La Traviata
Located a few blocks from the capitol, La Traviata is a quiet restaurant in an historic building. The long narrow room with limestone walls and original hardwood floors creates a quiet atmosphere for the trattoria cooking. The menu includes traditional pasta dishes including lasagna, spaghetti carbonara and spaghetti bolognese. The menu also has seasonal dishes like spring risotto that incorporate locally grown produce. Appetizers include roasted beets with Texas goat cheese and beef carpaccio with fried radicchio. The lunch menu includes panini as well as soups, or you can choose a daily special. Wine is also served. La Traviata takes reservations, or you can have dinner at the long polished bar without a reservation. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday.
La Traviata
314 Congress Ave.
Austin, Texas 78701
(512) 479-8131
latraviata.net
ASTI Trattoria
ASTI Trattoria is named for the Asti region of Italy, home of the sparkling Spumante wine. The emphasis here is on locally grown ingredients and seasonal cooking. The dinner menu includes items like butternut squash risotto, prosciutto-wrapped trout, capellini neopolitano and white pizza with truffle oil. An antipasto sampler is a good start, as is a selection of Italian cheeses. The lunch menu has panini and meal-sized salads like the panzanella bread salad. For dessert choose classic tiramisu or polenta cake with orange moscaro sauce, among other traditional sweets. ASTI is located in the Hyde Park area of Austin and is open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday.
ASTI Trattoria
408 C East 43rd St.
Austin, TX 78751
(512) 451-1218
astiaustin.com/asti/
Enoteca
Enoteca is part bistro, part Italian grocery. The busy restaurant is on South Congress Avenue, or SoCo to the locals. Enoteca is open for breakfast and serves pastry and strong coffee. Lunch and dinner menus include traditional pasta dishes like gnocchi arrabbiata and raviolini de magro. Diners can also choose a wood-fired pizza or grilled panini. Save room for dessert; the choices are many, including lemon panna cotta, pear-almond tart and almond macaroons. Enoteca also serves Sunday Brunch, which includes egg dishes and pastries. Enoteca is open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday and for Sunday Brunch.
Enoteca Vespaio
1610 S. Congress
Austin TX 78704
(512).441-7672
austinvespaio.com/enoteca/enoteca.html
