Seeking restaurant for good conversation and wine... (Austin, Spring: house, live)

[pilotskid27]

I have family coming into town in a couple of weeks for a weekend visit.

We've lived here several years and have taken them to all the usual "out-of-town-guest" places (The Oasis, The Salt Lick, Chuy's, Guerro's, and for fancier nights, Carmelo's).

While the food and the atmosphere were enjoyable and met our needs for entertainment, they were all pretty noisy and we found it tough to hear each other talk.

Due to our crazy work and travel schedules, we rarely dine out here when we don't have guests (or kids in tow), so our knowledge of the local restaurant scene is limited. I've always seen great insight from the members of this forum, so I thought I would post a query here!

What restaurants would y'all recommend for 4 adults with reasonably sophisticated tastes...but not looking to prove anything? (Okay, the list of restaurants above were not particularly sophisticated---they were for fun!)

We are looking for something with a good, but not pretentious wine list (We drink wine like the cast of "Brothers & Sisters") We are open to a variety of cuisines...we are mostly seeking an atmosphere conducive to conversation, with good food and attentive service.

I look forward to your thoughts!

[car957]

Sullivan's Steakhouse or the Green Pastures Restaurant

[texastea]

We really like Hill Country Pasta House and it soundls like what you're looking for.

Hill Country Pasta House - Italian Cuisine in the Lake Travis/Lakeway area of Austin, Texas

Also, Cafe Blue is great for conversation and relaxed but good service. We like it because you get the view of the lake without the noise of the Oasis.

That exhausts my knowledge of Austin restaurants...we usually end up at one of the noisy chains because that's what the kids like

[Raziel]

Check out Bess Bistro (Sandra Bullocks place) great vibe, sophisticated, excellent service and nice choice in cuisine. My wife and I are pretty selective and it was very nice. •- BESS -• Bistro on Pecan

[mimimomx3]

I like Vin Bistro - Homepage off of 35th Street on Kerbey Lane. It has a nice wine list, good food, great patio and an elegant but not snobby enviroment. I really like going here with a group of friends.

[PeacePlease]

Chez Zee is very nice. My wife and I love the place. Great food, great desserts, and great wine. Fairly quiet for a nice conversation. On some nights there is a piano player..

Chez-Zee American Bistro Austin Texas 78731 (512) 454-2666

[Trainwreck20]

East Austin Cafe has always been quiet enought to hear, and has never done me wrong quality wise.

[neddy]

Z Tejas was nice also my mom and her friends loved Manuels.

[Torontonian]

I would recommend EddieV (// Eddie V's - Austin restaurants - Scottsdale restaurants - seafood - steaks - Texas - Arizona) downtown location. There's one in Arboretum as well but i haven't been there yet.
Food, desserts are great, huge selection of wine.

[car957]

I thought of an even better place:

Mesa Ranch, North of the intersection of Spicewood Springs Road and Mesa Drive. Nice, intimate place - even if it is North of the River!