Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
La Condesa
MAP
MEXICAN
$$
GOOGLE MAP
( 512-499-0300;
www.lacondesa.com
; 400 W 2nd St; small plates $7-16, mains $18-26; dinner Mon-Wed,
5-11pm Thu & Fri, 11am-11pm Sat, lunch & dinner Sun)
Here in slacky Slackerville, decor is often an
afterthought, but La Condesa came along and changed all that with an eye-poppingly gor-
geous space that's colorful, supermodern and artsy, with a dazzling mural taking up an en-
tire wall. If you find their dinners to be a little spendy, come for brunch (in the $10 to $14
range).
Chez Nous
MAP
FRENCH
$$$
GOOGLE MAP
( 512-473-2413;
www.cheznousaustin.com
;
510 Neches St; lunch $8-19, dinner mains $20-37; lunch
11:45am-2pm Tue-Fri, dinner 6-10:30pm Tue-Sun)
This classic Parisian-style bistro has been quietly
serving excellent food since 1982. Low-key and casual, Chez Nous is as unpretentious as
they come, and has made many a French food lover
trés heureux
(very happy)
,
especially
with its three-course menu du jour for $28.50.
Lambert's
( 512-494-1500; 401 W 2nd St; mains $14-42; 11am-2pm & 5:30-10pm)
Torn between barbecue and
fine dining? Lambert's serves intelligent updates of American comfort -food classics -
some might call it 'uppity barbecue' - in a historic stone building run by Austin chef Lou
Lambert. Sides are extra, so be prepared to spend. Or, come early and nosh on half-price
appetizers at happy hour (5pm till 7pm).
BARBECUE
$$$
WORTH A TRIP
DETOUR: TEXAS BARBECUE TRAIL
They call it the
Texas Barbecue Trail
(
www.texasbbqtrails.com
)
: 80 artery-clogging miles' worth of the best
brisket, ribs and sausage Texas has to offer, stretching from Taylor, Texas (36 miles northeast of Austin) down to
Luling, passing through Elgin and Lockhart along the way. Marketing gimmick? Perhaps. Do our stomachs care?
They do not. If your schedule or limited appetite make driving two hours and eating at 12 different barbecue res-
taurants unfeasible, make a beeline for brisket in Lockhart, or if it's hot sausage you crave, Elgin is your best bet.
Wink
MAP
FUSION
$$$
GOOGLE MAP
