First Time in Austin - staying at Four Seasons

I'll be there without a car. Can some suggest some 'don't miss' spots? I am specifically looking for:

1) Local favorites
2) BBQ
3) Tex-Mex or Mex
4) Bakeries
5) Fine Dining Bistro

Any suggestions for breakfast/lunch/dinner/sight seeing would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

erik527 in Austin

Maine: Native Fish?

Any striped bass you see on a menu in Maine is probably a farmed fish. Maine does not allow commercial use of striped bass. I guess it might be possible for a restaurant to buy bass in MA and bring it up here but I kinda doubt that is legal.

That said, it is a delicious fish and if you can wet a line they are relatively easy to catch.

Some Halibut is local but it also arrives from the Pacific Ocean.

Any Salmon you see from Maine is also a farmed fish. I personally would not suggest it.

Maine crab is delicious as others have stated. There are many ways to enjoy fresh crab and lobster so get inventive! Salads, sandwiches, soups, etc.

Haddock is a staple and always locally caught. You can also find locally caught cod, cusk, Hake, monktails, pollack, bluefish and mackeral. Depending on time of year you might find local tuna.

Enjoy the trip!

erik527 in General New England Archive

ISO: Fun, casual dining with great beer in Portland, ME

GLB has a good selection of beer but nothing else to offer. I gave the place many opportunities but after constant disappointment I stopped going altogether. The food was bad on my visits. plus there is nothing to do in that neighborhood.

Here's my advice - portland is a great beer town. Many local brews which are widely available. Gearys, shipyard, grittys, casco bay, peaks island and many more.

For this time of year, head to flatbread pizza which has a great location (on the harbor). Try to time your dinner to keep you there for dusk / sunset. Somehow the beer there always tastes great. They must keep it a few degrees colder or the lines are really clean...not sure.

I like gilbert's chowder house also. Can't beat fried seafood and cold dark beer!

I am not a big fan of grittys but a lot of people love the place.

plenty of places in town along the waterfront and in the old port that will serve up good beer and good food. Ri-ra is another. Mesa Verde is good. Dogfish cafe is good.

have fun! try not to work too hard.

erik527 in General New England Archive

Need a rec for Balitmore inner harbor

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll look into Charleston.

The same friend who suggested Capital Grill also suggested that I don't stray from inner harbor (because of crime). Where should I head to find some other places?

There's no budget, and I am open to all types of food. Fine dining is preferred to casual.

erik527 in Washington DC & Baltimore Area