shlomoaren's Profile
Best BBQ between here and Killeen?
Davis Grocery and BBQ is very good. Ribs are tender, sweet, and smoky. Lots of meat on them too (full spare rib cut). Brisket is moist, flavorful, with thick fat layer. Sausage was well seasoned. Pork steak is a nice change-up for those who haven't had and want to try something new.
Only complaint is the BBQ sauce is too sweet for my liking. So, if you judge on sauce or require it for your Q, you might be disappointed.
Someone tell me about the 2005 Sea Smoke Ten Pinot Noir
How do the SeaSmoke wines compare to Rochioli? I know that requires a complete generalization/blanket statement. Are they more fruitforward, more masculine, more extracted, less balanced? Which is better in your personal taste opinion? Thanks!
Carpaccio in and around Austin
I think Fleming's is the best. Your bar has been set high! However, try Justine's Brasserie. They do a very nice steak tartare too.
Annual Trip (at the holidays) please vet my list!
You said no French but sounds like you just didn't want stuffy. For casual, bistro French (and not expensive, at least less than Vespaio and Uchi by a margin) try Justine's Brasserie on the far East side. Great music spinning, neat bar, very authentic decor (check out the room numbers and bathroom signs) and good food. From your descriptions of places, I think this place will best hit your mark.
Little Thailand owner/legendary good guy passes on
Came up with a pickled asparagus recipe in his honor. And they're pretty good! Thanks Dick! We will miss you.
First time at Daniel - a few questions
Thanks for the lengthy review. "Exercise"- thank you as well. From both, I think we'll have a good idea of what to ask for and what to be leery of/avoid.
First time at Daniel - a few questions
Not to burden you but am considering Daniel when visiting in the next month. Will you please follow-up (don't need any kind of extensive review) with your thoughts after Saturday's meal? We'll be a similarly aged group (it sounds like) of 4. Thanks in advance!!
Best Pizza in Austin?
Uno 360 has a great Prosciutto e Uovo (ham&egg roughly) pizza. Not probably the typical answer to your question but it is a fantastic tasting pie.
Any places that serve good offal?
My reaction has been so-so to the sweetbreads I've had in town (haven't had them at Wink but Cibo and Chez Nous). Anyone tried them at Olivia? Anywhere else? I'm looking for finger, lickin' good ones! Thanks.
Austin wine bars?
I agree that Wink Wine Bar (not the restaurant) is the best of the limited ones we can choose from. That's if you're into diverse and interesting wines and more of a wine fanatic. I think their selection is best (not quantity-wise but interest-wise). I'll make the caveat though that one of the bartenders/owners can be really nice one minute and then pretty unfriendly the next. It really affected their service for me. The other bartender has always been really, really cool.
Price "Gouging" (moved from Austin)
So, I went back and got the salad. Findings:
1) It's small- maybe a little bigger than the other sides. But given it's a salad, I'd say it's more like comparable in terms of filling you up.
2) All things considered, it might be a little more expensive on the cost/effort side, but that's probably stretching it. It's a wedge salad, the presentation wasn't fancy, the other sides require more intricate prep/cooking, the COGS are probably equivalent, I really don't know on storage, etc. Again, it is most likely a wash.
3) Dressing was tasty.
Appreciating posters who "side with the restaurant" in this discussion, never did I deny the restaurant has a right to set their pricing policy. They absolutely do. That was not the contention. The question was do restaurants who employ pricing policies that are "predatory" deserve to be called out? And my tacit point/answer was "yes." This was not an issue of asking for a $0.50 credit for walnuts. It was not an unreasonable request or complaint based on "cheapness" or the like. It was motivated by data and a pricing policy that seemed to be something other than transparent (i.e. one where at this restaurant you pay almost 20% more total for your meal to replace a nice side with a small wedge side salad where in other similar restaurants the option is offered for no additional charge).
And this last point is the kicker... other restaurants do not charge extra for providing a similar substitution.
As a diner, I have a choice to order what I like/want and ignore aspects of the menu (including price) that I do not. I also have the option to not go back, to publicize to others why I am not going back, and to offer them my experience and opinions to help potentially avoid a dining experience that they would be bothered by or find unpleasant.
In this case, I don't find it necessary to "black list" the restaurant by any means. It's a good place with good food. However, I consider this pricing practice at best (from the restaurant's perspective) odd, and I feel not only comfortable but obligated to share with fellow diners and friends considering it, that the restaurant seems to be employing some rather "creative" pricing that hurts their image and puts them in a lower tier compared to other establishments. Bottom line: if they're pricing whimsically to get every last penny from their customers, they really don't need to be employing such pettiness; if they're charging according to their cost structure, they're running a good business.
Price "Gouging" (moved from Austin)
Maybe you missed my question (maybe not). To phrase another way: why does 1 salad = 2 sides? Why not 1 salad = 1 side? Just because the restaurant "says so." I'm not sure that's a legitimate answer. I have a hard time believing that a small amount of lettuce is twice as explensive as a small amount of cole slaw, mac 'n cheese, collards, etc.
Price "Gouging" (moved from Austin)
Just a little survey to see whether people think this is price "gouging" or whether there are legitimate reasons for doing such. And, how prevalent.
I have been to a restaurant downtown that allows you to pick 2 sides OR salad with your lunch. However, if you want 1 side AND salad you have to pay extra. Given that the latter seems to be a very popular choice, it seems like the restaurant is really aiming to get a couple extra dollars for each meal but doesn't want to price it that way. I can't understand or believe that the salad is more costly than a 2nd side, so to me, this practice seems a somewhat disguised manner of increasing the cost to us as consumers.
Thoughts?
Thanks!
Uchi
The Hamachi cure is a staple and always good. And the *relatively* new foie gras and bone marrow additions seem to be the local trend and are also good.
Uchi latey?
Was there 1 month back. Tried some of the new dishes and was less than overwhelmed (e.g. foie gras and the cooked whole fish). I'd stick to the hamachi cure, which is always good, the black cod similarly, the shag roll, the fried brie, hot rocks, etc. Fish was still fresh/outstanding quality but the preparation/sauces weren't as tasty as previous occasions. Could have just been slightly off for us, though, as opposed to any indicator that quality/taste is slipping.
SF hound seeks Austin Advice
I agree. And the nice thing about III Forks is the vegetables are included in the price of your steak, so you can try as many of them as you'd like without any impact on price.
Best Restaurants in Downtown Austin
Restaurant Jezebel on Congress and 9th approximately fits your definition to a t.
Favorite Ice cream, Sno Cone, or Gelato??
Pacuigo has a great display of gelato product. And, the gelato itself is quite nice (not the best I've ever had but made up for with the range of flavors and beautiful showcase). Great place to really reward/treat the kids.
