La Condesa - Update

So I asked the manager what the sauce was on my Shiner beer braised short ribs and he said, "Oh, just the braising liquid", which to me, meant melted animal fat.

I then proceeded to dab it behind both ears like perfume.

La Condesa

400A West 2nd Street

Austin, Texas 78701

512.499.0300

http://www.lacondesaaustin.com/index.html

Bess, I hear you callin'...

I'll buy lunch for the first person that can name the real song from the title!

Had lunch with Cheetah. And a glass of wine. The world is full of surprises.

I have decided that the salad industry is at a standstill. I don't want to see another Wedge, I don't want to see another goat cheese and pecan on mixed greens, no more balsamic vinaigrette, you can have your Greek, your Taco and your plain Dinner. Where are the salad chefs?! Is there such a thing?! Well, we need them!

Then a simple plate of loveliness showed up. Herb Spring mix with walnuts and blueberries and a yummy vinaigrette (raspberry-basil to be exact and it's deliciously subtle). I don't even like blueberries, but the fact that they used them was exciting to me. And the good ol' walnut?! It's the king of nuts! It wasn't even on the lunch menu, but we asked for a dinner-type salad and this was the option - big enough to split. And it just may have restored my faith in salad.

I had the Mushroom Crepes, but compared to Cheetah's Chicken Pot Pie, they were boring. They weren't really - they just weren't... chicken pot pie. How we passed up the Bacon-wrapped Meatloaf, I will never know. What we didn't pass up was the Challah Bread Pudding with Chocolate Ganache. You had Cheetah at Ganache. And I just like saying pudding.

Super cute server, but she was a tad weak at the end (didn't clear bread basket and/or bread plates before dessert... or at all... and I had to ask for a refill on coffee), I still tipped well (which is fodder for a whole post in and of itself). Anyway, not the end of the world.

What will be the end of the world is if no one can name the song in the title.

BESS Bistro on Pecan

500 West 6th Street

Austin, Texas 78701

512.477.BESS (2377)

http://www.bessbistro.com/

Pictures? We Don't Need No Stinkin' Pictures!

Here's my side of the conversation this afternoon at Z' Tejas:

"Water for right now."

"No, we're OK."

"I think we know. Mom, you go first!"

"I'll have the Chicken, Artichoke and Mushroom Stack. Oh and a glass of the Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc."

"Cute cornbread thing."

"We ate here together before? Was I hungover?"

"That looks good!"

"Crap! I meant to order double vegetables instead of mashed potatoes!"

"Glad this is a soy-mustard sauce so I can pretend it's not fattening."

"Why is zucchini ALWAYS a seasonal vegetable?" (Although to be honest, I said this to myself, in my head.)

"Mmmm."

"What's the cobbler?"

"Yes, with two spoons and another glass of wine."

"Wow - it's bubbling!"

"Is that my water?!"

"Mmmm."

"No, my treat. You're a cheap date. My wine was $11 a glass!"

"Crap! I forgot to take a picture!" (Although to be honest again, I said this to myself too, in my head.)

I know you are shocked at what a scintillating conversationalist I am. What it boils down to is that I cleaned my plate and barely came up for air.

Z' Tejas 6th Street

1110 W. 6th St.

Austin, Texas 78703

512.478.5355

http://www.ztejas.com/index.html

Buenos Aires? Buenos Dias!

I just ate my words.

I had just told a friend of mine, "Oh... yeah... I really try to not eat red meat unless it's really special... ya know, like a really good steak or a special occasion...". Well, apparently lunch on a Wednesday is now a special occasion.

My book group buddy S.E. gave me several choices for lunch that were written up in Austin Monthly's Food Issue and I gotta tell ya... the lunch menu for Buenos Aires Cafe almost made me speechless. It was hands down my favorite looking menu. The variety and creativity of the sandwiches made my mouth water. Then throw in some empanadas, some salads, plate lunches and housemade desserts... O Dios Mio!, I'm hungry just thinking about it.

We started with a couple of emapanadas, which are made with a sort of puff pastry - interesting choice, very good, and I would get them again. Then we each had salads, they were good, not great, I'd have to try it again though to tell you what I did or didn't like. But hold on to your panqueques (they have those too!), because the Lomito Beef sandwich, voted best sandwich by The Onion, was sublime! How do you say sublime in Spanish?!

Certified Black Angus tenderloin with your choice of chimichurri sauce or Dijon mustard, served on a toasted French baguette ("Marie! The baguettes!" Name that movie!) with cheese or tomatoes (I did the chimichurri and tomatoes). It melted, literally melted, in my mouth. And if that wasn't enough, and by golly don't you think it ought to be?, I had the other half for dinner, cold out of the fridge, while driving (forget I said that) and I think it may have been even better!

I can't wait to go back and try more things. I hope everything else is as good as that dang sandwich.

If it's not, I'll eat my words.

Buenos Aires Cafe

2414 South 1st St.

Austin, Texas 78704

512.441.9000

(another location on East 6th too!)

http://www.buenosairescafe.com/

Trick or Trattoria?

It pains me to write this post, but I feel I have to. Sigh.

So, last Friday, my husband and I decided to have lunch together. I suggested Asti Trattoria (I took him there for his birthday 2 years ago and he loved it). We met there and ordered food and I ordered a glass of wine. The wine ordering part actually went very well. The server brought me two samples to help me decide what to order. The rest, not so much

We were there for and hour and a half and the table looked like the picture above for an hour. My husband ordered a dish that had Monkfish in it and I had the chopped salad with grilled salmon. When our orders finally came out, the server told Ruben that they didn't put enough fish on the plate and that she would bring him some more. Maybe I've been watching too much Hell's Kitchen and Top Chef, but should that have even left the kitchen if it wasn't right? My salad had onions on it, which I had asked to be cut. I sent it back. Normally, I would have just picked the onions out, but we had waited an hour for a salad with onions and a dish with a tiny piece of fish on it. But wait, it gets better. My husband takes a bite of the small piece of fish and makes a face. He said the fish tasted old and definitely overcooked. I take a bite of my salad; bland. I add salt. Yes, I did. Then, finally, one of the staff brings out another plate of fish and apologizes. My husband takes a bite and says that this is what they should have sent out in the first place: fresh, well-cooked fish. We eat quickly so we can get back to work.

Cheetah doesn't like tricks, only treats please.

Asti Trattoria (Tricktoria)

408 C East 43rd Street

Austin, TX 78751

512-451-1218

http://www.astiaustin.com/asti/

Nutty Brown - Update

It's still good.

The Highball

There's a new place down south to wet your whistle. And eat. And sing karaoke. And bowl.

The Highball: I've been twice now - once for a drink and once to bowl...and drink. The Heirloom, The 10 Pin and The Glacier are just a few of the interesting choices. All very good, but I gotta tell ya, I'm cravin' another Heirloom. It's like gazpacho in a glass. Be sure and ask for Alyssa at the bar!

Bowling was fun, the lanes are super cool and the personal ball service is a nice touch. It was alittle warm last night though and they didn't turn on any music until after 6 (we'd been there since 4:30). It's old fashioned-pencil and paper scoring... "I was told there would be no math"! We didn't brave the karaoke rooms - although they are the private kind for those shy extroverts. If there is such a thing.

The onion rings with house-made ketchup were yummy and I thought the BLT Chicken Salad Finger Sandwiches were good - very different - but The Hubby didn't think so. I'm looking forward to trying the entrees. And the rest of the cocktails!

Definitely worth a looky-loo! And I double-dog dare you not to make any Big Lebowski references. It took everything I had not to say, "This is not 'Nam. This is bowling. There are rules!" Aw, dang! I just said it!

The Highball

1142 South Lamar Blvd.

Austin, Texas 78704

512.383.8309

http://www.thehighball.com/

Under the Neon Cowboy

I had just about given up on turkey when this deliciousness showed up.

It's a Sourdough Stack at Nutty Brown Cafe - thinly sliced turkey breast, Swiss cheese and grilled onions on grilled sourdough bread. Add jalapeno creamed spinach and viola!, turkey sandwiches are back in my life.

The Hubby loves the burgers and the chicken fried steak is as big as your head. They have a huge menu - the kind that might make you doubt they can do any of it well, but so far so good!!

They have a full bar (ask for Dusty!), Sunday Brunch buffet, Kid's Night on Tuesdays, a parrot named Cheeto and live music out back several nights a week. It's kind of a one-stop-shop!

If you have ever driven by their spinning neon cowboy sign and thought, "I've always wanted to try that place", I suggest you do. In fact... I think I'm going there for dinner tonight!

Maybe I'll see you there.

Nutty Brown Cafe & Amphitheatre

12225 Hwy 290 West

Austin, Texas 78737

512.301.4648

http://www.nuttybrown.com/

Coffee Talk: Thunderbird Coffee

Took a mid-morning coffee break this morning and drove my co-worker down the street to Thunderbird Coffee. After maneuvering my car into their oddly spaced parking lot (watch out for the people illegally turning left into the lot from Koenig Westbound), my co-worker ran in to grab a cup of coffee. Here's what he had to say:

-Stood at the counter for 5 minutes, there was no line, no one acknowledged me (even though 2 non-working, chatty employees saw me) -Ordered small coffee at a cost of $ 2.15 (Starbucks small cup $1.30) -Coffee prep station dirty, various creamer and half/half containers empty -Coffee was hot with a mild taste. -Not at all impressed with service or quality of coffee.

There you have it. At least they have a cool cup.

Thunderbird Coffee 1401Koenig Lane Austin, Texas 78756 512-420-8660 http://thunderbirdcoffee.com/

Give me your tired, your hungry, your unwashed massess...

What does it say about me that I was more excited to go to the Austin City Limits Music Festival to eat the food than hear the music?!?!

The football field-sized line up of over 30 food, drink and dessert vendors was like manna from heaven to me. What to choose, what to choose?! I tried to pick a place where The Hubby and Dr. Rock would like to eat (Dr. Rock is a little picky...) so I went with Aquarelle where they had a Steak Frit Sandwich and I had a Spicy Shrimp Po'boy.

You heard me. A Steak Frit Sandwich and a Spicy Shrimp Po'boy. At a music festival. Only in Austin. Thank you Aquarelle!

The shrimp were hot and crispy, the roll was soft and chewy and the slaw was cool and creamy. Only slightly spicy, but still very, very good. I only ate half the bread (gotta watch the white flour!) and I could tell the carrots were bagged and pre-shredded (are you gonna shred carrots for 225, 000 people? I think not.), but I was licking my fingers and I did not share.

Speaking of sharing, I grabbed a piece of The Hubby's steak off his plate, to which he said "That's the piece I picked up off the ground; I hope it was from my sandwich". That will teach me to snatch without asking. Lesson learned.

But three days of unwashed masses can't be wrong. That food was good.

Aquarelle Restaurant Francais & Wine Bar

606 Rio Grande St.

Austin, Texas 78701

512.479.8117

http://www.aquarellerestaurant.com/

Houston, We Do Not Have a Problem

Met Cheetah and Zilla for lunch the other day and I was running late (surprise, surprise). I walk in and Cheetah was having a Cosmo! Far be it for me to let my friend drink alone. Had a Greyhound. That's sorta healthy, right?

The really healthy part was the Sashimi Tuna Salad - pan seared ahi with cilantro-ginger vinaigrette, mixed greens, avocado and mango. Yum-um-me! Just big enough for lunch - enough protein to get you through the afternoon, enough fiber to fill you up and just enough avocado to be delicious. I love me an avocado.

Balanced out that Greyhound with an espresso and 1/3 of a slice of Key Lime Pie.

Look out rest of the afternoon, here I come!!!

Houston's

2408 West Anderson Lane

Austin, Texas 78757

512.451.7333

http://www.hillstone.com/#/restaurants/houstons/

Sinnamon Roll and Old School Customer Service

As I was driving to work this morning, I was craving a cinnamon roll. I knew exactly where I'd go to get satisfied... The Kolache Shoppe. When I was 15, I attended the Austin Driving School in North/Central Austin (Behind Dallas Nightclub). Every morning I would stop at the Kolache Shoppe, which was just a few doors down, for breakfast. Like the name says, they have every kind of Kolache, but they also have sausagey goodness (sausages wrapped in dough/bread/crust).

This morning I go in and get my sinnamon roll and a milk; the total was less than $3. As I stand there with debit card in hand, the kolache guy asks me if I have any cash. No, I say (who carries cash anymore?). He says they don't do card transactions under $5 and then he says, don't worry about it, come back again and buy more. I'm shocked. I try to tell him that I can buy something else, but again he says, you'll get us next time.

Customer service is alive! Please go visit it at the Kolache Shoppe!!

Kolache Shoppe

7113 Burnet Road, Suite 112

Austin, TX 78757

512-458-5542

http://www.kolacheshop.com/

She Ain't No Rita Moreno, But She'll Do

I had never been to 26 Doors.

I have lived here 17 years (?!) and I just went there to have lunch with Cheetah at Santa Rita Tex-Mex Cantina (that's fun to say!).

The whole little center is so freakin' cute! I must go back! They have a ham store!

But to the topic at hand... soup and salad. Tex-Mex soup and salad. Tortilla soup and salad with a cilantro vinaigrette that I think they forgot to put the cilantro in. It was fresh, pretty and OK. Maybe even good. Not great, but good. I'd definitely go back. It's worth another looksy. We decided it's the best place to have your picture taken as every wall is fun and colorful and we sat across from a long mirror where you could check yourself out. If you do that sort of thing...

(I don't want to start a cat fight, but I think Trudy's has the best Tortilla soup in town. Don't tell Rita. She's still a nice girl.)

Santa Rita Tex-Mex Cantina

1206 W. 38th St.

Austin, Texas 78705

512.419.RITA

http://www.santaritacantina.com/

East sigh.....

Welcome to three of my all-time favorite dishes, all from the same place, Eastside Cafe. First up is soup; chicken artichoke mushroom soup to be exact. It doesn't matter what flavor soup because they are all good - no lie. Back to the chicken art mush... fantastically creamy and brothy at the same time with big chunks of artichoke and chicken. Mmmmm.

Next up, the mixed field greens salad. It looks deceptively simple, but its full of flavor. I don't know if it's the lightly fried goat cheese or their homemade raspberry vinaigrette that make it so good, but you need to try it.

Lastly, buttermilk pie. You may be thinking "buttermilk? Seriously?" I say yes, heck yes, buttermilk. Again, you have to try it to believe in its goodness. I don't know quite how to describe it. Let's see... light, yet creamy. Crusty, but not heavy. Tangy and sweet, but not sugary. The strawberries on top... perfection.

P.S.

I had no idea there was a "p" in the word raspberry and I also didn't know that you spell vinaigrette this way.

Eastside Cafe

2113 Manor Road

Austin, TX 78722

512-476-5858

http://www.eastsidecafeaustin.com/

Who says you can't step in the same Dong Nai twice?

I should not be allowed to eat Vietnamese by myself. I don't know what I'm doing.

In fact, I don't even know what I ordered. A noodley soupy thing. With that weird BBQ pork that's bright pink around the edges. It sorta freaks me out. Broth was good though. And the sprouts and green onions were fresh. Oh! and I got all cracked out on the Vietnamese iced coffee you see there. Whoa!

I was about to write this place off, but as I was leaving I noticed that at least one of the customers was a regular (a server came by to say hi), several people were picking up take out, the other tables seemed to be slurping away and I passed a lady that must have ordered what I wanted, but didn't know it. Her noodley soupy thing had lots of stuff in it. Piles and piles of little chopped up things. It looked really good. And later, I found out a friend ate lunch there every day for year. I will have to try it again. I clearly must be missing something.

What I'm not missing though is the guy in the booth next to me wearing train conductor striped short overalls. With no sense of irony. Short overalls and high top Converse. I kid you not.

Dong Nai

4211 South Lamar Blvd.

Austin, Texas 78704

512.444.1593

No website that I can find, but it was reviewed here:

http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Guides/Location?oid=oid:411036

And Dong Nai is the name of a river in the mountains of south central Vietnam. Just in case you didn't know.

If I Had the Strength of Ulysses

Come, worthy Greek ! Ulysses, come, Possess those shores with me ! The winds and seas are troublesome, And here we may be free ! Here we may sit and view their toil That travail in the deep, And joy the day in mirth the while, And spend the night in sleep.

-"Ulysses and the Siren", Samuel Daniel

Ah Fino, you evil temptress. Your Happy Hour does not start until 5 o'clock. Why must you tease me so?

Your flirtation begins with a gin and Pimm's No. 1 cocktail that is so unique, I don't care that it is full price. Then you slip me a juniper delight made with a pine liqueur that, for a gin drinker, is dazzling. So by your 5 o'clock bell, I'm smitten and bask in a gin-fueled glow of cherry, lemon and creme de violette. Sweet alcohol-induced victory.

And if that wasn't enough, small plates of blistered Padron peppers, sherry glazed pearl onions, grilled quail, roasted pepper empanadas and pulled pork sliders cement my crush on you.

You are a siren, luring me in, and while I wish your Happy Hour started earlier and had more tapas specials, you know I will be back.

I will be back.

Fino Restaurant Patio & Bar

2905 San Gabriel Street

Austin, Texas 78705

512.474.2905

http://www.astiaustin.com/fino/

A Study in Black & White

For the record, I am not a dessert person.

You wouldn't know that based on this picture, but it's what made my maiden voyage to Green Pastures totally worth it.

What about the Brunch Buffet you ask? Isn't that the best part? No. No, it's not. It was massive and pretty, but not extraordinary. Highlights did include the Whipped Sweet Potatoes with Brown Sugar and Garlic, the Brie, Pecan Butter and Raspberry Jam Toasted Sandwiches, the Sugar Snap Peas and the meat-on-a-stick (can't remember it's fancy name, but who doesn't like meat-on-a-stick?!).

I was lured in by the Milk Punch. I overheard the server tell the table behind us, "We have Milk Punch, which is rum, brandy, Haagen Dazs...", then I passed out for a minute so if there is anything else in it I missed it. All I know is that she raised her eyebrows at me when I asked for a third? fourth? glass. Don't judge me!

My fate was sealed with the powdered sugar dusted confections known as Homemade Marshmallows. Jet-Puffed, you outta be ashamed of yourself for calling whatever those things are you call marshmallows. Those are not marshmallows! THESE are marshmallows. Soft and billowy, not too sweet, not too dense. And yes, I ate every one you see pictured here and took two home. What did I say about judging?!

Green Pastures is a beautiful Victorian home set on an idyllic property replete with peacocks and Live Oaks. Oh, and that lady you see by the backdoor with a milkshake mustache, covered in white powder like Courtney Love on a three day bender? Yeah, nevermind her.

Green Pastures Restaurant

811 W Live Oak

Austin, Texas 78704

512.444.4747

http://greenpasturesrestaurant.com/

Diablo Sol Food

Cheese, glorious cheese!!!

Maudie's makes some damn fine queso. And my conclusion is not at all related to the two Mint Margaritas I had. Although they were damn fine as well.

How can this not be good?!

"A savory blend of melted cheese seasoned with flavors of fresh garlic, onions and peppers, combined with our tender taco beef and pico de gallo. In other words, queso with an attitude."

Come to Momma!

Maudie's

5 locations around Austin

http://www.maudies.com/

Polak's Sawsage Farm

Come'on. How can you not write about a place called Polak's Sawsage Farm?

I passed this place on my way to and from Corpus Christi for 4 years. I finally stopped on my last trip home before I became redundant. I immediately kicked myself for waiting so long because it was so... charming? Yeah, let's go with charming.

I forced my road trip buddies to stop there on the way to Port A a couple of weeks ago (see "We're 44th!, We're 44th!" Aug '09) and I learned a few things that made me like it more:

1. It used to be a drive-in theater.

2. Their BBQ sauce is mustard based and homemade by an old lady.

3. All their jams, jellies and breads are homemade, presumably by the same old lady.

4. I saw some ladies (may or may not have been old) making big trays of potato salad and cole slaw for catering so I know they are homemade.

5. They have jerky.

We had the following:

Zilla - sliced beef sandwich, it was OK, and a side of beans.

Junior - chicken sandwich, no mayo, and it was, well, a dry chicken sandwich, with fries.

Hubby - chopped beef, mysteriously disguised as a sloppy joe, with fries.

Dotbot - the sawsage sandwich and cole slaw. How can you go to a sawsage farm and not have sawsage I ask you?

I had it the first time I went and I'd get it again, assuming I have another reason to ever pass through Kenedy/Karnes City. The sawsage was decent, the sauce is different, a little pickle and onion on buttery bread... it's way better than fast food. Man, that could be a slogan...

And don't tell my buddies, but mine was the best. Well, actually, I think they know that. I guess one man's charming is another man's eh, not so much.

Polak's Sawsage Farm Restaurant

2835 S Highway 181

Kenedy, Texas 78119

830.583.2113

No website that I can find, but I found this review:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/polaks-sawsage-farm-restaurant-kenedy

We're 44th! We're 44th!

I had the opportunity to sample the 44th Best Burger in Texas according to Texas Monthly. Here's what they said:

Stopher Burger - Port Aransas Brewing Company, Port Aransas, Texas

"O frabjous day! A beachy brewpub that sells great burgers! Our ice-cold mug went beautifully with the Stopher - a handmade peppery patty on a slightly sweet homemade bun that was toasty-buttery-crunchy on the outside and just-right chewy on the inside. The classic condiments were fresh, and the sweet-potato fries were crispily delicious. Unwind while you listen to the seagulls and nurse another beer under a shady umbrella on the deck."

I don't think we went to the same place. Can there be two Port Aransas Brewing Companies in Port Aransas?

Here's my update:

"O... whatever. A brewpub that looks like a sports bar that sells... hamburgers. My Double T'zer Red Wheat (similar to an English Bass Ale with a wheat character) tasted like I was swallowing air - it had absolutely no mouthfeel or finish and did nothing to complement anything; I didn't even finish it! My patty was thin and too perfectly circular to look handmade and tough and chewy. The bun was definitely different, but no crunchy outside, just all chewy inside. Real, real chewy inside. Lot of chewing going on here. The classic condiments were fresh (good tomato, thin sliced purple onion and big green leaf lettuce) and the sweet potato fries were pretty good, maybe not great, but good. I tried to unwind with a Shandy (Port Aransas Pop Pilsner and lemonade), but didn't finish that either and didn't even bother sitting on the deck that overlooks the parking lot."

Too harsh? Was I expecting too much? It was a Friday night, there was no wait, our server was fine. Hubby ordered and got the last Anchor Steam. Who runs out of a beer on a Friday night on the last weekend of summer vacation at a brewpub? And who doesn't bother bringing you a new frosty mug when you have to switch from said beer?

When you tell your server you're there because it was written up in Texas Monthly and ask what makes it different and he responds with "I don't know. The patty is nothing special, but we make the buns here. It's probably that", order the fried shrimp.

Port Aransas Brewing Company

429 N. Alister

Port Aransas, Texas 78373

361.749.BREW (2739)

http://www.portabrewing.com/

SOMEpaio's?

So, I actually began this post almost a month ago, but didn't finish it because something was lacking and I couldn't put my finger on it. First of all, I entered the restaurant STARVING. My co-worker and I arrived at 11:00 am. They must open at that time because there was only one person seated and no host or server in sight. Finally, a server came up to us and asked us where we wanted to sit. I kinda hate this. I want to sit at a damn table with great service and great food. Which table is that? (too harsh?)

We get our menus and talk about what looks good. I ordered the Salada de Frango: Mixed greens salad topped with sliced grilled chicken and baked goat cheese. Served with cilantro vinaigrette. My co-worker order the same, but with beef. It took a long time for us to get our salads. I guess restaurants are slow when they first open for the day? When we finaly get our salads, I devoured mine. I barely remembered to take a picture. I kind of remember it tasting good, but I honestly don't know if it was good or if I was just really hungry. Nevertheless, we never saw our server until we were searching for him to ask for our check.

Overall, it was a pretty disappointing, forgettable lunch experience. I have had happy hour there before and that was good. I also had my birthday dinner there one year and, from what I remember, it was good then. They have also gotten really great reviews (see their website). Isn't it funny how bad/mediocre service can make the food seem the same way?

Sampaio's Brazilian Cuisine 4800 Burnet Road Austin, TX 78756 http://www.sampaiosrestaurant.com/ UPDATE: Sampaio's is closed. 5/27/2010

You didn't say they were Oaxacan crickets!

I am almost without words.

But here a few:

hip, local, cool, tequila, fresh, spicy, layered, subtle, exotic, earthy, aromatic, bold, mixology, modern, simple, innovative, colorful, de-lovely and de-licious.

And these:

Niman ranch charcoal-grilled ribeye, local tomato, ensanada red wine butter, serrano cheese, roasted garlic.

You need to run, don't walk to La Condesa on 2nd and Guadalupe. It is by far one of the best restaurants I've been to in a long time. I had a drink with flamed orange zest. Who does that?! Super innovative and uber cool. Casual and fancy. Not without a few misses, but honestly they didn't even matter. I can't wait to go back!

I just thought of two more words:

huitlacoche and little bird bodies.

OK, that's more than 2, but it's much more fun to say little bird bodies than quail. The point is I had both, one for the first time and the other for like only the second. I nearly ordered rabbit! That's how amazing the menu is. It makes you want to eat things you wouldn't otherwise even think about. Like crickets.

La Condesa Comida y Tequila

400A West 2nd Street

Austin, Texas 78701

512.499.0300

http://www.lacondesaaustin.com/index.html

I'll have the soup.

I know this blog used to be called "girleatsaustin", but I ate in Kyle last night. Sorry.

Cute place in downtown Kyle, if there is such a thing as downtown Kyle. Casual enough for jeans, but could be a special occasion place too. Extensive martini menu. Seafood, steaks and pasta (although there are only two pasta dishes, but whatever). It's called Bordeaux's, but I kept calling it, and even Googled it as, Boudreaux's. I must have Cajun on the brain. Is that a thing? Is it contagious?! Crap, now I'm thinking of that heartbreaking story about the boy with water on the brain in that book we read in junior high called The Scarlet Ibis. Must. Not. Cry...

My dining companions both had steak and said it was very good - I was too full for even a bite - we'd had appetizers (fried fresh mozzarella and stuffed mushrooms) with our drinks. I know Cartman said appetizers are what you eat before you eat to make you more hungry, but he's a liar. Had a very good Stag's Leap Artemis 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon. I was not too full for that.

I had the Parmesan Crusted Prawns - jumbo prawns fried with a Parmesan-panko crust, accompanied by sweet potato fries and served with a fresh citrus-chipotle "remoulade". Shrimp was a little too fried for me - kinda dark - but still good. I wanted a spoon for the "remoulade" - with or without air quotes.

But why I'm here, the reason for even writing about Boudreaux's - BORdeaux's! - is the Butternut Squash Soup - a Bordeaux's original recipe finished with white wine, cream and a hint of cayenne pepper. It was velvety smooth and creamy and spicy and oh! just so ding-dang delicious! The cup was stuck to my face like a muzzle when our server came with our entrees. I will dream about this soup. A really good soup is a thing of beauty.

Even if you have to go to downtown Kyle to get it.

Bordeaux's

108 Center Street

Kyle, Texas 78640

512.268.DINE (3463)

http://www.bordeauxs.net/index.html

You say Wagyu, I say Yum! Wagyu! Yum! Wagyu! Yum!

Let me start by saying that Enoteca is one of my favorite restaurants of all time. Of. All. Time. It's candlelit, the tables are tiny and close together so you're a mass of elbows and hands reaching around wine glasses and antipasti, sometimes getting a little loud, always having a good time. It's very Italian.

We went for a late dinner, didn't have to wait long and got a great server (ask for Amy!). Two of the specials were sold out - that's a good sign, but most of the table stuck to the classics - Spaghetti Aglio Olio (clean plate club!), Spaghetti Carbonara, Rigatoni con Polpette and Pappardelle Bolognese (one noodle left) - all excellent. Most of the pasta is handmade and the sauces are simple and rustic. The portions are large enough to feel generous, but not overwhelming. So go ahead. Eat it all.

I went for the one special that was unlike anything I'd seen there before - Wagyu Beef Burger, Gorgonzola Dolce, Baby Spinach, Jambon Royale & Roasted Trumpet Mushrooms on a Seeded Roll with Garlic Patate Fritte. Say that ten times fast. And say Wagyu with me! Waaaahhhh - goooooo. Now that's just fun. It means "Japanese cow". Literally.

It was massive. Massive! And messy!! The dolce dripped down my arms, oozing out the sides with the jambon. The hand formed patty was crumbly in a good, means it wasn't handled too much, kind of way. And the patty. Good Lord, the patty. Cooked medium (you can do that with good beef; they're massaged and fed beer for crying outloud - they're clean) and melt in your mouth. I had to abandon the dolce/jambon for the patty because they were overwhelming it, but all in all it was a very tasty burger! Ooohhh and those garlic fries.... no kiss goodnight for me!

I forgot to even mention the Carrots & Shallots in Sherry Vinaigrette and the Toasted Almond Polenta Cookies because there was nothing to even take a picture of. I licked the plate. Oh! and the Lemon Panna Cotta! Got to have the Lemon Panna Cotta.

You add a reasonable wine list and you've got yourself a fan-dabby-dozy-tastic evening.

And me curled up on the couch rubbing my belly.

Enoteca

1610 S Congress

Austin, Texas 78704

512.441.7672

http://www.austinvespaio.com/enoteca/enoteca.html

Best Little Deli in Austin

What makes a bad morning of forgetting your coffee, listening to people re-pave the roof of your office building for three hours, and hearing "your voice mailbox is full better? A Classic Italian sub from Little Deli (a.k.a. Crestview Deli). When I asked my husband where he wanted to meet me for lunch, he immediately said the Little Deli. He loves this sandwich and I can harldy blame him. What's so great about it? Here's the description:

Classic Italian Sub ........................................................... $5.99 Genoa salami, spicy capicola ham, smoked ham, sandwich pepperoni, provolone, onions, tomatoes, lettuce sprinkled with olive oil & red wine vinegar, Italian spices, served on a soft hoagie roll.

Yes, my friends, 4 kinds of meat. Plus, they don't just splash some Italian dressing on it; they pour some oil and vinegar on it and add the herbs on top (see picture). The beauty of this sandwich is, that even though there is plenty of meat on it, the Italian seasoning and all the lettuce balance it out and make it a hearty and refreshing meal.

All their sanwiches are amazing and now they have pizza too! This will be your new favorite lunch spot, Cheetah promise.

Little Deli 7101-A Woodrow Ave. Austin, TX 78757

512-467-7402

http://www.littledeli.com/

Juarez my taco?

Finally!! Victory!! I found a GREAT place to get breakfast tacos in Round Rock! Well, actually my husband did. This past Saturday my husband and I both wanted breakfast tacos, but we didn't want them from the same old places that we had been going to. So, my husband got on the computer and started searching...hard. I don't know how we hadn't heard of Juarez Mexican Bakey, but we know about it now and will be going there for breakfast tacos (or burritos as my husband from Lubbock says) from now on. I got a classic potato, egg, and cheese - DELICIOUS. My husband got a potato, bacon, egg and cheese and a chorizo and egg tacos. Were they good? I didn't hear him speak the whole time he ate them. What about the salsa? Wonderful as well. To top it all off my husband brought home a box of pan dulce (sweet bread). Normally, I'm not a big fan, but this was very fresh and very tasty with my coffee.

I wish I could give you their web address...but they don't have one (gasp). The street address is 1701 South Mays Street, Round Rock, TX 78660, phone number 512-255-6262.

Disfrute!

Bruschettaboutit!

I'm a little late posting about our Saturday lunch at Zax's -sorry! So, Dot didn't tell you about how we finally came to eat at Zax's. Orignally, we were looking at restaurants with a bigger seafood menu, such as Eddie V's (George Banks Sea Scallops, mmmm) and McCormick and Schmick's, but neither one is open for lunch on Saturday. How ridiculous is that?! Do people in Austin not want a "nice" lunch on a Saturday? Of course we do! Anyway, we ended up at Zax's because we both remembered this salad that we had there before (see Dot's review below). When we finally sit down and order, we start with the bruschetta, because we were starving, and some wine. There were three different kinds of bruschetta on the plate: traditional tomato with basil and olive oil, goat cheese with fig, and white bean puree (I can't find the accent) with prosciutto. Of course the tomato and basil bruschetta was delicious. It's really hard to mess that up. The goat cheese and fig was good as well. However, the white bean and prosciutto was a disappointment. Neither one of us could really taste the prosciutto, which I think is the best part. It had more parmesean than bean or prosciutto. Damn, I wish Eddie V's would have been open!

Julie & Julia & Dot & Cheetah

I always think of things too late.

Remember when chokers came back in the 80's? I had told myself to start wearing them, but didn't and then they got popular and I couldn't.

iTunes? Totally thought of that in like 1995. Except you'd choose from a list of songs and they'd mail you a CD. Obviously they took that to the next level. And I think it works.

Straight -razor shaves in a cool manspa? Mine.

Any fun foodstuff sold out of an air-stream trailer? Thought of it.

Movie theater that serves beer? Yes!

Blogging? I swear to god that was me.

Blogging is exactly what I've always wanted to do. I get to do whatever I want and tell you about it and you love it and advertisers flock to me and I make money while sitting around in my pajamas. Only I'm a thousand years too late. Just like with everything else.

Well, screw it. I'm doing it anyway and you know what confirmed it (beside the fact that Cheetah started this blog, sent it to me and said go)? Seeing Julie & Julia today.

What a beautiful movie! I cried no less than 5 times. Great people - real people, a love story and gimlets and FOOD!!!! People clapped at the end! How often does that happen anymore?!

My mom gave me Julia's My Life in France for my birthday and a friend in book group gave me Julie & Julia after she finished it. I haven't started either yet (there I go, behind the 8 ball again...), but I will posthaste. And my sister sent me "Fly One Time" by Ben Harper (on iTunes!) to remind me that I can follow any dream I want. She's always doing that. She's so good to me. And my sweet husband is patiently counting our pennies while I figure my life out during my sabbatical from work (read: unemployment). He's a keeper.

The point is that this movie inspired me. It inspired me to do whatever I want, whenever I want to do it. I needed some kind of kick in the ass. Cheetah and I have wanted to start a business together for oh, like forever and it hasn't happened yet. But it will. This is a start. I just know I want to work with her because she supports me and believes in me and I'm the only one who can tell her what to do and she doesn't get pissed. I like that in a person.

So bear with me as I figure out what color my parachute is. Meanwhile I'm gonna write about food. 'Cuz a girl's gotta eat.

Oh and you heard it here first. Hand fans. The kind that unfold. Go get one. They're gonna be huge!!!!

"HI! WELCOME TO ZAX!!!"

My favorite memory of Zax (Pints & Plates) was from a night that as we stepped up onto the porch this poor functionally retarded pre-teen hostess leapt out of the door and greeted us with such a bellowing "HI! WELCOME TO ZAX!" that we staggered in surprise. I now scream it every time I mention the restaurant. Every time.

Cheetah and I met there for a grown-up lunch today and were wildly disappointed that our favorite hostess was not there. It's just not the same without her. And apparently neither is the Shrimp Remoulade Salad for which we specifically went. What's the deal with me and salads lately?!

In my mind's mouth it was heavenly. Creamy, spicy remoulade, perfectly cooked shrimp, crisp greens, ripe tomatoes and avocado, crusty bread. Today's was close, but the tomatoes had been kept too cold as they had no flavor, the shrimp were a little overdone and the remoulade had none of the sass that I remember. The dictionary said it should be "piquant", but it was "pi-can't".

Oh well. The wine was good and cold.

Zax Restaurant & Bar

312 Barton Springs Road

Austin, Texas 78704

512.481.0100

http://www.zaxaustin.com/

NoRTHbound

*sigh*... and not in a good way.

Went to NoRTH (in The Domain) for lunch today with the hubby. (Had to go to the Apple store there as the one in Barton Creek is always annoyingly busy.) We love North - everything I've ever had there has been fantastic. So how do they mess up a salad?!

I had the Chopped Chicken Salad with Pine Nuts, Baby Romas and Gorgonzola Vinaigrette. Sounds good, right? Looked good too. But one bite and I immediately reached for the salt and pepper which is a BIG thing for me. Food should come out seasoned correctly and I trust the people behind the line to know what that means. The S & P helped, but the chicken still tasted boiled - like boring hospital boiled, not Italian Grandma boiled - although it was shredded which was a plus. The pine nuts were toasted and tasty and the tomatoes were very good... very tomato-y, but they were almost overpowering since there wasn't much flavor otherwise. Oh! and I swear the gorgonzola was A.W.O.L.! I didn't even remember it was supposed to be in there until I re-read the menu.

Now don't get me wrong. I still ate the whole thing. It was fresh, it was healthy and that yummy roasted red pepper butter stuff with the ciabatta was awesome.

I just won't get that salad again. But bring on half-price wine night on Mondays!!! Enough of that and I won't care if the gorgonzola was on unauthorized shore leave with a transgender hooker.

http://www.foxrestaurantconcepts.com/north.html

Breakfast makes me happy

This morning I took a little extra time for myself. I slept a little later, fed and dressed the baby, drove a little slower, and stopped for breakfast at Frisco. Frisco, or the Frisco Shop, or Nighthawk Frisco, has been open in Austin for many years (30+). If you have not been, you are missing out! This morning I had an over-easy egg (cooked perfectly), three slices of bacon, hashbrowns, biscuits with butter and strawberry jam, and coffee served in a cup AND saucer. Polo, my waiter who has worked there forever, couldn't wait to refill my coffee cup (three times, because they have great coffee). My other favorites at Frisco are the chicken and dumplings, which is the lunch special on Tuesdays, and their strawberry pie. But really it's ALL good. http://www.frisconighthawk.com/