I'm so lazy

I mean really. Why do double work?

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

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/

Good. Lord.

I may have died and gone to heaven last night.

It was my second visit to Max's Wine Dive and it only confirmed what a crazy good restaurant it is. CRAZY GOOD!

First time I went I had the blue cheese chips (OMG), fried chicken (what the heck have I been eating all these years?!) and New Orleans bread pudding (could not stop eating it!). Zilla had the pot roast (mouth-watering) and shared my appy and dessert, lest you think I ate all that myself. Although I could have. Watch me.

Last night, after a film fest and a Guinness, we needed sustenance and were mere blocks away from Max's. How convenient! We pored over the menu and I tell you what, every. single. thing looked delectable. We settled on: the Yama Kobe beef burger for me (#16 on Texas Monthly's list and way higher on mine), the Fried Egg Sandwich for Wonderhands (good god almighty) and the Drunk Bread for Nay-Nay (simply divine).

In a nutshell:

Burger - perfect beefy goodness, you taste every layer of flavor, nothing overwhelms (except the spicy-ass ketchup for the fries! Wow! Hot!), it was a fantastic, upscale, yet basic, burger.

Sandwich - bacon and eggs on a whole new level; homey and delicious.

Drunk Bread - like a lazy man's fondue - no dipping required! the wine and Gruyere were up front and personal... I loved it.

And I didn't even mention the Tres Fritos we started with - fried green tomatoes, pickles and okra... mmmm... fried okra... mmmm...

I absolutely adore this restaurant and I hope no one reads this and spreads the word so it gets so busy I can't get in anytime I want. In fact, forget everything you just read - "These aren't the droids you're looking for."

Move along you looky-loos, there's nothing to see here!

Max's Wine Dive

207 San Jacinto Avenue

Austin, Texas 78701

512.904.0106

http://www.maxswinedive.com/austin/index.php

In the dark

I will probably not see a movie if it's not at Alamo Drafthouse. I have grown too accustomed to drinking and/or eating during a movie. Which leads to my complaint.

My most recent excursions have all been to the South Lamar location as that is closer to my house, so all these observations are geared toward them, at least for now.

1. They have started keeping the lights so damn low before the movie starts that you have to bring a G.D. flashlight to see the menu. What? Those little wuss-ass lights under the table? To put it bluntly, they suck.

2. They have no idea how to service that many people at once. I don't know if all the start times are too close together or what, but we waited 35 minutes for popcorn. For popcorn!! So unless you get there a whole hour early, you'll be eating in the dark. Have you ever eaten salad in the dark? It ain't easy.

3. The staff that cleans after the movie (and I know they have to) talk so freakin' loud that you can't enjoy the credits and/or outro music if you're into that sort of thing. Which we are. Especially when the movie you just watched was dedicated to a friend of yours that passed away. Hubby is two years away from being that guy that yells at people to shut up. Please follow your own "Don't talk during the movie or we'll take your ass out" rules!

4. As for the food, they had a new burger (The Big (Organic) One) and while it had great flavor, the meat was so overcooked it was dry and chewy. They say it will be cooked medium-well, which I completely disagree with anyway, but it was well done and I don't mean "Well Done!". Hubby's Chicken Tacos didn't come pre-assembled and didn't come until 15 minutes into the movie (see #2) and he said they were bad and he meant bad as in bad not bad as in good.

That sad part is I'm not going to stop going. In general the food is still good, I think they are working on a new staff as they transferred all the good people to The Highball and I still want to drink while I watch a movie. I'm not repeating high school when Miller and I sneaked beer into The Chateau and then accidentally kicked our empties over and had to listen to them roll down to the front of the theater.

So damn you, Drafthouse and your tasty beverages!

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema

http://www.drafthouse.com/