Kent Wang's Profile
Why does Tamale House not serve any tamales?
Is it a cruel joke? Did they use to serve tamales at one time? Are the tamales off the menu and you have to ask? Is there a secret codeword?
Any suggestions on Latin American restaurants?
I like Habana a lot, too. Just how authentic is it? Can any Cuban weigh in on this?
Austin crawfish
Quality Seafood does not serve it in their restaurant though you can buy it from them for $3/lb.
They do make a nice crawfish creole soup that may satisfy your crawfish cravings.
Fried Calamari
Vespaio has a nice, light crispy batter.
Quality Seafood consistently fries to the proper doneness, though their batter is more of your typical Southern style.
Those two are my recommendations.
Open Letter to Alamo Drafthouse
Mad props for carrying Ayinger Celebrator (Village, maybe Lake Creek) and Maredsous 8 on tap (Lake Creek).
East Austin Suggestions?
I am also about to take the Eastside plunge in a few months.
Try:
Nubian Queen Lola's
Sam's BBQ
Cajun's Southern Comfort
Quibbles with Fearless Critic's Guide to Austin?
I don't think you can take the ratings to mean that a 9.0 restaurant is three times better than a 3.0, or 9 times better than a 1.0. If one rated using your system then most of the restaurants would be above 5.0, which wastes the entire 0-5 range. I talked to Robin Goldstein, the editor of the book and he specifically stated that his goal was to spread the ratings across the whole 0-10 range, which is reasonable to me.
That said, there are some questionable ratings. I don't know much about Mexican so maybe you're right about Enchiladas y Mas.
One example is Sambet's (7.9) which considering that Gumbo's is 7.4 and Evangeline Cafe (6.0) I'd be more inclined to rate Sambet's a 5.0.
Others are Cafe Josie (9.3) which I think should be 8.4, Fino (9.2 -> 8.5), Aquarelle (9.0 -> 9.3), Malaga (8.4 -> 9.0).
I do find the bulk of their ratings reasonable, more so than any other guide such as the Austin Chronicle. Their arrangement of restaurants by genre and neighborhood is also very helpful.
Yes, Chowhound, eGullet and other internet sources will be the most reliable but one does not always have the time to parse through all those threads to make a decision.
good place for a soccer team social?
How big is your group?
Hoover's is very Austin, moderately priced and has a full bar. If you want to pay a bit more, try El Chile or Vivo but I'm not sure how many people they can accommodate.
[Austin] Which restaurant do you patronize the most?
They are steamed, or I would assume so as they had those two items on the menu for over six months without being able to offer it until their steamer was installed. The clam and mussel sauces used to be great but I've also noticed the same problems you mentioned. I think it coincided with the departure of their manager, whose name escapes me at the moment, about six months ago. He formulated those sauces and I believe all the soups. This man knew his sauces and in fact left to start his own gourmet sauce company.
I do believe the problem is simply letting the sauces cook for too long. Try going earlier during service, though this is still a rather unacceptable practice on their part.
The next time I encounter this problem I will make sure to take notes and contact the owner, Mr. Paul Huntsberger.
Pao - right in the kisser! (review)
http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/story?oid=oid%3A77826
2300 Lohmans Spur # 134, Lakeway, TX
About 30 minutes west from downtown Austin.
Where is the best fried catfish within 25 miles of Austin?
I'd imagine the catfish at Quality Seafood would be great. I rarely order it, though, as there are so many great (and IMO better) options there.
Visiting Austin..downtown suggestions..& beyond
Texas French Bread is not really a patisserie, if that's what you think of when you refer to bakery. Sweetish Hill, downtown, fairly close to SoCo is my favorite patisserie bakery, though of course they also have breads and sandwichs.
Looking for a romantic place for dessert and dancing!
I don't think there's any place with both great desserts (or other food) and dancing. But maybe The Belmont.
If you just want drinks and dancing, try The Peacock. It is the absolute best cocktail lounge in town and there is often a dj or live music on the weekends.
Best BBQ in town
Maybe the best beef ribs in the world! Not a lot of the other top joints do beef ribs.
Best BBQ in town
Louie Mueller's is in my Top 3 in Texas BBQ. Highly recommend it as well.
Best BBQ in town
Haven't heard much about this place but I will place it on my to do list thanks to your endorsement.
Good Chinese/Asian Lunch Spots in SW Austin?
Tien Jin is similar to NG House but slightly more upscale.
What do you like at NG House? I like the place but it's far from me and have only been once.
Best BBQ in town
I've never been to House Park but is it really better than Sam's?
Artz may be a distant second for me. Everything else is not worth comparing. I'm still pained that John Mueller's closed a few years ago.
valentine's suggestions? - take a look at my list
Seems strange to order steak and steak frites at a French restaurant, though that's still no excuse for what happened with your dish.
The escargot I had a few weeks ago there is the best escargot dish I've ever had. I believe it was an escargot and crawfish stew, similar to an etouffee. Their house terrines are also superb. Really, that last meal was more enjoyable than the one I've had Aquarelle. Aquarelle had fancier, more laborious dishes but in terms of sheer enjoyability the simpler, less haute cuisine preparations are sometimes better.
valentine's suggestions? - take a look at my list
Good confit seems to be hard to come by. I'd say it's good by Austin standards but not by what I've had in other cities and especially not compared to how I make it. I make a mean confit, if I do say so myself. In fact, I'm making one as we speak.
valentine's suggestions? - take a look at my list
It's been a while. Had a duck leg confit on pasta four years ago and it's one of the best confit I've had in Austin. I went again about a year ago and had some sort of seafood item, probably.
valentine's suggestions? - take a look at my list
I've dined at Wink twice and also find the food boring and overpriced. Also, not only is it in a strip mall it's next to a dry cleaners!
valentine's suggestions? - take a look at my list
It's pretty busy and crowded too. I'd say no. If you still want Italian try La Traviata or Siena. Both are very romantic. I believe a few people here consider La Traviata to better in terms of cuisine.
BTW, I thought Vespaio doesn't take reservations?
valentine's suggestions? - take a look at my list
If you're considering Chez Nous, how about Aquarelle? Those two places are what I would consider.
Uchi is also really crowded, rather unromantic.
Lambert's
Chimay in a pint glass or a smaller Chimay-branded goblet or tulip glass? Chimay at $6 pint is a steal, only about 10% above retail. The goblets are quite a bit smaller than a pint though.
Oh, which Chimay was it? White (Cinq Cens), probably? No one seems to offer Blue (Grande Reserve) on tap.
Who has the best steamed dumplings in town?
I think those are boiled. Mighty good, indeed, though.
