TerryMtz's Profile
Trappistes Rochefort 8 and 10 set to release in Austin
Thanks SO much, bdush! I have read an insane amount about Pumpkinator in the last few days and now I MUST have it. I'll have to pick up some Trappistes Rochefort 8 while I'm at it!
Favorite Austin Desserts?
I agree about the pie crusts at Cutie Pies. Great fillings (I love the berry pie), but the crust is incredibly thin and usually soggy.
Once, I had a delicious slice of blueberry pie with a crumble topping at Magnolia Cafe. When I went back to get it again, the pie wasn't as heavenly.
I am thinking of trying pie from the Frisco next. Has anyone been?
Chili Dogs
I've been really enjoying the chili cheese dog from Man Bites Dog on Burnet. The chili varies from mild to spicy, depending on who makes it and it has no beans in it (thank God).
The hot dog itself is all beef and a good size. The bun is a kolache bun, so it's a bit sweet. The price is a steep $5.79, but it is a pretty big chili dog.
You can also ask for queso instead of shredded cheese, according to a sign I saw posted near the register last weekend.
Favorite Austin Desserts?
Sit-down places
Perla's-Standouts included the fried blackberry pie and the brown butter ice cream.
Uchi/Uchiko: I feel like you can't really go wrong at either place. I have never tried the more savory option (with goat cheese and tomato) at Uchiko, but everything else has been tasty--including specials.
Carillon: The Guanaja Chocolate Terrine surprised me. I'm not usually a citrus/chocolate fan, but this won me over.
Roaring Fork: The mini cherry pie a la mode.
Hyde Park Bar and Grill: The brownie a la mode is super decadent and fudgy.
Everything else
Goodpops: Coffee and coconut paletas are outstanding. They are sold at Whole Foods and at a pop-up on Riverside and Congress, among other places.
Teo: Their gelato is among the best in town. My favorites are salted caramel and Nutella peanut butter.
Whole Foods: The caramelita bar is scrumptious, as is the chocolate mousse.
Central Market: Their gelato is actually very tasty. The pistachio is more flavorful than the pistacho at Teo. I also like to hit up the chocolate section for the occasional splurge on a Vosges chocolate bar. The Amella passion fruit cocoa butter caramels (if they still carry them) are the best.
Sugar Mama's: Frida cupcake, s'mores bar and apple pie bar.
Hopdoddy: Salted caramel milkshake
Casey's: My personal favorite snowball is chocolate covered cherry.
Gordoughs: I am partial to the sweet/savory flavors of the Porky's, but if you want more sweet, the Heavenly Hash fits the bill.
La Boite: Not a fan of their macarons, personally, but the Barrie Cullinan almond croissants can't be beat.
Amy's: I still crave the peppermint ice cream with hot fudge that I had one winter. I also love the coconut ice cream.
Have fun on your dessert quest!
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Central Market
4477 S Lamar Blvd Ste 100, Austin, TX 78745
Teo
1206 W 38th St, Austin, TX 78705
La Boite
1700 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
Uchiko
4200 North Lamar, Austin, TX 78756
Tortas in Austin
I've had the chipotle torta (the "Chipotlera") at Dos Batos and it's very tasty. The meat is flavorful and it has a good amount of spice. They could be more generous with the avocado and the tomato is just OK, but the real star is the meat. The only sad (but inevitable) part is that the carnitas get soggy in the chipotle sauce.
My sister had the regular carnitas torta and it was outstanding as well. It comes with a side of salsa. The meat is very fatty and rich and still crisp in some parts.
The sandwiches are pricey, but they are something I crave regularly now.
Blue Bell Ice Cream
Jeni's is also available at the North Lamar Central Market for about $10 a pint. Last time I was there, I stared longingly at the Salty Caramel and Riesling Poached Pear Sorbet, but ultimately walked away. I have a recipe for her Savannah Buttermint flavor that I'm gonna try out first.
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Central Market
4477 S Lamar Blvd Ste 100, Austin, TX 78745
Chocolate cake with Chocolate Icing or Fudge Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Icing
I can vouch for Quack's chocolate cake with chocolate cream cheese frosting. I've had it both as a slice of the cake and in cupcake form, both were great. The cake is moist and the tang from the cream cheese keeps the whole thing from being too sugary (though it's still very rich!).
My favorite things from Central Market
I live dangerously close to the Central Market North Lamar location and pass it on my way home from work, so I am there way too often (for my wallet's comfort...) My favorites at the store include:
-Risotto Cakes: I pan fry them until they get a crunchy rice exterior. They can be too salty sometimes, though. (The Hatch Green Chile Risotto Cakes are on another level. So good.)
-Turkey Chile Meatloaf: For when I'm feeling too lazy to cook. It's flavorful and a tiny bit spicy.
-Rick's Picks Pickles: They are insanely expensive, but great quality and artisanal, so a justified splurge in my book.
-Justin Nut Butters: Particularly the chocolate hazelnut and chocolate almond (I also like that they have the single-serve packets because I can't bear to buy a $9 jar of nut butter).
-Love Dip: A CM classic. Amazing slathered on Ritz crackers.
-Herb selection: It's varied and they always have what I need, unlike at HEB.
-Maryland Style Crab Cakes: They are sold raw in the seafood section and go on sale sometimes. Better than the regular pre-cooked CM Crab cakes, in my opinion.
-Marinated fajitas: The marinades are always tasty and the fajitas are tender when cooked.
-Jalapeno Cornbread Stuffed Pork Loin: Wow. Wowie Wow Wow.
-Bubbies Mochi Ice Cream: Expensive, but the flavors are explosive. Best boxed mochi ice cream I've ever had.
-Bulk Spices: I absolutely love that I can buy one or two bay leaves for like .30 cents instead of getting a jar of them (that I probably won't use all of before they expire) for $4.
-Dunno the name, but the sweet/spicy pickle slices in the olive bar: They serve these when you order a burger. I am not usually a sweet pickle fan, but the spice won me over.
-The Deli Section: Specifically the charcuterie. Mortadella! Proscuitto di Parma! Salamis of all kinds!
-Yogurt selection: They have a great variety of yogurts and I usually find myself picking up something new in addition to my beloved Brown Cow, Liberte and Fage.
I'm picking up some cilantro pecan pesto soon, thanks to this thread. Sounds like a good way to make a quick meal. Thanks, guys!
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Central Market
4477 S Lamar Blvd Ste 100, Austin, TX 78745
Is there a place to get larger corn tortillas?
I accidentally bought some "Super Size" yellow corn Mission brand tortillas at the Hancock HEB. I believe there are 12 in the package.
Chilaquiles
I would probably be wary if that were me, too. Good thing I've never had such an experience at La Casita, because I loooove their chilaquiles!
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La Casita
400 N Magnolia Ave, Luling, TX 78648
Chilaquiles
I like the chilaquiles from La Casita on Anderson Lane. The chips are thick and don't get soggy quickly and you get a choice of red or green salsa, both of which are good, but I prefer red because the green is sour, as it is tomatillo-based. They are covered in a flurry of shredded queso fresco. The plate comes with a small side of fried potatoes, some refried beans, sour cream and diced white onion. Ask for their green sauce (similar to what El Pollo Regio has, but a little less spicy) so you can douse your potatoes in it!
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La Casita
400 N Magnolia Ave, Luling, TX 78648
El Pollo Regio
207 N Interstate 35, San Marcos, TX 78666
Paletas?
El Chilito sells paletas.There are two locations: one on Manor Road on the East side and another on Congress near 9th Street. Not sure whether they make them on premises or not.
SXSW Is Coming. Here's Where the Out of Towners Need to Go
Highbrow (ish): La Condesa, Mulberry, Olivia
Quick Tex-Mex: Torchy's, Screaming Goat, El Pollo Rico (Get extra green salsa!)
Trailer Scene: East Side King, ChilantroBBQ, La Boite and Odd Duck
RIP part III: Austin Restaurant Closings
They just updated again and said they were closed for only one night and will be open tomorrow.
Brownies
I know they sell them at the Torchy's on Guadalupe. They're on the counter by the register.
Lookin' for a Special Kind of Falafel Sandwich...
I'm looking for some really awesome falafel sandwiches like the kind I had in Paris at L'as du Falafel (lots of crunchy lightly dressed slaw in fresh pita bread with four to five small crunchy falafels, tender chunks of fried eggplant, and harissa (at least that's what I think it was) hot sauce.
Last time I got falafel from Sarah's Mediterranean it came with lettuce and tomato (not my favorite), some tahini sauce, and that's all. It was slightly crunchy but the falafels were much too big. Ditto with the falafels at arpeggio, but since it was delivered, the falafels were a giant mushy mess.
Is this type of sandwich going to be something I can only get outside of my beloved city?
Best Austin CSA?
I'm a member of the Johnson's Backyard Garden CSA (http://www.johnsonsbackyardgarden.com/csa.php) and I love it. I got an immediate response when I called the farm (you have to call before noon) and the vegetables are fresh and beautiful. The site even has some storage tips and recipes in case you've never encountered any of the veggies you're given.
P.Terry's #3
In the past, some sketchy farms did feed animal proteins to their cows but the US government banned that practice after mad cow disease hit. It's likely the ranch P. Terry's uses is referring to that old practice in their 100% vegetarian-fed claim.
P.Terry's #3
I have to interject, edberliner. P. Terry's Black Angus beef is from a ranch that sells hormone and antibiotic free and vegetarian fed beef. Also, the cows are "humanely treated," as their mission states. I really doubt the meat at Jack in the Box or McDonald's is nearly the same quality. The decision to eat at a place like P. Terry's shouldn't be based on what's good for you health-wise, since um... it's a burger... but what's good for your own conscience.
Sour Cherries
Has anyone seen sour cherries around town? Did I miss their very short season already? I've seen Rainer and Bing cherries at Central Market and HEB, but no sour! Perhaps a farmer's market would be a better bet?
Dim Sum, Lamar Blvd.
Does anyone have info on that new dim sum place that is opening on Lamar Blvd. next to Starbucks in the former Panda Express space? I glanced at a banner on the way in from work but didn't get details.
Malaga - Tapas Suggestions?
I really enjoyed the Queso de Cabra Frito con Miel and the Tortilla Catalana last time I was at Malaga.
Back from Austin & in search of "pink cake" recipe - moved from Austin board
According to the Mi Tierra website (it's that famous restaurant/bakery in San Antonio), it's also called pastel para los ninos. That being said, I have no idea how to make it or where to find a recipe. Sorry I couldn't be of more help!
best chocolate candies
Viva Chocolato has all kinds of high end (read: expensive) chocolates from Italy, France, Belgium and Texas. You can pick the ones you'd like out of a case and make a customized box.
Also, the last time I was at Whole Foods downtown, their chocolate case had many candies and truffles, including Vosges truffles (they make exotic flavor combos).
Apple Cider Doughnuts?
I'm sure these will be difficult to find in Austin, but does anyone know where (if) I can find apple cider doughnuts in the area?
::sigh:: It's about this time of year I miss living in the Northeast...
Where can I find an ice cream cake?
Dairy Queen has an ice cream cake somewhat similar to the Carvel's one you mentioned. They use their soft serve and layer it with little crunchy things and chocolate syrup/fudge. They even have Blizzard cakes.
http://www.dairyqueen.com/us-en/eats-and-treats/menu/treats/dq-cakes/
Marble Slab has ice cream cakes that are simply ice cream and any topping/mix-in that you can choose.
Hey Cupcake! on Burnet
Just saw that Hey Cupcake is opening a stand-alone store on Burnet Road, near Phil's Icehouse/Amy's.
I hope this means they'll be expanding their menu!
