2008 Critics Picks
Critics Made-From-Scratch Flashback Food to Celebrate
TIE: Arkie's Grill; the Frisco Shop
Best Sweet-Potato Fries
Best Tuesday Special
Turkey and dressing at the Stallion Grill
Best Tex-Mex Chips & Queso
Best Upscale BLT
Finn & Porter
Best Breakfast Bacon
Best Florentines
Expressions Fine Artisan Chocolates & Confections at Whole Foods Market
Best Shrimp & Grits
Jasper's Gourmet Backyard Cuisine
Best Lamb Sandwich
Best Tartines
Blue Dahlia Bistro
Best Carnivore Appetizer
Roasted marrow bones
Made-From-Scratch Flashback Food to Celebrate
TIE: Arkie's Grill; the Frisco Shop
Caribbean-Dominican Food to Die For
Lechon roast pork and Cubano sandwich at Cafe Mangù
Most Soulful Cajun
Nubian Queen Lola
Best Country Pie
TIE: Jalapeño Dutch Apple Pie
at R.O.’s Outpost in Spicewood; Almond Joy Pie at Texas Pie Co. in Kyle
Best City Pie
Banana cream pie at Lamberts
Tasting Menu Excellent Enough for a Roman Emperor
Hudson's on the Bend
Best Customer-Conscious Trend
Gluten-free choices on more restaurant menus
Best Natural Frozen Yogurt
Piccomolo (made with local White Mountain Bulgarian Yogurt)
Ed Ward Memorial Sandwich Award
Chicken shawarma at Phoenicia Bakery
The Consummate Salvadoran Plate
Best Fried Green Tomatoes
Threadgill's Old No. 1
Best 'Cabrito' Flautas
El Azteca Restaurant
Best Bowl of Mexican Soup
Caldo de Birria
Best Local Truffle
Dark Chocolate Blue Cheese Truffle
Best Michelada
TIE: El Chile Cafe y Cantina; La Mojarra Feliz
Best Duck Dish
Teow-Chew Duck at TC Noodle House
Best Indoor Cupcakes
The Steeping Room
Best Barbecue Sauce
TIE: The Salt Lick; R.O.’s Outpost
Viet Blast From the Past
The Freshest Oasis in Wimberley
Way East Ethnic Food Well Worth the Gas to Get
TIE: Oaxacan Tamaleo on Highway 71 East; Konstantinos in Bastrop
Paradise for Single-Malt Lovers
Opal Divine's
Best Irish Food for Folks Who've Just Come Back From Dublin
B.D. Riley's Irish Pub
Best French Food for Folks Who've Just Come Back From France
Aquarelle
Best Little Wine List
TIE: Eastside Cafe; Fino Restaurant, Patio & Bar
Best Outdoor Dining (With a View of the Bats)
Best Austin Wine Trend
Wine bars with really good food
Best Seasonal Menus
Cafe 909
Best Casual Seafood Bar
Best Retro-Ranch Decor With a Pizza Happy Hour
The Red House
Best Cajun Food/Music Venue
Best New Food Market Venue in West Austin
Tarrytown Farmers' Market in the back yard of Talulah Bleu Tarrytown Florist
Best Additions to East Sixth Street Entertainment District
TIE: Alamo at the Ritz with cocktails;
the late-night chef hangout scene at Parkside
Best Restaurant Makeover
TIE: TRIO at the Four Seasons (fine dining); Threadgill’s Old No. 1 (comfort food)
Best Pastry Chef
Philip Speer at Uchi
Best Place to Take a Break From Shopping
A22 Wine Bar at Central Market Westgate
Best Sichuan With an Authentic Difference
Dim Sum Done Right
Fish Sandwich Heaven
Fuegos Authentic Mexican & California Cuisine
Two Blocks of Superior Burgers With a Side of Great Jukebox
Local Focus of a Food Trend Sweeping Both Coasts
Korean fried chicken at Red Cap Chick
We Can't Believe These Places Are Gone
TIE: Cibo, Brentwood Tavern, Garibaldi's Mexican Restaurant
Best Reclamation of a Cursed Location
Gypsy Italian Bistro (Honorable Mention: Uncle Billy’s Brew & Que, Baby Greens, Botticelli’s)
Incredibly Creative Martinis
Best Place to Write Your Novel or Finish Your Dissertation
Fair Bean Coffee
Absolutely Top-Drawer Afternoon Tea
The Steeping Room
Most Soulful Seafood
Bayseas #7 at the Victory Grill
Best 'Ostioneria'
La Mojarra Feliz
Best Creative Cocktails
Starlite
Street Food Chic
TIE: Vietnamese báhn mì thit at Lulu B’s; gourmet grilled cheese at Go Bites
|
|
|
|
