StagirasGhost's Profile
Group Brunch Venue
I suggest calling Brian at Hill Country Pasta House. They have an outside dining area and can no doubt accommodate a party of that size.
[AUS] Chicken-fried Steak in Austin
It is definitely off the beaten path, but if you have a CFS weekend get-away planned without a destination, I highly suggest Royer's Round Top Cafe'.
www.royersroundtopcafe.com
Ridiculously good. And the pies. "OMG x 4"
Sunday Brunch Recommendation?
All good suggestions.
You also might want to check out Stubb's Gospel Brunch, though is exceptionally difficult to get a reservation without calling weeks in advance.
Veal Bones in the ATX?
Call "Longhorn Meats" on MLK.
You also might want to try and ask around at the Farmer's Market.
Wink - big disappointment
We've had one bad experience in the last couple of years. This said, if Wink was a MLB professional, Wink would bat a little over .900 year after year.
IN attempting to keep this positive, the primary things I like about Wink:
They allow outside bottles, and the corkage fee is reasonable.
The foie is very good; it is an experience (I add this because with the recent bad press foie has received, globally, many restaurants , nationally, are stearing away from this dish.)
Their use of organic, locally-grown produce/micros (I don't think they should necessarily "feature" or promote it, tableside, but it makes all the difference in the world.)
As a tangential aside, I thoroughly appreciate that most if not all of the staff are educated as high-income earners in other fields, but voluntarily choose FOH/BOH service/production because they truly love food and wine,; this also makes for intelligible, fun and witty banter.
I have a couple of suggestions.
Wink is not Wendy's; a restaurant of Wink's caliber comes with certain expectations and a certain institutional memory. Every restaurant has her off nights, and in the event that they do, communication is key. If one were to write "the two Mark's" with a review/evaluation not unlike the post opening this thread--an open a line of communication--you'll establish a relationship that will foster (in keeping with the metaphor above,) a MLB professional batting 1.000. And even if the experience is truly outstanding, exceeding expectations when you and you alone dine there, you fostered that relationship and earned it.
On the flip side, a "thank you" note every time you have a great experience will foster the same kind of relationship, by different means.
If you try this method, and still have mediocre or well-below average experiences, and insist on continuing to dine at Wink, every time you make a reservation tell them it is a special occasion and that you're driving in from South Dallas.
Anyone can say what they will about egalitarian service and production for everyone, everynight, but communication will ensure that you're not a mere table position, couvert.
In closing, really sorry you spent discretionary income on a poor experience.
Austin crawfish
Great question.
I'm with you rudeboy... I try and avoid the Boiling Pot as there prices are not reasonable and franky, the quality is not there.
Needless to say, I am a bit gun-shy when it comes to posting as apparently someone here is flagging most if not all of what I'm posting.
IMHO, the best bang for your buck in boiled crawfish is Pappadeaux. 3 bucks and change per pound. They also have solid deals on oysters on the half-shell-- I typically eat a dozen Gulf oysters with a glass of their cheap sparkling, and then finish out with 5 pounds of crawfish with a hefeweizen, and get in and out of there for just under 30 bucks.The problem is scarcity: so if you venture there, make sure you call ahead and check for crawfish availability. Plan to sit at the bar. Try and avoid peak hours. Apparently everyone that is anyone that eats boiled crawfish knows about the promo and seemingly gets there before I do...and Pappadeaux will not change their par's.
Though I have not been there for crawfish, I understand Uncle Boudreaux's in Manor (off 290 East) has excellent crawfish (though this is hearsay from a poker buddy.)
I have friends that eat at Quality Seafood. Though we have not talked extensively about it, they tell me that the crawfish is not unlike something you'd do yourself, at home.
If you're interested in a boil, let me know. I know numerous industry folks that can procure bags of crawfish and I might be up for co-hosting something not unlike this.
BBQ near Austin
Just a quick FYI... don't drink and drivel. The BBQ tour we enjoyed before the show at the Gas Light was in Lockhart (and here I'd like to thank the last bottle of Black Chook for confusing me.) The Luling-->Lockhart connection with BBQ is heralded but should probably be broken down in days, as opposed to one day. And if you're in Central Texas from afar, I do not think the BBQ experience in Luling-->Lockhart is such to warrant days of scheduling and commitment; there is way too much to do and eat in Austin proper. This said, there are some great fruit stands in Luling... if you can stand the smell of burning sulfur.
BBQ near Austin
Sam's seconded. We live blocks from Sam's and not only is it a stone's throw, it is some of the most authentic; it is especially great when you live so close to the owners and support staff.
My lady-friend and I were in a play at the Gas Light Theater when we first started dating; we had the opportunity to try just about everything in Luling. Closing night of the performance fell on a Saturday, and we arranged for family and friends to see the last performance after doing the BBQ tour. I suggest if you do "Luling BBQ," frame it not unlike a wine tour of [your favorite appellation]. Start early, end late, and try a little bit of everything at each location...just don't buy the t-shirt.
Louisiana BBQ Shrimp?
Pappadeaux has a Bar-B-Que shrimp dish, off the menu. It is sided with galric toast and white rice, though I have been told substitutions are welcome.
[AUS] Chicken-fried Steak in Austin
Communicating interpretation of any kind is difficult, if not impossible, Knoblauch. And if you consider that most if not everyone here has limited or no experience in food production, most of the reviews you read leave off or totally ignore the finer points that make a dish truly outstanding or (on the flip side) truly disappointing.
For instance, a recent restaurant review described table service as "iffy," only to briefly elaborate that the restaurant was new and certain elements of service could be forgiven if reconciled once the waitstaff matured.
My motivation to post on this thread was more about a [different] place to find a good CFS. I mentioned Shoreline's lunch CFS because not only was it NOT mentioned in prior posts, but because I had tried every other CFS and all of them paled in comparison. This said, I'll thrown caution to the wind and offer a description and why I think it is one of the best, if not the best CFS in town.
For starters, Shoreline's CFS is a variation on a theme. Though it honors all the CFS standards, the chef developed this dish to standout as a CFS experience, as opposed to some old CFS stand-by. I mentioned the President because the dish is so good, not only has it developed an institutional memory all its own, it has a cult-like following. (I've even known the smallest of Southern Belles to order it during a power lunch, never-minding the chance of getting grease on their power suit.)
As far as descriptors, a caveat: Any good CFS has to have things.
Steak quality and correct process (in taking an ordinarily forgettable cut of meat and making it savory, tender and relatively easy to enjoy.
Breading.
a Flash fryer (and the corresponding process) , and the proper oil (minus trans fats) that will not smoke at the highest of temperatures. Flash frying at the highest temperature is essential for CFS (and here I would venture to stay that it is even more important than any other process, because the wrong temperature for the wrong time will produce a tougher steak with far less pop, leaving the CFS tough and flaccid.)
Good gravy.
Shoreline uses the highest quality skirt steak. They pulverize the cut thin, eliminating the stringy texture that is common in CFS. They marinate the cut in cream and egg, overnight, or at room temperature hours before the lunch crowd arrives.
The breading is standard, though they add additional spices and sea salt to the mix.
Their CFS is flash fried so that it is crisp enough to withstand an ocean torrent of gravy and additions to the point that the CFS stays crisp over the course of the meal.
The gravy is not unlike Hoover's, though it has a thicker consistency. The difference is, Shoreline finishes and garnishes the CFS and gravy with an ancho-chipotle inlay and flashed fried onion-strings. The dish is sided with your choice of garlic mashers or skin-on, homemade french fries. The plate presentation is excellent--piled high and clean like good architecture--though it will not remind you of "sittin' down to supper with Ma and Paw."
On top of this, the portion is huge; and dining in that environment overlooking town lake, all for $12 is simply a great experience.
Does this help?
good place for a soccer team social?
Freddie's Place.
After all, nothing beats a game of washers between soccer mates after a decent meal on the patio with Spring in full bloom.
[AUS] Chicken-fried Steak in Austin
The Best CFS is Austin, Texas is at Shoreline Grill, off their lunch menu, hands down.
Regardless of partisan considerations, if the President of the United States has the secret service close portions of Caesar Chavez coupled with SWAT snipers floating town lake as security measures so he can eat CFS, you know it has to be good.
Restaurant Suggestions Away from Downtown
Drive out to Lakeway and hit Hudson's on the Bend. Call ahead and tell Jeff you're coming with out-of-town guests, in tow. Tell him you really want to impress. Bring him something nice for his efforts.
If you really want a unique experience--off the beaten path--try European Bistro in Pflugerville. It is a horrible location for what it is, but it is some of the most authentic old-world European cuisine in Texas. (www.european-bistro.com) It is located in a 104 year old building, right in the middle of Pflugerhell. Beautiful restoration.The Owner's name is Anne. She is exceptionally friendly, and no doubt you'll find this older German guy on the piano. For whatever reason, this place reminds me of a mix between a great european bistro mixed with the set of "Waiting for Guffman." They have some exciting and funky wine selections, too.
For Italian, though it is not in its own free-standing building, and some of the decor is a bit hokey, check out Andiamo Ristorante.
No doubt, Fonda San Miguel will not experience the downtown traffic volume in Allendale. FSM is always a winner.
Visiting Austin..downtown suggestions..& beyond
As a caveat, the following are mere suggestions and do not represent favorites. I think Soco is great, but it is often over-priced, under-served, and over-populated-- Vespaio and Enoteca being the only two exceptions that first come to mind.
If you're here on a Sunday, I highly suggest you check out the Gospel Brunch at Stubb's. This said, YOU MUST make reservations and call ahead to ensure that SXSW festivities are not changing their regular Sunday schedule.
Most everyone in Austin and abroad forgets about Shoreline Grill. Shoreline was founded over 20 years ago by Jeffrey Weinberger--the namesake of the heralded "Jeffrey's". Definitely sit on the patio, center-left. If you go, order the Cravado app, the spinach salad, and the Tenderloin (MR) with the ancho cajeta demi. Ask for Jason Teis as your server, and have Jason get John Michael or Jan to the table. John Michael manages and serves there and has done so for over 18 years. He knows every good meal in Greater Austin--especially mexican and tex-mex, generally, and downtown,specifically, as he is one of the rare few that has seen it blossom. He can even tell you who to ask for and special "off-the-menu" items that Austin reidents do not even know about.
Try Cisco's in East Austin for Saturday morning breakfast. You'll need a cab. Cisco's is a must-see dive that has served the who's who of the Texas political scene for decades. The walls are adorned with the greatest bipartisan effort since the inception of the Dixiecrat--hundreds of autographed photos from Presidents to musicians. You must get the biscuits and gravy and the Wolf omelet. They also have decent, bottomless drip coffee.
[as mentioned] Casino is definitely one of the best burgers.... great jukebox too... as long as you can wait out the 30 minute ticket time and have no problems mingling with some of the hottest goth/emo/rockabilly folk in the US. (Just FYI) I usually order my burgers below temp at Casino--the beef is that quality.
You cannot walk ten feet in Austin without spilling a good cup of coffee. On the other side of the same coin, check out Tea Embassy on 9th and Rio Grande. It might be a bit of a trek, but the proprietors' knowledge and their loose tea selection is a great experience. They'll literally spend hours allowing you to taste various teas that they'll brew right in front of you, gratis. The building they're located in also has a story and a song.
I will get a lot of crapola for this, but The Flagship Whole Foods sit-n-go food modules are great, especially the sandwich shop. "The Longhorn" roast beef sandwich, grilled, on foccacia bread, with the chipotle spread (ask them to throw on some provolone) and grilled peppers and red onion with a side of salt and vinegar chips with bottled water is great...especially if you finish with some panna cotta gelato. I was stuck on this lunch rut for about three weeks last year and I still salivate after alluding to it. You can also find some decent pastries and an excellent cheese selection coupled with a bottle of wine for late evening. It is not unlike me and mine to get some cheese, a couple of plastic cups and a nice bottle of wine and hang out over-looking town lake as the sun sets. It is illegal, but what the fuzz doesn't know, heightens my short time here on Earth.
If you're looking for something in particular, post it here and I will tell you where to find it here in Austin.
Towards something close to nothing but different than the day before,
Stagira's Ghost
