bubbleboy79's Profile
A report from Brooklyn: 3 days in Austin
NBD, but it's like you never left NY. Three of the chefs you visited went to the CIA, and none of their restaurants are that amazing. Next time, check out Snow's and the last NYT frugal traveler Austin article.
Overall view of dining scene in Austin
Really, EMP charges $195/head for the dinner tasting menu. Masa's $400/head for omakase with no pairings. You can't drop that at any Austin restaurant before wine. The prices in Austin are nothing compared to the coasts for dining. And the Dallas culinary scene has been dead for years, save for Smoke and a few others. The French Room and the Mansion (and Fearing's and the offspring of the that early 90s generation of Southwest Cuisine chefs I grew up with) have always done fine dining well, but there's nothing innovative there. And Congress has a sick wine list by any standard, verticals, first growths, multiple formats; it can hang. I'd also argue that distrubutors don't favor Austin. In Texas, it's a secondary market, populated with patrons who are increasingly wine savvy, but not nearly as likely to buy the big bottles as our fellow Texans in Houston and Dallas. There's little incentive to go bid at auction for bottles that won't move, however interesting they may be. Also, one can bring one's own wine to most of the best restaurants in Austin.
The one positive thing I can say about this conversation is that it opens up the topic of what constitutes fine dining. One could argue for deep wine lists and silver and crystal, or one could argue for the knowledge, experience, and innovation one encounters throughout the restaurant. And it might not always match one's experiences elsewhere, but it continues to evolve and improve.
A corollary and endnote: El Bulli, as a restaurant, was never profitable. A burger joint's margins allowed EMP to halve its covers and double its kitchen staff. DBGB, Barley Swine, and their ilk are the new fine dining. It might be time to re-evaluate.
Uchi vs Uchiko?
They're just different. Uchi is more feminine, lighter and nuanced, and Uchiko more masculine, assertive and heartier. As they evolve, their menus continue to coalesce. I love both, but if I had to pick, it would be Uchiko.
The Spiciest Mexican Dish in Austin
I can seldom find salsas spicy enough for me, let alone dishes, but the Diablo grilled oysters at Lucy's are ridiculous.
Barbecue Trip Report (Long)
It's been ages, but I really might go back just for the fries (and aioli, as there's nothing approaching that delicious mayonnaise in Austin).
Fire breathing drink
I'd bet that Cheers could help you out. Or you could take Amaretto, Bacardi 151, and Root Beer Schnapps, and make your own (though most recipes omit the Root Beer Schnapps), light, and drop in some beer. Lord knows I did way dumber things in my frat-brag days.
Barbecue Trip Report (Long)
Pretty awesome. I know Salt Lick gets a fair amount of flak (except for their BYOB policy), but the sauce is generally recognized as the best around. Also, if you ever get to Barbette in MPLS and feel like sending some frites down . . .
Best meal in Austin with my wife suggestions please?
It's good, but not great. The wine list is lacking, the service can be mediocre, the dishes are well-executed but nothing new, and I still think it's good (but not great), but not in the same league.
Best meal in Austin with my wife suggestions please?
I'd agree with the other comments, but add that Congress and Uchi/ko are dramatically different from one another. Congress is much more traditional, intimate, and quiet, with slower pacing. Uchi and Uchiko are both exceptional, and super-creative (and realistically about half the price), but fairly loud and lively with much quicker pacing.
Veal
Veal sweetbreads at wink are amazing. Although tonight's plate-up included bacon aioli, which is amazing all by itself.
Opening: Lucy's Fried Chicken
I went recently and really enjoyed it, in part because of reading this thread. I could eat a million orders of the collard greens (equal parts vinegar and pork), and at least three orders of the Austin grilled oysters (smoke, spice, deliciousness, or tequila lime, cotija, chili sauce). Enjoyed the cornbread stuffing, but may just opt for the cornbread muffins next time (w tequila lime butter). The fried deviled eggs were too salty for me, but my friend loved them. The chicken had a nice breading, but seemed to dry out fairly quickly. I'd still order it again. And Fire Eagle by the can is always welcome. Definitely be going back and saving room for pie next time.
Sunday Brunch/Lunch
A few of my friends are obsessed with F&D's brunch right now. I've enjoyed Haddington's, Green Pastures and Perla's.
Birthday weekend coming up, Uchiko suggestions please
So glad you had great birthdays and a great meal!
Birthday weekend coming up, Uchiko suggestions please
Corn sorbet is solid (and I say that not just because Philip Speer occasionally posts here), but I like more traditional dessert flavor profiles. The white snow dessert ca. a year ago, with white chocolate and strawberry and champagne, maybe still my fav.
Comfy, late, light meal and drinks?
Second. Kitchen open until midnight, normally quiet late. Solid drinks.
Birthday weekend coming up, Uchiko suggestions please
I'd order what you want. There are a couple of tasting menus (designed for two to share, but I'm sure they can be modified for three), and they're great for not having to decide, but they also might not include any of the dishes discussed on this thread.
Birthday weekend coming up, Uchiko suggestions please
Second jar jar, hamachili, brussels sprouts, and pork jowl. Add madai sashimi, sake toro, and boquerones, Tobacco cream isn't for everyone; prefer the fried milk.
Birthday dinner!
Eastside Cafe would work well, especially for your mother and brother.
suggestions for Mom's Night Out Dinner
Haddington's is cool; W 6th is full of thirty-somethings, and it's really a what-you-make-of-it kind of place. Like Fabi + Rosi, but that is a date place to me. Contigo has a tent and heaters should it be too chilly; was there on a cold night recently, and it was cozy and the food was over-salted. Barley Swine's cool, but I hate waiting, also the price point's slightly above what it should be. I'd nominate Second Bar and Kitchen as another possibility. Their wine list (which I think is the point of mom's night out) destroys every other restaurant on this list. And while I think of it as a bit of a date place, Justine's has the best mussels in town right now.
LA Hound coming into town; any help would be greatly appreciated.
One has to get there when Barley Swine opens or closes (5 and 11, respectively, on Saturday). The restaurant seats maybe forty and fills up quickly. I once had to wait for someone for thirty minutes at opening, and then we couldn't be seated for another thirty because it was already full.
RIP part 4
Portabla, from the looks of things. Saw them moving out on New Year's Eve. I'll miss the carved turkey club.
LA Hound coming into town; any help would be greatly appreciated.
It's a tangent, but Uchi is more Japanese, and Uchiko more Southeast Asian in influence. As I like more assertive flavors, I typically prefer the latter.
Also, since it hasn't been mentioned, La Boite, a pastry and coffee operation, recently opened at 10th and Congress.
Looks like Elizabeth St. Cafe is open?
I feel as though they've shown that they can hire great interior architects (Jamie Chioco, who's awesome). In my mind, Perla's is solid, Lambert's good for apps and sides, and anything not explicitly barbecue, and Elizabeth Street for spring rolls, minimally marked-up sake, and tight spaces.
It's a cool space, I like the owners, and the menu's alright, but it is what it is, a neighborhood joint far removed from North Lamar.
Birthday Lunch
I can't think of any prix fixe menus at lunch, but I could just not be trying hard enough. Also, a lot of our better restaurants-- Barley Swine, Uchi/ko, Olivia, Foreign & Domestic, etc.-- are closed for lunch. But not to despair-- Trio at the Four Seasons is open for lunch if you want fancy; Second for something slightly less fancy; Perla's on S. Congress if you want bubbles and oysters and bouillabaisse; Musashino and Tomo are open for sushi at lunch (and Kome also), or you could go to Franklin and have great barbecue.
Braise...oh my...
When I went, ages ago, Braise didn't yet have its liquor license, which was actually great as it allowed us to discover East End Wines. The meal was uneven, but what I still recall is the cheese plate, its borderline inedible accoutrements, and the inability of anyone to tell us what any of the cheeses were or anything about them. I want to give Braise another chance (my meal wasn't bad, just not especially good), but there are so many quality restaurants (Fabi & Rosi, Olivia, Second, et al.) at a similar price point, that I still haven't made it back.
Place w/ Great Food to Watch the Longhorns?
Went tonight to watch UT lose to UNC. The raw loup is terrific with a bit of spice and a healthy dose of pineapple , the oysters are always solid, though the Pacific Rims were my favorite tonight, and the mac and cheese is great (with a solid mix of Gruyere and Cheddar). Skip the bar steak, with an overly salty soy reduction (I think), but get the burger, and any number of sides. Also, if you get the seabass gnocchi, please report back. Super curious about that dish.
Place w/ Great Food to Watch the Longhorns?
I'll also bite, and note that it's technically parkside, with a lowercase p.
Wednesday remains my favorite day at parkside as it's half-price oysters and bubbles. Throw in some sides, maybe a ceviche or crudo, and it's pretty perfect (but it will be busy, and the only televisions are at the bar).
Please Visit Pappy's (Burnet and 2222)
Went today with a friend. The food is indeed served cafeteria-style, but isn't bad for what it is. Everything's made in-house, and the cost for a protein and two sides with an iced tea was $10 even. I'd recommend the chips and mashed potatoes (new potatoes, skin mixed in), but might opt for the burger that Sutter seemed to enjoy when he was there over the meatloaf that was a bit too sweet for my taste.
The staff was super nice, offering samples and explaining the ordering process and such, and the owner's guitar playing is pretty awesome.
The main problem seems to be the size of the place. I'd put capacity at around 150, and it's hard to drive that much business on a consistent basis. Regardless, I'll stop by and give them another ten dollars sometime soon.
Carillon on Groupon - Is it worth it?
I've sent half a dozen friends, and everyone's loved it. If only I had more nights off, or money, or friends.
Carillon on Groupon - Is it worth it?
Agreed. Totally awesome place. Went during ARW and still dropped a hundred a head, but it was worth it, and would be without the ARW pricing.
