Hi, I live in north Austin but sometimes get downtown. North By Northwest is an upscale brewpub in north Austin. They brew their own and actually cook good food. Imho, brewpubs usually do one or the other well - this place does both well so I also highly recommend it. If you're looking for entertainment, start at 6th street. http://www.6street.com/ There's too many places for me to name but it is a very competitive area so mediocre places don't last long. The conference hotel is within walking distance of 6th street. I'd also recommend walking south, towards the river, and I can also recommend places south of the river along Congress Ave. The Congress Ave. bridge is where the bats hang out, but they're long gone and won't be back till summer. http://www.austincityguide.com/content/congress-bridge-bats-austin.asp Here's a place with many beers from Texas and the rest of the world. http://www.gingermanpub.com/ If you go, tell Jeff (one of the managers) that Chris sent you. It won't get you anything but he'll be pleased to hear. A bit to the north, a place with lots of beer and some pub grub. http://www.draughthouse.com/ It has a good "homey" feel to it. If you're in the mood for a movie, try an Austin original: The Alamo Drafthouse. http://www.drafthouse.com/ The story goes that a couple liked watching movies with friends while eating decent food and drinking beer. They bought an unused theater, removed every other row of seats and replaced them with tables. The wait staff will bring you food (decent pub grub) and beer (a wide selection) during the movie. (They also have wine but I don't have any friends like that.) They are successful and have expanded. If you're in the neighborhood for a spell, drive out Texas 290 to Fredericksburg. Along the way you'll find: The LBJ Ranch near Johnson City. http://www.nps.gov/lyjo/index.htm A Texas wildflower farm. http://www.wildseedfarms.com/ Several Texas wineries. http://www.texaswinetrail.com/index.html My favorite is Becker. http://www.beckervineyards.com/ When you get to Fredericksburg, you'll find much eclectic shopping and several b&b's. http://www.fredericksburgtexas.com/ http://www.fbgtx.org/ And my favorite places: http://www.yourbrewery.com/index.html http://www.theauslander.com/ I hope that y'all have a great time here. Unfortunately, I won't be joining as I've got a trip elsewhere next week. Hope this helps, Chris On Wed, 17 Feb 2010, Randy Bush wrote:

is there a nanog austin eats page somewhere? i lost my old link to some wiki we used to use.

and, a completely unverified recco from an austin friend (who thinks chicken fried steak is the meat nearest heaven).

...

I spoke to my colleague who has lived in Austin more recently than I have.

He recommends North By Northwest highly, in the Arboretum area.

http://www.nxnwbrew.com/

When I was a Texan in exile, I would always, on returning, worship at the shrine of Chicken Fried Steak. Threadgill's is a timeless classic that specializes in it. Ken Threadgill was an Austin legend, who gave Janis Joplin one of her first paying gigs. Bonus: Manager Eddie Wilson was the Ranch Boss at the Armadillo World Headquarters, and has a shrine of posters and pictures from the font of Austin weirdness.

http://www.threadgills.com/

He also recommends Urbanspoon as an online info source.

http://www.urbanspoon.com/c/11/Austin-restaurants.html

Welcome, y'all.