suggestions for a dinner for 30 folks? (Austin, Devine: hotels, home, live)

[austinonline1]

My company is having a meeting here in October for about 30 people from around the country and we always do one night out for dinner together in whatever city we're in for these meetings - any suggestions for a place that is "Austin" that we could reserve, that could accommodate vegetarians as well? Not a "formal" kind of place, but somewhere with really good - not touristy - food where we could spend a 2-3 hours eating, drinking and connecting. I'll make the sacrifice and go eat at all the recommendations to check them out, so thanks for any ideas!

[Derek ATX]

Not sure how the vegetarian part would go over, you would have to check but I would suggest the Salt Lick BBQ in Driftwood (6 miles south of the city limits). My wife is a vegetarian and she loves to eat there. Great food, Great atmosphere and should be able to accompany your amount of guests

[atxcio]

Opal Devine's on 6th street is in an Historic building, very Austin-y and close to downtown & hotels. They do the large private party thing and have great food, although it is also a bar.
Austin Texas Restaurant Bar & Pub Opal Divines

Also, for out of towners, the Oasis can be nice. It's touristy (so is Salt Lick, kinda), but not formal. Great sunset view of the lake. I think they also do the large-party thing too.
The OASIS, Austin, Texas

Both have vegetarian stuff on the menu, though vegan I'm not sure...

[TX-Griff]

I'll second the vote for the Oasis... yeppers, it's got a fair share of tourists, but locals kept it alive (and openly wept when a fire broke out in June, 2005 and burned the dining decks and the kitchens off the face of the cliff ) but it's quintessential "Austin" dining experience on its open decks overlooking Lake Travis is perfect... fair good food, tremendous scenery and applause & bell ringing for the sunset.

The OASIS, Austin, Texas

TX Griff

[another_hot-day]

Oasis is really cool.

You could look into Cool River, they have a good menu and good service. They also reserve rooms for parties your size.

[txgal78]

Moonshine is a great venue and has a large and beautiful tented party room that we've used for office functions. It's also right downtown near the convention center and has lots of vegetarian options (I'm a vegetarian.)

You can check it out at:
Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill

[Trainwreck20]

For very Austin type places, you might consider Trudy's (Trudys Tex-Mex Restaurant and Bar | Austin, Texas | Homepage). The food is okay, nothing special, but a nice atmosphere and great drinks (they make one of the best 'Mexican Martinis' in town). Several locations.

Threadgills (Threadgill's Home Cookin') also does large parties and is located up in N Central Austin area. Chicken fried steak, ummmmm

You would have to call to see if they could handle your party, but Chuy's (Chuy's dot com) and their other 'brand', Hula Hut (Hula Hut - Lake Austin - Austin, Texas). Personally, I have been pleasantly surprised about the quality of food at Hula Hut, but they may not do large parties, since they always have a wait anyway.... Great location next to (and above) lake Austin.

[brattpowered]

I think Trainwreck has the right idea here. All of those places are large and very "Austiny," and would probably be able to accomodate vegetarians quite well.

I would actually steer clear of the Oasis and Salt Lick for what you are looking for. I love the Salt Lick BBQ, but most vegetarians I know would probably not appreciate being forced to make a meal out of side dishes while everyone else gorged themselves on animal flesh. And the view from the Oasis is great, but the clientele leans a little too much toward the sunbaked, fake breasted woman/lecherous old hairy chested man contigent for me. Good luck!

[love roses]

That would be some of the clientele at every resturaunt on the lake.

[TX-Griff]

Originally Posted by Trainwreck20

You would have to call to see if they could handle your party, but Chuy's (Chuy's dot com) and their other 'brand', Hula Hut (Hula Hut - Lake Austin - Austin, Texas). Personally, I have been pleasantly surprised about the quality of food at Hula Hut, but they may not do large parties, since they always have a wait anyway.... Great location next to (and above) lake Austin.

Oh gawd yes... CHUY'S! Yuuuum!

TX Griff