23451bum's Profile
Old Restaurants in Austin
Oldest memories are coming to Austin for UT football games with my parents in the 60s - mandatory that we ate at the original Matt's El Rancho, just east of the Crest Hotel on First. I still love the place, even in the new building.
Moved back in the mid-eighties - Carmello's, Chinatown, and Paggi House were all open then. Does the Tavern count?
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Matt's El Rancho
2613 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
Paggi House
200 Lee Barton Dr, Austin, TX 78704
Hard Hat Report Vol 8
Ate at one in Atlanta last month. Big variety of creative omelets and others. Marked contrast to Magnolia, Kerbey Lane, etc. Not saying better or worse, just different - a little more commercial, synthetic kitsch kind of way. Food will give those two a run for their money - biggest problem might be a slightly higher price point. Definitely much better than IHOP or Denny's.
Family oriented restaurants with good food and music?
Boathouse Grill on 620 just south of 2222 fits your bill. Music on the weekends, playscape all the time. Also, second the Nutty Brown rec. Two Fridays a month, the have either The Eggmen (Beatles tribute) or Rotel and the Hot Tomatoes. I always see bunches of kids during those shows. Their web site will show the music calendar.
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Nutty Brown Cafe
12225 W Highway 290, Austin, TX 78737
Mature 40 yr old Couple Looking to Drink!
It depends. Generally, if there is a pool or rec center there, no. But for instance, Auditorium Shores is a park and you can have alcohol there. And I have taken wine to the Zilker Hillside Theater, even though the entire park is no alcohol.
Best Pizza in Hampton Roads
Pizza Box in the Port Norfolk section of Portsmouth is OUTSTANDING,
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Pizza Box
2616 Detroit St, Portsmouth, VA 23707
Best Pizza in Austin?
House's crust is unbelievably good. Chewy, without being tough. Never the wait that is so common at Homeslice, and as others have noted, much better beer selection. My vote for the best in town.
"Real" Texas Bars?
Deep Eddy Cabaret might not have the red neck factor you are looking for, but it is an Austin standard in its own right.
And the pool table isn't level -- and hasn't been in twenty five years.
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Deep Eddy Cabaret
2315 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX
Seafood Dives in Virginia Beach & Wiliamsburg?
A couple of additional choices:
Sandbridge Island Restaurant serves both solid seafood and quite good pizza (go figure). Right on the beach at the end of the road in Sandbridge (even further out than M&Rs). Very nice raw bar, and good selection of well prepared fried choices.
Other choice, which will be open in May, is the seasonal Surf Rider Grill at the north end of VB inside the Marina Shores marina. You sit right next to the boats in the marina, and boats traverse on their way to and from Back Bay. Three don't miss items here -- one is the crab cake consistently chosen as the best in VB. Second is the broccoli side dish, made special by the buttery hollandaise like sauce served alongside. Third is the hand butterflied fried shrimp. I was raised along the gulf coast, and have devoured fried shrimp in most states in the south. These rate among the best I've ever had -- and I am a fried shrimp snob.
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Surf Rider Grill
2100 Marina Shores Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Sandbridge Island Restaurant
205 Sandbridge Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23456
Virginia Beach in March, need a couple of restaurants
M&R's is good, but a little out of the way. The much better located Surf Riders are just as good, with several locations. Doc's is good - Citrus Breakfast & Lunch is slightly better. Both open only for b'fast and lunch. Don't bother with the Italian offerings - pretty unimpressive and not the m&p kind of places you want. Possibly the real gem is Mojito Cafe at 28th and Pacific. Full menu of Latin faves, prepared with love and passion.
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Citrus Breakfast & Lunch
2265 W Great Neck Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Surf Rider
550 Laskin Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Mojito Cafe
300 28th St, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Good food near Ikea, in Round Rock
The reality of the development surrounding Ikea is that it is mostly chains. The best if the lot may be Razoo's, a DFW based Cajun chain. The poboy sandwiches are solid - especially the shrimp or crawfish (off menu, by request). Fried pickles are done right. The etoufee isn't very impressive. As a break from shopping, quick casual, Razoo's us as good as it gets.
Backstage
I'm sure that Jen and Jaime will continue to do a great job in their bigger surroundings. If you never got to the TP while they ran it, fix that omission and visit them at J5 (they, and all there if their kids have names that start with J, ergo...). Food is solid, excellent wine list, and consistently top notch service. Worth the drive.
Calling All Hampton Roads Chowhounds!
for nearby carbo-loading, I'd recommend Mannino's. Much closer to Founder's than any of the other recs. http://www.manninositalianbistro.com/ordereze/default.aspx
I'd also second the other recs for Steinhilber's for the Sunday evening meal. Very child friendly, and probably the best seafood in the area. If you want a slightly lower price point but very close on the seafood price quality, then any of the multiple Surf Rider's would be an excellent choice. Two close to Founder's -- one at 723 Newtown Rd, just north of 264. One, right on the water, at 8180 Shore Dr. Little further, but if you want to sit on the water, a better choice. http://www.surfridergroup.com/
Enjoy your weekend, and be sure to check out the great music at the oceanfront during the weekend.
Calling All Hampton Roads Chowhounds!
easy to be good when you aren't paying rent. :)
http://hamptonroads.com/2009/08/norfolk-says-bagel-shop-owes-98155-back-rent
VA: Norfolk and Va. Beach
Tautog's, while very good, isn't open for lunch. Doc Taylor's, next door, with the same owner, is a breakfast/lunch place, with all of the usual items.
I haven't eaten there, but many are raving about a Puerto Rican place at the oceanfront, Mojito Cafe (http://www.mojitocafevab.com/). it is open for lunch every day but Monday. Since you will be at the CAC near lunch, I'd second the No Frill Grill idea. Not far at all, and Baker's Crust, right across the parking lot, is solid as well. Both have extensive salad and sandwich options, executed well. There is a Surfrider at the oceanfront, also. My favorite choice for fried seafood.
Dinner, once you are in Norfolk, has many more options. The idea of Vintage Kitchen is the one I'd endorse. Creative, dedicated to local sourcing -- most of the rest are credible, but forgettable.
Calling All Hampton Roads Chowhounds!
Zoe's is on 19th, betwen WRV and the convention center, and across the street from Waring's Gym.
Lucky Star was no great loss -- above average food, average decor and service, horrible location. Scott Bernheisel will turn up somewhere.
cheap eats for one nite in va beach?
You set too many filters :) -- cheap, close to Atlantic.. Problem is, you are at the Oceanfront -- home of cheesy and awful (pancake houses, AYCE buffets, etc). This is the crowd VB oceanfront attracts, and why locals, for the most part, avoid it like the plague.
That said, Pelon's, 3619 Pacific Ave, is a SoCal mexican hole. Excellent fish tacos. www.pelonsbajagrill.com
Jewish Mother, 3108 Pacific. Been here a few times for breakfast. Think it is a little overpriced, but has a strong following www.jewishmother.com
Mojito's Cafe, 28th and Pacific. Puerto Rican, with great buzz. Haven't been yet -- but the yelp review is favorable. http://www.yelp.com/biz/mojito-cafe-virginia-beach
Enjoy.
I need some help finding biscuits in Virginia Beach.
I hate to be permanently cynical, but I have yet to find good take out (or dine-out, except for McDonalds!) biscuits in VB. Like the Mexicans, who complain they are too close to the US, too far from God, VB is too close to NY, too far from Charleston :)
My recommended solution is to go to Harris Teeter (I think -- maybe Farm Fresh) and look for frozen "tea" biscuits. They don't come in the Pillsbury brand -- something else (which I also can't remember). They are the small size you want for appetizers, and taste very good. Fool proof -- bake right from the freezer. I did exactly what you want to do, and it turned out great.
Good baking (even if it is straight from the freezer!).
Review -- Razzo, Norfolk
Finally made it to Razzo, after months of wanting (I will blame the DW, who is hard pressed to justify driving thirty minutes for any food. She just doesn't get being a foodie).
Thought myself lucky to get a parking place in the lot behind. Cleary noticed the "no parking" signs on the opposite side of 13th Bay. Best bet for overflow is the lot across Ocean View, next to Chanello's. Big crowd at the bar prepped us for the worst, when it comes to waiting. Pleasantly surprised to be told only fifteen or twenty minutes. Gave us a chance to relax over a nice bottle of Gabbiano Chianti ($26). Room is pleasantly decorated -- booths line the wall opposite the bar, as well as the front window. Probably seats 50-60?
So, we are seated in a booth by the window, and the menu arrives. Interesting -- nice blend of the traditional (so as to not scare the unadventurous) with the creative (appealing to us). DW chose the house ceasar -- nice chunks of romaine, with a dressing with the right balance of garlic and lemon. I had the roast beet -- nice slices of gold and purple beets, with a good vinaigrette, with a hint of sweetness to balance the hearty beets. So far, right on point.
Entrees also a balance -- DW had rigatoni with a bolognese sauce, and I had the linguine with pesto, roasted red peppers, and caramelized fennel. The sauce on the rigatoni was top notch. Distinct chunks of ground meat, onions and carrots. Mine was just as well executed -- the pesto was a little unexpected. I thought I was getting the traditional emulsion of basil, grated cheese, pignolas, garlic, and olive oil. Still, the minced basil, in a light sauce, was just the right coating of the lingiune, and a perfect balance to the roasted peppers, and the light sweetness of the fennel.
Desserts are all made on premisis. My tiramisu was very good -- nice trace of espresso in the ladyfingers. DW is a canolli-a-holic. Never seen one she didn't want to eat. Had to wait a few minutes for the canolli, and it was worth it. Still crisp, obviously just filled with a wonderfully lightly sweetened ricotta cream.
In case you can't tell by now, this is an impressive place. Doesn't try to be more than a neighborhood restaurant, but does succeed in being the best it can be in that category. Willing to try something different, witness the linguine with pesto, peppers, and fennel. A fine example for more restauranteurs in Hampton Roads. It isn't that we have too few places to compete with Todd's -- it is that we have too few places like Razzo.
Virginia Beach?
Well, as someone who really lives in VB :), let me offer a few suggestions:
Terrapin -- Holly Road, just west of the Oceanfront at 31st St. #1 in the new HR Magazine restaurant awards. Chef owned, inventive, with a heavy emphasis on local ingredients. Open kitchen for entertainment value. Front of the house is as good as the back. Reservations a must, especially on the weekends. Might try sitting at the bar and enjoying the bar tasting menu if you don't get reservations. I have never had less than a fantastic meal here. http://www.terrapinvirginiabeach.com/
Eat, an American Bistro -- 40th and Atlantic, at the north end of the Oceanfront. Small, but full of energy. Also big emphasis on local ingredients, so much that the chalkboard is a better source than the menu. Another place where I have never had less than outstanding. http://www.eatbistro.com
Sonoma -- away from the oceanfront at Town Center. Formerly more focused on the wine. But staff changes have the food now a co-equal, and it is excellent. http://www.sonomatowncenter.com/
Breakfast recs -- Doc Taylor's, right next door to Tautog's, with common ownership. All of the breakfast faves, in an old house that was once a doctor's office. Cheap, but possibility of long waits.
Citrus, north VB, near Shore Drive. More creative menu than Doc's, just as excellent, with usually little to no wait.
The rest of the recs here? First, it is at least thirty minutes from the oceanfront to Ghent/ Colley Ave. And anyone who can get from the oceanfront to W'burg in 45, is doing it in a helicopter. 75 minutes, at a minimum, at that is with no tunnel backups, which never happens. As far as the restaurants, well, you asked for opinions, and that is what you got. Everybody has their likes - but, not trying to start a fight here, for heaven's sake, stay away from Lynnhaven Fish House. It may have been great in the past, but is abysmal now. If you want tradition and seafood, I have always had good meals at Steinhilber's Thalia Acres Inn http://www.steinys.com/
Enjoy your stay!
Zoe's (VB) to close
Ate at Zoe's in Virginia Beach last night. For several years, this has been one of our favorites, consistently top notch steaks with other creative entrees as well. Everything is top notch, from the bar and the wine selections, to the excellent desserts highlighted by the wonderful molten chocolate cake. So, with family in town for the holidays, we headed there for another memorable meal.
You could tell they were off -- service was slow. Wine ordered with the mains didn't arrive until after the mains had been served. Steaks were inconsistently cooked -- medium well came out well. Medium came out rare. The crowning blow came just before the end, when our server told us that the last night will be New Year's Eve. "Financial irregularities" involving a bookkeeper were blamed. Pretty unbelievable, as a family member formerly worked there, and they always viewed the winter as the time to make money for the inevitable fall off in the summer (locals, who are the majority of the clientele don't want to endure the summer traffic to get to the place).
The owner's other restaurants, both CP Shucker's, will stay open.
Norfolk Happy Hour
McCormick & Schmick's has a great HH -- plenty of food and drink specials. Both of excellent quality.
Best Of Norfolk, Virginia
Also had a chance to visit Mannino’s Italian Bistro, 4402 Princess Anne Rd. Good solid neighborhood slightly upscale Italian bistro -- better than the pizza and pasta places, everything we had was made with skill and love. Started with the biscotti crusted fried green tomatoes -- a fantastic cross cuisine treat. DW had a beautiful green salad, with a tasty house made gorgonzola dressing. She followed with the side dish penne with bolognese sause -- meaty and filling. I had the Pollo Giovanni -- thinly pounded, pan sauteed chicken with red bell pepper strips and artichoke hearts, in a white wine sauce. Desserts were the only disappointment -- cannoli had been filled earlier that day, so the shell was slightly "un-crisp". I made a mistake and had the cheesecake -- I deserve it. How good was it? Good, not great. If it were in our neighborhood, would be a favorite. Just a little too far - like I said, it is a neighborhood place. If we lived nearby, we would be regulars. If it is your neighborhood (Kempsville), then you are very fortunate.
Best Of Norfolk, Virginia
six years later, there is always room for additions. VP last week touted Jessy's Taqueria, 3201 E Ocean View. As the state of Mexican food in HR is generally awful, I am always on the look for a solution to my TexMex jones. Jessy's fits the bill perfectly. Great menu, with a full range from breakfast (huevos rancheros, chorizo con con huevos, all served with hot flour tortillas), tortas (hot sandwiches with a variety of fillings -- steak, pork carnitas, milanesa) and a full range of enchiladas -- mole to green. I chose the green -- house made corn tortillas, wrapped around shredded stewed chicken, and covered with a tomatillo based green sauce, grated queso asadero, and mexican crema (halfway between sour cream, and creme frache). Drinks include the classic mexican choices -- jamaica, tamarindo, and horchata. Everything in ths place (except the flour tortillas) is made here -- including the salsas, a fairly mild jalapeno based sauce with no tomatoes, and a spicer chile arbol. Even the excellently flavored frijoles refritos are made from scratch. Jessy's is food prepared with love and passion, and if comes through in every mouthful.
Norfolk informal chow food for Baltimore hound?
VP last week touted Jessy's Taqueria, 3201 E Ocean View. As the state of Mexican food in HR is generally awful, I am always on the look for a solution to my TexMex jones. Jessy's fits the bill perfectly. Great menu, with a full range from breakfast (huevos rancheros, chorizo con con huevos, all served with hot flour tortillas), tortas (hot sandwiches with a variety of fillings -- steak, pork carnitas, milanesa) and a full range of enchiladas -- mole to green. I chose the green -- house made corn tortillas, wrapped around shredded stewed chicken, and covered with a tomatillo based green sauce, grated queso asadero, and mexican crema (halfway between sour cream, and creme fraiche). Drinks include the classic mexican choices -- jamaica, tamarindo, and horchata. Everything in ths place (except the flour tortillas) is made here -- including the salsas, a fairly mild jalapeno based sauce with no tomatoes, and a spicer chile arbol. Even the excellently flavored frijoles refritos are made from scratch. Jessy's is food prepared with love and passion, and if comes through in every mouthful.
Best Wine Deals in Hampton Roads?
I was in the WalMart food center the other day and noticed they had a decent selection of $3 wines. Was in there for Mexican ingredients, but I intend to go back, buy a few, and see what they are like. Those WM guys are pretty smart, and they have to see what Charles Shaw does, and think they could do the same.
Best Wine Deals in Hampton Roads?
TJ's is going in the SW corner of Laskin and First Colonial -- they are dividing up the NC Furniture Company building, with Petsmart in 1/2 and TJ's in the other. It will be right behind the Outback on Laskin. That will be the foodie's intersection in VB -- TJ's on one corner, Fresh Market on the other!
Hampton Roads Casual Seafood
I grew up on the Gulf Coast, so to me, seafood is fried seafood. When I moved to HR, I looked around for a way to get my fried shrimp fix. The search ended at Surf Rider -- five locations in HR -- two at the beach. One on Laskin Road, west of the oceanfront, but east of Birdneck, other open seasonally at Marina Shores (if you liked D&M, the one at Taylor's Landing near Little Creek might be closest). They feature a wide range of seafood -- shrimp, oysters, crab cakes, scallops -- all prepared on premises -- the shimp are hand butterflied, for example. Everything is also available broiled, and some steamed items as well. Sides range from the standard fries, to wonderful steamed broccoli with a butter/hollandaise sauce. You won't be disappointed at Surf Rider.
BRUNCH IN NORFOLK VA VIRGINIA BEACH, CHESAPEAKE VA
well, I eat at Citrus at least twice a month -- and never have had your experience. Everyone has a bad day, so I'll take my 20+ visits to your one as a more reliable sampling. Next time, try the create you own omelette and have a mango mimosa. I would never order any of the pancake dishes at 8.99 over the CYO omelette at 5.50. Also, I personally wouldn't expect good BBQ in a place that obviously doesn't have a smoker on premises. Next time, try the burger, reuben, or tuna sandwich for lunch -- they all come with a selection of sides.
There is a variety of opinions among the locals IRT Fire and Vine -- not one of my faves, but there are some that love it. I also don't think anyone here steered you to the Mayflower cafe.
VA Beach dining - on the strip
PI-zerria is OK. You are right about the Belvedere -- the guy responsible for its rep, is Ray Labuen. He is now at Doc Taylor's, breakfast and lunch only, 207 23rd St, between Atlantic and Pacific. Owned by the same owner as Tautog's, next door -- only open for dinner. Either are great choices, decent atmosphere, better food. If you want to go upscale, Salacia at the Hilton is excellent, but expensive. The other restaurant there, Catch 31 is worth it, but only if you can sit outside. Average upscale hotel food, made better by the view of the ocean and the boardwalk. If you have a car, then maybe the Surf Club at the Wyndham way north on Pacific, or No Frill Grill west on Laskin Road (31st St.). Also, for quick and casual, but excellent, Pelon's Baja Grill, 36th and Pacific, for authentic San Felipe style fish tacos (http://www.pelonsbajagrill.com/)
Recs for Virginia Beach / Norfolk area?
The reason most people don't consider VB the south, is because it isn't. Native southerner (Texan), schooled in SC -- I think I can recognize what is and isn't southern (not trying to sound too stuck on myself here, but you asked). Like they say about Mexico, too close to the US, too far from God. Well, substitute New Jersey for Mexico, and you can describe VB. Again, love living here, but just explaining why it isn't anything like the South, even NC.
Only good, reliable source for Southern comfort food, is probably 35 minutes from the oceanfront in downtown Portsmouth -- called, appropriately, Comfort. All of the standards --- meatloaf, fried catfish, sweet corn, mac and cheese, fried okra -- done to perfection. Old Town Portsmouth is a gem, and worth the drive.
