384456 Sat Mar 24 08:10:51 -0700 2007 14 61 Austin 0 2416845 so, we moved here from NYC some time ago and other than making the effort to eat out with the intention of having BBQ or Tex-Mex, we've slowly (mmm, actually rapidly) stopped going out. We are always dissapointed to some extent- the food is ok, the atmosphere leaves something to be desired. I love Austin, so I understand that this is it's own city, but sometimes I want great drinks, and a romantic, interesting atmosphere with some life, when I'm willing to make the effort to break out the lipgloss... Any thoughts? Sat Mar 24 08:10:51 -0700 2007 15635 ChristineR 1 2417028 I feel your pain. It's especially hard if you've lived in a big city and have experienced the best of all worlds. Have you been to The Driskill? Hudson's on the Bend is supposed to be very nice too, though I haven't been. Sat Mar 24 09:37:36 -0700 2007 2416845 44652 Clarissamarie 1 2417317 What about Zoot, have you been there? It's a quiet atmosphere, old house, white linens. They were in a slump for a while, but have pulled themselves out of it lately. Siena's also romantic, but the food isn't memorable. Sat Mar 24 12:11:08 -0700 2007 2416845 44292 addlepated 2 2433468 Zoot is absolutely the best place in town in my opinion! Thu Mar 29 15:31:06 -0700 2007 2417317 87030 kirelerya 1 2417364 Well, Austin is not NYC, but give these a try....Vespaio, Aquarelle, Vin Bistro, Mansion at Judge's Hill, yes, Driskill, Hudson's on the Bend, Jeffrey's Restaurant, Shoreline Grill, Starlite....at least one of these should meet your desires... Sat Mar 24 12:35:19 -0700 2007 2416845 14899 SLadd 2 2417429 I agree with this entire list for "upscale dining", and would add Wink, Louie's 106, Mirabelle, and Zoot. Sat Mar 24 12:57:43 -0700 2007 2417364 47618 tom in austin 1 2418030 I would consider Fino or Vin for a nice evening out Sat Mar 24 18:37:54 -0700 2007 2416845 85602 DavidD 2 2418176 Go to Uchi with your loved one early (5:30-6 PM) to get some happy hour specials, be sure to get a couple dishes painted with squid ink, get home at a decent hour and magic follows you... Sat Mar 24 20:11:58 -0700 2007 2418030 72891 Maddyg 1 2418914 I'm not sure I can understand your delimma, never having lived in NYC and gone to some top notch places, but you live in Austin now and the pickins' are going to be tougher. The absolute best place for a formal type dining experience with an approximation of elegance and charm is the Driskill Hotel. I'm not sure, IMO, that there is a close second unless it would be the Four Seasons. Vespaio is terrifically noisy, although they have a great bar there with great employees. Aquarelle has comparable food to Driskil and Four Seasons, if not better, but no bar, neither does Zoot. Jeffery's is an Austin institution but whether it is up to your criteria for fancy is doubtful. You might consider Uchi for lively atmosphere, fun eating , good drinks, etc., but it,.like most places in Austin is lip gloss optional. While you were in NYC did you ever make it to Per Se? Sun Mar 25 09:26:54 -0700 2007 2416845 60337 singlemalt 1 2419193 My fiance and I moved here last fall from NYC as well and have gone through the same issue, I totally know what you mean. That said, we have enjoyed Zoot, eating at the bar at Fino and the sushi bar at Musashino. Sun Mar 25 11:39:11 -0700 2007 2416845 10225 potluck 2 2419563 Maybe "proper" was the wrong description. We aren't necessarily looking for "upscale" so much as interesting, with great food. I was thinking about Fino, maybe Zoot. I'll try them out. We've tried Cafe Josie and Uchi and those are pretty good. When in NYC I never made it to Per Se as there are so many restaurants with atmosphere and fantastic food-- and usually very reasonable ($10-20 per entree). I love small, chef-owned restaurants with character. Montreal has a bunch of great places like this too. I'm fully in support of providing incentives to lure chefs from others cities to come here! Here that, City of Austin? Think of it- they've worked in great restaurants around the world, are looking for some place inexpensive yet visible to set up shop, good local produce...just a thought ;) Oh, and we stayed in again. The man made a killer bourbon steak, spinach salad and the best pomegranate-mint martinis. Sun Mar 25 14:43:35 -0700 2007 2419193 15635 ChristineR 3 2419721 Whenever we go to NY we stay at a small hotel called Inn on 23rd in the Chelsea district. We usually eat at least one at the Red Cat, just down the street. Good food at a reasonable price but very crowded and loud. Last time we were there we ate at the Spotted Pig and I keep running across articles about that place. Thing to remember, Food and Wine magazine as picked 4 Texas chefs among there top 10 of the year and 3 of them are in Austin. We have CIA chefs out the kazoo. This is a great town for eating considering it is in the middle of Texas. You know there is a restuarant in Marble Falls, (I think) that is called something like Cafe 409 or something like that. You might consider that. I haven't been there but would be interested in hearing what someone other than a professional food critic has to say. Bon Appetit. Joe Sun Mar 25 15:55:53 -0700 2007 2419563 60337 singlemalt 3 2420045 SF expat here, relatives and lots of time in NYC - just want to say I feel your pain too, and the problem is just as you state...there is some decent "fine dining" here, but we lack a range of solid middle priced great food places. Enoteca Vespaio comes closest enough for me to frequent with a good ratio of success. Sunflower and Le Soleil, although both located in strip malls, have really great food. I haven't been yet, but La Traviata is on my list. Habana usually does the trick too. I had bad luck at Wink and Zoot (although Zoot wasn't bad enough to earn a CH rant), Fino was lackluster and unmemorable...I used to plan my trips to Austin based on the music club listings and festivals, and hit 3 or 4 a day...now that is how I plan my trips back to SF, only with restaurants, food markets and festivals. And I also cook a LOT more at home! Sun Mar 25 18:28:46 -0700 2007 2419563 60630 saticoy 4 2436435 What I want to know is why Enoteca Vespaio doesn't serve breakfast. Austin has a serious shortage of breakfast places. There's always a horrendous wait if you want to go out on weekend mornings. I was in Auckland not too long ago, and there was at least one little breakfast cafe in every block. It was great. Enoteca seems like it would be awesome for breakfast, but no luck. Fri Mar 30 13:18:29 -0700 2007 2420045 14621 karrieleague 5 2437695 Don't they do a Sunday Brunch? Or are you saying that brunch doesn't qualify as a breakfast? Fri Mar 30 21:53:04 -0700 2007 2436435 47618 tom in austin