adewaal's Profile
Dining for Austin Outsiders
As someone who has lived in both CT and Austin, I think you have a pretty good list. I took some CT friends to Salt Lick a few years ago and they STILL talk about it. It is not the best BBQ in Texas, but yankees love the Texas vibe and the BYOB policy. I would also consider:
Angie's (better than Las Manitas in my opnion)
A visit to Whole Foods (the one is Greenwich is about 1/10 the size)
Something in East Austin like Hoover's or Tony's for some real southern cooking
Lambert's - Fried Pie Heaven
Ate at Lambert's for the first time last night. Arrived about 7:30 and the hostess seemed surprised that we did not have reservations. Maybe I am naive, but I did not expect to need reservations on a Tuesday night. The hostess predicted we may be able to have a table as early as 8:30, but it could be closer to 9:30. I was not sure I wanted to wait 2 hours for dinner and went upstairs to have a drink while I decided our next step. Upstairs, a fun quarter was playing which was very enjoyable.
About 8:10 my husband went downstairs to see if there were any "no shows" on 8:00 reservations. He casually mentioned it was my birthday and the hostess immediately said "you should have told me that before. I will figure a way to work you in". Much to my delight, we had a table within 5 minutes.
Started the meal with their bread plate (which is all purchased from Whole Foods) and ordered the spicy deviled eggs and crispy battered shrimp. The deviled eggs had a nice texture, but there was nothing spicy about them. The caviar on top gave a nice little bit of saltiness, but nothing special. I think I make better deviled eggs. The shrimp had a nice crunchy cornmeal batter and some honey-lime flavoring. The honey-lime dipping sauce was a little much and we both preferred the shrimp without it. The shrimp were pretty tasty, but not something I would crave or necessarily order again.
I had read positive feedback on the beet and goat cheese salad, but it was not on the menu. Additionally, the menu posted on the internet includes a cornbread and chorizo stuffed quail but that was also not listed. I had planned on ordering both of these things and was slighly disappointed.
For the entrees, I ordered the wild boar rib appetizer, mac and cheese, and cauliflower au gratin. Hubby got the porterhouse steak that is served with waldorf slaw and enchiladas (yes, enchiladas). I enjoyed the hoisin-type sauce served with the boar, but the ribs were charred. Too overdone for my tastes. The cauliflower gratin was decadent, but too light on the cauliflower and heavy on the " au gratin". I like vegetables and wanted more actual cauliflower. The mac and cheese came with a skin of broiled cheddar on top which was nicely browned and tasty. The mac was very creamy, but a little too heavy on the goat cheese flavor (and I love goat cheese). A couple of spoonfulls of each side dish was all I could take. I love the idea of them being rich and creamy, but it needs to be dialed down a notch.
Hubby liked the enchiladas, but thought the steak was below average. Much to his dismay, one part of the steak was covered by the enchilada (and thus swimming in enchilada sauce) and the other part was covered by the slaw and tasted of the dressing. He was really dispappointed.
But then came dessert....
We ordered the pear fried pie and switched out vanilla bean ice cream for the Dutch chocolate (I almost never make substitutions, but hey it was my b-day). It was amazing. The crust was flaky, buttery, and perfect. The filling was well spiced and not too sweet. Honestly, it makes my list of Top10 restaurant desserts of all time. I would go back for this alone.
Service was pleasant. The waitress packed up the bones for our dog and informed us they sell their prime rib bones for $5 for Fido. We will most likely go back to Lamberts for lunch or to eat in the upstairs bar, but not for dinner in the dining room. The bar menu boasts a frito pie that sounds very tasty and the pulled pork Cuban sandwich also intrigues me. I think the kitchen may better excel at these type items. And you know whatever meal I have in the future will be followed by a fried pie!
Pappadeaux?
Most of the Pappas restaurants are fine, but not outstanding. Pappasito's serves pretty good fajitas, but with so many Mexcian food options in Houston they would never be my first choice. That being said, Pappas Brothers Steakhouse has a very good reputation. I have not been there myself, but it is consistently written up for having quality beef and a very nice wine selection.
AOC Bedford affiliated with CA?
Does anyone know if AOC Bedford has any relation to the AOC restaurant in LA?
A menu for little girls
- You could rim the stemmed glasses in colored (pastel) sugar. Very festive.
- Also, my mom used to cut my sandwiches with cookie cutters and use two different types bread. Imagine an adorable heart and star shaped sandwiches with the top half out of white bread and the bottom out of wheat bread.
- I have a friend who did a pink puddle theme party for her little girl. Very cute. Another did a ballet theme and gave all the little girls in attendance tulle skirts to wear (easy to make and cheap at a fabric store)
Fish City Grill in The Triangle
I have been to Fish City Grill several times because they have a program which donates a portion of sales to various charities and I wnated to support those efforts. Food is okay- not great, but slightly better than most other chains. The cream of jalenpeno soup is nice on a cold day and the cocunut shrimp salad is decent. I think Mandolas's and Flipnotics are better, but this may be a viable option for you.
Village dinner w/Dallas guests
Be aware that Dallas just got a Sprinkles cupcakes so they have access to a "name brand" cupcake place. However, I have never had a Mangnolia cupcake so they may be a whole different ballgame. (And, I guess you can never have too many cucpakes.) They may appreciate other NYC baked goods like a good bagel, a black and white cookie, or a cannoli.
Village dinner w/Dallas guests
Dallas has some very good restaurants and some NYC replicas (including outposts of Craft, Nobu, and Sushi Samba) so I would focus on giving them an experience that they simply can't get in Big D. For one, the very best Italian food in Dallas can't hold a candle to what you get in New York. Additionally, NYC has better options for "ethnic" food that are not widely available in Dallas (for example, Dallas does not have a decent Cuban or Malaysian restaurant.) Plus, the quality of seafood and various Asian cuisines is superior where you live. I would avoid steak, Mexican (obviously), and New American. They get plenty of that!
Chicken and waffles?
Seeing as how I love the saltly/sweet combo, I have always wanted to try chicken and waffles. Does anyone know of a to ge them here?
Should I still consider jello "salads" and such, salad?
As a Southern girl where we still call these items salads, I vote keep them under the "salad" label. I assume part of your goal in doing a family cookbook is to preserve your family's culture. Thus, I think keeping the recipes under the salad heading paints a nice picture of the cultural norms of your grandma's generation. If you change the category, future generations will not be able to laugh about the crazy notion that a recips for jello and marshmellows can sit next to the recipe for a nice ceasar.
Best airport for a layover? (Food-wise) [moved from Ontario board]
Although there are not many connecting flights out of the Austin airport, there are only local food places available (no chains allowed). If you ever visit Austin, and really everyone should, grab a Salt Lick BBQ sandwich and Amy's ice cream to eat on the planeride home. SO much better than the little bag of nuts.
And, the place with the great Cuban sandwich in the Miami airport is Versailles. I have to fly through there is June and I am already excited about getting one.
austin soul food
That is too funny! Thanks for letting us know about Reggies.
From and Austin girl who proudly wears heels everyday...a dying breed, no doubt!
Cooking with kids
Whem my husband was about 8, his mom bought him a cookbook for children. The recipes are basic, but items they can do with little assistance (a nice complement to the more advanced things y'all can do together). Now, at 31, he still has the little cookbook. It sits proudly on the shelf next to our Joy of Cooking and Le Gastronomique. And, I adore my MiL for creating a wonderful man who is an excellent cook!
[DFW] Best Prime Rib in N. Dallas/Plano area?
Have you considered Bob's? My favorite place for steak and I there is one in Plano (although I have only been to the Lemmon location). The Lemmon location is very...manly. Not too loud, lots of oak, big comfy chairs, and of course, the big carrot.
Recipes with Tomato Soup as an ingredient?
I seond the tomoato soup cake. Here is a link to the recipe
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Tomato-Soup-Cake-I/Detail.aspx
Egg on top - new trend?
A fried egg on top of stacked enchiladas is pretty common in the Southwest. Pretty good, actually.
Angie's Breakfast?
When we woke up, my friend was intent on El Chilito breakfast tacos and (being the good hostess) I agreed. However, hubby and I plan to go this weekend. I will report back!
Texas road trip (Austin-SA-Galveston), where to eat?
MPH,
You illustrate my point exactly. If you do a search on theses boards about Salt Lick you find a lot of negative comments. However, the place is always crowded and I actually like it. Sometimes, I think there is a threshold of popularity a place can withstand before detractors become vocal. But, who am I to say? I just hope everyone finds their own idea of the perfect BBQ place!
Kitchen Door
On my quest for an amazing cupcake, I tried the Kitchen Door. Very tasty...moist cake, but not too crumbley, good icing. So far, they are my favorite (with Sweetish Hill in 2nd and Texas French Bread in dead last).
However, what I really love about the Kitchen Door is the Meatloaf Sandwich. First, it is huge. One sandwich will easily feed two people. Second, the meat was flavored well and had the right texture. They grilled it right in front of me which made for a nice warm meal, but wilted the lettuce (I would leave it off next time). I recommend it to anyone looking for a little comfort food.
I do love a good sandwich...any others I need to eat? Has anyone had a good Cuban?
Bakeries in Dallas
For Brownies...Bakery by Geoge in Garland. They are rich and gooey and wonderful
For cake...Casa Linda Bakery. They use buttercream and not crisco-based icing.
Cookies...I love Tiff's Treats...warm. What can I say?
Bored with breakfast at home.
I eat the exactly the same thing, but sometime put grape jelly on it instead of cheese!
I've Got that Food Homesick Feeling... [moved from General Chowhounding]
Queen B-
It is so hard to move into another part oft he counrty with a different food culture. Maybe I can help...
1. Pizza- This one is hard, but there are soem good nonchains. CoalVines, Brothers, and Broadway Pizza are all good.
2. Cheese Fries- Snuffer's makes a mean cheese fry. Prbably not what you are used to, but it may help ease the homesickness a little.
3 -10 . Sorry, but I am at a loss here, but now I am curious about funny cake.
11. Pierogies- you may want to try Franki's Lil Europe or For You European Cafe in Plano (run by Polish immigrants).
12. The local dairy in the area is Braum's. For sweet tea, consider chic-fil-a or your local BBQ place.
Good luck!
Dips?
I like to serve an Asiago Cheese Dip that I got from Cooking Light. You can find the recipe on their website. www.cookinglight.com
Texas road trip (Austin-SA-Galveston), where to eat?
Have fun and please report back after your trip!
austin soul food
This is what I would eat if I were visiting Austin from out of town:
Hoover's beats Threagills any day of the week. Good chicken fried steak and peach cobbler.
Sam's BBQ on East 12th (I think) for some serious hole-in-the-wall BBQ. Open really late (I went there at 2 am once).
Angie's on East 7th has great carnitas
El Chile on Manor is great interior Mexican. they also own the taco joint a few doors down called El Chilito...their migas tacos are wonderful.
Don Luis (Parmer and Mopac) for barbacoa
Uchi for fancy-schmancy sushi
Kerbey Lane for pancakes
Texas road trip (Austin-SA-Galveston), where to eat?
I have lived in SA and Austin, so I may help in those areas. In response to your suggestions:
In Austin
Broken Spoke- skip the food and go for a beer at night. It is truly an old-school Country bar. It will reinforce a lot of Texas stereotypes, but fun for the kitsch.
Salt Lick- BYOB..I like it although it is now in vogue to hate Salt Lick. A good option if you can't get to Lockhart
Threadgill's- Pass and go to Hoovers on Manor for CFS.
El Chile on Manor for interior Mexican
Angie's on East 7th for carnitas or machacado (only open for bfast and lunch)
Texas Chili Parlor for well, chili.
In SA
Mi Terra Cafe- Open 24 hours, great breakfasts. I like to eat dinner at the adjacent La Margarita (get the queso flameado) and go to Mi Tierra for desserts from the panaderia.
Casual but tasty b-day dinner
A drink would be nice, but is not mandatory. I imagine I'll pass on dessert unless there is something special offered. And sitting outside is always a plus!
Basically, I just know I will be spending a lot of time, energy, and money on fine dining in NYC that I want something easy and good.
Casual but tasty b-day dinner
Thanks! It sounds like Din Ho may be a good option in terms of balancing good food and a lively environment. I haven't been to Fonda San Migual since college (yikes) so maybe it is time for a repeat visit.
In NYC, we plan on eating at Blue Ribbon Sushi and Otto so I am covered on the sushi and Italian thing. I have never been to Maru, but will place it on my list of places to visit.
