Message from Taste Select Wines

A New Breed of Wine Retail and Eatery
  • Restaurant/Wine Bar
  • Retail Wine Merchant
  • Private Room Available

A combination of premium wine merchant, wine bar & restaurant focused on providing a discriminating selection of wine & a complementary menu. The shop & bar feature the Enomatic Wine System allowing for sample pours of 90 different wines. Taste retails more than 400 wine labels from around the world. Customers may purchase bottles & enjoy the adjoining restaurant for a minimal service charge. Retail bottles range from $10-$1,200. Taste's chef, Bill McGrory began his career in NYC in Bobby Flay and Tom Colicchio's restaurants. He has created a menu inspired by the cuisine of traditional wine cultures featuring ingredients from local farms & incorporating modern influences. Tapas & entrée portions are available; desserts & Chef's tastings are offered daily. Located on Cesar Chavez in the 2nd Street District, Taste is open daily for lunch & dinner.

MarkerTaste Select Wines

(512) 478-2783

202 W. Cesar Chavez St
Austin, TX 78701

Editorial Description by Citysearch
Wine connoisseurs and novice drinkers ferment together in this upscale emporium and restaurant filled to the ceiling with fine vino.
Rated 9.2 out of 10 by Citysearch.
5 Reviews by Citysearch: (read all 10 reviews on Citysearch)

Great food, excellent wine! 5 Star Rating - World class

The food was spectacular here! We held a private party for about 10 people, and everyone was blown away by the food and the wine. The wild boar chops were something you need to try if they are available. The ostrich wrapped appetizers were so exotic, and so good. The desserts are a definite must. Definitely a place to go with friends...stay awhile, try out the "self-serve" wine bar, and order some food. It will be an experience everyone will enjoy. Great service from a knowledgeable and friendly staff!

Posted 08/18/08 at 4:57pm

Great wine pairing and selection, tasty food, friendly and knowledgeable owners and waitstaff, great atmosphere 5 Star Rating - World class

I've visited Taste Select Wines a few times now...and I have yet to find the restaurant lacking in anything. The experience, from greeting to departure, has kept us going back. The management really has it together. The wine carousels are unique and fun. The chef does an excellent job at creating the most tasty dishes. By the way, the beef carpaccio was delicious. I get it everytime I go...even when I plan to "try something new"...I still have to get the carpaccio while I'm there. Everything is so fresh and delicious! The wine suggested by the staff complemented the food wonderfully. I recommend this place to everyone who is looking for a truly delightful dining experience!

Posted 07/31/08 at 7:59pm

Great Wine, Great Food, Great Service. 5 Star Rating - World class

I went to Taste with a few of my friends to celebrate. While I like wine, I am by no means an oenophile. The waitress was very helpful in making a selection, not pushing the more expensive wines, as is the case in so many restaurants, but asking which types of wines I liked best, most important characteristics, etc. I now have two new favorites thanks to my trip to Taste. The food was AMAZING. REALLY good. I loved the Ahi tartar as well as the Rabbit. I would recommend this place to anyone who enjoys a glass of good wine and really good food.

Pros: Exhaustive wine list, amazing food.
Cons: Too pricy to eat there more often.
Posted 07/27/08 at 4:25pm

Delicious and Delightful Dining Experience 5 Star Rating - World class

My wife and I drove from San Antonio to Austin after having Taste recommended to us by another friend. I can tell you that what we found did not disappoint. The managers added a personal touch by coming by and talking with us at our table. Our server was extremely knowledgeable about the wine, and the chef even made an appearance to make sure we were happy with the cuisine.
The wine selection is unbeatable. They literally have something for everybody, and take the time to educate the customer about diferent classes of wines and different labels within a certain class. They even have a way that you can sample several different wines that doesn't break the bank (for those among us who are a little less decisive).
The food was a real highlight! My wife and I take the time to treat ourselves to a high-end dining experience now and again (Ounce, Silo, and Kirby's are all excellent choices in North SA, for those looking), so I have a little knowledge about good food. Let me just say that everything we tried, from appetizers to dessert, was fantastic. The thing I liked the most was the variety of the menu. Featuring dishes that included wild boar sausage, fresh ahi tuna, and handmade pastas. This is not a run of the mill meal, and it was worth every penny.
The climate of Taste is welcoming and casual, but still has the air of class that one wants in a fine dining experience. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a good place to take a date or to enjoy a great evening among friends. My wife and I definitely plan to take the trip north on I-35 again in the near future.

Pros: Food, Wine, Service
Cons: none
Posted 07/26/08 at 3:56pm

Fresh food, great wine 5 Star Rating - World class

You must experience Taste. It's not just a place to eat but an entire dining experience. I would highly suggest trying the chef's sampler or simply asking for whatever he recommends that evening. He's phenomenal. All of the food is fresh and prepared in a manner that brings out the richness of each dish. As for the wine, there is an extensive list to chose from or you can go to the self-serve units to get whatever is "on tap". If you're not sure which wine to choose, the waiters are a great resource-- knowing well how to pair a wine not only with the food but also with your taste. Their relaxed but sophisticated demeanor creates a cozy atmosphere great for both a group or a couple.

Posted 07/25/08 at 7:43pm