Above: The garden on “Lady Bird Lake” (actually the Colorado River) at the Four Seasons hotel in Austin is one of our favorite spots in town. The superb staff takes the experience there from A to A+.

Granted, I’ve spent so much time at Trio (restaurant) at the Four Seasons in Austin, Texas since I moved here five year ago that I know most of the staff by name.

I first went there back in 2008 when I wanted to take Tracie P on a romantic date and share a great bottle of wine (Vosne-Romanée by Mongeard-Mugneret, I still remember well).

The restaurant’s wine director, Mark Sayre, one of the top wine professionals in Texas, has been a good friend ever since (and he loves to tell the story of how I “interviewed” him over the phone when I called to inquire about the list).

Since that time, it’s become my go-to spot for business meetings, professional wine tastings, and family outings (it’s where Tracie P and I courted in the eighteen months that led up to our union).

Last week, I took all of my girls there for a margarita for Tracie P, a glass of wine for me, and snacks for Georgia P.

We couldn’t have been seated for more than two minutes before Georgia P had a popover (see the video below), a coloring book, and crayons.

The Four Seasons brand is well known for its extreme hospitality and the hotel and restaurant here in Austin are flagship examples of how earnest graciousness is so key to a fulfilling restaurant experience.

Chapeau bas, Four Seasons! Trio is such a wonderful asset in the Austin wine community.