"Otoko is often considered one of the swankiest restaurants in Austin, with a price tag that shows they’re clearly aware. It’s a place to dress up a little and feel like a rock star, as you watch the chefs prepare your meal in a room that’s basically a tunnel of light to a soundtrack of Bowie, Sun Ra, and Fugazi, with a chef that looks like he could have just hopped off any of their stages. There are three menus here that change based on what day you show up (and pre-book). Most days it’s a kaiseki menu—a mix of seasonal vegetables and nigiri—but there’s also a weekly mostly sushi night, and a shorter, slightly cheaper menu on Tuesdays and the first Thursday of the month. This is a place we would reserve for special occasions—anniversaries, promotions, and birthdays—but a meal here will turn even the blandest of weekdays into a special occasion of its own. Cost: $250-$295 per person. $150 shortened menu available on Tuesdays and the first Thursday of the month. Sake, wine, shochu pairings available. " - nicolai mccrary