WEST AUSTIN. Successfully melding European and Asian culinary techniques, Bistro 88 gives a nod to the combination in its name, which features Chinese culture's lucky number eight. The menu is a revelation of flavors, showcasing the chef's insatiable delight in tweaking great dishes. Among the favorites are grilled miso sea bass and flash-fried sesame shrimp and scallops. You'll find, too, Kobe beef in steaks and burgers, Muscovy duck, and grilled, marinated pork chops. Wow-factor appetizers include jalapeno-carrot soup and steamed sake clams. Innovative takes on sushi can also be had.

NORTH AUSTIN. It's not just a barbecue restaurant. Din Ho's menu features over 200 dishes and provides extensive offerings for vegetarians. A favorite is black mushrooms with bok choy in a light soy sauce, but Chinese broccoli sautéed with ginger is a winner as well. Cantonese roast duck and barbecued pork are meaty standouts with rich, authentic flavors hard to find elsewhere. The ambience is decidedly causal, making Din Ho ideal for a quick lunch with co-workers or a festive family-style dinner with friends.

DOWNTOWN. Upscale, glamorous Finn & Porter ranks as one of the absolutely best places in town for fresh seafood and prime steaks. The menu changes daily, but rest assured that you'll find superb preparation and a creative approach to cuisine. Begin the adventure with hot-smoked Pacific oysters Rockefeller or pan-seared foie gras, and then agonize over dishes like vanilla butter-poached whole lobster, grilled diver scallops, and teriyaki-glazed Japanese yellowtail hamachi. An ocean's bounty of fresh sushi is also sublime, as are sizzling steaks and chops. Thanks to Finn & Porter, you'll be reconsidering what a hotel restaurant can be. Good wine list, too.

DOWNTOWN. Stylish and often populated with a hip crowd, Austin's Kenichi is sibling to the celebrated Aspen, Colorado, restaurant of the same name. The interior alone makes it worth a visit: expect sleek lines, black tableware, and impressive floral displays. The food is just as aesthetically pleasing, and it also tastes good, characterized by complex, multi-layered flavor combinations. Tempura dynamite shrimp is topped with masago aioli and red Thai chili paste then broiled and accented with garlicky eel sauce, while salmon is steamed in bamboo skin and served with chipotle teriyaki sauce.

NORTH AUSTIN. Noodles, noodles, noodles ­ if you like noodles, then Kim Phung is the place for you. This eatery does not have fancy decor or a designer address, but their signature pho noodle soup is the best lunch in Austin. This beef noodle soup is available in more than 10 varieties, and you can customize to your personal taste using cilantro, lime, peppers or other herbs and flavorings. All total, there are more than 40 different noodle dishes on Kim Phung's menu. Before they head back to the office, Austin workers sample a cup of Kim Phung's Thai coffee. It is served over ice and sweetened with condensed milk ­ the perfect pick-me-up!