Green Pastures: Elegant Austin Dining

Located on a lush Victorian-era estate with expansive lawns, strolling peacocks and spreading live oak trees, Green Pastures is known as ‘The Grande Dame of Austin restaurants.’ Go there for a splurge-worthy dining experience in an elegant, historic setting. Sunday brunch is a favorite time to stop in for their famous Milk Punch spiked with bourbon, rum and brandy. The prix fixe brunch menu features a groaning board of dishes like Creole Spiced Beef, Green Lipped Mussels, Moroccan Chicken, Chilled Shrimp and Prime Rib. Lunch and dinner offerings include some yummy entrée salads, sandwiches and main dishes like Spiced Spring Rack of Lamb, Texas Redfish with Crawfish, Seared Duck Breast, Espresso Cocoa Ribeye, and Grilled Tofu with Spinach. Open Monday through Sunday.

Green Pastures
811 West Live Oak Street
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 444-4747
http://www.yelp.com/biz/green-pastures-restaurant-austin

Casa De Luz: Vegetarian and Gluten Free Food

Healthful vegetarian, gluten-free fare is what’s cooking in the kitchen of Case De Luz, a non-profit eatery in South Austin, where a love of fresh, lovingly-prepared food and a community spirit is the credo. Visit and you'll stroll past the garden and into the peaceful ambiance of the dining room. Settle in at one of the community tables and prepare to make your tastbuds happy and your body healthy with one of this restaurant's flavorful meals. Breakfast is served from 7 a.m. until 10 a.m. The price is $7 and includes a set menu of porridge with granola & raisins, soup, leafy greens, mixed vegetables, beans and freshly made tortillas. Lunch and dinner are both $12 and include many of the same items, plus a veggie entrée and a hot whole grain like brown rice, or quinoa. Casa de Luz is also kid-friendly, with a playground to occupy the little ones.

Casa de Luz
1701 Toomey Road
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 476-2535
http://www.casadeluz.org/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/casa-de-luz-austin

Gourdough’s: Delightful Donuts

Ready to fall in love with a big, freshly baked donut heaped with creatively decadent toppings? Head to Gourdough’s, where the motto is, ‘Big. Fat. Donuts.’ Fans flock to the shiny silver aluminum trailer in South Austin to indulge. Maybe that’s because these donuts are handmade, fried fresh to order and served hot. Combine that with creative toppings and fillings, not to mention the fun, funky names, and you’ve got a winning combination. 23 flavors include Cherry Bombs – donut holes topped with glazed cherries, cinnamon sugar & sprinkled with cake mix, Flying Pig – donut topped with bacon & maple syrup icing, Baby Rattler – topped with crumbled fudge Oreos, fudge icing and a gummy rattlesnake, and much much more!

Gourdough's
1503 S. 1st Street
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 707-1050
http://www.gourdoughs.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/gourdoughs-austin

Curra’s Grill: Mexican Fare in South Austin

Craving Mexican fare in Austin? One top spot might be Curra's Grill. Start off with one of this place's signature drinks like an Avocado Margarita with a creamy blend of that pear-shaped green fruit you don’t normally think of as compatible with tequila. Move on to an appetizer like some crispy Chips & Guacamole, or Chile con Queso – creamy melted cheese with chiles. Follow that up with an entrée like Carne Guisada – flank steak in a rich, tomato, pepper & onion sauce, Chile Colorado – pork simmered in guajillo sauce, or Pollo Chipotle – grilled chicken breast smothered in chipotle sauce, cheese & avocado. Stop in for breakfast for tasty day-starters like Breakfast Tacos and Huevos Rancheros. Curra's Grill is open Mondays through Saturdays.

Curra's Grill
614 E. Oltorf Street
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 444-0012
http://www.currasgrill.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/curras-grill-austin

Fair Bean Coffee: An Austin Spot for Great Coffee

‘Drink Coffee Responsibly’ is the motto at Austin's Fair Bean Coffee, where life is about more than just a great cuppa joe. They buy all of their beans from Fair Trade organizations that ensure coffee farmers and workers get a fair price for their product and labor. But you really don’t have to know all that to enjoy a trip to this friendly little java spot and coffee roastery. Just order yourself one of their yummy coffees or an espresso drink and find yourself a comfy spot at a table or on a couch and settle in to relax. Large windows make for a sunny, open ambiance and free Wi-Fi means you can bring your laptop and surf the net or catch up on your email. Food is also on the menu, with some yummy light fare to complement your drink. Fair Bean Coffee is open every day.

Fair Bean Coffee
2210 S. 1st Street
Austin, TX 78704
http://www.fairbeancoffee.com
http://www.yelp.com/biz/fair-bean-coffee-austin

Parkside: Sophisticated American Cuisine

Accolades abound for Parkside, a casually sophisticated eatery showcasing a tasty menu of seasonal American fare. Stop into the expansive bar and lounge area for a glass of wine, an artisan beer or a creative cocktail like the El Charrito with tequila, Campari, gingersnap liqueur and orange peel. Have a nosh from the oyster bar or an appetizer like Potato Gnocchi, Crispy Sweetbreads, Fried Oysters, or Crab Fritters. The raw bar features Salmon with citrus & sweet peppercorns and Classic Ceviche with avocado. Entrees include Braised Lamb Shanks with Israeli couscous, Seared Salmon with bacon cider vinaigrette, Grilled New York Strip Steak with brown butter puree, and Marinated Pork Blade Steak with foraged mushrooms. Open Monday through Sunday from 5p.m. until 12a.m.


Parkside
301 E 6th St
Austin, TX 78701
Neighborhood: Downtown
(512) 474-9898
http://www.yelp.com/biz/parkside-austin

Le Barbecue: A South Austin Barbecue Destination

Described by one fan as "The Mount Olympus of Barbecue" Le Barbecue is South Austin destination for delightful BBQ!

Super-friendly staff, great outdoor seating, live music on weekends and some of the juiciest, most succulent barbeque around, is why people wait in line to chow down here. Brisket, Beef Ribs, Pork Ribs, Pulled Pork, Turkey and House-Made Sausage are what’s cooking, ordered by the pound, as a plate or on a sandwich. A favorite sandwich is the El Sancho with a big pile of pulled pork or chopped brisket, sausage and red onion slaw. Order it ‘loco style’ with all three meats. Yummy sides include Potato Salad, Chipotle Slaw and Pinto Beans.

Le Barbecue is open Wednesdays through Sundays for lunch and dinner.

Le Barbecue
1502 S. 1st Street
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 605-9696
http://labarbecue.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/la-barbecue-austin

Lick Ice Creams: Frozen Treats in South Austin

Seeking a sweet, frozen treat in South Austin? One top pick might be Lick Ice Creams. Go there to sample of few of their innovative flavors, before you choose a couple that will satisfy your sweet tooth. Their flavors are based on what’s fresh and local and all of their milk and cream is sourced from nearby dairies. They love to mix tastes in unique ways, combining fruits, herbs and even vegetables in the mix. In summertime you’ll find flavors like Blackberry, Lime & Basil, Mexican Marigold & Blueberry Swirl, Strawberry Basil, Lemon Lavender, and Honeyed Peaches with Rosemary. Year-round flavors include Fresh Mint & Chocolate, Hill Country Honey & Vanilla Bean, Caramel Salt Lick, Goat Cheese, Thyme & Honey and Roasted Beets & Fresh Mint. Open every day.

Lick Ice Creams
2032 S. Lamar
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 363-5622
http://www.ilikelick.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/lick-ice-creams-austin

219 West: Drink With Style

219 West is a fave for their extended happy hour, which offers great deals on drinks and food. Also a plus is their expansive selection of libations and their spacious seating, which includes a front patio, an indoor lounge & dining room and rooftop patio with a primo view of Austin. Prepare to blow away the day’s cares with something yummy like a Blackberry Martini or Mojito and a tasty tapa like Beef Carpaccio, Shallot French Fries, Tilapia Nachos or Creole Crab Dip. If you want to go the entrée route, they’ve got taste pleasers like Teriyaki Ribeye with wasabi mashed potatoes, Chicken Fried Ahi Tuna with sugar snap peas and Lump Crab Stuffed Mushroom with grilled asparagus. Open every day.

219 West
612 W 6th St
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 474-2194
http://www.yelp.com/biz/219-west-austin

Vespaio: Incredible Italian Cuisine

Vespaio is an Italian restaurant with exceptional food in a laid-back environment. The simple decor of brick and dark wood is a warm invitation, and the open kitchen is a fun and welcoming sight to incoming visitors. The menu contains authentic Italian food of the highest quality. Delicious antipasti like calimari and beef carpaccio lead into delicious salads and wood-fired pizzas. There are also mouth-watering specialties like prosciutto-wrapped jumbo prawns and veal scaloppine, as well as a wide array of pasta options. There's even gluten-free pasta here! The wine list receives regular updates and is among the best in the city for Italian wines, and the bartenders make a great cocktail, as well. Vespaio is a great choice for high quality food in a relaxed atmosphere.

Vespaio
1610 S. Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 441-6100
http://www.yelp.com/biz/vespaio-austin

Pin It on Pinterest