poryorick's Profile
SXSW Trailer News
Just thought I'd fire up a thread for those with the fortitude to brave the crowds out there.
On the way to Grackle for the Japanese dayshows we came across a Filipino food truck (http://www.bemorepacifictruck.com/) in the parking lot on the east side of Gypsy Lounge on 6th. We ordered three dishes and came away impressed with two. Recommends to the pancit with chicken (moist, good Filipino spicing - SO is Filipino - and flavorful) and the adobo chicken slider (the bun was of the sweet Hawaiian bread variety and played well with the chicken). We weren't a fan of the bacon fried rice; it was kind of bland and could use a bit of bacon grease and salt in the prep for flavor. These guys don't know where they'll land after the festival, but I hope they hang around the area.
Also, Reggie's, of fried catfish fame, is set up behind Hotel Vegas on east 6th for the next few days, and if you don't mind waiting around for 10-15 while it's in prep (there's music and free beer available), you won't be disappointed. I've been wanting to try this place for several years now, but the sporadic hours always seemed to work against me, so as soon as we saw the barn-red trailer from our vantage on 6th, we ran towards it. Definitely the best fried bottom feeder I've had in Austin.
Anyone else with pointers?
Second Bar & Kitchen / Bar Congress
I think you mean Adam (Bryan). And the drinks are good, though I was less impressed with the food at 2nd. Gin + Jam, Golden Arrow, and Appleseed Cup were the drinks we had. I think it was a wise idea to let Billy and Adam run with the menu. I still think that Bill Norris has the execution down better, but the creativity at 2nd, and the fact that they're moving away from the traditional regional liquor fare (citrus, tequila, rum) is nothing but a good thing.
His Majesty The Chef: Best Male Chef In Austin
Sorry, CB. After taking a break for a while from this place, and in light the way discourse on teh internetz has devolved since then, I'm trying hard to become a gentler sort of critic...disagreement without being disagreeable. I just can't abide that even the worst dish at LC doesn't have something on the best at a chain sandwich joint, but we can disagree, if we must. Glad to hear your open to giving Rene another go; there's always a chance I've just been damned lucky this whole time, too.
His Majesty The Chef: Best Male Chef In Austin
Oh, no. Sorry to disappoint, Tom. I'd like to see his return, as well, but, alas, I am not. Just another wayward 'hound that found a topic worth chiming in on.
His Majesty The Chef: Best Male Chef In Austin
We popped over to Three Little Pigs last night, and, man, is it good to have Raymond just around the corner. Of the four dishes we decided to sample, I'd order every single one again: Duck Boudin Cake, Pork Belly Slider, Curry Pork with Noodles and Cracklin Meatloaf. I had no doubt that the food would be good, but even the curry pork (of which I didn't expect much) with it's lemongrass and galangal was like some glorious conglomeration of Thai fresh ingredients and Southern style pulled pork.
In one fell swoop, TLP shot to the top of my list of trailer destinations in ATX.
His Majesty The Chef: Best Male Chef In Austin
Thanks for confirming the house-made tortillas. They've always appeared to be such when I've been, so I didn't bother to ask
On the cocktail front, get over to Haddington's and try out the offerings that Bill Norris has developed for the bar there. I love Adam's stuff, but I still think Norris has a slight leg up on him.
His Majesty The Chef: Best Male Chef In Austin
That's too bad, Carter. My first trip to La Condesa was for brunch, and between the house-made donuts and the fried quinoa Huevos Chilangos, it's one of my more memorable brunch experiences here. I've been multiple times since, and have had many of the fresh fish dishes (hamachi, cangrejo, trucha), the duck mole, huaraches and several other dishes along with a complement of drinks (including the amazing tabacco-infused Cubito), and have, as I said, had anything less than excellent food.
I'm sorry for you if your palate is more attuned to the offerings of Which Wich than LC, but I have a feeling that's not actually the case and rather it's just your attempt to demean someone else's opinion. We've had good exchanges here before (when I was using a previous pseudo), so I'm not sure why you chose this approach.
That's the pork belly sliders, cangrejo tostadas and huevos chilangos below.
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La Condesa
400-A W 2nd St, Austin, TX 78701
His Majesty The Chef: Best Male Chef In Austin
I agree with you about Sawicki; if you ever get the chance to trough feed at Condesa's brunch pastry table, I highly recommend it. I could bankrupt myself on it.
I recently talked to a relatively well-known local chef (who shall remain nameless to preserve collegiality amongst culinariat) and he said that Rene was the best chef in Austin. I'd already come to that conclusion personally, but it was gratifying to hear someone amongst the ranks of the best say the same.
There's something to be said for Ortiz's constant sabbaticals to food destinations across the US and abroad, though perhaps the wanderlust has an unintended consequence on consistency at La Condesa; perhaps I've just been lucky, because I've had nothing but excellent dining experiences there on a pretty regular basis.
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La Condesa
400-A W 2nd St, Austin, TX 78701
His Majesty The Chef: Best Male Chef In Austin
I'm sort of shocked that Rene Ortiz (La Condesa) hasn't come up in this conversation. I've yet to have anything less than an excellent experience at his restaurant. And he's also highly creative with his preparations.
Lovely Dinner at Justine's
Could be. Did you get some duck, too? If so, I assume you got the edible version.
Lovely Dinner at Justine's
We went on the same Friday as you, and had a similar experience. They were clearly not up to the task of dealing with early success.
We arrived at 6:20 when the place still had several tables available, already knowing what we wanted to order, as we thought we'd compare meals plate-for-plate with our current fave French cafe, Chez Nous. We were seated, but then it took ten minutes for someone to get our drink order. We would've ordered the meal at that point, but our server seemed harried and hurried. We were able to place our order about 15 minutes later, and a short time later our escargot appetizer arrive. Promisingly enough, the snails were succulent and tender, though the sauce was a bit prosaic.
Then began our interminable wait. 45 minutes later, our server came by to tell us that there had been a mix up and someone else had gotten our entrees. Okay, fine, no big deal it happens. She was very apologetic, as was the owner who stopped by to get us more wine (finally). The problem here is, it took another 30 minutes for our replacement plates to arrive, during which time we were basically neglected; no more bread, no more drinks. When the food finally made it to the table, things only went downhill. My SO had ordered the steak frites; the meat was fine, nothing special, but the frites were abysmal – shoestring-cut and limp with grease, totally the opposite of my memories of Europe. My confit de canard was even worse, so heavily salted that it was, to my palate, inedible. Having had the dish in both France and stateside, I know what is acceptable brine, and this was not it. And to top it off, the meat was dry and stringy, hardly archetypal French fare.
We'd originally planned on trying desserts, but by this point we both just wanted to escape the place. Unfortunately for us, the staff refused to facilitate this final wish. It took another 20 minutes for our server to return to check on us, at which time my SO requested (actually it was more like begged) for the bill. After another 15 minutes the server realized she'd yet to bring our check and snatched my card from the table, only to return a few moments later with two card receipts and no itemized receipt.
I might try this place again in 3-4 months, but based on this initial experience, I'd have to say your money and time are much better spent at Chez Nous.
Prix fixe dining in Austin
A friend once referred to duck as flying bacon, and I've thought of it that way since. No bacon in the dish, I just have an equal love of duck and that particular cut of swine. The duck was inedible due to salt (and subsequent dryness); I can't remember any time up until now that I've been unable to finish this particular dish.
Prix fixe dining in Austin
Gave Justine's a go tonight. The space is nice, if anachronism to its surrounding industrial park locus.
Thinking I'd compare it plate-for-plate to Chez Nous, the meal opened promisingly enough. The escargot app was succulent, more tender than CN, though the butter sauce was lesser in flavor.
The SO and I split the steak frites and the confit de canard. The steak was fine, not as good as CN, but passable. The fries were, in my opinion, antithetical to the European style; shoestring cut and limp. I love bacon, and so it follows that I should love flying bacon (duck) without reserve, but I have not tasted a dish so oversalted in all my years of restaurant dining (for context, despite the claims of saltiness in Enoteca's prosciutto pizze, I find it utterly amazing), and the excess no doubt encouraged an excessive dryness in the meat, as well.
I'll say that, despite the attempt at a soft opening by the owners, Justine was slammed early and often tonight; the restaurant was filled by the time we arrive around 6:30. But after a mistake delayed our dinner by an hour, we expected a far superior meal to what we received. And after a slight conciliation by management for the inconvenience, we were further neglected when we asked for the bill; it arrived more than 15 minutes after our request.
I'll probably give the place another chance after a reasonable settling time, but for now, be aware that they are working out some serious kinks.
Texas Monthly's top 50 burgers
My brother picked up the tab at The Porch but a reference of the menu shows $14 for the Stodg. Counter Burger is $9, but my addition of bacon brought it to $12, and I'm guessing that if I'd asked them to throw an egg on top like the Stodg, it probably would've raised it another $3. The sweet bun is referenced above, and I would fall into the category of those who don't mind it except for the relative dearth of beef on Counter's burger; 6oz is not enough to cover the bun, so there's a real balance problem by the end of the dish-lots of sweet bread, little or no meat. By comparison, the Stodg was closer to 10-12oz of beef, and it had significantly more flavor, meat and otherwise.
Texas Monthly's top 50 burgers
I had to make a short trip up to Dallas on Friday, so I thought I'd try to hit #1 (The Grape) and #6 (The Porch) while I was in town. I got to try the Stodg at Porch and it gave pause to my original conclusion that the list was irretrievably flawed. A delicious, memorable burger. Unfortunately, my timing was such that I didn't get to try the #1 burger at Grape as it is only served on Sundays and Mondays. I decided to go to Counter Cafe today with the expectation that their #2 listing would live up to it's billing. No such luck. It didn't even approach the deliciousness of the Stodg (see both images), and, to my mind, it doesn't have near the flavor of either the Amarillo or the Buffalo at Casino. It wasn't a bad burger, but it's neither one that I would ever develop a craving for in the way that I have for Casino's offerings, and, now, for that of The Porch.
Best Guacamole in Austin
I'll have to pop in and verify my memories, but I seem to remember Michoacana having a decent guacamole up by the registers in steamer pan full of ice.
Asbury Park, no car, two lunches and a dinner
Thanks for the heads up on the pork roll, and a hearty salute for your great recs. They really help to make the entire trip.
Find me on the Austin boards if you ever make it down and I'll introduce you to some of our local fare.
All best.
Asbury Park, no car, two lunches and a dinner
LOL. Thanks for your help. Turns out I was just tired and confused when I wrote the post anyway. SO reminded me that she had to correct me at the table when I mistook the eggplant for a "strange, wonderful pasta" initially. Too much chianti, I guess.
Hope you had a good visit to our fair burg, as well.
Asbury Park, no car, two lunches and a dinner
Thanks to all your recommendations. Here's a brief review of our food discoveries during our brief stay in Asbury Park.
Arrived on Friday, and stopped by Baker Boys in the Galleria where the SO picked up a chocolate cupcake. The chocolate was grainy and of a low quality and the white cake was dry and tasted of baking powder. A disappointment, but not a portent.
Stopped by Langosta Lounge for drinks. I had a Market Mojito, which was heavily mulled with mint and frozen strawberries. A nice pairing for the beach.
Though the wedding party was heading for Stella Marina, we took our cue from MGZ and fourunder and caught a cab over to Jimmy's Italian. We started with the hot antipasto plate and were immediately greeted by that giant East Coast tomato flavor that is a staple of Italian American cooking. The plate featured shrimp, clams, oysters and manicotti, all swimming in a pool of red. It immediately reminded me of how impossible it is to get decent Italian in my neck of the woods, and the occasional flecks of tomato skin assured me of its authenticity. There is no overabundance of seasoning to this red; it's all about showcasing those incredible tomatoes.
The SO followed fourunder's advice and went with the Sole Oreganato, which consisted of a huge filet in white wine butter sauce so overstuffed with crabmeat that it reminded me of a Katz's corned beef. There is nothing subtle about this type of cooking; it is the comfort food of the region and was flavored accordingly. The dish was absolutely delicious.
I queried our server who recommended the Lobster & Shrimp Linguine in Pink Cream Sauce with Fresh Asparagus. The pink sauce was more demure than my SO's dish, but the linguine was fortified with a bevy of rich seafood. I counted six whole lobster claws and at least as many large butterflied shrimp. Despite the generosity of piping sauce, the linguine was al dente perfection. A solid choice.
The following day, we awoke early and headed to the beach for a morning dip in the ocean. The SO grabbed a scone from Baker Boys on the way as a second chance, but it was equally unmemorable. After our swim, we again followed the urgings of MGZ and made a beeline to Frank's Deli. We arrived at roughly 11am on Saturday to a packed house, and waited for a few minutes until a booth opened. We felt it a moral imperative to give the pork roll a try, so we got an egg, cheese and pork roll on Frank's kaiser roll to start. I can see why this might be a staple of Jersey diner cuisine, and now wish I had ready access to the pork roll. We followed our late breakfast immediately with lunch splitting one each housemade corned beef and pastrami on Frank's rye. The corned beef was delicious, but clearly outshined by the pastrami. We took our mustard on the side to give the meat its chance. I found myself going to the mustard much earlier on the corned beef than its counterpart, but both were delicious, nonetheless.
On our last day in AP, we hit the board walk just as La Plaza Cubana was rolling up the screen, so we stopped by to give their sandwich Cubano a go. While good, it didn't strike any high notes for me. It could be, too, that the pork was left over from the day before, because it was a bit thin and dry, and didn't have a very fresh taste.
We headed to downtown to kill some time before our ride returned us to JC, stumbled upon the Silverball Museum then popped by America's Cup for a rest and drinks (I became addicted to Green Tea smoothies in AP). We met our ride at Wonder Bar for burgers, as we'd heard from other members of the wedding party that they were pretty good. I'd have to agree, and I come from the land of beef, so consider it high praise for Wonder Bar's effort; moist flavorful meat on a tasty roll.
Overall, with the help of our fellow CHers, we were able to eat great meals that enhanced our vacation on the Jersey shore.
Thanks to all.
Asbury Park, no car, two lunches and a dinner
That's a funny story. I couldn't really get much data coverage for my iPhone, and so I was having a tough time locating the museum. We'd pretty much given up and my SO had started shopping, and at about the third shop, I was wearing thin, but grudgingly agreed to go in. Whilst meandering in wait, I glanced up to notice a sign to the museum pointing downstairs. It was a Taoist epiphany....
Asbury Park, no car, two lunches and a dinner
I'll write more tomorrow, but I'll leave you with pictures for now.
Thanks to those who provided the info that drove our choices. You done good.
http://bit.ly/LTuoV
Best Guacamole in Austin
EZ is my favorite, as well. And the decadence of the Salvadoran version puts it heads above anyone else, imho. It's not a salad, it's a meal.
Asbury Park, no car, two lunches and a dinner
Thanks for the detail on Jimmy's. Between you and MGZ, and barring any dicta from our fellow travelers in the wedding party, I think we'll put a check next to Jimmy's. We're staying at the Berkeley, so it turns out that Frank's is easily walkable from the hotel, and so now I'd like to hear about how it might play for breakfast.
As for Sam's, I'm a huge fan. That mutton is a thing of wonder. That said, it's a completely different style of Q than what I've previously mentioned in this thread, more of a Carolina southern (heavily sauced) than the aforementioned Texas pit style (smoke, salt and pepper).
I hope you at least had a good time golfing and a nice stay at Barton Creek since it seems you didn't really get to hit any of the great restaurants (other than Sam's). Hopefully you can make it back for another 18 and some serious eats.
Asbury Park, no car, two lunches and a dinner
I like to find a balance on my trips between the new and the old, so this is some really useful info. Earlier research had turned up Jimmy's and I was waiting to see if anyone might throw it out there.
Frank's is an added bonus–I love delis, and the fact that they have their own in-house meats is a definite plus.
Thanks for the input.
Asbury Park, no car, two lunches and a dinner
Well if you dream about the Saltlick, you might just pull up roots for the top five. Saltlick is fine, really; certainly beats anything you can get in Austin. But those quiet little burgs that are within a short (by our standards) drive are the brass ring.
I know you're probably on a schedule, but if you really want to get the true experience, you'll need to build in 1:00-1:30 for roundtrip travel to any of the places I've suggested. Lockhart is about 35 minutes south of Austin, home to two of the top five: (the Church of) Kreuz's (pronounced "crite-zes", ribs and brisket and sausage) and Smitty's (ribs and brisket). Lexington to the northeast about 30 minutes is home to Snow's, the little one-day-a-week dark horse that stole the title from the big 5 in 2008. They're open on Saturday from 8am until the food runs out, which has been known to happen as early as 9:30am. They have the best brisket that's ever crossed my lips and melted in my mouth (and giant pork butt steaks), and it's done by one of the only female pitmasters I know of. And in Taylor, about 30 minutes nne is Louie Mueller's (I've never actually eaten here so I can't say one way or another). Luling is probably beyond your travel allotment, about 50 minutes south of downtown; it wins for best overall. If you want to taste the real deal Texas BBQ, you've got to make it to one of these pits.
Thanks for the pizza insight; I had hoped that you could verify that the water theory was a regional thing and not localized to the city. And I don't care if I'm hearing what I want to hear....
I'm sure you've already done so, but our CH Austin board has some pretty damn knowledgeable folks; pay close attention to those who've been posting for several years and you won't go wrong.
Cocktails in Austin
We thought we'd pop in for some apps and drinks, and the food was definitely heads above the drinks (and at $8-12 per glass, that's a tough pill). I did have their Pisco Fuego, and it was pretty damn good (bruleed egg white froth and angostura on top). I'm certainly ready to give their dinner a try.
The most romantic restaurant in Austin?
I don't mind the partition a wall of sound provides, so I tend to head to Chez Nous when in a romantic mood.
But I think scrumptious has come up with the most original and likely successful scenario.
Cocktails in Austin
I'm a disciple of his Old Fashioned, and I think the June Rose is one of the best summer drinks I've ever had. I haven't made my way around the entire menu, but I've been pretty happy with most everything I've had there.
Have you given East Side Showroom a go, yet?
Brunching on Eggs Benedict in Austin
I'll second it. Just beware that it is so heavy and rich, it's (to me) the equivalent of two meals. I also recommend Eastside's Smoked Salmon Benedict. But I think my favorite Austin version is the Hanger Steak Benedict from Lambert's. I know it's a pricey brunch, but it's totally worth it.
