RuthieBaby's Profile
Restaurant / Private Room for Bday Party??
The place that's popping into mind for me based on your "requirements" is Austin Land & Cattle (NOT Texas L&C) on Lamar near 12th. This may be more info than you need, but I've had multiple regular meals there as well as attended a rehearsal dinner in the private room with probably about that many people. Not sure whether you'd be arranging a pre-determined menu off which guests would order (that's how they worked it for the rehearsal dinner, and I believe we were to choose between filet mignon, salmon, or chicken), or if you'd be ordering off the full menu. No idea what prices run for the former, but if the latter, I think they're a good value for a steakhouse because the price actually includes your (generously portioned!) sides. Not sure what vegetarian options they offer, though I'd hope they'd have SOMETHING, but it'd definitely satisfy the meat & potatoes, seafood contingent. Its location and non-fussy atmosphere (though it'll still feel like a special occasion) also work in your favor here!
p.s. Need to get back soon to compare/verify but prior to eating at El Arbol a couple months ago, ALC had my favorite preparation of filet in town.
Coffee granita in Austin - where to find
Not sure whether it's still the case, but a few years back they had 'em, machine and all, at Mozart's (on Lake Austin).
Brownies
Whoops, put this in the wrong place but . . .
Strangely enough, when I get Tiff's Treats brownies, instead of eating them right away when they're warm (though they're great that way too), I stick 'em in the fridge, leave them overnight and then munch on 'em, still cold, the next day. I discovered this completely by accident one time and really don't like any other brownies that way but, I dunno, to me, something magical happens to these when I do that. Mysterious . . .
New South 1st Trailer - Cake balls?
For what it's worth, went there with a group of 7 people about a month or so ago and tried every cake ball flavor (among other things) between all of us. The wedding cake one was unanimously the least favorite -- some of us just felt "eh" about it, others *hated* it -- but we quite enjoyed all the others. The wedding cake just plain didn't stand up to the others. To me, Brass and Holly's Favorite were standouts.
As far as the frozen hot chocolate, tried the Mexican version and thought it was divine. I've had the "original" frozen hot chocolate a few times at Serendipity when in NYC before and, quite frankly, enjoyed this one more. Extra pluses are: now I can get my fix right here in Austin for about half the price, in a totally low-key setting without the hour+ long waits you have to deal with at the aforementioned spot.
What Austin-y gift would you send someone?
Okay, so I'm super late in saying this, but THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH for sending all these fantastic ideas my way!! Sounds like I also have some fun new things to try now! Gotta love this board.
BBQ
Ooh, we just ate there for the first time the other night too!! I need to increase my Texas BBQ taste-cabulary (sad considering how long I've been in TX, I know) before I can compare it to other offerings; notwithstanding, it was a really enjoyable meal.
What Austin-y gift would you send someone?
We owe some out-of-state friends of ours thank you gifts for helping us move a family member down here to live with us. We'd really like to send them something Austin-y (or Texas-y, if all else fails), as such. I'd love to hear any and all ideas you have!!
IDEALLY, the gifts would be small enough so we could package them along with thank you cards ourselves, mail them to about 4 or 5 different destinations (shipping time = approx. 3 days), and not spend buckets of money. However, we're open to making something else work. . . . In fact, the only thing I've really thought of so far (hence my asking for brainstorming help :p), Miles of Chocolate, would require overnight shipping from Grapevine Market.
A big thank you in advance!
Lamberts BBQ - Perceptor's Photo Report
I hadn't heard of Lambert's before this board, and even though I'm someone who likes to try new things and I've gotten a good impression of the place on here, I wasn't dying to check it out for myself . . . that is, until I read through the menu on your photo report. Wow. And your commentary definitely helped seal the deal. Thanks for taking the time and effort to share these with us, and I'm glad you seemingly enjoyed at least your palate's trip to Austin!
New Japanese-Mexican Fusion Restaurant in Cedar Park
Great, glad to hear your report on it! My friends and I, looking at the menu, sort of felt like they didn't quite go for it in the fusion sense (i.e., it seemed like they, for the most part, had your run-of-the-mill rolls and dishes, but threw in some jalapeno or some other spice factor). But, of course, this is just based on a cursory view of their offerings online, so it's nice to hear that the execution worked and you enjoyed it. I look forward to sampling it myself one of these days!
Uchi - Perceptor's Photo Report
Just chiming in with all the others . . . thank you for taking us along on your Uchi journey. Though I've been there many a time myself (and always LOVE it), it was still exciting to go through your album. I'm going to have to indulge in the omakase sometime. Definitely droolworthy.
Food options in NW Austin/Cedar Park
Wow, truly interesting info there. Am looking forward to your write-up and can't wait (hopefully, haha) to try it myself.
Iron Chef and Uchi (and Alamo Drafthouse and Roy's) [moved from Austin board]
I agree with you. Some of Chef Morimoto's elements were nice and creative, but it also seemed like the judges weren't too thrilled with the taste of a few of his dishes. I actually thought that they might give it to Cole after their remarks and was surprised he scored considerably lower than Morimoto in the taste category (wonder if it had anything to do with their remarks about how ginger didn't play a large enough role in a couple of his dishes). Oh well, 'twas still fun to watch.
Iron Chef and Uchi (and Alamo Drafthouse and Roy's) [moved from Austin board]
Glad you thought so! And, aww, thanks!! :)
Iron Chef and Uchi (and Alamo Drafthouse and Roy's) [moved from Austin board]
Hello all! Fairly new reader and brand spankin' new poster here. (And, as such, I'm not sure if what I say crosses the non-promoting/advertising posting etiquette line. My apologies, in advance, if it does.) Love the site. And after seeing the latest Alamo Guide in my inbox, I was compelled to make my first post. So here goes . . .
Uchi's very own Tyson Cole will be appearing on this Sunday's Iron Chef America. I figured this was worth mentioning considering how much we all love Uchi around here. (I know I'm a huge fan of Tyson's, even more so since our party dined at the sushi bar one night and not only got to watch him work his culinary magic, but also chat and interact with him). Catch it on TV or watch it on the Drafthouse's big screen.
And, on a related note, have any of you ever been to the Drafthouse's version of this, Iron Chef Austin? Seems like it could be a nice food-centric outing. They battle Roy's in a few days.
I'm living out of town at the moment but moving back soon, and reading about fun little things like this make me THAT much more excited to be back in my city! Well, nice to "meet" all you 'hounds.
Related links:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/show_ia/episode/0,1976,FOOD_16696_56024,00.html
http://www.originalalamo.com/Show.aspx?id=5272
http://www.originalalamo.com/Show.aspx?id=5257
