Dining at Lakeway Inn, Austin, Texas

by Paris Permenter & John Bigley

Imagine a resort where you each feel pampered. You visit the spa. He hits the golf course and even takes a golf lesson from the pros. You both sail, cutting a feather across a lake tucked deep in dark green hills.

This is Lakeway Inn, located in Texas's richest vacation region: the Hill Country. This scenic area west of Austin was shaped 30 million years ago by a violent earthquake. Experts estimate the earthquake lasted just three and a half minutes, but the convulsion buckled the earth and kicked up strata of limestone and granite into rugged hills and steep cliffs.

Today, several winding lakes nestle in the valleys of those verdant hills. Among them is the 65-mile long Lake Travis, which snakes through the Hill Country and to the boundaries of Austin, passing near one of Texas's top resorts: Lakeway Inn.

This resort has long attracted golfers to its two 18-hole championship courses: Yaupon and Live Oak. Yaupon challenges players with white sand bunkers contrasting against groomed fairways. Live Oak utilizes creeks and canyons and brings alive the feeling of the Hill Country. Golfers who are looking to improve their game can enroll at the Jack Nicklaus-designed Academy of Golf. The school includes three full-length holes and two different schools.

Off the links, the action continues at Lakeway's full-service marina. The two of you can your luck fishing or take out a sailboat and enjoy Lake Travis's scenic coves, which in the spring months are lined with fields of fragrant bluebonnets.

Lakeway is also noted as a top tennis destination. Home of the World of Tennis complex, it has been rated as one of the top 25 destinations in the world. Professional instruction is available and don't be surprised to see some tournament action at the Stadium Court, which seats 1,200 onlookers.

And when it's time to work out the kinks, a full-service spa pampers and preens.

After a day of fun, couples can settle back for an elegant meal in the Travis Dining Room overlooking Lake Travis. Among favorites on its Southwestern menu are tortilla soup, lobster enchiladas, Hill Country Cobb salad, and even grilled ostrich.

For more on Lakeway Inn, see www.lakewayinn.com.

Tortilla Soup

This Texas favorite is served at the Travis Dining Room at Lakeway Inn and is the creation of Executive Chef Shawn Witt.

1 medium bell pepper, chopped
1 yellow onion, chopped
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
28 ounces diced tomatoes
2 chicken bouillon cubes
1 teaspoon granulated garlic
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
3 quarts water
10 corn tortillas, cut into small strips and fried
1 avocado for garnish
2 cups Monterey Jack cheese, grated
In a large blender, puree green peppers, onions and cilantro. Sauté in skillet on medium heat for five minutes. Blend tomatoes and add to green pepper, onions, and cilantro in skillet. Add garlic, white pepper, and cumin to vegetable mixture and bring to boil. Add fried tortilla strips to boiling vegetable mixture until all tortilla strips are blended throughout. Adjust seasonings to taste. Yields: one gallon.

Photo courtesy Lakeway Inn

Copyright Paris Permenter and John Bigley