A pessimist, confronted with two bad choices, chooses both. - Jewish Proverb

I had such high hopes.

I'd heard good things. The menu looked good. It wasn't busy. With the demise of Katz's, we need a replacement New York deli. Maybe I should have gone when I wasn't pregnant and not allowed to eat deli meat or need to eat small meals because they have no where to go in my belly, but still.

What I really wanted was something very Jewish, very deli, but I thought everything would be too heavy for lunch. After much consideration and very little usable input from my server, I decided on the Chicago Dog. I'd been craving one for months and the trailer that usually has them has been closed whenever I go by. How two hot dogs with slaw seemed "lighter" is beyond me.

Things looked promising, but... the dog was too small in relation to the bun, said bun did not seem steamed, there was only one half slice of tomato on each dog, an uneven number of sport peppers per dog, the relish was not day-glo and I tasted no hint of celery salt. The slaw was touted as "tossed-to-order", but seemed too wet and not crunchy enough to be (I will admit it if I turn out to be wrong about that). I will say the dog was perfectly grilled, I'll give them that.

I thought I'd treat myself to dessert, more traditional this time, and against my better judgement (because my server couldn't even properly explain what it was) ordered a Black & White Soda. Further confirming my mistake, I overheard the bartender ask how to make one. I had Googled it by now and could have done a better job myself. While not a disaster, there was a key blending element not adhered to in order for it to be authentic. Without that, it tasted like chocolate water. I stirred it myself and drank the whole thing anyway. What?! I'm pregnant!

I may not be ready to rule this place out, but I can't give it a glowing endorsement just yet. Next time Manny, you better have your latkes locked and loaded.

Manny's Uptown Kitchen

9503 Research Blvd., Suite 650

Austin, Texas 78759

512.794.0088

http://www.mannysuptownkitchen.com/

Coffee Talk: Kick Butt Coffee

Cool logo

Jackie Chan punch card

"Inspirational" quotes on coffee sleeves

Swivel coffee lid

As I was feeling bad about myself for not posting in a while, I remembered I had these photos and video from Kick Butt Coffee. They have a martial arts twist on coffee and it works; from their fun logo to their memorable punch cards (get it, punch cards, hee), you can tell that a lot of thought went in to their look. Oh, and did mention that they have great coffee and great customer service? All this and two locations to choose from. Can I get a hi-yah?

Kick Butt Coffee

5775 Airport

and 5600 Guadeloupe

http://www.kickbuttcoffee.com/index.php

Facebook, http://http//www.facebook.com/kickbuttcoffee1?ref=ts

Twitter, http://http//twitter.com/kickbuttcoffee

*(Please excuse my double-spacing, it wasn't intentional. I'm having format issues.)

Uninspired

So, yeah. No posts in September or October. I can't speak for Dot, but I have been totally uninspired. Anyone have any restaurant/food suggestions? Spanks, Cheetah

Gag-hi's

Meh.

Did nothing to satisfy anything but the need for food in my stomach.

The Chicken Alfredo pizza had sun-dried tomatoes on it (?) and the Chicken Caesar pizza looked Greek with feta, tomatoes, onion, pepperoncini and olives. They must not know how to Google what Caesar means.

Crust does not look done in-house. It's a franchise so I just assume it's not.

For what it's worth, I'd rather eat at Cozzoli's in the mall.

Yaghi's Pizzeria

4220 W. William Cannon

Austin, Texas

512.891.7900

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

Mmmmmm.... pie.

Dear Lord,

When I die I want my Heaven to be clouds of the most perfect sky high meringue with pillows of whipped cream on beds of banana creme. Maybe even coconut. Or lemon. Or chocolate. I want buildings made of pecans and apples with roofs made of the flakiest, most tender crust you can create. Cherry stop lights and peanut butter sidewalks. Cars of German Chocolate. And computers made of fudge.

Please and thank you.

Amen.

Blue Bonnet Cafe

211 Hwy 281

Marble Falls, Texas 78654

830.693.2344

http://www.bluebonnetcafe.net/

Olive to Eat Another Day

Attempt at decorating

Dining table and chairs, circa 1981 Salty breadstick with yellow and green salad...

...and white and brown

Half-way decent minestrone soup

Last week, one of my good friends, who I also work with, wasn't feeling very good. She was thinking that she needed to eat lunch and maybe she would feel better. I suggested some soup, maybe Souper Salads? No, she said, it closed down (Anderson Lane location). Ok, where then, I say. Olive Garden she says, for the lunch special of soup, salad, and breadsticks. Well, as you know from reading this blog, Dot and I aren't really into chain restaurants. Plus, I haven't eaten at an Olive Garden since I was in college. But, I will do practically anything for a friend, so I said why not.

We got there ahead of the lunch rush and were seated quickly. Our hostess however, (shaking my head) looked like she was ready to star as a vampire in the next Twilight movie. Seriously ladies, the goth look is out.

Well, then we wait. And wait. And while we wait I start to look around the room. I notice the broken window next to me (no picture darn it), the decorative plates on the wall, and the retro? dining table and chairs. Seriously? Chairs with wheels? Time for a remodel OG.

At last, our sever comes over and I swear to God that he just woke up. He took our order and came back 10 minutes later with our drinks. It might not have been that long, but it felt like it. Next, he sleepily brought out the salad and breadsticks. Bite of breadstick...salt and some bread. You could de-ice something with one of those breadsticks, for real. The salad was green, yellow, white, and brown. Now, maybe I watch too much Hell's Kitchen and Top Chef, but I would never let a salad that looked like that out of my kitchen. We sent the salad back and received another one just like it. Maybe they just put it in a new bowl and spit in it. I don't know, it was just inedible. Did I mention the gallon of dressing on it?

Finally, we get our soup and it's not too bad or maybe I was just staving by that point. I ate it all and got a refill. I asked my friend if she felt better, but I can't remember what she said. All I know is that I was grateful that lunch was over.

The Olive Garden

8833 Burnet Road

Austin, TX 78757

512-459-0701

http://www.olivegarden.com/

Still lazy.

http://realhousewifeofoakhill.typepad.com/blog/2010/07/6-frozen-yogurt.html

I'm so lazy

I mean really. Why do double work?

http://realhousewifeofoakhill.typepad.com/blog/2010/07/3-and-4.html

McCormick & Schmuck's

I've had two impressive meals at this very location before so

what.

the hell.

was that?

My plate is not empty because I loved my food. My plate is empty because that's what it tasted like.

Nothing.

The Roma Tomato Bruschetta came out looking like dry toast with pico de gallo poured over it sprinkled with Kraft Parmesan Cheese.

The Shiner Bock Fish Taco looked impressive then completely fell short. Without the Cilantro Ranch it was nothing. And there wasn't enough Cilantro Ranch.

The Spicy Tuna Roll was so gummy that it may as well have been gum. My husband can make better rice than that.

The Oysters on the Half Shell, while OK, were so shockingly different in appearance I was surprised they were served on the same plate; one looked like it had been minced.

The "Rhode Island" Calamari, quotation marks theirs, was decent. Not great, sauce a little bland (more Kraft Parmesan on top!), but decent.

The Sauteed Black Mussels were OK, but I noticed the bowl was not empty when it was cleared.

The Pork Pot Stickers were... well... not Pot Stickers. Pot Stickers have a browned side indicating that they have indeed stuck to a pot. These were fried. They were Asian Empanadas.

The Tempura Shrimp was the only thing that anyone said, "This is OK, try this."

Add a too sweet drink that I'm not even sure had vodka in it and I had one of the worst meals ever.

Ever.

McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant

401 Congress Ave. (another at The Domain)

Austin, Texas 78701

512.236.9600

http://www.mccormickandschmicks.com/