A decade ago, when my father was still alive, he had a detached retina. Visiting a specialist in upstate New York, he told the surgeon he hoped the reattachment wouldn't interfere with a planned visit to Austin.

The physician brightened at the mention of the Texas capital and said, "Hey, have you ever been to the Oasis?"

Even 1,700 miles from the hills above Lake Travis, the Oasis had become a widely known dining destination long before the Austin area developed a national reputation for innovative cuisine.

In fact, it's even more remarkable that the Oasis became a must-visit restaurant, considering that for years it produced Mexican fare that was mediocre at best.

What was on the table, though, was minor when compared to the main item on the Oasis menu: It offered one of the most spectacular views of the sunset in the United States, if not far beyond.

That alone was reason enough to spend the end of a glorious day on one of the three dozen decks overlooking Lake Travis, watching the sun drop below the horizon. That's why the New York surgeon loved the Oasis, and that's why my father never tired of returning there.

Others feel the same way. Comments posted Wednesday on statesman.com after the restaurant's destruction overnight in a fire reflected that same sentiment from near and far:

"I think the Oasis was my first of many reasons to fall in love with Austin." — S. Merrick, Minneapolis

"Watching the sunset and a sailboat crossing the horizon ... one of my favorite Austin views and fondest memories from UT." — Kathy

"We are from Pennsylvania and found the Oasis on a trip to visit our son in March of this year. Because we loved it so much, we decided to retire at Lake Travis someday." — Janet and Michael Ditsky

Although it was the spirit of the Oasis that was the big draw, the quality of the food had improved significantly in recent years, helping make the recently built banquet facility an attractive site for large gatherings.

Consequently, the destruction of the Oasis early Wednesday came at the time of its greatest success.

Ultimately, that loss represents more than the conflagration of a single establishment.

For Austin, it is the loss of a national attraction, the loss of an appealing banquet facility, the loss of a big venue (it could seat nearly 2,000) and the loss of an element that made this area special.

Fortunately, reconstruction can restore all that.

drice@statesman.com; 445-3859