tipsytexan's Profile
Which restaurants do you consider 'healthy'?
Have you been to Snack Bar yet on S. Congress? Chef is trained in macrobiotic arts and they have a lot of things on the menu to accommodate veggie/vegan/gluten-free and other special diets. Everything I've had there has been on the light side, though they are not afraid to throw some bacon on a sandwich if you ask. Great coffee.
VIvo #2 Cedar Park
I can confirm that the place is 18+. They really don't have much of a choice with as many breasteses as there are on those walls. One of the ideas that they discussed was that for the first few months while the neighborhood acclimates, they will be giving vouchers to people who come in with kids so that they can come back and enjoy a nice meal when they've hired a babysitter.
I think they did a great job with the space. It is a lot larger than Vivo #1, with several semi-private dining rooms for groups and parties. As I mentioned, the decor is over the top, especially for that part of town. There is a very loungey/nightclubby feel to the front half of the restaurant, so I think they will do a lot of bar business. I was there for an opening party so cannot vouch for the food, but it has been my experience at Vivo #1 that the food is pretty consistently good.
I know that Vivo #1 was never very kid friendly (no high chairs, crayons, or kids menus), but I think it is an especially bold move to make Vivo #2 a strictly adult restaurant. For those of us who prefer to dine in the absence of kids screaming it is a welcome relief. It will be interesting to see how that part of town supports such a place.
Big day for Austin Beer Hounds
Uncle Billy's is having their anniversary party today. If you can get past the idea of it being an Austin Java concern, they have some good beer. Brewer Brian Peters has worked at some of Austin's most reputable beer houses, incl. Bitter End (RIP) and Live Oak. They also feature taps from other local breweries like Real Ale and LIve Oak.
An Austin Beer Thread
By my assessment Real Ale makes the best beer in Texas, with Live Oak and probably St. Arnold tied for a close second. In the recent issue of Imbibe magazine they did a national survey of great beers by region. Real Ale's Full Moon Pale Rye was one of only three beers from the southern US that they listed, and the only one from Texas. Live Oak was mentioned as "under the radar" since they don't bottle their beer and are therefore known primarily just in Austin. Real Ale's basic four lineup of bottled beers are all great. I prefer the flavor of the Full Moon but their biggest commercial success has been with the Fireman's #4, which is a great gateway beer for people who are just getting into real (small r) beer. The limited run beers from Real Ale are often outstanding. The Coffee Porter is the best I've had of that style. Their Sisyphus barleywine is also excellent in its category and ages well. In January I had the pleasure of experiencing a vertical tasting of several Sisyphus bottlings dating back to 2002 and it was amazing to see how the beer developed. I have several bottles of the 2007 waiting patiently in the fridge.
Last Thursday I attended a tasting of Independence beers in a food pairing at Blue Star Cafeteria. The beers for the most part were quite drinkable though they lack the full body of Real Ale or Live Oak. Blue Star is supposedly going to be doing these tastings on the last Thursday of every month, next month is Real Ale. For $15, you taste five beers paired with generously portioned small plates.
As for the pubs I generally find myself at the Ginger Man. Tonight I drank two beers from St. Arnold that are worth mentioning. The cask-pulled Elissa had that great texture that seems to only come from the cask beers. They are also still pouring the Divine Reserve #6, which came out only a couple weeks ago but is already sold out in stores. The draft version of this barleywine was quite enjoyable, and tasted more rounded and less hop-forward than the bottled version I tasted last week. I highly recommend tasting this beer before it sells out; and if you can get a bottle or two, hide it in the back of the fridge for a couple of years!
I would also like to mention Ty Phelps at North by Northwest, who specializes in an unusual style of Sour Ales. I have tried several of his lambics and a Flemish Sour Ale that were delicious and interesting, as a beer that tastes somehow like pickles would. I haven't seen that style being brewed anywhere else in town, but would like to know if anyone else has seen it.
Steaks in Restaurants - USDA Prime or CAB
Rudeboy have you called Lone Star Foodservice? They are the local CAB source. I used to get meat from them, I think they will sell to the public, or at least suggest some places to order it.
Lone Star Foodservice Ltd.
1403 East 6th Street
Austin, Texas
512-476-6738
Time-Warp: Rat Pack Food?
Rudeboy this is a great description, both of what we need and the next best thing that we have. I thought about mentioning the Cloak Room, but got called a violent obscenity by the bar maid the last time I was there, so have been avoiding it since...
NY Deli in Austin
I second both of these conclusions. I gave a more elaborate review of Austin's "NY deli's" in the Reuben thread.
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/392943
I keep hoping that as the city grows we will get something more like Kenny and Ziggy's. We don't have delis, we have deli "concepts."
The state of coffee in Austin
Here is my snapshot of the coffee scene in Austin, from a person who works in the industry (disclosure--I do not work for either of the people I am about to give big props to, I just respect what they do):
Medici and JP's are clearly, in my opinion, at the top of the pile as far as serving superior beans AND having the technicians with the know-how to work the beans. This latter part is a rare commodity in Austin, and I feel like the baristi with a passion for coffee are attracted to these places. Several of the employees at these establishments have placed in the regional barista competitions. If I recall correctly, nobody from any of the other shops in town even competed last year. I prefer the coffees at JP's Java, which are roasted by Zoka Coffee in Seattle. JP's also has the distinction of owning the first (maybe still the only) Clover machines in Texas. Medici serves Cuvee Coffee, which is good, though I do not like their espresso blend, even if the staff at Medici pulls the best technical shot in town. This is all a matter of personal taste, however, and I think they have been rightfully recognized for their efforts.
Mozart's has a fabulous patio but their service sucks. They roast, and I think burn, their own coffee. But the view is great if you want to read a book all afternoon.
Anderson's is the old stand-by in Austin and has a loyal following. As I understand it, Jamie Anderson learned the trade from Alfred Peet, a founder of the west coast dark roast style. Therefore, this is a popular style at Anderson's. (I prefer a lighter roast)
Emerald City Press is an exciting new drive-thru/walk-up place that focuses on local, organic, natural, and Fair Trade Certified products. They do not yet have the passion for craft coffee technique that you find at JP's and Medici, but nonetheless serve a great cup of coffee (roasted by Katz Coffee) in a biodegradable cup. I think this place has a lot of promise.
Halcyon also serves Katz Coffee and depending on the barista behind the counter you can get a great shot of espresso, or not. They have a full bar, which makes it a downtown destination in my book.
Jo's Hot Coffee, Thunderbird Coffee, Clementine Coffee, and of course Little City all serve Little City coffee. This is drum roasted in South Austin and I like some of their brews. Jo's uses one house blend for both their drip coffee and their espresso, which is not an approach that I love. However I have heard that they are tweaking their blend, so perhaps this will change.
I do not like Austin Java coffee, even though they are one of the most recognizable brands in Austin. I like their roaster Travis and what he does (he came from Little City I believe), but I do not think the shops are focused on coffee--they are more of a restaurant company. For decent coffee shop grub and atmosphere, they are alright, but they are not a serious contender in coffee (despite having just won Best Coffee in the Chronicle Restaurant Poll--keep in mind that SBUX won for years prior).
To summarize, the coffee scene in Austin is immature, but improving. There are a handful of places that are starting to catch up with the exciting things that are happening on the West Coast and in Japan. They are reading the trade magazines, going to the competitions. Meanwhile, most places in Austin are more focused on atmosphere and attitude than on substance--complacent at best. (I would say this defines most of the older shops in town). The competition is increasing every day with new shops opening and new roasters starting up all the time. Some of the newer roasters are good (Cuvee is really raising the bar in Austin, and so is Katz) and some are so-so (I think Summermoon coffee is a little underdeveloped, even though the concept is interesting; Republica is basically schwag). On the whole, however, the scene is improving, and the increased competition means that the end user ultimately gets a better product.
Time-Warp: Rat Pack Food?
First of all I feel the same longing for the type of vintage dining that you seek. Unfortunately most of those places have been phased out, as my father and I were discussing last night at none other than...
the Hoffbrau, where I eat with my father, who ate there with his father. If you have not tried it you should give it one shot, especially if you're looking for something crude and manly. It has absolutely nothing to do with the Rat Pack vibe you're looking for, but it is unique. Just don't go in with any preconceived notions of what a steak house is like, or you'll be disappointed. Thin steaks cooked on a flat grill, swimming in "butter sauce". Giant fried potatoes. Cold cold beer. Certainly no martinis. Delicious in its own way, ie, not when compared to Peter Luger, or even to Ruth's Chris.
Speaking of Ruth's, I think for masculine lounging their bar gives a good effort. Dark colors, comfortable leather chairs. I used to go often for happy hour--$5 martinis and half price appys in a room that looked as much like a private club as anywhere that I can get in the door.
As for martinis and Rat Pack flavor...
I must discuss the Belmont, because it inevitably comes up. I have to say that they did an impeccable job with the decor and atmosphere. But please don't look for anything more than that there. I have been three times, which is twice too many, because the service was so bad. I went once voluntarily, and was dragged along on celebratory occasions two other times, most recently two weeks ago. We were scolded by the waitress because "the kitchen is about to close", even though we sat for 20 minutes without being greeted. When she forgot my salad, she said the kitchen was shut down so she couldn't get it (She did not write down the order for a party of 9 and forgot several things, including the birthday boy's beer).
More important than the bad service on this night is that they are WAY off on the cocktails. Here is a direct quote from their table tent, which I took a picture of because it made me laugh: "Grey Goose Classic Martini Cocktail--Grey Goose vodka combined with a whisper of vermouth creates this iconic cocktail." First of all a classic martini is not made with vodka, nor is it made with a "whisper" of vermouth. That is a Cold War-era concoction for people who want a glass of iced vodka (in my opinion, bores and alcoholics). The classic martini is made with 3 to 5 parts gin to one part vermouth. The CLASSIC classic throws in a dash of orange bitters. As cocktail historian Robert Hess writes, "A well-balanced cocktail should be able to cloak its ingredients in a slight mystery." The iced vodka that passes for a "martini" in most places therefore does not make the grade.
More objectively, the Mai Tai on their menu includes amaretto, orange juice, and pineapple juice. A look at any reputable cocktail manual will reveal that none of these ingredients belong in the drink. It should have orgeat syrup, triple sec, and lime juice, which makes a drink very different from the fruit punch on the Belmont menu. By definition, their Mai Tai is not a Mai Tai. If you want a great retro-Vegas decor and nice patio, this is the place. If you want Rat Pack classics, these people have their head in the sand, not in The Sands.
If you want to hang out with grandpas and smoke cigars in a masculine atmosphere, maybe what you want is a private venue such as the Austin Club... . Or perhaps you need to design a Man Cave of your own. Doug over at the Pegu Blog has been doing an excellent series on home bar design.
http://www.killingtime.com/Pegu/?cat=47
Chile con Queso in Austin
I second the Torchy's queso. It has great garnishes--guac, pico, queso fresco, and their "diablo" sauce. It does not have that plasticy/elastic quality that many quesos have, though as I recall the chef told me it is velveeta based. I also give Torchy's props for their chips, which are thin and crispy and fried in-house (or trailer, whatever). not granular and cold like you get at a lot of places.
I have ended up at Matt's El Rancho on many evenings because it is near my house, open late, and I often haven't figured out that it's time to eat until almost ten. While I agree that it is over-rated and generally over-populated, there are a few things that I like in a late-evening pinch. First, I prefer to sit at the bar where there are not so many people. The "Bob" dip is a reliably good queso, and I also like their nachos. Both of these appys are good because of the chips, which are the big, half-of-a-corn-tortilla kind. They are thick and crispy and usually hot, some of my favorite in town. They are substantial and don't break off in a hearty dip like the Bob. (The same can not, unfortunately, be said for Torchy's chips, which are notoriously fragile) Matt's chips are the type that I wish I could cut and paste with the better elements of other restaurants to cobble together a perfect Tex-Mex fantasy.
Bottomless Mimosas in Austin?
Okay this may sound like a stretch, but what I like to do for a fun economical Sunday brunch (besides host it at my house, at which point it rarely remains economical) is take a carafe of fresh squeezed OJ (tangerine or grapefruit are both locally in season at the Sunset Valley Farmer's Market), and a bottle or two of sparkling wine and some sturdy stemware, and head over to Torchy's Tacos on S. 1st. They have great hangover food (fajitas and queso!) and a nice patio when the weather is accommodating. I have brought as many as 10 people there and we have made our own party. Cheap (compared not to other taco carts but, say, to...Fonda), and tasty, and fun if you are the creative sort. The only BYOB brunch I can think of!
One Last reservation needed...Mexican
For Tex-Mex with energetic atmosphere I think Vivo is a good choice. I like the enchilada/puffy taco combo. The higher prices and lack of high chairs keeps out the people with kids so it is a good adult-oriented environment at dinner time. Order the Paula's margarita as opposed to the House, as the former is made with fresh lime and the latter is not. I think they have great salsa, even though their chips are the "grainy" kind that I don't like.
I think Maria's and Las Manitas are way overrated and I can't believe people put up such a fight to "save" them.
Good place near Austin Music Hall
If you want to spend some $ you could go to Starlite. I like their food and they also have one of the only legit (creative, original) cocktail menus in town
Highly Rated Central Texas Wine/Beverage
I think Paula's Texas Orange is a no-brainer in this category. It has a bright orange flavor and is a perfect for mixing. It can do anything Cointreau can do, and has the benefit of being locally bottled and significantly less expensive. Austin is a margarita town, and I think that it is only a matter of time before "PTO" becomes our default orange liqueur, at least for a top shelf margarita.
Her Texas Lemon is a lower proof than the Orange, though it is not a syrupy as true Limoncello. It too has a bright lemon flavor and is a great mixer. Try it as a floater on a Gin & Tonic.
Regarding the Vodkas, I am personally tired of vodka. Audrey Saunders, at a martini tasting hosted by the New York Times, accused America of being "lobotomized by vodka," a sentiment with which I wholeheartedly agree. However, Tito's is the obvious winner in the economical category. I liked Savvy better than Dripping Springs in the boutique category, but I am probably not the best judge of vodkas given the opinion I expressed above.
Treaty Oak Rum is a quality product, and I have mixed cocktails with several bottles of it. I think they might be a little bit misguided in marketing it as a "sipping rum", since it is crystal clear. But for a white rum it has a great flavor. I highly recommend it.
I concur that Live Oak beers are fabulous. Real Ale beers are my favorite of the Texas brews, however, with the added convenience of availability in bottles, unlike Live Oak. Their 2007 Sisyphus barleywine is still available at some stores (CM, Whip In) and I recommend picking up a few bottles to put in the back of the refrigerator for a year or two. I had the pleasure of tasting some cellared 2004 and 2002 Sisyphus this weekend, and they were spectacular.
I have posted a number of recipes incorporating Paula's and Treaty Oak at tipsytexan.com
Favorites from Sunset Valley Farmer's Market?
Unfortunately Eastside Cafe is on hiatus, they have said they will not be at the market for a while because they have been so busy at the restaurant that they can't spare the manpower. I guess that would be what you call a "good problem", though I will miss that buttermilk pie--I think it's the best I've had. I hope they come back sooner than later.
There are some great grapefruits and oranges right now. I like the meats from Loncito's Lamb, and Thunderheart Bison. The mushroom dude has great mushrooms and eggs. In addition to their farmstead cheeses, Full Quiver Farms makes some great sausages. As for the produce, this is the time of year to go! A much greater variety of green veggies than we get most of the year.
Regarding Brussels Sweet Feast, it is a shame that he stopped coming, his product was my favorite of the RTE foods at the market. You can now find Oliver in the kitchen at El Chilito on Manor, I believe.
Last Minute Anniversary Help
I personally think the sexiest late night meal in Austin is a trip down to Bestwust with your beloved, for an Italian loaded up w/ sauerkraut and onions and curry ketchup. Walk around with your significant other and take in the spectacle of thousands of drunken college students, and comment on how hot your lover looks with grease and mustard dripping down his/her chin. The aphrodisiac qualities of grilled onions are not to be underestimated. And it's just a short walk from the Hilton...
For those looking for a more delicate pleasure I would go to Starlite for dessert and drinks, since they are open later (11p for food and midnight for drinks. I don't know if they serve dessert after 11). I have had good dessert and drinks at Trulucks, and the bar is kind of cool. I have had disappointing drinks at the Belmont and Four Seasons in the last few weeks (Four Seasons specialty: $14 mediocre martnini). There is a bartender at the Driskill that I like (the younger man makes a great Sidecar; not the older one who REFUSED to serve my friend a gin drink and insisted that she wanted a chocolate martini. A chocolate martini just b/c she is a girl!) and the atmosphere is cool if you like a look that I would describe as Texas Oil Baron (in Drag).
enoteca: not very good...
I have only eaten dinner there once and don't remember much about it, either b/c it wasn't memorable or because I was too tipsy at the time.
HOWEVER, I had brunch there yesterday and really enjoyed it. Considering that I usually have only bitchy things to say about hip restaurants, this is really a compliment. There were five of us at the table and I tasted everything, and thought it all right-on. I ordered their interpretation of eggs benedict and the poached eggs were perfect, the brown butter hollandaise was delicious, and their yukon gold fries had great flavor and texture, a welcome brunch diversion from the ubiquitous homefry. They serve a polenta that is creamy, cheesy and buttery, and a contender for best side dish, though I think I still prefer the yukes. My partner got the crepelle which was smothered in mushroom bechamel and melted fontina, all the better to drag a potato through (I am outing myself here as a very classy diner, I know). My friend got the breakfast panino which was pressed just right. The grilled pancetta was thin and crispy. And one of the best things about their brunch menu is the fair price--all dishes in the $8-9 range. You could spend a couple bucks less down the street at Magnolia, wait forever, and get snarled at by your server. Or you could cough up a few extra bucks and dine at a place with significantly better food, fine dining service, and no vinyl tablecloths. My new favorite brunch.
No more jager bombs and vodka redbulls!
For a town with no shortage of places to drink, it is so hard to find a Cocktail.
About that Belmont Mai Tai...nevermind that the juices come out of a gun, a Mai Tai should never have pineapple and orange juice in the first place. Though recipes vary with regards to proportion, they all pretty much agree on the basics: Aged rum, triple sec, fresh lime, Orgeat or Falernum, and simple (even Old Mr. Blah-ston, the worst and yet most ubiquitous cocktail manual, doesn't have orange and pineapple.) I'm floored that they put something that is not a Mai Tai on a menu and called it a Mai Tai. If they put a hamburger on the menu and served you a hot dog, you would send it back. But so few people in A-town know about the classic cocktails that a hot spot bar like the Belmont can get away with this.
I second the accolades for the Peacock, at least they are putting forth the effort. Starlite has a good cocktail menu, and DeVille makes a good drink. Chris at Botticellis is working on it, and so is David at Ms. B's. I highly recommend checking him out and giving him your feedback, as you can tell he's putting a lot of work in to it. He was, as far as I know, the first to put Q Tonic on the menu within a week of it coming to town.
The most pervasive problem with most "classic" drinks in this town is that they often use the least classic ingredient of all, which is MIX. Bottled, canned, or bag-in-a-box mixes and juices do not result in good cocktails. Fresh squeezed is the way to go, or at least Goodflow or the like. None of the pre-prohibition, golden era cocktail manuals call for these tired mixes, and neither should you.
Best Margaritas in Austin--on the rocks with salt
I too appreciate the attention to margaritas at Ranch 616. But I think el Jimador is a mixto, no longer made w/ 100% agave. Mitch at Twin on Mesa told me however that it has more agave than other mixtos, so still a good choice on the more economical end. (In basically the same price range I recommend Hornitos or Cuervo Tradicional, both reposados. Paula's Tx Orange is a great local product and $10 less than Cointreau)
I have also had good rocks ritas at Club DeVille. And they make an interesting twist on the classic at Starlite, with spiked sour cherries in the bottom.
"Unpretentious" must have some other local meaning that I'm unaware of; Or, what's with the service at Chez Nous?
MPH--Bummer you have had such unsatisfying experiences at Chez Nous. I have been eating there for years and have always enjoyed it--not blown away, but always pleased. I am no expert on French food but I have heard some people say that the food has not been as solid since the departure of Eric & Martine Pelegrin. If you have not tried out their new operation you may want to check it out. They opened Bistro Le Marseillais, where they deliver French food to your door. Each of their delivery areas has a designated day; on your delivery day you leave an ice chest (with a ziploc baggy with a check in it) on the porch and they deliver the food. I don't know if the food will live up to your expectaions but there's something about this type of service that seems so subversive it is worth trying. If you have done it or do it I'd be curious to hear what you think.
Their contact info is:
www.BistroLeMarseillais.com
512-383-0501
Botticelli's on Congress?
Botticelli's relates to Cap Brass like this: The chef who opened Cap Brass for (owner) Reed Clemmons was Andy Sasser, who moved on to Whole Foods. His sous chef was Geoff Nunez, who took over for Sasser when he left. Nunez helped the Botticelli boys open their restaurant but is soon to depart to work on another undisclosed concept. One of the Botticellis was the manager at Starlite, his brother the manager (or maybe bartender? I can't keep them straight) at Cap Brass. They opened their restaurant on S. Congress in time for SXSW '07, but alas the steak frites does not live on to my knowledge...
Cheese-obsessed
I second that--SSV market has a cheese booth every week from Full Quiver Farms. They have some great firm cheeses as well as soft spreads. I like the white cheddar and the colby.
Pure Luck Farms has not been there this year, much to everybody's dismay. But the good news is that their time off is for a good cause--instead of selling off the baby goats this year, they have decided to keep them and enlarge their herd. Therefore, there is less milk for cheese since the babies are drinking it. (This FFA moment coming from a city boy w/ no knowledge of animal husbandry, so please forgive me if this terminology is inaccurate.) I believe they are still filling orders for WF and CM. I look forward to their return to the market.
P&K Grocery
P & K is ...how shall we say...a business in transition? (Hopefully not transitioning to a close.) Since I first started going there they have dramatically pared down their grocery offerings to the point that I doubt you could cook a complete meal without having to shop somewhere else as well. They have replaced much of their original grocery area with seating, though I don't usually see much of a crowd. They also seem to be in a constant state of rearranging, which must be disconcerting to neighborhood shoppers--though not as disconcerting as the occasionally naked shelves and coolers.
On the other hand, their deli counter has put out some great quick food. I have had the hot dogs and like them, and some of the sandwiches are great.
Cissis appeared to me to be inconvenient as an eatery and almost useless as a grocery.
Farm to Market is a great place, with way more grocery options than Cissi's, crammed into a fraction of the space. It would be great if Pam could expand some day, but that would mean taking out TFB or the Woodland...Maybe they could move into the former Cissi's spot if it were to tragically choke on its own soco-ness.
Botticelli's on Congress?
I have been eating at Botticelli's since their pre-opening. Some of their stuff is great, some of it not so much. What I like about it is how comfortable and flexible it is. You want a special evening, dress up and sit inside, order the brajol and a bottle of wine. You want an easy dinner before going out, sit on the patio in jeans with a beer and order the Italian beef sandwich.
I have not had bfa's experience of a different menu outside than in. Their whole menu is somewhat rather simple, and if there was a difference maybe somebody forgot to place the new ones outside? I'm not sure.
I think the key with this place since it is so new is to talk to the owners about your experiences. They are young guys who came up in the recent Austin restaurant scene (Starlite, Cap Brass (R.I.P)) and in my experience have been very receptive to customer feedback. On this note, I think it is important for all Hounds to communicate not just with eachother, but with the chefs and restaurant owners and bartenders at the places we frequent.
Oaxacan Tamaleo
Hi Centex. I have been eating Leo's food for many years and I think it is very good. The atmosphere at this new restaurant leaves a lot to be desired, it still has a lingering look of the beer hall it replaced. However it is a great family-run place and very reasonably priced. Leo is famous for her Oaxacan Tamales(that, and balancing stuff on her head), which are about 3 times the size of the more familiar tamale and wrapped in banana leaves instead of corn husks. These are great to keep in the freezer at home for a snack or emergency meal. I like the chicken/mole and the pork, but not the black bean. An easy last-minute breakfast is a reheated tamal, topped with two over medium eggs and salsa. These have helped me through many a morning (after a tipsy evening...) Even if you opt not to dine in, I suggest stopping by to pick up a dozen tamales.
Need Ideas for Breakfast on the Go and Driving-Friendly Lunch Take-Out in South Austin
I agree with all of the positive posts about Torchy's. I eat there at least once a week. They do have occasional consistency problems, but if you've had a bad experience it's worth giving the place another shot. And the owner Mike Rypka is also very much open to commentary and criticism. They have recently landscaped the patio so now Torchy's is delicious as well as pleasing to the eye.
The exotic tacos are the way to go. I love the Trashy Trailer Park--fried chicken and queso on a taco, as well as the fried avocado taco. The beef fajitas are usually great and sometimes superlative.
Another great feature of Torchy's is that it is BYOB--a nice alternative in the evening to waiting forever at Polvos is taking a six pack or a thermos of margaritas to Torchy's and hanging out on the patio.
Also, though I doubt they will offer much in the way of grab & go, Gypsy Italian Bistro which is soon to open at Dawson & Barton Springs in the failed Rockhounds spot, plans to serve breakfast. That could be a nice addition to the S. Austin dining scene.
Bloody Mary's in Austin?
Bayou, do you use Zing Zang? When I use a mix that is the one. It tastes the least mix-y to me but if you know of another please share.
As for Bloodys around town, my favorites are: Z'Tejas--they're great, with a nice rim of celery salt and a cheap enough price that you don't have to feel bad for indulging (you may feel bad for other reasons, like last night's indulgence); the Holy Mary at Katz's, rimmed with seasoned salt, spiked with Absolut Peppar, a salad of garnishes, and pint-sized, this is a great dish to accompany a plate of convalescent corned beef hash & eggs; Wasabi Bloody Mary at Starlite.
Great Burger
Rene, this is not a burger post, per se, but FYI Mike Rypka, who was the chef at Lucy's Boatyard responsible for those signature burgers, has moved on to open his own concept, Torcy's Tacos. Some of the staff are old Boatyard cooks. His business is a first-class taco trailer, parked on S. First just south of the School for the Deaf. The tacos are great, for a gringo he can really rock the TexMex, and has been a winner at the Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival several times. He also has a location in a convenience store on S. Lamar across from Half Price Books, just south of Phonecia, and they're opening a third location in a trailer where the old 6th St Artists Market was. I think he has some of the best tacos in town, great queso, salsa, etc. Maybe if you're nice enough to Mike he'll make you a burger!
