Eating in Austin, Part 2

There are so many great restaurants in Ausin, TX, it’s hard to put all our favorites in one blog post! This second installment in our Eating in Austin series completes our list of the top restaurants in the city.

All of these restaurants follow some or all of the following criteria:

• Are small or locally-owned
• Serve up sustainable meat and produce
• Offer a creative menu

From pork belly sushi to cheeseburgers and short ribs, this two-part food adventure series is the perfect guide to eating in Austin!

Snack Bar

Snack Bar Café and Lounge is a modern eatery with the feel of a classic diner. The menu has a wide mix of American classics and global favorites, all of which are made from local and sustainable ingredients.

There are a lot of burgers in Austin, but Snack Bar really gets it right. The fresh beef patty comes on a toasted bun with just the right amount of char. The bacon weave and house made pickles add subtle smoke and tang. When you order fries on the side, the meal is nothing short of perfect.

South Congress Café

There are many restaurants on Austin’s infamous South Congress strip, but there are few as sought out as South Congress Café. This local favorite is always packed so they offer a side bar to keep you refreshed while waiting. Caution: if you have trouble deciding what to order when faced with a great menu, you may have some trouble here.

Brunch is served daily instead of breakfast and lunch. Our favorite dish on the menu is the Short Rib Hash. You get an ample serving of tender veggies and braised Niman Ranch short rib with two eggs cooked to your liking. If you’re into an early dessert, try the carrot cake french toast. We’ve never had anything like it!

Trio at Four Seasons Austin

Trio is a sophisticated yet relaxing option for anyone looking to experience fine dining in Austin. The setting is both metropolitan and scenic with an outdoor dining area overlooking the natural beauty of Austin’s Lady Bird Lake. Service is top notch. Everyone we encountered was attentive, knowledgeable and welcoming, including their Chef de Cuisine, Scott Higby.

Don’t be fooled by its simple name – the Niman Ranch Pork Chop you see on their menu is what we call the “tomahawk” chop. You will find this bone-in masterpiece year round stuffed with a seasonal dressing. Simple, but perfect.

Uchiko

Translated as “child of Uchi” from Japanese, Uchiko  is the second restaurant venture for James Beard winning chef and sushi master Tyson Cole. This Japanese “farmhouse” style restaurant boasts incredibly creative dishes and an extensive sake list. You may have to wait in line to get a table, but it’s well worth the wait. Nothing you’ll order here is short of outstanding.

Chef Tyson adds a Japanese twist on American cuisine and vice versa, like the Ham and Eggs Roll. Niman Ranch pork belly is delicately flavored with espelette peppers before being wrapped in rice without nori. We suggest you dip each roll in the egg yolk cream and espelette jelly instead of soy sauce to fully enjoy this unique sushi dish.