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/

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

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