  2010 Critics PicksBest Fried Pie & Ice Cream ComboTIE: Lambert’s Downtown Barbecue, Monument CaféToothsome apple slices encased in impossibly flaky pastry paired with burnt sugar caramel ice cream at the former and a hot, juicy blackberry turnover topped with a luxurious scoop of vanilla custard at the later are both sheer perfection.
Most Amazing Meat and PotatoesHudson's on the BendThe kitchen here turns out fork-tender bison tenderloin paired with heavenly Shiner Bock/ancho chile mashed potatoes under a tangy Shiner aioli, elevating simple meat and potatoes to the stratosphere of great flavor.
Fried Chicken Worth Pulling Out of Traffic to EatFlying Falafel & Po-boysThe inviting aroma of Mama Haddad’s take-out fried chicken – tender and spicy under a crisp mahogany crust - makes you want to pull over and eat it right now!
Most Comforting Locavore Winter Bistro MealTexas French BreadWe started with a Salad Lyonnaise of fresh, local greens, house croutons, and lardoons topped with a glorious farm egg and finished with braised Thunderheart bison and winter root vegetables in a buttery crust, completely comforted.
Best Chicken-Fried Rib-eyeOliviaThe huge, tender Richardson’s Farm rib-eye encased in a golden, crackly crust and napped with peppery cream gravy is my favorite brunch dish.
Best Fresh-Squeezed Lemonade/LimeadeMonument CafeTall, frosty glasses of these sweet-tart beverages delivered with a glistening bar shaker refill are the ultimate in liquid refreshment.
Best Use of Sugar and SpiceGourdough'sWhile others swoon over doughnuts slathered with custard, maple syrup, or chocolate, I go for the Naughty & Nice crusted with cinnamon sugar - simple, satisfying, and to the point.
Best Sweet Spicy DessertMama RouxThe signature Tabasco Cheesecake here is subtle and delicate with a tantalizing chile tingle that tickles the tongue.
Most Amazing Flavors of SummerPerla'sCreamed corn off the cob and simple grilled asparagus managed to outshine even the best seafood here on a summer visit.
Best Farmers’ Market Breakfast
Restaurant I’ll Miss the Most
Best Jazz & JuiceVino VinoTheir Tuesday night Kat Edmonson shows were a wine and jazz lover’s bliss. (Bye bye Kat and come home soon!)
Best Lobster GritsPerla'sWith velvety texture, alarming wonderful aromas and sumptuous flavors, it’s the perfect dish.
Most Critical Thinking About DrinkingTipsy TexanWhere liquor counts
Best Happy Hour DealTRIO at the Four SeasonsDiscover great food and a masterful wine list in a comfortable setting, all at half price; Monday-Saturday 5-8pm.
Most Beautiful New View at the LakeMizuThe food’s a bit pricey but the view is breathtaking. Take someone you love.
Favorite Indian Street FoodTIE: Teji, Bombay ExpressStart at Teji’s for the mixed vegetable pakoda, samosa chaat, and pani puri, then take a short drive south to Bombay Express for the excellent khasta kachori, fried idli, and the spicy paneer roll.
Most Succulent Chinese BBQ Roasted MeatsHo Ho Chinese B.B.Q.Moist and succulent char siu pork, non-greasy roast ducks, the best juicy marinated chicken, crispy-skinned Peking ducks, and delightful little quails in special salt.
Best Spanish (meaning Spain) SandwichLonghorn Po-Boys & FalafelThe magnificent “Puerco Manchego”, made with roasted and pulled pork tenderloin, jamón serrano, Manchego cheese, green-apple slices, paprika aioli, sautéed shallots, and mesclun greens.
Favorite Reason to Slaughter a PigSnow’s BBQThe barbecued pork from from Kerry and Tootsie at Snow’s BBQ in Lexington. It’s the best thing to get there, and it flies smooth under the radar of the brisket-eaters (although their brisket is nothing to sneeze at either).
Bahn Mi to Beat All Bahn MiTâm Deli & CafeLots of places try but none of their competition can touch Tâm and Tran’s bahm mi (Vietnamese sandwiches), especially the one filled with rich, grilled lemongrass beef. Many other versions available also.
Transport Me to a Borough PizzaNiki's PizzaWalk into Niki’s North blindfolded, take the blindfold off, and the look, the aromas, the menu, and especially the delicious thin crust pizza will make you think you’ve been hijacked to Brooklyn.
Best (and Only) Hand-Shaved NoodlesChen's Noodle HouseFantastic as either the stir fried pork and veggie noodles, or the noodles with pork and black beans made with George’s dao xiao mian, or “knife-cut” noodles. Bump it up higher with a bowl of the lamb soup with thick noodles and some excellent scallion cakes.
Best Use of a Restaurant GardenMadam Mam'sBecause most of the stuff that Sap and Mam grow in the vegetable and herb garden cannot be bought here (a cornucopia of Thai eggplants and chiles, herbs and spices like 5 different types of Thai basils, chaplu, and fresh galangal) the food tastes that much more authentic.
Best Locovore ExperienceAttend any of the delicious and adventurous dinners staged by Jesse Griffiths and Tamara Mayfield of Dai Due Supper Club to find out what can be prepared with truly fresh and pristine local ingredients.
Best Way to Silence the Unctuous LambsDimassi's Mediterranean BuffetAll-you-can-eat lamb shanks at DiMassi's – sure, it's a buffet, but there are piles of unctuous marrow-laden lamb shanks waiting to be scarfed. Lamb shanks, people!
Most Laid Back Italian DiningNonna Gina's Italian RestaurantReno and Julie have created an inviting cocoon to envelop you in Buda, with authentic, delicious Italian food to match. It’s like dinner at your Italian aunt’s, if you had one.
Most Amazing Jingle Bell PorkSazónPork in chile cazcabel sauce at Sazón; tender cubes of porcine goodness bathed in a rich, complex sauce made from cazcabel (or jingle-bell) chiles, nestled in a handmade corn tortilla. Hard to beat.
The Chinese Dish I Never Thought I’d Like
Best Under-the-Radar HamburgerSpec'sThe Blue Cheese and Bacon Burger here is a winner. Everything about this burger is perfection, all of the ingredients are first class, it’s big enough for a big-boy appetite, and for a dollar more it comes with excellent tater tots, o-rings, fries, or curly fries.
Lightest TamalCosta del SolThese tamales taste like they are whipped with helium-infused lard, so good they melt in your mouth. Huge, but you’ll have room for excellent pupusas, delish yucca frita, and the world’s best fried plantain plate.
Favorite Snack on a Hot AfternoonSpicy Peel and Eat Shrimp with Escabeche at Perla'sI love these jumbo shrimp tossed with homemade crunchy vegetable escabeche, washed down with a pint of beer, a glass of rosé, or the daily sparkling cocktail.
Favorite Hot and Crispy SnackDal Pups at Whip-InChandan "Mom" Topiwala won my heart with these addicting spicy patties of garbanzo, lentil, and select Whip-Indianized spices served with a tamarind-date-chili dipping sauce. Also great with a pint of beer or glass of rosé.
Summeriest Happy Hour SnackScallop carpaccio at AquarelleChef Leonard Reese came up with this beauty: paper-thin slices of sea scallop perched atop homemade orange granité, Thai chili slices, and chili oil. Ohhhhh.
Best Place for Your Bacon FixFrankFrom a crispy stirring stick in a bacon-infused vodka Bloody Mary to a chocolate-covered garnish on dessert, Frank can dish out the bacon like no place else.
Most Succulent Pork DishThe Carillon's crisp pork bellyCrisp on the outside, falling-apart juicy on the inside, with a sweet-spicy "Diablo" glaze and a crunchy Asian pear salad to balance it all out. Serious swine!
Best Nouvelle TortaPulled Pork Torta at Izzoz TacosSloooow roasted carnita-style pork, seasoned with ancho chile, served in a toasted bolillo with pickled slaw, red onions and chipotle aioli...oh, and those hand cut garlic fries!
Favorite Place to Hold Up the BarJustine's BrasserieThe friendly smile and killer cocktails by Olivier Calmant, the eclectic vinyl spins by owner Pierre Pelegrin, and tasty bistro fare make me happy. Please stay off my bar stool.
Favorite Non-Traditional Hot DogBuffalo Hottie at Man Bites DogVienna beef frank with blue cheese crumbles, buffalo wing sauce & green onions, lovingly set in a kolache-style bun...make that two, please!
Dish I Will Miss ForeverPicadinho de porco at Sampaio'sI miss so much about Sampaio's, but thinking about the picadinho makes me cry. Chef Johnny: send me the recipe, please!
Best Use of Chilis in a CocktailTIE: Good Knight, Paggi HouseMuddled pear and fresh jalapeño, pear brandy, mescal and sparkling wine make the Endless Summer; The Redbud features muddled mariachi peppers and sea salt, Tito's vodka, grapefruit bitters, house-made grenadine, and lime juice.
Only-in-Austin BurgerThe Gibson LoungeThe Trailer burger at the Gibson rocks with a 1/4 pound patty topped with bacon and American or Swiss cheese sandwiched between Round Rock donuts. I kid you not!
Best MilkshakeThe Roasted Banana and Brown Sugar milkshake at 24 DinerIt is Bananas Foster in a glass, topped with whipped cream, and yes, it will stun your brain, gloriously.
Best Greenbelt ViewRed's PorchThe breezy balcony at Red’s Porch offers a breezy, soothing view of the Greenbelt (including the roar of the Falls), but is tastefully far enough away to preserve the privacy of the hikers, bathers, and other nature-lovers below.
Best Post-Modern Retro Throwback Dessert ExperienceThe Flambe Cart at The HighBallWhen they wheel the Flambe Cart out, in all its polished wooden glory, you will feel like you are eating at a Vegas Casino in 1962. When the chef lights the brandy, your table is the center of the room; and the Highball’s Cherry Jubilee Bread Pudding is even better than the build-up.
Best Argument So Far for Living FoodsBeets Living Foods CafeWhile the idea of Living Foods is exciting, the reality can often be a jaw-exhausting pile of raw vegetables. Not so at BEETS, where the all-raw cuisine is delicious, memorable, and a pleasure to eat.
Best Classic French PastriesLa BoîteLa Boite was perceptive enough to grab Pastry Chef Extraordinaire Barrie Cullinan to provide their pastries. Cullinan takes Croissants, Pain au Chocolate, and Brioche to new levels of flaky perfection that must be experienced to be believed.
Best Place to Build Your Own SandwichFricano's DeliNo matter how misguided your ingredient selection, the Fricano’s family will be able to assemble your sandwich creation with such flair that it will be rendered, not just edible, but worthy of being named after you and added to the menu.
The Chef is a Genius, the Ambiance is Perfect, But Have I Mentioned the Hassle-Free, Non-Valet Parking?The CarillonAt the Carillion, just inside UT campus on MLK, renowned Chef Josh Watkins has created a triumphant menu that combines the best of tradition and innovation: it’s the perfect place to take the Folks. But there’s more: no looking for a parking space or handing the keys to a stranger, even though the area is a parking desert. You drive into the underground garage, park, and take the elevator up into the restaurant. Elegant, low-stress, and free.
Best Eastern Mediterranean DessertFlying Falafel & Po-boysIt’s likely that minuscule Flying Falafel near campus is the only restaurant in town whose menu is a mashup of Jordanian dishes and New Orleans’ classics. It’s all fresh and flavorful, but one standout is the succulent pan-Eastern Mediterranean dessert called kanafeh, made from mild white cheese and crispy shredded phyllo, sprinkled with pistachios and soaked in sweet syrup. Heaven.
Best Housemade Frozen CustardMonument CafeMonument Café specializes in southern comfort food, not least of which is silken frozen custard made from scratch. Classic vanilla evokes memories of Texas childhood summers, the chocolate version is a satisfying combination of bitter and sweet, but strawberry ushers a new world order into the frozen custard universe. It’s brilliant.
Outdoor Bar SpacePaggi HouseMichael Paggi, the Italian entrepreneur who first brought ice to Austin in the 1870s, is probably smiling down on the open-air bar in the courtyard of what was once his family home. Paggi House has been a restaurant since 1970, but the courtyard bar, revamped in 200?, is an incredibly pleasant venue under the stars, complete with trickling water sculpture over the old cistern. Oh, and the drinks are good, too.
Best New Regional Mexican Food (Trailer)El NaranjoHoly mole, chefs Iliana de la Vega and Ernesto Torrealba are elevating Mexican cooking in Austin to a new plane. Transported to Austin from their world-renowned restaurant of the same name in Oaxaca, these talented authorities on Mexican cuisines offer different dishes on different days, including subtly complex moles, softly steamed tamales from different regions, stuffed masa appetizers called molotes, tacos and tostadas with fillings like nopales, tinga verde, and chileajo.
Most Satisfying Bowl of PolentaAstiAsti’s creamy soft polenta begins life as heirloom flint corn from Anson Mills in South Carolina. Perfectly cooked, it’s served in a big bowl and topped with a fat, grilled, homemade sausage, lashed with fresh tomato sauce, and blessed with Parmesan shavings. One of the most satisfying lunches ever. Ever.
Best Urban GroceryRoyal Blue GroceryWith a to-go counter selling hot food and sandwiches, weekly wine tastings, and a terrific selection of local specialty items, the Royal Blue has tapped into the downtown condo scene in a big way. There are two locations downtown, and they deliver.
Best Spicy FishHouse special crispy fish at Asia CafeIf you haven’t been to the Café at Asia Market yet, just go. Order the House special crispy fish-- chunks of crispy white fish in a fiery garlic and chili broth, atop lightly steamed bok choy—and you won’t be disappointed.
Best Place to See Your FoodThai FreshThai Fresh owner, Jam Santichat serves authentic food the way they do it in Thailand- from a display case at the front of the restaurant (only there are no flies). Everything looks (and is) so mouthwateringly delicious, you’ll have a tough time choosing.
Best ChilaquilesShrimp chilaquiles at Garrido'sThese chilaquiles are made with thick, homemade strips of tortilla, plenty of tender shrimp, then smothered with a tangy, creamy chili sauce. Original, yet oh so comforting.
Best Taqueria You've Never Heard ofTaqueria MorelosWhenever I drive south on US 183 I try to stop at this tiny taqueria across from the airport. Everything is made from scratch and tastes delicious. Their green salsa is practically drinkable.
Best Coconut Cream PieThe FriscoCrisp pie crust, Light and airy coconut filling piled high with meringue; just like grandma used to make.
Best Place to be SeenEast Side Show RoomStylish, urban hangout seeks mod clientele. Must love absinthe cocktails, local food, silent films and accordion music in a bustling, crowded setting.
Best Recycling of an Arby’s Sign
Best Shaved IceThe Mangonada at the Snow ConeThe ‘Mangonada’ is a mix of mango ice, fresh squeezed lime, tangy chamoy, and chile salt. It’s tongue-clacking and highly addictive.
Best SchnitzelEuropean BistroThough Schnitzel has been handed down (after a fashion) to the modern-day Texan as our beloved Chicken-Fried Steak, the original German version of breaded cutlets is a culinary triumph of its own. European Bistro serves up the quintessential version of, not only Weinerschnitzel, but Chicken Schnitzel, Pork Schnitzel, and the heavenly Jaagerschnitzel, which comes to the table drowned in fresh mushroom gravy.
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Curbside Cuisine Goes Big in Austin
Eastside Renaissance
Central and South America Arrive
Sushi Takes Over Austin
Cocktails: Drink Fresh
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