Real Aphrodisiacs for Valentine's
How to Make a Healthy Snack
McBites = Modern McNuggets?
Classic Valentine Dishes
How to Scrape a Vanilla Bean
Chocolate Beers for Valentine's
Restaurants and Bars
POWER BARS
The Brown Bar
201 W. Eighth St., 512-480-8330
Mon.–Tues., 4 p.m.–midnight; Wed.–Fri., 4 p.m.–2 a.m.; Sat., 5:30 p.m.–2 a.m.
$$–$$$
An Austin bar striving for big-city impact, the Brown Bar serves specialty martinis ($8 and up) and the best mojitos in town in swanky shades-of-brown decor to beautiful people and those who aspire to be. (Downtown)
Driskill Bar
604 Brazos St., 512-391-7162
Tues.–Sat., 5:30–10:30 (bar until midnight, Fri.–Sat. 2 a.m.)
$$$
A favorite of the record label folks, the bar of this gorgeous historic Texas hotel is quite a scene on the nights of SXSW. The smell of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies put out by the hotel staff mingles with herbal aromas wafting from closed doors, and rich, artsy types with expensive haircuts get drunk in the amber lighting on buttery leather seats. An all-encompassing wine list and great food (see Splurge) make it even better. (Downtown)
Four Seasons Hotel: The Lobby Lounge
98 San Jacinto Blvd., 512-478-4500
Mon.–Thurs., 1 p.m.–1 a.m.; Fri.–Sat., 11 a.m.–2 a.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.–midnight
$$–$$$
Hobnob with the high-flyers over lychee martinis (yeah, they’re still serving them in Texas), truffled popcorn, and tuna sashimi on the patio overlooking the lake. That’s Town Lake, the verdant public water hole made from the damming of the Colorado. Stake out your table early! (Downtown)
Roaring Fork Saloon
701 Congress Ave., 512-583-0000
Daily, 11:30 a.m.–11 p.m.
$$
A Western-themed watering hole on the street level of the beautiful old InterContinental Stephen F. Austin Hotel, the Roaring Fork does one better than your typical hotel bar with its drinks and food. It’s a popular gathering spot for the after-work crowd from the capital and downtown districts, so expect to see some Dockers. Try the huckleberry margarita or the Big-Ass Burger: 12 ounces of juicy, aged, wood-grilled beef loaded with cheddar and toppings. (Happy hour is 4:30 to 7 p.m. daily for half-price apps and drink specials.) (Downtown)
another good option that's not right downtown is Patsy's (Cowgirl) Cafe...on your way to/from the airport if you're super hungry! Live music every night and a great happy hour...we love the burgers and it has a deck to sit outside too! maybe check this out on your next trip to Austin :)
that's not possible to include ALL of the great places to eat in Austin. However, if you one day decide to enhance the listing, remember about Hoboken Pie from downtown (Red River st) http://www.hobokenpie.com :)
I like The Foundry as well. Great beef ribs.
Polvo's is right, but I'd suggest the "exotic" enchiladas.
Wink is the place for a splurge during SXSW. It has happens to have the best win bar in Austin. The happy hour is a steal, serving apps from next door for half off.
Uchi is great but way too expensive and way too hyped. Sushi Zushi is fabulous fish without all the crushed ice with 3 ft tall floral arrangements.
Also Korea House on Anderson (for bulgoki and kimchee), Chinatown Restaurant on Greystone (for dim sum including chicken feet), and the cluster surrounding the MT Supermarket on Lamar.
For Mexican cuisine that isn't Austin kitsch, Fonda San Miguel at North Loop, Manuel's on Congress and Vivo's on Manor, in descending order of price.
I have been relying on Chow for information on good food in cities I dont know about, and I must say that this Guide has completely destroyed my faith in its editors' judgment, palate, and work ethic. Whoever put this list together has no idea what the food scene is in Austin and made no effort to find out.
In recent years Austin has become a fantastic place to eat, IF you know where to go. I...+READ
I have been relying on Chow for information on good food in cities I dont know about, and I must say that this Guide has completely destroyed my faith in its editors' judgment, palate, and work ethic. Whoever put this list together has no idea what the food scene is in Austin and made no effort to find out.
In recent years Austin has become a fantastic place to eat, IF you know where to go. I would have thought that was the purpose of an online guide for foodies, eh?
Visitors wishing to avoid cliche Austin food should eat at Vespaio's Enoteca, FINO, Sushi Zushi, Lambert's, ASTI, East Side Cafe, etc.
What a disgrace.-COLLAPSE
Vespaio's is amazing. Try their homemade mozzerella cheese made daily. Nothing can touch the risotto. The service is always friendly and never the phoney Hello my name is ---- and I will be taking care of you this evening attitude.
Sucky list. Try better next year. Kudos to Austinites that cried foul. Better food can be found with street vendors than some of these picks.
It's almost travesty that you neglected to mention Stubb's BBQ, which has fabulous smoked turkey and amazing sides although their brisket might not be the best. They always have the best SXSW bands play there too. As far as BEST bbq in Austin, try the following: 30 miles southeast of town Krew's (pronounced Krite-says) has out-of-this-world pork chops, so good there is no sauce served with them,...+READ
It's almost travesty that you neglected to mention Stubb's BBQ, which has fabulous smoked turkey and amazing sides although their brisket might not be the best. They always have the best SXSW bands play there too. As far as BEST bbq in Austin, try the following: 30 miles southeast of town Krew's (pronounced Krite-says) has out-of-this-world pork chops, so good there is no sauce served with them, ask if you dare. Rudy's is a fantastic gas station/bbq joint and they have great brisket, beans, and ribs.-COLLAPSE
Where to eat for SXSW 2008? KENICHI! Kenichi will be offering bar food at their location on 5th and Colorado. The bar will be opening at 4pm daily all week long. This is a limited menu just for the bar, that includes items like yaki udon, thai fried chk wings, vietnamese chicken curry, tuna tacos and japanese hot dogs. This food is reduced in price and will cater to the sxsw crowd. All of the...+READ
Where to eat for SXSW 2008? KENICHI! Kenichi will be offering bar food at their location on 5th and Colorado. The bar will be opening at 4pm daily all week long. This is a limited menu just for the bar, that includes items like yaki udon, thai fried chk wings, vietnamese chicken curry, tuna tacos and japanese hot dogs. This food is reduced in price and will cater to the sxsw crowd. All of the items will be from $8-$15. Kenichi will also have drink specials, and a regular happy hour menu. Come on by and see us!!!-COLLAPSE
Am confused as to why this feature would show up in a stories sidebar in August but figured I'd put in my 2 cents. No Threadgill's or La Zona Rosa?
It was apparently destroyed by fire but just reopened about a month ago in a new location:
http://www.news8austin.com/content/top_stories/default.asp?ArID=171303
do go.
ok, i know this isn't a place where someone in town for sxsw may go but one MUST visit Dot's in North Austin, if it is still there. Cafeteria style southern food run by Dot and her family. There's roast beef, fried chicken, super butter potatoes, sweet potatoes, greens, sweet potato pie, homemade lemonade. God I used to love this place when I went there. Prepare to leave ridiculously stuffed.
You forgot to mention Kreuz's! http://www.kreuzmarket.com/ My 90-yr old granddad STILL drives out of his way to get some of that!
No one paid to be in this list, nor anywhere on the site, and it's not meant to be comprehensive. As it says in the intro, it's geared toward SXSW attendees - "We’ve concentrated our attention around SXSW venues" – and not towards locals. They already know where to go.
I can't believe y'all left off Rudy's and the County Line. As a native Austinite living in New England for school, just thinking about Rudy's sausage and egg breakfast tacos with Sause or fresh baked County Line bread is making my mouth water.
Other restaurants that should have made the cut, in my opinion: Z Tejas (tex-mex), Dan McKlusky's (steak), and The Alligator Grill (cajun; a scene from...+READ
I can't believe y'all left off Rudy's and the County Line. As a native Austinite living in New England for school, just thinking about Rudy's sausage and egg breakfast tacos with Sause or fresh baked County Line bread is making my mouth water.
Other restaurants that should have made the cut, in my opinion: Z Tejas (tex-mex), Dan McKlusky's (steak), and The Alligator Grill (cajun; a scene from Office Space was filmed there). I could easily come up with more, but I'm getting too hungry.
And if you're ever visiting Austin from a Northern state, stop by a Chik-Fil-A and try the original chicken sandwich. I never properly appreciated them until I discovered that Chik-Fil-A's are just a southern thing.-COLLAPSE
How could you leave out places like Rudy's from the list? I know it is a chain, but it is definitely an Austin favorite. And to include Ruby's is an abomination. I lived in Austin for sometime, went there once, and vowed never to go back.
I would still say that one of my favorite places though, was Cooper's up in Llano, TX. A bit of a drive (1.5 hour), it is more than worth the drive.
I have to add that I had a fantastic meal at Lambert's on 2nd and Guadalupe. It hadn't been reviewed at press time, but this place has fantastic barbecue, great appetizers, and killer pies in a beautiful historical space. I highly recommed it for those who want a slightly more upscale Austin dining experience. (Great bar and live music upstairs too!)
I found the Saltlick to be 90 percent hype. It reminded me of those crab houses here on the east coast that after a little success turn into huge factory feeding operations. I could get better BBQ at a Bob's Big Boy. And maybe the locals know to bring their own beer, but if you're marketing to tourists, spring for the damn license, huh? Or, if it's a matter of local regs, move to a place that...+READ
I found the Saltlick to be 90 percent hype. It reminded me of those crab houses here on the east coast that after a little success turn into huge factory feeding operations. I could get better BBQ at a Bob's Big Boy. And maybe the locals know to bring their own beer, but if you're marketing to tourists, spring for the damn license, huh? Or, if it's a matter of local regs, move to a place that lets you sell beer.
Ruby's was just okay. Had a decent BBQ lunch at a place downtown. Think the name was The Foundry, or some metalworking theme like that.
Austin's a great town, though.-COLLAPSE
the alamo drafthouse's original location is downtown (4th and Colorado) but your right, the south lamar is the best.
Wow, this is an abomination. I can’t believe anyone would write/print such junk let alone read it. Your bit on “how to drink more” is unbelievable. SXSW is a wonderful Austin experience and to cloud the image of our out-of-town guest with lessons on gluttony is just unfortunate. I hope that the people coming to town for this wonderful, educational and unique celebration don’t think you are our...+READ
Wow, this is an abomination. I can’t believe anyone would write/print such junk let alone read it. Your bit on “how to drink more” is unbelievable. SXSW is a wonderful Austin experience and to cloud the image of our out-of-town guest with lessons on gluttony is just unfortunate. I hope that the people coming to town for this wonderful, educational and unique celebration don’t think you are our ambassador.
Nor do I hope that they think this list is all inclusive of the wonderful offerings this town has both culinary and culturally.-COLLAPSE
Not very comprehensive. Is this an unbiased list (in which case you could add a lot to it) or did these businesses pay to be included?
You might elicit input from Chowhound members?