In honor of our very own former Food editor and forever friend to the local food community, the late, great Virginia B. Wood, we celebrate the excellence these veterans of the scene bring to our fair city. The intention here is to make abundantly clear in the annals of history that this growing group is the crème de la crème of Austin restaurants. Some have been stalwart favorites for decades; some have seen stratospheric success in a remarkably short time, redefining preferences and even earning mononymic recognition. These restaurants have proven themselves influential beyond the scope of everyday dining, and they’re unwavering in their dedication to quality, flavor, creativity, and service. With a food scene as robust and dynamic as Austin’s, sheer numbers indicate we must make room for newcomers while honoring institutional standbys, regardless of their official time in the biz. It’s as much an ode to the food as it is to the herculean efforts behind the scenes. – Jessi Cape