In article , [email removed] (Ralph Arvesen) wrote: > I have a friend visiting Austin from California this week. He is really > interested in Austin restaurants. I really appreciate any e-mail restaurant > recommendations (Italian, Mexican, Chinese, India, Thai, etc...). Thanks. > > ... Ralph Arvesen > ... [email removed] All right- Mezzaluna- excellent Italian food, somewhat like Il Fornaio in California (I particularly liked their pork with dried cherry sauce) Martin Brothers- delicious "health" food, inspired by many countries; I like their smoothies and Mexican food. Once, I think, they had a small branch in Whole Foods Market, so that should give you an idea of the kind of thing they do. Trudy's- Good Tex-Mex influenced breakfast basics La Zona Rosa- Funky restaurant; live music; Mexican food; I recommend their mole sauce Threadgill's- wonderful Southern food; get your chicken-fried-steak there (breaded flank steak (I think) with peppery cream gravy); absolutely wonderful all-you-can-eat vegetable sides (try the garlic cheese grits and the spinach); the desserts are really delicious too. Breakfasts are great. I could eat here every night, but it is in no way low-fat food. Twin Dragon- Vietnamese- the steamed buns were especially good Hut's- for hamburgers and onion rings The Salt Lick- Uneven but generally delicious barbecue, outside Austin, tasty cobbler, very informal and no reservations The County Line- Much more reliable than The Salt Lick, but doesn't rise to the other restaurant's levels of genius. At both places, bring a group and get the all-you-can eat portions. If I had to choose one place, it would be Threadgill's. If your friend needs a more formal place to bring clients, I'd say Mezzaluna. Great regional specialties: Beef barbecue Frito pie (Open Frito Bag. Dump in chili. Put cheddar cheese on top. Eat.) Chicken fried steak peach desserts in summer and all the Tex-Mex dishes (i.e. fajitas) Have fun! Jennie
Austin, TX