Restaurant recommendations (Austin, Burnet, West: taxes, live, restaurants)

[Chakapu]

I'm going to be in Austin for 3 days/2 nights. Every time I go I seem to have bad luck with restaurants. Every place was been at best mediocre and my colleagues always end up at Chain places. I'm sure there are some great non-chain restaurants. Any suggestions?

My criteria:
Location - am staying at the Star Of Texas Inn on W. 22nd near UT, so something in that general vicinity would be great, although I am willing to drive a bit. One night I have to go to Ikea so something heading in that direction is ok too.

Cuisine - Mediterranean, All asian (except Chinese), Continental/French/Bistro, Ethopian, Spanish, English Pub Food if there's a great ale selection - I'm pretty open minded and will try most things. The only types I don't want are BBQ, Mexican, and Chinese (I have enough of that regularly). A decent wine list and/or beer list.

Atmosphere - a place I can go and enjoy my meal for an hour or more, not a place that will rush me out in 20 minutes. Quieter is better, but not a necessity as long as it's not so crowded they're trying to push me out. Given my location near the uni I'm sure there are plenty of rowdy student places which don't really float my boat.

Not a Chain.

Cost isn't a big issue, although I don't think expensive always = high quality. Splurging on a nice meal is my one treat to myself while away on business though.

Also, lunch suggestions? I'll be at Guadalupe St & 45th (I think) Austin State Hospital. I know the mediterranean deli across the street and like it, but will probably want some variety after 1-2 lunches there. Anything else nearby? I've only ever seen tatto parlors around there.

Can anyone help me?

[equus007]

great places to eat near UT:
not many. Most of the good old ones have moved to S.Congress or failed to pay their taxes and got shut down.

Asti is fairly good Italian and Hyde Park Grill(Bistro?) and Mothers(Hippy veggie fare and other stuff)are also good. All three are on the corner of 43rd and Duval more or less. Head east from Guadalupe. Dog and Duck has ok pub food but not really why I would go there. Thai Kitchen is good and Madame Maam's(also Thai) has good specials. Both on Guadalupe around the 26th street area. Lots of people lover Ruby's for BBQ and since Berts is gone there's no competition in the area. Milto's has very good med. cuisine. Plenty of greasy spoons as you have probably seen. Nothing really high dollar until you get past MLK.

[S6Sputnik]

Z Tejas, Roy's, Flemmings, Trulocks, Vespacio, Eddie V's all worth a cab ride! There is a new Greek resteaurant "El Grecco" Guadalupe and 30+ not sure which.

If you like unique burgers Phil's on Burnet near 2222/Koenig is good

[southdown]

Second Truluck's and Eddie V's!

Trulucks have an all-you-can eat on their crab night, think it's mondays...

Truluck's Seafood, Steak, Crab House

[equus007]

If you are willing to travel that far from campus and spend some bucks got to Fonda San Miguel as well. Interior and Coastal "real" Mexican food.

[Chakapu]

Originally Posted by equus007

If you are willing to travel that far from campus and spend some bucks got to Fonda San Miguel as well. Interior and Coastal "real" Mexican food.

Ah, I live 2 blocks from an amazing "real" mexican restaurant (Southern/Central Mexico), so I like to try stuff I don't get as easily at home... However I appreciate the recommendation. It may be worth a try.

I've no need to stay at the campus, I will have a car, just don't feel like spending all night driving.

[gigi927]

Malaga downtown (3rd and Colorado, I think?) is great for Spanish tapas.

[austin-or-bust]

You have to go to Vespaio on South Congress for Italian food...yum! Another good Italian place just down the road from there with a lower price tag is Tree House. Another wonderful place on 5th near Lamar is Castle Hill Cafe. For breakfast, go to Kerbey Lane 24 hours a day.

[austinonline1]

Check out Fino at 29th and San Gabriel (Asti Fino)
not far from where you're staying - it's related to Asti - it's Mediterranean, a lovely space. I love Madam Mam's for Thai as already listed - I can walk to the one on the drag where if you miss rush hour you won't feel rushed out, but I usually drive down Lamar way down to the one at Westgate and 290 for that much bigger, more relaxing space with booths (Madam Mam's Noodle & More). Lunch at the Cafe in Central Market on Lamar at 38th can be a fun Austin activity when combined with a tour through this less intense Whole Foods-like experience, and if you're with any shoppers, it's in a lovely outdoors mall with several clothing and body care boutiques on one end and an amazing glass sculpture gallery on the other.

In the other direction, a night wandering down South Congress will get you to Vespacio , also mentioned below, which I loved, or the South Congress Cafe which I've really been meaning to try (South Congress Cafe - home).

Let us know where you end up!

[Derek ATX]

Eddie V's has a much better atmosphere (and food in my opinion) than Trulucks. Great service and attention to detail. I take clients there on a weekly basis from both coasts and I have yet to hear a complaint in the last three years of doing so. Make sure to say "Hi" to Lance at the bar. He's a great guy and will hook you up with the best Cosmo in town.