Where to Eat in September: Arlo Grey, Vixen’s Wedding, Local Foods, and More

Located in the lobby of the Line Hotel, this sleek restaurant from “Top Chef” winner Kristen Kish is serving up flavorful dishes inspired by French and Italian cuisine. First on our list of menu highlights is the fried steamed buns with eggplant and confit oyster mushrooms. They aren’t what you’d expect, and in fact, they’re better: The bun itself is almost like a savory doughnut. One of the restaurant’s most popular dishes is the mafaldine with champignon sauce, pearl onions, and Parmesan. It tastes like a cross between French onion soup and cacio e pepe, and we don’t recommend leaving without trying it. Bonus: If you happen to be dining during prime bat bridge-viewing time, ask to sit by the rear windows, and you might catch the show.

As the name would suggest, APT 115 is designed to look and feel like you’re in your friend’s apartment. And it just so happens that this particular friend has a full-wall shelf of wine and a real knack for assembling a charcuterie board. The wine list — which is primarily low-intervention — is the real star here, and the best way to enjoy it is to tell the staff what you’re in the mood for and allow them to choose something special. If you want to get the full experience, go for the chef’s tasting menu, with an option for a regular or bespoke wine pairing.

Is your mouth watering? That could be a sign that you’ve just caught a whiff of Jjim Korean BBQ’s eponymous dish: galbi jjim. This celebratory staple features beef short ribs braised in a salty-sweet sauce, accompanied by flavor-steeped potatoes and carrots — and when made right, it should (almost literally) melt in your mouth. Jjim passes the melt-in-mouth test with flying colors and even adds shishito peppers for a fun twist on classic galbi jjim. But don’t end your order there, because the portabella japchae and ultra-crispy kimchi pancakes are just as special.

No reservations. Find more info here.

The Roosevelt Room has all the glamour of a cocktail bar during the height of the mixology craze of the mid-2000s — and that’s part of why we like it so much. It’s a blast from the not-so-far past, reminding us of pre-pandemic elbow-bumping in moody bars with sexy lighting. It should also be mentioned that the cocktail menu itself is extremely fun, especially if you decide to choose from the section that’s divided up by era. If you’re looking for something from pre-1880, there’s a milk punch served in a glass shaped like a school-cafeteria milk carton; or maybe you’d prefer a Prohibition-era Hemingway Daiquiri, or a mojito-adjacent Chartreuse Swizzle. Basically, if you like to drink, it’s hard to go wrong.

Call 512-494-4094 for reservations.

Whether you order a la carte or opt for the prix fixe menu, the food at Vixen’s Wedding is meant to be shared — a feature that’s always been a plus but feels extra special once you’ve experienced quarantine. The menu features local Texas ingredients and is ideal for everything from date nights to impressing out-of-towners. Plus, Goan food isn’t common in Austin, so if you’re new to the cuisine, this is an excellent opportunity to give it a try (and if you are, this is your sign to go back for more).

This Houston favorite opened their first Austin location this summer, and if you haven’t tried their fresh and flavorful menu, we highly recommend stopping by 2nd Street at your earliest opportunity. Ideal for filling lunches and casual dinners, the menu at Local Foods features sandwiches, salads, and sides made from (you guessed it) locally sourced ingredients. Must-try items include the “‘Crunchy’ Chicken Sandwich” (the “crunch” comes from a nut-seed crumble and some crushed-up chips), the Summer Harvest Salad, and the chocolate-chip cookie.

Find more info here.

Even if you didn’t make it to the beach this summer (same), you can still experience those oceanside flavors by heading over to Hyde Park to feast on a rotating menu of Gulf coast seafood dishes. Mongers is part market, part kitchen, so if you’re in the mood to flex your culinary muscles, you can visit the market side, get inspired by the daily catch, and whip up a creation of your own at home. In other words: Just see where the tide takes you.

After two years of takeout-only service, Komé recently reopened its doors for in-person dining — and as much as we enjoyed getting their sushi to-go, it feels good to be back. Celebrate their reopening by ordering the scallop carpaccio, the (sometimes spicy) shishito peppers, and a few rolls to share. Some of our current favorites include the Spooky Roll with spicy tuna, avocado, salmon, and go-go sauce, and the Superstar with tuna, shrimp, squid, and umè.

Find more info here.

With a jam-packed gallery wall straight out of your grandparents’ dining room, zig-zag-stemmed martini glasses, and mahogany as far as the eye can see, Sammie’s feels like a set from “The Sopranos” (although the prices are, admittedly, very 2022). From the old-school interior design to the giant menus a la Carbone, Sammie’s is inviting us to be in on the joke. That said, they’re not playing games when it comes to their food. Classic appetizers, such as prosciutto and melon, are well-executed; the pastas are comforting and generously portioned; and the lasagna is hands-down the best we’ve found in Austin.

Call 512-474-2054 for reservations.

In Austin, “Play the classics” is just another way of saying, “Let’s go to Manuel’s.” Open for almost 40 years, they’re known for their beloved mole, wild-caught seafood, and tortilla soup. Start your visit with something from the margarita menu, and make sure to leave room for their signature flan at the end of your meal.