Alborz
Mohammed Kosari has hit a home run, Persian style, with Alborz. Located across from Satay and Grapevine Market, at Anderson and Shoal Creek, Alborz does wonderful lunch buffets. Terrific lamb: very tender, delightfully tasty. Wonderful salads and home-baked Persian bread.

Andiamo
Andiamo has carved out a unique niche in North Austin for its regional italian cuisine. I love the Veal Porcini and the Gnocchi. Chef Johnny Braga rocks!

Angel's Icehouse
On Highway 71 in Spicewood, this little joint has great burgers, chicken, fries, wings, and on top of that, owners Mary and Sara. It’s got music, a great hill country view, darts, and did I mention Mary and Sara?

Aquarelle
Extraordinary little owner-operated French restaurant on 606 Rio Grande adjacent to Katz's Deli. My favorites: the Sauteed Maine Lobster and the Fillet of Beef with Mustard Cream Sauce.

Athenian Grill
On Colorado at 8th across from Gumbo’s, the Athenian Grille is a stellar little restaurant with consistently good Greek food. The Gyro Platter is my favorite, but the Pastichio, served on Thursdays, is amazing as well. Also like the Saganaki and the Spanikopita. And their pot roast is to die for.

Austin Grill
The Austin Grill at Barton Creek Resort and Club in Westlake is open to the public. Great soups, sandwiches, ribs, enchiladas, and a sinful brownie adorned with chocolate mousse named after UT coach Mack Brown. Located next to the Crenshaw Golf Course pro shop at Barton Creek. 329-4000 for more info.

Austin Land & Cattle Company
One of the few independently owned and operated fine steak houses in Austin. NOT to be confused with Texas Land a and Cattle. Great steaks and a very creative chef. Love the sweet potato clam chowder!

Austin Java
Austin Java is Austin at its best: casual, quirky, full of fun and a great
place to dine. Breakfast is served all day long and the breakfast tacos are
the bomb. I also like the Crawfish Quesadillas and the Creamy Mushroom Pesto
Pasts. There is much to please the serious appetite at Austin Java. Newly
opened location on Barton Springs. www.austinjava.com

Azul Tequila
Great little Interior Mexican/Tex Mex restaurant on Ben White near Target. My favorite: the chile rellenos.

Bellagio Italian Bistro
On 2222 at Jester Estates, this is one of Austin's finest Italian restaurants. The pasta is home-made and the dishes are innovative and delicious. The Oso Bucco is to die for. And ask Chef Steven to cook you up some Scungili. (East coast conch in a marinara sauce.)

Bombay Bistro
In the old Souper Salad building off Jollyville, a new, casually elegant Indian restaurant has arisen. It’s called Bombay Bistro and it is first class in every respect. From the pan-regional approach they take with the menu to the quality of more familiar dishes like Saag Paneer and Tandori Chicken, Bombay Bistro will please fans of authentic Indian cuisine.

Byblos
Byblos is a most intriguing deli. It mixes mediterranean and middle-eastern fare with great dexterity. I think their falafel is one of the best in town and their wraps are very tasty. Eat-in or take-out at north IH-35 and Parmer next to Rushi. Phone 490-1212.

Cafe 1626 Pizzeria & Deli
Cafe 1626 on S. Machaca Rd. near Buda has one of the best burgers in the city, knock out sandwiches, good pizza and a gameroom for the kids. Perfect family dining place.

Jeffrey's
THE original uptown bistro on West Lynn. Over thirty years of fine dining and more to come.

Ka-Prow
Don't let the strip mall location fool you. Ka Prow has delectable Thai cuisine along with fresh and tasty sushi (the toro was excellent). I tried the Pad Kee Mao and it was really good: ditto for the Udon Tom Yum. The owner's name is Opart and he's very gracious.

Kahuna's Icehouse
From the team that bought you Ciola’s in Westlake, Tony Ciola and John Innes have teamed up to fill a huge void in the Lakeway area: a sandwich, pizza, salad and burger joint. Everything there is quality. Get out there in a hurry.

Kolache Shoppe
Classic Kolache's, just like grandma made 'em at the Kolache Shop on Burnet at the Dallas Nightclub retail area. I really enjoy the jalapeno sausage and the cinnamon but there are dozens more from a years-old family recipe. Call 458-5542 for more information.

Koriente
Koriente, a Korean restaurant emphasizing the freshest meats, produce and the best of Korean styles has just opened at 621 E. 7th in the alley behind The Boiling Pot. The Bulgogi Noodles look delicious and I'm intrigued by the Kalbi Potroast.
The phone is 275-0852. Website is www.koriente.com.

La Traviata
Italian perfection at 3rd and Congress. The gorgonzola polenta is simply fantastic, and the duck confit will transport you to culinary bliss.

Little Woodrow's
Little Woodrow’s has several Austin locations including the newest on Slaughter Lane. It’s hard to describe LW’s: so let’s just say every time I go there I have a blast! Great beers and tasty comfort food in a genuine Austin environment. Learn more at www.littlewoodrows.com.

Louie's 106
Chef Norbert Brand continues a long tradition of excellence in the kitchen. Best escargot in the city. The Seafood Risotto is to die for.

Louisiana Longhorn Café
If you like good Cajun chow, in a friendly, down home environment with “coon ass” décor, then come on over to Louisiana Longhorn Café on E.Main St. in Round Rock. Ray Overstreet presides over a neat, little restaurant where the Etouffee is very tasty, the crawfish are the size of small lobsters, and the red beans and rice is right on the money. Number is 248-2900.

Mangieri's
South Austin has a new pizza/Italian restaurant on Escarpment at Slaughter. Tony Mangieri is using family recipes from New Jersey to make some pretty cool pies and other Italian fare. Check this place out. You will like it.

Manny Hattan's
Manny Hattan’s is the only true New York deli in the Austin area. The food is authentic and tasty: and true to it’s NYC roots. They even serve the cheesecake from the Carnegie Deli in Manhattan. Great breakfasts and terrific Reuben’s as well And even the blintzes taste like they would at 53rd and Lexington in the Big Apple.

The Mansion at Judge's Hill
Former Zoot chef John Maxwell's helming the kitchen of this rennovated and gorgeous botique Hotel/Restaurant at the corner of MLK and Rio Grande. Scrumptious baked breads and desserts as well. Call 495-1800 for reservations.

McCormick & Schmick's
The stakes have gone up in the downtown seafood restaurant race. McCormick and Schmick’s, a seafood restaurant at 4th and Congress has taken its rightful place with Eddie V’s and Truluck’s as the places to go downtown. Love their Kamomoto oysters. And I adore the idea that they don’t freeze anything except their ice cream. Everything else comes in fresh. Highly recommend the 3-lb Maine Lobster, the Petrale Sole, the Sea Scallops, and the Blue Crab Cakes. For reservations, call 236-9600.

Mesa Ranch
Steve E. Ray has his culinary pedigree firmly rooted in Texas. A veteran of the legendary Texas Tumbleweed, he and his wife are looking to open a “True Texas Grill” with steaks and wild game done over mesquite fires. And they’ve have fun dishes like King Ranch enchiladas and beef brisket tamales. At Spicewood and Mesa.

Mighty Fine Burgers
New burger and fries emporium at Braker and N. Mopac in the Arborwalk Mall. This placed has just opened and it is already packed. Must be a reason! Perhaps it’s the fresh, crinkle cut fries!

Mood & Food
The culinary heritage of this new restaurant at 2222 and Riverplace is quite strong. Dan and Olga Gilchrist were part of the team that started La Traviata downtown on Congress. Mood & Food can best be described as a neighborhood version of the savy La Traviata. From the Polenta Fries to the Smoked Salmon to the Penne with Sausage, the food is terrific.

Moonshine
Chuck Smith and Chef Larry Perdido have elevated the fine art of comfort food to an entirely new level at Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill at the site of the former Emelia's. The dinners are not only tasty but affordable. Whoever thought macaroni and cheese could be that good. The Texas Flat Iron Steak is great too.

Musashino
Musashino is the dean of Sushi restaurants in Austin. It is incomparable. They are the masters of all matters of delicacies from Blue Fin Tuna, from oh-toro (Great toro) to the unbelievable kama-toro. Come see Smoky and Kazu and all the sushi men at Musashino. You will love this place.

NoRTH
A sophisticated Italian eatery with a very eclectic menu: Chef Christopher Cristiano has blended items like Fire Roasted Steak Delmonico with Creamy Spinach and Cipollina to Strozzapretti, a very cool pasta dish with mushrooms, wilted spinach, and pine nuts. At the Domain. Opening the first week of October.

Nuevo Leon
Heritage Tex-Mex on East 7th. Killer salsa, and owner Rachel Davila says it's all in the tomatoes. The old fashioned tacos are the signature item and worth the price of admission.

Opal Divine's
Opal Divine’s Freehouse has two locations: the original location on 6th St. across from Katz’s and the brand new location on South Congress at Penn Field, right behind St. Edward’s University. Both locations offer quintessential pub food, but the new location has a more detailed menu and a large outside deck for entertainment.

Proprietor Michael Parker is a Scotch, Whiskey, and Tequila expert and he enlivens the proceedings at both locations with tastings and seminars. The place is just a blast. Call: 477-3308 for 6th St. and 707-0237 for Penn Field.

Original Pancake House
Ohmigod!!! This places rocks. For breafast and lunch, at Parmer and Metric, the German pancakes will blow you away. The omeletes are world class and the bacon is inordinately crisp. This is one, seriously good breakfast spot. Call 873-7200 for more information.

Pacific Star
If you are craving oysters either freshly shucked, on the halfshell, or served up in a variety of baked and fried scenarios, then Pacific Star is the place for you. With locations at 183 and Anderson Mill and newly opened in Round Rock. It's a great spot for the family or for drinks and dinner after work.

Pronto Italiano
The hottest trend in dining these days is fast casual, and that’s why Pronto Italian is all about. Located on near Lakeaway Highway 620 near Home Depot, this place will solve problems for those who want to take dinner home, or who want to pop in for a quick bite. The food is good, reasonably priced, and brought to you by the folks who own the indomitable Hill Country Pasta House.

Pok-e-Jo's
This locally owned chain of BBQ joints frequently gets underrated in the endless comparisons of central Texas BBQ spewed out by food writers. I really like the sausage and the ribs. And the slaw is quite good as well. Do yourself a favor and check out their newest location on 41st St. at the site of the former Tin Star.

Romeo's
What’s not to like about an Italian restaurant named Romeo’s? They have an “abundanza” of comfort foods that would make all my old friends in New Haven happy. On Barton Springs road and newly opened on the square in downtown Georgetown.

Rudy's Barbecue
On 183 and 360 near Barton Creek Cinema, a great BBQ joint. Try the moist briskit.

Sandy's Hamburger Hut
This is a breakfast and lunch kind of joint just East of the Village of Lakeway on Highway 620. The floor's a bit crooked, but the Jalapeno and Bacon Cheeseburgers are on the money. The fries are tasty and have some shelf life and the fried mushrooms ain't too shabby either. Then, on top of all of that., you get to meet the irrepressible Sandy herself. Go check this one out.

Saccone's Pizza
East-coast pizza in a town that seriously needs an infusion of this fare. My favorite: the large sausage, mushrooms, and onions.

Sampaio’s
Magna Sampaio gave up the lights of Broadway for the kitchens of Austin. And we should be grateful. Sampaio’s is first-rate Braziilian. Love the churrasco platter and the fish dishes.

Scholz Garten
The oldest operating restaurant in the city with great German food, burgers, sandwiches and barrels and barrels of beer. Great place for an evening out or to watch a game.

Shanghai
One of my favorite restaurants when I first moved back to Austin in 1982 was a place on Koening called Shanghai. The place was terrific. The owners closed it in 1996 and opened Marco Polo in S. Austin. They had one of the best dim sum brunches in the city. After Alice, the owner had a car accident, the family sold Marco Polo and opened a spot in Marble Falls. When Alice recovered, the family wanted to come back to Austin and I am so glad they did. The new Shanghai is on Middle Fiskville east of Highland Mall. FANTASTIC Chinese food. Check this place out.

Silver K Café
For those out and about in the Hill Country around Johnson City, the Silver K Café has to be a must destination. This charming little restaurant may have a rural location, but there’s nothing rural about the cuisine. Check out their menu at www.silverkcafe.com.

Star of India
Quality Indian restaurants with excellent lunch and dinner buffets. Try the Saag Peener and the Tendori Chicken.

Thai Tara
Thai Tara on West 6th St. was always a very good restaurant. Now under new ownership and a new chef, it's even better. The Lard Na is delicious and make sure to try the Pork & Shrimp thai quesedillas. 236-0856.

Tino
In the mood for a Gyro, or perhaps a Tabouli salad. How about a kabob? They are all available and Tino’s Greek Café at 183 and Anderson Mill. Dine in or take out. It’s fast casual at its best.

Tokyo Steakhouse
Phoenix Pai has done it again. She's bleneded Tepanyaki fare and Sushi and
the results are a blast. This is Japanese food at its best. Tokyo Steakhouse
is in Round Rock in the La Frontera Center at exit 250.

Tres Amigos
I like the Westlake location, on Highway 360. Not only are the enchiladas, flautas and chimichangas first rate, but you get to watch a family of raccoons and possum cavort outside the window wall. Fine Mexican fare at reasonable prices.

Trio
The Café at the Four Seasons, long the standard for elegant hotel dining in Austin, has given way to a stunning new restaurant called TRIO. The emphasis is on pairings of three disparate entities in a way designed to please the palate. The emphasis is on Steaks, Seafood and Fine Wines. With Chef Elmar Prambs at the helm, I don’t see how it can miss.

Twin Liquors
Twin Liquors is 70 years old and going strong! They’ve evolved from a small group of package stores in the 30’s into a diverse group of outlets for the finest wines and spirits sold in Austin.