The almost hilariously swanky W Hotel will undoubtedly be the hipster nerve center during SXSW, ACL, and the myriad other festivals that attract celebrities to Austin throughout the year. As such, its only restaurant, Trace, will see tons of action without even trying; but it seems aware that within walking distance several acclaimed restaurants threaten to pull focus. So try it does, employing so-new-they’re-passé trends like spray-painting Baroque furnishings in a solid dove-gray and plastering its menus (and intimidating its… [More]

Despite a recent staff exodus to A+A Sichuan Cuisine, this is still just about Austin’s best Szechuan. We aren’t especially fond of the large, bland space, with its flourescent lighting and overhead TV (frequently tuned to Fox News). We do love to come with groups, where we can order more dishes (they won’t all come at once) and sit in the semi-private rooms with Lazy Susans and our own wines.

There’s a confidence-inspiring proportion of Chinese here; they’re eating the twice-cooked… [More]