Where Can I Find A Moka Pot (Stovetop Espresso Maker)?

You would think so - however, when I spotted them, THEY didn't recognize them as something they stocked and/or ordered. Anyhow, I wasn't in a huge hurry to get a new screen, as my actual shot-pulling device was working acceptably at the time. Now that it's not, I'll probably seek them more actively.

Portland, huh? Sad to hear it's disappointing food-wise, but I'll leave that as my derailment contribution :)

Joshvar in Austin

Looking for nice, sit-down restaurant in Central/South Austin

I'd say that Paggi House is a bit over that range, but a good place to go that's possibly off their beaten path. The Grove would likely fit the bill too, although it's so close to the mentioned location that it's likely been visited already if that's their residence.

Also, Estancia may be a brunch option. I haven't been there in some time, but found it to be comparable to the Fogo de Chao downtown. I don't know the pricing either, but it's likely a bit high for dinner.

For Mexican/Tex-Mex, sadly, none of the places I prefer are "nice" but more hole in the wall and/or not sit down and order, but Habanero Mexican Cafe IS sit down and order, and consistently receives well-deserved praise here and elsewhere. It's not nice in the frou-frou sense, but if you can compromise there, the food is well worth it. And it's inexpensive to boot!

I haven't been to Zoot, so I can't comment there, but it IS very convenient to that location.

Joshvar in Austin

Looking for nice, sit-down restaurant in Central/South Austin

That's not a bad place to be - The Grove has a nice patio (no views, a bit of noise from 2244/Bee Caves Rd., but a cool fan and tree setup overhead makes it fairly unique), and the weather might be nice to make use of it. It's a bit west of 360 off of 2244. I've only eaten there once, and enjoyed the food. It's also wine bar, if they're into that sort of thing.

If heading away from downtown is an option, it's a reasonably nice drive to go to the Hill Country Galleria, which has quite a few options. Tony C's is a sit-down pizza place that gets good reviews (my personal favorite in Austin). I know it may get an "it's just pizza" reaction, but that sells it short - it hit the hole in my heart created by visits to NY pizzerias...or maybe that's just the cholesterol that's broken down.

There's a load of choices the other direction - a few along 2244, then you get to downtown and surrounding parts for just about anything. If touristy is desired, the strip of restaurants on Barton Springs Road (Chuy's, Billy's Brew-n-Que, Shady Grove, Romeo's, etc.) has a selection. Billy's was good the one time I went - I read some rather negative reviews shortly after it opened. It wasn't the best BBQ I've had, but it certainly wasn't bad. Plus, their in-house brews (again, if they're into that sort of thing) are very good (their brewmaster just won a prize at the GABF, in fact). Uchi's right around the corner from there, but based on Zoot being pricier than you were aiming, that rules Uchi out.

Anything else to narrow it down on top of sit down + nice? Price/likes/dislikes/allergies?

Joshvar in Austin

best Indian food

Now that I've been there 3 times (proximity, newness, etc.), I'd like to stick Tarka out there - didn't find anything with a search, either!

First time, I knew it was Clay Pit owned, so that was a big strike for me (sorry Tom in Austin, but I'm with Nab here). It was also a preview dinner night, so I think there was a lot of pressure to turn out good food, and it showed. Along with the one good dinner I had at Tandoori Hut up north, it was the best Indian I've had in Austin. The tikka masala was less reduced than I'm used to, but still actually tasted good. I ordered it at spice level 3 of 3, and it was to me, a bit hot for the flavor in the dish. The vindaloo was the chunky type that's more common in my experience (rather than puree with veggies), and the heat level 3 of 3 was just right for the dish. The saag paneer was very similar to Clay Pit's recipe (the only thing I enjoyed there), I believe, and had quite a bit of paneer in it. A surprise was the khuroos-e-tursh, which were 3 rather small disks of chicken in a sort of korma-like sauce, smoother and a bit sweeter with less cashew flavor. The batch of naan we got was about the best I've had. Samosas were brilliant on the texture side, but lacking on the flavor side - I guessed whole coriander seed. Overall, it was much better than Clay Pit on flavor, yet about even on ingredient quality, while priced lower for similar portions if I recall correctly (according to the menu - the test night was free!).

Second time was with a group, and the food wasn't quite as good, naan wasn't as fresh and uneven (a plus in my book so you get some crispy, some dense). About same things were ordered again, spice level seemed down a bit, samosas still good and crispy but missing something spice-wise (although the aloo inside had a much stronger curried flavor this time), but not bad. I did try a friend's tandoori chicken, and it was juicy but a bit weak on the marinade's flavor. The kebob was tasty but a bit on the anorexic side for the price.

Third time, the menu has changed and an early favorite (K-e-T, but $12 for 3 small pieces of chicken doesn't justify the sauce!) and tandoori chicken (also $12 I think, and only 1/2 a chicken!) are gone, along with a number of other non-curry dishes. The korma was surprisingly good (gritty cashew goodness), chana masala was above average (meaning good for Austin!), and the malai kofta went over well - the sauce was low on spicing overall but the tomato flavor was strong.

It's in the vein of Firebowl, Pei Wei, and Zen, with the same layout and general Westernization of the recipes. Based on the gushing reviews for Clay Pit on various review sites, lack of competition in the area, and success of Pei Wei/Firebowl, they have a hit on their hands here - and I'll probably be back when I must have something resembling Indian food and don't have driving time to go try Teji's or a trip to Dallas/Houston planned.

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Tarka Indian Restaurant
5207 Brodie Ln, Austin, TX 78745

Joshvar in Austin

best Indian food

I've been to Kaiser's twice and it really is exceptional. A notch above my favorites from Dallas, and miles ahead of what's here. I told him both times to open a place in Austin!

Joshvar in Austin

Best Sports Bar NOT Downtown

If you're down south, we were pleasantly surprised by Top Spin (NE "corner" of Mopac and Slaughter, where Starbucks used to be, next to Which Wich). Service was good for the very busy opening UT game of the season, and the food was surprisingly good and priced reasonably. The one thing that stood out was the chicken pesto sandwich - slightly sweet bun, strong flavored pesto, and a thick, well-cooked piece of chicken. Crowd spilled into the parking lot, and it's not all that large, so we were glad we arrived early (especially when the rain picked up).

Joshvar in Austin