2003 Readers Poll | 2003 Critics Picks | 2003 Index of Winners Once again, the Chronicle readers have spoken, and their reactions to the Austin restaurant scene in the past year are detailed below. We couldn't help but notice that the loyal supporters of Mirabelle have seen to it that the Northwest Hills neighborhood fave has finally overtaken its sister restaurant Castle Hill Cafe in some categories and is seriously knocking on the door of best restaurant. We're always surprised when newcomers that haven't gotten much media attention make strong showings, and Crimson and Cypress Grill are now definitely on our list of places to check out. And it's always notable when the longtime winner of a category is ousted. Like the Pecan Street Cafe and Chez Fred before it, Chez Zee has owned the best dessert category for years but finally fell to Mirabelle this year. The salad-and-dressing category has been the exclusive province of East Side Cafe for as long as I can remember, but that spot went to Shady Grove. The Chronicle Food staff (myself, Mick Vann, Wes Marshall, Barbara Chisholm, Claudia Alarcon, Rachel Feit, and Erin Mosow) met over sandwiches the other day to consider the ballot and make our choices, and, as always, the only consensus was that we are not of one mind about anything when it comes to food. We suggest you take the readers choices and the critics picks and spend the next year checking them all out. - Virginia B. Wood |
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