Recs for pre-concert dinner/drinks in Quarter?

Hi folks- will be visiting NO w/ my SO at the end of March & would appreciate some advice on pre-show dinner & good drink spots in or w/in walking distance of the Quarter. We both have spent quite a bit of time in NO (him more so than I) so we've done many of the old mainstays...I think.

I prefer eclectic & unfussy hole-in-the-wall neighborhood spots with lots of character...nothing precious. But I am also allergic to seafood, which is a tough hurdle in NO. He prefers traditional meat & potatoes high-end dining & hates to troll the strip-malls & taqueria trailors I Iove to explore.

We'll be dressed casual, & looking for something low to mid-priced that might satisfy both tastes? Preferably not heavy on seafood...

Thanks so much in advance!

ehill03 in New Orleans

Only one night - South Congress restaurant recommendation?

I'd vote Habanero Cafe for tex mex lunch in the SoCo area. The atmosphere may leave some to be desired, but it's def. more authentic than some of the other spots in the area & I've yet to have a bad meal there. Plus, the family that owns/runs it couldn't be more charming. http://habanerocafe.com/menu.html

ehill03 in Austin

Denver Recs, please

Hi folks- Austin hound looking for some Denver recs for Memorial Day weekend.

About us: 3 late 20's/early 30's girls in town for a grad school reunion. We actually have all lived in Denver before, but not since '06. We're familiar with most neighborhoods & the old stand-bys & I've browsed some of the boards on this subject but hoped you guys might have some recs for newer spots on the scene since '06.

We're staying in Lodo & will have a car, but would prefer to stay central- CBD, highlands, capital hill, etc.... Looking for recs of all kinds- from casual to dressy, lunch, dinner, brunch, happy hour/cocktails. Looking for great atmosphere and/or great food, fun spots. No sushi, nothing too stuffy. Used to love Deluxe, my brother's bar, edgewater inn, z' cuisine, jack-n-grill, rioja, lola on s. pearl (did it move?) if that gives any indication of our range of preferences.

Thanks so much in advance!

ehill03 in Southwest

Recommendations for lunch in New Braunfels

Hi- I live part time in NB & depending on what you're in the mood for, there are a few diff. non-chain options in the area.
1. Grist Mill- great atmosphere along the river banks in Gruene (just a mile or two from NB). Nothing to die for- just basic burgers, etc- but usually solid food in unique setting.
2. Riverhouse Tea Room. - also in Gruene. Little old house converted into tea room. Good "lunchy" items like soup, sandwich & quiche.
3. Cooper's BBQ- still not as good as the llano outpost IMO, but better than most BBQ. Very sterile setting, but I've yet to have a bad meal there.
and finally, my two top choices:
*Huisache Grill- tucked in a little old house right off the square, HG has great atmosphere & a much more sophisticated & creative menu than you'd expect in NB. One of my favorites in town- where i always take friends when in town.
*Finally, you mention NB, but Wimberley is actually very close (10-15mins) and is home to another one of my favorite spots- The Leaning Pear. Great lunch choices, very "local" feel & atmosphere.

A quick google search will bring up all of these spots with menus, directions & hours (def. worth checking on- I generally go for dinner & am not 100% sure of their lunch hours).

Have a great time!

ehill03 in Austin

Bread Pudding?

I'm looking for suggestions for bread pudding in the Austin area. I prefer simple, rustic, less sweet versions- ie, no fruit (except maybe raisins), no chocolate, etc. Preferably with a bourbon or cream anglaise sauce. I have yet to be wowed by any place in town- any spots I should try?
Thanks, folks!

ehill03 in Austin

Favorites near S. Congress and Oltorf?

Dittos to Habanero- excellent family owned spot.

Personally, I enjoy Sugar Mama's bakery on S. 1st & Mary more than Hey, Cupcake on S. Congress. Might be worth a try.

The food isn't my favorite, but I do like the lime margaritas at Guero's on S. Congress & generally enjoy the atmosphere- especially the "Beer Garden" under the live oak trees. Also, cocktails in the courtyard of the Hotel San Jose on S. Congress when the weather is good is always nice.

Have a great visit!

ehill03 in Austin

Restaurant Bar in South or Central to watch sports

Great post- please keep the suggestions coming! We're always looking for spots just south of the river to watch college football. I've tried Freddies- eh. Wish Zax's had decent TVs. Like the Tavern & Shoal Creek, but both suffer from that 24/7 north of the river/Whole Foods traffic & congestion....

ehill03 in Austin

5 Days in Austin...HELP US PLAN!

I think you have some pretty decent options w/in a mile or two radius of the San Jose. I live in the neighborhood & enjoy walking to local spots (mostly fairly casual places- more "fine" dining options north of the lake):

-Enoteca (SoCo) More casual "sister" restaurant to previously mentioned Vespaio- Italian bistro-type menu

-Guero's- (SoCo)Prob more known for Austin-y atmosphere than food. I like their lime margaritas & salsa bar. Sitting out in the "beer garden" under the live oak tree when there's live music can be really nice.

-Habanero Mexican Grill- Lacking in atmosphere, but a good, friendly family-run spot for tex mex. Mostly just breakfast & lunch- dinner on Fri & Sat. Def a more "authentic" option in the area

-Buenes Aires Cafe- Surprisingly cute/good Argentinian in tiny building between a pawn shop & liquor store.

-Zax's- I like this place for the relatively large beer selection & location- for some reason, it seems easy to miss/forget about, but is really close to the lake/downtown. Pretty good "bar food"/happy hour, too.

-Sugar Mama's Bakery- This place just opened & I haven't been here yet, but its right around the corner from me & has gotten some decent reviews thus far for cupcakes & baked goods.

Enjoy your visit!

ehill03 in Austin

Help! Lunch tomorrow in Austin...

To please a wide audience that includes "younger" folks, my vote for lunch with an Austin-y vibe:

Galaxy Cafe, Guero's, East Side Cafe, Shady Grove, Lambert's, Counter Cafe or Buenos Aires Cafe.

Previous posts would also be great choices - I'm especially fond of Enoteca.

ehill03 in Austin

Did Marco Polo close?

Does anyone have the scoop on this? Just curious.

ehill03 in Austin

Custom-Decorated Cookies?

Hi folks- does anyone know of a local source for custom-decorated cookies? I know of the chain spot, 'Cookies by Design', but was curious if there were any other places in Austin that might do bulk orders (about 200) for an event next month.

Thanks!

ehill03 in Austin

Birthday Dinner for 10 in Houston- Suggestions?

Hi Folks! I live in Austin, but am trying to pull together a last minute birthday dinner for my Dad's 60th in Houston next Friday night. Would love input from some of the local Chowhounds to come up with something special and memorable! There are a couple of parameters I'd like to work within:

1. Hoping to keep to between $30-75/person

2. As a group, we're not talking about terribly sophisticated or creative palettes. Dad is a traditional- strictly meat & potatoes, tex mex, "rustic" food fan (meaning, unfortunately, no sushi, pan asian, indian etc) AND- he's not a huge fan of Italian, so although I wouldn't completely cross it off the list, it probably wouldn't be our first choice.

3. A charming/interesting/comfortable atmosphere would be a big plus- nothing too intimidating or edgy...also, prefer no chain restuarants. I'd consider anywhere in metro Houston.

This is a tall order, but any suggestions would be appreciated.

***I would also consider Sunday Bruch as an alternative if there's something too great to miss that might offer more "bang for my buck". We just did Hugo's over the holidays; was great but would like to try something new....***

Thanks so much in advance!

ehill03 in Texas

Scallion Pancakes?

Hi folks- can anyone recommend a few spots that offer scallion pancakes on their menu? I've recently moved to TX (central/south congress area) & am trying to find a reliable chinese take-out/delivery spot nearby that can fit the bill. I've had a hard time locating anything not in north austin (read: outside my delivery area), or that wasn't relatively "upscale".

I'll sheepishly admit I don't have the most sophisticated palate when it comes to chinese take-out, so any suggestions in the area would be appreciated!

ehill03 in Austin

Going to Houston (Galleria area) Where to eat?

I still like La Vista on Fountainview- BYOB, reasonable prices, fun atmosphere & decent Italian. A fairly recent review in the Chronicle for more info:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/dining/cook/4320111.html

ehill03 in Texas

Berryhill's Killer "Bs" cookies? [moved from Texas board]

This is random, but I was wondering if anyone knew the recipe for- or a version of- the Berryhill Killer B's recipe. They're those wonderful pecan sandies that are hand shaped, but also include dried chilies and maybe even crushed potato chips? That's what I've heard, at least- I really have no idea. Like a larger pecan sandie with some kick. Was hoping to take them to a cinco de mayo party, but can't seem to find any pecan sandies recipes with chilies or potato chips....any thoughts? Thanks!

ehill03 in Home Cooking

Rehersal Dinner spot in & near San Antonio

That's funny you mention Gruene- my folks actually live in New Braunfels, and we'd love to do it there, but unfortunately it's a little farther afoot than we'd like our guests to have to go. I will def. check out the Rudy's....

I had someone else mention Grey Moss Inn- which I think may be a bit pricey- the Lone Star Palace, and the Buckhorn Saloon...any thoughts /experinces with those or similar locales?

Thanks all!

ehill03 in Texas