Over dressed...

[JoyS2000]

I am seraching for a resturant in Austin that has great food and my boyfriend and I will not be over dressed. We want to celebrate and we (read me) would like to wear a really pretty dress and a suit for the evening. My other option is to go to Le Reve before driving to Austin for the weekend. Any ideas?

JoyS2000

[RJLinNO]

You could try Chez Nous downtown. I haven't eaten there in years so my recommendation may be out of date, but you can dress up and feel comfortable. The food and service were both good back when I ate there.

[TheSprinkler]

I know it's a chain, but I really love McCormick and Schmick's, preferably the North/Domain location but the downtown location is good too. It's definitely appropriate to dress up, and they even have private dining booths if that suits you. Very elegant food - pricey, but worth it in my opinion. My recommendation would be to start off with the calamari (BEST I've ever had), move on to the Caesar salad, followed by the crab stuffed shrimp with asparagus, and finished off with the chocolate bag dessert and a drink at the swanky bar.

[Veggo]

If logistics permit, a nightcap at the mezzanine piano bar at the Driskill would be an elegant finish.

[JoyS2000]

Very nice touch Veggo!!! Looks like the evening is shapping up nicely. Thanks all.

JoyS2000

[Scargod]

Yes, good idea. I did that a few months ago and eating at the Driskill is not that bad, either.

[JoyS2000]

Thanks for all the replies. We really like French food or American/French. Also last time we were in Austin we went ot Uchi. (loved it by the way) so we were looking to try something new. I will start researching all the suggestions, but please feel free to leave more if the they come to mind.

[chub512]

I think Aquarelle would fit the bill based on your culinary interests and desire to dress up.

[NirvRush]

2nd that.

[foodiegal71]

third that! Actually, I did this at Aquarelle a couple of years ago and it was a fantastic night.

[austinethos]

For the occasion, cuisine, and the dress, I'd recommend Trio at the Four seasons or Aquarelle. I would think you can't go wrong.

And, sadly, I might also agree with Eddie V's. Although we can argue about the merits of the food, you would fit in with such schnazzy attire.

The Driskill would be an option based on attire and desire, but the food might not be up to par/value yet.

[thebodytx]

I'll second the vote for Aquarelle, if you're really into French food. Leave plenty of time; there are basically two sittings per night. And you won't feel out of place if you're dressed nicely. But this is Austin; just ignore the guy in cargo shorts and flip-flops at the next table.

[taliesin15]

Uchi IMHO is the best restaurant in Austin. However, there are many other great places. Two downtown often overlooked are Louis' 106 (just east of Congress on northside of 6th) and Aquarelle (behind Opal Divines and Katz's). Speaking of French, there's also Chez Nous. I'd narrow it down a bit into cuisine you like because we're barely scratching the surface here. So many people wear t-shirts anywhere, you're likely to not be under or over-dressed (but flipflops in a nice restaurant, with say terricloth shorts, that's a real no-no; so is a mismatched plaid leisure suit).

[amykragan]

One of the things I like about Austin is that you can have people in tuxedos dining in the same place as people in golf attire without anyone feeling awkward.
I recommend Restaurant Jezebel if you want an intimate and personalized dining experience.

[scrumptiouschef]

Apparently if you have a few greenbacks rattling around in your pockets you're good to go at Jezebel .Sitting at Little City I just saw a sadsack come strolling out of Jezebel in some ragged flops,wrinkled-y cargo shorts and stained t-shirt.The other diners were all dressed to the nines but it looks like the ragman didn't get the memo.

[frombostontoaustin]

i second jeffrey's, and eddy v's...if you want something very special then hudson on the bend is delightful...

[dinaofdoom]

for "dress up dining" i would say uchi (even if you are not big sushi eaters, the japanese food is amazing), the downtown location of eddy v's, jeffrey's, hudson on the bend, trio...

that is just off the top of my head.
good luck, and have fun!

[zph]

I'll second Trio. In addition, Truluck's and Sullivan's might work as well.