Austin

(From May 2012)

Once a regular haunt for barhoppers in the Warehouse District, this sleek and sophisticated cocktail-driven locale has upped its game and decamped to the vibrant West Sixth Street area, offering its familiar menu of mini burgers as well as a handful of dinner items matched to cocktails, wine, or beer. We liked the Kansas City strip lamb loin served medium-rare with rosemary and the beef tenderloin salad with Gorgonzola dressing and crispy shallots from the “Scotch” menu. We’d advise a different preparation sauce for the tuna tartare on the “Martini” menu, but we absolutely loved the toasted banana bread pudding with caramelized bananas from the “Julep” menu. Bar.

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(From May 2012)

We quite liked the airy, open feel to this artfully designed space in the Domain, Austin's uber-upscale shopping destination. Who wouldn't like to cool their Manolos while partaking of a civilized lunch? We began with three tricked-out deviled eggs - white truffle oil, Dijon, truffle shavings, and a roasted red pepper aioli for dipping (quite necessary for a burst of flavor) - before moving on to a satisfying Philly cheesesteak soup; splendidly cheesy yet not too filling. Our Cake Ball Cobb - "red velvet" chicken, queso fresco, applewood-smoked-bacon crumbles, and dried cranberries tossed with a French onion vinaigrette - missed the mark, though; the consistency and sweetness of the bird simply didn't work. What did work was the namesake dessert. We're partial to the lemon drop, natural lemon oil with Meyer lemon curd, but we also adore the tiramisu and chocolate mint. Bar.

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(From March 2011) This popular Houston fast-casual restaurant initially developed by renowned chef Robert Del Grande has made its way to Central Austin (it occupies a former La Madeleine location, utterly modernized and transformed). The bright, cheerful setting makes for an inviting lunch or dinner stop, especially for those on the go. We got off to a shaky start with watery baked potato soup and an overdressed Greek salad, but the bacon blue cheese burger on a toasted kaiser bun hit the spot. So did a warm and gooey molten chocolate–cream cheese cupcake. Beer & wine.

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(From April 2012)

Don’t let the nearby Taco Bell and cigarette shop deter you from dining at this delightful Mediterranean spot. We were charmed the minute we walked in and surveyed the long, stylish bar and small tables dressed in white and topped with brown parcel paper. Our congenial waiter walked us through the specials—we couldn’t resist the roasted apple and radicchio salad (delicious)—and clued us in to all the house-made breads, pastas, and gnocchi. We approved of the lightly toasted baguette (baked early that morning), which proved to be the building block of our scrumptiously comforting croque-monsieur. But the honors went to the lovely house-roasted pork shoulder over roasted apple couscous and warm ratatouille. Bar.

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(From May 2012)

Taking a stately historic building nestled against Waller Creek and doing it justice, the folks behind this bastion of bread, brats, and beer have upped the class factor of East Sixth Street by a mile. If you can make your way past Coyote Ugly and Peckerheads (better yet, approach from the I-35 side), you’ll find a stylish French bakery upstairs and a German biergarten downstairs, where the menu is populated with snacks like soft pretzels and beer cheese, a variety of sausages (the garlicky classic Italian is our favorite), and an array of extras (whole-grain mustard, excellent potato salad, peperonata, sauerkraut). Also on deck are nice cheeses curated by Antonelli’s and baguette sandwiches like smoked salmon and goat cheese and pear. Boutique beers are the thing here, but this being Austin’s Bourbon Street, there’s a full bar too. Service is responsive and refreshingly grown-up. Bar.

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(From April 2012)

The cinder-block building belies the hominess of the place, with its front-and-center open kitchen and warm service. But the name is all too apt. One diner gets a plate of duck-fat fried chicken smothered by a superfluous goat's heart gravy and a jarring tangle of escabeche-style carrot slivers, while another is presented with beautifully cooked redfish, with a just-right crispy skin and jewel-like cubes of rutabaga. One encounters a crock (that's the serving dish, not an editorial comment) of rustic gnocchi alla romana mixed with a bewildering melange of broccoli, sweet preserved lemon, mint leaves, and a hunk of pork belly, while another relishes meltingly tender braised wagyu with a lively tomato jam and creamy horseradish. Talk about all over the map. The daring and creativity are commendable - and begging for just a little more time in the R&D department. Beer and wine.

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(From March 2012)

You gotta love a brand-new restaurant that takes it upon itself to go ahead and print up a few T-shirts. Such is the instant cachet of the East Austin enterprise. And despite its rather corporate-looking logo, this half pool hall, half gourmet sandwich shop is distinctly Austiney, run by neighborhood residents and housed in the former El Lobo Night Club. The bill of fare includes, of course, sandwiches (like the excellent Foghorn Leghorn, a garlicky chicken salad with pepperjack cheese and lightly fried avocado), salads, and soups (potato-bacon, broccoli beer cheese) served up in adorable bread bowls. If that’s not enough to draw a crowd, surely the all-day drink specials (Margarita Mondays, Wine Not Wednesdays) will. Bar.

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(From May 2012)

Chef-owner Sonya Cote, who formerly cooked at East Side Show Room, claims that here she is doing only “ food she really likes to eat.” Apparently, a lot of other people like her casual small-plates menu too. A lunchtime visit resulted in a generous spread of house-cured salmon (kissed with brown sugar and dill) sided by a fennel and carrot slaw. A friend was extremely happy with a peppery pork pâté and goat cheese sandwich on divine brioche-like bread. Although an order of near-molten mac and cheese needed a tad more salt to round out the flavor, there were no problems at all with a slice of country-style cornmeal and olive oil cake with bits of candied fig tucked inside. It’s hard to even remember the former occupant, Gene’s Poboys, when you’re gazing at the spic-and-span room with its crisp black-and-white wallpaper and old-fashioned cabinets. Bar.

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(From May 2012)

This tiny, shabby-chic spot in South Austin from chef Todd Duplechan (formerly of Trio) has quickly garnered a loyal following, and it has a jam-packed reservation list to prove it. Dinner is a $35 prix fixe menu with a selection of three items from the “field,” “sea,” “land,” and “dream” lists, which feature both bold and subtle flavors using locally sourced ingredients. We loved creamy polenta with savory brussels sprouts and baby carrots as well as a rich and spicy red-curried short rib, but our favorites were the spicy roasted Gulf shrimp with butternut squash and steamed kale and a not-too-sweet brown butter pecan cake with apple butter. Beer & wine.

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(From April 2012)

Meticulous eaters, beware: the only way to enjoy this hip South Austin patio joint is to roll up your sleeves and get dirty. Brined and battered, with a pleasantly salty kick, this is the fried chicken of the gods. Chef James Holmes, of Olivia fame, has delved into his Southern roots for starters like deep-fried deviled eggs, entrées such as smothered pork chops, and sides that include creamy black-eyed peas. They more than pass muster, but in the end, trust us, it’s all about the chicken. Bar.

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