conquer's Profile
I know it's been discussed before, but... Ramen?
Do they make the ramen themselves?
The best ramen I've had is a kuro ramen in a little strip mall in Milpitas. Black garlic and fresh-made noodles, with a side of tuna sashimi over rice. $10.
Vietnamese beyond pho--Lily's Sandwich
What service? It's definitely more a cafeteria a la Asia Cafe than a restaurant. I've never tipped there. The owner has always been friendly to me though: once when I asked for some cream puffs, he could have given me the ones in the display case, but he went in the back and got me fresh hot ones.
If you want a hot sandwich, it helps if you ask for your sandwich toasted.
Vietnamese beyond pho--Lily's Sandwich
For those interested in pig knuckles, tripe soup, bo kho, bahn cuon, crab and conch vermicelli, curry, fish stew, crayfish, frog legs, and other authentic Vietnamese small dishes beyond pho, bun and com, check out Lily's Sandwich. They have an excellent bun bo hue and bavarian cream puffs too (absent Beard Papa's in Austin) at good prices.
I've had their sandwiches and Baguette House's, and I prefer Lily's. They're bigger and cheaper, and the fillings are tastier. The owner is honest.
No ambiance--but who cares about that?
New Hot Pot Place on Anderson
The prices are ridiculous. It's funny because I saw a few Chinese families at the tables (bringing grandpa and grandma on an outing) who seemed more than a little uncomfortable, and grandpa/grandma looked downright pissed. I have a Sanyo hot pot, bought a load of sliced beef, lamb, tofu, pork blood, bokchoy, watercress, woodears, shitakes, enokis, vermicelli, an assortment of dumplings, and satay and chili sauces from MT and made hot pot for 2 for 2 meals under $30, with almost no prep work.
There HAS to be a good Thai restaurant here...
Sorry, there's no authentic Thai food in or around Austin. (PT is American-Thai anyway.)
Not that talent is lacking, just most Austinites probably wouldn't eat it (not to mention fish heads, pork necks, grasshoppers etc).
Try Houston or Dallas, *maybe*.
DEHP/carcinogen in Taiwanese bubble teas, fruit juices, syrups etc
Do you use Google?
For those whom it does concern:
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/05/31/drink-pulled-cause-reproductive-problems-boys/
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2011/05/31/general-as-philippines-dangerous-drinks_8491833.html
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/ban-on-taiwan-food-drink-after-scare/story-e6frf7jx-1226067594074
http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/story/2011/06/01/drinks-taiwan-dehp.html
http://www.torontosun.com/2011/05/30/juice-from-taiwan-recalled-health-canada
etc
The USFDA had published a list on 5/31 on their site, which was pulled as they are 'doing further testing for an official recall announcement' (I was told on the phone). I have packages of tapioca and bottles of juice and syrup, and jelly candies in the fridge from MT and other places I'm waiting to see if I have to dump in the garbage.
DEHP/carcinogen in Taiwanese bubble teas, fruit juices, syrups etc
Well, it's all over the news (finally, including Western press). I called Coco's to ask if they import their ingredients directly from Taiwan, and they said yes, but have 'no idea' what I'm talking about. I'd stay away for now, from several other places in town that serve shaved ice/bubble drinks etc, as well.
A+A Sichuan Garden in Galleria Oaks
I went for the first time. Ordered spicy beef fillet, salt and pepper squid, green bean strips with shredded chicken.
Portions were somewhat smaller than Asia Cafe's. The beef had a coating (meat tenderizing seasoning and/or corn starch) I'm not used to. Salt and pepper squid came on a dinner-size plate--tasted good, but portion and presentation were undercut. The biggest problem I had was with the chicken green bean strips. (FYI the green bean strips are not Western 'green beans' but ground mung beans made into fettucini-like noodles, and are served cold.) The strips were good, but there was barely any chicken on top, and the chicken was julienned, not torn (ie 'shredded') - a big texture letdown. Asia Cafe's version is superior. There's a jar of szechuan peppercorn chili paste (mala) at the table, so you don't have to beg for tiny dishes of it like at AC.
The decor is nice, and the cashier (you know who I'm talking about) seemed a lot happier working here. The place has potential, and I hope it stays (can't have enough Chinese-Chinese restaurants in Austin); they just need to work out a few kinks with the menu.
Korean Red Bean bread
Frankly, I think the Korean kind/brand at Han Yang/New Oriental is better than the Chinese you can get in Austin (MT, Asia Market, Lucky Bakery). The bread's denser, with a more substantial filling. The Chinese breads are cheaper, though.
Best Bars and Bartenders (Mixologists?) for Serious cocktails
The stiffest drinks I've ever had in Austin are at Oilcan Harry's. But not for your 'family get-together,' probably. Peche's strength's gone down, IMO. I don't usually go for 'specialty' cocktails, but I really liked El Cubico at Condesa. Brown Bar is good for strong classics, granted the scene is a little tired.
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Peche
208 W 4th Street, Austin, TX 07739
Favorite B-Grade Mexican in Austin
I just went to Texican Cafe, good value for the food (half-price carne guisada enchiladas on Tues, 12.99 fajitas for two on Wed) - if you like things drenched in cheese (which I do). Lots of television sets everywhere inside, very post-modern.
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Texican Cafe
4141 S Capital of Texas Hwy, Austin, TX 78704
Hunan Restaurants
Hunan, or Xiang, dishes have been pretty popularized (ie watered down) that you can find some version of it almost anywhere (General Tso's chicken, Tong-An chicken, chicken and lettuce wraps etc). As far as the dishes specifically mentioned in the review, the only place I know that serves 'big fish head' is Fortune, but I've never ordered it - no thanks :)
Hunan sits right between Sichuan and Guangdong/Canton, so you'll find influences from both.
But no, no real Hunan restaurants here.
Perfect Weather for Fire Pot on Chinese New Year's
The only place I know for sure that has shabu-style fire pot is Sichuan Garden... but instead of schlepping up to RR, does anyone know another place that does it (Din Ho, Ho Ho, First Chinese, Fortune, Shanghai...)? Maybe a New Year's 'special?'
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Sichuan Garden
110 N Interstate 35, Round Rock, TX 78681
Kaffir Lime Leaves / Magroot
$2.50 / 1/8 oz, or basically 1 leaf (= $320 / lb) is a tiny bit steep...still trying to call around. I know CM used to sell it for $60 / lb (still high, but not so absurd).
Kaffir Lime Leaves / Magroot
So apparently the USDA has banned Kaffir leaves. Anyone has experience with good substitutes? (I've heard lime zest + bay leaf...)
Or know where I can still get some (fresh or dried) - ie, seen them somewhere recently?
Barley Swine: Brick and Mortar Restaurant From The Man Behind Odd Duck
I just called. No BYO.
Chinatown-Mopac, Asia Cafe, or Din Ho tonight for excellent food?
If you want authentic, go to Asia Cafe. I'll do Sichuan over Cantonese any day. Cantonese (Din Ho, First Chinese, Ho Ho) is oversauced and greasy by definition. I have a problem, though, with places that sell 'Peking Duck' when what they're *really* selling is Cantonese Roast Duck. That's like ordering gnocchi at an Italian restaurant and being served southern dumplin's. (And it's a rather odd phenomenon today that the signature dish in most Cantonese restaurants is Pekingnese.) I haven't found a place in Austin that serves real, good Peking Duck though.
Barley Swine: Brick and Mortar Restaurant From The Man Behind Odd Duck
BYOB? If so, then maybe. Otherwise - communal tables? - no thanks.
I imagine the crowd to be mostly twenty/early thirty-somethings?
New India Cuisine
This is an updated review of New India Cuisine at its new location (2304 South Congress Ave at Oltorf, where Richard Jones BBQ used to be), with its updated menu.
First good sign: when my partner and I walked in for lunch this past weekend, there were not one, not two, but three gay couples seated in a row along the wall booths. (In the immortal words of the Kim Cattrall, 'first come the gays...')
Alas, no more Hindu beef burger (as mentioned in the review above), as they replaced the flat top grill with a tandoori oven.
Still a no-frills, clean and calm atmosphere, but now with service. Our server was nice, efficient and obviously knowledgeable, and educated us about the difference between a korma and a durbari.
I ordered the Kheema Masala ($10)--spiced ground lamb with onion, garlic, tomatoes, cilantro, potatoes, and sliced egg. My partner had the Shahi Durbari (with paneer; $10), an almond-cashew creamy pureed curry, analogous to a cream-based korma. You can also specify the heat level (I ordered mine extra spicy).
How should I put this? I've rarely had Indian food this FLAVORFUL and FRESH. More often that not, Indian food is either overly salted or way under-salted, to the point where either all you taste is a salty muddledness, or there isn't simply enough salt to bring out all the flavors of the spices. The lamb here was seasoned just right. I could actually FEEL the different flavors, distinct and clean, hit and pop in my mouth at different times, followed by the heat. (I hate it when, esp in Indian food, all the heat is up front and annihilates your palate immediately.) The difference here was they used both fresh ground spices (eg cardamom) AND whole spices together, so that you get the WHOLE flavor (and texture) profile of the spices. The meat itself was fluffy and not too greasy, and the scalloped Yukon gold potatoes were nicely caramelized on the outside, with a crunch.
I had only the curry itself (not the paneer) in my partner's dish. Again, the same complexity of spices, and the cream wasn't too overwhelming (ahem - Claypit) and controlled the heat very well. You can taste it's ingredients selected, and food made with, love and care.
My only complaint is the portion-to-price ratio, but that may only be because I wanted and could've had a second plate of the lamb, without a problem. Both entrees came with a large bowl of cardamom/cloved basmati rice. And, they should serve tepid water by default, instead of ice-cold water.
I'll definitely be back, especially to try the Kokum Curry drink.
Also, they give a discount for walk-in or bike-in customers. Just mention you saw the discount on their website when you ask for the check.
Lucky Chinese Bakery
9616 N Lamar, past Rundberg/Rutland
(Was mentioned once on the board--thought might be worth mentioning again)
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/734662#5919784
Website: http://www.lucky-bakery.com/home.html (with coupon)
Has Portuguese egg tarts.
THEY WANT HOW LITTLE? Reasonable Beyond Belief Food Pricing In Austin Part 1
Java Noodles on E Oltorf has a similar deal.
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Java Noodles Restaurant
2400 E Oltorf St Ste 14, Austin, TX 78741
XO Sauce
Does anyone in town sell XO Sauce for cheaper? As far as I know, only Asia Market has a brand (LKK), $11 for 2.8 oz. And it's a b**** to make it yourself.
THEY WANT HOW MUCH? Part 2: Egregious Food Pricing In Austin
I believe restaurants do that primarily in order to discourage people from bringing their kids.
THEY WANT HOW LITTLE? Reasonable Beyond Belief Food Pricing In Austin Part 1
Some of the best deals in town:
1. Free nacho bar at Happy Hour at Chuy's
2. New Oriental Korean Market on Airport
3. Buffet Palace at 3:30 pm on weekdays (pay lunch price, dinner starts at 4 pm)
4. Baguette House in Chinatown ($3.50 for a large sandwich)
5. Mr Gattis buffet, but only when you have a 2-for-1 coupon (they send out often), which works out to $3.75/person. I make special requests. Also a decent salad bar.
6. Thai House on Burnet (2-for-1 lunch buffets on weekends = $6.50/person, refillable drinks, tax and tip inclusive)
7. Fresh Choice, when you have the 25% off coupon for email sign-up on their website (~$6/person)
8. Has anyone been to the vegetarian buffet at the Buddhist Temple on Cap Tx Hwy? (suggested donation $5)
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Fresh Choice Restaurant
9761 Great Hills Trl, Austin, TX 78759
Buffet Palace Restaurant
2601 S Interstate 35 Ste B200, Round Rock, TX 78664
Baguette House & Cafe
10901 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78753
A+A Sichuan Garden in Galleria Oaks
This is quite odd. Sounds like a feud or something.
North Austin has enough authentic Chinese places! They could have opened one South!!!
THEY WANT HOW MUCH? Part 2: Egregious Food Pricing In Austin
Let's see, I've made the mistake of paying:
$15 for 2 cups of frozen yogurt @ Frutti Froyo
for anything at The Oasis
~$8 for a chicken bowl at Zen
$5.25 for a 'Garden Burger' at Posse East--oh, just to be clear, there was no 'burger' in this 'Garden Burger,' just 2 buns, shredded iceberg lettuce, a slice of tomato, and some shredded American cheese.
for Tiff's Cookies--possibly the most overrated item in Austin, if you discount $4 trailer cupcakes and $9 trailer crepes.
I have less of a problem with being ripped off by 'fine-dining' places (where, arguably, being ripped-off *IS* precisely what contributes to the experience of luxury consumption), than by places that bill themselves as 'hole in the wall' but then take advantage of oblivious hipsters and dumb college kids.
Any Vietnamese Bakeries?
On a related note, MT now finally has a couple more varieties of Asian filled breads--2 kinds of hot dog breads, 2 dried shredded pork breads, bbq pork bread, in addition to the basic red bean, peanut, taro, custard, etc sweet ones.
