Roaring Fork
Categories: Bars, Restaurants [Edit]
Neighborhood: Downtown701 Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78701 (512) 583-0000
- Price Range: $$$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street, Valet
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: No
- Takes Reservations: Yes
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: No
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Good for: Lunch, Dinner
- Music: Juke Box
- Best Nights: Sat
- Happy Hour: Yes
- Alcohol: Full Bar
- Smoking: Outdoor Area/Patio Only
- Coat Check: No
43 Reviews for Roaring Fork
I have never had anything but good food and good service at the Roaring Fork. All the soups are SO-licious and I am completely addicted to the rotisserie chicken enchiladas. I've also been known to throw down a dessert or two at this fine establishment. It's all good.
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My boyfriend and I went here for our 4 year anniversary and it was a great experience. We ordered the shrimp appetizer which was so good with the white corn batter. I ordered the carnitas and it comes with this tasty avocado salad and fresh tortillas. The plate was massive and I had plenty to take home for another meal. The huckleberry margarita is tasty and so is the huckleberry cobbler (see a theme here?). My boyfriend ordered some giant ribs with a Dr. Pepper barbecue sauce and the banana pudding, all of which he loved. Our waiter was fantastic and attentive. I came back another time with 3 friends during the happy hour and we had the pork chile stew, the shrimp, the lamb chops and the fish tacos all which were amazing. I have no complaints about this place.
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This review is for the bar, not the restaurant.
Really cute outside area overlooking the street. My martini was good (three olives, thank you!), and my chop chop salad was better than expected. Cause you know, bar food, my expectation were not high. But it was fresh with a nice citrus vinaigrette and marinated steak.
The waiter on the other hand, while pleasant, was not attentive. He cleared my plate, and then disappeared for 15 minutes. Only not really disappeared because I could see him inside talking to the bartender. I would have liked my check without having to go after it.
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Five BIG Stars. Here's why:
1. We walked in by accident on the way to the Ralphie May show at the Paramount. We were casually dressed and popped in to ask the hostess if we were dressed okay. Both the manager and hostess said "C'mon in!"
2. It was SO GOOD we ate there two days in a row. And when I say we ate some food, WE ATE SOME FOOD! They have a fantastic (and VERY reasonable happy hour menu offered in the bar)
Here's what we ate:
Scallops: huge, delicious, on a bed of homemade grits with a mushroom sauce drizzled on the whole plate
Green Chile Stew: AMAZING, delicious homemade-tasting tortillas, servied in a mini cast iron kettle
Fondue: Lamb chops were cooked to perfection. Fondue was made from white wine and Monterey jack.
Tuna Tare-Tare w/ chipotle vinegarette: YUM. Light and tasty with homemade REAL DEAL Guacamole
Braised short ribs w/ au jus: Tender but not fatty
Ribeye: I was straight jealous that my husband ordered this after I took a bite. These folks know how to rock a steak.
Portabello and Spinach Enchiladas w/ jalapeno shrimp: huge shrimp, great sauce, two enchiladas and four large shrimp = 'nuff to share
Creme Brulee: arguably the best we've had in Austin-- and we're creme brulee snobs!
3. THE SERVICE: Troy waited on us at the bar. Knowledgeable, friendly, funny, cool. Knew the menu down to the details. Brought new silverware promptly with each course. On top of the refills. Recommended all of the afforementioned dishes. HIGH FIVE! The assitant manager, Alan, overheard a trivia battle between my husband and I and went to the back, returning with googled results printed out for us to read. Totally unexpected. Then he did it again. (The triva involved the fact that a jalapeno has 40% more Vitamin C than an orange, and that Zeus is the God of Rain.) By the way-- did I metion that Troy and Alan weren't bad to look at either? Hottie alert! (Just 'cause you've already ordered doesn't mean you can't look at the menu, right?)
4. The atmosphere: relaxed, without being overly-swanky. Check out their wall of reviews.
5. I mentioned the brown sugar creme brulee with fresh berries and a really good chocolate cookie? I'm mentioning it again because it was that good! This is definitely one of my new favorites. A diverse and creative menu, and the best service and food I've had in months.
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This review is limited to the bar, rather than the restaurant proper.
We went in for happy hour before going to Stubb's to see The Raconteurs. We were all dressed pretty casually - shorts, t shirts and flip flops, and stood out noticeably from the generally well-dressed crowd.
It was packed, but we found a small table which the four of us could crowd around, and we ordered some drinks and some happy hour food specials .
Two pulled pork sandwiches = very good. Meaty yet not fatty, sauce was good, not too sweet, and the bun was good.
"Big Ass" burger = large and delicious, my favorite item we ordered.
Little Lamb Chops with Fondue = they tasted very good, but weren't enough to be substantial.
The french fries which came with the pork and burgers were shoestring, my particular favorite cut of fries, and I snuck as many as I could without being impolite.
They had a good selection of beer, and I had a martini also which was made perfectly. The service was top notch - professional, friendly and attentive.
So I have to say I liked the place, was not made to feel out of place despite our shabby appearance amongst the beautiful people, and the food and drink were spot on.
Four thumbs up for the SFA bar, Roaring Fork.
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I've eaten at Roaring Fork few times before but never got a chance to write a review. Today, I went back for their fabulous happy hour selections (all day Sunday and Monday) and ordered the Fondue Lamb, Green Chile Stew, and Caesar Salad. Caesar is pretty much standard fare but Green Chile Stew is spot on every time. Silky stew with chunks of tender meat that goes so well with the complements of soft, chewy homemade tortilla. Mmm... so good. Rrrr... Never had anyone that disliked it. The lamb fondue is quite fantastic too. Three slices of rack of lamb complemented by walnut bread and toasted pumkin chunks ready to be dipped in a savory, cheesy racquellete (sp?) with sprinkles of fiery red pepper flakes. The lamb is good but the toasted bread and pumpkin is so much better.
I've had the full dining experience before and is definitely worth the money. Even better if you're taking clients out in this lovely cowboy/southwestern american restaurant located at the Intercontinental Hotel. Service is punctual with friendly staff that's not overbearing. All in all, belly is satisfied and without regretting to leave a fat tip.
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Really enjoyed this. It's a bit swank, but it was perfect for a business lunch. The guacamole was fresh and delicious, and my crab cake was really good--fresh and flavorful. The caesar salad wasn't quite as good, but still hit the spot.
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One more lunch in Austin.... where to go? Well there's that place we passed that had the cute name.... Roaring Fork. Its located off the lobby from the Intercontinental Hotel and I might have been leary but glad we did come in here as it was good! We had been eating at kind of weird hours based on the time change as well as coordinating 3 girls to pick a place. Everything just took a little more time to get ready, figure out where we were going...etc etc. So by the time we got here, it was about 2:15pm. Kind of late for lunch, but off we went.
I got the salmon BLT and friend got a green salad and knew she wanted dessert before even ordering. I ended up deconstructing my sandwich as that piece of salmon was perfectly delicious all by itself. We might have waited over 30 minutes, but the waiters were cute and entertaining. One had told us about the kitchen wars going on in the back as it was about that weird hour that the changing of shifts happens in a restaurant. Now, we probably didn't need to know all this, but it was slow in there for a Monday and he was nice & chatty. Did I also need to know that he likes to drink for 5 hours and loves to dance by himself at home? Nope. But I do now know all this after eating at the Roaring Fork. Boys are funny when they are nervous and just get chatty, aren't they?
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The bar is as far as I have ever gotten in this establishment. Is that bad? No. The burger you get at the bar is what you would expect from a high end joint such as this. The bar also has booze, something I am found of. I do have to apologize for my most recent visit with some ex work colleagues. We were far too loud and extremely vulgar to the point where I was embarrassed for us. We had an arm wrestling match. Some gentlemen in my party were remarking on two young ladies across the bar in a tone that would suggest they were on the other side of the moon not 10 feet away. We then retired for a higher wagered on 100 yard dash foot race down congress. I am really surprised we didn't kicked out. They get extra points for that.
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You need that special place to take a girlfriend or boyfriend, someplace nicer than TGI Friday's or Boston Market. You cheap bastards, listen up: Roaring Fork is worth ever penny. Save it for special occassions, and you'll have a great time. The food is flawless -- good portions, unique, tasty, and stylish in presentation. (I recommend the beef tenderloin.) The overall tone of the place is classy without being snobby, and thoroughly Tex-hip. I love the antler chandelier and the faux leather. Probably not the most vegetarian friendly place, this one is for the meat eaters.
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OK... OK, I hear you asking how one of the most expensive restaurants in Austin can be a value? Easy, amigos- check out their bar menu at happy where all the items are half price. If the prospect of paying $6 for their famous green chile pork stew with fresh tortillas, $8 for the "huge ass" burger that 2 people can barely finish (plus fries), or $5 for a delicious salad doesn't sound like a value then you, kind stranger, are a skinflint with no tastebuds.
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DH and I went to The Roaring Fork for Christmas Eve with my sister and brother in law after visitin' that big ol' light tree. Was still a little queasy from all of the spinning but nothing that a little bit of wine couldn't cure.
It was a great dinner and we had really great service. DH had the green chile pork stew and spilled it all over the place. Jeeze, he's been in the US for over 9 years and he still can't roll a messy taco. It was awwwwesome though. He also had the short ribs and they were amazing. I had a crusted white fish but it wasn't very yummy. I think I could have ordered much better. I don't see that it's still on the menu, so maybe it was taken off.
We'll be bringing my mother in law there while she's here over Easter. She's a whippin' and we wouldn't bring here anywhere that she could find fault in. I think that's one of the best recommendations you can give!
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If you feel like being little fancy then this is a great place to stop by. The food is good as well as the service. The place is cozy and it's great for people watching too if you are sitting in th bar area.
Stop upstairs on your way out at the Stephen F. Austin Hotel for a martini and view of the walking pedestrians.
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Okay, I would've added 4 stars but didn't because this place didn't really leave a huge impact on me as far as the food went. However, I was in town and we celebrated my friend's bday here, and it was a wonderful dining experience with friends. The decor was very TEXAS, with a Southern fine dining flair. I enjoyed the candle lighting and fireplace, which added major points to the ambiance.
They have an excellent wine list, however, I felt the dinner menu was a little small for Texas and needed more variety to choose from considering it's all on one page. The prices are a little on the high side which was expected. The rainbow trout was excellent and highly recommend. I had a friend that got the snapper, and lets just say that nobody was really thrilled with it. The entrees have a Southwestern flair, and everyone in our party seemed to enjoy their dinner and we were having a good time with a bottle of wine.
I would defnitely recommend this place if you're in the Austin area celebrating a special occasion.
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My girlfriend Kimberly loves this place. I went with her for the first time 6 months ago. I must say our service was the highest 5 star available. The fillet was scrumptious, and the sea bass was incredible. The asparagus, corn, wedge salad, dessert, cocktails,,ect ect ect ect ,,, hmmm hmmm goood,
That is a,,, 5+++++++ according to Kimberly and I !!!!
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Big Plus for Roaring Forks is the valet service and it is next door to the Paramount Theater. We went to the Austin Premier of Honeydripper and had dinner at RF beforehand. During the week (I think it may be more on the weekend?) the valet charge is $5 and even with a very big tip, it was so worth it - not walking to my car in the freezing cold. We had half price - happy hour appetizers. The crab cake was yummy - the shrimp was good - but maybe a touch undercooked. But the prize of the night goes to the guacamole and chips - huge homemade chips and the guacamole was the best I have ever had - I want that recipe. I thought the margarita didn't last long enough - a little small and not the signature and I ordered it on the rocks - what was I thinking - not. I will change that next time. I will definitely go back soon for a happy hour drink and chips and guacamole.
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Roaring Fork is solid in terms of food and ambiance. The green chile mac-n-cheese is excellent. The crab cakes are sometimes overcooked though. The trout is wonderful. I bring out of towners here all the time, and they always appreciate it.
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great business lunch spot, tables always available, great service, relatively quite for conversation, and excellent food.
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There's nothing special about this place. It's just a generic expense account restaurant to take clients for lunch. But that's okay, it gets the job done.
If you are paying out of your own pocket, go somewhere fun like South Congress Cafe or Uchi. This place is just too generic.
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Other than this place being too expensive for my budget, it is one of my favorites in town. Everything I've had there is so delicious. . .from steak to fish. . .perfectly cooked and great portions. It is not a kid friendly place, but their service has always been great to me. I've only had dinner, but I've heard for lunch they have more inexpensive tastey choices. DO IT!
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The only man wearing a cowboy hat within a fifty-mile radius of downtown Austin sat down with us and started eating our food. Okay, I sort of encouraged him. I didn't want to seem impolite after he slid into our booth. He wanted to show me the official "Texas Greeting" which somehow involved being taken to a private hallway...and probably dry humped within an inch of my life. I declined. Who wants to be taken to a dark hallway?
The fondue is deeeelish. Your dipping objects are squash, bread and lamb chops. Yes, lamb chops. I don't normally like my meat smothered in cheese, but they made a nice duo. The jalapeno mac & cheese was pretty good...from what we tasted anyway. The drunken cowboy was double dipping - that little hat wearing, dry humping f*cker.
The fish tacos were forgettable. We were one of their last tables, so the service started to slack an eensy, weensy bit. After a certain time, they hand valet parking duties over to the adjoining Hotel Inter-Continental. If you get stuck behind a wedding party like we did, you might have a long wait before you see your car again.
Overall, a great hangout.
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I ate at the Roaring Fork four times in two days. Lunch and dinner, lunch and dinner.
You might be thinking "oh he must have been staying at the Stephen F. and got snowed in." Then you realize this is Austin and that's quite impossible. You might say to yourself "I bet he works there" or " no, I've read some of his reviews, he's that weird guy, thinks he's some kind of restaurant Casa Nova. Yeah, he'll go to a place for the first time, fall in love, then go everyday for a couple of days in a row , stop and never go back again."
Well, the truth is that I'm not going to tell you because it really doesn't matter. What matters is the food, atmosphere, service and price. Combine all of these and include your company(that's on you) and you should get the overall experience.
Mine was four stars, should really be three in a half, but I can't just roll over half a star.
Speaking of which and its to the powers that be at yelp*, I now speak. Come on now. Give us the freedom and responsibility to critique these places properly. In my world there is a huge difference between a three star and a five star restaurant and it's not just one star. I need to be able to vote half a star. Do you understand? I need to!
Anyway, back to the review.
I did have this "Big Ass Burger" and the Green Chile...Wait back to the stars thing real quick. If I can vote half a star and I just haven't figured out how please do forgive my ignorance. But if I really can't, I'm not just asking for that ability, I'm demanding it. It's my right as a yelper, is it not? Oh I know you might say that it would be a privilege, not a right. I say let the people decide. Oh and thanks in advance for that consideration!:)
Where was I? Oh yeah, Green Chile Stew. Folks I used to live in Santa Fe, NM where they have the best green Chile everything. That being said, it was okay. I mean in Santa Fe they put green Chile's on the burgers at Sonic.
I know, you're probably saying "Shut up igmo and review the freakin restaurant, nobody wants to sit here while you try to write a book."
Fine.
The first dinner was actually pretty good. The waitress was really weird. She was pretty, but looked like a wax sculpture and acted like a programmed robot, even moved like one. Chef Ramsey would have been pissed when he heard me ask the waitress if the salmon was wild caught and she said yes..Ah scratch that, I just called em and they confirmed that it is..wait, they said it was "fresh" but that doesn't mean "wild caught" now does it. I still don't know. The point is my waitress didn't know either.
One member of my party complained that the Chilean Sea Bass wasn't cooked enough and sent it back. I'm sure it was fine though as this person does this kind of thing a lot(not creditable).
The manager came out and apologized and sent her on her way with a free dessert.
In the end the food was good, the service was good, the ambiance was nice and the price was a little high. I would have only given them three and a half stars, but since I can't do that they get four.
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I'm only talking about the happy hour bar menu specials here. Disappointed that Roaring Fork raised the price on their famous happy hour "big-ass" burger to from five bucks to $8.95. What gives? Still looked good though. E. ordered the excellent trout salad, which was more than she could eat. The crab cake was delicious, hardly any filler -- but if you're looking to get full, you should order the green chili pork stew, which comes in a black mini-cauldron with tortillas. Enough food for two people. Despite the price increase on the burger, this is still a solid choice for happy hour -- that is, if you can find a seat.
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Contrary to popular folklore, most of the forks at the Roaring Fork were perfectly well behaved on my trip in this week. Ensconced in the bottom floor of the Stephen F. Austin hotel, I originally had some concerns that this place would stick around when they opened a few years ago: the predecessor in the space had come with loads of hype and didn't last.
Fast-forward a few years and here we are: the upscale and decidedly Texan motif has endured, the menu has continued to evolve, and the service is fairly spot-on. The happy hour menu comes with a few special surprises, like 1/2 price appetizers and drink specials, and the sweets the dessert lover and I have hit up here have never to date dissapointed. A cool, semi-elegant way to chill with friends smack in the heart of downtown.
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This review is for the Roaring Fork before they got a new chef. I haven't been since the new chef came on board.
That being said, I've never had a bad dish here. My favorite dish of all time was a seared ahi-tuna steak served on top of the most unbelievable lobster enchiladas. It was a special that night and I've never seen it again, and I want to. Wow.
In addition to the wonderful happy hour that everyone has described, I've found that the sides can make a meal themselves (this looks like it might have changed a little on the new menu though). And the Big Ass Burger? Wow. That's good eatin'. Those fries are some of the best in Austin.
The price can't be beat at happy hour, as everyone here has noted. I've always had wonderful service and amazing food at the Roaring Fork. And you know, I think I've only sat in the restaurant once? I'm not sure on that, but I think it's true. I almost always sit in the bar. I've never had to wait by doing that.
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Ah, the good old Boring Fork.
The Bar and the Restaurant should be separate Yelp entries. My four-star is for the Bar. I'd give the Restaurant about two stars because it's just uninspired (but I haven't been to the Restaurant for a couple of years, so don't take my word for it)
The Bar: Good wine selection, but more importantly, the Bar has great Happy Hour food. My faves:
1. The Big-Ass burger
2. The Green Chilie Pork Stew.
I could do without the decor and the clientele, but that Green Chili Pork Stew (with roasted serrano on the side) always keeps me coming back. Wow, it's good.
Remember: Bar good, restaurant not-so-good.
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Great atmosphere, not too stuffy but not too relaxed. Really good cornbread and killer huckleberry margaritas. The halibut 'tacos' were awesome: 4 homemade(?) tortillas, a giant fillet of grilled halibut, sliced avo, some green salsa, chipotle mayo, and red salsa on the side to assemble the tacos yourself.
Fab food and service. Wish I lived closer!
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great place for lunch even though it's pricey. excellent green chili pork stew. bartender needs some help on making Mexican Martini's or Margaritas though. get their early if you are going for the 1/2 price apps during happy hour. setting is very limited.
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EXCELLENT food dampened by a poor service experience.
The stuffed bone-in pork chop is absolutely saliva inducing.
My colleagues and I ventured in during happy hour and had a few rounds. We almost started ordering two at a time, as the service in the bar was far from attentive. However, based on everything we had heard about the food, it was not enough to remove us from our seats. We ordered dinner, and our spirits (cerebral and liquid) were promptly lifted. Everyone raved about their own meal, and I can't say enough about my Pork Chops with garlic potatoes.
I'll definitely be back, hopefully it was just an off night for a new server in the bar.
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I had my doubts, but RF is wonderful! I've taken several out-of-town guests to RF, and everyone has enjoyed it! The service is good, the food is great, and it's right on Congress...be ready for an all around great night!
Happy hour is a lot of fun. It gets a little crowded toward the end, but the appetizer menu and drinks are well worth it. The signature shaken margaritas are a special treat at any hour!! Fresh and limey...with a kick!
The fish, meat, and fun side dishes are worth the money. When you are willing to go out and spend a little...grab a bottle of wine and relax. You'll have a fantastic time at the RF!! My faves: The shrimp appetizer (with mango slaw), the snapper with crab, mashed taters, asparagus, and the molten lava dessert. Not all at once...you'll roll out. We've made that mistake before!!
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I'm just not sure - are they a steak house? are they a fusion place? One thing for sure - they are a good corporate-dinner-need-to-impress-the-boss place.
Filet mignon was superb. I give credit where the credit is due. I was a little surprised that they didn't carry any Texan wines. While most wouldn't know it, there are quite a few VERY nice wines that come from Texas and I would hope an upscalish place like this to have at least a couple.
Overall - the food was great, the service subdued, the atmosphere - too corporate. Good choice for business dinner.
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I've had the pleasure of dining at the Roaring Fork twice and both lunches were absolutely superb.
I highly recommend ordering the Fish of the Day with the Garlic-Cilantro Chimichurri sauce. Two words: Mouth Watering.
Make sure to save room for dessert. Their most popular item is the warm lava brownie and ice cream - and I can see why. The cookie piece on top wasn't that great, but the brownie was fantastic. I also tried a piece of the peach pie which was made from scratch, also exsquisite.
The decor is cozy - lots of wood paneling and browns and whites. There's a nice open window that looks out onto Congress Avenue so you can people watch from your booth if you choose. The Happy Hour is supposed to be great so I'm looking forward to checking that out sometime.
Most of the people dining in the restaurant were businessmen and women of all ages, probably on their lunch break.
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I went here on a business dinner with some hot shot old school Texas types that were entertaining to no end, and after their loud conversations help clear the meek neighboring tables out of the room, we had a shit-kickin', snake-stompin' good time.
The hostesses were beyond helpful and beyond awesome lookin.' Know that's not important, but it never hurts.
Our server was a bit overwhelmed by the big Texas personalities, so he took our orders and ran screaming, so there was no overwhelming presence (which, Mister X, I'm with you...hate that)
Food was delicious and perfect, my crab cakes were heart stopping and a great combo with the margaritas.
They shake the margaritas at the table, nice. The huckleberry "swirl" is an enterprising take, but doesn't quite work as it filters out the tequila too much.
Happy hours are fun here and food is RELATIVELY cheap..the Ahi Tuna Tartare Taquitos are a deal at $5.75 (every appetizer is half off) as is the Green Chile Pork Stew at $4.50.
Lunch hours are tight, they won't seat you until 11:30. Doesn't work for an early lunch.
Valet is almost a must at dinner time.
The best part of the Stephen F Austin hotel...
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Awesome texas style bar / resturant.
The one of the best fish taco in town and also their burger is huge!
The jerky bar food is goood to nibble on.
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I'm not wild about this place - but I've also only been there once. I was staying at the Intercontinental which is attached to the Roaring Fork. I sat at the bar and was just looking for something to munch on as it was late night but there wasn't much on the menu to choose from which was disappointing. I ordered the chopped salad and a side of fries which were both good but nothing to write home about. The actual meals looked good but they were very pricey considering I wasn't there for a huge piece of steak.
The main reason I'm giving this restaurant three stars is because of the service. The bartender was awful. He barely came by, never refilled the water, always seemed rushed even though the bar had maybe 5 people in it. Overall an 'eh' experience.
I have a special place in my heart for the bar at the Roaring Fork. When it first opened this was a regular meeting place for me and my best friend. Usually, we split the "Big Ass" burger. It's as big as it sounds, and the fries are delicious! Not your typical bar menu, but an eclectic southwest sampling, at very reasonable prices. My new favorite menu item is the fondue pot with lamb chops. Pair that with a glass of wine and you have a happy girl! This is definitely high on my list of happy hour spots, as most of this menu is under $10.
The interior is very warm and cozy making it a great place to hang out during our short winters here. The staff has always been great to me and chats me up while I wait for my dining companion. The last time I was there I was sitting at the bar with my laptop finishing up some work while I waited for my boyfriend. The bartender came over and told me she felt bad that I was still working while others were enjoying happy hour, so she poured my glass of wine a little higher :)
I would highly recommend this place to out-of-towners traveling alone, especially if you are staying at the Stephen F. Austin, because you won't be without a friend for long.
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This restaurant will always hold a special place in my heart-- for sentimental reasons. For reviewing purposes-- I am all about booths, and this place has booths. The food is very very good. It can get loud- especially in the bar area, and a reservation is a good idea, unless you don't mind the possibility of waiting, and having to stand with your cocktail in the often packed bar. Definitely recommend this spot.
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The restaurant - The Roaring Fork is obviously a very nice restaurant that serves some excellent food. I haven't actually eaten on the restaurant side of Roaring Fork (I've seen some of their entrees and they look wonderful) so I can't really comment on the restaurant beyond saying that I suspect that you really can't beat the roaring fork for a high end steak in austin; kinda pricey but there are other steak places in town that are pricier & probably not better.
Edit regarding happy hour at the Roaring Fork - Previously you got 50% off the bar menu during Happy Hour which was a great deal. Now they have created a new happy hour menu at the Roaring Fork and it looks like the prices are 25% off the regular bar menu so now the big ass burger that normally costs $10.50 goes for $7.95 which is just an okay deal (it used to be $5.25). I could be wrong but I think that the big ass burger is also marginally smaller than before (it is still a big burger). If I am wrong about what seems like an across the board increase in happy hour prices then let me know & I'll update my review. Previously I recommended that if you are hungry and don't want to drink then I highly recommended this happy hour but now with the new happy hour menu I am going to not recommend the Roaring Fork as an inexpensive happy hour. If money is no object then the Roaring Fork is a great place for happy hour.
ps - I totally revamped my review so I deleted the old one & resubmitted it. I wanted everyone to know that all the prices are more expensive than previous happy hour prices. I've had difficulties figuring out how many stars to give the Roaring Fork given that it isn't a happy hour that works well for me but on the other hand it is a top notch restaurant so I have decided to give it 4 stars. If it had a cheap happy hour or I had enough money to enjoy an expensive, quality steak then I would have given it 5 stars. BTW even with the price increases on the happy hour prices, this update is 1 star higher than my old review.
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Great huckleberry margarita, had two, regretted it the next day...
The appetizers were extremely delicious. The Pork Stew really is a meal for one, super rich. I'd go back just for that. The scallops were cooked to perfection.
Had the Filet Mignon, which was superb once I got to it. Too bad I ruined it by following the waiter's upselling advice and getting it "Oscar". For an extra $8 on top of the $26 for the filet, I got a couple of asparagus tips, some crab tinged with an ammonia smell and hollandaise sauce to cover the whole mess up. Skip the Oscar.
The waiter was "I'd smack him if it wasn't illegal" annoying. He strongly pushed some appetizers and scoffed when we decided to go with something else. He took our orders, but did not take our menus. He disappeared and came back with the appetizers and said "could you please take the menus off the table so I can put these dishes down?". He put the dishes down and then left us holding our menus in front of us. We piled them up on an empty seat, and started to eat. When our main dishes came, he piled everyone's sides in front of one person and put her main dish at the end of the table. All the while he was making us feel as if we were imposing on him.
The food was mostly great, the host was cordial and funny, but the waiter (was his name really "March"?) absolutely sucked.
I had the Big Ass burger.. and damn it was big as ass... and really good! I couldn't open my mouth wide enough to take a bi