Austin, the capital of Texas, is located in Travis County in the central portion of the state. For tourists, the city of Austin features attractions like the Texas State Capitol Building, Austin Children's Museum, Zilker Park and the French Legation Museum. Visitors to Austin have numerous dining options to choose from, including highly-rated casual as well as upscale Italian restaurants.
La Traviata is in downtown Austin, where it opened in July 2000. The restaurant held Zagat dining guide ratings of "extraordinary to perfection" for its food and "very good to excellent" for its decor and service as of September 2010. The menu begins with 11 appetizers, such as the prosciutto di parma in truffle oil and the beef carpaccio with fried radicchio. A featured dish is the rigatoni with lamb meatballs, roasted bell peppers, basil leaves, pinenuts and cream. More than half of the restaurant's 35 wine selections are Italian vintages. La Traviata serves lunch Mondays through Fridays and dinner Mondays through Saturdays. The restaurant is closed on Sundays. Reservations are highly suggested and can be made by phone. Business casual attire is appropriate.
La Traviata
314 Congress Ave.
Austin, TX 78701
512-479-8131
latraviata.net
Mandola's Italian Market is a restaurant within an Italian grocery store in north central Austin. The restaurant held Zagat ratings of "very good to excellent" for its food and decor and "good to very good" for its service as of September 2010. Nine appetizers lead the menu, like the arancini, patties made from rice, prosciutto, peas and house-made mozzarella cheese topped in a marinara sauce. Known for its pizza, the restaurant offers nine specialty pies, such as the melazane, topped with eggplant, fontina cheese roasted cherry tomatoes and garlic. Mandola's Italian Market is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Reservations are not taken. Casual attire is the norm. Outdoor dining is available. The restaurant offers a children's menu.
Mandola's Italian Market
4700 West Guadalupe St.
Austin, TX 78751
512-419-9700
mandolasmarket.com
Located in Hyde Park, Austin's Asti Trattoria opened in July 2000. The restaurant had Zagat ratings of "very good to excellent" for its food, decor and service as of September 2010. To begin the meal, the restaurant offers seven appetizers, such as the mushrooms stuffed with goat cheese, ricotta, pecorino Romano and sage leaves. Seafood lovers may opt for the saffron risotto, which contains shrimp, clams, mussels and calamari. To finish the meal, diners may consider the tiramisu or the ricotta brulee with brandied cherries. All of the restaurant's nearly 40 wines are served by the bottle. Asti Trattoria serves lunch Mondays through Fridays and dinner Mondays through Saturdays. Reservations are suggested and accepted online and by phone. Business casual is the attire. A children's menu is available.
Asti Trattoria
408C East 43rd St.
Austin, TX 78751
512-451-1218
astiaustin.com
