Jeffrey's

Southern charm and fancy fish
Word to the wise: Ask to be seated in one of the curtained-off areas - they provide more privacy and the most experienced waiters work in these sections.

Local institution Jeffrey's basically invented fine dining in Austin when it opened in 1975. Since then, the restaurant has been occasionally overshadowed by newcomers, but it appears to be firing on all cylinders again.
Jeffrey's is known for its tradition of dressing up traditional Texas fare - check out the foie gras cheeseburger - but also check out the seafood offerings, which include pan seared Texas gulf red snapper and sauteed skate.

Sublime side dishes like sweet corn succotash and soft-baked grits round out the meal in true Texan style. There's an impressive wine list, too: in 2011, it received Wine Spectator's Best of Award of Excellence.