It's the Fourth of July tomorrow, which a three day weekend for beer drinking, meat eating, and America-celebrating. Plenty of restaurants and bars are open and partying on Friday, July 4, and there's even more revelry into the weekend. From a huge two-day blowout at Half Step to Qui's $2 kabob Sunday barbecue, here are Austin's best bets.Read more

While there’s no easy formula for a romantic evening, it’s hard to go wrong with a beautiful setting, dim lighting, exotic-sounding wines and tiny plates of expensive food. All of these Austin restaurants offer the raw materials for a night to remember. Now it’s up to you to put the pieces together and make the magic happen.Read more

AndiamoItaliano.com. Authentic Italian in North Austin with a family-owned vibe and travelogue photos on the wall of the Italian peninsula. Try the ravioli di zucca. Asti. 408 E. 43rd St. 512-451-1218, astiaustin.com. Neighborhood Italian with a sophisticated touch in the middle of Hyde Park. Get the rigatoni and add sausage.Read more

The concept of farm-to-table has been trending for a while, yet some restaurants don't have to rely on local farms for everything. We've gathered a slew of kitchens around the country that grow and serve vegetables, fruits and herbs from on-site gardens, usually cared for by the chefs and restaurateurs themselves. Chef Dennis Marron of Poste Moderne Brasserie and Bar in Washington, D.C. cultivates an array of fresh produce and herbs in Poste's courtyard garden.Read more

Card-carrying vegetarians and vegans aren't the only people who enjoy a good veggie burger, so it's not surprising to report that most restaurants here in Burger Town provide some semblance of a meat-free option (though the dedicated grills, and lack thereof, are another story). Some simply offer a veggie patty swapped for the original, but several boast staple menu items that could win over even hardcore carnivores.Read more