Austin

(From October 2009) We dig the from-scratch red-corn tortillas at this funky South Austin restaurant that bills itself the “Mother of All Mex.” And we like the Indian murals both inside and out, which provide a nice visual context that complements the delicious interior Mexican food. We don’t like that the chips aren’t free (unless you order them with chile con queso, ceviche, guacamole, or escabeche), but we’re willing to overlook it. On a recent breezy but nice evening outside on the patio—luckily we arrived around six-thirty, just before the rush—we thought about ordering carnitas, Michoacán’s traditional meal of pork marinated in Coke, milk, and orange juice and then fried (sounds outrageous but works) but instead went straight to the tacos al carbon, which tasted mighty fine, as did the accompanying slightly spicy black beans and Spanish rice (perfectly fluffy and not the least bit greasy). But we couldn’t deny that the pollo chipotle was better. The grilled chicken breast came smothered in a peppery sauce tempered by fresh avocado, Monterey Jack cheese, and grilled onion. We washed it all down with a cold cerveza—and wondered how soon before we could make a return trip.

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(From October 2009) There’s a reason the Oasis is so popular. About seventeen miles from the city, this mostly outdoor restaurant overlooks Lake Travis and provides front-row seats to sparkling sunsets that morph from aquamarine to gold, ruby, and amethyst as the evening gives way to night. In this enormous establishment, you’re nearly guaranteed a good view of sand-colored cliffs and shimmering water as you savor (slightly overpriced) fare like crab cakes, chicken sandwiches, and fish tacos. The bar level offers an endless supply of drinks, and naturally it’s open-air too, so you can let the wind wash over you while you listen to live music from Sunday to Wednesday and special talent like Guy Forsyth and Django Walker on weekends. When we went there, the wait was longer than the line at the DMV, but we sat down immediately at the bar, ordered, and were eating within fifteen minutes. Don’t forget to check out the rest of the grounds; the complex is decorated with stone statues (a favorite is one of a boy diving from the decks), a grass hut, and even a flying saucer called the Starship Oasis, an apt name for a structure surrounded by refreshing water and the twinkling night sky.

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(From October 2009) Who knew there was a lush jungle in the heart of Austin? Well, a sophisticated, romantic jungle with fans and waiters, that is. Entering Vivo, you’ll find beautiful stone pots housing bushes and trees with leaves as big as beach towels. Along the railings are dozens of flowering plants, purple and orange and yellow, all almost as vibrant as the exterior’s mod crimson. It’s easy to find a clandestine nook here for a dinner just for two. And if you aren’t quite cozy in the wrought-iron chairs, there are plenty of built-in benches with comfy cushions (we nabbed the sectional in the bar area of the patio). The food is pure Tex-Mex, complete with queso, puffy tacos, and fajitas. We opted for the traditional enchiladas verdes—a rich green sauce blanketed the enchiladas filled with moist, shredded chicken—and toasted the meal with one of Vivo’s many specialty margaritas. And what’s a romantic evening without flowers? After dinner, venture inside to find roses by the dozen (even the sink is filled with petals), and when you come back to your table, try not to blush as your waiter hands you a single long-stemmed rose to remind you of your gorgeous evening.

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