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Aquarelle
606 Rio Grande St, Austin, TX 78701 · 512-479-8117
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WAREHOUSE DISTRICT. One of Austin's best restaurants, Aquarelle is ideal for a leisurely gourmet meal in elegant surroundings. In fact, you can easily linger two and a half to three hours over dinner. Starters may include pan-seared foie gras with an apple beignet and escargots in puff pastry. Inventive main course dishes showcase seasonal produce in dishes like duck breast with butternut squash ravioli, and red wine-braised lamb with fennel sausage. Dessert options range from profiteroles au chocolat to black plum and almond cream tart. About 20 wines by the glass; many more by the bottle.
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Chez Nous
510 Neches St, Austin, TX 78701-3710 · 512-473-2413
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DOWNTOWN. The owners of Chez Nous are transplanted Parisians, but in their cozy restaurant, you'll think you've been transported to the City of Light. Tables are dressed with flowers in wine bottles, lace curtains hang at the windows, and many servers have retained their French accents. Every dish, from appetizers to desserts, is prepared fresh daily, and savvy locals really appreciate the menu du jour, which is considered one of the best fine-dining bargains in town.
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PFLUGERVILLE. The owners, two Hungarian natives, spent months refurbishing this historic building until they had captured just the right ambience. The menu shows just as much careful thought and effort. Traditional Eastern European dishes are expertly prepared: lightly fried cauliflower with mayonnaise dipping sauce, meat-filled piroghi with dilled sour cream, jaegerschnitzel with an earthy mushroom sauce, goulash, chicken paprika, and sautéed rabbit with potato dumplings. One of the owners has been a pastry chef for over 30 years, so desserts are fabulous.
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NORTH AUSTIN. If you're searching for a casually upscale spot for tapas or Mediterranean fare, look no further. FINO's atmosphere is sleek and minimalist yet completely cozy with lots of different seating available, from a large communal table to intimate two-seaters; in cooler weather, the patio is perfect for enjoying a couple of glasses of wine and a chat with friends. Among the small plate selections are fried anchovy-stuffed olives, calamari, and fried goat cheese. Big plates range from hanger steak to trout with almonds to seafood paella.
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ARBORETUM. A good bet for classical French cooking in casual surroundings, La Madeleine is part of a small chain with locations across the south, from Arizona to Washington, DC. Breakfast is a good time to try house-made pastries, and omelets and quiches are equally delicious. Popular dishes at lunch and dinner include the French dip sandwich, tomato basil soup, quiche Lorraine, chicken cordon bleu, and beef bourguignon. Desserts are prepared on-site, and range from cookies to decadent cakes.
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Louie's 106
106 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78701 · 512-476-1997
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6TH STREET. This elegant restaurant features classical Spanish cuisine, with a fusion of Mediterranean and European tastes. Choices might include Valencian paella, risottos, and bouillabaisse. Extensive wine list and excellent desserts. After dinner, head for the sophisticated cigar room that boasts a nice selection of single-malt whiskeys and premium brandies. Located in the historic Littlefield Building.
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WAREHOUSE DISTRICT. This sophisticated wine and tapas bar offers cozy atmosphere with hardwood floors and intimate tables overlooking a lovely courtyard. It's a great place for meeting up with friends or colleagues and sharing a few savory dishes from the scrumptious menu. Try garlic-sauteed shrimp, grilled sea scallops, crawfish cakes, fried chicken ravioli, and salmon marinated in adobo sauce. A variety of wines is available by the bottle or glass, along with a handful of specialty drinks.
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Mirabelle
8127 Mesa Dr, Austin, TX 78759 · 512-346-7900
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NORTH AUSTIN. Mirabelle's dining room is elegant, warm, and inviting – casual enough that suits aren't required but upscale enough for special occasions. The cooking is international in scope but completely French in technique and presentation. A variety of culinary tricks adds depth and complexity to basic foods. Meats and seafood, for example, are spice-rubbed, smoked, marinated, or roasted to bring out their amazing flavors. Sauces are top-notch, and soup stocks are all made from scratch. The lunch menu has similar entrees, plus gourmet sandwiches and salads.
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Ventana
11400 Burnet Rd, Texas Culinary Academy, Austin, TX 78758 · 512-339-3850
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NORTH AUSTIN. The Texas Culinary Institute's student-run restaurant is not only a sure bet for the food, wine and service, it's a wallet-friendly choice as well. Since this is a culinary school, expect the highest standards: the food is top quality and perfectly prepared, the wine list is wide-ranging and well-chosen, and the service is above reproach. You might start with beef carpaccio, house-cured gravlax or crab stuffed calamari, then move on to Moroccan lamb tagine, grilled veal chops or duck confit papardelle. Desserts change daily and are among the very best in town, so save room.
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WALBURG. Walburg Restaurant is about 45 minutes northwest of Austin, and if you're a fan of authentic German food, it's more than worth the drive. The best times to go are Friday and Saturday nights or any time Sunday. That's when they set up the buffet, and you'll find tables laden with bratwurst, knockwurst, schweinebraten, wienerschnitzel, sauerkraut, spaetzle, and more, with Black Forest cake and apple strudel for dessert. Live German music often entices folks to dance, and an arcade with pinball, foosball, and old-time video games also proves tempting.
Looking for a restaurant? We've explored the options, checked with critics, and pounded the pavement to offer only the best. Recommendations come complete with contact information and a brief description highlighting the important features of the restaurant. Fit our choices to your mood, or let us guide your tastes. You'll likely find a few places that not even locals know about.
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