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NORTH AUSTIN. At lunch time, this stylish café bustles with professionals from the nearby medical complex, but at night the place becomes an upscale neighborhood bistro. The talented chef prepares an inventive menu of internationally inspired dishes, like Caribbean jerk snapper with fried plantains, pepper-crusted sea bass on soba noodles with ginger-cilantro sauce, and chicken picatta on saffron rice. You'll also find Tuscan-style thin-crust pizzas with toppings like venison sausage, BBQ chicken, Stilton cheese, and fresh seasonal veggies.
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Bistro 88
2712 Bee Caves Rd, Austin, TX 78746 · 512-328-8888
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WEST AUSTIN. Successfully melding European and Asian culinary techniques, Bistro 88 gives a nod to the combination in its name, which features Chinese culture's lucky number eight. The menu is a revelation of flavors, showcasing the chef's insatiable delight in tweaking great dishes. Among the favorites are grilled miso sea bass and flash-fried sesame shrimp and scallops. You'll find, too, Kobe beef in steaks and burgers, Muscovy duck, and grilled, marinated pork chops. Wow-factor appetizers include jalapeno-carrot soup and steamed sake clams. Innovative takes on sushi can also be had.
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Casa de Luz
1701 Toomey Rd, Austin, TX 78704 · 512-476-2535
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BARTON SPRINGS DISTRICT. Wander among herb and flower gardens on your way to Casa de Luz's front door, and once inside, enjoy a macrobiotic vegan meal unlike any you've probably ever had. Place your order at the counter, and then pick up utensils, condiments, soup, and salad at the buffet on your way to one of several long communal tables. There's only one entree choice, so you may want to call ahead to see what's on the menu for the day. Sometimes it's Mexican or Guatemalan; sometimes it's sushi or pizza.
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Clay Pit
1601 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78701 · 512-322-5131
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DOWNTOWN. Clay Pit offers traditional Indian cuisine in an elegant, comfortable setting. It's situated in the historic Bertram Building and features a beautiful pine bar, stained concrete floors, and stone walls. Start with samosas or mulligatawny stew, and then enjoy tandoori chicken, tikka masala, rack of lamb, or even goat curry. Great vegetarian options are also available. Accompany your meal with fresh-baked roti, naan, or paratha, and finish with a slice of mango cheesecake it's earned praise in national magazines.
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Doņa Emilia's
101 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78701 · 512-478-2520
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DOWNTOWN. Doņa Emilia's opened in East Austin in 2001; now located downtown, the restaurant continues to thrive. Colorful decor aptly suits the festive cuisine, which borrows from both new and established South American cooking traditions. The menu features dishes like churrasco skewers, empanadas, tamales, ropa vieja, tostones (plantain chips), grilled tuna with mango mojo sauce, and coffee-crusted steaks. Flan is the most popular dessert.
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Habana
709 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78701 · 512-443-4252
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6TH STREET. A mainstay with knowledgeable locals and folks of Cuban and Puerto Rican descent, busy Habana is especially family-friendly. The atmosphere is convivial, and live music plays on the patio every night. The food is just as lively. The house specialty is Platano Loco, a large plantain sliced in half and stuffed with roasted pork, ham, and swiss cheese. Other well-liked dishes include fried pork chops, ropa vieja (shredded beef in a tomato-based sauce), and other plantain preparations. Habana's tres leches cake is widely held to be the best in Austin, so go ahead and splurge!
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Roy's
340 E 2nd St, Austin, TX 78701 · 512-391-1500
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DOWNTOWN. Under the guidance of chef Roy Yamaguchi, this restaurant's menu is a skillful fusion of European and Asian cuisines. Roy's standards are joined by dishes created by the resident chef, and the place has a reputation for lively ambience, attentive service, and incredible food. A devotion to impeccably fresh ingredients and a penchant for artistic presentation characterizes the menu, which might include Hawaiian onaga, seared ahi, and ginger-steamed Chinese chicken. Nightly specials make an appearance too, and the signature chocolate soufflé is absolutely sinful.
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WAREHOUSE DISTRICT. Saba Blue Water Café capitalizes on an island theme, not only with its attractive, tropical decor but with a lively menu of Caribbean, Yucatan, and Pacific Rim tapas. Items to try include unusual shrimp chips, crispy veggie spring rolls, and light, tender fried calamari with a Cajun dipping sauce. They also offer an eclectic variety of main dishes, such as Spanish paella and stacked shrimp enchiladas. If you're looking for a relaxing experience, get to Saba early because after 9pm, the scene turns decidedly nightclub-ish.
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Sampaio's
4800 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78756 · 512-469-9988
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NORTH AUSTIN. Whether you sit outside on the attractive patio or in the inviting dining room, you'll want to start off with a pitcher of sangria. If you've had Brazilian cuisine before, you'll know what to order, but if not, here are some suggestions. Start with pan-fried yucca cakes with Portuguese herbs & cheese, or salmon croquettes topped with mango relish. Move on to paella, Picanha Grelhada (grilled sirloin with chimichurri sauce), Xinxim de Galinha com Camarao (sautéed chicken and shrimp with peanut-coconut cream sauce, rice and collards), or coffee crusted grilled pork-loin. Lively happy hour, too, Mon-Fri 4pm-6:30pm.
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Veggie Heaven
1914A Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78705 · 512-457-1013
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THE DRAG. Veggie Heaven is incredibly popular and almost always packed, even in steak-happy Texas. Devotees usually have particular favorites among the 40+ options on the menu. Tangerine Mushrooms are quick-fried and tossed with broccoli in a spicy citrus sauce this dish alone will knock your socks off. There are also tofu, tempeh, and seitan concoctions aplenty, so don't think you'll miss out on your daily protein intake. Not surprisingly, Veggie Heaven has won numerous awards from the local press and public.
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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