522158 Fri May 23 18:31:34 -0700 2008 6 61 Austin 0 3716417 Just wanted to share my enthusiasm for this hidden place. I had one of the best experiences I've had this last year or so, which includes Wink, Starlite, Four Seasons, and Green Pastures. I just turned 21 two days ago and my boyfriend and I came here once before for dinner. This time, we sat at the bar for happy hour (1/2 price appetizers). Jay, the bartender/wine sommelier, did an outstanding job. He made knowledgable recommendations, casual conversation, and did not make me feel like I was out of place for being so young. We ordered 3 appetizers- Almond crusted Brie, the Dolmas, and the crab cakes. All were excellent. We each had 2 glasses of wine. Dessert was on the house because it was my birthday, and Jay even threw in a second dessert because we were debating amongst two. Glasses of wine ranged from 6.25 to about 12, 13 dollars a glass, although on Weds. all glasses are half off or 5 dollars. Although this place focuses on wine, I would rate the food along side with the more modern top ten list contenders like Wink and Starlite. Fri May 23 18:31:36 -0700 2008 191401 amarettomist06 1 3853463 On a recent trip to Austin, we tried Vin Bistro for the first time and loved it. We sat at the bar, which had a couple of advantages: By-the-glass wines are half price after 8pm on Saturdays. And we received excellent service from our bartenders, including Jay. The corn fried calamari was excellent - the tomatoes and lemon agave vinaigrette really kept the dish bright and fresh tasting, while a bit of bacon provided savory balance. The sea bass was even better - perfectly seared to a flaky buttery texture with a hint of sweetness from the lemon gastrique. More than anything, we found the overall vibe of Vin Bistro to be very refreshing. It's tucked into a quiet spot between the original Kerbey Lane and Anderson's Coffee Roasters, and comes across as sophisticated, but not pretentious; urban, but still a neighborhood restaurant. Wed Jul 09 13:35:11 -0700 2008 3716417 44379 interference 1 4057272 According to their website as of yesterday (Sept. 23), Vin Bistro has closed for good. Wed Sep 24 05:47:24 -0700 2008 3716417 68279 luggage512 2 4057463 wow, I think I was just on the website yesterday looking up their proper name for my burger mention. They were planning on opening a place in the Monarch downtown. I wonder if that has been cancelled as well? Wed Sep 24 07:04:58 -0700 2008 4057272 19611 Carter B. 3 4057486 Wow.. anyone know what happened? Wed Sep 24 07:11:26 -0700 2008 4057463 100641 amykragan 4 4058857 Here is the inside scoop, we'll see if this post gets moderated. It all started with a slow decline/change in the staff. The executive chef, Chris Lusk, left earlier this year to move back to New Orleans after he was offered the head spot at a Brennan Family restaurant. [Lusk was previously a sous chef at Commander's Palace]. New exec chefs were hired - Joseph, from LA who decided not to stay; and then Chris (of Finn and Porter) who left after menu disagreements with the owners. Then, there was a gradual exit of many of the service staff. Most all of the servers left, taking their wine and food knowledge with them. They have moved on to places like Kenichi, Cafe Josie, Botticelli's, and Asti. Jay, the bar manager, is now GM at 219 West. Adam, the GM, is now the GM at Malaga. Also, one of the part owners, Heath, sold his share to another investor, exiting the Vin Bistro family as well. While I don't know the financials of the closing, I could guess that the loss of trained labor had an effect on their plans, both for remodeled new location and the previously planned expansion downtown. Restaurants are a very difficult business to suceed in, and often times some perceptibally small factors become more important than owners/investors realized. I wish the former Vin Bistro family the best though in their new pursuits. Wed Sep 24 14:08:39 -0700 2008 4057486 88280 austinethos 5 4060379 Thanks for the scoop. I wonder if something else will open there. Thu Sep 25 06:24:53 -0700 2008 4058857 100641 amykragan