Santa Catarina: Unique and Delicious

Everyone has been to a traditional Mexican or Tex-Mex restaurant, few have experienced a  place like Santa Catarina – a boutique gourmet Mexican restaurant that prides itself on offering a rare assortment of authentic dishes from the interior. When you pull up to a strip mall you may not believe that you are about to embark on one of the best meals you have had but just keep walking in the door and you will see. The tortillas are made fresh daily in house and where most restaurants offer a chili relleno they go above and beyond to offer multiple options stuffed with local Gulf seafood, corn Mexican truffles and sauteed vegetables.  The regulars come here for the food but stay for the fresh specialty drinks made in house from scratch including fresh grapefruit, agave nectar, and homemade sangria, all rich in flavor. This spot is worth the drive for adventurous diners. 

Santa Catarina
1310 Ranch Rd 620 S
Lakeway, TX 78734
(512) 300-0946
http://www.yelp.com/biz/santa-catarina-restaurant-lakeway

Buster’s BBQ: Delicious Smoked BBQ in West Austin

Craving barbecue near Lakeway, Texas? Try Buster’s BBQ. Here, the meats are smoked daily on a custom pit fired with pecan wood. This no frills BBQ joint offers individual platters, sandwiches, a few specialty dishes, and family sized combos. Customer favorites are the turkey and tender ribs. The sauce is a vinegary Kansas City style ‘cue, but if you’re looking for some Texas heat try the H bomb sandwich, a pork shoulder stuffed with garlic and jalapenos. Buster's offers over a dozen traditional sides, but the green beans and baked beans are recommended. If you’re feeding the family – large or small – they can accommodate large orders and offer several combos to feed anywhere between two and 18 people. Take it home and host a party at Sendera Barton Creek!

Buster's BBQ
2125 Lohmans Crossing Road

Lakeway, TX 78734
(512) 263-2340
www.busterslakeway.com
www.yelp.com/biz/busters-bbq-lakeway

Fore: Trendy American Comfort Food in Austin

Fore in Lakeway offers modern American comfort food in a trendy yet casual ambiance. This new addition to the West Austin scene is only about two years old. The owners transformed a formerly smoky and dingy bar into a fresh and modern full service restaurant. The menu has a variety of small plates and appetizers perfect for sharing with a group of friends for a girls night out. The bacon wrapped jalapeno shrimp with an apricot glaze, Hawaiian inspired tuna poke nachos with Pacific fusion flavors, and crispy blue cheese fries are customer favorites. Salads and burgers are popular entrees, but the menu has plenty of substantial main dishes from pasta to steaks. Fore's bar and lounge is known as one of the top happy hour spots in the West Austin area with inventive cocktails and martinis like the cucumber basil martini. The decor is modern chic, but if you find the metal chairs a little uncomfortable just ask the host for a pillow.


Fore
900 Ranch Road 620 S
 

Lakeway, TX 78734
(512) 263-3673
www.lakewayfore.com
www.yelp.com/biz/fore-lakeway

Artisan Bistro Austin: French Traditional Cuisine

Many chefs try to open a bistro, but few were raised in the heart of Paris like Chef Cesidio d’Andrea. From the moment you walk into Artisan Bistro Austin you know you are in for an authentic, flavorful treat. They offer lunch, dinner, dessert and a full bakery to pick up all of your favorite French pastries and freshly baked bread. Everything from their French fries to their sautéed shrimp and garlic tomato sauce with basmati rice are sure to delight your palate. With how eclectic and wonderful the menu is, it can be hard to believe that it’s all prepared with just one chef, but when you take your first bite you can tell this meal was prepared just for you. It is well worth it to stay for dessert and try Chef d’Andrea’s famous creme brulee if you still have room.

Artisan Bistro Austin
900 RR 620 S Ste C107
Lakeway, TX 78734
(512) 263-8728
http://www.yelp.com/biz/artisan-bistro-austin-lakeway

Java Dive Bistro: Charming and Healthy!

The Wall Street Journal calls Java Dive Bistro’s morning meal “the breakfast of champions,” and locals agree with that assessment.  Java Dive Bistro makes what the regulars call “enlightening meals” that makes you want to walk in and just sit for the day and sample everything they have to offer. A particular favorite is the scrambled eggs and cheese on a toasted organic sprouted bun with organic pesticide-free tomatoes and fire roasted poblano peppers. Another of their signature ideas is the coffee ice cubes made of coffee and the regulars are hooked. Their specialty organic coffee beans are only served within days of being roasted and you can tell the difference. The atmosphere matches the quality of the food and it is top notch with a clean quiet patio to sit and just enjoy the savory foods and coffee. They’re also a certified gluten free restaurant so they can accommodate a number of dietary needs.

Java Dive Bistro
900 Ranch Rd 620 S
Lakeway, TX 78734
(512) 263-5995
http://www.yelp.com/biz/java-dive-organic-cafe-lakeway-2

Riviera Bistro & Wine Bar: Gluten Free Gourmet

The Riviera Bistro & Wine Bar is a sensitive stomach’s paradise with the entire menu being gluten free without sacrificing a bit of flavor. This place is for everyone who enjoys over-the-top amazing food and atmosphere. The menu is inspired by the tastes of Southern France and Northern Italy. They have placed the kitchen so that your every sense will be heightened with the sounds, smells, and sights as your food is prepared. Don’t be surprised if the chef comes to greet you personally at your table. Regulars are over the moon about the rich, powerful flavors and fresh ingredients on offer. Some  favorites to try are the crab macaroni and cheese and  the salmon rousade wrapped in prosciutto and stuffed with potatoes, fine cheeses, and fresh vegetables. Don’t forget their immaculate wine selection, which also happens to be completely gluten free. You will be delighted no matter what you order.

Riviera Bistro & Wine Bar
12801 Shops Pkwy Ste 200
Bee Cave, TX 78738
(512) 263-2960
http://www.yelp.com/biz/riviera-bistro-bee-cave

Maudie’s: Tex-Mex Fare in Bee Cave

Maudie’s in Bee Cave has figured out the perfect symphony of Tex-Mex cuisine and even provides a gluten-free menu for people with special dietary needs. From the moment you walk in your senses will be intrigued with the unusual angles and beautifully woven yucca ceiling. Having been open for over 20 years, Maudie’s food is sure to keep regulars coming back for the next 20. On the weekends, make sure to check out their breakfast tacos stuffed with fluffy eggs and just about any other ingredient you could imagine. The local’s favorite dish seems to be the Al Pastor tacos which are full of achiote and citrus marinated pork on corn tortillas, pico de pina, cilantro, and onions. So next time you want fresh Tex-Mex fare and maybe one of their locally famous frozen margaritas, come down to Maudie’s and experience why they've won so many awards.

Maudie's
12506 Shops Parkway
Bee Cave, TX 78738
(512) 263-1116
http://www.yelp.com/biz/maudies-bee-cave

Plate by Dzintra: Serious Servings

When you first walk into Plate by Dzintra you might be surprised at the small space this exceptional restaurant occupies. Owner, 2010 Food Network Star Finalist and chef Dzintra Dzenis prefers it this way, so each customer can feel and see the entire experience from being seated to the last bite of dessert. The menu is ever evolving to keep your tastes satisfied and reflect the unique produce of each season. There are staples from the menu that are sure to keep you coming back. People are raving about the savory sweet pear and fig pizza topped with melted French brie and, of course, the sushi and sashimi. Many Bee Cave locals put it among the best sushi they’ve ever eaten. This hidden gem offers so much more then lunch and dinner: from personal chef services, dinner clubs, to cooking classes. So keep an eye out for their new events and stop in for a dinner you won’t be forgetting anytime soon.

Plate by Dzintra
12717 Shops Pkwy Ste 100
Bee Cave, TX 78738
(512) 358-4776
http://www.yelp.com/biz/plate-by-dzintra-bee-cave

Zinger’s Bar And Grill: The Sporting Life

Zinger’s Bar and Grill in the Galleria is a sports bar at heart, but don’t let the TV’s and fireplace fool you, this place has much more to offer. The menu is full of comfort food done right, from cheeseburgers with jalapeno cheddar buns and sautéed mushrooms to mandarin orange salad stocked full of veggies. If wings are what you are looking for, look no further. They have everything from standard Buffalo wings to Cajun and lemon pepper, all fried to perfection. Whether you are looking for a place to sit and watch the game by the fireplace or a nice cozy quiet spot on the outdoor patio under the oak trees, Zinger’s is your spot after a long day shopping at the Galleria. If you plan on catching a game make sure and get there early. The food, atmosphere, and great seats cause Zinger’s to fill up quickly when the ball is in play.

Zinger's Bar and Grill
12700 Hill Country Blvd
Bee Cave, TX 78738
(512) 524-2434
http://www.yelp.com/biz/zingers-bar-and-grill-bee-cave

Blue Bamboo: The Real Deal

Blue Bamboo is authentic in every aspect. From the steaming bowls of fresh pho to the Vietnamese iced coffee, they are the real deal in Bee Cave. The menu ranges from traditional Thai to Vietnamese dishes. It’s difficult to figure out one or two dishes to recommend, as the menu is overflowing with excellent options. Everything really is that good, and quick service with friendly smiles just adds to the experience. You can tell that the owners and chefs really do believe in healthy living and quality food when your plates are full of color from the freshest vegetables and a perfect harmony of seasonings. This is the place that Bee Cave locals go when they want to experience bold, assertive flavors. One particular local favorite is the tom yum soup made with shrimp, limes, lemongrass, chili peppers, and mushrooms. The dish is served with flames in the middle of the dish to keep the soup at an ideal temperature throughout your meal.

Blue Bamboo
12918 Shop Pkwy
Bee Cave, TX 78738
(512) 263-8889
http://www.yelp.com/biz/blue-bamboo-bee-cave

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