WHERE CELEBRITY CHEFS GOT THEIR GRUB ON IN AUSTIN

I've been working on my list of places where I want to eat when I visit Austin, Texas.  In my search of where to go, I stumbled upon a blog that highlighted some of the places where Food Network Celebrity Chefs have eaten in Austin, and I just had to add the restaurants to my list too.  Those of you who know me, know I love Giada De Laurentiis and have the loved the places I've tried that she's been to, so Austin is no different.  So, here's where Celebrity Chefs got their grub on in Austin, and where I'll be getting my grub on too!

1- Amy's Ice Cream
1012 W. 6th Street Austin, TX 78703
(512) 480-0673
These ice cream stands are all over Austin, and they're supposed to be famous!  Their ice creams are made fresh and are super creamy according to what I've read.  They feature more than 300 rotating flavors.  When Giada went to one she tried the Texas Dirt Cake which is chocolate cheesecake ice cream filled with oreo cookie chunks.  Sounds good to me!

2- South Congress Cafe
1600 South Congress Avenue Austin, TX 78704
(512) 447-3905
This place is fun and young, sleek and modern and is supposed to be good for either brunch or lunch.  Giada also checked this place out.  The menu is full of yummy things like Carrot Cake French Toast made with homemade carrot cake.

3- Jeffrey's of Austin
1204 West Lynn Street Austin, TX 78703
(512) 477-5584
This is an upscale restaurant with equally upscale food.  Jeffrey's has become an institution since it opened in 1976, and is one of the first fine dining establishments in Austin.  Their signature dish is Crispy Oysters. They've been on the menu for over 30 years.  Giada had them and said they are fabulous!

4- Casino El Camino
517 East 6th Street Austin, TX 78701
(512) 469-9330
Guy Fieri headed to this spot for some of the best burgers in town, which weigh in at 12 ounces each.  He had the buffalo burger which is coated in wing sauce and topped with blue cheese.  If you like heat, I've heard you should try the Amarillo burger which comes with fresh roasted serrano chiles and cilantro mayo.

5- Green Mesquite
1400 Barton Springs Road, Austin TX 78704
(512) 479-0485
Guy Fieri checks out this barbecue joint which uses only green mesquite wood or young wood for cooking.  The owner swears by it for giving the meat the best and most consistent flavor.  They've got everything from brisket and beef to pork ribs and pulled pork and even smoked turkey and tacos on the menu.

6- Flip Happy Crepes
400 Jessie Street Austin, TX 78704
(512) 552-9034
On The Best Things I Ever Ate, Beau MacMillan shares his sweet-tooth favorite: Nutella Strawberry Banana Crepes from this trailer, where every crepe is cooked to order.

7- Magnolia Cafe
(512) 478-8645
2304 Lake Austin Boulevard Austin, TX 78703
Guy Fieri tries this spot which is open 24/7.  They have everything on the menu from pancakes to omelets to jambalaya to quesadillas to anything else you could possibly be craving.

8- Maria's Taco Express
2529 South Lamar Boulevard Austin, TX 78704
(512) 444-0261
This taco place has been around for 12+ years.  He orders the Pollo Guisado, which is like barbecue chicken in an enchilada.

9- TRIO at Four Seasons Hotel
98 San Jacinto Boulevard Austin, TX 78701
(512) 685-8300
Giada heads here for the best bat-watching in the city (it's supposed to be one of the things you must do in Austin- watch a million bats emerge from under the South Congress Bridge at dusk).  She has a Batini Black cocktail which is a mix of Texas' Tito Vodka, blue curaçao, blackberries, grapefruit juice and champagne.