"Austin restaurants" news and stories

Why ask just one food pro about the best new restaurants around the country when you can ask a gaggle of them? Eater did just that, and came up with its Top Newcomers and Top Standbys in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, L.A., Miami, Portland, and Austin.

When in Austin, go to newcomer Uchiko for contemporary Japanese dishes like walu walu (oak-grilled escolar with candied citrus, yuzupon and myoga), say four of the seven experts in the Texas capital. If you happen to be in San Francisco, be sure to drop by standby Pizzaria Delfina (above, and home to the "Purgatorio" pie) say three of the Bay Area critics.

And in Slashfood's hometown of New York? Thai is where it's at, according to the pros. Wander over to Kin Shop for a braised goat curry, or Lotus of Siam for crispy rice with sour Thai sausage.

Austin's unofficial motto, "Keep Austin Weird," should be changed to "Keep Austin Eating Local." It's a locavorism hot spot surrounded by the verdant Texas Hill Country. Restaurants like Olivia and Cipollina have made a name for themselves by supporting area farms and offering seasonal fare. Is it a stretch that there is an annual celebration of local foods? Surely not!

The festival, Eat Local Week, is a series of functions spearheaded by Edible Austin magazine, which aims to raise awareness of the abundant Central Texas victuals. For seven days (Dec. 5-12), folks sample eats from participating restaurants, can tour farms on bicycles and raise funds for Urban Roots, a youth charity. Herein, a recap of events.

Already event-goers have munched on grass-fed, beef-stuffed chard rolls at Eastside Cafe, duck eggs from Learning Pear and Loncito's lamb tacos at Tacodeli. "We are actively trying to expand eaters' palates to try things they might not have ever eaten before (like bacon-wrapped lamb heart at Olivia)," says Marla Camp, publisher of Edible Austin.