WEST AUSTIN. Successfully melding European and Asian culinary techniques, Bistro 88 gives a nod to the combination in its name, which features Chinese culture's lucky number eight. The menu is a revelation of flavors, showcasing the chef's insatiable delight in tweaking great dishes. Among the favorites are grilled miso sea bass and flash-fried sesame shrimp and scallops. You'll find, too, Kobe beef in steaks and burgers, Muscovy duck, and grilled, marinated pork chops. Wow-factor appetizers include jalapeno-carrot soup and steamed sake clams. Innovative takes on sushi can also be had.

DOWNTOWN. Upscale, glamorous Finn & Porter ranks as one of the absolutely best places in town for fresh seafood and prime steaks. The menu changes daily, but rest assured that you'll find superb preparation and a creative approach to cuisine. Begin the adventure with hot-smoked Pacific oysters Rockefeller or pan-seared foie gras, and then agonize over dishes like vanilla butter-poached whole lobster, grilled diver scallops, and teriyaki-glazed Japanese yellowtail hamachi. An ocean's bounty of fresh sushi is also sublime, as are sizzling steaks and chops. Thanks to Finn & Porter, you'll be reconsidering what a hotel restaurant can be. Good wine list, too.

DOWNTOWN. Stylish and often populated with a hip crowd, Austin's Kenichi is sibling to the celebrated Aspen, Colorado, restaurant of the same name. The interior alone makes it worth a visit: expect sleek lines, black tableware, and impressive floral displays. The food is just as aesthetically pleasing, and it also tastes good, characterized by complex, multi-layered flavor combinations. Tempura dynamite shrimp is topped with masago aioli and red Thai chili paste then broiled and accented with garlicky eel sauce, while salmon is steamed in bamboo skin and served with chipotle teriyaki sauce.

NORTH AUSTIN. Purists, take note: the big draw at Musashino is traditional Tokyo-style sushi, eaten without soy sauce or wasabi. Of course, the menu includes a variety of choices, but "hybrid" sushi options stand out. Among them are the Ozzy roll (avocado, scallions, rice paper, salmon or tuna), and the Evel Knievel roll (salmon, avocado, cucumber, and ooba leaf with smelt roe and sesame seeds). You'll certainly feel more than comfortable ordering the omakase, which only includes the best of the best and represents a good value as well.

ROUND ROCK. One of Austin's most relaxing and attractive restaurants, Origami is also one of the city's best for Japanese cuisine. The interior is appealingly spare, with clean lines, a charming rock garden, and tasteful Japanese art. The family-owned and operated business has a varied menu, and virtually everything on it is extremely well-prepared, especially the sushi, which is exceptionally fresh and beautifully presented. Sit at the sushi bar for an authentic experience.