Dining Guide 2004: Where to eat, from A to V

Good food comes in all forms in Central Texas. Here are more than 200 listings by category, from American to Mexican to Vietnamese.

INDIAN

Clay Pit. Upscale Indian fare that has drawn national attention, in an historical setting. 1601 Guadalupe St., 322-5131.

Swad. Indian vegetarian cuisine behind the Payless Shoes near Rutland Drive. 9515 N. Lamar Blvd., No. 156, 997-7923.

ITALIAN

Brick Oven on 35th. Tantalizing pizza and robust Italian fare at this independent Brick Oven restaurant. 1608 W. 35th St., 453-4330.

Asti. Three-star trattoria in the Hyde Park neighborhood. 408-C E. 43rd St., 451-1218.

Bellagio. A four-star experience, with the best calamari in town. 6507 Jester Blvd., 346-8228.

Carrabba's Italian Grill. Excellent appetizers and good entrees at this national chain. 6406 N. Interstate 35 (Lincoln Village), 419-1220.

Ciola's. Good lasagna in Lakeway, with thick layers of pasta and meat. 1310 RM 620 S., Suite C-1, 263-9936.

Hill Country Pasta House. Good red-sauce fare and a gracious attitude. 3519 RM 620 N., 266-9445.

Italian Garden. Old-fashioned red-sauce restaurant that's getting hard to find in Austin. 14611 Burnet Road, 388-106.

La Traviata. Terrific spaghetti Bolognese at this upscale, three-star trattoria in downtown Austin. 314 Congress Ave., 479-8131.

Milto's. Two tasty pizza types. Neapolitan and Sicilian. along with a variety of pasta dishes. 2909 Guadalupe St., 476-1021.

Reale's Pizza and Cafe. Good pizza on tasty crust, plus fine standards such as lasagna. 13450 N. U.S. 183, 335-5115.

Siena. One of the most beautiful settings in the area, reminiscent of Tuscany, with four-star dining. 6203 N. Capital of Texas Highway, Building B, 349-7667.

Venice Cafe & Italian Grill. Multipage menu with many cream sauces. 907 FM 685, Pflugerville, 989-8833.

JAPANESE

Kenichi. Swank place that is offshoot of restaurant with the same name in Aspen, Colo. 419 Colorado Street, 320-8883. See also: sushi.

Kyoto. One of Austin's earliest sushi spots, downtown over the Elephant Room. 315 N. Congress Ave., 482-9010. See also: sushi.

Shogun Japanese Restaurant. On the Manchaca Road side of the strip shopping center. 1807 Slaughter Lane, 292-1580. See also: sushi.

Sushi Sake. High-end Japanese restaurant in the Gateway complex. 9503 Research Blvd., No. 500, 527-0888. See also: sushi.

Tokyo Teppan. Japanese steakhouse and sushi bar near the 'Y' in Oak Hill. 7010 Texas 71 W., No. 200, 288-3788. See also: sushi.

Tokyo Steakhouse and Sushi Bar. Entertainment at the grill, with plenty of child-friendly touches. 201-D Sundance Parkway, Round Rock, 388-7896. See also: sushi.

KOREAN

Korea Garden. Zesty cuisine and warm hospitality that attracts Korean business leaders. 6519 N. Lamar Blvd., 302-3149. See also: sushi.

Korea House. One of the longtime sushi spots, tucked inside the Village Shopping Center. 2700 W. Anderson Lane, 458-2477. See also: sushi.

Koreana. Artful presentation and graceful ambience. 12196 N. MoPac Blvd. 835-8888. See also: sushi.

Seoul Restaurant & Sushi Bar. Delicious sushi, Korean and Japanese fare, including wonderful tempura. 6400 S. First St., 326-5807. See also: sushi.

LAKESIDE DINING

Cafe Bleu. Upscale fare on a large wooden deck that sits about 12 feet above the water on the northern shoreline of Lake Travis. 8714 Lime Creek Road, Volente, 401-2538.

County Line on the Lake. Barbecue joint on the edge of Bull Creek just off Lake Austin. 5204 FM 2222, 346-3664. See also: barbecue.

Hula Hut. Dine on Tex-Mex with a tropical flair over the water, just a few yards from Tom Miller Dam that forms Lake Austin. 3826 Lake Austin Blvd., 476-4852.

Iguana Grill. Patio hugs the top of a high bluff overlooking Lake Austin. Tex-Mex. 2900 N. FM 620, 266-8439.

Lucy's Boatyard Grill. Pizza, burgers, sandwiches and salads on the edge of Lake Austin, including a deck over the water. 3825 Lake Austin Blvd., 651-0505.

Oasis. Tex-Mex high above the lake, where the multitiered decks are the best place for viewing the spectacular sunset over Lake Travis. 6550 Comanche Trail, 266-2442.