Tomorrow is my 25th birthday. Typically I get really into birthdays, especially my own, but this year I am just not feeling it. I have been so busy lately that I haven’t really had the time to get all hyped up about the big 2-5. And this weekend, I just want to stay at home and sleep in. No parties, no binge drinking (hello, birthdays 20, 21, 22!), no celebrations thank you very much. I am looking forward to a quiet dinner with Rami tonight. I get to choose where we go since it is my birthday. I’m still trying to figure out where I want to go, mainly because I’m feeling picky.
Let’s try to figure this out together. Here are my birthday dinner criteria:
NO
- downtown (parking. ugh.)
- Mexican food (we’re eating El Patio with friends tomorrow)
- televisions in the restaurant
- plastic menus (gross)
- chain restaurants
- long drive (too lazy)
YES
- booze (obviously)
- quiet
- romantic
- cheese
NEGOTIABLE
- live music
- outdoor seating
- dessert
After some contemplation, my two finalists are ASTI and Blue Dahlia. Both are in central Austin, both have parking, and both have cheese and wine in some form on the menu.
I will let you know soon which one wins my affections later this afternoon.
*Update* It’s ASTI Trattoria for the win!! Rami made reservations for 7:00. Yum yum yum.
The Austin Gastronomist 
Andy and I have gone there for several celebration dinners and it is amazing!! Their specials are always the best things on the whole menu. Even if they sound a little strange, you should go out on a limb and have it. 🙂
Hope your birthday was wunderbar! (see, i have learned some German)