Expect Farm-to-Table Fare at Wink in Austin

Wink Restaurant is a fun, fresh and creative eatery in Austin that is consistently voted one of the top restaurants in the city. The kitchen operates on a farm-to-table system, sourcing almost all of its seasonal ingredients from local farms and suppliers in order to create dishes that are distinctly Austin.

The menu at Wink changes just about every day, and it often includes unique combinations such as grilled quail with coconut and lamb sausage and chilled poached flounder with white bean salad. There are also always a few options for vegetarian guests. At the bar, Wink focuses on wines from across Texas and around the world, and you’ll even find additional seating in this more casual area of the restaurant.

The next time you want to celebrate an occasion, have a hearty meal, a decadent dessert, and a perfect wine pairing at this beloved eatery.

Wink
1014 N. Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX 78703
(512) 482-8868
www.winkrestaurant.com
www.yelp.com/biz/wink-austin

Dig Into Vegan Fare Fit for a Meat-Eater at Arlo’s

"Everything in this trailer is vegan, but even if you're a meat-eater you'll be happy here," says one Yelp reviewer of Arlo's. The self-described "curb-side kitchen" shirks all processed ingredients in favor of local, non-GMO, organic grub from Texan farmers. And despite the fact that there's not an animal product anywhere to be found in the kitchen, its vegan fare still appeals to all types of eaters thanks to chefs' creative impulses.

Regulars highly recommend the bac'n cheeze burger, which actually features a patty made from soy in-house, topped with seitan bac'n, vegan cheeze, ketchup, mustard, mayo, and the classic tomato, onions, pickles, and lettuce. You can also grab a barbecue burger or chick'n sandwich. Tacos show up on the menu, too, stuffed with either soy or seitan and grilled pico de gallo, chipotle sauce, and lettuce.

Arlo's is parked along Red River Street with an umbrella-shaded, fenced-in outdoor space for eating, so feel free to grab food and stay for a while at the food trailer.

Arlo's
900 Red River Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 840-1600
www.arlostruck.com
www.yelp.com/biz/arlos-austin

Jasper’s: Gourmet Cookout Cuisine

While the words “gourmet” and “cookout” aren’t normally used in the same sentence, they are at Jasper’s restaurant in Austin. This uniquely conceptual eatery is stylish and upscale, but its menu of so-called backyard cuisine is anything but pretentious.

Enter the sleek, modern dining room, with its dim lighting and artistic décor, and you’ll be met with a menu filled with Maytag bleu cheese potato chips, Texas gulf crab cakes, and Pimentón Rotisserie Chicken, as well as slow-smoked baby back ribs prepared just like they are in backyards all across Texas. Cast iron sides are the perfect accompaniments, and Jasper’s full bar churns out thoughtful cocktails, craft beers and premium wines to go along with the meal. For a gourmet spin on a taste that’s truly Texan, Jasper’s is one of the very best spots in town!

Reservations can be made online or by calling Jasper’s directly.

Jasper’s
11506 Century Oaks
Austin, TX 78758
(512) 834-4111
www.jaspersaustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/jaspers-austin-7

Zed’s Restaurant: Enjoy Music With Your Meal

Austin is known for its numerous live music venues, and at places like Zed’s Restaurant, you can even enjoy the eclectic sounds of live music over a gourmet meal. This combination restaurant and venue has a modern, casual style and a scenic location that’s a bit off the beaten path, but its sunny patio areas and warm wooden interior make it feel like truly hip hotspot.

On Sundays, Zed’s Restaurant hosts a jazz brunch with the lively sounds of live jazz music accompanying egg dishes and morning libations, while dinner on the weekends usually features some of the best in local musical talent. With a menu filled with dishes like Ahi tuna steaks, pancetta cheeseburgers, and petite filets, a decadent dessert menu, and a long wine and beer list, Zed’s Restaurant is the perfect place to visit for an evening (or afternoon) out in Austin.

Zed’s Restaurant
501 Canyon Ridge Drive
Austin, TX 78753
(512) 339-9337
www.zeds.bz

Chez Nous: An Austin French Restaurant

Chez Nous’s romantic, candle-lit ambiance and authentic French dishes like foie gras, escargots, and house-made pâté can whisk diners away on a culinary journey.

Visit and you can try the sautéed veal sweetbreads with button mushrooms, or check out the pepper crusted beef tenderloin with a brandy and demi-glaze reduction. All entrees are served with warm French bread, pommesdauphines (crispy potato puffs), and fresh vegetables. At $29.50, many customers praise the affordability and variety of Chez Nous’s three-course prix-fixe dinner menu.

Chez Nous’s downtown location and quiet and intimate atmosphere make it a great go-to spot for business-colleague lunches or catch-up night with friends, or date-night with that special someone. Chez Nous provides hungry patrons with lunch and dinner Tuesday through Friday, serves dinner Saturday and Sunday, and is closed Mondays.

Chez Nous
510 Neches Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 473-2413
www.cheznousaustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/chez-nous-austin

Arlo’s: Vegan Cheeseburgers You Just Have to Try

Vegans, vegetarians, and meat eaters alike flock to Arlo's food truck on a daily basis. This Austin eatery serves seriously mouth-watering food made fresh daily, and it's all vegan friendly. The vegan bacon cheeseburgers are something of a local legend, and when paired with a side order of crispy, golden tater tots, the burger makes a hearty and drool-worthy meal. You'll also find spicy chili, cornbread wedges, tomato-basil hot dogs, and even vegan chicken tacos on the menu, but the cheeseburgers are really the main draw. It’s the cheeseburgers that cause lines to wrap around the side of the truck during peak times.

The only downside to eating at Arlo’s is that as a food truck, Arlo's doesn't have any seating to offer. This generally isn't a problem, however, as nearby bars usually allow you to bring your Arlo's meal inside, so it's easy to pair your meal with a cold beer and a seat.

Arlo's
900 Red River Street
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 628-0608
www.arlostruck.com
www.yelp.com/biz/arlos-austin

Lucky’s Puccias: Try a Grilled Sandwich From This Famous Food Truck

A puccia is a type of flatbread from the Puglia region in Italy, but in Austin, most people would recognize it as the hearty sandwiches served by the famous Lucky’s Puccias. This often buzzed-about white and orange food truck is located in the Market District area of downtown, and it features a few small tables outside where customers can enjoy their sandwiches.

The menu includes puccia sandwiches made on fresh baked bread and topped with organic ingredients, and then the whole thing is baked in an oven to create a wood-fired taste. The signature sandwich is the Lucky’s Puccia, which features prosciutto, tomato, mozzarella, and chipotle mayo. Other puccias come with a variety of other meats or vegetables to accommodate vegetarian customers.

The wait at Lucky's can be a bit long, but regulars recommend stopping by one of the nearby bars for a drink while you wait for your tasty sandwich. Lucky’s Puccias is open daily.

Lucky’s Puccias
817 W 5th Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 739-8785
www.facebook.com/LuckysPuccias
www.yelp.com/biz/luckys-puccias-austin

Blue Dahlia Bistro: Enjoy French Cuisine, From Breakfast Through Happy Hour

Whether you’re looking for a charming breakfast spot or a place to relax with friends over happy hour drinks, Blue Dahlia Bistro is the place for both in Austin. In the morning, the expansive menu includes French dishes like fresh-baked croissants, rich yogurt and fruit, and berry blintzes stuffed with sweet ricotta cheese. Later in the day, enjoy a lunch or dinner of French cheeses, duck mousse pâté and fresh mussels, or opt for something a bit more filling with housemade pastas and Bouillabaisse.

If you stop in for happy hour, Blue Dahlia Bistro offers special rates on red and white wines and festive champagnes, as well as a large selection of beer and snacks to share. No matter the time of day, this charming French bistro is a stylish, laid-back locale to enjoy authentic Parisian cuisine here in Austin.

Blue Dahlia Bistro
1115 E. 11th Street
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 542-9542
www.bluedahliabistro.com

Julio’s Cafe: Don’t Miss the Breakfast Tacos

From its green enchiladas to the breakfast tacos, the authentic Mexican fare dished out by Julio's Cafe has been impressing Austin eaters since 1983. Thanks to that fresh, carefully crafted fare, one really seems to mind that this laid-back eatery is cash only. Patrons are more than happy to make an extra stop at the ATM if it means they can slurp up a bowl of Julio's chicken soup for dinner.

The soup features roasted chicken, one of the menu's mainstays, mixed with fresh, colorful veggies. You can also get the chicken all on its own by the quarter, half, or whole. Enjoy it with a smorgasbord of accouterments, including pinto beans, Spanish rice, tomatoes, lettuce, and salsa. If you come by a little earlier in the day (before 11:30 a.m.), you can dig into one of the popular breakfast tacos. Pick your own ingredients from a list that includes eggs, bacon, Mexican sausage, pinto beans, cheese, and rice. Migas, huevos rancheros, and even French toast are also on the morning menu.

Julio's Cafe
4230 Duval Street
Austin, TX 78751
(512) 452-1040
www.juliosaustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/julios-caf%C3%A9-austin-2

Four Seasons Chinese Restaurant: Order Dumplings to Your Doorstep

On those nights when you’re just too tired to cook and all you want is a relaxing evening at home, consider ordering delivery from Four Seasons Chinese Restaurant. This popular Austin eatery offers both dine-in and delivery options on a wide variety of Chinese fare favorites, from crab puffs and fried dumplings to classic sesame chicken, egg drop soup, and lo mein noodles.

Regulars say that the food is generously portioned, and that prices aren't too hard on the wallet (go for a meal combo if you want the best deal!).

Four Seasons Chinese Restaurant is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays and 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on weekends.

Four Seasons Chinese Restaurant
14735 Bratton Lane
Austin, TX 78728
(512) 251-0827
www.fourseasonschinese.com

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