Today I’m excited to tell you about this excellent seven-course, wine-paired dinner we had at Cabernet Grill! The restaurant invited us out to Fredericksburg and it’s easily one of the best restaurants I’ve tried in this town.

Cabernet Grill in Fredericksburg, TX

Cabernet Grill can best be described as classy yet very approachable. You’ll notice the difference in the quality of the food and drink but it’s not stuffy or awkward as finer dining restaurants can be. As you enter the restaurant, you’ll be sure to admire the big Texas-shaped cork art behind the welcome desk. You’ll see cork art all around the restaurant, and it represents what the restaurant prides itself on – Texas wine!

Cabernet Grill only serves Texas wine and more than 25 wineries are represented on their wine list. It’s the reason why they are consistently rated one of the top 100 wine restaurants in the U.S. by different organizations. A pretty cool recognition for a Texas restaurant!

In the entrance, you’ll also see this impressive wine storage, which I think would be a great addition to my house.

In the dining room, there are two spacious floors of seating. The lighting isn’t great for food photos, but it is perfect for an intimate and romantic dining experience.

Chef Ross Burtwell opened the restaurant in 2002 and his Hill Country cuisine features local companies and familiar ingredients. From the gulf’s seafood to the meat from Texas ranches, Cabernet Grill’s menu celebrates the bounty of Texas ingredients.

In the front of the house, Wine Director and Sommelier Elizabeth and our server Joe took care of us very well. Their attentive service and clear presentation were the highlights on top of a great experience. Now, wait until you see the courses Chef and his team prepared for us!

Our Wine-Paired Dinner

We loved our dining experience! Seven courses may seem like a lot but the time flew by as we anticipated and enjoyed each dish in its perfect timing. We had a special tasting menu that allowed us to try multiple dishes and a variety of vegetables, meat, and seafood.

I’m always amazed at how specifically paired wine is able to enhance a dish. It’s an impressive talent that Elizabeth has and during every course we’d look at each other and say, that’s perfect! The balance of salt, acid, spice, and sweet between the food and the wine is a delicate dance, and it’s well done at Cabernet Grill.

Here are the dishes and wine pairings we enjoyed.

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup with Maple Cayenne Cream and Crispy Pepitas

Pecan Crusted Crab Cake with Mango Mayo and Pico
Pairing: Hilmy Cellars Viognier

Mexican Street Corn with pasilla chile, chilantro, lime crema, and chicharrones
Pairing: McPherson Cellars Albariño

Texas Twinkie: Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño with house-made beer sausage, red neck cheddar, and jezebel dip
and
Wild Organic Argula Salad with CKC goal cheese, pickled beets, roasted San Saba pecans, Beladi Tree EVOO, 25-year balsamic
Pairing: C.L. Butaud Rosé

Rosemary Sangiovese Sorbet (palate cleanser)

Pecan-Smoked Quail with chipotle potato mash, brown butter roasted carrots with almond crema
Pairing: Kuhlman Cellars Merlot

72-Hour Niman Ranch Short Rib with paprika aioli, braise jus, and three-cheese grits
Pairing: Brennan Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon

German’s Chocolate Bread Pudding with brandied Amarena ice cream
Pairing: Llano Estacado Port

Incredible, right?! The short rib was my favorite savory dish, though the arugula salad with those pickled beets was also fantastic. Butternut squash soup and sweet potato mash are two of my favorites, and the ones here did not disappoint. I LOVED the bread pudding and wish I had saved enough room to eat the whole thing!

For the wine, I always think I like reds more than whites, but the viogniers continue to surprise me. This one from Hilmy Cellars is one I’d like to drink again. I’m consistently a rosé fan and this one from C.L. Butaud was wonderfully paired with the Texas Twinkie. The port also surprised me and while sweet, the wine wasn’t too sweet like many ports I’ve had.

Overall, it was a cohesive dinner with a Texas theme. We each had our favorite dishes, though we agreed the pairings were spot on.

When you visit, don’t forget to take Chef’s recipes home with you through his cookbook!

Staying at Cotton Gin Village

After we enjoyed our dinner, we conveniently rolled/walked out the door and a few steps to our cabin at Cotton Gin Village! The property has eight different cabins, including spaces for large groups. It’s perfect for a group trip. They’re also in the process of expanding their lodging.

It was nice to not have to go far and have enough room to spread out. Our spacious Pedernales cabin had a living and dining room with a big comfy leather couch, TV, fridge, and dining table.

Through the sliding door were the cozy bedroom, bathroom, and tub shower. Their soaps made by Fredericksburg Farms smelled so good!

In the morning, breakfast was delivered in a cute picnic basket and included a hot crust-less quiche, sticky buns, yogurt, fruit, and juice. Combined with our hot tea we prepared through the Keurig in our room, this breakfast was one for champions. It was such a nice morning for winter, so we enjoyed this breakfast picnic on our porch.

Conclusion

What a fun, food-filled getaway to Fredericksburg! I know when we visit again, maybe during the peach season or for Oktoberfest, we’ll have to return for dinner at Cabernet Grill. I recommend you visit too!

Cabernet Grill
2805 S. State Hwy 16, Fredericksburg, Texas 78624
Open Tuesday through Saturday, 5-9pm

Which would be your favorite dish?

P.S. Looking for more Fredericksburg tips? Check out my travel guide here.

You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Bloglovin’. You can also subscribe to the exclusive email list.

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Fredericksburg is an interesting small town. I’ve been on a few weekend trips, and it’s a good option for a weekend getaway if you live in Texas and you’re itching to explore somewhere new. This small town is walkable, especially if you don’t plan on visiting wineries out of town. While it’s a tourist town, there are gem moments here and there that make you especially glad to be there.

Quick Tips: My Recommended Top Things to Do in Fredericksburg

• Drink Texas wine
• Catch some live music at Crossroads Saloon and Steakhouse or Lincoln Street
• Venture out to Enchanted Rock (since it’s only 20 minutes away)

Getting There

Located in west Texas, Fredericksburg is located on 290 and about an hour and a half from Austin and a little more than four hours from Dallas.

Where to Stay in Fredericksburg

Cotton Gin Village

This spacious yet cozy cabin we stayed in was delightful. It had everything we needed, from a plush bed to a Keurig. The bath products were really nice! It’s a bed and breakfast, so a plentiful breakfast with hot and cold items was delivered in the morning. There are seven cabins on the property and a big house that can fit up to 12 people. You don’t have to go far for good food. Cabernet Grill is on-site and is a great option with Texas wine pairings.

All Seasons

We stayed at the downtown location, which was conveniently two blocks away from Main Street. It was a comfortable walk to all the restaurants and bars we wanted to visit, and we felt very safe walking around at night. We stayed in the Simple Pleasures room, which felt like a cute tiny house since it was complete with a small kitchen area and full-size refrigerator. Though the shower was a tight squeeze, the bed was very comfortable. The stay includes breakfast and our room was stocked with cereal, coffee, milk, orange juice, and a coffee cake. All Seasons has multiple properties around town, and I’d recommend them for a very comfortable stay!

More Suggestions

• For a beautiful, luxury stay, check out Heavenly Hosts.
• For a comfortable stay in Downtown Fredericksburg, check out The Roadrunner Inn.
• A unique stay would be the trailers at Blue Skies Retro Resort.
• Wein Cottage is a cozy spot.
• HoneyTree has some beautiful tree houses.
• A-Fram Ranch is a spacious place to stay.

What to Eat and Drink in Fredericksburg

There is a good variety of eats in Fredericksburg. Here are some options.

Cabernet Grill

Delicious food with perfectly paired wines? I’m in! It’s one of my favorite restaurants in Fredericksburg. They focus on Hill Country flavors and they have a Texas-only wine list. See all the details in this post.

Otto’s

Otto’s is one of the recommended finer dining restaurants in Fredericksburg and it focuses on German food. We had highs and lows with our experience at Otto’s. I really enjoyed my Evy (gin) cocktail and the Foie Gras BLT. The Stuffed Quail (stuffed with sauerkraut) was good but my Duck Schnitzel was overpowering on the crisp breading and the duck flavor was hidden.

Sunset Grill

Looking for breakfast very early one morning, we found the cute Sunset Grill. The colors of mint and salmon inside made me wish I was at the beach. We arrived before 8 am so it was still empty and quiet. One bite of my boyfriend’s smoked salmon eggs benedict and I knew I had lost at ordering. I got the Senorita Omelet, which was good but no eggs benedict. This meal was the highlight of my dining experiences in Fredericksburg!

Vaudeville

I loved the look and atmosphere of this restaurant. It is underground from the home décor store by the same owners. The salmon tartare was a bit salty but the duck confit was very good.

Burger Burger

While a grass-fed Old Fashioned burger with cheese combo will cost you close to $20, it was a good burger and delicious, crispy French fries.

Lincoln Street

This is a great wine bar with a roomy patio with live music. They have a wide selection of wine and not only Texas wines.

Fredericksburg Pie Company

Stop in here for a slice of pie!

Clear River

This spot is for ice cream, deli, and baked goods. Their ice cream is homemade and they have simple sandwiches.

Fredericksburg Herb Farm

A spacious restaurant with a variety of pizzas, salads, burgers, and entrees. They have a big breakfast selection.

Alamo Springs Cafe

Come here for the burger! Some claim it’s the best burger they’ve ever had.

What to Do in Fredericksburg

Main Street Fredericksburg

Main Street is a few blocks downtown and filled with restaurants, bars, and shops. You could spend all day popping in and out of shops, and you’ll find an interesting mix of souvenirs, from cowboy boots to antiques and decorative signs.

Wineries

There are about 40 wineries in the Fredericksburg and Hye area! Wineries usually require a tasting fee to try a few of their wines and the fee differs by each winery. Here are some wineries you should check out:

• William Chris Vineyards
• Lost Draw Cellars
• Hye Meadow Winery
• Hilmy Cellars
• Kuhlman Cellars

290 Wine Shuttle
An easy way to tour multiple wineries is by taking the 290 Wine Shuttle. It stops at over 20 wineries and comes by every 10 minutes. An all-day pass is $29.99. It also stops at distilleries and breweries.

Texas Wine Tours
Since we had a great wine tour experience in Sonoma and we wanted a designated driver with local knowledge, we booked Texas Wine Tours after looking at reviews and pricing. Similar to the Sonoma experience, our guide Darryl was knowledgeable about the wine industry in the region and state. He had contacted us earlier in the week to tailor the four winery destinations to the preferences of the eight people on our tour. We ended up going to Grape Creek Vineyards, 4.0, Becker Vineyards, and Compass Rose Cellars (which is now closed). Overall, it was a good experience, and I found at least one wine I liked at each winery. My favorite wines were at Grape Creek Vineyards and my favorite experience was at Compass Rose Cellars. Here’s a little about each of the wineries.

Grape Creek Vineyards: I enjoyed the most kinds of wines at Grape Creek Vineyards. My favorites were the Viognier and Petite Sirah, though I also enjoyed their Pinot Grigio, Bellissimo, and Cabernet Trois. If you don’t want to venture out of downtown, they do have a tasting room on Main Street. They also have tasting rooms around Texas. The closest one to Austin is in Georgetown!

Four Point Cellars: I liked this winery because it houses three wineries from out of town, so it’s likely to find something for everyone – from very sweet to the dark reds. My favorite wine from the Cellar Selection Tasting Flight was the Doc’s Tribute Red 2014 from McPherson Cellars.

Becker Vineyards: While this winery was very popular based on the crowds, our group was not as impressed, though it could be that it was the last stop of the day. From our tasting, I enjoyed the 2014 Jolie Rose and 2012 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.

Altstadt Brewery

Wait, there’s a brewery in the Texas wine country? Yep! Opened in fall 2018, this huge brewery is a destination! You won’t miss it as you’re driving on 290. They focus on German-style beers, and an Alt, Kolsh, and Lager are their signature beers.

Crossroads Saloon and Steakhouse

We came here after dinner one night and it ended up being one of our favorite activities of the weekend. There were live music, two-stepping and lots of great people-watching. One area is strictly their restaurant and the other was the music, bar, and dance floor. There were the cutest older couples dancing who left early to make way for five different bachelorette parties to hit the dance floor. It was a fun atmosphere!

National Museum of the Pacific War

The 6-acre museum complex includes the Admiral Nimitz Museum, the George H.W Bush Gallery, a Japanese Garden, and Memorial Courtyard. This is a great activity for history buffs.

Enchanted Rock

One of Texas’ most visited sights is only 20 minutes away from Fredericksburg so it would be a great activity to throw into your trip. The entrance fee is $7 per person. Visitors usually take the Summit Trail, which is simply an up and down trip. Check the weather because if it rains more than a drizzle, they will shut down the Summit Trail because it gets very slick. If you hustle, you can get to the summit in 20 minutes. There are several other trails looping around the park if you’d like to hike more. They also have campsites. Check out my post about Enchanted Rock.

Have you visited Fredericksburg? What sights and restaurants would you recommend?

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Enchanted Rock is a huge pink granite dome 15 miles from Fredericksburg and about an hour and 40 minutes from Austin. It’s a popular place for a quick day trip, and I finally visited when two of my friends came to visit.

We spent a few hours here, hiking up and down and then enjoying lunch at Sweet Marley’s food truck at the bottom.

The hike is pretty easy. Though steep in some parts, good shoes and the enthusiastic energy of friends will help you get to the top. We saw all ages, kids to grandparents, hiking to the summit.

When at the top, enjoy the view! Try not to get blown away or knocked over by the high winds. Quote The Lion King’s “everything the light touches” line. Take optical illusion jumping photos.

Be sure to bring a water bottle to help you stay hydrated. They have water fountains to fill it up if needed.

Have you been to Enchanted Rock? What did you think?

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area is 1,825 feet tall.
16710 Ranch Rd. 965, Fredericksburg, TX 78624.
You can get more info HERE.

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