93226 Sat Apr 08 19:35:53 -0700 2006 3 5 Texas 0 511866 Contemplating a trip tomorrow to find good eats in Texas. The Guide Michelin has three levels of celebrated restaurants: 1 rosette = "A very good restaurant in its category" 2 rosettes = "Excellent cooking, worth a detour" 3 rosettes = "Exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey" I was wondering . . . if Michelin came to Texas, what would you think might be 3 rosette candidates? Not necessarily fancy, just "worth a special journey" . . . obviously, good even great places do not necessarily qualify for driving or flying 6-800 miles. any thoughts would be of interest. Sat Apr 08 19:35:53 -0700 2006 0 bishopsbitter 1 511880 My first thought, which is counter completely to the idea of Michelin, is a trip to Lockhardt and Luling for BBQ. It's unique, truly amazingly good and not to be found elsewhere. I also think Ft. Worth is worth a thought with Lanny's Alta Cocina and Lonesome Dove. Haute sw/mex and cowboy food. Mon Apr 10 11:06:25 -0700 2006 511866 0 Donnie C 1 511888 This is an interesting question. I second Donnie C’s suggestion of a BBQ pilgrimage to Lockhart and Luling. After much pondering, I came up with a few things that are “worth a special journey” to me, though they probably wouldn’t be for the Michelin people. Some are fancy and some not-so fancy. 1) San Antonio’s Le Rêve—for the beautifully plated, delicious, sophisticated food. This is a dining experience unlike any other in the state. 2) If I ever move to some other part of Texas, I’d probably make a special trip back to eat at Austin’s Vespaio. They’re doing excellent Italian food; I especially like their appetizers, pizza, and risotto. These may be just “worth a detour,” but they’re very good: 3) Utopia’s Lost Maples Cafe—very close to Lost Maples State Park, which is itself a lovely place to spend an afternoon, this little cafe doesn’t look that different from a lot of rustic restaurants—-but their food is the ideal (especially the CFS, the burgers, and the cream pies) to everyone else’s approximation of country goodness. 4) Houston’s Taqueria del Sol—seriously authentic Tex-Mex, particularly the gorditas and tacos, in a rollicking, casual atmosphere; plus, you can grab some tasty pan dulce to-go for dessert. It’s been years since I’ve been there, but I still get cravings for their food. 5) Austin’s BBQ in Eagle Lake—I can’t stop thinking about their sausage. And thanks to your tip, bishopsbitter, I now want to try their cabrito, too. 6) Cattleman’s Steakhouse near El Paso—I think this is the name of the steakhouse in the desert: the location and the succulent steaks add up to a memorable evening. 7) San Antonio’s Mendez Cafe—for the best hand-made flour tortillas I’ve ever had in a restaurant; delicious, bacon-y refried beans (I always get an extra side of them); and breakfast classics like your abuela used to make. Once you step into that cheery little room, it feels like you’ve gone back to a simpler time. It’s hard to say whether these places are worth a special trip or just a detour--traveling for me is always an excuse to find great chow! Mon Apr 10 19:48:20 -0700 2006 511866 0 MPH 1 512003 Thank you to both current responses. These *are* appreciated and will be acted upon, at least in part, for sure. Incidentally, Austin's were advertizing "cabrito goats for sale $75 / milk goats $150" so perhaps they are home-grown, as it were. I already made the pilgrimage to Luling and it was on a Sunday: a sad mistake. Although they have EXCELLENT train-spotting [another passion] there as a backup. Fri Apr 21 16:49:47 -0700 2006 511866 0 bb