Any true foodie will be quick to tell you that dining out is more than tasty food. Sure, nasty food will butcher your opinion of a restaurant but there’s more to dining than the culinary concoctions; dining out encompasses the entire dining experience.
Ah, yes, it is all about the entire experience. Whether its a stuck up hostess that claims there is no room when the restaurant is empty, to the overly friendly waiter that hovers over you while you review the menu, your impression of a restaurant is heavily influenced by other factors than food.
From the hipster to the upscale, Austin caters to a variety of dining “experiences.” And like a grandma with many grandchildren, there is always one favorite.
My favorite restaurant is NoRTH, an Italian restaurant located in the heart of Domain shopping mall.
NoRTH is delicious. Critics may argue that NoRTH is an American restaurant wrapped in a modern Italian theme. But with dishes that flavorful, who cares what they call it.
Your dining euphoria begins with bread and an amazing cheese, tomato and butter spread; it is hard to not crave more bread so order your entrée promptly. To drink, try a refreshing sangria pitcher filled with fresh berries. For an appetizer, ask for the artichoke which is steamed to perfection and served with a delicious aeoli dip serving as lush complement to the moist artichoke leaves.
Indulge in the prosciutto, fig and goat cheese pizza for your main course. Filled with variety of flavors and textures and priced at $12, it is like an inexpensive spa getaway for your taste buds.
Good prices isn’t all NoRTH has to offer. The restaurant transcends its delectable dishes and creates a trendy, airy atmosphere that fuses clean lines with a wall of windows that mimic the experience of eating outside. Each table is thoughtfully dotted with a candle, a feature that compliments the live jazz band playing in the patio.
As with all things human, NoRTH has one minor flaw. Sometimes on the weekends the staff can seem a bit disoriented. They are not rude, or impersonal but they sometimes seem to have their mind in another place and lack attentiveness, kind of like stunned goldfish.
Be a precautious restaurant goer and make a reservation beforehand; this place gets very busy at lunchtime and on weekends.
NoRTH is the perfect restaurant to impress your guests with a delicious gourmet meal at a reasonable price.
I love NoRTH as well! The only downside is having to wait for a table most of the time, but it's definitely worth it. I recommend the fried zucchini chips and the strawberry and goat cheese salad. Also, it's great to go eat outside there this time of year, especially on the weekends when there's a band playing in the Domain square right next to NoRTH's patio!
ReplyDeleteI have never been to NoRTH, but it definitely sounds like a place I need to visit. I love this kind of places where you go not only to enjoy food, but also the nice and relaxing environment.
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