Manisha

I'm here from Southern Calif. visiting my sister and her husband in Houston,TX. We're driving out
to Austin this Saturday. Returning Sunday late afternoon. We're staying in downtown. What are some nice restaurants with great food, atmosphere, etc. Also, we plan on seeing the Capitol but are there any other interesting sights or good tours offered? Thanks, guys!

Manisha

amy

It would help if I knew what sort of restaurants/sites you were interested in...but on a general level, I'd recommend Mezzluna (310 Colorado,right in the downtown area)for Italian,Sullivan's Steakhouse(300 Colorado)for steaks(!),Trudy's (30th and guadalupe)or Chuy's (Barton Spring's Road)for Mexican,The Hula Hut(right on the lake,on Lake Austin Blvd)for a mexican/polynesian flavor,Green Mesquite (Barton Springs Rd)for traditional Texas Barbeque and Shady Grove(Barton Springs Rd) for your basic american fare. Brio Vista at the Arboretum is supposed to be good, but I've never been there personally.
Where are you staying downtown? In my opinion The Four Seasons is by far the best hotel in that area.
As far a "tours" go, I don't really know about that. I'm sure if you called the chamber of commerce they would be able to answer that question for you.
Hope you have fun!(and pack your shorts...we're having a very hot summer!!

jlee

While in Austin, don't miss the L.B.J. Library. Watching the bats leave from under the Congress St. bridge is also a big attraction. There is much to do, but you are short on time. There's a great and inexpensive French restaurant just off 6th St., but have forgotten the name. Papadeaux's just off I35 is great for seafood even if something of a "chain". Forgot if you were looking for accommodations, but the Drury Inn has good rooms at reasonable prices and includes a breakfast buffet and is just off I35 near a shopping center.

jcs

Don't mean to flame BUT Chuy's serves crap. Hoola Hut serves more expensive crap. Mezzluna is for the snobs (food is ok but not better than S-Wharehouse right across the street). There are better choices for BBQ than GM. Sounds like a student or visitor wrote that post.

I've lived there for all my life. So lets start over OK?

1. BBQ: County Line or Salt Lick (see phonebook)
2. Mexican: Matt's El Rancho (kids),Serrano's, or Amaya's Taco Village (see phonebook)
3. Italian: Basil's (11th and Lamar see phonebook)
4. Steaks: Austin Land/Cattle Co. (past Lamar and 12th)or Sullivan's (if you like to wait in line, hostess is a bitch).
5. Best Hotel Food: The ShoreLine Grill Four Seasons
6. Other: Mongolian BBQ (1st by Convention Center)
7. Chinese: Chinatown (Bee Caves)
8. Pizza: I like Pizza-Nizza (Barton Springs Road) my wife does not ;>
9. Breakfast: Magnolia Cafe (Lake Austin Blvd).

Enjoy,

jcs

amy

Well JCS, you're right about ONE thing...I WAS a student at UT (live there for 5 years and graduated in 1993),but the rest of your post is "iffy"...first of all,neither CHuy's nor Hula Hut are "crap" (or expensive "crap"for that matter!)In fact, the burritos at Chuy's have long been among my favorite meals of all time.
Pretty much EVERYONE I know really enjoys these two establishments(probably the reason for the consistent crowds)-and i say "pretty much everyone" with no one in mind that doesn't like them, but left a small window of doubt!
Maybe it's the case that our palates aren't as refined as yours, but most of us simpletons really enjoy the food from these restaurants.I think the odds are definitely far better than average that the people for whom we've posted this message enjoy them too!
Secondly,I agree with your plug for Mongolian Barbeque...I never have understood why it's not more popular, but it's at 3rd and San Jacinto, not 1st,for the record.

Next, the food at Mezzaluna is good,snobs withstanding.
And I prefer the breakfast fare at Kerby Lane, but that's just me.
Also, I think the CountyLine is a prime example standard Chain restaurant that could be found in any city in the US and definitely not definitive of Austin,not to mention the fact that the food is unmemorable. Green Mesquite is basically an austin landmark. Plus, although The Salt Lick is one place we agree on,I figured it was out of the way for someone staying such a short time...
And by the way,while you were at it, why didn't you slam the Pappadeaux suggestion? Talk about overrated and overpriced....
How 'bout Threadgills...can we agree on that one?

jcs

You must have been a sorority girl. Any adult could deduce that the only reason the Hula Hut has such a consistent crowd is that attractive college girls hang out there. Its not about the food there (expensive cap), its about the scenery there and if you were a guy you would know that.

I kind of like the hub caps on the roof at Chuys until I think of the gas that the food gives me. Did you used to go there with your sorority sisters and party? What a joke. I feel comfortable saying that if you think that is what Mexican (or evern TEX-MEX) food is about then "NO SOUP FOR YOU!!!"

Kirby Lane is filled with salamander loving, berkinstock wearing, tree huggers and you can't get a real pork sausage patty if you beg (but they will be happy to supply a turkey sausage patty that you can use to sole your shoe).

I like the Green Mesquite's BBQ but hate the trendy student types that frequent the joint. Also, Brian Winston, owner of County Line and his family would beg to differ with your comments about his 100% owned and operated Austin BBQ.

Lastly, I like Threadgills although I think it has become too comercialized since they opened their South Location.

Cheers,

jcs

amy

Geez,JCS...Do you think you could be a little more cynical and negative? (That's not being very "Texan"now is it?!!!)
Listen, all I was saying was that the majority of us who walk with our feet on the ground like the restaurants I suggested and I think the people for whom these responses were intended would too.
YOu are obviously a superior life form.

And by the way...San Antonio has a CountyLine restaurant and I'm sorry to hurt Mr. Winston's feelings, but I've yet to be impressed after several attempts.

And I wish someone had told me that liking these restaurants excluded me from being an "adult"--Wheewheew!! Quick,somebody get me a tequila shot while I go find my old beer bong!!

amy

Geez,JCS...Do you think you could be a little more cynical and negative? (That's not very "Texan" of you,now is it?!!!)
Listen, all I was saying was that the majority of us who walk with our feet on the ground like the restaurants I suggested and I think the people for whom these responses were intended would too.
YOu are obviously a superior life form.

And by the way...San Antonio has a CountyLine restaurant and I'm sorry to hurt Mr. Winston's feelings, but I've yet to be impressed after several attempts.

And I wish someone had told me that liking these restaurants excluded me from being an "adult"--Wheewheew!! Quick,somebody get me a tequila shot while I go find my old beer bong!!