"When you tell people you’re eating at Barley Swine, it’s usually followed by the question “Oh! What’s the occasion?” It’s one of the most “Austin-y” fine dining spots in town—you could show up in a nice flannel or jeans and not feel judged. Despite the semi-rustic feel of the dining room that feels like a cozy lodge in a much colder city, there’s nothing casual about the food. It’s tasting menu-only with dishes defined more by local ingredients and seasonality than any one region. Expect to find bites like baked oysters with hot sauce creamed broccoli and masa right next to 40-day dry-aged ribeyes served with beer cheese and cauliflower chimichurri. At the end of your meal, you can even add on a half-dozen brown butter cookies packaged in a take-home box to keep the experience going. " - nicolai mccrary