This year’s winners remind us of that one universal truth: French equals sexy. Warm and stylishly relaxed, Blue Dahlia serves European-inspired cuisine with an emphasis on local and organic ingredients. For those, ahem, unplanned first breakfast dates, the lovely petit-déjeuner is served all day, offering blintzes, frittatas, homemade granola, and, if you’re lucky, a serenade from a traveling accordionist. Justine’s, Blue Dahlia’s boozy-sophisticate older sister, feels like frame after frame of a moody silent film. In the evening, the fading sunlight filters thickly through the windows like cigarette smoke while patrons enjoy aspèrges grillées, côte de porc, and Bordeaux Supérieur. Only the extensive vinyl collection and très Austin staff will remind you that you and your new lover are still stateside.
