ilbranzino's Profile
Foreign & Domestic on North Loop
Checked it out on Wednesday eve. Promising. Good ambiance, service, prices, sourcing of ingredients. Had 2 apps, salad and a couple glasses of wine. In general I felt that some of the dishes were a little out of balance. It's hard to put your finger on it. I think it makes you realize that it's no accident when someone *does* combine quality ingredients together in a skilled fashion in the sense that you miss that alchemy when it's not there.
I had:
Popy Cock- Pork rinds tasted stale. They were room temp and had no flavor, like they came out of a bag (maybe they did?). Popcorn was covered with toffee, and although I liked the sweetness immediately I realized it was dental work waiting to happen. This $5 appetizer could quickly morph into a $500 dish when you start chewing on a lifted crown. The 'fried peanuts' seemed like filler. We ate a small portion and let them take the rest back at the end of the meal. I would not order this again.
Ham appetizer- A *big* pile of quality ham accompanied with a dab of mustard and tasty fried bread sticks formed in a small lattice. Thumbs up on the nice Bentons ham, but I felt like I didnt *get* the dish (and should I have to get it?)... Was I supposed to combine these breadsticks with the ham somehow? Dip them in the mustard and stack them on the ham? ...In the end I dipped the ham in the mustard (until it ran out at least) and ate the breadsticks separately. I wanted these elements to come together in a way they did not. I would possibly order this again.
Almost Summer salad- Fresh ingredients well dressed. Everything worked. Woohoo! I would order this again.
The wine list was short and priced very fairly. Two reds, two whites and a rose. Thank goodness they have a european wine to counterbalance a california offering with both the red and white ("Down Paso Robles, Down! Bad wine!")... I wonder if they'll still be using stemless glasses by the end of summer?
I'm a neighbor and very much want this place to be a big hit. I think with an adjustment here or there it can be the holy grail- high quality accessible by bike.
Eastside Showroom Review
Someone who would know tells me that ESS is one of the most aggressive local-sourcers in town, so those of you who like to support that type of behavior should probably check in with them.
House Pizzeria on Airport Blvd.
House Pizza is awesome. Something very impressive that they do, yet ask no credit for, is 100% recycling. They produce no trash for the landfill. No green WM dumpster to be found anywhere. How many restaurants go to that level? And we as diners enjoy the luxury of cloth napkins, glass and real silverware. That, my friends, is going the extra mile.
Quality Seafood (South) / Softshell Crab Sandwich
Ive gotta say as a long time neighbor of QS north the restaurant has really gone down hill. They've been on double secret probation with me for quite some time, and unfortunately last time I was there the happyhour shrimp were inedible- just dirty as can be. I lost my appetite completely and haven't been back since. Too bad, I've been a long-time fan, way back before they tore down the midsection and reformulated the restaurant.
Tony Bourdain is coming to Austin: Where should his handlers send him?
sources say TB was just at Perlas
1063 Lıcensed Food Traılers ın Austın and I Ate at Each One
youre overlooking the aspect that these trailers have become a middle ground for folks cooking out of their kitchens who would like to take it to the next level and those who are connected (or funded) enough to start a restaurant. Ive meddled with the challenge of starting a food biz here in austin (preservation bacocn) and let me report it is no small task to open an eating establishment. these folks making cupcakes out of trailers are not trying to put the taco carts out of business. completely different audience. this argument to me is like those who complain about Playboy at the 711. If you dont like em then dont buy em.
Nitrate Free Bacon- what's the difference?
Nitrites are naturally occurring and can be found in much greater doses in some vegetables than you find in cured meat. The following blurb is from a detailed article on nitrites linked below (ppm = parts per million)....
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Nearly every vegetable tested contained measurable amounts of nitrates, with averages varying from 1 to 4,800 ppm. For example, average levels were:
arugula 4,677 ppm
basil 2,292 ppm
butterhead lettuce 2,026 ppm
beets 1,279 ppm
celery 1,103 ppm
spinach 1,066 ppm
pumpkin 874 ppm
This compares to standard hotdogs or processed meats with average nitrite levels of 10 ppm.
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Just like anything else, you'll have to do a thorough review of the evidence and make a decision for yourself. Personally, I'm not gonna go out of my way to skip nitrites after researching the matter in depth (I make my own bacon). Basically it's proven that nitrites prevent botulism (which can kill you), but it's unproven that nitrites are bad for you.
Take some time to read this medical blog posting on nitrites...
http://junkfoodscience.blogspot.com/2008/07/does-banning-hotdogs-and-bacon-make.html
There Can Be Only One:Your Single Favorite Taco In Austin.
ding, ding, ding.... I second angie's carnitas taco. Great carnitas in a homemade, and then fried, taco shell (for those of you who haven't been lucky enough to sample one).
The state of coffee in Austin
(typo above. a cup of clover drip will set you back 2-4 dollars at JPs. price varies by bean and size {small/large})
Vegetarian friendly BBQ?
Rubys. They have a great selection of non-meat items (actually a fairly deep menu for a Texas BBQ joint).
The state of coffee in Austin
If you're a home roaster you'll probably find that JPs is best thing we have to compare to the specialty offerings of the bay area (lived in SF 8 years myself and also roast at home). They have a Clover and offer several micro-lots at a time. The biggest drawback (if you're not a student) is its proximity to UT. Parking is nearly impossible and folks *camp out* at their tables so parking inside with your coffee is a problem as well. I go there for a treat during lulls in the workday or during breaks when students are gone.
The amazing thing is that JPs is not well known as a premier coffee destination to the general population (or even to food folk for that matter). I think its proximity to the campus is why it's always packed. I wonder how many of the campers are buying $6 cups from the Clover.
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JPS Java
2803 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78705
Fuegos
The wife and I have been to Fuegos several times in the last week. This is a great find. Their menu is a little schizophrenic (its not often you find lemon ricotta pancakes, carnitas tacos, hamburgers and ahi sashimi on the same page), but so far every thing I have tried has been executed extremely well. My wife (a yankee who hasn't embraced Mexican food with the vigor that I do as a native Californian) loves this place. "If I was raised on Mexican food like this I would I would love it as much as you do".
On our first trip we ordered every taco they had in order to get a feel for the place, and it was indeed difficult to pick a favorite. Taco meat is generally cubed and well seasoned with just enough grease to make you happy rather than making a mess. Our favorites included the al pastor and carne asada (they were out of carnitas that day, generally my favorite).
On our second trip I ordered the beef enchiladas, and was pleased to find the meat they used was not the typical ground beef, but the cubed asada (or fajita?) meat we had on the tacos. The enchiladas were covered with red sauce and queso fresco (rather than melted american or cheddar). Of note was the excellent refried beans and rice, which had a fluffy texture that where each grain of rice is separate from the other. I caught myself at the end of the meal stuffing my face with the rice from my wifes plate, but continued nonetheless.
As far as future visits go, I'm saving their carnitas frenchfries dish (which aptly is french fries covered with carnitas) for a monster hangover cure. Just couldn't justify it on a Tuesday night.
I was happy to see Fuegos reviewed favorably in the Chronicle recently, and from the looks of these posts diners have experienced crowds as a result. Our 2 visits found the restaurant fairly quiet, but hopefully Fuegos gains traction and stays with us for a while.
Fresh-cut pasta in Austin?
Mandolas makes excellent bread. My understanding is they literally brought their own breadmaker into town because he was top notch. I believe I saw him referenced/profiled in an article recently in the chronicle.
Great cocktail bar in Austin?
Fino.
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Fino Restaurant
2905 San Gabriel, Austin, TX 78705
Reviews on the Bourdain Paramount Show?
Update- ABC now says friday the 9th or early next week.
Reviews on the Bourdain Paramount Show?
Supposedly the Nightline Bourdian piece will air Thursday Nov 8th (ABC). Apparently this type thing is subject to change until airtime.
Reviews on the Bourdain Paramount Show?
He did an interview for ABCs Nightline show which was filmed at Rubys. Took place from approx 3-5pm saturday. They closed down the patio and the back for filming. One sequence was a typical interview, then they sat down for a meal, then Luke (one of the Ruby's owners) showed him the pits and cooking (in the style of Cooks Tour/No Reservations). All this was filmed for the profile.
He hung out with a few us in the back at Ruby's for a while after everything was complete (which he didn't have to do, he could have said 'later' and bailed). He was very accommodating in terms of pictures, signing books, etc. He was pretty much exactly the same in person as he is on screen- down to earth, humorous and open/able to talk to the locals. Although I am uncomfortable with playing the role of 'fan' I *am* a fan of Tony's writing and shows and definitely enjoyed the opportunity to meet him (I readily accepted Luke/Pat's invitation to come down and check it all out).
I believe the Nightline episode is supposed to air prior to end of Oct. I see on the metroblog post that he went to 6th street after the show for more filming. He told us he had a 6 am flight out on Sunday back to nyc- the man has some serious stamina.
Starlite- Excellent meal
We were here about a month ago, and I should have posted when the details were fresh in my mind (so apologies in advance for generalizations without specifics). Overall I would have to agree with the posters here that were not so impressed.
What I recall: An amuse bouche which I remember as lacking in both imagination and taste... We were all served complimentary risotto between appetizers and entrees, it was fairly bland and most of us didn't eat it in order to save room for the main course... I had the duck based on these postings, and felt a little underwhelmed when I finally tried it.
After seeing these postings in mid summer I was motivated to get to Starlite as I hadn't been in several years (back when they were in the house on 34th street). We spent approx $70 per person and while I wouldn't go so far as to say it wasn't worth it, I won't be sending any business their way either.
Blue Bell Ice Cream
Ive never understood the appeal of Blue Bell. It seems to be a texan thing. Not surprised it has HFCS, but have always been amazed at the amount of air folded into their product. I'm surprised the containers don't float off the shelves they're so light.
BBQ-THE REAL DEAL?
Yes, but someone else down the line may find this thread and end up having great bbq based on our feedback long after the original poster got the waxy mouth plate at Stubbs.
BBQ-THE REAL DEAL?
This is a huge topic, especially if you expand your geography to the small towns within 30-60 miles of Austin. I'll keep it brief as you're probably swimming in information overload.
In Austin city proper I would point folks to Sam's, Ruby's (with a "B", not to be mistaken with Rudy's with a "D"), and the underrated/under-reported Lewis's (on MLK near Airport).
I would *avoid* County Line and Stubbs.
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Lewis's Bar-B-Q
1814 Harvey St, Austin, TX 78702
Fantasizing About Mexican Food....
This is easy for me- the carnitas taco plate at Angies. Why didn't I know about this sooner?
Options for a tasty lunch in the 51st/Manor/Springfield area
I think the Burger Tex on Airport is underrated. They make their own buns daily on site, do a good job with their patties and their fries have a bit of batter and are nicely crunchy.
My favorite combination is the burger with swiss and grilled mushrooms.
Note that the Burger Tex on Airport is *not* related to the Burger Tex on Guadalupe.
happy hour / food recommendations
I'm trying to create a list of places that offer decent food as part of their happy hour discount. Not potato skins or nachos necessarily, but something that you would want to eat even if it wasn't happy hour.
Recommendations?
Foodheads-- Why bother
Order the 'lami' sandwich next time and let me know if you wanna reconsider. I can't get off that damn lami sandwich. Had one for lunch today aamof.
Best Restaraunts in Austin
I gotta agree. The wife and I went over to Aquarelle a couple months ago for a 'splurge'. Its nice inside. Service was as expected. But it was missing the 'wow' reaction that I hope to summon when spending $100-150 per person (we did tasting menu with wine pairings- bill was $285 in the end). I would say it should have been $200 max (total) for what we got. That would have seemed 'worth it.' (I'm comparing this to other $100-200 per person meals we've had in the last year that seemed 'worth it'- Arzak, Akelare, to name a couple).
