Tony C’s Coal Fired Pizza: Casual Pizzeria in Austin

Enjoy a casual dinner date at Tony C’s Coal Fired Pizza in Bee Cave. This table service pizzeria specializes in New York style thin crust pizza. Coal-fired ovens heat to over 1000 degrees and create a perfectly crisp and chewy crusts. A favorite is the prosciutto and goat cheese pie, topped with arugula and roasted garlic. The menu also offers fresh salads and traditional pasta dishes. Reasonable prices make splitting a salad and pizza an affordable meal. Brick walls give Tony C’s a pleasant ambiance.  The second floor mezzanine is great for watching the pizza chefs at work. Conveniently located in Hill Country Galleria, just moments from Paseo at Bee Cave, it's a great spot for dinner and a movie.

Tony C’s Coal Fired Pizza
12800 Hill Country Boulevard
Austin, TX 78738
(512) 263-3473
www.tonycs.com
www.yelp.com/biz/tony-cs-coal-fired-pizza-austin-2

Austin Food and Wine Alliance

The Austin Food and Wine Alliance is dedicated to promoting food/wine pairings in Central Texas community through grants, educational programming and fun events. The annual Chef’s Wine & Dine Series gives diners a chance to partake of a five-course meal paired with wine, prepared by some of the finest chefs the area. Wine & Swine is another yearly event that Austonians look forward to when area chefs prepare their favorite pork recipes for eager diners. Live music, an eclectic wine selection and hayrides add to the festivities. See their website for information on volunteering and upcoming events.

Austin Food and Wine Alliance
Austin, TX 78768
(512) 348-6847
http://www.yelp.com/biz/wine-and-swine-austin

Lenoir: Fine Fare in Austin, Texas

This spectacular restaurant is paving the way for a new appreciation of fine cuisine in central Texas, and Austin diners couldn’t be happier. Owners Todd Duplechan and Jessica Maher have a combined 25 years in the restaurant and hospitality business, and they’re putting forward some unique concepts at Lenoir. One of the most usual is the Community Supported Restaurant aspect – by purchasing a “membership,” you obtain discounts and other rewards while helping Lenoir grow. The menu is served prix fixe style, with each course having three or four options. It is a great way to sample the exciting seasonal offerings, with past dishes including a spectacular pork belly soup with mung bean noodles, eggplant and “ham jam,” an excellent sweet potato salad, a satisfying chickpea panisse and a number of very good desserts. Don’t miss the delicious pistachio custard with caramelized phyllo leaves. The wine list is well-curated and pairs well with the top-quality food from the kitchen.

Lenoir
1807 S. 1st Street
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 215-9778
http://www.yelp.com/biz/lenoir-austin

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

Tarka Indian Kitchen: Indian Cuisine in Austin’s Allandale Neighborhood

Tarka Indian Kitchen is a quick and inexpensive to satisfy an Indian food craving from Biryanis to Kabobs, Curries to Lassis.  Run by the same owners as popular Clay Pit, there are three area locations, including in north Austin’s Allandale neighborhood.  The casual Indian cafe with counter ordering is popular even among Indian cuisine experts.  The menu offers traditional items like Tikka Masala as well as innovative twists like the “Naaninis” – a panini style sandwich made with naan.  Pair your favorite dish with soft and fluffy garlic naan and a mango lemonade with free refills.  Everything on the menu is under $10; you can dine in, take out, or have delivery through Dine on Demand.  Check out their iPhone app for online ordering.  Tarka has even been recognized as a “Green Restaurant” by the City of Austin for their environmentally friendly practices – just another reason you can feel good about giving in to that craving. 

Tarka Indian Cuisine
2525 W. Anderson Lane
Austin, TX 78757
(512) 323-0955
www.tarkaindiankitchen.com
www.yelp.com/biz/tarka-indian-kitchen-austin-2

Buenos Aires Cafe: Fresh, Local And Giving Back

Nestled in the Hill Country, Galleria Buenos Aires Café’s atmosphere is a breath of fresh air. Bright, vivid colors jump at you from the walls and you get smiles from employees and customers alike. This Argentinian spot will have you staring at the menu in a daze as every single item sounds like the perfect dinner or lunch. The vegetables are all hand-picked and come from mostly local farms. Each ingredient is of the highest quality with all of the meats and greens being organic, and all dressings are made on site daily. The die-hard locals swear by the lomi beef sandwich with the chimicurri sauce, and everyone will tell you the Mojito and Spanish martini are the best they’ve had, bar none. Not only are the food and service impeccable, but they give back to the community by donating scraps for composting and making weekly trips to the Ecology Action of Texas. You won’t be disappointed.

Buenos Aires Café
Hills Country Galleria
13500 Galleria Cir, Ste 120
Bee Cave, TX 78738
(512) 441-9000
http://www.yelp.com/biz/buenos-aires-cafe-bee-cave-2

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

Mandola’s Italian Market: The Perfect Mix

Touted as the perfect combination of an Italian restaurant, deli, market, and bakery, Mandola’s Italian Market is sure to have something you will fall in love with. How many places in Austin can you walk into and buy a fresh Italian cookie, a cup of gelato, or sit down and enjoy an authentic Italian pasta dish? Their regulars call the tortellini moda mia with Pancetta love at first bite, and don’t forget to have them slice you up some prosciutto. Mandola’s in Bee Cave has it all and more. Locals love this spot for any event including family dinners (where they offer pint-sized seating and menus), or just a snack and cup of coffee. Don’t forget about Sundays where freshly poured mimosas are only $2 until 5pm. If you want to share this delectable Italian food with your friends, they also offer full service catering and delivery if you are in a rush but need your Mandola’s fix.

Mandola's Italian Market
12815 Shops Pkwy
Ste 400
Bee Cave, TX 78738
(512) 600-8500
http://www.yelp.com/biz/mandolas-italian-market-bee-cave

Baguette et Chocolate: As Authentic As You Can Get

Baguette et Chocolate may seem like a long drive at first, but once you enter this cozy French cafe you will be counting down the seconds until you can come back. The owner hails from a small town outside of Paris where he learned the art of making the perfect French pastries. When you take your first bite you will feel like you have left Texas and are nestled right in the middle of the old country. The locals rave about the crepes and the Parisian sandwiches served on a fresh baked baguette. The sweet pastries are the true treat here, though. They look so beautiful you almost don’t want to ruin the art by eating them, but you will be glad you did. They use real French butter and, yes, you can tell the difference. So next time you want to indulge in a truly perfect meal drive out west and taste what Baguette et Chocolate has baking, and don’t forget to grab a fresh loaf to bring home.

Baguette et Chocolate
12101 Bee Cave Rd Bldg 6
Bee Cave, TX 78738
(512) 263-8388
http://www.yelp.com/biz/baguette-et-chocolat-bee-cave

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

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