"Fabrik checks off none of the boxes most people think of when they hear the words “tasting menu.” It’s located at the bottom of an apartment complex in East Austin, behind a barely marked door. And it’s entirely vegan. The meal starts on a high note—with some of the fluffiest focaccia in existence, paired with something like espelette butter or a silky bean dip—before moving on to half a dozen plates of charred oyster mushrooms, roasted carrots, and squash-filled agnolotti that all trigger the same dopamine receptors as any piece of wagyu we’ve had. The menu changes every season, giving you ample excuses to go back to eat your vegetables. There are no walk-ins and no bar to post up at for a last-minute dinner, so you’ll need to plan a meal at Fabrik ahead of time. Reservations for the 6pm seating tend to book up nearly three weeks in advance, but if you’re OK with the 8:30 slot, you can usually snag a table about a week out." - nicolai mccrary, matthew jacobs