Sunday, December 13, 2009

Top Restaurants in Austin, Texas

You don't have to look hard to find incredible restaurants in Austin, Texas. Whether you're looking for a fine dining experience or want something authentic Tex Mex, Austin has it for you. If you think Austin dining is all about staying local, think again. Some of the top restaurants boast world class cuisine and nationally recognized chefs. If you want an incredible restaurant experience, give one of these top 10 restaurants a try.

1. Uchi

This contemporary Japanese cuisine restaurant topped the Austin Chronicle's Reader's choice poll in 2009 and has been part of the top 10 for several years. By combining local ingredients and imported seafood, the kitchen prepares unique and exciting flavor combinations based on traditional Japanese food menu items.

2. FINO

FINO offers a unique blend of Mediterranean food that brings in influences from Italy, Morocco and Athens. Their appetizers can't be missed (they were voted into the top 10 twice in the last two years by Austin Chronicle readers). The gorgeous décor in the restaurant is backdrop to their great tapas and paella.

3. Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill

Moonshine is the most affordable option on this list yet, with prices around $25 to $30 per person. It has been a Reader's favorite since its debut in 2005 and won the Critic's Best Porcine Lollipop in 2009. Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill features a general American menu with a Texas kick. The bar offers unique cocktails and great beer, so be sure to arrive early if you're eating in the evening. Try to macaroni and cheese which will make you regret every pre-packaged blue box you ever made.

4. Eddie V's Prime Seafood

This popular seafood restaurant has two locations, one of Fifth Street and one on 44th near the Arboretum. The Florida stone-crab claws, oysters on the half-shell and crab-cakes are the main attractions, but the seafood menu is vast. It's been a Reader's favorite since it one Favorite New Restaurant in 2001.

5. parkside

In the Reader's favorite list for the last two years, parkside is a bistro and bar that you need a big appetite for. The appetizers are great for carnivores and veggie lovers alike. There are savory selections as well as incredible raw appetizer treats. The raw oysters and cocktails both got a Best of Austin award in 2008.

6. ASTI

Debuting in 2001, ASTI is one of the most awarded restaurants on this list. In 2004 it swept the Critic's awards in the Austin Chronicle's Restaurant Poll. The theme at ASTI is Italian but expect higher quality and more variety than you'd find at your run of the mill chain Italian place. Mixing Italian food with California cuisine has worked out great for ASTI and their fans.

7. Manuel's

Manuel's has two locations to bring its excellent Mexican food to Austin residents and visitors. It's friendly and casual restaurant, with a patio and live-music for Sunday brunch. Be sure to try to chile relleno and the seviche.

Joe Cline writes articles for Lakeway real estate. Other articles written by the author related to Austin Texas real estate and Austin real estate can be found on the net.

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The Loveless Cafe

Loveless Café is located only minutes from where I live. I pass by it probably four or five times every week. At most any time of the day, the parking lot is nearly full. Sometimes there is even a bit of slow traffic getting in and out of the parking lot. Now all that to say that The Loveless Café restaurant in Nashville, Tennessee has good food!

I can tell you that not just from observing the traffic, but from having dined there a few times. The last time, my wife's sisters were visiting and we all went over for breakfast. Of course, we had a big order of biscuits. That is what they are best known for.

In fact, the lady who makes the biscuits is world famous. They have done a good marketing job of getting her out on all kinds of TV programs to talk about her biscuits. And it has worked. Whenever someone visits Nashville, this is one stop many are determined to make.

If you have the chance to make it to the west side of Davidson County, I would recommend getting over and tasting the biscuits for yourself. You can eat breakfast foods or enjoy some of their other country cooking.

To give you a better idea of where it is located, if you were heading west on Interstate 40 toward Memphis, you would take exit number 192. You would head south on McCrory Lane, driving over a beautiful ridge for about 5 miles. You would dead end onto Highway 100. Turn left and you would see the restaurant almost immediately on the left. It is about twenty five minutes drive time from downtown Nashville. By the way, if you look right at Highway 100 you will see the entrance to the famous Natchez Trace Parkway. After breakfast or dinner, get on the parkway and drive for about ten minutes and you will come across an impressive arch bridge at Highway 96. In my opinion, this is one of the most beautiful views in middle Tennessee, and could give any other place a run for its money.

If you have a little more time, you can get onto Highway 96 at the bridge, go east and drive into Franklin, Tennessee. Franklin has been listed as one of the nicest small cities in America. There is a lot of Civil War history in the area and many of the country music stars live in the county.

But before you leave Loveless, you can check out the quaint little shops that surround the restaurant. And yes, you can purchase biscuit mix, jams and many other little goodies.

You might just run across somebody famous. When you walk in you will see photos of many celebrities and country music stars who have eaten there. The last famous person I heard of being there was Steve Martin. You may not have know it, but he is a banjo playing enthusiast. He was there with others at the Loveless barn (fairly new addition).

W. Green enjoys writing about a variety of topics. He also develops websites that help people find the information they are looking for. Visit his most recent website at http://www.moviepostersforsale.org/. He also writes reviews on movie posters like the Toy Story Poster.

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