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/

Here we go 'round...

I'll make this brief.

Because this was the smallest restaurant I have ever eaten in.

We walked in and almost hit the back wall. There were only 2 tables inside (both full) and the bar. All the rest were outside (uhm... it's hot!). For some (thankful) reason, they asked the couple at the back table to move so our party of four could sit; they did. I offered to buy them a drink or dessert, but they declined. Turns out I may know why.

The little cubby that that table was in was like an echo chamber. It was so loud (thanks Sex & The City look-alikes at the bar!) that you could barely hear yourself think. It was like how you feel on a heavy decongestant, like your head is in a bowl. Very weird.

Food was good. Maybe even really good. But it's heavy on plates (what you see is what you get... I ordered meatballs. I got meatballs. That's it.). The menu is creative though and the wine list is pretty damn good. Happy Hour even includes 20% off bottles! But it's only beer and wine so don't start craving a cocktail.

Dessert was a hit as you can tell. Butterscotch creme brulee. Yum! And Nicole was one of the best servers I have had in a LONG time. And I eat out A LOT!. Please ask for her.

Worth a casual visit. Not set up to be your "go to" place I think, but it's perfect for what it is: a wine bar below a condo in downtown Austin.

Just don't go looking for the dining room. Because you're in it.

Mulberry

360 Nueces Street

Austin, Texas

52.320.0297

http://www.mulberryaustin.com/

When the moon hits your eye

Isn't there a "You might be a redneck..." joke about if you only order pizza from a place that you have the number memorized for because of a jingle? If there's not, there should be.

If you want REAL pizza, Home Slice is my FAVORITE. I love it, I love it, I love it!

I love their crust. I love their sauce. I love their toppings. I love their salad. I love their wine tumblers. I love their decor. I love that I went to college with one of the owners.

Only thing negative I can say is that I ordered cookies and milk one time for dessert and was very disappointed that the cookies were not warm, but that's it.

There is a debate in my house that Southside Flying Pizza should be crowned king. And I know I have a few new places to try too (I see you over there East Side Pies. You too Brooklyn Pie Co.!) But until then, I vote Home Slice. Pans down.

And if any of you try to talk me into the "new & improved" Domino's or that "better ingredients make better pizza", the moon won't be the only thing hitting you in the eye.

Home Slice Pizza

1415 South Congress

Austin, Texas

512.444.PIES

http://www.homeslicepizza.com/

No class to Gold Class

Movie watching just got served.

Enter Gold Class Cinema in The Domain. Swanky lounge, servers in all black, unique cocktails, stemless wine glasses, above average menu and wait for it... velvety theater seats that recline... all the way. Add a hidden compartment for your purse and a blanket and I thought I might never leave.

Except I did because I hate to say it, but the service was only so-so. There are so many people involved - the lounge is literally swarming with staff - that it's kinda a "too many cooks" situation. Different servers take your order and deliver it in the theater so there is no continuity. Orders are taken verbally so it's hard to be heard when the movie is on. They don't let you keep the menu so you have to ask for it if you want something else (at least our lady didn't). It seemed to take a long time to get things. One chick actually sounded annoyed that we buzzed for someone so we could order more drinks. Uhmmm.... isn't that your job?! The whole time, from the time we got our tickets to the time we paid our bill, I felt like I was the only person not in on the joke. The "deal" was never really explained to us, we sorta fumbled our way through the evening.

The "deal" is when you buy your tickets ($29 regular, $22 for members - sign up on line, it's free), they also swipe your credit card for your seat (which is assigned as there are only 40 seats in each theater). That way your orders are automatically added to your tab and your check is brought toward the end of the movie. Any server can access your tab using your seat number. If you are in a group and want to sit by a certain person, set that up now or someone else will get billed for your stuff (and in that case, get the lobster!). It's really best to eat in the lounge or at least to order in the lounge and they can time it to come while you're in the movie. Oh and you don't go right in and sit - they tell you when to go in, roughly 10 or so minutes before showtime (which was very prompt).

The food was really very good and now that I know the drill, I can pay more attention to the whole menu and by the whole menu, I mean the cocktail and wine list! It was just too overwhelming to think straight last night.

But the minute you sit in that recliner and they bring you a fuzzy blanket and you get your seat adjusted just right... you will never, ever be satisfied with a straight-backed, knees-in-your-chest, old popcorn, sticky floor movie experience again.

Movies. You got served!

Gold Class Cinema

3225 Amy Donovan Plaza (the end near Braker, South of Macy's, in the newer part)

Austin, Texas 78758

512.568.3400

http://www.goldclasscinemas.com/Theaters/Austin-Texas.htm