Attn: Austinites!

[jjsooner73]

Hey--DBF and I are driving to Austin Friday, as he is running in the Motorola Marathon Sunday.

We are trying to decide where to eat Friday night. Does Austin have a Fondue Restaurant? He's never had fondue, and it's been a while for me...so that's an option. I found some more suggestion on an old thread.
I usually eat at Matt's El Rancho on Lamar when I am in town, but that might wait for lunch Monday before we head back.

TIA!

[claire797]

Originally posted by jjsooner73
Hey--DBF and I are driving to Austin Friday, as he is running in the Motorola Marathon Sunday.

We are trying to decide where to eat Friday night. Does Austin have a Fondue Restaurant? He's never had fondue, and it's been a while for me...so that's an option. I found some more suggestion on an old thread.
I usually eat at Matt's El Rancho on Lamar when I am in town, but that might wait for lunch Monday before we head back.

TIA!

Hi Jennifer,

No, we don't have a fondue restaurant, but there are tons of other great options. My suggestions would be Lambert's (you'd have to call for a reservation ASAP), Castle Hill, Z-Tejas, Vespaio (will be packed), or Truluck's.

This site ought to help you: www.diningoutwithrobbalon.com

A lot of the restaurants listed here have menus.

[aggie94]

I love Castle Hill. Another great restaurant is Eastside Cafe. Z Tejas is good, but there are too many other good local restaurants to bother with a chain, IMO. For ethnic food, I love Clay Pit (Indian fusion) and Thai Tara.

[jjsooner73]

Thanks Ana. Z-Tejas and Castle Hill are 2 I've already suggested to DBF. I'll check out your site and go from there. I've eaten at Z-Tejas before and really enjoyed it. There was one in Dallas, but it didn't last long for some reason.

[claire797]

Originally posted by jjsooner73
Thanks Ana. Z-Tejas and Castle Hill are 2 I've already suggested to DBF. I'll check out your site and go from there. I've eaten at Z-Tejas before and really enjoyed it. There was one in Dallas, but it didn't last long for some reason.

Z-Tejas is lots of fun. Just be careful if you order their pork tenderloin because they serve it practically raw. I didn't even realize they were a chain!

Clay Pit is AWESOME if you like Indian. But they just opened one in Dallas last year, so it's not really an Austin original.

Thai Tara's food is great. There's not much of a scene there, which is a plus or minus depending on how you look at it. For good food and conversation, it's perfect. It might actually be a really good choice for a Friday night.

Castle Hill would make for good food and good people watching.

Another great place, if you're willing to splurge a little, is Siena. It's a Tuscan themed Taverna. Here's their website

http://www.sienarestaurant.com/

It's a hike from downtown (about 10 minutes), but worth it.

[jjsooner73]

Originally posted by claire797
Another great place, if you're willing to splurge a little, is Siena. It's a Tuscan themed Taverna. Here's their website

http://www.sienarestaurant.com/

It's a hike from downtown (about 10 minutes), but worth it.

Uhhh, thanks. I just read the menu and now my full stomach is growling and my mouth is watering!! :D

I've seen the Clay Pit here, but haven't come across anyone who has tried it. I have some Indian food loving friends, so will try that next time they are in town (not sure if my DBF would be keen on Indian).

I forgot that about Z Tejas pork. That's the first place I was ever asked, "how would I like my pork cooked?". Done! was my answer. That's been several years ago, so I don't really remember much else.
I'm letting DBF choose, but I've sent the webpages of Z-Tejas, Castle Hill, that Italian place, as well as the restaurant site. I'm sure he'll choose well! :)
Thanks again for the suggestions. I wish we had more time to eat out more, but this is his Team in Training event, so Saturday night is the pasta party (at the Radisson I think, on Cesar Chavez) and Sunday night is the victory party.

[claire797]

Originally posted by jjsooner73


Thanks again for the suggestions. I wish we had more time to eat out more, but this is his Team in Training event, so Saturday night is the pasta party (at the Radisson I think, on Cesar Chavez) and Sunday night is the victory party.

Well Good luck to your BF! I hope you guys have a terrific time in Austin. The Motorola Marathon is a huge deal here.

[Leisa M]

Originally posted by claire797


Z-Tejas is lots of fun. Just be careful if you order their pork tenderloin because they serve it practically raw. I didn't even realize they were a chain!

Clay Pit is AWESOME if you like Indian. But they just opened one in Dallas last year, so it's not really an Austin original.

Thai Tara's food is great. There's not much of a scene there, which is a plus or minus depending on how you look at it. For good food and conversation, it's perfect. It might actually be a really good choice for a Friday night.

Castle Hill would make for good food and good people watching.

Another great place, if you're willing to splurge a little, is Siena. It's a Tuscan themed Taverna. Here's their website

http://www.sienarestaurant.com/

It's a hike from downtown (about 10 minutes), but worth it.

Anna, what was the name of that Mexican place we ate at with Eva? I was trying to remember that the other day.

[claire797]

Originally posted by Leisa M


Anna, what was the name of that Mexican place we ate at with Eva? I was trying to remember that the other day.

That was Fonda San Miguel. Definitely another good choice!

Here's their website:

http://www.fondasanmiguel.com

[aggie94]

Eh, I know I'm in the minority, but I was not impressed with Fonda San Miguel. I would probably not go back.

And I didn't realize that Clay Pit had another location. I wouldn't call them a chain, though, and I'd still consider it an Austin original. Plus their food is soooo good, and they've got great atmosphere.

Yep, sadly, Z Tejas is a chain. We have them in Phoenix and Scottsdale, and I think they've even made it out to the east coast.

[claire797]

Okay. I just thought of one other place and then I'll shut up :o .

There's a newish restaurant on Congress called The Roaring Fork (http://www.roaringfork.com/AustinTX/index.html). I've eaten there once. The service is excellent, the atmosphere is nice, and the bar is quite nice.

A few friends of mine have eaten meals in the bar and say their hamburgers (at least at lunch) are excellent. But what might interest you is that they have fondue! on the bar menu.

If you're interested, you might call them and ask if you can order off the bar menu at dinner *or* consider eating there for lunch. Just a thought.

[LonghornGal]

I'd like to throw in a vote for the Green Misquite (mmm BBQ) or for Crimson which has two halves to the menu - "Naughty" and "Nice". It's a popular smallish spot so I suggest a reservation - right next to the Alamo Drafthouse downtown. Polvo's is a great Mexican Seafood place too.

I've never been to Z-Tejas, the Roaring Fork is good, and I've met the owners of Zax on the corner of Barton Springs and Riverside - they have the best dessert selection ever! :D

--Kristin

[sararosalie]

Another good spot is Thai Passion (on 7th and Congress). It is very yummy.

Good luck on Sunday!

[jjsooner73]

Well, DBF decided on SIena restaurant. Yay! Do you know if they take reservations, Ana? It might be late, but worth a try. Or we'll just go early Friday. Yum, I can't wait. :)

[claire797]

Originally posted by jjsooner73
Well, DBF decided on SIena restaurant. Yay! Do you know if they take reservations, Ana? It might be late, but worth a try. Or we'll just go early Friday. Yum, I can't wait. :)

Hooray! I think you'll like it. It's one of the most beautiful restaurants in Austin. I don't know if you'll be drinking wine that night, but if you like Italian wine, prepare to be impressed. They have a huge list of Italian wines.

The food is good too. My favorite it the pork tenderloin with balsamic and juniper sauce :).

They do take reservations. If you call today, you should be able to eat at a reasonable time. It's a popular restaurant, but it's large

[jjsooner73]

Originally posted by claire797
They do take reservations. If you call today, you should be able to eat at a reasonable time. It's a popular restaurant, but it's large

I just called and they are booked all weekend. :( I asked if there was a chance to get seated if we just came when they opened, and she couldn't guarentee that. She said they take credit cards w/ their reservations so people generally show up and that's their entire business--reservations only.
Darn. I will talk to DBF and maybe we'll take our chances and show up early, like when they open, but have a backup plan in mind.

[claire797]

Originally posted by jjsooner73


I just called and they are booked all weekend. :( I asked if there was a chance to get seated if we just came when they opened, and she couldn't guarentee that. She said they take credit cards w/ their reservations so people generally show up and that's their entire business--reservations only.
Darn. I will talk to DBF and maybe we'll take our chances and show up early, like when they open, but have a backup plan in mind.

Wow! I'm glad they're doing so well, but am bummed that you couldn't get a reservation. I'll bet the marathon has brought a lot of people to town and that's why places are booked. Castle Hill will probably be booked too.

Since everything's going to be crowded anyway, you might consider Vespaio. Vespaio is probably the best Italian restaurant in town. They do not take reservations and there is always a wait, however, if you get there early enough you'll probably be seated within the hour.

http://austin.citysearch.com/profile/10210729/

Keep us posted. Castle Hill is another one that doesn't take reservations, but there will be a wait.

[aggie94]

Bummer, Jen!! :( I hope you guys can still get a table. If not, there are still lots of other great places in town - I'm sure wherever you end up, you'll have a nice dinner. :)

I am not surprised that they're booked - it is, after all, Valentine's Day weekend. I'm sure people who didn't want to venture out on Saturday night or couldn't get a reservation have opted for Friday night instead. I made a reservation at Castle Hill for V-Day last year (ended up cancelling it), and they filled up WEEKS in advance. Anna's right, though, that they normally don't take reservations. If you get there early on Friday night, the wait probably won't be too bad. I'd call ahead to be safe, though, and make sure that they're not also doing their V-Day prix fixe menu on Friday night as well (for which they require a reservation).

Can I put in another plug for Eastside Cafe? I really love that place. I have taken several out-of-town friends there for dinner, and they've all been very impressed. It's casual, yet still romantic and elegant - it's an old house (maybe two?) that has been converted into a restaurant, they grow a lot of their own herbs and veggies in their on-site garden, and there's a cute little garden/gift shop that you can browse through while you wait for your table. It reminds me of a more hippie version of Castle Hill. ;) I couldn't find their menu online, but here's a link to their Citysearch page:

http://austin.citysearch.com/profile/10215352/

Since they're sort of off-the-beaten-path, it might be easier to get a table there. Just a thought. :)

[claire797]

Well DUH! I completely forgot it was Valentine's weekend. I was sitting here thinking "Gee, a lot of people must be in town for the marathon".

:rolleyes:

I don't have an opinion on Eastside Cafe because I've never been there, but everyone I know who has raves about it.

[aggie94]

Originally posted by claire797
I don't have an opinion on Eastside Cafe because I've never been there, but everyone I know who has raves about it.

Were you not there when a group of BBers met up there for dinner when I came into Austin for the first time to interview for jobs? I know Robyn and Melinda were there, and I think Nydia too. I swear I thought you were with us. :o It must have been more than the four of us. I feel bad that I'm probably forgetting someone else. :o :o

[Robyncz]

Eva,
Melinda was there, but Anna wasn't. . .

Eastside Cafe is one of my favorites. We eat there with some regularity, so it doesn't pop into my mind for a "special" night out, but it should. YUM!

[claire797]

Well, I was there in spirit. :)

[jjsooner73]

Originally posted by claire797
Since everything's going to be crowded anyway, you might consider Vespaio. Vespaio is probably the best Italian restaurant in town. They do not take reservations and there is always a wait, however, if you get there early enough you'll probably be seated within the hour.

We went to Vespaio! It was delicious; thanks for the reccomendation (and all of the suggestions--I will remember this thread the next time we go to Austin).

THey opened at 5:30; we got there at about 5:55. It was only 1.5 miles from our hotel, so that was convenient. The main dining room was full already, so we were given the choice between a 1.5 hour wait or a table in the bar. We opted for the latter and got the last bar table. By 6:30, the bar area was packed. My only gripe was people kept bumping into our table and I felt crowded even while sitting (note to self: next time arrive at 5:20).

We pigged out. We each had an appetizer (he: oysters me: polenta/portobello stack thing w/ balsamic vinegar and olive oil). We each had a salad, and then for our entrees he got Bolognese Lasagna and I got some sort of veal raviolis with tomato-grappa sauce and basil olive oil. It made for a very pretty presentation.

That was the only notable meal we had. The rest was fine, but mostly at the hotel. We did grab a quick bite Saturday at the Brick Oven Restaurant in the Arboretum area.

When we arrived at our hotel, there were a dozen red roses in our room for me. :) And DBF had also ordered a box of chocolate dipped strawberries from CA that were waiting. Yum. And I had a box of Godiva chocolates as well.

Thanks again! DBF finished the marathon and had a really good experience overall. He may do another...