biggles's Profile
Good2Go - Anyone Been?
Yes, husband brought home dinner from there a couple of weeks ago. We had a lasgna that was based on green chile chicken enchiladas, and a caeser salad. Both enough for two. They were delicious!
Justine's
How is the A/C holding up this summer? I remember that there were problems before, and have only gone there during cooler months.
Sienna...oh no
I was put off from going back to Siena by the above reviews, but my husband, who adores their boar ragout, talked me into giving them a try again.
I'm so glad that he did. The service was competent, friendly, and not pushy at all. Other trips to Siena in the past have bordered on pushy, so I was pleased that this server knew what she was doing.
We shared the figs and the asparagus as appetizers, husband had the ragout, and I had the rabbit risotto, and then we both had the beef tenderloin with gorgonzola.
The figs were very dense and packed with flavor, the asparagus with crab was light and delicious. An interesting pairing.
I tried a bite of the ragout, which the husband said was just they way he liked it. It was good, but I'm a risotto fiend. The risotto had just the right texture; not runny, not overcooked, and the flavor was delicate and tasty.
We both enjoyed the tenderloins. They were both cooked to order. Mine medium rare, and husband's was medium. The sauce and the potatoes made the dish.
The restaurant was busy and filled with happy people. No one seemed disturbed by their service, and everyone was friendly as we left.
I'd recommend giving Siena another try before writing it off.
Foreign & Domestic revisited
We finally visited this restaurant this past weekend.
Being December, we did not notice in problems with the AC as had been previously reported.
We tried the popovers but weren't really impressed. They were very dry.
The pate however was great. The only thing we would add to that dish would be some pickled gherkins. A few of those would make this dish perfect.
Husband had the pork belly that he liked, and I had the beef with mushrooms, Kale and a mustard sauce. I adored this dish. The mustard sauce went so well with the beef and the mushrooms, and the kale was an interesting tasting mash.
The best part for me was the dessert. I had the chocolate/coconut dish, and it was a lot like an almond joy on steroids. Husband liked his carrot cake sundae.
Our server was helpful, friendly, and we had no problems with any of the timing.
Eats in the Hill Country Galleria?
Are you sure Zoot is closed? Just called their number, and it doesn't seem like that is right.
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Zoot
509 Hearn St, Austin, TX 78703
Around the loop from Jackson to Yellowstone in July.
As soon as possible, make a reservation for where you are staying your first night in yellowstone. Our experience was that lunches were the best. Had them at old faithful, canyon, and mammoth. Breakfast at the lake hotel is nothing to write home about, but their club pack lunch is decent. For dinners, try to order the special. That seems to be the best route. When we realized that reservation times were difficult, eating at 4:30 in the afternoon is too early for us, we moved around sampling old faithful, lake, and grant village,according to which had the best time. Also, they get their cancellations in around 3 every afternoon. So, you can try calling after then.
Reservations made for upcoming trip
I am visiting Manhattan for the first time in September. For years, I have been saving the Tables for Two items in the New Yorker that have appealed to me. This is what I've got:
Monday night: Flex Mussels
Tuesday night: Bellavitae
Wednesday night: August
Thursday night: Jean Georges
I was thinking of trying out Zucco and Bar Breton for lunches during this time.
Let me know if I am making a huge mistake with any of these choices. As you can see, I tend toward French cooking, but would also like to try a deli or anything asian.
I'm going to stay away from Mexican or Bar-B-Q as I'm from Austin. I'm sure that there are wonderful places in NYC to eat this type of food, but I can get it so easily here.
Thanks!
Zoot moving to Bee Cave Bistro space
This news was imparted in yesterday's Austin American Statesman.
Does anyone know what happened to Bee Cave Bistro? I didn't even know that it had closed.
I hope that Zoot does not follow Mars' path.
Fino Review
I love this place. The servers are friendly and know the foods and the wine. We always have a great time there, figuring out what small plates to order. One of my favorites is the goat cheese with honey.
McCormick & Schmick's - opinions, please
We have two locations in Austin, and the one downtown is far superior to the one up in the Domain. So, your mileage will vary.
Word to the wise about Flemings
Husband, son (22) and I went last Friday night.
The sides were fine, as was the dessert.
But the steak was flavorless and tough. At first I thought it had been cooked too much, but no, the color was right for medium-rare.
At nearly 40 bucks per steak, this is unacceptable.
I can see three options as to what happened:
1) they received a bad shipment, and didn't know this. (I will be calling them and letting them know what happened later today to ensure that they do indeed know.)
2) they received a bad shipment and served it to everyone indiscriminately.
3) they received a bad shipment and served it to those that they believe will not cry foul loudly, or just won't notice the quality. If this is the true option, I have some news for them. My son noticed, and he will eat just about any steak that is put in front of him.
Steak in San Marcos?
Thanks so much for the Gristmill suggestion! We live in Austin, so it was great to try a new place. We love Austin Land and Cattle, but we already knew that. : )
My husband was thrilled with the prices of the reserve wine list. Some really good wines at fabulous prices. He thought that the bottle we were served was kept well.
The steaks were great and the atmosphere was fun and just what you would think dining in an old cotton gin would be. The service was also noteworthy. Lovely people.
Steak in San Marcos?
We're visiting our son this weekend, and would like to take him out for a good steak. Any recommendations?
Thanks!
Soft opening question [Moved from Austin board]
Perhaps I should have written 'annoyance.'
Soft opening question [Moved from Austin board]
After taking in a movie at the Bee Cave Galleria last night, tried eating dinner at the Iron Cactus. We walked in the front door and were told we had to leave due to it being open only for family and friends.
Fair enough, but would have preferred that there had been a sign posted that would have averted embarrassment.
My initial reaction is to swear off the restaurant entirely, but perhaps I am being too hasty?
Restaurant Jezebel on Congress
Ate at this restaurant last Thursday evening. Here's a little synopsis of our experience:
Without being asked, they brought out olives with what tasted like a balsamic vinegar infused brine.
Also a bread selection with an olive oil - balsamic vinegar dipping sauce.
I ordered the sautéed French helix escargot with crushed red pepper, slivered garlic & balsamico, and my husband had the fresh Peekie toe crab cake with roasted garlic and sweet red pepper cream.
After the balsamic vinegar olives and the dipping sauce being much the same, I was a little dismayed to find the same taste with my escargot, but thankfully the crab cakes and my main course didn't indulge similarly.
The crab cakes had a delicate taste, and were very satisfying.
They brought the two starters out one after the other was finished, which was interesting, and allowed for more tasting of each others selections. My husband got a raw deal on that one since he does not like escargot.
For the main course, I had the dark El Rey chocolate and dried spice crusted Atlantic salmon, mashed potatoes, greens, with garlic and caper infused olive oil. Loved the caper infused olive oil, and the salmon was cooked to perfection, not slippery, not horribly solid. The chocolate could be a little overpowering but was applied in 4 large dots along the top. I was able to take as much of it as I wanted with each bite, and was able to leave the rest alone. It was a good combination, but a little goes along way with me.
Husband had the roasted Chilean sea bass with Maine lobster and mango – fresh curry leaf sauce. He loved it and it was gone very quickly, so I won't be able to say much about that one.
For afters, husband had the white chocolate strawberry shortcake, and I had the lemon curd mousse with homemade peanut brittle lace cookie. The lemon curd was just the right tartness. My husband didn't eat much of his dessert, but I was growing too full to find out why.
Had a cup of the coffee with cream and sugar. It was one of the best cups I have had in a long while.
For wine lovers, they have an extensive list that seems well represented.
Interestingly shaped pieces of pottery grace each table. I'm not sure what they were for, but they added to the ambience. The art on the walls, mostly nudes, contributes to the romantic lighting, and I was agreeably surprised by the general quiet, even though most of the tables were taken when we got there.
The service was attentive without being obnoxious. Had a little trouble getting the check at the end, but all was well at last.
This one is definitely part of our rotation list now.
Big Bend area recommendations needed
Went travelling to Big Bend just this last week and ate quite a few times in the Study Butte/Terlingua area.
Would recommend eating at Phat Cafe. Wonderful place with lots of charm. For dinner, you must have reservations, and Nathan tells you when to show up. You pretty much eat what he serves you. We had a wonderful hot and sour soup, followed by a spinach and apple salad. Then there was a beef dish with rice and also bok choy. Can't say enough about this place. Definitely a wonderful experience. Remember that it is BYOB.
Next in importance was Starlight Cafe, set in an old movie theater. There's a good bar in there. I had the chicken with the mushrooms in cream sauce. Very tasty.
Lastly, La Kiva. Steaks as big as your arm and a yummy fried onions/peppers appetizer. The best thing about this place to eat was the dessert, buzzard nest. A must try. The other best thing was the dinasaur skeleton on the wall. Not for eating though.
New Restaurants at the Domain
Just had lunch at the steeping room. I had the tea sandwiches with the goat cheese. I agree. They were very tasty. Husband had a roast beef sandwich that he said was good. His plate was clean at the end of lunch. Always a good sign.
I had a nice Darjeeling tea. I bought a whole pot instead of a cup. It was more than I could drink, but cost effective. Their cups are a little small.
Definitely recommend this place for a nice but a tad expensive lunch. I hope to go back soon to try their scones and clotted cream. Yum!
Mirabelle - big disappointment
We didn't pay for anything. All we had consumed were periodic sips of pretty bad wine from a couple of wineglasses.
The waitstaff was actually quite kind. They seemed very embarrassed about the behavior of their boss.
Mirabelle - big disappointment
It's not really a parody, but I didn't want to add a reply to the wink thread. It would be unfairly punishing Wink for something that happened at Mirabelle.
Mirabelle - big disappointment
We had a wine disaster there awhile back. We ordered a bottle of white wine (pinot grigio). It had a real zinger of a bad taste. So much so, it made us wince. This was when it was first poured for my husband to taste. He had me try it, too. We said there was something wrong with it.
The waitress took it back, and then she came back out with it and said the manager/owner said it was fine. She poured it out. We looked at each other surprised, but thought - OK, this is strange.
We periodically tried it, but it just didn't open up. Our appetizers arrived, and we mentioned that the wine still wasn't good. The manager/owner came out, swilled a bit of the wine, and said that it was fine. He also said that we wouldn't be getting another bottle from him. So we left without touching the appetizers.
I hope he enjoyed that bottle.
pf changs & cheesecake factory
I love the chicken lettuce wraps at PFC, and their Beef Lo Mein.
Do not order omelettes at CF. Very dry. Their cheesecake is good. My husband says that he has to eat there every once in awhile to remind himself why he doesn't eat there.
Travelling to Bournemouth/Canterbury - any suggestions?
Hi all,
Looking forward to our trip. Have never been to either of these cities. Would welcome any type of recommendation. Lunch or Dinner.
Thanks!
Emerald
It has been awhile since we were last at this restaurant. The service was as good as usual, but the available wines were scanty. Many that were on the list were not stocked.
Has anyone been there recently?
