Hey there restaurant fans, I have just added a new restaurant to my Top15 list and its name is Girasole. Just five months old, the restaurant debuted with great promise back in December. But Austin has had its share of promising debuts followed by inconsistent and erratic cuisine. NOT at Girasole. Proprieter Al Zare has ratcheted it up a couple of notches, fixing a few minor inaugural problems and creating a restaurant that is stunning in both the quality and consistency of the food and the ambiance.

On my most recent visit, we began with some lovely appetizers: first a caldo fegato or hot foie gras with brandy, carmelized apples and a fig sauce. This in an amazing dish.

Next we tried the terrina de melizane, a terrine of roasted peppers eggplant and tomato with goat cheese. Lovely taste, and beautiful texture and visual appeal. and finally, the frittura di pesce e verdure..fried calamari, shrimp and bay scallops with various dipping sauces.This is Chef's Christian's paean to the comfort food crowd, but it was wonderful nonetheless.

Moving on, we tried the Linguini ala vongole. This is a black squid linguine with a white clam sauce. Not watery at all, as this preparation can often be because Chef Christian adds no water. The jus comes from the clams themselves and the taste is perfect.

Also, the Risotto with Maine lobster and porcini mushrooms. They have improved this dish immensely since their opening. The flavors are not disparate as they first were, but now blended into a delicious and mellow treat highlighed by the porcini mushrooms.

The main courses were exceptional. We tried capesante arrosta or roasted diver scallops in a saffron sauce with fried artichokes. The scallops were perfectly cooked, firm and laden with flavor. Also had the vitello taturfato, truffle flavored veal with an asparagus cream sauce. The veal was tender, savory, and could be cut with a fork. Excuisito!

Finally we tried the Australian rack of lamb with a dijon cream sauce. The lamb, actually from New Zealand that night, (close enough) was right on the money. Cooled perfectly,medium rare, the taste was flawless. The wine list is exceptional, one of the most ambitious and carefully crafted in Texas.

So congratulations to Girasole on making my Top 15. It's an exclusive club and their membership is well deserved. Prices are on the high side, so raid the piggy bank. But you'll be glad you did. For Fox 7 news, I'm Rob Balon, dining out.

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