my first time eating elk) and it was GREAT...but then I tried the trout. Holy crap! So lovely and crispy and tasty. Definitely the best part of the dish. Paired with an excellent 2007 Block 906 Pinot. For dessert there was a choice of a berry flambe served on top of vanilla ice cream or chambourd chocolate mousse with fresh raspberries. I opted for the flambe. I should have went for the mousse. The flambe was fine, but nothing spectacular. The mousse however WAS spectacular. Perfectly light and airy, not too sweet, and wonderful chocolate flavor. Another one of my friends predicted that he would "probably just eat a few bites of dessert and call it a day"...he cleaned that glass of mousse completely. The mousse paired with the 2007 Stylo Garnacha may have been the best pairing of the night. After the meal, words like "that was the best meal of my life" were thrown about by more than one person. I don't know if it was the best meal of my life, but it's right up there. Oh and we even got little gift boxes containing a small piece of chocolate covered turtle pie to bring home. Awesome! $65 a head with wine was a steal...I would have happily paid much more for the same meal. Service was friendly, attentive and smooth. My small gripes. We sat on the inside, and the dining room was somewhat warm and muggy. A couple of my friends were "glowing" during the meal. Also parking can be somewhat tight. Secondly (and this isn't really a criticism of the restaurant). I saw more than one gentleman there dressed...down. (ie: thong sandals with a ratty t-shirt and baseball cap). Come on people, really? I understand this is Austin and I can appreciate that we walk to the beat of our own drum and all of that. But why wouldn't you want to look nice to eat at a nice restaurant? I felt sorry for some of their dates for sure. Anyway, definitely worth the drive out, and a great alternative to dealing with the downtown crowd for a nice dinner. We'll be coming back to try the 8 course tasting menu in the future!

Four words-chicken in a cone. My Austin friends told me that I had to try Hudson's chicken in a cone at ACL so I had one on Friday. And Saturday. And Sunday. Words can't describe how good it was! But I'll try...imagine a piece of chicken breaded in a panko style batter and lightly fried. Wrap a tortilla around it and put it in a cone. And don't forget the secret surprise layer of coleslaw in the bottom of the tortilla. On my next trip to Austin I definitely plan on stopping in to Hudson's on the Bend to see what else they can deep fry and stick in a cone.

Groupon, take me away! Yes, the groupon love showed itself not only at our table but at several others who enjoyed the 3-course tasting menu for half off. It's completely worth full retail, too! We tried to calculate how many times we have dined at Hudsons over the years, and we came up with at least 12 occasions where we have celebrated, sought refuge in great food, shared with family, and honored others. We just kept coming back. And I accidentally bought 2 groupons, so we are going again next week! The tasting menu dons either the lobster bisque or the field greens salad with basil vinaigrette dressing. I had the latter, which gave a great sweet and sour tang. The coffee soaked elk back strap was so divine that I want to be coffee soaked before I am buried, just so long as I get covered in chipolte buerre blanc from Hudsons instead of being buried with dirt. Buerre blanc is the new dirt in this case. Just sayin. Coupled with the back strap is a sesame crusted ruby trout. You'd think a tasting menu would have smaller portions -- no way. This was a full meal -about 6 or so ounces of protein plus vegetables, corm pudding, and whipped potatoes. I agree with Kelly that the vanilla bean ice cream with warm berry compote was truly awesome. Hubby had the chocolate mousse. It was... good. You know. It's chocolate mousse. We did not go for the wine pairings but instead ordered wine ala carte, which worked for me because I was full enough after this pleasure. More liquor would have made me a little more obnoxious than I already am. Way to celebrate our 15th anniversary - eating at Hudsons is like being with old friends - elk, rabbit, buffalo, rattlesnake, pheasant, and boar. Kind of like a crazy Winnie the Poo nightmare, but tasty!

I'll start by say that we didn't have any food so I can't rate that (which is obviously a bit part of a restaurant review...and why I'm calling this out up front). That being said....you know there is a problem when it's so bad you can't stick around to have the food. This place looks like a stiff wind would topple it. To us, the ambiance of a fine dinner is a huge part of the experience. I do agree that some of the best food can be found in some dumps....but that is almost always true for food that is priced on the mid to low end of the spectrum. If I am going to pay $200 plus for me and my wife....I expect the food to be great, and the surroundings where I enjoy the meal to be nice, warm, comfortable etc. Now - for Hudson's none of this was true. The outside of the establishment was rickety and the outside patio area resembled a dog run. The outside bar area was like trying to have s drink on a seesaw. The floor was so uneven I spent most of the time trying to balance my chair. The bartenders seemed to be too cool to be warm and welcoming and were very brief and short. The inside was not much better. The hostess was a very nice older women who was perfectly fine. The design was...lets just say eclectic (which I typically like)...but it was more jumbled than anything. It felt like somebody started with a double wide and just kept building into it. We had special anniversary seating which ended up being just inside to the left in what felt like my grandmothers run down neglected breezeway (including old dingy ceiling fans and louvre glass windows). I looked at the menu and it seemed like a decent offering of varied wild game. The food must be decent to have this place stay open for 30yrs now...but every award we saw for the place was at least 7yrs old if not over 10. For a place to charge what they do, they must be making a tidy sum for the owner. Try putting some into the actual upkeep of the establishment. I'm not saying you have to make everything feel new and inauthentic....I'm just talking about upgrading the run down fixtures, patios, doors (the entrance had a dingy old white door that was shot). If you just want an expensive dinner and don't care if it's in a beat up place...this could be for you. Otherwise I'd see if you could get it "to go" and go have a picnic someplace with a nice view (which by the way I assumed it had a view of the river of something and wasn't just located on "the bend" of a major busy thoroughfare. Not for anyone wanting ambiance. We finding up eating at a new cent place called Trio downtown with a nice view of the river and outdoor seating (part of the four seasons hotel). The meal was actually cheaper than what we would have paid at Hudsons....and we actually felt relaxed and waited on with great service. The inside didn't get better

Sitting outside Hudson's brings out emotions I never knew I had. The anticipation of the food forthcoming and those servers that check on every aspect. I'll admit that our visit didn't go as smoothly as our last adventure; but the food again won us over. Picture the evening beginning on the porch sitting on the swing. The wife celebrating her 19th birthday. Gentle nudges and giggles lead into a formidable dining adventure. We both had our own agendas. For the moment we shared our previous favorite that delicate crab cake marking a perfect score just like last time. Each bite was a masterpiece with smooth avocado, roasted salsa, micro greens, and guajillo sauce. Jenny picked the smoked shrimp quesadilla as the second temptation and it rocked the house. I look for a handmade crisp texture in tortillas rather than the lightly grilled food service counterpart. The next events were my best discovery of the evening. My half order of the quail and spinach salad literally knocked my socks off. Can you say hot pig vinaigrette? Then add in the best quail in the world. I'm literally sold at this point on the whole experience. The wife's hot and crunchy shrimp salad also impressed with Hudson's signature batter. I'd never tried tomatillos raw; but it was delicious paired with the dressing. We tucked our stomachs under the table and continued to order. I opted for the fire grilled tenderloin topped with lobster. I had my reservations about meat topped with hollandaise; but it turned out to be really tasty. The lobster added an additional smoky yet sweet element that made it one of the best surf and turf dishes I've ever had. Jenny's salmon with dill gnocchi in a fresh corn and herb broth was yet another plate of love. The broth was a revelation of fresh ingredients paired with the medium rare salmon. The gnocchi was the best I've ever had. I pulled a Top Chef finale twist at the end ordering escargot instead of dessert. Most of the dish was flawless except I ended up with one snail that hadn't been cleared properly. The wife opted for the Irish coffee route. We paid the tab; sucked in our stomachs and ran out the door! Despite that tiny crunchy snail issue another flaw could not be found. This could be my favorite restaurant ever. Maybe? Its quite possible.

** HAPPY HOUR REVIEW ** I am a regular at the Hudson's on the Bend Happy Hour... and it is the best, so if you want to find out more about it, read on...if you are looking for a review on a $350 dinner for two, check another awesome yelpers review...I'm not trying to do that right now. First tip, WATCH OUT for the entrance...its tight, small, unassuming, and you will miss it even if you have the smartest smartphone on the market. The entrance is in the back, not in the front, and if you are going for HH (happy hour) sit in the bar (it may be the only place they serve HH for all I know. They have expanded and expanded this place for something like 24 years? The owner has fallen on hard times health wise, but the service and quality has not suffered at ALL. No draft beers, but lots of local selections. Huge props for having Devil's Backbone, one of my alltime favorites. All Austin Beerworks were well represented here. Ryan in the bar knew all the options, and really provides an excellent experience. HH food choices are excellent. The following are in order of my preference... Coca Cola Short Ribs...GET OUT good. So tasty, fall off the bone, and not like any Texas BBQ you might be jaded to expect...they are almost asian? and they are SO good. GET THEM. Crab Cakes, super tasty and spicy! Presentation is a 10, taste is a 8! The spice boosts these guys up, but they aren't exactly what you would expect from a crab cake, in a good way. The Aioli sauce is poured on the plate (the heat) and it is delish. The Duck Diablo is special. The presentation is very good, but I do not particularly like the texture I got from this dish.... duck was a bit chewy...and yes, they are medallions. Just not my favorite, but the flavor was very good, and I was not disappointed. We missed Tim Duncan by one night when we were here... bum! And of course, as most know, this is Lance Armstrong's favorite place to dine, although my understanding is he is a difficult patron...go figure? Go eat here...and if you can't afford dinner, try the happy hour! It is very resonable considering the food and experience.

You MUST GO THERE for romantic dinner! Great place for dating, also good for family gathering. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!! We went there for dinner around 8pm. The restaurant appears to be located in the middle of nowhere. The scene of "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" immediately came across my mind. I shivered, but we keep driving to there. Surprisingly, the interior of the restaurant is very cozy, romantic and classy. I seriously want to hold my wedding there. Food are amazingly delicious. Servers are friendly and politely. (One of the male server looks like Beckham!).

The place is not fancy, the waitresses don't wear white gloves, the decor is clearly hill country. Don't let that misguide you, this is an excellent restaurant. My wife and I had the trout and a steak. Both were wonderful, flavorful and unique. Our French friends thought they had the best duck and the best creme brulee they have had anywhere in the U.S. the chocolate cake was underwhelming, a bit bland, especially for something labeled triple chocolate. There is a good wine and liquor list. Service was friendly and fast. I left wanting to come back to try rattlesnake sausage and the Elk.

I would describe Hudson's on the Bend as a nice restaurant to which your grandparents would take you. After all of the hype, I was not impressed by Hudson's on the Bend. For starters, we couldn't even get into the parking lot for about 15 minutes because a tour bus was blocking the way; and then we waited for the hostess to greet us for a while--when we informed her about the wait, she seemed annoyed. The service was--well, nonexistent. Our waiter had minimal contact with us, and our best interactions were with the busboy. The food felt like dinner from a catering hall or nice cafeteria. While the meats were exotic, they were overcooked and definitely not worth the $$$. Even the dessert was akin to a Marie Calendar's frozen dessert freshly taken out of the refrigerator. The only part of the meal we really enjoyed was the scallops appetizer. The restaurant really needs to work on the parking lot--it was pitch black outside when we left, and there was no light...rather dangerous/creepy.

We were gifted a certificate to this restaurant around Christmas last year and we've been sitting on it ever since. Well, out of the blue we decided to get on that, and made a reservation...Let me just say that we were both totally blown away. The setting is adorable; cozy, rustic and formal all at the same time, and going in the evening allows one to enjoy their extensive christmas light decoration. The food. Lets not skip on a description of the food. In one sitting we both ended up eating the following animals: Rabbit, Quail, Rattlesnake, Bison, Elk and local sausage. I consider this a total win for the carnivores of the world. We had two amuse bouche (lobster and puff pastry) two appetizers (one crab cake, one rattlesnake cake) two entrees (the mixed grill and elk back strap) two huge glasses of pino noir, a trio of creme brulees and spiked coffee, and it all came to just over $170. The service was excellent, the food divine/ When we go back here, it won't be the last time.

In my desire to eventually try every "Great" restaurant in Austin my wife and I went to Hudson's. The experience was very nice but this might be the most expensive BBQ this side of the Mississippi. I'd recommend this place if someone else is paying. The main drawback is the over priced menu. The Chef's menu with wine pairing ran a cool $200 a person. The food was well prepared and presented. The Hudson's Mixed Grill had a wide array of game, Buffalo, Venison, Quail, etc.. But I would recommend staying away from this because to me it tasted like a plate of BBQ. My wife's selection of the Venison chops with herb butter and lobster tail had more complex flavors.

My wife and I have visited Hudson's several times over a few years. In every visit, the food, services, and overall experience has been very good. This consistency and quality pushes it up to a 5 star rating that is well deserved. In our most recent visit, we tried their 3 course tasting menu that we had purchased though a Groupon special offer. After ordering, we received a pan of spring onion and dill rolls served with chipolte honey butter and herb butter. The rolls were fresh and enjoyable without the spreads but both the spreads were good and added additional flavor. Before our first course, we were served a small glass of a chilled watermelon gazpacho. This proved an interesting and enjoyable dish. The flavor was a blend of spicy, salty and sweet from the watermelon. For our appetizers, we got an order of the smoked duck diablos and a salad with goat cheese. The duck is a smoked breast, jicama, jalapeno, figs in balsamic all wrapped in apple wood bacon and served with a red chili glaze dipping sauce. It came on skewers held by 1/2 a green apple. The duck was very good both with and without the sauce. The salad featured a candied pecan crusted pure luck goat cheese served atop locally mixed greens tossed with a blueberry balsamic vinaigrette. The salad was fresh, the dressing great, and the goat cheese wonderful. For our main dishes, we tried the ruby trout and the beef tenderloin. The trout has a hot and crunchy topping and is served atop a mango jalapeno aioli and finished with an ancho paint. The spice on the dish is mild and compliments the flavors of the trout. My wife doesn't eat lots of spice food and this is her favorite dish they serve by far. The beef tenderloin was rubbed with smoked rosemary and finished with a jalapeno hollandaise. The beef was cooked to order and enjoyable. Both dishes included some small sides that included some vegetables and potatoes. For dessert, we order a wild turtle pie and peach cobbler. The pecan pie contains some carmel and bourbon (I think) and is served dipped in dark chocolate is is very rich and tasty. The peach cobbler was served with a chantilly cream. The cream was infused with fresh vanilla bean that really made the dish. You could even see some of the vanilla caviar in the cream. Overal it was a very enjoyable evening and a place where we will visit again. The only down side is the location can be a drive (at least it is for us).

Truly amazing restaurant. I only came at first because I won a gift card through an event at UT, but I would happily return any time. Our reservation was on an early Wednesday evening, odd enough timing that we basically had the whole restaurant to ourselves. The trout was so delicious that it made my boyfriend regret his choice of the prime tenderloin. The desserts and service were both great as well.

The ambience is great...it reminded me of the quaint restaurants in Carmel, CA with lots of colorful art and christmas lights throughout. You would feel comfortable dressed in nice jeans or a cocktail dress, which is my kind of atmosphere. The service was great. Nice selection of wines by the bottle and by the glass. A complimentary puffed pastry with bison or some kind of game was presented relatively soon after getting our wine. This amuse bouche made us excited about the appetizers we had ordered. Even wrapped in bacon, you don't feel that the duck is too fatty - this was the favorite in our group. Scallops were a close second. Rattlesnake cake had a few too many things going on, but still wasn't bad. The entrees we tried were the elk, which as all the reviews here state, was absolutely delicious. The spice is a dry rub and doesn't overpower the elk. The mixed grill was a good dish to try as you get to sample so many types of game. The two meats that we all agreed were overcooked were the quail and the rabbit, but the sauces that come with them made up for that. The true standout in the mixed grill is the venison. No reviews here mention how delicious it is but all in our group agreed that it beats out the elk. I would go back just to try their venison main course. The sauces that come with the meats are all creative and complimentary. Each dish is served with corn pudding, mashed potatoes and julienned veggies. We couldn't even finish the sides because the portions are good sized. It is a pricey restaurant but having a restaurant.com gift certificate made it much more reasonable. Sure wish we had something like this in San Diego!

I have gone here so many times and it never fails to disappoint! I've gone for the 3-course Chef Tasting menu which consisted of a lobster bisque (oh so good), the ruby trout (with a refreshing and delicious mango jalapeno aioli), and a peach/blackberry cobbler with ice cream. I typically order this meal when I'm feeling safe and it's a great choice to go with. Now when I have friends visiting from out of town or just want to go all out here at Hudson's, I usually order a LOT of random dishes and we just all split it so we can try a bit of everything. Here's some stuff we've ordered: Diamond back rattlesnake cake - a little on the smaller side but easily shared between two people.. texture is definitely different from the normal crab cake yet delicious nonetheless sesame and almond crusted crab cake - great chunks of crab meat and the bed of corn, avocado, and salsa it sits on is a great compliment wild mushroom and parmesan cheese risotto with duck confit - im a fan of mushroom risotto so when I saw this i had to try it.. it was great seared foie gras atop grilled brioche - AWESOME! if you're a fan of foie gras.. you HAVE to try this... it's a good chunk of foie gras seared to perfection and the fig glaze adds depth to the flavor venison prosciutto wrapped seared sea scallops topped with sturgeon caviar - you get basically what the description says.. good size sea scallops and when you eat everything together in a bite.. the flavors are wonderful together herb horseradish crusted salmon with black truffle gnocci - when i see black truffle or the word truffle.. i usually order it.. i love the taste and when Hudson's uses truffles in their dishes, they don't skimp out and you can actually taste them.. so delicious hot and crunchy ruby trout - this dish is probably their signature dish.. the breading on the fish is absolutely amazing and i believe it's also the same breading used on the chicken and shrimp at their food truck The Mighty Cone espresso-chili-chocolate rubbed smoked elk back strap topped with blue crab - this is one of my favorites at Hudson's... the elk is SUPER tender and done really well.. very very highly recommended hudson's mixed grill - if you're adventurous like me and want to try a sampler of wild game, this is the thing to get... everything was cooked perfectly as for salads, i'll be hoenst, i never ordered one cause they offer so many other options i'd rather eat. for desserts, i would recommend the cobbler, the rosemary lemon cake, creme brulee trio, and the wild turtle i hope this helps you with some decisions on the choices you have when you come eat here.