219 West is a posh downtown bar with Euro-Manhattan flair, sharp taste buds and a keen eye for interior design. The restaurant/bar opens weekdays for lunch to serve American tapas, open faced sandwiches, soups, salads and mini burgers. After five, 219 West turns down the lights and turns up the music to offer moderately priced cocktails and appetizers. Pick your meal based on the alcohol with which it's paired such as spicy cheese fries on the beer menu, grilled asparagus with lump crab on the martini menu and turkey fajitas on the tequila menu. You won't go hungry or thirsty at 219 West.

Cantina Laredo is a fine dining restaurant serving authentic Mexican fare. How authentic can Mexican cuisine get in Texas? Well, everything on the menu is house-made. If that means hand rolling enchiladas, that's what you get. The ingredients and seafood (excellent garlic butter jumbo shrimp) are shipped in daily and the grilled meat is made from Certified Angus Beef. The wholesome Sunday brunch (carne asada, eggs, chicken fajita omelet) seems like the breakfast for Mexican champions. A final word of caution before you indulge in jalapenos.

Lamberts, located just within the entertaining Warehouse District, has a highly energetic atmosphere with a unique Texas cuisine made up of barbeque, steak and seafood. When finished with any one of their highly recommended dishes, you can enjoy live music playing on their second floor nearly every night of the week. They are open for lunch which has become a popular spot for business patrons and as dinner is a well sought after experience, reservations are recommended. For those who wish to take advantage of the Austin weather, Lamberts also offers an outside patio.

Nestled in the center of Austin's Warehouse district, Imperia is a fusion of Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Korean and the Pacific Rim cuisines. The restaurant has a serene and mystical aura to it with its grand chandeliers, onyx stone panels, golden Buddha statue and dark colors, it looks like a supper club from Hong Kong, only it is not. Serving traditional sushi and unique dishes such as firecracker shrimp and mussels with wasabi mashers, yuzu-crusted oyster, served with candied hijiki salad and wasabi creme, delicate Chilean sea bass glazed in Miso, lobster and shrimp pad Thai and Korean rib-eye with chive blossoms are some of the distinct dishes you will not find anywhere else. Select from their wide range of global wines, specialty cocktails, Japanese whiskeys and sakes from their lounge and tipple on your choice drink while you relish your meal. Imperia will tickle your senses and palate alike for a beautiful Asian gastronomic delight. No wonder it was voted the best Asian by the Austin Chronicler. Come and see this ethereal world of Imperia yourselves.

Kenichi is undoubtedly a favorite in Austin. It serves an interesting fusion of Sushi and Pan-Asian Cuisine. Take a seat at the sushi bar and gorge on the Kenichi special roll-snow crab and tuna with cucumber, avocado and smelt eggs. The other must-haves on the menu are the duck confit and the Buddha noodle bowl. Japanese beer and sake are also available.

For a mouthful of the real Texas, head down to the Salt Lick Barbeque Restaurant. The scenery and the rustic restaurant building all add to that perfect Southern flavor. Try the mammoth sized sandwiches or the Family style meals (inclusive of pork ribs, brisket, sausage, potato salad, cole slaw, beans, pickles, onions and bread). Dig into the delicious smoky sausages or the moist briskets all made with special Salt Lick sauces. You have to leave place for the irresistible homemade desserts. It must be noted though that the restaurant is located in a dry precinct so you have to carry your own alcohol. Great barbeque, melt in the mouth desserts and a drink of your choice, mmmm!

There are three Salt Lick locations in the Austin area and one north of Texas. Customers at the two stand-alone locations are allowed to go into the kitchen and view the pit where the brisket, sausage, pork ribs, turkey, and chicken are cooked. Can't decide which meat to enjoy? No worries! Combination plates and "add-ons" are at the ready. Customers please take note, the Driftwood location only accepts cash, the Round Rock location has a lunch menu, and at the two independent stores guests are required to limit their dining experience to 1 and 1/2 hours, so others can enjoy some of the most famous BBQ in the region. - Freddie Obregon

Buffets usually are hit-or-miss; most of the time, the food gets stale in the warmers on the serving tables. However, the lunch buffet of Chola in the south side of Round Rock, is a step above the rest: most of the dishes are rice concoctions (such as biryani) and spiced stews (such as curry). Chola stays true to the Hindu roots of India by burning votive incense near the restaurant's entryway, as well as by offering a palate-cleansing mixture of anise seeds (some candy-coated, some not) after the meal.  Those new to Indian cuisine can ease into this type of cooking by sampling the chicken tikka masala, tandoori fish, and naan (Indian flatbread).  Chase everything down with sweet and sour lassi. - Freddie Obregon

Italo's pizza is freshly made and hand-tossed! You can build your own pie or order from their specialty menu. Call or see the website for more information.

If you crave for authentic Chinese cuisine then P.F Changs is where you should head. Sample the fresh seafood all prepared in exotic herbs. If you like meat then you'll certainly not be disappointed at this joint, for it serves excellent meat and noodle combos. Although this place demands a large appetite, in case light meal is what you prefer then there is a list of soups and salads to choose from. Team it up with a glass of wine and finish it with a delectable dessert and you're all set for a wonderful gastronomical experience.