Iconoclast Texan
250+ Posts
I am going back to Austin for the first time since the Missouri game back in 2004. Are there any new restaurants that I should try or should I stick with my tried and true favorites?
Any new restaurants of note in Austin?
- Thread starter Iconoclast Texan
- Start date
unpaintedhuffhines
1,000+ Posts
yes there are new restaurants. What type of food, what part of town, how much do you want to pay?
Iconoclast Texan
250+ Posts
I am up for anything other than Italian or sushi since I get a lot of that in New York. I am thinking of more upscale and "fancy" type places but if there is a good new Tex Mex or bbq joint I should try I am all for that as well. I am staying in central Austin so that is what part of town where I would like to be
Asti & Fino
Asti isn't new, and it is Italian, but the owners recently opened up Fino. The cuisine is Spanish/Mediterranean (sp?). We've been twice and really enjoyed it both times, although somebody we were with said the paella was too salty. Fino is located where Granite Cafe used to be.
Uchi Yes, I know you said no sushi, but there's way more to this place that just rolls and pieces. I think it compares favorably to Nobu.
Capitol Brasserie just opened. The menu is comparable to Chez Nous. We prefer Chez Nous, but this place is good.
If I can think of anything else, I'll post later.
Asti isn't new, and it is Italian, but the owners recently opened up Fino. The cuisine is Spanish/Mediterranean (sp?). We've been twice and really enjoyed it both times, although somebody we were with said the paella was too salty. Fino is located where Granite Cafe used to be.
Uchi Yes, I know you said no sushi, but there's way more to this place that just rolls and pieces. I think it compares favorably to Nobu.
Capitol Brasserie just opened. The menu is comparable to Chez Nous. We prefer Chez Nous, but this place is good.
If I can think of anything else, I'll post later.
crayon1973
500+ Posts
you know... I'd seriously try uchi if I were you. I have a business associate who is here once a month from NY who loves sushi and he always insists that we go to Uchi. Just dont go traditional. If you order some of my suggestions, you'll thank me.
Other than that, I don't think there is anything THAT new of note that you should try.
Other than that, I don't think there is anything THAT new of note that you should try.
BigLeonard
100+ Posts
Does Finn & Porter suck?
Iconoclast Texan
250+ Posts
crayon and Traffic,
I am intrigued by Uchi if y'all say it is so good. Crayon what do you recommend.
I am intrigued by Uchi if y'all say it is so good. Crayon what do you recommend.
crayon1973
500+ Posts
Man... I wish I'd saved the email I sent last time... Anything with an * next to it, ORDER or you will be sorry.
Crudo
Uchiceviche - cevichi, but sushi style. Very good
*Toro Nuta - Tuna with shite soy, toasted almonds, and dried cranberries - the best thing on the menu
*Maguro with Goat cheese - one of the best two things on the menu. Tuna with goat cheese, Fuji apples, and pumkinseed oil.
Hama chili - Hamachi with chilis and ponzu
age dofu - fried tofu in a ponzu sauce. amazing
*shag roll - salmon, avacado, sun dried tomato, flash fried. I dont like rolls and I love this item.
*hot rock - slices of wagyu beef which you cook on a heated rock at your table after you dip them in a sauce. Fantastic.
Crudo - lighter.. red snapper in grapeseed oil and garlic with orange something.
I'd order a few light items first and finish with the hot rock and the maguro with goat cheese.
Also, try the Aji sashimi if they have it.
Crudo
Uchiceviche - cevichi, but sushi style. Very good
*Toro Nuta - Tuna with shite soy, toasted almonds, and dried cranberries - the best thing on the menu
*Maguro with Goat cheese - one of the best two things on the menu. Tuna with goat cheese, Fuji apples, and pumkinseed oil.
Hama chili - Hamachi with chilis and ponzu
age dofu - fried tofu in a ponzu sauce. amazing
*shag roll - salmon, avacado, sun dried tomato, flash fried. I dont like rolls and I love this item.
*hot rock - slices of wagyu beef which you cook on a heated rock at your table after you dip them in a sauce. Fantastic.
Crudo - lighter.. red snapper in grapeseed oil and garlic with orange something.
I'd order a few light items first and finish with the hot rock and the maguro with goat cheese.
Also, try the Aji sashimi if they have it.
1990txgirl
250+ Posts
Iconoclast, I also strongly recommend Uchi and would be curious to hear a New Yorker's opinion of it. Executive Chef Tyson Cole was named to Food & Wine's list of America's Best New Chefs last year.
In addition to what crayon has listed, also try:
*Spicy crunchy tuna roll, served with aged balsamic vinegar--no wasabi, no ginger, no soy.
*Kabocha hotate--seared scallop on top of a buttery pumpkin puree w/wilted chard and vinegar miso.
*Hamachi crudo--cold-smoked in house with micro-greens, minced garlic and white soy. This has been a special for the last couple weeks and the waiter said they were thinking about adding it to the menu permanently. It is ridiculously good.
*Valrhona and wasabi fondant w/raspberry coulis--first the sweet, then the bitter, finish with the wasabi bite--WOW! Great with port.
Daily specials are always worth exploring, especially dessert selections. Last week, they had Cafe du Monde gelato drizzled with dulce de leche, topped with crumbled Spanish artisan chocolate. Lord almighty... I have no words for how good that was!
They take a limited number of reservations up to 6:30, then it's first come, first served. So... have we tempted you enough yet?
In addition to what crayon has listed, also try:
*Spicy crunchy tuna roll, served with aged balsamic vinegar--no wasabi, no ginger, no soy.
*Kabocha hotate--seared scallop on top of a buttery pumpkin puree w/wilted chard and vinegar miso.
*Hamachi crudo--cold-smoked in house with micro-greens, minced garlic and white soy. This has been a special for the last couple weeks and the waiter said they were thinking about adding it to the menu permanently. It is ridiculously good.
*Valrhona and wasabi fondant w/raspberry coulis--first the sweet, then the bitter, finish with the wasabi bite--WOW! Great with port.
Daily specials are always worth exploring, especially dessert selections. Last week, they had Cafe du Monde gelato drizzled with dulce de leche, topped with crumbled Spanish artisan chocolate. Lord almighty... I have no words for how good that was!
They take a limited number of reservations up to 6:30, then it's first come, first served. So... have we tempted you enough yet?
1990txgirl
250+ Posts
I forgot--as far as upscale restaurants, have you tried the Driskill Grill yet? (Executive Chef David Bull made Food & Wine's Best New Chef's list in 2003.)
They describe the food as "contemporary American". To me, it's very much like the California-French style of Gary Danko in San Francisco, or The French Laundry. 3-course prix fixe, $65; 9-course tasting menu, $125--with wine pairings, $175. You can see a sample menu on the website.
And for anyone who cares, Chef Bull will be going up against Bobby Flay in an upcoming episode of Iron Chef America.
They describe the food as "contemporary American". To me, it's very much like the California-French style of Gary Danko in San Francisco, or The French Laundry. 3-course prix fixe, $65; 9-course tasting menu, $125--with wine pairings, $175. You can see a sample menu on the website.
And for anyone who cares, Chef Bull will be going up against Bobby Flay in an upcoming episode of Iron Chef America.
crayon1973
500+ Posts
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