North-central neighbourhood around 53rd and 51st streets. Fonda San Miguel since 1975 anchors the southern edge; Foreign and Domestic, Workhorse, and Quack's bakery work the strip.
Uchiko in Austin is Tyson Cole's elevated farmhouse sushi room on North Lamar, the second of the Hai Hospitality kitchens and a Top Chef alumni line.
Signature: Wagyu sukiyaki, Hokkaido scallop, Yokai berry
Order: The Yokai berry course; it has been on the menu since opening for a reason.
Tip: Happy hour from 5 to 6pm at the bar runs a $5 sushi list; it is the cheapest way into the kitchen.
Fonda San Miguel in Austin is Tom Gilliland's 1975 interior-Mexican dining room on North Loop, a pioneer of regional Oaxacan and Yucatecan cooking.
Signature: Cochinita pibil, Mole poblano, Sunday hacienda brunch
Order: The cochinita pibil from the Sunday hacienda brunch buffet, plus a bowl of pozole.
Tip: The Sunday brunch buffet is the showcase; book the dining room for it at least a week out and arrive at 11.