I haven't been to Melvin's so I can't offer a comparison, but I found the ruben-like sandwich at Gonzo Juice (several locations) to be outstanding.

Some place fancy. He is not vegan. Thanks for any suggestions.

Also they have good artichokes, not the weird "globe" ones that Central Mkt carries, but real California style. Good seafood, roasted chicken, jars of green olives stuffed with garlic and jalapeno. Pine nuts & maple syrup the same quality as elsewhere, but cheaper.

The best honeydew and cantaloupe melons. Usually terrific peaches and nectarines. Good cheeses.

I too hated Zen. Like Lucky Robot.

Took five friends there last night. Everyone delighted. Brussel sprouts, seaweed salad, and spicy edamame appetizers were all a hit. Asked for aioli with the b-sprouts. Everyone had noodle or rice bowls, and there were no leftovers. The only disappointment was the dessert, donatsu, which was a couple of fried dough balls with a tablespoon of raspberry dipping sauce and and a thimble full of Amy's ice cream. Better to go next door to Amy's for a full helping.

Ate at Sunflower two nights ago and noticed a long line outside this place. 42 degrees out and the line was about 50 people long. Tatsu-ya does not allow take-out, so they were all waiting patiently for one of the half dozen tables, and freezing. Must be pretty good, I'll never know because the vegetarian husband would find nothing there and I don't eat pork, which seems to be the basis of everything. How is it?

Tried a couple new dishes at Sunflower: eggplant in garlic & flat noodles. Not impressed. Will stick to my favorites. (Spring rolls, salad, crepe, hot & sour soup, spicy string beans)

I should add: with a vegetarian husband, it was nice to find a Japanese Restaurant with extensive choices for him.

I am returning tonight with five friends and will update this review afterwards.

They take reservations for parties of 5 or more.

I tried both of these on Groupon, because they were near my office. Except they had both moved. TMT to Manchaca Rd, and Gonzo to the I-35 access road South of Cesar Chaves.

At TMT I tried the spring roll (excellent) and the chicken curry (extra good). While I waiting for my order to be prepared, I had a couple breakfast tacos at the trailer next door (OK), so by the time I ate the spring rolls I was full. Then next day I added left-over vegetables and some fresh shrimp to the curry, and had enough for two meals. It was so flavorful that the additions did not dilute it.

At Gonzo I had the Ruby Shoes sandwich, a ruben with sweet chile chipotle russian dressing, and it was easily the best ruben I have had in Austin. They serve fresh squeezed vegetable drinks, too. Quite wonderful.

Fun place, good food.

Had the brussel sprout ap ($4) and the schoolgirl bowl ($8), which was a mix of white meat chicken, veggies, a spicy sauce + aioli, over rice (enough to take half home for lunch). Both were delightful. Famously, one orders from an iPad. It shows pictures of the dish, there's a button for calling the waitperson, and you use it to pay as well. Twice the food for half the price of Sway, much better service, not as big a scene, but trendy just the same.

It is on South Congress between Amy's and the Continental Club.

We ate there two nights ago. The spring rolls were interesting, containing unusual ingredients like sprouts and avocado, but they were bland and messy; falling apart on touch. The jungle curry was indeed hot, flavorful but skimpy; it contained two small pieces of beef, three thin slices of zuccini, two baby corn, and that was it. I didn't count the two peppers and one sprig of peppercorns as they were more like a garnish.

Tonight I ate at Suzy's on Anderson. Got the grilled shrimp special, with noodles and veggies. Twelve shrimp, about a dozen pieces of well cooked broccoli, some cauliflower, snow peas, carrots, water chestnuts, etc. In a sauce that was hot but did not overwhelm the flavor of fresh basil. Looked pretty enough to put on the cover of a magazine. Enough to take some home for lunch tomorrow. Priced less. Just saying

We had dinner there last night and loved the place.

It is on Lavaca, between 17th and 18th.

Modern simple decor, jazz on the sound system.

The food: I started with a grilled romaine salad ($5). I've tried this at other restaurants and thought "odd" and "not wonderful". Here it was wonderful. The spicy ginger dressing complemented the smokey lettuce perfectly.

For my main course I had the grilled shrimp ($9.75). Six good sized shrimp, served with an excellent fried rice and crunchy stir-fried vegetables.

The Vegetarian Husband had the house salad ($3.50) and vegetable udon ($7.75), and declared them both to be "flavorful".

Considering the ambience, quality of the food, and price, I was surprised the place wasn't busier. Just two other tables of diners while we were there.

no

Any nice places with a varied menu?

Some place with a nice variety of menu items?

Thanks again. Great suggestion.

I posted last month asking for an alternative to Founding Farmers, near the White House. We followed the suggestion to try Ceiba, and everyone in our party of six liked it, a lot. Especially popular were the "Lomo Saltado Montado", beef filet smothered in peppers, fries and gravy, with a side of white rice and a fried egg; and "Burguesa a lo Macho", a hamburger of chorizo and beef.

The service was terrific. The setting lovely. The prices cheap, for downtown DC.

Thanks for making our day in DC a delight. I love this site.

Thank you, thank you. We ate at Ceiba and everyone was delighted.

I have made reservations at Ceiba. Thanks for the input. I'll post a review.

Thanks for the advice. Not FF, but where? Someplace that is near the White House, not expensive, not necessarily Haute but just pleasant and tasty.

I visit DC once a year, and always arrange to meet friends at FF. Last year the service and food were abominable, to the point that, when they offered to comp one of the four meals, I had to say "that is not enough". So they comped two.

Was it just an off day? Should I go back? Is there another place very nearby that I should try instead? I need a place where I can make reliable reservations for a party of six.

Any favorite places nearby? Need vegetarian options.

There is a trailer called "Little Thailand" on the east side of South First, just south of Barton Springs Road. Is there a connection? Any tried it?

I just had a very good chile relleno at Kirbey Lane (the original on Kirbey Lane), that mostly fits your description. It's on the seasonal menu.

Eastside Cafe is pleasantly casual, has a varied menu, and serves migas on the weekend brunch menu. Good food in an old house. Much of the food comes from the gardens (and chickens) out back. On Manor Road just a few block east of I-35. Blue Dahlia on 11th east of I-35 is also casual and good, with a fun crowd.

Back to the original topic: Downtown is pretty quiet Christmas Eve, but don't despair: Just across the River is The Armadillo Christmas Bazarr, with live music, food, and lots of arts and crafts booths. This is a 35-year tradition in Austin, and not-to-be-missed. Like taking a step back into the 70's Austin we loved so much. There are bands playing all day, with the last band taking the stage at 8PM. It closes at 11PM. The food is excellent, mostly hot sandwiches and the like. It is held in the Palmer Events Center, just west of the Long Center.

A couple years ago when, the Armadillo Bazarr was at the convention center, I discovered that the chain restaurants in the area were open. PF Changs took reservations (and also comped our meal, even though we never complained, when the waiter got our order mixed-up). These places might be a bit better than hotel restaurants.

My cousins will be staying at the Emily Morgan Hotel next to the Alamo on Sunday night. They would like a casual but delightful restaurant within walking distance. Any suggestions?

I tried the ground turkey and rice at My Fit Foods on N. Lamar. It was bland, not that I minded. But I could not help thinking that for the same price one block north, at Chipotle, I could get an equal amount of rice, more (and better tasting) meat, beans, peppers and onions, four salsas, lettuce, and cheese. I love the Chipotle bowl.

Thank you. That's pretty far south for me.

Anyone know of a place in Central/East Austin?