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.

SEAFOOD

7. Diners choose the size of their fish portion and how to sauce it. 1716 S. Congress Ave., 383-8877.

The Boiling Pot. See Cajun listing.

Cherry Creek Catfish Restaurant. Fried green tomatoes and chicken fried steak vie with fish. 5712 Manchaca Road, 440-8810.

Eddie V's Edgewater Grill. A strong Gulf Coast influence, with items such as red snapper topped with lump crab. 301 E. Fifth St., 472-1860. See also: steaks.

Florida Seafood Grill. Less pricey and more casual offshoot of Truluck's. 10225 Research Blvd., 794-8300.

Gumbo's. See Cajun listing.

Mariscos. Take a Mexican spin, with a deliciously wonderful union of spice and seafood. 1504 Town Creek Drive, 462-9119.

McCormick & Schmick's. National, upscale chain featuring fresh fish flown in daily. 401 Congress Ave., 236-9600.

Ms. B's. See Cajun listing.

Rockfish Seafood Grill. Texas-based chain with moderately priced items in a wide variety of styles. 3267 Bee Cave Road, Suite 145, 328-7625.

Roy's. Features fish flown in daily. Hawaiian chef Roy Yamaguchi's restaurant near the convention center. 340 E. Second St., 391-1500.

T&S Chinese Seafood Restaurant. See Chinese.

Truluck's. With its own fisheries, fresh stone crab arrives daily to complement the rest of the lineup. 400 Colorado St., 482-9000.

STEAKS

Austin Land & Cattle Co.. Tasty steak that's heavily charred outside, but rare inside. 1205 N. Lamar Blvd., 472-1813.

Dan McKlusky's. Welcoming attitude and food that keeps pace with the ambience. 301 E. Sixth St., 473-8924.

Eddie V's Edgewater Grill. Meat isn't an afterthought at this seafood restaurant. 301 E. Fifth St., 472-1860, 9400-B Arboretum Blvd., 342-2642. See also: seafood.

Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar. First restaurant in the Southwest for this upscale national chain. 320 E. Second St., 457-1500.

Houston's. Outstanding prime rib, flavorful meats from the oak-fired grill. 2408 W. Anderson Lane, 451-7333.

JC's Steakhouse. Casual, small-town kind of place finds a home in the city. 5804 N. Interstate 35, 407-9393.

Ruth's Chris Steak House. The best in town, aged prime beef from an 1,800-degree broiler in an art deco setting. 107 W. Sixth St., 477-7884.

Saltgrass. Texas-based chain delivers tender Angus steaks. 2300 N. Interstate 35, Round Rock, 238-0091.

Sullivan's. The flagship of the national chain, this New York-style steakhouse turns out admirable meat and good sides. 300 Colorado St., 495-6504.

Texas Red's. Old cotton gin houses a basic meat-and-potatoes spot. 120 Grove St., San Marcos, (512) 754-8808.

Texas Land & Cattle Co.. Mesquite-grilled meat at a place that straddles the casual-upscale line. 1101 S. MoPac Blvd., 330-0030.