Might be moving to Austin...

[heather s]

...from Seattle, WA.

I'm a professional cook, have worked in mostly fine-dining American cuisine restaurants. I know next to nothing about the food scene in Austin. Help!

We went to the Salt Lick a few years ago on my only trip to the area, and while it was deliciously awesome, what does the city have to offer on the other end of the spectrum??

Thanks in advance!

[BigboyDan]

BBQ is our high-end.

[johnsmith45678]

I don't know about Austin's restaurants, but it sure has a happening night club scene - about 3x8-10 square blocks just south of the capital. Unlike any area I've seen in any other city. Probably some good restaurants in there.

[yimay]

we have a handful of fine dining restaurants but nothing really in comparison to houston or dallas though.

some off the top of my head:

driskill grill

uchi

wink

aquarelle

jeffrey's

hudson's on the bend

the quality of the food at some of these places is questionable, for instance i've heard mixed reviews about aquarelle and jeffrey's, but the prices definitely reflect what you'd consider fine dining

then we have a lot of more casual "fine" dining restaurants with less creative menus but still a bit pricey like:

capitol brasserie

cafe josie

fonda san miguel

chez nous

sam paio's

some tapas bars, wine bars and cuban and south american restaurants are becoming very popular. lots of wine bar type places are popping up in random neighborhoods. i think you should be able to find a good place to settle in. but i'd say the general consensus is austinites are eaters, not diners, as it should be .

[heather s]

we have a handful of fine dining restaurants but nothing really in comparison to houston or dallas though.

some off the top of my head:

driskill grill

uchi

wink

aquarelle

jeffrey's

hudson's on the bend

the quality of the food at some of these places is questionable, for instance i've heard mixed reviews about aquarelle and jeffrey's, but the prices definitely reflect what you'd consider fine dining

then we have a lot of more casual "fine" dining restaurants with less creative menus but still a bit pricey like:

capitol brasserie

cafe josie

fonda san miguel

chez nous

sam paio's

some tapas bars, wine bars and cuban and south american restaurants are becoming very popular. lots of wine bar type places are popping up in random neighborhoods. i think you should be able to find a good place to settle in. but i'd say the general consensus is austinites are eaters, not diners, as it should be .

←

Thank you! Definately somewhere to start...

[Blanche Davidian]

Where Austin really excels, I think, is the funky, divey restaurant. Don't overlook the cheap eats; there are some fantastic meals to be had.

[jsolomon]

Just drown your frustrations on 6th Street and you'll fit in with the locals.

[Kent Wang]

My picks:

Hudson's on the Bend - wild game, e.g. kangaroo and rattlesnake

Uchi - contemporary, um, Nobu-esque sushi

Driskill Grill - the very best high end New American, also the most expensive

Where Austin really excels, I think, is the funky, divey restaurant.  Don't overlook the cheap eats; there are some fantastic meals to be had.

←

Casino El Camino is the perfect example of this. Great burgers.

[joiei]

Don't even bother with Jefferys. Way way overrated. I agree with Kents recommendations.

[LDLee]

Austin did not have much of a fine dining scene until the past ten years. I agree with the comment that Austin is notable for its funky and eclectic mid-priced eateries.

The best fine dining restaurant I have eaten at in Austin is Driskill Grill. I have enjoyed eating at Bellagio, an Italian restaurant in Northwest Austin. I also liked Zoot, but I have not been able to convince my family to go back. Café Caprice sounds interesting. I will have to try to convince my in-laws that we should eat somewhere else other than Z Tejas and Chuy's.

I have never liked Jeffrey's. Each time I give it a chance because of the reviews I remember why I don't want to go back.

The Austin American Statesman's rankings of the top 50 restaurants can be found at the following link.

If you are willing to travel 1-1/2 hours down I-35 to San Antonio, there you will find some fine dining.

[MissAmy]

There are also the hotels: Four Seasons, Driskill, Hilton, etc.

[aaronwcpa]

We will be in Austin the weekend of July 27 and we will the various suggestions on this board. We will have to decide on a few from so many. Salt Lick is a sure thing. The others have yet to be chosen.

Thanks.