I love their fresh salsas (especially the green- it makes for killer enchiladas), their frozen french bread, the pre-marinated pork tenderloin, and the fresh corn tortillas (b/c they don't go bad for a while... yeah, yeah preservatives- whatever), and right now the nectarines are insanely good.

Do yourself a favor: head east on William Cannon to just before I-35 and turn right into that parking lot of Academy, etc. Go to Asiana for the best Indian food in south Austin. Bonus points for the employees being so darn nice.

I guess I forgot to add the ditto to storefronteats comment re Italian in Austin in my comment. I don't order gnocchi out because I haven't really had a good Italian experience in Austin. If I'm craving Italian, I try my best at home to make stuff. I do think gnocchi is fun to make and simple enough, if I have the time. That being said, having had a poor Italian meal here (Asti's risotto specifically), I don't dismiss Austin's food scene because of it. I just choose something else or don' t go back.

Dang, this sniffs of serious pretension. First of all, I don't go to any local restaurant for gnocchi. It's easy enough to make at home. Second, at any restaurant I go to, if the dish is that sub par, I send it back. I am positive they would have been gracious and offered you something else. I have eaten at Parkside numerous times and enjoyed every meal I've had there. Third, I wouldn't debase an entire city's food based on one bad gnocchi. It doesn't matter where you have lived in the USA, if you're that displeased with something, send it back. Feedback never killed anyone.

What about Tarka? Their samosas are delicious, especially with their tamarind sauce. Also, the best Indian food I've had in town comes from Asiana Indian at W. Cannon and 35. Their biz seems a bit slow so they might be down to do some trays for a good price.

Check out the Hotel St. Cecelia. Awesome bar just for the guests. Right off South Congress. A quick bike ride to downtown. So beautiful.

It's going in the strip mall across from Randalls in Westlake (on Westbank Dr.). I think it's opening this Saturday?

Saw a liquor application sign up in the old Macaroni Grill location on Bee Caves (across from that HEB shopping center). I think this restaurant location is a dead zone but who knows? No details about what's going in there, but this area needs more restaurants. The P Terrys across the street is near completion so I'll gain 50 pounds of chicken burger lunches soon.

I can see why. There was something special about that K&B purple!

Hell, I'll volunteer!

Thirded, from down the bayou in Louisiana, and we make coosh-coosh with the leftovers: cornbread with whole milk poured over it and a drizzle of Steen's black strap molasses.

Thanks for the news. I've been wondering when some good bahn mi would hit my area. I tried Lux Bakery but didn't like it (plus all their cupcakes had mint flavoring in them). Please report your findings.

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Lux Bakery and Cafe
3601 W William Cannon Dr, Austin, TX 78749

I grew up "down the bayou" and there were a couple stands that sold hot tamales. My grandmother got them every Friday except during Lent. I haven't seen them since I moved away.

We are staying about 5 minutes from Nusa Dua Beach and Geger Beach (15 min) next week. Any recommendations for that area? (close to Bali Collection)

Oh my, I had a good hard laugh with friends who also reside in the 45 about how AWFUL Pho Thai Son is. It's amazingly bad, like they are trying to be the worst. It's dirty in there- if you pour a soda into a cup of ice (they sell it by the can), it will be the worst drink you've ever had. I think the ice is dirty. I ordered two different things, both were horrendous. The grilled chicked I ordered tasted like old gristle from a bbq pit that was trapped in a tire fire. The replacement dish, some vegetarian buddha's delight style thing was horrible too. If you hate someone, recommend that place.

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Pho Thai Son
3601 W William Cannon Dr, Austin, TX 78749

Red's back porch has fried pickle slices with a homemade ranch. I think they make the pickles themselves too. Super good stuff.

Noooo, not an Olive Garden!!! There are no great places to eat in that shopping center or the area in general. (I will hit up Tarka on the regular just because it's cheap and quick.)

I volunteer the "Marketplace" on William Cannon and Westgate to Trader Joe's.

BTW, Pho ThaiSon (one of the places in that area we've tried) is gawd awful.

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Olive Garden
1354 N Interstate 35, New Braunfels, TX 78130

Tarka
5207 Brodie Ln, Austin, TX 78745

I like El Mirador in San Antonio for their Saturday morning soups and Sunday brunch. The King William neighborhood is beautiful. You will be in SA in time for Fiesta too!

I totally forgot about my favorite noodles! I used to buy this weekly when Asahi Imports was on North Loop.

I second Green Pastures. It would be beautiful and memorable.

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Green Pastures Restaurant
901 W Live Oak St, Austin, TX 78704

I really like their chicken burgers, but sometimes the buns are way off (either mushy wet or super stale). Either way, they aren't the best buns but the chicken is hormone free, free range...

On another note, isn't it illegal to block an entire lane of traffic, even if it's for fast food? I would love to see a cop handing out tickets over there to those "lazy f's" who block Lamar during rush hour. That might make a tiny dent in this city's budget woes. Heck, they could use that motorcycle cop sitting on Mopac N during rush hour (how in the heck does he figure that to be a speed trap? We're crawling.)

The bar steak and frites and quail salad are delicious. They had the best oysters I've tasted in quite some time. You don't have to sit at the bar for happy hour either. We got a booth in the regular area. Service wasn't compromised either.

Yanagi on William Cannon has Ramen on the menu. Regular and Spicy.

I got it at the HEB on Brodie in the bread aisle.

I bought those recently to sop up some shrimp ettoufee and was delightfully surprised at the good crust it produced. I will get some more while they're on sale!

That's amazing. I spent a good portion of my working years as a waiter, so I can sympathize with many things. This I cannot. I have never stiffed a waiter before, but if anyone deserved it, this one does. I think I'd be even excited to stiff her with a big fat note about why she isn't getting squat. (Not that she'd care apparently.)

Well, for as much as you'd pay for the food they're so damn proud of, you'd think they could afford a proper copy edit of their menu. Second, I hope their menu is seasonal, otherwise you're getting some frozen quince in their demi-glace.

I am craving shrimp tempura udon that includes fried veggies like taro and broccoli. I would rather not go to "major" sushi joint because this is all I want (i.e. I don't want to go to Uchi just to order this, and I'm not hankering for the raw stuff at this moment). Any ideas on where to go in town?

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Uchi Restaurant
801 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704

Depending on where you are on S. Congress, a bike ride to the food carts on S. Lamar would be awesome, especially since NOLA doesn't have a food cart scene. Order a bunch of Odd Duck items (they're all good, locally sourced and fresh), then grab a Gourdoughs donut for dessert. I recommend the one that is basically bananas foster on a homemade giant donut.

It's BYOB too!

Haha, "chalmation" (I haven't heard that word in ages). I loved Rocky and Carlos macaroni and cheese. It was either good or I was stoned every time I ate there (friends in college from Chalmette).