Best Austin Italian
Okay Westlake folks, we seem to have a lack of true Italian restaurants in our community so we have expanded our map a little for this category to include our faves that are nearby but not necessarily in our town. Here we go!
Recognitions and Awards:
The Infatuation: The Best Restaurants in Downtown Austin
Open Table | November 2023 Top 100 Restaurants In America
A Taste of Koko | August 2022 21 Best Italian Restaurants in Austin
Eater | November 2019 Where to Find Austin’s Best Truffle Dishes
Located in downtown Austin, Red Ash has made a name for itself as a must-visit dining destination. With accolades like the Austin Chronicle’s “Best New Restaurant” and a spot on Eater’s “Essential Austin Restaurants,” it’s clear this restaurant stands out in the city’s vibrant culinary scene. As everyone who has ever visited Red Ash knows it is a plan ahead kind of place as its reservation list is perpetually booked up months in advance with good reason. But the trick to getting in without a rezzy, especially if you are a party of 2 or less, is get there at or shortly after they open and you can often snag a spot at the bar that is typically reservation only also.
The menu has northern and southern Italian influences and features many wood fired grill options from bone marrow to 50-day dry aged steaks and filets. Our go to though is the handmade pasta; the Tagliatelle Alla Bolognese is wonderful and hard to pass up, the Frutti Di Mare is full of fresh seafood and is fab, as well as is the Tagliolini with Fresh Blue Crab is also stand out. But, we have never had a disappointing dish here! For apps, the Wood Roasted Tomatoes and Buratta is a can’t miss as well as the Squash blossoms!
The decor at Red Ash is a fun blend of and cozy warmth including graffitied walls and weathered wood elements with subtle but strong undertones of fine dining. The open kitchen adds an exciting touch, allowing one to witness the culinary artistry behind their meals. The service is exceptional, with a team that combines professionalism with genuine hospitality. The staff’s expertise and attentiveness in a laid back friendly but professional way adds to the experience of feeling like you are in a place you know.
Although Red Ash is on the higher end of the price spectrum, the quality of the ingredients, the skillful preparation, and the outstanding service make it a worthwhile investment. It’s a destination that promises a memorable dining experience, whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply indulging in an exceptional meal.
Sammie’s Italian in Austin is a throwback to the old days of delightful dining that gives you the real life feel that you could be dining with members of the mafia amongst the guests. If you are looking for old school Italian dining in every embodiment of the notion, this is the place in Austin. Think dimly lit rooms with staff in red velvet jackets attending to your every need in a very Italian way.
For the food: The menu at Sammi’s Italian is a collaboration of very well executed traditional Italian flavors. The appetizer menu features classics like bruschetta and calamari, both of which are beautifully executed. While it is rare for us to order fried mozzarella, we were with guests who ordered the Housemade Mozzarella Sticks and we have to confess they were excellent! We also had the Calamari that was perfectly prepared.
For mains, their pasta dishes are a standout. Our table ordered the Lumache alla Vodka, the Rigatoni, the Chicken Parmigiana, and the Lasagna! All was superb but I truly love when a place offers a dish that has been over-popularized in cheap chains with mass production that takes you back to the true essence of the spectacular dish that it used to be. That is the case of the Lasagna at Sammie’s. It is old school superb. Don’t miss out on their dessert selection; the tiramisu is light, creamy, and perfectly balanced, making it an ideal end to your meal. The NY Cheescake and Chocolate Tort were good but I’d swap the later for the Tiramisu next time.
As with many good things, Sammie’s is expensive. Our bill with the above mentions items and drinks totaled out at around $155 per person. But it is a fun place to splurge!
“This mission is simple: never forget the rudiments of our art and respect the ingredients so guests enjoy the best flavors they have to offer.”
Vespaio has been on South Congress since before it was cool to be on South Congress. It is a quintessential gem in the Austin dining scene. Vespaio was founded in 1998 and is great to have a time honored neighborhood place that has survived.
We stumbled upon Vespaio a few years ago and love the laid back vibe of the place but always the most important element should be the food. Vespaio delivers beautifully with the food. We normally stay somewhat midscale on the menu here with apps, split a salad, and a couple of pasta dishes and of course wine and have never been disappointed. If you want to go a little more upscale we have had the Alaskan Salmon, the Bucatini with Clams, and the Risotto on the higher end and all were excellent. But if you don’t want to break the bank this is a very unique place that makes you feel like you’re a local in a Little Italy place in NYC.
Oh, almost forgot, they also have very good pizza and we occasionally just do a pizza and bottle of wine which is a great way to dine also!
