Lunch Money

Sure, lunch may be the least glamorous of the meals. Even that name, with its guttural grunt, makes it seem more like work than pleasure. That’s why most days we’re happy with just a sandwich and some chips. But during SXSW, we like to relax a moment and do what socialites have been doing for ages: give lunch a sense of occasion. The Chanel suit is completely optional.

Chez Nous

Long before the rest of Austin decided to get all charcute, Chez Nous quietly served up pâté and confit and a curated assortment of fromages. The dining room may not be the hippest in town, and you won’t hear people using words like “innovative” and “concept,” but you will see a lot of cleared plates.

Prelog’s European Kitchen & Bar

Chef Florian Prelog’s restaurant has only been open for a few days and he’s already making waves. His plates are among the most beautiful in town (even something as potentially blah as a cauliflower soup would look stunning on your Parsons table), but the flavors are all classic European. If you want to feel like a bigwig, this is the place to go – no one has to know you didn’t break the bank.

The Juice Well and Micklethwait Craft Meats

There are a lot of food trucks to choose from in Austin (some of them even make national lists), but we keep going to these neighbors time and time again. When we’re in the mood for sauce and smoke, Tom Micklethwait’s brisket is hard to beat. When we want something lighter, the Juice Well has vegetarian tacos that keep us going all day. Who needs more when you have the two Austin food groups in one lot?

Koriente

There’s going to be a lot of noise coming from Red River this week. You are going to need a restful respite. There will be a line, but once you get it, Koriente will be your oasis from death metal and post-punk. And the healthy menu of rice bowls and spring rolls are an escape from the deep-fried glut of nearby food trucks.

This article appears in March 20 • 2015.