Gift Recommendations?

squirrly

Hi all!  I'm getting married in Kentucky, but looking for a gift for our readers who live near Ft. Hood.  They go to Austin regularly, and I thought a restaurant gift card for a nice dinner might be a good choice for them.  They particularly like to go to shows/concerts (Beauty and the Beast recently, and Phantom of the Opera soon), so something in that part of town would be great. 

Alternatively, is there an association of independant restaurants there that might do a collective gift card?  We have one of those in Louisville that includes about 30 different restaurants. 

I've never been to Austin at all, so I thought I'd check with you all.  If there's something non-restaurant related that I should check out - please feel free to share - I'm open to most anything.

TIA!

SarahPLiz

There are some really nice restaurants downtown that Im sure they'd love, like Trulucks, Sullivans, and Shoreline Grill. The only local association I am aware of is the Go Local campaign, but those are just discount cards to use at local merchants and restaurants. Sorry I can't be more helpful.

squirrly

Thanks, Sarah - that's a start!

SarahPLiz

ANd I remembered a few more: Fogo de Chao is a chain, but is definitely a carnivore favorite here. Right across the street is a place called Roy's (Asian Fusion), and I've heard that its pretty interesting.
 
If they are wine people, Max's Wine Dive is pretty cool. I went there for a wine tasting event and it was fun. the food was good too. Apparently they have a kick butt chicken and waffles brunch on the weekends.

FOr a more mid-priced but still really awesome Austin-tatious place, check out Moonshine. Its right near the convention center. They make awesome drinks, great brunch, and green chile macaroni & Cheese. YUM!

Austinites use Yelp.com quite frequently for reviews, so you can probably find some good information there.

squirrly

Sarah, that Moonshine one looks like them!  Awesome recommendation.  Thanks!

lilmamaten

I work at Restaurant Jezebel downtown, we are only a few blocks from the Paramount, so of course that would be my recommendation

amandabartlett

My fiance and I ate at Shoreline Grill for Valentines Day. It was really good (pretty $$$$) and the atmosphere is pretty amazing. In the summer you can watch the bats come out from under the congress bridge. It's a neat experience, I enjoyed it. Other than that, my favorite place in Austin is Kona Grill, it's in the Domain so it's a little $$$ too. Their food is AMAZING though! Sorry I couldnt be more helpful!

squirrly

I think I would love the Shoreline Grill, but I'm not so sure about this friend.  She grew up in Alaska, and if she can't see where the seafood lived or at least the boat it likely came in on, she won't eat it.  So, it's going to have to be a place that doesn't specialize in seafood, which I think Shoreline is, right? 

I'll check out the others from home tonight - thanks!