michaelch's Profile
Coffee!
Coffee is my main vice and so few people do it right (especially downtown) that until lately it's been my practice to make it at home on a french press. I like the coffee at Caffe Medici, but they are not on my way to work, and I'm mostly a morning drinker, so that rules them out. Luckily (or unluckily for my wallet) Teuscher Chocolates and Coffee opened just down the street from my office, and I've been buying my coffee from them every morning. They use Cuvee Coffee, by far the best local roaster IMO. Cuvee is also used by Medici and Once Over, so they are a common thread among many of the places people like. I alternate between drip coffee, americanos, and coffee made on the Clover machine as a special treat, and all are excellent. I don't drink milk, but my coworkers also like the lattes. It's my favorite coffee in town.
la condesa on 2nd st
I stopped by yesterday to verify some things I had heard, and it seems that they are going to begin serving lunch next Monday, and then the first brunch will be on Sunday the 8th of March. After that, the brunch will be on both Sat. and Sunday. Didn't have a chance to eat anything yet, but the place looks very cool. It seems that they are focusing on cocktails, so I'm sure I'll visit soon, if just for a drink.
Dart Bowl (Bowling Alley)
Yes, that toast is wonderful! You get a choice of items with the enchiladas, I believe, and my friend made the mistake of getting something other than the toast. Once we were served, the toast was so good we had to order an extra side. The enchiladas were quite good, although very slightly watery.
best chocolate candies
Well, Teuscher did open, and their chocolates are definitely good. The did NOT get open before Christmas, though, so sorry that I reported they were opening before then.
I was surprised that they have a full coffee shop, as well as a Clover coffee brewer. I have tried a latte and a couple cups from the Clover now, and I was very happy each time. I preferred the Guatemala over the Ethiopia, though, because the Ethiopia was very citrus-y. Their coffee is from Cuvee Coffee Co., who also provides beans for my other favorite local coffee shop, Medici on West Lynn.
Teuscher Chocolates opening in downtown Austin
So it's been almost a year now, but Teuscher did finally open in downtown Austin. They are near Lambert's/2nd St. and Guadalupe. I made it in before Valentine's Day and I think their shop is cute. And the champagne truffles were just as good as I remember. I was surprised to see that they have a Clover coffee machine. I didn't try it, but the latte I got was delicious. I stopped by again yesterday morning just for coffee and had a mocha, and it was so chocolate-y it took a little getting used to, but I liked it a lot as well. They have a walk-up window that is open early for coffee. I'm glad they're only a couple blocks away from me, and that there is now a place in downtown that serves good coffee. I'm so tired of stale, burnt coffee, and Caffe Medici was too far out of my way to go to for a morning cup. On those mornings when I don't have time to make my own French press at home, this will be my new source for coffee.
Best French Fries in Austin
I liked the fries at Shuggie's, but they have a very light breading, which helps them remain crisp. For fries without breading, I had some astoundingly good fries on Saturday at the Alamo Drafthouse on S. Lamar. I didn't expect much, but they were near perfect, the best I've had in a long time.
best chocolate candies
I know that teuscher chocolates is opening in downtown (2nd St. District) before Christmas. I have seen them advertising for employees, and the ads said they would open at the end of November. They have delicious truffles, but not cheap!
Macaroons like the attached photo
I looked at all the pages on their website, and it doesn't appear that they have a retail shop. Perhaps if you email they would allow pickup instead of shipping.
Recommendations for Maudie's?
I wouldn't say that I love Maudie's, but I do like it somewhat. I've been to the one on So. Lamar and the one off Lake Austin Blvd. I preferred the Lake Austin one.
The thing about Maudie's is that it's an old-fashioned, slacker-ish Austin place. It's a place to go when you are just too tired to cook and want something filling and familiar, and maybe to have a margarita too. The food is never going to be excellent, but you know that going in. It's lazy Tex-Mex food, served cheaply, and I think such restaurants have a place in life--it's the kind of place you might want to go if you are with non-chowhound-y friends from work, people who don't have a lot of money to spend, and who just want to hang out with friends in a friendly, comfortable place and have a good time. I've never found the service to be rude, though, just lazy (not saying it didn't happen elsewhere, just reporting my own experience). If I experience rude service at Maudie's, it would be an easy place to cross off my list. There are too many similar places (Trudy's, and Little Mexico, Polvo's, and several others, at least to some degree) to put up with rude service.
Soul Food night at Gene's
Has anybody been to the Wednesday Soul Food feast at Gene's? I was in the other night and they were advertising oxtails and collard greens, etc. on Wednesday nights. It is not listed on their menu that is available online, but there was a flier for it in their shop. I have seen rec's for po' boys, smothered pork chops, and other things, but nothing for the items from the Soul Food menu. Any feedback?
Teuscher Chocolates opening in downtown Austin
I posted this in a previous chocolate thread, but I thought it deserved its own thread. I have verified that Teuscher Chocolates, a Swiss chocolatier, will be opening in downtown Austin. I work downtown and I had heard a rumor about two months ago that they were looking to open in the area, but I didn't quite believe it (although I hoped it was true). I finally found the proof on a Google search. I am very excited because I have had their chocolates in New York and San Francisco and I loved them. Their champagne truffle is amazing. Their website is www.teuscheraustin.com but they don't say exactly when or where they are opening. Has anybody else tried them? Anybody know where/when they are opening? I'm hoping it's near my work!
Coffeehouse for Writer?
I also like Caffe Medici, because I think they serve great coffee. I disagree, though, about it feeling like a library, because I think it sometimes feels exactly like that. I've also had one person there throw me some attitude when I asked a question about their to go sizes. Still, the owner is nice and the coffee is great, and I usually get it to go, so I still like the place a lot.
Chocolate
I had heard rumors of this because I work in the area, but I just found the first official confirmation. Teuscher chocolates is opening a store in downtown Austin. I've had their chocolates several times in New York and in San Francisco, and I think they are excellent. Here's their website, which confirms their plans to open: www.teuscheraustin.com I'm excited about it, but have no idea when or where they are actually opening. All the website says is that it will be in the second st. district.
Best Oyster Po' Boy in Austin?
I ate at Gene's a couple of days ago, and I would say that the oyster po' boy was just about right in terms of how many oysters it held. I would have been very happy with two or three more of the smallish oysters (at which point the sandwich would have been STUFFED with oysters), but the amount it held didn't disappoint me. I geniunely enjoyed it, too.
