Critics Picks
Fri., May 12, 2000

Saffron Seafood Risotto at Vespaio
Appetizers
Saba Blue Water Cafe, Castle Hill
Best Barbecue
Sam's
Best Hamburger (and Hot Dogs)
Casino el Camino
Best Steak
Austin Land & Cattle Company
Best Chicken-Fried Steak
Hoover's Cooking
Best Chile Pepper Dish
Mixiote Lamb in Ancho Chile Sauce at Curra's; Ancho Chile Relleno w/ Chicken, Apples & Almonds at Fonda San Miguel
Best Chips & Hot Sauce
Botanitas, Taquería el Borrego de Oro
Best Breakfast Taco
Juan in a Million
Best Soup
Vegan Carrot-Jalapeño at Bistro 88; Caldo de Pollo at El Sol y la Luna
Best Salad & Dressing
Salad Lyonnaise w/ House Vinaigrette at Chez Nous

Jo's coffee shop at the San Jose Hotel
Best Seafood Dish
Saffron Seafood Risotto at Vespaio; Salt & Pepper Shrimp at T&S Seafood
Best Original Recipes
Vespaio; Fonda San Miguel
Best Pub Grub
Charcuterie Platter at Bitter End Bistro & Brewery
Best Dim-Sum
Twin Dragon
Best Pho
888 Cafe
Best Breakfast
Dan's Hamburgers (Manchaca & Ben White)
Best Sandwiches
Cobb Salad Sandwich at Rather Sweet; Pulled Pork at Jo's; anything at NeWorlDeli or Ba Le Vietnamese Deli
Best Wine List
Tocai
Best Pies
R.O.'s Outpost, all pies; Hoover's Coconut Cream (tie)
Best Finger Food to Share With a Group
Saba Blue Water Cafe
Best Coffee
Little City

Sam's
Best East Coast-Style Pizza
Reale's
Best Eclectic Pizza
Liberty Pie
Best Enchiladas
Enchiladas Zacatecanas at El Sol y la Luna
Best Chicken Dishes
Rotisserie Chickens at Central Market; Chicken-Fried Chicken at Cafe 290
Best Wild Game Dish
Pappardelle w/ Wild Boar Sauce at Siena
Best Bargains
$3.75 plate lunch at the Saigon Deli counter
Best Tofu Dishes
Chef Liu's Domino Tofu at Bistro 88; MaPoDoFu at Hunan South
Best Tex-Mex
El Azteca
Best Taquería
Taco Xpress (Tex-Mex); Taquería el Borrego de Oro (Interior)
Best Chinese
Din Ho Chinese BBQ
Best Thai
Classic Thai

Korea Garden
Best Other Asian
Java Noodles
Best Vegetarian
Little Bombay
Best French
Jean Luc's French Bistro
Best Vietnamese
Sea Dragon; 888 Cafe; Tam Deli & Cafe
Best New Restaurant
Bistro 88
Best Casual Dining Game Dishes
Duck Gumbo at Shoal Creek Saloon;
Duck-Stuffed Red Bell Pepper at Empanada Parlour
Best Lazy Day Outdoor Dining Scene
Jo's coffee shop at the San Jose Hotel
Best Chef
Hoover Alexander at Hoover's Cooking
Best Woman Chef
Alma Alcocer-Thomas at Jeffrey's
Best Service
Jeffrey's

The Michael Peschka-designed patio at Taco Xpress
Best Decor
Saba Blue Water Cafe
Best Takeout
Liberty Pie (south); Cipollina (central)
Best Delivery
EatOutIn
Best Sushi
Korea Garden
Best Wine List
Tocai
Best Place to Take Your Kids
Güero's Taco Bar (according to Roz Faires, actual kid)
Best Wine Sales Idea
By-the-glass suggestions for every menu item and half-glasses of dessert wines at reduced prices at Brio Vista
Best Beer Selection
Shaggy's
Best Brewmaster
Tim Schwartz at the Bitter End Bistro & Brewery

Dolce Vita
Best Buffet
Marco Polo
Best Upscale Menu
Zoot; Brio Vista
Best Happy Hour Free or Cheap Deal
Half-priced appetizers at Manuel's and Clay Pit
Best Comfort Food
Dot's Place
Best Place to Take Your Parents
Jean-Pierre's Upstairs
Best Place to Take Your Parents After the Football Game
Ray's Steakhouse
Best Place We Wish Were Still Open
The Avenue Cafe; Midnight Tacos; Bagel Manufactory; Southern Dinette
Best Restaurants Within 100 Miles of Austin
Royer's Round Top Cafe in Round Top; Poodie's Hilltop Cafe near Mason; The Nest and Oak House in Fredericksburg
Best Worth Noting
Crescent City Beignets
Best Beer Garden/Patio
The rooftop patio at Waterloo Brewing Company; the Michael Peschka-designed patio at Taco Xpress
Best Desserts
Dolce Vita
Best Fast Food
Chipotle Mexican Grill
Best 24-Hour
Austin Java Company at 12th & Lamar
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